After Lu Xiangsheng's military order was passed down, all the soldiers worked together to dig trenches and build walls on the spot. The first step is to walk a hundred or so steps around the perimeter of the camp, dig a trench, and use the soil dug up from the trench to build an earth wall on the spot. As Liu Yan said, the main wall is half a person high and can cover the firecrackers and archers from shooting. Densely packed soldiers also went to the river to fetch water and poured it on the earth wall to turn it into an extremely hard ice wall.
At this time, the cold wind was biting, and many soldiers' hands were red and swollen from the cold, and their lips and faces were also swollen. The pickaxe was swung hard on the frozen hard ground and could only make a shallow hole. Fortunately, the camp site was close to the river, and there were few such hard grounds. The overall progress of digging trenches and building walls was relatively smooth.
Despite the bad weather, the soldiers were still working enthusiastically, perhaps because the enemy was about to come, or perhaps because senior generals such as Lu Xiangsheng personally encouraged them. Lu Xiangsheng ignored the dissuasion of Yang Guowei, Liu Yan and others and dug the soil with his pickaxe. Even though his hands were cracked by the cold and turned purple from the cold, he still worked hard. 33
Lu Xiangsheng was very conspicuous in his linen robes of mourning, which greatly inspired the morale of the soldiers. Under his leadership, Liu Yan, Yang Guozhu, Hu Dacheng, Zhang Yan and others also found hoes and worked hard to dig holes beside Lu Xiangsheng. With the generals leading from the front, the morale of the generals was high. With the efforts of tens of thousands of soldiers, the relevant trench and earth wall facilities were completed in the afternoon.
It was as if a huge city had grown up on the ground. Just as the generals had originally planned, a half-human-high earth wall that had been frozen over surrounded the camp on three sides.
There are also many spaces left between the earthen walls, where artillery can be placed or for soldiers in the camp to attack. In front of the earth wall, many disconnected trenches were also dug. The excavated earth was also built into a small wall half a person's height or less than half a person's height, and was poured with water to make it extremely hard.
The front wall defended by Liu Yan's troops was the longest. Considering that the war might not last for a day or two and required long-term patience, he only temporarily deployed two generals, Chen Xun and Wang Yue, to defend, and the rest were all used as reserve teams. During wartime, rotation will be made based on the situation.
Now in Liu Yan's army, all the gunmen, Ye Bushou, and guards of each general are equipped with flint-haired bird cannons. Even the baggage troops of each department are also equipped with flint-haired bird cannons, ready to support the general's bird cannons at any time. Combat.
Although the earthen wall defended by Liu Yan's troops was long, there were many obstacles in the trenches in front, and there were not many places for the Qing troops to attack and pass through. Liu Yan believed that the gunmen and spearmen under Chen Xun and Wang Yue alone could defeat the enemy. It's enough to cope with it. Even if the Qing troops' offensive increases, you can just slowly add reinforcements.
On the front of Liu Yan's defense, Qian Qian's artillery flags were arranged, and a total of five Huzun cannons were used to enhance the firepower of the front.
However, Lu Xiangsheng was still worried that Liu Yan's artillery fire was a bit weak, so he temporarily deployed the five Hongyi cannons of the Supervisory Biao Battalion on the front of Liu Yan's defense. In fact, these artillery can move quickly. Whichever side needs fire support, it can be quickly pushed to that side. Now Xuanda and Shandong battalions are working together, but they don't distinguish between them.
In addition to the hundred or so steps outside the camp, a half-man-high icy earth wall was also built around the army tents twenty steps away. There were also many empty spaces left between the earthen walls to place artillery and other objects, but no trenches were dug as the second inner line of defense for the Xuanda and Shandong armies.
Around Lu Xiangsheng's Chinese army camp, more than a hundred tanks were placed at key points, and protective signs were also inserted on the shaft strips on the right side of each tank. As the last defensive city. In the tent inside, numerous fires were lit, and a large amount of hot water and other supplies were prepared as a place to rescue the wounded. Many important materials are also stored here.
