A letter of military seal came one after another, and Dorgon's face became more and more gloomy, and the pressure in his heart became more and more intense. This battle for the national destiny of the Qing Dynasty was too important to him.
In fact, the battle of Jinzhou has reached this stage, and the outcome is no longer so important. Both Dorgon and Hong Chengchou are thinking about how to end it decently, rather than a guaranteed victory!
The ultimate goal of Jiliao Governor Hong Chengchou is to lift the siege of Jinzhou City by the Qing army. There is no room for retreat. However, whether the Qing army can be defeated or how many Qing soldiers can be killed or injured is not his concern. .
For Dorgon, Prince Guorui of the Qing Dynasty, whether he could continue to implement the original military strategy of "siege the city and fight for reinforcements" was no longer as important as before.
What he is thinking about now is how to kill as many Ming troops as possible, achieve a certain degree of victory, and then withdraw the troops from Jinzhou City in a very honorable way and as a victor.
After all, in this Liaodong War, both the Ming and Qing Dynasties had exhausted their domestic manpower and resources. Regardless of victory or defeat, it was actually a defeat for both the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
But it is a battle that must be fought, but it is doomed to fail!
However, if the Qing Dynasty really wishes to successfully complete their strategy of "siege the city and fight for reinforcements", their current income will not be enough to make up for the consumption of the war.
But the benefits gained are immeasurable!
Once the Qing army's strategic goal is truly achieved, the Ming Dynasty will no longer have the power to compete with it in Liaodong, and even the Ming Dynasty will no longer be able to prevent it from invading the hinterland, let alone eliminate the domestic bandits.
I am afraid that the Ming Dynasty will also fail in this battle, causing the national destiny to collapse and the country to perish!
Therefore, the reason why the Qing army mobilized the whole country to carry out such a big war was to gain great benefits after the war, that is, the flowery country of Ming Dynasty.
If the Qing army were defeated in this battle, it would probably trigger domestic turmoil, and even foreign vassals such as Mongolia and Korea would no longer obey them.
The most frightening thing is that if this battle is defeated, it is more likely to trigger a change of power, or the centralization of power in the Qing Dynasty will be weakened due to the reduction of Huang Taiji's prestige, and the Qing Dynasty will return to the four-Belle ruling system.
If this kind of thing really happened in the Qing Dynasty, they would be devastated and return to the old slave era. Although they were still very brave and good at fighting, they would be surrounded by enemies and no friends.
The Qing Dynasty will also lose its strength and capital to compete with the Ming Dynasty for the world!
Therefore, there is no absolute winner in this war, and there will be no real winner. Both the Ming and Qing countries are losers, and the people at the bottom of both countries will suffer for this.
For example, Dorgon is like wiping Huang Taiji's butt at this moment. He successfully directed this battle and won a beautiful victory, or a fair victory.
Then they can test it with the Ming Dynasty, and both sides withdraw their troops. The Qing Dynasty returns to the court after victory, and the whole country celebrates. Huang Taiji comforts Dorgon again, and the matter is settled.
But if Dorgon was defeated, then he would naturally have to shoulder the responsibility for Huang Taiji's inability to command the battle and cause damage to the Qing warriors.
After all, the master is always wise and powerful. If he makes a mistake, it must be someone else's problem. The master will never make a mistake!
For Hong Chengchou, as long as the siege of Jinzhou could be solved, no matter how many Qing soldiers were killed or wounded, in fact, even if Dorgon withdrew his troops to the east, he would not pursue him even one step.
But Dorgon could not withdraw at this time because he still needed a reason to withdraw his troops.
Just when he was frowning and thinking deeply, a military report was delivered to his central army. After just a cold look, Dorgon's eyes showed a long-lost light.
He wrote the military newspaper in his hand and said loudly: "Prince Zheng, you are really a fierce general of our Qing Dynasty. The soldiers and horses of Ji Town and Miyun Town of the Ming Dynasty have been defeated one after another on the west road. The Ming army in Shanhai Town is also retreating to the east. Zheng The prince is leading my Qing warriors to pursue us."
At this time, Prince Li Daishan, who was originally staying at Baimiao Fort, also led the three thousand Qing troops who stayed behind to rush back to Jinzhou City to join Dorgon due to the emergency of the war on the Xiaoling River.
He had always been worried about how to end the war under Jinzhou City. He had previously made a plan with Dorgon and others to send the Ming army across the river to the north and defeat its main force on the north bank.
In this way, the initiative on the battlefield can be regained. If this goal is really achieved, then whether it is fighting in the future or withdrawing troops back to Shengjing, it is up to them to decide, without worrying about the actions of the Ming army.
However, at the beginning of the war, the Qing army did not have an advantage in any battlefield. Especially on the north bank of Xiaoling River in the south of Jinzhou City, it was attacked by the Ming army and retreated continuously. The disadvantage was already very obvious.
Now that he suddenly heard what Dorgon said, Daishan still didn't seem to believe it. He took Jierhalang's military report and read it carefully. His eyes became brighter the more he looked at it.
