Yongli Ming Dynasty

Chapter 219 Broken City
In the morning, outside the city of Zhao'an, there was a loud roar of artillery fire, and the huge roar resounded throughout the fields.
A few miles from the city wall, more than twenty three-meter-long cannons suddenly spewed out yellow flames like giant beasts. Every time they fired, the surrounding ground trembled faintly.
Iron bullets weighing more than ten kilograms flew out, and more than ten iron bullets smashed onto the city wall. Smoke and dust suddenly rose up on the Zhao'an city wall, and the entire city wall trembled, as if it would collapse at any time.

More than a dozen iron bombs had just been fired, but then there was a huge cannon fire, and ten iron bombs hit the top of the city again with low wind pressure.

At this time, the tower on the Zhao'an city had already turned into a ruin. All the soldiers were terrified and lay on the ground on the city wall. No one dared to stand up.
On December 23, no matter how much compromise and struggle there was within the Macau, the Macau ship finally arrived outside Chaozhou City on time with 30 cannons.
After these artillery pieces arrived in Chaozhou, they were transported directly to the city of Zhao'an without any stop. After these thirty artillery pieces arrived, the Ming army finally began to formally attack the city.

In order to meet the requirements of the Ming court, the Portuguese in Haojing almost dismantled all the guns on the few remaining merchant ships in Haojing, and only then could they gather these thirty guns. Together with the three guns previously purchased from the gun factory, there are now thirty-three heavy guns weighing more than 3,000 kilograms under Zhao'an City.
After Li Mingzhong got the artillery, he placed five cannons on the north and south sides of Zhao'an, aiming them directly at the city gates. The remaining 23 cannons were all concentrated on the west city, and began to bombard the city walls day and night.
After two days of bombardment, large pieces of bricks on the west city wall were broken, revealing the yellow mud rammed earth underneath. The entire wall was on the verge of collapse.
The Ming army attacked the west, surrounded the north and south, and left only the east gate as an exit. The Ming army did not surround the east gate but it did not mean to let the Qing army escape.
There are continuous hills to the east of Zhao'an City, and the passage to the east has been cut off by the Ming army. If the Qing army in the city escapes from the east gate, they can only enter the rugged mountains to the east.
As long as the majority of the Qing army dispersed into the mountains, the Ming army could follow them and kill them, and the Qing army would collapse in an instant.

The Qing troops in the city also knew that if they fled eastward at this time, they would lose all their troops. Therefore, even though Bolo and others knew that Zhao'an City was extremely dangerous at this time, they still stayed in the city and waited for the army from Zhangzhou to come to help and open a passage for retreat to the east.
The cannons below the city fired two more rounds, but the sound suddenly stopped, and then several Ming cavalrymen suddenly rushed out from the formation and rushed towards the city of Zhao'an.
As the cavalry rushed towards Zhao'an, there was another movement in the Ming army formation behind them. A Ming army of more than 5,000 people, pulling five heavy cannons with mules, crossed to the east and completely surrounded the east gate of Zhao'an.
"Listen, Tartars on the city walls. The Tartar troops under Changtai City have been annihilated by the imperial army. You have no more reinforcements. If you want to survive, quickly leave the city and surrender."

"This is the head of Tulai, the chief general of the Changtai Tartars. He tried to resist our Ming Dynasty soldiers, but was annihilated by the imperial court. If anyone in the city continues to resist, this will be his fate."

The cavalry tied a gray-haired head to a wax spear and swung it back and forth under the city. When the people on the city heard the shouting, several of them immediately looked out to see what was happening.
After Shi Lang captured Zhangzhou, he immediately led 6,000 men to Changtai. When Shi Lang arrived at Changtai, the Qing army under the city of Changtai was not prepared at all.

The Qing army in Changtai, as usual, lined up at the foot of Changtai City to attack the city, hoping to force the Ming army in the city to surrender as soon as possible.

After Shi Lang arrived, he took advantage of the Qing army's siege and led his troops to attack the Qing army's rear.

