Zeng Guoquan was still too deeply influenced by Zeng Guofan, and always kept in mind Zeng Guofan's teachings that he did not think about victory and defeat first, and his tactics when attacking Kaifeng were still a little too rigid, and he failed to seize the opportunity of the demoralization of the Kaifeng defenders to break the city in one go, giving Tomina and Yinglanpo the last chance to struggle. Pen | fun | pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 ｉｎｆｏ

It is also related to the siege tactics of the Wu army were all cracked by the Kaifeng Qing army, and among the three main siege methods of the Wu army, the tunnel blasting siege tactics learned from the Taiping army were invalid because the Kaifeng Qing army had deepened the moat to nearly four zhang; The tactic of directly blasting the city gate learned from the British army was also declared useless because the Kaifeng Qing army, which had suffered heavy losses many times, blocked the city gate in advance with earth, stone and sandbags, and forced Zeng Guoquan to resort to the last resort - directly digging a hole in the city wall to bury medicine and blast.

But it's a pity that this tactic was also broken by the Kaifeng Qing army, whenever the Wu army began to dig the city wall under the protection of the pointed wooden donkey, the Qing army on the city directly threw down the reed firewood bundle poured with fire oil and gunpowder, and threw down the torch to ignite, as a result, the gunpowder and fire oil ignited when it caught fire, and the Wu soldiers hiding under the pointed wooden donkey were directly drowned in the sea of fire.

In addition, the strong city wall of Kaifeng City is also destined to be difficult to succeed in the blasting tactics of the Wu army, just on the edge of the Yellow River is often disturbed by floods, and it is also the city of Henan Province and a thousand-year-old famous city, the city wall of Kaifeng City is not like other Central Plains cities are brick-clad rammed earth structures, but are built with glutinous rice juice and bluestone sandwiched rammed earth! The soldiers of the Wu army who were responsible for digging the wall used all their strength, and there was absolutely no possibility of chiseling through the three-foot-thick bluestone in a short time, so the Wu army's wall blasting tactics were almost doomed to be unsuccessful from the beginning.

Fortunately, Kaifeng is already a lonely city, and in the case of worry-free rear, although Zeng Guoquan can't trap the Kaifeng defenders with his own iron bucket tactics, he can use more conventional cloud ladder and flying ladder tactics to attack the city. After some hard work, the Wu army filled in a section of Kaifeng's moat, and at the same time rushed to create a large number of conventional siege weapons, and immediately launched a strong attack on Kaifeng City, which finally sounded the last death knell of the Kaifeng Qing army.

The person responsible for taking the lead is, of course, the new surrender of the Wu army of the Henan Qing army, not to mention, under the cover of the Wu army's guns, the Henan Qing army, which was vulnerable in the Chong'an pipe belt, seemed to have changed an army, and rushed bravely and resolutely against the rain of bullets and bullets of the Kaifeng Qing army, and only the first wave of attack had soldiers rush to the top of the city wall, and then although the warrior who took the lead in the city was immediately killed by the muskets of the Qing soldiers, he still boosted the morale of his companions, and let them see the hope of making a fortune in Kaifeng City. Zeng Guoquan had already said that if the army entered Kaifeng City first, it would be able to enjoy 30% of the spoils in the city!

The orthodox ant-attached siege tactics lasted from early morning to afternoon, although the new troops who were still very average in combat effectiveness paid a heavy price and failed to capture the city wall position, but they still caused a lot of casualties to the Kaifeng defenders who were not as good as the combat effectiveness, especially the physical strength of the Kaifeng Qing soldiers. As a result, Zeng Guoquan saw that the time was ripe, and then he really exerted his strength, and sent the elite of the Hunan army he brought from Hunan to launch an ant-attached attack, and finally used a melee weapon picric acid grenade in the ant-attached battle.

Of course, the bitter sour grenade that was thrown on the city wall gave the Kaifeng Qing army a surprise, the physical strength was reduced, hungry and thirsty, and it was caught off guard by the bitter acid grenade, and then when the elite of the Wu army rushed to the city wall to start a bayonet white-knuckle battle, the Kaifeng Qing army finally couldn't hold on, and was killed by the Wu soldiers in less than a moment, and gradually showed defeat.

