Chapter 45: Liao Army Attacks the City

"Report to General, I'm still half a day away from Xiongzhou!"

A personal soldier reported to Yelu Ming that a head was high and his chest was high. The closer it was to the Song realm, the closer it was to heaven. As long as he entered the Song realm, the closer it was to heaven. As long as he entered the Song realm, the Liao army could do whatever he wanted, burn, kill, loot, and rape. He let them do whatever he wanted and do whatever he wanted. The timid southerners could not stop them.

"Okay!" Yelu Ming waved his hand and his personal soldiers immediately retreated.

Yelu Ming opened his eyes wide and looked at the Liao army that was moving in. He saw that the Liao army was passing by, ice and snow splashed, and the ice layer on the ground kept cracking, and cracks extended to the distance.

Although they were marching in the snow and ice, the Liao army was full of momentum, people were happy and horses were full of horses. It seemed that the cold weather was not cold, but their paradise.

The Liao army was like a long dragon, with its head not seen in front and its tail not seen behind. It rolled south, with a solemn and murderous aura!

"With such a powerful army, why worry about Xiongzhou not leaving? This time, I must conquer Xiongzhou! Conquering Xiongzhou means opening up the passage to enter the Central Plains, and the warriors of the Great Liao can gallop on the Central Plains!" Yelu Ming's heart was sharp and his spirit was flying, and he shouted: "Yelu Bodhisattva!"

"The last one is here!" Yelu Bodhisattva hurriedly came over.

"You lead two thousand people to defeat the conversion. Zeng Dainian is familiar with the conversion, so you can bring him with you." Yelu Ming's eyes were very bright. In this battle, he had great confidence to take Xiongzhou.

When Yelu Bodhisattva received orders, he led two thousand Liao troops and rushed forward to his death.

Bian Jing, Jiying Hall.

Song Shenzong, Wang Anshi, Wang Shao, Lu Gongzhu, and Lu Huiqing were all there, and they were all frowning tightly and were very anxious.

"Dear friends, the Liao people raised an army of 100,000 to attack the border, and 50,000 went straight to Xiongzhou. What are your opinions?" Song Shenzong broke his silence and asked.

"The official family has high and thick city of Xiongzhou, which is easy to defend but difficult to attack. The Liao people have been fighting for hundreds of years, but they have not yet been defeated. The official family can be relieved." Lu Gongzhu immediately comforted Emperor Shenzong of Song.

"Yes, I think so too." Lu Huiqing hurriedly agreed: "Xiongzhou has a great relationship. The Song Dynasty has spent a lot of effort and countless money. Xiongzhou is particularly strong and the Liao people cannot conquer it."

"Jiefu, what do you think?" Song Shenzong asked Wang Anshi, who had not spoken yet.

Wang Anshi, whose courtesy name was Jiefu, was the minister who was most trusted by Emperor Shenzong of Song. He was determined to implement the new law. At this time, he frowned and fell into deep thought. It was not until Emperor Shenzong of Song named him that he woke up: "The officials, but I think Xiongzhou may be in danger. The Liao people have not violated the border for several years. It does not mean that the Liao people do not violate the border, but that they must be making complete preparations. Now, the Liao army invaded the border again, and they must be more prepared. Once the troops come to Xiongzhou again, it is still unknown whether Xiongzhou can be defended."

"Jiefu, don't be alarmist. The Liao people have been fighting Xiongzhou for hundreds of years, but they have not been able to take Xiongzhou." Lu Gongzhu opposed the new law. What he likes to do the most is to oppose Wang Anshi. Wang Anshi was worried that Xiongzhou would be in trouble, so he had to sing an opposite tune.

"The official, I think it is very reasonable for Wang Xianggong to be the one who is very good." Wang Shao took the conversation at the right time and supported Wang Anshi.

The word "官网" refers to the prime minister in the Song Dynasty, and is a respectful title for the prime minister, not a husband or lover whom later generations understand.

Wang Shao is a famous general. When he spoke, although Lu Gongzhuo was unwilling to give up, he did not dare to say anything again. After all, Wang Shao has the most say in the war. He can laugh at Wang Anshi, but he dare not laugh at Wang Shao. That was a famous general who was defeated.

