I wield power with my innate talents, and forge the Heavenly Court.

Chapter 183 Qing Army Attacks Datong Prefecture, Rescue Army Crosses the Yellow River Eastward

When the militia defeated Ligdan Khan and escorted the prisoners back inside the Great Wall, Huang Taiji pursued them relentlessly for a month and finally arrived at Guihua City.

By this time, it was already mid-May.

Upon arriving in Guihua City, Huang Taiji and the others learned that Ligdan Khan had already crossed the Yellow River.

After discussing with everyone, Huang Taiji finally decided that this campaign against Ligdan Khan would come to an end.

If they were to cross the Yellow River and embark on a long and arduous expedition, some unforeseen accidents would inevitably occur.

Leaving aside whether the Ming army would suddenly launch an attack to cut off their retreat, the long supply line alone was a huge problem.

The Later Jin was not like the Ming Dynasty. Even at the end of the dynasty, the Later Jin had the resources to be dragged down.

After deciding to stop the pursuit, Huang Taiji led his army to Guihua City.

Looking at the scattered, pale yellow light in the sky and the overwhelming gray-black aura, Huang Taiji frowned deeply.

I wonder what's going on with Ligdan Khan, and how the nation's fortunes have come to this.

Did the nation's fate decline simply because of the westward migration?

Then, the westward migration led to widespread resentment and alienation among various tribes, which is why the resentment was so great.

The more Huang Taiji thought about it, the more likely it seemed.

In fact, this is indeed one of the reasons.

But more so, it was because Ligdan Khan had drastically depleted the nation's fortunes before his death.

The nation's fortunes were almost completely drained, leaving behind only a dark and gloomy atmosphere of public resentment.

Moreover, whether it is the fate of the nation or the resentment of the people, it is the convergence of the spirituality of all living beings.

Perhaps this does not directly affect a person's thinking and consciousness.

However, this doesn't mean there's absolutely no impact.

Just like living in a bright and spacious villa versus living in a cramped and dirty three-foot-wide apartment, can you feel the same way?

The fate of a nation and the resentment of its people are like different environments on a spiritual level, which will affect people's spirits.

Being easily angered and prone to violence, and frequently getting into fights and brawls are all very common occurrences for them.

Naturally, places where public resentment is rampant are prone to chaos.

Chaotic places are also more likely to breed negative emotions.

This creates a vicious cycle.

The ultimate result was a corrupt and chaotic world, with widespread and intense public resentment.

Of course, such an environment can also give birth to outstanding talents with strong willpower.

Such talented individuals are often able to subdue a group of people, break the existing order, suppress all dissent, and re-establish a good order.

As time went by, public resentment gradually subsided, the nation's fortunes improved, and social order naturally returned to normal.

At this time, Huang Taiji may not have had such a profound understanding of the fate of the nation and the resentment of the people.

However, based on ancient Chinese legends and his own observations and insights into the two, he can gain a general understanding.

Therefore, he was relatively able to accept the changes in the national fortunes and the resentment among the people of the Tatar Tumed.

But what is the situation to the west of the Yellow River?
Huang Taiji looked solemnly towards the west of the Yellow River. The pure, bright yellow light enveloped the world, blocking all his exploration.

How could the fate of a nation change so drastically when separated only by a river?
Is it because all those Lin Dan Khan took away were completely loyal to him and had no complaints about him that the nation's fate was so pure?
However, the fate of a nation is a whole; even if there are differences in different regions, the disparity should not be so great.

Could it be that Ligdan Khan is preparing to completely abandon the area east of the Yellow River and no longer consider it his territory?
Unable to find a solution, Huang Taiji finally decided to send scouts to investigate.

Otherwise, having such a powerful national fortune right beside him would make him feel uneasy.

However, besides needing to send people to investigate what happened west of the Yellow River after Lin Danhan moved west, he also needed to think about what to do next.

An army of one to two hundred thousand attacked Ligdan Khan, forcing him to move westward.

However, the gains during this process did not meet expectations.

The various tribes submitted to the Qing Dynasty because the Qing Dynasty was powerful and could bring them more benefits.

If this costly campaign against Lin Danhan fails to yield sufficient benefits, they will inevitably harbor resentment.

If the Qing Dynasty remains strong, all will be well; but once the Qing Dynasty shows signs of fatigue, these people may launch a counterattack.

Even though he was confident that the Qing Dynasty would remain strong under his rule.

However, it's best to avoid things that can be avoided.

On May 13, Huang Taiji summoned Grand Prince Daishan, Prince Mangultai, and other princes, as well as Manchu, Mongol, and Han officials, to discuss the next course of action.

Looking at the assembled officials below, Huang Taiji said calmly:
“We originally came here to conquer the Chahar, but the Chahar could not resist and fled. Pursuing them is of no use.”

Now that our troops are exhausted, should we temporarily withdraw and wait for another opportunity to attack?
Should we first seize the Mongol tribes and then re-enter Ming territory?
Which of the two is more convenient, you ministers may decide and submit your proposal.

The ministers gathered and reported, “Our army has come close to the Ming territory. It is the best strategy to first take the Mongol tribes and then enter Ming territory to carry out our great cause.”

The final decision was naturally to attack Datong and Xuanfu, which are adjacent to Guihua City.

Historically, the actual time when Huang Taiji attacked Datong and Xuanfu should be in 1634, the seventh year of the Chongzhen Emperor's reign.

But now, it's two years ahead of schedule.

This is because this world has taken a turn for the revival of spiritual energy and the rise of extraordinary beings.

Huang Taiji assembled a considerable number of extraordinary troops.

With the improvement of his own strength and the strength of his army, Huang Taiji's confidence naturally soared, and he ultimately made the decision to attack Datong and Xuanfu.

