Chapter 239

"News from Yongzhou: the imperial army has sent troops to launch a surprise attack on Hengyang City.

Meng Zeyang, that piece of trash, didn't even hold out for a day before the city was broken and he died.

After Hengyang was lost, not only did Yongzhou fall into the imperial army's strategic encirclement, but the gateway to Changsha was also opened by the enemy.

The Holy Kingdom has been established for a short time, and the local areas are still filled with a large number of remnants of the pseudo-dynasty.

To ensure the strategic security of the Holy Kingdom, the Holy Emperor has ordered us to reinforce Changsha and then plot to recover Hengyang.

What do you think?"

Marquis of Douting Qi Datou asked with a frown.

As a fierce general, strategy was truly too difficult for him.

However, from the limited information, a conclusion could still be drawn: the Holy Kingdom had lost another battle.

They were expanding territory on the front line, but in the rear, they were constantly losing cities and land, unable to even protect their old nest.

The original awe for the White Lotus Holy Kingdom had long been worn away in the previous repeated failures.

Now, in the Holy Kingdom's army, the three princes of different surnames had the highest prestige, followed by these dukes and generals with fierce military achievements.

Although the White Lotus Holy Emperor could still issue orders, when it came to specific execution, the effectiveness had been greatly reduced.

Just looking at the speed of the various armies, one could tell that everyone was not that interested in the Yongzhou campaign initiated by the White Lotus Holy Emperor.

In the eyes of many generals, to defeat the tens of thousands of imperial troops under Li Mu, the hundred-plus thousand troops near Yongzhou were more than enough.

Mobilizing troops from all over the place was purely a waste of money and grain.

If it weren't for the sake of the overall situation, they wouldn't even execute such a stupid order.

"Marquis, those old gentlemen in the court are probably scared sick by that thief Li Mu.

The city walls of Changsha are sturdy, and after learning of the fall of Hengyang, they will definitely strengthen their defenses.

Unless the pseudo-dynasty concentrates heavy troops to attack, Changsha will not be in danger at all.

Relying solely on those few thousand troops of the pseudo-dynasty in Hengyang, they are simply no match for us.

In my humble opinion, we should simply split into two routes.

One route to send troops to recover Hengyang, and one route to continue rushing to Yongzhou; it will just happen to teach those old gentlemen in the Holy Kingdom's high command how to fight!"

The words of the bearded general voiced the inner thoughts of many people present.

Thinking of their battles in the south and north, what kind of imperial army hadn't they seen? In the end, didn't they all become ghosts under their blades?

Perhaps the combat effectiveness of Li Mu's troops was stronger, but ultimately there were only tens of thousands of troops, and over eighty percent of them were still garrison soldiers.

Relying on the hundred thousand troops they led, it was more than enough to annihilate the enemy.

"We cannot be too careless.

That thief Li Mu is an anomaly among the imperial army, and his strength cannot be evaluated by ordinary imperial troops.

The Holy Kingdom's many battles with him have all ended in failure, which is enough to prove that this person is no ordinary character.

Of course, we cannot be too conservative either.

Sitting on a hundred thousand troops and still cowering in Changsha waiting for reinforcements would be laughed at if it got out.

Those old gentlemen in the Holy Kingdom are scared silly, but we cannot follow suit and be silly.

Pass down the order: the army will rush to Hengyang with all its might; I want to use the imperial troops of Hengyang to sacrifice to the flag!"

Qi Datou said in high spirits.

A hundred thousand against a few thousand—this was clearly a merit delivered to their door.

The more the Holy Kingdom's high command feared the enemy, the greater the merit he would gain after defeating the enemy.

If he was lucky, he might be able to go a step further and become a new prince of a different surname.

Ganzhou Prefecture.

"What kind of madness is the imperial army having!

I have no grudge against them; is it worth fighting so desperately?"

Yu Dadan said indignantly.

Ganzhou had been besieged for some days, but for a period of time, the imperial army had only been attacking the city symbolically.

Not knowing what had happened, the imperial army had suddenly changed its nature since yesterday.

Cannonballs were poured onto the city walls as if they were free, and tunnels were dug one after another.

Catapults, siege rams, and a series of siege weapons were all brought out by the enemy.

If not for fearing the garrison's cannons, it was estimated that the enemy would have piled up earth to form a mountain.

This kind of attack at all costs clearly did not fit the style of the imperial army.

"General, the imperial army outside comes from Fujian; in past battles, they were the ones who liked to slack off the most.

Now that they have suddenly changed, it should be that high-ranking officials have applied pressure on them.

According to the intelligence we have collected, the one commanding the Liangguang and Fujian armies at this moment is the famous general of the pseudo-dynasty, Li Mu.

This person governs the army strictly and has very high prestige in the army; he is not as easy to fool as those civil officials.

The Fujian imperial army is now under his command, and most likely they dare not disobey in public while complying in private."

The middle-aged official on the side spoke up.

Before surrendering to the White Lotus Holy Kingdom, he had just been promoted from Registrar to Assistant County Magistrate and was very familiar with Great Dayu's bureaucratic system.

