Pingan Prefecture
As Jia Heng asked, the general named Hu did not dare to neglect and said: "Back to the general, there are two thousand cavalry and seven thousand infantry in the Jing camp in the city, and under the command of Cui Jiedushi, we have not yet Check, as for the movements of the Jurchens, Tiqi has been secretly sent to the north in the past few days, but no trace of the Jurchens invading Ping'an Prefecture has been found."
Jia Heng pondered and said, "Send fewer detectives for now. We must not alert others."
As he said that, he looked at Cui Ling, the military governor of Ping'an, and said, "Master Cui, the imperial court has designated Ping'an Prefecture's military quota of 40,000. How many soldiers are there in the city now?"
Cui Ling's heart thumped, but when he met those sharp sword-like eyes, he gritted his teeth, raised his hands and said: "Come back to the general, there are 40,000 soldiers and horses in the city, but the battle array has been sparse for a long time, and the court has not seen any reinforcements. There are many people fleeing and being dispersed, the subordinate officials are incompetent and their restraint is weak.”
At the end of the sentence, I didn't know how to justify my previous shortfall. I hesitated for a while and didn't dare to say anything.
Jia Heng's face was as cold as ice and he said in a deep voice: "How many soldiers and horses are there in the city, and how many are worthy of being warriors?"
Cui Ling looked hesitant and hesitantly said: "Back to General, this matter..."
Jia Heng snorted coldly, shouted, interrupted Cui Ling's argument, and said: "Now that things have happened, you still want to lie to me? Someone, please take down this animal and take it down for detailed questioning and judgment."
Among all the border generals, Jiang Zining is the exception. All other border generals will be punished. As for whether it will cause resentment among the border generals, it is actually not bad.
Because currently all the grievances have been dealt with.
When Cui Ling heard this, his expression suddenly changed, his heart was filled with fear and fear, and he said in a trembling voice: "General, what crime did I commit?"
I really didn't expect that I would greet him with a smile and be familiar with him, but I would suddenly get angry the next moment.
At this time, two Jinyi palace guards stepped forward and held down Cui Ling's arms. Without any explanation, they held him up and headed outside.
"General Qi, immediately took over the several battalions of soldiers and horses in Ping'an Prefecture City, and organized them into teams to assist the Beijing camp in defending the city. In addition, he sent people to block the city to prevent people from crossing the border and leaking the news." Jia Heng looked solemn. He ordered.
When Qi Jianhui heard this, his face straightened, he clasped his fists and said, "General, I'll go over here."
After Qi Jianhui took the order and left, Jia Heng ordered the soldiers and horses of the Beijing camp to rest in the city and have dinner. Then he ordered the soldiers to set up the Hongyi cannon at the top of the city, and then quietly waited for the Qing army to attack.
In the backyard, Jia Heng temporarily requisitioned a wing room, which was already filled with various bookcases and desks, and quilts were placed on the bed in the inner wing.
Chen Xiao looked at the young man in python suit who was writing a memorial at his desk. His clear eyes under his willow eyebrows moved slightly and asked, "Do you think Huang Taiji will come?"
Jia Heng said: "If we send a general to besiege, it may not be as advantageous as a personal expedition. Now that Ping'an Prefecture has been conquered, if we advance, we can attack Taiyuan, and if we retreat, we can cut off our army's food route. Huang Taiji will definitely not be able to hold back, and will most likely lead his troops to come personally."
Because these things cannot be left to human hands.
Chen Xiao's eyes flashed and he said softly: "If we achieve a big victory this time, then the female main force in Datong will also be frightened after hearing the news, and maybe this war will end earlier."
Jia Heng said softly: "The fighting has begun over there in Beiping Mansion. Let's wait for news from them."
Now on the east and west fronts, his side is the main battle force, but there is no guarantee that anything will happen to Qi Beiping Mansion again.
While Jia Heng was deploying troops in the city of Ping'an Prefecture, Emperor Chongping in Shenjing City was summoning several cabinet ministers and military ministers to discuss matters, to be precise, they were sharing the good news achieved in Xuanhua City.
In this battle, eight or nine thousand Jurchen and Han bannermen were defeated, as well as more than two thousand elite cavalrymen of the Mongolian Bahrain tribe, and more than seven or eight thousand people were beheaded and captured. The results of the battle were brilliant.
In the Hanyuan Hall, it was just past noon. The spring afternoon sunlight shone in the hall, casting silhouettes of people on the jade steps. They were the ministers and military aircraft of the Han Dynasty summoned by the eunuchs sent by Emperor Chongping. .
