Chongzhen's domineering

Chapter 339 Attacking in All Directions Leaves Tai Chi Confused

Spring came earlier than usual in the sixth year of the Chongzhen Emperor's reign.

In mid-March, the ice and snow in the capital region began to melt, and the Central Plains were bursting with spring warmth and flowers, a scene full of vitality.

At this time, the north of the Ming Dynasty remained peaceful, with no signs of war whatsoever.

Zhu Jue seemed to do nothing else besides processing memorials every day.

Around 9 a.m. that day, just after he finished processing the memorials, Lu Xiang-sheng strode in, cupped his hands and bowed, saying, "Your humble servant greets Your Majesty."

Zhu Jue nodded slightly, then ordered Wang Chengen to take out the map and spread it out on the table before solemnly saying, "Jiandou, the weather is getting warmer, and the ice and snow in the capital region are beginning to melt."

"I estimate the ice and snow around the Daling River will melt before April, and the Beiping Military Command will likely be completely reopened before May. We should consider moving forward soon. How are your preparations going?"

What can one say about this weather?

Lu Xiang-sheng said somewhat awkwardly, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. We originally planned to start our operation in early April. I haven't even begun mobilizing our troops yet."

This isn't your fault.

Who could have imagined that spring would suddenly turn warm? I thought the snow and ice in the capital region wouldn't completely melt until early April.

Zhu Jue shook his head slightly and said, "It's alright. I have already ordered a fast ship to go to the South Seas to deliver the decree. Youzhen will bring a thousand large Zhiyuan merchant ships and three thousand small Zhiyuan merchant ships to help you transfer personnel and supplies."

The fleet from Nanyang is expected to arrive at the mouth of the Yangtze River by the end of the month. At that time, they will use a thousand large Zhiyuan merchant ships and two thousand small Zhiyuan merchant ships to transport more than one million infantrymen to Liaodong. The ice and snow in northern Liaodong will probably melt by then, which is just the right time.

As for the Sichuan Army's White-Spear Soldiers, it would take about half a month to reach Liaodong via the Han River basin using a thousand small Zhiyuan merchant ships. However, it wouldn't be a big problem, since they were just making a feint attack anyway, so it wouldn't matter if it was sooner or later.

The key is your 400,000-strong garrison of the Beijing army. They were the main force in retaking the former territory of the Beiping Regional Military Commission. When do you estimate they will be ready?

If it were just the Beijing garrison's wagon soldiers, that would be easy to explain, since the Beijing garrison's wagon soldiers have already been in place for a long time.

Upon hearing this, Lu Xiang-sheng quickly replied, "Your Majesty, the 400,000 chariots and soldiers of the capital garrison are already prepared. As long as the order is given, they can launch an attack."

There's no rush.

Zhu Jue pointed to the map and said, "Spring has already arrived in the Central Plains. Perfect timing. We can let Yun Teng launch the attack first. This way, the attention of the three major clans and eight imperial merchants in Puzhou will be drawn to the south."

After the Hanzhong army enters Shanxi, you should issue an order for Ying Yuan to lead 100,000 chariot troops from Xuanfu Town to attack, passing through the original Kaiping Qiantunwei, Kaipingwei, and Kaiping Zuotunwei, and detouring around the north side of the Laoha River Valley to block its exit.

Ying Yuan led his army to block the exit of the Laoha River Valley. You then ordered the 100,000 Jingying cavalry from Liaodong to attack directly from the Daling River Valley to the Laoha River Valley, blocking the eastern side of the Laoha River Valley.

After Degong launches its attack, the 200,000 troops stationed in Jizhou will simultaneously launch attacks from Gubeikou and Xifengkou, advancing from the west and south respectively. This way, we can encircle the Laoha River Valley from all sides.

The Duoyan Three Guards didn't have many cavalry to begin with, and with many able-bodied men and warhorses being drawn away by the Jurchens, they're probably no match for the Beijing cavalry now. There shouldn't be any problem with the Laoha River Valley.

The key is the Jurchens to the north.

Lu Xiang-sheng carefully examined the map and then cautiously said, "Your Majesty, what should we do about the north? It seems that large Zhiyuan merchant ships cannot pass through the northern end of the Liao River. Two thousand small Zhiyuan merchant ships can only carry 100,000 troops at a time, and they can only go as far as the confluence of the Laoha River and the Lamulun River."

