juyongguan
In the back house of the Yamen, the lights were bright in the hall, and the sound of silk and bamboo orchestral music accompanied the woman's pleasant ditty.
The guard general of Juyong Pass is a general, his name is Gu Yuanshao. He is about forty years old. He leads seven thousand troops and is stationed in the city. At this moment, General Gu Shen is sitting on a Taishi chair, with an immersed look on his square face. Her fingers were tapping on the Taishi chair, and the concubine behind her was gently squeezing it with her slender hands as green as green.
Not far away, a young cardamom girl was singing a tune, surrounded by women playing the piano, her voice babbling.
"General, Mr. Li Ge has delivered an official document." At this time, a young scribe entered the hall from the outside and said to Gu Yuanshao.
Gu Yuanshao opened his eyes, stretched out a hand and said, "Bring it over and show it to me, general."
The clerk bowed forward and handed over the official document with a respectful expression.
Gu Yuanshao took the official document and did not sit upright on the Grand Master's chair. He read it intently under the light, with a hint of impatience in his eyes.
The text above only reprimands the guards at Juyong Pass to be more vigilant, strictly guard the passes, and report in time if they encounter enemy situations.
And this is already the third letter in half a month.
Gu Yuanshao put the official document in his hand on the small table beside him and said coldly: "Inform the visitor and tell Juyongguan to be on guard in case the Jurchens invade."
The main force of the Qing army was besieging the city with heavy troops in Xuanda and Dazhou. The front lines of Jizhen and Beiping were calm. Even if they invaded, they probably would not attack Juyong Pass.
After the person who brought the message left, Gu Yuanshao leaned back on the Taishi chair again. The plump woman behind him with bun and pink hair on her temples pursed her lips and said with a sweet smile: "General, is this woman really going to fight?"
"Don't worry, Juyong Pass is impregnable, and the Jurchen is fighting with the Marquis of Yongning in Datong. He wants to avenge the humiliation of the defeated army. He won't be able to get here for a while." Gu Yuanshao smiled, turned around, and caught him The concubine said teasingly.
The woman snorted angrily and said softly: "General, people in the city say that the Tatar has disheveled hair, green face, fangs, and a bloody mouth. He is a tall man who is good at fighting."
Gu Yuanshao smiled and said: "This is nothing. We have two shoulders carrying one head. Our Han army relies on the strong city to hold on. They can't get up. Juyong Pass is the most powerful pass in the world. Even if the Tatars really If anyone dares to come, I will definitely kill them without leaving any trace of them behind!"
The woman didn't say much when she heard this, she just smiled.
And Gu Yuanshao said: "It's getting late, let's go and rest first."
After saying that, he got up, hugged the two women and went into the inner compartment to sleep.
At the turn of Xuhai, the battle between Gu Yuanshao and Gu Yuanshao was in full swing. A guerrilla general outside looked anxious and said anxiously: "General, it's bad, the Jurchens have attacked the city."
When Gu Yuanshao heard this, his expression changed suddenly. He quickly picked up his trousers and came out. He put on a piece of clothing and left the wing. He looked at the general who came to report the news and asked, "Why did the Jurchen come here?"
"General, there has been a killing spree outside the city. There are many real women below, and Guancheng can't stand it any longer."
Gu Yuanshao calmed down and said urgently: "Quick, quick, look for my armor and weapons, gather the soldiers and horses in the city, I am going to climb the city to defend against the enemy!"
At this moment, Juyongguan is undergoing a fierce attack from the soldiers of the two Jurchen banners, the Xianghong Banner, the Xianglan Banner, the Horqin Mongolia and the Inner Kalkha Mongolia. The sound of "rumbling" can be heard throughout the city, and Guancheng seems to be roaring with artillery fire. Shake gently.
The elite bannermen of the Eight Jurchen Banners took advantage of the cover of night and carried the ladder towards the Guancheng tide. However, the Han army in Juyongguan City was caught off guard and was a little confused.
