At the end of October, east of Beijing.
Liu Yan led 120,000 Shandong soldiers to the Pinggu County area on the outskirts of Beijing and deployed defenses along the Xun River east of Pinggu City to prevent the Qing army from advancing westward.
Pinggu County is one hundred and forty miles away from Beijing. The county seat is located at the southern foot of Yanshan Mountain. Because the county is surrounded by mountains on three sides in the east, south and north, with a plain valley in the middle, it is named Pinggu. It is located east of Beijing. Portal Barrier.
Pinggu County was founded in the twelfth year of Emperor Gaozu of the Western Han Dynasty and belongs to Yuyang County. When Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty died in the second year of the Yuan Dynasty, he made the Great Sima and the Great General Huo Guang Marquis of Bolu. The site of Bolu City is located in Pinggu County.
During the Hongwu period of this dynasty, the imperial court built the Zhenluoying, Beishuiyu, Nanshuiyu, Xiongerzhai, and Yuzishan Great Walls. During the Yongle period, the imperial court continued to build the Emei Mountain, Huangsongyu, Heishui Bay, Zhangzuo, and Jiangjun Shiguan Great Walls. During this period, Pinggu first belonged to Jizhou, Beiping Prefecture, and later changed to Jizhou, Shuntian Prefecture.
In the first year of Chongzhen, soldiers of the Later Jin Dynasty surrounded Jizhou, went down to Sanhe, crossed Pinggu, and approached Shunyi County. In the eleventh year of Chongzhen, Qing soldiers entered the pass from Qiangziling in Miyun, and then defeated Gubeikou and Jiangjun Shiguan, and captured Pinggu City.
Every time the Qing soldiers entered the pass to plunder, they almost always attacked Pinggu County. Almost everyone in the city had a sworn hatred against the Qing soldiers.
This time Liu Yan set up his army in the county government office in the city. The county magistrate Zhou Mingxue led a group of county government officials to rush around, fearing that the reception would not be good enough and the governor would be angered.
Liu Yan had a good impression of this thin magistrate. At least he did not abandon the people in the city and escaped with his family when faced with the Qing army approaching. When Liu Yan led his troops to Pinggu County, the county magistrate Zhou Mingxue was setting up defense with a group of government officials and soldiers, standing in the city
With his head trembling, he looked at the army outside the city.
"Master Zhou, please go back and rest first. The governor is preparing for a military meeting."
In the lobby of the county government office, Liu Yan smiled and greeted Zhou Xueming to go back. Zhou Xueming bowed his hands respectfully and said, "Haha, the governor is busy with military affairs first. The subordinate is waiting in front of the county government office. As long as the governor has ordered someone to say hello, just send someone to say hello." .”
"okay."
At this time, all the battalion generals had arrived, including Miao Shao, Xu Ming, Chen Xun, Wang Yue, Wang Bo, Zhang Yi, Shen Tuo, Qian Zhen, several new army staff generals, guerrilla generals, and the commander of the second battalion of the garrison. Zheng Yi, the third battalion commander Han Qin, and the fifth battalion commander Shang Zili also arrived.
In addition, Xun Jingyun, the deputy minister of the shogunate's Ministry of War who is responsible for military discipline and logistics, Bao Xuezhen, the minister of the medical department, and Wu Guojin, the chief minister of the intelligence department, also sat in the hall.
"Everyone is here, let's get down to business."
Everyone looked over. Liu Yan ordered someone to unfold a map urgently drawn by the Intelligence Department. Everyone came over and saw that it was a topographical map of various parts of Beizhili.
"Everyone, please see, according to the news sent back from various ministries all night long, more than 300,000 soldiers and horses of the Qing army have set out from Jizhou City and are heading towards Pinggu County."
Liu Yan immediately put his finger on the map and said: "This river is the Xun River, which runs generally north-south. There are ferries and bridges here in Pinggu County. It is most convenient to cross. The Qing army will definitely take the Pinggu line, and It’s not Sanhe County in the south. Therefore, our army’s battalions must take Pinggu County as the center and deploy defenses as soon as possible.”
"yes."
Immediately, Liu Yan deployed each battalion and stationed the guard battalion and the middle battalion in Pinggu County. The front battalion was located in the mountains of Huangsongyu to the north of the county.
The rear camp was stationed in the Mafang area south of the county seat.
In order to strengthen the military strength in the north and south directions of the county, Liu Yan assigned the second battalion of the garrison to the front camp and the third battalion of the garrison to the rear camp.
