The light of the high sun in late autumn seemed unusually dull, and the howling autumn wind kept whistling, seemingly cheering for Miyun City's attack and defense. Under the attack of the Han army's long-range weapons, flying rocks, arrows, and fire bombs were airtight and continued to damage the city, which was devastated from the outside to the inside.
Within half an hour, the Han army dropped 1,500 kerosene bombs, 2,500 stone bullets, 500 iron arrowheads, and 150,000 crossbows and arrows at Miyun City. This kind of attack mode was a disaster for the Liao army defending the city. The originally low morale was deprived of several percent and reduced to even lower levels.
At the beginning of the Han army's attack, the Liao generals ordered to shoot with bows and arrows, but they were soon completely suppressed. Most of the guards at the top of the city could only hide behind the female wall, hoping that the solid wall could protect them.
Faced with the Han army's extravagant tactics, the Liao army, which lacked preparation, really could not find any effective way to deal with it. Xiao Siwen ordered people to prepare a large number of wooden shields for defense. However, these could block the arrows, but they could not block the impact of stone bullets. They could not block the powerful penetrating crossbow, which even exploded. Nutrients for burning kerosene bombs.
Therefore, within a short period of time, the city's defense became fragmented, and the soldiers fled in panic, restraining the school. In fact, the purpose of the Han army's tactics, in addition to destroying defensive facilities, was not to kill or injure many enemy troops, but to focus on destroying their morale and shocking their morale.
Under such indiscriminate blows, the unlucky ones will inevitably be swallowed up by kerosene, killed by stone bullets, and pierced by iron arrowheads. The tragic death method and the impact caused by it are enough to destroy the confidence of the guards. His already weak faith collapsed. The key point is that the Han army has a way of getting whatever it wants, and it is difficult for them to even respond with a symbolic counterattack.
Outside the south city, Zhang Qiong, the guard of the saints, had drawn out his sword early and stared at the top of the city. There was a ferocious light in his copper bell-like eyes. You can imagine the tragic situation on the city. I looked back from time to time, hoping to see the order for the Chinese army to attack.
Last year, when he was conquering Sichuan and Sichuan and attacking cities and villages, Zhang Qiong always took the lead and took the lead three times. After returning to the dynasty, he was transferred to the Holy Guard Army and served as a lieutenant general. For a warrior like Zhang Qiong, commanding troops is not his specialty. Fighting is the only way for him to demonstrate his martial arts skills and realize his value.
Behind him are 2,500 saint-protecting sergeants, the siege soldiers selected by Murong Yanzhao. Even in formation, Zhang Qiong chooses to stand at the front. Therefore, although his temperament is rough and cruel, on the battlefield, his subordinates are willing to follow him to attack, without fear of life or death.
The thunderbolt cannon installed behind the Guardian Army has been replaced. Although this vehicle is sharp, it also wears out a lot. The soldiers and civilian warriors responsible for the control were changed in two batches. These siege equipment of the Han army all required a large amount of manpower to operate. This time, 3,000 people were specially assigned to those responsible for the Thunderbolt Cannon alone.
Of course, this is much less labor-intensive than the stone-throwing carts used by the Han army in the early years. At that time, if you wanted to use a stone-throwing cart to launch a stone projectile, you would need dozens or even hundreds of trained people to cooperate in pulling it. As a counterweighted vehicle, the advantages of the Thunderbolt are clear at a glance.
Fire oil bombs and stone bombs are still being fired, and the sound of breaking through the air has a harsh effect. On Miyun City, no one of the Liao army could be seen anymore, but it was the Liao army who took the initiative to shrink into the city walls to avoid further unnecessary casualties.
About two miles away, where the Chinese army was located, a general platform about ten feet high was erected, with a large banner fluttering in the wind. Murong Yanzhao climbed on it to supervise the battle and command.
The battlefield situation can be seen at a glance. The distance is a bit far, and the situation at the top of the city is not very clear, but it can always be noticed. Beside him, several generals and generals accompanying the army also accompanied him to watch the battle. Not to mention the Liao army, even these Han generals were dumbfounded by such an offensive. They had expected and imagined the upgraded siege tactics of the Han army, but they did not expect that they would be so sharp and powerful when fully demonstrated.
Sun Li murmured: "If it were us, how would we resist such a blow?"
In fact, there is no way to attack the city that cannot be dealt with. It is just that the Liao army lacked preparation and was in a panic. Regardless of the fact that within half an hour, the Han army's attack was so powerful that it could change the color of the sky and the earth, the actual effect was only heavy thunder and small raindrops. In the end, if you want to seize the city, you have to rely on the merits of the siege soldiers. No matter how powerful the equipment is, victory still depends on people.
And if the Liao army could get used to this kind of formation, muster up the courage, and deal with it calmly, then the Han army would be nothing more than useless equipment. Of course, the quality requirements for the generals and defenders were too high.