If the Jurchen cavalry were to suddenly charge at this moment, the newly conscripted infantry would likely be overwhelmed.

Yes, the area around the Lamulun River to the north is quite troublesome.

Zhu Jue nodded slowly, then pointed to the map and said, "This will depend on Boya's cooperation. When the large and small ships of the South Sea Fleet bring those more than one million infantrymen to the Liaohai City and Liaohe City area, the chariots and cavalry of Liaodong will have to gather in the north."

We'll have Boya threaten the Jurchens with chariots and cavalry first, and then have two thousand small merchant ships continuously transport troops to the mouth of the Laoha River. Liaohai City and Liaohe City are still two or three thousand li away from the mouth of the Laoha River, so the Sichuan Army's White-Spear Soldiers should arrive by the time the troops are transported.

At that time, we will send the Sichuan Army's White-Spear Soldiers to threaten the Jurchen stronghold. Under this double threat, Huang Taiji should not dare to send troops to support the Doyan Three Guards.

If he were to recklessly send cavalry to support the Doyan Three Guards, Boya would surely inflict a great loss on him, and the Khorchin grasslands and the former territory of the Jurchen Three Guards would likely be thrown into chaos by Boya.

That depends on Huang Taiji's choice. If they don't send cavalry to support the Doyan Three Guards, then so be it. But if they do send cavalry to support the Doyan Three Guards, then we'll wear them down.

"Then let Ying Yuan lead the newly recruited infantry and 100,000 chariot soldiers to engage the Jurchen cavalry north of the Laoha River Valley, while the Liaodong chariot and cavalry, along with the Sichuan White-Spear Army, will storm into the Khorchin grasslands and the former territory of the Jianzhou Three Guards, engaging in rampant burning, killing, and looting. Let's see who suffers the most."

Uh, they even burned, killed, and looted!

The Jurchens are definitely going to suffer a great loss.

Upon hearing this, Lu Xiang-sheng was taken aback for a moment before nodding hurriedly and saying, "Your Majesty is wise. In this way, if the Jurchen cavalry were to reinforce the Doyan Three Guards, they would certainly not fare well."

Zhu Jue nodded slowly, then pointed to the map and explained in detail: "Huang Taiji has always been cautious, and he would most likely not do something that pleases neither side."

If he had been prepared, with his cavalry already on the south bank of the Lamulun River, we might have been in some trouble. But right now, he doesn't know we're going to send troops to the Beiping Commandery. By the time he realizes it, it will be too late.

Therefore, we should have little problem taking over Beiping Commandery. The key issue for us is how to defend it. We need to hurry up and establish the Beiping Commandery defense line as soon as possible.

If we use small Zhiyuan merchant ships to transport infantry, it will take five or six days for one round trip. Even if the small Zhiyuan merchant ships that are transporting Sichuan Army White Spear Soldiers also come to transport them, it will still take about ten trips, which will take more than a month, almost two months.

In the next month or so, the Beijing garrison must capture all the people, horses, cattle, and sheep of the Three Guards of Duoyan, and at the same time, send about 200,000 infantrymen south to take over the prisoners.

The remaining million-plus infantrymen spread out along the south bank of the Xiliao River and the Lamulun River to prevent the Jurchen cavalry from building pontoon bridges to cross the river, making the Jurchens hesitant to act.

At the same time, we must quickly send 400,000 chariot troops north to the south bank of the Xiliao River and the Lamulun River to join the infantry, and then hasten the construction of cities and fortified cities.

This makes it even less likely that the Jurchens will come to reinforce the Doyan Three Guards. The problem is that building a city requires materials.

Upon hearing this, Lu Xiang-sheng slowly nodded, then cautiously asked, "Your Majesty, if I may be so bold, how will the materials for building the city be transported?"

"If we travel by water, we can only transport materials from the Xiliao River section, but we simply can't transport materials from the Mulun River section."

They originally planned to travel by water, but unfortunately, the Lamulun River was no longer passable by small merchant ships of 800 liang (approximately 400 tons).

