Gu Kecheng was injured in the previous battle to defend the city. His injuries were serious and he had no choice but to temporarily retreat to the official office in the city to recuperate. The command of the city's defenders was therefore handed over to Shandong's recruiting envoy Xu Du.
On hand.
This was the Dashun Army's trust in Xu Du, and it was also a heavy honor and pressure. The young scholar probably could not have imagined that after he returned to Dashun with Li Yuan of the Longyi Guard in Xuzhou, one day he would actually lead an army
As the coach, he is responsible for all the lives and fortunes of countless soldiers and civilians in Xuzhou.
The sun was blazing in the sky, but the sand and dust covered the sky. It was difficult for the Xuzhou defenders to distinguish the outcome of the melee below the city. Yan Ermei was worried. He had discovered that the Nanming reinforcements had left their position in Lulianghong, and the 50,000-strong army suddenly
Swarming into the front line will definitely put tremendous pressure on Li Laiheng.
"Recruit, the Ming army... Jiangnan soldiers have rushed to the right wing. If they wait for the cavalry from the central front to encircle our king's division, not only the soldiers and civilians of Xuzhou, but also the army of the king of Jin will become the turtle in the urn, and all the hundreds of thousands of elite soldiers will be wasted."
, once it is destroyed, it will be too late to regret it!”
Xu Du wore an iron helmet, and he also wore an iron armor outside the scholar's robe. There were many stray arrows shot by Qing soldiers embedded in the armor leaves, and some of the deeper ones had penetrated into his flesh. Xu Du didn't seem to know it.
, he laughed loudly and calmly:
"The King of Jin and Gu Jinglue both knew what was going to happen. Dorgon indeed attacked with all his troops. Now that the Donglu Central Army camp is empty and unprepared, it is a perfect opportunity for us to defeat the enemy."
Yan Ermei is familiar with history books and the art of war, and can be considered a mature and prudent person who knows military affairs. But after all, he just lives in a study and has never had the experience of commanding on the spot in a real battlefield duel. After hearing Xu Du's words, his face changed with shock.
He turned pale at this and repeatedly tried to dissuade him:
"The garrison in the city is said to be ten thousand people, but after repeated attacks and defenses, under the fierce offensive of the Donglu, the whole city was seriously wounded. Less than half of the soldiers who can fight are already less than half, and there are even less elite soldiers who can break the siege and attack.
The number is one to two thousand.
Outside the city, the army of the Eastern captives is arrayed in trenches, with dozens of troops and horses, more than a hundred thousand tigers and wolves! If we open the door and attack, wouldn't we be throwing ourselves into death?"
Xu Du had a smile on his face, and his smile was full of confidence. Although his own injuries were much lighter than Gu Kecheng's, the blood was soaked through his gown, and the soldiers around him had their armors shattered and their hair buns broken.
They were in disarray, and the whole army looked gray and tired.
But Xu didn't take it seriously. He pushed away the people on the city wall with all his strength, and walked downstairs with his golden sword waved. The soldiers immediately followed him and walked down. Only Yan Ermei and some other local people from Xu and Pei were left.
The disciples of the gentry looked at each other, shocked by Xu Du's confidence and courage.
"If the skin is gone, how can General Mao be attached? If the Jin King's army is defeated by Dorgon, then Xuzhou's defeat is certain." Xu Du walked all the way to the city gate and said, "Send someone to report to Gu Jinglue.
, send the news to the Governor's Mansion that the general wanted to go out and lead the sharp cavalry to counterattack the Qing soldiers. Go quickly! Go quickly!"
Xu Du turned around again, faced the row of gentry children on the tower, and laughed:
"The Ming Dynasty has been raising scholars for three hundred years, but only got some beasts like Hong Hengjiu. Lords! Lords! Today, the Lords can go to the top of the city, carry rolling stones on their backs, and throw wood with their hands. They have lived up to the loyalty taught by the sages of Confucius and Mencius.
The envoys are about to open the city gates on all sides and send out troops to attack the barbarians. The affairs in the city can only be left to the princes, brother Yongqing! Brother Yongqing will live up to me. If you don't do it for Boyi, you will do it for Yiwu!"
