The gunpowder smoke slowly dissipated, and outside the camp on the shore, corpses lay scattered everywhere, broken swords and guns could be seen everywhere, and the damaged carts were still burning with unextinguished flames.
Amin and Azige mobilized 2,000 Han troops and 1,000 Jianlu, using the carriages as cover, to launch an attack on the unbuilt camp of the Dongjiang Army on the bank.
Although it was considered a tentative attack, Jianlu also realized that he could not allow the Dongjiang Army to move steadily. From the sandbank to the shore, they gradually used the camp as a basis to advance continuously.
Chariots, rockets, mounted archery, and storming, Jianlu didn't use much, but they used all their methods. It was considered an experiment!
It cannot be said that it was ineffective, but under the overwhelming artillery fire and continuous attacks, Jianlu still returned without success. Because compared to the burning of less than half of the camp, the losses were completely disproportionate.
Looking at the camp being repaired from a distance, Azig's face showed a gloomy look, and he said in a deep voice: "The enemy's artillery fire is too strong. We can only wait for them to stay away from the river bank and go deep into the land before waiting for an opportunity to counterattack."
For Amin, who had never experienced the Zunhua War, he also saw the powerful firepower of the Dongjiang Army today and was very frightened.
He nodded in agreement and said slowly: "Without the cover of the ship's artillery, enemies that penetrate deep into the land will certainly not be so difficult to deal with."
After so many days, both Amin and Azig believed that the enemy was indeed going to attack Haizhou Acropolis. The reason for the slowness was that the enemy was making full preparations.
Step by step and attack steadily, this is the tactics of the Dongjiang Army. Amin and Azig did not find this strange.
This was in line with Mao Wenlong's wishes, so he made preparations calmly, consuming Jianlu. At the same time, he also allowed the troops to increase their actual combat experience and practice familiarizing with the tactics.
Firepower crushing and taking this advantage to the extreme will be the Dongjiang Army's future combat methods and development direction.
After a brief exchange of opinions, Amin and Azig stopped talking and looked into the distance with complicated emotions.
This kind of passive fighting made them feel very uncomfortable. They didn't say anything, but they were all frustrated that Dai Jin's warriors had fallen to this point.
Amin was plotted by Huang Taiji, and after getting over it, he became more thoughtful and less talkative. Especially in front of Azige, he was even more careful.
Strength determines attitude. Although Amin is senior, he still has to obey this rule. Although he has no good way to reverse Houjin's decline, he still covets the position of King Khan.
In the camp in the distance, Mao Wenlong was also looking at the enemy with a telescope. He was very pleased to have defeated the Jianlu attack. Although the scale was small, the troops had been tempered.
However, as he estimated the time, he began to worry about Guo Dajing's troops' attack on Jianzhou, and wondered whether they would be able to retreat smoothly.
"As long as Jianlu can be contained here, there won't be too much pressure on Dajing." Mao Wenlong put down his telescope and comforted himself in his heart.
Kong Youde saw the right opportunity and suggested from the side: "Commander Mao, our army can advance forward tomorrow and build one or two more camps."
Mao Wenlong nodded and said: "Go as planned, and put more pressure on Jianlu, making it difficult for him to send troops to take care of others."
After a pause, he added: "In terms of time, the actions in Dajing have almost come to fruition. Our army will continue to persist and create better conditions for them."
Kong Youde smiled and said: "If Commander Mao doesn't say anything, the last general will be spared. I envy the Right Association and the Front Association, as they have a good opportunity to kill the enemy quickly."
"There are opportunities." Mao Wenlong stroked his beard and said with a smile: "There may be another action this winter, but we can't let Jian Nu stop."
Kong Youde was stunned for a moment, thought for a moment, and asked speculatively: "Is it still in Liaodong? Launching in winter, do you want to do the opposite and give Jianlu a greater shock?"
Winter is usually the time when the Jianlu troops take action, because the rivers are frozen and the cavalry can move freely, which is the time to give full play to their strengths.
Although the Dongjiang Army has defeated several Jianlu offensives in winter and is not afraid of it, it is still rare to turn from defense to offense in winter.
Mao Wenlong said slowly: "Jianlu should launch this winter, either to attack Hu Duntu or to counterattack Liaodong. Depending on the specific situation, our army can either preemptively strike or take advantage of the opportunity to launch."
Kong Youde nodded repeatedly, probably understanding the meaning of the winter launch, although it depends on the situation.
"At present, our army's strength is not enough for a full-scale counterattack." Mao Wenlong continued: "But if we can continue to consume the captives, we may not need to expand our army as much as possible."
The Dongjiang Army is currently a half-soldier and half-civilian model. Although it has a large area of military camps, if it is a full-time farmer, the land that can be cultivated will more than double.
In the past few years, those who entered the southern Liaoning region were basically shaven Liao people who escaped from the Jianlu-controlled areas, totaling 150,000 to 60,000 people.
