The pro-soldier wanted to say more, Ma Rong said: "Don't hesitate, it's better for us to burn it down than to let us be tired and half dead, and then let the Qing soldiers get these grains." You forgot what His Royal Highness said about the King of Jin at the beginning, when the King of Jin left Kunming, if the grain was burned, the Qing army would not have the strength to chase the King of Jin. ”

The soldier saw that he couldn't talk about Ma Rong, so he had to find someone to set fire to the grain. Ma Rong left another hundred men on the city wall, staring at the Qing army in Houhu. If they just set fire, leave them alone, and if they come to attack the city, warn them immediately. Then Ma Rong led his army and rushed to the two places where the Qing army was attacking.

In this way, the troops in the two places were strengthened, but they pressed the Qing army to fight. After the defense line was stabilized, Ma Rong deliberately let a part of the Qing army attack the city wall. Then cover the back of the Qing army with bows and arrows, so that its follow-up forces cannot keep up. On the city wall, the superior forces were gathered to destroy the Qing army that attacked the city wall.

After doing so several times, the momentum of the Qing army's attack eased somewhat, and it was no longer as fierce as before. At this time, thick black smoke rose in the city, and of course Ma Rong knew that this was burning food, and immediately assured the Fuming army and Minzhuang on the city wall that he had left enough rations for his own people, which stabilized the morale of the army.

However, Bu Shilong outside the city scolded his mother angrily, although he sent troops to set fires, but he didn't really want to burn the grain, otherwise the more than 200,000 troops of the Qing army in Wuhan would have no food to eat. He just wanted to lead Ma Rong to run left and right, and then let the defense of the Ming Army show flaws, so that he could attack the city himself.

And if you want to attack the city from the lake, it is simply impossible. These boats were small boats for fishermen, and there was no way to transport large siege equipment there. The walls of Hankou City were built along the edge of the lake, and there was no gate in the middle, so there was no way to climb the walls.

Now that Ma Rong has burned the grain himself, what is the use of taking Hankou by himself? Even if Hankou is captured, it will only be an empty city, and it will only increase casualties. Immediately, Bu Shilong had no choice but to pay for the gold and withdraw his troops directly.

Ma Rong in the city was also relieved to see Bu Shilong collect his troops, it is really not easy to defend the city today. All the soldiers and people are tired enough, and now the Qing army has collected its troops, and it is just the right time to let the soldiers defending the city rest. Then he himself went down the walls and went to check on the city.

Ma Rong looked at the lit granary in the city and felt a little pity. Then let them not burn all of them, and then let them transport all the food that was not set on fire to a place where bows and arrows could not shoot.

Originally, according to Bu Shilong's meaning, since the grain in Hankou City has been burned. No matter how desperately he attacked, there was no point, but Bu Shilong reported the situation to the Governor's Mansion and Yue Lehou. Zhang Changgeng agreed with Bu Shilong's suggestion at that time, and wanted to mobilize troops to eliminate the Ming troops in Guishan and Hanyang City as soon as possible.

Who knew that Yue Le disagreed, and didn't pay attention to Zhang Changgeng's explanation at all. directly ordered that Bu Shilong must capture Hankou and execute all the Ming troops and Minzhuang in Hankou City. Zhang Changgeng persuaded: "Lord Wang, Hankou is an empty city now, and it is useless to fight it, so why let the soldiers sacrifice in vain?" ”

But Yue Le didn't listen at all, and said: "Tell Bu Shilong that Hankou must be captured immediately, and all the Ming troops in the city will be corrected, and no one will be left." Seeing that Zhang Changgeng was still going to say, he said: "If he Bu Shilong can't attack Hankou, I will directly send an army to attack, but the premise is to cut off his Bu Shilong's head." ”

After speaking, Yue Le didn't give Zhang Changgeng a chance, and went out directly to the Eight Banners barracks. Zhang Changgeng didn't understand why Yue Le had to take Hankou, which was obviously an empty city. Li Mengzu on the side said: "Why doesn't Governor Zhang understand? Prince An didn't have to want Hankou City, he wanted the head of the Ming army to deter the people and the place. It is also to give an explanation to the imperial court. ”

Zhang Changgeng hurriedly saluted Li Mengzu and said, "I still have to ask Master Zhang, the lower officials really don't know." Li Mengzu said: "Think about it, if Hankou is lost, the big deal is to take it back." But now the Ming army in Hankou not only held Hankou, but also destroyed the grain in the city. What does this make those who are unwilling to surrender to my Qing Dynasty think? They will think that even if they destroy the grain and grass of the Qing Dynasty, they can be safe, and we will be busy enough to take care of the grain and grass in the future. ”

Zhang Changgeng said: "But capturing Hankou now is the same as going to attack Hankou after capturing Hanyang." The Ming army and the people in the city had no way to escape. When the time comes, all these people can be put to death as an example. ”

Li Mengzu said: "Of course this is different, if we can't execute the Ming army in Hankou and the people in the city in time." Let those who rebelled against the Qing Dynasty see this method. Then will I have a day of peace in Daqing? Everyone is trying their best to destroy things, and my Qing Dynasty sits on the world but can't get a penny, which is a disaster for the Qing Dynasty. ”

Zhang Changgeng just didn't understand, even if he attacked Hanyang first, and then attacked Hankou, wouldn't it be the same? I had to come up with some reason, seeing that Li Mengzu couldn't say anything, but he didn't dare to go against Yue Le's intentions. had to give an order to Bu Shilong to attack Hankou, and Hankou must be captured as soon as possible.

