Chapter 20 Desperate to help

Less than half an hour after Hong Chengchou gave the order, the red cannons of the Qing army first roared in the south of the city, and then in the north of the city... The quiet and tired autumn night just now was completely broken by fierce conflict and confrontation in the blink of an eye.On the several-kilometer-long position, the raging flames flickered on and off; as the shells tore through the night air and roared towards the city wall, broken bricks and rocks burst like raindrops in all directions. They shot out and fell down one after another.The rolling whirlwind stirred up the billowing dust all over the sky and skyrocketed.In the shadow of dust, countless flying crossbow arrows, iron bullets, sword shadows, and knife lights interweave into a frightening meteor cold electricity, chasing the bodies of people and horses frantically and greedily, causing muscles to burst and blood to spurt. out.The bright moon, who was quietly looking down on the world from the sky, seemed to be frightened by this fierce murderous aura, and suddenly became dim.And the human voice—sharp at that time, sometimes depressed, mixed with bursts of screaming human voices, was not drowned by the roar of the cannon, it burst tenaciously and persistently on the top of the city, stirring, circling, And like an invisible barrier, the desire of the Qing army to break through the city was ruthlessly blocked time and time again.

Jiangyin City, which woke up from sleep, soon fell into a precarious and precarious situation due to the enemy's front and back, but Hong Chengchou did not succeed easily.This desperate duel seems destined to continue tragically with more bloodshed and more deaths... Just as the offensive and defensive battle along the Yangtze River was intensifying, five large wooden boats with canopies appeared on the river leading to Wuxi County in the southwest tens of miles away from Jiangyin.They bit each other head to tail and followed closely, like five big fish rushing through the waves, driving fast on the water surface.Under the misty moonlight, although the situation on board could not be seen clearly, it was not difficult to guess from the dark silhouettes of people sitting on the bow of the ship, and from the way they neither lit the lights nor talked to each other, it was not difficult to guess that this was by no means a ship. Unusual fleet.Yes, this is the rebel army from Wuxi.Right now they are being led by Gu Gao, preparing to come to support Jiangyin's anti-Qing war.

Gu Gao escaped from Nanjing Prison together with Huang Zongxi and Chen Zhenhui four months ago.Soon after returning home in Wuxi, news came that Nanjing had opened its doors to surrender.As a survivor of the bloody partisan struggle, although he had a premonition of the outcome of the Hongguang regime, he still couldn't understand why it all happened so quickly.As for being forced to become a "obedient citizen of the Qing Dynasty" overnight, he especially felt extremely resentful, painful, and unacceptable!In order to avoid the chaos of war, he once took his family to the Goose Lake in the suburbs.During this period, there was news that the Qing Dynasty forced people to shave their hair and keep their braids, which made his despair of ruining his country and family even more bitter and bitter.Later, he heard that the scholars and people in Jiangyin fought against the Qing Dynasty under the leadership of Chen Mingyu and Yan Yingyuan, the Dianshi. Then he heard that the old ministers of the Ming Dynasty in eastern Zhejiang also rose up to support the King of Lu to supervise the country, and he estimated that Huang Zongxi was among them. Hope was born again.In the following months, he and his friends traveled around, trying their best to encourage the gentry in Wuxi to respond.In order to support Jiangyin, which was struggling against the enemy, he even went as far as Taihu Lake, trying to persuade Huang Fei, a Ming general who had recently stationed there, to send troops, but he had exhausted his lips and tongues, but nothing worked.On the contrary, the Qing army quickly occupied Wuxi and ordered the local gentry to report and surrender.Gu Gao, as a well-known celebrity who has attracted the attention of everyone, is naturally no exception.At first he tried to procrastinate and escape, but later, when he could no longer procrastinate, he had no choice but to resolutely decide: entrust his elderly mother to his younger brother, bring his wife and children, and a group of like-minded close friends and dead soldiers, a total of one hundred More than 20 people, taking advantage of the unpreparedness of the Qing army, suddenly left E Lake and escaped...

