There are many versions circulated in later generations, including official history and unofficial history, and there are many different opinions and doubts.
The merger of Yanning and Ning was a major historical turning point in the Fengtian Jingnan Campaign.
Since Yan Ning successfully merged, from then on, the Yan army gradually changed from weak to strong, switching from defense to offense.
But was such a major historical event, as later versions said, a gamble with little chance of winning and relying entirely on luck?
"Teacher, can you tell me in detail the whole process of the merger of Yanning and Ning a few years ago, okay?"
Seeing Xu Qin suddenly mentioning this issue, Jian Yi hesitated for a moment and then told the truth about the process.
As Jian Yi slowly spoke, scenes of the real scene at that time seemed to emerge in front of Xu Qin's eyes.
…
In the first year of Jianwen, early November.
The wind is freezing and the snow is falling heavily.
The meeting hall of Prince Yan's Mansion in Peking.
In front of a giant combat sand table, King Yan Zhu Di sat at the top with a stern expression.
On his left and right sides, sitting around the sand table, in addition to the four great kings Zhang Yu, Chen Heng, Zhu Neng, and Qiu Fu, there were also many other main generals of the Yanshan Guard.
Yao Guangxiao, the chief think tank of King Yan, and the two princes Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Gaoxu.
"Everyone, since the Fengtian Crisis in June till now, we have occupied and controlled Jizhou, Beiping, Zunhua, Yongping, Miyun and other fortresses in the north."
"Xuanfu Valley King Zhu Su has abandoned the city and retreated to Nanjing."
"Currently, behind the Beiping Dusi, there are only the Daning Dusi and the Liaodong Dusi."
"According to a secret report from the capital, the commander-in-chief of the Southern Army, Cao Guogong Li Jinglong, led 500,000 soldiers and horses, divided into five groups and rushed towards Yandi. It is estimated that his leading troops will arrive at the gate of Peking City in five or six days."
Zhang Yu, the General Staff General of the Yan Army and the Commander-in-Chief of Peking, first gave a briefing on the military situation.
Zhu Di glanced sharply around the audience and said in a deep voice:
"Generals, if you have any opinions, it doesn't matter."
"Father, we will hold on to Beiping City. The walls here are high and thick, and Li Jinglong cannot break them."
As soon as Zhu Di finished speaking, nineteen-year-old Zhu Gaoxu stood up and shouted loudly.
"Yes, Prince Xu is right. We will fight to the death with the Southern Army in Beiping City."
"..."
As soon as Zhu Gaoxu spoke, Zhu Neng, Qiu Fu and other generals spoke one after another, and the crowd was full of excitement.
Only Zhang Yu and the crown prince Zhu Gaochi did not speak.
Zhu Di turned his attention to Yao Guangxiao, the chief think tank who was in deep thought.
Yao Guangxiao stroked his long beard, suddenly opened his half-closed eyes, and said in a deep voice:
"Your Highness, what were Emperor Taizu Gao's strategies and tactics in the 'Battle of Hongdu'? Do you know?"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Di was stunned and said in a deep voice:
"Although I was too young to participate in the Battle of Hongdu in person at the beginning, later General Xu, the military god and father-in-law, explained the battle to me here."
"At that time, Chen Youliang led an army of 600,000 people down the river and besieged Hongdu with great force."
"But Emperor Taizu Gao only had less than 200,000 soldiers at his disposal. We were outnumbered and the enemy was outnumbered."
"Taizu followed Liu Bowen's suggestion and adopted the strategy of avoiding the real and attacking the weak. He led the main force to suddenly withdraw from the outer line and took the opportunity to clear the obstacles, leaving only Lan Yu's 30,000 soldiers to defend the city."
"Three months later, after Taizu has cleared the surrounding obstacles, he will lead more than 300,000 elites to fight back, and use various tactics to defeat Chen Youliang."
Yao Guangxiao smiled and nodded in agreement.
"Young Master, could it be that you want me to follow Taizu's strategy?" Zhu Di's eyes suddenly lit up.
