The Qing army had already known the Ming army's strategy in the direction of the Nuer River, but they had never been able to determine the specific landing place across the river.
The final response strategy decided by Dorgon, Prince Guorui of the Qing Dynasty, was actually very simple and clear, but very effective, that is, to abandon the position on the south bank of the Nuerhe River and withdraw the entire division to the north bank.
According to Dorgon's wishes, all the pontoon bridges on the Nuer River must be demolished. In this way, they only need to concentrate on guarding the river banks, and there is no need to allocate troops to guard the pontoon bridges.
However, his decision was opposed by Prince Hauge of Yisu, Prince Azige of Wuying County and other princes and ministers. The reasons they put forward were also very sufficient. It was okay to give up the south bank to the Ming army, but the floating bridge must be left behind. , so that we can attack quickly in the future and seize the north bank.
After some controversy, it was finally decided to temporarily retain the post road pontoon on the west side of Twin Mountains and the pontoon at the river bend to the west under the mediation of Prince Zheng Jierhalang.
In this way, if the Qing army can kill the Ming army on the north bank of the Nerv River as planned, then their elite cavalry warriors can immediately pass through the two pontoon bridges and continue to fight to the south bank, and even hope to regain their control in one fell swoop. Recapture Rufeng Mountain and Shimen Mountain.
Of course, the Qing army also had to allocate part of its forces to garrison the Twin Mountains Fortress and the two pontoon bridges. At the same time, it also had to retain a force in Baimiao Fort to support the defense of the two pontoon bridges.
In order to maximize the concentration of troops, the Qing army only stationed one Jia La force at Shuangzi Mountain, while each of the two pontoon bridges had a Niu Lu stationed with more than 2,000 military servants.
Even Baimiao Fort only had two Jia La and more than 3,000 red flag warriors stationed there.
Although Dorgon was the military commander on the Jinzhou battlefield of the Qing Dynasty, he could not ignore the opinions of Su Prince Hauge and Wuying Commandery Prince Azige.
What's more, there is Prince Zheng Jierharang who is mediating on the side. Although he supports Dorgon's opinions on the surface, he does not want to offend Hauge.
The most hateful thing is Prince Li Daishan. Although he seems to be in the middle and can't offend either side, his attitude is obviously to the west of Hauge and Azige.
As Huang Taiji stayed on the front line in Jinzhou to check and balance Dorgon, it was a problem that they did not support Dorgon's opinions. Do they still need to oppose him face to face?
Now, based on the military reports sent back from the front line, Dorgon dispatched troops and generals, not only to support Du Du in guarding the Twin Mountains, but also to lure the Ming army to cross the river on the bank of the Nuer River, in order to defeat its main force on the north bank.
However, the flag of the Xuanfu Army under Zhang Cheng of the Ming Army was never seen on the banks of the Nuer River, and Hauge's Zhenglan Banner did not dare to act rashly. They could only continue to station on the east bank of the Xiaoling River to monitor the movements of the Xuanfu troops.
The Qing army not only had to send troops to support Du Du, but also to prepare for the Ming army crossing the river to advance northward. However, after all, Du Du was an elite soldier who had fought many battles, but he showed no signs of panic.
As the main force of the Qing army, among the elite warriors of the Eight Banners of Manchuria and Mongolia, only a section of the Mongolian Xiangbai Banner was ordered to support Dudu, while the rest simply sent the whole team to station in their respective flood areas.
It can be said that before the situation on the banks of the Nuer River is clear, the elite cavalry of the Manchu and Mongolian Eight Banners of the Qing Army will not be dispatched easily, but the Four Banners of the Han Army, the Tianzhu Army, the Tianyou Army, and the Korean Army are different.
Dorgon had decided to use them as cannon fodder to consume the Ming army's physical strength and vigor. They were nervously advancing rapidly towards the bank of the Nuer River.
However, these Han and Korean troops had many artillery. Although they worked very hard, they could not immediately appear on the bank of the Nuer River. They could only use the cannon soldiers and sword and shield soldiers in the camp to advance to the river bank first and establish a defense line.
…………
Regarding the chaos of the Qing army outside Jinzhou City, Zu Dashou, the governor-general of the left and the commander-in-chief of the Liaodong forward, who was stationed in the city, was standing on the thousand-year-old Liao Tower and had a clear view.
Zu Dashou was experienced in military affairs. He quickly understood the strategy of the Ming army based on the response and movements of the Qing army. He couldn't help but said to the generals around him: "Instructions to go down and light everything that can be burned, and teach the soldiers We all have a good meal and are ready to go out of the city to kill the slaves."
A guerrilla looked at the dense Qing army formation in the west of the city. He couldn't help but feel a sense of fear in his heart. He hesitated and said: "Commander Zu, the Japanese troops are gaining momentum. Can our reinforcements attack them?"
