Summer has turned to autumn, and although the weather has not completely cooled down, the scorching heat has gone.
In the afternoon, the water of Qingdao Bay was sparkling. Merchant ships entered Qingdao Port one after another and approached the pier. The Song Army on the dock began to inspect, and the laborers unloaded the goods one after another. They were busy and bustling.
Banqiao Town, which was tepid during the Northern Song Dynasty, has now become a military port where tens of thousands of troops are stationed. There are many boats and oars, and thousands of sails are competing. It is no longer what it used to be.
Businessman Li Shao got off the big ship, took a small boat ashore, and saluted Meng Jing who was directing the unloading of goods on the dock.
The various materials on the dock were piled up like mountains, obviously coming from all over the world, Song Dynasty and overseas, which made Li Shao secretly surprised.
In this Northern Expedition, the Song Dynasty came with all its national strength. Mongolia is very beautiful.
"The villain Li Shao has met the general."
I heard that this man was the brother of Meng Gong, the commander of the Jinghu Frontier Army. He was the former military commander of the Jinghu Frontier Army and the commander-in-chief of the Qingdao Port Song Army, but he could not be offended.
"Master Li, please forgive me. How many things did you bring this time?"
Meng Jing cupped his fists and saluted with a smile on his face.
Li Shao was a grain merchant in Champa City. He transported grain from Nanyang to the Song Dynasty all year round. In the spring of the year before last, when the imperial court deployed troops against Li Quan in Chuzhou, Li Shao transported a lot of military supplies to Yangzhou. Even the emperor knew about this person, so he had to be polite.
Just looking at the dozen or so huge ships, you can tell that they transport a lot of things.
"General, this is the list of food delivered by the villain. General, please take a look."
Li Shao handed over the roster, and Meng Jing took it and looked at it carefully.
"The rice in the city costs 100,000 shi, a boatload of medicinal materials costs 3,000 shi, a boatload of soybeans costs 5,000 shi, oil costs 30,000 jin, and sucrose costs 300 shi..."
Meng Jing finished reading it and handed it over to the officials on the side to arrange for inspection and unloading.
"Li Daguan, do you know that there is still food and grass baggage to be transported later?"
If the goods continue to be delivered like this, Qingdao Port will be overcrowded.
"Back to the general, there will be another 30,000 shi of grain that will arrive shortly. There will be no more before autumn. However, the villain will also transport food to Mingzhou Port. I don't know if it will be sent directly to the north by then? The villain can be sent to the north at any time. Waiting for the decree of the Song Dynasty court."
The Song Dynasty court had a strong demand for food, and they wanted as much as they could. He, Li Shao, just followed the Song court's orders to transport grain. When I go back, I will transport porcelain, silk, glass and other products from the Song Dynasty.
"Thank you, Mr. Li!"
Meng Jing spoke sincerely.
The energy of these overseas businessmen is extraordinary.
The last transfer before autumn. It seems that the army is about to move north.
"General, our army of the Song Dynasty is fierce and capable, and can be the best warriors in the world. The army of the Song Dynasty is approaching the world, and the army will march northward in the coming days, and it will be devastated. The Jin army and the Mongolian army will be invincible. I wish you an early Northern Expedition and a triumphant return!"
Li Shao smiled and complimented Meng Jing.
Rather, it is a Chinese dog. Today, the military power of the Song Dynasty is at its peak, and under the influence of the king, the natives of Southeast Asia have immigrated to places such as Bo Ni and Australia, which is enough to prove the saying that the Yi and Di have kings, which is not as good as the Xia without kings.
"Thank you so much for your kind words, Mr. Li! I also wish you a prosperous business and lots of money!"
Meng Jing was also happy in her heart.
The army of the Song Dynasty came to the world, and the sun was in the sky. Such national prestige is enough to intimidate all foreign barbarians overseas. He, a Song Dynasty native, is also proud.
"General, the newspapers are full of coverage, and the Northern Expedition is known to the world. If we can't win by then, we will really become the laughing stock of the world!"
The follower's worried words made Meng Jing's face harden and he scolded him coldly.
"With the Northern Expedition that conquered the Song Dynasty, hundreds of thousands of soldiers and horses were strong, and everyone was united. Furthermore, the Emperor of the Song Dynasty planned the strategy. How could the Northern Expedition fail and fail?"