It was already midnight.On the five sailing boats that filed together, except for the boatman who was changing the oars, there was no movement of any figure.Along the way, the full moon of the Mid-Autumn Festival, which has always accompanied them, also began to show fatigue, gradually changing from bright and clear to dim yellow, and quietly falling towards the west sky.On both sides of the river bank, clusters of reeds are blooming. At a glance, it is white and cold, like clouds and snow, continuous.Because it is still far away from Jiangyin, the movement over there cannot be transmitted to the ship.There is silence all around, only the gurgling water makes a soft gurgling sound beside the ship's side.Right now, Gu Gao is on the same boat as his three sons.Through the hazy moonlight, you can see that they are all sleeping soundly in the cabin.As for the petite wife, she must have been too busy and exhausted to make arrangements for escape these days, and she is also curled up on the deck at the moment, but she is not sleeping well, and she is still murmuring in her dreams... But However, Gu Gao never let himself fall asleep.Although he was very tired, he still sat with his legs crossed, motionless, against the opening of the cabin.The hazy moonlight outlines his faintly crooked figure, making his eyes shine brightly in the gloom.

Speaking of it, it's no wonder Gu Gao didn't dare to be careless, because their escape this time, from the very beginning, they have taken the risk of being discovered and chased by the Qing soldiers, and they are ready to desperately prepare at any time; however, so far, it has been quite smooth , without any surprises.According to the boatman's report just now, Shashan Township is not far ahead, that is to say, more than half of the journey has been made, and the destination of this trip-Jiangyin County will be reached after another forty or fifty miles.According to the plan agreed in advance, they will participate in the anti-Qing war in the city as a new force.This is not only because Jiangyin is currently the only "Great Ming Pure Land" they can rely on, but also because they have always felt bitterly that those respectable people who resisted shaving their hair and looked at death as home, if they still cannot get the support of even a single soldier from their compatriots Support is really unreasonable!However, as many dissuaders warned before departure: To enter Jiangyin City, you must first pass through the positions of the Qing army.It is said that the army of the Qing Dynasty currently besieging Jiangyin City has reached more than 100,000 people, and it is still increasing.Trying to go for reinforcements with a mere 120 people in this area, I am afraid that there will be no other results other than death in vain.However, Gu Gao still decided to do so; not only him, but also his partners also decided to do so.Because everyone understands that for people like them, this is the only way now. "Yes, if you stay at home, shave your head and become obedient citizens of the Tartars, and live in the world like a dog begging and begging, what is the difference between death and death? How can you be worthy of your ancestors? Rather than that, it is better If you make a concerted effort and work hard, you may be able to find a way out! Even if you fail miserably and die in the battle in Jiangyin, you will still be brave and brave, leaving your name in history, and your life will be worth it!" Thinking silently, Gu Gao's A heart became even tougher and colder at this moment.

The full moon, which fell on the left side of the river, tilted more and more to the west, and became more and more hazy and dimmer.In the depths of the reeds, an unknown water bird was startled by the ship, and made an uneasy cry of "磔-ge, 磔-ge".Now, Gu Gao felt a little tired from sitting.He moved his body, trying to stretch his numb thighs, but his thoughts continued to move forward.He thought that it is needless to say that this time he went to the enemy with generosity and would be able to triumph in the end; Fang Yizhi, Maoxiang, Mei Langzhong, Hou Fangyu, etc., I'm afraid we will never see each other again!And how much he wanted to see his old friends again, especially in this difficult and exhausting time!So what are they doing now?Are you hiding at home?Did he escape into the mountains?Or are you just like yourself, on the journey of being generous to the enemy? "Well, no matter what, they will never let themselves down and bow their heads to the Tartars. I know them! Now that there are so many volunteers in the Quartet, they may have already joined the army, working vigorously in various places, and trying to Inquire about my news!" Gu Gao's mood became a little brighter because he thought that his current actions were not isolated and helpless.In order to repay the distant yet close friendship, he squinted his eyes, stared at the misty front, and began to imagine how the more than a hundred people himself, once outside Jiangyin City, would take advantage of the dead of night and the Qing soldiers sleeping soundly. At the same time, they approached the city from a place where the enemy was negligently guarded without anyone noticing... When they did this, they might be discovered by the opponent, and even a battle broke out, but at that time, the city would also send troops to come to meet them , As a result, he was able to enter the city successfully... "Yes, don't look at the menacing Tartar soldiers, who broke the state and captured the government along the way, as if they were invincible; in fact, they are still being blocked outside the city by Jiangyin's scholars and people. For two and a half months, he couldn't get any bargain! Besides, since his teacher has no merit, it is inevitable that he will be slack. As long as we manage to enter the city, how long will we hold on, and the rebels from all over the country will respond? There is no day when it is turned around!"