The corruption that permeated the bones from top to bottom had eroded the army's combat effectiveness.

The system of civil officials governing military officers also limited the on-the-spot performance of military officers.

Against this background, military officers fought by muddling through whenever they could, adhering to the principle that having no faults was a merit.

The soldiers below were even more masters of slacking off; in the previous siege battles, it looked like everyone was very busy, but in reality, they were all just busy for nothing.

Seen from afar, the momentum was huge, but in reality, they were all symbolic charges, and no one was willing to fight for their lives.

The mental pressure brought to the garrison was far greater than the actual combat damage.

At this moment, the situation had reversed; the enemy was really attacking the city with all their might, and the garrison was a bit unable to cope.

After all, there were only five or six thousand troops left to guard Ganzhou Prefecture, and some of the forces were in the county towns below.

After the enemy besieged the city, the troops below could not assemble, and there were only three thousand troops in the prefectural city.

Added to the temporarily conscripted young men, they constituted the entire force guarding the city.

"Those dog officials are truly bastards!

The pseudo-dynasty only pays them a few coins; is it worth fighting so desperately?

Prefect Duan, now the defensive force in the city is insufficient, and siege supplies are scarce; do you have any brilliant strategy to defeat the enemy?"

Yu Dadan's commanding tone made Duan Shengde very dissatisfied.

For a mere garrison general to bark orders at a civil official of the same rank was unimaginable in the Great Dayu Dynasty.

Even the most arrogant and domineering military officer had to lower his posture to show respect when meeting a civil official of the same rank.

Ordinary military officers needed to pay respects even more when encountering civil officials of the same rank.

People under the eaves have to bow their heads.

Except for constantly comforting himself in the depths of his heart: "Now is the time to conquer the world, and we need the warriors to sell their lives.

When the world is at peace, everything will return to the right track."

He couldn't do anything else.

If a conflict really occurred and he was caught and beaten up by the other party, he could only admit his bad luck.

A surrendered official always had to be a head shorter in front of the core members.

"General Yu, if the defensive force is insufficient, continue to recruit people in the city.

As long as they can move, regardless of gender, age, or youth, they can all be conscripted to defend the city.

Even if they lack physical strength, they can serve as hostages.

If anyone fears the enemy and does not advance, then directly cook their whole family and serve them as meat to reward the three armies.

If siege supplies are insufficient, then directly dismantle the houses.

..."

Duan Shengde immediately came up with ideas, without paying any attention to the changes in the complexions of the generals.

"Lord Duan, you shouldn't be called Duan Shengde; I think you should change your name to Duan Quede (Duan the Devoid of Virtue)!"

A young general couldn't help but complain.

Although they were also murderous, everyone was very disgusted by Duan Shengde's operation of directly cutting off the roots.

If it were really operated like this, even if the city was temporarily held, the White Lotus Holy Kingdom's rule in the local area would be finished.

From now on, they would have to be careful when going out; who knew when someone would come to take revenge.

"Captain Liu, since you think my proposal is wrong, then come up with your own brilliant strategy!

According to my knowledge, the grain and fodder stored in the city are not much, only enough for the military and civilians in the city for one month.

Now the pseudo-dynasty's army is besieging the city from all sides, and supplies cannot be transported in at all.

After the An Lushan Rebellion broke out, the Baoyi Grand Master guarded Suiyang and turned the tide to save the Great Tang's country and society.

Are you all unwilling to be the Baoyi Grand Master of the Holy Kingdom?"

Duan Shengde said, biting the bullet.

He knew best how rotten his own ideas were.

But there were sixty thousand imperial troops outside the city, and they only had three thousand garrison troops; if they didn't force the entire military and civilian population in the city to fight for their lives, the fall of the city was just a matter of time.

After the city was broken, anyone present could surrender, but he couldn't.

Once he fell into the hands of the imperial army, not only would he be sliced to death, but his family would also be finished.

Let his name stink for ten thousand years; anyway, he was using the identity of an enemy for the name "Duan Shengde."

In the chaos of war, the White Lotus Holy Kingdom didn't have the time to verify it either.

Under the eyes of everyone, he personally killed a royal clan member as a pledge of allegiance, and everyone believed he was sincerely defecting.

"Fine, do as Prefect Duan says.

Now the Holy Kingdom's armies are concentrated on several battle lines, and the hinterland of Jiangxi is empty at this time.

Once Ganzhou is lost, the Jian'an Prefecture and Linjiang Prefecture behind will be threatened by the enemy.

At that time, the Fujian imperial army and the Nanchang garrison can echo each other from afar and jointly attack the Western King's army.

For the sake of the Holy Kingdom's future, everyone will temporarily suffer and listen to Lord Duan's orders!"

Yu Dadan thought for a while and said.

Originally, he wanted to heroically take on the responsibility, but considering that the pot was truly too big, he chickened out at the last moment.

Although he hadn't read many books, he also knew that such violent behavior wouldn't have a good ending.