? "
His words seemed to reveal the thoughts of the generals. They had been killed several times before when they went out to fight in the city, and they only reached the last siege trench of the Qing army once, but they were unable to continue to break through.
Nowadays, there are more Qing soldiers and cavalry gathered outside the city than before. It is no wonder that they are worried about this. However, Zu Dashou can no longer care about this. He has a premonition that today seems to be an opportunity.
Yes, and I’m afraid this is the only chance!
In Zu Dashou's view, even if the Qing army still focused on the strategy of "encircling the point for reinforcements" and did not attempt to break through Jinzhou City for the time being, he himself might not be able to hold on for much longer.
At this moment, the grain and rice in Jinzhou City can still be eaten for a while, but the lack of fuel wood is difficult to destroy Zu Dashou. Can't we always eat raw grain?
That's why he had to send out brave servants to break out the encirclement the night before yesterday, in order to tell the true situation in the city to Hong Chengchou, the governor of Jiliao who was near Songshan Fort.
Now, looking at the layout of the Qing army outside the city, he knew that there must be a lot of movement from the Ming army. Although he could vaguely see the other side of the Nuer River from where he stood, the shadows as big as ants were very unreal.
However, Zu Dashou still guessed based on this that the Ming army must be preparing to cross the Nuerhe River. Now there were less than 10,000 soldiers capable of fighting in the city, and the number of cavalry was less than 2,000. He did not dare to make a desperate move.
For the time being, he could only let the soldiers have a good meal first and regain some strength. When the situation outside the city became clearer, he would lead his troops out of the city and join the reinforcements.
Looking at the open plains to the south and west of the city, once the main force of the Ming army can safely cross the Nuer River, even if they cannot attack the city in one fell swoop, as long as the Ming army can stand firm on the north bank, they will not be afraid of the ferocity of the enemy regardless of whether they will attack from inside or outside. No matter what, we have to carve out a passage.
However, with the cunning and fierceness of the Japanese army, how could the Ming army kill the North Bank so easily?
Watching the Manchu and Mongolian cavalry marching out in groups outside the city, they set off from the rolling Yancheng and rode quickly to the west and south. Wherever they looked, the galloping cavalry array was like an overwhelming wave. generally.
Zu Dashou was concerned: "I wonder if the reinforcements can quickly cross the Nvnu River and establish a foothold on the north bank, thus relieving the crisis in Jinzhou."
But the questions of the generals around him also made him have some doubts in his heart: "But we must not lose our troops and generals, and suffer a huge defeat? Otherwise, Jinzhou will be hopeless!"
But he could only hide this worry silently in his heart, but said very firmly: "Humph, the Japanese have been besieging the city for more than a year, and they are already at the end of their war effort, so what is there to worry about?"
Zu Dashou then said: "Go down and gather all those who are full with me at the south gate. I will take you and others to kill the slaves!"
…………
The roar of artillery continued, and the scream of artillery shells was also faintly audible.
On the Tucheng outside the South Pass of Jinzhou City, numerous large plumes of white smoke rose from the Qing army's artillery array, interspersed with streaks of sharp fire, followed by the roar of cannons like muffled thunder.
The fiery iron balls rotated rapidly towards the Nerv River and the south bank of the Nerv River.
"boom!"
The same big iron balls continued to bombard the north bank of the Nerv River, and some of them even hit the Tucheng, almost hitting the red cannons that were newly built for this battle.
Smoke from the caravan was also billowing from the south bank of the Nerv River, and the fire kept flashing. The huge cannon flew quickly to the north bank of the Nerv River, towards Tucheng outside Jinzhou Nanguan.
Kong Youde, the obedient king of the Qing Dynasty, was hit by a cannon ten feet to the left. A large cloud of dust immediately flew up, and he was also terrified in his heart.
But in front of the soldiers under his command, he did not dare to show any loss of composure. His body was frozen in place, and he could not even speak except breathing.
On the Nuer River, the civilians in Ningyuan's army had just built a section of the pontoon bridge that was more than two feet long. They were directly hit by a cannon fired by the Qing army. The wooden planks laid on it shattered and instantly collapsed into a huge of the mouth.
The moment the board collapsed and shattered, the large iron ball flying quickly brought with it countless sharp wooden thorns, flying in all directions.
Come.
"Pfft!"
"Pfft...pfft..."
The peasants who were laying the pontoon bridge had no time to escape. Blood mist came out from their heads, faces and bodies. They screamed and screamed. Many people fell directly into the river. Fortunately, the peasants around them rushed over and saved them quickly. They were helped up, moved or carried back to the south bank.
Although the Qing army's artillery fire was fierce, it was still far behind the Shenji Battalion.
