Chapter 236: Attack on Chuzhou

Chuzhou is known as the "Key of Jinling" and "Jianghuai Guarantee". It is the gateway to Jiqing in Jiangbei, and looks across the river from Jiqing. Chuzhou is located in the south of the Yangtze River and controls the Grand Canal in the east. It is the gateway to Jiangdong and an important town in Jianghuai.

Such a place naturally flashed in Zhu Yuanzhang's mind. Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to get Chuzhou so much that he had the opportunity to occupy Jiqing after conquering Chuzhou. Jiqing is a Fengshui treasure land, and the capitals of several dynasties were here. Moreover, after conquering Chuzhou, Dingyuan would be the rear. If the Tatars wanted to siege Dingyuan, they had to pass Chuzhou first and own Chuzhou City. They could attack and retreat and defend. The first-mover attack would be controlled.

After putting pressure on Jiao Yu, Zhu Yuanzhang kept planning when he could conquer Chuzhou.

Since conquering Hengjian Mountain, recruiting Miao Daheng's team, conquering Dingyuan, Zhu Yuanzhang's army reached 30,000, and there were many powerful generals. In addition to Xu Da, Zhou Dexing, and Guo Ying, there were also the brothers Feng Guoyong and Feng Guosheng, as well as the brave general Hua Yun.

However, Chuzhou has a dangerous terrain and "around Chuzhou is full of mountains", which is a key place that is easy to defend and difficult to attack.

A strong attack will result in a large casualty. Zhu Yuanzhang had to be careful. Apart from a strong attack, there was only a surprise attack. Taking advantage of the Chinese New Year to attack Chuzhou!

Zhu Yuanzhang was moved. He knew that once he embarked on this path, he had to keep going. There was no way out and he could not turn back. Now, Zhang Shicheng from Gaoyou Prefecture was very disturbed. If he did not take down Chuzhou first and was brought up by Zhang Shicheng, there would not be too much strategic buffering.

He looked carefully at the map hanging in the tent, looked at the place in Chuzhou, and finally made up his mind.

"Send the commander!" Zhu Yuanzhang shouted. "Call all the generals over, promote the tent, and hold a meeting!"

"Yes, General."

"Wait a minute, come back!" Zhu Yuanzhang called the messenger who was about to go out again: "It's just that I, Old Zhu, invites you brothers to celebrate the New Year! Have a big meal!"

Soon, all the generals came over. They did not see the steaming dumplings, nor did they warm up their bodies. They only had a cold bench, and they sat on it and hurt their butts.

The elder brother is really good at joking. This is not a big meal for everyone! The generals said in their hearts, but no one said anything. They were already used to Zhu Yuanzhang's orders and were already a disciplined force that was prohibited.

"This time I asked everyone to come, I wanted to invite everyone to have a big meal." Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the generals, read the helplessness from their faces, and immediately revealed the answer: "Chuzhou is the big meal we want to have!"

What? The elder brother wants to fight Chuzhou? The generals then reacted and all of them were filled with joy. Soldiers who didn't want to be generals are not good soldiers, and generals who didn't want to fight were not good generals. In this chaotic era, it is the kingly way to strive to expand their territory.

Xu Da also had a feeling of heart. Just an hour ago, his elder brother was still nagging with him that he would attack Chuzhou after the New Year. Unexpectedly, he made up his mind so quickly.

"Please give a mission to you, we will definitely be able to capture Chuzhou!" Xu Da shouted first.

"Yes, we will attack Chuzhou as soon as possible like Dingyuan!" Hua Yun also said.

Although the two brothers Feng Guoyong and Feng Guosheng did not speak, their eyes were full of fighting spirit. After they arrived in the army, they had no achievements and wanted to make achievements through this battle.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded with satisfaction. All he needed was a group of screaming wolves. When they encountered food, they could pounce on them, without fear of sacrifice, and be tenacious and enterprising.

"We set out from Dingyuan, follow this road and enter the mountains. Before leaving this mountain, we will rest for a day and accumulate strength. Once we leave the mountain, we will rush down from the north of Chuzhou and take Chuzhou with a breath!" Zhu Yuanzhang said while gesturing on the map.

"Brother, the speed of marching into the mountains will not be very fast. Moreover, how can we solve our food and grass? How can we solve our siege equipment?" Zhou Dexing asked.

As the saying goes, before the troops move, food and grass will go first. In the mountains, it is very difficult to transport food and grass.

"I have already sent people to inquire. Although these mountains are steep, the path above can allow two cavalry to pass in parallel. We have 5,000 cavalry, and we can even produce 3,000 horse-drawn camel food and forage, isn't that enough?" Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Only two thousand cavalry are left to command Hua Yun. If the Tartars dare to go out of the city to fight, let them taste the power of our cavalry!"

"Yes, brother." Hua Yun replied.

"The rest of you all lead our troops to rest for a day, and set off overnight tomorrow night. Before dawn, enter the mountains and strive to reach Chuzhou within five days!" Zhu Yuanzhang said: "As for the siege equipment, before coming out of the mountain, we will use materials on the spot to make ladders."

