Regarding how to formulate combat policies and how to respond to the central government's urging, Hong Chengchou dared to pat his chest and say: He really pulled it off.
He arrived in Ningyuan in March, and before he could take a breath, he received bad news about what lay ahead.
Seeing that they were in a desperate situation, the Mongolian Wu Bash, the general guarding the east gate of Jinzhou, contacted Jierhalang, cooperated internally and externally, and surrendered the city.
Although Zu Dashou had noticed the signs, he was unable to respond in time and the Qing army still captured the outer city.
The Ming army only had the inner city of Jinzhou left in its hands, and it could be breached at any time.
Hong Chengchou's scalp was numb, but he was still able to remain calm.
He did not follow the orders of Chongzhen and the Central Committee and send troops hastily. Instead, he continued to receive reinforcements from various places, prepared logistics materials, and seized the time to train the army.
Chongzhen and Chen Xinjia were waiting in the middle of the court, but there was still no news about Hong Chengchou sending troops.
The two of them couldn't wait any longer.
Chen Xinjia simply sent Ma Shaoyu and Zhang Ruoqi as supervisors to monitor Hong Chengchou on the ground during the battle.
Hong Chengchou was forced into a desperate situation, and had no choice but to swear an oath in Ningyuan on July 26, and led eight general soldiers and an army of 130,000 to embark on the road of no return.
Wang Pu, Yang Guozhu, Tang Tong, Bai Guangen, Cao Bianjiao, Ma Ke, Wang Tingchen, Wu Sangui. This is the last essence of the Ming army except Zuo Liangyu and He Renlong.
Everyone understands what it will mean to Ming Dynasty if this battle is lost.
But the situation is so dangerous, Ma Shaoyu and Zhang Ruoqi sent by Chen Xinjia still have their own whims.
Ma Shaoyu also wanted to be as majestic as the other supervisors, and he also had the inherent qualities of a literati. He always fantasized about feather fans and towels, and while talking and laughing, they would be wiped out by force.
Completely ignoring the actual situation, he suggested to Hong Chengchou that he send elite troops to march forward wildly to catch the Qing army by surprise in order to win by surprise.
After hearing this unreliable suggestion, Hong Chengchou had a lawsuit on his mind.
On today's battlefield, the Qing army's scouts are as dense as a cobweb. The terrain in western Liaoning is also long and narrow, so how can there be any room for surprise victory?
Even if you want to outflank them, you can't do it.
This battle is a head-on confrontation without any tricks.
On July 28, the Ming army, which was integrated into a regiment, arrived at Rufeng Mountain in the south of Jinzhou City and met the Qing army head-on.
At this time, Jierhalang did not have a clear understanding of the size of the Ming army, and thought that it would be easy to win in a field battle.
He paid the price for his arrogance.
Hong Chengchou thought that Zu Dashou was Wu Sangui's uncle. Wu Sangui must be the most active in rescuing Zu Dashou. In addition, Wu Sangui's troops were the most elite and the most capable of all the total forces.
So he sent Wu Sangui as the vanguard, hoping to win the first prize with vigor.
As expected, Wu Sangui was eager to rescue Zu Dashou. When he encountered the Qing army, he was not afraid and led his family's soldiers to charge forward.
The Qing army encountered such a brave Ming army for the first time, and was caught off guard. It suffered heavy losses and had to retreat continuously.
After the victory in the first battle, the morale of the Ming army was greatly boosted. Hong Chengchou could not help but look relieved, feeling that this battle might not be without a chance.
But the Qing army came to their senses the next day and gave the Ming army a blow.
Hong Chengchou planned to take advantage of the power of his first victory and rush directly to the gate of Jinzhou City to get in touch with Zu Dashou in the city.
As a result, the Ming army encountered huge trouble when attacking the city.
The Qing army relied on the solid defense of the outer city to defeat the Ming army with bloodshed.
Although Zu Dashou in the inner city also sent troops at the same time, hoping to cooperate with the inside and outside. However, the huge difference in combat effectiveness between the two sides was unable to shake the Qing army's front.
Although Zu Dashou couldn't get out, Hong Chengchou couldn't get in either.