Encouraging himself secretly like this, Gu Gao's tense thoughts gradually relaxed.He withdrew his gaze from a distance, and involuntarily yawned a long time. Although he vaguely remembered that once he started fighting, his wife and children with him would always be a burden. Maybe when he got to the front, he should find an honest family. Are they staying for a while?However, his mind that had become dull no longer allowed him to think about it.His eyelids became heavier and heavier, and his head hung lower and lower in front of his chest. Finally, he leaned on the canopy and fell asleep...

This sleep seems to have only been slept for a while, but it also seems to have slept for a long time.Suddenly, Gu Gao woke up with a start.He opened his eyes and found that somehow the surrounding scene had changed completely.I saw the flames shining, people silhouetted, ears buzzing, mixed with a mess of sounds, and the boat he was on completely lost its balance and shook violently under his body. "What's going on here?" He thought blankly, suddenly felt a black shadow flickering in front of his eyes, as if a sharp arrow flew past the front door with a strong wind, and "poof" pierced into an object next to him.Gu Gao was startled, instinctively grabbed the steel knife under his body, and jumped up; at the same time, he heard a muffled groan, and a body fell straight in front of him.

"What? Have you arrived in Jiangyin?" He asked himself suspiciously, but immediately denied this judgment, because the incident in front of him clearly happened on the ship. "Then, it must be the Tazi's pursuers who came up!" Thinking of this, his drowsiness disappeared immediately, and the blood in his body boiled suddenly due to accident and nervousness.And anger—an anger that found the enemy so hateful that he really wanted to kill him, thumped straight to his forehead.Although he found that there were countless burning torches scattered far and near on the surface of the water, and the sound of shouting and killing rang out, and the five ships on his side were already surrounded by numerous enemy ships, he still shouted angrily and charged forward. towards the bow, intending to join the servants who were fighting there against the enemy.

"Grandpa, don't! Don't come here!" In the darkness, someone shouted panting.It was a tall servant, and while desperately striking an enemy who jumped over the boat into the water, he turned his face anxiously, "It's dangerous here! Take care of grandma, master!" "Yes! Yes! It's important to take care of grandma and young master!" Several voices shouted at the same time. Gu Gao felt stunned, and couldn't help but stop: "But..." "Hurry up!" The tall servant stomped his feet and shouted again, "Look, they..." He clearly wanted to say: The enemy is attacking from there!However, the words were only halfway through, as if being strangled by the neck, they were suddenly interrupted.His tall body suddenly became stiff, and one arm stretched out strangely, as if trying to grab something, and then fell down heavily!