Because at this time, some of the soldiers at Juyongguan were dozing off against the city gate tower, holding their weapons, but the Jurchens suddenly attacked and naturally they couldn't react.
At this moment, Yue Tuo and Hauge looked at the Jurchen bannermen who were carrying ladders to attack Juyongguan City in the distance. They had already established a foothold on the top of Guancheng City.
"Brother, the Juyong Pass has been broken!" Hauge exclaimed with excitement on his face.
Yue Tuo reminded him and said: "Don't be careless in the enemy's country."
At midnight, Jurchen flags were erected above Guancheng, and the sound of killing spread towards Guancheng.
At this moment, only nearly 20,000 elite Jurchens came, and they suddenly attacked with several times the force. Juyongguan City did not hold out for long before it fell into the hands of the Jurchens. With the sound of the city gate "squeaking", a large number of Jurchens The soldiers entered Guancheng.
Because the combat effectiveness of the entire Jizhen defense line was not substantially improved compared to the previous Han army.
Although Li Zan had been guarding Peiping for many years, he was not a military general. Although he strictly restrained and organized the troops in Jizhen and Peiping, he did not effectively improve the combat effectiveness of the frontier army. In other words, the frontier army was still the same frontier army. , but it is not as undisciplined and full of old and weak as before.
Until early in the morning, the gate tower of Juyongguan had been replaced with the flag of the Qing Dynasty, and guard Gu Yuanshao led a group of soldiers to fight the Jurchens on the long street outside the official office, and was hacked to death by the rebel army. .
Juyongguan has fallen!
Without waiting for daybreak, the remaining soldiers had lit the beacon fire on the beacon tower, warning the enemy captives of the news to Chen Han's important town of Peiping.
By dawn, Hauge and Yue Tuo, surrounded by a group of personal guards, had entered the official office where General Gu Yuanshao usually worked.
Hauge was feeling great at this moment, sitting on the Grand Master's chair, laughing loudly and saying: "It's really a bad breath."
In the past half month, the troops have been stagnant at the gate of Xuanfu City, unable to enter the Han territory at all, and they have been losing troops and generals. Now they have finally returned to the familiar situation of being invincible and invincible.
Yue Tuo reminded: "The Han court will definitely send reinforcements and even use soldiers and horses to pursue and intercept our army."
Hauge said coldly: "They want to pursue and intercept them, but they are just defeated by our army one by one."
Seeing Hauge's self-confidence, Yue Tuo couldn't say much else, so he mentioned another matter: "My father is still at Qiangzi Pass, sending a message to our army to join forces in Peking. There are not many people here." treat."
Hauge nodded and said: "That matter should not be delayed. Let's take a short rest tonight and attack Beiping Mansion tomorrow."
In fact, after the fall of Liaodong, the nine sides of the Chen-Han border had de facto become one side. Now that Juyong Pass was broken and Peiping was attacked, it can be said that one move affected the whole body.
Peking Dusi Yamen
In the early morning, the morning light showed slightly, and then a few wisps of sandalwood rose from the animal head incense cage in the study room across the east courtyard of the house.
Li Zan, the second assistant to the cabinet and a bachelor of Wuyingdian, is sitting in the study room. A candle is burning on the table. The candle light is dim, projecting a tall and firm figure on the bookcase.
Before dawn, the big man's second minister in the cabinet had already gotten up to deal with military affairs.
At this moment, there was a rush of footsteps in the corridor, and immediately a young man wearing a flying fish suit and a wingless crown with a mountain shape on his head walked quickly into the study with a slight pause on his face.
"Qiu Liang." Li Zan put down the book in his hand, raised his eyes to look at the Jinyi palace guard, and whispered.
The visitor was none other than Qiu Liang, who had been sent to the Peiping camp by Jia Heng.
He is now in the Military Intelligence Department of the Peking Capital Division, and is responsible for spying on the Jurchen intelligence. Because of his courage and ability, he has gradually become a highly relied upon general under Li Zan.