"Commander, in the face of this thunderous attack, the Liao army has been frightened and panicked. The general thought that it was time to attack!" Lu Huaizhong, the infantry commander beside Murong Yanzhao, suggested to him.
In this regard, Murong Yanzhao's Confucian face was calm, and he just calmly ordered: "Instruct Zhang Qiong and Murong Yanqing to attack! Replace a group of crossbowmen, climb the earthen wall, shoot freely, and cover the city battle!"
"yes!"
Following the military order, the attack changed, and the Han army, which had been preparing for a long time, immediately attacked Miyun City. Of course, it is impossible to rush up in a swarm carrying bamboo or wooden ladders...
The Han army's attack was also very organized. Five heavy ladders on the left and right were pushed towards the city wall. Each ladder was pushed by 250 coolies, shouting neatly, leaving dense footprints and several deep wheel marks. .
Afterwards, the Han soldiers, under the leadership of officers, either held shields, resisted cards, or hid under wooden sheds, maintaining their formation and advancing steadily.
In Miyun Weng City, the Liao army was in a miserable and busy scene. The air was filled with the smell of blood and burning. Above and below the city, there were burning buildings. Some people were putting out fires, some were transporting corpses, and there were unending wails of pain.
In order to boost morale, Xiao Siwen came to Nancheng in person. At this time, he was also hiding in the city compartment, his face was wrinkled together, and he was no longer his usual calm demeanor. His slightly trembling hands showed his inner nervousness.
"I had heard that the Han army's attack was powerful and unstoppable, but I didn't expect that its weapons were so sharp!" There was a hint of lament in Xiao Siwen's tone.
"Privy Councilor, although the Han army's equipment is sophisticated, it is far from enough to break through the city gates. After this, there will inevitably be attacks from its soldiers attached to the city, and we should be prepared for city battles to meet them." On the side, a man A middle-aged military general said to Xiao Siwen in a serious tone: "Now, the soldiers are all afraid and the hearts of the people are unstable. The Privy Council must not be afraid. We should calm down the troops and prepare to meet the enemy!"
This middle-aged general is Han Kuangmei, a core member of the Han family of the Liao Kingdom, and the uncle of Han Derang, a famous powerful minister of the Liao Kingdom in official history. Although it was late autumn, sweat was dripping down my forehead. I don't know if it was because of the fire or because I was too nervous.
After hearing what he said, Xiao Siwen calmed down for a moment, looked at Han Kuangmei, and immediately said: "The general's words are reasonable! It's up to the general to defend the enemy. I will organize the manpower behind and give my full support to the general!"
In fact, Miyun's defense relied heavily on the achievements of Han Kuangmei. In addition, there were a large number of Han soldiers in the Liao army defending the city, and Xiao Siwen also dared to delegate power to him.
After the two of them had finished talking, on the city, the guards sounded an almost shrill warning: "The Han army is attacking!"
Suddenly, Han Kuangmei's expression changed. Without thinking, Han Kuangmei immediately walked out of the city, driving a group of people, holding weapons, to climb onto the already hot city tower. Climbing up the city tower, I no longer cared about the severely damaged environment on the city. I could only see the giant war beasts, accompanied by a large number of Han troops, slowly approaching. You could even clearly see the murderous faces of some Han soldiers.
The Han army's crossbows were still firing, but because the city battle was imminent, the suppression force on the city head was weakened. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Han Kuangmei quickly arranged garrison manpower and mobilized crossbowmen to fight back. However, this kind of counterattack can still only be described as powerless.
Because of the previous preparations for the soil attack, the distance between the Han army and Miyun City was greatly reduced. In just a quarter of an hour, ten ladders successfully approached the top of the city. The crossbowmen on the top of the building were skilled in shooting and attacking at the nearest location. Even if the Liao army has some protection on the city, it can still cause considerable damage in every round.
In the middle of the building, two pedals were lowered and hit the edge of the city wall heavily, making a dull sound. Several guards near the front had their heads smashed. The soldiers hidden inside the ladder immediately rushed towards the city along the steps, with their ferocious momentum and ferocious faces, just like hungry wolves rushing towards sheep, and lackeys rushing towards their prey.
In this regard, Han Kuangmei's expression was extremely solemn. The Han army's attack was too oppressive and did not give them much time to react. They could only try their best to direct the defense, using bows and crossbows to fight the enemy, and spears to resist the Han soldiers who jumped from the ladder to the city head.
Fierce fighting broke out. Although it was somewhat difficult for the Han army to rush to the top of the city under the defense of the Liao army, they only lost hundreds of soldiers and successfully climbed to the top of the city, fighting hand to hand. At this point in the siege battle, the solid city defense that the Liao army relied on had almost completely lost its effectiveness. The first soldiers to attack the city had a diversionary effect, and the following Han soldiers continued to support them.
