The sorrow and mist shrouded the country once again, even more intense and gloomy than during the tragic defeat in Zunhua.
In less than a year, they experienced three consecutive defeats in Zunhua, Jianzhou, and Liaodong. Now Jianlu was not only injured, but also in a state of turmoil and turmoil.
Dorgon stood in front of the window with his hands behind his back, looking at the dancing snowflakes outside. Even if the cold air hit his face, he remained motionless, as if he was petrified.
Azig secretly withdrew to Lianshan Pass and reported the news to Dorgon urgently. At that time, no one was sure whether the Eastern Expedition Corps would break through and return by another route, or whether it would be besieged and destroyed.
Dorgon also kept suppressing the news and sent people to inquire around. Even Jianzhou's troops also went east to inquire, hoping to meet the retreating friendly troops.
But as time passed, the ominous feeling became more and more serious. Until precise information came from the Ming Dynasty and North Korea, the entire East Marching Corps was destroyed, and Amin, Azig, and Dudu were killed in action.
It was useless to cover it up any more. When rumors spread, Dorgon had no choice but to make the news public.
However, the main reason for the failure was attributed to Amin, saying that he conspired to establish independence in North Korea and stayed there for a long time, so that he was surrounded by Dongjiang Army's troops and generals, which led to the annihilation of the entire army.
"Although dead people cannot speak, Dajin suffered such a heavy setback and the situation became even worse." Dorgon rolled his eyes, sighed deeply, reached out to close the window, and returned to the chair with a dark expression to sit down.
Attacking Liaodong and conquering North Korea were Dorgon's efforts to reverse the decline. This was the same consideration and strategy as Huang Taiji's detour to ease the famine.
Unfortunately, both major operations ended in disastrous defeat. Guo Dajing was Hou Jin's nemesis. He always predicted ahead and crushed Jianlu's comeback attempts.
why why?
Dorgon had deep doubts about his own strategy and wisdom, and scratched his bare scalp hard. He didn't understand why the enemy could always take the lead step by step, which made him feel powerless and even desperate.
Not moving is good, but the more you move, the worse it is.
Dorgon did not admit that he was wrong to launch the Liaodong Campaign. For the future of Dai Jin, he could not just sit back and wait for death. This was definitely the right thing to do.
However, his planning and efforts resulted in a heavier blow, which accelerated Daikin's slide towards the abyss of destruction, making him feel extremely depressed and depressed.
What else can be done now? Dorgon feels that he can only sit back and wait for death.
Although Daikin still occupies Liaoshen and still has a large territory, the gap in strength is getting wider and wider and cannot be narrowed.
At this time, the guards went inside to report. Duduo and Fushun's consort Li Yongfang were waiting outside to meet him.
Dorgon gathered his energy and ordered Duduo and Li Yongfang to enter.
Time was running out, Duduo and Li Yongfang came to the house, saluted, and began to report on their work.
"Amin's house has been ransacked, and the gold and silver obtained..." Li Yongfang took the list and read it carefully, while Duoduo sat in a chair and drank tea absentmindedly.
Since Amin died, the responsibility was placed on him, and punishment was inevitable. His house was ransacked, and the property obtained was just enough to provide compensation for the fallen soldiers.
If it weren't for the bad situation, Dorgon would have wanted Amin to die and eliminated dissidents for him. But he was unwilling to lose tens of thousands of horses.
The only one who can be called a political opponent is Hauge, who is stationed in Liaoyang. With Azig and other cronies watching, Dorgon is not too worried that he will cause trouble.
After listening to Li Yongfang's report, Dorgon asked slowly: "The most important thing now is to appease people's hearts, not only externally, but also internally, and try to be as stable as possible."
The consequences of failure are not just temporary, but will have long-term effects.
The Mongolian tribes that relied on Hou Jin, and even Ye He and other tribes except Jianzhou Jurchen, may start planning for a way out, so as not to sink with the broken ship of Hou Jin.
At this time, Dorgon became increasingly aware of how insidious the reward order issued by Dongjiang Town was.
For fifty taels of a Jianlu's head, you get not only money, but also the future of your family or tribe. That is, you get a certificate of name, which gives you the qualification to be forgiven by Dongjiang Town.
When the Hou Jin Dynasty was strong, they followed suit; when the Jianqi were defeated, rebellion and betrayal were inevitable. This is human nature, how could Dorgon not understand it?
In the past, Dorgon would only sneer at this propaganda slogan: "Specialize in attacking Jianzhou Jurchens". But now, he has to guard against it.
"In response to the report to the King of Khan, the ministers have sent out ears and eyes to monitor at all times." Li Yongfang bowed and said: "The most worrying ones are the Mongolian tribes in Jinyou."
