Daming: At the start of the showdown, Lao Zhu was stunned

Chapter 1073: The Army Attacks the City
In the autumn, the civil war in Annam fell into a stalemate. Nguyen Duo Fang was in name only and died. As for the remaining rebel forces of Le Loi, after swallowing up the southern part of Annam and wiping out most of the southern nobles, their successors began to gradually lose strength. After their sphere of influence extended into the northern part of Annam, which was the core base of Hu Qinli, they began to gradually become unable to expand.

Often, when Lan Yu had just captured a city and was waiting for the rebels to take over, Hu Jin's Dayu army would follow. Although the Ming army under Lan Yu was brave and good at fighting, they were still small in number. Hu Jin relied on the complex terrain of Annan and his soldiers who knew the terrain better, and fought with Lan Yu. For a while, Lan Yu had no way to deal with him.

The rebels could make little progress.

Zhu Su realized that the situation was difficult to change. If the Ming Dynasty continued to stand aside, Hu Jinyi might have a chance to turn things around. So he sent an urgent report to Yingtian Prefecture.

At the end of September, an imperial edict from the old Zhu of Yingtian Prefecture reached Annan, saying that the Hu family had murdered the emperor and established themselves as emperor, which was unforgivable. He ordered the three Ming armies in Lianzhou, Guizhou, and Yunnan to be commanded by Zhou Wang Zhu Su, and to go all out to destroy the Hu family and rectify the Annan government.

Anyone who assisted Hu in committing atrocities would be treated as a traitor and, according to the will of the Great Ming Emperor, would be guilty of an unforgivable crime and his entire family would be killed.

In October, King Zhu Su of Zhou, who was in Wu Qu Port, received the imperial order and, in accordance with the will of heaven and the people, led two thousand personal guards and five thousand newly arrived reinforcements out of Wu Qu and marched eastward to Thang Long City.

At the same time, Cao Guogong Li Jinglong, who had almost dealt a fatal blow to Hu Jinyi, returned to Lianzhou and led his 20,000 troops south to Annan. At the same time, Mu Ying, the Duke of Qian, who had guarded Yunnan for decades, led 10,000 troops from Yunnan and 5,000 local chieftains from Guizhou, joined Cao Guogong at the border of Annan and headed south to Thang Long City.

At the same time, the Annan volunteer army, under the imperial edict of the Ming Emperor, joined forces with the Duke of Liang, Lan Yu, and sent out 12,000 troops to ascend to Shenglong City in the north.

At the same time, Nguyen Dai Phuong's son Nguyen Hue, led the remaining 3,000 people of Nguyen Dai Phuong, received the imperial edict of the Ming Emperor, and headed east to Thang Long City under the banner of revenge for his father.

All at once, five armies advanced into Thang Long City together. Hu Jintao was horrified and sealed off the city for defense, clearing the fields and fortifying the city. He even moved more than 20,000 households of Annan people into Thang Long City, ready to fight a desperate battle with the five armies of the Ming Dynasty.

In December, the five armies gathered at the foot of Thang Long City. On the city walls, there was a sentry every five steps and a sentry every ten steps. Outside the city, it was a scorched earth. All the trees, fields, water sources, etc. were burned by the mad Hu Jinyi. Although the Ming army surrounded Hu in the city, the tens of thousands of troops could not be supplied locally.

Because of the previous heavy taxation and the strong support of the nobles who finally knew fear, Thang Long City had sufficient food and water resources, and hundreds of thousands of people gathered in the city, ready to be recruited as soldiers to defend the city at any time.

The situation was also very serious for the Ming army.

"The Annan volunteer army and General Nguyen's troops do not need to stay outside the city for long." In the military tent under Thang Long City, Zhu Su stood in front of the map in armor and made arrangements in an orderly manner.

"Hu was in a hurry, so there must be some omissions in his actions. Moreover, the people are not lambs to be slaughtered, and many people must have hidden in the mountains and forests in a hurry."

"Your two divisions' mission is to search for secret places and find all the Annan people hiding in the mountains. It is already December, and the spring plowing season will come soon."

"If no one cultivates the fields around Thang Long City, a massive famine will surely break out in Annan next autumn."

"The harm of famine is far worse than war. Calling these people back to farm can at least ensure that some of the land can produce, and fewer people will die next autumn."

Cao Yuan and Ruan Yue followed the order and went out. The two groups of people they brought were originally a motley crowd. If they were forced to stay under the city, they might be spotted by Hu Jinyi in the city and be defeated by a night attack.

At that time, it would actually slow down the progress of the Ming army's siege. Once they left, all that was left under the city would be Ming troops, which would make it easier for Zhu Su to dispatch them.

As soon as the two armies left, Zhu Su asked everyone in the tent, "Everyone, the fortress of Thang Long is high and well-fortified. How can we break into the city?"

"Do you have any good ideas in mind?"

