Regarding Azig's guess, Yasiha and Sobodo looked at each other.
Sobodo disagreed, but Yasiha felt that it could not be ruled out.
After thinking for a long time, he said: "According to the intelligence, the enemy's army crossing Hebei initially numbered more than 20,000, and later increased to 30,000. I thought that Lord Baylor was worried and must be on guard."
With the approval of his men, Azig became more and more sure of his suspicions and said: "The enemy first sent out 20,000 troops to test. Seeing that our army was not fooled, they had to increase their troops to attack Hupiyi. I think there will be more troops in the future.
A large number of people."
Yasiha blinked his eyes, and was also brainwashed by this speculation, and suddenly said: "Master Beile is absolutely right. No wonder it is only 30,000, which is very different from the original estimate."
Azig nodded, sat in the chair, touched his chin, and began to think deeply.
The current situation seems very simple, that is, how to deal with the 30,000 enemy troops advancing to Hupiyi. But the simpler it is, the more Azig hesitates, fearing to fall into the enemy's trap.
You must know that the more than 30,000 troops in his hands are already the last elite of Dajin. If he cannot turn things around, he would rather withdraw from Liaodong directly, and he must also shoulder the heavy responsibility of protecting the safety of the bannermen after the migration.
To put it bluntly, his biggest bottom line is to lose 20,000, but he still needs to retain 10,000 elites, plus a patchwork of troops, to prevent the tribesmen who have retreated to the cold and cold places in the north from being devoured by wolves.
Moreover, how he will lose is also something he has to consider. It is absolutely impossible to just spend money recklessly, and it must be worth it.
First, it can prevent the Dongjiang Army from attacking Shenyang; secondly, it can severely damage part of the Dongjiang Army so that it will be wary and unable to pursue them relentlessly, giving the tribes who moved north time to solidify their foundation.
After such consideration, Azig decided not to reinforce Hupiyi. Because investing in elite troops would only delay the capture of Hupiyi, but would not change the final outcome.
Moreover, he estimated that the enemy must have some back-up tactics, so he must have contingency measures in place and not play out all his cards.
At the same time, he also had to wait for Shenyang's decision-making and information from Liaoyang.
When the situation is unclear, you must stay calm and do not follow the enemy's baton.
"The enemy probably wants to mobilize our troops and then send out their back-up troops." Azig finally figured it out and said slowly: "The navy of the Dongjiang Army has not been dispatched, and there are still large groups of cavalry. Even if they want to besiege Liaoyang City,
, and there are at least 20,000 to 30,000 horses."
The estimate is relatively accurate, although it is still small. However, Azig's caution is necessary. It is related to Daikin's life and death, so how can he act rashly?
He could also see clearly that the enemy just wanted to rely on the superiority of firepower and troops, and fight head-on without using any strategies to consume a lot of gold.
This is a conspiracy that cannot be solved, or in other words, there is no solution at all. Either do what the enemy wants, or stay away.
His purpose in mastering this mobile army is actually very simple. It is Dai Jin's last armed force. If he cannot make a comeback, it is best not to use it.
Dorgon's thoughts were clearly stated in his letters. Without losing Liaoyang, the large-scale migration to the north met with great resistance.
But the enemy was so cunning. Before the sign appeared, he sent troops to advance northward, leaving him in a dilemma and unable to advance or retreat.
"The best policy is to remain unchanged in response to all changes." Azig believed that his decision was also Dorgon's. Since he had already intended to retreat, he should not easily start a war with the enemy.
If Hupiyi falls, he will lead his army to retreat to Shenyang. As long as Liaoyang is not lost, the enemy should not go too deep.
If Liaoyang is lost and the enemy presses heavily on the border, then there is no need to say anything, just pack up and retreat north.
Although the order for all evacuation has not yet been issued, the old, weak, women and children have begun to migrate northward, and Shenyang's grain and grass supplies are also being diverted and transported northward to the towns along the way, in preparation for a comprehensive retreat.
Dorgon was even ready to dig the grave and open the coffin. But the final retreat still had to wait.
On the surface, the situation seems to be sustainable, which is what makes Dorgon and other slave chiefs uncomfortable. It seems a bit early to say that it is a complete defeat. But it is passive everywhere, and men and horses are constantly losing.
This should be the enemy's conspiracy, not a thunderous and fierce offensive, but like a swamp and quagmire, which trapped Dai Jin deeply.
If I don't let you completely despair, I won't give up completely. I will just hang you like this until the last drop of your blood is used up.
Azig sighed secretly and made another adjustment to his deployment. He then sent 10,000 troops to move south and camp more than thirty miles away from Hupiyi.
