Usually when success is only one step away or very close at hand, people will feel impatient; but this is not absolute. For example, after working hard and experiencing the ups and downs of victory and defeat, it will actually make people feel impatient.
I feel uneasy and walking on thin ice.
Zhu Yongxing made the appointment of King Ma Bao of Wei as the commander-in-chief of the former enemy after careful consideration. Only a few one-character kings can take on this position in terms of official positions and titles. It is impossible for the King of Jin to be the king of Zhao. Bai Wenxuan, the king of Zhao, is located in the southwest, so
It's inconvenient, so only Wu Sangui and Ma Bao are left.
As for Wu Sangui, Zhu Yongxing still had some doubts, and it would be most suitable for him to stay with him. As for Ma Bao, from his previous proposal to liberate himself from military power, we knew that he had become a little cautious. Although Zhu Yongxing did not agree with this.
Appreciate it, but at this time, being cautious is what he hopes for most.
Hundreds of thousands of troops confront each other. Well, just the confrontation is enough to exhaust the financial and material resources of the Qing government, which has lost most of its occupied areas. Therefore, there is no need to rush forward and make progress, as long as we fight steadily, we will already have a chance of victory. Of course, this is for Ming Dynasty.
The imperial court's logistics were also a huge test, but there were always more solutions than difficulties. Zhu Yongxing did not believe that the Manchus could not be defeated.
Therefore, it is very suitable to choose Ma Bao, who already feels that he cannot be promoted and wants to start well and end well, as the commander-in-chief, both from Zhu Yongxing's trust level and from Ma Bao's psychological state. Relatively speaking, Lian Jinwang and Zhao
Wangdu may not hope more than Ma Bao to achieve a steady victory and bring his military career on the battlefield to a successful conclusion. Then, he can join the Ministry of War and become one of the key members of the cabinet.
In the howling cold wind of early winter, hundreds of thousands of troops, with trenches and wooden tents stretching for dozens of miles, faced off to attack and defend on the river defense line.
There were many big and small battles, with both sides suffering casualties. The Ming army was deploying troops from various places and transporting all kinds of artillery from the rear and warships, preparing to defeat the enemy in one fell swoop. The Qing army faced the dense formation of the Ming army
, and it was difficult to take advantage of the cavalry's maneuverability. So they continued to dig trenches and erect fences to maintain a stalemate with the Ming army.
The Qing army was no stranger to digging trenches and defending it, but they boasted of their invincible offensive methods of cavalry and shooting, which were ignored or downplayed by people. During the Songjin Battle, the Qing army dug trenches for dozens of miles, cutting off
The retreat of the Ming army resulted in a disastrous defeat for the Ming army, and all the elite troops from all nine sides were wiped out.
As early as that time, the Eight Banners had no idea how to resist the Ming army's steady and steady tactics of car camps. Now, the Ming army's artillery is sharper, its numbers are larger, its troops are stronger, and its fighting spirit is stronger.
We are more determined and have more adequate logistical supplies.
"Long live the Holy Ming." King Wei Ma Bao cupped his hands to the south, then pondered for a while, and said: "The Holy One does not urge the war. He is caring for the soldiers and wants to win steadily. Well, judging from the intelligence from all parties, the Tartars
If we can't win the battle, we are already making preparations to withdraw outside the customs."
"If our army can launch an attack early, the Tartars may not have time to prepare." Li Sixing, the prince of Jin Dynasty, said tentatively: "There is no problem that our army will win steadily, but if it goes on for a long time, the people may be poisoned."
"It's just that our army doesn't have many cavalry, so tactics like insertion and detours can't be implemented." Wu Sansheng felt that he wanted to speak for the old commander. He started from the actual difficulties of the Ming army and explained his own point of view. "The Holy Emperor also had
The idea of landing from behind and annihilating all the Tartars in the north was only studied and discussed by the General Staff. It was considered to be very difficult and risky. Judging from the current strength of the enemy and our armies, it is certainly possible for our army to attack by force.
There is a chance of victory, but if we wait until the reinforcements arrive and there are more artillery, we will have a sure chance of victory."
"If the main force of the Tartars is restrained by our army on the line between the rivers, will the possibility of a successful side landing greatly increase?" Wei Junzhong cautiously put forward his opinion. As a young senior general, he did not have a prominent family background.
