Free Web NovelChapter 600: 685 Firepower Overwhelming (Two-in-One Chapter)
North of Birchwood City lies the natural barrier of the Hei River, a vital military stronghold downstream, serving as a "bridge" for the Song Army’s entry into Jizhou. If the Song Army wishes to advance into Jizhou by land, taking Birchwood City is imperative for subsequent reinforcements to pour into Jizhou unstoppably.
Otherwise, they would have to rely on river routes to cross the river into Jizhou. However, if Jizhou defends its banks with archers, the Song Army would find it impossible to disembark, making Birchwood City a place of inevitable military contention.
After instructing Ma Yuanyi, Zhang Jiao ordered his subordinates, "The Song Army comes with ferocious momentum. Although the commander is not Prince Zhen Nan, it is the Princess who has held Hulao Pass for over a decade. She has fought countless battles with few defeats, boasting battlefield experience surpassing even that of Prince Zhen Nan, and should not be underestimated.
Our forces should also guard Jiaoshan, Jin Mountain, and Chong Mountain. Once Yuanyi takes Birchwood City, if the Song Army attacks, we can support them with horns of assistance and act according to opportunities."
North of Birchwood City is the treacherous Hei River, while the famous Birchwood Three Mountains lie on the southern bank. These three mountains are perilously situated by the water, making them ideal for holding defense until reinforcements arrive and enabling the Rebel Army to flank the Song Army as they attack Birchwood City.
Zhang Jiao assigned his main generals to these three mountains.
...
In such a place, Zhao Qianyi, who has been exceptionally sensitive to military matters from a young age and skilled in warfare, knew very well. Before setting out for an expedition, she had already prepared for Jizhou.
Therefore, upon setting out, she immediately ordered Huangfu Hao to lead thirty thousand Vanguard Army, with He Qingzhou as the Deputy General, riding swiftly towards Birchwood City.
Zhao Qianyi did not entirely rely on Huangfu Hao, as she had her own contingency. At this moment, she was receiving several hundred warships of varying sizes transported from Jiangnan, instructing her men to mount Red Barbarian Cannons on those large ships.
Should Huangfu Hao fail to take Birchwood City,
they would directly cross the Hei River and forcefully land in Jizhou.
...
Huangfu Hao was still a step too late.
After all, he came from the Capital, and the direct distance was slower than from Jizhou to Birchwood City. When Huangfu Hao was still dozens of miles away from Birchwood City, he encountered the routed infantry defending Birchwood City and learned that Birchwood City had already fallen. Huangfu Hao sighed.
Nevertheless, the strategic significance of Birchwood City was too great. That night, Huangfu Hao still organized a strong assault.
Thirty thousand Light Cavalry set out, and the flames illuminated the entire outskirts of Birchwood City.
Makeshift siege ladders were set against the city walls, and arrows rained down from the battlements. The Vanguard Army under Huangfu Hao, shields raised and bodies bent, climbed up the ladders like a line of ants. Behind them, archers strove to shoot against the Yellow Turban Army on the walls, desperately covering their siege efforts.
At this moment, the contrast between regular and irregular troops became apparent. The Yellow Turban Army’s archers’ arrows mostly failed to penetrate the Imperial Guard’s defense, whereas the Imperial Guard’s arrows could pierce through the bodies of the Yellow Turban Bandits.
Just as the Song Army was about to climb the city walls,
Huangfu Hao received a report from his personal soldiers: "Our army’s flanks are under attack by the Ant Bandits, they are charging fiercely."
Huangfu Hao understood immediately; it was surely from the three mountains south of Birchwood City. It seemed the enemy was well prepared, just waiting for them.
Unfortunately, they came with Light Cavalry and did not bring heavy siege equipment. If they had a dozen Red Barbarian Cannons, they could have forcefully taken Birchwood City.
But now, they could only retreat.
Fortunately, Huangfu Hao didn’t commit all thirty thousand Imperial Guards in the assault, leaving ten thousand to cover. Seeing it was impossible to conquer, they had no choice but to cover the retreat.
The initial battle ended in success.
The news reached Zhang Jiao’s camp, boosting the morale of the Yellow Turban Army. Some chiefs began to underestimate the Song Army.
"Huangfu Hao is just so-so, initially retreated by our Rebel Army."
But Zhang Jiao was unfazed.
Little did anyone know that the Yellow Turban soldiers garrisoning Birchwood City outnumbered the opponents by ten times. Even so, they almost had the city breached. Had they not been prepared in advance, Birchwood City might have been captured by the Song Army by now. freeωebnovēl.c૦m
Moreover, according to investigations, this was merely the Vanguard Army of the Song, moving lightly.
Nonetheless, the situation favored them.
Now that they occupied Birchwood City, they had the upper hand and didn’t have to worry about a large-scale invasion of Jizhou by the Song Army.
As long as they could stall for some time, waiting for Zhang Xiu and his Five Pecks of Rice Cult to arrive, they could counterattack the Song Army. freeweɓnovel.cѳm
Zhang Jiao sent reinforcements to Ma Yuanyi and roamed large observing posts by the Hei River, wary of a Song Army crossing.
However, his men assured Zhang Jiao not to worry about this.
They said the Imperial Court’s watchdogs that came this time were Imperial Guards, landlubbers without a Navy, coming from the Capital; their posts along the way hadn’t spotted any Imperial Guard warships.
On the Jizhou side, the local army had long been in disarray, with all their warships under Rebel Army control. Even the fishing boats of the farmer’s were hidden away.
With Birchwood City now under their control, the Song Army couldn’t get past the Hei River.
Not long after, they paid dearly for this assumption.
...
A week later, night, a gentle breeze.
Near the hour of the Tiger, the observations posts on the banks of the Hei River suddenly saw a glow on the river’s surface.
The sentinel rubbed his eyes and saw shadows of uncountable boats of various sizes emerging over the vast-and-surging waves, rolling endlessly on the Hei River.
"Quickly, notify the chief, enemy attack, enemy attack!"
Upon learning of the Song Army crossing the river, the Yellow Turban leader guarding the northern bank of the Hei River immediately ordered the navy to set out.
