861 attack the heart for the top, siege for the bottom

[Today's chapter is presented, please subscribe! ] 】

"Report, the enemy army is storming Xizhimen, and General Hou is asking for reinforcements."

"Report, Pingzemen was heavily bombarded by enemy artillery outside the city, and asked for support."

"Report, the enemy in Quang Ninh Gate is attacking fiercely, ask for reinforcements."

On the 24th, the Dashun army officially launched a fierce offensive against the capital, among which the Xizhimen, Pingzemen and Guangning Gate in the west of the city were the key targets of the Dashun army's attack.

"Got it, let the three generals, General Lian Yi, Wang Huaile and Peng Gong, each lead 5,000 troops to support the three city gates.

In addition, he informed Lord Chen and asked him to organize the young people in the city as soon as possible and transport the cannonballs belonging to the three city gates. ”

Chongzhen sat in the capital, responsible for dispatching the soldiers and horses of the Ming army in the city, and his face remained unchanged at this time, and he gave an order.

Lu Xiangsheng sat in the capital, and his role was indeed great, at least his sitting in the capital made many generals in the Ming army see the hope of holding the capital.

Lu Xiangsheng's prestige in Daming at this time is absolutely unmatched.

Therefore, with Lu Xiangsheng sitting in the capital, not only did some Xiaoxiao dare not act rashly, but also regained confidence for many Ming soldiers and soldiers, and worked extremely hard to resist the siege of the Dashun army.

In this era, the capital of the Ming Dynasty is definitely the most majestic city in the world.

If the defenders of the city resist stubbornly, it will definitely not be easy for the foreign enemy to capture such a large city, and they will have to pay a heavy price.

In contrast to the fifteenth century, in the west, the Ottoman army was trying to capture Constantinople, the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire.

The Ottoman army used nearly 200,000 troops and more than 300 warships to attack for half a year and pay a heavy price to take this ancient castle with a long history.

But unfortunately, since Li Zicheng's army began to attack the city, there has been an undercurrent in the capital, and many Ming officials who have taken refuge in Li Zicheng have begun to move.

No matter how strong a castle is, it is difficult to conquer from the outside, but it is indeed the easiest to disintegrate from the inside.

Lu Xiangsheng also understood this, so he sent some of his generals to guard the gates of the capital and supervise the defenders of the gates.

Perhaps it was the overseers sent by Lu Xiangsheng who played a role, and until the afternoon of the 24th, no one dared to take the initiative to open any city gate for the Dashun army outside the city.

This is a world of difference from history, in history, but as soon as Li Zicheng's army arrived, the leading party in the city obediently opened the city gate to greet him, and there was no such fierce battle at all.

At night, Lu Xiangsheng issued a martial law order, all the people were not allowed to come out, and at the same time patrolled several city gates in the west of the city.

Lu Xiangsheng's careful arrangement made those who were about to make a move have to continue to choose to wait and see.

"Father, aren't we going to do it tonight?"

On Zhang Jinyan's house, a middle-aged man stood behind Zhang Jinyan, the secretary of the Ministry of War, and asked cautiously.

"What are you anxious about? Lu Xiangsheng is sitting in the capital, we must not act rashly, Lu Xiangsheng is not a master to deal with.

Besides, if Lu Xiangsheng can really defend the capital, then why do we still open the city gate for Li Zicheng.

Continue to wait and see, if Li Zicheng wants to get our help, he has to make some achievements.

Inform Cheng Guogong's side, don't act rashly, everything is waiting for my news. ”

Zhang Jinyan was very leisurely, sitting on the stone chair in the courtyard, drinking good tea, and instructed his son unhurriedly.

"Yes, father, the child knows."

Subsequently, after dawn, the Dashun army continued to attack the city, and the Ming army, equipped with flintlock guns, iron-shelled mines and artillery, with the help of the tall walls of the capital, repeatedly thwarted the attack of the Dashun army.

The attack of the Dashun army lasted for three days, but it did not even capture a single gate of the capital, let alone enter the city.

Peng!

"What are you all doing to eat, you promised me so good before the war, but it's been three days since you fought.

Why haven't you taken any of the gates and entered the city? ”

On the 27th, Li Zicheng could no longer bear it, and after several days of attacking the city, the Dashun army not only failed to enter the city, but suffered tens of thousands of casualties.

In the end, Li Zicheng had to convene the generals of the Dashun Army and hold a meeting to severely reprimand these generals of the Dashun Army.

"Your Majesty, it's not that our soldiers don't need to die, it's really the high water depth of the capital city, and it's harder than Ningwu Pass.

Also, the Ming army in the city is equipped with flintlock pistols and iron-shelled mines, and the artillery is not lost to us, so it is difficult to achieve results in a short period of time with such a hard attack! ”

Li Guo stood up and reported to Li Zicheng.

