Ultimately, it was true that Liao's artillerymen were poorly trained, but the Song's naval fleet was also severely undertrained and had no experience in dealing with enemy artillery.
Where did they get the cannons to deal with the smuggling ships they used to deal with?
It's good to have cold weapons.
Now that they were suddenly faced with the Liao army's artillery fire, the shortcomings of insufficient training were revealed.
It's like the two sides are fighting each other.
Di Qing was naturally keenly aware that many of the ships to his left, right, and rear were slowing down. He snorted coldly and said, "Pass the order. Full speed ahead. The slower you go, the more vulnerable you become. Anyone who hesitates will be subject to military law."
"yes."
Huyan Shouyong quickly agreed and ordered the flag bearer on the ship to use flag signals to notify the surrounding ships.
The order was quickly passed down.
Upon receiving the order, each ship immediately sent a messenger to the cabin to deliver the message.
"General Di has ordered us to advance at full speed. Those who disobey will be punished by military law."
"Hurry up, you lazy bastards, why are you so scared? The Liao people's artillery can't hit us at all."
"If we slow down, we'll be easy targets for the enemy. Only by maintaining high speed can we be hit. Are you slowing down and wanting everyone on the ship to die with you?"
"Speed up now, right now, you hear me!"
"Yes, yes, yes."
Under the scolding of the officers, the sailors who were rowing and pedaling in the cabin hurriedly increased their speed and began to work hard again, and the speed of the ship immediately increased.
Although it was early winter and the wind was blowing from the north, and the fleet was sailing against the wind, the waves did not stop and soon began to move closer to the shore.
The firing ranges of both sides gradually approached, and when the distance reached the range of the Song Dynasty fleet's artillery, the fleet began to fire artillery at Guangning City.
The Song Dynasty's artillery was much more powerful than that of the Liao Dynasty. The number of artillery pieces reached more than 600, which formed a great firepower suppression on the city walls.
"Bang bang bang bang!"
Countless artillery shells flew in, forcing the people on the Guangning city wall to flee in panic, unable to fight back.
Before long, under the suppression of ship fire, the Liao people did not even dare to show their heads.
Inside and outside the city of Guangning, rumbling sounds were heard continuously, dust was raised high, and a large number of artillery shells could be seen embedded in the city.
Many Liao troops fled in panic, and the situation was quickly taken over by the Song army.
Upon seeing this, Di Qing waved his hand and said, "Occupy all the ports and docks. The remaining small boats will first enter the Yu River and seize the narrow pass."
"yes."
Hu Yanshouyong agreed and immediately went to issue the military order.
Then the Song army fleet poured into the port near Guangning City like a black cloud.
This place used to be a trading center for smuggling ships, so the port is large enough to accommodate so many ships.
After the port was captured, the soldiers on the ship began to disembark and raised their muskets. The scattered Liao troops nearby had almost no resistance and were quickly dispersed.
The Song army then began to enter the city of Guangning.
After the age of firearms, the method of siege also changed greatly.
In the past, people could only climb up to the city using siege ladders or ordinary ladders, seize the city walls, and then open the city gates.
But nowadays, it is much easier. All you need to do is blow down the city gate with artillery. This was also a common siege method used by the Ming or Qing armies in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties when they had artillery.
"Commander Di, our army has successfully captured Guangning!"
Hu Yanshou said excitedly.
Although their Huyan family is a noble family, nobility is not worth much these days. Without real military merits, having a noble background is useless.
If we can capture Guangning now, we will have made a great contribution, and promotion in the future will be a natural progression.
"Well, enter the city immediately and let me observe the terrain."
Di Qing nodded.
Then all the ships of the Song army began to dock and enter the port quickly, and some small boats began to go upstream along the Yuli River.
The remaining ships docked at the pier, and after leaving enough personnel to guard them, the large army began to enter Guangning City to wipe out the remaining Liao army forces.
Many Liao soldiers fled in panic, and the vast land of Youyan was filled with fleeing enemy troops.
The Song army did not pursue them. They began to enter Guangning in an orderly manner. Then the fleet went north from Yuliu River and attacked Yumen Pass from the rear.
Not long after, Yuguan was breached and the remaining Liao troops fled in all directions.
At this time, another Liao army came from the direction of Jinzhou towards Yumen Pass, intending to cross Yumen Pass and head to the front line of Liaoyang Prefecture.
Yelu Zongzhen's army of hundreds of thousands naturally did not go there all at once. That would cause too much noise and would be noticed by the Song people. Knowing that he had mobilized a large army in Youyan, they would not necessarily lure the Song army to attack. Therefore, they came in batches.
This time there was an army of 5,000 people, led by a general named Shulü Chuoliji. Although he was not one of the two top nobles of the Liao Dynasty, Yelu or Xiao, he was from the Shulü tribe, which was second only to the Yelu and Xiao tribes.
As a high-ranking member of the Liao Dynasty nobility, Shulü Chuoliji once served in the trusted army, also known as the Pishi Army. Now in charge of a part of the palace army, he is naturally highly regarded by the military high command.
He was riding on horseback. Behind him, in addition to the 5,000 palace troops under his command, there were about 10,000 Bohai Navy and Jurchen troops in the distance.
"Your Majesty has assembled a large army and is finally going to war with the Song people. I have been waiting for this day for a long time."
Shulü Chuoliji's deputy general looked into the distance excitedly. After passing Yumen Pass, they would arrive at Nanjing Prefecture of the Liao Kingdom, which was the front line between Song and Liao.
The Liao people have been suppressing the Song people since ancient times, but in recent years, the Liao people have suffered repeated defeats, which has long made some young Liao generals feel dissatisfied. Now they are finally going to avenge their previous humiliation.
However, Shulü Chuliji had experienced the Song-Liao War before. At that time, he was only a commander of the Zhela Army, equivalent to a camp commander in the Song Dynasty. He personally experienced the battle that made him feel terrified when he thought about it now.
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