After saying that, Xu Du turned around and left. Surrounded by all the soldiers, his retreating figure fell into the eyes of many gentry. Who could not feel a million dollars of shame?
In fact, this group of gentry was able to stand on the wall of Xuzhou City and fight side by side with ordinary soldiers and civilians when the Qing army marched southward to Xuzhou. Their loyalty and courage were already a hundred times greater than that of the scholar-bureaucrats of Yandu and Jinling, but
Compared with Xu Du's bravery, he always embarrassed himself.
Yan Ermei's face turned red. He lowered his head and remained silent. Then he raised his head and ran after him, shouting as he ran:
"As the Master said, no matter how small the task is, I will be sent to the left. I know it now! I know it now! Xu Sheng, I will go with you!"
Xu Du stopped in his tracks. He was wearing a scholar's dark robe but a military commander's military uniform and iron armor. He truly showed the heroic appearance of a scholar with both civil and military skills in the late Ming Dynasty.
Emperor Chongzhen had such scholars, but he could not bring order to the world. The Ming Dynasty had so many loyal ministers and martyrs, but it could not restore China.
In this world, who has failed whom?
Xu Du shook his head. He ordered all the injured guards and civilians to stay in the city. He only selected more than 2,000 soldiers with horses or less injured soldiers from the field troops in front of the palace to form a team to go out of the city to cooperate with the outside world and counterattack.
Ergon's commando team.
Regarding Yan Ermei and others' request for warriors and gentry, Xu Dou knew that although these people had become brave under his encouragement, blood bravery could defend the city, but could not fight in the field, so he still tried his best to persuade Yan Ermei and others to stay in the city and guard the city.
city.
"Guard Xuzhou...! Otherwise, if Xuzhou is lost, the fighting of hundreds of thousands of people will become a joke? Yongqing, it is very difficult for you to stay in Xuzhou city.
I ventured out of the city to strike a blow, but this was just a bargain.
You let it be difficult, I let it be easy, what else is there to say? Everyone should return to their positions, this battle is not over yet."
Gu Kecheng himself was wounded and could not leave the city to fight in the field. However, he handed over all his soldiers to the command of Xu Du, and ordered people to use the "Made in Suizhou" armor and pistols that Li Laiheng personally gave to General Quan.
They were all handed over to Xu Du.
Xu Du gladly wore the armor. Although he was prepared to risk his life, Xu Du believed that he was not going to die when he went out to fight in the city.
"In the Spring and Autumn Period, we were all prepared to die today. But even if we die, our death will not be in vain. Only by letting Dorgon's blood flow on the ground can we live up to the wishes of the King of Jin."
The iron armor given."
Xu Du ordered all the soldiers who were preparing to leave the city for an assault to take off their tattered armor and put on more complete armor that others had collected from the city. Everyone carefully checked the condition of the horses and weapons, and the soldiers used them carefully.
The linen belt was tied tightly to the handle of the sword. Xu Du checked the gunpowder and bullets in the pistol before fastening it to his waist.
The war horse seemed to be infected by the chaotic atmosphere in the air, kicking its hooves randomly and whining and neighing. Xu Du gently stroked the horse's mane, while the other soldiers held their breath and lined up in order to wait behind the city gate.
On the armor and weapons illuminated by the sun, the bloodstained faces of the soldiers were reflected in the luster of the metal. Many people couldn't help but swallow, and unconsciously tightened their weapons in their hands.
The huge city gate and suspension bridge were moving slowly, forming a dark area when viewed from the city gate opening. A gap opened in the middle of the double iron gate. Xu Du quickly mounted his horse. Since he returned to the Dashun Army, he relied on the training of the war.
, his equestrian and martial arts skills are no longer at the level of the Jiangnan princes who used to fly eagles and lackeys, but have reached the level of a true military commander.
"If the skin is gone, how can the general Mao be attached? If the king of Jin is defeated, Xuzhou will not survive.
Those who boast of being warriors should all follow my instructions and open the city gates to fight back!"
In the queue of soldiers, a leaf of armor clattered and vibrated, and even the war horses seemed to roar in unison. More people struck their shields with their weapons, making an exciting war cry: