Late Yuan Dynasty: I am the true emperor

Chapter 269 Combat Deployment (Part )

Lu Jin only informed them about Xu Song's affairs because it was related to the timing of sending troops to cross the river.

However, he did not tell them about Tuotuo's farming in the north. Tuotuo had been delayed by his delaying tactics and would not go south in the short term to affect the crossing of the river. Therefore, it would not hurt not to tell them. Otherwise, telling them might expose Li Huafu and put Min Zishun and others in danger.

At most, I will talk to Yang Jing, Liao Yongjian and others after the meeting. There is no need to say it here.

After introducing the enemy situation in Jiangnan, Lu Jin pointed at the sand table with his baton and said.

"In fact, you don't have to be afraid of the hundreds of thousands of troops on the opposite side. These troops are basically distributed in the cities of Jiqing Road. They are guarding Jiankang, not blocking us by the river. Our first target when crossing the river is Taiping Road. If we only count Taiping Road, there will not be many troops left.

"There are three cities in Taiping Road, Dangtu, Wuhu, and Fanchang, with a total of 30,000 troops. In order to prevent us from crossing the river, Nahachu has almost piled all his troops in Niuzhuji, Caishiji, and Dangtu City. Only a small number of local militias are stationed in Fanchang and Wuhu, which are almost empty cities.

"And our first battle across the river has only one strategic goal, which is to capture Dangtu City and grab a stable foothold. In this battle, we have 50,000 naval and cavalry troops against 30,000 enemy troops. We are the side with the superior military strength."

The generals suddenly understood what was going on. If that was the case, then the battle didn't seem to be particularly difficult to fight.

"For this battle, I plan to split my troops into two groups and capture Caishiji and Dangtu City at the same time."

At this time, Lu Jin looked at Liao Yongjian and Hua Gao and said.

"Brother Yongjian and Huagao, each of your two naval regiments must be divided into three parts. Huagao's second regiment will attack Caishi, and Brother Yongjian's first regiment will attack Dangtu. Let's talk about Caishi first.

"Niuzhuji and Caishiji are actually ports on the Yangtze River. They are not cities, nor do they have city walls. There are mountains on both sides of them, and there are sandbanks in front of them, leaving only a gap. This gap is Niuzhuji. Niuzhuji is the outer port, and Caishiji in the inner port is hidden behind sandbanks and hills. Therefore, Niuzhuji can only be attacked by force.

"In order to prevent us from landing, Nahachu has deployed 1500 of his archers to Niuzhuji in the outer harbor. As you can imagine, once our ships get close, the enemy will surely shoot arrows like locusts. Behind these archers, there are heavy catapults such as fennel cannons, aiming at the river surface. Once our fleet gets close, it will be hit by huge stone cannons, and the ships will be destroyed and the people will die."

hiss--

All the generals gasped when they heard this, and then started chattering about it.

My goodness, normally if there are a few hundred archers firing at the same time, it would be able to unleash a terrifying power. But Nahachu managed to gather together fifteen hundred archers. If they kept shooting arrows, what would the scene be like?

What's more, there is a powerful weapon like the trebuchet behind it. In the past, the Song Dynasty used this trebuchet to block the Mongolian army for many years in Diaoyucheng. It is even rumored that even the Mongolian Khan Mengge was killed by a catapult. If a huge rock is thrown out and hits the boat, it will overturn it.
Lu Jin then looked at Hua Gao and asked, "Hua Gao, how is the equipment of your Second Marine Regiment?"

When Hua Gao was called, he immediately said, "Reporting to the commander, my Second Regiment of the Navy has nearly 1,400 large and small ships, and more than 5,600 officers and soldiers. Now they have all been equipped with iron armor and hook-and-sickle spears specially used for naval warfare.

"Among them, there were three ten-foot-long ships, three stories high, equipped with 32 heavy iron cannons and 24 revolving mother-and-child cannons, for a total of 56 cannons per ship.

"There were also 40 six-zhang medium-sized warships that were modified and equipped with iron cannons. Each ship was equipped with three large iron cannons, one each facing forward and to the left and right, and eight small revolving sub-cannons, four on each side, for a total of 11 cannons per ship.

