In fact, in Guo Dajing's prediction, the landing operation would not encounter too strong resistance.
Jianlu should also understand that it is futile to prevent the Dongjiang Army from crossing the river. Liaoyang City has been isolated, and their stay on the other side is only for surveillance.
However, Jianlu may still have luck and illusions. He believes that if Liaoyang is not broken, the Dongjiang Army will not have enough troops to continue heading north to Shenyang.
Moreover, it is also a taboo for military strategists to go north without occupying Liaoyang. Jianlu felt that Guo Dajing was always cautious and would not take risks.
But Guo Dajing went in the opposite direction, which caught Jianlu's expectations, making him tired of changes and frequent adjustments, and unable to judge the actions of the Dongjiang Army.
"Are you afraid or are you running away? Isn't it time to dig graves and carry coffins?" Guo Dajing sent Feng Xijian and other generals away, sat in a chair, and showed a cold evil smile.
For the slave chiefs such as Dorgon in Shenyang, this was probably a very difficult choice. If they dug early, what if the Dongjiang army couldn't attack them? If they dug late, they might be hasty and hasty, pulling the coffin and running away in confusion.
For the Jianlu in Liaoyang City, they can no longer think about that. The enemies outside the city are surrounded like iron barrels, and the Hongyi cannons are bombarding them in turn. All they can think about is how long can they survive?
"The enemy has mobilized artillery and started bombarding Dongcheng?" After receiving the report, Hauge frowned in confusion and waved his hand to order people to retreat.
Confirming that the enemy would attack from the south city was the judgment that Hauge and the slave chiefs had already made. Suddenly there was a change, and he had to reconsider whether the enemy had changed the focus of the attack.
Being able to know the enemy's main attack direction is crucial for the defenders who are at a disadvantage. Only by allocating troops in a prioritized manner can we avoid waste and be more confident in crushing the enemy's attack.
"The enemy may just attack deliberately to distract our troops." Haug listened to the sound of artillery outside and felt the slight vibration of the table gum. He reached for the tea bowl, but dust fell from the ceiling and fell into the tea bowl.
Cursing secretly in his heart, Hauge lost interest in drinking water. He picked up the tea bowl and threw it away, then placed the tea bowl heavily on the table.
It shouldn't take much thinking to hold on to the isolated city. However, apart from shelling, the enemy never launched an attack, which made Hauge suspicious.
Before his boots hit the ground, he couldn't sleep well. The Dongjiang Army did not attack the city, which made Hauge uneasy. He didn't know where he would break through and what method he would use to attack.
The blasting of the tunnels in Anshan Fort also brought a huge psychological shadow to Hauge. He was worried that with a sudden bang, like Anshan Fort, the city walls would collapse and enemies would swarm in.
Just when he was thinking wildly and getting up to go to Dongcheng for inspection in person, Gong Adai came to see him.
Entering the house, Gong Adai had finished saluting and reported: "I just came back from the east city. The enemy deployed more than ten artillery pieces and began to bombard the city wall again."
"There are only more than ten gates?" Hauge felt a little relieved and guessed: "Concentrating the firepower is the right way. If the bombardment is dispersed, the enemy should be looking for the weakness of the city wall?"
Gong Adai nodded and said: "What Mr. Beile said is absolutely true. More than ten artillery pieces are widely spread out. One shot on the left and one on the right cannot cause much damage to the city wall."
Hauge gently nodded his head, relieved, sat back in his chair, and said with a smile: "The enemy's bombardment of the south city was not very effective, and then they moved to the east city. It feels like they are at their wits' end!"
Gong Adai laughed twice and said solemnly: "After the enemy has repeatedly tested us, we will probably start an aggressive attack."
"This has been anticipated for a long time." Hauge pondered for a moment and said: "The enemy's artillery fire is fierce. As long as our army effectively avoids it, we are not afraid."
The Hongyi cannon can only bombard the city wall, and the mortar can shoot in a straight direction, but over a tall city wall, there will still be a large gap. For example, under the city wall, there is a safe zone dozens of meters wide.
Jianlu also learned a lot. When artillery bombarded the city, they hid all their troops and only left a few observation posts. If the enemy's infantry started to attack, a large number of troops would board the city to fight.
Hauge thought this was a clever move, but he never imagined that these walls covering the troops would turn into huge tombs, burying hundreds of captives with a loud bang.
Times have changed, and tunnel blasting hundreds of years later can still shine. Jianlu enjoyed the treatment of "earth planes" in advance, and his death was not unjust.
The artillery outside the city was still bombarding, but not in a hurry. Their purpose was not to blow up the city wall, but to cover the excavation of the tunnel.
As for Jianlu's reaction when mortars bombarded the city, Guo Dajing also made a judgment through observation. This is the simplest method, and it is not surprising that Jianlu could think of it.
