On the land of Liaodong, many tributaries of the Liao River nourish the earth. The Pu River, Fan River, Hun River, Taizi River and other tributaries are like big branches, surrounding Shenyang. On the east bank of the lower reaches of the Liao River, there is Dongsheng Fort from north to south. Dongchang Fort, Niuzhuangyi and other important military strongholds. These original fortifications of the Ming Army are now garrisoned by the Chinese Army's Liaodong Garrison Regiment. There is Xining Fort dozens of miles west and east across the Liao River. This is the only one on the east bank of the Liao River controlled by China. A fortified fort in the hands of the army.
This place was originally under the jurisdiction of Wuying, Guangning Wei Town, the capital of Liaodong in the Ming Dynasty. Under the summer sun, Xining Fort, surrounded by green fields, seemed out of tune with the surrounding environment. Under the masonry Lingyuan Gate, Zhao, the general manager of the Liaodong March Road, Major Zhang Pan, the new Xining Fort garrison sent by the Tiemen, is standing in the doorway as a supervisor. The door forehead with the words "Xining Fort Lingyuan Gate" hanging above his head is being removed and is being replaced with a new one: " "Zhenyuan Gate".
Zhao Yi, the original guard of Xining Fort and commander of the Second Regiment of the First Division, had just handed over the command of the Xining Fort Fortress area to Zhang Pan. Now, this handsome and tall young man with thick eyebrows and big eyes stood side by side with Zhang Pan. Looking at the plains to the west.
Zhao Yi is only twenty-eight years old. He is Zhao Tie's distant nephew. He is considered a rising star in the Zhao family, which has been a military family for generations.
He looked at Zhang Pan, who was also young. He smiled disapprovingly and said, "What's the point of replacing this plaque? Let's go west as soon as possible. This is business."
Zhang Pan said calmly: "General Zhao told me in Liaoyang: Xining Fort is mainly for defense. The sentinel can't reach the Pingyang Bridge to the east."
Zhao Yi rubbed his nose, turned around and entered the fort. As he walked, he said: "In that case, you have the final say on the defense matters here."
Zhang Pan smiled bitterly and shook his head. He ignored Zhao Yi's rude behavior and continued to supervise the work.
Zhao Yi had reason to be dissatisfied with him. Before he came here, Zhao Yi had been leading his troops to prepare for the attack on Guangning. He prepared sufficient supplies, ammunition, and horses. He also reported to Zhao Tie a plan to attack Guangning. Ning Wei's campaign plan.
Before the plan was approved, Zhang Pan came here and took over all the defense command. He immediately ordered the entire army to make long-term defense preparations - building multi-bastions, digging trenches, building defensive horses, hoarding gunpowder, grenades, food, etc. Zhao Yi His attack plan was aborted. He was very dissatisfied because of this.
To the west of Pingyang Bridge, the Ming army has gathered 70,000 troops. Wang Huazhen, the governor of Liaodong, is mobilizing more troops and horses to march towards Guangning Guard. He has also contacted the Horqin Mongolian tribe. The trend of the Ming army's large-scale march eastward is already very obvious.
The Chinese army in Xining Fort will not be able to wait for reinforcements in a short period of time: the main force of the cavalry brigade is fighting fiercely with the Mongolian and Manchu Eight Banners coalition forces in Changsheng Fort. The main force of the First Division is located on the south bank of the Songhua River, Tieling, Liaohaiwei and Huifa The remaining Jurchen forces were wiped out in the river basin. The main force of the Fifth Division entered North Korea to fight. It is marching towards Seoul with difficulty.
Zhang Pan sighed. He planned to send another troop transfer application to Zhao Tie. He wanted to transfer the Liaonan Marine Corps to Xining Fort to strengthen its defensive strength.
…
The actions of the Ming army in Liaodong have now become a topic at the negotiation table between the Ming Dynasty and the Chinese army in Taiwan.
Ever since Yin Feng proposed that Luzon, Java, Malacca and other places should be surrendered to the Ming Dynasty, the two sides generally reached a unified opinion on the Jiangnan issue. Soon, only some details were left. Xu Guangqi, Sheng Yihong, Yuan Chonghuan and the Chinese Army Zeng Shan, Xu Hongji and others on the side began to look forward to the early conclusion of the peace talks.
Sheng Yihong now has a very positive attitude towards negotiations. He also took the initiative to give advice to the Chinese army and made some textual adjustments to the terms of the peace treaty so that it would be easier for the Ming court to accept it.
At this time, the notification about the situation in Liaodong was delivered to Taiwan by the communication ship of the Beiyang Fleet.
