Chapter 399 Dorgon's helplessness, recruiting the Han army
Regarding the waterway attack on Liaoshen, and even the direct route from Haicheng River to Haizhou, the navy had been instructed to survey the waterway as early as a year ago.
Occupying Gaizhouwei and Yingkou, and advancing waterways simultaneously, laid a solid foundation for the capture of Liaoshen.
Based on the surveyed hydrology and channel conditions, the work of building a suitable warship has been fully launched.
The completion and commencement of Yingkou Shipyard, Lushun Shipyard, and Dalian Shipyard have given the Dongjiang Navy Navy more ample potential for development.
Niuzhuangyi, this place name and this place, has appeared many times in the reporting documents. As a shipping hub, it has become one of the important places that the Dongjiang Army will firmly occupy in the next stage.
Niuzhuang Town is located in the west of Haizhou Acropolis, backed by Taizi River, east by Haicheng River, north by Anshan, west by Panjin, and south by Yingkou City.
To capture Niuzhuangyi, one can take the Haicheng River from the north to reach Haizhou Acropolis, or one can go upstream and take the Taizi River and Hun River to sail to Liaoyang and Shenyang.
As for Jianlu, the weakest one is the navy. As long as the waterway is clear, they can't resist warships loaded with artillery.
Of course, due to the shallow water of the river, the warships that could sail were also inland river or offshore ships, which were relatively small. The weight and number of the artillery they carried were very different from those of large sea ships.
Sand boats, which were already very mature at that time, became the main ship type built by shipyards because of their strong carrying capacity, high stability, and ability to survive shoals.
The ship type was determined, and it was decided that the main ones would be small sand ships, with a load capacity between 200 and 300 tons. It would have better applicability in rivers with different hydrographies.
In fact, many of the Dongjiang Army's naval vessels can be directly used for inland navigation. This allows the preparations for a waterway attack to be completed much ahead of schedule.
Even so, Guo Dajing and Mao Wenlong have no plans to launch a large-scale attack this year. If they don't move, they will be done. If they move, they will be like thunder and defeat the Jianlu in one fell swoop.
Without the ability to carry an infantry corps at one time, coupled with the transport capacity of two hundred artillery pieces, it would not be able to pose a sufficient threat to the Jianlu, nor would it play a decisive role in the battle situation.
Of course, moving both by land and water, with naval ships taking on the task of transporting artillery and baggage, is also an option.
More than five months have passed since the great victory of Zunhua. Both the enemy and ourselves are not idle, but there is no sign of launching any action.
This is like a break in a boxing match. Drink some water, take a breath, recover your strength, adjust your tactics, and wait for the next round to beat your opponent hard.
In fact, such long-term confrontations were not uncommon at the time, and were closely related to backward productivity.
Even if Jianqi launches a large-scale battle, it will take a long time to stock up on food and supplies. It is normal to fight a big battle involving tens of thousands of people a year.
Sometimes it is not surprising that a battle may even require several years of savings.
Although everyone is accumulating strength and holding back their big moves, the Dongjiang Army is obviously faster than Jianlu. In another three or four months, the planned launch will basically be fully prepared.
But for the Jianlu who were under blockade, even if Dorgon tried his best, he could not make up for the widening gap in strength.
It's not that he doesn't work hard, or that he's not smart enough. It's just that his thinking is limited and he doesn't understand the saying "Times have changed" at all.
………………
Shenyang.
It is already the season of lush greenery and blooming flowers. There is no sudden warmth and coldness of spring, but the warm bathing of summer.
Walking along the corridor of the garden, you can see colorful flowers and plants in your eyes, and you can smell the faint fragrance in your nose, but Dorgon's face is not cheerful, and his mood is not relaxed and comfortable.
When he came to the study and sat down, he took a few sips of the tea served by his servants, then took the information and memorials on the desk and read them.
There is a crisis hidden behind the calm. In the position of King Khan, as the supreme ruler of Houjin, he knows it better than anyone else.
The defenses set up by the Dongjiang Army at Liangfangkou Pass and Yaozhou Station are already quite strong. A forced attack will definitely pay a heavy price.
Not to mention, with the current season starting, the rivers along the way are a big obstacle.
Dorgon, who had experienced the Battle of Nanguan and the Battle of Zunhua, was already afraid of the Dongjiang Army's strong defense.
The overwhelming artillery fire and the sharp muskets that ignored heavy armor have completely shattered the offensive methods that Jianlu once relied on to win.
With only the old-fashioned artillery and blunderbuss captured in previous battles in his hands, Dorgon had no confidence to defeat the firearms with firearms.
What's more, under the blockade, the shortage of nitrate and sulfur also meant that the most critical gunpowder was not available in sufficient quantity.
