"There is no shortage of people under Katsuragi!" Saitama lowered his voice: "The number of people who followed him into Asuka Kyo alone was 30,000, and there will only be more now. Are you sure you can bleed enough blood for so many people?"
"Your Majesty, you don't have to worry!" Wang Wenzuo said with a smile: "Behind a high wall, you can fight one against a hundred. Besides, although the eldest brother has many soldiers, he can't shed much blood!"
"What's the meaning?"
"It's very simple. Those people came here temporarily, and Brother Zhong didn't have time to restrain them with strict military laws. The field battle was fine. Braving the rain of arrows and attacking the high walls of the trench, seeing the corpses of his companions scattered all over the field was another story. It's happening!" Wang Wenzuo said with a smile: "By the way, thanks to your country's arsenal there are hundreds of thousands of arrows, leather armor, and long shields, otherwise I really wouldn't dare to defend Nambajin!"
"I'm afraid just having bows, arrows and armor is not enough, right?" Saitama still looked worried: "The total number of guards is only more than 2,000, and there are more than 3,000 or 4,000 craftsmen, women and children. How can we withstand Katsuragi's army? "
"If your Majesty is worried, you can stay at the dock if the war starts, and you can board the ship if the situation is unfavorable!"
"There's no need for this!" Saitama forced a smile.
"Your Majesty!" Wang Wenzuo lowered his voice and leaned towards Saitama: "This is what I say from the bottom of my heart. The outcome is unpredictable on the battlefield, and I dare not say that I can win this battle. But as long as you are fine, even if you are defeated here, Now, whether you are in exile in Baekje or going to a territory that supports you, there is still a chance to fight again! Do you understand what I mean?"
"I understand!" Saitama took a deep breath and turned slightly red. She could feel the body temperature emanating from the man opposite, which made her feel safe and firm: "Saburo, I leave everything to you!"
Saburo?
Wang Wenzuo was slightly startled by the woman's intimate title. Then he laughed. He grabbed Saitama's hand and patted it twice: "Please leave everything to me. Everything will be fine!"
After sending Qi Yu away, Cui Hongdu brought Sha Zha Xiangru. Wang Wenzuo had no time to beat around the bush and went straight to the point: "I need capable people now. Are you willing to be my deputy general?"
"Thank you so much for your trust, Mr. Ming! I will definitely do my best!" Sha Zha Xiangru quickly took his hands and bowed down. Wang Wenzuo bowed to him: "Get up! Time is very tight. You go and count your troops immediately. Brother Zhongda should be here to fight soon. Remember, if we win this time, you will not only be able to recover to your original state. If you have the territory of Baekje, I will also reward you from the Japanese side!"
"Thank you Ming Gong!"
Cui Hongdu left with Sha Zha Xiangru, and Wang Wenzuo climbed up to the pagoda. He saw that Namba Jin was like an index finger, going from the high platform on the south to the northeast and deep into the sea. This long promontory was like a natural The breakwater blocks the turbulent waves of the Seto Inland Sea to the west, forming a quiet inner bay. Standing here, you can see the green Ikoma Mountains and Futami Mountains to the east. The Yamato River flowing out of the Nara Basin really comes from The gap between the two mountains flows into the inner bay.
At your feet is the corridor of Shitennoji Temple. This is said to be the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan. It is located right in the middle of the cape. The sutra hall and corridors inside can be said to be the treasures of ancient Baekje Buddhist art. However, this temple has become the main body of the defense line. Presumably his reputation will be on par with Oda Nobunaga in the history books of later generations. Thinking of this, Wang Wenzuo couldn't help but reveal a wry smile.
In anticipation of the possible counterattack by Brother Nakadai, the renovation of Shitennoji Temple has been going on for a long time. A large number of craftsmen and civilians have been sent to the local area to carry out renovations. All areas that do not look strong and will become weak points for the enemy's attack have been repaired. Reinforcement of barriers and retaining walls. At the same time, a battering ram was used to open up the inside of all the houses to facilitate the movement of soldiers and combat machinery. At the same time, a large number of combat machinery and corresponding perforations were prepared. In order to withstand possible fire attacks, a layer of plaster was laid on the roof, and the wooden beams and vaults were also coated with plaster. The original pond in the temple was tripled to provide sufficient water for fire fighting. The highest pagoda on the terrain became the headquarters of the battlefield, and the sutra hall and lecture hall not far away were transformed into workshops for repairing weapons and temporary hospitals for the placement of wounded soldiers.
