The battle report of the scout battle was also passed to the headquarters of the Fourth Division. The results of the confrontation made all the commanders look solemn.
"They say the Jurchens are ignorant and backward, but they learn so fast!"
Bai Xiaoqi held up the battle report and sighed in admiration.
"The battle report says that the Jurchen scouts are covered with leaves. Sometimes they can lurk in the dark and remain motionless for a whole day and night. They can even control their breathing, and the beasts passing by will not be disturbed."
If nothing else, this method of camouflage with leaves must have been learned from Xia Jun.
Le Xinfeng was also terrified.
"If the Jurchens didn't know the art of oil paint and their skin reflects light, I'm afraid our losses would be even greater."
Huang Long took out an arrow and showed it to everyone.
"The Jurchens' arrows are sharper than before. The triangle is already very standard. Especially the edged parts on both sides are definitely polished by skilled craftsmen. Our cotton armor will definitely block the enemy within thirty steps. Such an arrow cannot be stopped."
Regarding this, Zuo Dai has the most say.
"Don't talk about cotton armor, even chain armor will definitely die at this distance."
Sui Zhizhong couldn't help but ask: "Should we withdraw the scouts?"
Liu Yiyuan immediately rejected it.
"No. Once we do that, we will become blind and deaf, and can only defend passively. With such a long defense line, if the enemy can mobilize it at will, sooner or later there will be omissions. No matter how difficult it is, we must maintain situational awareness of the Qing army .”
Liu Yiyuan's attitude was recognized by Zuo Mengeng.
"There will inevitably be sacrifices on the battlefield, and the enemy's progress is also predictable. We can't be afraid just because the enemy has become more powerful. We must also find ways to make ourselves more powerful. Only in this way, Only then can we always win.”
The generals of the Xia army immediately became solemn, and all the thoughts they shouldn't have were dispersed.
In the mountains and wilderness of North Korea, the fierce scout battles never stopped. The Xia army and the Qing army always maintained an exchange ratio of one to eight.
As the number of casualties increased, the command levels on both sides were terrified. However, both sides are determined and will not give in at all.
Although it is the frontal battlefield that determines victory or defeat, the control of these surrounding areas is the key to determining the outcome.
"Send the order back to Shandong and ask the special forces to come over."
Feeling that the scouts of the Fourth Division were having some difficulty, Zuo Mengeng decided to invest his strength.
A special battlefield is a good place for special forces to show off their skills.
If the Qing army's scouts thought that was all the Xia army could do, they would definitely suffer a big loss next.
On the first day of March, Hauge led the main force of the Qing army to finally reach the bank of the Luodong River.
He stationed himself in a small town in the north of the Yangtze River. At the same time, he sent Nomutu, Haizhu, and Baxiye, the first commanders, to lead 7,000 troops across the Nakdong River and established a camp on the south bank.
The place where Hauge is stationed is only separated by a small river from Jinjingshan City, Bai Xiaoqi's headquarters.
This small river is a tributary of the Nakdong River, which naturally divides the area into east and west parts.
As can be seen from the west bank, the Xia army's defenses started from the river and spread upwards throughout the mountains. Although it looks extremely messy, it has stuck on every vital point.
If the Qing army wants to pass from here on out, they must fight for fortifications one after another.
Hauge's scalp was numb when he saw it, so of course he didn't dare to attack blindly.
Not only did he stop the army, but he also began digging trenches on the west bank of the creek.
The trenches scattered vertically and horizontally all over the plain, as if a chessboard was drawn on the ground. Not only that, river water was introduced into many trenches by the Qing army. I believe that if someone fell into them, it would be difficult to climb out without being drowned.
On Jinjing Mountain, Bai Xiaoqi saw all the actions of the Qing army through binoculars.
"When did this Hauge become so cautious? He doesn't worry about victory but defeat first. He really has the qualities of a famous general."
The generals of the Fourth Division all gathered here for a meeting, and everyone looked solemn when they saw the actions of the Qing army.
"Hauge is obviously waiting for the other two groups of troops and will never attack alone. But the more this happens, the greater the pressure on us."
Xiang Zuolin began to think about ways to crack it.
Their 14th regiment is deployed here and is the main force facing Haug. Now that I encounter such a difficult opponent, I am especially scratching my head.
Compared with the officers of the 14th Regiment, Bai Xiaoqi was very indifferent.
"Tell the artillerymen to target those trenches and launch five rounds of artillery fire, and hit harder."
Seeing the messenger running away, Le Xinfeng didn't agree with it.
"These trenches are obviously dug very deep. The effect of shelling will not be very good, right?"
Bai Xiaoqi smiled, extraordinarily cunning.
"What I want is that the effect is not good."
He asked everyone to come closer and said loudly amidst the rumbling artillery: "The Qing army dug trenches right under our noses, which will definitely prevent us from counterattacking. Now we have launched a fierce artillery strike. Although the effect is not good, if You are Hauge, what would you think?"
This question surprised everyone.
Lu Zhiqian put himself into the role.
"If I were Hauge, I would be greatly relieved. Since these trenches can withstand artillery fire, we are in a situation where we can advance and attack and retreat and defend. At least we don't have to worry about failure."
Bai Xiaoji slammed his fist on the table.
"This is our opportunity."
He looked at Huang Long.
"Chief of Staff, has the survey and mapping of the enemy's positions been completed?"
Huang Long returned to the staff headquarters and soon brought back a detailed topographic map.
This is the trench deployment map of the Qing army completed by the surveying and mapping staff.
Hauge only thought about using the trenches to complete the advance and defense, but he did not expect that the Xia army was overhead and could see the situation of the trenches completely.
If it were an army of this era, it would be nothing even if it were seen. But Xia Jun was taught step by step by Zuo Mengeng, and he was good at terrain surveying and mapping.
So while the Qing army was digging, the Xia army's staff marked it on the map.
It can be said that the Xia army had even better control over the conditions of these trenches than many Qing armies.
"Hauge must think that we have no other solution. In this case, we will give him a surprise attack tonight. Let him understand how the battle is fought."
Everyone's eyes lit up.
Although the mission of the Fourth Division in Busan is defense, defense can also be divided into passive defense and active defense.
As long as the enemy can be effectively attacked, it is not impossible to take the initiative.
Especially now that the Qing army's foothold is not stable, and Bai Xiaoqi has resorted to another trick of deception, maybe the night attack will have a miraculous effect.
The generals of the Xia army were all very bold and did not care at all about the consequences of a failed night attack.
Under the leadership of Bai Xiaoqi, the 14th Regiment divided into two battalions and began intensive preparations.
