Chapter 3 The Emperor Asks for Help, and the Warship Goes to War

Hearing that another holy decree has arrived, Zhang Zhimu is very strange, he only sent Gonggong Li away yesterday, and today he came to the holy decree again, and he also urgently ordered the holy decree, I haven't heard of it.

Ouyang He said: "Mr. Zhang, let's go back." I guess there should be something urgent this time. Otherwise, the emperor would not have come again. ”

Tang Jingyao said: "Don't! I've already arranged lunch. Let's go after eating. ”

"Mr. Tang, we won't bother you here. Haven't you heard that there is a holy decree? Zhang Zhimu said.

"Hey! I don't care if it's holy or not! Tang Jingyao said, "I now know that it feels good to do something practical easily." ”

Zhang Zhimu joked as he walked to the car: "Mr. Tang, you are the official of the Ming Dynasty, and you actually said such a rebellious thing. It's just too bold. ”

Tang Jingyao's answer made Zhang Zhimu a little enlightened, "Mr. Zhang, there are also many people in the court who are capable and want to do things. You might as well invite those who are not satisfactory to come and train them. If they have such good conditions as kiln gangs, they can do something. ”

"Good! Thank you Mr. Tang for the reminder. After Zhang Zhimu finished speaking, he got in the car and left.

Back at the kiln, Zhang Zhimu saw Gonggong Li waiting here, and couldn't help asking: "Gonggong Li didn't finish talking about things at once yesterday, what are you tossing?" ”

"Don't blame me! Zhang Dongjia. You'd better take the order! Grandpa Li didn't explain much.

Zhang Zhimu had no choice but to kneel down again to receive the order.

It turned out that there was a real urgency. Li Zicheng's side started to act just after the New Year. Zhang Xianzhong's troops in Jiangbei were all driven to Jiangnan. Li Zicheng organized a large group of men and horses to attack the central capital Fengyang. The imperial court originally transferred a lot of horses over. However, Li Zicheng vented all the anger he suffered from fighting with Yaogang on them, and he fought extremely bravely. The defensive line arranged by the imperial court could not stop the attack of Li Zicheng's Dashun army at all. The Dashun army can only find a little dignity here with Zhang Xianzhong and the imperial army. This time, they insisted on defeating Fengyang, the central capital. After the emperor got the report, none of the Manchu Dynasty had a way. In fact, they all know that there is a way, but they won't say it, that is, to ask the kiln gang people to send troops.

Emperor Chongzhen didn't know that this was a solution, but the kiln gang people had just finished fighting Shaanxi, and the last time they urged the kiln gang people to continue to send troops to suppress the thieves, the kiln gang people had already refused on the grounds that they needed to rest. Emperor Chongzhen also knew that the people of Yaogang would not easily send troops without all preparations. But there is really no way to ask for the kiln gang people, and Fengyang in the middle capital can't be lost anymore. That Zuo Liangyu in Jiangnan had more than 100,000 troops, but the imperial court couldn't command him at all. Last time, the thieves occupied Zhongdu and dug up the ancestral graves of the Zhu family. That great shame cannot be repeated. Therefore, the emperor sent 800 li to expedite the holy decree. Please send troops to help the people of Yaogang, at least send warships on the Yangtze River to help.

Emperor Chongzhen's request made Zhang Zhimu embarrassed. According to Zhang Zhimu's idea, Li Zicheng should fight down Zhongdu and even respond to Tianfu (Nanjing). Yaogang can just take back these places from Li Zicheng's hands. However, if there are no troops this time, the relationship with the imperial court will not be maintained.

After thinking about it for a while, Zhang Zhimu said to Gonggong Li: "Sending troops is a big deal, we have just finished the New Year, and it will take time to rectify the team." Besides, we'll have to look at the next one. You go down and wait for my reply! ”

"Zhang Dongjia, you can't wait, there are 100,000 people in Zhongdu who are in a hurry. For the emperor's sake, you might as well send troops! "Gonggong Li is a little anxious.

Seeing that Gonggong Li was so loyal to the emperor, although he hated him, Zhang Zhimu was still a little moved, "You go down and wait for me to study the next one." Don't want to wait, you can go back now. However, Zhang Zhimu's words were not polite.

Gonggong Li had no choice but to retreat.