When the first Wu army banner was planted on the head of Kaifeng City, the Wu army position outside the city was suddenly thunderous, and Tuo Ming'a and Yinglanpo, who were hiding in the governor's yamen to supervise the battle, were like ashes, desperate and depressed, and then Tuo Ming'a also said to Yinglanpo: "Yingfutai, it's time, get ready first, if you can't stop it today, let's light a fire and leave an empty city for Wu thieves." ”

Ying Lanpo's face was pale, his mouth squirmed for a long time and he couldn't make a sound, and finally he could only nod, and then he had to get up and handle the matter in person. As a result, Shen Baozhen, the political envoy of Henan Province who was guarding the marquis, took the lead and said: "Yingfutai, Wu thieves are attacking the city very urgently, you are the governor and can't leave the important land of the Fu Bureau, the grain depot and the treasury are under the control of the lower officials, let the lower officials make preparations." If Kaifeng City really can't hold it today, as soon as you give the order, I will immediately light the fire. ”

Ying Lanpo nodded again, and said in a desperate tone: "Then please Youdan, go, I hope we still have a chance to meet." ”

"There will be." Shen Baozhen nodded, saluted Yinglanpo and Tuo Ming'a, and then hurriedly went to the Henan Domain, which he was in charge of supervising, to prepare, leaving Yinglanpo and Tuo Ming'a to frown and face bitterly in the governor's yamen, and each entrusted the aftermath to his entourage.

The explosion on the west gate of the Wu army's main attack has been continuous, with more and more Wu army flags appearing on the city wall, Tuo Minga was also forced to put the last reserve in the city into the West Gate battlefield, but it was useless, when the sky was slightly dark, the Wu army finally succeeded in seizing the West Gate city wall position, and began to clean up the city gate.

"Go and give Shen Fantai an order and tell him to start burning grain." After Leng Leng issued the order, Tomin Ah turned to Yinglanpo again, and arched his hand and said: "Yingfutai, I took my own soldiers to kill Wu thieves, killing one is enough, killing two to earn one, goodbye, see you in the next life." ”

Ying Lanpo shed tears, and choked up and said, "Tuojunmen, see you in the next life." ”

Tomina left with his own team, and Ying Lanpo also took out the arsenic that had been prepared with a desperate expression and was ready to take it at any time, his eyes were blank, and he didn't want to think about anything at all. In the end, when it was completely dark, it was still under the reminder of his confidants, and Yinglanpo suddenly realized that something was wrong - there was no fire in the Henan Domain.

"What's wrong? Why hasn't the grain depot burned yet? Could it be that something happened to Shen Youdan? ”

Under the suspicion, Yinglanpo of course immediately got on the sedan chair and went straight to the domain to check the situation, but as a result, he struggled through the chaotic streets in the earth-shattering shouts and gunshots, and finally arrived in front of the door of the Henan Domain, Yinglanpo was extremely dumbfounded to see that the gate of the Henan Domain was closed, and the soldiers guarding the warehouse on the courtyard wall were on strict guard to prevent anyone from approaching the courtyard wall.

After getting off the sedan chair and identifying themselves in front of the gate of the domain, Yinglanpo and a few followers entered the gate of the fanku smoothly, but as soon as the gate of the fanku was closed, the soldiers guarding the library on both sides had already raised their muskets and aimed at them, forcing Yinglanpo's entourage to put down their weapons and tie Yinglanpo down. Ying Lanpo was shocked and angry, and yelled, "What are you doing? Do? You are so bold and dare to be rude to your own officials, do you want to be raided by the imperial court? Let go! Let go of this official! ”

"Yingfutai, don't waste your efforts."