"Fart, those Ming troops are just a bunch of wine bags and rice bags, no matter how good the weapons are for them, no matter how tall the city walls are, it is impossible to stop our Dashun warriors.

I have ordered all the artillery to be concentrated in Xizhimen.

Li Guo, I want you to go back, select a group of elites from the old camp, and you must go into the city today. ”

Li Zicheng roared angrily and gave orders to Li Guo.

"Yes, Your Majesty, the humble post will definitely break the city today."

Facing Li Zicheng, who was angry at this time, issued such an order, although Li Guo knew that it was very difficult, he still did not hesitate to take the order.

At this time, Li Guo knew that if he dared to say more, he would inevitably anger Li Zicheng, and the end would not be good.

"Your Majesty, what Li Guo just said is right.

The capital is no better than other cities, and it is very difficult to storm it.

Moreover, judging from our siege of the city in the past two days, the Ming army in the city also has powerful firearms and high morale.

Even, judging from the timely dispatch of the Ming army several times and the identification of our main attack direction, the commander of the Ming army in the city is a master.

In such a situation, it is not wise to blindly attack. ”

Song Xiance also took the initiative to stand up at this time and said to Li Zicheng.

"Strategist, then you say, what else do you have to do?

Don't say so much useless, if you come up with a good idea, say it quickly.

If it is really useful, after conquering the capital, I will remember your great achievements and become the king, and you will be indispensable. ”

At this time, Li Zicheng was in an irritable mood, he didn't want to listen to Song Xiance say so much nonsense, he just wanted to hear what good ideas Song Xiance had.

Even entered the Hou Feng King, such a promise was opened.

Li Zicheng, Song Xiance and the others didn't see it, but when Li Zicheng said the words 'enter the marquis and seal the king', Liu Zongmin next to him showed a strong look of jealousy in his eyes.

You must know that Liu Zongmin was named Ru Hou by Li Zicheng at this time, and Song Xiance was only a division of the army, and other generals of the Dashun Army were only named generals.

It can be said that Liu Zongmin can definitely be called the first general under Li Zicheng in terms of title alone, and he is also the general of the Dashun Army with the highest title.

Liu Zongmin also counted on Li Zicheng to get rid of his marquis and crown him king after he conquered the capital!

But now, Li Zicheng's promise to Song Xiance to 'enter the marquis and seal the king' made Liu Zongmin jealous, feeling that his title of 'the first general under Li Zicheng' was not guaranteed.

But at this time, Song Xiance didn't notice Liu Zongmin's eyes, and he didn't have time to pay attention to Liu Zongmin's jealousy, and continued to say to Li Zicheng: "Your Majesty."

There is a cloud in Sun Tzu's Art of War: the way of using soldiers, attacking the heart is the top, and attacking the city is the bottom; Psychological warfare is the top, and military warfare is the bottom.

Especially in a strong city like the capital, we must not blindly attack it, and don't forget, we still have a lot of chess pieces that can be used in the city. ”

"Haha, I know that the military advisor is resourceful and must have come up with a good countermeasure.

It's a 'attack on the heart, siege on the city for the bottom', I am almost confused. ”

After Li Zicheng heard Song Xiance's words, his face also softened, and finally laughed and said.

But then, Li Zicheng regained his concentration and said to Song Xiance: "But, military advisor!

In the past few days, we have attacked the city, but Zhang Jinyan and others, who have discussed with us in the city, have not moved.

I'm afraid that this old boy is deliberately waiting, and I have never really believed in these Ming dog officials.

If they don't do it all the time, we can't help it! ”

"Haha, Your Majesty, rest assured, Zhang Jinyan's old dog must be watching at this time.

However, since this old dog sent someone to join us before, I have already left his handle.

Since the old dog refuses to do it now, then the general will force him to do it. ”

Song Xiance said with a sneer on his face.

"Haha, okay, since the military advisor has been prepared for a long time, then I will leave this matter to you.

As long as you can let Zhang Jinyan's old dog open the city gate for our Dashun army inside, I will remember your first credit. ”

"Your Majesty, but Zhang Jinyan is a scheming person, so I'm afraid he won't give in easily.

This old dog is afraid of death, and he secretly took refuge with us before, just to leave a way back for himself after we invade the capital.

Therefore, if the last general wants to coerce Zhang Jinyan to succeed, our soldiers who are attacking the city may increase their offensive and let Zhang Jinyan see this battle, and we must win in the end.

At that time, he will willingly open the door for us. ”

"Don't worry, Li Guo assures you that this morning, even if I lead people to break through Xizhimen.

At the very least, I will have my subordinates attack the city wall at least three times to cooperate with the actions of the military division. ”

After hearing Song Xiance's words, Li Guo on the side stood up and assured.

Thundered!

Immediately, Li Zicheng concentrated hundreds of artillery pieces in the west of the city to launch an artillery bombardment, and Li Guo personally led the elite of the old battalion of the 5,000 Dashun army to join the siege.

