Chapter 990
: Bloody Battle at Dawn Tower
Chapter 990: Bloody Battle at Dawn Tower
A gentle breeze blows,
Watching over the advancing army,
Although there was no noise of people and horses, the sound of weapons colliding and heavy footsteps still resounded through the night sky, especially in the silence of the night, which was particularly harsh. No one could ignore this.
Looking at the nearby city wall,
Zhang Jinyu ordered them to slow down, looked at Yang Shixiong, and asked,
"What else do you want?"
"My Lord, we can give it a try if we send two thousand unarmored soldiers carrying ladders. But once the enemy soldiers find us, they will launch a crazy counterattack. At this time, the unarmored soldiers may not be able to hold the line, so we need another thousand soldiers wearing breastplates and carrying shields to follow behind."
"Okay, I agree. Anything else?"
Zhang Jinyu thought about it carefully. The people in the front fought desperately, and the sneak attack was only temporary. If the enemy army counterattacked, it would be crucial to be able to hold out until Qi Ping arrived. Taking down the city gate would be a great achievement. If they could not attack and open the city gate, they could only withdraw.
"My Lord, if there is no more, I will bring all the bows and crossbows myself. This time, I will lead the troops myself."
Yang Shixiong's face was stern, and he even said something ridiculous, wanting to lead the troops to charge forward himself. This made General Po Lu Qi Ping and General Xuan Wei Li Zongbao both change their expressions. If they were really trapped, they would not even have a chance to escape.
"General Yang, think twice before you act,"
Qi Ping advised slightly, don't underestimate the short distance in the middle. Following behind, the heavily armored soldiers will need an incense stick of time to run to the west gate and climb up. During this time, whether they can defend the tower is the key.
Even Zhang Jinyu was a little hesitant. He didn't want to lose a general before the city wall was taken.
"Are you sure? If not, you should retreat first."
Zhang Jinyu carefully returned the decision-making power to Yang Shixiong, who nodded and responded;
"My Lord, I will lead the troops to go first and try to defend the tower and see if we can open the gate. We should be able to hold it for an incense stick of time. Once General Qi's reinforcements arrive, we can defend the tower. If the gate is open, we will win the battle. If not, we will have to continue the siege."
Having said that, Zhang Jinyu could only agree.
"Okay, you two go first. Once the tower is taken and the enemy hasn't noticed, don't rush down the tower to open the city gate. Wait for General Qi to lead his troops. I'm sure the enemy at the city gate should have been dealt with. If you occupy the tower, agree on the torch signal and shake it three times. Then, I will order all the troops to press forward to attract the enemy's attention."
He narrowed his eyes, thought about whether there were any loopholes, and said;
"If the enemy army finds out that you are surrounded, then stay on the city wall, hold torches and don't move. I will first send General Ling to lead the cavalry with bows and crossbows to support the city. The rest of the army will continue to attack the city and relieve your pressure."
This was also a helpless move. As long as the army got close, they would inevitably be discovered. If they wanted to gain the upper hand, all these had to be taken into consideration. The generals all nodded carefully and responded.
"Well,"
Seeing that everything was arranged properly and at a suitable distance, Zhang Jinyu ordered the army to stop and then deploy the battle formation, without rushing forward.
Then, in the shadow of the front army, several thousand soldiers were seen, holding long swords and sharp blades, carrying ladders, taking the lead. Then, ten thousand heavily armored soldiers dispersed and followed in small steps. After an incense stick of time, Li Zongbao's Thunderbolt Chariot also began to move slowly.
Everything happened silently.
On the gate tower of Linshan County City,
A slightly cool breeze blew over the top of the city. Many members of the Taiping sect who were guarding the city stood there with sparse eyelids, holding their spears with difficulty. Some of them had already leaned against the parapets of the city wall and were fast asleep. Only a few sect leaders who were still awake occasionally opened their eyes and looked around.
The bonfire on the tower was almost burnt out, but none of the believers around went to add more firewood. They leaned against each other, their eyes tired and dull, especially around the bed crossbow. Although many believers were left there, they also leaned against each other and snored.
Not to mention the incense masters and hall masters, no one was seen on the top of the city wall. Occasionally, a patrol team passed by yawning, and the surrounding believers only raised their heads and lowered them slightly.