Several people in the hall were discussing privately in low voices.
Han Huang was talking to Zhao Mo on the side, and asked Shi Jie, the Minister of War, and Hang Min, the military aircraft driver, about the impact of winning this war on the entire war situation.
At this moment, the news of victory in the capital had spread throughout the streets and alleys, and Han Huang and Shi Jie, the Minister of War, naturally also received the news.
Although the great victory in Xuanhua City was not as shocking as the previous annihilation of Jurchen elites outside Datong City, it was like a timely rain that gradually calmed down the anxious and agitated people in Shenjing City.
But not everyone looked as happy as Han Huang. Prince Nan'an was in the train at the moment, with a cold glint in his eyes.
Xie Zaiyi's victory in Xuanhua City completely suppressed the public opinion in the capital in recent days. The memorials criticizing Jia Heng by the ministers of the Central Academy of Sciences suddenly became water without a source and a tree without roots.
"Your Majesty has arrived." Just when everyone was having different thoughts, the high-pitched voice of the eunuch beside the pillars was heard in the palace. The faces of all the cabinet ministers and military aircraft present became solemn and suddenly fell silent.
Immediately, a tall and tall middle-aged emperor emerged from the curtain in the palace, with a majestic face and calm eyes. Accompanied by Dai Quan and other internal prisoners, he sat on the golden chair behind the imperial case.
"I have seen you, Your Majesty. Long live Long Live Long Live." The civil servants, led by Han Huang, and the military commanders, led by Nan'an County Prince, saluted the emperor after the imperial examination. Although there were not many people, there was still a sense of shouting "Long Live the Mountain". .
Emperor Chongping looked kind-hearted and said, "Your Majesty, you are exempt from courtesy."
All the ministers in the palace expressed their thanks and stood up.
Emperor Chongping glanced at the courtiers below, suppressed the joy in his heart, and said: "I think you have also heard that Lubu reported victory. Xie Zaiyi's troops in Xuanhua City defeated the two banners of the Jurchen Han army and the Mongolian elite cavalry in one battle, annihilating seven enemies. There are more than a thousand, there are no Jurchen elite soldiers outside Xuanhua City, and the crisis in the Xuanfu War Zone has been resolved."
After Emperor Chongping finished speaking, his eyes fell on the faces of the civil and military officials below.
Shi Jie, the Minister of War, held a wat tablet in his hand, stepped out from the crowd and said: "Your Majesty, after the Beijing cavalry troops leave the city and defeat ten thousand Jurchen elite cavalry, the Jurchen elites who invaded Beiping Prefecture will definitely be shaken and will not dare to go deep into our Han territory unscrupulously. Massacre, then Xie Bu leads the cavalry and pursues them again, which will achieve twice the result with half the result, I congratulate you as the Holy One."
Emperor Chongping said: "This is what I said the day before yesterday. Although the enemies in Beiping Mansion are aggressive and their troops are insufficient, Xuan Mansion cannot rush to help rashly, as it can easily be taken advantage of by the enemy."
After saying that, he looked at Prince Nan'an and whispered: "Yan Qing, what do you think?"
Prince Nan'an: "???"
Is this asking him on purpose?
After gathering his thoughts and thinking for a while, he left the team and said: "Your Majesty, I thought that although the victory was won in the direction of Xuanfu, the barbarians were raging in the direction of Beiping, and the Marquis of Yongning had more than 100,000 troops in Datong. Now there is no war in Datong. , troops should be sent to assist Beiping Prefecture, and now that there is fierce discussion in Beijing, troops should also be sent to assist Hebei and other places."
However, Shi Jie retorted: "Your Majesty, Marquis Yongning has more than 100,000 troops in Datong, confronting the power of the Goddess. We must not divide our troops rashly."
Han Huang's face was as dark as a deep abyss, and he cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, I think that since the siege of Xuanfu has been solved, can Xuanfu send more troops to Peking at its discretion?"
Emperor Chongping said: "Xie Zaiyi mentioned in his memorial the enemy captives in Beiping Prefecture and planned to send troops to drive them away. Previously, Marquis Yongning also mentioned the Jurchen soldiers and horses in the direction of Beiping, and temporarily implemented the strategy of clearing the country with strong walls and encircling them to annihilate them. Now that Marquis Yongning has made arrangements, There will be news of victory in the near future. When we, the emperor and his ministers, are at the center to receive military information, we have been lagging behind the front line for many days and cannot remotely control the front line."
