How can one be Emperor Chongzhen without money?

Chapter 198 Sun Chuanting, Strikes! (Third Update)
On the third day of the first month of the third year of Chongzhen's reign, in Datong Town.

As dawn broke, the air was bitterly cold. Yet, the central command tent of the outpost was already packed with people. Their breath condensed into puffs of mist inside the tent.

Sun Chuanting, holding the rank of Vice Minister of War and serving as the Governor-General of Military Affairs in Xuanhua, Datong, and Shanxi, stood before a huge sand table. The sand table was also in the style of Tsinghua University, with its mountains, rivers, cities, and passes rendered in great detail, precisely depicting the terrain of the Xuanhua-Datong area.

Cao Wenzhao, the commander-in-chief of Datong, along with the generals of the chariot battalion, cavalry battalion, and firearms battalion, all stood solemnly to the side, their eyes following the movement of the bamboo whip in Sun Chuanting's hand.

"Gentlemen," Sun Chuanting began, his voice steady yet carrying a powerful force, "for the past two months, we have been training tirelessly. What has been the purpose? It is for today's battle."

The bamboo whip was placed on the sand table and slowly moved northward from the location of Datong Town.

"The enemy cavalry's strength lies in their mobility. If our army advances rashly, we will surely fall into their trap of besieging the stronghold and attacking reinforcements. Therefore, I have decided to adopt the method of 'advancing by wagon and infantry'."

He looked at the generals with a sharp gaze.

“Every day at Chenshi (7-9 AM), we would break camp, march ten li (5-7 km), and stop at Shenshi (3-5 PM). After choosing a location, we would link our vehicles end to end to form a ring, thus creating a city. Then we would dig trenches, erect palisades, and build strong fortifications. The next day, we would march another ten li and build another fortification. In this way, we would advance step by step, like extending a fist, slowly pushing towards Zhenhai Fort.”

Lieutenant General Sun Yingyuan couldn't help but ask, "Commander-in-Chief, while this method is prudent, isn't it too slow? Zhenhai Fort has been besieged for a long time; I fear the morale of the troops is wavering..."

Sun Chuanting glanced at him and slammed the bamboo whip heavily on the edge of the sand table.

"Slowness? It's better than rushing forward and being ambushed, resulting in the annihilation of the entire army! Our army will advance through the fortified city. Although the enemy cavalry is numerous, what can they do to us? This is not cowardice, but rather using our strengths to overcome the enemy's weaknesses! Governor Yuan of Zhenhai Fort is a knowledgeable military man. The fort is sturdy and well-supplied. He will surely be able to hold out and await reinforcements."

He paused, then pointed his bamboo whip at the small red flag representing the Later Jin army on the sand table.

"Moreover, our opponent this time is no ordinary foe. According to intelligence reports, since Huang Taiji took up his post in Guihua City, he has been trying to integrate the tribes of southern Mongolia, implement the policy of classifying them into banners and allocating land, and even attempt to form marriage alliances with the leaders of the southern Mongolian tribes. He even wants to take the widows of Huduntu into his harem in order to win over the hearts of the Chahan tribe. What this barbarian is after is not just a momentary plunder, but the foundation of his state!"

A series of low gasps filled the tent.

Cao Wenzhao sneered: "A wolf in sheep's clothing! In that case, we must crush it as soon as possible and put an end to its delusions!"

"General Cao is absolutely right." Sun Chuanting nodded. "Therefore, this battle concerns the fate of the nation. If we win, we can contend for the southern desert and the enemy's power will be weakened; if we lose, Xuanda will be in grave danger. I hope you all will remember this, guard against arrogance and rashness, and act according to orders."

He then went on to explain in detail the various contingency plans for forming ranks, marching, setting up camp, and encountering the enemy. He particularly emphasized the use of the dove-shaped muskets mounted on the vehicles for sniping enemy leaders, the swarm guns for suppressing charges, and the mobile support of battalion artillery.

The generals listened attentively, nodding occasionally. This set of tactics was developed by Sun Chuanting after repeatedly discussing and practicing it with the first batch of students at Tsinghua University, modeled after Qi Jiguang's tactics, in the Tsinghua Military Academy. It was specifically designed to counter the Jurchen cavalry.

Just then, a series of rapid hoofbeats and commotion came from outside the tent.

