Chapter 446 Absolute Strength
"So, this battle must be fought even if it is fought, or it must be fought even if it is not fought?"
Huang Taiji muttered something silently, and then said: "Old Fourteen, what are the chances of winning?"
Dorgon thought for a while and shook his head: "I don't know, the best outcome is a 50-50 split."
The hall suddenly exploded. Huang Taiji looked at Ning Wanwo and Fan Wencheng who had been standing in the corner of the hall without speaking: "What do you two gentlemen think?"
Ning Wan and I were defeated on the same front as Hauge. He turned to look at Fan Wencheng, meaning to ask him to speak. Fan Wencheng thought for a while, then stood up and handed over his hand: "Your Majesty, I think we should follow the plan we made earlier. , acting on two fronts, but I am worried that the Ming army will outflank us by sea."
Huang Taiji knew it in his heart and did not dare to quarrel in the palace. He nodded and said: "Okay, be quiet. The plan we made before must continue to be implemented. The strength of Horqin and Bahrain cannot be used too much. We must take precautions. Secondly, Lao Shi I agree with Si's opinion. After all, we have penetrated into the hinterland of the Ming Dynasty and occupied their capital. This battle must be fought and we cannot give up."
After sending away all the banner leaders, Huang Taiji left behind two Han officials and the Dorgon brothers, and no one else. Huang Taiji was the first to speak: "Two gentlemen, tell me the truth, in this battle, my Qing Dynasty can What are the chances of winning?"
Only after Ning Wan did I dare to speak: "Returning to your majesty, I dare not speak arrogantly. According to what I said before, I still think that there is little chance of winning this battle."
Dorgon said: "I know a little bit, but I still think that we should have a showdown with the Ming army around Beijing. Otherwise, if we just retreat to Liaodong, we really have no chance."
"Wei Chen also agrees with King Rui's opinion," Fan Wencheng said, but with a serious look on his face: "The Ming army has never been defeated since Chen Cao came to the throne. Wei Chen even heard that they also fought overseas. If the troops sent overseas When he came back, Wei Chen thought that the Qing Dynasty had no power to fight him;
But now our situation in the Qing Dynasty has reached a critical moment of life and death. The Ming army is no longer so easy to deal with. Therefore, King Rui made the right choice to fight the Ming army around Beijing. The Gyeonggi Plain is suitable for horse racing, and it is not much different from the Xuzhou Plain. , as long as there is a fight, our army can rely on the solid city defense of Beijing to deal with the Ming army, and then use the advantage of the cavalry to find opportunities. "
"Should Shanxi and other places give up?"
What Huang Taiji said is Datong.
Fan Wencheng thought carefully and nodded: "Except for Zijingguan, I believe that the other places in Hebei can no longer be divided and garrisoned. The division of troops will only weaken the strength of our army. What's more, as long as this battle is won, it will only be time to take back these places. question."
Huang Taiji thought thoughtfully, then nodded: "It seems that I have to give it a try in this battle. How about the Jierhalang General Firearms Battalion?"
Jilharang also took a lot of risks after returning. Now being able to take charge of the firearms camp is also an opportunity. Moreover, it is not a bad thing to have Dorgon to help speak: "This battle is related to the survival of Manchuria. My brother thought that Jierhalang did not dare to neglect."
"Absolute strength...absolute strength..."
Huang Taiji recited silently and slowly walked towards the harem.
...
On February 28th of the second year of Shengwu in the Ming Dynasty, Chen Cao worshiped heaven at the Temple of Heaven. On March 1st, he announced another northern expedition.
The streets of Nanjing were almost empty, and all the people spontaneously went to Longjiang to see him off.
Chen Cao and his party set out from Longjiang and headed north from the canal to Xuzhou to gather. Behind them were a huge fleet and soldiers heading north along the canal.
In this Northern Expedition, Chen Cao basically devoted the entire country's efforts. In addition to the troops originally staying in Xuzhou, he also brought two newly trained armies onto the battlefield.
