North of the capital, Changping Prefecture.
Changping Zhoucheng was built in Xinsi, the first spring of the first year of Jingtai in the Ming Dynasty, and is located in the south of Tianshou Mountain.
The city of Changping Prefecture was originally square, and then a new city was built, which together with the old city formed the shape of "日". After the late Ming Dynasty, the new and old cities merged into a rectangular shape.
According to the "Records of Emperor Yingzongrui of the Ming Dynasty": "In the spring of the first year of Jingtai, on the first month of the lunar month, Xinsi ordered a city to be built in the south of Tianshou Mountain, with a surrounding area of 12 miles, to accommodate the officers and soldiers of the three guards of Changling, Xianling and Jingling, and moved the city to Changping County. Inside." This city is called "Yong'an City".
In the third year of Jingtai, Changping County moved to Yong'an City. At this time, Yong'an City was square, about six miles from east to west, with "a wall of two feet and one foot high, a perimeter of 1,492 feet, nine feet and eight inches, and 2,986 crenellations." The city is surrounded by ponds on three sides: east, west and south. There are arrow towers at the four corners of the city wall and a city gate in the north. "Three gates were built in the east, west and south." .
In the first year of Zhengde in the Ming Dynasty, Changping County was promoted to Changping Prefecture, administering Huairou, Miyun and Shunyi counties. In the third year of Zhengde's reign, the state was reduced to a county. In the eighth year of Zhengde's reign, Changping County was renamed Changping Prefecture, and it still controlled the three counties of Huairou, Miyun and Shunyi. Changping gradually became an important town in the capital of the Ming Dynasty.
Later, as more mausoleum guards were installed, a city wall was built in the south of the city. "The new city is about four miles away, and there is a remaining gate, called the Xiaonan Gate. Its important gate, the archery tower, and the tower are all small.
The height of the wall was reduced by four feet from the old city, and the perimeter on the east, west and south sides was 840 feet and 5 feet, and there were 1,692 crenellations." The pool outside the old south city wall was still preserved, making it a river within the city. , the east and west walls of Nancheng
Set up water gates to allow pool water to flow in and out. At this time, surrounding the old and new cities, "the old one is slightly deeper and wider, while the new one is very narrow."
The city of Changping Prefecture is so complete and strong that there are also soldiers and horses guarding the tombs of the Ming Dynasty emperors in the city, with a strength of at least 40,000.
Of course, these are the forces on the books. The actual number of soldiers and horses in the city must at least be discounted from the numbers on the books.
In the morning of this day, Hauge and Azig led the Manzhou Zhenglan Banner and Mongolian Zhenglan Banner cavalry to arrive outside Changping Prefecture City and immediately began to attack the city.
Mongolian Zhenglan Banner Gushan Ezhen Wu Laiqin led his troops to attack the city with volleys. Among the 11,000 cavalrymen of Mongolian Zhenglan Banner, only 2,000 were wearing armor, but there were more than 8,000 people equipped with riding bows. At that time, more than 8,000 people were flying outside the city at high speed, shooting like locust arrows at the top of the city, causing many casualties to the defenders on the top of the city.
At the same time, Wu Lai led the remaining more than 2,000 melee cavalry to wait in the north of Changping Prefecture. As long as the cavalry shooting completely suppressed the defenders at the top of the city, Wu Lai would lead his troops to rush up and climb the city wall with ropes.
"Warriors of Changshengtian! Prince Su and Rao Yubeile are watching us from behind. Fight into the city and fight to the death for the Qing Dynasty!"
Wu Lai's voice continued to echo on the battlefield. Although the cavalry army galloping in front could not hear it clearly, Wu Lai's impassioned look was seen by Hauge and Abatai.
Hauge said with satisfaction: "Wu Lai is quite capable and can be promoted in the future."
Abate said: "Wu Lai is indeed a capable general, but he is a bit exaggerated and cares too much about Shangguan's opinion."
Haug snorted slightly dissatisfied, and then said: "
Send someone to tell Wu Lai that he must rush into Changping Prefecture within half an hour! "
"嗻!"
When Wu Lai received the order, his expression froze. Did he overact?
At this time, Wu Lai gritted his teeth, and the shooting in front continued. Although the Ming army in Changping Prefecture was also unable to fight, they were the Imperial Guards of the Ming Dynasty after all, and they still had some basic fighting will. At this time, they faced The Qing army was able to endure the siege with gritted teeth.