Zhu Jue carefully examined the map and then decisively said, "Now we can only lay tracks, simultaneously laying tracks northward from Jizhou Town and Liaodong towards the parallel command post."

"Perfect timing. The railway tracks from the capital to Nanjing have already been laid, and we can transfer another 400,000 to 500,000 artisans and able-bodied men there. Furthermore, spring planting hasn't started in Liaodong yet, so we can have Boya mobilize young men from Liaodong to help."

Yes, laying tracks is indeed a good idea.

Upon hearing this, Lu Xiang-sheng nodded repeatedly and said, "Your Majesty is wise. In this way, we can not only transport the materials for building the city, but also connect all the cities built by the Northern Pacification Command with rails."

Zhu Jue nodded slightly, then asked, "Jian Dou, is everything alright now?"

Lu Xiang-sheng stared at the map for a while, then slowly nodded and said, "This should be fine now."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Jue waved his hand without hesitation and said, "Then mobilize the troops and prepare to launch the attack."

Lu Xiang-sheng quickly bowed and took his leave.

A few days later, the Hanzhong army launched an attack.

This doesn't seem strange at all, since the Hanzhong army launched its attacks when the snow and ice melted in the past two years.

However, this time the Hanzhong army seems different from the previous two years.

They had actually sent their elite troops to infiltrate Yangcheng early on, and then launched a surprise attack overnight, a coordinated attack from the inside and outside. The city gates were opened under cover of darkness, and the outside troops swarmed in.

Gao Yingxiang never expected the Hanzhong army to suddenly pull this stunt, and Yangcheng, the only city defended by artillery, was lost just like that!
This time, the Hanzhong army's offensive seemed particularly fierce. When attacking the city, they charged forward like madmen, completely disregarding casualties.

Gao Yingxiang's men were terrified, and many even surrendered. The entire Zezhou was quickly captured by the Hanzhong army, and then Lu'an Prefecture was also captured after a short time.

The three powerful clans and eight imperial merchants of Puzhou were so frightened that they immediately dispatched fast riders to seek help from the Jurchens.

Before Huang Taiji had even received the letters of appeal from the three powerful clans and eight imperial merchants of Puzhou, the chariots and cavalry of Liaodong suddenly began to gather northward.

More than 100,000 troops gathered in the Tielingwei area. The Ming army seemed to be stockpiling materials on the south bank of the Qinghe River in preparation for building a pontoon bridge. The Jurchen cavalry responsible for guarding the north bank of the Qinghe River were also taken aback.

The two cavalry units dispatched arrived at the Khorchin grassland almost simultaneously, and Huang Taiji hesitated upon receiving the news.

He seemed to have no choice but to rescue the three powerful clans and eight imperial merchants of Puzhou, because he had already lost Liaodong, and the grain in Guihua City had not yet been planted. This year, they could only rely on the three powerful clans and eight imperial merchants of Puzhou to provide grain.

The problem is, with over 100,000 troops from Liaodong preparing to cross the Qinghe River and attack, can he abandon the Horqin Grassland to save the three powerful clans and eight imperial merchants of Puzhou?
If he were to lead his cavalry to rescue the three powerful clans and eight imperial merchants of Puzhou, the Khorchin grasslands would most likely be lost. He was truly struggling to decide which side to protect.

Just as he was hesitating, the Sichuan Army's White-Spear Soldiers suddenly emerged from the line between Fushun Pass and Dingliao Right Guard, frantically infiltrating eastward through the mountains. Their elite troops scattered in the mountains seemed to be no match for the enemy, and the former territory of the Jianzhou Three Guards seemed to be in danger.

It seems he doesn't need to choose anymore.

If he had led his cavalry to support the three powerful clans and eight imperial merchants of Puzhou, the Khorchin grasslands and the former territory of the Jianzhou Three Guards might have been captured by the Ming army.

The former territory of the Jianzhou Three Guards was their old home, and there were still quite a few of their people there. Meanwhile, most of their remaining people were on the Horqin Grassland. These two places were absolutely not to be lost.

If he loses these two places, he will only have a lone cavalry force left. His clansmen will all be captured by the Ming army. At that time, his cavalry will probably have no fighting spirit left, and their destruction seems to be only a matter of time.

