Nima!
What's more painful than salt in a wound?
It's the merciless ripping off of the scab!
Ma Duan felt a pang of sympathy but dared not say a word.
If Liang Shi could be persuaded not to pursue the crime of abandoning the city, then these wounds would all be worth it.
Otherwise, he and his brother would both be executed!
Chai Shao, who had been chasing for a long time, slowed his pace.
If they maintained full speed, the supply trains and artillery would be left behind.
"Brother Cheng, won't this make Commander Liang wary?"
Fang Er was somewhat worried.
"Worry about what! You created this, and now you don't trust it? Relax! As long as he's in the city, we can do whatever we want with him. If he dares to abandon the city, hehe, that will be even more fun!"
Cheng Yaojin said with a smile, as if he couldn't care less.
"Brother Fang, your musketeer troop's synchronized firing is truly spectacular! What was your idea behind it?"
Cheng Chumo came closer and asked.
The scene of five hundred musketeers firing in volleys during the attack on the east gate had a profound impact on him.
Although he had been familiar with firearms for some time,
He had always thought they wouldn't be of much use because reloading was too troublesome.
But when it was displayed before his eyes, he was utterly shocked.
"Yes, yes, tell us quickly! I'm also very interested in your musketeers, and their armor looks quite good too."
Zhang Gongjin also chimed in.
They were traveling together, and upon hearing Cheng Chumo's question, he also became interested.
Although he hadn't witnessed it firsthand, he had heard Cheng Yaojin describe the scene later.
"Heh heh, you all looked down on firearms back then, even the Emperor. Are you all convinced now?"
"General Zhang, how long does it take to train an archer, and how many arrows can they fire consecutively when truly in use?"
Fang Er posed a rhetorical question.
"Archers? It takes at least two years of training. For skilled archers, it's even harder, at least ten or eight years. But even then, they can only draw their bows seven or eight times before their arms get injured."
Zhang Gongjin replied truthfully.
"Therefore, this is the advantage of musketeers. Within three months, a batch of qualified soldiers can be trained, and as you've seen, musketeers have extremely strong sustained combat capability.
As long as the barrels and ammunition are fine, they can continue to fight. Moreover, if they have talent, they can be as accurate as skilled archers, hitting whatever they aim at.
To address the reloading speed of firearms, I had them form staggered ranks for sequential firing, which ensures continuous firepower and suppression.
Of course, this time we got lucky. When facing enemies in the open field, we still need the protection of friendly forces.
The five hundred men I brought this time were all hastily assembled and did not undergo systematic training, so the true power of musketeers is much greater than what you have seen!"
Fang Er patted Cheng Chumo on the shoulder and continued.
"Are you interested in assembling a troop of musketeers?"
As Fang Er explained, Cheng Yaojin, Zhang Gongjin, Yu Chibao Lin, and even Chai Shao became increasingly interested.
They longed to train a musketeer force immediately.
War in the age of cold weapons placed extremely harsh demands on the quality of soldiers.
Never mind that historical records often mentioned armies of one hundred thousand or a million men.
But the truly elite forces were only a small fraction.
This was why so many cases of winning battles against overwhelming odds occurred in history.
Li Shimin's three thousand five hundred elite troops at Hulao Pass facing Dou Jiande's hundred thousand strong army was the best example!
The thousand Xuanjia Army played the most crucial role in that battle!
That victory saw Li Shimin conquer two kingdoms in one engagement, writing his own legend!
And through the performance of the musketeers this time, they realized that warfare was about to undergo a qualitative change.
In this era, human lives were precisely the cheapest commodity on the battlefield!
A qualified musketeer could be trained in three months.
Imagine the scene if one hundred thousand musketeers were at one's command.
Several generals were deeply moved!
"Let's do it!"
Upon returning this time, we must suggest to the Emperor that we establish a firearms army. Muskets, cannons, explosive packs – this is simply invincible!"
Cheng Yaojin excitedly patted his horse, which immediately became displeased.
It reared up, throwing the excited Cheng Yaojin directly onto the ground.
"Hahahahaha!"
Chai Shao couldn't help but laugh heartily as he saw Cheng Yaojin pick himself up, covered in dust.
Fang Er and Zhang Gongjin also laughed until their sides ached.
Because he was their elder, Cheng Chumo and Yu Chibao Lin struggled to suppress their laughter, their shoulders trembling.
Three days later, Yan'an City appeared before them.
As expected, Liang Shidu had made thorough preparations.
Outside Yan'an City, there were horse pit traps the size of bowls everywhere, extending from two hundred paces from the city walls to over five hundred paces away!
"That son of a bitch, so cunning!"
Cheng Yaojin cursed loudly as he looked at the dense network of horse pit traps.
Chai Shao also scratched his head.
The horse pit traps were dug so closely that it was almost impossible to bring the artillery forward.
Fang Er, however, watched with a smile.
"Does this count as divine assistance?"
"Colonel Fang, why do you look so happy?"
Chai Shao turned and saw Fang Er's expression and asked curiously.
"Liang Shidu is a complete idiot, or perhaps some idiot gave him this idea.
These horse pit traps have almost no significant effect on us. We can advance while filling the pits.
Although these things restrict our speed, they also prevent Liang Shidu from sending out cavalry to attack us.
Isn't he an idiot?"
Fang Er explained with a laugh.
"Hahaha, Colonel Fang is indeed wise!"
"Guards! Fill the pits!"
Chai Shao waved his hand, and countless laborers began to fetch soil from elsewhere to fill the pits.
As the pits were gradually filled, Cheng Chumo led his men, pushing the artillery, to slowly approach Yan'an City.
Fang Er led the musketeer troop, guarding the artillery.
Liang Shidu, standing on the city wall, saw this and his eyes turned green with rage.
He directly drew his saber and cut off the head of a strategist behind him.
"You damned fool, you only give useless advice!"
He spat on his saber, shaking off the blood, and cursed hatefully.
The other soldiers on the city wall trembled, none daring to voice their opinions.
"Li Zheng Bao! Take ten thousand archers! Go out of the city and fire!"
Due to the existence of the horse pit traps, cavalry could not be deployed, but they couldn't just watch the Tang army leisurely advance. Liang Shidu dispatched archers.
Li Zheng Bao, like Liu Duan, was one of his trusted generals.
Besides them, Liang Shidu also had fierce generals such as Xin Liao Er and He Ming Yuan under his command.