Ming Dynasty entry: I am Chongzhen, the greatest emperor of all time!

Chapter 88 The Offensive Begins
"Your Highness, the results are in!" Tan Tai rushed into the Kaifeng government office, carrying a stack of books.

As the only Gushan Ejen within the Bordered Yellow Banner, Tan Tai's power was second only to many banner lords, but compared to Dorgon and Dodo, he was not adept at military affairs or political maneuvering.

But what he excels at most is concealing his shortcomings and taking sides.

Seeing that Dorgon was about to rise to power, Tan Tai stood firmly on his side, showing no sign of cunning.

So much so that Dorgon trusted him completely.

Seeing Tan Tai panting heavily, Dorgon and Fan Wencheng stood up at the same time.

"How many have been counted?

Tan Tai took a deep breath and read from the booklet, “Your Highness, a total of 34,000 shi of grain and 31,000 shi of grain and 35,000 shi of grain and 31 ...

The Jurchens consumed far more food and supplies than the Ming army.

Especially the two Yellow Banners, each of them rode three horses, and the consumption of 120,000 horses was comparable to that of 200,000 people.

Tan Tai thought this number was already a lot, but Dorgon seemed somewhat disappointed.

With a sigh, he said, "With less than 70,000 shi of grain, we still have to attack Luoyang."

Fan Wencheng also shook his head, "I didn't expect the Ming court to be so depleted. In the past, a large city like Kaifeng would have at least 200,000 shi of surplus grain."

"Huh? How long are we going to stay in the South? Sixty thousand shi isn't enough." Tan Tai asked, puzzled.

Dorgon glanced at Tan Tai and said leisurely, "Wait until the Southern Dynasty emperor is swallowed up by Daišan and Jirhalang!"

"It will take a month?"

"That depends on how long the Southern Dynasty emperor can hold out," Dorgon said meaningfully, then reached out and took the booklet. "Go and call Sony and the others here."

"Whoo!"

Tan Tai bowed and left.

Dorgon and Fan Wencheng returned to the map once more.

According to their estimation, at least 100,000 shi of grain could be found in Kaifeng Prefecture.

It should be enough for them for fifty days.

Based on Dorgon's plan and speculation, it would be difficult for Daišan and Jirgalang to capture Zhu Youjian.

If Zhu Youjian is not captured, it will be difficult for him and Dodo to make progress in the south.

Only by isolating the north and south, preventing Zhu Youjian's side from receiving supplies and reinforcements, can the morale of his army be destabilized.

The south faces a situation where the emperor is trapped, an army of 100,000 is arrayed, the people are restless, yet no new emperor can be established.

Only then can his plan proceed smoothly.

The first half is relatively easy to handle, as the four armies have already completely surrounded the northern region.

The difficult part is the second half.

Kaifeng alone was not enough to cause unrest in the south.

At the very least, most of Henan should fall. As for Zhengzhou and Luoyang, two important cities with large armies, Dorgon had no intention of attacking them. If it weren't for the issue of food supplies, he wouldn't even want to touch Kaifeng.

Without heavy firearms and the support of Han Chinese bannermen, the Jurchen Eight Banners were really not good at attacking cities.

The fact that Kaifeng was taken so easily was just an accident. After those three days of massacre, Zhengzhou and Luoyang should have been prepared as well, and it won't be so easy to take them.

If he also encounters obstacles, the plan will truly fall through.

After staring at the map for a long time, Dorgon couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Fan, is there nowhere else to go besides Luoyang?"

"What if we change course and attack Xuzhou, or continue south to attack Fengyang?"

Fan Wencheng shook his head firmly, "Your Highness, the only place that might still have a large amount of grain and fodder stored at the moment is Luoyang."

“Xuzhou is too far away. If we go through Xuzhou, it would be equivalent to opening up Henan Province. Fengyang has been occupied by Ming rebels time and time again, and there is no food left. Moreover, the Huai River region is densely covered with rivers and is not suitable for long-distance raids.”

Dorgon was naturally aware of these things, but compared to that, he really didn't want to touch Luoyang.

Not only was the city fortified, but there was also the Zhou king who had defended Kaifeng three times, and the 40,000-strong army was quite elite, with ample supplies.

If we were to launch a direct assault, I don't know how many people would be lost.

"Your Highness, please do not hesitate." Fan Wencheng saw Dorgon's concerns and comforted him with a smile, "If Luoyang were difficult to capture, this servant would not have suggested this plan."

"Oh?" Dorgon's eyes lit up, and he looked at Fan Wencheng with anticipation. "Mr. Fan, what's your plan?"

"Does Your Highness know that in the fourteenth year of Chongzhen's reign, Li Zicheng captured Luoyang, and it was not until Emperor Chongzhen's forces broke through a million strong and the rebel army withdrew that Luoyang was retaken by the Ming court."

