Chapter 280 The slave chiefs have their own thoughts
"Father, will everything be okay at the Nanguan defense line?" Fujino Hide asked with some worry: "I heard that a lot of troops were dispatched this time."
Fujino smiled slightly and said: "There are thirty to forty thousand prisoners, and the latest information is confirmed. Not only are there more defenders on the Nanguan defense line than prisoners, but they also have strong and complete fortifications, as well as hundreds of artillery. What do you think,
Will Jianlu have a chance to break through Nanguan?"
Fujino Hide smiled sheepishly and said, "If this is the case, then Jianlu will be defeated."
"Defeat is certain." Fujinomasa said quite confidently: "If Jianlu had deployed such a force during the battle of Lushun, there would still be a possibility of victory. But more than half a year has passed, and now even with all the troops deployed, they still can't shake Nanguan.
The line of defense is up.”
It cannot be said that Jianlu wasted his time. It can only be said that the opportunity chosen to regain Jinzhou was excellent. Huang Taiji personally conquered Chahar, and the troops of the Four Banners stayed behind. Apart from the defenders in various places, Jianlu could not mobilize much mobile troops.
"Dajing's plans are as if he can predict the future." Fujino Hide praised his husband with pride and said with a smile: "Father, don't you think so?"
Fujino nodded and said with appreciation: "That's true. It's not that he's lucky, but that his thinking is really far-reaching."
After a pause, he continued: "Don't worry, he has now trained elite soldiers and strong generals. He no longer has to risk his own life and put himself in danger."
Fujino Hide was comforted and felt much more relaxed. He chatted with his father for a while before getting up and leaving.
Fujino was walking outside the door, watching his daughter's leaving figure until she disappeared. He was not in a hurry to return to the house, and was lost in thought thoughtfully outside the cold door.
Although the combat effectiveness of the Dongjiang Army has been greatly improved, it still lacks the confidence to fight in the field. Not only ordinary officers and soldiers, but also Guo Dajing was cautious and did not dare to try lightly.
Fujino Masa also understood this. In the vast and open wilderness, the power of the cavalry galloping horizontally and horizontally should not be underestimated, and it was indeed not suitable to fight in vain.
It is naturally a good idea to use cavalry against cavalry. However, due to limited conditions, using infantry to resist cavalry was a tactic that the Dongjiang Army had to adopt.
In terms of speed and maneuverability, infantry is always the passive side compared to cavalry.
The cavalry can fight and retreat, but even if it is defeated, the infantry will be unable to expand the results; and if the infantry is defeated, it will almost be a disaster.
Because of this imbalance, Guo Dajing cannot be too cautious. In fact, Dongjiang Town does not have much capital and can carry out many trials and errors.
Therefore, relying on strong defense will still be the main combat method of the Dongjiang Army for a long time.
It is hoped that this Nanguan defensive battle can revive the founding captives, make them fearful of attacking fortresses, and not dare to invade easily again, thus giving Dongjiang Town some time to develop.
Fujino raised his head slightly and looked at the vast night sky, with a few lonely stars blinking, seemingly unable to bear the cold.
"Sir." Ah Qiao came out holding a fur cloak, put it on Fujino Masaru, and reminded: "It's cold outside, so you'd better go inside!"
Fujino said "hmm", turned around and walked in.
………………
Haizhou.
The two white flags had already entered the city and set up camp. Azig, Dorgon, and Duduo had finished their meal at their residence but had not rested yet. They were sitting around chatting.
Regarding this attack on Jinzhou, Azig was cautious, but Dorgon and Duduo felt that they had a chance to win.
"The Hongyi cannon is only powerful, has a slow rate of fire, and cannot be complimented on its lethality." Dorgon said, "I saw this before when we attacked Jinzhou and Ningyuan."
Duduo nodded repeatedly and said: "I heard that Nanguan did not build a tall city wall, but there were many forts. The Hongyi cannons only have a dozen or twenty at best. How can they stop the attacks of my tens of thousands of troops?"
Azig laughed happily and said: "When we were in North Korea, Yue Tuo and Shuo Tuo probably thought the same way. What was the result? I'm not afraid, but I think this battle is not easy to fight."
"It's definitely difficult to fight." Dorgon agreed very much and said: "The vast majority of the soldiers and civilians in Dongjiang Town are in Jinzhou and will definitely fight to the death to resist our army."
Duduo smiled and said: "In the past, everyone who wanted to fight against the Dongjiang Army was forced to flee to the island. Now, only a few can escape. Once defeated, there will be no chance to make a comeback."
"It must be a hard battle for a trapped beast to fight." Azig said slowly: "Thirty thousand troops are not a field battle, so they do not have a strength advantage. Besides, isn't this an opportunity for Huang Taiji to eradicate or weaken his dissidents?"