The Chinese Army immediately handed the notice to Yuan Chonghuan and others at the negotiating table. Then they accused the Ming court of having evil intentions and being half-hearted about the peace talks. In fact, they wanted to use the peace talks to disrupt the Chinese military's war preparations and cover up its war intentions.
Xu Guangqi read this report and recalled some of the situations Ye Xianggao told him before leaving the capital. He immediately concluded that the situation in Liaodong was Wang Huazhen's personal fault. The Ming court's attitude towards peace talks with the Chinese army had not changed.
This is indeed the case.
Wang Huazhen has always been opposed to peace negotiations. He originally had the problems of being "greedy and foolish, never trained in military affairs, despising the enemy, and fond of slander". He liked to talk big but did not understand military affairs.
Wang Huazhen, also known as Xiao Qian, was born in Zhucheng, Shandong in the Ming Dynasty. He was a Jinshi in the 41st year of Wanli (1613). He was consulted by Li You, the head of the Household Department. Later, he made friends with Wei Zhongxian and was appointed governor of Liaodong. As soon as he took office, he worked closely with the Liaodong manager. Xiong Tingbi went against the grain and kept his word. He preached everywhere that "as soon as I cross the river, the people from Hedong will respond." At the same time, he sent a memorial to the court. He opposed negotiating peace with the pirates and advocated taking advantage of the opportunity to send troops to Liaodong. He also said that it is the month of Mid-Autumn. You can rest easy. After listening to the news, he mobilized troops to assemble in the front. He also kept sending people to contact the Horqin Mongolian tribe. He tried to use the Mongols to win a complete victory without a fight. The Ming army attacked eastward to the Liaohe River. The soldiers, horses, armor, and food must be prepared. , Wang Huazhen ignored all matters concerning the fort and relied entirely on Xiong Tingbi's independent support from the rear.
These are Ming army intelligence compiled by the Internal Affairs Bureau and the Military Intelligence Department.
Ye Hua, Mai De, Mai Dahai and other senior military officers in Taiwan gathered in the meeting hall of the old camp of the Chinese Army. There were also staff officers from the old camp. Among them were the new deputy general manager of the staff Yu Zigao. Xu Hongji, Zeng Shan and other government officials were also present. At the scene, everyone gathered around to watch these pieces of information. Yin Feng was sitting at the top. Seeing that everyone had read it, he said, "How is it, everyone? The situation in Liaodong is worrying."
Yu Zigao was injured in the battle south of Suzhou City at the beginning of the Jiangnan Campaign. After returning to Taiwan to recuperate, he was appointed deputy chief of staff of the old battalion. Everyone said that Yu Zigao was too popular during the Jiangnan battle and was dismissed by those soldiers. The middle-aged and old people were jealous, so they were kicked out of the combat unit. Yu Zigao himself did not care about such legends and performed his duties seriously. At this time, he was the first to answer: "The war in Liaodong is not serious. Wang Huazhen stationed troops for seven Ten thousand. The supplies of grain, grass, ammunition, and horses all come out of Shanhaiguan and go north. Our army lands by sea. We can cut off the grain channel of the Liaoxi Corridor at any time. There is no grain in the army. What else can Wang Huazhen do."
Mai De was an infantry general. At this time, he questioned: "Wang Huazhen has gathered 70,000 troops. It has been several months. He should also have a lot of food. It can last for a while. The 70,000 troops march eastward and besiege Xining Fort. It will not take a few days. Our only stronghold on the west bank of the Liao River may fall. The current problem is that we don't know how long the Ming army can last without food and rely on the food and grass on hand once it sends troops."
"There is another question: how long Xining Fort can hold on." Yin Feng said: "The key lies in Xining Fort. After the navy cuts off the Ming army's food route, and before the Ming army runs out of food, how long Xining Fort can hold on."
"As long as Xining Fort can hold on until the Ming army retreats, that's fine." Mai De said simply.
Yu Zigao gestured to Mai De. Then he continued: "We still need to make secondary preparations: in case Xining Fort falls, the Ming army may continue to cross the river and march eastward after obtaining Xining Fort and the surrounding food. We are at Dongsheng Fort. There are only local garrison corps stationed on the front line. Haizhou and Gaizhou are even more empty of troops..."
"Let's mobilize troops." Yin Feng immediately made a decision: "Let the Third Division mobilize a regiment. Immediately set off from Luzon and head north. The Second Division stationed in Taiwan will mobilize two battalions. This year's new military academy student army will also be added. Go north immediately. After all the troops are assembled at Lushunkou, immediately go to reinforce the front-line defense of Liaohe River."
At this time, Yin Feng had already kept his word. Basically no one could object.