Chapter 280 There is no one left in Hangzhou
"Master, this is the specific news coming from the city..."
Zhao Xin handed a secret letter to Chen Cao. Chen Cao opened it and saw that everything in the letter was an explanation of the deployment of military forces in the city and the specific strength of the troops.
After reading it, Chen Cao handed the letter to Huang Chunyao, and then said: "There is no need to worry about the fighting strength of 30,000 people. I am only worried that if too many people are killed, it will cause a backlash from the people of Hangzhou."
There were only three people in the tent, Zhao Xin, Huang Chunyao and Chen Cao. Chen Cao whispered: "The current Hangzhou general and Beicheng guard Kang Shui are my people."
Huang Chunyao's brows trembled, and then he looked at Chen Cao in surprise: "No wonder the father-in-law can make up his mind to attack Hangzhou. It turns out that he has already arranged people."
"Mu Qishan's Yunnan soldiers are guarding Qiantang, Kang's 3,000 town soldiers are guarding Wulin Gate in the North City, 30,000 Qingzhuang and 2,000 guardsmen are guarding Genshan Gate, and there are also 3,000 Dusi left-behind troops at Qiantang Gate. "
Chen Cao pointed to the rectangular Hangzhou City Road on the map as he spoke: "The gates of the East City are at the mouth of the Qiantang River, so fighting would be a waste of time, and the Yongjin Gate and Qingbo Gate are in front of the West Lake, which is not conducive to the deployment of the army. Once We were hit by firearms on the city wall and suffered heavy casualties.”
"People say that to defend Hangzhou, you must defend Qiantang, and to defend Qiantang, you must protect Hangzhou." Huang Chunyao looked at the map after reading the letter: "Qiantang County is in the northwest corner of Wulin Gate. Compared with Changzhou, Wuxian County, Suzhou, Qiantang County is located in Hangzhou. The city gate of the inner city only has an opening that is three people wide, and can only pass a carriage. If Qiantang is lost, Hangzhou City only needs to block the opening to ensure safety;
Therefore, our army's attack direction can only choose Wulin Gate and Genshan Gate in Beicheng. "
"The choice of military direction. The young men at Genshan Gate have low combat effectiveness. If we attack from Genshan Gate, we can also relax the pressure on Kang Sui. After all, once Kang Sui responds internally, his soldiers will be of great use."
"My lord, here comes another letter."
A captain quietly walked into the tent and handed the letter to Chen Cao. After reading it, Chen Cao laughed loudly: "There is really no one in Hangzhou, hahaha..."
Huang Chunyao looked at the letter with doubts, then showed a gentle smile, and then waved his Kongming fan and said with a smile: "If the student remembers correctly, Lin Guodong, the commander of Guanhaiwei, is the person who has been arranged by the father-in-law a long time ago?"
Chen Cao nodded and said, "I kept Lin Guodong back then because I thought of today. However, Zhang Yangming, an old man, made frequent moves. Huang Sihai was captured and his entire army was wiped out. He did not capture Qi Changguo, but still allowed Qi Changguo to be defeated. By garrisoning there, isn’t it obvious that the chariots and horses have dug a big hole for themselves?”
Qi Changguo's son and nephew are all in Chen Cao's army. Now Chen Cao has raised the banner of "Qingjun side", and the Qi family has fallen into a situation of rebellion. Even if Qi Changguo himself does not rebel, according to the Ming law that implicates the nine tribes, Once Chen Cao fails, the entire Qi Xianzong and Qi Xianyun clan will be wiped out in half.
Qi Changguo is still the general in Taizhou. Although two thousand of his five thousand soldiers have been transferred away, leaving three thousand soldiers and horses. Although Huang Sihai left a confidant to temporarily take over the military power in Taizhou, Qi Changguo has guarded Taizhou for many years. The prestige in the army is not comparable to that of a newly arrived general. If Qi Changguo raises his hand, Taizhou's military power will return to Qi Changguo's hands.
"Immediately write a letter in handwriting and ask someone to send it to Taizhou immediately. Tell General Qi and ask him to raise troops to meet in Hangzhou."
