Wind Rises in North America 1625

Chapter 492 Fall
In the 26th year of Hongwu (1393), the Ming Dynasty established the Guangning Right Garrison in the territory of Liaodong Commandery. Initially, thirteen military forts were set up, with rammed earth walls and stone ramparts to secure the border.

One of the forts, built along the river, guarded the Daling River ferry crossing. The soldiers built a wall along the river for about a mile and named it Daling Fort. From then on, it became an important beacon tower in the eastern section of the Liaoxi Corridor.

In the third year of the Xuande reign (1428), the Ming Dynasty established the Zhongzuo Thousand-Household Office, with its headquarters at Dalingbao.

In 1622, the second year of the Tianqi reign, the Later Jin captured Guangning. More than ten forts and villages, including the one where the Zhongzuo Thousand-Household Command was located, fell one after another. The broken walls and ruins of Dalingbao crackled in the flames, and the river wind carried away the sounds of battle, leaving only devastation in sight.

In 1631, the fourth year of the Chongzhen Emperor's reign, Sun Chengzong, the governor-general of Jiliao, ordered Zu Dashou, the general of Liaodong, to rebuild Daling City on the ruins of the former Zhongzuo Thousand Household Office, which triggered the Battle of Dalinghe, which changed the course of the Liaodong war.

After nearly a year of fierce fighting, the Ming army lost tens of thousands of elite troops. Zu Dashou surrendered the city, and in addition to him, more than seventy generals were captured, including high-ranking officers such as guerrilla commanders, deputy commanders, and vice commanders.

Moreover, Huang Taiji changed his past tactics of attacking fortified positions in this battle, adopting the strategy of besieging a point and attacking reinforcements, with the main objective of annihilating a large number of Ming troops. This was a major change in the Qing's strategy and tactics.

This tactic was very effective, and the Qing army used it repeatedly in a series of battles against the Ming Dynasty, achieving great victories each time.

The Battle of Songjin, which began last May, was actually a Qing dynasty's continued use of the tactic of besieging a city and attacking its reinforcements. They attempted to force the Ming army to come to the rescue from multiple directions by besieging Jinzhou, and then gradually devour the Ming reinforcements, thereby weakening the military strength of the Ming army's Liaodong corps to the greatest extent.

Unexpectedly, Huang Taiji encountered his most formidable opponent—Hong Chengchou.

Jinzhou was besieged, and the Ming army did indeed come to its rescue.

However, Commander-in-Chief Hong Chengchou led his more than 100,000 troops in a massive formation, which was as solid as an iron barrel and almost burst the "pocket" set up by the Qing invaders.

If Huang Taiji had not made a decisive and firm decision, betting all of the Qing forces' assets on the attack, the tens of thousands of Qing troops who wanted to besiege the city and attack the reinforcements might have been crushed into dust by the Ming army from both inside and outside.

Subsequently, the two sides' armies, numbering over 200,000, engaged in a prolonged stalemate along the Songjin line.

The camps stretched for dozens of miles, with cooking smoke and gunpowder smoke mingling in the sky. War drums and horns sounded one after another, as if two giant beasts were silently battling, waiting for the other to reveal a weakness.

However, just as both sides were gritting their teeth and holding on, a fire broke out in the rear of the Qing forces, disrupting the balance of power.

Eight days ago, a Xinhua army suddenly attacked Liaoyang City, like a sharp knife piercing the heart of the Qing invaders.

Their cannons roared and shattered the walls of Liaoyang. The soldiers charged into the city like tigers descending a mountain and captured it in a very short time, their advance pointing straight at Shengjing.

In an instant, the Qing army camp was thrown into turmoil and panic. Generals from various Eight Banners troops flocked to Huang Taiji's tent, advising him to immediately withdraw his troops and return north to ensure the safety of the rear.

Although Huang Taiji was shocked to learn of the attack on Liaoyang and the imminent danger to Shengjing, he did not lose his composure.

Just as the generals of the Eight Banners were clamoring for a complete withdrawal of their troops to protect the women and children of Shengjing, Huang Taiji, relying on the prestige he had built up over the years, immediately suppressed everyone's radical and restless emotions.

He first severely reprimanded the generals for failing to restrain their troops in time and allowing "rumors" to spread, which undermined morale and caused the entire camp to be in turmoil, making it difficult to confront the Ming army again.

