On the south bank of the Haicheng River, Mao Wenlong and his generals were also studying the situation on the other bank, discussing how to make the sheep attack more realistic and better coordinate with Guo Dajing's attack.
"The Jianlu seemed to be frightened by the artillery test firing." Kong Youde put down his telescope and said with some regret: "They are all far away from the river bank, and we are ready to let our troops go deep before fighting."
Shang Kexi pointed with his finger and said: "There are two camps outside the city, which echo the city and can flank the siege troops attacking our army."
Liu Xingzhi, who just yesterday led an infantry battalion and came to support the battle with Guo Dajing's banner, just smiled and did not interrupt.
Jianlu's arrangement like this is normal and there is nothing to make a fuss about. As long as the troops are sufficient, regardless of whether it is a city or a camp, attacking at the same time will expose Jianlu's weakness in dividing his troops.
Besides, with Hongyi artillery, mortars, and rockets, no camp can withstand bombing or fire.
"The key is to establish a stable bridgehead and transport the artillery ashore." Mao Wenlong stroked his beard, squinted his eyes slightly, and said slowly: "If it is a cavalry battle, we must invest enough men and horses at once."
After a pause, he continued: "If there are enough artillery on the ship, it will be enough to cover the infantry landing and set up a position at a distance of five to six hundred steps."
"Do you know about the Queyue Formation?" Mao Wenlong suddenly smiled, stretched out his hand and said, "The sandbar extending into the river, I think, can be used as a bridgehead."
"Queyue Formation" was invented by Liu Yu, and two thousand people defeated tens of thousands of enemy cavalry, making it the most famous battle in history in which infantry defeated cavalry.
To put it simply, Queyue Formation is an arc-shaped defensive formation. It starts with a chariot, hugs the river at both ends, and uses the river bank as a crescent moon. Behind the chariot are crossbowmen and shield soldiers, and behind the formation there is a navy to support it.
.
The Queyue Formation is so famous, but it is short-lived in history. Although detailed records are recorded in history books, no one used this formation after this battle.
In addition to the "Queyue Formation"'s high requirements on terrain and environment, the enemy's cooperation is also a key factor.
If the Wei cavalry at that time had not impatiently attacked from the front, no matter how well the Queyue formation was arranged, it would be useless. The lonely formation with its back to the water would have become a ridiculous decoration.
Since Jianlu had withdrawn from the coastal defense, setting up the Queyue Formation would not have much effect.
Of course, if the sandbar is big enough, and enough infantry or cavalry can be arrayed here first, and then advance deeper, it can also be regarded as a method of landing operations.
Mao Wenlong also knew that he had made a mistake, so he changed the topic, no longer mentioning Queyue Formation, and turned to the establishment of the bridgehead.
"The general believes that the sandbar is an excellent landing place." Shang Kexi said: "Although the area is slightly smaller, we can establish a foothold here and then expand to the shore. There are artillery on board ships in the river to protect it, which is close to the shore.
Even if a camp is built, the captives may not be able to stop it."
Liu Xingzhi nodded and said: "There is no need to build a strong camp and surround it with vehicles and artillery. With sharp muskets and artillery, it will be difficult for the captives to break through."
"The Jianlu probably didn't dare to attack." Kong Youde seemed more confident and said: "Since they have given up on the shore, they must be trying to lure our army to go deeper and then attack from a flank."
Mao Wenlong agreed and felt that it was not too difficult to land ashore. What was difficult was to advance in depth and attack Haizhou Acropolis and the two camps that formed a horn.
"The troops of the Three Associations landed ashore at the same time and attacked separately, making it difficult for the Jianlu and the captives to support each other, and the chances of victory were high." Mao Wenlong pointed and said: "In response to each other, we also divided our forces to fight."
"Commander Mao's judgment is uncanny." Kong Youde nodded vigorously and said, "With dozens of gunboats covering us and three pontoon bridges reaching the shore, the rebels will be defeated."
Liu Xingzhi pondered for a moment and then said with a smile: "If we attack in winter and the rivers are frozen, we have to consider other tactics."
What about winter? All the generals are thinking about this possibility. That is the season when the Jianlu cavalry is best at launching operations. The Dongjiang Army's training and preparation for this seems to be insufficient.
Mao Wenlong slightly chinned his head and said: "Doing the opposite will prevent Jianlu from committing crimes in winter. Dajing also had this idea, but it still requires a longer period of training and preparation."
"Guo Shuai has entered Jianzhou now, right?" Shang Kexi looked east and said with a smile: "The old nest was smashed to pieces, but Jianlu was powerless."
Kong Youde nodded repeatedly and said: "Jianlu has been unable to mobilize enough troops. Even with larger mobilization, the combat effectiveness of the men and horses has also dropped a lot."