Azig didn't know much about the Dongjiang Army's offensive operations.
The fall of Anshan Station was both expected and unexpected. There were not many defenders, so it would definitely be difficult to withstand the attack of tens of thousands of enemies; but the short time made Azig feel wary.
Therefore, in the small town of Hupiyi, more than 10,000 people were left to defend it.
Not all of them are stationed in the city, because they would be seeking death under artillery bombardment. There is a camp outside the north gate. When the battle starts, they can enter the city to join the battle at any time.
"Hupiyi should be able to defend it for ten days and a half." Azig seemed to be comforting himself, "Ten thousand versus thirty thousand, with a city wall to lean on, it should be better than Anshan Fort."
Yasiha nodded repeatedly and agreed.
There is no way, Azig's thinking has been fixed, and he has to wait for Shenyang's decision before he can change it. Besides, he has no good way, except to fight hard.
………………
Just when the enemy's and ours' attention were focused on Hupiyi and Liaoyang City, 30,000 cavalry had already passed Benxi and headed straight for Fushun.
Commander-in-Chief Liu Xingzuo was riding on his horse, feeling the wind blowing in his face with a serious look on his face.
In order to conceal their actions, the cavalry did not move very fast and took many mountain passes. So far, they have not been discovered by the Jianlu.
Having bypassed Benxi, Liu Xingzuo breathed a sigh of relief. The operation had been mostly successful. Even if Jianlu discovered it now, judging from the distance, it would be difficult to rescue Fushun in time from Shenyang.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! "Isn't it good to go straight into Shenyang?" Liu Qishi waved his whip and said with some reluctance: "Jianlu has been completely contained, even Shenyang
There aren’t many troops.”
Liu Xingzuo shook his head and said: "Shenyang City has strong trenches and wide trenches. The cavalry has no means of attacking the city. Even if it is defended by a small number of prisoners, it will be difficult to break through quickly. As for the disguised sneak attack, I am not completely sure."
According to the battle plan, the vanguard force consisted of a thousand cavalrymen dressed as captives. If they could deceive the city gates, they would attack the city. If they couldn't, they would go around the city and burn, kill, and loot.
Although it is possible to attack Shenyang, if it fails, the entire combat plan will be disrupted. Under the fortified city, Azig led his troops to return for reinforcements, and a fierce battle was inevitable.
Although the two armies were equal in strength, the Flying Cavalry Regiment had a slightly higher probability of victory. However, the situation changed and they were fighting in enemy-occupied areas. This unfavorable condition was enough to prevent Liu Xingzuo from trying.
"Capturing Dorgon is a great achievement." Liu Qishi exhaled and said, "It is the right time to bring glory to Guo Shuai."
Liu Xingzuo chuckled and said, "Shuai Guo doesn't care about this merit. Instead, he will punish you severely for changing the battle plan. You, your eagerness is understandable, but you still don't understand the thought of becoming a sworn brother."
Liu Qishi is indeed not doing it for himself, but for his sworn brother Guo Dajing to strive for the greatest honor and merit.
"As long as the Jianlu can be driven out of Liaodong and their effective forces are killed as much as possible, Guo Shuai will be most satisfied with the result." Liu Xingzuo glanced at Liu Qishi and continued: "You, just act according to the plan honestly and don't cause trouble to Guo Shuai.
.”
Liu Qishi shrugged his shoulders. By now, he had given up attacking Shenyang. He was just complaining because he was unwilling to do so.
Of course, even though we have already bypassed Benxi and are heading towards Fushun, we still cannot attack Shenyang. We can still achieve our goal by rushing to Fushun and then heading east to Shenyang.
"Jianlu has deployed too many troops. Fushun, Tieling and other places must be empty of troops. Even if the forward troops can attack the city directly, they can occupy it."
Liu Xingzuo pushed his helmet with the handle of his riding whip and said: "In order to improve the success rate, I am going to personally lead the forward troops."
Liu Qishi blinked in astonishment, and immediately understood the meaning of Liu Xingzuo's words. He rolled his eyes and said, "You are a general, so what's the point of being a vanguard? Come on, a certain family is going, you should feel relieved, right?"
"
The vanguard troops disguised as Jianlu not only look similar in clothing and weapons, but also have some guides who are proficient in the Yi language to enhance the confusion.
Although Liu Qishi was not the only one, the Dongjiang Army had also tamed some prisoners of Jurchen tribes over the years, but he was the most suitable commander.
Liu Xingzuo chuckled and said, "I am most at ease with you, and Guo Shuai must be even more at ease with you."
When he mentioned Guo Dajing, Liu Qishi grinned, his chest straightened out, and his face was filled with arrogance. That was his sworn brother. Who could be so proud?