"In this case, there is no need to attack with sheep to attract the Jianlu. We only need to fire artillery and let the Jianlu run to the city walls and wait for death."
Guo Dajing sneered and worked out the details of the siege plan. He only waited for the tunnel excavation to be completed before he stopped hiding it and assembled the siege troops in the east city.
………………
The transport convoy was as far as the eye could see. Almost all the mules and horses in Dongjiang Town were recruited, and the militiamen escorted the grain and ammunition supplies and marched to Liaoyang.
This is only transportation on land. On the river from Niuzhuangyi to Liaoyang, there are also long fleets traveling, ensuring the logistics of the frontline soldiers.
Guo Dajing was waiting for the tunnel blasting work to be completed and was arranging the follow-up attack. All ministries were busy making preparations. During this time, he was also hoarding the food and supplies needed for the battle.
From the front to the rear, in order to quell the Liao Dynasty and eliminate the captives, and in order to enjoy peace, the soldiers and civilians of Dongjiang Town are making contributions and making contributions within their ability.
Mao Wenlong was on horseback, with only a few dozen personal soldiers, advancing towards Liaoyang with the convoy.
"Ping Liao to destroy the captives and enjoy peace, everyone wishes!" Looking at the convoy that stretched for several miles and feeling the excitement of the militiamen, Mao Wenlong couldn't help but sigh from the bottom of his heart.
Captain Chen Zhong has followed Mao Wenlong for many years. He has a calm personality, or a bit dull, and he can be said to be loyal to Mao Wenlong.
Hearing Mao Wenlong's sigh, he nodded vigorously and said in a rough voice: "It has been more than ten years, and I finally see the light. Can you be unhappy?"
Mao Wenlong stroked his beard, feeling the pleasant autumn wind blowing on his face, and said slowly: "Not only is it bright, but victory is in sight. It's only a matter of time, but it will definitely be completed this year."
The confidence lies in the Dongjiang Army's hundreds of thousands of troops and its strong combat power, as well as in Jianlu's successive defeats.
The territory occupied by Jianlu seems to be quite large, but Liaoyang, Shenyang, and other places such as Tieling and Fushun no longer have strategic support.
Judging from the overall battle situation, there is basically no danger to defend between Liao and Shenyang, and with the penetration of Dongjiang Navy, Jianlu's current strength is difficult to resist.
"If we can pacify Liaodong this year, the world will be at peace next year." Chen Zhonghan said with a smile: "With so much land, we can plant as much as we want. After next year's autumn harvest, we can eat as much as we want. It's enough."
Mao Wenlong chuckled and said: "There are too many fields, and the soldiers and civilians in Dongjiang Town may not be able to cultivate them. Why, do you want to retire and go home to farm?"
Chen Zhong would not lie, so he nodded hesitantly and said: "The world is at peace, and my wife and children are thinking about me. It's more peaceful to go home."
Mao Wenlong nodded and said: "In addition to going home to farm, you retired soldiers also have other jobs to do and earn another income."
Not all retired soldiers can have jobs arranged by the government. For example, they are in the security force to maintain public security, and they are petty officials in towns and villages.
But Chen Zhong was close to Mao Wenlong, and receiving such treatment was just a matter of a word or a greeting from him.
Everyone has their own ambitions, and Mao Wenlong didn't want the people around him to still be fighting on the battlefield. Having food and clothing, family reunions, this is the simplest and happiest happiness.
A horse galloped over, coming from the direction of Liaoyang. He rushed to the front and handed over a letter, "Commander, a letter from Commander Guo."
Mao Wenlong reached out to take it and took a look at the wax seal, then slowed down his horse and opened it to take a look.
Guo Dajing reported on the latest arrangements, including the river crossing landing, the progress of tunnel excavation, and more specific siege tactics.
Mao Wenlong nodded appreciatively and was extremely satisfied. He waved his hand and said, "Return to Commander Guo and tell him that I am on my way to Liaoyang and I expect to arrive tomorrow."
The messenger bowed to accept the order and galloped away.
"We will arrive in Liaoyang tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow, we will attack Liaoyang and recover it in one fell swoop." Mao Wenlong could not suppress the excitement in his heart and urged his horse to move slowly, sharing the joy with Chen Zhong.
Chen Zhong chuckled and said: "It's so fast. It seems that the front line fought fiercely and they won another victory, right?"
Mao Wenlong smiled and shook his head and said: "From the siege to now, the real siege has not started. We only wait for the general attack to break the city in one fell swoop."
Chen Zhong was slightly surprised, scratched his head and asked, "Are you so sure that you can break into the city with just one attack?"