This arrangement can be said to be well-organized and the defense line is three-dimensional. This was all the idea of Liu Yan. Now that the entire defense line has been built, the defensive power shown has amazed Lu Xiangsheng and others. Liu Yan's army had the largest number of accompanying medical officers. Under the leadership of Bao Xuezhen, they were all in high spirits and devoted themselves to the preparations for the rescue of casualties with the greatest enthusiasm, making final preparations around the Chinese army's tent.
After the efforts of the entire army, the defense system near Haoshui Bridge was declared completed. Lu Xiangsheng, Liu Yan and others were extremely satisfied after their inspection.
For this line of defense, Liu Yan was more confident. If the historical trajectory was still followed and the Qing army finally came with 30,000 troops, the Ming army would definitely win this battle. Once the war starts and they attack hard, Xuanda and Shandong armies will have enough grain, grass and gunpowder to last for a month. If they attack forcefully for a month, the blood of tens of thousands of Qing soldiers will be shed by the Gaoshui River.
In this way, even if there is no such thing as a thunderous strike, all the elite Qing soldiers who entered the pass will be lost, the Eight Banners will be destroyed, and the future history will be completely changed.
Liu Yan also carefully looked at the defenses of Yang Guozhu and Hu Dawei. In their cavalry battalion, except for a thousand auxiliary soldiers, most of whom used cold weapons, the remaining cavalry had half a firearms team and half a killer team. The firearms team used three-eyed blunderbuss. There are many, but the quality of their blunderbuss is unknown. Judging from the confidence of their officers and soldiers, and with the support of artillery and a large number of reinforcements from the Central Military Department, they should be able to hold the two wings. Even if they don't have enough firepower, Liu Yan can consider sending some of his gun soldiers to support them.
On the front of the second inner defense line, the tall observation vehicle has been erected. Looking out from the flag pole, the enemy's situation within more than ten miles around can be seen.
This chariot was used by Lu Xiangsheng. It was a hundred or so steps away from the earth wall in front, and no arrows from the Qing soldiers could reach it. Not to mention that the battle ahead was dozens of steps away, even further away. Unless, they have artillery. However, the artillery fires from a few hundred steps away. The possibility of hitting a tank from such a long distance is very slim.
At this time, the soldiers of all departments were ready for the war, but neither the flag bearers on the observation pole car nor the scattered Yebushou people had received any news of the arrival of most of the Qing troops.
All the troops had worked hard all afternoon, and everyone was also tired. Lu Xiangsheng ordered the whole army to light fires and cook food. Soon, smoke curled up from all over the defense line camps, and laughter and laughter continued to ring out. The army has sufficient food and grass, as well as a large amount of dried horse meat, etc. At the critical moment of the war, it is natural for everyone to eat freely.
It was a cold day, and after hard work, the soldiers of all departments became energetic after eating hot rice, meat, and broth, and the noises from all over the camp could be heard.
In Liu Yan's Chinese army tent, he also invited the officers to have a dinner. Several short tables were put together into a large table, and several pots of boiling horse meat were burning in the fire on the table. The horse meat is cut very thin, add some ginger and salt, and eat it hot with your mouth. It is very delicious.
Chen Xun, Wang Bo, Wang Yue, Zhang Yi, Shen Tuo, Miao Shao, Xu Ming, Bao Xuezhen, Xun Jingyun and others formed a circle. All the officers were shouting and yelling after eating, and they were fighting for it. Everyone took off their helmets. In the middle of winter, many people were sweating from eating.
Bao Xuezhen and Xun Jingyun naturally didn't fight for it as much as the others, but they were still sweating profusely. In such horrible weather, it was naturally very comfortable to eat a meal of horse meat.
During the meal, Wang Yue did not forget to compliment Liu Yan. When he mentioned the fortifications that had just been built, Wang Yue almost described Liu Yan as a martial arts star descending to earth, making everyone around him roll their eyes.
Of course, everyone admired Liu Yan's talent, but when they heard Wang Yue flattering him, they felt that that was not the case.
