Chapter 433: Battle of Luzhou 2
I guess this advisor and Liu Yingbin are overthinking it if they want to lift the siege of Luzhou.
Although our Lord Shi's army was very close to Luzhou, local officials and gentry were arguing over the cost of the expedition. The 100,000-man army was still stationed near Chaohu Lake, with no intention of leaving.
Shi Kefa paced back and forth anxiously in the tent, and Yang Tianhe and other officials who had escaped from the capital were also waiting anxiously.
At this time, the guards outside the tent shouted, "Master Zhang is here!"
The curtains were drawn aside, and in walked Zhang Huangyan. Zhang Huangyan had originally wanted nothing to do with the current situation, and he was also suffering from illness. However, he was invited out by numerous officials, and most importantly, by a letter written to him by Ni Yuanlu before his death.
Ni Yuanlu's letter declared his willingness to die for the legitimacy of the Ming Dynasty, to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Zhao brothers. He knew that peace was imminent, and if he and his men didn't step forward at this moment, in a few years, the people would recognize the rule of Princess Kunxing and the Zhao brothers, and the Ming Dynasty would no longer be named Zhu. We are vassals of the Zhu family in life, and loyal souls in death. I hope Brother Cangshui will join me in dedicating his final efforts to the Ming Dynasty.
So Zhang Huangyan came out anyway. He felt that the chances of winning this time were slim, but it was only for the sake of reputation and loyalty.
"Everyone, the silver has been collected, and the army will set off immediately!" said Zhang Huangyan.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when they heard this.
Shi Kefa called over several generals and said coldly, "Immediately distribute the marching allowance. Make sure it reaches every soldier. If anyone tries to embezzle it, don't blame me for being rude!"
Several generals nodded and left the tent. Shi Kefa, looking west, felt the future was bleak. As for victory, it all depended on fate. He just wanted to be a loyal minister of the Zhu family and a minister of the Ming Dynasty.
At night, in the camp outside Luzhou City, Zhao Xiaofei hugged Shen Yunying and said, "How are you recently? I feel like you haven't recovered."
"I'm heartbroken. I couldn't save the prince's child. I feel really sad." Shen Yunying said with a choked voice.
Shen Yunying was pregnant during the Northern Expedition, but after three months, not only did her weight and belly not increase, but she actually lost a lot of weight. She went to see Dr. Zhang for a checkup and found that the pregnancy had stopped and the baby was gone.
Shen Yunying suffered a great blow and soon she had a miscarriage. Zhao Xiaofei came back early and comforted her when he learned that she had a miscarriage.
"It's okay. You and I are still young, and there are plenty of opportunities. Mr. Zhang said you are too thin. If you eat more and gain some weight, you will be able to have a healthy baby." Zhao Xiaofei said soothingly. After that, he pulled Shen Yunying into his arms and gently stroked her hair.
"Yeah!" Shen Yunying lay in Zhao Xiaofei's arms like a docile cat.
The ancient city of Luzhou had seven gates, and the entire city was surrounded by water, with the Jindou River running around it. Without sufficient naval vessels, it would normally be impossible to capture the city. However, Zhao Xiaofei observed the inland river patrol battalions, whose combat power was basically the same as that of the fishermen. However, Zhao Xiaofei's army had long-range weapons, so they were not afraid of these defenders at all. Moreover, Zhao Xiaofei also had his Lanxiang Legion.
The Lanxiang Army was Zhao Xiaofei's evil intention. He asked Xiao Si to pick a few hundred loyal soldiers. These soldiers were refugees before, and they were not only grateful to Zhao Xiaofei, but also had infinite admiration for him.
These people were selected very strictly. In addition to their admiration and gratitude for Zhao Xiaofei, they also had to be smart and willing to learn.
Finally, Xiao Si selected 300 people according to the most stringent standards. Zhao Xiaofei personally taught them how to use bulldozers, excavators, and other machines. He even hired someone to teach him how to operate excavators and bulldozers for a long time.
The Lanxiang Corps was busy filling the river, the machines rumbling. Dump trucks were backing up to dump rocks into the river, and then bulldozers were pushing dirt over the rocks, filling the gaps.
The excavator was digging stones and soil desperately and dumping them onto the dump truck.
Liu Yingbin and his advisor patrolled the city walls. They heard the roar of machinery outside, and the illumination of construction lights. They could clearly see the Kenan Army rapidly filling the moat with something they had never seen before. At this rate, the moat might be completely filled before dawn tomorrow. The soldiers on the city walls watched, some trembling with fear.
These Ming Dynasty people had never seen an electric light, nor had they ever heard of or seen such a machine filling up the moat at a speed visible to the naked eye. They all thought that it was a monster invited by Zhao Xiaofei to help him fight.
Liu Yingbin said, "Immediately, send people to harass them with guns and arrows. We can't let the Kenan Army continue to fill the river. I don't know what that thing is, but it must be a machine made by Zhao Xiaofei's ingenious craftsmanship. Tell the soldiers that if they destroy a machine, they will be rewarded with fifty taels of silver!"
Zhang Junan, the legal advisor, quickly called over a captain and said, "Captain Qiu, immediately arrange for people to leave the city and harass the Kenan Army! Lord Liu said that each person who destroys those machines will be paid fifty taels of silver!"
"Master, didn't you see that the soldiers were scared when they saw those big guys under the city? Not to mention going out to harass them, they don't even have the courage to go out and take a look at them! And some people say that these monsters are evil dragons invited by the pseudo-king to help!" General Qiu Qian said in panic.
When Liu Yingbin surrendered to the Southern Court, he called Zhao Xiaofei the false king and Princess Kunxing the rebel.
"I don't care, this is a military order! Don't forget who you were before. Without Lord Liu and the court, would you be where you are today? Organize manpower immediately!" Zhang Junan said to the captain.
"Yes! I'll go right away!" Captain Qiu immediately agreed. This captain had previously served in the Kenan Army, as a company commander. Someone had persuaded him to join the Southern Army, promising an immediate promotion and a generous settlement allowance. Faced with the lure of promotion and wealth, the company commander defected and came to the South to become a captain.
Not everyone in Zhao Xiaofei's army is infinitely loyal to him. Some are loyal to him out of gratitude or for their families. Some cannot resist the temptation and many in the army defect.
This Captain Qiu went down the city to his own camp and summoned some of his trusted associates to his tent.
"Lord Liu said that the remaining machines must be removed. Is anyone willing to go?" asked General Qian.
"Sir Qianzong, there is Prince Li's evil dragon under the city. We dare not!" said a confidant.
"What evil dragon? They are just machines! Didn't I tell you? Just put the explosive pack under the car and pull the fuse, and I guarantee you will get 50 taels of silver. Take people there immediately!" General Qiu Qian said loudly.
Although a few close confidants were a little embarrassed, they still followed orders and gathered people.
They took advantage of the night and lowered people one by one with ropes.
This time, General Qiu Qian was betting his entire fortune and personally brought his soldiers to the city to prepare for the attack on the Lanxiang Legion.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