On the outside of the temple, the barrier stretches all the way to the mudflats on the seaside. Outside the low wall, there are three trenches and two wooden fences. Sharp bamboo sticks are inserted at the bottom of the trenches. This is very important to the customs.
The effect is particularly good for Japanese people who are accustomed to wearing straw sandals or going barefoot. Four large ships of the Tang Army were docked on a trestle not far from the temple, so that when the enemy attacked from the front, the four large ships could go around to the side and use trebuchets to attack the enemy's flanks and rear.
After confirming that all the preparations had been completed, Wang Wenzuo began to patrol the defense line, talk to the soldiers, encourage the brave, comfort the timid, and use reasonable methods as much as possible to alleviate people's fears.
He said in a very affirmative tone: The outcome of a war never depends on the number of troops, but on strategy and courage. They can see with their own eyes how well prepared they are: there are mountains of food in the warehouse, more than a dozen wells in the Shitennoji Temple, and a large reservoir; arrows, machinery, short spears, Stone-throwing and other combat machines are more piled up; the terrain is also very favorable to them. The most important thing is that time is also on their side - it won't be long before reinforcements from Baekje and other neighboring countries arrive, and they are not alone here. For the soldiers of the Tang Army who came with him, Wang Wenzuo reminded them that they had faced more desperate situations and more powerful enemies in Baekje, and they had defeated the enemies with him and obtained rich spoils.
"I don't want to brag to you about my past achievements, because most of you have witnessed it with your own eyes!" Wang Wenzuo's loud voice echoed over the barrier: "I just want to remind you that the most dangerous thing in war is to escape. At that time, when you had to turn your back to the enemy, and you had to take off your helmet and breastplate to run faster, any woman could kill you with a spear and a soft bow.
And where can you escape from here? The only way to survive is to get on the boat, but at that time people will definitely compete for the opportunity to get on the boat. Paoze, who are usually as close as brothers, will kill each other. Only a few people can get on the boat, and then break through the waves to return to Baekje. Face military punishment. You have a rich country in front of you. If you can win, everyone will become a rich man, and you will live happily and gloriously for the rest of your life. I can guarantee you this! "
Wang Wenzuo's speech aroused cheers from all the Tang army soldiers. More Japanese soldiers watched all this in silence. Most of them could not understand what Wang Wenzuo said, but the interpreter soon changed Wang Wenzuo's speech to "Japanese". After repeating the words, the Japanese soldiers' eyes also lit up. Someone stood up and shouted something.
"This person is asking, are the words you said also valid for them?" the interpreter whispered.
Wang Wenzuo pulled out Sha Zha Xiangru beside him: "This man's name is Sha Zha Xiangru. He is from Baekje. He became my subordinate not long ago. He is now my deputy general and has five hundred people under his command. Wait. As soon as I return to Baekje, I will return his family’s property in Baekje!”
After hearing Wang Wenzuo's words, the Japanese soldiers whispered among themselves. After a while, someone asked loudly: "What will we get if we die here this time?"
"Those who died in the war will be exempted from taxes and labor for their wives and children for life. They will be given a hectare of land and a house at home. Those who have military merits will be rewarded based on their merits!" When Wang Wenzuo said this, he took out an official seal from his waist and held it high. The top of the head: "A certain minister who is in charge of the interior of the country never speaks a false word!"
This time it was the Japanese soldiers' turn to cheer. Most of them beat their shields or cowhide quivers with their weapons, making rhythmic bang-bang sounds. Wang Wenzuo waved to them and said loudly: "Here I am. , brave people will not be poor forever!"
On the afternoon of the second day after Wang Wenzuo had finished boosting the morale of the soldiers, Brother Zhong arrived. He set up his main camp at the ruins of Takatsugu Palace, which is just at the root of the land. Legend has it that Emperor Nintoku (i.e. Wawangzan or Mi in Chinese history books, probably during the Liu and Song Dynasties) built his own camp here. The palace, hundreds of years later, only a raised platform remained here. Here, you can clearly see the entire headland and the adjacent sea.
"It seems that the Shitennoji Temple cannot be saved this time!" The eldest brother let out a sigh.