After Bu Shilong got this order, he immediately scolded his mother. Bu Shilong slapped the order on his desk and said, "Which pig's idea is this, this Hankou city has been burned to the ground, and there are only a few thieves left." We only need to put 3,000 soldiers and horses and block the city of Hankou, and none of the Ming troops inside will try to escape. But let us attack, isn't this filling with the lives of our soldiers? ”

The adjutant general on the side immediately persuaded: "The general is quiet, this order is sent from the other side of the river." Either the Governor's Yamen or Prince An's orders. The general is so vain, he already has a grudge, be careful that you will get into trouble! It's better to be careful, since this order is unreasonable, let's just send a note to the Governor's Palace, to the Governor's Mansion. ”

Bu Shilong said: "What do you ask? Ask them why they are attacking the city? Am I wrong when I say that the order is under the pig? The facts are already in front of you, and you can still say such an order, this is not a pig's head, what is this. Bu Shilong's desk clattered as he spoke.

At this time, the adjutant general couldn't help it, and said: "Your Excellency, don't be angry, since the order has come, it's useless for us to complain like this." Tomorrow we will follow the order. Then I urgently sent an official letter to the Governor and asked what was going on. ”

Bu Shilong said: "Execution, what do we do to execute?" Let our soldiers die? If we don't have soldiers, will we still have a foothold? Look at the current Sun Kewang, when he was in Guizhou, he was also the lord of the country, even Yongli had to give three points. But now? was impeached by a small imperial history in Beijing, and he was so frightened that he wanted to play a plea. Even his title has to be withdrawn by the imperial court, this is the end of no soldiers. ”

The adjutant general said: "The general doesn't have to worry, we don't need to attack the city without the soldiers of the adults." The people we brought with us yesterday suffered 10,000 casualties after two days of siege. Now there are 10,000 people available, so why not let them go and attack the city. Our soldiers are only supervising the battle in the back, and it is not too late to wait for the Governor's side to reply. ”

Bu Shilong thought for a moment and said, "It's just like this for now." It is estimated that after a day of siege tomorrow, Minzhuang will have nothing left, and it seems that he will have to send some more from the other side of the river. ”

The deputy general said: "General, I think that in the past two days, the people of Guishan and Hanyang have almost been consumed, why not let them ask for it?" Now that we have such an order, it means that Wuchang has some complaints against us. If we go to ask for Minzhuang at this time, Wuchang is afraid that he will not give it. ”

Bu Shilong said: "Well, what you said makes sense, it seems that I can't come forward in this matter yet." But without the people, it will not be easy for us to attack Hankow. Or we will go and take the people of the towns to the north captive. ”

The adjutant general said: "The general must not, if we act without authorization at this time, the governor's palace is afraid that it will not agree." Even Prince An will have an opinion. Bu Shilong said: "Then what should we do?" Without the people, our army simply cannot withstand attrition. Besides, let Du Min and them go to us to ask for Minzhuang, will they agree? ”

The adjutant general added: "General, of course they didn't agree for no reason, but we promised to go over to reinforce them after Hankow was defeated." It's better for them to have our support than for them to do it hard. ”

Bu Shilong sighed and said, "Okay, just do as you say." Tomorrow, let the soldiers rest first, and just urge the people to go up and attack the city. ”

Du Min, who was outside Hanyang City, was quite moved after receiving Bu Shilong's letter. After all, 8,000 people have been consumed on his side, and 15,000 people have been put in on Guishan, and there are 3,000 Qing soldiers. immediately agreed to Bu Shilong's suggestion, and directly asked Wuchang for 30,000 people to come over.

Because the people had filled the moat for a day during the day, the soldiers in Du Min's hands did not suffer many casualties, only one casualty.

In the second day, outside Hanyang City, because Guishan still needs a large number of people to attack the mountain, there are not many people in Hanyang City. Only 3,000 people stood in front of them, followed by the Qing army. For the first attack, Du Min sent 2,000 Qing troops, and these people, with the help of Minzhuang, began to approach Hanyang City with some siege weapons.

The cannons on Hanyang City were still the first to roar, and the people and Qing troops under the city heard the cannons. Immediately, they all shouted the trumpet, and desperately transported the ladder and the door hammer to the city of Hanyang. At this time, the cannon, the firing speed and angle, had great flaws. As long as you take advantage of the intermittent of the cannon and rush through the coverage area of the cannon, you can be safe.

When Gou Xingwang felt that he was going to defend Hanyang City, he planned to block the city gate. Previously, because troops had to be sent out to defend Yong'an Bridge, the city gate was not blocked. But now it's different, Yong'an Bridge has been occupied by the Qing army. So when the second line of defense was abandoned, the Fuming army withdrew to the city, and Gou Xingwang ordered the city gate to be blocked.

Therefore, although the Qing army brought a hammer, Gou Xingwang was not afraid at all. Just let the gunners continue to pour shells on the Qing army and harvest the lives of the Qing army. Wait until the Qing army gets closer before letting the gunners destroy the ladder cart of the Qing army.

While Hanyang Castle was still under fire, hand-to-hand combat had already begun on Turtle Mountain. After yesterday's fighting, there are now a lot fewer Restoration troops on Turtle Mountain, and now there are only more than 3,000 people on the mountain. After two days of fighting, the Restoration Army also suffered more than 1,000 casualties.

Of course, they killed and injured more Qing soldiers and people, but at this time, Zhou Linyuan and Dong Erchang didn't care about counting. It's just a mountain full of corpses, showing the results of the Ming Restoration Army.

Now the Qing army is stepping on the corpses of their former companions and rushing up the mountain. Dong Erchang's armor is so tattered that he can't wear it, and he is wearing Zhou Linyuan's now. Zhou Linyuan wanted to replace Dong Erchang several times and let Dong Erchang rest for a while. But Dong Erchang has always refused, just saying that Zhou Linyuan can command the artillery and unite the military spirit of the soldiers.