"Yes, brother!" The other generals did not hesitate at all. Following Zhu Yuanzhang, they had never lost a battle. They were already admiring their elder brother to death and obeyed their orders. Because the creation of catapults and collision cars was more troublesome, in this kind of assault, they could only use a simple ladder, and there would be greater casualties in the process of directly attacking the city, but the soldiers were fearless. In the chaotic times, life was as low as grass.

The 30,000 elite soldiers were left to guard Dingyuan, and the rest of the soldiers immediately took action and prepared for the preparations before the battle.

"Brother, Jiao Yu is looking for a meeting." Guards reported.

Jiao Yu? Could it be that the firearm he made has improved? Zhu Yuanzhang shouted: "Let him come in!"

As a long-term commander, Zhu Yuanzhang has always attached great importance to firearms. Although the performance of the firearms made by Jiao Yu cannot be compared with that of his neighbor Zhang Shicheng, the range is only more than 100 steps and the accuracy is not high, the sound of the firearms is still quite terrifying. He equipped a team of thousands of people with this kind of firearms.

"Brother, I heard that the troops are going to advance again?" Jiao Yu asked.

"Yes." Zhu Yuanzhang said, "We are ready to march into Chuzhou." Zhu Yuanzhang was relieved about Jiao Yu. Besides, the soldiers knew that they were going to go on an expedition. The only one with strategic significance nearby was Chuzhou, and he did not intend to hide it from Jiao Yu.

"Brother, Chuzhou's city is relatively strong, and it is not easy to defeat it." Jiao Yu said.

Nonsense, you have to say this! Zhu Yuanzhang thought, of course I know that Chuzhou is not easy to fight, so in his combat plan, he did not attack Chuzhou at all, but tried to lure the Tatars out, eliminate the Tartars' troops in the battle outside the city, and then take over Chuzhou City with one go. If Chuzhou is attacked, it will definitely cost a lot. These 30,000 troops are all based on the capital, and they cannot be consumed just like this.

"Of course it's not easy," Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Brother Jiao Yu is here to say these words to me?" His face was a little unpleasant. If he wanted to say such words before the war, if he wanted to add a charge of shaking the morale of the army, he pushed Jiao Yu out and beheaded.

"Of course not." Jiao Yu saw Zhu Yuanzhang's bad expression and quickly explained: "Brother, I just cast a bronze cannon recently. If my brother agrees, Jiao Yu is willing to bring this cannon to help me shoot Chuzhou City!"

As a firearm expert at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, Jiao Yu was a versatile man. In addition to muskets, cannons were also a direction for his research. However, copper was required to cast cannons, which was a precious metal. Only after he defected to Zhu Yuanzhang could he have the opportunity to turn his ideas into reality.

The bronze cannon? Zhu Yuanzhang was not too excited when he heard this, because Zhu Yuanzhang was no longer hoping for the fire gun, "How powerful is your artillery?"

"Brother, this cannon can shoot two miles away, and the projectile can collapse the earth wall." Jiao Yu said.

Two miles away? Zhu Yuanzhang was moved by this data, "Okay, then take your cannon and set off with the central army!"

"Yes, brother." Jiao Yu was delighted.

Staying in the rebel army can’t be the one who eats for nothing. The muskets are no longer as good as others. So use cannons to let the elder brother see that their own firearm is the real killer weapon.

The team winds forward on the rugged mountain road, and Zhu Yuanzhang is full of confidence. This time he set out to capture Chuzhou, Jiqing is close to him. Moreover, with Chuzhou's geographical location, he can attack and retreat and defend, and there is a lot of room for maneuver. He is determined to win this battle!

When you hit Chuzhou, you must fight. However, you have to find a good way to fight.

In Chuzhou City, in a big mansion, spring is in full swing at this moment.

"Sir, sir, come and catch me, I'm here!" Several smiling women shouted, but were hiding in the east.

Among them, Ah Hu was blindfolded with his eyes and was playing hide-and-seek. The woman he caught had to accompany him, so they were trying their best to avoid it. However, they had to be caught again, otherwise, they would have to serve Ah Hu Hu Hu, so they had a secret agreement, and each time they were arrested.

After a few turns, one of the women wearing a purple long skirt was accidentally grabbed by Ah Duwu.

"Haha, you can't escape!" Ah Du Duwu pulled off the cover in front of him and picked up the woman: "Abi, you are the one who serves me today, haha!"

The woman who was picked up put her tender hands around Ahu Duwu's neck and kissed him on the face: "Sir, you have to treat me kindly in a while."

"Haha." Ah Dudu smiled boldly and was about to enter the room.

"Sir, sir." At this moment, a guard came from the inner house.

"What happened? Akagi?" Ahu said without asking.

"Sir, unknown bandits suddenly appeared on the east side of Qingliu River in the east of Chuzhou City, and took our horse farm. All our war horses were stolen by bandits!" Akagi said.

