Steel Dynasty - Chapter 551

[Chapter 551: Firepower Crush]

“Bang, bang, bang…”

A series of fire and white smoke emerged from the battleship, and after a burst of gunfire, several screams suddenly came from the Pengzhou city wall.

Lu Fei, who had been observing the city wall, said regretfully: “I almost hit it. Alas, only a few soldiers died. Hurry up and reload.”

After receiving the order, the soldiers immediately took out Minie bombs and Gunpowder reload.

They have been training since Xiao Ming sent these muskets to Qingzhou Camp. Compared with the previous muskets, the range and accuracy of this batch of muskets have been improved a lot.

But despite this, the hit rate of shooting at a target a hundred meters away is still very low, which is why Lu Fei requires sixty to shoot at the target at the same time.

While the soldiers were reloading, there was a howling sound on the city wall. This round of shooting immediately caused eight soldiers to fall on the city wall. Three of them were shot in the head and died on the spot, with blood flowing out from the bullet holes.

Two more were hit in the ribs and were lying on the ground wailing. The remaining three were hit in the arms. The bullets penetrated their flesh and the severe pain made them cry out.

The other soldiers felt as if they had seen a ghost. They were confused at first, and then became frightened. This seemed too weird to them. Even though the people of Pengzhou were fierce, these soldiers could not help but tremble in their hearts. This method of death was so real. Too scary.

Compared with these soldiers, Mi Wenyi and Mi Kuang were more frightened. The miserable sight of the soldiers made them pale, but Mi Wenyi knew very well that this round of musket fire was aimed at him and Mi Kuang.

“Mi Changshi, what’s going on?” Mi Kuang’s whole body could not stop trembling. Unlike Mi Wenyi, who had seen muskets, Mi Kuang had been in Pengzhou City for many years. Although he had heard about it, he had never seen muskets or artillery.

Mi Wenyi had no time to explain to Mi Kuang now. He hid directly behind the battlements and did not dare to show his face. He shouted: “Squat down, do you want to die? These are the muskets of the Qingzhou Army. Damn it, what is the range of these muskets?” It’s so far away, King Qi must have deceived us.”

Mi Kuang’s face turned paler. Pengzhou City had been at ease for too long. These soldiers had only suppressed some rebellions by the people on weekdays, and had never faced a real war.

The sight of the soldiers’ tragic deaths shocked other soldiers and him.

“What should we do? Are we just going to hide here?” Mi Kuang said.

Just as the two were talking, another burst of gunfire rang out, and nine more soldiers were shot. For a moment, the soldiers on the top of the city fell completely into fear. They all imitated Mi Wenyi and Mi Kuang and squatted down.

But what really scares them has just begun.

“Boom, boom, boom…” After the second round of shooting, the Qingzhou battleship shed its harmless camouflage. At this time, square covers were lifted off the side of the battleship. These covers came to cover the muzzle of the gun.

When these wooden covers were lifted, black cannon muzzles stretched out and were aimed at the approaching Pengzhou Navy.

When the Pengzhou Navy entered only fifty meters away from the warship, the warship was obscured by strong fire and white smoke, and projectiles were fired straight at the Pengzhou Navy warship in the river.

“Dong dong dong…”

The shell penetrated the hull of the warship, mixed with wood fragments and flew towards the boatman in the cabin. Suddenly, continuous screams rang out in the cabin.

The boatman who was shaking the oar had never seen such a scene before. He was so frightened that he dropped the oar and ran away to the deck screaming.

It’s just that the situation above the warship was even worse than below. At this time, there were mutilated corpses everywhere on the deck of the warship. The soldiers were covering their broken legs and screaming in agony with broken arms. Blood was flowing freely on the deck.

The soldiers who had not yet reacted to the roar were shrouded in death. Most of the soldiers were frightened and had only one thought in their minds – what the hell is this.

But they were not allowed to think, and soon there was another explosion. This time, in their eyes, a black cloud rushed towards them like lightning. Only when they got closer did they see clearly that they were small round beads.

These black beads became the last sight in the eyes of many soldiers, and then their bodies were penetrated.

Screams were heard on the river, and the river was soon stained red with blood. The frightened soldiers jumped into the river and fled. At this moment, they no longer had the will to fight.

The Lu family generals who led the Pengzhou Navy were even more unbearable. When the warships in front were bombarded by cannonballs and sawdust flying, they retreated backwards in panic.

The soldiers on the city wall were even more frightened by the scene before them. This time they finally understood what muskets and artillery were.

“How can we fight this battle?”

A general’s eyes were full of despair. No matter how brave his soldiers were, killing soldiers who could not reach the opponent was enough to make them lose the will to fight.

“Commanders of Pengzhou City, listen, His Highness the King of Qi has an order that all those who surrender will not be killed, and once the army enters the city, the people in the city can allocate fertile land like the people of Qingzhou. Soldiers, do you still want to be killed by these Pengzhou people?” Are the wealthy families in the city bullying and oppressing them?”

Suddenly, a high-pitched voice came from the river to the city wall.

When Mi Wenyi and Mi Kuang heard this, a trace of hatred suddenly flashed in their eyes. Now they understood more clearly what would happen if Pengzhou City fell.

“As for the children of the wealthy families in the city, as long as you are willing to surrender, His Highness will also spare your life. As long as you disband your tribe and return the land to the people, His Highness will be kind and allow you to continue to live in the city. Otherwise, after the city is broken, all the children of the wealthy families will be killed. Pardon.”

Lu Fei’s voice sounded again.

After these two sentences, some soldiers who came from poor families looked at each other. The news of Qingzhou had long been spread here. Although the local wealthy families tried their best to slander King Qi, they understood that King Qi was very kind to the people.

Unlike these poor soldiers, the children of the wealthy family have complicated emotions. Now they are in a dilemma.

“Don’t believe their lies. King Qi is a despicable person. They are deceiving you. If Pengzhou City is lost, you will lose your land, wives, and soldiers. We must block the enemy’s attack today.”

Mi Wenyigao shouted.

Mi Kuang shouted at the same time: “Today all the soldiers will fight to the death with me. If anyone dares to take even half a step back, I will kill him.”

The soldiers fell into silence when they heard the two voices, and they exchanged glances without knowing what they were thinking. What are you wearing?

On the river, Lu Fei loudly announced Xiao Ming’s policy towards Pengzhou City and then ordered the warships to dock on the north bank of Bian River. His purpose was to defeat the Pengzhou Navy, which he could easily do now.

All that’s left is to wait for Luo Xin and Luo Hong to lead most of their troops to formally attack the city.

(End of chapter)