Soon, the Xizhimen side became a meat grinder, and the elite of the old battalion of the Dashun army soon attacked the city wall.

"Report, my lord, it's not good.

The thief army suddenly strengthened its offensive at Xizhimen, bombarded by hundreds of artillery pieces, and increased the siege force.

Now, some of the thieves have attacked the city wall, and General Hou can't stand it, so he quickly asks for reinforcements! ”

A Ming soldier covered in blood came to Lu Xiangsheng and reported anxiously.

"Well, Ben Shuai knows, reinforcements have already been sent, you go down to heal."

Lu Xiangsheng's face still did not change, as if any danger was not enough to move him, and said in a deep voice.

But in fact, at this time, Lu Xiangsheng was extremely worried, his eyes looked at the Xizhimen in the west of the city, and the palms in the sleeves behind his back were trembling slightly.

Just after such a fierce cannon sound sounded in Xizhimen, Lu Xiangsheng realized that it was not good.

Then, he immediately made a decision, and when he was still unclear about the current situation of Xizhimen, he immediately asked Hao Qiang to lead the elite of the 3,000 Ming army to Xizhimen to support.

Now, hearing the Ming soldier who hurriedly returned for help, Lu Xiangsheng knew that he had made the right bet.

"Kill!"

Poof, poof!

At this time, on the city wall of Xizhimen, the soldiers of Dashun who attacked the city wall were strangled together with the soldiers of the Ming Dynasty, and the swords were bloody, and the corpses were covered with the aisles of the city wall.

After attacking the city wall, the Dashun army could not use flintlock pistols at all, and the number of flintlock pistols on the Ming army's side was also limited, and by this time there was no more.

Therefore, the soldiers on both sides had to continue the cold weapon battle they were familiar with, and the battle was carried out fiercely.

"General, general, no, General Chen fled with his men."

A Ming soldier rushed to the city wall, and a veteran Hou Kun, who was holding a big knife and personally fighting with the Dashun soldiers who attacked the city wall, shouted.

Hou Kun, as Lu Xiangsheng's old subordinate back then, was nearly sixty years old at this time, and his temples and beard were white, but he still went into battle to fight in person at this time.

Really, there are not enough troops on his side.

"What, Chen Qianguo, he dared to escape, and the Duke of Jin would not spare him."

After Hou Kun heard this, his beard trembled angrily and roared angrily.

Originally, the Ming army defending Xizhimen had more than 8,000 people, and in the entire Ming Dynasty defense gate, the number of troops was one of the most numerous city gates.

In terms of the number of defenders of Pingzemen and Guangning Gate in the south, compared with Xizhimen, the defenders of other city gates are not so many.

After all, the capital of the Ming Dynasty, including the outer city, has as many as a dozen city gates, all of which need to be guarded by troops.

However, judging from the offensive launched by the Dashun army, in the past few days, they have been taking the Xizhi Gate, Pingzemen and Guangning Gate in the west of the city as the main direction of attack.

Therefore, Lu Xiangsheng also heavily defended these three city gates.

Among them, half of the 8,000 men and horses on the side of Xizhimen are the elite of the Ming army.

All of them were selected by Lu Xiangsheng from the elite of the 30,000 Ming army brought back from Shanxi before.

The Dashun army attacked the west of the city for three days, and the elite of the 4,000 Ming army led by Hou Kun has always been the main force to resist the Dashun army

In the past three days, Lu Xiangsheng successively sent three waves of reinforcements to Xizhimen, and always kept Hou Kun's command of 4,000 fresh troops before the Dashun army could break through.

At the same time, on the side of Xizhimen, another Ming army commander, Chen Qianguo, led another 4,000 men and horses, basically playing soy sauce.

Hou Kun commanded 4,000 men and horses to defend the Xizhimen side, 80% of the city wall, only 20% of the place was left, let Chen Qianguo's 4,000 men defend.

However, this time, Li Guo led the elite of the old battalion of the 5,000 Dashun army, under the cover of hundreds of artillery, to launch a desperate attack on Xizhimen and successfully attacked the city wall.

In the face of these soldiers of the Dashun Army, the 'old soldiers' under Chen Qianguo were not opponents at all, and they were about to collapse at the first touch.

In the end, Chen Qianguo was almost killed by a Dashun sergeant, which directly frightened him and fled desperately.

As soon as the master fled like this, those Ming soldiers and soldiers were desperate to flee with them, which directly turned into a rout.

Chen Qianguo would never believe that the soldiers of the Dashun army attacking his side were actually less than 700 people.

The main force of the Dashun army led by Li Guo was mainly fighting with Hou Kun's subordinates.

It was this mere 700 people who killed more than 4,000 people on Chen Qianguo's side and opened a gap in the city wall.

(End of chapter)