The population that supports the expansion of the Dongjiang Army can only be said to be barely enough. The two priorities of production and combat can still be balanced.
However, the substantial increase in the number of immigrants from the mainland this year and the number of people who will be rescued from Jianzhou have made Mao Wenlong feel pressure.
You must know that Dongjiang Town can achieve food self-sufficiency by relying on southern Liaoning, not by population or arable land, but mainly by relying on high-yielding potatoes, cold- and drought-resistant rye, and corn.
Immigration will not just happen this year. Guo Dajing thinks even further than Mao Wenlong, and predicts disasters that are much more severe. For this reason, food outsourcing that has been reduced has been increased again.
As for the land in the three states of southern Liaoning, if the lost land is not recovered, the output will be enough to live on for five to six million people. The only thing lacking is labor, which can also be said to be population.
Mao Wenlong realized this and was cautious about the expansion of the army. You must know that if it had not been for the issuance of military tickets, Dongjiang Town would not have the money to support so many troops.
If we can reduce the number of soldiers by continuously consuming the strength of the Jianlu, thereby increasing the labor force for production, it will naturally be the best measure to reduce pressure.
Kong Youde didn't know much about this, and he had his own ideas about expansion. That is, it is best not to add new organizational associations, but to increase the number of troops for each association.
Now the total number of horses, infantry and cavalry of the Association is almost 12,000. If the number is increased to 15,000, there will be one more infantry battalion.
The increase in military strength means the expansion of power in their hands, which is naturally what they are willing to do.
Moreover, the status of the five commanders of the Five Associations was only lower than that of Mao Wenlong and Guo Dajing, as well as Chen Jisheng, who was in charge of government affairs.
If there is one more association, it means that there will be one more senior officer with the same status as them.
In fact, Kong Youde's idea is similar to Guo Dajing's principle of military expansion. Since the old is leading the new and the military expansion is based on the old basic troops, it is much faster and more effective than reorganizing the army.
"Commander." Kong Youde heard the rapid sound of horse hooves, looked back, and quickly reminded: "There is an urgent message, it may be good news from Guo Shuai."
Mao Wenlong turned his head when he heard the sound, with an expectant look on his face.
………………
Mao Wenlong was destined to be a little disappointed. The urgent report sent by the courier was Guo Dajing's briefing presented by the troops retreating by water from Tonghua.
At this time, Guo Dajing had just led his troops into Crow Falcon Pass, where the remaining troops were still alive.
Saltai led the remnants of his troops to flee from Guancheng on the mountain ridge, avoiding the fate of being completely annihilated. However, they had already suffered nearly two thousand casualties, and only a few hundred people escaped.
This is Guo Dajing's purpose to eliminate the enemy's effective forces, and he also instilled this in the generals of the Dongjiang Army. If you can defend a city or a place, defend it, and if you can't, abandon it, as long as it does not affect the situation of the battle.
Liu Xingzuo and Liu Qishi's flying cavalry chased and killed them happily for a while, but they withdrew after encountering a thousand captives reserved by Jierhalang who blocked the road.
It is the flying cavalry's specialty to rush and kill, and it is the job of the lance cavalry to storm the stronghold. The Jianlu have suffered heavy casualties and have no power to counterattack, and their gains are also rich enough.
Jianlu's hasty retreat caused the Jianlu who were stranded on the battlefield to suffer a disaster.
No matter whether it was the cavalry, the fallen, or the wounded, there was no hope of survival, which caused the casualty ratio between the two armies to suddenly increase.
"Although Guancheng is dangerous, it is too thin." Accompanied by the generals, Guo Dajing boarded Guancheng, looked around, observed, shook his head and said: "If the three passes formed a closer system, it would be worse.
It can last for a long time.”
Liu Xingzuo was familiar with the situation in Liaodong and said: "Ever since Li Chengliang gave up Kuandian Six Forts and Gushan Six Forts, it has been occupied by the Jiannu. The army in Liaodong is weak. The Jiannu only need to concentrate their strength and attack Saarhu.
Just resist the attack from the Liaoshen direction."
Shenyang, Fushun, Sarhu; Liaoyang, Benxi, and Crow Pass. These were originally the two fronts that controlled Jianzhou, which forced Jiannu to defend in two places.
It's a pity that Li Chengliang's selfishness and his stupidity in raising bandits finally gave Jiannu the opportunity to become powerful.
And Li Chengliang's training can ensure that the various military leaders in Liaodong in Lijiayong Town will also become corrupt and corrupt, and will no longer be able to control the ferocious tigers in Chuxun.
If you sail against the current, if you don't advance, you will retreat. If you only think about maintaining stability, you will eventually fail in the tide of the times.
Guo Dajing sighed in his heart, pointed to the west, and said: "That's Benxi over there. There are thousands of Jianlu stationed there, right?"
