Picturesque Rivers and Mountains in the Red Chamber

Chapter 264 4.60 Fight with one punch to avoid hundreds of punches
Volume Four

4.60 Hit with one punch to avoid hundreds of punches.
In the early morning of the next day, as the entire army of Daye Qianhu Institute was dispatched and marched to Yejiapu on a large scale, it caused a huge shock along the way, especially the neat ranks, the sophisticated equipment that was obviously different from the norm, and the extraordinary equipment that was beyond the era. His military appearance shocked everyone who saw him.

The only embarrassing thing is that most of this army of more than 500 people does not have military uniforms. Although they all use uniform double-layer leather armor, armed belts, marching backpacks and even standard iron helmets, the clothes on their bodies are diverse; Fortunately, the leading officers are all formal court uniforms, so that people know that this is an official army.

At the front of the queue are two spearmen from hundreds of households and two arquebus gunners from hundreds of households. They all seem to be well-trained; the most shocking thing is the three infantry cannons that follow the infantry formation. Throughout the feudal era, any The public deployment of artillery is basically a major event that breaks the sky. No wonder outsiders are shocked.

In addition to the Japanese-shaped buckle straps on both ribs, the front and rear two-piece leather armor, and the weapon, the matchlock shooter also wears two horizontal and two vertical one-piece leather armed belts. The horizontal belt around the waist has additional hanging points, and leather ammunition on the right side. The bag is a hard-shell structure with embedded iron sheets. It contains two rows of [-] fixed paper-cased ammunition. The miscellaneous packaging behind the ammunition bag contains tools such as match ropes and fire breakers. On the left side are two leather cartridges, respectively. Iron sand and gunpowder; an additional short knife on the right back waist for self-defense.

There is a canvas bag on the left back waist, which contains special leather paper, molds, glue, knives and other tools for making customized paper shells between battles; on the back is a canvas tactical backpack, which contains three days of supplies - fried noodles and dried salted fish. , there are also bandages, gold sore medicine, cowhide water bottles, iron lunch boxes and other daily necessities as well as a small amount of clothes; bedding is fixed on the top of the backpack, which is naturally used for camping.

The spearman does not have those pendants, but the backpack is the same, and there is a short knife on the left waist for self-defense and daily use. Although the three infantry cannons are few, they are powerful. Not to mention that the equipment is the same as the spearman, but the waist is the same. The artillery of the Yanling knife, just the black muzzle, is enough to make anyone dare not underestimate it.

Behind the marching column, there are more than a dozen light carriages loaded with various logistics materials, such as tents, food, and even spare ammunition; There is an ancient saying that goes before troops and horses move to feed and feed."

On the contrary, there are two "cavalrymen" with small flags, who are equipped with the same equipment as spearmen, but with sabers as weapons, but only "fast horses" under their crotch. He personally led him and walked at the front of the queue. On his left and right were the Zhao sisters dressed as ordinary cavalrymen, but they wore their usual swords on their waists.

In addition, in the middle of the backpacks of all the above-mentioned personnel, there is a field tool hanging on the back, such as engineering shovel, engineering pick, long-handled one-handed axe, etc. The purpose is self-evident, but Zhou Yang designed it according to the same style of the modern army. It's just that the standards have been lowered during the construction process. For example, the engineer shovel is just a short small shovel. There is no way, it is at this level these days, and it is useless to think too much.

"Brother Zhou, it seems we don't need to do this." Even though it was just dawn and he was already less than three miles away from Yejiabao, Zhao Qiying still tried to persuade Zhou Yang to give up, "The Ye family is the first family in Daye after all. This If we fail to win this time, of course nothing will matter; even if we win, I'm afraid it won't matter."

"A bunch of bullshit from above is inevitable." Zhou Yang said with a smile, "Actually, if it's just a little business conflict, I won't take it seriously at all. Although Liu Cheng is a little timid, he can sit still. The shopkeeper of the branch of the shop has been in charge for many years, and he still has some ability, at least the method he came up with to deal with the aftermath is a safe plan."

"Brother-in-law, since you know this, why do you still do this?" Zhao Yanling asked puzzledly, "What's more, at this time, the Ye family is probably already well prepared. Their clan number alone already exceeds a thousand. If the Ye family fort continues again, Coupled with the surrounding controlled villages, it is easy to gather thousands of young and strong village warriors, and it is difficult to say what the outcome will be in a real fight."

"Because the Ye family's actions this time are actually not a simple business dispute, but a test of us by the local forces in Daye." Zhou Yang said with a sneer, "People who have been officials since ancient times have always had the idea of ​​'one term as an official, "Benefit one party" rule, but don't forget another sentence, that is, "Being an official for thousands of miles is only for wealth."

If I came here to serve as a member of a thousand households and get some money by the way, the local forces wouldn't say anything, because this is the traditional rule; but I just brought the "Xue" name here, and not long after I arrived, Opening up business directly is still the most profitable iron and iron ore business in Daye. This is obviously a bit offending. "

"That's right!" Zhao Qiying understood now, but then came new doubts, "Brother Zhou, if he knows this, why do you still do it?"

"Because the iron ore here is really attractive, and the rice in Huguang is too important to anyone with ideas." Zhou Yang said lightly, "I dare not say that I control this place, because I don't have the ability now, but I can At least open the door and let people know that they are not to be trifled with or even to be trifled with. As the saying goes, 'If you hit someone with one punch, you will avoid hundreds of punches'.