Immediately, he began to make arrangements for the withdrawal of troops, arranging the return routes of the various sections of the Eight Banners, as well as assigning tasks of mutual cover, in a clear and orderly manner.

Just as the generals were preparing to submit to orders and return north with peace of mind, many were immediately confused again as Huang Taiji issued one order after another and redeployed the military forces of the Eight Banners.

Because the Khan's arrangement was not simply to withdraw the troops and have everyone rush back to Shengjing to stop the Xinhua Army from raiding the heartland of our Great Qing.

Lure the enemy deep into our territory!

A coordinated attack from multiple directions!

During the retreat, they employed a "dragging sword" tactic, cleverly setting up an ambush to annihilate the elite Ming cavalry that had arrived in one fell swoop while the Ming army pursued them relentlessly.

When Huang Taiji revealed the entire plan, all the Eight Banners generals were immediately stunned. The tent was completely silent, with only the sound of the flickering candlelight.

What makes a natural leader?
What is great talent and strategic vision?

When the entire army was in great crisis, Huang Taiji's composure and calmness, as well as his ability to turn "crisis" into "opportunity," perfectly demonstrated the military wisdom of a commander, which aroused the admiration of his generals.

The hunting ground chosen by Huang Taiji was the former Daling City.

Ten years ago, Huang Taiji trapped Zu Dashou here and used him as bait to defeat tens of thousands of Ming troops. In the end, he forced Zu Dashou to surrender the city for the first time. This not only gave the Qing Dynasty more than 10,000 Ming troops (most of the surrendered Ming troops were incorporated into the later Han Eight Banners), but also gave the Qing Dynasty enough strategic space to maneuver on the Liaodong battlefield.

Ten years later, Huang Taiji will once again inflict heavy losses on the Ming army at the same location, bringing a perfect end to the nearly two-year-long Battle of Songjin.

On the third day of the eleventh month, two days after the Qing army's hasty retreat, the Ming army could not suppress its desire to pursue them.

Hong Chengchou ordered Wu Sangui, the general of Ningyuan, Ma Ke, the general of Shanhaiguan, Wang Tingchen, the general of Qiantun, and Cao Bianjiao, the general of Yutian, to lead 25,000 infantry and cavalry from the Songshan camp to pursue the retreating Qing army.

Initially, the Ming army acted with extreme caution, fearing that they might be ambushed or attacked by the Qing army.

At noon on the third day, the vanguard discovered the Bordered Yellow Banner dragon flag abandoned by the Qing army on the banks of the Daughter River.

Wang Tingchen immediately halted his advance and sent more than ten scouts across the ice to investigate.

When the soldiers dragged back more than ten "Qing army corpses" from the other side of the river, the military clerk discovered that the dead had no piercing marks on their earlobes—real Manchus wore earrings from childhood.

This detail prompted Wu Sangui to immediately decide to change course and cross the river at Xiajiawan, several miles away.

After nightfall, the Ming army set up camp at Sifangtun.

Cao Bianjiao ordered his soldiers to set up carts and barricades around the camp, with cannons placed in between, their muzzles pointed at the dark wilderness, and dozens of bonfires lit around the perimeter.

At midnight, the sentry on duty spotted a dark shadow flickering in the firelight, and immediately gongs were sounded.

After the cannons fired and thousands of arrows were unleashed, it was discovered that the Qing army had deliberately driven a flock of sheep, with a swaying torch tied to the tail of each sheep.

At 1:00 PM on the fourth day, when the army reached the fork of the Xiaoling River, the scouts ahead suddenly sounded a rapid copper whistle.

Wu Sangui climbed to a high place and looked into the distance. He saw dozens of Qing army flags lying askew on the ground among the ruins of the ancient city of Dalinghe, several miles away. He could vaguely see scattered cart frames standing out conspicuously in the snow, their wheels deeply embedded in the snow.

Most enticingly, there were still more than a dozen overturned grain carts outside the West Gate. Pursued by the Ming army, the Qing soldiers, in their panic and disregard for their own safety, had not bothered to tidy up the carts. The wheat scattered on the snow attracted flocks of sparrows to peck at it...

On the north bank of the Daling River, tens of thousands of Qing infantrymen could be vaguely seen fleeing north in panic. Their formation was scattered, and their flags were dragging backward, just like a defeated army fleeing in disarray.

