Chongzhen's domineering

Chapter 144 Feint to the East, Attack in the West: A Tai Chi Tale (Part 3)

Huang Taiji ordered his men to charge forward and test the waters before retreating five miles with his cavalry and setting up camp.

The reason he retreated so far was probably to keep Sun Chuanting from knowing whether he had left or was preparing to continue fighting.

This was because there was a grove of trees about five miles to the north. He ordered his men to set up camp in the grove, so even if they were seven or eight miles away, they might not be able to see each other even if they were three or four miles away.

Little did they know that the Ming army commanders and generals were now equipped with large telescopes, which could see five or six miles away, and even the woods seven or eight miles away could be vaguely seen.

Therefore, it was useless for them to camp in the woods seven or eight miles away from the border wall, as there were several large telescopes watching them from the border wall.

Sun Chuanting did not show the slightest panic when he saw that Huang Taiji had not left. On the contrary, he was even secretly pleased.

Huang Taiji's decision to remain hidden in the woods was a sign of his unwillingness to give up. He was clearly waiting for his infantry to arrive before launching an attack, but given the speed of infantry, traveling over two thousand miles would take at least a month.

They have 70,000 chariot troops as reinforcements, and those 70,000 troops have already reached the vicinity of Jinzhou and will arrive in another three or four days.

Then he could order his cavalry to escort the able-bodied men to build the Liao River defense line. The longer Huang Taiji lingered there, the more advantageous it would be for him.

To his surprise, the emperor's decree arrived before the chariots even arrived.

Around noon the next day, wisps of smoke were already rising from the Liaodong cavalry camp south of the border wall, and a distinctive aroma of braised meat filled the air. The soldiers hurriedly returned to their tents to prepare for their noodles.

Sun Chuanting, along with Sun Yingyuan, Cao Wenzhao, Cao Bianjiao, and others, were already sitting around a large pot of boiling water, each holding a bowl of broth, watching eagerly as the guards quickly shaved noodles into the pot.

This is a local specialty from his hometown: knife-cut noodles.

Legend has it that during the Yuan Dynasty, knife control was very strict. Ten households could share one kitchen knife, and you could have to wait half a day to cut noodles.

Therefore, a custom of using small iron pieces to cut noodles spread in Shanxi.

The unique feature of this knife-cut noodle is not only the slicing of the noodles, but also the special broth.

Originally, after Sun Chuanting came to Liaodong, he rarely got to eat the knife-cut noodles from his hometown, because the soldiers and civilians in Liaodong had a problem feeding themselves and there was simply no extra grain to feed pigs.

At this moment, they were actually benefiting from the Jurchens' influence, as almost every household in those Niru (military units) was raising pigs.

Of course, Sun Chuanting wouldn't have ordered someone to kill a pig to make knife-cut noodles if there was nothing else going on.

Sun Yingyuan has been here for two days now, and he hasn't even properly entertained him yet.

In addition, they had repelled the Jurchen cavalry yesterday, which was a minor victory. Therefore, Sun Chuanting ordered his men to slaughter the fattest pig and stew several large pots of broth to entertain Sun Yingyuan and also to give the soldiers a treat.

Before long, the pot was filled with shaved noodles. Young Cao Bianjiao couldn't wait to stand up, grab a bamboo strainer with one hand, and skillfully began to stir the noodles in the pot.

Cao Wenzhao and his nephew Cao Bianjiao were also from Datong Town. They were fellow townsmen with Sun Chuanting, and all three of them came from the border garrison. Their relationship was exceptionally good.

Before long, Cao Bianjiao said happily, "Alright, alright, we can fish now, sir, why don't you go first?"

You're used to it, aren't you?
Sun Chuanting smiled and shook his head, saying, "What kind of hospitality is this? General Sun has come from afar, so you should fill his cup first."

Upon hearing this, Cao Bianjiao quickly scooped a large spoonful into Sun Yingyuan's bowl before serving it to Sun Chuanting, Cao Wenzhao, and himself.

They were enjoying their meal when suddenly a rapid sound of horses' hooves came from the south.

Before long, Zhou Yuji led five or six hundred cavalrymen into the camp, and then he led one man straight to the commander's tent.

Upon seeing this, Sun Chuanting quickly stood up and greeted, "Oh, General Zhou, you've come at the perfect time! Come and try our hometown's knife-cut noodles. Someone, bring two bowls of broth and quickly cut the noodles."

Don't eat this noodle yet.

Zhou Yuji reined in his horse, leaped down, and strode over, bowing respectfully. "My lord," he said, "His Majesty has sent Eunuch Lü to deliver an imperial edict."

Uh, I didn't look closely, but this person is from the palace!

To avoid being detected by traitors, Wang Yingchao and Lü Zhi, the two eunuchs who were specifically responsible for relaying imperial edicts, wore the uniforms of imperial guards, making them virtually indistinguishable from ordinary soldiers without close inspection.