"Mr. Ge, the direction of Juyong Pass was attacked by the Jurchens. Juyong Pass fell to the enemy. The Jurchens raised a large number of elite cavalry to attack Beiping." Qiu Liang said with a solemn expression and cupped his hands.
When Li Zan heard this, his expression suddenly changed. He put down the book in his hand and asked, "What happened? Why was Juyong Pass broken?"
Qiu Liang said: "Mr. Ge, no detailed military information has been reported from the direction of Juyongguan. However, given the Jurchens' bravery, I think it was a sudden attack and the defenders in Guanzhong were unprepared."
At this moment, Juyongguan had just been lost, so naturally no detailed military reports were delivered.
Li Zan was silent for a moment, suppressed the anxiety in his heart, and said in a deep voice: "Where is Kang Hong, the admiral of Hebei in Baoding? He immediately urged Kang Hong to lead troops to come to the rescue. In addition, he urgently ordered Lu Qi from Shandong to immediately lead troops to rescue Peking. mistaken."
Qiu Liang said: "Mr. Ge, Admiral Kang may come over quickly, but Admiral Lu is gathering elite troops in Shandong. The troops may not be able to reach Peiping within two days."
Li Zan said: "Let Lu Qi travel day and night. Peiping is the capital of the northern country, so there is no room for failure."
When Qiu Liang heard this, he handed him over.
"The Jurchens entered the pass and invaded. They sent a letter via flying pigeons to Yongning Marquis in Datong to convey military information and asked him to send Beijing cavalry reinforcements." Li Zan thought for a while and added.
If we rely solely on the local soldiers from Shandong and Baoding, we may not be able to expel the Jurchen Jingqi, and we have to borrow troops from the Beijing camp to conquer them.
Qiu Liang's face turned solemn, and he clasped his fists and left.
"Call the generals and generals above the guerrilla level in Peiping to the official office to discuss matters." Li Zan was silent for a moment and then ordered a scribe.
The servant responded and then called for someone.
Li Zan also left the study at this time and looked up at the sky. The bright moon, as big as a jade plate, was as bright as silver. The moonlight was as cold as mist, shrouding the earth, while the lanterns hanging on the eaves of the corridor swayed in the wind. Stop and see a circle of red or yellow light and shadow.
Li Zan sighed softly and said, "Beiping was attacked, it's been a troubled time."
The two areas of Xuanda and Dawei were as safe as a rock, but the front lines of Beiping and Jizhen led by him were broken by the enemy. Comparing the two, one can clearly see the superiority of the two.
There is also the general guarding Juyong Pass. He has warned several times before to be careful of the intrusion of Jurchen troops, but he is still so negligent and slack, causing the pass to fall and causing harm to the country and the army. He deserves to be killed!
And on the afternoon of the next day after Juyong Pass was breached, Jia Heng, who was in command in Datong, also received an urgent military message.
"The Juyong Pass has been broken." Chen Xiaoqing said with a hint of coldness on her beautiful face and her voice was worried.
Jia Heng frowned slightly, looked at the map hanging on the screen, and said coldly: "It is indeed Juyong Pass. Xie Jing has already led troops to reinforce. I will send Pang Shili there later to recapture Juyong Pass in one fell swoop."
At this time, Huang Taiji was waiting for him to make a mistake while he was busy, and it was impossible for him to personally lead his troops to help.
Chen Xiaoqing said: "The Jurchens have been attacking for five consecutive days. Yesterday's offensive was a bit slower."
"They are waiting for news from the front line in Peiping. Now that the Juyong Pass is broken, the Jurchens' morale will be greatly boosted, and there should be a new wave of offensive." Jia Heng's eyes were dark, and he was a little worried in his heart.
Chen Xiao looked at the young man and reminded: "If the Jurchens besiege Beiping in a large scale, Shenjing may urge you to send troops, or divide the troops to support each other."