After reading the military report, Daishan was already a little excited. He said to Dorgon: "Prince Rui, this is a rare opportunity. We should deal with the Ming army on the south bank of the Daughter River as soon as possible, and then move to the south of Jinzhou City, and fight with Wu Sangui, Zhang Cheng, and Wang Park and other Southern Dynasty troops will fight."
Dorgon frowned deeply, as if he was thinking seriously. After a long time, he finally said: "On the south bank of the Nerv River, there are only the remnants of Ma Ke, and there is also a section of Wu Sangui's Ningyuan Army, plus the Ming Dynasty General Wang Tingchen's Southern Army. Although there are many people and horses, there is really nothing to worry about."
He raised his hand and pointed to the southeast and said to Prince Li Daishan: "Looking at the south of Jinzhou City, there used to be the main force of Wu Sangui's tribe and the Ming army of Cao Bianjiao's tribe, and now Zhang Cheng and Wang Pu's Xuan Daming army crossed the river to fight.
Just after receiving the news, Zu Dashou in Jinzhou City also sent thousands of soldiers and horses out of the city to the south to attack our Qing warriors. In order to break out of the encirclement, he went to join the Ming army on the north bank of Xiaoling River.
The Ming army there is more capable and more powerful, which is really a danger to our Qing Dynasty. We should deal with it with caution! "
Prince Li Daishan saw that what Dorgon said was indeed true, so he asked him, "What do Prince Rui mean?"
Dorgon looked at Daishan and said: "With Prince Zheng's Blue Banner and Shuo Tuo's Zhenghong Banner, plus the Mongolian Zhenglan Banner warriors, it is more than enough to deal with Ma Ke and Wang Tingchen on the north bank of the daughter river."
He pointed to the east and said: "I have sent a message to Hauge, ordering him to lead the Zhenglan Banner warriors back to the south of Jinzhou City to aid. And we should cross the river immediately and go to the north bank of Xiaoling River to defeat Wu Sangui, Cao Bianjiao, Zhang Cheng and the others."
Dorgon was already a little calm at this time, and he continued: "In this case, there is still something to be done in the battle of Jinzhou!"
Daishan thought for a while and felt that what Dorgon said was very reasonable, and said: "According to Prince Rui's wishes, we will move to the south of Jinzhou City and fight the Ming army decisively."
When Dorgon saw that Daishan agreed with him, he said to him: "Prince Li, the troops of Wu Sangui and Cao Bianjiao are the most outstanding and brave members of the Southern Army. I am willing to face their front and personally command the warriors in battle.
However, Zhang Cheng and Wang Puxuan's troops outside Jinzhou Nanguan are also very brave. I would like to invite Prince Li to take command and lead the warriors on the east route to defeat Ming Guoxuan's army and horses.
I don’t know what Prince Li’s wishes are? "
Daishan sneered in his heart when he heard the words. He knew that Dorgon promoted him so highly just because he wanted to use his prestige and seniority to suppress Azig and Hauge on the east road, two uncontrollable generals.
However, this battle is related to the survival of the Qing Dynasty, and his intrigues cannot be tolerated. What's more, he is indeed more suitable than Dorgon, and the Ming army led by Wu Sangui and Cao Bianjiao is not a weak force and is also very difficult to deal with.
Thinking of this, Daishan didn't say much, and he readily agreed.
Finally, Dorgon and Daishan agreed that Dorgon would lead the warriors from Manchuria's Zhengbai Banner and Xianghong Banner to attack the Ming army led by Wu Sangui and Cao Bianjiao.
On Dorgon's side, plus Tan Tai's Manchu Zhenghuang Banner, as well as Mongolian warriors from the White and Blue Banners, as well as thousands of Han Army Banners and Tatars, the total strength is about 25,000 armored warriors. , if you include the wrappings and servants, it will exceed 30,000 horses.
Comparing Wu Sangui and Cao Bianjiao, the two towns combined had only a little more than 20,000 troops. Dorgon had the advantage.
Prince Li Daishan led Baiyintu's Manchurian Yellow Banner and Engetu's Mongolian Red Banner warriors to the south of Jinzhou City to fight against the Xuan Daming Army under Zhang Cheng and Wang Pu.
In addition to the original Azig Manchu warriors with white flags, the two yellow Mongolian flags of Adai and Tulai, and the Haoge Manchu warriors with the true blue flag who are coming to support, there are thirty thousand warriors in armor alone. The crowd, if you include the coats and servants, there are more than 40,000 people.
This does not include the Han and Korean troops in the south of Jinzhou City. The Uzhenchaoha Artillery Battalion led by Kong Youde is stationed here, and there are also Mongolian Zhengbai Banner troops guarding Zu Dashou in the city.
From this point of view, the forces that Prince Li Daishan could command far exceeded the Xuanda coalition forces of Zhang Cheng and Wang Pu.
