Four hundred and twentieth chapters fire burning the city
But Liaodong was Dorgon's next target. Although the material gain was not big, it was the only way to eliminate the threat from Liaoshen's flanks.
Although Liaonan has the main force of the Dongjiang Army, the increase in Liaodong's military strength is also an obvious fact.
Attacking Liaoshen from southern Liaoning is a line, including Haizhou, Anshan, Liaoyang, Shenyang and other cities. The Dongjiang Army must attack them one by one.
But attacking Liaoshen from Liaodong is completely different. For example, in Liaoyang, there is only Lianshanguan to the east, and the depth of defense is seriously insufficient.
Attacking Liaodong does not necessarily require occupying land and garrisoning, and the problem of insufficient troops is difficult to solve. Dorgon's purpose was to attack the Dongjiang Army in Liaodong, weaken its strength, and reduce its threat.
The reality of the situation left him helpless. He could not give up Liaoshen and his hometown in Jianzhou. The territory he occupied was too large. After the enemy became stronger, it became a burden, but it was difficult to get rid of it.
Dorgon was upset and walked out of the palace, walking aimlessly in the bleak autumn wind.
After Lao Nu established his capital in Shenyang, it was renamed Shengjing. In the center of the old city of Shenyang, he built the Dazheng Hall and the Pavilion of Ten Kings, the place where political affairs were discussed.
At the same time, based on the center of the city where the Dazheng Palace is located, the residential area in the city is divided according to the eight banners, and the Baylor mansion of each banner can only be built within the boundaries of the banner.
After the death of the old slave, after Huang Taiji ascended the throne of the Khan, due to various considerations, he did not move to the Khan's Palace, but began to transform his "Sibeile Mansion" into a new palace.
However, time was still short and the construction of the new Khan Palace was not perfect. After Dorgon succeeded to the throne, he moved back to the old Khan Palace.
Looking at the palace's painted beams and the majesty of the building, Dorgon frowned and felt like he was in a cage.
When there was only one place in Jianzhou, how could there be so many burdens? He was really barefoot and not afraid of wearing shoes. He was also extremely brave in fighting the Ming army, and he was invincible in every direction.
But now, Dorgon is increasingly feeling the burden of Liaoshen, a prosperous place, and the Manchus living here seem to be losing their courage and enterprising spirit.
Dorgon also made the worst assumption, which was to abandon the defense of Liaoshen and retreat to Jianzhou or even the bitter cold land further north.
But the pressure was so heavy that he didn't dare to think more about it. It was a decision that the senior leaders of Houjin and even the vast majority of the Manchus would not accept.
To put it bluntly, even if only Shenyang is left, Jianlu will not give up and will not return to a remote place. Talking about lying on the job and enduring hardships, Dorgon knows that he will not be able to convince many people.
And he, the Khan, does not have the absolute power to make everyone obey his decision-making.
Perhaps, this is what the Dongjiang Army hoped for, to start fighting around the Liaochen land, and let the Manchus shed their blood in the battle for gains and losses in one city and one place.
Looking in a certain direction, Dorgon sighed helplessly. That was where his father Khan's grave was. For this reason alone, it was difficult for him to propose giving up.
Although it can still last for a few years if it is forced to consume, it is a hopeless situation of destruction.
Dorgon can realize this, but it is difficult to change it.
Dongjiang Town now has the support of the Ming court. Its population is growing and its military strength is increasing. How can Hou Jin survive?
Huang Taiji's strategy of detouring into the pass to plunder people and supplies was correct, and it was the only way to reverse the situation. Unfortunately, when it was about to be completed, it was defeated by the Dongjiang Army.
Now it is absolutely impossible to repeat the old tactics. The strength of the Dongjiang Army has greatly increased. How can Hou Jin still have the opportunity to mobilize troops for long-distance attacks?
You don't know how expensive firewood and rice are when you are a family member, but you don't know how expensive it is until you become the king of Khan.
Dorgon looked up at the lonely sky, with complicated thoughts, and wanted to shout loudly to vent his anger.
………………
No matter how depressed Dorgon was, the entire war situation took a turn for the worse, which was beyond his expectation.
The Second Mobile Corps of Jianlu, who wanted a quick victory, marched all the way to Hetuala, but also ran into a disastrous defeat without realizing it.
Jianlu did not have a clear understanding of the change of strategic initiative.
The Dongjiang Army in southern Liaoning only needs 20,000 to 30,000 troops. With the advantage of weapons and equipment, it can defend itself impregnably and is fully capable of opening a second front.
If according to the normal time, Jierhalang's troops might arrive at Hetuala at the same time as Guo Dajing's troops. However, Hu Xing'a's proactive attack caused a huge disaster to Jianlu's deployment.