Jia Heng shook his head and said: "I will send my troops to the capital in a moment. The Jurchen's power is still in Xuan Da, so it is not suitable for large-scale mobilization of troops and horses between the two places for the time being. Unless most of the Jurchen's main power is transferred, otherwise the Xuan Mansion will move. If Huang Taiji leads his troops to attack the Xuan Mansion again, the situation will be completely ruined."
Chen Xiao's eyes flashed, and he nodded: "It's not a good time to mess up the situation now."
Although it had been predicted that the Eastern Front might explode, when it actually happened, there was still a sense of danger.
Jia Heng pondered for a moment and said, "First summon the generals to discuss matters."
Although I had long expected that the Jurchens would definitely break through the barrier and enter, I was in no mood to say anything else as I sat back and watched as the Jurchens raised their troops to wreak havoc on Yanzhao and harmed the people.
At this moment, when Jia Heng came into the crowded hall, Runan Hou Weiqi and other generals in the capital camp also looked at the young man in python suit.
After Jia Heng briefly described the situation at Juyongguan, he said: "The Jurchens were trying to break through the city from the east when they strengthened the city on the west front."
Runan Hou Weiqi said: "General, Beiping has encountered a strong enemy invasion. Will our army send troops to help?"
Jia Heng said: "I have sent Xie Jing there before, but the Jurchen soldiers and horses in Xuan Mansion have retreated. General Xie will also increase the troops as appropriate. Where is Pang Shili?"
"The last general is here." Pang Shili came out of the group of generals and said with clasped fists.
Jia Heng said in a deep voice: "General Pang led six thousand cavalry troops to Peiping to support Xie Jing."
Really unable to let go of the strength of the soldiers in Peiping, Jia Heng finally sent out a group of reinforcements when the crisis came to an end.
Pang Shili responded with his hands, then came out of the hall and ordered his troops to leave.
After Pang Shili left, Jia Heng said thoughtfully: "Huang Taiji must have made some moves recently, and may launch a large-scale attack on the city. Recently, all camps must beware of heavy Jurchen attacks."
Everyone present heard this and said yes.
On the other side, in the military tent, Huang Taiji also gathered high-level officials from the Qing Dynasty to discuss matters, and not far away sat the Prince of Mongolia, Baylor.
"Hauge and Yue Tuo adapt to the situation and break the Juyong Pass to resolve the deadlock." Huang Taiji smiled, put down the military newspaper in his hand, and praised.
The faces of the Jurchen generals and the Mongolian prince Beile below were mostly filled with joy.
In the past few days of attacking Datong City, it can be said that Mongolia also realized how difficult it is to attack a heavily defended city. The trenches under Datong City were almost filled with the corpses of Jurchens and Mongols. In a word, the casualties were heavy.
Huang Taiji said: "Now that the Han Dynasty is struggling with the crisis in Peiping, we should also take action. Tomorrow the entire army will be deployed to attack Datong City with all our strength."
At this time, Azig walked out of the general queue with his head held high, raised his hands and said: "Brother Emperor, tomorrow my troops are willing to be the first to behead Jia Heng's son!"
Huang Taiji looked at Azig, nodded, and warned: "Twelfth brother, this is still a feint attack, but the attack must be swift and violent, in line with Dongbian'er's advance."
After these few days of offensive and defensive battles, the Jurchens have estimated that the price to pay to capture Datong City will be huge.
Azig cupped his hands and said, "Brother, don't worry."
After that, Huang Taiji gave a few more siege missions. After the generals left, Huang Taiji was lost in thought while looking at the map hanging on the screen. Suddenly he stretched out his hand and pointed in the direction of Ping'an Prefecture and asked: "Which branch of the Han army is here?" Soldiers and horses are guarding?"
Dorgon, who was standing by, was startled for a moment, and quickly replied: "This place was originally Shuozhou, but the Han Dynasty changed its name to Ping'an Prefecture, and established a military envoy named Cuiling, with 40,000 soldiers and horses."
Huang Taiji frowned slightly and whispered, "This name is somewhat familiar."