In terms of sea routes, the three major fleets sent out ships to transport the Yingzhou Army and the First Army to Lushunkou for landing to implement Chen Cao's battle plan.
If viewed from the air, the marching team looks like a long queue walking along the canal, which is extremely spectacular.
Xuzhou, the headquarters of the Marshal of the Peking expedition
Song Che returned to Xuzhou two months in advance, and in mid-February, Song Che received the action plan from the Fifth Army Governor's Office and the action order from the Military Commission.
Song Che first ordered the two divisions of the Dingwu Army to take the lead in crossing the Yellow River north and act as a vanguard force to stabilize the ground for the follow-up troops.
On the second day of March, the forward division sent back a piece of military information that confused Song Che: 'Our army marched to the Weishan Huxia Village, and the forward scouts arrived in Teng County to find the Tatar soldiers...'
Song Che thought about it, and based on the analysis of the speed of Chen Cao's army, he decided to order the two divisions of the Wu Army to go north to meet up and approach Yanzhou Prefecture.
On the seventh day of March, Chen Cao arrived in Xuzhou first and disembarked at Ximen Ferry. Huang Chunyao, who arrived with Song Che earlier, was responsible for welcoming him.
"Yunsheng, where is Shixiu?"
Huang Chunyao stood still and cupped his hands: "I was about to tell your majesty that on the second day of the new year, the forward headquarters sent back a military report. After entering Shandong, they penetrated deep into Teng County and found no Tatar soldiers. Marshal Song felt that something was fishy. , has personally led his troops to the north."
Chen Cao did not enter the city, but held a nearby military meeting near the ferry.
After analysis, both Chen Cao and Huang Chunyao speculated whether the Tatars had reduced their military strength.
"If it's not in Dongchang Mansion, it's in Jinan Mansion."
Chen Cao threw away his stick, stared at the map, and then looked at Tang Kainian and said: "The Longwu Army marched north from the canal to Dongchang Prefecture. Li Yan followed the Longwu Army. I led my own troops to Jinan Prefecture. Do you remember Stay, if the Tatars have not set up an ambush in Dongchang Mansion, and Li Yan and Man Gui lead their troops to continue northward, you can take part of the troops to detour to Jinan."
Tang Kainian nodded and clasped his fists: "Yes, I know your Majesty's intention."
"It's good to know," Chen Cao nodded with satisfaction: "I just don't know who the Tatars will send to guard Shandong."
After Chen Cao finished speaking, he looked at the Yellow River not far away, nodded thoughtfully, then turned around and looked at the crowd: "The remainder of the Dingwu Army, the Shenwu Army and the Third and Fourth Group Armies will all follow me northward. Yunsheng, you and Bei Tianhua are based in Xuzhou and are responsible for the turnover of military supplies. This is an important matter, do you understand?"
Huang Chunyao cupped his hands: "Your Majesty, put it down. Although I can't kill the enemy, I can definitely do this matter safely."
...
Jinan Prefectural Government Office, Licheng
On top of the city tower, Yue Tuo was slightly pessimistic, but this mood passed in a flash. He looked at Amin beside him and whispered: "Second uncle, I still thought that according to the fourteenth uncle's intention, we should strengthen the walls and clear the fields, and block attacks along the way. After all, the battlefield was finally located in Beijing, and our task now is to delay the Ming army as much as possible and tire them out."
Amin looked disdainful, turned to look at his nephew, and then shook his head: "What's going on with your Ama? Maybe you know better than me. Our Aixinjueluo family is not all cowards. Mingren are not as good as us. If you want to Otherwise, we wouldn’t have been completely defeated in Sarhu. Yue Tuo and Li Shan are in such a good position, so they are perfect for ambushes. Just wait and see, how will your second uncle and I take down this dog like Chen Cao in this battle? The emperor’s head.”
