Chapter 49: I am waiting for the Tiger-Crouching Cannon; are you waiting for death?

Lingnan, Yongzhou City.

Like a tidal wave, the Song army, aided by siege engines, was climbing the city walls.

Yet, facing the Song army, the Pingnan Army guarding the walls easily drove them back.

After all, with equal combat power, your armor isn't as good-looking as mine, nor is it as sturdy—what are you using to fight?

After several consecutive failed sieges, Di Qing finally understood that the Pingnan Army's conquest of Nanya wasn't achieved through "persuading surrender."

"How many Pingnan Army soldiers are inside the city?"

Inquiring of the Imperial City Division Commander beside him, a solemn expression appeared on Di Qing's face.

Because compared to Nong Zhigao's army, the Pingnan Army was on a higher level in every aspect!

"Estimated at around ten thousand! But today, only three thousand were deployed to defend the city!"

Looking at Di Qing before him, the Imperial City Division Commander hurriedly explained.

"Three thousand?"

Furrowing his brows in confusion, a look of astonishment appeared on Di Qing's face.

Because based on the Pingnan Army's combat effectiveness, they could have easily sallied out for field battles; why were they cowering in defense?

Thinking of this, Di Qing tapped his chair and said, "Could it be that the Pingnan Army has reinforcements?"

"General Di, the Pingnan Army is fighting on two fronts; Tubo has also been attacked. Perhaps they cannot spare enough troops, which is why they are forced to defend the city!"

Looking at Di Qing, the general beside him hurriedly explained.

But after hearing his words, Di Qing couldn't help but furrow his brows and say, "Order them to bring up the Thunderbolt Cannons; we must take Yongzhou!"

"Thunderbolt Cannons?"

Gazing at Di Qing, the subordinate generals were all stunned.

Because the terrain of Lingnan is not like the Central Plains; especially for heavy weapons like the Thunderbolt Cannons, they were even harder to move.

"Is there a problem?"

Staring at the generals below, Di Qing couldn't help but become stern.

Seeing Di Qing speak this way, the crowd bowed and said, "No, we will certainly do our utmost!"

"Dismissed!"

Waving his hand to signal everyone to leave, Di Qing fell into silence.

But when he was patrolling, gazing at the distant Yongzhou City, he couldn't help but furrow his brows.

Because experience told him that this matter was not that simple.

If he couldn't break through Yongzhou City as soon as possible, he might very well encounter unpredictable trouble next!

Inside Yongzhou City, City Lord's Mansion.

Women were dancing gracefully, and the smell of rich, fragrant food wafted from the military camp.

Compared to the Song army camp outside, it was as if this place had never suffered from war at all.

Raising his wine cup, Zhang Cheng said with a full smile, "Since you have all joined my Pingnan Army, the treatment will naturally be top-tier. We will conquer the world together, rule the world together, share glory, and split the wealth."

"The General is mighty!"

Hearing Zhang Cheng's words, Nong Zhigao and the others who had just joined the Pingnan Army couldn't help but smile.

Because compared to the "harsh" conditions of the Song Dynasty, Zhang Cheng was simply an "angel investor"!

He hadn't even reduced their military power, and he even brought out various foods and fine wines that could only be bought in Kaifeng.

What shocked everyone even more was that every soldier in the Pingnan Army had cigarettes, and this was a daily military supply—meaning it was free to collect!

You have to know, even if Nong Zhigao wanted to smoke, he had to spend a lot of money to buy them from Song Dynasty merchants.

Encountering such a "benevolent" general, what else could they do? Of course, join!

Two days later, another routine siege took place.

However, this time, several seemingly majestic "sharp weapons" appeared among the Song army.

Holding a telescope to observe, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but squint his eyes and say, "Eh, isn't this damn thing a cannon?"

"Cousin, that is a Thunderbolt Cannon. It seems Di Qing is angry!"

Observing the Thunderbolt Cannon, Situ Yaozu hurriedly explained.

"Good fellow, he wants to blow me to death!"

Staring at this scene in astonishment, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but complain.