Dorgon frowned slightly, pondered for a long time, and said: "It is difficult to prevent trade with Dongjiang Town. Our army should not be mobilized in the short term. Let's monitor it closely first!"
Dorgon had long known about Panjin's trade. He had no way to deal with the shortage of materials, so he did not strictly prohibit it. He even sent people to trade to purchase materials that were in short supply.
The situation is stronger than the people, and it is inevitable for the Mongolian tribes to sit on the wall and sway. In the past, Houjin was strong, so naturally he had no objections. Now that the Dongjiang Army has been able to intervene, the Mongolian tribes have one more choice.
Moreover, the Mongolian tribes had not shown signs of rebellion, and Dorgon did not want to send troops easily to arouse more fear and rebellion among the Mongolian tribes.
"In addition, some property from the confiscation of houses was taken out and given to the Mongolian tribes as compensation and rewards." Dorgon added in a deep voice: "The attitude of the Mongolian tribes still depends on the Taiji Beile of those tribes."
It is the same all the time, the decision-making lies with the top, and how can the herdsmen at the bottom have any decision-making power? As long as we win over the top leaders of the tribe, we can prevent their betrayal to a large extent.
"Wei Chen accepts the order." Li Yongfang bowed and agreed.
Duduo cupped his hands and said: "I am going to report to King Khan that the Jinyou Mongolian tribes can be temporarily appeased, but Horqin and other tribes do not seem to need it."
They are also a Mongolian tribe. Jinyou has been able to contact the Dongjiang Army. Before they rebel, they cannot push too hard. But Horqin and other tribes are separated from Liaochen and Jinzhou, and the Dongjiang Army cannot reach there. They can run away even if they want to.
Don't fall off.
Although the Horqin tribe was the first to defect to the Jianlu and continued to have in-laws with them, people's hearts are still apart and when the situation worsens, they cannot take it lightly.
Moreover, how to solve the shortage of human resources is Jianlu's top priority. Spring plowing will begin soon, and the sharply reduced military strength cannot be mobilized.
But if the spring plowing area is not enough, in autumn, Jianlu will fall into famine again, and people will find it difficult to stabilize.
Duduo's intention was obvious, to solve the temporary difficulties by squeezing Horqin and other tribes. Anyway, they could not withstand the attack of Hou Jin's troops, so they could only obey orders.
Dorgon smiled bitterly, nodded slightly, and said: "In addition to recruiting Horqin and other troops, during spring plowing, all men, women, old and young, who can pick up a hoe, must go to work in the fields."
Forced labor is nothing. When life and death are at stake, you have to pick up a knife and a gun to fight!
Duduo glanced at Li Yongfang, thought for a while, and then said: "Privately, I have tested the minds of Maidali, Mandahai and others. I am afraid there will be great resistance if we give up Liaoshen."
After a pause, he added: "Besides, if you abandon the capital so easily, I'm afraid people will be panicked and the chaos will be difficult to end."
Dorgon looked at Duduo, and then looked away for a long time. He wanted to confirm whether this was Duduo's intention, so he pretended to speak out through the mouths of Mai Dali, Man Dahai and others.
In the end, Dorgon finally gave up on getting to the bottom of it.
Because, this was just as he expected. If he wanted to take the initiative to withdraw from Liaoshen, get rid of the suppression of the Dongjiang Army, and gain a breathing space, it would be difficult for the senior leaders of Houjin to pass.
Retreating without a fight would indeed greatly dampen the morale of the people, and would also be a heavy blow to his prestige as the Khan.
If the senior officials of Houjin can unify their opinions and take the initiative to report this matter, Dorgon will naturally be able to push the boat forward and achieve the goal in his heart.
Unfortunately, even his own brothers did not agree with this proposal, so Dorgon naturally could not take the initiative to propose it and damage his own little prestige.
As for Li Yongfang, his status is not high and he speaks lightly, so bringing it up will have no effect. On the contrary, he will become a loser.
Dorgon began to trust Li Yongfang and other Han officials because these traitors had no way out and Dongjiang Town would not forgive them. They could only work hard for Hou Jin and hope to survive by chance.
The plan was decided, Duduo and Li Yongfang retired, leaving Dorgon alone in the room. He gathered his mood and picked up a pen to review official affairs.
Azig's report was quite detailed, including how he was defeated and how his camp was destroyed. He did not hide anything.
It is precisely because of this that Jianlu's defense system needs to be strengthened or changed.
For example, in Liaoyang, the city wall can no longer withstand the long-range bombardment of enemy artillery. If we want to keep the city from chaos, we must strive to keep the enemy three miles outside the city.
The trench breastworks of the Dongjiang Army had been learned by the Jianlu. However, they did not extend over a long distance. Now, they had to be rebuilt and strengthened to prevent enemy artillery fire from damaging the city.