A bodyguard hurried in and whispered, "Commander, an urgent report from the night guard!"

Sun Chuanting frowned: "Bring him in!"

A travel-worn scout, his armor covered in mud and snow, stumbled into the tent, knelt on one knee, and breathlessly handed over a military report.

"Report! Commander-in-Chief! Urgent military situation on the north bank of the Sanggan River!"

Cao Wenzhao stepped forward, grabbed the military report, and quickly unfolded it. He glanced at it only a few times before his face turned ashen. He handed the report to Sun Chuanting, his voice low and menacing: "General, Huang Taiji... has made his move!"

Sun Chuanting took the military report and quickly glanced through it. The tent was completely silent, except for the faint sound of his fingers tightening the paper.

He slowly raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the anxious faces of his generals.

"Reports indicate that the Eastern Barbarians have driven a large number of Mongol herders to build a fortress on the yellow sand beach on the north bank of the Sanggan River, eighty li northeast of Datong! The foundation has already been laid, and the Barbarian cavalry are patrolling and supervising the construction very strictly."

"Yellow Sand Beach?" a guerrilla general with extensive geographical knowledge exclaimed. "That is the vital passage to Angganor! If the Eastern barbarians establish a stronghold there, it will be like driving an iron nail into the road for our army's northward advance!"

“Excellent!” Sun Chuanting’s voice suddenly rose. “If this fortress is completed, not only will Zhenhai Fortress become an isolated dead zone, but our Xuanda defense line will also be under Huang Taiji’s blade day and night!”

Cao Wenzhao slammed his hand on the table, making the small flags on the sand table jump.

"We absolutely cannot let him succeed! We must smash him to pieces before the city walls are even erected! Minister, give the order!"

The generals inside the tent were filled with righteous indignation and all volunteered to fight.

Sun Chuanting took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. He looked at the sand table again, his gaze shifting back and forth between Eagle Beak Cliff and Datong.

After a moment of silence, he suddenly raised his head, his eyes filled with determination.

"General Cao!"

"Your subordinate is here!" Cao Wenzhao's voice boomed like a bell.

"Send word to the entire army! Cancel rest and reorganization. Prepare food at the fourth watch tomorrow, hold a flag-raising ceremony at the fifth watch, and march towards the Sanggan River and Huangsha Beach!" "Understood!" Cao Wenzhao responded with a resounding shout, then turned and walked out to relay the order.

Sun Chuanting then looked at the clerk: "Immediately draft a memorial sent by express courier over 600 li and send it to Beijing to be presented to His Majesty! Explain the sinister intentions of the Eastern barbarians in building their fortifications, and the reasons why this governor had no choice but to send troops ahead of schedule to save the critical situation. Please consider this, Your Majesty!"

At the command, the entire "train corps" camp, like a sleeping behemoth, suddenly awoke.

The deep bugle calls rose and fell, and flag officers rode swiftly between the camps to deliver orders. Soldiers poured out of the barracks, and the shouts of officers, the clash of swords and spears, and the rumble of carts and horses instantly merged into a tense torrent.

Sun Chuanting and Cao Wenzhao walked out of the main tent side by side to inspect the camp and conduct a final pre-battle check.

They first arrived at the wagon camp. There, rows of sidecars were neatly arranged. Soldiers were carefully inspecting the wheels and axles, and feeding the mules and horses with concentrated feed. Some musketeers were wiping the long barrels of their muskets, while others were carefully binding and securing a swarm of rocket launchers to the wagon frames.

Cao Wenzhao walked to a carriage, patted the sturdy carriage, and laughed to the soldier beside him, "This piece of wood, even the Tartars' sabers can't crack it!"

An old soldier grinned: "Don't worry, sir. Once we've fortified this place, we'll make sure those Tartars are smashed to pieces!"

Sun Chuanting nodded and walked towards the cavalry camp. The soldiers of the Imperial Guard cavalry were preparing saddles and checking horse equipment. Cao Wenzhao deliberately paused for a moment in front of Li Hongji's detachment of flintlock pistol cavalry to examine the short, sturdy firearms hidden in the leather holsters on their waists—in the past three months, Li Hongji's flintlock pistol cavalry had "progressed" again, from one horse and one pistol to "double-gunners," and their numbers had increased to four hundred.