"Given the style of the rebel army, Luoyang's defenses must be in a dire state. It was only recently that the Prince of Zhou returned with his army and provisions to garrison the city. Even with intensive repairs, such a large city cannot be restored to its former state overnight."

"Moreover, when the rebel army left, they took the firearms from Luoyang with them, and the Zhou king's troops were all disorganized."

"At this time, Luoyang had neither cannons nor fortified cities."

"There is no need for heavy artillery and heavy vehicles to attack the city. Just like when we breached Kaifeng, we can send spies into the city first, open the gates at midnight, and there will still be thousands of pounds of gunpowder left in Kaifeng. If we arrange things properly, at least a hundred meters of the city wall will be destroyed."

"When the army launches its attack, Luoyang will be within our grasp!"

After hearing this, Dorgon finally felt relieved.

This is why he took Fan Wencheng with him on his long journey.

"I am not familiar with the ancient stories of the Han people, but I do know that a good hunter not only needs a fine horse and a strong bow, but also a powerful eagle and hunting dogs to find and hunt!"

"Mr. Fan is my best hound!" Dorgon praised him without reservation.

Although the words sounded like an insult, Fan Wencheng, who had lived among the Jurchen tribes for many years, knew that it was actually a compliment, and a very high compliment at that.

The translation is similar to the meaning of "朕之张良" (Zhen Zhi Zhang Liang).

He was happy to be that dog.

Soon after, Tan Tai, Sony, and others arrived together.

Before even entering the room, Dorgon could hear the noisy voices of several people.

"These men are really something! Southern women are good in every way, but they're easy to play with. Yesterday, that prefect's last concubine died too, otherwise I would have taken her back to the clan and given her to Erlang!"

"Hahaha, aren't you afraid of dying on a woman's belly?"

"Women are nothing! This time I looted four cartloads of gold and silver, two sets of Southern Dog Mountain Pattern Armor, and some pearls and corals that I don't care about. If anyone wants them, just tell me and I'll take them!"

This was almost a fixed procedure after every battle, allowing the tense nerves of the soldiers to relax. Dorgon couldn't say anything, but he still had to give them a warning.

After everyone was seated, Dorgon first gave a few stern reprimands.

"Feels good now?!"

"Do you know where this is? This is the heartland of the Southern Dynasties!"

“There are hundreds of thousands of Southern troops watching us! It’s one thing for my men to be unruly, but you shouldn’t follow suit!”

"If the Southerners were to clean my backside and ruin my grand plan, even killing you wouldn't be enough to atone for it!"

Dorgon had extremely high prestige and was the banner lord of the two Yellow Banners, so no one dared to contradict him.

Apart from Sony, they're all as cowardly as little chicks.

Seeing that the effect was almost there, Dorgon finally calmed down and returned to his usual composure.

"Sony, you've always been steady and reliable. Tell me about the results of this battle."

Sony immediately stood up and bowed, "Yes, sir!"

"Your Highness, in this breach of the city, we have beheaded over 180,000 people, captured over 3.1 million taels of gold and silver, 65,000 shi of grain, over 20,000 spears, 130,000 bows and arrows, 6,000 waist knives, 7,000 sets of leather armor, 1,400 sets of iron armor, and countless other miscellaneous items."

Dorgon nodded in satisfaction.

During these three days, only Sony was actually doing things properly.

If Sony hadn't been so loyal to Huang Taiji and so eager for the crown prince to personally lead the army, Dorgon would have given Sony a more important position long ago.

In comparison, the other Gushan Zhangjing seemed to have never truly emerged from the life of hunting and fishing.

Dorgon gestured for Sony to return to his seat, then tapped the table again, smiling knowingly.

"You all heard that. This battle was very successful. Don't you all want to take your gold, silver, and armor back to the north?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the Gushan Zhangjing burst into laughter again.

"Haha, Your Highness understands me best."

"The gains from this battle are greater than what we obtained from a year of famine!"

"Yes, yes!"

"It's bullshit!"

Dorgon's face suddenly darkened, and he sternly rebuked him.

"Do you think the Southern army is like the one in Kaifeng?!"

"Have you forgotten the Battle of Hunhe? Have you forgotten the Battle of Songjin? The story of the Southern Dynasty emperor's defeated army of over a million is still fresh in our minds!"

"We're in the heart of the southern lands. You think you're dreaming if you think you can take all these things back to the north!"

"Besides, is this all you're going to get?"

"We've finally made it to the heart of the Southern people's territory, we should take as much as possible back to feed the little ones in our tribe!" "Four hundred miles to the south is Luoyang, the Southern people's capital. It's the ancient capital of thirteen dynasties, and there are so many good things there. Our next stop is Luoyang!"