Sun Chuanting quickly cupped his hands and bowed, saying, "What are your orders, Your Majesty?" Lü Zhi respectfully cupped his hands towards the direction of the capital before solemnly saying, "His Majesty instructed, Boya, that after repelling the Jurchen attack this time, preparations can be made to restore Liaodong."

In the reconquest of Liaodong, we must avoid being hasty and impetuous, underestimating the enemy and advancing rashly. We should proceed steadily and cautiously, step by step. This year, you should first stockpile grain and fodder, expand your army, build cities, and make preparations. We will then launch the war to reconquer Liaodong next year.

The chariot troops, cavalry, and musketeers of the capital garrison will all remain to assist you in the recapture of Liaodong. Next year, I will also mobilize naval warships to help you transport troops and supplies. This year, you must expand the Liaodong border army to 100,000 to prepare for the war to recapture Liaodong.

You also need to build a city on the west bank of the mouth of the Liao River that can house at least 100,000 troops, and a port on the south coast of the city that can accommodate at least 100 ships.

Furthermore, whether or not Mao Wenlong's troops in Dongjiang should attack, and when to attack, will be up to you to decide based on the needs of the battle situation. There is no need to report to me for instructions. This time, Mao Wenlong's troops should not be moved. You need to lure the Jurchen infantry to attack.

The strategy for recovering Liaodong should proceed from the south first, then the north. We should begin by reclaiming the coastline and connecting Pi Island, before turning our attention to the Liao River, Taizi River, and Hun River basins. Fortifications and fortifications should be built at key passes along the way to prevent surprise attacks from the Jurchens. I have roughly marked these points on the map; please take a look.”

After saying that, he took out a map from his pocket and handed it over.

Sun Chuanting quickly accepted the map with both hands, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, I understand."

Seeing that he had taken the map, Lü Zhi politely cupped his hands and said, "Lord Sun, His Majesty said that I will be responsible for delivering imperial edicts to Liaodong from now on. If you have anything to report, just give it to me. His Majesty will also provide me with fifty wheeled boats and ships. You can tell me what supplies you need."

His Majesty is preparing to devote all his efforts to recovering Liaodong.

Sun Chuanting nodded repeatedly and said warmly, "Eunuch Lü, you've worked hard. Come on, sit down and eat some noodles. Yesterday we repelled the Jurchen cavalry and even killed a few of them. It was a small victory, so we're cooking noodles today to celebrate."

Uh, cooking noodles counts as a celebration?
In the palace, celebrations always involve banquets.

Lu Zhi was stunned for a moment before sitting down with Zhou Yuji. He took the large bowl of braising broth, smelled it carefully, and then couldn't help but praise, "Cinnamon, star anise, cardamom, bay leaves, sand ginger, Sichuan peppercorns, fennel seeds, and nutmeg—this combination is really good. The aroma of the braising broth is rich and makes one's mouth water and whet one's appetite."

what?
Your nose!

Upon hearing this, Sun Chuanting exclaimed in surprise, "Eunuch Lü, you can smell that?"

Lu Zhi smiled slightly and said, "I used to work as a junior steward in the imperial kitchen for a few years, in charge of spices and seasonings."

It turned out to be the case.

Impressive, impressive.

Sun Chuanting then asked Cao Bianjiao to cook noodles for them both before unfolding the map and examining it closely.

Lu Zhi took a quick bite, then pointed to the map and said, "Lord Sun, His Majesty also asked you to draw the approximate layout of the Shuangtaizi River and Daliao River defense lines. I need to take this map back to His Majesty to see. Why don't you find a similar map and copy His Majesty's drawing?"

Upon hearing this, Sun Chuanting quickly got up, apologized, and then hurried towards the commander's tent.

As soon as Lü Zhi finished eating his noodles, he came out with a map and a memorial, and said solemnly, "Eunuch Lü, I have drawn up the defense line layout. This is my humble opinion on the recovery of Liaodong. Please give it to His Majesty as well."

This is simple.

Lu Zhi quickly got up and took the map and memorial, then asked, "Sir, what do you need? I'll bring it to you next time. The ship is very fast; I can make a round trip in less than three days."

I don't think I need anything.

Sun Chuanting thought for a moment before solemnly saying, "Eunuch Lü, please report to His Majesty that I have seized some of the Jurchens' stored grain, and by the autumn harvest, the fields here will yield at least several million shi of grain, which is enough."

However, these enslaved soldiers and civilians in Liaodong don't even have enough pots and pans at home, and their clothes are tattered and ragged. They are very pitiful. Could you bring them some living supplies next time?

This is of course no problem.

Lu Zhi nodded repeatedly and said, "His Majesty said that he will send you whatever you need as much as possible. Just tell me roughly how many households and how many people are in your family."

Sun Chuanting estimated: "There are roughly 40,000 to 50,000 households here, and another 30,000 to 40,000 households between Shuangtaizi River and Daling River, so that adds up to 80,000 to 90,000 households, roughly 300,000 to 400,000 military and civilians."

Lü Zhi nodded without hesitation and said, "Alright, I will go back and report to His Majesty."

(End of this chapter)