"Meet Your Majesty!"

Seeing Han Zhen coming, Han Shizhong immediately stepped forward and bowed down and hugged his fists.

Han Zhen glanced in the direction of the city tower and asked, "How many defenders are there in the inner city?" ”

"There are less than 20,000, and most of them are the forbidden army in Beijing, which has long been eroded."

Compared with Han Zhen and others, Han Shizhong, a former middle-level general of the Zhao and Song dynasties, is more familiar with the Zhao and Song armies.

Han Zhen asked, "Does Zhao Song still have an army that can fight now?" ”

"Yes!"

Han Shizhong nodded solemnly.

Han Zhen was interested and asked, "Which ones?" ”

"At present, in the entire Zhao and Song dynasties, there are still two armies that can fight, one is the Fanzi army of Qingjian City in the northwest, the number is less than 8,000, this army is composed of Han people, Dangxiang people, Tubo people, and Uighurs.

"This time I came to Beijing, the Seed Master Dao did not bring it, but handed it over to Yang Weizhong to deter Western Xia."

Han Shizhong paused and continued: "The other is the Shengjie army under Tong Guan. Although Tong Guan is ambitious and talented, he has been fighting for so many years, and he understands something. He extracted the elite from the forbidden armies in various places and formed this elite force of 10,000 people. ”

"These 10,000 people are carefully selected elites, and they are well fed and trained on weekdays, and their combat power is naturally strong."

Wang Yu relied on 3,000 victorious troops to defend Taiyuan City under the command of Wanyan Zonghan's 60,000 elite Jin army, which can be imagined as brave.

Except for these two, the rest is not enough.

Lao Jiu on the side echoed: "Brigade Commander Han is right, the Fanzi Army is indeed brave, and has fought against Western Xia over the years and has made many achievements. As for the Shengjie army, the last general is not familiar with it. ”

Han Zhen was curious: "How is it compared to the Qingzhou Army?" ”

Han Shizhong muttered: "If you don't count firearms and artillery, the field battle between the two is still five or five. The last general felt that the training time of our Qingzhou Army was still short, and there were too few wars, and in another two years, the Fanzi Army would be far behind. ”

A strong army is not only trained, but also fought.

In Han Shizhong's view, the Qingzhou Army has experienced fewer battles.

In contrast, the Fanzi army has been in the border for many years, and has fought more than 100 battles with the Western Xia, all of them are veterans of a hundred battles, and they have to win too much in terms of experience.

"Hmm."

Han Zhen nodded, looked at the Vermilion Bird Gate from afar, and asked, "How long will it take to take it?" ”

Han Shizhong said in a loud voice: "Your Majesty, give the minister half a day, and you will definitely take the inner city in half a day!" ”

"Good!"

As soon as Han Zhen's voice fell, he heard Zhao Ting behind him say: "Your Majesty, it is better to let the ministers give it a try, or maybe take the inner city without spending a single soldier." ”

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Zhao Ting knew that his position was not stable, and he was not sure how many pounds and taels he had, could he still be unclear?

It is already the limit for a book, and it is really difficult for him to go out of the cabinet and enter the phase.

Previously, after all, the territory was small, and there were only two roads in Shandong, because there were not many government affairs, and he could barely cope with it, but as the two roads in Hebei, Gyeonggi, and Jingxi all fell into his hands, the pressure on the government will also increase dramatically.

Managing millions and tens of millions of people is not a concept at all, and the difficulty is multiplied exponentially.

The reason why His Majesty arranged for him to enter the cabinet was mainly to set an example for those Zhao and Song ministers and landlords and gentry to see.

When the war is over, the court will definitely reshuffle the cards.

If you can persuade the defenders to surrender and take the inner city without blood, with this skill, even if the cabinet can't stay, you can mix it up.

Hearing this, Han Zhen groaned: "However, Han Shizhong is protecting some Zhao servants. ”

It's good to give it a try, and it's a surprise.

"Order!"

Han Shizhong responded with a fist.

Escorted by a team of shield soldiers, Zhao Ting set up his horse and walked towards the Vermilion Bird Gate.