Everyone bowed their heads and thought in silence. Although Hu Jinyi was not a good man, he used this method of hurting 10,000 enemies and 8,000 of his own to make the area outside Thang Long City barren... But it is undeniable that after his actions, Thang Long City has indeed become very solid and difficult to break through.

Even though these people were famous generals of the Ming Dynasty who had experienced hundreds of battles, they all frowned at the sight of the capital of Annan. After a long silence, Mu Ying tentatively asked, "How about pulling in artillery, using heavy artillery to blast open the city gate, and then break into the city?"

"It's difficult." It was Li Wenzhong who said no. He shook his head and said, "Although the cannon is powerful, it is not omnipotent."

"Thang Long City has plenty of troops and the terrain is rugged. Even if we mobilize heavy artillery to blast open a corner, I'm afraid Hu Jiyi will be able to quickly repair the city defenses before we enter the city. Moreover, the terrain in Annan is difficult to travel on. Cannons are heavy. How many civilians will it take to transport cannons that can blast open the walls of Annan?"

"The Ming Dynasty is using the name of punishing the criminals and pacifying the people. If we recruit too many people, it will be used as an excuse to harm the people of Annan."

Everyone was silent. What Li Wenzhong said was indeed reasonable. Li Jinglong thought for a moment and said, "In this case, how about using hot air balloons to drop fire bombs in the city to shock the defenders, and then take advantage of the situation to attack the city?"

Zhu Su looked at him strangely and said, "To use a hot air balloon, you need to look at the wind direction. The wind direction has been wrong these days."

"I have asked the locals, and they said we have to wait for the right wind direction, which will take until the summer next year at the earliest."

"Ah..." Li Jinglong was stunned for a moment, then retreated hesitantly. It was difficult to get supplies here, and if it was delayed until next summer, it would be too much of a financial burden on the Ming Dynasty. It seemed that hot air balloon warfare could not be considered.

"How about attacking the heart?" Li Wenzhong thought for a moment and said.

"The reason why the nobles in the city are working together with Hu Jinyi is, in the final analysis, because they realize that the Ming Dynasty must kill them as soon as possible."

"In that case, if we promise to show some leniency, they may return to our Ming Dynasty."

"This is the last resort. But I won't consider it now." Zhu Su said. "Father's intention is to completely eliminate the hidden dangers in Annan at all costs."

"And the hidden danger of Annan is undoubtedly the nobles. Father has issued a secret order that even if we have to massacre everyone in Thang Long City, we must not leave any remnants of the nobles. We must make sure that the Annan nobles are eradicated in Annan."

"In this way, our Ming Dynasty can rule Annan and maintain long-term stability."

Everyone was silent. Since it was the Emperor's intention, there was no room for discussion. Lan Yu thought for a moment and said, "If it really doesn't work, I will lead my troops to attack the city tomorrow and create a gap in the city."

"I just don't believe that these Annan monkeys can resist the elite soldiers of the Ming Dynasty!"

"General Lan is very brave. If there is no other way, we can only rely on him." Zhu Su said. "However, it would be better if there is a way to take down Thang Long City more safely."

Everyone was silent again. Hu Jinyi injured 10,000 enemies and lost 8,000 of his own men. He prepared for this final battle regardless of the losses, which indeed caused great distress to the Ming Dynasty.

Seeing the tense atmosphere in the tent and everyone looking distressed, Zhu Su smiled and said to relax the atmosphere: "Why do you all have to look so miserable?"

"No matter how difficult it is to fight against Annan, it is just a small country in a corner. Can it be more difficult than the Northern Yuan Tartars?"

"Although Hu Jin's behavior is unkind, it does have one benefit: by doing this, he has brought together all the forces in Annan that are hostile to the Ming Dynasty."

"As long as we take down Thang Long City, we will also defeat all the forces in Annan that dare to be hostile to the Ming Dynasty."

"Then, there will be no obstacle for our Ming Dynasty to recover Annan."

"Expanding territory is just around the corner."

"Such a great feat is about to be accomplished in our hands. We should be excited. You know, there are so many people who want to get this military achievement but can't do anything about it!"

"Let alone other things, my fourth brother who is still in the north must be so envious that his eyes are about to shed bloody tears."

Hearing this, everyone looked at each other and smiled knowingly. The Fourth Prince, Prince of Yan Zhu Di, was in the north, and because of the policy of recuperation, he was not allowed to send troops. He was so frustrated. Almost every month, he had to submit petitions to Yingtian to request war, and the petitions filled the cabinet. He was reprimanded countless times by His Majesty and the Crown Prince, but he still did not repent. This matter has become an interesting story in Yingtian City, and now Zhu Su told it, which also won everyone's laughter.

"There is still a long way to go, and the opportunity to capture the city may not come today." Zhu Su said. "In this case, let's go back to our tents and rest. Tomorrow, please ask Duke Liang to lead the way, and we will first test Hu Jin's ability to defend the city."

Lan Yu clasped his fists in agreement, and then everyone said goodbye and left the tent.

That night, Zhu Su had a late-night chat with Li Wenzhong, Mu Ying and other friendly generals, and arranged troops to guard against Hu Jinyi's desperate night attack, needless to say.

