The cold wind blew withered leaves and snow dust, swirling them across the road.
Jala Ezhen Tekuyin's face was gloomy, and his hand holding the riding whip would sometimes show the resentment in his heart.
Three roadblocks and two attacks resulted in the death and injury of more than twenty soldiers, including two petty officers. However, the enemy seemed to have escaped unscathed.
Where there is comparison, there is harm. Although there were not many casualties, it made Tekuyin more and more annoyed the more he thought about it.
When did he fight such a battle? It must be the first time in his fighting career.
But this did not give up his idea of attacking Xiaotieshan. The established plan would not be abandoned halfway just because there were more than 20 casualties.
At the same time, Tekuyin still remembered Belazig's words: Whatever the enemy wants to do, they will not let them get their way.
Setting up roadblocks and intercepting, what does this mean? It means that the enemy does not want him to lead his troops to attack Xiaotieshan, and wants to use this little trick to stop him. Then he insists on going, making the enemy's trick come to nothing.
Moreover, after experiencing the enemy's attack and blocking the road, Tekuyin felt that he had gained knowledge and experience. If he encounters a similar situation again in the future, it will be easier to deal with it.
"Sir." The captain of the soldiers was half a horse's head behind, guarding him vigilantly and showing him a special short arrow. "It should be that guy. You have to be more careful."
Tekuyin nodded and said: "He is only capable of a despicable sneak attack with cold arrows."
The captain of the guards grinned secretly, turned around and gestured to the guards to gather closer and to always pay attention to the movement on the roadside.
Regardless of whether Lord Tekuin talks tough or not, as a soldier, it is his duty to protect his master. If the master is killed in battle, they will also be punished.
Tekuyin waved his riding whip lightly, thinking about how to attack Xiaotieshan. On the way back to the army, he saw this mountain, which was neither high nor dangerous.
In his opinion, it would be easier for the enemy to defend against a mountain than to attack a city. At least, the hillside was easier to climb than the city wall, and no equipment was needed.
Bows and arrows suppress and cover, and heavy armor shields protect the front. Although it is difficult to attack from above, it cannot stop the steps of the Dajin Warriors.
Obviously, Tekuyin, who had never experienced the battle to attack Longgu Mountain City, did not fully know that the combat effectiveness of the Dongjiang Army and the Korean volunteers had been improved.
As for weapons such as wooden cannons, mines, and trebuchets, Tekuin did not know much about them, and he still looked at the enemy with the same old eyes.
There were many changes, and the changes were huge, but they happened within a month or two, after Jianlu penetrated into North Korea. As a result, both the returning Jianlu and the retreating Jianlu were faced with an unfamiliar battle mode.
Because of unfamiliarity, discomfort, and old-fashioned vision, the Jianlu suffered successive defeats in Yiju and Yongcheon. Now, it is the turn of the two thousand Jianlu led by Tekuin, or they may also be stationed in Longcheon.
of Azigh.
Xiao Tieshan had already appeared in Tekuyin's sight. He squinted his eyes and exhaled a breath of thick white mist in the cold wind.
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After the Jianlu invaders invaded the DPRK, they were overwhelmingly powerful. Although the losses were greater than in history, they were completely within their tolerance.
Amin detached Yue Tuo, Shuo Tuo, Du Du, and Azige took the initiative to return to the army. The resistance restricting him was greatly reduced, and he began to dream of being independent in North Korea again.
The North Korean envoy Jiang Wei went to the Houjin military camp on the king's order and handed over a letter begging for peace. Amin agreed in principle, but asked to be given a place to station troops and horses, and continued to move towards Seoul, but was dissuaded by his younger brother Jierharang to station there.
Pingshan.
After Jianlu was stationed in Pingshan, he sent Jiang Hongli, Pu Lanying and others as envoys to Ganghwa Island to formally negotiate a peace treaty. Li Tinggui and Zhang Wei were responsible for negotiating with them.