After Chen Cao finished his instructions, he looked at Huang Chunyao: "Right now, the only way to encircle and call for reinforcements is in the direction of Genshan Gate. I'm worried that You Shiwei will go directly from Haining to Hangzhou through Zheshan Town."
Huang Chunyao waved his fan and pointed: "My lord, the students think that they need to make two preparations. First, You Shiwei's troops will arrive from Zheshan Town. Second, the students are worried that You Shiwei will separate his troops and enter Hangzhou from Hangzhou Bay."
Chen Cao was shocked. The naval fleet was still in Jingjiang Island and other places in Jiangyin. Even if he sent a letter now, it would probably be too late. If You Shiwei entered Hangzhou, the plan to encircle the point and provide reinforcements would become empty talk.
"But you don't have to worry too much, sir," Huang Chunyao said again: "Even if You Shiwei really enters Hangzhou via the Shuimen sea route, our army can use this to drag You Shiwei in Hangzhou and eliminate their effective strength."
After hearing this, Chen Cao thought for a while and realized that his ultimate goal was to eliminate You Shiwei, the wandering border army, and he could choose whatever method he used, not to mention that Zhang Yangming had also summoned the remaining guards in Zhejiang. The army came to Hangzhou to hold on, but it would be more difficult to attack the city.
"It seems that new weapons from Shanghai must be mobilized, and they must be transported by sea as soon as possible."
Chen Cao said and asked Xin Zhao to set off immediately and escort him personally, and then said: "Yunsheng, we will attack Qiantang County first. How do you think we will fight?"
Huang Chunyao shook his fan and thought for a long time: "Assemble the surrendered troops in Jiaxing Prefecture and give each of them a reward of ten taels of silver. In the name of King Fu, he ordered the troops who captured Qiantang County to be rewarded with fifty taels of silver each. In addition, first of all, Those who ascend to Hangzhou will be granted the title of hereditary commander and the title of earl."
The strength of this kind of reward is very high. All the troops surrendering in Jiaxing Prefecture are local guards from Zhejiang Province. Veterans have been in the military for their whole lives. If a big soldier goes to Hangzhou City, it will be a great achievement. Hereditary Some generals will never get the title of commander and earldom in their lifetime.
"That's okay, but we can't mobilize the soldiers of Hangzhou Prefecture." Chen Cao nodded: "It's up to you to handle this matter. It will be completed."
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"There have been some discordant voices in the city recently, and the general has ordered the soldiers to investigate the rumors strictly."
Zhang Yangming very much agreed with Kang Shu's approach: "Kang Shen will serve the country wholeheartedly, and I will keep this in mind. This matter must be investigated strictly. It involves the safety of Hangzhou. No matter whether he is a high-ranking official or a wealthy gentry, we will arrest him together. If there is anyone Tell me, just send it to the governor's office."
"Although the city of Hangzhou is not big, its defenses are strong and the terrain is dangerous. As long as our army can hold Hangzhou for half a month, I believe the first wave of reinforcements will arrive."
Kang Shui said, clasping his fists: "Master Zhang, I thought that the defense of Genshan Gate should be strengthened."
Genshan Gate was defended by Zhang Yangming's confidant, the governor's pacesetter Ma Liang, and 30,000 Hangzhou civilians. However, although the two thousand patrol soldiers belonged to the regular army, their combat effectiveness may not be as good as that of the guard army, let alone the three Thousands of people in Hangzhou are strong.
Thinking of this, Zhang Yangming was also a little worried. The number of Chen rebels outside the city was increasing. Hangzhou City had ten city gates. Although the terrain was dangerous, if the rebels really divided their forces and attacked, they would be able to defend Hangzhou. Really overwhelmed.
"grown ups..."
With an urgent shout, a patrolling soldier ran into the lobby with a happy face: "Sir, I am very happy. Yulin Commander-in-Chief You Shiwei came from the sea with reinforcements and entered Hangzhou through the mouth of the Qiantang River. The reinforcements have now arrived in Wangzhou. Outside Jiangmen."
