novelaction Chapter 378: Yanzhou Falls Again
Chapter 378: Yanzhou Falls Again
At the meeting, Zhao Sheng suggested that Li Jixian take over Weizhou, and Li Xianchu and Yu Lei be in charge of Guangling County and Lingqiu County.
He also swapped the positions of county magistrate of Lingqiu County with that of county magistrate of Guangchang County, and appointed Gong Hu Yu as the county magistrate of Guangchang County.
There is no other change.
Mr. Zhao did not make any major adjustments because there were too few people who were promoted.
At this meeting, Mr. Zhao also revealed his idea of building a greenhouse in another county and tentatively asked who would be willing to go.
Those present were either military generals or officials taking the imperial examinations. They looked at each other in confusion, not knowing how to respond.
Jia Dingfeng, the county magistrate from Lucheng, the merchant appointed by Zhao Sheng, timidly asked, "How am I?"
The sudden voice made Zhao Sheng's eyes light up. How could he forget this good businessman?
"Is County Magistrate Jia a bit tired of being an official? Want to go out for a walk?"
After hearing what Zhao Sheng said, Jia Dingfeng thought he had said something wrong and was so scared that he retracted his head and did not express his opinion.
"Hey, hey, hey~, that's all I'm saying. I'm very pleased that you're willing to do this. I think you're the most suitable person, so I'll leave all the negotiations to you. So, you'll be transferred back to Luancheng to be the county magistrate, and Zhou Tong will take on both the positions of county magistrate and county lieutenant."
Zhou Tong didn't come today, but if Mr. Zhao made such an arrangement, he would be happy to go.
He was promoted from a captain of the imperial guards to a county lieutenant, and was now transferred to the position of county magistrate. He held two official positions at the same time. What an honor!
The first day of the meeting ended like this, but there would be a review on the third day, giving them a day to digest the decision.
If there are any objections, they can be raised for further discussion on the third day.
However, everyone had no problems.
It was just a formality afterwards.
However, Zhao Long was arranged to visit a weapon that looked like a tractor carrying rails, which was equipped with rockets and could launch six at a time.
However, there was no experiment for him to see that day.
This weapon has been tested several times and there are basically no problems. Zhao Sheng asked Zhao Long to come back to accept such weapons and all the troops.
Zhao Long has been quite stable over the years, and in Zhao Sheng's opinion, his loyalty is almost 100%.
He needs people like this to serve him.
……
In the workshop in Dingbian, there is a tense and warm atmosphere.
Zhao Hong shuttled among the busy craftsmen with a serious expression. Cannons of various calibers were manufactured one by one and arranged neatly, like soldiers waiting for inspection.
"It's time to start conquering cities and show our ambition!"
Zhao Hong stood in the center of the workshop, his eyes firm and fiery, and spoke loudly to the busy people around him.
They set their sights on Yanzhou and Shangjun, knowing full well the strategic importance of these two places.
Especially in Shangjun, there is a formidable new army stationed there. Its weapons are sophisticated and its combat power should not be underestimated.
It is particularly worth mentioning that they carefully crafted a super cannon, named the Shenwu Cannon.
This mighty cannon is huge in size, with a heavy and majestic barrel. Each cannon requires eight strong horses to pull it with difficulty.
There are a dozen huge wheels installed in front and behind the gun body, and the axles have been thickened and reinforced to withstand its astonishing weight and the huge impact force generated during firing.
The city walls of Yanzhou appear dilapidated and weathered due to the erosion of time and the baptism of war.
The carefully dug defensive trenches outside the city seemed to be the last line of defense for the city.
The newly manufactured artillery was also carefully deployed at various defensive points in Yanzhou, ready for the coming storm.
On the eve of dawn in mid-February, before the sky was fully bright, Daraxinbu led 60,000 troops and 50,000 troops sent by Sai Jinzhu and quietly approached the west gate of Yanzhou.
The west gate, which had just experienced a great battle, was in ruins, and half of the pavilion on the hanging building had collapsed, making it look dilapidated.
However, the officers and soldiers on guard on the city wall remained highly vigilant.
When the rows of black gun muzzles appeared in their field of vision, an ominous premonition instantly came to their minds.
Of the cannons captured in Yanzhou, only two were placed at each city gate and were not originally intended to play a major role in this battle.
But when the twenty powerful cannons on the opposite side roared and fired at the same time, the whole world seemed to fall into chaos.
The earth shook violently, as if groaning in pain.
Shi Yongzhi was stunned by the sudden and fierce attack. Only then did he realize how fragile and vulnerable his previous formation was.
Less than a quarter of an hour after the artillery fire, the carefully prepared artillery positions in the trenches were destroyed and turned into ruins.
The two cannons on the city wall fought back hard, trying to intimidate the enemy.
But not long after, the two cannons stopped roaring due to overheating caused by continuous firing, and completely broke down, no longer able to function.
The morale of Zhao Hong's coalition forces was greatly boosted, and they quickly broke through the defense line of Yanzhou City like a surging tide.
Fortunately, there were still small-caliber artillery pieces in Yanzhou City that were carrying out a tenacious counterattack, temporarily suppressing the fierce offensive of the invading enemy.
However, unfortunately, the enemies were so numerous that they swarmed like locusts.
Moreover, they were equipped with double-barreled shotguns, and in the narrow streets and fighting, they were no less effective than the enemy.
After two days and two nights of fierce fighting, Shi Yongzhi's 50,000 troops suffered heavy losses, and more than half of the soldiers fell on this land.
In the end, he had to make a painful decision and led the remaining troops to evacuate Yanzhou.
When Yan Ruxiang heard the news, it was as if he had suffered a heavy blow, and his face instantly became extremely gloomy.
"Concentrate all the captured cannons on one tower, preferably the south gate."
Tannin's voice became a little hoarse due to anxiety, and beads of sweat continued to roll down his forehead.
He immediately felt the severity of the situation. His intuition told him that this mixed-formation coalition would definitely target Shangjun, and the South Gate would most likely be the direction of their main attack.
The new army had only thirty mortars, which could reach a range of more than a thousand steps after adding explosives.
"We can only rely on the mortar's advantage in flexible combat. Once the battle begins, we can quickly find the enemy's artillery positions and deliver a fatal blow. Or we can launch a surprise attack when the enemy is on their way."
Shan Ning frowned and spoke with a determined look. Although his heart was filled with worry, he remained calm and decisive.
He planned to take advantage of the mortar's flexible combat capabilities and find the enemy's artillery positions after the battle began.
Or wait for the enemy to come and then launch a surprise attack on them along the way.
No matter which method he uses, he will not fight the enemy head-on.
After hearing this, Yan Ruxiang nodded slightly. Although he felt uneasy, he also understood that this seemed to be the only way at the moment.
Moreover, the South Gate is relatively intact, and more than a dozen captured cannons are all placed on the top of the city wall. Perhaps there is still a glimmer of hope to withstand the enemy's crazy attack.
At this moment, the shadow of war grows thicker over Shangjun, and an even more brutal battle is about to begin...