After learning that Hetuala was empty, a fast force consisting of more than 3,000 lances and more than 5,000 flying cavalry marched day and night to attack Hetuala.
If Huxing'a sticks to Hetuala, Guo Dajing will not be willing to use his precious flying cavalry to attack the city. There are not many lancers, so he can only advance to the city with infantry.
However, the cavalry group's attack was at least two days ahead of schedule, and arrived at Hetuala, the place where Jianlu called Longxing.
At this time, the few captives from Huxing Asuo's tribe who were able to survive had not rushed back to report the news because they were in the mountains and forests.
In the city of Hetuala there were only Jianlu who had fled in panic from various manors and nearly a thousand Manchu civilians living in the city.
The sound of the trumpet sounded like weeping, but now, with the army pressing down on the border, it was too late for the 1,400 to 500 Jianlu soldiers and civilians to cry.
But even so, they still persisted in resisting. Regardless of whether they were men, women, old or children, almost all of them climbed to the top of the city and fought to the death with various weapons.
In the 31st year of Wanli in the Ming Dynasty, Lao Nu began to build Hetuala. Two years later, the outer city was added.
The inner city has a circumference of 2 kilometers, where old slaves and their relatives live. The outer city has a circumference of 4.5 kilometers, where powerful soldiers live. Outside the north gate of the outer city, blacksmiths and bowsmiths live in separate areas.
In the forty-fourth year of Wanli (1616), Lao Nu ascended the throne as Khan, and the founding name of the country was Jin (called Hou Jin in history). The founding of the Yuan Dynasty was destined to be the capital here.
Five years later, Lao Nu moved his capital to Shenyang, and Hetuala was revered as Xingjing.
Now, ten years have passed, and Hetuala is only the "Land of Dragons" in name, but it has not been reinforced or repaired, and some of the city walls are dilapidated.
Perhaps, this is one of the reasons why Hu Xing'a is unwilling to defend the city. But no matter what, the goal of the Dongjiang Army remains unchanged, because this is a conquest of political significance, not about how many enemies are destroyed or how many supplies are captured.
Liu Xingzuo, Liu Qishi and other officers discussed for a while and then launched into action. The flying cavalry dispersed and roamed outside the city, intercepting and killing the captives who might have escaped, while the lancers dismounted and formed an array to attack the south gate and east gate.
Dozens of rocket launchers were reassembled, hundreds of rockets were loaded, and four hundred artillery units were ready for launch.
Liu Xingzuo looked at the castle in the distance and squinted his eyes. He stretched out his finger and tapped the castle three times. This action was something Guo Dajing often did, and he didn't know that it would be imitated by others.
"Fire!" the artillery officer shouted loudly, waving the red flag in his hand vigorously.
Rockets flew sideways into the sky, passed over the city wall with a terrifying scream, and smashed into the city of Hetuala with tail flames.
The Dongjiang Army has only two types of rockets, one with explosive warheads and the other with incendiary warheads.
In previous battles, explosive bombs were the most commonly used, but incendiary bombs had a unique role in sieges, but they just didn't have the chance to show it off.
This has a lot to do with the structure of ancient houses, because most of them have wooden components and are extremely easy to burn. This is also the reason why street fighting was rare in ancient times. Once the fire is burned, it will be useless to hide many soldiers.
Therefore, the Dongjiang Army that entered Jianzhou specifically to attack Hetuala and Crow Falcon Pass carried two to three thousand rockets with incendiary warheads, and this did not include those stored in Guo Dajing's space.
After the loud explosion, fire and thick smoke quickly rose up in the city. The prisoners on the city wall were shocked, but they could only scream and shout, and did not dare to go down to the city to put out the fire.
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How could the old, weak, sick and disabled people left in the city have the power to put out the fire? By the time hundreds of rockets were fired into the city, thick smoke was billowing and the fire was raging, spreading in all directions and completely out of control.
In the field of vision of the telescope, the Manchus in the city were crying, cursing, and beating their chests. Liu Xingzuo just pursed his lips coldly, without any sympathy.
After the Jianlu rebelled against the Ming Dynasty, how many Liao people were massacred and how many Liao families were destroyed. Did the Jianlu have any mercy? Now, they have had some taste of it. Of course, this is just the beginning.
Liu Qishi was also holding up a telescope to observe, feeling a little emotional and a little resentful in his heart.
What makes me sigh is that among the Jurchens in this city, not all of them are from Jianzhou, but also from the annexed Yehe, Hula and other tribes.
When Jianlu gained power, they also benefited; when Jianlu lost, they had to accept the punishment of Dongjiang Army indiscriminately.
What I hate is Jianlu, who pushed all the Jurchens into the pit of fire.
According to the development speed of the Dongjiang Army, it will only take a few years to pacify Liaodong. By then, I am afraid that if the Jurchens are not completely wiped out, they will no longer have a foothold, unless it is the bitter cold land in the extreme north.