"Oh! Wang Shao, you said." When Song Shenzong heard this, his face darkened and he hurriedly urged him.

"The officials, in the eyes of the ministers, although Xiongzhou is strong, the Song Dynasty has spent a lot of money on repairs over the years."

Wang Shao began to analyze: "However, no matter how strong the city is, there are flaws. If the siege equipment is good enough, it is not impossible for Liaogou to capture Xiongzhou. The equipment used by Liaogou to attack the city has a hole cart, which can reach the city, fill the moat, and the army will attack the city again. Now, the weather is cold and the earth is frozen, and Xiongzhou has long been frozen. The moat is useless. Liaogou can go directly to the city."

The cave car is a kind of siege equipment made of iron and covered with cowhide. Water cannot be poured in, fire cannot be destroyed, and huge rocks cannot be damaged. This kind of equipment is divided into many sections, pushed to the city one by one, forming a stable protective wall, which can well protect the soldiers inside. With the cave car, soil can be transported to fill the moat.

This was one of the most useful siege equipment at that time.

"The main thing Xiongzhou army has to deal with is goose cars." Wang Shao then analyzed: "If the Liao people have enough goose cars and enough troops, they will launch a continuous attack on Xiongzhou. Whether Xiongzhou can defend it is still to say. This is the real reason why Yelu Hongji wants to attack in the snow and ice."

He is worthy of being a famous general, and he tells Yelu Hongji's intention in one sentence. In the middle of winter, you don't need to bring a hole cart, you can bring a goose cart and attack the city with all your strength.

The goose cart was a powerful weapon for siege at that time. It was still made of iron and covered with cowhide. Water cannot be poured in, fire cannot be destroyed, or smashed. A wheel is installed below to push. The soldiers enter the car in advance. Once they reach the city, they grab it on the wall, and the soldiers can rush to the top of the city and engage in hand-to-hand combat.

"Can you conquer 50,000 people?" Song Shenzong was a little scared and had to ask the beloved general.

"It is too early to say whether the official can be captured at this time. The Liao people dispatched 50,000 troops to Xiongzhou. If the Liao army ignored the casualties, it is hard to say whether Xiongzhou could be saved." Wang Shao pondered: "Even if the Liao people can conquer, there will be heavy casualties. I ask the official to send troops north immediately and station in the back of Xiongzhou. If Xiongzhou City is broken, whether to regain Xiongzhou or fight with the Liao army on the spot, it can be determined according to the situation."

This is his plan for everything. Even if a strong city like Xiongzhou is captured, the Liao army will inevitably suffer heavy casualties. If there is a chance, the Song army can attack faster and regain Xiongzhou.

Even if it cannot be recaptured, a new line of defense can be built to block the Liao army heading south.

"Can you increase troops to Xiongzhou again?" Lu Huiqing asked tentatively.

"This is not possible." Wang Shao vetoed: "Although Xiongzhou is the most important city in the north, it is only so big, and there are no more troops stationed in 10,000 troops. Besides, the Liao army has been dispatched, and it is impossible to increase the army. The best way is to mobilize an army in the rear and provide reinforcements to Xiongzhou if necessary."

Xiongzhou is the barrier of the Central Plains, but it was built according to the situation. Ten thousand troops stationed in it have reached its limit and cannot tolerate it anymore. Everyone has to talk about this matter.

After a while of discussion, Song Shenzong issued an order to mobilize elite troops to the rear of Xiongzhou and prepare to reinforce Xiongzhou if necessary. Wang Shao asked himself to go to the border, but Song Shenzong did not agree, and the court still couldn't do without him.

Generals such as Xiongzhou, Zhou Wei's Mansion, and Lin Hong stood upright in military uniforms, as if they were a javelin.

Zhou Wei stood in front, pressed his hand on the hilt of the knife, looking at the generals, and shouted loudly: "You all know, Liaogou is here! It's time to kill the enemy and serve the country and defend Xiongzhou to the death!"