Seeing this, the Ming cavalry, who had been holding back for several days, could no longer restrain themselves and immediately spurred their horses to charge away.

Just as the cavalry caught up with the fleeing Qing infantry and began to slaughter them, a chilling sound of bull horns suddenly rang out from the hillsides on both sides of the Daling River. More than 20,000 Eight Banners armored cavalry charged out from the flanks and rear, cutting off the Ming cavalry's retreat.

Hidden in the ruins of Daling City, thousands of Eight Banner infantrymen erected dozens of shield wagons, using the remnants of the walls built by the Ming army as cover, completely blocking the escape route.

Upon seeing this, Wu Sangui and Ma Ke were terrified and dared not linger in battle. They each led their cavalry to turn around and break out to the south.

The sounds of clashing swords, shouts, and screams instantly resounded through the sky. This encirclement and annihilation battle, later known as the "Second Battle of Dalinghe," began, almost perfectly replicating the tactical victory of ten years earlier.

After a fierce battle, apart from Wu Sangui leading more than 2,000 cavalrymen to break through the encirclement, more than 3,800 Ming cavalrymen were annihilated, and Ma Ke and more than 30 generals died in battle.

Subsequently, the Qing army left several thousand troops to clean up the battlefield, while Dorgon, Dodo, and Dudu led 15,000 armored cavalry in pursuit of Wu Sangui in the direction he had fled.

Behind them, over ten thousand infantrymen led by Cao Bianjiao and Wang Tingchen slowly advanced, ready to support the cavalry ahead. Presumably, they were still slowly making their way towards Dalinghe, dragging wagons, supplies, and cannons.

Huang Taiji's order to Dorgon and Dodo consisted of just one word.

fast!
While quickly defeating the Ming cavalry, they launched a series of attacks without giving the enemy any time to breathe, until they surrounded and annihilated the Ming infantry formation.

If this battle can annihilate this Ming army pursuing force of 20,000 men in one fell swoop, then even if it cannot completely reverse the current passive strategic predicament, it can still inflict heavy damage on the Ming army, making them dare not launch any more offensives in the short term, thus buying our Great Qing a chance to breathe.

On the battlefield along the Daling River, the stench of blood and gunpowder smoke mingled into a pungent odor that permeated the early winter air.

Huang Taiji rode a pure white warhorse, a heavy sable cloak draped over his shoulders, concealing his increasingly bloated body.

More than ten of Bayara's personal guards, each wielding a long sword, vigilantly surrounded him, protecting the Khan's safety.

"Your Majesty, in this battle we have taken the heads of over 3,800 Ming soldiers, captured 2,000 warhorses, and countless suits of armor and weapons." Tan Tai, the Gushan Ejen of the Plain Yellow Banner, rode closer, his face smeared with blood, his voice filled with barely concealed excitement. "Although Wu Sangui has escaped, Ma Ke has already died in battle, and his head is being verified."

Huang Taiji nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping across the battlefield.

The corpses of Ming soldiers lay scattered all over the ground, as disorderly as stalks of wheat cut down by a sickle.

Several torn Ming army flags lay half-buried in the snow, their blood-stained surfaces trembling helplessly in the wind.

In the distance, beside several overturned car frames, a few crows were pecking at the fingers of a headless corpse. Their black feathers stood out against the white snow, and their cawing added to the desolate atmosphere.

"Keep Mako's head safe and well; hang it on the gate of Guangning in the future," Huang Taiji's voice was deep and authoritative. "Let those Ming generals see the consequences of opposing the Great Qing."

Tan Tai quickly agreed, then added, "According to the prisoners, this pursuit was personally ordered by Hong Chengchou. Originally, this old fox wanted to remain inactive and watch our army retreat to Shengjing. However, the supervising officer Zhang Ruolin insisted that this was a Qing Dynasty ploy to lure the enemy, and tried his best to prevent the Ming generals from leaving their camp to pursue. This provoked Hong Chengchou to do the opposite and make the decision to pursue."

A cold smile appeared on Huang Taiji's lips.

He knew the Ming Dynasty's civil and military officials all too well. They not only schemed against each other in the court, but also fought openly and covertly on the front lines, trying to sabotage each other. How could they not be defeated?

