In early April, Yang Rui for several months, the Qing army, who had collected enough money, grain and weapons, set off from Zhenjiang and rushed straight to Wu and entered the city. The battle of Changzhou broke out.

Mandahai left 30,000 people to defend Chizhou and Taiping, preventing Li Chengdong's troops from going north from Huizhou, capturing Anqing, Wuhu and other places, cutting off the connection between Huguang, Jiangxi and Jiangning, and more than 50,000 people to defend Huzhou and Guangde, resist Zhu Yihai to advance north and march into Jiangning. In the end, more than 20,000 people were left to guard Jiangning, and then led 100,000 Qing troops to fight towards Changzhou.

The land of Jiangsu and Zhejiang was in great shock for a while. Unexpectedly, less than half a year after the last war, the Qing army launched a counterattack.

In Suzhou City, the Grand Governor's Mansion.

After rejecting the emperor's will, Zhao Mingzheng discussed with his subordinates to improve the functions of the shogunate and establish a system as soon as possible to rule the area under his control.

At this time, a messenger with an expedited flag behind him ran to the Governor's Office, quickly pulled his war horse, jumped down, collected the bamboo tube behind him, and shouted loudly while running in, "Changzhou urgently reported!"

In the Governor's Office, the officer on duty immediately stepped forward and asked anxiously: "What's going on?"

The messenger was sweating and said in a panic: "The main force of the Qing army set out from Danyang and Zhenjiang, and the front army rushed to Niuzhai."

The officer's face turned cold and immediately led the messenger to run into the second hall without any obstacles. The general reported it to him.

Ding Weiyue, who was on duty outside, heard the military information and seized the military newspaper. He turned around and walked into the festival hall, interrupted Zhao Ming's discussion with everyone, and said anxiously: "Master, emergency military information!"

Today, Donghai Town controls a vast area, including Taiwan, Zhoushan, Su Songchang, and the coastal areas of Shandong, with relatively chaotic administrative areas.

Zhao Ming was discussing with everyone. After hearing this, he turned his head to look at Ding Weiyue. Seeing his solemn expression, he couldn't help but frown and reached out to take the military newspaper that Ding Weiyue hurriedly handed over.

At this time, he opened the bamboo tube, took out the military newspaper, opened it and looked at it, and his face immediately sank.

A few days ago, Zhao Ming received news that the Qing army had abnormal movements and knew that the Qing army might launch a counterattack, but he didn't expect that Mandahai would move so quickly.

"It's really coming!" Zhao Ming said after reading the military newspaper.

General Zhao Ming handed it to his aide. Everyone looked at it. Ma Shiao said in a deep voice: "Kong Youde, Geng Zhongming's army, are the front pawns of the Qing army entering the pass. They have strong combat power and are very powerful. This time, the Qing army was preparing for several months before launching an attack, and the offensive must be fierce."

When Wu entered the city, Zhao Ming released the left army of Shence and the rear army of Shence, with a total of 20,000 people, guarded by Wang Yi and Wang Deshun.

Wang Yi fought with the Qing army for many years in Siming Mountain and repeatedly repelled the Qing army's encirclement and suppression. Wang Deshun was stationed in Chongming and defeated the Qing army's attack several times.

Although these two generals did not often follow Zhao Ming, they could hold on to the place alone for many years. Zhao Ming took this seriously, so they let them stay in Changzhou City.

Zhao Ming said in a deep voice: "Although the Qing army is prepared, I have prepared for several months. I believe that Wu will enter the city and can withstand the Qing army for a period of time."

Chen Mingyu said: "Master General, beware of the Qing army's failure to attack Wujin and lock the city and advance eastward. If the Qing army is allowed to enter Susong, the morale of the military and civilians will be immediately blew away, and the people will be slaughtered and the plan to revitalize Susong will be severely damaged."

Zhao Ming nodded slightly, "I immediately ordered the troops and went to the Xicheng defense line to prevent the Qing army from crossing the canal."

At that moment, Zhao Ming hurriedly ended the discussion and ordered the Shence Central Army stationed outside Suzhou City, a total of more than 30,000 front troops to set up their camps to the west to defend the enemy west of Taihu Lake to ensure the peace of Susong.

Changzhou Prefecture, Wujin County.

A few months ago, in order to attack Wujin, the Ming army bombarded the city with heavy artillery, causing the Wujin city wall to collapse.

After occupying Wujin, Zhao Ming asked someone to restore the city wall, and brought white ash from Ryukyu, burned city bricks, and used earth cement to repair and transform the city wall.

At this time, this newly restored city is about to usher in its first battle.

Compared with the previous Wujin City, the current Wujin City Wall has made many improvements. The most eye-catching thing is that there are many protruding enemy platforms on the city wall, with cannons installed on it so that the city wall has no blind spots for shooting.

In addition, the city wall was raised to three feet and about two feet wide, and it was able to drive and run horses, which was extremely tall and sturdy.

At this time, Wujin City was full of soldiers, and at each squad, there were soldiers standing with spears and guns. Every section of the city wall, a camp flag was flying, and groups of soldiers trotted up to the city wall.

On the city wall, artillery and various equipment were ready. Outside the city wall, outside the moat, outside the moat, there were also deer antlers, horse-resisting piles, pits, and caltrops on the open space. It is certain that the Qing army, let alone siege the city wall, would take some effort to approach the city wall.

"How about the city defense?" Wang Yi led a team of soldiers to hurry up to the city, and happened to meet Wang Deshun, who was patrolling the city defense.

Wang Deshun smiled confidently and said, "Everything should be prepared is ready, just wait for the Tartars to come." After saying that, he glanced at Wang Yi and asked, "You go out of the city to investigate, can you tell where the Qing army is?"

Wang Yi said calmly: "The forward has passed the Buniu Village. Looking around, there are densely packed armored soldiers, and there are tens of thousands of forwards alone. This time the Tartars have come at least 100,000!"

"100,000! It's exactly five times our troops!" Wang Deshun said, "I've passed the Benniuzhai and will kill you in the blink of an eye. If I had known, I would have let the general transport more food and gunpowder into the city."

Wang Yi said, "The city has reserved military rations for half a year and has more than 2,000 barrels of gunpowder, but you are afraid that it will not be enough."

Wang Deshun said in a deep voice: "I have a premonition that this battle may be fought for a long time, even beyond your and my imagination."

The strength of the Qing army in Jiangnan is now stronger than that of the Ming army. In this case, it is difficult for the Ming army to defeat the Qing army. They can only hold on first, smash the enemy's spirit, and wait for the strength comparison to reverse. This process will inevitably not be achieved in a short period of time.

Wang Yi's face also fell, "Food gunpowder must be transported from Taiwan, and most of Su Songchang's reserves were sent to Wujincheng. The reserves in the city should be enough."

The two were talking when they suddenly heard the soldiers on the upper floor ringing the alarm bell, and then shouted: "The Qing Dog is here!"

Wang Yi and Wang Deshun hurriedly walked to the city wall and looked west. They saw a red and yellow dots moving quickly in the wilderness to the west of the city.

In a moment, the red and yellow dots had turned into a carpet covering the earth. It was the cavalry of the Han army's Zhenghong Banner and Zhenghuang Banner, who were speeding at full speed, trampling on the earth, rolling up the yellow dust in the sky, and rushed towards the city.

Wang Deshun had a calm face. When he was in Taihu Lake, he followed Zhao Ming and had fought with Kong Youde's men. He couldn't help but say in a low voice, "Kong Youde is here."
Chapter completed!