The Qing army attacking the city was in chaos. Zhang Kentang, Zheng Chenggong and others in the city saw Shi Lang's flag and immediately opened the gate and left the city. Under the attack from both sides, the Qing army was defeated.
The two sides did not give the Qing government any chance and drove their defeated soldiers straight into the Qing army camp. The Ming army on both sides had a total of 20,000 soldiers and rushed into the Qing army camp, which had only 5,000 soldiers left. The Qing army camp also collapsed at the same time.

In the Battle of Changtai, Shi Lang, Zhang Kentang and other Ming troops killed 3,000 enemies and captured 8,000. Tulai was also killed in the camp by Ru Yingyuan, a general under Zhang Kentang. After this battle, the Qing troops under Changtai were wiped out by the Ming army.

Under the city of Zhao'an, the Ming cavalrymen raised their heads and shouted loudly for several times. At this time, the Qing army on the top of the city seemed to finally be unable to bear it, and a rain of arrows suddenly shot towards the city.
Seeing the Tartars on the city wall getting angry and humiliated, the Ming army cavalry said no more. They threw several seals and flags under the city wall, and then raised the gray head and headed towards the rear army again.
After the Ming army cavalry evacuated, a hanging basket immediately dropped from the top of Zhao'an City. A Manchu soldier jumped out of the basket, picked up the seals, flags and drums on the ground, and then immediately returned to the city.

On the top of Zhao'an City, Durd looked at the gold and bronze seals and the blood-stained military flags, and his expression suddenly changed. Durd could no longer care about anything else, and grabbed the flags and hurriedly ran into the city.
In the lobby of Zhao'an County Government, Bo Luo's eyes were full of bloodshot. He looked at the Baiyintu below and said in a hoarse voice:

"Has there been any news from Zhangzhou today? Has any messenger returned?"

Baiyintu had a gloomy expression on his face, but he didn't say anything, just shook his head.

Bolo could no longer bear it and suddenly started to curse.
"It's been five days. What on earth are they doing in Zhangzhou? The reinforcements haven't arrived yet, and they don't even know to send a messenger back first?"

Bolo looked irritable. They had been besieged in the city for five days. In the past two days, the Ming army had been bombarding Zhao'an with artillery day and night. Although the Ming army had not yet attacked the city, the soldiers in the city were already worried and uneasy just by hearing the continuous and terrifying artillery fire every day.

Bolo cursed loudly, venting his anger, but Durd looked frightened and suddenly rushed into the hall with the broken flags.

Durd entered the hall, not even bothering to salute, and looked at Bolo above, and said

"Beile, the Ming army just came to the city and announced that Changtai was defeated and General Tulai was killed by the Ming army."

Bolo was stunned for a moment when he heard what Durd said, but then his face was furious. He stood up from his chair and shouted
"impossible"

But at this time, no one in the hall cared about Bolo's anger. Baiyintu Eshei stepped forward and took a quick look. He immediately confirmed that the seals and flags were from Tulai's army.
If the Ming army could get these things, even if the Qing army under Changtai City was not completely annihilated, it would have been defeated.

When Baiyintu and the others thought of this, their faces turned pale, and they finally became completely terrified.
The Qing army in Changtai was defeated. The Qing government had no more troops available in Fujian Province, which meant that no one would come to rescue them.

The Ming army laid siege to the city and brought in artillery to bombard it day and night, clearly intending to put them to death.
Zhao'an City was definitely undefendable. Given the Ming people's attitude towards the Jurchens, once the city was breached, they would have no chance of survival.

When Baiyintu thought of this, his heart trembled and he immediately said

"Beile, now that the reinforcements have been cut off, Zhao'an is an isolated city. If you stay here, you will die. Let's retreat quickly."

"Don't I know we have to retreat? If we could leave, we would have left long ago. Now the Ming army is surrounding us. Tell me how to retreat now," Bolo said angrily.

Bai Yintu heard this and his face turned fierce, but he said

"Using the army in the city as bait, we will leave the city in secret with light equipment and evacuate immediately from the eastern mountains."

