Autumn of the 17th year of Chongzhen

Chapter 206
Let’s say that after Wang Yan left Yuezhou, Zhang Kuang summoned the generals to advise on the strategy of defending the city, and Wang Jiyan, the commander of the Houying battalion, said, "The enemy is strong and we are weak. There is no one else, but to fight to the death."

Zhang Kuang made a strong statement that he built a wooden official in the city and placed it on the tower. He also moved his office to the city and stayed on the tower day and night to show his determination to live and die with Yuezhou.

Before the southern bandits of the Qing soldiers, Ma Jinzhong, Wang Yuncai, Lu Ding, and Wang Jincai, who had tens of thousands of troops, fled after hearing the news. Ma Jiaolin, the deputy general of Yuezhou who stayed in the city, had no intention of resisting, but sold Yuezhou City to The Qing army was defeated, and the people of Yuezhou were bullied.

The common people were forced to shave their hair, and their property was also taken by the Qing soldiers. Even their wives and daughters were humiliated and threw themselves into wells. The Ming army didn't like it either.

Since the rise of the Liao incident, the imperial court has imposed heavy taxes on the people. The Ming Dynasty did not have much popular support. As soon as the Qing army approached, the officers and soldiers ran away. What are the people fighting for?
At first, the people of Yuezhou were not enthusiastic about the Ming army's defense of the city, because the people didn't know when the officers and soldiers would suddenly run away and they would stay in the city, but this time the actions of the officers and soldiers seemed to be different from before.

First of all, the military discipline of Wang Yanzhi's army is very good. Since the restoration of Yuezhou, they have never disturbed the people. The uniqueness of this Ming army saved a bit of people's hearts for the official army.

Zhang Kuang is an upright and incorruptible official. He has a great reputation in Chu. He is the third in command after He Tengjiao and Du Yinxi. Seeing the government's attitude towards Yuezhou, he will never give up.

When the people of Yuezhou saw him, they ran around the city every day. When they knew that the officers and soldiers were really going to defend Yuezhou this time, the people couldn't help being moved. The big gentry also made donations.

The people in Yuezhou City actively participated in the defense.

Seeing this, Zhang Kuang breathed a sigh of relief. Wang Yan only gave him [-] soldiers to defend the city. Now that he has the support of the soldiers and the people, he is slightly relieved.

At this time, he ordered the people outside the city to cross the Xinqiang River to the south to avoid the disaster of war. On the other hand, he summoned [-] strong people from inside and outside the city, distributed weapons, strengthened the city defense, and prepared sand and stone to block the four gates.

This was originally Zu Kefa's idea, but when he used it, the city immediately mutinied, and when Zhang Kuang used it, it boosted the morale of the soldiers and civilians in the city.

Why is there such a difference?Probably because of the aspiration of the people!

The people in Yuezhou City have just cut off their braids. When the Qing soldiers came, they would be killed. They saw Zhang Taifu, carrying the coffin to guard the city, and blocked the city gate. They all saw the determination of the Ming army, so the people naturally support.

After the adaptation of Houyongying's braid-cutting, the officers were almost changed, and those who refused to accept the discipline were all sent to prison. Wang Ji and Xie Kuang had almost completely grasped the command.

Although the combat power of 1 people is definitely not enough, it shouldn't be a big problem to defend the city.

At this time, Yuezhou City, following Zhang Kuang's actions, will become stronger every day. As long as a little more time is given, it will become a strong city that can smash the Qing soldiers into sand.

But it is said that Wang Yan led the troops to Wuchang. It is expected that Tong Yanghe had already asked for help from Le Ke Dehun, and then ordered the whole army to stop. After Ke Dehun returned to Wuchang, he could return to Yuezhou and defend the city with Zhang Kuang.

Man Dazhuang gladly accepted the order, and continued to sail eastward with the fleet, while Wang Yan abandoned the ship and landed, lurking day and night, and heading west.

As the saying goes, the Yangtze River is thousands of miles away, and the danger is in Jingjiang. It refers to the section of the river from Jingzhou to Jiujiang, which has nine bends and ten bends.

At that time, the north bank of the Yangtze River was already in the hands of the Qing court. Wang Yan was afraid of being discovered by the Qing army, so he followed along the curved river bank.

At this time, the army marched to the border of Jiangling, which was only a hundred miles away from Jingzhou. Wang Yanzheng wanted to take advantage of the fact that the Qing army did not notice, and went straight to the bottom of the city and entered the city of Jingzhou. Thousands of Qing soldiers are heading down the river, as if they are going to attack Yuezhou.

When Wang Yan heard this, he couldn't help but turn pale with fright. He was thinking of attacking Jingzhou, but Luck Dehun was thinking of attacking Yuezhou.

This Qing soldier was really cunning. If he really led his army to attack Wuchang and was flanked by him, it would definitely be another big defeat.

At this time, Wang Yan couldn't help but feel lucky. Fortunately, he was cautious, and when he was marching, he went ten miles ahead of the horse to let him know the news of the Qing soldiers. Otherwise, he would meet suddenly. With more than 7000 horses, he might not be able to beat the oncoming one. Tens of thousands of Qing soldiers.

Now Wang Yan discovered the traces of the Qing soldiers first, but gave him time to prepare, so that he would not rush to face the battle, and he could also discuss the strategy with the generals.

At this time, he first asked the sentry cavalry to continue to investigate, to find out the number of troops, which troops it was, and whether there were any elites of the Eight Banners. He ordered the army to hide in the dense forest, and then unfolded the map to discuss with the generals.

Dai Zhifan looked at the map for a moment, then frowned and said, "My lord, this place is too close to Jingzhou. Once there is a fight, the defenders of Jingzhou must be aware of it. The general thinks that it is better to let them pass."

After hearing this, Wang Yan thought for a while, but shook his head and said: "Our army's strength in Yuezhou City is too small. Originally, we wanted to drag the main force of the Qing army to Wuchang with a feint shot, and buy a few more days for Yuezhou to prepare. If the governor let this army go, and it goes down the river, it can reach Yuezhou in two days, Zhang Taifu may not be able to fight. If the city of Yuezhou is destroyed, then the governor will take down Jingzhou and lose Yuezhou. The Qing army can Calmly crossing the river to support Changde, the governor's previous plan will completely fail, and will even be blocked in the Jingzhou area of ​​Changde, instead blocking the passage to the south, and being trapped in northern Hunan and western Hubei."

The generals were silent for a while, and Dai Zhifan said: "Then the only option is to fight."

Wang Yan nodded, "Wait until the Sentinel finds out the situation of this Qing army, the governor is planning a strategy with you. Anyway, this time the enemy is in the open and I am in the dark. As long as the plan is right, he can be killed Caught off guard."

Not long after, the sentry cavalry sent by Wang Yan rushed back and came to see him, "I am reporting to the Duke, the enemy in front is eight miles away from here, and the banner is Geng Zhongming, King Huaishun of the Qing court. There are more than a thousand people, and there are more than 3 green battalion soldiers, totaling about [-] horses."

Wang Yan's army came along the river, leaving many traces along the way. As an old man and thief, Geng Zhongming had been killed for a long time, and it was easy to find traces of the Ming army once he passed by.

At that time, the advantage of the enemy being clear and us being dark will disappear, and Geng Zhongming may use his tricks to lure him to rob the camp at night, and then set up an ambush to wait for him to enter the urn. Time was running out, and he didn't have much choice.

(End of this chapter)