Zhang Cheng believes that the city wall of Jinzhou is thick and the food reserves in the city can still last for several months. There is indeed no need to worry at the moment. There is no need to rush to rescue the siege, which will play into the hands of the Tatar thieves.
He felt that the top priority was to clear out the threats outside Songshan, such as the Loess Ridge to the east of Songshan, Songshan Ridge to the southeast and other valley areas.
If these two places can be captured first and the Tatars are driven away, they can be transformed from a threat to Songshan Castle into a barrier for Songshan. This will not only relieve Songshan's worries, but also expand the strategy of Songshan Ming Army.
Space, more directions for moving and attacking
At least, we can go out from the east to threaten Xiaolinghe, thereby threatening the Xiaolinghe Fort and even Dalinghe Fort occupied by the Tatars, thus breaking the siege of the east of Jinzhou.
Zhang Cheng said: "The Tatars have been besieging Jinzhou for a long time. Rufeng Mountain is the front of Songshan Mountain. It is the focus of operations and the most heavily defended. Today, our army is gathering. If we follow the conventional method, we will mainly attack Rufeng Mountain to advance into Jinzhou."
siege.
But in this case, wouldn’t it be just in line with the plan of the Tartar thieves, and you would be holding my king’s nose?”
He paused for a moment and then continued: "Furthermore, if our army can really capture Huangtu Ridge, Songshan Ridge and other places, it can not only threaten the Tatars in Rufeng Mountain and Shimen Mountain from the flanks, but also cross Xiaoxiao.
Linghe, break the siege to the east of Jinzhou and threaten the small Linghe Fort and other places under the control of the Tatars.
And after capturing Huangtu Ridge, there will be no danger on the west bank of Xiaoling River. Our army can move the camp to the river bank. In this way, it will be much more convenient to get water from Xiaoling River. Our army of hundreds of thousands of kings can rely only on some streams and rivers.
A well that grows deep over time will eventually become unsustainable."
The depth of Zhang Cheng's concerns is probably not matched by the dozens or nearly a hundred officers and generals in this official hall!
As for the water source, no one except Zhang Cheng has considered it. Nearly two hundred thousand troops have gathered around Songshan. The daily water consumption is huge. Even if it is controlled, it is not a long-term solution.
Now, when the army first gathers, the streams and groundwater are barely enough, but as time goes by, the water source will only continue to decrease, and it will definitely become a big trouble for the Ming army in the future.
Sure enough, Wang Pu, the commander-in-chief of Datong, echoed: "Yes, yes, yes. We can't let the Tatars hold our noses. The Tatars deployed heavy troops to guard Rufeng Mountain. This is a plan to stop the enemy by relying on danger."
, we can’t be fooled by thieves!”
As soon as he said this, all the officials in the official hall were stunned: among the thirty-six strategies, is there any such strategy?
Wang Puche didn't care what others thought at all, he just listened to his self-satisfied words: "There is also the issue of drinking water, which is as critical as food and grass.
There is already a lack of water sources around Songshan. We have hundreds of thousands of troops stationed here, and it is really difficult to maintain them with only mountain streams and a few wells.
It’s midsummer, the sun is scorching, and the soldiers can only get a little water every day, which is just to relieve their thirst. There is no need to think about washing up. If things go on like this, the morale of the soldiers will be low and their vigor will be lost!"
At the end, he stretched out a little finger and gestured and added: "If you eat less grain, you can still survive for a few days, but if the water source is not good, I may not be able to survive for a day!"
As soon as Wang Pu finished speaking, many people in the official hall responded together. They also felt it from their hearts. The lack of water sources was indeed the most difficult thing for the army to set up camp. Many officers and soldiers in the army often complained.
Chen Jiugao, the commander of the front camp of Shenji Camp, also agreed, saying: "I think what Commander Zhang and Commander Wang said is reasonable. This water source matter is indeed important, so we agree to capture Huangtu Ridge first and send our reinforcements to Jin."
The army is advancing towards Xiaoling River."