"There are also 180 unmodified six-foot warships. Although these ships have no cannons, they are equipped with archers, hook-and-sickle spears, waist knives and throwing axes, as well as lime bags. Each ship also has 100 explosive grenades for close combat.

"The other thousands of boats are all small boats less than six meters long."

No one had any idea about the power of these artillery pieces and grenades, so they had no reaction after hearing them. In addition, Hua Gao was an outsider who had never systematically studied artillery techniques, and all he could think of was a big iron cannon. Everyone only knew that it was a musket, but no one knew how powerful it was.

But Lu Jin continued, "When we cross the river, I plan to use the second naval regiment to attack Niuzhuji, and Hua Gao will lead 40 gunboats and 20 ordinary warships to block the river downstream and stop any enemy ships that dare to approach.

"Yu Tongyuan led three ships to attack Niuzhuji and cover the landing of the infantry. Sang Shijie commanded all other ships and was responsible for transporting troops between the two banks."

Yang Jing frowned and asked a question, "Can we send the infantry ashore with only three ships? Why not send the 40 gunboats as well?"

Lu Jin did not answer, but pointed at Yu Tongyuan, "Tongyuan, tell us, if I ask you to attack Niuzhuji, how would you fight?"

"Yes."

Yu Tongyuan immediately stood up with his head held high and introduced himself to everyone.

"My ship has three decks, with 155 23mm caliber 20-jin heavy howitzers installed on the bottom deck, ten on each side. When firing 23-jin solid iron bullets, they can hit 1500 meters, or three miles away. When firing iron-shell shrapnel grenades filled with gunpowder, they can easily hit 2000 meters, or four miles away.

"The second deck was equipped with 120mm caliber 14-jin long guns, six on each side. When firing 12-jin solid iron bullets with reduced charge, they could hit 14 meters, or one and a half miles. When firing iron-shell shrapnel grenades, they could hit 800 meters, or three miles.

"On the top three decks, there are 80 large 24mm caliber revolving submachine guns, 12 on each side. Although they can only fire half a mile, when loaded with shotgun shells, the submachine guns can fire rapidly and turn all enemy troops within steps into a bloody mist!
"When fighting, I will first send a small number of small boats to make a feint attack to lure the enemy archers out. When the enemy archers appear, I can stop the tower ship two miles away and use the range advantage of the artillery to bombard the beach and massacre the enemy archers. After the enemy archers are defeated, the tower ship will approach the shore and bombard the enemy infantry formation to defeat the enemy formation. Then our infantry can land calmly under the cover of artillery."

hiss--

Everyone couldn't help but gasp; they didn't expect the range of this artillery to be so long.

Yang Jing frowned and asked in disbelief, "My Lord, isn't this cannon just a larger musket? I know muskets, but how can this thing fire so far?"

"Yes, this is not the kind of fire gun used by the Yuan army. The fire guns of the Yuan army were all small, weighing at most a few hundred pounds. This is the fire gun that I designed and improved myself. The heavy howitzer that Tongyuan mentioned that can fire four miles weighs more than two thousand pounds.

"Our standard armor weighs only 40 kilograms. If this much iron is made into armor, one cannon is enough to equip a platoon of people.
"Moreover, those tower ships are now parked by the Chaohu Lake, and there are two brigades of the Imperial Guard. Each brigade has an artillery battalion, and each artillery battalion is equipped with 64 field guns, which are similar to those of the navy. This kind of artillery can be used for both naval and land warfare, and only requires a replacement of the gun mount. "If you don't believe it, you can go and see it for yourself after the meeting. Let Tongyuan fire a round of salvos to show you the power, so that you can have some confidence when you cross the river." Lu Jin explained.

"Okay, then I have no problem. I will definitely go over and take a look later. My lord, please continue." Yang Jing nodded immediately.

Lu Jin then continued, "Hua Gao will block the river downstream to prevent harassment from the enemy navy. Tong Yuan will bomb the beach to cover the infantry landing. Sang Shijie will fully command the transport forces to cross the river. Once Tong Yuan has cleared the beach, immediately send a vanguard regiment with 1000 grenades ashore and bring enough ignition materials to burn the enemy's fennel cannon.