"Why are you giggling? Why don't you go quickly?" Liu Xingzuo laughed and scolded: "We are still fifty or sixty miles away from Fushun. Whether we can succeed in the surprise attack depends on you."
Liu Qishi shrugged his shoulders, said hello, and galloped away with his soldiers.
Inserting behind enemy lines to burn, kill, and loot was not only to kill the effective forces of the rebels, but also to destroy the grain and grass supplies prepared by them for their northward movement.
Without supplies along the way, the difficulty of large-scale retreat of Jianlu will be greatly increased. Whether it is people or horses, if they are hungry, they will have no physical strength, their combat power will be reduced, and they will have no energy to run.
You must know that the current Jianlu population has only moved over 100,000 people. When all the troops and civilians are withdrawn northward, the total number of soldiers and civilians will exceed 100,000, and the food and grass supplies required are not a small amount.
Another reason why Dorgon and other slave chiefs continued to support in Shenyang was to wait for the crops to mature, so that they could not only take away a batch, but also provide local supplies.
But the surprise attack of the flying cavalry will shatter the slave chief's wishful thinking. Regardless of whether it is mature or immature, the crops can provide them with a certain amount of supplies, and the rest will be burned up in a fire.
For the towns along the way, the main goal of the Flying Cavalry Group is to destroy them, leaving no houses to sleep in, food to eat, or household items to be used by the Jianlu who fled north.
"Jianlu is finished!" Liu Xingzuo looked at the retreating figures of Liu Qishi and others with a sneer, "Even if they get the news now, they won't have time to return to defense."
According to the time plan, the main force of the Dongjiang Army's middle route should have arrived at Hupiyi, containing a large number of Jianlu troops.
After receiving the news, Jianlu mobilized his troops to fight back, and fell into the dilemma of focusing on one thing and losing the other. The main force attacked fiercely, approaching Shenyang, and a pincer attack from both front and back was established.
This was an established combat plan. Liu Xingzuo believed in Guo Dajing's ability to seize the opportunity. With his acumen, he would not let it go.
The cavalry accelerated their march, and they could raid Fushun today, a journey of fifty or sixty miles. Amidst the rumble of horse hooves, tens of thousands of cavalry pressed towards Fushun like a torrent with unstoppable momentum.
………………
Shenyang, Khan Palace.
Dorgon and his cronies were discussing how to deal with the changes in the war situation, and a solemn atmosphere always enveloped them.
"In three days, tens of thousands of tribesmen have migrated north." Suksaha raised his head and glanced at Dorgon, and said hesitantly: "If we continue to move people, it may be difficult to carry out the autumn harvest."
Dorgon lowered his eyes and said in a deep voice: "Harvest as much as possible around Shenyang, and the defenders will do it; the migration to the north will be slowed down a little, and we will try to do it after the autumn harvest."
There is no other way. We want to harvest crops and relocate people at the same time, so the manpower problem is difficult to solve. The crops around Liaoyang are already finished, and the area from Liaoyang to Shenyang is probably too difficult.
It's really worrying. The enemy's early attack disrupted all Daikin's plans. Can't they wait until after the autumn harvest and have a good battle without any distractions?
Dorgon felt that his hands and feet were tied. He wanted to take care of everything, but he couldn't do it with all his strength. Whether it was migration, fighting, or autumn harvest, it was difficult to complete them all.
The tribes moved too much and too fast, leaving no crops to harvest; they moved too slowly and too little, and they were worried that they would not be able to retreat in time and would suffer too much loss.
Li Yongfang Shen Shengzou reported: "According to the latest intelligence, the enemy may not have started to attack Liaoyang City with all its strength. I don't know why?"
Although all the Jianlu troops withdrew across the Taizi River, their reconnaissance and spying on Liaoyang City did not stop. Although it was very difficult, they were still able to get some information.
For example, you can listen to the roar of cannons to determine whether the Dongjiang Army is attacking the city and how fierce the siege is.
Duduo frowned and said: "Since we have not launched a violent attack, we naturally want to besieged for a long time. The enemy may think that our army does not have much strength anymore and only needs tens of thousands of troops to march north and attack Shenyang."
Dorgon didn't say anything. He thought it was possible. In fact, it was similar. There were only 20,000 to 30,000 elite troops now, and the combat power of the rest of the army had dropped a lot.
Because of this, the enemy's brazen advance north posed a difficult problem for Dorgon. Should he invest his troops to block the enemy's advance? Or should he conserve his strength, retreat step by step, and make a decision based on changes in the situation.
Unfortunately, the room for maneuver is too small. If the enemy breaks through Hupiyi and Fengji Fort, their troops will reach Shenyang.