As soon as Zhang Zhimu talked about this with Chen Yufeng and Ouyang He, Ouyang He clapped his hands and said with a smile: "It seems that King Chuang is still a big deal!" This time he hit the ground again. ”

"Li Zicheng has too many troops, and they can't survive without fighting. Rather than starving to death, it is better to go to the battlefield and die. Chen Yufeng said, "I wonder if they can take down Yingtianfu (Nanjing)?" ”

Hearing what Chen Yifei said was the same as what he thought, Zhang Zhimu Yile said: "I think so!" Tell the emperor that our army is not ready for war. In the last battle of Shaanxi, there were many casualties, and many soldiers were replenished by new recruits, and they needed to be trained for a period of time. In addition, the snow and ice in the north have not melted, and it is very difficult to transport and march. It is not enough for the army to be dispatched on a large scale. But we have two steam warships in Zhenjiang, which can go back and forth on the Yangtze River and use artillery fire to aid the war. Please send people to contact our warships immediately to coordinate the operation. ”

"I think this is the way to go, inform our warships that as long as Li Zicheng's Dashun army is within the range of our artillery fire, they will not be polite, and they will not need to save shells. Resolutely fight them. Let them tremble when they hear our cannons. Ouyang He said, "In this way, you can also show the officials and soldiers of the imperial court." However, they could only send one liaison officer per ship. Nor shall they interfere with the command of our ships. ”

"Huh! This is called killing two birds with one stone. Chen Yufeng said, "Our warships have never had a chance to use 130 cannons, how about trying them this time?" It's a pity that the 203 caliber cannon on our steel-hulled warship can't be tried. ”

When Zhang Zhimu told Gonggong Li the result, Gonggong Li also wanted to persuade Zhang Zhimu to send troops, but Zhang Zhimu didn't give him a chance to talk more. Tell him: "You hurry back to the emperor and ask him to send someone to Zhenjiang to contact our warship." ”

Sending away Gonggong Li, who was dissatisfied with his muttering, came back, Zhang Zhimu talked to Chen Yufeng and Ouyang He. Ouyang He called Fan Chengkun directly and explained that this time, the Yangtze River ** and the Yangtze River No. 2 cooperated with the imperial court to send troops and use artillery fire to support the official army. We asked them to show our prestige this time, not only to kill and injure Li Zicheng's Dashun army, but also to deter the officers and soldiers.

Fan Chengkun replied very simply, "Don't worry, we will definitely show our faces this time." The officers and men would be very happy to have such an opportunity. I will also keep in touch with them. ”

Li Zicheng's Dashun army and Zhang Xianzhong's battle was one-sided, Zhang Xianzhong thought that he could deal with Li Zicheng for a while, but Zhang Xianzhong did not expect that Li Zicheng's generals, after the defeat in Shanxi and Shaanxi, not only did not lose their momentum, but they were extremely able to work hard. They really sprinkled the anger of failure on Zhang Xianzhong and them. drove Zhang Xianzhong to the south of the Yangtze River. But Li Zicheng still didn't want to stop, because the Dashun army was numerous, and Li Zicheng couldn't afford to wait for an idle meal. Besides, he also needs a lot of territory to support these troops. So they didn't have much to think about the New Year. As soon as the New Year ended, they went straight to war. Their goal is to take the central capital Fengyang. If possible, then directly lay down Yingtianfu (Nanjing). To say that Li Zicheng has the ability to think like this, their troops in the Central Plains of Henan have not suffered losses, and more than 100,000 soldiers and horses in Shaanxi have escaped from the Qinling Mountains. They had a lot of warships here in Xiangfan, some of which captured the Ming Dynasty navy, and some of which were built by themselves. They also had some naval warships on the Jingzhou side, and they drove Zhang Xianzhong across the Yangtze River this time, so they could sweep eastward by advancing by water and land.

The officials and soldiers of the imperial court were all forced to fight against the Dashun army, and Zuo Liangyu, who was really powerful, did not fight at all in order to preserve his strength. When Li Zicheng's naval warships swept into the Yangtze River, Zhang Xianzhong's naval army hid in Dongting Lake, and Zuo Liangyu's naval army hid in Poyang Lake. Li Zicheng's navy is even more majestic, and they are all amazing. They cooperated with the army on the road, along the Yangtze River, and constantly pressed the officers and troops to the east. However, Li Zicheng's attack finally encountered a large number of officers and soldiers guarding the capital of Fengyang and stopped. Li Zicheng also knew that Emperor Chongzhen would not easily let go of Fengyang, the central capital. They also stopped to prepare for a decisive battle with the officers and soldiers. But they didn't expect that the warships of Yaogang would come to their business.