Although as in previous years, enemy bandits were still wreaking havoc in Peiping, and the people of Yan and Zhao were trapped in iron traps, this time it was different. Whether it was Datong or Xuanfu, the two successful reports had shown that the Jurchens were not invincible.
The dawn of victory is not far away.
It was hard for everyone present to say anything else.
Emperor Chongping pondered for a moment and then warned: "For frontline battles, all military supplies and supplies must be in full supply. If the military aircraft are delayed due to a shortage of military supplies and supplies, I will definitely punish you severely!"
Han Huang held up his hands and said, "Your Majesty, please rest assured. The capital has already allocated money and food. There is no shortage of food and fodder at present. Please ask Your Majesty for your guidance."
Emperor Chongping nodded and said: "The other person is Xie Zaiyi. He has made great achievements this time, and the court should give him a reward to highlight his special achievements."
Defeating ten thousand people in one battle, in the early years of Chongping, when military affairs were sluggish, was enough to set a good example and make him a marquis. However, given that Jia Heng had previously defeated the elite of the Jurchen tribe, he inadvertently increased the appetite of the Han officials.
It feels like being granted a third-level status would make a lot less sense.
Shi Jie held an ivory jade wat in his hand and said: "Your Majesty, the war has not been completely settled yet. I think it is not too late to wait until the war is over to decide on the merits. As far as I know, he is now a first-class Mingwei." General, after this battle, you should be ranked among the fifth-class knights."
"What Shi Qing said is true, then we will wait until the war is over before conferring a title." Emperor Chongping paused and said, "But the cabinet can draft a commendation edict to commend the frontline generals for their heroic spirit and encourage them. I am a strong soldier."
At this time, Han Huang bowed to accept the order, but deep in his heart, there was a thick haze.
Zhao Mo frowned, and a hint of worry flashed in his old eyes.
This Xie Zaiyi is a close confidant of Marquis Yongning. If he is knighted after the war, the Jia Party will become even stronger. If things go on like this, it will be a disaster rather than a blessing for the country.
But this is exactly what is inevitable. After every war, the Wuxun Group that has made great contributions will expand in power.
Prince Nan'an's face was silent at this moment, his eyes were gloomy, and a sense of vigilance secretly surged in his heart.
If Xiao'er wins a great victory in Northern Xinjiang this time, it is possible that a circle of martial arts circles will be formed around him. By then, will their founding heroes still have a foothold?
Wait for the discussion of the civil and military ministers to end.
As time passed, the news of Xie Zaiyi's great victory spread throughout Shenjing, calming the anger of the Jurchens who crossed the border and entered the land of Yanzhao.
But a new kind of talk arose at some point, which is why Yongning Marquis has not yet fought a decisive battle with the Jurchens. He won two battles and won two. The time for a decisive battle is ripe. Why is he still stationing troops in Datong and watching the people of Yanzhao suffer the Jurchen captives? Ride and trample?
In this way, public opinion in Beijing, or the entire Han Dynasty, was paying attention to this war that affected the fate of the country, and Xie Zaiyi's another victory undoubtedly gave the Han court a renewed confidence.
The two houses of Rongning and Ning were originally worried about the public opinion in Beijing, but they gradually became relieved.
At this moment, the city of Beiping was already shrouded in war clouds, and the elite Jurchen soldiers were fighting fiercely with the Han army relying on the city.
"Dong dong..."
A large cowhide drum hung above the city gate. The sound of the drum was as dense as raindrops and deafening, covering up the sounds of fighting up and down the city wall.
The Jurchen soldiers and horses under the two red flags and the Zhenglan flag below the city wall are fiercely attacking Beiping Town. The Jurchen soldiers carrying ladders and pushing carts have blood-red pupils and a somewhat ferocious look on their faces.
Li Zan looked into the distance through the telescope in his hand, and his eyes swept across the Jurchen bannermen, with a cold light shining in his eyes.
"Have you let go of the news of the great victory of the army in Xuanhua?" Li Zan put down the monocular telescope in his hand and asked Qiu Liang, who was wearing a flying fish suit and an embroidered spring knife.
Qiu Liang said: "We have sent out the spies. The Jurchen bannermen outside the city all know the news of our Han army's victory in Xuanhua."