When he came to a distance of six hundred steps from the city wall, Han Shizhong reminded: "Zhao Servant shoots, and if you go further, you will enter the range of the three-bow bed crossbow. ”

Three-bow bed crossbow?

Zhao Ting swallowed his saliva, hesitated for a moment, gritted his teeth and said, "Keep going!" ”

Six hundred paces, how can the defenders on the tower hear his voice clearly?

The eyes are not good, and you can't even see who he is.

Han Shizhong ordered: "Keep going." ”

The shieldmen in the front row got the order and moved on.

When the defenders on the tower saw this, they turned their heads and asked, "General, the other party seems to have come to negotiate peace, did you order to shoot?" ”

"No hurry!"

Yao Pingzhong shook his head, his eyes fixed on the Qingzhou Army, a squad that was approaching.

The Qingzhou army advanced until it was two hundred paces away from the city wall before stopping.

Two hundred steps is already the limit, and beyond that is the range of the Divine Arm Crossbow.

Although the three-bow bed crossbow is strong, after all, there are few of them, and there are only six or seven above the castle tower.

But there are hundreds of crossbows in the divine arm, and if a volley is fired, Zhao Ting will definitely die.

Sitting on the horse, Zhao Ting forcibly suppressed the fear in his heart, and said loudly: "This official Zhao Ting, please Li Bangyan and Cai You come out to meet!" ”

Zhao Ting?

The other big-headed soldiers didn't recognize it, but how could Yao Pingzhong not recognize it.

He was the governor of Hangzhou and Qingzhou, and the first batch of Zhao and Song officials who surrendered to thieves.

"You wait."

Yao Pingzhong couldn't do anything, so he ordered someone to inform Li Gang.

Not long after, Li Gang's figure appeared on the city tower.

"Brother Boji, long time no see."

Seeing Li Gang, Zhao Ting smiled and arched his hand, ready to set it off.

Which Cheng thought, Li Gang stared at him with a pair of bloodshot eyes, and shouted: "Zhao Ting, you traitor, this official hates to eat your flesh and sleep on your skin!" ”

"Shoot the arrows!"

As soon as the words fell, the crossbowman on the tower immediately raised the divine arm crossbow in his hand.

Several three-bow bed crossbows also immediately turned around.

"Retreat!"

Han Shizhong made a quick decision.

Swish!

A dense rain of arrows struck, all of which were blocked by military shields.

But the three-bow bed crossbow couldn't stop it.

Fortunately, Zhao Ting had a big life and was not shot.

Fleeing back in a panic, Zhao Ting said with a ashamed face: "Weichen failed to persuade him, please punish Your Majesty." ”

Han Zhen waved his hand: "Li Gang has a strong temperament and has nothing to do with you. ”

Xie Ding groaned: "Your Majesty, the minister and Li Gang have some friendship, so it's better for the minister to give it a try." ”

"No need."

Han Zhen waved his hand.

Li Gang ordered the arrows to be released without agreeing with each other, obviously without the slightest intention of accepting persuasion.

In a short time, seventeen siege guns were brought in from outside the city.

The swarthy barrel of the cannon was aimed at the city tower from afar, making the defenders shudder.

These days, siege artillery has made them suffer and be scared.

The solid iron egg is almost indestructible, and the military shield is like paper paste, even hiding behind the city wall is not safe.

Each shot will take the lives of several, or even a dozen, of Song soldiers.

Seeing this scene, Yao Pingzhong immediately persuaded: "Li Xianggong, the Qingzhou thieves are about to attack the city, the artillery is fierce, and you can take the head of the enemy general several miles away." The city tower is dangerous, and Li Xianggong is asked to leave first. ”

Li Gang shook his head and said with a firm expression: "Behind this official is the Imperial City, where else can you retreat?" Today, this official is on this tower, living and dying with all the soldiers. The city is in the people, and the city is dead! ”

These impassioned words made Yao Pingzhong's heart surge.

But the soldiers under his command were indifferent.