At the initiative of North Korea's Cui Mingji, Li Gui and other peace ministers, King Renzu of North Korea received the envoys of Later Jin Dynasty on February 18. The envoys of Later Jin Dynasty proposed to sever diplomatic relations with Ming Dynasty, pay tribute to Hou Jin Dynasty, and accept pledges as the king's brother.
Negotiate peace conditions.
Injo took Li Jiu, the deputy commander of Won Chang, a distant clan member (a descendant of Uncheon Lord, the son of King Seongjong of Joseon) as Won Chang Lord, pretending to be the king's younger brother and handed it over to the envoy of Later Jin Dynasty.
On February 22, the North Korean ministers and the Hou Jin envoys swore to negotiate peace at Yanwei Pavilion, and then took Yuan Changjun and others to Pingshan Jinying.
After Yuan Changjun arrived at Jinying in Pingshan, he greeted Amin with a hug on his knees and brought with him one hundred horses, one hundred tiger and leopard skins, four hundred pieces of cotton silk and ramie, and fifteen thousand pieces of cloth.
Jirharang believed that peace would be achieved and the purpose of the war was basically achieved. He suggested that the troops should withdraw immediately after making an alliance with the King of Korea.
However, Amin expressed that he wanted to go to Seoul to see the North Korean palace, and even planned to live there for a long time. He invited Jierharang to live in Seoul with him, but Jierhalang refused.
Jierharang's earnest advice, coupled with the fact that the captives he led had looted a lot of wealth and wanted to return home, Amin felt helpless and could only continue to negotiate peace with North Korea.
On February 27, the envoy of the Later Jin Dynasty, Bakshi Kultang and others came to Ganghwa Island again to finalize the final peace agreement with North Korea.
The focus of the dispute between the two sides was the relationship with the Ming Dynasty and the alliance ceremony. Later Jin was very annoyed that the credentials sent by North Korea still used the Tianqi era name, and asked to use the Tiancong era name instead, but North Korea refused.
At the same time, Hou Jin repeatedly requested to break off diplomatic relations with the Ming Dynasty, but North Korea also sternly refused.
During the peace talks, North Korean officials and Confucian scholars continued to criticize the peace talks.
Among them, the most influential one was Si Jian Yin Huang Shangshu, "Today's peace is called peace but in fact it means surrender. His Highness was confused by the treacherous minister's lucky plan, tried his best to reject the public opinion, and was willing to surrender, so he accepted it personally with the dignity of Qiancheng.
It is the fault of an ugly prisoner. He is arrogant and rude, and is constantly insulted, but His Highness is calm and does not know how to be ashamed. I cannot bear to cry..."
At this time, the news came that Shuo Tuo had been killed in battle, and that Yiju and Yongcheon were once again captured by the Dongjiang Army. Amin was deeply shocked and realized that the dangers on the way back were beyond his imagination.
Therefore, he ordered the envoys not to insist on severing diplomatic relations between North Korea and the Ming Dynasty. Documents between North Korea and the Later Jin Dynasty were also allowed to be in the form of stickers, without the year number.
On the issue of the alliance ceremony, Amin asked the king to come in person to swear an oath, but Injo was extremely reluctant. The envoy of Houjin compromised for a time and agreed to give an oath.
The envoy of Houjin left Ganghwa Island after receiving the oath on March 1. When he walked to Kaesong, he received an order from Amin requesting the king to come in person to swear the oath, so he returned to Ganghwa Island.
The North Korean side also refused to kill horses in the peace alliance on the grounds that Injo was in the period of death of his biological mother.
After several back and forths, the two sides finally decided on the seventh day of March that the king would only burn incense in the palace to worship heaven, while the North Korean ministers and the Houjin ministers would hold an oath of alliance.
The delay in the peace negotiations finally had a greater impact on Jianlu. At this time, although the ice in the river had not melted, the sea ice on Yuncong Island and the shore began to melt, making it difficult for men and horses to cross the ice.