The officers and men on the Yangtze River ** and the Yangtze River No. 2 stopped in Zhenjiang were not in high mood because they could not go home for the New Year. Besides, there is no task of escorting merchant ships for the New Year, and they all rest on the docks. Fortunately, during the Chinese New Year, everyone's food was not bad. On the thirtieth and first day of the new year, they were allowed to drink some wine. The officers and men had a good year. They didn't expect that the order would come on the seventh day of the first month. Let them cooperate with the officials and troops of the imperial court to participate in the war. There is a battle, everyone is in the mood, and the last time I went back to the kiln to modify the cannon. The entire deck and the front of the warship were wrapped in steel plates, and the 130-caliber cannon was not used in real combat once. Now that the opportunity has finally come, everyone is excited. Hurry up and replenish ammunition, coal and water to eat with the substance. Everything was ready, and the court officials and soldiers really sent people in the morning. The person who came was estimated to be a large official, and he also brought a guard.

The captains of the two warships went up to meet them, but the officers and generals who came were very arrogant. He took out an official document and said that he was the general sent by the imperial court to command two warships. Now two warships are to be under his command.

The two captains looked at each other, and one said, "We have received orders to cooperate with the officers and soldiers, not to accept your command." ”

The general arrogantly said, "Yes! To cooperate with our officers and soldiers is to obey my command, otherwise how can you cooperate? ”

The two captains saw that the general was a little deliberately muddy, and they were not polite. The captain of the Yangtze River ** said with a smile: "General, the order we received is to cooperate with your officers and soldiers, you just need to tell us where to do it." We don't need your command. By the way, you need to send us someone on each ship to contact you. You don't have to worry about the rest. ”

When the general heard this, he became angry and shouted: "Be bold, do you want to rebel if you do not obey my command?" ”

"Hahaha!" The two captains laughed. The captain of the Yangtze River No. 2 said, "Don't shout! If we rebel, we can still watch you stand here and talk. If you are willing to let us cooperate with the officers and soldiers in the battle, you will listen to us, and if you are not willing to let us stop the warship. ”

"You, you!" The general was really scared, because although he came with the guards. However, he saw that there were many soldiers on the shore of the kiln, and he did not know that there was a company of marines on the shore, responsible for the vigilance of the two warships. Those are all the elite of Fan Chengkun's navy. This fight can't be fought, once the kiln people really go out, the land officials and troops over there will not be support, if the emperor blames it, he really can't afford it. The general, who had always been used to cattle, had to bow his head.

Seeing the general's expression, the captain of the Yangtze River ** felt that it was better to give him a step down, and said: "Your Excellency General, to tell the truth, we can't send troops to help, and you and I can't decide." Let's talk about the situation. Let's not be heroes here. Let's start training with the Dashun Army in a while! ”

The general asked people to take out a set of drawings, pointed to the map, and told the two captains Li Zicheng's Dashun army where it had hit.

The two captains understood at a glance, and one said, "Okay, you can send us one person on each boat, so that the officers and soldiers on the river bank can be contacted." lest we wound them by firing. ”

The general said, "I must do this!" But we can't go alone! I'm also a general, and I can't do without soldiers. ”

When the two captains heard this, they couldn't bring the bachelor general to the ship. As soon as the two discussed, one said: "General, you take two people to the Yangtze River **, and send another person to the Yangtze River No. 2." ”

This general had to listen to others at first glance, who let himself be incapable and did not bluff others.

After they all got on the boat, they set sail with a "whining" whistle. The two ships Yangtze River ** are in front and Yangtze River No. 2 is behind, going upriver and breaking the waves.

The general had never been on a steamship before, and was nervous at first. When he got used to the roar of the steam engine, he began to relax, and began to take the initiative to get closer to the captain of the Yangtze River. What is the misunderstanding or something? The captain didn't want to get too stiff with him, because when he got to the place, he had to rely on him to contact him on the river bank and cooperate with the battle.