"Your Majesty, Cuiling also opened many trade routes to transport goods to our country. The Ministry of Household Affairs also mentioned this matter." Fan Xiandou said in a deep voice.
Huang Taiji's eyes brightened slightly, and he pointed at the map and said, "Shuozhou is the most important defense place of the Three Jin Dynasties. From now on, we will attack in a roundabout way until we reach...here!"
As he spoke, he placed his fingers heavily on the word "Taiyuan".
In the past, Chahar Mongolia had blocked them, so they didn't think of bypassing Datong and sneaking a surprise attack on the latter section.
Fan Xiandou's eyes lit up and he asked, "Your Majesty wants to send a force of troops to surround Shuozhou and reach Jin."
"There are hundreds of thousands of Han troops gathered in Datong. With the strength of our army, unless there are huge casualties, it will not be easy to capture the city. If we attack with a large army from behind, intimidate Taiyuan and cut off the Han army's food routes, at that time, Xuanda and other places will The hearts of the Han army were shaken, this is a brilliant victory!" The more Huang Taiji said, the brighter his eyes became, and his heart was excited, as if he saw the scene where the Han court could not care about the beginning and the end, and was completely defeated by the Jurchens.
Fan Xiandou was a little shaken in his heart. He cast his eyes in the direction of Shuozhou. After thinking for a while, he said: "Your Majesty, although this method is the right strategy as discussed before, it is still a bit risky. The Han army will definitely fight to the death to help. Do you want to see the Han court first?" Regarding the response on the front line in Beiping, if the Han court center blames Marquis Yongning for the military situation in Beiping, is it not too late to make further calculations?"
Huang Taiji shook his head and said: "This matter should not be delayed. Once the Yongning Marquis notices any omissions, the fighting opportunity will be fleeting and we must send troops as soon as possible!"
In fact, this is a defensive loophole left after the entire Chahar Mongolian line was retracted to Datong Town. It attacked Shuozhou from the direction of Ordos, and then went straight into Taiyuan to cut off the army's food route in Datong. The victory of this battle can basically be sealed. .
In fact, the Han army was trapped in chaos. Once it collapsed, it would be a brilliant victory no less than the Liaodong victory. How could Huang Taiji not be tempted?
Dorgon's eyes also fell on Shuozhou at this moment, and he was excited and said: "Brother Huang is right! The fighter opportunity is fleeting. Once the Han army reacts and adds troops to Ping'an Prefecture, we will never have such an opportunity again. .”
Huang Taiji smiled and said: "The result of the war at that time was nothing more than Yue Tuo and the others plundering some people in Hanting, Hebei and other places. As in the past, Hanting would not hurt their muscles and bones, but this time it was different. If Taiyuan is captured and its food routes are cut off, then the Han army led by Marquis Yongning will be completely defeated, and it will be difficult for the Han court to compete with me as the Qing Dynasty marches north!"
It can be said that Huang Taiji's words are no exaggeration, because the entire center of grain transshipment is in Taiyuan.
Dorgon said: "Brother Emperor, when it comes to Taiyuan, I heard recently that after Yongning Hou of the Han Dynasty arrived in Taiyuan, he used force to hijack Shanxi merchants to collect food for the army. They are full of resentment, and the Kang family has also been invaded by the Han Dynasty. Ting Luozhi was convicted and imprisoned. If the army comes to Taiyuan, can we cooperate internally and externally to take Taiyuan lightly?"
Kang Yisheng's son Kang Zexing was arrested in the Xuan Mansion. After confessing to the Kang family's activities, Jia Heng secretly ordered the Jinyi Mansion to arrest the Kang family and others. For several other Shanxi merchants, because the evidence was not enough, and several more Shanxi merchants were needed. Raising food and fodder, so there was no action.
However, several major Shanxi merchants had already held grudges and were ready to retaliate at any time, until Jia Heng achieved a great victory in annihilating the Xianglan Banner, which frightened the Shanxi merchants, and they went dormant again.