So Chen Xun took the lead and started making fun of Wang Yue. Zhang Yi, Wang Bo, Miao Shao, and Xu Ming followed closely behind, making fun of Wang Yue. Even Shen Tuo, who usually didn't joke much, At this time, he also joined the "battle group" and began to criticize Wang Yue.
Liu Yan laughed as he watched everyone joking and joking. Such a scene was really heartwarming. A group of living and dead brothers gathered together to make jokes, eat and drink. Such a life was like a fairy life.
"I hope that after this battle, all the brothers can still sit and laugh together!"
Liu Yan looked at everyone and thought to himself, but his thoughts involuntarily drifted to the current battle situation.
At this moment, everyone in the tent was still shouting happily, and Liu Yan also began to ponder the situation of the battle. Suddenly, he heard the warning sound of a gun from outside, and everyone suddenly became silent. From the eyes of the other party, everyone was stunned. Saw a signal: "The Tatar soldiers are coming."
Liu Yan and others hurriedly left the tent and came to the open space on the outer defense line. As the warning sound of handguns continued, the soldiers of Xuanda's battalions were alerted, and officers and soldiers came out of their tents one after another. Lu Xiangsheng, Yang Guozhu and others were also alarmed and came out of the tent.
Looking around, Liu Yan only saw batches of Ming troops rushing back without stopping at night, and then the flag bearers on the watch poles also sent flags. Large groups of Qing cavalry were spotted in all directions of the camp.
At this time, Liu Yan felt that the ground began to shake faintly, and then it began to shake violently. It seemed that at the same time, ocean-like flags appeared from the ends of the horizon on all sides. Countless Qing cavalry galloped over, the blackness was boundless. The Qing soldiers let their horses run wildly, and the sound of iron hooves made everyone's hearts tremble.
Looking at the sea of waving flags and the endless war horses and cavalry, Liu Yan took a long breath. Looking at this stance, there must be many more Qing soldiers coming to Julu than in history. How many people did they come? Are all the Qing soldiers who can't enter the customs gathered here?
The ground seemed to be shaking all the time. Looking at the waves of Qing soldiers surrounding them like a sea, General Xuanda had a look of shock on his face: "Are there too many of these Tatar soldiers?"
Lu Xiangsheng, Liu Yan and others also looked solemn. The strength of the slave thieves in this battle was beyond everyone's expectation. But now that it’s here, let’s make peace with it! Fortunately, the army has been fully prepared. If the slaves and bandits attack, everyone can fight with peace of mind.
At this time, the sound of hoofbeats had been ringing for an unknown period of time, and then it gradually weakened, and the large plume of smoke dispersed, revealing dense layers of flags of various colors around it, as well as Qing cavalry wearing various armors. They gathered several miles away, densely packed, and it was unknown how heavy they surrounded the Ming army camp.
A few miles directly in front of the camp, there are multiple huge woven gold dragon flags erected here. Under one of the dragon flags, the white flag Gushan Ezhen, Prince Rui, and the ordered general Dorgon are riding on a sacred horse. Immediately look at the Xuanda camp.
Behind Dorgon were surrounded by the banner owners of the Eight Banners of Manchuria and the Eight Banners of Mongolia, as well as Prince Baylor of each banner. According to the color of their own flags, everyone has different armors, some are all white, some are trimmed with white, some are all red, or some are trimmed with red, but all of them have excellent armor, and the horses under their crotches are also extremely handsome.
Dorgon looked at it for a long time and said thoughtfully: "They set up camp so quickly to take precautions. The Ming army is indeed a formidable enemy!"
Not far from Dorgon, Yibai, the leader of the Eight Banners Mongolia Zhengbai Banner, shouted: "General, do you want to let the warriors of each banner launch a wave of attacks first to weaken their spirit?"
Dorgon shook his head and said: "Don't underestimate the enemy. After our 60,000-strong army has gathered together, with grain, grass, heavy vehicles, artillery, chariots, and the captured Ming people all arrived, we will continue to attack without giving them a chance to breathe." Opportunity. Now pass on this general’s order: Warriors of all banners will set up camp on the spot. The camp must be strong and take full precautions!”
Some people died, but not completely...