The two warships were at full speed, set off in the morning, and arrived at Yingtianfu (Nanjing) at noon. As they walked forward, there were fewer oncoming boats. Their goal was to reach Anqing, which, according to the general, still had officers and troops to fight against the Dashun army. But the more you go, the fewer boats ahead. When it was dark, both ships turned on their searchlights and moved forward. This was a great novelty to the general, who thought that he could not sail at night, and that he had to find a place to anchor. I didn't expect to be able to sail at night. However, after all, the boat at night does not want to be in the daytime, so the speed will naturally be reduced a little. By daybreak, there was not a single boat in sight on the foggy river. The captain of the Yangtze River ** couldn't help but sigh and said: "This golden waterway, there is not a single boat in a war." How do boatmen live? ”

At this time, I suddenly saw a sail shadow in the fog in front of me, and the captain picked up the binoculars to take a closer look, and it turned out that there were two sailboats, coming downstream. The captain estimated that it was not possible to figure out the ship of Li Zicheng's navy, because now that there is a war, the civilian ships dare not come out. The captain of the Yangtze River ** immediately used the radio to inform the Yangtze River No. 2 to prepare. The gunners on both ships lifted their main gun jackets, and the infantry gunners swung their guns forward. As it got closer and closer, the captain of the Yangtze River ** saw from the telescope that the ship in front of him was carrying the flag of the Dashun Army, and it was undoubtedly the warship of the Dashun Army. The captain ordered: "The main guns are aimed at the ships in front." ”

The gunners began to aim. From the gun scope, the opponent's warship can be seen very clearly, it is also a lucky ship, and the other party has obviously discovered itself. They also pushed out the redcoat cannon to start the charge. After the trumpeter took aim, the captain decisively ordered: "Fire!" ”

Aiming at the artillery at such a close distance is like pointing a gun at the opponent's nose. With a loud bang, 130 guns were fired. This cannon directly hit the opponent's warship, and with a "boom", the opponent's wooden ship was torn apart and disintegrated. It's just that the sail seems to be very reluctant and slowly falling into the river.

I don't know how the other warships of the Dashun Army felt when they saw this scene, but the general who was on this ship was stunned. First of all, the sound of this "bang" cannon shook his internal organs, and he blew up one of the opponent's warships with just one shot, which was simply terrible. No wonder the people of Yaogang are so bullish, it turns out that they are really capable.

At this time, the Yangtze River No. 2 also caught up and kept pace with the Yangtze River. When another ship was spotted in front, both ships fired one shot each, and both shells hit. The ship was similarly blown to pieces. At this time, the general counted his thumbs and said, "O magic cannon!"

The captain said, "What kind of magic cannon is this?" It's so close that you can see it with your eyes, and there aren't many waves. Looking at the ship with the scope is like being in front of you, and if you can't hit it again, you can go home and farm. ”

It seems that these are two warships that have come out to patrol the river, and the fog has cleared after beating them. There were no other boats on the river. The two warships continued to swim upstream, and came to the edge of Anqing, and the captain of the Yangtze River ** picked up the binoculars and looked at Anqing City, and was startled when he saw it. It turned out that the banner of the Great Shun Army was already hanging on the city. The captain gave the telescope to the general sent by the imperial court, and when he saw it, he was also shocked and sweated, and said, "It's late, Anqing is lost." ”

At this time, the Yangtze River No. 2 came to ask, "Anqing has been lost, what should we do?" ”

At this time, the general of the imperial court said: "Let's go down smoothly and see where the thieves have hit?" Let's talk about it when I meet the officers and soldiers. ”

The captain of the Yangtze River ** shouted to No. 2: "Let's go back down the river and take a look, but since we are here, do we leave some souvenirs for Li Zicheng when we leave?" ”

"Good! We'll give them a few shots before we go. ”

The two bows of the ships faced the water to stabilize the hull, and the main guns were aimed at the city wall of Anqing, and the guns were fired. First of all, the north gate tower facing the Yangtze River hit a shot and was directly blown up. Several enemy towers on the southern wall were also blown away. After fighting for a while, he found that there were several boats on the riverside raising their sails, and he was sure that this must be the ships of Li Zicheng's navy, so they turned their guns around and bombarded these boats parked on the riverside. The infantry guns of the battleship also began to fire. These infantry cannons bombarded targets such as city walls, far from being comparable to 130 cannons, but they could basically leak into the water with just one hit on those wooden boats. For a wooden ship, just one shell could be fatal.

Seeing the two ships abusing Anqing City for a while, the Anqing defenders didn't have the slightest power to fight back. The general of the imperial court admired it very much. However, he still persuaded: "Okay, okay, let's take advantage of it and withdraw first." Otherwise, they will react and fire back at us. ”

"Huh! I thought I'd meet their cannons. The captain said, "But it's about the same, I'll give you some face, general, and let's go back." ”

Just as the two ships were about to turn around and go back, in the direction of the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, a large number of warships came under black pressure, as if they were going to cover the surface of the river.

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Mt. Fuji erupted, Japan was earthquaked. --Progress of "Memories of the Southern Song Dynasty".