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Phi Island.
Mao Wenlong finally received the news of reinforcements. The crisis on Yuncong Island was relieved. He only needed to leave part of the navy to patrol the sea and a small number of troops stationed on the island. Then he could dispatch a main force of 6,000, which would increase the total force in Mao Wenlong's hands to more than 10,000.
Boom! The hammer smashed open the iron hook, and the long arm was quickly pressed up by the counterweight, drawing an arc in the air, throwing more than thirty kilograms of rocks, and hitting the ground far away, causing a huge cloud.
Snow dust mud.
Haha, Mao Wenlong stroked his beard and smiled, turned around and ordered: "If you are virtuous, shoot an arrow."
Kong Youde has changed his name back to his original name, and most of Mao Wenlong's adopted sons and grandchildren have also returned to their original surnames and names. This is Mao Wenlong's order and there is no room for negotiation.
No one knows why. Mao Wenlong suddenly changed his tune without making any big fanfare. However, he still revealed some information to a few promising adopted sons and adopted grandchildren and comforted them with kind words to prevent them from feeling uneasy.
"Yes, Marshal."
Kong Youde stretched his bow and nocked an arrow, and shot an arrow with all his strength, which was a little more than ten meters farther than the trebuchet.
Mao Wenlong nodded repeatedly and said: "This thing can be used."
Kong Youde smiled and said: "Although it is a retro item, it is very powerful. Even throwing stones can cause damage to Jianlu."
Mao Wenlong said: "In addition to being able to compete with Jianlu's bows and arrows, this trebuchet can also withstand Jianlu's carts. Mines are the best. They explode and can kill even if you hide behind the carts."
The Jianlu were good at using carts, which were also called "earth tanks" in later generations. They were mainly used to cover the infantry approaching the enemy's position, and then engage in the most powerful hand-to-hand melee combat of the Jianlu.
If there is a certain number of artillery, especially heavy weapons like the Hongyi cannon, it will be easy to destroy the carriage.
However, the Dongjiang Army's artillery was very few, and all of them were old-fashioned, mostly used on naval warships. When faced with Jianlu's carriages, they were somewhat incapable of dealing with them.
Although the trebuchet cannot destroy the cart, it does provide an effective way to attack it. Large stones can almost destroy the cart, while small stones or mines can cause damage to the captives behind the cart.
"If the trebuchet is made larger," Mao Wenlong pointed at the light trebuchet and said, "Throwing a heavy object weighing one hundred and eighty kilograms can damage even the city wall. Or it can be used for defense, and the power is enough to destroy it.
Chariots, towers and other siege equipment."
Ancient Chinese cities, unlike those in the West, were mostly built with stone, most often with rammed earth, and even more advanced ones were covered with bricks or blue bricks.
Therefore, Mao Wenlong's estimation is correct. At the end of the Song Dynasty, the Mongols used returning artillery to attack cities and seize territory; while the methods of building cities in the Ming and Song Dynasties did not change much.
Of course, this is just a thought. Mao Wenlong is not planning to rely on trebuchets to attack cities in the future. Yizhou and Longchuan are special. The Dongjiang Army's future combat method will still be based on guerrilla raids.
However, the heavy trebuchet still has practical significance for defense. The Dongjiang Army does not have the Hongyi cannon of the Guan Ning Army, and the heavy trebuchet can replace part of the functions of the Hongyi cannon.
After watching from the sidelines, Li Weiluan nodded secretly and prepared to use trebuchets to strengthen Lushun's defense. It is also very promising to gradually occupy Jinzhou with the help of wooden cannons and mines.
After Zhang Pan was killed in battle, or in other words since Yuan Keli, the governor of Denglai, resigned, the Dongjiang Army, which lost its strong support, fell into a trough.
Originally the two strategic fulcrums of Liaodong and Liaonan, both have shrunk significantly. In Liaodong, only Yuncong, Pidao and other sea islands are left, while in Liaonan, there is only Lushun, a fortress that has lost its offensive capabilities.