Just at this time,
Yang Shixiong had already led 500 men to approach the tower and quickly entered the city gate to hide. Then, seeing that there was nothing unusual on the city wall, he waved his hand again. For several consecutive times, 2,000 unarmored soldiers all leaned against the city gate and used the corpses under the city as cover.
After one day,
The bodies of the dead at the foot of the city had already smelled bad. Yang Shixiong frowned, waved his hands to the left and right, and then slowly placed the ladder against the protruding corner of the tower. Although he was extremely careful, there was still a sound.
The man who was on guard on the tower moved his head and asked in confusion;
"What's that sound?"
"Why is there such a sound? Maybe the bonfire is about to go out. It's getting a bit cold."
The other man didn't open his eyes, holding his spear and dozing against the battlement. The one who opened his eyes looked around and was still the same as before, and then there was no movement.
Yang Shixiong, who was standing under the city, had sweat on his forehead. Hearing no sound from the tower, he waved to the people around him. The first group to go up the city were Yang Shixiong's personal soldiers. Each of them held a short blade in their mouths and carefully climbed up the ladder. Although they were cautious, they were not slow, because there was already a faint night light in the eastern sky. If they didn't act now, they would have no chance.
When they got to the top, they saw the bandits standing there on duty. After a while, one of them jumped behind the two men, took out a short blade, quickly covered the mouth and nose of one of them, and slashed the bandit with the blade, and the bandit fell to the ground immediately. The other one, who was not yet alert, followed suit.
Just like that, they successfully climbed onto the tower. As more and more people climbed up, Yang Shixiong led his men to climb onto the top of the tower. Then he waved his hand and had 500 men guard the corridors on both sides of the tower. He then led his men into the tower and killed anyone he saw. Fortunately, there were not many soldiers in the tower.
After a while,
He came out covered in blood, lit a torch, and waved it three times outside.
Qi Ping, who had been waiting anxiously in the distance, was overjoyed when he saw the signal on the city wall. He waved his hand and quickly walked over with his weapons. In the time it took to stick an incense stick, he arrived at the city gate. Then he set up ladders and the heavily armored soldiers under the city climbed up one after another.
Everything seemed silent.
The soldier caves under the Taiping Sect tower and the camp tents under the city wall were all quiet, and people thought everything was peaceful.
But they heard some movement below the city. A leader of the altar, with a dozen people, holding a gong, came out of the tent, cursing;
"Damn it, I didn't sleep well all night, why is it my turn again?"
"Boss, it must be that the people ahead of us didn't finish walking the entire wall and came back because they were lazy. Otherwise, how could we be so fast? According to the original calculation, it would not be our turn at all."
The soldiers also looked reluctant, because they were lazy when they were patrolling in the first half of the night, and returned halfway. The leader looked exhausted and continued to curse;
"These bastards are just up to no good. They take their things, go up to the tower to take a look, take a look around, and then come down."
"Okay, boss, I'll listen to you."
After a commotion, a group of people climbed up the city wall. Yang Shixiong had heard several people talking a long time ago. Looking at the soldiers still climbing up around him, he knew that he could not hide it anymore. He immediately took his men and ambushed at the entrance of the city wall, waiting for these people to climb up the city wall and then kill them immediately.
Zhang Jinyu stopped on his horse in front of the battle formation, his eyes fixed on the direction of the tower. When he saw the signal, he was delighted that his sneak attack had actually worked.
"My Lord, I didn't expect that General Yang has already climbed the tower, and General Qi has already started climbing with his men. Let's wait and see whether the army will move forward."
Ning Bian was incredulous. It was so easy for the imperial soldiers to get in. Were the Taiping Cult members unguarded?
"No hurry. Send General Qi to send more troops. Besides, Li Zongbao's Thunderbolt Chariot is not close to the firing range yet. If we move the army, the noise will be so loud that it will surely alert the enemy. Then, we will be in trouble. Unless the enemy finds out first, then we can stop waiting."
Zhang Jinyu glanced at the eastern sky. At this time, as the night fell, a ray of light from the belly of a fish hung in the sky. Indistinctly, the sky and the earth were visible. After a while, nothing could be hidden. Now he needed to steady his position.
Just as he finished speaking, General Xuanwu Ling Yuantao rode up to him on horseback and asked:
"My Lord, I will lead 20,000 cavalrymen. When they arrive, the soldiers will already have crossbows and three quivers."