A combination of harsh words and sweet promises quickly stirred up everyone's emotions.

"it is good!!!"

"Attack Luoyang! Your Highness, you tell us how to attack!"

Dorgon nodded slightly and clapped his hands twice.

Two guards immediately entered and picked up the map on the table.

Dorgon pointed to Luoyang and gave the order in a commanding tone that brooked no refusal.

"Tantai, take your men to the north of the city. Hamtai, take your men to the south of the city. Deerhag, you take my main force to the west of the city, and while you're at it, gather the Bayara troops under your command."

"Sony, the Bayara people in the two Yellow Banners number six thousand. I'll give them all to you. I'll arrange for inside agents and assassins to blow up the east wall of the city. You'll have to seal the breach for me!"

"Do you understand everything?"

"Yes, sir!" Everyone bowed in unison.

Dorgon was not good at such minor military strategies; he simply ordered his generals to take their men to a certain location.

Then they use their power to bully others.

It's just that the Ming Dynasty has declined now. Otherwise, let alone during the Hongwu and Yongle reigns, even during the Wanli reign, the Ming army, which still had some fighting strength, would have been defeated and collapsed.

Even if Yuan Chonghuan, Sun Chuanting, and Huang Degong were still alive, Dorgon would not have even considered attacking Luoyang.

Unfortunately, Luoyang only had a wealthy king named Zhou and tens of thousands of soldiers who were garrisoned with money.

If Dorgon captures Luoyang, two of the three towns in Henan will be lost, and it will be almost certain that the north will be beyond saving.

After all, Henan still has the King of Zhou, while Shandong has nothing, and Shi Kefa is still not well-known.

At that time, Dorgon and Dodo were no longer threatened from behind. The allied forces pressed south into Southern Zhili and secretly promised Zuo Liangyu the title of King of Kai, inciting him to rebel.

With no army left in Jiangnan, Zhang Xianzhong will surely rise again.

With war raging in both the north and south, the emperor was being controlled, and there were no soldiers inside and no reinforcements outside. The Ming Dynasty was doomed!
Furthermore, Dorgon and Dodo were not too far apart.

When he captured Kaifeng, Dorgon had already devised a plan to besiege Luoyang and Zhengzhou in order to cut off the south of the Yangtze River.

I just didn't expect that Kaifeng had so little grain, so I had no choice but to attack Luoyang.

But this does not affect the orders given to Dodo.

Outside Jinan Prefecture, Shandong Province.

The two white flags, with nearly 60,000 troops, are building siege equipment on the spot.

According to the original plan, he only needed to take Jinan before April 15th, and the grain and fodder he plundered from Liaocheng, Dezhou and other places were enough to last him until the end of the month.

It's only April 11th, and Dodo isn't in a hurry at all.

But the letter from Dorgon made him anxious.

Inside the central command tent.

Ajige, the nominal banner chief of the Plain White Banner, Geng Zhongming, the general of the Han Army Banner, and the Gushan Zhangjing of each banner gathered together.

Dodo handed Dorgon's letters to Ajige and had them circulate them among themselves.

As soon as he glanced down, Ajige frowned.

"Twenty days ago, they took Caozhou and forced Xuzhou to surrender?"

Dodo sat in the main seat and nodded calmly.

"That's right, Fourteenth Brother issued an urgent order."

"Daishan is locked in a stalemate with the Southern Dynasty emperor in the north. In order to prevent the Southern Dynasty army from regaining its morale, we must intensify our offensive to deter the Ming army in Jiangnan from making any rash moves. At the same time, we must make the Southern Dynasty emperor worry about losing Jiangnan and move south. We must take Caozhou before the 20th and block the canal transport route."

Ajige nodded silently upon hearing this, but deep down he still felt that something was amiss.

Was it really necessary to go to such lengths to force the emperor of the Southern Dynasty to move south?

However, Ajige did not ask. He was similar to Dodo, proficient in military affairs but not in politics. When he and Dorgon were discussing who should be emperor, he was confident that he could compete with Dorgon.

Ultimately, through compromise among the various parties, Fulin was established as emperor.

Dorgon then stopped concealing his intentions and began to annex and suppress the other banners.

To this day, apart from Daišan who still has two Red Banners and Hauge's Plain Blue Banner, all the other banners belong to Dorgon's faction.

Even Ajige, who held the title of the Plain White Banner Chief in name only, was actually inferior to two Gushan (chieftains) and only had a dozen or so direct subordinates under his command.

After everyone finished reading, some people quickly raised different opinions.

"They want to take Caozhou twenty days in advance? I'm afraid they won't be able to."

"The garrison in Jinan Prefecture has more than 40,000 men, and we are still far from having enough siege equipment. Scouts have reported that the Southern Dynasty has another army of more than 50,000 men that has just arrived in Caozhou. What should we do?"