Thunderbolt Cannons—of course he had heard of them; after all, the development of cannons was quite famous during the Northern Song Dynasty.

Otherwise, how do you think Europe survived under the Mongol iron cavalry?

Was it by relying on their boasted Polish Winged Hussars?

Stop joking. If Möngke hadn't been blown to death at Diaoyu Fortress, and Hulagu hadn't returned to help seize the throne, those rotten potatoes in Europe would have been beaten to tears!

The one who saved Europe back then wasn't God, but that unknown soldier at Diaoyu Fortress!

"Ask Liu Nanxiang where my Tiger-Crouching Cannons are. If he doesn't come soon, I'm going to be beaten by Di Qing until I kneel and beg for mercy!"

Gazing at the Thunderbolt Cannons below, Zhang Cheng instinctively hid behind a shield.

Because Di Qing had taught him a lesson last time: never get too close to a fierce general, because he really will shoot an arrow through your skull! "I'll go ask right now!"

Hearing Zhang Cheng's words, Situ Yaozu hurriedly turned and left.

And just at this moment, Xiong Jizong ran over quickly and said, "Master, that old vegetable Liu Nanxiang has arrived!"

"He is the Prime Minister, not an old vegetable!"

Looking at Xiong Jizong with annoyance, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but roll his eyes.

"Fine, Prime Minister it is!"

Shrugging his shoulders, Xiong Jizong spread his hands with disdain.

"Set up the Tiger-Crouching Cannons for me. I want to broaden Di Qing's horizons and tell him that the times have changed!"

Looking ahead with a full smile, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but laugh loudly.

If the Thunderbolt Cannon is a sharp weapon for city defense, then the Tiger-Crouching Cannon is a divine weapon for field battles.

You only need to change the cannonballs, and the Tiger-Crouching Cannon can still achieve results in a siege.

Never mind that the pellets are small; as long as he has enough of them, he can still make the enemy run for their lives!

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And unfortunately, Zhang Cheng happens to suffer from a terminal illness, and insufficient firepower is the only weakness of his life!

When every auxiliary soldier joins, they have two months to learn how to operate the Tiger-Crouching Cannon.

Therefore, even if the opponent has Thunderbolt Cannons, Zhang Cheng dares to let the auxiliary soldiers push them right up to his forehead to fire!

Zhang Cheng: I am waiting for the Tiger-Crouching Cannon; are you waiting for death?

Di Qing:.

"Fire! Fire!"

Holding a command flag and roaring, the Song army couldn't help but bellow.

"Boom, boom, boom!"

Violent sounds rang out, and Yongzhou City was seen being blasted with bricks flying everywhere.

Watching the suppressed Pingnan Army, Di Qing roared, "Siege the city!"

"Siege the city!"

Accompanied by the sound of cannons, a continuous stream of Song soldiers was seen rushing over.

Watching a large number of Song soldiers enter the siege, Zhang Cheng also revealed a cold smile and said, "Fire!"

"Fire!"

Waving his flag and roaring, Situ Yaozu turned and shouted.

"Bang, bang, bang!"

Continuous cannon fire rang out, and cannonballs were seen falling from the sky.

Staring at this scene in astonishment, the Song army saw the sky suddenly turn dark and immediately panicked.

Because this was the direction of Yongzhou City; could it be that they also had cannons?

But just as the Song army's advance was blocked, the Tiger-Crouching Cannons seemed to never stop, continuously roaring.

Looking ahead in disbelief, Di Qing revealed shock and said, "How is this possible? They also have firearms?"

"Unlike the Thunderbolt Cannons, theirs seem more convenient, and there are more of them!"

Looking at Di Qing, the generals beside him hurriedly panicked, because how could they fight like this!

But just at this moment, the sound of horse hooves came from not far away.

"Clatter, clatter!"

The Black Dragon Flag danced in the wind.

Xiong Jizong, holding a large saber, was seen leading five thousand armored cavalry charging out from an oblique angle, shouting, "Follow me, charge!"

"Kill!"

Letting out a roar, the Pingnan Army, which had been resting and sharpening their weapons for a long time, finally bared their fangs.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 50 =====