In the early days of Lao Nu and Huang Taiji's succession to the throne, if the Jianlu were to mobilize all men, that is, all men between 16 and 60 would go into battle, there should be about 100,000 troops.
There are about 60,000 men and horses of suitable age for mobile combat. After the conquest of Korea, the attack on Lushun, Nanguan, and the Zunhua War, Jianlu has lost more than 30,000 people in a few years.
The natural growth of the population cannot offset the losses of the war. In order to maintain the strength of the army and defend the vast territory, the Jianlu had to relax their age and constantly replenish their troops.
Therefore, up to now, it seems that Jianlu still has more than 50,000 troops, but they are already close to the limit. If they are mobilized again, they will not increase much.
In other words, the Dongjiang Army has surpassed Jianlu in terms of total strength. In addition, the territory that needs to be defended is not large, so it is far more relaxed than Jianlu in mobilizing troops.
From the perspective of prospects, the Dongjiang Army can continue to expand, and the gap in strength with Jianlu will become wider and wider. This is why Mao Wenlong, Guo Dajing and others can remain optimistic and initially set the three-year Ping Liao period.
"We launch two to three large-scale operations every year in an effort to eliminate 18,000 of its people. We will be 70 to 80 percent sure that Liao will be defeated within three years."
Mao Wenlong shook his riding whip lightly and said with a slight smile: "I am looking forward to that day, and I will raise a toast with you to celebrate the victory."
"Victory is certain. It may not take three years."
"As long as food and grass supplies can be provided, it is not a problem to launch multiple attacks a year. There will always be loopholes in the defense of Liaonan, Liaodong, and Jianlu."
Liu Xingzhi agreed with a smile. Although he was confident, he did not boast. In his opinion, Guo Shuai's plan was gradually becoming a reality, and it would be completed as scheduled if there were no particularly big surprises.
However, he knew more about some of Guo Dajing's ideas, and his way of thinking about the problem was slightly different from other generals.
For example, Guo Dajing will focus on destroying the enemy's effective forces, and occupying the city and occupying land will be placed in a secondary position. From this perspective, it is not important whether the Haizhou Acropolis can be captured.
You must know that conquering Haizhou Acropolis is a step closer to Liaoshen, but the terrain is quite unfavorable.
The Haicheng River is obstructed, and guarding the Haizhou Acropolis is equivalent to fighting against the water. Not only the support of men and horses, but also the transportation of materials have added a lot of difficulties.
Similarly, when Jianlu wanted to defend the Haizhou Acropolis, they also believed that the city was strong and had a natural wide moat - Haicheng River.
Since you want to defend, then I will make a move to seize it. If Jianlu gives up on his own initiative, Guo Dajing and Mao Wenlong will have to carefully consider whether to send troops to garrison for a long time!
As for this diversionary battle, the dispatch of the army was not a waste of time.
There is no need to storm Haizhou Acropolis, but the defense line in southern Liaoning will be pushed to Tashanpu and Yingkou, forming a new situation of confrontation with Jianlu across the river.
The two battalions of the Zuo Xie are now building fortifications in these two places, thus occupying half of Haizhou, making Gaizhou a relatively stable rear area.
Liu Xingzhi and the generals were a little surprised that Mao Wenlong did not show his command, but instead used the banner of Guo Dajing.
Where the commander is, it means the direction of the main attack and where the main force is. Showing whose flag can make the enemy pay more attention and be more vigilant, and it is also a reflection of prestige and force.
Obviously, Mao Wenlong believed that after the Zunhua War, Guo Dajing's reputation had surpassed his own. Or maybe the Jianlu were even more afraid of Guo Dajing.
Such promotion of Guo Dajing completely consolidated Guo Dajing's position as the number two figure in the Dongjiang Army, and Mao Wenlong was equivalent to retreating to the second line.
Glancing at Mao Wenlong imperceptibly, Liu Xingzhi made his own analysis and judgment: Mao Shuai's mentality had changed, and he was trying his best to support Guo Shuai, thinking that he would be able to rely on him in the future.
Thinking about it this way, it’s not surprising.
Having already been granted the title of Marquis, if you want to go one step further, you may become a Duke, or it may be hereditary. But since the middle of the Ming Dynasty, hereditary titles have almost never been granted. As for Duke, Mao Wenlong probably wouldn't dare to think about it.
From the perspective of a military commander, Mao Wenlong was already at his peak. After the Ping Liao eradication of the captives, the imperial court was likely to be in the awkward position of having no title and no reward for high achievements.
Thinking about it this way, it is logical that Mao Wenlong is willing to keep a low profile.
………………
On the battlefield, there were corpses of men and horses everywhere, scattered flags, broken swords and guns, and the smell of nitrous sulfur still lingered in the air.
