Chapter 1029 Entering the city at 1120
“Commander, Master Deng and the others have already brought people there.”
When the fourth watch was approaching, Yu Dayou couldn’t sit still anymore and stood up and opened the tent. Curtain walked outside and looked towards the direction of Tortoiseshell City.
The guard at the camp entrance walked carefully to his side and whispered.
Yu Dayou nodded slightly and said nothing.
Behind him, King Bakr of Sulu and other generals who were not assigned tasks also came out of the camp at this time.
A group of people stood together, there were still a lot of people, but it was half less than before.
Some people led troops and led the troops. The Ming army was divided into two waves. The first wave entered the city by Deng Zilong and Chen Lin, and the second wave had more than 2,000 people responsible for supporting them.
In addition, several generals who are good at water warfare have gone to the naval fleet, and they will command it to sail into Pengka Yuclan Bay tomorrow morning.
While they were eagerly awaiting news of the siege, Deng Zilong and Chen Lin and their men had already approached the north gate of Tortoiseshell City.
On the north gate city wall, as usual, torches were lit at a distance, and the figures under the torches showed that there were pirate soldiers patrolling along the city wall.
Deng Zilong and Chen Lin both kept their composure. If there was no signal from the tower opposite, they would not lead the people there in a hurry.
Who knows what the outcome will be.
Even if the other side regrets and does not open the city gate now, for them, it is not a big loss, it is just a small disappointment.
The real most dangerous thing is whether you can quickly control the city gate after entering the city.
Only by climbing the city wall and controlling the city gate can we feel safe.
By that time, even if Lin Fengchun and the others wanted to go back on their word, it would be impossible.
At this time, on the tamarisk tree at the north gate opposite them, Lin Fengchun and Xu Yingmei were also walking around impatiently.
As the appointed time approaches, the tension becomes more intense.
I haven’t received any news from Yan Youqian and Wu Dacheng so far, which is a good thing.
If they really sent someone to deliver the news, they might be in trouble, but the two of them were still extremely nervous.
It can only be said that Lin Feng's prestige in the pirate group is too high, and they are afraid of this person from the bottom of their hearts.
Don't look at him who is usually amiable, but when he really deals with people, his methods are very vicious.
"Brother, we don't have much time to check."
Xu Yingmei glanced at the clepsydra placed in the corner of the tower, saw the traces of water carved with arrows, and said to Lin Fengchun.
In this era, the Ming Dynasty actually had clocks and watches introduced from the West, but they were expensive. After all, they were very sophisticated equipment, all handmade and unique, so their circulation was very narrow. They were only used by high-ranking officials and wealthy businessmen. Affordable.
For pirates, although they often deal with foreigners, there are still very few opportunities to get them.
Because this thing is expensive, it is relatively unsuitable.
In the East, although precise timing machines have not been developed, it is not that there are no tools for calculating time, that is, the Tugui and the clepsydra.
Tugui is an ancient tool for measuring the length of the sun's shadow. It is mainly used to determine seasonal changes by observing and recording the changes in the length of the shadow at noon.
The structure of Tugui is simple, that is, a pole is erected vertically on the ground. In this way, the length of the sun's shadow can be measured and the time can be determined.
So Tugui also has a name, which is Guibiao, which means that he can tell the time.
In addition, large cities often use sundials to measure time.
The sundial, also known as the sundial, is also an instrument for measuring solar time in ancient my country. It actually originated from the standard watch.
The sundial is composed of a dial, that is, a dial needle and a dial surface with time lines engraved on it.
According to the direction in which the dial is placed, it can be divided into: horizon dial, equatorial dial, vertical dial, inclined dial, etc.
If the sundial surface is made into a hemispherical shape and the apex of the sundial needle is at the center of the sphere, it is a spherical sundial.
If the solar terms are carved on the dial according to the local geographical latitude and solar terms, the solar terms can be determined from the direction of the shadow and the position of the tip. This is a solar term sundial.
However, whether it is a Tugui or a sundial, it is necessary to use sunlight to measure time. However, when there is no sunlight at night, it is naturally useless.
But of course the ancient Chinese were not helpless, so they invented the clepsydra.
The clepsydra is also called a water clock. According to the principle of isochrony, there are two ways to record time by dripping water. One is to use a special container to record the time when the water leaks out, that is, the water leakage type; the other is to use a container with no opening at the bottom to record it. How long does it take to fill the water, that is, the water-receiving type.
China's water clocks were first of the water-discharging type. Later, the water-discharging type and the water-receiving type were used simultaneously or both were combined into one.
If you pay a little attention, you will find that Tugui is called Guibiao, while the clepsydra is called Water Clock. In fact, these names are only in modern times, and they correspond to clocks introduced from the West.