"What a pity, if Liaoyang hadn't been in dire straits..." Huang Taiji sighed inwardly, his right hand unconsciously tightening its grip on the reins.

He could have continued the siege of Jinzhou, using the constant pressure from the Ming emperor and his officials to force Hong Chengchou to launch a preemptive strike.

By waiting in comfort and strength, we will surely be able to annihilate the main force of the Ming army in one fell swoop and completely control the Liaodong war situation.

Unfortunately, that damned Xinhua Army happened to attack Liaoyang at this time, forcing him to change his plans, which filled him with resentment and anger.

Thinking of this, Huang Taiji felt a rush of blood to his head, his temples throbbed, and his vision went black.

He took a deep breath of the cold air, forcing himself to calm down.

As the ruler of a country and the commander-in-chief of the three armies, he could not show the slightest wavering in front of outsiders.

"Report..." A scout on horseback burst through the wind and snow, kneeling down on his saddle. "Your Majesty, Prince Rui has surrounded a large Ming infantry force at Shuangyangtun, twenty li ahead!"

Huang Taiji's spirits lifted: "Tell me in detail!"

"Reporting to the Great Khan, General Wang Pu of Datong fled in fear of battle, and Prince Dudu has already led three thousand armored cavalry in pursuit. Prince Rui and Prince Yu have trapped Cao Bianjiao's more than six thousand men in the wilderness. However..." The scout hesitated slightly at this point.

"But what?" Huang Taiji frowned, a bad feeling rising in his heart.

"However, Cao Bianjiao was a very shrewd strategist. He quickly formed a defensive circle with wagons, and his muskets and cannons were fully prepared. Prince Rui launched a fierce attack, losing more than five hundred cavalrymen, but failed to break through the formation. The scout lowered his head, not daring to look Huang Taiji in the eye."

Huang Taiji's face darkened.

Cao Bianjiao was Cao Wenzhao's nephew. Both uncle and nephew were known for their bravery and skill in battle, but it was unexpected that they were also so calm and composed in command.

Firearms...firearms again!
In recent years, the Ming army has increasingly relied on firearms. The roar of cannons can tear apart the most solid formations, and a volley of firearms can repel the most valiant cavalry.

Although the Eight Banners also formed the Ujenchaoha (heavy troops) and equipped them with firearms, the quality of their firearms was significantly inferior to that of the Ming army, and their training was not as proficient as that of the Ming army, often putting them at a disadvantage on the battlefield.

"Send word to Dorgon: do not launch a full-scale attack." Huang Taiji pondered for a moment, "Send troops to flank the Ming army and cut off their water supply. Cao Bianjiao has limited provisions; they will surely be in disarray within three to five days. Then we can break through their formation in one fell swoop, achieving twice the result with half the effort."

The scout accepted the order and rode off, disappearing into the wind and snow.

As Huang Taiji watched his departing figure, he felt no relief, but rather as if a huge boulder was pressing down on him.

Time, that's what we lack most right now.

Hong Chengchou was no fool; once he learned that his vanguard had been ambushed, he would surely send troops to provide support.

If we can't finish this quickly, this easy prize might slip away, and all our previous efforts will be in vain.

"Great Khan, should we send more troops?" Tan Tai asked cautiously.

Huang Taiji shook his head: "No need. Tell Jirgalang to make sure he keeps Hong Chengchou's main Ming army at bay, so as not to..."

He had only spoken halfway when a sharp pain suddenly shot through his chest, as if someone had pierced his heart with a red-hot iron rod.

Huang Taiji swayed, and stars flashed before his eyes.

He instinctively grabbed the horse's mane, but felt his fingers were weak, and his whole body tilted to one side.

"King!" Tan Tai exclaimed, rushing forward.

But it was too late.

Huang Taiji's obese body fell off his horse like a small mountain, crashing heavily onto the frozen ground.

A snowflake rose from the mink cloak, and the gold-embroidered dragon pattern glittered in the sunlight before being blocked by the flustered guards.

"Summon the imperial physician! Quickly, summon the imperial physician!"

"Khan! Khan, what's wrong with you...?"

The clamor of shouts gradually faded from Huang Taiji's ears.

In his last moments before plunging into darkness, he vaguely thought: Is Heaven not protecting my Great Qing?

Why is it always at the most crucial moment...?

Snowflakes fell silently, covering Huang Taiji's pale face.
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(End of this chapter)