The remaining fifth battalion of the garrison, as well as the left battalion, right battalion, cavalry battalion and artillery battalion of the New Army, are all stationed in the Pinggu County area and are on standby for use as mobile forces.
"This time the Qing army is using all the strength of the country to attack. This battle must be very cruel. Everyone must be mentally prepared."
Liu Yan looked solemn, understanding that this battle would be the most severe test since the formation of the new army, even more cruel than the original Battle of Julu.
Therefore, Liu Yan formulated this strategy of defensive counterattack, first relying on the Xun River to establish a line of defense, consuming as much Qing army strength as possible, and then looking for opportunities to counterattack.
"The troops deployed in the north and south directions of Pinggu County will go to survey the terrain today, deploy defense lines in favorable terrain as soon as possible, and rely on the mountains and Xun River to block the Qing army's attack."
"Each battalion must maintain contact with the Chinese army every day to prevent small groups of Qing troops from breaking into the defense line."
"yes!"
After the military meeting, Liu Yan left Xun Jingyun behind and said: "We must make complete preparations for this battle. All the money and food for the army will be stored in Pinggu County. In addition, we must send people to ask for money and food from the court."
Xun Jingyun frowned slightly and said, "Master Governor, can the imperial court still come up with money and food?"
Liu Yan said: "No matter whether we can take it out or not, we have to reach out and ask for it, otherwise the adults in the court will think that I, Liu Yan, and the soldiers in the army are all begging for food!"
While he was talking, Miao Shao came back and said with a smile: "Supervisor
Sir, a messenger from the imperial court is here. He is an old acquaintance, Ma Shaoyu, the Minister of War. "
Liu Yan smiled and said, "Then please come."
"yes."
After a while, Ma Shaoyu came to the lobby with a face full of joy, raised his hands and said: "I pay my respects to the governor. I hope you are well."
Liu Yan returned the courtesy with a smile, said "sit", and then said: "How is the situation in the capital?"
Ma Shaoyu said: "To be honest, the capital has been relatively peaceful these days, but things were already in chaos before. To be disrespectful, it was almost like the end of the country!"
Liu Yan nodded and asked, "Are there any other troops from King Qin coming?"
"No!"
Ma Shaoyu said angrily: "The Ministry of War issued orders, but only the governor led the army. It's a pity that the country always treats those soldiers and generals favorably, but in times of crisis, they all support their troops and respect themselves!"
Liu Yan was noncommittal and thought to himself: "Fellow treatment? It's just the kind of treatment he thinks he is!"
"So what's the purpose of Mr. Ma coming here this time?"
Ma Shaoyu smiled and said, "Oh, let's talk about business first."
"Xiaoguan was ordered to come here to reward the army. I know that the Governor cares about the world and that the officers and soldiers of each battalion of the New Army have worked hard and made great achievements. I specially raised a batch of money and food urgently and asked Xiaguan to escort them over."
Liu Yan heard some differences. He didn't expect that Chen Xinjia could be so proactive and still raise money and food to send?
So Liu Yan went to check it out. Xun Jingyun and Miao Shao followed, and Ma Shaoyu accompanied him with a smile on his face. Soon he arrived at the entrance of the treasury in Pinggu County. He saw seven carriages with a long snake. The array was parked on the street, and the county magistrate Zhou Mingxue was leading a few government officials to help count and register them.
Miao Shao laughed immediately
He came and said, "Master Ma, with so much money and food, I'm afraid my army and soldiers won't be able to use it all!"
Xun Jingyun also frowned and said in a cold voice: "My soldiers are rushing to attack King Qin. Is this how I reward my soldiers? This is to send them away to beg for food!"
Although Ma Shaoyu was the minister of the Ministry of War, he did not have much confidence when facing Xun Jingyun and Miao Shao. He hurriedly explained: "You must not be angry. It is not that Master Chen did it intentionally, but the imperial court really has no money and food. These three batches of three Ten thousand taels of silver and two hundred shi of grain are still the military pay of the Beijing camp that my soldiers have intercepted."
Liu Yan didn't say a word at this time, believing in his heart that Chen Xinjia would not deliberately embarrass him at this time. As long as his ability allowed, Chen Xinjia would probably find a way to provide whatever Liu Yan wanted.
It's just that Chen Xinjia is also a clever woman who can't make a living without rice. The court's financial resources have been exhausted. Even if the gods come, there is nothing they can do.
"Take the money and food first."
After saying that, Liu Yan turned around and returned to the county government office. Ma Shaoyu was worried that Liu Yan would be angry, so he hurriedly followed him, smiling and comforting him along the way.