Firearms are also taken seriously. Although they are all old models and very backward, they are better than nothing. They are also installed in large numbers in Anshanyi, Liaoyang, Lianshanguan and other key pass areas.
Of course, the lack of gunpowder has always been a difficult problem for Jianlu to solve. Supplies such as saltpeter and sulfur are very easy to purchase. Even if a small amount is smuggled in, the quantity cannot meet the needs.
According to the current strength of Jianlu, it is no longer possible to send troops for expeditions, control Jizhen, Xuanda and other Mongolian tribes outside the border, and obtain urgently needed supplies from there.
Do your best and obey destiny!
Faced with Dongjiang Town's pressing pressure, they have been completely at a disadvantage, but there is still no way to resolve it.
Dorgon put down the pen and paper and sighed helplessly.
………………
It is already February, and although the sea ice is showing signs of melting, ship navigation will still be greatly affected. Except for Port Arthur and Dalian, they can still maintain normal operations.
"In a month at most, the ice along the coast will clear up and the sea route will be smooth." Mao Wenlong reined in his horse, looked at the coast of Gaizhou, and said with a smile: "At that time, a large number of Liao Town officers and soldiers will take boats.
Come."
Guo Dajing nodded and said: "This period of time is enough for them to prepare for migration. If the sea route is smooth, they can go directly to various places. There is no need to disembark in Lushun or Dalian and then take the land route."
In ancient times, the land route was the longest and most difficult to travel. The location for the officers and soldiers of Liao Town and their subordinates has been initially determined, east of Zhuang River and south of Zhenjiang Fort.
If you take a boat now, you can only go to Port Arthur and Dalian Port, and then walk hundreds of miles of coastal land route, which is very troublesome, and the arrangements on the road are also a arduous task.
Therefore, although the current sea transportation has not stopped, the transportation capacity is limited. The officers and soldiers in Liao Town can only be transported in batches, and the family documents must be transported after the sea ice has completely melted.
But now, Mao Wenlong and Guo Dajing no longer have to worry too much about any accidents. Because Zu Dashou will arrive by boat soon.
"Zu Dashou is showing his sincerity." Mao Wenlong flicked his riding whip and said with a smile: "If I had known today, why bother in the beginning? Fortunately, it was not too late to wake up and finally seized the last opportunity."
Guo Dajing laughed twice and said: "Until the end, he still didn't want to give up what he had got. This is no different from Jianlu."
Mao Wenlong waved his hand and said: "Since we are here, we still have to treat each other with sincerity. Integrate as soon as possible without delaying the Ping Liao plan."
Guo Dajing bowed in agreement and said: "The last general will save it. But the officers and soldiers in Liao Town can use it with confidence. The officers still need to be inspected. I'm afraid they are dissatisfied with the arrangement and always feel that they are not included in the lake."
Mao Wenlong slightly chinned his head and said: "There is military law. If you make a mistake, you will be treated equally. Don't tolerate it."
After the merger of the two divisions, although the Dongjiang Army has strong combat capabilities and strong military strength, it is not easy to erase the label of Liao Zhen all of a sudden.
Guo Dajing meant what he said, he only valued soldiers in Liao Town. If possible, he would not want even one officer.
It's okay if you have self-awareness, but I'm afraid that those people who think they are great, but in fact are nothing, will use their official rank to talk about things, and feel that they are being excluded and discriminated against, and they are not valued.
They don’t just take a piss and look at themselves. They have fought and won several battles, so what are their abilities? Are they capable of mastering the weapons, equipment and tactics of the Dongjiang Army?
Anyway, Guo Dajing has made up his mind. Those who go against me will prosper, and those who follow me will perish. If I am honest, I will give you a chance; if you want to stab you, he will never be soft.
Mao Wenlong actually had the same idea. Giving both kindness and power is king. As the main body of Dongjiang Town, this will never change. If an officer from Liao Town dares to stir up trouble, he can promise not to kill him, but this is also the final bottom line.
"North Korea's Lin Qingye and Cui Xiaoyi have received the money and sent people to express their gratitude." Mao Wenlong laughed and said: "The North Korean royal family seems to have no reward, which is chilling."
Guo Dajing curled his lips in disdain, expressing his disdain for the cowardice and incompetence of the Korean royal family.
However, the Korean court has been controlled by the pro-Ming faction, and the majority of people are looking forward to the decline of the imperialists.
Moreover, the Dongjiang Army occupied Liaodong and had blocked the advance of the Jianlu troops for North Korea. The possibility of North Korea going through war again was very slim.
From the letters sent by Lin Qingye and Cui Xiaoyi, Guo Dajing also knew some details. The attitude of the Korean royal family was changing. As long as the Ming court worked harder, it was likely to completely side with the Ming army.