He looked at the harbor where thousands of sails gathered and sneered:
"Everyone knows that we, the Song Dynasty, are going to do the Northern Expedition. We just want to let the world know that we, the Song Dynasty, are not afraid of anyone, even if we come to fight! Occupying a few empty cities is nothing. The Northern Expedition can only be considered a victory if we kill the opponent and bleed into rivers." !”
Isn't the purpose of war to kill the other side and make the other side lose the ability to resist?
"General, the Emperor of the Song Dynasty is in Chuzhou now. It's very lively there. The army is gathering and everything is heavily guarded. The Northern Expedition must be about to begin."
Li Shao's envious words shocked Meng Jing.
From this point of view, the Northern Expedition is imminent.
Looking at the generals around him, they were all smiling. Obviously, they can't wait for the army to march north.
"Master Li, how is the war in Dai Viet?"
Meng Jing asked subconsciously.
"General Meng, our city-occupying army and the Song Dynasty King's Division were overwhelming. We drove thousands of defeated Vietnamese soldiers to the north of Thang Long. The Chen family's small court fled deep into the mountains. However, it is the rainy season now, and it is not easy to search the mountains. , the war has come to an end. The Chen family has sent people to negotiate peace, and I think it will not take a few days for Dai Viet to surrender to the Song Dynasty."
Li Shao's words made Meng Jing feel relieved.
With the strength of the Song Dynasty navy and the local vigilantes of the city-occupying army, it should not be difficult to use troops against Vietnam.
While he was talking, suddenly there was a continuous sound of horns, loud fighting, and smoke billowing from the beacons on the shore. It was obvious that a powerful enemy was invading.
"General, will everything be okay?"
Li Shao's face turned pale and his eyes were horrified.
When transporting goods, there is a war, not to mention carrying too much.
Although the Song army was mighty, the rumored Mongolian cavalry was also ferocious. In the event of a fight, it is still unclear who is stronger and who is weaker.
"Master Li, please remove the word "ba". Even if tens of thousands of Tatar troops attack, you will be safe!"
Meng Jing smiled slightly, calm and relaxed.
If they can't even deal with the Mongolian army in Shandong, why bother talking about the Northern Expedition and disband as soon as possible.
Li Shao nodded dubiously. As he watched, countless Song soldiers came out of the military camp and lined up to the east. Flags flying high above them quickly disappeared.
"Master Li, come with me to verify the bill."
Meng Jing stepped forward, and Li Shao followed closely, muttering secretly in his heart.
These Song troops were so courageous. When the enemy attacked, they acted like nothing happened. No wonder the Song army was so successful in attacking Dai Viet. They were not even afraid of the Mongolian cavalry that dominated the world, let alone the thousands of people in Dai Viet.
In the east of Gaomi City, a dense mass of Mongolian cavalry gathered. Most of the Mongolian cavalry were wearing leather armor. Many of the cavalrymen had several bows on horseback, several large quivers and arrows, as well as shields, sabers, ropes, short axes and other items. One person had two horses or two horses. Three horses.
The Song army rolled in from east to west and stopped three miles away in front of the Mongolian army's formation. Soon most of the Song army came out of the formation and lined up in four or five rows, forming a long and flat rectangle, two or three miles wide. The soldiers of the Song Dynasty were motionless with guns hanging on their shoulders.
"Pretend to be a ghost!"
In the Mongolian army's formation, Tasi, the defender of Jinan Prefecture and the coach of the Mongolian army, opened his eyes wide and drew his sword.
"Warriors, kill Song Dog!"
Tasi pointed his saber at an angle, urged his war horse, and ran out first, followed closely by thousands of Mongolian cavalry behind him.
Tasi, the eldest grandson of Muhuali, one of the "Four Heroes" under Genghis Khan, was a famous warrior in the Mongolian army. He took the lead and wanted to defeat the Song army in front of him, destroying the Song army's supply base in Qingdao Bay in one fell swoop.
The Mongolian cavalry rode forward, and the sky was full of moving horse heads. The sound of horse hooves rumbled, like a torrent breaking a dike, heading straight for the Song army's formation.
"Firegun soldiers prepare!"
"Artillery ready!"