“Don’t be fooled by the fact that this fennel cannon seems very powerful. It can indeed shoot far, but if you rush under it, it will be just a pile of useless wood. It can’t hit the enemy in front of you. It can only shoot from a distance. In this respect, it is not as good as our artillery.

"After the vanguard regiment burns the fennel cannon, the enemy will no longer be able to prevent us from landing. At this time, the vanguard regiment should not rush to attack, but first consolidate the beachhead position and the dock. Then Sang Shijie will transport the second infantry regiment and a battalion of cavalry ashore.

"The enemy has deployed a thousand cavalry behind Caishiji. Of course, these cavalry may be transferred to deal with Xu Song. We will respond accordingly. If the thousand cavalry are still there, the cavalry battalion that has landed will cooperate with the infantry regiment to eliminate them. If the thousand cavalry are not there, our cavalry will not stay on the shore after landing, but will charge directly into the harbor.

“From Caishiji to Dangtu City, the distance is only 30 miles, but in this 30-mile journey, you have to cross two rivers, and there are bridges on both rivers.

“If we do not encounter enemy cavalry after landing, our cavalry will move forward quickly to control the bridges over the two rivers and ensure a passage for the army to advance to Dangtu. If we encounter enemy cavalry, the task of controlling the bridges and ensuring the passage will be handed over to the second cavalry battalion that lands.

"At the battlefield in Niuzhuji, we will have to land three infantry regiments and one cavalry regiment, plus the navy to cooperate. These forces are enough to control the inner and outer ports.

“After taking the port, the three infantry regiments will cooperate with each other to wipe out the remaining enemies, take prisoners, and control the docks. The cavalry will not stop and will march straight to Dangtu. Zhang Wen’s Second Brigade of the Imperial Guard will cross the river last. After all the troops on the northern line have crossed the river, one infantry regiment will be left to guard Caishiji and Niuzhuji. The remaining two infantry regiments will follow Zhang Wen’s Second Brigade of the Imperial Guard and advance to Dangtu to join forces with the Southern Route Army.

"After the entire army crossed the river, Hua Gao's Second Marine Regiment was divided into three. Two of Yu Tongyuan's three gunboats were left to guard the Niuzhuji outer port on the east bank, serving as mobile artillery positions to drive away any enemy naval forces that dared to come over and defend the ports of Niuzhuji and Caishi.

"The other tower ship was left to Hua Gao to guard the Hezhou Port on the west bank, and Hua Gao led the main force to garrison Hezhou City.

"Sang Shijie commanded all the artillery warships of the Second Regiment, constantly dispatching ships to patrol the lower reaches of the river to guard against incoming enemy naval attacks, and traveling back and forth between the two banks for mutual support and transportation.

"At this point, the war in Cai Shi is over."

All the generals nodded in agreement. Lu Jin's plan was well-organized and clearly defined. First, warships would be sent to block the river surface to prevent interference with the crossing. Then, tower ships would be sent to bombard the beach to cover the infantry landing. After the vanguard regiment landed, they would first burn the enemy's catapults and control the dock. Then, the cavalry and the second infantry regiment would be sent ashore to attack the enemy cavalry together. Then, the third infantry regiment would be sent ashore, and finally Zhang Wen's Second Brigade of the Imperial Guard would land.

After landing, the cavalry went first to open up the road to Dangtu. Zhang Wen then led a brigade and two regiments to advance into Dangtu, leaving behind the tower ships and an infantry regiment to guard Niuzhuji and Caishiji.

The tasks of who will go up first and who will go up later and what they will do are very clear. Even who will be left to guard the city after the battle and who will guard the original west bank city are all explained clearly. The arrangements are very meticulous and careful.

Yang Jing also thought about it. With this deployment, it should be no problem to capture Niuzhu and Caishi. It should be very easy. However, Lu Jin's allocation of troops made it difficult for Dangtu to
"Marshal, my 37th Army only has 4 infantry regiments in total. Caishiji has used 3 of them, plus a cavalry regiment and a guard brigade. So Dangtu only has one regiment and a guard brigade. Can they capture Dangtu City?"

