Chapter 934: At the end of the battle, what should we worry about?
The Qing army had already known the Ming army's strategy in the direction of the Nuer River, but they had never been able to determine the specific landing place across the river.
The final response strategy decided by Dorgon, Prince Guorui of the Qing Dynasty, was actually very simple and clear, but very effective. That was to abandon the position on the south bank of the Nuerhe River and withdraw the entire division to the north bank.
According to Dorgon's wishes, all the pontoon bridges on the Nuer River must be demolished. In this way, they only need to concentrate on guarding the river banks, and there is no need to allocate troops to guard the pontoon bridges.
However, his decision was opposed by Prince Hauge of Yisu, Prince Azige of Wuying County and other princes and ministers. The reasons they put forward were also very sufficient. It was okay to give up the south bank to the Ming army, but the pontoon bridge must be left behind.
, so that we can quickly attack in the future and seize the north bank.
After some controversy, it was finally decided to temporarily retain the post road pontoon on the west side of Twin Mountains and the pontoon at the river bend to the west under the mediation of Prince Zheng Jierhalang.
In this way, if the Qing army can kill the Ming army on the north bank of the Nerv River as planned, then their elite cavalry warriors can immediately pass through these two pontoon bridges and continue to fight to the south bank, and even hope to regain their control in one fell swoop.
Recapture Rufeng Mountain and Shimen Mountain.
Of course, the Qing army also had to allocate part of its troops to garrison the Twin Mountains Fortress and the two pontoon bridges. At the same time, it also had to retain a force in Baimiao Fort to support the defense of the two pontoon bridges.
In order to maximize the concentration of troops, the Qing army only stationed one Jia La troops at Shuangzi Mountain, while each of the two pontoon bridges had a Niu Lu stationed with more than 2,000 military personnel.
Even Baimiao Fort only had two Jia La and more than 3,000 Zhenghongqi warriors stationed there.
Although Dorgon was the military commander in the Jinzhou battlefield of the Qing Dynasty, he could not ignore the opinions of Su Prince Hauge and Wuying Commandery Prince Azige.
What's more, there is Prince Zheng Jierharang who is mediating on the side. Although he supports Dorgon's opinions on the surface, he does not want to offend Hauge in his words.
The most detestable thing is Prince Li Daishan. Although he appears to be in the middle and is not offended by either side, his attitude is obviously to the west of Hauge and Azige.
As Huang Taiji stayed on the front line in Jinzhou to check and balance Dorgon, it was a problem if they did not support Dorgon's opinions. Do they still need to oppose him face to face?
Now, based on the military reports sent back from the front line, Dorgon dispatched troops and generals, not only to support Du Du in guarding the Twin Mountains, but also to lure the Ming army to cross the river on the bank of the Nuer River, in order to defeat its main force on the north bank.
However, the flag of the Xuanfu army under Zhang Cheng of the Ming army was never seen on the banks of the Nuer River. Hauge's Zhenglan flag did not dare to act rashly and could only continue to station on the east bank of the Xiaoling River to monitor the movements of the Xuanfu troops.
The Qing army not only had to send troops to support Du Du, but also to prepare for the Ming army crossing the river to advance northward. However, after all, they were elites who had fought many battles, and they showed no signs of panic.
As the main force of the Qing army, among the elite warriors of the Eight Banners of Manchu and Mongolia, only part of the Mongolian Xiangbai Banner was ordered to go to support Dudu, and the rest just sent the entire team to station in their respective flood areas.
It can be said that before the situation on the banks of the Nuer River is clear, the elite cavalry of the Manchu and Mongolian Eight Banners of the Qing Army will not be dispatched easily, but the Four Banners of the Han Army, the Tianshu Army, the Tianyou Army, and the Korean Army are different.
Dorgon had decided to use them as cannon fodder to consume the Ming army's physical strength and vigor. They were nervously advancing rapidly towards the bank of the Nuer River.
However, these Han and Korean troops had many artillery. Although they worked very hard, they were unable to appear on the bank of the Nuer River immediately. They could only use the cannon soldiers and sword and shield soldiers in the camp to advance to the river bank first and establish a defensive line.
…………
Regarding the chaos of the Qing army outside Jinzhou City, Zu Dashou, the commander-in-chief of the Left Army stationed in the city and the commander-in-chief of the Liaodong forward, was standing on the thousand-year-old Liao Tower and could see clearly.
Zu Dashou was experienced in military affairs. He quickly understood the strategy of the Ming army based on the response and movements of the Qing army. He couldn't help but said to the generals around him: "Come down and light everything that can be burned, and teach the soldiers
We all have a good meal and are ready to go out of the city to kill the slaves."
