Yang Daquan and Zhang Zhongxia looked at each other. Just as Zhang Zhongxia was about to speak, Li Deren and Ning Zining hurried up the city wall and strode over with anxious faces.
"General Cao, generals, what does Tatar mean? What does Genghis Khan want?"
Li Deren asked the same question when he spoke, and Ning Zining next to him looked expectantly.
In any case, both of them were relieved that most of the Mongolian army had withdrawn, and their breathing became much easier.
"General Cao, Your Highness, generals, it has been three months since the Tatar army besieged the city last winter. There have been nearly a hundred battles, large and small. Our Lingzhou army has suffered losses of nearly 20,000 people, and the Tatar army has suffered casualties of at least 30,000. More than enough."
Zhang Zhongxia's words made everyone in the city nod, and everyone suddenly felt heroic.
It can make the Mongolian cavalry that dominates the world crippled and suffer heavy casualties. Thinking about it makes me feel sour and proud.
"Zhang Zhongxia, keep talking!"
Cao Youwan couldn't wait to urge Zhang Zhongxia. The emperor has a keen eye for discernment. This Zhang Zhongxia is calm and considerate. He is indeed a talent.
"General, Your Highness, our army is defending the city, and the Tatars are camping in the wild, so there must be diseases. Since it is difficult to conquer Lingzhou City for a while, the Tatar army will be besieged for a long time. When the food and grass in the city are exhausted, there will be no After a lot of effort, Lingzhou City was destroyed without attacking. The 20,000 Tatar troops outside the city are to prevent our army from leaving the city in search of food and grass, as well as reinforcements from all directions."
After Zhang Zhongxia made some speculations, everyone nodded and agreed with him.
However, the Xingling Land has already been looted by the Mongolian army. Where can I find supplies?
"What's the purpose of the 20,000 Tatar army going north?"
Lingzhou Zhizhou Ning Zining asked confusedly.
Could it be that these Mongolian troops withdrew their troops and returned to the grassland?
"Nine times out of ten, they went to Zhongxing Mansion. Of course they wanted to defeat the enemy without a fight. Lingzhou City was not captured, so Zhongxing Mansion couldn't even think about it!"
Li Deren knew it well and continued coldly.
If you want to make an emergency landing at Zhongxing Mansion, you can naturally take over Lingzhou City. It's a beautiful idea, it's just wishful thinking!
No matter whether the Zhongxing Mansion will surrender or not, Li Deren will not.
"What is the current plan?"
Ning Zining couldn't help but ask.
There are 20,000 Mongolian troops in Lingzhou City, and the same is true in Zhongxing Mansion. There are 40,000 Mongolian troops galloping across Xingling, cutting off traffic and greatly restricting the Xingling garrison from leaving the city. This must not be underestimated.
"General, Your Highness, the morale of the Tatars is low now. There are only 20,000 people in the camp outside the city. It is better to gather elite troops on a certain day and attack them unexpectedly. With the power of firearms, they can defeat the Tatar army, seize their baggage, and open up passages in all directions to get out of the city. Looking for food and grass, killing two birds with one stone. I wonder what Your Highness and the General think?"
Zhang Zhongxia pointed to the Mongolian army camp outside the city and said vigorously.
There are more than 200,000 people in the city, and food and grass are limited after all. If they cannot find food and grass, defending the city is tantamount to seeking death. Simply relying on the emperor to send troops to rescue is too conservative and not a long-term strategy.
Yang Daquan nodded repeatedly and echoed:
"What Zhang Zhongxia said is true! The Tatar camp is only five miles away, and our army's ammunition is still enough. When the time comes, the three armies will use their lives to defeat the Tatar army and seize some food and grass. Your Highness, General, please give the order quickly!"
There are still more than four months left until the end of June. Now it is two meals a day, and in a month it will be one meal a day. Later on, the horse may be killed to eat the grass and tree roots.
This is not a good sign!