In Lin Feng's pirate group, Lin Feng had an "egg" watch in his hand. It was bought from a barbarian merchant at a large price, and it was not a precious one.
The "egg" watch in Lin Feng's hand is actually the "Nuremberg Egg", the originator of pocket watches. Even in the West, it is a novelty that has just appeared and is often hung as a pendant on the chest. .
This thing was created by Peter Henlein, a locksmith in Nuremberg, Germany, in the mid-to-early 16th century. He used a steel spring instead of a heavy hammer and created a small mechanical clock with a crown wheel escapement. It was named after its shape like an egg.
The dial of the Nuremberg egg of this period only had an hour hand, but there was no minute hand and second hand, but there was a minute hand and a second hand structure inside the watch.
This is because people at that time did not have high requirements for time accuracy. They usually measured time by quarter, so the watchmaker omitted the production of minute hands and second hands, leaving only the hour hand.
This is the first clock in history that does not require the use of gravity as a power source, and it is also the earliest portable timing tool.
Before that, the only timepieces were clocks. In addition to the big bell tower clock hung high in the center of the town for daily work and rest, there were standing clocks as tall as a human body placed at home.
As for others, they still use things handed down from ancient China, namely the Tugui and the leaky pot to tell the time.
At this time, Lin Fengchun also looked at the clepsydra and determined that the time had come. He called two personal guards and asked them to raise the torch and wave it outside the city.
This is the secret signal they made, waving three times in forward and reverse directions.
"There is movement."
Deng Zilong and Chen Lin, who were waiting in the dense forest outside the city, saw it and whispered, then ordered the soldiers around them to light torches and do the same The movement is just that every time it swings, it does two circles and then dances in the opposite direction.
Lin Fengchun and Xu Yingmei on the city tower naturally saw the movement outside the city. Lin Fengchun glanced at Xu Yingmei and said, "Open the city gate, we have no way out."
"Brother, I will go down and open the city gate. ."
Xu Yingmei said in a low voice.
"Go ahead and bring General Ming to the city tower."
Lin Fengchun said this, and then summoned a few guards near the city tower to lower the suspension bridge at the city gate.
Tortoiseshell City does not have a moat, but a trench more than one foot deep has been dug near the city gate. The main reason is that the pirates are currently short of manpower and cannot bring in river water to build a moat.
As the suspension bridge was lowered, the soldiers patrolling around also heard the noise and just glanced at the tower.
Under the torch, Lin Fengchun's figure appeared in their eyes.
The soldiers were not surprised. Some of them had known the news two days ago, and most of them did not object to the surrender of the Ming army.
Who wants to be trapped in a lonely city, or the party that has no hope of winning at all. But knowing what to do, they stopped patrolling the city and quickly gathered near the North Gate Tower.
At this time, Xu Yingmei and several guards had already descended the city wall and walked into the city gate. Under the swaying torch, he took out the key and handed it to the guards beside him, letting them open the city gate. Door.
The North Gate, which had been closed for more than a month, slowly opened with the harsh sound of "squeaking" wood rubbing against each other. This sound could be heard far away in the middle of the night.
At this time, the Ming army in the dense forest outside the city had already walked out of the jungle, and they all moved toward the city gate as quietly as possible. The one at the front was Deng Zilong.
Chen Lin was still in the dense forest and did not move at this time. Behind him were several Sulu generals, and three thousand Sulu soldiers were also ready to go.
Seeing that the Ming army was approaching the city gate, Chen Lin waved his hand and led the Sulu soldiers out of the dense forest, thinking about the city gate and running quickly.
However, the noise made by their group of people walking around was much louder than that of the Ming army in front.
Although they knew it was agreed upon, Deng Zilong and Chen Lin still hoped to make their voices as low as possible.
The Ming army led by Deng Zilong had reached the edge of the suspension bridge at this time. They looked up at the dark tower and saw a vague figure standing there.
While Deng Zilong was thinking, Xu Yingmei had already quickly walked out of the city gate and onto the suspension bridge.
"I am Xu Yingmei, I don't know which general is across from me."
Xu Yingmei announced her family name, which made Deng Zilong recover his thoughts and immediately announced his name loudly.
In this moment, Deng Zilong also walked onto the suspension bridge, followed closely by the Ming army behind him. Under Xu Yingmei's guidance, the Ming army quickly passed through the city gate and entered the city.
“This way.”
Xu Yingmei knew how to lead the Ming army, so as soon as she entered the city, she took Deng Zilong to the North Gate Tower and met Lin Fengchun.
Deng Zilong set up a simple defense line at the city gate and led the remaining people up the city wall through the horse road.
"Sinner Lin Fengchun pays homage to General Deng."
When they arrived at the tower, before Deng Zilong could say anything, Lin Fengchun was already kneeling on the ground with a sword in both hands.
"You are Lin Fengchun."