When mentioning Huang Taiji, Dorgon and Duoduo's expressions couldn't help but darken.
It is no longer easy to eradicate dissidents. Each banner leader, Baylor, is fearful and carefully prevents Huang Taiji from grabbing his leverage.
However, weakening is inevitable. Huang Taiji uses his identity as King Khan to issue orders, and it will be difficult for the flag masters, Baylor, to disobey.
Most of the losses in the battle will be men and horses from other banners, and the two yellow banners will gradually form a strength advantage. This should be an adjustment after Huang Taiji changed his thinking, and it is also creating conditions for himself to become emperor.
"What can I do?" Duduo spread his hands and said helplessly: "If he disobeys the order, wouldn't he catch him and be severely punished?"
In addition to his status as King Khan, Huang Taiji also had another advantage, which was the majority support at the political meeting.
By increasing the number of political members, Huang Taiji effectively diluted the power of the other three Baylors and formed his own majority.
In this way, the punishment of a certain flag owner or Baylor will be easier to pass and serve as a deterrent to the flag owners and Baylor.
Dorgon lowered his eyes, thought for a while, and said: "There is really no good way. Although the Eight Golden Banners should be sincerely united and unite with the outside world, it is very unfair for Huang Taiji to only retain the strength of the two yellow flags."
After a pause, he added: "I guess he doesn't dare to go too far. Only the two yellow flags are his direct descendants. The other six flags or the four flags join forces are not afraid of him."
Six Flags joining forces is a bit overestimated; Four Flags, two blue flags and two white flags can still be achieved.
However, the Dorgon brothers do not want to form an alliance with the two blue banners yet and are in a relatively neutral position. Huang Taiji, Mang Gurtai and Amin are all trying to win over each other.
As for Daishan's Two Red Banners, without strong generals like Yue Tuo and Shuo Tuo, they suffered a defeat at Lushun Fort, and their strength has been greatly reduced.
In the view of the Dorgon brothers, Daishan is a weakling, or a weakling. In name, he is thinking about Dai Jin, but in fact he is weak and will lean on whichever side gains power.
Azig pondered for a while and then said: "Huang Taiji went out personally. I think he wanted to take the opportunity to deal with Mang Gurtai. Zhenglan Banner's 6,000 troops are expected to undertake the most difficult task."
This time the troops were dispatched, the two white flags were 10,000, the two red flags were 6,000, the blue flags were 6,000, the two yellow flags were 13,000, plus 5,000 Mongolian vassals, for a total of 40,000 horses.
Excluding the warning along the way to ensure the retreat, the number of people who can reach the Nanguan defense line to fight is estimated to be around 32,000 to 3,000.
Mang Gurtai took the initiative to ask for troops and stationed himself at key points along the way. However, Huang Taiji rejected it and arranged for two red flags to be given.
Judging from this move, it was quite obvious that Huang Taiji wanted Zheng Lanqi to fight on the front line. Daishan's weakness and the loss of Amin's troops in North Korea caused Huang Taiji to shift his attention and focus on Mang Gurtai.
Dorgon agreed with Azig's judgment, but he did not rejoice in his misfortune, but sighed lightly.
With their lips and teeth cold, Huang Taiji weakened his opponents one by one. How could the two white flags be an exception? Didn't the three brothers still have to show obedience?
"What if -" Duduo suddenly thought of something and asked, "This attack failed and suffered heavy losses, or it failed without success. Wouldn't it be a bigger blow to Huang Taiji?"
Azig's eyes flashed, he glanced at his brother thoughtfully, shook his head and said: "How could it be? The Dongjiang Army has been cut off from food and pay by the Ming court, and it is rare to be able to avoid chaos. Although I want you to be cautious, but you can't
I think the Dongjiang Army can defeat the brave attack of our Jianzhou warriors. At most, the losses will be greater."
Dorgon did not think there was a possibility of defeat. Like Azig said, it was possible that there would be heavy casualty losses. At the same time, he did not want such a result.
"Third brother, if the skin is gone, the hair will be attached. You have to understand this truth." Dorgon reminded in a deep voice: "No matter what, Dajin is our foundation, and we cannot do anything that harms the Kingdom of Jin.
"
Duduo laughed twice and said: "It's just random talk. No matter how stupid I am, I will not lose a big thing because of a small thing, or damage a big gold because of Huang Taiji."
Dorgon smiled and nodded, seeming very pleased that the youngest brother had grown up and became sensible.
Fighting with brothers, father and son go into battle. There may be allies, such as Mang Gurtai or Amin. But the most trustworthy ones have to be your own brothers.
