Northern Song Dynasty: Starting from the son of Song Renzong - Chapter 361 Half of the Country

Even if we calculate it based on the fact that there are two million people.

If there are five people in a household, each household will send one person to serve in the army.

The entire Kingdom of Sicily could only mobilize 400,000 soldiers.

But in fact, it is absolutely impossible for 400,000 people to serve in the army.

From the five thousand households of the people, only two thousand people could be selected to serve as soldiers.

In the Song Dynasty, basically one soldier was needed for every ten households.

Moreover, most Western soldiers adopted a combination of the feudal knight system and the conscription system.

Therefore, no matter what, the mobilization capacity of the Kingdom of Sicily could not exceed that of the Song Dynasty by ten to one.

however……

Over the years, the Kingdom of Sicily had to fight with the Holy Roman Emperor and also had some grievances with the Holy See.

In fact, the Kingdom of Sicily did not have very much peace.

therefore……

At this time, facing the 20,000 troops of Goguryeo and the 50,000 coalition forces of Han Shizhong, the Kingdom of Sicily was on the verge of destruction.

and……

Han Shizhong was not in a hurry at all this time.

The purpose of his expedition this time was to gradually crush all opposition forces on the island of Sicily.

The war was extremely fierce.

Although there were also many people in the Kingdom of Sicily who dared to resist.

But for every death of these people, there is one less.

And when he heard that Lucius II had only sent them a thousand men as reinforcements, the already slightly older King Roger II of Sicily almost fell down and his eyes went dark.

A thousand people die here in just one day.

and……

The soldiers of the Song Dynasty did not focus on attacking just one city, but attacked many places at the same time.

At present, almost all major coastal ports have been taken over by the Song Dynasty.

Those counterweight catapults whizzed towards the city.

Some cities were not well built and their walls collapsed quickly.

Moreover, their tens of thousands of soldiers are often scattered.

In this way, they would be even less able to defeat the Song army which was larger in number.

The capital at this time was Palermo.

It is not right for Roger II to go to support, nor is it right not to support.

Support, the enemy's army is at the gates of Palermo, surround them but don't attack.

If we don't support them, then those cities with fewer soldiers will have no choice but to surrender or have all their soldiers killed in battle.

But the problem is...

He can't get out by himself!

Once he goes out, the Song Dynasty's army will definitely follow him, which is basically like sending food to the enemy.

Moreover, they may not be able to defeat the enemy in a field battle.

"Could it be that... my Roger family will be extinct in my generation?"

After hearing this, Roger II couldn't help but sigh.

Then...

He sent someone to find Han Shizhong and ask him if he would spare the people in the city if he surrendered the city.

The first purpose was to see whether Han Shizhong would accept surrender.

The second purpose was that if Han Shizhong said that he would not let the people in the city go, he could use this as an excuse to boost morale and get all the people in the city to participate in the battle to defend the city.

Han Shizhong quickly responded, "Of course we can spare the people in the city, but... you will definitely not be able to be king anymore. Are you willing to let your soldiers continue to die for the sake of your own power, or are you willing to give up your power for the sake of your soldiers and your people?"

Good guy!The other party was not fooled at all.

Roger II was a great man of his time after all. If you prevented him from becoming king, wouldn't he be miserable?In this way, even if you save your own life, it will be meaningless.

then……

Roger II said, "This is a divisive tactic by the other party! If I am gone, how can you still have wealth and glory?"

At least……

But even so...

Some nobles within the Kingdom of Sicily were also considering the possibility of surrendering on behalf of Roger II.

In fact...

The Kingdom of Sicily was not very united internally.

Likewise, Christians' dissatisfaction with Muslims will also make Muslims dissatisfied.

And this dissatisfaction will eventually become the motivation for them to betray Roger II.

in fact……

Roger II still had the idea of ​​integrating the two religions.

only……

I don’t know whether it has been integrated or not now.

But there must have been many Muslims in those cities that had been conquered, and they might have contributed their own strength.

Because think about it, outside the city are your Muslim compatriots. If you don’t help your own people, are you going to help these Christians?

Roger II himself was a Norman, that is, a northerner.

It was just that a few decades ago, his ancestors boarded a boat, hoisted the sails, conquered this place, and proclaimed themselves kings.

So people like the Holy Roman Emperor and the King of France all disliked the Kingdom of Sicily.

Because when you first started out, you were just a small noble with a small territory of several villages.

If someone simply occupies a piece of land and calls himself a king, then the identity of this king is too cheap.

Not to mention……

Sicily is a very good place. It is rich in resources, has convenient transportation, and controls the maritime trade routes. Who wouldn't covet this place?

But it was taken over by a country bumpkin like you.

therefore……

Before the Song Dynasty came here, people like the Holy Roman Emperor had often encouraged and secretly supported people within the Kingdom of Sicily to break away from the rule of the Roger family.