When Miao Shao saw this, he snorted coldly and said, "How dare you give out such a small amount of money and food!"
Xun Jingyun sighed: "At this time, the imperial court can only provide so little money and food. It can be seen that the state affairs are on the verge of collapse. It is really a troubled time now!"
At the same time, forty miles east of Pinggu County, in the Manchurian Two Yellow Banner Camp, Huang Taiji was staring at the map worriedly. Beside him, Hauge and Azig were arguing about something. He was sorting out the information sent back by the scouts from various banners.
After a while, Huang Taiji
He looked at Fan Wencheng and asked, "Scholar Fan, how is the situation?"
Fan Wencheng was fond of studying and became a scholar at the Shenyang County School in the 43rd year of Wanli. He was only 18 years old at that time.
In the forty-sixth year of Wanli, the Eight Banners Army captured Fushun. Fan Wencheng and his brother Fan Wencai took the initiative to seek an audience with Nurhachi, willing to abandon their ancestors and work as dogs for the Manchu Tatars. Later, Fan Wencheng participated in the decision-making of the Qing army's strategy of conquering the Ming Dynasty, instigating rebellion against Ming Dynasty officials, attacking North Korea, pacifying Mongolia, building national systems, etc.
It can be said that Fan Wencheng rose to power by massacring his compatriots, and the red cap on his head was dyed with the blood of countless Ming people!
At this time, Fan Wencheng said respectfully: "Your Majesty, based on the reports from the scouts of each banner, it has been confirmed that the Shandong soldiers and horses led by Liu Yan have arrived in Pinggu County and are setting up defenses along the Xun River. It seems that Liu Yan is preparing Repeat the old trick and use a strong defense line in the Xunhe area to stop our Qing warriors."
Huang Taiji frowned, and Hauge and Azig on the side also stopped arguing. They asked almost in unison: "How many troops does Liu Yan bring?"
Fan Wencheng said: "The number of scouts from each banner varies, but taken together, the number of soldiers and horses led by Liu Yan this time is at least one hundred thousand!"
Huang Taiji, Hauge, and Azig all took a breath, more than 100,000!
In the past, Liu Yan only had tens of thousands of soldiers and horses in his hands, which already caused heavy casualties to the warriors of the Qing Dynasty. Now there are more than 100,000 soldiers and horses. After this battle, how many casualties will the warriors of each banner have?
"Do you have any suggestions, Master Fan?"
Fan Wencheng said: "Your Majesty, our Qing warriors are good at mobile warfare, and the Pinggu area is mountainous and surrounded by the Xun River.
, which is not conducive to the galloping of my Qing cavalry. If our army takes a detour, Liu Yan's hundreds of thousands of troops can flank our army's rear. Therefore, I think that in the current war situation, it is best to attack head-on. As long as Liu Yan's tribe is defeated, the Ming Dynasty and Northern Zhili will be our horse ranch in the Qing Dynasty! "
Huang Taiji nodded and agreed with Fan Wencheng, but how to fight this battle?
At this time, Azig said loudly: "Your Majesty, why not gather the armies of all banners? Hundreds of thousands of our Qing warriors will rush across the Xun River from many places at the same time, and watch Liu Yanru defend him!"
Hauge retorted: "The Xun River is wide, and there are only a few places that can be crossed. It is estimated that Liu Yan has deployed troops and horses to guard it. How to cross the river?"
Huang Taiji stared at the map with dead sheep eyes and thought about it. After a moment, he said: "Although the Huangsongyu area to the north of Pinggu is mountainous, it can bypass the Xun River. Our army should attack with an elite force from the north. At the same time, to the south of Pinggu, In the Mafang area, the Xun River flows gently, so we should be able to find a suitable place for a large army to cross the river, and use another force to cross the river from Mafang in the south."
"I personally led the main army to Pinggu County to confront Liu Yan across the river. Facing Liu Yan's troops in this battle, our army must not be impatient or reckless. We must take our time, look for Liu Yan's flaws, and then kill him with a fatal blow!"
"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"
"Order the warriors of all banners to move closer to the central army. We have hundreds of thousands of warriors marching together, reaching the east bank of the Xun River first, and then slowly advancing."
"嗻!"
After Hauge, Azige and Fan Wencheng were brought out of the Chinese army tent, Hauge and Azige ignored Fan Wencheng who was saluting respectfully, as if they were looking at a dog wagging its tail begging for mercy. Fan Wencheng
Upon seeing this, he left alone.