"Hongji, you need to make sure your 'short musket' is effective enough to charge into battle and fire when it matters!" Cao Wenzhao instructed.

Li Hongji clasped his hands and bowed, saying, "I understand! I will certainly not fail in my mission!"

Next, they arrived at a firearms battalion belonging to the Imperial Guard. Six brand-new, six-pound bronze cannons were already hanging behind the mules and horses, their barrels polished to a gleaming shine. These six-pound cannons were an upgraded version of the four-pound cannons, cast in the finest bronze by the Beijing Garrison Artillery Factory, and were extremely powerful.

Beside the artillery, the imperial guards' pikemen, shield bearers, and arquebusiers were inspecting their weapons, their discipline quite impressive.

Finally, they inspected the large auxiliary troops. These auxiliary troops from Datong, though not as well-equipped as the combat soldiers, were well-organized. Long lines of grain carts stretched out, laden with provisions and ammunition boxes. Many auxiliary soldiers carried shovels and spades on their shoulders, their step-by-step, fortified advance relying on their shovels and spades.

Sun Chuanting saw several auxiliary soldiers inspecting several light cast iron general cannons with gun carriages. These cannons weighed about 300 jin and could fire lead bullets weighing about 3 jin. They were the most suitable accompanying field guns for the wagon battalion at present.

These cannons were old cannons selected from the warehouse in Datong Town. Although they were not newly cast, their quality was still acceptable. One had to be careful when using them to fire solid shot, but there was no worry about them exploding when firing grapeshot. Their firepower was also far superior to that of the "chubby" Tiger Crouching Cannon. Each wagon battalion was equipped with sixteen of them.

Sun Chuanting walked over, patted the cold cannon barrel, and asked the artillery officer beside him, "Has this cannon been tested during the drills?"

The artillery officer quickly replied, "Reporting to the commander, we've tried it! Using mules and horses to pull it, it can keep up with the convoy. We dare not use too much powder when firing solid shot, only enough for 300 paces. If the enemy cavalry charges close, we'll switch to grapeshot, and one shot can wipe out a whole area!"

Sun Chuanting nodded: "Good, that's enough. These cannons are the sharpest spearhead of our wagon battalion. In battle, we must deploy them at key points in the wagon formation and let the Tartars taste the might of our Ming artillery!"

During their inspection, they overheard many soldiers gathered together, listening to literate individuals read aloud from the "Imperial Ming Bulletin" about the establishment of trading companies by the court and the imminent birth of the crown prince. Their morale was high, and their words were filled with anticipation for the future and support for the court's new policies.

This system was "invented" by Emperor Chongzhen and was called "instructors going down to the ranks"—selecting some officers and soldiers who were literate and eloquent, giving them short-term training, granting them the position of "instructor," giving them the salary of a centurion, and sending them down to "reason" with the soldiers.

As the sun set, the entire camp's combat readiness work was basically completed.

Sun Chuanting and Cao Wenzhao climbed to a high slope, overlooking the vast military camp. Wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys, and the aroma of food filled the air. But beneath this seemingly peaceful scene lay an oppressive atmosphere of grim determination.

Cao Wenzhao gazed at the gradually darkening northern horizon and said in a low voice, "Minister, if we win this battle, the northern frontier can be at peace for several years."

Sun Chuanting stood with his hands behind his back, the cold wind blowing the hem of his robe.

"Several years?" He shook his head slightly, but his tone was unusually firm. "This battle is not for peace for several years. It is to tell Huang Taiji, to tell the world, that the Ming Dynasty still has its backbone and its ambition to advance has not died. From now on, the balance of power should change."

Night has fallen completely.

Countless campfires were lit in the camp, but they were quickly extinguished one by one according to orders, leaving only the necessary lighting. The soldiers returned to their tents in an orderly fashion to rest and recharge.

In the darkness, only the moving lights of the patrol team's torches could be seen, and the sound of watchtowers could be heard from afar.

Rows of sidecars and cannons stood silently in the night, like ferocious beasts poised to pounce.

Sun Chuanting and Cao Wenzhao made one last inspection before returning to the central command tent.

"Is everything arranged?" Sun Chuanting asked.

“All is well done,” Cao Wenzhao replied. “All departments are ready and waiting for dawn.”

Sun Chuanting looked up at the dark sky to the north.

(End of this chapter)