Lu Jin did not answer this question again, but looked at Liao Yongjian and said, "Brother Yongjian, can you tell me about the equipment of your naval regiment?"

Liao Yongjian said immediately, "My first regiment is similar to the second regiment, also with iron armor and hook-and-sickle spears, but my troops and ships are more than the second regiment, with 1600 large and small ships, 6000 officers and soldiers, and three tower ships and gunboats, but my six-zhang gunboats are more than the second regiment, I have 60 gunboats, and 180 six-zhang ordinary warships without guns, the configuration is the same as the second regiment, and the rest are small boats."

Lu Jin nodded, "My plan for the use of the First Regiment of the Navy is similar to that of the Second Regiment. Liu Chuanyi will lead three ships to bombard Dangtu City and cover the infantry attack. Brother Yongjian will lead the navy gunboats to block the upstream river. Bai Guangtai will command all the remaining ships to transport the army across the river.

"But there is one thing we need to pay attention to. The Yuan army in Jiangnan should have a navy. Its commander seems to be called Manzi Hague. He should be active in the area around the mouth of Poyang Lake in Jiangxi. If we cross the river, he is likely to go downstream and come to support us. So you have to pay attention. The second regiment downstream is just patrolling. Your first regiment may really engage in a naval battle."

Liao Yongjian immediately patted his chest and said, "We are not afraid of naval battles. I have lived for more than 60 years and grew up on ships. I have 180 gunboats, warships, and thousands of shrapnel grenades. If the Hague dares to come over, I will make sure that not a single ship of his can go back!"

Lu Jin nodded, "As long as you can stop the Yuan army's navy, then there will be no suspense in taking Dangtu. As for whether the troops to attack Dangtu are too few, Chuanyi, tell General Manager Yang and everyone else how you plan to take Dangtu?"

"Yes." Liu Chuanyi immediately stood up and said.

"Let me make it clear first, this is not my idea. This is what the Marshal told me. In fact, as early as last year when we just captured Hezhou City, the Marshal climbed up the city wall to see Dangtu on the other side. At that time, the Marshal discovered that Dangtu had a fatal flaw, but the Marshal was afraid of leaking it, so he kept it to himself for half a year."

"What fatal weakness? I have been stationed in Hezhou for more than half a year, and I often look at the opposite bank. Can I see Dangtu City on the opposite bank from the top of Hezhou City?" Yang Jing asked doubtfully.

Liu Chuanyi immediately said, "The Marshal has a pair of high-powered telescopes."

"."

Well, Yang Jing was so confused that he almost forgot about this. Now the entire Shengwu Army has only two pairs of telescopes, the ten-fold binocular one is with Liao Yongjian, and the 75-fold monocular one is with Lu Jin. In fact, Yang Jing borrowed the ten-fold one from Liao Yongjian to look at it, but he couldn't see it clearly, mainly because he couldn't see the details, and it might also be because he didn't find the right angle.

"You go on."

"Yes, the Marshal discovered last year that the moat at the south gate of Dangtu was too wide, more than thirty feet wide, which was enough for the tower ships to enter and exit at will. In addition, the Dangtu city wall was only two feet high and was almost built on the water. This created a flaw. Our tower ships could sail directly to the side of the city wall, put a wooden board on the wall from the third deck, and the soldiers could continuously climb up the wall, and the city would be breached. How about it, simple, right?

"The commander was worried that the enemy on the other side would find out in advance and tear down the southern wall and move inward. They didn't need to move too far, just twenty steps inward. It would be difficult to put the wooden planks on the boats directly on top of the city wall, and then this method would be useless. That's why he didn't tell anyone for half a year."

"."

Holy shit, everyone was stunned. Is it so easy to attack Dangtu?
Everyone looked at Lu Jin with admiration again. What a guy, he figured out the way to break the city at a glance half a year ago, but he was able to hold back until now and not tell anyone else. He is worthy of being their lord!
(End of this chapter)