"boom..."

The whistling artillery shells were heading towards the arrow tower of the West Gate. The deputy general, who was stunned by the sound of the shells, did not escape. The deputy general is the highest commander of the defense guards of the West Gate. Several months have passed, and Ximen has never encountered a rogue bandit.

During the attack, the main attack direction of the rogues was at the south gate, which made the officers and sergeants stationed at the west gate slack off, because the west gate had never been attacked, and the number of sergeants responsible for defense here was not very large. During this period, nearly a thousand soldiers were deployed

The sergeant added to the south gate.

No one expected that the rogue bandits would launch an attack from the west gate and use Hongyi cannons.

"It's over, it's over. Go and report to the commander. The west gate is attacked by bandits. The bandits have red cannons..."

Before the deputy general finished speaking, artillery shells were already flying over.

"Pfft..."

A flash of blood flashed, and the deputy general and the orderly soldier beside him disappeared at the same time. What was left in front of the archery tower were blood stains, which were particularly eye-catching. The surrounding sergeants were instantly frightened. Everyone stood on the spot, forgetting to avoid and resist.

.

"boom..."

"boom..."

"boom..."

The whizzing cannonballs were like having eyes, rushing forward, making the sergeants on the city wall unable to defend themselves. Dazzling bloody lights kept appearing, and the fallen sergeants who were hit by the cannonballs did not even have time to scream.

The sergeants who reacted finally began to dodge the cannonballs, and more sergeants instinctively chose to leave the city wall and go under the city wall. This was the best way to avoid the cannonballs.

"Wow..."

The wooden roof above the arrow tower was hit by artillery shells, and glazed tiles and sawdust were flying everywhere. The sergeants who could not escape were hit by the glazed tile fragments and sawdust, and blood flowed out instantly. Some sergeants fell to the ground and rolled around, screaming in agony.

Unfortunately, their screams were completely drowned out by the sound of cannons and could not be heard at all.

The top of the west gate city wall has become a hell on earth. The surviving sergeants huddled and hid under the stomping wall, trying their best to avoid the roaring shells. It was not that they did not want to run under the city wall, but they did not dare to get up and howl.

The incoming shells were too dense. If you stood up, you might be hit by the shells.

At this moment, the sergeants guarding the west gate were thinking about how to avoid the shells and how to save their lives. As for whether they could hold the west gate, they no longer considered it.

"Dong, dong, dong..."

"Charge, kill..."

The dull sound of drums sounded, and intensive shouts appeared. Although the artillery bombardment was still going on, Li Yan had already ordered the rebel sergeants to start charging. He could see everything on the west gate wall clearly through the monocular telescope. It was time to attack.

At the best time, the Ming Army sergeant guarding the west gate had been blown out of his mind and completely lost his ability and desire to resist. At this time, he launched a charge, and the rebel sergeant was able to easily charge up the city wall.

The moment the rebel sergeant began to charge, Zhang Dongtao, who was holding a monocular in the distance, also saw it. He raised his hand slightly to weigh the time to stop the artillery bombardment. After all, the artillery shells did not have eyes and could bombard the Ming army sergeant on the west gate wall.

It is also possible to bomb the charging Rebel sergeants.

The combat method of coordinated infantry and artillery attack is a completely new combat method for Zhang Dongtao. The training time of the rebel sergeants is very short, and it is impossible to master it perfectly. Zhang Dongtao did not expect to let the rebel sergeants fully master this kind of combat.

Method, as long as he can capture Ximen and Kaifeng Fucheng, it is enough for him.

The dark crowd rushed towards the west gate city wall, but there was no movement on the wall.

When the ladder was set up, and when the sergeant climbed up the ladder towards the top of the city wall, Zhang Dongtao had a smile on his face. He knew that he had succeeded, but he did not expect that success would come so quickly.

Zhang Dongtao raised his right hand. When the messengers around him saw this, they desperately waved the blue flag in their hands in the direction where the Hongyi cannon was deployed.

The Hongyi artillery stopped bombing, and was replaced by the desperate shouting of the rebel sergeants. The voice was filled with excitement and bloodlust. Several rebel sergeants had already climbed up the city wall, raised their spears and steel knives, and fought with

The Ming Army sergeants were fighting on the city wall, and more rebel sergeants climbed up the city wall along the ladder...

Zhang Dongtao put down the monocular telescope in his hand and took a long breath.

In the first coordinated infantry and artillery operation, the timing of the attack was not very good. Several artillery shells fell among the attacking rebel sergeants, causing a small-scale commotion. However, overall it was good. The South Gate, North Gate and

The Ming Army sergeants at the east gate had no time to rush to the west gate to help. Zhang Dongtao was certain that when the Ming Army sergeants rushed to the west gate, the city wall and gate had been completely occupied by the rebel sergeants.

Of course, this does not mean that the battle is over. The corridor to the west gate has been sealed with stones by Ming army sergeants. If the rebel sergeants want to charge into the city, they still need to use ladders to climb to the top of the city wall, and then rush into the city to fight.

"Go tell General Li and order all the sergeants to rush over and climb up the city wall as quickly as possible..."

"Hurry and report to King Chuang that our rebel sergeants have already attacked the west gate wall..."

...