Seeing that what he said was supported, Wang Pu couldn't help but feel a little excited. He nodded to Chen Jiugao to express his gratitude, and then continued energetically: "There is another saying, which is called 'Lying on the side of Ta, how can you allow others to sleep soundly'? This is Song Taizu
What you said is definitely correct.
Huangtu Ridge and Songshan Ridge are just to the east of our army station, not far from our Songshan Fort. Now the Tatars are stationed there, peeking into our Songshan Station, which is always a disaster. How can I, the Ming Dynasty King, allow it?
Are there Tatar thieves hanging around right under your nose?
It must be cut off in one fell swoop!”
In the official hall, everyone started talking loudly. Nearly a hundred officials gathered together, and the quarrel seemed to have turned into a pot of porridge. In this situation, the governor Hong Chengchou who was sitting at the top was still looking kind.
Zhang Ruoqi frowned, but he didn't say anything.
However, Wu Sangui ignored Wang Pu, turned to Zhang Cheng beside him and asked with a smile: "Sangui has something to ask Mr. Zhang. I don't know whether he should say it or not?'
Zhang Cheng smiled and said: "General Chang Bo, please speak, I am all ears."
When Wang Pu saw Wu Sangui brushing him aside and ignoring him, he was not only angry, but his face became a little ugly. He snorted coldly, picked up the teacup, lowered his head and drank tea by himself.
Wu Sangui didn't care at all what Wang Pu was thinking. He continued to ask Zhang Cheng: "Just now, General Zhang said that after our army captures Huangtu Ridge, can we threaten the Tatars in Shishanmen and Rufeng Mountain from the flanks?
But according to the intelligence obtained by General Yi, the Tartar thieves have stationed heavy defense forces at both the East and West Shimen. If they want to attack Rufeng Mountain, it will not be that easy!"
Zhang Cheng replied with a smile: "Everything Brother Chang Bo said is reasonable, but relatively speaking, the main force of the Tatar thieves is mostly between Rufeng Mountain and Shimen Mountain, guarding the main road into Jinzhou.
Compared with the East and West Shimen, the mountains in the West Shimen are gentler, which is conducive to our army's mountain climbing attack. If we can repel the Tatars stationed at the West Shimen, we can go up the mountains and hills, gather all the strength of the army, and then attack the East Shimen.
, In this way, we can threaten the Tatar army besieging the south of Jinzhou."
He took a breath, glanced at everyone in the hall, and then continued: "Which is the lesser of two evils! Strategically speaking, after capturing Huangtu Ridge first, the space for our king's army to operate will suddenly open up.
.
To the east, you can cross the Xiaoling River and attack the Xiaoling River Fort to threaten the Tatars in Jindong; to the west, you can capture the West Shimen and then the East Shimen to threaten the enemies in Rufeng Mountain. Once Rufeng Mountain is captured, Jincheng will be destroyed.
In sight, the Tatar defense lines of Jinnan and Jindong will appear in front of us.
In this way, we can be at ease without letting the Tatar thieves hold the nose of our army. The opportunity lies with me, not in the hands of the Tatar thieves.
Wu Sangui remained silent, seeming to be deep in thought.
The governor of Jiliao, Hong Chengchou, also had his eyes flashing, but his expression remained unchanged. He seemed to have concerns in his heart.
Qiu Minyang, the governor of Liaodong, also nodded approvingly. In his view, considering the current situation, the strategy mentioned by Zhang Cheng seems to be the most feasible.
Commander-in-Chief Zhang Ruoqi was shaking his head secretly. He wanted to speak out several times, but he was restrained. It is conceivable that if the person who proposed this proposal was not Zhang Cheng, he would have been furious and reprimanded him.
"Ahem
Suddenly, Zhang Cheng seemed to vaguely hear the sound of a woman coughing from behind the screen. Immediately afterwards, Xie Sixin, a close aide standing next to Hong Chengchou, turned around and walked behind the screen.
"Why is there a woman?"
Zhang Cheng secretly cursed: "What kind of woman would Governor Hong allow to sit in on such an important military meeting?"
Suddenly, he seemed to realize something: "Could it be her!"