"Rush up and climb the city!"
Wu Lai also became fierce at this time and led more than two thousand hand-to-hand cavalry to charge, and soon rushed to the north gate of Changping Prefecture.
boom!
At this time, the artillery on the top of the city was still firing, but it was very messy and its accuracy was very poor. It can be seen that the artillerymen in Changping Prefecture usually practiced sparsely, and most of them were in disarray at this time.
"Rope, throw!"
Wu Lai roared, and more than a hundred Mongolian cavalry with long arms and strong strength threw out the rope in their hands. One end of the rope was an iron claw, and a long section of the rope was protected by iron sheets to prevent the enemy from cutting the rope.
Soon, more than a hundred ropes were firmly stuck on the arrow stacks at the top of the city. The Ming army soldiers on the top of the city were shocked and slashed the ropes in panic, for fear that the Mongolian soldiers below the city would climb up along the ropes, but But it had no effect. After a lot of work, only five or six roots were cut off.
"Kill him!"
At this time, Wu Lai also struggled to climb up a rope and loudly urged his subordinates in front. At this time, many Mongolian soldiers rushed up. Although the Ming army on the top of the city struggled to throw stones, shoot arrows, and fire fire The blunderbuss knocked down many Mongolian soldiers, but they still failed to stop them. At this time, the Ming army on the city dispersed.
A large number of Mongolian soldiers began to advance wantonly.
"Ha ha!"
Panting, Wu Lai stepped onto the city gate and looked around, only to see a large number of his men chasing the defenders in the city. He then commanded a group of troops to open the city gate, but was surprised to see people coming from the inner city to the south. A large number of Ming troops numbered at least 4,000 people.
"Hold on! Go and open the city gate!"
Wu Lai shouted and rushed forward, but at this time there were only a few hundred Mongolian soldiers on top of the city. They had to divide their troops to open the city gate. Even with strong combat power, they could not stop the impact of more than 4,000 Ming troops.
"Master, retreat quickly. We can't hold it anymore. Let's retreat, reorganize our formation, and charge again!"
Wu Lai's face was livid, and he suddenly turned around and went down the rope to the outside of the city. A large number of Mongolian soldiers also hurriedly followed the rope to withdraw from the city. The dozens of Mongolian soldiers at the back just ran to the rope, but were caught by a large number of people. The army surrounded them and started fighting.
The Ming army in Changping Prefecture were all soldiers and horses of the Huangling Guard. Although they were afraid of the Qing army, at the critical moment, they actually exploded with huge combat power, and used their extraordinary performance to knock back hundreds of Mongolian soldiers who broke into the city. !
At this time, Hauge and Abatai looked at the large number of Mongolian soldiers withdrawing in stunned silence. They never expected that the soldiers and horses that had broken into the city could be driven out by the Ming army.
"Are the defenders of Changping Prefecture also Liu Yan's subordinates? What is Wu Lai doing!"
Hauge roared loudly, completely forgetting his previous praise to Wu Lai.
Abatai said: "Let Wu Lai's tribe be reorganized first, and then attack. The Ming troops in Changping Prefecture are all Huangling Guards, and the supply of money and food is relatively sufficient on weekdays. The Ming Dynasty also reorganizes its troops more, so combative
It is indeed stronger than the ordinary Ming army soldiers and horses. "
"Hmph! Can he be stronger than Lu Xiangsheng, Yang Guozhu and others?"
Abate said with a smile: "That's not the case, but that's all. Let Wu Lai rest for a while, and then attack again, we will definitely win Changping Prefecture."
"hope so."
Hauge said to the men around him: "Tell Wu Lai immediately. If you can't take Changping Prefecture before the sun sets today, come and see us!"
In the front, Wu Lai was sitting on the ground and drinking gulps of water. Although the weather was cold at this time, the wind blowing was like a knife, which hurt his face. Even the water in the water bag was cold.
But Wu Lai didn't care at all. He drank all the water in the water bag in one breath, then threw the water bag on the ground angrily, and said angrily: "Have all the ministries been sorted out? Prince Su has sent someone to urge him. Rush up to me immediately!"
"嗻!"
Subsequently, more than ten thousand cavalry from the Zhenglan Banner of Mongolia rushed forward again. This time Wu Lai changed his strategy and concentrated all the cavalry and archers in the Beicheng area to suppress the city.
