Starting in the evening, Zhang Yin's army continuously sent out reconnaissance cavalry to investigate the defense situation of Luoyang City. By the time the sun sets, the city wall defense has been figured out.
The outer city of Luoyang has a circumference of fifty-two miles and ninety steps, which is larger than Kaifeng City. It was the largest city in the world during the Northern Song Dynasty. It was just that when the Tang Dynasty built the outer city walls, they were lower than the imperial city. After the wars in the late Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties, most of them collapsed. The Song Dynasty built it many times, but the city wall was never really built. The Jin army attacked Luoyang, and the outer city was severely damaged. Most places could not even defend themselves against wild beasts.
Due to the small number of soldiers, Meng Bangxiong abandoned the outer city and did not defend it. The entire army was stationed in the imperial city. South of the Luo River, there were no soldiers and many places became farmland.
The imperial city's circumference was eighteen miles and two hundred and fifty-eight steps, which was still too big for Meng Bangxiong. Then the bridges on the Luo River were demolished, leaving only the Tianjin Bridge. The troops defending the city are mainly concentrated on the south and east sides, and the rest of the city is sparsely defended.
In Zhang Yinshuai's tent, Chief of Staff Xu Changxing, Secretary Zheng Tianguang, Zhang Yin, Zhang Chi, and Zhang Zhen were studying the situation in Luoyang.
After introducing Meng Bangxiong's defense, Xu Changxing said: "Meng Bangxiong now has more than 800 troops and has completely abandoned the outer city. However, the troops are too few and the imperial city is still too big for them. According to reconnaissance, Meng Bangxiong's army They are mainly deployed in the Tianjin Bridge area, and there are very few troops in other directions. Since the Luoshui Bridge has been demolished, the most difficult thing for us now is to cross the Luoshui River. There are hundreds of troops on the Tianjin Bridge, and if we attack by force, it will take a lot of effort."
Zhang Yindao: "The so-called victory by surprise. If we storm Tianjin Bridge, we are falling into Meng Bangxiong's plan, which is not a good attack direction."
Xu Changxing said: "I ordered people to go out to find a ferry. With the ferry, you can cross the river from other places. Then enter Luoyang from the Upper East Gate, capture Xuanren Gate, and enter the imperial city. As long as you enter the imperial city, Meng Bangxiong will be the turtle in the urn. .”
Zhang Yin nodded. Looking at the simple map on the table, he said nothing for a while.
Zhang Chi said: "It's dozens of miles to go around to the east of the city, and it's not easy. If we attack Tianjin Bridge directly, the distance will be much shorter."
Zhang Zhendao: "Yes. The Luoyang defenders are already frightened, so why not attack forcefully!"
Several people said something to each other, each having their own reasons, and they couldn't decide for a while.
After a while, Zhang Yin said decisively: "Zhang Chi will lead your troops to attack Tianjin Bridge! Zhang Zhen will lead two battalions to the east of the city to see if they can cross the river. If they cross the river, attack Xuanrenmen. Soldiers You must be quick, don't wait until dawn! Zhang Chi, lead the army, set off at midnight tonight, and attack Tianjin Bridge at midnight! Remember, the attack must be decisive, without the slightest hesitation. If Meng Bangxiong is forced to rush, burn out Tianjin Bridge, we will have to put in a lot of effort!"
Zhang Chi and Zhang Zhen folded their hands and obeyed.
Zhang Yindao: "For Meng Bangxiong, Luoyang City is too big. With less than a thousand people, it cannot be defended no matter what. What we need to guard against now is that Meng Bangxiong suddenly abandons the city and escapes. It will not be easy to chase him then. Zhang Zhen, life The rest of your troops should block all the city gates in Luoyang, and don’t let Yang Wei and others escape in the city!"
Zhang Zhen said yes.
After discussing some details, Zhang Yin ordered Zhang Chi and Zhang Zhen to go back and prepare.
When Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty built Luoyang City, the main entrance of the palace city and imperial city faced the Dragon Gate in the south. At midnight, Zhang Chi led his troops into the city from Dingding Gate and headed north along Tianjie until Tianjin Bridge. There were no soldiers stationed on the road, and there were no pedestrians. The whole city seemed quiet.
At this time, a crescent moon was hanging in the west, and there were still stars in the sky. A cool breeze blew from the Luo River, bringing with it a damp feeling. There was no boat on the river and everything was quiet.
Looking at the Luoyang defenders under the bridge lights, Zhang Chi whispered to his soldiers to wrap white cloth around their left arms to distinguish them from the enemy. After a while, he was ready, and with a loud shout, he was the first to kill. One hundred warriors behind him raised their horses and followed Zhang Chi closely.