A face full of anxiety,
"Why rush? Wait for the signal from General Qi and General Yang. If the cavalry moves, it will surely attract the attention of the enemy soldiers, and then all our efforts will be in vain."
Something happened at the tower. Suddenly, there was a commotion from the west city, followed by a sad horn sound.
"Ohh Ohh ohh!"
As expected, we can't rely on luck. Zhang Jinyu looked at the city gate and saw that there were still a large number of soldiers who had not yet climbed up the city wall. He couldn't help but sigh. This method can only be used once. Looking at General Ling in front of him, he didn't know how to say that he was good. The good ones didn't work, but the bad ones did. It was true.
"General Ling, lead the cavalry immediately and provide support with bows and crossbows on both sides of the tower. Hurry."
"Yes, Lord Marquis,"
Ling Yuantao's face lit up with joy, he clasped his fists and left. This movement made a deafening sound. Seeing the bonfire gradually rekindled on the city wall, he would be discovered if he hid any further. He immediately sent out an order.
"Order all troops to attack the city quickly in order, and send someone to tell General Li to destroy the crossbows on the city wall."
"Yes, Lord Marquis,"
Messengers went out in all directions, and the drums were beaten loudly. Upon hearing the signal, the troops from all walks of life moved towards the western wall. The troops attacking the city moved extremely fast, and the momentum of the battle array was overwhelming.
On the west city tower, there were already shouts and cries of killing. Yang Shixiong, with a sullen face, had already started to put on his armor inside the tower. When he was clearing the top of the city wall just now, it was going smoothly. Even though there were some noises, no one paid attention.
However, they did not know that the enemy patrols were so dense. In just one stick of incense, the people who were rotating below the city went up to the top of the city wall. Everything seemed to be going well, but before the altar master died, he threw the gong in his hand down the top of the city wall and shouted "Enemy attack."
This immediately attracted the attention of the garrison soldiers at the foot of the city, who led their troops up the city wall. When they saw the imperial army attacking, they immediately engaged in a fight. Then, the horn sounded, and everything could no longer be concealed. So they simply returned to the city wall, put on their armor, and prepared to fight for their lives.
General Qi Ping, who heard the noise from the city, shouted loudly,
"Hurry, move faster,"
He also carried a shield and climbed up the tower along the ladder. Before he could stand firm, he was fighting with the elite guards of the Taiping Sect. Fortunately, soldiers continued to climb up from the city wall and replenished the battle formation, gradually stabilizing the situation.
Even if the enemy troops climbed the city from other places, gathered their troops and rushed towards the city gate, the cavalry led by Ling Yuantao also arrived at the city gate. General Ling shouted loudly,
"All troops, assemble, take out the crossbows and string them."
Almost instantly, 20,000 cavalrymen quickly untied their crossbows, took out arrows, loaded their bows, and then raised their crossbows to face the bandits swarming on the city wall.
"Target both sides of the city wall, fire intensively, release,"
Following Ling Yuantao's order, a black cloud rose from the bottom of the city and then landed on the walls on both sides of the city. The Taiping Rebellion troops immediately fell down, but the troops that followed rushed over again, along with the arrows of the rebels.
Under the city,
There were also wailing sounds, mixed with the neighing and screaming of horses. The crossbows on the top of the city wall had been strung and shot at the officers and soldiers below the city. Wherever the giant arrows passed, both men and horses were killed.
at this time,
The eastern sky was already bright, and the sky and earth were all visible. Suddenly, someone's voice shouted shrilly,
"The imperial army is coming,"
Many Taiping Religious bandits looked towards the city not far away. In an instant, the seemingly peaceful city outside was like a raging fire. An astonishing change broke out. Nearly 200,000 troops were slowly approaching. Their black armor glowed coldly in the faint morning light, like a dark cloud pressing down on the city.
Chang Hao, the Taiping Sect commander who had climbed up the city wall from the west side of the city gate, looked ashen and muttered to himself,
"Why are you attacking the city at this time? Quick, notify the left protector to gather reinforcements and retake the tower. Also, mobilize everyone to guard the city wall first. Quick,"
: "Yes, Master,"
The messenger did not dare to delay and immediately ran down the city wall to deliver the message.
Chang Hao saw that there were not many soldiers at the city gate, only cavalrymen were drawing their bows and arrows for cover. A trace of anger flashed in his eyes, and he ordered his men to gather their bows and crossbows.