According to Dorgon's vision, even though Wu Sangui, Cao Bianjiao, Zhang Cheng and others were all known as strong generals in the Ming Dynasty, the Qing warriors were the invincible beings in this world.
"When fighting in the wild, the Ming army is like a dog." This is the consensus of almost all Qing soldiers and generals!
Now, even with the superiority of our own troops, there is absolutely no reason to fail in a wild battle with the Ming army.
…………
Zhang Cheng looked at the sun hanging slanting in the sky in the west. The rays were still very dazzling, still like a small oven. When it shined on people, they immediately felt the slightest warmth.
At this time, the Xuan Da army had already fought another battle with the Manchurian White Banner and Mongolian Two Yellow Banner Tatar soldiers led by Azig. Both sides suffered injuries to each other, but the Qing army failed to break through the Xuan Da army's camp defense line again.
After experiencing the first battle, each battalion of the Ming army also had experience in fighting slave thieves. The defense became stronger and stronger, so naturally it was not so easy to break through.
Moreover, after Zhang Cheng publicly beheaded the Datong general Ma Baozhong who escaped from the battle, the remaining generals Su Dawei and guerrilla Hou Fangke in Datong Town were also subdued by him.
In particular, Zhang Cheng checked the officers and soldiers who were the first to escape, and beheaded more than ten officers and more than 20 soldiers who were found out in public.
This move greatly frightened the officers and soldiers of Datong Town, making them know that since they would be beheaded in public if they ran away, they might as well serve their lives in front of the battle line, which would have a greater hope of survival.
What's more, the two commanders-in-chief, Zhang Cheng and Wang Pu, both promised to reward everyone after the war. Regardless of whether they were killed or injured in battle, and regardless of their merits, they would be rewarded.
Of course, the pensions for the fallen soldiers must be paid in full. In addition to the reward, the injured soldiers will also be treated with all their efforts, and the rewards for those who have meritorious service will also be doubled.
The officers and soldiers of each battalion of the Datong Army have been in contact with the Xuanfu Army for a long time. Naturally, they all know that in addition to good food, the Xuanfu Army has also been fully paid out. There may be some speculation about Wang Pu's promise, but as for Zhang Cheng's Promise without a trace of doubt.
Moreover, the officers and soldiers of the Datong Army also know that the Xuanfu Army has a military medical bureau dedicated to treating the wounded in each battalion, and the medical officer is the largest in the military medical bureau.
It is precisely for this reason that the Xuanfu Army has suffered the fewest casualties since aiding the Liao Dynasty. This is because of the benefits of the Military Medical Bureau. After all, as long as timely treatment is given, many wounded on the battlefield can survive.
Even if you're missing an arm or a leg, it's still better than dying, right?
Therefore, even though Zhang Cheng killed General Ma Baozhong and nearly forty left-wing battalion officers and soldiers who were the first to flee in front of the Datong Army, the other Datong Army soldiers did not hate Zhang Cheng at all. .
They even thought in their hearts, how great it would be if they were not in the Datong army, but in the Xuanfu army!
Looking at the fine armor on the Xuanfu Army officers and the sharp weapons with cold light shining in their hands, especially those Yunzhou cannons and Yunzhou blunderbuss, which are even more powerful, I feel envious of them all.
Many officers and soldiers of the Datong Army are even looking forward to it in their hearts: "How great it would be if Marshal Zhang of Xuanfu were the general of our Datong Army!"
…………
Wu Sangui's troops suffered heavy casualties. In the battle with the Han army Ertazi at the beginning of crossing the river, he suffered many casualties. At that time, the Ningyuan army either had just crossed the Nuer River and the defense line was not yet stable, or was in the process of crossing the river. Crossing the river, unable to help in the battle.
The Han army of the Tatars who were stationed on the north bank of the Nerv River had a lot of guns and artillery. Even though their army mostly consisted of small cannons and blunderbuss, once these firearms increased in number, they were more powerful weapons than the Tatar bows and arrows. .
Even an army like the Ningyuan Army, which was equipped with a high proportion of firearms, had many brothers injured by the guns and cannons of the Han Army's two Tatars during the battle.
Fortunately, Ningyuan's army was very brave. They quickly established a position on the north bank, and Cao Bianjiao's elite cavalry crossed the river in time to help.
Wu Sangui's servant Jingqi cooperated with Cao Bianjiao's Shaanxi army's Jingqi, and the two Tatars of the Han army were repelled by them.
But the infantry and artillery on Wu Sangui's side were coming in a steady stream. When they crossed the river, they saw a black mass of Tatars galloping towards them in the wilderness to the north.
The sound of thousands of horses trampling on the ground was like rolling thunder, shaking the hearts of Ningyuan's soldiers, and the smoke and dust filling the sky gave people a great sense of oppression.
Looking at the army of slave thieves rushing towards the north, Wu Sangui's face turned pale. He couldn't help but be very worried about today's battle, foreboding that the siege of Jinzhou might not be solved.
(End of chapter)