Zhang Yangming laughed, then pulled Kang Sui and said with a smile: "Hurry, Kang Shen will go with me to greet General You..."
Kang Su's smiling face suddenly felt a little embarrassed. You Shiwei's reinforcements actually arrived in Hangzhou from the sea, and he immediately had a plan in his mind.
Wangjiangmen and Houchaomen are facing the entrance and exit of the Qiantang River. On the pier of Wangjiangmen, hundreds of sand ships are parked at the pier, and the Yulin border troops led by You Shiwei are landing and gathering.
Zhang Yangming and Kang Sui, the top general in Hangzhou at that time, went out to greet him. When they arrived at the dock, Zhang Yangming personally came out and shouted loudly: "I am the imperial envoy to the governor of Zhejiang, Zhang Yangming. I wonder which one is Commander-in-Chief You from Yulin?"
You Shiwei walked out of the military formation with a sword in his hand, followed by a group of generals: "You Shiwei, the commander-in-chief of Yulin, I have met Mr. Zhang..."
The General Soldier and the Governor were both high-ranking officials of the second rank. Unfortunately, in the late Ming Dynasty, when culture suppressed military force, the Governor was much older than the General Soldier, so You Shiwei could only be referred to as "Xiaoguan".
Zhang Yangming stepped forward and grabbed You Shiwei's hand, and said excitedly: "General Soldier You has come all the way. I am very pleased. Come on, follow me into the city. I have prepared a reception banquet at the governor's Yamen."
You Shiwei and other generals marched into the city first, while the troops behind them entered slowly. Inside the governor's office, Zhang Yangming took the lead in raising a toast: "I have been trusted by the Holy One to oversee all affairs in Zhejiang. Now we have encountered rebels who are causing trouble in Zhejiang. Although we have served the country and eliminated the thieves, However, Chen Ni's army has been approaching Hangzhou, and the 500,000 people in Hangzhou are holding my hand, but it is a pity that there are less than 10,000 soldiers to fight;
Fortunately, Commander-in-Chief You came from thousands of miles away to come to Fuhai's rescue. Come, I, on behalf of the people of Hecheng, Hangzhou, would like to pay a toast to Commander-in-Chief You. "
You Shiwei didn't dare to make excuses, so he stood up to thank him and finished his glass of wine before he said: "Xiaguan defeated the rebel camp in Kaosan during the battle in Jiashan, but it was a pity that the success was final. At that time, reinforcements from the rebels arrived, and the success fell short, but even so, our army also caused a lot of casualties to the rebels."
You Shiwei pointed at Zuo Liangyu as he spoke: "This is Zuo Liangyu, the counselor of Ning State. He was responsible for the first victory in the battle against Jiashan Pass."
Zhang Yangming also suffered from the arrival of Chen Cao's reinforcements. Moreover, after the news came that Huang Chongtao was captured in Jiaxing Prefecture, he felt sorry for Huang Chongtao. After all, civil servants had the responsibility to defend the land. It was really shameful for him to leave Huang Chongtao's soldiers in the front in order to escape for his own life. Somewhat embarrassing.
"General Zuo Shen is young and promising, I would like to propose a toast to you..."
After a few glasses of wine, Zhang Yangming turned the topic to Hangzhou's city defense: "General Mu's 20,000 Yunnan frontier troops and 4,000 guard troops are stationed in Qiantang County. Beicheng is the first to bear the brunt. Currently, General Kang has Three thousand soldiers are guarding the Wulin Gate, two thousand patrol soldiers and thirty thousand Qingzhuang soldiers under my command, Ma Liang, are guarding the Genshan Gate. The other gates are guarded by soldiers from each patrol department."
This kind of defensive force is completely undefended in a big city like Hangzhou with a population of 500,000.
"I wonder how many soldiers General You brought this time?"
You Shiwei handed over: "There are 40,000 Yulin frontier troops, 23,000 soldiers under the command of General Zuo Shen, and more than 20,000 auxiliary troops recruited from the guards at Haining and their remnants, for a total of 83,000 More than a thousand people.”
