As dawn comes, the clouds slowly dissipate, and the sun appears in the east, as big as a wheel, as red as molten iron and as bright and dazzling as molten iron. It slowly rises from the treetops, illuminating the city, the hillsides, and the wilderness. There was a red light inside. Looking around from the top of the city, there are large areas of Tang army camps. Gray-white tents are scattered in high and low places. Groups of soldiers have risen and are lining up. A little further away, groups of pack horses are walking along the mountains. Roads were used to transport lumber to the camp, and many sections were so steep that they had to be carried by people. Since Rencun Mountain City is located at a high place, you can see it very clearly from the top of the city. Most of the wood is larch, and some of the trees have not even been cut down. They were obviously cut in the pine forest on the north slope.
"These should be used to make siege equipment!" a guard whispered.
"Yes! I just don't know if it's a car or a trebuchet!" the veteran next to him sighed.
"Could it be the big guy from last time?" A young man interjected: "The big guy who can throw big rocks over from a few hundred steps away!"
The faces of the guards on the city became ugly. Even if they had not seen the power of the Tang Army's Thunderbolt Chariot with their own eyes, they had heard from their companions that in the face of that terrifying machine, the steep terrain and solid The city walls are no longer enough to rely on. As long as there is enough time, the attacking party can stand outside the range of the defenders and safely level the city walls.
"You also know that it's a big thing!" the veteran said slowly: "It's not easy to move such a big thing to the mountain! Besides -" he paused for a moment: "Those who want to leave He left a long time ago, and those who are still here don’t expect to leave alive!”
"good!"
"Yes, I was so scared that I ran away!"
"Yes, I plan to die in Rencun Mountain City!"
"I fought with the Tang people for several years. My brother and two uncles died at the hands of the Tang people. I also killed two Tang people. It's okay to behead, but not to bend the knee!"
The veteran's words immediately aroused a chorus of agreement. Just as he said, after Fu Yu Fengzhang escaped, Chi Shouxin simply opened the city gates to prevent people from being shaken and let the soldiers choose to leave or stay, so now he is staying Although there were only about two thousand people in the city, they all had a death wish. Seeing the power of the attackers, they were afraid of returning, but they would not waver.
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On an earthen platform more than 300 steps away from the northwest corner of Rencun Mountain City, Liu Pingji was directing his men to reassemble the Thunderbolt Car. Most of the components of this huge machine had been shipped yesterday, but The heaviest and longest pole rolled down the valley along with six mules on the way up the mountain. Dozens of 20-meter-long larch trees had to be cut down overnight and sent up the mountain to hurry up and make the pole.
"Pingji, has the Thunderbolt car been repaired?"
"Join the army!" Liu Pingji saw that it was Wang Wenzuo and hurriedly gathered his clothes and bowed down: "The villain is letting the craftsmen rush to work, but these pine trees are all newly cut down and have not been dried. They are much heavier than the original poles. I’m afraid there will be trouble if you get up!”
Wang Wenzuo nodded. The counterweight trebuchet is actually a very precise machine. In order to ensure its accuracy, it consists of a horizontal arm (axis), base, counterweight, arm, grenade belt, winch and bearings. Composition, in order to ensure smooth bearings, is made of brass; the winch includes a crank and a pulley. There is a cable on the winch, the end of which is connected to the winch driving wheel, and the beam arm of the trebuchet is pulled down by pulling the rope. The entire trebuchet is assembled from pins (made of iron) and ropes.
These parts were pre-processed by carpenters, blacksmiths, ropemakers, and cobblers, then disassembled and temporarily assembled on the battlefield. In order to achieve the maximum range and accuracy, the length and weight of the lever arm have certain standards (lever arm). An overweight lever arm will increase the burden on the entire machine, making it top-heavy, which will not only reduce the range and accuracy, but even reduce the service life.
"It doesn't matter, just let your subordinates rush to work!" Wang Wenzuo looked around. The craftsmen were all sweating profusely and raised their voices: "This is the last battle. After the battle, rewards will be given based on merit. Everyone has a part to play!”
"Everyone has a share?" Liu Pingji was stunned when he heard this: "Are you saying that craftsmen also have military merit?"
"That's right!" Wang Wenzuo said with a smile: "Of course it's not as good as the soldiers who ascended and broke the formation first, but there are still some! We have to divide the land so that our children and grandchildren can enjoy it endlessly!"
Many craftsmen around him had put down their work and cheered when they heard Wang Wenzuo say that he could get the land and leave it to future generations. Liu Pingji hurriedly shouted: "What are you doing? No more work? You've delayed your work. Not to mention military achievements, everyone will be whipped!"
The craftsmen heard Liu Pingji's scolding and hurriedly continued their work. Liu Pingji then turned around: "Join the army, is what you just said true or false?"
"Of course it's true?" Wang Wenzuo smiled and said, "When have I ever lied to you?"
"Joining the army, it's not that I don't believe you, it's just that this reward of land is extraordinary! Craftsmen want rewards, and so do sergeants. This is not a small number. Where do you get so much land?" Liu Pingji asked worriedly.
"Pingji, you are worried for me! Okay, anyway, today's siege is a common thing. I'm fine, so I'll tell you about it!" Wang Wenzuo said with a smile: "Sixian and Xiongjin two cities Most of the surrounding fields have been distributed to the heroic people of Baekje who surrendered to the Tang Dynasty. After the war is over, I plan to promote this method to the entire Baekje. All landowners with more than 500 acres of land must within a time limit Go to Sixian City and exchange the land deed to express your surrender."
"Why is it a landowner with more than 500 acres?" Liu Pingji asked.
"It's very simple, because these people are the backbone of the rebels!" Wang Wenzuo sneered: "Think about it, armor and weapons all cost money. If you have a small family with little land, it is difficult to feed your family, so how can you take the initiative to start an army? ? Only those who have extra farmland at home, have a lot of servants, and have prestige in the village can raise their arms and give a call, and those who respond will gather together!"
"Then what if they don't come?"
"If you don't come, you are resisting destiny and being stubborn! You should be wiped out in one fell swoop!" Wang Wenzuo waved his arms vigorously, with murderous intent on his face. Liu Pingji could see clearly from the side and couldn't help but shudder. At that time, almost the whole country in Baekje was in rebellion. If Wang Wenzuo said it, it would be equivalent to uprooting the small and medium-sized landowners in Baekje.
"Joining the army, will this involve too much and cause trouble?" Liu Pingji asked carefully.
"Don't worry about this, I have my own plan!" Wang Wenzuo said with a smile: "As long as you are willing to surrender and have not committed any heinous crimes, the Tang Dynasty will be lenient, pardon your crimes, and secure your territory! But if you are stubborn, , just like the people in Rencun City, or those who are still following Fuyu Fengzhang, then there is nothing to say!"