Not only were they announcing the two victories of the Han Dynasty to the Jurchens who were besieging Peiping, but in the past few days, Jinyi Mansion and Peking Camp also sent people to tell their soldiers about the two consecutive victories of the Han army in Xuanfu and Datong.
Li Zan nodded and said: "Although the Jurchens are strong, they are not invincible. In the past two days of attack and defense, the generals have also discovered that they are not afraid of death, but as long as our Han army can withstand one of their offensives, There is still room for improvement in the situation.”
After hearing this, all the generals nodded in agreement.
Kang Hong said with relief: "Don't worry, Mr. Ge. They can't break the city. Now it's just a futile effort."
"Don't underestimate the enemy." Li Zan shook his head and whispered: "Even if the Jurchens cannot attack the city, the entire Yanzhao land, not just Peiping, the Jurchens have begun to divide their troops to plunder in the past few days."
At this moment, compared with Li Zan's worry, Hauge, Yue Tuo, Dai Shan and his son in the military tent in the distance also heard the news of the defeat coming from outside Xuanhua City.
In the military tent, the atmosphere was slightly solemn.
Looking at Hauge, whose face was as gloomy as ice, Yue Tuo said: "It was my improper arrangement earlier and failed to allow Li Guohan to withdraw his troops in time, which led to this defeat."
Hauge said: "Brother Wang is not to blame for this, I also made mistakes."
Seeing the two of them holding each other's faults, Dai Shan said expressionlessly: "Now that the defeat has been brewed, it is useless to talk more. Now it is time to make a decision whether to fight or to leave."
Hauge said loudly: "Uncle, in my opinion, we will take over the city of Beiping in one go!"
Dai Shan said: "Is the city of Beiping so easy to capture? It is only right to divide our forces now, break through several county towns, and help your father share the pressure of the Han army in the direction of Datong."
"Your Highness should have been able to see the offensive and defensive battle that just took place during the day. The morale of the Han troops in the city was high and their will to resist was undiminished." Yue Tuo said.
Hearing this, Hauge cast his shining eyes at Daishan and asked, "Uncle, what are we planning for now?"
Daishan pondered and said: "Tomorrow, we will divide our troops to plunder. If the Han army cannot sit still and wants to wait for work like the story of Xuanfu, my Zhenghongqi can take advantage of the situation and raise the ambush to cover up the enemy."
This is to give the Han army a loophole, and then look for opportunities to kill them.
Hauge nodded and said, "Then follow my uncle's words."
In this way, Hauge, Yue Tuan and Dai Shan decided to make a decision. In short, they no longer sought to capture Beiping Fucheng.
Pingan Prefecture
At dawn on the second day after Jia Heng entered Ping'an Prefecture, the morning light was slightly dewed, and the blue sky was cloudless. Zuolan County, fifty miles away, was on the southwest side of a barren mountain range, under the moonlight. , a corner of Rulin's flag appeared.
"Brother Emperor, Ping'an Province has arrived." Prince Zheng Jierhalang said in a low voice with a respectful expression on his face.
At this moment, Jierhalang obviously didn't know that this sentence was comparable to: "Commander, Huanggu Tun has arrived."
At this moment, Huang Taiji used the dawn light in the distance to look at a bright red flag above Ping'an Prefecture and said: "You see, the soldiers on the tower are completely unprepared. We just happened to capture Ping'an Prefecture by surprise and approach Taiyuan."
De Gelei said at the side: "Your Majesty, although Taiyuan is an important town, the Shanxi merchants have agreed to serve as internal agents at any time and contact the Taiyuan soldiers who are not convinced that Wang Chengyin was killed."
This Manchu clan member, who lived more than ten years longer than in parallel time and space, was the son of Nurhachi, and he had always been known for his bravery and combat skills in the military.
Huang Taiji said in a deep voice: "Bury the pot to make rice, and attack the city in half an hour!"
A look of determination appeared in Jilharang's eyes, and he said in a high-spirited voice: "Your Majesty, attack the city now without delaying breakfast."
Huang Taiji glanced at Jierhalang and warned with a straight face: "Don't be careless. A lion fights a rabbit with all his strength."
With that, he whispered to Dege Lei on the side: "Tomorrow, we will lead the troops to test the attack. If the defense in the city is strong, the army will attack together. Don't give the Han people time to react. Attack the city with all our strength. I suspect that the big Han Yongning Marquis The strategy should be to send reinforcements to Ping'an Prefecture."
Hearing this, Dege Lei clasped his fists and said yes, then ordered all the soldiers to go.