A guerrilla looked at the dense Qing army formation in the west of the city. He couldn't help but feel a little fear in his heart. He hesitated and said: "Commander Zu, the Tatar army is gaining momentum. Can our reinforcements attack?"
His words seemed to reveal the thoughts of the generals. He had gone out to fight several times in the city, but all of them had been killed. The Qing army had only once reached the last siege trench, but was unable to continue to break through.
Now, there are more Qing soldiers and cavalry gathered outside the city than before. It is no wonder that they are worried about this. However, Zu Dashou can no longer care about this. He has a premonition that today seems to be an opportunity.
Yes, and I’m afraid this is the only chance!
In Zu Dashou's view, even if the Qing army was still fully focused on the strategy of "encircling the points for reinforcements" and not trying to break through Jinzhou City for the time being, he himself might not be able to hold on for much longer.
At this moment, the grain and rice in Jinzhou City can still be eaten for a while, but the lack of fuel wood has hindered Zu Dashou. Can't we continue to eat raw grain?
Therefore, he had to send out brave servants to break out the encirclement the night before yesterday, in order to report the true situation in the city to Hong Chengchou, the governor of Jiliao who was near Songshan Fort.
Now, looking at the layout of the Qing army outside the city, he knew that the Ming army must be making a lot of noise. Although he could vaguely see the other side of the Nuer River from where he stood, the shadows as big as ants were very unreal.
However, Zu Dashou still guessed based on this that the Ming army must be preparing to cross the Nuer River. Now there were less than 10,000 soldiers capable of fighting in the city, and the number of cavalry was less than 2,000. He did not dare to make a desperate move.
For the time being, he can only let the soldiers have a good meal first and regain some strength. When the situation outside the city becomes clearer, he will lead his troops to fight out of the city and join the reinforcements.
Looking at the plains in the south and west of the city, once the main force of the Ming army can safely cross the Nuer River, even if they cannot attack the city in one fell swoop, as long as the Ming army can stand on the north bank and attack from both inside and outside, they will not be afraid of the Tatars. No matter what,
We also have to carve out a passage.
However, with the cunning and ferocity of the Tatars, how could the Ming army kill them across the north bank so easily?
Watching the Manchu and Mongolian cavalry marching out in groups outside the city, they stepped up from the rolling Yancheng and rode quickly to the west and south. Wherever they looked, the galloping Tatar cavalry array was as straight as a huge wave.
.
Zu Dashou was concerned: "I wonder if the reinforcements can quickly cross the Nvnu River and gain a foothold on the north bank, thus relieving the crisis in Jinzhou."
But the questions of the generals around him also made him have some doubts in his heart: "But we must not lose our troops and generals, and suffer a huge defeat? Otherwise, Jinzhou will be hopeless!"
But he could only hide this worry silently in his heart, but said very firmly: "Humph, the Tatars have been besieging the city for more than a year, and they are at the end of their war effort. What is there to worry about?"
Zu Dashou then said: "Go down and gather all those who are full with me at the south gate. I will take you and others to kill the slaves!"
…………
The roar of artillery kept coming, and the scream of artillery shells was also faintly audible.
On the Tucheng outside the South Pass of Jinzhou City, large plumes of white smoke rose from the Qing army's artillery array, interspersed with streaks of fierce fire, followed by a loud thunder-like sound of artillery.
The fiery iron balls rotated rapidly towards the Nerv River and the south bank of the Nerv River.
"boom!"
The same big iron balls continued to bombard the north bank of the Nerv River, and some of them even hit the Tucheng, almost hitting the red cannons that were newly built for this battle.
Smoke from the caravan was also billowing from the south bank of the Nerv River, and the fire kept flashing, and the huge cannon flew quickly to the north bank of the Nerv River, flying towards Tucheng outside Jinzhou Nanguan.
Kong Youde, the obedient king of the Qing Dynasty, was hit by a cannon ten feet to the left. A large cloud of dust immediately flew up, and he was also frightened in his heart.
But in front of the soldiers under his command, he did not dare to show any loss of composure. His body was frozen in place, and he could not even speak except breathing.
On the Nuer River, the civilians in Ningyuan's army had just built a section of the pontoon bridge that was more than two feet long. They were directly hit by a cannon fired by the Qing army. The wooden planks laid on it shattered, and a huge cave collapsed in an instant.
of the mouth.
The moment the wooden board collapsed and shattered, the large iron ball flying quickly brought with it countless sharp splinters and wooden thorns, flying in all directions.
"Pfft!"
"Puff...Puff..."
The peasants who were laying the pontoon bridge had no time to escape. Blood mist came out from their heads, faces and bodies. They screamed and screamed. Many people fell directly into the river. Fortunately, the peasants around them rushed over and saved them quickly.
They were helped up, moved or carried back to the south bank.