These forbidden troops in Beijing are all old fritters, and they have a hand in building houses, but when it comes to killing the enemy, isn't it embarrassing for them?

How could he put his life into it for the sake of Shangguan's words?

If you want to die, I still have a family to support.

……

Half an hour later, a siege machine was also transported along the royal street.

At this moment, Zheng Li, who was under Yue Fei's command, reported: "Your Majesty, Brigade Commander Yue has led the reorganized Song military camp to surround the other three walls of the inner city. ”

"Siege!"

Han Zhen waved his hand.

Knock knock!

The rousing drums of war slowly sounded.

"Fire!"

Snort!

A dozen leads were ignited, flickering with fire.

Boom Boom!

With a deafening loud bang, puffs of thick smoke rose from the muzzle of the cannon.

On the tower of the Suzaku Gate, there were immediately bursts of terrible screams and wails.

For a moment, blood splattered.

A three-bow bed crossbow was hit by a cannonball and immediately fell apart.

Several of the crossbowmen were struck by the scattered pieces of wood, and lay on the ground with a muffled grunt.

It was the first time for Li Gang to experience the power of siege artillery, and when he saw the wall of the city tower, a big hole was blasted out by the cannonball, his face turned pale, and he muttered to himself: "This is the power of heaven, is it not human power to resist!" ”

"Lee Sang-gong be careful!"

Yao Pingzhong's exclamation sounded in his ears.

The next moment, Yao Pingzhong pushed his hands violently, and Li Gang was pushed aside.

Before he could come back to his senses, a crossbar smashed head-on.

"Poof!"

Yao Pingzhong was hit in the chest, spewing out a mouthful of blood mist, and the whole person flew upside down for several meters.

Boom Boom!

The artillery battalion did not give the defenders a respite at all, and a second round of shelling hit.

After three rounds of shelling, 1,500 Xian Deng's battalion immediately took advantage of the situation to come to the city and set up a ladder.

Li Gang sat down on the ground, only to feel his ears ringing.

A Qingzhou soldier climbed the tower and slaughtered the Song army.

"Run!"

The forbidden army defending the city did not hesitate at all, and fled as soon as possible.

"Don't run, don't run!"

Li Gang roared at the top of his throat, but it had no effect, and he could only watch the forbidden army break up and flee.

After working hard to arrange the city defense all night, I didn't even hold on for a quarter of an hour, and the soldiers of the Great Song Dynasty were already rotten to the roots!

Seeing that the Qingzhou army continued to pour onto the city wall, Han Zhen ordered: "Han Shizhong." ”

"The last general!"

Han Shizhong replied loudly.

Han Zhen instructed: "Take down all the forbidden troops in the inner city, guard the city gate, restrain the soldiers under your command, don't disturb the people, and those who violate the order will be beheaded!" ”

"The last general commands!"

Soon, the wide and tall Suzaku Gate opened from the inside.

A team of Qingzhou troops escorted Yao Pingzhong and Li Gang to Han Zhen.

Yao Pingzhong spat out a mouthful of blood: "Han Shizhong, I didn't expect that even you would be a thief!" ”

When the two were in the northwest, they both served under Tong Guan, and they were both fierce generals, so they naturally knew each other.

Han Shizhong said loudly: "Good birds choose trees to perch, and good ministers choose their masters." ”

"Huh!"

Yao Pingzhong said contemptuously: "A thief is a thief, why do you need to put gold on your face." ”

Han Shizhong clenched his fist and knocked it on his chest, and the black light armor with a golden leopard pattern clattered, and replied with an indignant face: "Since I joined the army, Han Shizhong has fought bravely to kill the enemy, and I will be the first in battle, fighting Western Xia, capturing Fangla, cutting down the Liao State, quelling the rebellion, and making many military exploits, worthy of Zhao Song and myself." But what about the dog emperor of Zhao Song? To the stone marquis, to the white fox to the official, I Han Shizhong is loyal to the country, throwing his head and spilling blood, in the end he is not as good as a beast! ”

At these words, Yao Pingzhong was speechless.

Just because, what Han Shizhong said is the truth.

(End of chapter)