First of all, there is a big gap in quantity. The Qing army only has thirty newly-cast red cannons, which can shoot to the south bank of the Nerv River.
As for the Shenji Battalion, in addition to the thirty Shenwei General Cannons that could shoot for several miles and were extremely powerful, there were also many large Folangjis, large mortar cannons, etc., which could even reach the Tucheng where Kong Youde was located.
Furthermore, in terms of artillery skills, the soldiers of the Shenji Battalion were much better than the soldiers of Kong Youde's Wuzhen Chaoha Artillery Battalion. Although they were a little timid, they were after all veteran artillerymen who had been operating artillery for many years.
What's more, today they are firmly in the rear, with almost no risk of death in battle, and Wu Sangui, the commander-in-chief of Ningyuan, has promised a heavy reward, so they will naturally shoot their cannons smoothly.
In comparison, Kong Youde was obviously at a disadvantage. No matter how angry he roared, no one could change his strength.
In less than one stick of incense, six or seven red-coated cannons were hit by the Ming army's cannons. Not only were the cannons torn apart, but the gunners were almost killed, and even the sergeants who were transporting the cannons around were killed and injured.
At this moment, several more cannonballs flew towards them, but they exploded immediately after landing. For a moment, thick smoke rose everywhere, and a fishy smell quickly spread.
As thick yellow smoke spread in all directions, many gunners fell to the ground and rolled over. They all had hideous and terrifying faces, and their eyes seemed to be about to roll out of their sockets, and they were so wide.
His hands were scratching hard on his face and neck, and scratches that were as red as blood appeared, as if he didn't know the pain. Until he scratched, there were blood marks, and the whole head, face and neck were covered in blood, and he didn't know to stop.
"Poisonous...this smoke is...poisonous..."
"...poisonous smoke...is a poisonous smoke bomb..."
"...Run away quickly...Run away quickly..."
The two soldiers of Wuzhenchaoha Artillery Battalion all screamed in fear. No matter how loudly the officers yelled and scolded, it was of no avail. In the face of death, only death can make people fearful.
Usually when encountering such a situation during war, most of the officers would draw their knives and lead their trusted sergeants to kill the leading ones. Most of them could immediately stabilize the situation.
However, there was a slight difference today, that is, there was no sound when the officers shouted. As officers at all levels died or fled, the entire Tucheng Qing artillery formation instantly fell into chaos.
Kong Youde also didn't expect that the poisonous smoke bombs of the Ming army could reach such a distance. He was completely unprepared, but he could climb to his current position, so how could he lack loyal guards around him.
As soon as the yellow smoke started to rise, dozens of soldiers from the Tianyou Army rushed forward. Without saying a word, they protected Kong Youde and ran towards the foot of Tucheng.
…………
It turned out that after receiving the order, Wu Sangui, the commander-in-chief of Ningyuan, immediately ordered the soldiers to start crossing the river. Before the defense line was established on the north bank, he ordered the strong men who accompanied the soldiers and civilians to start building and laying pontoon bridges in advance.
Such a two-pronged approach will naturally greatly increase the speed. This is why the Ningyuan Army can be called the elite force in Liaodong, and it can command and forbid like a commanding arm.
However, the Ningyuan Army was also strongly blocked by the Qing Army. On the north bank of the Nerv River, there were Han Army soldiers and horses with red flags, as well as one each of the Tianyou Army and Tianyou Army, and more than a thousand Korean troops stationed in formation.
Although Bai Guangen and Ma Ke's Jizhen Army and Shan Haijun fought hard and did not hide their secrets, the princes of the Qing army were not fools. Although they also sent troops and horses to reinforce that side, Wu Sangui was still Focus on defense.
Therefore, Bai Guangen and Ma Ke attracted some of the main forces of the Qing army, but it was also very limited and did not relieve much pressure on Wu Sangui.
But Wu Sangui's Ningyuan Army was preparing for the battle across the river.
As a fully-fledged Ming army, they not only collected the largest number of ships, but also mobilized the Longwu navy stationed on Juehua Island to assist in the battle.
The Nerv River is not as wide and deep as the Xiaoling River, but Wu Sangui crossed the river at the intersection where the Nerv River merges into the Xiaoling River. Although the river here is not very wide, the depth is convenient for boating.
However, due to the depth and width of the Xiaoling River, the sea-going ships of the Longwu Navy were unable to sail into the inland river. But even so, with the help of more than a dozen river boats of the Longwu Navy, their power was greatly increased.
Different from those ships temporarily equipped with small artillery, although these warships of the Longwu Navy cannot be compared with the sea-going ships they own, they are all built according to the purpose of combat, and they are equipped with fixed cannons. of artillery.
With them, it is really even more powerful!