"Of course, the current situation of the Yan army is exactly the same as that of Taizu. If the weak side sticks to the city, it is equivalent to sitting still and waiting for death. It must not be done."
"Although Beiping City has high walls and thick walls and sufficient food and grass, it will be no problem to defend it for one or even two years."
Yao Guangxiao's triangular eyes bulged, and he gritted his teeth and said:
"It's a lonely city with a pool of stagnant water."
"If Li Jinglong adopts iron barrel tactics and besieges the city of Beiping without attacking it, what will be the state of this place in a year or later?"
The demon monk glanced around fiercely like a hawk, "We are isolated and helpless, and we are sitting on nothing. The longer we defend the city, the morale will be weakened, and the whole city will be enveloped in the aura of failure."
"On the other hand, Li Jinglong's Southern Army not only had many soldiers and generals, but also their supplies of food and grass were continuously delivered from all over the country."
"The final result will speak for itself. Li Jinglong cleaned us up effortlessly."
Yao Guangxiao's words were undoubtedly a wake-up call.
After Zhu Gaoxu, Qiu Fu and others heard this, they were all discouraged.
Each one looked like eggplants beaten by frost, looking at Zhu Di with slumped heads.
"Master Yao's words are right, and they hit the crux of this battle."
Zhang Yu, who had not commented or commented, finally stood up and spoke.
"Your Highness, Master, generals."
"The Yan army has been fighting against the Mongols and Yuans in northern Xinjiang for a long time. They are all cavalry, good at field combat and assault, and are mobile and flexible."
"And city attack and defense, positional warfare, etc. are exactly the strengths of the Southern Army."
"One is ebbing and the other is ebbing. Therefore, we cannot defend Beiping City. Instead, we can imitate Taizu's 'Hongdu Defense War'. The main force of the Yan army jumped out of the circle to avoid its sharp edge."
"While clearing the surrounding obstacles, we took the opportunity to recruit troops, and then fought mobile warfare with Li Jinglong outside the city, dividing and encircling them, and using various tactics to defeat them."
Zhang Yu is an outstanding tactician under Zhu Di and is good at planning.
Inspired by Yao Guangxiao, he immediately had a set of tactical ideas and began to draw on the sand table.
After Yao Guangxiao and Zhang Yu talked about it, Zhu Di was enlightened.
He stood up and said loudly:
"My king has made up his mind. Needless to say, all the generals will go back and prepare. At dawn the day after tomorrow, you will lead your troops to gather under the city and follow my king out of the encirclement."
"The first target is Daning City."
"First deal with Daning Dusi, then turn around and deal with Liao King Zhu Zhi."
"As you command!"
Zhu Gaochi, Zhu Gaoxu, Qiu Fu, Zhu Neng and others agreed and left the meeting hall one after another.
Only Zhu Di, Yao Guangxiao and Zhang Yu were left at the scene.
The general policy has been set, but many details still need to be worked out.
First of all, who will guard Peiping?
"Your Highness, you can take away the main force, leave the humble monk and the prince behind, leave some old, weak and sick people who are not easy to ride on, and send a few more to lead the army and generals."
Yao Guangxiao was the first to speak.
"Young Master, I'm afraid this is inappropriate. There can't be any mistakes in Beiping City..."
Speaking of this, Zhu Di's eyes suddenly turned red.
Beiping City is the base camp for him and all the soldiers. They have weapons, supplies, food and grass, and the most important ones are their wives, children and children.
Everyone knows that Yao Guangxiao's move is also a risky move.
Use Peking City to hold back Li Jinglong's main force to facilitate Zhu Di's strategic transfer.
Once the city of Beiping is broken, all members of the palace must die and must not be taken prisoner.
Otherwise, being held hostage by Li Jinglong would be equivalent to tying up Zhu Di's hands and feet, and Fengtian's great cause of peace would fail.
"Don't worry, the monk, the princess and the prince are here to ensure that Beiping City is safe and sound before you return."
Yao Guangxiao consoled him.
Zhu Di was silent for a moment and had no choice but to agree.
How can those who achieve great things look forward and backward, mother-in-law!