Fortunately, Roger II was indeed capable and could tame the people below him.

otherwise……

But now...

It really is a massive army approaching.

If you don't surrender you will really die!therefore……

Some people were eager to get Roger II to surrender.

And tell the people below that even the Emperor of Shinra could not do anything to them back then, and this time it will be the same. Anyone who disrupts the morale of the army will die!After capturing all the surrounding coastal cities and leaving some soldiers behind.

Finally...Han Shizhong gathered all his soldiers in Palermo.

Start the final attack on the capital of the Kingdom of Sicily.

Fifty counterweight catapults were distributed in various places outside the city.

They just bombarded the city wall crazily.

For example, those musket snipers were also staring at the generals who were commanding the battle.

can only say……

Killing one can reduce the enemy's morale a lot.

Place all the artillery on it.

Under the intensive artillery fire, muskets, and catapults.

soon……

The defenders in Palermo could not stand on the city walls.

Under the cover of artillery, muskets and catapults, some soldiers responsible for the first climb climbed up the city wall.

Under the attack of artillery, the large defensive equipment on the enemy's city walls, such as crossbows, were completely useless.

Even the catapults placed under the city walls were destroyed by artillery.

As for some wooden buildings on the city wall, they were smashed to pieces by the stones from the counterweight catapults.

Roger II was also shot to death by the Song army.

Roger II also had a son, and originally wanted to find a safe place to settle him. But firstly, sending his son away first would somewhat shake the morale of the army. Secondly, when he wanted to leave, the Song army had already besieged the city.

finally……

The only son of Roger II also fell into the hands of the Song army.

If they surrender, Han Shizhong will not be able to kill them. He can only pack them up and wait and see when to send them to Solange.

The news of the capture of Palermo soon reached the thousand people sent by the Pope.

When these thousand people heard that the capital of the Kingdom of Sicily had been conquered, they naturally fled quickly.

The news was then informed to Lucius II.

after all……

He knew very well what kind of person Roger II was.

As a small country, it was not at all inferior to the Holy Roman Emperor, the King of France, and even the former Pope.

This proves that Roger II is a very powerful person.

The other party died in isolation and helplessness.

When Lucius II saw that Roger II was dead, he seemed to have no need to resist anymore.

after all……

He asked himself, if he were the King of Sicily, he could not do better than Roger II.

Then...

Lucius II sent his confidant to find Han Shizhong to discuss relevant matters.

Han Shizhong felt that Rome was a relatively prosperous and wealthy place. If he really destroyed this place, who would he collect taxes from in the future?

therefore……

only……

He really couldn't offer the other party too good conditions.

after all……

If you give the other party too good conditions, won’t you and your brothers lose any benefits?

Han Shizhong’s reply to the other party was that he could ensure that he would have no worries about food and drink for the rest of his life.

When Lucius II heard this, he thought the conditions were too bad!After thinking about it...

It’s better to run away!

therefore……

Lucius II took his men directly to France.

to be frank!Since most Christian popes adhere to the principle of celibacy and non-marriage, they do not have any children to tie them down, so escape is certainly possible.

But the people under him are not good enough!

Just because there was a man who couldn't leave his wife and children behind, he secretly took them away with him.

The news that the Pope had fled with his men quickly spread throughout Rome before Han Shizhong arrived.

Now there is no need to attack the city of Rome.

Because...

When the people in Rome heard that the Pope had fled, they naturally fled as well.

Wait until Han Shizhong conquers cities along the way.

When we arrived in Rome, it was already a deserted city.

This was something Han Shizhong never expected!Looking at the empty city of Rome and the homes of the people, they all looked like they had been ransacked, to be honest!I feel a little bit sad.

but……

At least……

If these people leave, the land outside the city, as well as the houses and other things, will all belong to them.

I'm not afraid of anything else when it comes to fighting!I’m afraid there will be no spoils!

Now these lands and houses can be considered spoils of war.

Han Shizhong then stationed his army in Rome.

Because Lucius II left in a hurry, the people in the city did not have the ability to destroy the city's defenses.

and so……

The city's defense facilities are still very complete.

You can also find some weapons and armor left behind by enemy soldiers in the warehouse.

It's just that everyone has run away and there's no one to do anything for me, and I feel very uncomfortable.

of course!

This problem is also easy to solve!They can immigrate.

Now is not the time.

after all……

Who knows if the enemy will come back?

I wrote a letter to the government, reporting the situation here.

You know what, the city of Rome doesn't just have people in that city, there are also the suburbs and villages within hundreds of miles.There are people in these places too!

therefore……

What Han Shizhong needs to do next is to take control of all these scattered places.

it's over...

By the end of the year, the entire southern Italy, including Sicily, was almost under the control of the Song army.

(End of this chapter)