"Wait until the fire burns for half an hour before launching an attack." Liu Xingzuo turned to the lancer officer and ordered: "After occupying the city gate, do not go deep to avoid being burned by the fire. Just hold it with heavy troops."
"General, I obey the order." The officer bowed to receive the order, turned around and went down to convey it.
Liu Xingzuo played with the telescope and said to Liu Qishi casually: "This penetration of Jianzhou and destruction of Hetuala should be regarded as the beginning of the Dongjiang Army turning from defense to offense, right?"
Liu Qishi smiled and said: "As for you, you think too much and work too hard. Look at how good I am. I just fight when I fight. I don't think too deeply or far, so I feel relaxed."
Liu Xingzuo rolled his eyes and said angrily: "Is it okay to chat?"
"Chat?" Liu Qishi opened his mouth and said with a smile: "I understand! I think it's just criticizing and criticizing others, and I didn't think much about it."
Liu Xingzuo sighed and said: "Hetuala is not an ordinary place. It is of great significance to destroy it. It is another great achievement to report it to the imperial court."
"Xingjing, the land of Longxing?!" Liu Qishi seemed to understand, and said: "It does make sense, a bit like the capital, huh?"
Liu Xingzuo smiled slightly and said: "At the beginning of the year, Jianlu took a detour to enter the pass and surrounded the capital; half a year later, our army made a long-distance attack and destroyed Xingjing. By comparing it like this, we can see that it has far-reaching implications."
Liu Qishi nodded repeatedly, suddenly enlightened, and said: "Even so, Guo Shuai probably didn't expect that Jianlu's strength has declined so much, right?"
"It should be." Liu Xingzuo agreed with this statement and said: "Having dispatched so many troops, even if you expect the enemy to be lenient, it is too cautious."
After a pause, he continued: "After this battle, Jianlu will probably give up Haizhou. Our army can take it without a fight. This is the second purpose of this launch."
Liu Qishi thought for a while and said: "The Jianlu troops are insufficient to support a two-front battle. Liaodong has no retreat, and only Liaonan is left."
"Dorgon reoccupied the Haizhou Acropolis and wanted to increase the buffer in the Liaoshen area. It can be seen that he is in a coma now." Liu Xingzuo said: "It should be that he succeeded to the throne and was eager to prove himself."
"Huang Taiji is not even good, how old is Dorgon, can he still be able to fight against Mao Shuai and Guo Shuai?" Liu Qishi said with a smile: "Guo Shuai paid most attention to Huang Taiji before, but he didn't take Dorgon seriously.
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Guo Dajing attached great importance to Huang Taiji, and it can be said that he was a little jealous of him. He always worked hard to deal with it and used many conspiracies and tricks. Both Liu Xingzuo and Liu Qishi knew it very well.
In fact, Guo Dajing did not take Dorgon lightly. But the situation has been completely reversed. No matter how talented Dorgon is, he has no space and time to display it.
Moreover, Guo Dajing is a time traveler, so how can he be defeated by Dorgon? He doesn't want to use any tactics, he just wants to use his strength to overwhelm the enemy and use the least cunning means to win the greatest victory.
After chatting casually for a while, Liu Xingzuo and Liu Qishi couldn't help but look at each other and smile when they saw the city's flames soaring into the sky.
The task now can be considered completed. The city of Hetuala will eventually be burned to the point of being reduced to ruins. Even if the city gate is not breached and thousands of soldiers and civilians are killed, we can still explain to the court.
But if we have reached this level and do not go further, how can we make people willing to do so?
"For General Liu, our troops are ready." The Lancer officer felt that the time was almost up and came to ask for instructions.
Liu Xingzuo nodded and said: "Start the attack!"
The officer took the order and left. After waiting for a while, he saw the lancers launching an attack on the two fort gates.
The sound of gunfire increased from sparse to dense, becoming more and more uniform. The lancers who came to attack Hetuala were also adjusted, and half of them were heavy muskets.
Taking advantage of the range, the heavy musketeers fired rounds at the city wall where the city gate was located, covering dozens of commandos holding large shields as they quickly approached the city gate.
The commandos carry large iron-shell mines, each weighing more than thirty kilograms, for blasting city gates or walls.
The Jianlu soldiers on the top of the city gathered their elite troops, braved the rain of bullets, and fought back with bows and arrows to prevent the enemy from approaching.
Heavy lead bullets were fired one after another, spraying dust and dirt at the battlements. Prisoners were constantly hit, screaming and falling down with blood and flesh splattering.
With the city on fire, the soldiers and civilians of Jianlu were in confusion and knew that they would not be able to escape. Their desperate resistance, which meant that the enemy would pay more, could not change the final outcome. This chapter has been completed!