Chapter 1182: I'll Give You One Stick of Incense

The steward leading the group was named Zhong Gongxian, the younger brother of Zhong Gonghui, who had led the Fengyang refugees to Xuzhou to seek a living years ago. Back then, Zhong Gonghui had originally been bringing everyone to seek refuge in Xuzhou, but in the end, he heeded the overtures of Fengyang Prefecture's officials and powerful families and no longer wanted the refugees to return. As a result, Zhao Jin had him seized and sent directly to the Huaian Northern District to be confined and imprisoned.

After arriving there, Zhong Gonghui was able to commit himself wholeheartedly to the work. He had a natural talent for handling affairs and management, and his prestige among the Fengyang refugees was very high. Every Zhao Camp commander stationed there valued him greatly. As Zhong Gonghui spent more time in the Huaian Northern District, he became more and more devoted to the Zhao Camp. He sent word for his own family's sons and younger kin to work for the Zhao Camp and Xuzhou. The Zhong family had always been warm-hearted and capable, so they all stood out in various parts of the Zhao Camp.

This time, Zhong Gongxian's ability to adapt flexibly, take the initiative, and achieve great merit was tantamount to completely cleansing the guilt from his elder brother. From now on, the Zhong family would rise step by step within the Zhao Camp system. Unlike the gentry and powerful families elsewhere, the Zhong family had long been utterly disillusioned with the Great Ming's officials. They felt their future lay in Zhao Jin's hands, which was why they were so overwhelmed with emotion upon hearing these words.

"Master Jin, the companies from every manor in Suzhou are determined to protect our territory and people. We can contribute to this assault on the manor as well. Please give the order, Master Jin!" Zhong Gongxian struck while the iron was hot and requested to fight.

Zhao Jin smiled and nodded, then said, "Since we're here, there's no need for you to fight to the death. Go do two things: first, bring over all kinds of equipment; second, have the militia secure the east, north, and west directions. Just focus on taking prisoners when the time comes. Remember, only those who drop their weapons and surrender are prisoners. As for the rest, kill them without mercy."

Since it was a military order, Zhong Gongxian dared not argue and hurriedly agreed. Yet inwardly, he had some misgivings. The nearly two thousand men led by Master Jin were weary from the march, and they were cavalry. Dismounting to assault this manor seemed overly arrogant. But then he thought of the elite quality of the Suzhou regiment and felt it really wasn't an issue after all.

"Good men of Xuzhou, honored masters of Xuzhou, we don't want to fight anymore. Can we part ways peacefully? Let us return to Zhongdu Fengyang. We won't harm our goodwill, and there's no need for casualties. Just give us a path out, and we'll never turn back. We're willing to swear a venomous oath, and we'll surely repay you handsomely in the future!" Soldiers on the manor walls began shouting at the top of their lungs.

The militiamen who could hear this all burst into mocking laughter, feeling proud and honored. Even these government troops had to humble themselves and beg us Xuzhou men. That talk of several routes totaling a hundred thousand government soldiers besieging us was no big deal. The mounted retainers were each making their own preparations, while the militiamen had already come over to help boil water and cook meals, to build up their strength for the coming battle.

Not long after the manor's soldiers shouted, a retainer from the Zhao Camp also went forward and shouted back: "Master Jin says, drop your weapons and surrender, and you can keep your lives. Otherwise, death is your only path. I'll give you the time it takes for one stick of incense to burn. After that, life or death is your own affair."

After speaking, that retainer actually took out a stick of incense, planted it in the ground, then pulled out flint and steel and lit it. Seeing this, the government soldiers on the manor wall immediately grew frantic and shouted, "Brother, be reasonable! The wind is so strong, that incense will burn out in no time. This doesn't count!"

Hearing this from above, the retainers and militiamen close to the manor couldn't help laughing. But shouting aside, the government troops inside the manor made no response even after that stick of incense had burned out. Instead, from the arrangements visible on the wall, it was clear they were redeploying troops inside, evidently preparing to hold fast.

"Master Jin, we sons of Suzhou have all received great kindness from you. We're willing to risk our lives. Let us lead the assault on this manor and pave the way for our elite retainers!" Zhong Gongxian stepped forward to request battle. The militia company commanders following behind him all wore expressions of resolve. Everyone knew this was a golden opportunity to achieve merit and distinction, a chance to perform right before Master Jin's eyes.

Zhao Jin smiled and said, "Since I'm here, there's no reason to let you face life-and-death danger. How could our retainers from the various brigades and regiments let you lead the charge? Word would get out and make us a laughingstock."

After saying this, Zhao Jin turned and said, "Leave two hundred cavalry as a mobile reserve. The rest, dismount and advance on foot. Use the same sweeping tactics we used in Juzhou. Use fire lances to suppress the wall, and the others prepare to force an assault. It's a pity we didn't bring cannons today, or we wouldn't need to expend so much effort."

As the retainers roared their assent, the Suzhou militiamen all showed looks of envy, each wishing they were in the retainer ranks, able to wear such awe-inspiring iron armor and charge forward like that, earning merit and glory before Master Jin.

Zhao Jin looked toward the triangular wooden frames set to one side and the wooden planks and bamboo rafts scattered on the ground, then smiled and said, "These things are good. They perfectly suit our Zhao Camp's fire lance tactics. Fire lance company commanders, come here!"