His voice was very high-pitched, a little sharp and harsh, but it was full of passion and inspiring passion. The generals said in unison: "Kill the enemy and serve the country, and defend Xiongzhou to the death!"

Zhou Wei walked to the map, pointed to the map, and said, "Fighting in the ice and snow is the most beneficial to the Liao people. The Liao people are cold-resistant and not heat-resistant, and the season of heavy snow is their favorite. This battle will be a tough battle, and you must be prepared to fight to the death!"

"Defend Xiongzhou to the death!" The generals roared in unison, shaking the sky, and the room was buzzing.

Zhou Wei was still satisfied with the spirit and high fighting spirit of the generals and his unrestrained nodding: "Xiongzhou City is tall and thick, and is the strongest city in the north. The Liao people have fought for hundreds of years but have not yet fought. Logically speaking, this is just an impossible action. Why should I say to defend myself?"

"General, don't care about so many of him. If Liao Gou dares to come, we will fight!" A general immediately shouted loudly.

"Yes! We just care about war and what are the birds doing?" Many generals agreed.

"You can ignore it, but I can't. If I don't understand the intentions of the Liao people, it's just a fool!"

Zhou Wei waved his hand and asked the generals to stop shouting: "I will tell you clearly that Xiongzhou is facing unprecedented tests! The reason why the Liao people chose to attack during the ice and snow is that the Liao people are cold-resistant and not heat-resistant. In the ice and snow, the Liao people have the strongest combat power, but not all. More importantly, during the ice and snow seasons, the moat under Xiongzhou City cannot play a role, and the Liao people do not need to bring cave cars, but can bring all goose cars. You won't know that it is a powerful tool for siege. Once the Liao people have many goose cars, they will launch an attack on Xiongzhou from all directions, and we will be poor to deal with it."

Zhou Wei is worthy of being a general who has been on the battlefield for a long time. He knew Yelu Hongji's intentions. If the Liao army attacked during the period when it was not frozen, he would have to bring a hole car, otherwise he would not be able to deal with the moat. In this cold season, there would be no need for a hole car. The hole car is bulky and difficult to carry, but it is indispensable. In this season, the moat cannot play a role, so there is no need to bring a hole car, but it is enough to bring a goose car.

The Liao army arranged an attack in this season, and its preparations must be very good. There must be many goose cars. Once they arrive at the city of Xiongzhou, they will attack in full swing. It is hard to say whether Xiongzhou can be defended.

"Although the goose cart is difficult to deal with, it is not impossible to deal with. You can still deal with the bed crossbow and stone throwing machine when you prepare it." Zhou Wei said last.

The bed crossbow and stone throwing machine were powerful weapons for the Song Dynasty to defend the city and could deal with goose cars.

As he was talking, the tea on the table kept rippling, Zhou Wei raised his eyebrows: "Liao Gou is here! Let's go and take a look!"

He strides out, and the generals followed closely behind. He left the general's mansion and rushed straight to the top of the city.

Today's Xiongzhou is no longer the prosperous scene before. There are few pedestrians and even less merchants. Whenever a war breaks out in Xiongzhou, it is so deserted, with pedestrians cut off and merchants no merchants. After the battle is over, it will regain prosperity.

The sky was dark, with heavy snow and snow. The Song army soldiers stood upright on the top of the city, like a javelin, and were worthy of being elite.

Looking around, the north was empty and there was no shadow of the Liao army. However, with Zhou Wei's rich experience in galloping on the battlefield, he knew that the Liao army was really here, and there were quite a few.

Zhou Wei's eyes fell on the ice and snow under the city, and saw tiny cracks appearing on the ice and snow. These cracks are very small and extending from the north. After a while, the cracks became bigger and bigger, making a "cracking" sound.

"rumble!"

A faint sound of hoofs came from the north, like thunder, and a smooth water line appeared at the end of the sight.

The waterline rushed in quickly and became clearer. It was the Liao army, with people and horses neighing, and a solemn and murderous aura. Countless flags fluttered in the cold wind, making a sound of rushing.
Chapter completed!