Since Prefect Duan could think of such a wicked idea, he probably wouldn't be a good person either, so let him take the blame.

Shaozhou Prefecture.

With the retreat of the White Lotus Holy Kingdom, this place had already become a lonely city.

Under the continuous artillery fire, multiple gaps had already appeared on the city walls.

"Lord Zhu, you are knowledgeable and experienced; do you know what kind of cannons the pseudo-dynasty is using, and why their power is so great?"

Qi Dingyuan asked with a frown.

Their luck was bad; the heavy siege cannons prepared earlier hadn't been used in Guangzhou and had all fallen on their heads.

With huge iron balls hitting them, ordinary city walls simply couldn't cope.

"Garrison Commander Qi, you overestimate me.

When I was in the pseudo-dynasty, I was just a small official the size of a sesame seed; how would I know about these things!"

The middle-aged general answered with a bitter face.

After being defeated and captured, he had prepared to die for his integrity.

However, he couldn't resist the sugar-coated bullets of the rebels, and two months ago, he made the decision to betray his ancestors and join the White Lotus Holy Kingdom's camp.

He never expected that just after he joined, the situation would change.

The imperial army broke through Guangzhou all the way, killed their way in, and besieged Shaozhou Prefecture.

"Boom, boom, boom..."

"Retreat quickly, the enemy is using explosive shells!"

While speaking, the middle-aged general hurriedly pulled Garrison Commander Qi to retreat.

The person in front of him was his benefactor who had recruited him.

If Garrison Commander Qi hung up, he would have no backing in the White Lotus Holy Kingdom.

Just after running halfway, Garrison Commander Qi's complexion suddenly changed greatly; turning his head to look, he found a large group of people following behind him, fleeing for their lives crazily.

It was fine for the Regional Commander to avoid the enemy's artillery fire, but for the garrison soldiers to follow suit—wasn't this handing over the city walls on a silver platter!

"This is going to be bad!"

After this thought flashed through his mind, he decided decisively:

"Hurry back for me!

Everyone immediately return to your positions; violators will be killed without mercy!"

Driven by the personal guards, the soldiers who had followed him down the city walls were forced back again.

However, after such a toss, the garrison, whose morale was already not high, became even more lacking in fighting spirit.

Looking at Captain Zhu who was following by his side, Garrison Commander Qi instantly felt that he had "misplaced his trust."

This guy was just a piece of trash, not at all the destined noble person in the fortune teller's mouth who could help him achieve a great hegemony.

"Captain Zhu, why are you standing there in a daze? Why don't you return to your position immediately?

If the pseudo-dynasty's army finds an opportunity, I will cut off your head!"

The sudden change in attitude gave Captain Zhu a shock.

Earlier, to recruit him, there had been constant beauties and fine wine, and that treatment was almost catching up to a prince.

Not knowing what had happened, he still returned to the front line anxiously under the pressure of Garrison Commander Qi's murderous aura.

Just at this moment, a loud noise rang out, and the city wall collapsed directly by more than ten meters.

Seeing the gap appear, the imperial army, which had been waiting in battle array outside the city, immediately launched an attack.

"Block it!"

"Hurry up and go block the gap for me!"

Captain Zhu hurriedly ordered.

Unfortunately, this garrison captain of his had been immersed in the land of gentleness since he was recruited.

He rarely entered the military camp on weekdays and was not familiar with the soldiers under his command at all, let alone having any prestige.

"Swish, swish..."

Sharp arrows pierced through his body, and Captain Zhu, who was busy organizing the defense, fell directly on the city wall.

The garrison, having lost its command, became even more chaotic.

Facing the all-out attack of the imperial army, the garrison could only retreat continuously.

At this time, there were routed soldiers everywhere, and the supervision team had lost its effect.

No matter how the main general shouted, he couldn't change the fact that the city wall had been broken.

The battle lasted until dark before it temporarily came to an end.

"Lord, the fall of Shaozhou is a foregone conclusion; keep a useful body to plan for the future.

Now the sky is dim, which is the best time to evacuate!"

The personal guard's persuasion allowed Garrison Commander Qi to regain a trace of reason.

"That guy surnamed Zhu has misled me!"

"If I can escape alive, I will definitely tear him into ten thousand pieces!"

"Retreat!"

It was truly too stifling.

Although he couldn't hold Shaozhou Prefecture, it shouldn't have fallen so quickly.

Even if he luckily returned to the Holy Kingdom now, he couldn't avoid being ridiculed by his colleagues.

Yongzhou Camp.

Looking at the intelligence gathered from all over, Li Mu was both happy and worried.

The Guangdong imperial army successfully recovered Shaozhou Prefecture, but the Fujian imperial army was blocked by the enemy in Ganzhou Prefecture.

With one less force joining, the deterrent power against the rebels would inevitably be greatly reduced.

"Pass the order to the Fujian Regional Commander, telling him that he must capture Ganzhou as soon as possible.

If sixty thousand imperial troops cannot recover a city guarded by three thousand rebels, he may not feel ashamed, but I feel ashamed for him!"

(End of chapter)