Shen Baozhen, who volunteered to burn the treasury, finally reappeared in front of Yinglanpo, and said to Yinglanpo with a calm face: "I have already agreed with the soldiers here that we will leave the Henan treasury intact. ”

"You're going to surrender?!" Ying Lanpo finally came to his senses and shouted: "Shen Youdan, you traitor to the country and seek glory, greedy for life and afraid of death, you want to surrender to Wu thief in order to survive?!" ”

"I didn't surrender for my life, I surrendered for the sake of the people of Henan." Shen Baozhen said coldly: "The war and famine in Henan in the past few years have been serious, if you are allowed to burn the grain here, the fathers and villagers of Henan will not know how many people will starve to death. ”

"But if you leave the grain, you are a thief! It's rebellion! Ying Lanpo struggled and shouted: "Shen Baozhen, if you are smart, you will immediately burn the grain here, otherwise, your whole family will not survive!" ”

Hearing Yinglanpo mention his relatives in Fujian, Shen Baozhen, who was afraid that his family would be implicated, couldn't help but waver, but Shen Baozhen finally shook his head and said: "For the sake of thousands of people in Henan, I can't take care of so much, I think even my father-in-law will know and will definitely approve of me doing this." ”

"Don't say it so high-sounding! Shen Baozhen, don't think that this official doesn't know what your idea is, your father-in-law Lin Zexu and Wu Chaoyue's grandfather Wu Jianzhang are old friends, and they still have the grace of knowing and supporting Wu Jianzhang, you, the traitor, surrender to Wu Thief, and immediately the high-ranking officials will have to sit and the horses will have to ride! Surrender for the sake of the people of Henan? Phew! You are clearly for your own glory and wealth! You traitor! Traitor! Ungrateful dog thief! ”

No matter how much Yinglanpo scolds, it doesn't work, Shen Baozhen, who is more ruthless than Li Hongzhang and Zuo Zongtang in history, is unmoved, and those Qing soldiers who rebelled with Shen Baozhen heard that Shen Baozhen and Wu Chaoyue still had such a special relationship, and they were even more determined, not only did they ignore Yinglanpo's threats and temptations, but also shot away Yinglanpo's entourage who tried to storm the gate of the domain, and then fought with the Qing soldiers who hurriedly came back to rescue Yinglanpo. Firmly guarded the gate of the Henan Domain.

When the second watch was approaching, the soldiers of the Wu army wearing white tasseled hats finally killed near the domain, and the Qing soldiers guarding the domain were like thunder, constantly shouting loudly to the Wu soldiers to come over and take over the domain. And Ying Lanpo, who was hoarse, also began to tremble all over, and begged Shen Baozhen with a crying voice: "Youdan, give me a good time, I sent someone to assassinate Wu Chaoyue, and ordered to dig up the Yellow River embankment to flood Henan, if I fall into the hands of Wu Chaoyue, I will definitely die a miserable death." Please, read on our old days, give me a good time, I have medicine in my arms, let me eat it immediately, please let me eat it immediately. ”

couldn't resist Ying Lanpo's bitter crying and pleading, and also knew that Ying Lanpo would inevitably die extremely miserably after being captured by the Wu soldiers, Shen Baozhen sighed, or asked someone to take out the poison from Ying Lanpo's arms, and uncorked the bottle with his own hands and fed it to Ying Lanpo's mouth......

"Thank you." Yinglan thanked her, held the medicine bottle in her mouth, and swallowed all the arsenic in the bottle.

After Yinglanpo committed suicide by poisoning, most of the Qing military officials in Kaifeng City also chose to surrender, and the Wu army entered the city to take over the city defense, searched and killed the remnants of the enemy, and seized a large number of heavy grain and grass. At the same time, the news that Shen Baozhen used a plan to protect the Henan Domain Treasury was also quickly sent to Zeng Guoquan, but Zeng Guoquan scolded in a low voice, "The thief kills him, he will really pick the opportunity, not only has a relationship with my niece and son-in-law, but also gives such a big gift, it will be difficult to get promoted and make a fortune in the future." ”

Shen Baozhen, who suddenly defected, not only helped Wu Jun keep the money and grain in the treasury of the Henan Domain, but also provided Zeng Guoquan with important information that Li Zhaoshou, the leader of the Twist Army, had secretly surrendered to the Qing Dynasty. The result was also a coincidence, the Yanling County Commander of Kaifeng Prefecture happened to send a document to take the initiative to surrender at this time, and also sent the news that Li Zhaoshou's army was taking advantage of the fire to rob and besiege Malan Town in Yanling County, and Zeng Guoquan, who was furious, also immediately sent troops to attack Li Zhaoshou's army to clean up this despicable villain who tried in vain to provoke a full-scale conflict between the Wu army and the Twist army.