This time, Huang Taiji brought the Zhenghuang Banner and the Xianglan Banner plus some Han military flags, which totaled about 14,000 to 5,000 people.
Huang Taiji thought for a while and said, "Let's rest first and attack later."
At this moment, as the Jurchen army approached the city, the Han army in Ping'an Prefecture also noticed the movement and reported it to the commander of the city gate tower.
Jia Heng was currently instructing the soldiers to hide the Hongyi cannons in the turrets on the four sides of the city wall. Because they were mixed with the Folan cannons, there was nothing unusual when viewed from below.
Chen Xiao whispered: "You can't plant your flag in the city, otherwise Huang Taiji may be surprised and run away."
Jia Heng nodded and said, "Let others go to the top of the city, and we will go there quietly."
With Huang Taiji's ambitious character, he is often as cunning as a fox. If something is wrong, it may arouse suspicion.
It is really possible to develop a battlefield intuition when a battle is approaching. If you see him appearing in Ping'an State, you may be a little wary.
Jia Heng said: "You and I will hide by the city wall later and observe the situation downwards."
If you really see Huang Taiji's handsome flag, or if you really have no other way, you must defeat Huang Taiji's yellow flag in one fell swoop.
Chen Xiao nodded and said no more, but there was a faint expectation in his heart.
If he can really capture the chieftain and win, and return to the capital with a great reputation, then he will be famous among the Han Dynasties, and his power in the court will be even more prominent, and he can even be granted the title of Duke.
Except for those hereditary titles, there has never been a young prince under the age of twenty since the founding of the Han Dynasty.
Just like that, as the sky was getting closer and the sun was in the middle, it was not sultry because it was spring. Accompanied by the desolate "woo-woo" sound of horns, the Han army in Ping'an Prefecture seemed to have finally discovered that they were approaching the city wall. The Qing troops three miles away began to blow their horns to signal the enemy's approaching attack, and lined up to meet the enemy.
Groups of soldiers gradually prepared crossbows and equipment, and dispersed above the city to defend the city, looking indifferently at the Eight Banners elites surging in like a yellow tide below.
"Dong dong..."
As the heart-stirring sound of war drums sounded, the Han soldiers above the crenellations of the city wall had already drawn their swords, drawn their bows, and raised their crossbows, aiming at the Jurchen elites who were gradually coming through the crenellations of the female wall.
"Whizzing!!!"
Accompanied by the sound of arrows piercing the air, the arrows were like locusts, like rain, shooting towards the incoming Jurchen elite bannermen.
"Pfft..."
The sound of arrows piercing flesh was accompanied by the explosion of a large cloud of blood mist. The entire Jurchen offensive was paused, but then it came again like a tide.
As for the warlord's advancing army, Dege's face was stern, and he was clearly unmoved by this. He just ordered the soldiers beside him to wave the command flag, urging the Jurchen elite to advance.
In the rear, Huang Taiji, surrounded by a group of personal guards and retinues, frowned and his eyes looked solemn.
And Jierhalang said: "The soldiers and horses in this city are not like the soldiers and horses in Ping'an Prefecture."
Huang Taiji said in a deep voice: "Then Marquis Yongning should have sent troops and horses to reinforce Ping'an Prefecture. The one currently fighting our army is the Han court's Beijing camp cavalry. They have already sent some troops and horses."
Jierhalang looked hesitant and asked, "Brother, what should we do now?"
The Han army was prepared. How could they take the city by surprise?
Huang Taiji's eyes were deep under his thick eyebrows and he said: "In the past two years, the Han Dynasty's Beijing camp has gradually returned to its old strength. If things go on like this, it will become more difficult to deal with. It will become more and more difficult for me, the Qing Dynasty, to take control of the Central Plains."
This is actually a true insight. As time passes and the Han army cheers up after victory, it will only become more and more difficult for the Jurchens to crush them as usual.
Jierhalang said: "Brother Emperor."
Huang Taiji said: "The capture of Ping'an Prefecture must not be delayed. Otherwise, Marquis Yongning will rush to help. At that time, our army's intention to enter Taiyuan will be exposed, and we will have no choice but to lead our troops back north."
Jierhalang said: "Brother Emperor, my brother will lead people to the city personally, vowing to capture Ping'an Prefecture this morning!"
"The flag of the Chinese army is up, I will personally supervise the battle!" Huang Taiji said in a stern voice with a stern face.
(End of chapter)