Dorgon Yue looked at the report of Yileshen, the guard at the mouth of the Haizhou River, and shook his head slightly. The ships of the Ming Navy had already appeared in the inland river, which was another difficult difficulty to deal with.
Blocking rivers is simply an impossible task; shipbuilding and water warfare, when did the Manchus become good at water and abandon their horses to build ships?
The Dongjiang Army was preparing all the time, posing an increasing threat to Dajinzheng. Dorgon felt the pressure, but he had no good way to solve it.
After the autumn harvest, when there are grain and grass supplies that can support the launch of the war, the situation may change.
Dorgon did not believe Yil Shen's guess that building ships to cut off the Liao River was definitely not the intention of the Dongjiang Army because it had no practical significance.
"To the King of Khan, Fushun, please ask for an audience." A guard came in and bowed to report.
Dorgon nodded and said calmly: "Invite him in."
There was not much time, Li Yongfang stepped forward, knelt down and saluted, "The humble minister kowtows to the King of Khan."
"Without courtesy." Dorgon raised his head and asked, "What can I report?"
Li Yongfang took out the report, presented it with both hands, and said: "The information about Guo Dajing has been collected and organized by the ministers for the king of Khan to see."
Dorgon took the report from the guard, opened it and read it.
Only by knowing yourself and the enemy can you win a hundred battles without danger. Dorgon also knew the essence of this art of war very well.
After the disastrous defeat in Zunhua, he truly realized that the real opponent he faced might no longer be Mao Wenlong, but the rising star Guo Dajing.
But compared to Mao Wenlong, the senior leaders of Houjin, including Dorgon, did not know much or thoroughly about it.
First, reconnaissance and spying on intelligence from Dongjiang Town became increasingly difficult. The Dongjiang Army crossed the sea to support the king, and the Houjin side knew nothing about it.
Secondly, it did not pay enough attention. Whether it was the defense of Lushun Fort or the battle of Nanguan, all Jianlu saw was Mao Wenlong's banner. Although Guo Dajing was somewhat famous, he was just a subordinate of Mao Wenlong.
The information collected and compiled by Li Yongfang is also very incomplete. For example, how Guo Dajing led the migrating Liao people to escape is unclear and the details are unknown.
In Li Yongfang's analysis, this should be a raiding team of the Dongjiang Army that rescued these people, and Guo Dajing rose to prominence because of this.
Dorgon also made the same judgment. He never imagined that Guo Dajing was actually a time-traveling soul, with a dimension and a sharp killing weapon.
In the war to aid Korea, Guo Dajing sniped Shuo Tuo. It can be seen that his archery skills were accurate. In other battles, his bravery can be seen, but it is not clear that he used the high technology of later generations - blasting and siege.
Next, he took charge of Guanglu Island, conducted two raids deep into enemy areas, and achieved victory.
The defense of Lushun Fort, the Xiaoheishan blockade, the attack on Anshan Station, the Xiuyan ambush, the Nanguan battle, the bloody battle of Zunhua...
Dorgon put down the documents, thought for a long time, and said slowly: "No wonder the artillery guns purchased from Xiyi are so sharp."
Li Yongfang bowed and said: "Back to King Khan, Mao Wenlong is indeed quite courageous. Even the Ming Dynasty only bought artillery, and there were dozens of them in Ningyuan and Jinzhou. But the Dongjiang Army even bought muskets, which is huge.
spend."
Dorgon reached out and patted the documents and said: "Guo Dajing is more dangerous than Mao Wenlong. It seems that he has taken command of the Dongjiang Army. We must be more cautious in future operations."
From the collected information, Dorgon and Li Yongfang could only see superficial things, such as Guo Dajing's hatred for Hou Jin as deep as the sea, and his bravery and strategy in combat.
Although Mao Wenlong was wily and scheming, the Dongjiang Army's combat power was not strong due to reasons such as food and grass supplies from its establishment to the battle to aid Korea.
Although it was like a thorn in Jianlu's back, in reality it was mostly to harass and contain him, and he could not give Jianlu a blow that would hurt his muscles and bones.
From Jianlu's point of view, the Dongjiang Army had shown signs of decline and could only seize the islands, leaving only a tiny place on the land such as Fort Arthur.
Mao Wenlong's mentality also changed. He might be complacent with the status quo, or he might be helpless. The support from the court was limited, and the criticism from the civil servants in the DPRK and China was constant, which almost caused him to lose his initiative and enterprising spirit.
But with the rise of Guo Dajing, the Dongjiang Army miraculously developed and grew. Compared with Mao Wenlong, Guo Dajing was young, vigorous, brave and strategic, and full of desire to fight.
The difference in mental state caused the Dongjiang Army to undergo unimaginable changes. Whether it was harassment and containment, the number and intensity of battles became more and more intense than before.