The three brothers have an indelible hatred for Huang Taiji, which is the hatred of killing their mother.
What's more, Dorgon was influenced by rumors and believed that the position of King Khan belonged to him and was snatched away by Huang Taiji and others.
However, now compared to Huang Taiji, the Dorgon brothers are in a weak position, so they can only compromise and wait patiently.
It's not that they don't have advantages, maybe the only one is their youth. Time is like a butcher's knife, it will kill the pig Huang Taiji first.
………………
Gaizhou Acropolis.
As the vanguard, Mang Gurtai led 6,000 Zhenglan Banner troops to arrive at the city first. He was holding back his anger, but he had to accept Khan's order with humiliation.
During the day, he went out of the city and took his guards to hunt and relax in the nearby mountains and forests. He returned in the evening to barbecue the prey and drink to relieve his worries.
"Brother." Dege took a swig of wine, wiped his mouth, and persuaded the unhappy Mang Gurtai: "Let's just fight. How can we defeat all our Zhenglan flags?"
Mang Gurtai rolled his eyes, chewed the meat in his mouth, and said vaguely: "Without the men and horses, can they be made round and flat in the future?"
Degerei shrugged his shoulders and said: "Then what else can we do? Who made him the Khan? Don't the Dorgon brothers just accept their fate? If they work harder when conquering the Chahar tribe, they will get the 'Mergendai'
The title of Qing'."
"While Dorgon was working hard, he was also accumulating his own military exploits and prestige." Mang Gurtai sighed and said, "Holding Huang Taiji's thigh tightly, but God knows what he is planning in his heart."
Degerei looked at his brother and said seriously: "Then he is not worried that the strength of the two white flags will be damaged and that Huang Taiji will take advantage of him in the future?"
Mang Gurtai scratched his head, a little puzzled, and said doubtfully: "Maybe he has other ways. Anyway, I don't believe that he is loyal to Huang Taiji."
"Whether you believe it or not, you have to do enough on the surface." Degelei persuaded his brother, "My brother has a bad temper and a straight temper, so he is most likely to be taken advantage of by Huang Taiji. The political meeting is basically controlled by him. If you are convicted, you will not be able to escape punishment.
.”
Mang Gurtai was speechless for a while while drinking. He recalled the scene described in the rumors. Huang Taiji deliberately provoked him and made him commit the crime of disrespect in front of the emperor.
Degerei said slowly: "Brother does not care about his immediate personal gain, but is doing his best for Dajin. All the banner leaders, Baylor, see it. If Huang Taiji is unfair, they will naturally side with my brother."
Mang Gurtai understood something, raised his head, blinked his eyes, and said: "That's right. They are also afraid that Huang Taiji will punish them indiscriminately and bring disaster to themselves."
Patting his thigh hard, Mang Gurtai continued: "If you lose, ask for replenishment. One blue flag is not enough, plus we have the blue flag, there are two red flags, two white flags, why are the two yellow flags special?
"
Dege poured a full bowl of wine for Mang Gurtai and said, "That's it. Despite his current popularity, the policies he wants to introduce will offend many people. However, everyone dares to be angry but dare not speak out.
When he loses power, they will definitely attack him in groups and deprive him of his position as King Khan."
Mang Gurtai looked at Degerei strangely and said, "Is this what you think?"
Degerei smiled, scratched his head, and said, "One of my slaves said that the Han people do have many ways."
"That's right." Mang Gurtai picked up the wine bowl with relief and said, "Nikan has no good intentions, and Huang Taiji still wants to reuse them. For this reason alone, many Manchus object. Okay, I
I understand, just bear with him for now."
Dege was overjoyed. He touched the bowl with Mang Gurtai and drank it all. The two of them laughed in unison.
………………
The information about Jianlu's campaign reached Nanguan on the sixth day of the lunar month.
The defenders, who were fully prepared, immediately entered the first level of combat readiness.
This is a battle that determines the life and death of Dongjiang Town. Although he is full of confidence, there is no slack from top to bottom.
The coastal defense lines were repaired and reinforced during this period. As the coastal seawater froze, a large number of wooden piles were planted and froze, blocking the road for the buildings to be surrounded by ice.
The fortifications were also constructed with ice, and a battalion of officers and soldiers was mobilized to defend.
More than a dozen Hongyi cannons and dozens of mortars have been deployed, and coupled with the support of the navy, the crossfire formed will deal a heavy blow to the Jianlu soldiers who are crossing the ice to surround them.
Mao Wenlong and the officers repeatedly inspected and inspected, not missing even the smallest loophole. The officers and soldiers also conducted pre-war drills to mobilize their mental will and excitement.