Therefore, they are just a bunch of rural rabble, but I deployed my troops in a full-scale war posture, just to show those people what would happen if they messed with me.

This is actually a test. If a semi-firearms army that has been rigorously trained for more than a month and whose weapons and equipment are two levels higher can't defeat even twice the number of rural warriors, then don't talk about the future and just be honest. Go to sleep! "

"Brother-in-law, even if you really solve the problem of the Ye family, I'm afraid there will be trouble in the court affairs, right?" Zhao Yanling said worriedly. "Hmph, I've given so many benefits to the martial arts families in the capital. Is it possible that they just got it in vain?" Zhou Yang sneered and said, "This is the advantage of having people above. As long as the reason is decent, there will be someone to help make it perfect; Then again, even if they don't speak, I will only be lifted up high and put down gently in the end, because the Ye family is a rich family!
There is a characteristic in all dynasties, that is, the struggle for power between the court and the local government, and the relationship between the two sides is 'either/or'. Governments at any level will not like the Ye family, who are sitting on the ground and do not move. But it's just because I'm not sure. If I can solve it, the people above will definitely not be disgusted, but they can't show it! "

"Is there such a truth?" The Zhao sisters were all shocked and subconsciously looked around. Fortunately, the three of them were at the front of the queue, and the cavalry behind them were all five steps away. There was no need to worry about what would be spread, "Brother-in-law, Ye The family is not just a few leaders, but also has thousands of clan members? Are they..."

"In an avalanche, no snowflake is innocent." Zhou Yang has never been interested in distinguishing between those who have and those who have not. The army is only for victory. Discipline is something that can only be discussed after winning. On the battlefield, there are only ourselves and the enemy, nothing else. "They have enjoyed the blessings brought by the Ye family for generations, not to mention being affected at critical moments!"

As time goes by, Yejiabao has slowly come into view. It is worthy of its name. It is really a large village. It is surrounded by high walls two feet away. Not to mention, it should be the back door. The north entrance of the village has been arranged to resist horses and dug trenches. Except for the lack of a moat, the entire village has other defensive facilities.

"Sir, the Ye family has received the news." Zhao Tong, the spearman behind him, came on horseback and pointed at Yejiabao and said, "Looking from the gate, it is obvious that young people are being organized inside, and there are a lot of them. Although there are no decent weapons, I can still get together a spear, a broadsword, and luckily I don’t have any armor. No wonder no one dared to mess with him before.”

"Brother Zhou, the one in the middle who has been commanding is the eldest son of the head of the Ye family. His name is..." Zhao Qiying added seriously.

"It's not important, let them go." Zhou Yang's expression was cold, "Send the order, all personnel should stop and rest and replenish on the spot. They are allowed to eat dry food and drink water, but they are not allowed to remove their armor; all matchlock gunners are required to reload, and the medicine tank should not be used for the time being. There is no need to ignite the gunpowder; the artillery immediately unloads it, loads the ammunition and fuse, and pushes it to the front to guard, ready to fire at any time!"

"My lord, why don't you make a surprise attack now?" Zhao Tong asked inexplicably, "As the saying goes, the speed of soldiers is precious, and the Ye family is obviously not ready. They dispersed, and the cavalry and spearmen took the opportunity to cover them up, maybe"

"Just to get them ready - Dongjie (Yuan Xiu, Hundred Houses of Artillery), fire a round to urge them, they are moving too slowly." Zhou Yang was no more than a hundred steps away from the gate of Yejiabao at this time, but he still He was generous and allowed his men to rest and eat, because the other side was too nervous, "What happened today was originally a practical exercise arranged by me.

Look at these mobs, there are no less than two hundred people piled inside the gate, but they are completely in a mess. Coupled with the reinforcements that keep coming, I am afraid that it will not be possible without two incense sticks of effort; we We won't be the only enemies we face in the future. It would be perfect to target them and train our men's battlefield response capabilities. "

"This -" Zhao Tong said worriedly, "If there is any mistake, wouldn't we suffer heavy losses?"

"I'm not short of this little money. Anyway, I'm just pretending to be my grandson for a year and a half and recruiting another batch." Zhou Yang's two words made Zhao Tong shiver all over, "Okay, Dongjie's side The preparations are finally completed. None of the artillerymen have ever fired live ammunition. They only rely on the three instructors I found. It is not bad to be able to achieve such speed."

"That's fine, I think these shells will make them more honest." Zhao Tong nodded helplessly.

"Bang bang bang—" The three iron eggs roared and flew towards Yejiabao. They all missed and hit the outer wall, but they also caused huge panic to the other side. The team that was not well organized in the first place became even more chaotic. .

"Oh?" Zhou Yang's heart moved, and he remembered the "pre-war firepower preparation" that is indispensable in modern warfare, and immediately shouted to the artillery position, "Keep fighting, when will I stop shouting, and when will I talk!"

The sound of cannons sounded intermittently in a series, and the frequency of roughly thirty breaths per round was considered adequate. The occasional iron bullets that hit the door made the already chaotic situation inside even more terrible, until it took more than one stick of incense. , amidst the chaotic noise on the road to the west of Yejiabao, enemy reinforcements are not far away!
"Watch the team—get ready for battle!"

(End of this chapter)