Although the Qing army's artillery fire was fierce, it was still far behind the Shenji Battalion.
First of all, there is a big gap in quantity. The Qing army only has thirty newly-cast red cannons, which can shoot to the south bank of the Nuerhe River.
As for the Shenji Battalion, in addition to the thirty Shenwei General Cannons that could shoot for several miles and were extremely powerful, there were also many large Folangjis, large mortar cannons, etc., which could even reach the Tucheng where Kong Youde was located.
Furthermore, in terms of artillery skills, the soldiers of the Shenji Battalion were much better than the soldiers of Kong Youde's Wuzhenchaoha Artillery Battalion. Although they were a little timid, they were still veteran artillerymen who had been operating artillery for many years.
What's more, today they are firmly in the rear, with almost no risk of death in battle, and Wu Sangui, the commander-in-chief of Ningyuan, has promised a heavy reward, so they will naturally fire their cannons smoothly.
In comparison, Kong Youde was obviously at a disadvantage. No matter how much he roared, no one could change his strength.
In less than one stick of incense, six or seven red-coated cannons were hit by the Ming army's cannons. Not only were the cannons torn apart, but the gunners were almost killed, and even the sergeants who were transporting the cannons around were killed and injured.
At this moment, several more cannonballs flew over quickly, but they exploded immediately after landing. For a moment, thick smoke rose everywhere, and a fishy smell quickly spread.
As thick yellow smoke spread in all directions, many gunners fell to the ground and rolled over. Their faces were all hideous and terrifying, and their eyes seemed to be about to roll out of their sockets.
His hands were scratching hard on his face and neck, and scratches that were as red as blood appeared, as if he didn't know the pain, until he scratched out bloody marks, and the whole head, face and neck were covered in blood, and he didn't know to stop.
"Poisonous...this smoke is...poisonous..."
"...poisonous smoke...is a poisonous smoke bomb..."
"...Run away quickly...Run away quickly..."
The Tatars in the Wuzhen Chaoha artillery camp all screamed in fear. No matter how loudly the officers yelled and scolded, it was of no avail. In the face of death, only death can make people fearful.
Normally when encountering such a situation during war, most of the officers would draw their knives and lead their trusted sergeants to kill the leading ones, which would usually stabilize the situation immediately.
However, there was a slight difference today, that is, there was no sound when the officers shouted. As officers at all levels died or fled, the entire Qing artillery array in Tucheng instantly fell into chaos.
Kong Youde also did not expect that the poisonous smoke bombs of the Ming army could reach such a distance. He was completely unprepared, but if he could climb to his current position, how could he lack loyal guards around him.
As soon as the yellow smoke started to rise, dozens of soldiers from the Heavenly Blessing Army rushed forward. Without saying a word, they protected Kong Youde and ran towards the foot of Tucheng.
…………
It turned out that after receiving the order, Wu Sangui, the commander-in-chief of Ningyuan, immediately ordered the soldiers to start crossing the river. Before the defense line was established on the north bank, he ordered the strong men who accompanied the soldiers and civilians to start building and laying pontoon bridges in advance.
Such a two-pronged approach will naturally greatly increase the speed. This is why the Ningyuan Army can be called the elite force in Liaodong, and it can execute orders and prohibitions like a commanding arm.
However, the Ningyuan Army was also strongly blocked by the Qing Army. On the north bank of the Nerv River, there were Han troops with red flags and horses, as well as Tianyou Army, Tianyou Army, and more than a thousand Korean troops stationed in formation.
Although Bai Guangen and Ma Ke's Jizhen Army and Shan Haijun fought hard and did not hide their selfish interests, the princes of the Qing army were not fools. Although they also sent reinforcements to that side, Wu Sangui's side was still the focus.
Defense.
Therefore, Bai Guangen and Ma Ke attracted some of the main forces of the Qing army, but it was very limited and did not relieve much pressure on Wu Sangui.
However, Wu Sangui's Ningyuan Army was the Ming army that was most fully prepared for this battle across the river. Not only did it collect the most ships, it even called on the Longwu Navy stationed on Juehua Island to assist in the battle.
The Nerv River is not as wide and deep as the Xiaoling River, but Wu Sangui crossed the river at the confluence of the Nerv River and the Xiaoling River. Although the river here is not very wide, the depth is convenient for boating.
However, due to the water depth and width of the Xiaoling River, the sea-going ships of the Longwu Navy were unable to sail into the inland river. But even so, with the help of more than a dozen river boats of the Longwu Navy, their power was greatly increased.
Different from those ships temporarily equipped with small artillery, although these warships of the Longwu Navy cannot be compared with the sea-going ships they own, they are all built according to the purpose of combat, and they are equipped with fixed cannons.