Li Weiluan knew very well that Lushun was just a point with no strategic depth, and it was not an exaggeration to say it was an isolated city. It was obviously his hope to restore Liaonan to its heyday, although it was not easy.
After Mao Wenlong and the generals commented, they seemed to casually ask about the next action plan.
"Zhenjiang Jianlu sent troops to reinforce Yizhou and Longchuan. There are not many troops left. It is also close to the mouth of the Yalu River. It may be possible to criticize the overlords and suppress the weakness and send troops to attack."
"There are three thousand captives in Longchuan, and there is also a slave chief Azige. If the whole army is dispatched, we may be able to fight."
"With only a thousand built captives, Yizhou is the weakest and most confident of victory."
"Ajige sent troops to Xuancuan to transport food. Our army can intercept them halfway, causing the enemy in Longchuan to be in chaos without food."
Mao Wenlong listened to the generals expressing their opinions one after another. He just smiled and nodded, but did not make any comments lightly.
It is good to criticize the high and the weak, but among the craftsmen and information sent by Guo Dajing, in addition to the production of the trebuchet, there were a few words that made Mao Wenlong deeply convinced.
"If there are gains in every battle, the more wars are fought, the stronger we will be. The Jianlu plundered in Korea and gained a lot of money, food and grass. Taking it from the enemy not only weakened the enemy's ability to launch war, but also strengthened our army."
Regardless of whether it is Zhenjiang, Yizhou or Longchuan, apart from human lives, they can no longer bring greater benefits to the Dongjiang Army.
Although Guo Dajing didn't say it very clearly, his tendency was also obvious. That was to focus on the gains from Jianlu's plunder, not only to win the battle, but also to rob materials and money.
At least, Guo Dajing believed that the Jianlu could not be allowed to easily transport materials and money back to Liaodong to increase their war potential or become capital for the next launch. For this reason, he would not hesitate to destroy it even if it was destroyed.
Mao Wenlong understood what Guo Dajing meant. He knew Jianlu very well and agreed with this style of play and tactics.
In the past few years since the death of the old slave, the Jianlu prisoners' lack of materials has become more and more serious. Food and cloth are the top priority, which are the daily necessities of life.
When it comes to money, Jianlu and other bandits still have a lot of money. But they have money and nowhere to buy things. The economic blockade of Ming Dynasty, Mongolia and North Korea makes Jianlu feel more and more difficult.
The main purpose of Jianlu's attack on North Korea was to plunder supplies, and to ask North Korea to agree to trade and break the economic blockade that restricted their development.
From this point of view, preventing Jianlu from transporting supplies back, or trying to prevent them from transporting back as little as possible, is hitting their vital point and destroying their strategic purpose of attacking the DPRK.
As for the military exploits that he had to report to the court, Mao Wenlong thought it was enough.
Not only did he have thousands of heads, but he also defeated Yizhou and Longchuan, and also killed two Baile, Yue Tuo and Shuo Tuo. Based on these, the court could not find fault, and the ministers could not criticize him.
Besides, didn't the imperial court send Hu Liangfu to lead an army to support them? Let them fight, and let the imperial court know how powerful Jianlu was and how difficult it was for the Dongjiang Army to persevere.
When the generals finished speaking, Mao Wenlong smiled and nodded, showing admiration, and said: "You all know the key to criticizing the arrogant and attacking the weak. Very good, very good."
After a pretentious pause, Mao Wenlong continued: "The main force of the Jianlu troops is still in Pingshan, and the guards of the cities along the way are still relatively empty. Not only are they empty, but there are also looted grain, grass, supplies, gold and silver money."
Mao Wenlong glanced at the generals with a half-smile, and said slowly: "What does our Dongjiang Town lack? If the Liaodong Jianlu obtained these grain and grass supplies, would they mobilize more frequently?"