He certainly wouldn't bring about his own destruction.

Under these circumstances, he had no choice but to send out fast cavalry and let the three powerful clans and eight imperial merchants of Puzhou figure out a solution themselves.

Unexpectedly, at this moment, the 100,000 Beijing garrison troops originally stationed in Xuanfu Town suddenly launched an attack from Zhangjiakou Fort, heading straight for the former territory of Baochang Prefecture.

That place was where they traded with the eight major imperial merchants, and suddenly it was raided by the Beijing garrison.

The Beijing garrison troops seem to be relentlessly pursuing their fleeing men, heading north in an endless chase!
When Huang Taiji received the news, he was completely dumbfounded.

What exactly does the young emperor of the Ming Dynasty want to do?

Without any warning, they suddenly launched an attack, and not just from one place, but from the former territory of the Jianzhou Three Guards, the Horqin Grassland, and the former territory of Baochang Prefecture.

Could it be that the young emperor of the Ming Dynasty wants to have a decisive battle with him?

This seems unlikely, because the Ming army numbered over five million, while the young emperor's troops in these three locations numbered less than three hundred thousand, which doesn't seem like a show of force for a decisive battle.

Besides, the combined width of these three places is more than three thousand miles. Even if all three hundred thousand troops came, it would be like throwing a mud ox into the sea. Let alone defeating them, it would be good enough if they weren't defeated one by one.

At this moment, he was truly bewildered; he couldn't understand at all what the young emperor of the Ming Dynasty wanted to do.

He could never have imagined that the young emperor of the Ming Dynasty's target was the former territory of the Northern Pacification Commandery.

All because the initial groups of people seemed to be fighting randomly everywhere and had not yet attacked the Three Guards of Duoyan. How could he have imagined that they wanted to reclaim the former territory of the Northern Pacification Commandery?

While he was still in a daze, Zhu Jue was preparing to launch a full-scale attack.

Early that morning, around dawn, Lu Xiangshan, Sun Chuanting, Qin Liangyu, Yuan You, Tian Hongyu, and others quietly boarded a boat and arrived in the imperial city.

At this moment, the main hall of Yuxi Palace was brightly lit, and Zhu Jue even came to greet them at the door.

As for who he came to greet, it was naturally Qin Liangyu.

Although Qin Liangyu is only in her fifties, she has been fighting for the Ming Dynasty for more than thirty years. Not only has she made outstanding contributions, but she has also devoted herself to the Ming Dynasty. Her three brothers all died fighting for the Ming Dynasty, and now she is leading her children and nephews in fighting for the country.

Emperor Chongzhen in history once wrote a poem in praise of it:

The Shu brocade battle robe was cut by myself; on horseback, I requested a long spear.

How many extraordinary men are there in this world, yet none are willing to travel thousands of miles to the battlefield?

I vow to endure hardship and sleep in the open, and drink blood instead of rouge.

The triumphant songs and peaceful melody of war are not from the time when Zhaojun left for the border.

Although the poem wasn't very well written, it was the first time since the Ming Dynasty that an emperor had personally written a poem to praise it.

Qin Liangyu was truly a rare heroine; standing between the two renowned generals, Lu Xiangshan and Sun Chuanting, she still stood out like a crane among chickens.

She truly stood out from the crowd, because she was over 1.8 meters tall and had a heroic air about her, making her look different from everyone else.

Before anyone could even offer their greetings, Zhu Jue came out to greet them, his face full of warmth as he asked, "Lord Zhongguo, you must be tired from your journey."

The current emperor has actually come to welcome her!
Qin Liangyu was deeply moved and repeatedly bowed, saying, "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."

Everyone quickly followed suit, cupping their hands and bowing in greeting.

Zhu Jue waved his hand repeatedly and said, "No need for formalities, no need for formalities. Let's go and discuss this first."

Immediately afterwards, he led everyone into the hall and they stood in a circle around the map on the table.

He pointed directly at the map and said, "Ying Yuan has already led his army to the old site of Kaipingwei. The old site of Kaipingwei is only about 600 li away from the exit of the Laoha River to the north. Considering the time required for the 800-li express messenger, he should be able to block the northern entrance of the Laoha River Valley in about four or five days."