, unlike Li Sixing, who always speaks and acts cautiously, "Moreover, in Liaodong, our army also moved smoothly, and it must have contained many enemies. According to the experience of our army's landing in Jiaodong, if the enemy's coastal forces are weak, it will still be a big disaster."
It’s certain.”
Ma Bao did not answer directly, but turned to Xia Guoxiang and asked: "Commander Xia, you are more familiar with Liaodong, please tell me about your idea of implementing a landing behind enemy lines!"
Xia Guoxiang believed that since steady advancement was the strategy of the Holy Emperor and the General Staff, it was natural that he had the advice of his father-in-law Wu Sangui. He did not want to sing the opposite, so he pondered and said: "If we implement a flanking and rear landing, we must have at least one army of troops."
It may block the enemies fleeing from the north to the south. Moreover, if our army cannot form a two-sided attack as soon as possible, the landing and blocking troops may not be able to hold on for too long. As for the Qing army, there are many cavalry, and if they learn that their retreat is cut off, they will inevitably
Go north with all your strength, our army may not be able to catch up!"
Obviously, Xiang Guoxiang's analysis made sense and made the generals sober and calm a lot. Why adopt the strategy of steady advancement? Isn't it because the cavalry is not as good as the Qing army? You want to cut off its retreat and attack from both sides, but the frontal troops can run past it.
The Qing army retreating rapidly? If not, wouldn't the troops that cut off the Qing army's retreat have to support it alone and face the enemy's attack from the north and south?
Moreover, the advantage of the Ming army lies in its firepower, especially in artillery. The long guns and cannons used by the navy, the field guns used by the infantry, and the Franco machine are many times more than those of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, and their performance is also greatly exceeded. But limited to
Due to the transportation tools and the weight of the artillery at that time, the transportation of large artillery was very time-consuming and laborious. Now the artillery is being continuously concentrated on the frontal battlefield, divided into troops, and transported again. I am afraid it will take too long.
"Your Majesty also anticipated all kinds of difficulties, and just gave up the plan to annihilate the Tartars in one fell swoop." Seeing that there was almost no objection, King Ma Bao of Wei sighed helplessly and said: "But steady progress is not impossible.
When the artillery is fully assembled, our army will use thunderous force to defeat the enemy and seize the capital."
After a pause, Ma Bao continued: "In addition, our army will concentrate the cavalry from various units to pursue the fleeing enemies and recapture the captive people. In Liaodong, Yu Qi Suo's troops will also continue to launch an offensive to capture larger areas.
A more solid foundation for future battles.”
Even when fighting steadily to win, Zhu Yongxing and the General Staff also formulated a rough plan. The so-called rough plan meant that it only focused on the key points and left room for frontline commanders to perform.
As for the key point, it is victory with firepower, or more accurately, victory with artillery. Napoleon once achieved brilliant results with the "artillery group tactics" that concentrated the use of artillery, and Zhu Yongxing also decided to follow suit. In fact, this "artillery group tactics" is also aimed at
At that time, the accuracy of artillery was low. The tactics adopted were that it was difficult to hit directly. They simply bombed a certain point and used the density of firepower to replace accuracy.
Whether it is direct-fire artillery such as long-barreled artillery, cannons, and Fran machines, or curved artillery such as Tianwei artillery and sky-blasting artillery, the advantages of the Ming army are far beyond those of the Qing army. Moreover, artillery is a highly technical warfare
In terms of weapons, Zhu Yongxing became more powerful than the Manchus in artillery by hiring British and French instructors and specially setting up artillery training in the martial arts hall.
At the same time, Zhu Yongxing also wrote a letter to Ma Bao. Although the decree will be obeyed and more dignified, Zhu Yongxing still likes to express his closeness and trust to his ministers in letters. In the letter, Zhu Yongxing reminded Ma Bao that if the Qing army
After retreating in panic, he wanted to urge the army to pursue them in order to drive the Tartars out of the pass in one go. Instead of wasting time for the vanity of entering the capital.
This reminder is not unfounded, because the honor of entering the capital is what every general longs for, especially when this historic city is in front of him without defense.
Deploying troops and generals, hoarding ammunition and supplies, transporting artillery, and building equipment, the Ming army was busy preparing for a general attack. The time was initially set for November 23rd.