Yang Daquan and Zhang Zhongxia advocated going out of the city to fight. Cao Youwan was also moved and his eyes fell on Li Deren.
"Your Highness, we went out of the city to attack the Tatars by surprise. I want to come..."
To fight out of the city, you must get strong assistance from the Lingzhou garrison. The 4,000 Song troops could not defeat the 20,000 Tatar army even in a sneak attack.
"No! Absolutely not!"
Before Li Deren could speak, Ning Zining had already spoken and categorically rejected Cao Youwan's proposal.
"All the defenders in Lingzhou only add up to more than 20,000 people. Against the 20,000 Tatar army, how can Lingzhou City be defended in the event of defeat? Besides, what if the Tatar army uses a trick to lure the enemy? Lingzhou City If it is lost, Zhongxing Mansion will inevitably fall. By then, Daxia will really be doomed!"
Ning Zining's words made Cao Youwan hesitate again, and Li Deren shook his head in denial.
"General Cao, isn't the Emperor of the Song Dynasty going to send his troops to rescue us? We should be more cautious and don't waste our time fighting. We can just wait for the army to arrive. Lingzhou is related to the safety of Daxia, so we must not be reckless!"
Li Deren and Ning Zining objected, and Zhang Zhongxia couldn't help but persuade again.
"Only by defeating the Tatar army outside the city can the Tatars be frightened and take back some food and grass. Our army fights out of the city with thunder and artillery. Even if there is an ambush, our army can protect itself and return to the city safely. There is no chance. If it is lost, once the weather gets hot and the Tatar army sets up walls and trenches, it will be difficult to attack!"
"Yes! As long as the Tatar army is defeated, the threat to the city defenders will be greatly reduced, and a lot of food and supplies can be recaptured. Hiding in the city is not a long-term solution after all."
Yang Daquan was moved and strongly appreciated Zhang Zhongxia's enterprising ideas.
With firearms in hand and elite soldiers, there is no need to fear mere cavalry.
"No! The danger is too great. One move can affect the whole body. The Lingzhou defenders cannot move rashly! They cannot move!"
Ning Zining was as determined as ever.
"General Cao, generals, the soldiers of the Song Dynasty are elite, they risk their lives, and they have sharp firearms. I can absolutely rest assured. But these Xia troops guarding the city only have swords and guns, and most of the archers were killed or injured. Ask them, they Do you dare to go out of the city and fight the Tatar army?”
Li Deren smiled bitterly, but what he said was the truth.
After several months of defending the city, the veterans suffered heavy losses, and the defenders, who were mostly recruits, followed the Song army out of the city to fight. I am afraid that the Song army itself was not at ease.
Li Deren and Ning Zining did not support it. Cao Youwan nodded helplessly and glanced south.
The military order he received was to defend Lingzhou City. He really lacked confidence in letting four thousand Song troops go out to fight. The only plan now is to defend the city, rest and wait for the emperor to send his troops.
Zhang Zhongxia shook his head secretly, but he could also understand the difficulties of Li Deren and Ning Zining.
Without the participation of the Lingzhou garrison, the Song army would never have been able to break through the Mongolian camp outside the city. They were afraid that before the emperor's troops arrived, Lingzhou City would run out of ammunition and food and would be destroyed without attack.
Looking towards the southeast, the emperor's principal should have already set off.
South of the Yellow River, Lintao Road, on the bank of the Yellow River, the spring breeze is blowing gently, the willows are clinging to the sky, the Yellow River has thawed, and the water is flowing eastward.
Subotai, the most powerful general in Mongolia, was sitting on his horse, looking in the direction of Lingzhou in the north with anger in his eyes.
South of the Yellow River is already the territory of the Kingdom of Jin. In the wilderness south of Subotai, Mongolian cavalry are all over the mountains and fields, ready to go. It seems that they are going to attack cities and seize lands, burn, kill and loot.