When Huang Taiji heard this, he was even more happy. He secretly thought that God would help me, and asked, "Is there a communication channel for Shanxi merchants?"
Dorgon said: "There is a communication channel. Several Shanxi merchants have servants and subordinates. Originally, the soldiers in Taiyuan Town were dissatisfied with the Yongning Marquis."
And just like this, the more Huang Taiji talked, the more feasible it became. He set his sights on the important town of Taiyuan on the map and said, "If you put it this way, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"
Fan Xiandou also nodded at this moment and said: "At this moment, the Han army has gathered a large number of troops in Xuanda. No matter how hard they think, they will not think of our Qing Dynasty attacking Taiyuan."
Huang Taiji's eyes were bright, he stood up, held down the sword on his waist, and said: "This time I want to conquer in person!"
As soon as these words came out, Fan Xiandou and Dorgon's expressions suddenly changed, and they both said: "Your Majesty, no!"
"The emperor has a body of ten thousand gold and is bound to the country. He really shouldn't take risks like this. If something goes wrong, where will the Qing Dynasty be put?" Fan Xiandou persuaded and gave Dorgon another wink.
Dorgon looked more serious and quickly advised: "Brother Huang has the ambition to fight on the battlefield. I know it, but Brother Huang is old after all, and he is the Dinghai Pearl of our Qing Dynasty. If there is any mistake, I will be afraid of it." The Qing Dynasty will be in turmoil because of this, so I ask my brother to think twice."
Huang Taiji waved his hand and said: "If others lead the troops, I am really worried and can't adapt to the situation. I know you are worried, but even though I am over sixty years old, I can still shoot a stone bow. Besides, I am not going alone this time." , Jierharang and Dege will follow."
Dorgon then advised: "Brother Emperor, why don't I lead the troops there? Brother Emperor will be stationed here. If the Han army's food route is cut off, Brother Emperor will be able to command the armies, defeat the Han army in one fell swoop, and capture Xuanda."
Huang Taiji asked: "If Yongninghou sends troops to rescue him, will you attack or defend?"
Dorgon said: "Brother Emperor, we are going to attack Taiyuan fiercely."
Huang Taiji smiled slightly, shook his head, and said: "It is important to besiege Taiyuan City, but if reinforcements come and nothing can be done, we must withdraw to Shuozhou in time."
Speaking of attacking Taiyuan, if Taiyuan is eager to go south, then it will be necessary to encircle the points for reinforcements. Dorgon may not be able to grasp these measurements on the battlefield.
Seeing that he couldn't persuade Huang Taiji, Dorgon turned to Fan Xiandou.
Fan Xiandou persuaded: "Your Majesty, the two armies are fighting. The battle is dangerous. Your Majesty, it is better to attack with good generals."
Huang Taiji said: "There is no need to worry about this matter. I will be commanding from the rear and nothing will happen. Only I can lead the army in this battle to cope with the deployment and mobilization of the Han court. Otherwise, if a general is appointed to go deep into the enemy's territory, it will be difficult to achieve anything. "
In fact, there is still a feeling in my heart that such a battle that can ruin the vitality of the Han Dynasty cannot be left to human hands. If it is left to the fourteenth brother, the fourteenth brother's merits and reputation will be greatly improved.
After a hundred years, who can control the disciples?
When Fan Xiandou heard this, he was silent for a moment, vaguely guessing that there was a deeper reason, but it was hard to persuade him.
However, Huang Taiji himself was an instant emperor, so there was no danger in attacking from Shuozhou.
"Mr. Fan, don't worry. When I was young, I followed my father on expeditions here and there. I never suffered a defeat in my life. I spent half my life as a soldier. No one in the land of Han could touch a hair on my head!" Huang Taiji said with a smile.
At this time, Prince Zheng Jierhalang said from the side: "Brother, don't worry, even if my brother is shattered to pieces, I will protect my brother."
Dorgon and Fan Xiandou saw Huang Taiji's insistence and Jierhalang's protection, so they stopped trying to persuade him.
(End of chapter)