In the Song Army's formation, roars came and went, and the Song Army's formation suddenly started to move.
Smoke and dust were flying, and the Mongolian knights rode forward. They waved their weapons and shouted wildly. The trembling on the ground became more and more intense, and the sky was filled with the muffled thunder of iron hoofs trampling the earth.
"I go!"
Song Army coach Meng Gong put down his telescope and spoke the emperor's mantra.
"Thousands of horsemen dare to attack my formation. Do you really think that our Jinghu border troops are useless?"
"General Meng, let me charge and kill for a while!"
Cao Youwan, who was escorting Zhao Hong back to the southeast, was ready to make a move.
"Cao Er, don't worry. Wait a moment and let me chase down the remaining enemies and kill them without leaving any trace behind!"
"Yes, General!"
Cao Youwan clasped his fists and obeyed the order. Compared to before, his temper has become much calmer.
"General, fire!"
Seeing that the Mongolian cavalry had entered a range of two miles, Wei Jinyu said impatiently.
"What's the hurry? Fire once you've entered a mile!"
Meng Gong looked at the formation of fire gun soldiers in front of him and muttered secretly.
This time, I'm afraid it's time to watch the performance of the Fire Gun Soldiers.
The distance of two miles was reached in an instant. In the Song army's formation, large plumes of thick smoke spewed out, and the muffled thunder shook the earth. Hundreds of nine-pound heavy cannons opened fire at the same time. Iron balls hit their heads and faces, and they hit the Mongolian cavalry coming from the pavement. .
The sound of artillery continued, and the iron balls smashed into the Mongolian cavalry formation one after another, jumping and flying. People and horses screamed and screamed wherever they passed, and there was a constant sound of broken muscles and bones. Many Mongolian soldiers and horses were directly hit, and their flesh and blood were immediately scattered everywhere. . The Mongolian cavalrymen fell on their backs, causing countless people and horses to stumble. The horses were frightened, injured and fled in panic, causing commotions among the Mongolian cavalry formations.
Countless Mongolian cavalry rushed out of the barrage and galloped. They were only fifty or sixty steps away from the Song army's formation. Victory seemed within easy reach. Many Mongolian cavalrymen opened their bows and set up arrows, and they were about to kill the Song army with rain of arrows.
"Ready, shoot!"
In the Song Army's large formation of firecrackers, the sound of firecrackers sounded like fried beans, and the heads of the firecrackers were filled with smoke. The smoke was really spectacular.
The horses neighed, and batches of Mongolian army horses fell to the ground. Pieces of Mongolian army cavalry fell under their horses. Countless people had not had time to get up, and they were trampled by the horses following behind, and they instantly became a pile. Pile of mud.
The five rows of fire commanders fired continuously. Within forty or fifty steps in front of the Song army's formation, corpses of men, horses and wounded were piled up on top of each other, forming hills, so that the impact of the Mongolian cavalry had to be slowed down. Becoming the target of the gunmen, the Mongolian cavalry kept moving forward, falling over one after another, unable to break through the barrage of the Song army.
In the Song army's formation, all the Song generals were stunned.
The large formation of firecrackers is denser and stronger than artillery shells, and it is watertight. It is really a great weapon in the field!
Attacking a city shouldn't be too bad, right?
"Kill Song..."
Seeing the Song Army's formation approaching, Tasi roared loudly and clamped his legs around the horse's belly. Before he could finish his words, he suddenly felt a huge pain in his chest and fell off the horse.
Almost at the same time, the Mongolian cavalry rushed out to both sides, then turned their horses and fled directly to the sides and back.
Seeing the Mongolian cavalry beating their horses desperately without looking back, it was obvious that they were afraid of this hopeless impact and chose to flee for their lives.
"General Cao, it's up to you now!"
Seeing the defeated Mongolian army fleeing in panic across the mountains and plains, Meng Gong immediately issued a military order.
"I will obey the order!"
Cao Youwan took the order and led the Song army's cavalry, rolling forward wildly over the mountains and plains.
"You're a clown, you're looking for death! Do you really think you're still the old Song Dynasty?"
Meng Gong turned his head and looked in the direction of Chuzhou, frowning slightly.
I'm afraid I can't wait a few more days to pledge my loyalty to the Northern Expedition.