Liu Xingzuo reached out and took the kettle handed by the captain of the soldiers. Gudong Gudong took two sips and laughed and cursed: "Damn it, these guys are like wolves snatching meat, but they didn't let me see blood on my knife."
The captain of the guard chuckled and said: "Thousands and eight thousand prisoners rushed over stupidly and were beaten to pieces by muskets. How can I bother you to do it yourself?"
Liu Xingzuo gently chinned his head and said with emotion: "The battle in Zunhua was still enjoyable, just charge, charge, kill non-stop. Wherever there was a group of captives, no matter how many cavalry there were, they would charge forward and kill them.
Tsk tsk.”
"When I think about it, I'm very excited." The captain of the soldiers caressed the war horse and said, "It's a pity that the war horse was injured and can no longer accompany Beizhi on his rampage. However, this horse is not bad either."
Liu Xingzuo reached out and patted the head of his own war horse, and said: "This guy has been with So-and-so for many years and has understood human nature. So-and-so wants to gallop his horse forward without holding the horse's belly. It just gathers its strength and raises its head, as if it knows
Someone’s thoughts.”
Looking at the messy battlefield, Liu Xingzuo sighed: "Battle after battle, I feel that Jianlu is getting worse and worse."
The captain of the soldiers shrugged his shoulders and said: "If you don't dare to fight hard, you will be a scumbag in front of the flying cavalry."
Liu Xingzuo laughed, pointed at the captain of the soldiers with his finger, and said: "Learned it from Guo Shuai? Slag, well, I also like this word very much."
The soldier captain scratched his head and said with a smile: "I learned it without realizing it, but I forgot when I heard it. There is also "ding", which is also very interesting."
"I agree, I agree." Liu Xingzuo's smile became more hearty, "It's interesting, it's indeed interesting."
"General, the infantry is only five miles away, and the vanguard of Feibiao Camp has arrived." A messenger came on horseback and saluted.
Liu Xingzuo nodded and said: "Hand over immediately and let them take care of the wounded. Order the troops and prepare to set off."
The messenger took the order and left. Liu Xingzuo stretched out his hand and stroked the horse's head and said with a smile: "Look at this guy, he is eager to try! Don't worry, leave right away. There is wheat to eat wherever you go."
The captain of the soldiers joked: "The food these days is so good, are you being naughty?"
Liu Xingzuo waved his hand and said with a smile: "Running hard is just a reward for them. If you want to say that they are picky eaters, it's not like they are picky eaters."
With that said, he got on his horse and rushed towards the gathering cavalry.
The Jianlu in the Tonghua area received the warning of the war smoke, and they all quickly mobilized to drive away the invading enemies.
But what they encountered was not the small group of enemies they had imagined. The leading Qianyu Feiqiu retreated immediately when they saw the enemy coming, and at the same time sent a signal to the rear team.
Nearly a thousand Jianlu were chasing them, but they were bombarded by 2,000 lancers who had been prepared. In the chaos, Liu Xingzuo's 3,000 Flying Tiger Battalion launched a violent attack from three sides, defeating the Jianlu in one fell swoop.
Although the more than a thousand Jianlu were unable to be completely wiped out, less than a hundred managed to escape. The Jianlu in the Tonghua area no longer had the ability to stop and fight.
This is a combat strategy formulated after repeated discussions before the war. Try to maximize the lethality of the muskets, and the flying cavalry will take advantage of the enemy's confusion or retreat to launch an attack and pursue them.
Compared with the training cycle of the flying cavalry, the lancers can be replenished at any time. As long as there are war horses, all the soldiers of the Dongjiang Army can ride horses.
Liu Xingzuo led a mixed force of flying cavalry and lance cavalry, and set up a formation of light in front and heavy in back, and galloped forward. Now, there should be only three thousand troops stationed in Hetuala among the organized prisoners.
Although Liu Xingzuo's vanguard still has an advantage in terms of military strength, when it comes to a real encounter, he will adopt the same fighting style and will not immediately engage in a head-on battle with the Jianlu.
If there are more than a thousand enemies, the vanguard can eat or defeat them relatively easily.
If it were two or three thousand, Liu Xingzuo would retreat in large strides, use the infantry in the rear to give the enemy a sudden and violent blow, and then press all the cavalry.
You must know that the entire forward force set off in sections and marched at intervals. The total strength was two infantry battalions, two flying cavalry battalions, and two thousand lancers.
This is a group that is completely capable of fighting independently. If the enemies of Jianzhou are put together, they can also defeat them, but the casualties will only be huge.
Guo Dajing led more than 10,000 troops to deal with the Jianlu reinforcements coming from Liaoshen. They were also able to defeat them and made the Jianlu pay a heavy price.
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Chapter 416 Confrontation across the river is free to read.