"Beile, if we stay in the city, everyone will die. In this case, why not let the army in the city cover our escape? This is the only way now." Several people in the hall looked at Bai Yintu with a fierce look, and their faces were full of astonishment. They naturally understood what Bai Yintu meant. Although the Ming army surrounded the city, if only a few of them quietly left the city, the Ming army would definitely not be able to find them under the cover of night.
The so-called blocking of the passage was nothing more than blocking the path of the army. The mountains to the east were long and ridged. Could the Ming army still spread its troops among the mountains and chase them?
Baiyintu's method certainly has a great chance of escaping, but the problem is that there are not only more than 7,000 Han soldiers in the city, but also 3,000 to 4,000 Jurchen soldiers. Are they going to abandon even these Jurchen soldiers as bait?

Baiyintu looked at everyone with an expressionless face. Baiyintu's surname was Aixinjueluo. If he fell into the hands of the Ming army, with the hatred of the Ming people towards their Qing Dynasty, Baiyintu would surely die.

Although he might be executed if he fled back to the Qing court, he was still a member of the royal family after all. Moreover, he was not the main general this time. As long as he could escape from here, he would be able to save his life with various strategies.
Now Baiyintu just wants to save his life. Whether it is Han soldiers or Jurchens, compared with his life, these people are nothing.

Before the Qing Dynasty entered the Pass, these Jurchen people were also their bondservants. It was only natural for slaves to die for their masters. What was there to hesitate about?

When Bai Yintu finished speaking, everyone in the room was shocked. But after a while, no one in the room refuted him. They just stood there with different expressions.
Bolo saw the expressions of the people in the hall, and his face was also uncertain. He remained silent for a long time.
The Qing court always liked to boast about bravery and also liked to tell the Han people that the Jurchen soldiers were fearless and brave, while the Han people were greedy for life and afraid of death, so the Jurchens could dominate the world.
But it's all talk. When the crisis comes, no matter whether it's the Han or the Jurchen, no one is afraid of death. This is especially true for upper-class nobles like Borobaiyintu who control a lot of wealth.

Who would be willing to see these people who had entered the Central Plains and were given so much land and wealth, but had no time to enjoy it, and were about to die in battle here?

Bolo remained silent, and the hall fell into a strange silence after Baiyintu proposed evacuation.

However, before Bolo could make a decision, there was a loud noise outside the hall. Before Bolo and his men could send someone to investigate, a personal soldier had already rushed into the hall.
"Baile, the wall of the west city has collapsed"

Everyone in the hall was shocked when they heard this. The Ming army outside the city was several times theirs, and they had countless artillery. If they lost the city wall, how could they fight against the Ming army?

Baiyintu's face was filled with fear, and his heart suddenly tightened. He was about to go and persuade them again. Even the city wall was gone. If he didn't leave now, when would he leave?
But before Baiyintu could say anything, Bolo above him spoke.

"No need to say more, follow me to block the gap first. Now the Ming court is surrounding the city from all sides and no one can escape."

"Defend the city first. If, if it is really impossible, then withdraw at night."

When the people below heard what Bolo said, their expressions relaxed, and they knew that Bolo had already decided to evacuate.

Now the Ming army is surrounding the city on all sides. If they flee immediately, they will definitely be discovered by the Ming army. However, if they pretend to defend the city to the death and wait until the Ming army relaxes at night, their chances of escaping will be greatly increased.
The people in the hall tacitly agreed to evacuate, and then without any hesitation, they all stood up, put on their armor, and led their soldiers to the west city.
In the west city of Zhao'an, the city walls were filled with deafening shouts of killing.

A gap of 30 to 40 meters had been blasted out on the western wall. A 4 to 5 meter high wall had collapsed, leaving a large hole. Only a section of the wall about a meter high remained below. One could enter the city with just a light jump.

At this time, the Ming soldiers held shields and kept jumping over the gaps and rushing into the city, while the Qing soldiers in the city blocked the gaps with shield carts and kept killing the Ming soldiers who tried to rush into the city.

Soldiers on both sides started fighting, and the gap in the city wall instantly became extremely bloody.

When Bolo's men arrived, the Green Camp Han soldiers at the gap in the city wall had already begun to scatter, with only dozens of Jurchen soldiers still standing in the front.
But as Bolo and others led the Jurchen guards to the scene, the Ming army at the gap gradually fell into a disadvantage. The Jurchens had always been given priority in the Qing army. At this time, almost all of these Jurchen soldiers were wearing armor.