The next day.

Early in the morning, Zhu Su beat the drum in his tent to gather his troops. The weather in Annan was hot, so he took advantage of the night's chill to organize the first wave of tentative attacks on the walls of Annan. The Ming army was well-organized, with flags flying, and was truly a top-notch elite army in the world.

The vanguard general Lan Yu rode in front and looked out at the city wall. He saw that the city was on high ground and the wall was densely populated with soldiers under Hu Jinyao's command. Even though he had been through many battles, he couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart.

"Beat the drum! Advance!" said Lan Yu.

Drums sounded in the Ming army formation, and artillery fire and catapults rang out in an attempt to suppress the firepower on the city wall. The first wave of attacking sword and shield soldiers raised their shields above their heads, forming a piece of iron tofu that was wrapped 360 degrees by the shields, and slowly advanced towards the walls of Thang Long City.

Although artillery and catapults were suppressing the city walls, there were too many archers of the Annan army. Once they came into range, thousands of arrows were fired from the city walls. Even the morning sun was obscured by the black curtain of arrow rain, and the pouring rain of arrows poured into the Ming army's formation.

Fortunately, the Ming army had strict military discipline and the military formation was extremely strict. The pouring rain of arrows hit the shield wall. Although there were waves of extremely intimidating shield-smashing sounds, only a few Ming soldiers fell. Lan Yu's stern expression finally eased a little.

But when they reached the city, the Ming army finally suffered heavy casualties: the battering rams and golden juice on the city walls could not be stopped by a thin layer of iron shields. The Ming army barely managed to set up ladders, but the Annan army on the city walls had sufficient defensive supplies, and the ladders were soon destroyed.

Lan Yu was furious, and pushed the guards in front of him away, saying, "Get out of the way! I'll do it myself!"

After saying that, he flew forward with his men, braving the rain of arrows and battering rams from the city, and personally carried the ladder to the top of the city wall. Then, like a nimble monkey, he held a shield in one hand and a knife in the other, and actually climbed up the city wall. With his own bravery, he forcibly cut a gap in the wall, which frightened the Annan soldiers on the city.

Zhu Su's palms were filled with cold sweat. If Lan Yu really captured the city wall, this fortified city might be taken in one day.

Unfortunately, Hu Jin's army quickly reacted and organized a large force to fight against Lan Yu's army on the city wall. Although Lan Yu fought bravely, he was outnumbered and gradually lost.

Zhu Su, who was standing under the city wall, was afraid that Lan Yu would be defeated. Seeing that the situation on the city wall was irreversible, he called back his troops. Lan Yu had no choice but to retreat from the city wall under the protection of his personal soldiers. The first wave of siege was declared a failure.

Lan Yu retreated back to the camp, and the Ming army continued to besiege the city, while Hu Jinyao's army on the city wall cheered loudly.

"Duke Liang, are you okay?" After the troops were called back, Zhu Su hurried to check on Lan Yu's injuries.

"Nothing, nothing." Lan Yu was stabbed several times, but because of the strong protection of his personal guards and the excellent armor, he was not injured in the vital parts and was still in good spirits. He just pouted and cursed: "These damn Annan monkeys are really difficult to deal with."

"We had already attacked the city, but they pushed us back..."

"The nobles and the Hu family are in cahoots. With the nobles' financial support, the morale of the Annan army on the city will not be weak." Zhu Su said. He also had a headache. Even though Lan Yu was able to attack the city today, the so-called first blow is the best, the second is weaker, and the third is exhausted. The first day is the most powerful, if the city can be captured, the possibility of the first day is the greatest.

After that, morale would be dampened and the success rate of the siege would inevitably decrease. It would no longer be appropriate to attack like today.

On the second day, Zhu Su still ordered his soldiers to attack the city, but he gave up the idea of ​​attacking the city wall. Instead, he ordered his soldiers to pry bricks from the bottom of the wall. Each soldier would pry off a brick and then return quickly.

This is the historical method of attacking the city used by Li Zicheng. When Li Zicheng led his army to attack the city, he generally did not use traditional tactics such as ladders and battering rams. Instead, he ordered each soldier to pry off a brick from the base of the city wall. As long as each person pried off a brick, he had to return to the camp to rest. When the bricks at the base of the city wall were pried off, Li Zicheng ordered everyone to dig a hole under the city wall. At the beginning, the hole could only accommodate one person in and out. Later, it would get bigger and bigger until the hole could accommodate dozens or even hundreds of people in and out. All the soldiers who entered had to transport the sand and soil inside one by one. A soil column would be left every three or five steps, and a thick rope would be tied to the soil column. After all the digging work was completed, tens of thousands of people outside the cave would pull the rope together. Amid the shouting, the soil column fell down, and the city wall also fell down.

Zhu Su didn't need to go through so much trouble. His intention was to dig a hole under the city wall, bury gunpowder, and use the gunpowder to blow down the city wall.

(End of this chapter)