"Attack the cavalry below the city, cover them densely, and shoot the ladders with crossbows."
"Yes, Hall Master."
The Taiping Sect immediately changed their formation and aimed their bows and crossbows at the cavalry below the city. With the sound of bowstrings loosening, the cavalry led by Ling Yuantao below the city suffered heavy losses. Even the ladders they were climbing were damaged by the crossbows.
Seeing that it was effective, Chang Hao was overjoyed and ordered his men to intensify the attack.
But the imperial army came quickly.
Under the city, Li Zongbao had already brought the Thunderbolt Chariot to within the range. The siege soldiers under his command pushed the Thunderbolt Chariot with all their strength, veins popping out on their hands. After arriving at the place, Li Zongbao quickly gave the order:
"Aim at the crossbow position on the city wall. First round, throw stones."
The soldiers immediately fixed the Thunderbolt Chariot, then pulled up the lever and put some loose stones in the basket, and then, at the captain's command,
"put,"
immediately,
The huge stones were thrown high up, drawing arcs in the air, and smashed into the city wall with a force of a thousand pounds. Although the throwing area was large, unfortunately the accuracy was not enough and it did not hit the crossbow. However, the power was amazing. From time to time, the sound of bricks and stones breaking could be heard on the city wall, and more often, the wailing of the bandits with broken bones.
The frightened leader of the bandit army immediately shouted:
"Hold your shields and keep your spears ready to prevent the soldiers from climbing the city walls."
The Taiping sect members who had been swarming around the soldiers on the city wall began to focus on defense. The archers fired at the soldiers approaching from outside the city. Some of them also retreated to make room for rolling logs and stones, as well as pots of hot oil, on the top of the city wall.
Moreover, the crossbow had been turned around and was aimed at the Thunderbolt Chariot. In an instant, screams came from the position where Li Zongbao's troops were. The soldiers who were pierced by the giant arrows vomited blood and were obviously dying.
"Quick, prepare the kerosene bombs, adjust the direction, and move forward twenty steps."
Li Zongbao's face turned pale. Most of the bullets fell outside the city after the previous attack. He could only push forward again. After twenty steps, he immediately fixed the Thunderbolt Chariot, took out the kerosene bomb and put it in his pocket, and lit it with a torch.
"Aim at the position and release."
There was another sound of the noose being loosened. This time it was different from the previous ones. The burning kerosene bombs emitted thick black smoke and had long tails of flames. They then streaked across the battlefield where the two armies were fighting. In the stunned eyes of the soldiers on both sides, they smashed hard into the area around the crossbows on the top of the city wall.
It was almost an explosion. The kerosene bomb burst and the kerosene inside splashed on the surrounding soldiers. The burning flames ignited almost instantly, and even the bricks and stones on the wall were also burning. There were pieces of tragic wails. Some Taiping sect members could not bear it and jumped directly from the city wall. More of them rolled around and gradually became silent, just like the flames of evil spirits in hell.
Even Chang Hao, the Taiping Sect defender, had never seen these things. He stood there in a daze for a long time without saying a word. This scene almost shocked the entire battlefield.
Under the city,
Zhang Jinyu was shocked. He didn't expect it to be so powerful. An entire section of the city wall was engulfed in flames. He could hear the screams of the bandits from such a distance. It looked like the city was safe, but the siege soldiers couldn't climb up to the city wall.
Also, no one knows how long the fire will last. The good news is that the ten crossbows have been engulfed in flames, and nothing is left. Without these powerful weapons, the siege equipment can be used. He raised his hand and gave the order;
"Let the siege troops move faster. The arrow towers and battering rams should move faster. Also, prepare shield formations and crossbow troops under the towers to support the top of the city and break open the city gates."
"Yes, Lord Marquis,"
The guards were full of excitement and hurried to pass on the order.
As the imperial army slowly approached, just like the day before, the infantry shield formation went first, followed by the crossbow troops. Because there was no threat from the bed crossbows, this time, Song Yutian arranged 40,000 archers into two dense square formations, replaced the cavalry under the city on the left and right, aimed at the passages on both sides of the tower, and shouted;
"On both sides of the tower, a hundred steps away, cover the projectiles, ready, fire."
"Keep winding, ready, release!"
(End of this chapter)