The result of the battle was that the weak Wu army only beat Li Zhaoshou away and drove him back to Chenzhou, but it was also after receiving the news that Zeng Guoquan, who was preparing for the battle of crossing the river, suddenly remembered a problem - he forgot to report to Wu Chaoyue about Li Zhaoshou, and he did not inform the several banner masters of the Twisted Army that Li Zhaoshou had secretly surrendered. As a result, by the time Zeng Guoquan's official document was sent to Hubei, it was already late, and the Taiping Army had already sent Zhang Lexing's protest to Hubei.

"This Uncle Zengjiu, why didn't you tell me in advance about such a thing? Don't say hello to the twisted army? This Li Zhaoshou is the big banner of the Yellow Banner of the Twisted Army, and the banner of the Yellow Banner of the Twisted Army advocates Lexing, and he happens to be the most staunch ally of the Taiping Army! ”

In addition to complaining, Wu Chaoyue had no choice but to write a letter to Zhang Lexing in his own identity, introducing to Zhang Lexing the situation that Li Zhaoshou had secretly betrayed, and at the same time attaching the evidence that Li Zhaoshou was appointed as the chief soldier of the Qing army copied from the study of Yinglanpo, proving that Zeng Guoquan's division was famous.

Then, of course, Wu Chaoyue also asked the Taiping army envoy who came to send the protest letter about Shi Dakai's Northern Expedition, and the Taiping army envoy replied very proudly: "Wu Dashuai rest assured, our Heavenly Kingdom's Northern Expedition army has been like a bamboo, and it has already defeated Dong'e and Pingyin, and it will soon be able to hit the city of Jinan." ”

"Oh, did the Tai'an Mansion go down?" Wu Chaoyue asked casually.

"Nope." The envoy of the Taiping army replied: "Our Wing King 8,000 years old did not fight Tai'an this time. ”

"Then how do you protect your grain routes?" Wu Chaoyue, who had long been memorized by the terrain of Shandong, was taken aback and hurriedly asked: "Aren't you afraid that the Qing Demon will send troops from Tai'an and cut off your grain route?" ”

"This ......." The envoy of the Taiping Army was a little embarrassed, and replied: "Back to Wu Dashuai, the villain's official position is only the command of the East Palace, and he is not qualified to know about these military affairs. However, as far as the villain knows, our East King Long Live has not interfered in this matter. ”

"Yang Xiuqing didn't interfere in this matter?" Wu Chaoyue calculated in his heart, and said secretly: "With Yang Xiuqing's ability and ability, it is impossible not to see the dangerous hidden danger of Tai'an, since he did not block and interfere, then Shi Dakai either left sufficient troops in Yanzhou to protect the grain route, or in turn used Yanzhou to set traps to lure the Qing army into traps." But....... ”

"But no matter whether Shi Dakai is setting traps or protecting the grain road, he has made the mistake of dividing his troops too much last time. Luo Bingzhang, the old fox, has a chance to do it again. ”

Worried, and thinking of Yang Xiuqing's question of his younger brother Yang Yuanqing as the commander of the sea route, Wu Chaoyue had a faint sense of foreboding, and began to worry that the Taiping army's sea and land routes might suffer defeat together, and he also had to consider more hidden problems -- if the Taiping army's northern expedition suffered another fiasco, what kind of consequences would it cause within the Taiping army, and what kind of impact would it have on himself? Is it advantageous? Or is it a disadvantage? The Manchu court, which has survived this hurdle, will give priority to whom will it be pointed at, the Taiping Army, which is doomed to gradually decline? Or yourself?