"These thieves in Lingzhou City are really tough!"
Chawu'er, the commander of the Mongolian army, sighed softly.
The siege of Lingzhou City failed, the troops were lost, and the troops were forced to withdraw. It was actually an unprecedented defeat for the Mongolian cavalry.
"Chawu'er, don't let their prestige grow. We'll surround them for several months without food or water. When everyone in the city is dead, it won't be too late to deal with them when the weather gets cold!"
Zhenhai, the commander of the Mongolian army, said casually.
After besieging Lingzhou City for more than three months, they failed without success and suffered 30,000 casualties. It can be said that the Mongolian cavalry suffered an unprecedented defeat. As a last resort, the Mongolian army had no choice but to withdraw its troops and besiege the city, instead of attacking the city.
With a "pop" sound, Zhenhai was whipped. Subotai's eyes were ferocious and his face was ashen.
"You know what the heck! We didn't capture Lingzhou City, and the Khan became seriously ill again. If you don't do anything to attack the Jin people, be careful I'll chop off your dogs' heads!"
Lingzhou City was not captured. Genghis Khan, who was already in poor health, became furious and his condition worsened. He often fell into coma. All the Mongolian generals were worried. Who knows how long Genghis Khan can last like this?
Waiting for the weather to get colder is nonsense! Lingzhou City must be destroyed as soon as possible, which may make Genghis Khan happy and his condition improve.
"Subotai, the great Khan Ji has his own destiny. He has gone to Liupan Mountain to rest, and he will recover soon."
Another Qianfu elder gave Subotai relief in the tower.
Subotai was very upset about not capturing Lingzhou City, thinking that this aggravated Genghis Khan's condition, but he did not know that if Lingzhou City was to be captured, the Mongolian warriors would suffer heavy casualties again.
It is the wisest choice to besiege but not attack, plunder all directions, cut off the supply of food and grass in the city, and wait for the defenders in the city to run out of ammunition and food.
"Go back and destroy Lingzhou City. No chickens or dogs will be left behind! No chickens or dogs will be left behind!"
Subotai said bitterly, paused for a moment, and then asked:
"Don't these golden dogs also have firearms?"
"Probably not! If Golden Dog had firearms, they would have sent troops to reinforce the Tangwuti people!"
Zhenhai muttered something cautiously.
"Zhenhai is right!"
Tali quickly interjected and then said hesitantly:
"Subutai, are you going to send the Great Khan's gold medal directly to the Nanren?"
The borders between Song and Jin were intertwined, and an attack on the Jin Kingdom might spread to the Song Dynasty. Genghis Khan's military order required the Song people to surrender and not interfere with the Jin Dynasty. Now it depends on whether to use force to make the Song people obey.
"Zhenhai, you and Chawu'er go to the Song Dynasty and give them the gold medal of the Great Khan. If they don't understand, give them some pain."
Subotai seemed to hesitate midway through his words.
"My Mongolian army is attacking the Golden Dog, and the Song army will definitely know about it. Do you know what to do?"
"Know!"
Zhenhai and Chawuer quickly received the order.
The Mongolian cavalry came and went like the wind, and roundabout fighting was the Mongolian army's strength. They naturally knew how to do it.
The Song people were weak and were driven to a corner of the south of the Yangtze River by the Jin people. But the Song Dynasty was rich, so I would be sorry for myself if I didn't plunder.
"The army is divided into two groups, and we must defeat the Kingdom of Jin as soon as possible so that we can report the good news to the Great Khan!"
Subotai gave the order and rode his horse down the embankment. A group of Mongolian knights followed closely.
In the spring of the third year of the Xingqing reign of the Song Dynasty, the Mongolian army besieged Lingzhou City but failed, and the army moved north and south. Genghis Khan recuperated in the Liupan Mountains of Longyou. The army going south divided into several groups to attack the Kingdom of Jin. The land of Longyou fell into a raging war.
