Chapter 143 Rescue Operation 1
"Fire!" Boom boom boom! Boom boom boom! The sound of artillery fire rang out, and shrapnel shells were fired at Zhang Yu's warships. Zhang Yu's warships were blown to pieces, and some soldiers were pierced by the wood chips like hedgehogs. Some were killed directly, and some were pushed into the water by the shock wave.
Zhang Yu couldn't believe it; his own warships were reduced to smithereens before the fireships even reached the enemy ships. Even Shi Lang was taken aback, because in his combat experience, artillery attacks were the first, but if artillery really became the primary offensive method, then you'd be in trouble! After the artillery attack, it was the bow and arrow attack, and finally the string attack. The enemy's warships were boarded and captured. The Ming-Dutch naval battle was a case of Zheng Zhilong first attacking with fireships, then confronting them with bows and arrows. Ultimately, the Dutch were defeated.
Zhang Yu's vanguard fleet was now in disarray, with some ships accidentally colliding with each other and sinking. Shi Lang, knowing how to seize the opportunity, ordered the vanguard fleet to ram the fire ships away and continue at full speed.
Seeing this, Zhang Yu immediately formed his fleet into a defensive formation to defend against the Zheng fleet. However, the defense was impossible. The Zheng ships were fast and had iron-clad rams. Zhang Yu's actions were simply courting death. Shi Lang ordered a volley of cannons and arrows. The nearest warships were sunk, and countless enemy soldiers fell into the water.
Zhang Yu had no choice but to retreat, his initial indifference turning into fear. Shi Lang pursued closely behind, and only stopped when Zheng Sen asked him to stop.
Zheng Sen had no problem with Shi Lang's command, but he was very fond of the ship's cannons. He thought to himself: If his family had these cannons, they might continue to dominate the seas for many years. They might even destroy the Dutch East India Company's fleet in the South Seas and the Spanish fleet, dominating all of Southeast Asia.
He wanted to negotiate with Zhao Xiaofei immediately. Even if the share of the Maritime Customs was still 40% to 60%, the Zheng family would be willing to do so as long as they could get the artillery.
He originally planned to board Zhao Xiaofei's flagship, but was told that the master was resting, so he had to go back in disappointment.
Zhao Xiaofei is currently talking to Li Zichu, as he knows that Yuan Jixian is currently under house arrest in Jiujiang by the Zuo family. He hopes to rescue Yuan Jixian and use him for his own benefit.
"My lord! Yuan Jixian is very close to the Zuo father and son! Moreover, he is a governor, but when the Zuo father and son rebelled, he not only did not throw his troops to stop them, but also went to the camp in person to persuade the captives. Why would such a governor save him?" Li Zichu asked.
"This guy likes to negotiate so much. In the future, we can send Gao Jie! Liu Zeqing! He can help us negotiate! It is not something that ordinary people can do to go to the enemy camp to negotiate in person! Anyway, I can't do it! We should see the strengths of others, and don't always look at their weaknesses. Since Yuan Jixian can't fight a war, let him be the governor of Jiangxi! In addition to being responsible for negotiating with those vassal states, he should mainly manage the official kiln in Jingdezhen. We want to export porcelain to Europe!" Zhao Xiaofei said.
"I understand!" said Li Zichu.
The Kenan army won a great victory and entered Chizhou City for rest and recuperation.
Inside Jiujiang City, the Zuo family father and son encountered the beleaguered Zhang Yu and his deputy. Their faces shifted, and they sighed inwardly. They had sent out elite troops! How could they be defeated so easily? It seemed Zhang Yu hadn't even captured a single prisoner. Luckily, Zhang Yu ran fast and cut his losses in time. Otherwise, the 40,000 who returned wouldn't have been here. His deputy, Xiao Ruoshui, had suffered an even more disastrous defeat. In a single encounter, he was beaten to a pulp by the troops led by Zhou Shuai and Wan Shan.
Xiao Ruoshui also underestimated the enemy, dividing his forces into two groups. He intended to attack Zhou Shuai and Wan Shan from both sides, but was caught off guard by Wan Shan's ambushes. Then, he was completely disoriented by Zhou Shuai's artillery fire. In the end, fewer than 20,000 men returned to Jiujiang, most of whom had either died in battle or fled. Wan Shan and Zhou Shuai captured approximately 15,000 men.
If he hadn't divided his forces and used his strength to fight them to the death, he might not have been defeated so miserably!
Zuo Liangyu said, "I told you before we set out not to underestimate the enemy. Did you listen?"
"Marshal! I was wrong! Please punish me!" Zhang Yu said with his head down.
Xiao Ruoshui kowtowed and begged for mercy, shouting, "Marshal, spare my life!" Xiao Ruoshui knew that he had underestimated the enemy and brought back only a few men, and had lost countless weapons and armor. This responsibility must be borne by him! So he begged Zuo Liangyu for mercy!
Zuo Menggeng said, "I've spared Zhang Yu's life this time, but if he does it again, I'll definitely execute him!"
"Thank you, Marshal!" Zhang Yu kowtowed.
Zuo Menggeng turned to Xiao Ruoshui and said, "We lost so many soldiers and weapons in the first battle. What's the point of keeping you here? Someone, take him down and chop him up!"
As soon as Zuo Menggeng finished speaking, two guards came over and lifted Xiao Ruoshui up. Xiao Ruoshui was so frightened that he trembled all over and shouted, "Marshal! Marshal, spare my life! It's not that I'm incompetent, it's that the enemy's firearms are too sharp! Marshal!"
No matter how much Xiao Ruoshui shouted, neither the Zuo family father nor his son paid any attention to him. His voice became increasingly distant, until finally all he could hear was the sound of a knife cutting through a neck.
Zuo Liangyu then said: "All troops, prepare! I will fight to the death with the Kenan Army!"
Yes! The generals below answered in unison.
At this time, Zuo Liangyu said, "Huang Shu! Lead 200,000 troops to encircle the Kenan army from behind and cut off their retreat!"
"Your Excellency!" said Huang Shu.
"Zhang Yu!" Zuo Liangyu shouted.
"I am here!" Zhang Yu said with a fist salute.
"I'll give you 200,000 troops. You and Meng Geng go together! Attack Chizhou!" Zuo Liangyu ordered.
"Yes!" Zhang Yu and Zuo Menggeng answered at the same time.
While Zuo Liangyu's troops were mobilizing, Li Zichu had already sent men to the dungeon of the Governor's Mansion. Two men came to rescue Yuan Jixian: one was Zuo Menggeng's personal guard, and the other was a native of Jiujiang.
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