Several smoking thunderbolts fell from the top of the city, and a Mongolian soldier immediately pressed on top of the corpse of his comrade, with his own body also pressing on the corpse. With a muffled sound of "tong", the Mongolian soldiers and the corpses were knocked away together.
Another thunderbolt exploded when it hit the ground. The Mongolian soldiers fell down one after another. The thunderbolt exploded and fragments flew. Several Mongolian soldiers were shot and injured. Another one fell into the crowd of Mongolian soldiers, causing a cry of surprise, but it did not explode.
The sound of "whooshing" was heard endlessly, and the arrows shot through the air and rushed to the top of the city. More than a dozen Song soldiers fell to the ground after being hit by arrows, either dead or injured.
"prick!"
A row of spears were stabbed out from the top of the city, bringing up a shower of blood. The Mongolian soldiers who climbed onto the city were either stabbed in the throat or in the face. They let out loud screams and fell from the top of the city one after another.
Compared with the Song army that reinforced Lingzhou in Western Xia, the border troops in the Song Dynasty were more well-trained. Although the city wall was not as thick as Lingzhou City, the defensive measures were better.
The cover of the war tent was pushed open, and the Song army's crossbowmen fired arrows desperately. The Mongolian army at the top of the city was shot down. The Mongolian army counterattacked. Immediately, several Song soldiers were dripping with blood and fell down one after another.
The fierce battle lasted for more than ten days, whether it lasted a whole day or half a day, each time it was a blend of iron and blood, and each time there were countless casualties.
Under the city wall, there were corpses and blood stains on the ground, scattered ladders, and broken military flags. The corpses were scattered everywhere, with different forms of death. There are blood stains everywhere on the city wall, and the walls on the top of the city are in tatters.
Everything confirms the cruelty of life and death.
Outside the city, the Mongolian army commander Belitai looked at the brutal siege battle, his face was livid, and he was secretly frightened.
Before the war began, he also laughed at Chaul for being cowardly and timid. After fighting for more than half a month, he realized that Chawuer was right.
The Song army in Mianzhou City is really difficult to deal with!
Not to mention the loss of half of the infantry, even the light cavalry in his thousand-man team lost more than a hundred people. The army lost five to six thousand men. If the fight continues, I am afraid that all the light cavalry will participate in the siege.
Belitai's eyes inadvertently glanced at Subotai in the distance, who was wiping his right eye and looking at the castle battle without saying a word.
He has been furious and angry all day long. After this battle, Subutai's right eye, which is not optimistic at all, may not be able to save it.
Standing on the top of the city, Cao Youwen was sweating hotly on his forehead, holding up a telescope and looking outside the city.
In the Mongolian army camp, many Mongolian army craftsmen were making and repairing wooden shields, trebuchets, and even siege engines. It seems that the Mongolian army's ability to make equipment is indeed extraordinary.
Four or five miles outside the city wall, there are horses, low walls, and trenches surrounding it, just like big circles surrounding Mianzhou City. On the outside of the ring, Mongolian troops galloped back and forth, and people from the Song Dynasty were constantly being captured, killed mercilessly, or forced to dig trenches, build walls, and build fortifications.
From the perspective of those captured Song people, there are still fish that have slipped through the net in the clear wilderness of Lizhou West Road. Judging from the rich and colorful clothes worn by some people in the Song Dynasty, it seems that they belong to local wealthy families.
Love freedom, put your own life as a bet, and have no awareness of the cruelty of war. The price you pay is simply not too high.
"What is Tartar doing?"
A sergeant looked outside the city, confused.
"Have you not seen "Tatar Strategy"? The Mongolian army likes to besiege the city the most. They first remove the forts around the city, then use trenches to cut off the connection between the city and the surrounding areas, cut off the water source in the city, and then encircle the city. Call for reinforcements until there is no food or drink in the city and we have to leave the city and surrender.”
Wang Jian put down his telescope and sneered.
Lizhou West Road has long been fortified and clear, Mianzhou City has sufficient food and grass, and the wells in the city have sufficient water sources. It is simply a fantasy for the Mongolian army to surround the Song army.
"Lu Wende, the others, and Jiang Wanzai, they won't really bring troops to rescue them, right?"
Lu Yuanting couldn't help but ask.
"If they really come, the martial arts hall will be in vain!"
Wang Jian shook his head, answering Lu Yuanting's question.
Mianzhou City has sufficient food and grass, and its troops and horses are strong. Lu Wende, Jiang Wanzai and others all know this. Moreover, Cao Youwen has repeatedly ordered the cities to hold firm, and Lu Wende and others will not rush to send troops to rescue Mianzhou City.
"But with such a siege, even if the soldiers can have enough to eat, the people can't. The people will be trapped in the city all day long. If things go on like this, I'm afraid it will make people panic."
At some point, Gao Jia, the magistrate of Mianzhou, climbed onto the city wall and intervened.
"Xianggong Gao, why are people so panicked in ten days and a half? The water outside is tight, and you just let the people out, will they dare?"
Wang Jian glanced at Gao Jia with dissatisfaction and said seriously:
"Ms. Gao, don't worry, the emperor will not leave the people alone. We soldiers will not let the people suffer. Don't worry!"
The war has only been fought for a few days, and these civil servants are making noises, which is really disturbing.
"General Wang, General Cao, generals, please!"
Gao Jia bowed his hands, turned and left, and walked down the city wall worriedly.
"Ms. Gao still doesn't trust us, and is still worried that there won't be any reinforcements from the army."
Wang Jian shook his head and smiled, then turned his eyes to Cao Youwen.