"The intelligence is not very accurate, but there should not be many troops stationed in Jianlu." Feng Xijian was a little ashamed. After all, the troops in Liaodong were mainly special operations battalions, but the reconnaissance and spying on the enemy was obviously not detailed enough.
"Have a rest for the night and retreat to Kuandian tomorrow." Guo Dajing did not blame him and said with a smile: "The troops traveled a long distance and consumed a lot of food and ammunition, and the soldiers were even more tired. Building captives is not a temporary thing, and there will be more in the future.
Chance."
"General, I will obey the order." All the generals bowed and accepted the order without saying a word.
Feng Xijian hesitated for a moment, then bowed and asked for orders: "The strength of the special operations battalion still exists. The last general is willing to be the vanguard and set out overnight to capture the Six Forts of Gushan and open the way for the army."
When we came here, we walked through the wild mountains and forests beyond the border wall. When we returned, we could break through the Jianlu defense line and return to Kuandian via the main road.
Crow Falcon Pass was conquered, and the main force of the Jianlu troops collapsed. They were like a wall, alkali field, solitary mountain and other fortresses that served as outposts and early warnings. There were more than 200 to 300 people and as few as 180 people. They were completely vulnerable.
Guo Dajing thought for a while and said: "It is very hard for the special operations battalion to go over the mountains and lurk and wait. It is not difficult to capture the Six Fortresses of Gushan. Let's leave it to General Mao's command to complete it!"
The special operations battalion is also a force that Guo Dajing focuses on training. He does not want to lose elites for this kind of attack with little technical content.
Before Feng Xijian could open his mouth to argue again, Mao Chenglu had already bowed and said: "I will obey the order."
Although the soldiers in the fortress were already vulnerable, it was different when written in the battle report.
How could the imperial court know such detailed information? They would only see that Guo Dajing's troops stretched hundreds of miles across, were invincible, and were victorious in every battle. Also, Mao Chenglu's troops defeated thousands of captives and their elite cavalry, and captured six forts.
Guo Dajing had finished his arrangements and the generals dispersed, leaving Feng Xijian alone.
Continuing to increase troops and divert supplies to Liaodong, thereby strengthening the threat to the Jianlu flanks of Liaoning and Shenyang, is the main task in the next stage.
With reinforcements from North Korea, they can be sent to guard important strongholds, freeing up the special operations battalion to carry out more and larger-scale military operations.
Since the special operations battalion is to be the main body and the military command is subordinated, arrangements must be made, and the officers and soldiers of the integrated association cannot be stationed on Phi Island as now.
In terms of official rank, the commander of the First Association is higher than the commander of the special operations battalion. In this coordinated operation, only with Guo Dajing in charge can the two associations and the special operations battalion act in a unified manner and coordinate as one.
If Guo Dajing is not here, people like Feng Xijian, Wang Qian and others may not be able to command Mao Chenglu and Li Weiluan.
Therefore, Guo Dajing wanted to concentrate the officers and soldiers of the Five Associations in southern Liaoning. After the special operations battalion in eastern Liaoning was greatly expanded, it became an independent fighting corps.
"Pi Island will be used as a base camp for the special operations battalion to rest and recuperate, as well as for the storage of food and ammunition." Guo Dajing sat casually on a broken square stone at the top of the city and stretched out his hand to motion for Feng Xijian to sit down as well.
"I will draw elites from each association, about three to four thousand people, and add them to the special operations battalion. Together with the Korean volunteers, the number will reach the number of an infantry association."
"The garrison on Pi Island will be transferred. In future operations, you will have considerable independence, but it will be equivalent to fighting alone."
"A part of the navy will be retained to enable the special operations battalion to have the four major arms of infantry, cavalry, artillery and water to enhance combat flexibility..."
Feng Xijian listened carefully to Guo Shuai's story and was ecstatic. The special operations battalion has to take charge of its own role in Liaodong. This is not only their attention and trust, but also their responsibility and burden.
"For winter operations, you must plan in advance and make full preparations."
Guo Dajing saw Feng Xijian's expression and couldn't help but smile slightly and said: "Jianlu may also launch an attack to reduce or eliminate the threat in Liaodong. You must have the mentality and actual preparation to fight."
Ranwen
Feng Xijian said with enthusiasm: "Don't worry, Commander Guo, whether you take the initiative or fight against Jiannu, the special operations camp will not disappoint you."
Guo Dajing waved his hand and said: "I have no requirements for the outcome of the battle, as long as you can continue to maintain the flank threat to the Liaoshen area."
"The general will finally understand." Feng Xijian cupped his hands and said: "Don't fight head-on with the enemy, and don't fight for the gains and losses of a city or a place. As long as the strength remains, the threat can be maintained."
Guo Dajing showed an appreciative smile and nodded repeatedly. This is the special operations battalion he has devoted his heart and energy to training. You don't even need to be so tired to speak to understand what he means.