The purchase of Xiyi firearms is one thing, but the role of the generals is what determines it. So what if Ningyuan has Hongyi cannons?
Judging from the experience of previous battles, Guo Dajing was more courageous, more adventurous, and more eager to attack.
Li Yongfang deeply agreed with Dorgon's judgment and said respectfully: "Because of this, I, Dajin, have to be on guard all the time, and rarely have time to recuperate and recover."
If there were no Dongjiang Army and no Guo Dajing, Jianlu would be able to face the "cowardly" Ming Army in western Liaoning. They could fight when they wanted and stop when they wanted. They did not worry about Guan Ning's army leaving the fortress and taking the initiative to attack.
But now, you can't fight even if you don't want to, the Dongjiang Army won't give you a chance to breathe at all. Various military maneuvers and deployments have shown that the Dongjiang Army is preparing for a big war.
Even if only one year was given to Daikin, he would be able to recover from the famine and recover some of his strength, and he would not be as embarrassed as he is now.
Dorgon sighed in his heart, but his young face remained calm, and he said: "The spring plowing has passed. In order to make up for the lack of troops, the Khan is planning to recruit troops from the Han people, and it is set to be one out of ten. What do you think?
"
The number of Han people in the areas controlled by Jianlu has decreased sharply. They either fled or starved to death in the great famine. Now even if they draw one out of ten, they can only have five or six thousand more troops.
Li Yongfang had no objection to conscription, but he hesitated and said to Dorgon: "Conscription will strengthen the military, and I agree with it. But the necessary food and grass supplies——"
"Half farmers and half soldiers, there are still a few months until the autumn harvest, but there is always a way to survive." Dorgon said calmly: "They are all equipped with firearms, and the flags are green. You and Tong Yangxing will lead the training."
Although the Eight Banners of Mongolia and the Eight Banners of Han had not yet been established at that time, Han troops did exist, but they were not in large numbers and were not used frequently.
In the second year of the Apocalypse, Nurhaci ordered Han officials to send 200 soldiers for those with a population of 4,000, and their 100 people were equipped with ten cannons and eighty muskets; for those with a population of 3,000, they sent 150 soldiers...
The Jurchen officials who had jurisdiction over a population of 2,700 sent 135 soldiers, and their 67 men were equipped with six cannons and 45 muskets; those who had jurisdiction over a population of 1,700 sent 85 soldiers...
It can be seen that the weapons of these Han troops are firearms, mainly artillery and blunderbuss. Their main task is to defend the city and rarely go to battle with the Jianlu.
Although there were Han troops, Jianlu did not trust them and had extremely strict control. In addition to weapons control, they also had family members as hostages.
Dorgon decided to expand the Han army out of desperation. If the Han army could share the task of defending the city, it would be able to free up more Manchu cavalry and alleviate the contradiction between insufficient troops and vast territory.
"Wei Chen would like to accept the edict." Li Yongfang bowed and said: "In addition, Wei Chen thought that he wanted to forge artillery to compete with the enemy."
Dorgon nodded and said, "I'll leave this matter to you. For meritorious craftsmen, you can raise the flag and reward the land."
Historically, the cannons cast by the Later Jin Dynasty first entered the customs via a detour and captured Wang Tianxiang and others who were good at making cannons in Yongping, and then they began to cast red cannons themselves.
Huang Taiji compiled a banner for the Han army. The surrendered Han people cast and controlled the artillery. The banner was blue and was called "heavy army".
From this point of view, the significance of Guo Dajing's cross-sea attack was significant. Not only did it severely inflict heavy losses on Jianlu, but it also caused the Hou Jin Dynasty to fall into a severe famine and make it difficult to recover, and even disrupted the pace of its development.
Although Dorgon also realized the importance of firearms, he had no craftsmen to cast cannons and lacked the raw materials for making gunpowder. Although the development of firearms was on the agenda, he did not have much time left.
Similarly, what was interrupted by the tragic defeat of Zunhua was Huang Taiji's ongoing feudal transformation.
When Dorgon first ascended the throne, he did not dare to easily offend the interests of the higher-ups of Houjin without eliminating his dissidents and fully assuming power.
Later, the selfishness and stubbornness of the top Jin Dynasty gave even Huang Taiji a headache, so he could only take it easy. Dorgon even dared not continue to implement "measure the land and return the remaining land to the public" and "separate villages and classify them as private households"
Waiting for the policy.
On the contrary, in order to gain enough support, Dorgon had to safeguard the privileges of the Manchu nobles and canceled the decree that "no more village land is allowed to be established".
It is conceivable that due to the greed of the Hou Jin nobles, more Han people became slaves. How high would their enthusiasm for labor and production be?
At the same time, how loyal and brave are the Han troops who were forced to conquer?