On May 18th, Huang Taiji issued another order to the princes leading troops on both flanks:
"If there are many prisoners, take them if you can; if you cannot take them all, let the generals decide what to do."

All those captured by the princes shall be assigned to a small force of weak soldiers to guard their territory and continue to harass them. When the army returns, their houses and provisions may be burned.

I am stationed in Guihua City to await your arrival.

In short, Huang Taiji's intention was that the army that entered the Ming Dynasty to plunder should take as much as they could, and the soldiers should deal with what they could not take. Moreover, when the army withdrew, they should burn houses and grain, and destroy as much as possible.

While the Qing army was attacking Datong, the People's Salvation Army in the Hetao Plain also began to cross the river and advance eastward.

Looking at the mighty Yellow River, Wang Zhenyuan couldn't help but frown slightly. He felt that the Yellow River seemed to have undergone some changes.

However, he couldn't say exactly what it was.

"General Wang, is there a problem?"

Seeing Wang Zhenyuan like this, Zhou Junsheng, the Ningxia general who was directing his troops to cross the river, couldn't help but come over and say with a smile.

As the General Commander of Ningxia, Zhou Junsheng knew Wang Zhenyuan all too well.

Although Wang Zhenyuan was just the head of a patrol office in a remote town before, even now he is only a guerrilla general, several ranks lower than a general.

However, he never underestimated it.

This is the Heavenly King's childhood friend from the same village.

If you're determined, you can improve in no time.

Even setting aside everything else, with his current achievement of killing Lindan Khan, becoming a general would be a piece of cake.
For all these reasons, Zhou Junsheng never looked down on Wang Zhenyuan. He didn't try to curry favor with him, but he did treat him with goodwill.

Therefore, the two got along quite well.

Seeing the change in Wang Zhenyuan's expression, he couldn't help but come over and ask.

"Nothing much? It's just that the Yellow River seems a little different."

He used to be stationed at Zhenluwei, which is right next to the Yellow River. He always felt that the Yellow River was different from before.

"Have it?"

Zhou Junsheng frowned as he looked at the Yellow River, finding nothing different, and then smiled and said:

"Forget about that. There shouldn't be any problems, right? Most of our troops have already crossed the Yellow River. Even if the Qing army has some ambushes, it won't make much difference."

"It's not that I felt there was an ambush or any danger; I just felt that the Yellow River was a little different."
Besides, it's always better to be cautious.

Wang Zhenyuan looked at the surging Yellow River with a somewhat inscrutable expression.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Junsheng burst into laughter and said:

"Haha, you're just too cautious!"

Am I being cautious?

Wang Zhenyuan was slightly taken aback, then hesitated and said, his expression momentarily dazed. If he had been just as cautious back then, there wouldn't have been so many casualties.

"Hmm, you are indeed quite cautious, but compared to the Heavenly King, you're still lacking."

Suddenly, a sigh broke into their conversation.

Wang Zhenyuan and the other man were not surprised, but turned their heads to look naturally.

The one who could interrupt their conversation was naturally Yang Zonghan, the general of Yulin.

Meeting the gazes of the two men, General Yang Zonghan of Yulin looked at the soldiers crossing the river and smiled with a touch of emotion, saying:

"Given the fighting strength of Lin Danhan and his men, I think sending a force of one or two thousand men would be enough to wipe them out completely."
Even if we add the Qing troops from Hedong, with the firepower we have now, two or three thousand men should be enough, right?

"Indeed, indeed!"

Zhou Junsheng nodded repeatedly, agreeing that with the fighting strength of the militia and their terrifying firepower, a mere thousand-strong army would be enough to sweep away the tens or even hundreds of thousands of troops in the surrounding countries.

Upon hearing this, Wang Zhenyuan hesitated and said:

"I think we should be more cautious about this."
"We'd need at least five or six thousand soldiers to be safe in case of unforeseen circumstances, wouldn't we?"

"Ha ha."

Zhou Junsheng and the other man looked at each other and burst into laughter at the same time.

"I told you, you're not as cautious as the Heavenly King."
Does the Heavenly King not know the difference between the armies of other forces and my People's Salvation Army?
How is that possible.

However, the Heavenly King still mobilized 10,000 soldiers from both guards, launching an attack from both flanks, fearing that Ligdan Khan might escape.
And that wasn't all; the Heavenly King even assembled and mobilized General Wang's cavalry force.
When it comes to prudence, who can compare to the Heavenly King?

Upon hearing this, both Wang Zhenyuan and the other man showed a hint of admiration.

The Heavenly King never fights a battle he's not confident of winning; he usually crushes the enemy with an absolute advantage in combat power.

After chatting and laughing for a while, the three of them boarded a boat and crossed the Yellow River.

"clap clap"

However, the three had just landed and hadn't even gotten a firm footing when they heard a burst of gunfire from afar.

"Huh? What's going on?"

The three men frowned and quickly looked in the direction from which the gunshots came.

In just a moment, a scout squad leader quickly arrived in front of the three and stood at attention to salute.

"Your subordinate Zhang Jianmin greets the three generals."

"what's going on?"

"The scouts spotted a Qing scout five miles ahead and captured and killed him."

"Qing scouts?"

"Could it be that the Qing army has already arrived nearby?"

"Have you found out where the Qing army is now?"

"Reporting to the General, according to the interrogation, the Qing army did not advance westward, but instead stationed themselves in Guihua City. They were merely dispatched by Huang Taiji to gather intelligence on the situation of Ligdan Khan in Hexi."

"Inquiring about Lin Danhan's situation? Oh!"

Everyone was taken aback at first, then suddenly realized that the Qing army was probably unaware that Ligdan Khan was dead.

Huang Taiji probably thought that the one currently occupying the Hetao region was Ligdan Khan.
(End of this chapter)