Gu Gao couldn't help screaming, and instinctively wanted to run over, but suddenly remembered his wife and children, and quickly turned around to see that two enemy soldiers were indeed trying to step over the ship's side.Gu Gao was so angry that he let out a mournful roar, swung the steel knife, and rushed forward.Seeing that he was approaching fiercely, the two men hesitated and retreated back. It was only at this moment that Gu Gao really realized the urgency and danger of the situation. Although he was shocked and angry in his heart, he did not dare to be careless.When he saw clearly that his wife in the cabin was holding the baby son who was still in swaddling clothes, and was being guarded by the other two sons, and was safe and sound for the time being, he held the cabin door tightly while quickly looking around, trying to find out Clear the battle situation on each ship in order to organize an effective counterattack. Almost immediately, however, he felt hopeless.It seems that due to the accident, being caught off guard, and because of the large number of enemies, I have been trapped in the predicament of being surrounded by enemies and unable to parry from the beginning, and now I am dodging here and there, completely confused.Gu Gao watched in horror: amidst the screams one after another, his partners fell one after another, while the enemy was attacking the deck one after another, and had already occupied at least two ships... "But, but since they are soldiers, why don't they wear uniforms and hats?" Gu Gao stared at the menacing attackers, thinking suspiciously, "Could it be, could it be that they are not Tartars?" With such a move in his heart, He also vaguely recognized that among these people, there were quite a few wielding knives and guns, but most of them seemed to be holding hoes and sticks in their hands!This discovery made Gu Gao surprised and angry at the same time, he couldn't help but blurt out, and asked sharply: "Hey, come and listen! Where are you waiting for? Why are you blocking our way?" Even though he asked this question, the people in the middle of the fight obviously didn't hear it.It wasn't until he shouted again that he heard a thick voice answer: "Gu Sanmazi! You are so bold. Did you also come here on my sandy mountain? You are sensible, obediently get the hell out of here! Otherwise, I will discipline you gangsters tonight and never come back!" "That's right! You pockmarked bastard, you have trampled us badly enough! You will die tonight!" Another angrily voice came up. "Brother, what are you talking about with him, let's go!" "Yes, go! Come on! Go!" Many people echoed in unison, waving their weapons again. Gu Sanmazi, a well-known gangster in this area, is ruthless and extremely violent. He often leads his disciples to run amok in the Yangtze River Estuary, looting houses, killing people and setting fires. He has long been notorious and hated by the people.Gu Gao knew this a long time ago, but he never expected that right now, he would be mistaken for that Jiangyang thief by these villagers in Shashan! "No wonder they intercepted us, that's why!" thought he, and taking a step forward, he exclaimed: "Don't make a mistake! I'm Gu—" Unexpectedly, before he finished speaking, he heard a loud shout from the slanting stab: "That's right, I want the life of a dog named Gu!" A sharp object that flew from nowhere suddenly pierced into his chest.He was slightly taken aback, and instinctively grabbed the stick, but out of a strong and urgent desire, he still couldn't stop talking: "I—cough! No, Gu Sanmazi! I'm Wuxi Gu Zifang! I'm here—cough, cough, to rescue you, Jiangyin! You, why..." He wanted to continue, but suddenly, he He found that his throat could not make a sound, and his chest seemed to be torn open. The severe pain was like a sharp knife, piercing into his heart and lungs, making him unable to breathe at all.He tried to struggle, but all he got was pain like a burst of pain all over his body.Finally, he gave up his resistance, bent down slowly, and fell on the deck.In a foggy blur, he heard his son's voice crying, "Father! Father! You killed my father!" "Huh? Kill me? No!" He thought strangely, then moved his body for a while, in order to lie down more comfortably, and then closed his eyes wearily and peacefully.Thus, everything in this broken and difficult world disappeared forever from his feelings... On the third day after Gu Gao was accidentally killed by villagers, that is, on August 21st, Jiangyin County finally fell under the onslaught of the Qing soldiers.The conqueror, who had paid a heavy price of casualties, decided to massacre the city for three days in order to retaliate.As a result, hundreds of thousands of residents were brutally killed.However, Hong Chengchou did not witness this scene of blood and flesh flying everywhere, so he naturally failed to stop this atrocity.Because of the tense military situation in eastern Zhejiang, he was forced to hand over the command to Pingnan General Luke Dehun who had come to join the army a day earlier, and hurried back to Nanjing by himself.