For the two noble sons of the Manchu Banner, they really couldn't take advantage of their invincible cavalry and archery in a fortified battle, and Geng Fan's Han army didn't have a good way to break through the enemy's defenses. There were many artillery pieces, but solid artillery shells were not effective against such trenches. , the destruction and destruction of the parapet fortifications was obviously not satisfactory. Moreover, the enemy also had a large number of artillery, which even exceeded our own in terms of range and power.
Not only Mulima and Tuhai lost their patience after repeated attacks were thwarted, but even Geng Fan's right-wing generals Jiang Yuanxun, counselor Bai Xianzhong, and Xu Wanyao also lost confidence in breaking through such a defense system. In the past two days, Continuous attacks will cause casualties among the Geng Fan and Han soldiers. It is definitely not an option to continue to waste them like this.
Moreover, when the Taijun of Manchuria has spoken, he must be praised and complimented, and his simple countermeasures must be praised for his ingenuity and cleverness. Of course, there are risks in dividing the troops and making detours, but it is difficult to break through from the front. This seems to be the only feasible option at present. policy.
"Your Majesty, Lord Capital!" Jiang Yuanxun took the lead and said, "What a clever detour and a clever plan! When the enemy discovers that their retreat is cut off, the morale of the army will definitely be in chaos, and they will collapse without a fight."
"The enemy's main force is here, and the defense in other places must be empty. If you attack in a roundabout way and hit the enemy's weak spot, you can achieve surprising results."
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Not only did they have no objections, but they also praised and praised a simple tactic so cleverly. The two Manchu princes were very satisfied and smiled on their faces.
"In that case, I will let my subordinates lead the cavalry to make a detour. Your Excellency, I will sit here and wait for the enemy to break out." Pingnan General Tu Hai volunteered as his deputy.
Mulima nodded. It was common sense for the commander to be in charge. Tuhai took the initiative to take on this task and said that he would be in charge, so he didn't have to fight for anything. After all, he was the coach. He could not escape the credit after a big victory.
"Four thousand Manchu Eight Banners, plus two thousand elite soldiers of Jingfan?" Mulima looked at Tuhai questioningly, and told her estimate of the number of men and horses needed for a roundabout attack.
"That's enough." Tu Hai smiled without thinking: "Thank you, Lord Dutong, for adding two thousand elite soldiers to your subordinates."
This reason is very clear. Of course, Mulima cannot be the only one in charge. It is normal to leave a thousand Manchu and Mongolian Eight Banners. Tuhai expected to have four thousand elite cavalry to lead, which gave an extra two thousand elite soldiers of Jingfan. It was quite an unexpected surprise.
Tu Hai still doesn’t understand another meaning of Mulima. The increase of troops and horses of Jingfan is to strengthen the roundabout force, and secondly, in case of encountering blockage or trouble, there is cannon fodder to consume and cover to escape. .In other words, the Eight Banners of Manchuria and Mongolia must preserve their strength until the critical battle.
Jiang Yuanxun, the commander-in-chief of the right wing of the Jing vassal, and Bai Xianzhong, the counselor, and Xu Wanyao knew it in their hearts. After all, this man had been cannon fodder for two days. There had been a lot of casualties, could he still be aware of this? But is there any way, in front of the green camp soldiers? , they are uncles; but in front of the Manchu Taijun, they are grandsons.
In this way, the negotiation was complete. The six thousand men and horses attacked in a roundabout way, and the main force continued to make a false appearance of attacking and breaking through to divert the attention of the Ming army on the opposite side.
Wishful thinking is a good idea. Of course, it is almost the most promising way to break the deadlock, but they seem to have overestimated the Ming army's intention to block the defense here. It is really only this way that is easy to go. The Ming army gathered the main force. Is this the case? A roundabout attack would naturally be in a place with poor road conditions and many dangers. Would the Ming army be unprepared?
The number of soldiers and horses was only about half of that of the Ming army, and they had to divide their forces and make detours. Did they blindly believe in their own combat power, or were they confused by the Ming army's defensive posture, or both?
Although the division of troops and the roundabout attack were kept secret, the Ming army had been deployed here for a long time. There were many spies and scouts and they were well hidden. The intelligence was quickly sent to the Ming army camp.
"The troops have been divided?" Ruyang King Ma Bao was not very surprised. He just asked again to confirm. Then he sneered.
The main force of the Ming army is indeed here, but not all of it. The newly promoted earl Zhang Guoyong and the general Lei Qisheng led two regiments of more than 6,000 people and are guarding the road that the Qing army wants to attack in a roundabout way. Needless to say, Lei Qisheng,
Zhang Guoyong is a veteran who commanded the battle during the Battle of Tengchong. When it comes to positional defense, he has quite a lot of experience. He has strong fortifications built against dangers and sharper weapons and equipment, which can withstand twice the number of enemies.
It is also something that is very certain.
A strong attack will block the attack and consume it, and if the troops are divided, the weak force will counterattack. This is the safe strategy finally decided by Ma Bao and others. Most of the main force is here. There is no risk of being broken through when defending, and there is enough strength when counterattacking. The response of the Qing army,
Finally, the Ming army was given the opportunity to switch from defense to attack.
"It's all cavalry. Even if the Eight Banners of Manchuria and Mongolia don't come out in full force, there won't be many left." Wu Sansheng analyzed carefully. As the chief of staff, he was not in a hurry to make a judgment, but made suggestions to the coach.
, "Without heavy weapons, Zhang Guo can withstand these thousands of enemy troops with all his strength. But the enemy we face is weak because of this division of troops."
"Once most of the Manchu and Mongolian Eight Banners are gone, the Qing army's combat power will definitely be greatly affected, and our army will have the opportunity to counterattack." Ma Bao thought so. If there were not these thousands of Manchu and Mongolian Eight Banners, but only Jingfan troops, Ming Dynasty would have
How can the army be so prudent and cautious? They have already gone into battle to meet the enemy.
"Two days?" Wu Sansheng didn't need too much calculation. The Qing army's detour was expected by the Ming army, and the time had already been determined. Whether to launch a counterattack in two days or three days, it was only considered that the Qing army would return again after the detour.
Time and possibility, the range made available for reference.
Ma Bao pondered for a moment, patted the table gently, and made up his mind, "Launch a counterattack in two days, and strive to defeat the enemy in one day. Then turn to intercept and annihilate the Eight Banners of Manchuria and Mongolia on the way back."
Every complex military operation can be broken down, and then you can see that there is nothing profound in it. Basically, it is composed of some simple tactics to achieve a simple goal, explaining the simplest principles in the art of war. Ma
The plan drawn up by Bao and others is also the same. Try to seize the space where the Eight Banners of Manchu and Mongolia are dispersed with other Qing armies, or make them strong first and then weak, or first weak and then strong. In short, it is a tactical strategy of defeating them one by one.
It is also a safe way to break down a decisive battle into several battles. Accumulating small victories into big victories is one aspect; if a certain battle fails and the main force of the Ming army is still there, it is easy to make adjustments and fight again with strength.
In other words, the Ming army did not expect an earth-shattering battle to determine the outcome, nor did it collapse due to a single setback.
Leaving some leeway, leaving some flexibility, and not making desperate gambles, this is Zhu Yongxing's psychological habit after the situation gets better and better. But unknowingly, it has affected the thinking of the officers below. (To be continued...