Even Geng Zhongming felt it was unrealistic, "Your Highness, this servant thinks it's unlikely."

"It's at least 300 li from Jinan to Caozhou. To the west is Liangshan Marsh and to the north is Jizhou Prefecture. Even if we take Jinan in three days, it will still take us 20 days to get to Caozhou."

Dodo did not offer any opinion until everyone had finished speaking, at which point he spoke again.

"Is it all over?"

"Then I will deal with them one by one, starting with the issue of the journey."

"It is indeed 600 li from Jinan Prefecture to Caozhou. Even marching day and night, it would take three days to get there. That means if we set off now, we will arrive in Caozhou on the 14th and attack the city on the 15th. Five days is enough to take down a small city like Caozhou. As for Liangshan Marsh and Jizhou Prefecture, why bother with them? When we passed Tianjin, I didn't see you planning to take Tianjin before we left."

"Twelfth Brother, I ask you, if you had 20,000 men at your disposal, how many days would it take you to attack Caozhou?"

After a moment's thought, Ajige said decisively, "Four days!"

"Very well! I will give you all 28,000 men of the Plain White Banner, and I will grant you four days to take Caozhou by April 19th!"

"Hmm." Ajige nodded in response, then turned and went out to reorganize the army.

He was Dodo's elder brother, and the two were of the same rank. However, Dodo was not as prestigious as him, so naturally he did not need to give Dodo any face.

The latter was used to it; Dodo didn't care at all, as long as he could win.

"Another problem is Jinan Prefecture. If we want to advance on Xuzhou, we must take Jinan Prefecture. We don't have enough siege equipment right now, but we also don't have enough defenses in Jinan Prefecture!"

"The scouts report that there are fewer than sixty cannons and less than ten thousand catties of gunpowder on the walls of Jinan. The morale of the defending troops is also low, and the general is Liu Zeqing, who can't even defeat Li Zicheng. Can a mere forty thousand men really stop my twenty-seven thousand Manchu soldiers?"

"I think you've gotten used to a life of pleasure, Geng Zhongming!"

"Your servant is here." Geng Zhongming was startled and quickly knelt down to pay his respects.

"While it's still early, go into the city and see Liu Zeqing. Isn't he just trying to protect his family's assets? Tell him that I have agreed. As long as he gives up Jinan Prefecture, I will give him two days to gather his assets and clear the road for him to go south."

"After tonight, tell him he can forget about leaving. Tomorrow, the King will lead a large army to attack the city."

"Yes, sir!" Geng Zhongming kowtowed repeatedly.

"Why aren't you going yet?! Are you waiting for me to prepare a gift for you?!"

"Ah? Ah! This servant will go right away!" Geng Zhongming was so frightened that he broke out in a cold sweat and scrambled out of the tent.

However, he did not leave, but leaned against the tent pretending to guard it, while actually eavesdropping.

Although he was enfeoffed as the Prince of Huaishun and led the Han army's Plain Yellow Banner, he had very little power and was nothing more than a servant in front of the Jurchen nobles, at their beck and call.

Therefore, he came to the conclusion that no matter where you are or what you do, you must first make yourself valuable in order to get what you want.

Inside the tent, Dodo continued to arrange the siege plan.

For example, a certain Gushan should launch a shallow attack, a certain Gushan should steal a certain section of the city wall, and when should they attack the city, etc.

After hearing Dodo's entire plan clearly, Geng Zhongming left.

What he didn't know was that after he left, the two guards went in to report.

"Prince Huaishun has gone to make preparations."

Dodo nodded, a knowing look on his face. "The siege plan will remain the same as before, and the time will be midnight tonight."

……

Not only did Dodo receive orders to launch an early attack, but orders were also being sent to Daišan and Jirhalang, instructing them to concentrate their full strength and attack Zhu Youjian from both sides.

As long as Zhu Youjian can issue an imperial edict to the south, or news of Zhu Youjian's predicament can reach the south.

Then Dorgon's plan was completely successful.

But Dorgon ultimately overlooked two points.

The Three Thousand Battalion stationed in Chahar and Zheng Chenggong, who had already arrived in Haizhou!

The latter had even made contact with Shi Kefa in Caozhou. After discussions with Shi Kefa, Zheng Chenggong left behind 20,000 naval troops and 300 small boats to patrol the Yellow River and the Grand Canal.

He himself, along with a large warship and 60,000 main force troops, was on his way to the Bohai Bay while awaiting Zhu Youjian's decree.

Only Zhang Shize and Jin Xuan, deep in the heart of southern Mongolia and still relentlessly pursuing the Chahar headquarters, were unaware of what had happened outside.

After five days and four nights of relentless pursuit, Zhang Shize finally cornered the royal court of the Chahar tribe!
(End of this chapter)