The main force of the Qing army led by Jierhalang continued to harass and besiege from all sides, making the Ming army suspicious and afraid of being dumped.
Just when I was helpless, bad news came from ahead.
General Yang Guozhu was shot and killed by an arrow at the foot of West Shimen City.
Seeing the general's death in battle, the Ming army became fearful and did not dare to fight again, so they retreated.
Looking at the impregnable outer city of Jinzhou, Hong Chengchou sighed with emotion, and his eyes cast a shadow.
He had a premonition that the Ming army's last hope of victory might have been missed.
His premonition was correct. The news of the reinforcement of 130,000 Ming troops really frightened Jierhalang. He did not dare to delay, so he quickly sent a message back to Shenyang and reported it to Huang Taiji.
At this time, Huang Taiji's situation was not good, and he had reached a point where he was running out of money.
There is no cure for his illness, and he spends most of the day in bed. His nose bleeds from time to time and cannot be stopped.
But Huang Taiji understood that since the Ming Dynasty deployed such military strength, there could be no loss in this battle.
If they lose, all the previous efforts will be in vain, and I am afraid that even Liaoyang and Shenyang will not be saved. The Jurchens can only retreat to the high mountains of Liaodong, where they will be trapped and starve to death again.
But if this battle is won, the overall situation will suddenly become clearer. The Manchu Qing Dynasty's national destiny will not only improve to a higher level, but also finally have the opportunity to drive directly into the Central Plains and aspire to dominate the world.
At such a critical moment, what does his body mean?
Huang Taiji, who was stubborn by nature, immediately sent an order and ordered everyone to gather and prepare to rush to Jinzhou.
"My father is ill, so he should rest in peace. My son and I will do the hard work for him, and he will be successful soon. Please feel at ease, my father."
Seeing Huang Taiji's weak appearance, Hauge couldn't help but feel frightened, and quickly stepped forward to volunteer.
"Now that our Qing Dynasty has a large number of soldiers and generals, we are invincible. The Ming Dynasties are no longer our opponents. The emperor only needs to sit in Shengjing, and his ministers will be able to defeat him with full success."
No matter what he thought in his heart, Dorgon also stood up and tried to persuade him politely.
How can Huang Taiji listen?
"We Manchurians have waited for hundreds of years and finally got this God-given opportunity. There is no room for failure in this battle. All the Eight Banners, Mongolia, and North Korea must go all out. Only with my personal presence can everyone abandon their worries and fight to the death.
A fierce battle."
Huang Taiji refused the dissuasion of his ministers and decided to conquer it himself.
In order to rush for time, he even dragged his sick body on horseback and marched.
As for the nose that keeps bleeding...
Just let someone use a bowl to catch it.
Seeing the emperor like this, the Qing army still led the army to fight. It can be said that they were full of morale and had an indomitable belief in victory.
From this aspect, the gap between the Ming and Qing Dynasties is reflected.
The failure of the Ming Dynasty is not surprising.
Regardless of his illness, Huang Taiji traveled five hundred miles day and night and arrived at the battlefield in time.
He came to Qijiabao in the north of Jinzhou City and climbed a hill to observe the Ming army's formation.
An army of 130,000 people was spread out on the plain, and the formation alone was terrifying.
Moreover, this 130,000-strong army was still the last essence of the Ming army, so the formation was very complete. The layout of the camp was so rigorous that even Huang Taiji, who had experienced many battles, could not help but frown.
"Everyone says that Hong Chengchou is good at using troops. If this is true, we must act with caution."
Hauge was doing nothing on the side, but Fan Ji came up and whispered softly in his ear.
Hauge's eyebrows were filled with joy, and he quickly stood up and said loudly: "Father, my sons and ministers observe the Ming army's formation. They have power in front but no defense in the rear. This is the key to defeating the enemy."
As soon as these words were spoken, all the Manchu and Qing civil and military officials on the hill were shocked.
Many people looked at Hauge inquiringly.
Is this still the simple-minded, rough-tempered Prince Su?
Huang Taiji followed Hauge's instructions and observed the Ming army's formation again, and couldn't help but smile with relief.