Though the Fengyang government troops were panicked and uneasy, it had to be said their defensive preparations were decent. Timber and stones could be seen being carried to the manor wall. Soldiers armed with firearms and bows were also in position on the wall, and officers of the Batzong rank and above stood with weapons to enforce discipline. To assault the manor, one had to cross two obstacles: the trench and the earthen rampart. The defenders, holding the high ground, could then hurl down timber and stones and fire arrows and firearms.

Naturally, there was no way to charge such a manor on horseback. The Zhao Camp retainers formed ranks and surged toward the manor's front, while the other manor gates were blocked by the militiamen. After that brief skirmish just now, the militiamen felt not the slightest timidity about blocking any government troops that might try to break out; instead, they were filled with anticipation.

What the government troops hadn't expected was that these Xuzhou cavalrymen had actually brought forward those earlier triangular wooden frame chevaux-de-frise, along with those bamboo rafts and planks. Could it be that these so-called elite retainers used the same tactics as the militia? If so, then this manor really could be held.

When the Zhao Camp retainers were several dozen paces from the manor—precisely the distance where arrows lost their force and firearms couldn't reach—they set out those wooden frames, linking several chevaux-de-frise together while leaving considerable gaps, then carefully laid the bamboo rafts and planks across the frame crossbeams. During this process, the Ming troops inside the manor tried drawing bows and shooting, but the arrows had no power at this distance and couldn't even stick into the planks or bamboo rafts.

Then, the fire lance retainers behind this makeshift fortification calmly loaded their ammunition and extended their fire lances through the gaps between the planks and bamboo rafts. Seeing those dark gun barrels, the government troops on the wall immediately ducked down, peeking out with just half their heads. Though they doubted the enemy's firearms were effective at this range, they had long heard of the Xuzhou bandits' fearsome firepower. Caution was never wrong.

"Fire!" someone shouted. The government soldiers on the wall instinctively pulled their heads in.

A series of explosive cracks rang out. The earthen wall's parapet was struck by fire lance shots, sending up puffs of dust and columns of smoke. Some government soldiers hadn't been careful enough, leaving half their heads exposed, unconcerned since their helmets shielded them. But those few careless ones had their skulls shattered directly, collapsing onto the manor wall without a sound, blood flowing everywhere. Such power! The government troops, who had been ready to counterattack at any moment, were so terrified they all threw themselves flat. Not a single one dared stand, or even half-crouch.

At this point, more retainers emerged from the gaps in the chevaux-de-frise, each holding long ropes with iron claws. They didn't rush forward. Instead, the wooden frame chevaux-de-frise at various points were moved forward nearly ten paces. During this time, the fire lances didn't fire. The government troops on the wall thought they'd seized a gap to counterattack, but no sooner had they shown their heads than another volley of cracks erupted. Several who couldn't pull back in time were struck in the chest and knocked to the ground. The lucky ones died instantly; those who didn't die right away cried out in agony, their screams making everyone tremble.

Only then did the retainers with the long ropes and iron claws boldly advance toward the trench's edge. They had fought battles like this in the southern part of Qingzhou Prefecture. It was simply a matter of forcing the manor gate open and then charging in hard. No matter how sturdy that manor gate was, it was still made of wood. With long ropes and iron hooks, enough horses could pull the gate down entirely. The fallen gate and drawbridge would then serve perfectly as a wooden bridge across the trench.

The fire lances fired volley after volley. Some government soldiers on the wall saw the Zhao Camp retainers approaching and knew what they intended. They thought to themselves that the enemy's fire lances fired in succession, merely advancing row by row. The moment there was a pause would be their chance to stand. They had to protect the main gate. The enemy was so fierce; once the gate was open, even that gang of militiamen charging in with leveled spears would be unstoppable.

Behind the cover of the wall, they shouted back and forth to coordinate. Hearing a volley of fire lances go off outside, several men immediately stood, drawing their bows. But the moment they exposed themselves, the fire lances cracked again. They couldn't help but flinch in fright, their movements slowing by half a beat. Yet they weren't hit by the fire lances. However, down below, it wasn't just fire lances now. Beside the retainers with the long ropes and iron hooks were Xuzhou archers with bows half-drawn. They didn't need to stand and act; their reaction was faster.

Before their arrows could leave the strings, the shots from below had already arrived. At this distance, strong bows and long arrows were more accurate than fire lances, especially when wielded by archers of Mongol origin. Of the several government soldiers who exposed themselves, one was unlucky enough to be struck by two fire lance shots, while the others were each hit by multiple arrows. The wall instantly fell silent. Who could have imagined the Zhao Camp's firearms and archery were both so devastatingly effective?

With a couple of shouts, the iron hooks attached to the long ropes were already latched onto the drawbridge. The fire lances had ceased firing, but no government soldier dared show his head. Horses were already being led over. Behind the horses, Zhao Camp retainers armed with long halberds could be seen forming ranks, preparing to advance. There were observation holes on the wall for looking outside. The officers and soldiers watching outside could only gasp. These Xuzhou bandits were extravagantly equipped. How had they gotten such fine iron armor, even covering their faces? How were they supposed to fight this?

The shouts of men driving horses could be heard, along with the groaning creak of the gate frame. It looked sturdy, but enough force applied could still tear it open. Just then, shouting and commotion erupted from another side of the manor. The government troops didn't yet know what had happened, but urgent reports had already reached Zhao Jin. Moments ago, another manor gate had been opened, and some government cavalry officers had tried to charge out. They hadn't expected the militiamen to have already blocked the front of the gate with chevaux-de-frise. The Zhao Camp's unit arrived immediately after, and they had no choice but to retreat helplessly.

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