It was midnight, and the soldiers guarding the bridge were taking a nap. The sudden appearance of Song Jun startled them. Before he could react, the steel knife had already fallen.
When we got to the bridge, we saw the defenders on the other side gathering quickly. Zhang Chi shouted loudly: "Line up the spears and charge straight over!"
The Tianjin Bridge is twenty steps wide, with two people at a step. It is densely packed, and the spears in front glow coldly in the night. A total of one hundred and twenty people were divided into three rows and headed straight to the north of the bridge. This is a formation that the military has practiced well in daily life. There is no trace of confusion and they are pressed forward neatly.
In the darkness, the defenders had no time to use their bows, draw their bows and release arrows. The arrow landed on the armor and made a clanging sound.
Occasionally someone would be injured, and his body would be caught by people on the front, back, left and right. He could not make any movements and just followed the group forward.
Meng Bangxiong's garrison is not a regular army. Where have you seen such a formation? He shouted in the chaos and stepped forward, but was stabbed to the ground by a spear from a distance.
The spears of the spear array are one foot away, and the enemy's swords and spears cannot get close. If someone falls in the front row, the people in the back row immediately fill in, pressing up like a giant screen.
The soldiers have been specially trained. Once the spear pierces the enemy, it shakes slightly and throws the body down. The position of the spear remained unchanged, almost in a straight line with the people around him, moving forward.
In just a few breaths, dozens of defenders fell under the spear formation, and the people behind could not help but be stunned.
Without strong bows and powerful crossbows, and unable to attack from the flanks, how could one block such an array of spears? The defenders were so frightened that they turned around and ran away. Abandoning Kaijin Bridge, they concentrated on Duanmen Tower at the back.
After crossing Tianjin Bridge, Zhang Chi let out a sigh of relief. The imagined battle did not happen, and the defenders were almost overwhelmed in one battle. His losses were minimal, less than ten people were injured and no one died.
Many corpses of defenders were dumped on the bridge, and the cool breeze carried the smell of blood. The moon has reached the western sky and is about to set.
Looking at Duanmen Tower, Zhang Chi said: "Whether we can break through Luoyang tonight depends on whether we can break through Duanmen! It's dark now, and the defenders on the city can't see clearly the situation below. We have practiced this kind of night battle many times. What should be done. Zheng Pingyan, take 200 people to the middle of Duanmen and Zuoyemen on the west side, see clearly the area on the city wall where there are no defenders, and climb up the city. I will directly try to break through the gate and attract the enemy. As soon as you get to the city, come and open the city gate immediately!"
Zheng Pingyan crossed his arms and made a promise. Taking the two capital troops from the front army, they headed west.
After Meng Bangxiong left Xijing behind, he never strengthened Luoyang's defense. At this time, the Duanmen Tower was noisy. You came and I went, not knowing what to do.
Zhang Chi looked around and ordered to choose the east side of Duanmen and use the ladder he brought to attack the city.
At this time, Meng Bangxiong gave up staying in Si Yamen and lived in an official office in the imperial city. After a hard day, I couldn't sleep at night. I tossed and turned until midnight before falling asleep. After being unable to sleep for a while, I was woken up by the soldiers and said that the Song Army had entered the city.
Sitting up on the bed, Meng Bangxiong looked at the candlelight for a long time. Then he said: "You bastard, Wang Xiaolie is so impatient that he won't even let me sleep!"
After saying that, he suddenly got off the bed. The soldiers prepared their robes, and Meng Bangxiong said: "Bring me my armor and sword! The Song army came so quickly, let's fight them tonight! How can they give up without fighting!"
The soldiers did not dare to neglect and hurriedly took Meng Bangxiong's armor and weapons over.
Finished neatly, Meng Bangxiong strode out of the bedroom.
A soldier came up and whispered: "General manager, do you want Mr. Lian and Taiwei Yang to get up?"
Meng Bangxiong said: "No need. Let them sleep peacefully. When they wake up tomorrow morning, they still don't know who they will face!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a soldier rushed over. Said: "General manager, the Song army has passed Tianjin Bridge and is attacking Duanmen!"
After hearing this, Meng Bangxiong said angrily: "Zhi Niang, are all the people guarding the bridge useless? Hundreds of soldiers and horses guarding a bridge cannot delay the Song army for a moment!"
After saying that, he drew out his sword and said: "All soldiers, follow me to Duanmen Tower!"
All the soldiers agreed together and followed Meng Bangxiong in a hurry towards Duanmen in the south.