On the outer wall of Miyun City, rows of thick crossbow arrows are densely nailed. These are called stepping arrows, three in a row. They are fired by the bed crossbow and half of them are submerged. During the battle at the head of the city, there are also some agile people below the city. The soldiers of the Han Dynasty stepped on the bodies of these arrows and apes came up to participate in the battle.
Zhang Qiong truly demonstrated his consistent fighting style. He climbed to the top of the city in person, wearing heavy armor, holding a shield in his left hand and a four-foot sword in his right hand. He led his soldiers to fight on the front line. There was not a single enemy among the Liao troops under the city. Every time they swung their swords, they were bound to be killed.
The Han soldiers who boarded the city followed daily training and formed a small team of five people, working closely together and advancing step by step. If there were casualties, the latter followed, one by one, like sharp rafters, smashing the defenders into pieces.
In such a fierce close combat, what is competing is the training and bravery of both sides. The Liao army in Tanzhou has a certain fighting capacity, but its cooperation is not as tight as that of the Han army. Under the attack from the front and rear, it is easier for people to climb the city. Morale has dropped to the extreme. How can it be a wolf-like opponent of the Han army?
The fighting on the city lasted for nearly half an hour, with corpses piled up like mountains and blood flowing like rivers. Han Kuangmei was considered to be loyal to the Liao Kingdom. She personally directed her men to resist. Arrows were flying, and she was hit by arrows without retreating. Under the city, Xiao Siwen encouraged the Liao army officers and soldiers, organized manpower, and continuously went to the city to fight. In this way, they lasted for half an hour.
However, the situation was at this point, and the outcome was determined. The efforts of Xiao and Han were ultimately in vain in the face of the overwhelming attack of the Han army. Zhang Qiong was the sharpest arrow in the Han army and had long noticed Han Kuangmei's role in the Liao defenders.
During the fight, they kept moving closer to Han Kuangmei, intending to kill the beast. Han Kuangmei was also cunning, knowing that this Han warrior was not easy to mess with, so he kept retreating and arranged for people to intercept him.
However, on the one hand, we have to command the battle, and on the other hand, we have to take care of our own safety. In addition, the space on the city is so large, there will be a time when we have no way to retreat and we are careless.
Zhang Qiong was covered in blood. After killing and injuring 23 Liao soldiers one after another, Zhang Qiong finally rushed in front of Han Kuangmei, shouted violently, and slashed at his neck with a knife in both hands. In order to save him, Han Kuangmei's soldiers attacked Zhang Qiong.
Zhang Qiong didn't care. Han Kuangmei seemed to be the only one in his bloodthirsty eyes. Facing Zhang Qiong's life-threatening momentum, Han Kuangmei was naturally frightened. She subconsciously held her sword to resist. With a "clang", she was directly knocked away. Her head and body subconsciously turned away, and Zhang Qiong's knife struck him. on the shoulders.
Han Kuangmei was wearing treasure armor and had good defense. Even so, Zhang Qiong slashed with all his strength and was cut directly. He let out a scream and blood gurgled out.
After a successful blow, Zhang Qiong struggled to withstand the attack of Han Kuangmei's soldiers and swung his sword again, hoping to kill Han Kuangmei. However, his soldiers were loyal and tried their best to block it, allowing Han Kuangmei to escape.
After this frightening blow, Han Kuangmei, who was severely injured, no longer dared to stand on the city, and withdrew towards the city under the protection of his own soldiers. Seeing this situation, Zhang Qiong was furious. Not wanting to seize the city and kill the general, he hurriedly led his men to pursue him even more desperately. As for the wounds he suffered, it seemed that he was just scratching his itch.
As soon as Han Kuangmei withdrew, the Liao army's defense on the city suddenly collapsed, and the offensive and defensive situation was completely determined. The Han army entered the city, opened the city gate, and the soldiers who followed rushed in roaring.
The city defense was lost and the morale of the defenders collapsed. Xiao Siwen and Han Kuangsi re-established a line of defense in Wengcheng. They wanted to resist and hold on, but Zhang Qiong led the army to break it. The Liao army suffered successive defeats and retreated. The Han army took advantage of the victory to attack and completely captured Tanzhou.
The garrison in the city originally numbered 40,000. However, from the time the Han army arrived at the city, less than 7,000 actually engaged in the battle, and the rest collapsed without a fight.
The Miyun offensive and defensive battle ended with a complete victory for the Han army. Although the actual attack only took half a day, the early preparations took nearly half a month.
The Han army also fought from this, showing the world the unparalleled offensive power of the Han army. At the same time, Miyun's fate was also used to warn the Liao army that if they wanted to defend the city, the Han would welcome it.