As soon as Deng Zilong finished speaking, Xu Yingmei walked to Lin Fengchun's side in a few steps, took off her waist knife, and imitated Lin Fengchun's movements and knelt down. .
"You all get up. You know how to abandon the secret and join the light.
Now that the army is entering the city, you need to send people to guide the way in some places."
Deng Zilong said immediately.
While he was speaking, he was already standing by the city wall, looking at the dark and rushing Sulu army in the distance, and waved his hand.
The soldier behind him took out a bamboo tube and lit it on the torch next to him. The bamboo tube gave off dazzling red fireworks.
"Enter the city."
Chen Lin and the Sulu army were approaching the city gate at this time. When he saw the signal agreed with Deng Zilong on the city tower, he immediately ordered.
After Chen Lin issued the order, someone beside him whispered something in Sulu to several generals, and then they shouted a few words to the sergeants behind him.
The advance of the Sulu army suddenly accelerated. The soldiers rushed up the suspension bridge with all their strength, passed through the city gate, and soon reached the small square inside the city gate.
As Deng Zilong's personal guards came over the city wall, the Sulu army divided into two groups and climbed up the city wall from the left and right passages of the city tower. At this time, Deng Zilong and Lin Fengchun were assigning tasks.
Two groups of original pirate soldiers now had red ribbons on their arms and led a small group of Ming and Sulu troops to spread from the city wall to both sides. Their mission was to rob the east and west gates.
Especially the East Gate, where there are barbarian troops stationed outside the city. The East City must be captured as soon as possible and the gate blocked to prevent the rebels in the city from opening the gate and running out, attracting the participation of the barbarian army. Siege the city.
The remaining soldiers, led by Xu Yingmei, also rushed towards the city, targeting the mansion where Lin Feng lived.
So far, everything has gone smoothly without any glitches.
At this time, Lin Fengchun also breathed a sigh of relief.
After handing over the Beicheng tower and leading the Ming army into the city, his mission was completed.
At this time, he stayed quietly beside Deng Zilong.
Chen Lin, at this time, had followed Xu Yingmei down the city wall, leading the Ming army and the Sulu army towards Lin Feng's mansion in the center of the city.
As for what happened next, Lin Fengchun no longer wanted to think about it, and there was no way out.
Not long after, a series of sounds of gunfire were heard in the city, followed immediately by shouts of killing.
"It's so late, and there's still someone patrolling the city at night?"
Deng Zilong frowned slightly.
He knew that the area near the north of the city was the territory of Lin Fengchun and others, and there should be no resistance.
Lin Fengchun also said just now that those who are not very obedient under his command have been locked up in the courtyards of the military camp, and they will not be allowed to come out to affect the movement of the army.
"Master Deng, the traitor Lin Feng issued a strict order after the army besieged the city. There was a night ban after dark, and soldiers were patrolling at all times.
At various street corners, there are dedicated personnel responsible for guarding, and the people in the city are not allowed to move without a warrant.
From the sound, General Chen should have led a fight with the bandits stationed at Beijiekou. "
Lin Fengchun immediately explained.
"The Beijiekou side is not under your control? "
Deng Zilong nodded slightly and asked casually.
"No return, that is the neighborhood that Lin Feng's confidant Zhang Mazi is responsible for, but there are not many people in Zhang Mazi, so he will not block the army's movement."
At this time, due to the sound of gunshots erupting from Beijiekou The whole Tortoiseshell City was awakened from its sleep by the shouts of killing. Countless people had already gotten up and simply put on their clothes. However, they did not dare to go out and chose to close their homes tightly.
In various military camps, the bandit soldiers who were sleeping at this time were also woken up, and they were ready to go out to see what was going on in the morning.
The battle at Beijiekou broke out suddenly and ended quickly.
Although the sound of bird gunfire disappeared, the shouts of killing still came from afar.
Deng Zilong calmed down, and after listening carefully, he also realized that the people led by Chen Lin should have already rushed over and were charging towards the city.
At this time, the fierce sound of bird gunshots suddenly sounded on both sides of the city wall, and then the shouts and groans from the walls on both sides came. Fires were already burning above and below the city, and the tortoiseshell turtles illuminated by the fire The city seemed bloodthirsty.
It was chaos. The entire Tortoiseshell City was in chaos after the shouts of killing were heard on the city wall.
Everyone in the city knew what was going on. It must be enemies outside the city who stole the city and have already invaded.
Wherever a fierce battle has not yet broken out, the pirates have gathered and sent people everywhere to inquire about where the battle has been breached.
So far, they have not received any news from the headmaster Lin Feng, so they cannot lead people around to look for the Ming army, which will only make the situation more chaotic.
At this time, on the street in front of Lin Feng's mansion in the center of the city, the fierce battle was unprecedentedly fierce.