Chapter 169 Sichuan Layout
Zhao Xiaofei had just finished arranging epidemic prevention work in Jiangnan when he received news from Sichuan. Ming Dynasty generals from across Sichuan, including Zeng Ying, Li Zhanchun, Yu Dahai, Wang Xiang, Yang Zhan, and Cao Xun, were gathering their forces and preparing to attack the Daxi peasant army and massacre local officials, posing a significant threat to the Daxi regime. Zhao Xiaofei was offering silver and equipment!
Taking advantage of the Spring Festival, these insurgents truly took action, assassinating Dashi officials and covertly attacking Dashi logistics. This made Zhang Xianzhong restless in Sichuan, and he immediately dispatched forces to quell the rebellion. His first choice was Sun Kewang, who requested 50,000 troops and, along with his generals Zhang Guangcai and Liu Jinzhong, led the charge to capture Zunyi.
What Zhang Xianzhong didn't know was that in the original history, these Ming troops were not numerous and did not have much combat effectiveness. He quickly suppressed them and dispersed them. Zeng Ying fled and went to Chongqing. But the current history has changed beyond recognition for Zhao Xiaofei. This time, Zeng Ying and his men have a lot of money. First of all, in terms of numbers, Zeng Ying and his men have trained 100,000 soldiers. Secondly, their weapons and equipment are complete and well-made. Especially the shields made of synthetic materials, which are light, strong and durable. The spearheads are made of pure steel, and food is also very sufficient.
It can be said that this Ming army was powerful, even Zhang Xianzhong's most elite troops could not compare to them. Originally, Sun Kewang should have led 30,000 troops to take Hanzhong and fight Li Zicheng. But now he had no choice but to march south to quell the rebellion.
Zeng Ying led the Ming army, commanding the largest contingent. He was appointed General of Southern Sichuan by the imperial court, with Li Zhanchun, Yu Dahai, Wang Xiang, Yang Zhan, Cao Xun, and others appointed as deputy generals under Zeng Ying's command. Their primary target on the northern march was Chongqing, which was largely occupied by Zhang Xianzhong, though some areas remained unconquered by the Dashi. They intended to use Chongqing as a base for their westward advance into Sichuan.
Moreover, Shizhu was under the jurisdiction of Chongqing, and they wanted to join forces with the other two armies to attack Chengdu. Zeng Ying led 100,000 troops from Zunyi and approached Luzhou, where they planned to advance westward to join Qin Liangyu.
On the road, Zeng Ying rode a horse, Li Zhanchun on the left, and Yu Dahai on the right. Li Zhanchun said, "General! The previous method probably pissed off that bastard Zhang Xianzhong to death!"
"Your Highness is far-sighted and has a deep understanding of the art of war. The so-called "when the enemy advances, we retreat; when the enemy retreats, we advance; when the enemy is tired, we harass; when the enemy retreats, we pursue" is the essence of the art of war! By the time Sun Kewang, Zhang Guangcai and others arrive at the place, there will probably be only ruins left. Hahaha!" Zeng Ying said.
"It's probably not appropriate to just forcibly relocate the people," said Yu Dahai.
"Brother Yu, are you going to let these people stay in the hands of the Western bandits and let them help them fight us?" Zeng Ying said to Yu Dahai with a fierce look in his eyes.
"Marshal, I'm not saying it's bad, but..." Yu Dahai was interrupted by Li Zhanchun before he could finish his words.
Li Zhanchun said, "Brother Yu, don't be so soft-hearted. Relocating the people might only bring temporary hardship. But if we don't relocate them, and their lives are lost in future wars, how do you think it would be worth it?"
Li Zhanchun's words left Yu Dahai speechless, because he felt that this invasion of Sichuan would cause rivers of blood to flow. If those people were really left in Sichuan, he couldn't imagine what kind of scene would happen.
But seeing those homeless people being placed in refugee camps made Yu Dahai feel bad. He had no relief food at all, and he had no idea when the relief food promised by the imperial court would arrive. He could only watch those people starve.
"After we conquer Sichuan, I can ask the prince to let Brother Yu be the governor of Sichuan. Brother Yu's kind heart makes him unsuitable for leading troops in battle!" Zeng Ying said jokingly.
"The Marshal is right!" Li Zhanchun also laughed after hearing this.
Under the city of Luzhou, Sun Kewang was being harassed by the Ming army. He chased them desperately, but he couldn't find the main force. He could only catch a few small ones occasionally, but it was no way to solve the situation of being assassinated and attacked everywhere.
"General! A large group of Ming troops were spotted fifty miles away, with as many as 100,000 people!" said Zhang Guangcai.
"What? They are so close? And they have an army of 100,000! Damn, it seems I have been fooled! There are only 50,000 troops in Luzhou now, and the garrison is less than 60,000. Can we defend Luzhou?" Liu Jinzhong said.
"What? Are you scared? What's wrong with 100,000? It's not like we haven't fought against the Ming army before. We have won many battles with fewer troops than the larger one. If an enemy comes, we will fight him; if a water comes, we will block it with earth. I don't believe that a group of rabble can take Luzhou." Sun Kewang said.
"What the Marshal said is true. Why should we be afraid of them?" Liu Jinzhong said.
"Listen to my orders! The whole army should eat immediately! I want to see how powerful this newly formed Ming army is in Luzhou City!" said Sun Kewang.
The world is vast and the earth is vast, but food is the most important thing. Sun Kewang was eager to see how the Ming army would attack Luzhou City, which was protected by the Yangtze River. Luzhou City was now as well-defended as an iron road. If the army wanted to capture Luzhou City, it had to be able to withstand the red cannons on the river.
There were ten red-coated cannons in Luzhou City, with a range that covered the entire river. Sun Kewang arrived at the foot of the city and looked at the Ming army gathered by the river. He said, "Fire one for me! I want to see how brave Zeng Ying is!"
Yes! The gunner immediately adjusted the muzzle and fired a solid bullet at Zeng Ying's troops across the way. With a bang, the shell flew out, but unfortunately it only landed near the river bank, splashing a column of water into the sky.
The Ming army on the other side was immediately frightened and fled in all directions, taking a long time to recover. Sun Kewang laughed and said, "What a bunch of rabble!"
"Quickly stop the counterattack! We must suppress the artillery fire of the Western bandit army! Let them know who is the ancestor of using artillery! Immediately organize an artillery formation and fight back for me." Zeng Ying said.
"Yes!" The Ming army immediately began to organize artillery positions. The artillerymen were all trained by Fang Xinyu. Operating these modified artillery, they could send shells to the city wall on the opposite bank.
The distance between Luzhou City and the nearest point on the other side of the river was four kilometers, and the artillery on the Luzhou city wall was supervised by two foreign missionaries. Their purpose was to spread Christianity, so they helped Zhang Xianzhong cast the cannons to defend the city.
These ten cannons had extremely long ranges in the Ming Dynasty. However, their accuracy at the longest range was a matter of luck, as hitting the target depended entirely on luck.
The cannons were pushed out, their dark muzzles pointed at Luzhou City. They were just waiting for the order from General Zeng Ying to test their prowess!
Zeng Ying saw that everything was ready, so he said, "Ready! Fire!"
With a bang, the shell flew out of the barrel and flew directly towards Luzhou City!
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