We should launch a full-scale attack. The deployment time is set for five days from now, while the transfer of infantry from Liaohai City and Liaohe City should begin two days earlier, that is, three days from now.

Jian Dou, this is your responsibility. When the time comes, the 300,000 chariot soldiers and 30,000 cavalry of the Jingying Garrison from Yizhou and Jizhou Town will launch a simultaneous attack and surround all the men, horses, cattle and sheep of the Duoyan Three Guards in the northern part of the Laoha River Valley.

This time, we must find a way to completely subdue the Three Guards of Doyan. We must gather all the horses and raise them ourselves, and all the able-bodied men must be taken out to mine. Anyone who dares to resist will be killed without mercy.

Your Majesty means you're going to take drastic measures.

Upon hearing this, Lu Xiang-sheng bowed deeply with a solemn expression and said, "Your humble servant obeys the decree."

Zhu Jue nodded slightly and then asked, "Bo Ya, how many able-bodied men were conscripted from Liaodong to lay the tracks?"

Without hesitation, Sun Chuanting replied, "Your Majesty, I have already conscripted over 400,000 able-bodied men, and they have already been transported by boat to the Yizhouwei area."

Zhu Jue nodded slightly and then asked, "Father-in-law Yuan, how many artisans have you gathered?"

Without hesitation, Emperor's father-in-law Yuan You replied, "Your Majesty, I have also gathered more than forty able-bodied craftsmen, and they have already been transported to the valley south of Gubeikou by railcars."

Then there's no problem.

Zhu Jue nodded slightly, then pointed to the map and instructed: "Grandfather Yuan, after the 100,000 chariot troops from Gubeikou launch their attack, you will lead more than 400,000 artisans to follow behind them and lay the railway tracks northward."

You don't need to worry about the battle where the Beijing garrison is besieging the Three Guards of Doyan. Just lead the artisans and able-bodied men to lay the railway tracks. First, lay the tracks from Gubeikou to the former site of the Daning Guard, then along the Laoha River Valley to the former site of the Quanning Guard, and then spread them out to the left and right, covering the entire south bank of the Lamulun River.

Laying the tracks isn't particularly difficult.

The emperor's father-in-law, Yuan Wei, nodded repeatedly and said, "Your Majesty, I understand."

Zhu Jue then pointed to the map and continued to instruct: "Patriarch Tian, ​​you are in charge of leading the young men of Liaodong. After the 100,000 chariot soldiers of Yizhou Guard set out, you will lead the young men of Liaodong to follow behind and lay the tracks all the way towards the former territory of Daning Guard."

This section is roughly three or four hundred li (about 150-200 kilometers), and it should be laid within a month. By then, spring plowing in Liaodong will be starting soon, and you can simply have the able-bodied men of Liaodong ride horse-drawn railcars back.”

This job is too easy.

Upon hearing this, the Emperor's father-in-law, Tian Hongyu, nodded repeatedly and said, "Your Majesty, I understand."

Zhu Jue then solemnly said, "Duke Zhongguo, I'm afraid only your White-Spear Soldiers can take over the former territory of the Jianzhou Three Guards. You should know very well about the Battle of Sarhu. The Ming border troops are not good at mountain warfare, so sending any number of them will be a waste."

"First, send out scouts to investigate the Jianzhou Three Guards area thoroughly. After we recover the former territory of the Beiping Regional Military Commission, we'll assess the situation. At that time, I'll have Boya and his troops hold off the Jurchen cavalry, and then you can make your move."

Oh, so the former territory of the Jianzhou Three Guards really is something we have to take over?

Qin Liangyu quickly cupped her hands and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I will certainly reclaim the former territory of the Three Guards of Jianzhou."

I believe in you.

Zhu Jue nodded slightly, then solemnly said, "Boya, the Horqin Grassland is now in your hands."

Sun Chuanting nodded solemnly and said, "Your Majesty, I understand."

Zhu Jue thought about it carefully again before solemnly saying, "Then we should prepare for a full-scale attack. If the Jurchens dare to send cavalry reinforcements, we will invade the Khorchin grasslands and the former territory of the Jianzhou Three Guards."

(End of this chapter)