Wu Lai was riding on a war horse, looking fiercely at the top of the city. The melee cavalry behind him had also formed a formation, and about two thousand troops were ready to attack at any time.
But then, Wu Lai discovered that there were more artillery, gunmen, and archers on the north wall of Changping Prefecture. Apparently the defenders in the city had made adjustments and mobilized firepower from other places. Outside the north gate The casualties of the eight thousand Mongolian cavalry archers began to increase.
Wu Lai hurriedly ordered his army to retreat and withdrew from the shooting range of the Changping Prefecture garrison. However, he was scolded by Hauge who was supervising the battle behind him and ordered Wu Lai not to sacrifice casualties.
Changping Prefecture must be captured before day and night, otherwise we will come to see you!
At this moment, Wu Lai discovered that a large number of cavalry were coming from the east. Two yellow flags, two white flags, two red flags from Manchuria, Mongolian and Han military flags, and Mongolian troops from the outer vassals all arrived. His Majesty the Qing Emperor has arrived!
Wu Lai turned pale with fright, and then looked back and saw Hauge and Abatai also leading their troops. The two rode their horses quickly to Wu Lai, and then Hauge whipped Wu Lai in the face. He went up and said angrily: "You lead the men and charge forward now. You are not allowed to withdraw alone before all the Blue Flag troops are dead!"
Wu Lai endured the severe pain and said loudly: "I accept my order!"
Then Wu Lai rode his horse, brandished his sword, and shouted loudly: "Warriors of Changshengtian, follow me and kill Changping Prefecture!"
Thousands of Mongolian soldiers followed Wu Lai and rushed towards the city wall of Changping Prefecture. However, they were still blocked by artillery fire, muskets and arrows from the top of the city. The two sides fired at each other, and Wu Lai watched his men fall one after another. Outside the city, there was still no chance to throw the rope. There were many defenders on the city. The imperial mausoleum guards and horses were already red-eyed. Although their shooting accuracy was poor, they did not have the courage to fight with the Qing army in the field. , but can rely on the city to defend it.
"Wu Lai, this bastard!"
Hauge looked at the Mongolian Zhenglan Banner soldiers and horses who were never able to climb the city again, and couldn't help but curse Wu Lai.
Abatai said in a deep voice: "Prince Su, please calm down. Let's go to see the Holy Spirit first. His Majesty is already here!"
Seeing that Huang Taiji's bright yellow umbrella cover had reached the east, Hauge, with a cold face, and Abatai rode forward to meet the saint.
Huang Taiji was riding on his horse, looking at Hauge and Abatai with a cold face.
Said: "Has Changping Prefecture been captured?"
Hauge knelt on the ground and said: "To inform Khan Amma, the defenders in Changping Prefecture are the guards of the Imperial Tomb of the Ming Dynasty. They have sufficient strength and are stronger than the ordinary Ming army, so they have not been captured yet!"
"how long will it take?"
Abatai said: "Your Majesty, at least..., I am afraid it will be difficult to capture Changping Prefecture before nightfall today."
Huang Taiji was immediately furious. Calculating time, Liu Yan's troops were now only a day or two away from his own troops, and his cavalry was even closer to his own army.
If Changping Prefecture cannot be captured today, the army will not be able to move south, and will be blocked by Liu Yan's hundreds of thousands of elite troops under the city of Changping Prefecture. The consequences will be disastrous!
Huang Taiji was dragging his body with illness and marching in a hurry for days. At this time, he saw that Changping Prefecture had not been attacked for a long time. He was filled with anger and anxiety. He suddenly started to cough violently and his face turned purple. , was so surprised that all the banner owners and Prince Baylor came forward to pay their respects.
However, Huang Taiji's cough did not get better. With the help of several Zhenghuang Banner Baya La soldiers, he got off the horse. Then, while coughing, he shouted angrily at the surroundings and ordered the Zhenghuang Banner Baya La soldiers to bring down the banner owners and princes. Baylor and others were all separated.
Then Huang Taiji leaned on a thick velvet cushion, drank water, and was given the decoction prepared in advance, and then he felt relieved.
At this time, the expressions of Dorgon and Duoduo who were waiting outside changed slightly. Looking at the Baya soldiers standing closely in front of them, they were already laughing in their hearts: "Why don't you just cough to death!"