A group of armored soldiers rushed forward, while the Jurchen soldiers in the back drew their bows and arrows, and heavy conical arrows whizzed out one after another.
Although the Ming army soldiers who were attacking the city were all wearing armor, they were still constantly shot by heavy arrows. The Ming army that had already entered the gap was now retreating again and again and was constantly forced out of the gap.
The Ming army outside the city saw the large number of Qing troops rushing in and found that they could not enter the city for the time being, so the rear formation sounded the sound of the gong, and the Ming army at the gap also slowly retreated.

When Bolo saw the Ming army retreat, he also stood by the gap and immediately made arrangements. Seven or eight knife carts were pushed to the gap. On the knife carts, rows of cold knife tips shone with a chilling light.

After blocking the gap with the knife cart, Bolo deployed archers on the top of the city wall and on both sides of the gap. As soon as the Ming army rushed to the gap in the city wall, they would immediately be attacked by a rain of arrows from all directions.
At the same time, hundreds of Han soldiers continued to carry sandbags and pile them on the gap to strengthen the defense line at the gap.
The Qing army was constantly moving, and the Ming army outside the city had also reorganized. Rows of armored Ming soldiers held up shields and formed arrays outside the city wall again. Bolo stood beside a shield cart, looking at the Ming army outside the gap, waiting for the Ming army to attack.
But at this time, the Ming army suddenly dispersed, and then more than 20 artillery carts with huge banners and wheels were pushed out of the formation. Before the Qing army in the gap could react, the artillery in the Ming army had already roared.
After the Ming army blasted down the city wall, the attacking Ming army had already advanced to a hundred meters away from the gap. Dozens of iron bullets weighing more than a pound instantly crossed the hundred-meter distance and smashed into the gap.
The knife and shield carts that were originally deployed at the gap in the city wall suddenly shattered, and the tips of the wooden spikes flew everywhere like steel needles. The Qing army near the gap fell down immediately, and the shrill screams instantly resounded through the top of the city wall.
The splinters of wood whizzed past, and Bolo's expression changed drastically. He fled to the back without saying a word, but before he could move, an iron bullet had already hit him.
咚咔
The pitch-black iron bullet whizzed past, and Bolo's body was thrown into the air in an instant. In mid-air, a cloud of blood mist exploded from Bolo's waist and abdomen. Bolo's body flew more than ten meters away, and then fell heavily to the ground.

Bolo's eyes were wide open, the look of fear on his face was frozen, and bright red blood kept pouring out like a spring, instantly dyeing the ground beneath him red. Bolo's body just twitched slightly on the ground twice, and then there was no movement.

The great Duoluo Beile of the Qing Dynasty, the future third prince of the Qing Dynasty, Bolo, died before he could have a glorious future, and died under the city of Zhao'an, an unknown person.

With the death of Bolo, the Qing army in the city, both Manchu and Han, finally collapsed completely.

Under the bombardment of artillery, everyone fled madly towards the city. The Ming army in the front occupied the gap, and countless Ming troops in the back poured into the city. Soon, the city of Zhao'an was filled with deafening shouts of killing.

Baiyintu and his men led hundreds of cavalrymen to open the east gate and fled in a hurry. However, they were intercepted by Liu Qijiao, Yang Yandi and other cavalrymen who had been waiting outside the city just after they left the city gate. Hundreds of Jurchen soldiers were hacked to death, and Baiyintu, Eshehei and his men were captured.

The battle of Zhao'an started at noon and ended at dusk. Under the stranglehold of the Ming army inside and outside, by dusk, there was no living person on the streets of Zhao'an except the Ming army.

In this battle, the Ming army killed 3,000 people and captured 7,000 people. All the high-ranking Qing army officers were either killed or captured by the Ming army.
In the evening, as the bloody sunset shone, a dark red flag of the Ming army rose above the city wall of Zhao'an. This city, which had been in confrontation between the Ming and Qing dynasties for half a month, was finally completely occupied by the Ming army.
As the war ended, the Qing Dynasty's main forces in Fujian Province were completely destroyed, and all available troops were wiped out by the Ming army.
(End of this chapter)