Hong Chengchou's body was shaking and his face turned pale. He was still at the north gate and had received a report from the sergeant. The bandits had used the Hongyi cannon. Their main attack direction was the west gate. The deputy general in charge of the defense of the west gate was killed by the cannon. The bandits had climbed up the city wall.

.

Hong Chengchou roared at the messengers around him, ordered the sergeants to rush to Ximen's aid, and prepared to ride towards Ximen, but the soldiers around him tightly held the reins of the horses. Everyone knew that if they went to Ximen at this time,

It is tantamount to committing suicide.

The fall of Ximen means the fall of the entire city of Kaifeng.

There were millions of rogues outside the city, and less than 50,000 soldiers guarding the city. The disparity in strength was too huge. With their superiority in numbers, the rogues could completely defeat the Ming army sergeants guarding the city.

At this moment, even if Hong Chengchou transferred all the sergeants guarding the North Gate and East Gate to the West Gate, it would be of no avail, not to mention that it would still take a certain amount of time to rush there from the North Gate and East Gate.

After a brief period of panic and dizziness, Hong Chengchou quickly calmed down.

"Order the sergeants from the north gate and east gate to rush to the west gate to resist the attack of the rogue bandits and protect the city of Kaifeng no matter what..."

Hong Chengchou did not dare to dispatch the sergeants from the south gate because there were still a large number of rogues outside the south gate. He had fully understood that the rogues outside the south gate were just a feint attack, and the real main direction of the rogues' attack was the west gate.

The west gate has always been the weakest defense point, but as a few months passed, the main attack direction of the rogues was the south gate, so Hong Chengchou did not pay special attention to the west gate.

It was too late to regret. Hong Chengchou had more crucial things to do next.

When the horse arrived at the governor's Yamen, Hong Chengchou threw away the reins in his hands, dismounted, ignored the sergeant guarding the door, and almost rushed into the governor's Yamen.

Gao Mingheng was coming out of the Yamen. The two met in the front yard. Gao Mingheng turned pale and looked at Hong Chengchou and spoke.

"Hong, Master Hong, has Ximen been captured by bandits..."

At this moment, Hong Chengchou had regained his composure.

"Master Gao, you don't have to worry. I have mobilized the sergeants from the North Gate and the East Gate to help the West Gate. However, the situation is not necessarily optimistic, so we need to make all preparations. You and I are the chief officers in the city, and we cannot panic.

, otherwise the sergeants below will fall into collapse..."

Gao Mingheng nodded repeatedly, his face looking slightly better.

Hong Chengchou did not hesitate, nor did he intend to go to the governor's office room. He stood there and spoke to Gao Mingheng.

"Sir Gao, we need to be on the safe side. My suggestion is to first let the sergeants protect His Royal Highness King Zhou and evacuate Fengfu City from the direction of the north gate. We have already investigated and there are no rogues in the direction of the north gate. We can evacuate safely.

Secondly, you take many officials and evacuate quickly from the north gate. Pay attention to safety along the way. I think Mr. Gao should try to evacuate in the direction of Beizhili, which is relatively safer..."

Before Hong Chengchou finished speaking, Gao Mingheng flatly refused.

"Master Hong, I will not evacuate Kaifeng Fucheng. I am the governor of Henan, and I have been ordered to station in Kaifeng Fucheng. If Kaifeng Fucheng falls, I will have no face to face the emperor and the court..."

Hong Chengchou's face instantly became a little ugly, and he continued to speak. Gao Mingheng waved his hand.

"Sir, there are millions of bandits outside the city. The west gate has been captured and the city of Kaifeng is in danger. The sergeants will escort His Royal Highness the King of Zhou to evacuate. This is what must be done. I suggest that your Excellency lead some sergeants to evacuate at the same time as His Highness the King of Zhou.

Firstly, it can ensure the safety of His Royal Highness King Zhou, and secondly, it can also report the situation in Kaifeng City to the emperor and the court..."

Hong Chengchou couldn't help it anymore and pinched Gao Mingheng's shoulder.

"Master Gao, please quickly evacuate with your sergeants and escort His Royal Highness King Zhou to evacuate. You rarely command large armies in battle. It is very dangerous to stay in Kaifeng Fucheng. Don't argue with me at this time..."

Gao Mingheng still shook his head, and the expression on his face became calm.

"Sir Hong, I have made my decision and will not make any changes. As the governor of Henan, I am responsible for the defense of Kaifeng City and the security and stability of the entire Henan Province. I must guard the city together with many soldiers.

Kill the bandits."

"Master Hong, you must obey the orders of my subordinates, lead the soldiers to quickly evacuate from Fengfu City, and report everything here to the emperor and the court..."

Having said this, Gao Mingheng clasped his fists and bowed his head to Hong Chengchou, then turned around and walked towards the outside of the governor's office.

Walking to the door, Gao Mingheng looked at Hong Chengchou's many soldiers and spoke.

"Immediately escort Lord Hong to the residence of His Highness King Zhou. You must escort His Highness King Zhou and His Excellency out of the city and to a safe place. If you cannot complete the task, I will never spare you..."

Gao Mingheng's aura was instantly displayed. This fearless aura shocked everyone outside the Yamen.
Chapter completed!