Son of Song Dynasty

Chapter 317 Activate the Siege Cannon

His Highness even gave him this opportunity.

Now, defeating the Northern Han Dynasty is just around the corner.

As the vanguard general of the vanguard army, breaking the No.1 of the Northern Han Dynasty, he is about to complete this mission!

"Has the news of the scout come back?" Shi Yuanliang handed the reins to the guard and asked the scout general who trotted over.

"Here we come! Hechuan City is a small city with a population of only [-] and a city wall that is no more than three feet high. However, there are quite a few Northern Han troops inside, because their commander Cheng Yuanling is here. It is said that there are about [-] troops in the city. .”

Shi Yuanliang nodded, and the scouts handed over the military map.

This is an invention of His Highness Zhao Dezhao. The accuracy of the map is one in [-]. There are various punctuation marks and symbols on the map, representing various topography and landforms.

Like most generals, Shi Yuanliang was not able to accept the training of this new thing at first, but after he really learned it, he got used to it and found real benefits from it.

"It's a pity!" He found that because of the topography of the city, he couldn't go around to the back, at least not now, because starting now, after bypassing the mountain and reaching the side of Hechuan City, it would take at least three days. up.

"Then stop going around and attack directly! At worst, he will run away and go to the next city to catch him!"

Shi Yuanliang has a well-thought-out plan.

Before the army set off, His Highness Zhao Dezhao specially demonstrated the effect of the siege cannon to these generals.

This seemingly inconspicuous iron lump shocked all the generals who were watching, and also confirmed what His Highness said, "From then on, there will be no city that cannot be conquered by our Great Song Army!"

"Get ready to go! Order someone to maintain the siege gun, and it will definitely be used later."

Shi Yuanliang waved his hand gracefully.

A quarter of an hour later, the entire vanguard battalion set off.

Although there are only 3000 people, it seems that the momentum is very large, not only because of the cavalry, but because Zhao Dezhao has improved the military system as a whole.

The current army of the Great Song Army is quite different from the previous military system of the Han Army.

Taking Shi Yuanliang's vanguard army as an example, Zhao Dezhao divided the vanguard army into several parts.

This time, the establishment is 3000 people, so the 100 people in the scout team are all lightly dressed and fast horses. They are used for investigation and communication, and they are not allowed to fight easily.

In addition to the scout team, there is also a 100-member team that opens the way, carrying sharp axes, ropes and special combined wooden utensils.The function is to open the road in the mountains and build bridges in the water, which is the role of an engineering and construction team.

Then there is the vanguard of 500 people, led by the new general Chen Zijing who was just transferred from Jiuzhen County.

Chen Zijing is very strong in force, and his qualifications are not low. Both he and Zhao Dezhao feel that being a captain for a long time is a bit inferior.

Just a few days ago, there was a vacant title of guerrilla general, so Zhao Dezhao gave it to him, and transferred him directly to the vanguard army as Shi Yuanliang's deputy general.

Regardless of force or seniority, resourcefulness or strategic strategy, Shi Yuanliang can crush him, and he is also one of the few characters in the Great Song Army who can restrain Chen Zijing, so Zhao Dezhao is very relieved.

This vanguard is the vanguard of the vanguard army, which is very suitable for Chen Zijing's force and character.

Then, there were two thousand official vanguard troops led by Shi Yuanliang himself, all of whom were strong and strong.Shi Yuanliang personally selected them from all the Great Song Army.

The combat power is overwhelming, one is worth three or five ordinary sergeants.

After that, there is a logistics team of 200 people.This logistics team is not just logistics, not only to ensure the food and drink of 3000 people, but also an artillery team of 100 people.

The battery consisted of three newly constructed siege guns, all with three-inch barrels.

Although the caliber is not large, it is enough to siege cities and villages in this era. After all, there is no cement concrete in this era.

Even if there is a stone wall, the filler used to glue the stone wall can be dealt with by siege artillery.

Zhao Dezhao has done many experiments. Even for a city wall with very thick stone walls, after multiple rounds of three-inch siege cannons, the adhesive between the stones was shattered and the stones fell off by themselves.

This cannon is very delicate and requires specially trained professionals to carry out professional repairs and maintenance in order to maintain its function.

So even if it is stolen, captured, or even the gunner is caught, there is still no guarantee that it will be used.

Because Zhao Dezhao controlled the shells, and only Zhao Dezhao knew the methods and materials for making shells.

In fact, the three-inch gun is also a helpless move. The smelting technology of the modern era makes it possible for explosives to be used freely only in this caliber.

No matter how large the caliber is, it will burst and explode.

Of course, this small caliber also has advantages, that is, the weight is not too large, and it can be transported under existing conditions.

In order to keep the siege cannon secret and easy to transport, Zhao Dezhao specially ordered that each time troops were dispatched, the amount of shells carried by each cannon should not exceed ten rounds.

Three cannons and thirty shells are enough to blast open the gates of most cities. If there is a special big city, Zhao Dezhao will equip more artillery and shells according to the information from the intelligence line.

Two hours later, at noon, the vanguard army arrived outside the city of Hechuan in the Northern Han Dynasty.

Not surprisingly, the gates of Hechuan City were closed, and the Northern Han Army, as always, did not send troops to fight outside the city.

Instead, they hang up the sign of exemption from battle, but some people secretly observe the military situation on the city wall.

Shi Yuanliang sent a letter to the city to shout, telling the Northern Han army inside to open the door to surrender, or come out to fight. If they don't surrender or fight, they will start attacking the city in an hour.

Of course, Cheng Yuanling couldn't surrender, and he didn't dare to fight for the time being. He just sneaked a few glances at the city wall, and then laid out a defense plan. In his eyes, although Hechuan City is small, it has walls after all. What can you do? What am I.

Outside the city, Shi Yuanliang has ordered the logistics team to bury the pot and cook.Dinner will be served in half an hour, and the siege will begin in an hour.

Cheng Yuanling also hurriedly finished his lunch at this time, and came to the city wall to check the situation again.

If you don't look at it, you will be shocked.

Cheng Yuanling vaguely felt that Shi Yuanliang sent someone to yell just now, and the yelling was all the truth, and he didn't make any jokes.

He saw three cannons slowly being launched in the vanguard battalion of the Great Song Army after eating and resting for a while.

This cannon also existed in the Northern Han Dynasty. Although they were all bought from the Song Dynasty, he also knew the function of the cannon. Most of them were used to cheer up or bombard limited targets.

There has never been an artillery siege, for several reasons, such as the range of the artillery, the weight and transportation of the artillery, and the elevation angle of the artillery, the power of the shells, etc.

There are indeed some artillery capable of bombarding city gates, but considering the weight of this heavy artillery, as well as the weight and transportation of its shells, it is not up to the conditions to travel long distances to follow the army.

(End of this chapter)