What? Ah Wuwu suddenly became angry and came, where did the bandits come from? He dared to rob his horse farm? He was too brave.

"How many rioters are there in total?" Ah Du asked.

"I don't know this. It seems like there are hundreds of people like that, right? Maybe it's the rioters nearby."

If these rioters don’t kill them all, it will always be troublesome. “Akagi, send orders to gather troops and horses, and after half an hour, go out of the city to suppress the bandits!”

"Sir, the soldiers are all celebrating the New Year, this gathering of soldiers..."

"If there is no gathering on time within half an hour, it will be handled by military law!" Ah Dudu said.

Suddenly, Akagi didn't say anything and immediately went down to send an order.

During the Chinese New Year, many soldiers went out for fun. There were 10,000 soldiers and 5,000 war horses in Chuzhou City, half of which were on the horse farm outside the city. In addition to the two thousand-person teams that were still guarding the city, the other eight thousand-person teams were empty in the camp. It was a bit difficult to gather the team intact.

Since Chuzhou is surrounded by mountains, as Daluhachi, who is stationed in Chuzhou, Ahu never thought that he would be attacked by organized rebels. To the west is Anfeng Road. Although those rebels are powerful, they are hundreds of miles away from here. And to the east is Yangzhou barrier, which is very safe.

It’s just because they are all mountainous land, there is not much grain production, and there is a lot of land rent and labor service. The people here often become refugees. The refugees dare to rob the horse farm and must not be spared!

Half an hour later, only three thousand people gathered.

Ah Hu was helpless, but these three thousand people were enough to deal with hundreds of rioters. He finished his leave and was ready to set off.

"Sir, you have to be careful. I am still waiting for you!" Abi said.

Ah Dudu pinched Abi's nose and smiled and said, "Don't worry, I'll be back in one hour at most. You can wait for me in bed!"

Three thousand Tartar soldiers left Chuzhou City with great momentum.

"Brother, the plan to lead the snake out of the cave has been successful." On a high ground in the distance, he received the reward from the spies. The Tartars team had already left Chuzhou City, and Zhu Yuanzhang nodded with satisfaction.

"Since you are here, don't let them go back." Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Xu Da, you bring three thousand men and horses to surround the left wing of the Tartars, Zhou Dexing, you bring three thousand men and horses to surround the right wing of the Tartars, Guo Ying, you lead three thousand men and horses to surround the Tartars, Hua Yun, you lead the cavalry and break through the front center, Feng Guoyong and Feng Guosheng lead 15,000 men and horses to surround Chuzhou City, and surround the remaining men and horses, led by me, as a reserve team, and set up a formation behind Hua Yun."

"Yes, brother."

Two large pockets are about to be ready to close.

Xu Da, Zhou Dexing, and Guo Ying made a pocket from three directions. After Hua Yun's cavalry broke up the Tartars, they rushed to this pocket and found a massacre. At the same time, they surrounded Chuzhou City, creating a sense of momentum and increasing the panic of the defenders in Chuzhou City.

Following the horse hoof addict along the way, Ah Duduwu led his team to chase after ten miles, but he did not find the other party's whereabouts. He began to worry that if he was really a refugee, he would scatter and flow everywhere after snatching the horse. Why are the horse hoof prints so regular?

"Stop moving forward!" Ah Dudu shouted.

The cavalry stopped and ran for so long, and they were a little tired, and the war horses under their crotch were even more breathless.

"Resting for a while, then retreating." Ahu Duwu shouted. Suddenly, he raised his ears and a familiar sound of horse hooves came from the front. Because he was running, he didn't hear it. Now, his team stopped and found that there seemed to be many horses in front, approaching. Could it be that the refugees were sending war horses? It was impossible, unless they were crazy.

His eyes went straight, and on the horizon ahead, a team of cavalry with high-profile appearances. They were wearing light armor, with red tassels on their helmets, and the high-rise flags were written with large characters "flowers".

The cavalry was approaching at high speed and had a bad intention. Ahu Duwu had an ominous premonition in his mind, as if he had fallen into a trap!

The cavalry has a strong impact. If you just stay there, if you charge, you will probably have to fall off your horse. Ah Hu has no other way. Where did the cavalry come from? It doesn't matter. What's important is that you have to kill all these cavalry!

"Charge, charge!" Ah Du shouted silently.

The other party chose the right time. His people and horses were tired, but he still had to charge!

Fortunately, these people brought by Ah Duwu are the most elite troops. They have seen the cavalry rushing in front of them. There is no way to face the other side, charge, meet each other on a narrow road, and the brave win!

The war horses under their crotch were getting faster and faster under the whip, and some cavalry had drawn their bows and arrows.

In charge, relying on bows and arrows to increase casualties to the opponent. This is the classic tactic of the cavalry, but other cavalry cannot be copied because only the *** people who have grown up on horses since childhood have such skillful horse control skills.
To be continued...