"There's nothing we can do!" The deputy general's voice sounded much more relaxed: "Your Majesty, you can just rebuild it afterwards!"
"That's all we can do!" Prince Zhong, the eldest brother, sighed and began to carefully observe the enemy's formation. After a while, he shook his head: "Sure enough, this is a trap set by the envoys of the Tang Dynasty. Look at this fortification.
Even with Shitennoji as the foundation, this cannot be built in three or four days! "
"No matter how good the fortifications are, they can't replace people!" The deputy general laughed: "Your Majesty, we have thirty thousand people! How many of them are there? Not many people are willing to work against the party now!"
"I hope so!" Brother Zhong nodded: "Everything depends on tomorrow!"
When the first ray of sunshine shone on the ground the next day, Brother Zhong arranged his army in formation. The entire headland was composed of uneven slopes and large shoals. Most of the shoals were solid sand, but there were also some Part of it was mud, and if someone stepped on it, they would sink in and be unable to move. In order to avoid being in danger, Brother Zhongda limited his army's front line to less than four miles in total. Although this was not conducive to exerting his numerical advantage, he did not have to worry that his soldiers would enter the mudflats and suffer unnecessary losses.
The sound of the horn announced the start of the battle, and the dense ranks began to advance slowly with the rhythmic drumbeats. Between the ranks were small nobles on horseback. They held various flags and moved with the sea breeze. Flying, above are the totem symbols of their respective families. The sea on both sides of the headland is empty and gloomy, with no rise at all. The only thing moving on the sea is the wind, and it seems that the god of death is hovering in the sky, preparing to enjoy the next feast. The soldiers' eyes couldn't help but look at the Shitennoji Temple in the distance. Clouds were flying in the sky, always covering the sun, and the open space in front seemed to be covered with the black cloak of death.
"It's about to begin!" The eldest brother's voice was low and hoarse. He had a cold last night and his words sounded like he was moaning.
"Give the order!" said the lieutenant general: "We have thirty thousand people. If you give the order, even stones will be crushed!"
"Attack!" Brother Zhong waved his arms violently, the drums became more rapid, and the horns became louder. When the soldiers heard the sound, they leveled their spears and quickened their pace, as if a rock rolled down from the mountain. They are gathering strength every moment, and so are they, from slow steps to fast steps, from fast steps to running, like an avalanche, unstoppable, destroying everything in the way. Thousands of legs stepped on the ground, as if the earth was groaning and trembling under their tread.
"With such a dense formation, the eldest brother in the middle is really desperate!" Wang Wenzuo laughed in a low voice: "Send the order and let go!"
Following Wang Wenzuo's order, arrows and short spears fell like raindrops. The Tang army's scorpions and automatic bows were placed high on both sides of the protruding barrier. The height difference and the power of side shots added to the power of their arrows. The attacking army was basically made up of local wealthy families who had temporarily taken refuge. Except for the leaders on horseback, most of them were protected by a wooden board or a few pieces of tanned leather hanging on their chests. The arrows falling from the air penetrated the unprotected areas of their bodies. In some parts, people kept falling down in the crowd, letting out shrill screams.
"Come forward, come forward, don't retreat! Charge, charge!" The officers behind them waved their steel knives and shouted at the top of their voices, urging the soldiers to rush forward. Although some people kept falling, the attack Fang still crossed the open space in front of the trench and began to throw bags of earth and firewood bundles into the trench in an attempt to fill it up.
"Let the slinging team begin!" Wang Wenzuo whispered.
Considering the huge disparity in numbers between the two sides, Wang Wenzuo did not pin everything on the limited number of soldiers. After all, no matter how favorable the terrain is and how advanced the crossbow machinery is, after all, this is the era of cold weapons with muscle-driven weapons. The strength of the enemy is always limited, and the enemy will definitely take advantage of its numerical advantage, divide the army into several teams, and take turns to launch wave-like attacks. As long as the defenders' physical strength is exhausted, victory will be easy.
So Wang Wenzuo turned his attention to the thousands of craftsmen, women and children. Although these people were used to fight in battle and could not draw bows and shoot arrows, they could still shoot stone projectiles in a fixed direction with slings. As for whether you can hit it or not, don't worry. Anyway, the attackers will definitely gather in front of the trenches and low walls. All they need to do is measure the approximate distance in advance and let the slingers launch stone projectiles at a fixed position. Let probability decide the rest!