"Do you have any doubts about Guo Shuai's city-breaking skills?" Mao Wenlong glanced at Chen Zhong and said: "In the year of Ding Mao, when he came to aid the DPRK, Guo Shuai blew up Longchuan City and wiped out all the captives. Then he went to Zhenjiang Fort.
, Anshan Station is all destroyed by attack."
Chen Zhong nodded repeatedly and said: "Since it was arranged by Guo Shuai, how can I not believe it in my humble position? By conquering Liaoyang, Pingliao will be half successful. Only Shenyang is left, which can kill all the Jianlu."
Mao Wenlong smiled indifferently and didn't want to talk too much to the captain of the soldiers. What about catching them all in one fell swoop? How could Jianlu be so stupid that he would live and die with Shenyang?
In any case, being able to drive the Jianlu out of Liaodong is already a great achievement, enough to leave a mark in history. Even in the entire history of the Ming Dynasty, this is a major event that can be ranked high.
It is not accurate to say that Mao Wenlong does not want military success. However, he will not fight for it, and he also supports Guo Dajing to become his most reliable successor.
As a military commander who was granted the title of Marquis and Sangu, Mao Wenlong knew that he had reached the end of the Ming Dynasty military generals. If he were to be rewarded, he could not be the Duke of the country, but could only be an empty title like the Grand Master, which was of little significance.
Therefore, being able to arrange things after death and have the safest ending was the solution that Mao Wenlong finally came up with after repeated consideration and weighing.
The imperial court cannot be trusted. Even the emperor will change his orders and go back on his word every day.
It is the tradition of the old Zhu family to settle accounts after autumn. Count how many of the famous founding ministers and generals who had the iron certificate of elixir were killed by Zhu Baba?
Mao Wenlong is almost sixty years old. According to the life span of ancient people, he does not dare to expect that he can live a hundred years. Ten or twenty years may be the limit.
And twenty years later, Guo Dajing was still less than fifty, and he was in the prime of life. As long as nothing unexpected happened, it would be enough to ensure that he had a good death and even protect his descendants.
In addition to Guo Dajing not having any accidents, the other condition is that Dongjiang Town still has its strength. If it declines, it will not be able to protect him either.
If Dongjiang Town can continue to develop and grow, even if it can maintain its strength, besides Guo Dajing, Mao Wenlong really can't find anyone who can make him feel at ease.
In fact, even Mao Wenlong marveled and admired Guo Dajing's vision and ability.
Without Guo Dajing's financing and management, Dongjiang Town would not have been able to survive the most difficult period, and many soldiers and civilians would have starved to death.
If it weren't for Guo Dajing's reminder and arrangement, he would probably have been poisoned by Yuan Chonghuan. When Yuan Chonghuan was tried, he had already confessed the conspiracy to kill Mao Wenlong.
If it weren't for Guo Dajing's purchase and manufacture, the Dongjiang Army would not have had sharp firearms, and within a few years, it would have gained an advantage over the Jianlu.
"The most correct thing I did was to promote and trust Zhong Jing. Only then will we be where we are today, will we have our current status, and will we be able to realize the ideal that I dreamed of but had no hope of succeeding a few years ago."
Mao Wenlong had to thank Guo Dajing for helping him gain the title of marquis and become a military commander. At the same time, he also believed that his own vision would not misjudge Guo Dajing's character.
Although Mao Wenlong was aware of Guo Dajing's ambitions. Even in front of him, Guo Dajing did not hide his ambition to conquer the world.
But the words were clever. In Mao Wenlong's view, Guo Dajing wanted to start a business overseas, lay a foundation, and even become king overseas.
Although this is not in line with the concept of loyalty to the emperor, it is not too treasonous. Doesn't Mao Wenlong have any fear of the imperial court?
"Perhaps, I will also walk on that road. From now on, the sea and the sky will be brighter, and I will no longer have any worries." Mao Wenlong gently exhaled a long breath and began a new longing.
"Commander, be careful." Chen Zhong suddenly grabbed Mao Wenlong's horse, interrupting Mao Wenlong's thoughts.
The team in front slowed down because of the road conditions and with so many cars and horses passing by, potholes were inevitable.
Mao Wenlong looked around and couldn't help but shake his head at the desolation of the surrounding fields and lamented, "After the Ping Liao Dynasty, the reconstruction work was quite heavy. If we don't have three to five years, I'm afraid it will be difficult to restore the former prosperity."
Compared with Liaonan, which has been operating for a long time, Mao Wenlong felt more deeply. Although the war is not over yet, the prosperity of Liaonan has surpassed that before the war.
"As long as the world is at peace and we can rebuild our homes, one or two years should be enough." Chen Zhong didn't understand Mao Wenlong's standards, so he pointed and said: "The hometown of humble posts is over there, the double towers of Dingliao Guards.
"
Mao Wenlong looked up and saw nothing, but he squinted his eyes thoughtfully.