"General Cao, I don't want the armies to come to the rescue. Unless several armies gather together, they are really no match for the Tatar army."
The Mongolian cavalry comes and goes like the wind. It is very maneuverable and is most suitable for encircling the point and calling for reinforcements. Although the Song army had firearms, most of them had never fought against the Mongolian army and had no actual combat experience. The consequences were disastrous.
"Lu Wende is bold and careful, Ma Zhong is brave. They may not lead troops to rescue, but they will never sit still and wait for death."
Cao Youwen whispered, he put down his telescope, looked at Wang Jian, and asked softly:
"Wang Jian, if you were the guard of the three passes and five states, could you bear to sit on the sidelines?"
Wang Jian was startled, his eyes turned to the north in the direction of Baishui Pass and Xianren Pass, and he thought about it and spoke out.
"If I were Lu Wende and others, I would set up ambushes at Baishui Pass and Xianren Pass in the southeast of Chengzhou. Once the Tatar army retreats, they can use the hilly area between the Western Han River and the mountains to stop them and cut off their retreat."
Baishui Pass and Xianren Pass are criss-crossed by ravines, and the Tianshui Army and Chengzhou, Fengzhou and other places have tens of thousands of soldiers. Lu Wende is the commander of Xihe Prefecture. Once he mobilizes the troops and ambush according to danger, he will surely give the Mongolian army a head-on attack.
If he were Lu Wende and Ma Zhong, he would certainly not sit back and guard.
"The Tatar cavalry's field battle is unparalleled. With the strength of Lu Wende and others, it may be a bit reluctant to cut off their retreat."
Cao Youwen frowned slightly, wondering what he was thinking?
"General, the fighting at the Lizhou frontier is so fierce. How can the Zhizhi Division remain indifferent?"
Lu Yuanting glanced south and asked subconsciously.
Chengdu Prefecture has 50,000 soldiers in training, and Lizhou Camp has nearly 40,000 soldiers. The frontier fortress is fighting hard, will they not give reinforcements?
In fact, he wanted to know more whether the emperor would personally lead the battle and command the war.
"We've only been fighting for more than ten days, but you're still scared? Isn't this your Lu Tiebang?"
Cao Youwen looked at Lu Yuanting, making the latter blush half of his face.
"The Sichuan frontier troops are united as one. How could Mr. Cui not send troops to rescue us? Just wait for the good news."
Cao Youwen raised his voice, seemingly speaking to Lu Yuanting, but actually speaking to the surrounding soldiers.
The soldiers suffered heavy casualties, and the morale of the army was inevitably unstable. It was his duty as a coach to comfort the soldiers and boost their morale.
"General, I'm not afraid, I'm just curious. I just want to know if His Majesty will come."
Lu Yuanting told the truth. The emperor has been planning it for so long. The battle in Mianzhou City is a life-and-death battle. The emperor will not come, right?
At least, the army from the Sichuan Production and Construction Department should come to help.
"Your Majesty set up the border fortress at Shukou two years ago and repeatedly reminded him of his instructions. How could he remain indifferent? Besides, the Production and Construction Department has already received the battle report from Mianzhou. How could he ignore it? In my opinion, Your Majesty has already arrived. Sichuan may be on the way to send troops northward."
Cao Youwen looked at the Mongolian army camp outside the city and smiled coldly.
"They are trapped in a cocoon! I hope that when they retreat, they will not hate themselves for digging too many trenches and pits."
Lu Yuanting and Wang Jian looked at each other with excitement.
When it comes to writing, Cao You is said to be the second best, but no one dares to say he is the first.
The emperor personally marched on the expedition, and in a few days the Mongol army was ready to be seen.
"Wang Jian, what are the casualties among the soldiers?"
Asked about the casualties, Cao Youwen frowned subconsciously.
"Back to the general, more than 2,000 soldiers were killed, more than 300 were seriously injured, and countless minor injuries. Now we have begun to mobilize the people in the city to defend the city."
Wang Jian looked ugly and responded in a low voice.
After more than half a month, half of the casualties were lost, which shows how tragic the war situation was.
"The Tatars have more casualties than us, let's see who can't hold it back first!"
Cao Youwen said softly, and his face quickly regained its composure.
As the leader of an army, he cannot mess up his position.
"I don't know, how is the fighting over in Xixia? Brothers have been there for eight or nine months!"
On top of the city, a Song Army general sighed subconsciously.
"Didn't the two Tatar envoys say last time that Lingzhou has not fallen yet and Xixia is still there, so my brothers will definitely be fine!"
Wang Jian glared fiercely at the general who was speaking. The latter's face turned red and he remained silent.
The calmness on Cao Youwen's face disappeared instantly, and his face turned darker unconsciously.
Since the expedition to Xixia last August, it has been nine months now and there has been no news at all.
He turned his eyes to the Mongolian army camp outside the city, frowned, turned around and walked towards the city wall.
"Wang Jian, I'll leave this city to you first!"
"General, what are you going to do?"
Wang Jian was confused and shouted towards Cao Youwen's back.
"Go to the prison! Interrogate the prisoners!"
Cao Youwen didn't even look back and hurried down the city wall.
On that day, two Mongolian envoys said that Lingzhou City had not been breached, and they happened to verify it from the prisoners captured at the top of the city.
"Are you a pig-brained person? I don't want to pick up any pot!"
After Cao Youwen left, Wang Jian angrily scolded the general who spoke. He looked at the Mongolian troops swarming outside the city and shouted loudly.
"Get ready to fight!"
Another brutal siege is about to begin.
