Take control of Wei Zhongxian at the start and confiscate 100 million from him!

Chapter 250 Besieged on all sides
The misty rain of Jiangnan was a distant and almost unreal imagination for Huang Taiji in Liaodong.

As Zhu Youjian's dragon flag leisurely pointed westward toward Nanjing, a biting chill had already arrived inside the Khan's tent in Shengjing.

This should have been a year of great prosperity for the Later Jin dynasty, with its Eight Banners cavalry conquering the world.

However, Heaven seemed to have withdrawn all its favor from this black land, and unleashed the most severe divine punishment since Nurhaci, the founder of the Taizu dynasty, raised his army.

Since the end of last winter, there has been little rain or snow in the Liaodong region.

This year, the drought worsened and eventually became a devastating disaster.

The fields are cracked like the lines on a palm, and the ravines are so deep that the bottom can be seen. The farmers weep blood and kowtow to the sky, but all they get in return is the merciless scorching of the sun.

Those farms that had just transitioned from a life of fishing and hunting to farming and were expected to be self-sufficient found their seeds buried in the hard, dry soil, and the seedlings that had already sprouted withered and died, turning into scorched yellow weeds that crumbled into dust with the slightest breeze.

As the saying goes, after a severe drought, locusts will surely follow.

This is absolutely true.

As if they had made a pact with the drought demon, swarms of locusts, blotting out the sky and accompanied by a chilling buzzing sound, surged in from the horizon.

They swept away the last remaining patches of green in the fields, gnawing on grass roots and stripping tree bark, leaving a trail of barren land where nothing could grow.

Even the old elm trees outside the palace became bare within a few days, resembling ghostly claws silently reaching towards the gray sky.

Natural disasters often lead to man-made calamities!
"Great Khan! The Southern Bureau Chief has urgently reported that in the Yaozhou and Haizhou areas, the price of rice has reached eight taels of silver per dou! There are... there are tragic cases of people exchanging children to eat!" A Ejen knelt in the hall, his voice hoarse, his head bowed, not daring to look into the eyes of the man on the Khan's throne.

“Eight taels…” Huang Taiji repeated the number in a low voice, his fingers unconsciously stroking the armrest of the throne. The pearls inlaid on the armrest could no longer feel warm at this moment, only coldness.

He slowly rose and paced around the hall.

Golden sunlight streamed outside the palace, but only a lingering gloom shone into it.

Huang Taiji understood what this meant better than anyone else.

All industries are in ruins, and the treasury is empty.

The Eight Banners, which the Qing Dynasty was so proud of, were fundamentally based on the principle that "when they went out, they were soldiers; when they returned, they were civilians."

However, with all the fields abandoned and the people unable to make a living, how could the morale of the soldiers be sustained?
The soldiers in each battalion are already facing a shortage of food and pay. Even the homes of the Baturu warriors who have followed them for many years are filled with dust and have hardly any leftover food.

Even within the imperial clan, those families of great wealth and power, such as the residences of princes and nobles, gradually felt the pinch of empty granaries and had to reduce their food and clothing to make ends meet during this difficult time.

As for the ordinary bannermen and bondservants, they were already struggling on the brink of death.

Every day, corpses of those who starved to death were dragged out of Shengjing City, and the stray dogs in the mass graves outside the city had become fatter than in previous years.

Whenever he thought of this, Huang Taiji felt as if his heart was being gnawed by countless ants. This was a time when he should have been establishing absolute authority and making great strides, but instead, he encountered such a natural disaster.

However, the Eternal Heaven seemed to feel that the test for him was far from enough.

Just as his Great Qing Dynasty was ravaged by famine and on the verge of collapse, the Southern Dynasty, which he once thought was on its last legs, was revitalized at an incredible speed under the rule of a damned little emperor!

"Report—" The urgent order broke Huang Taiji's thoughts, "Urgent military intelligence from the western front, six hundred li away!"

A scout in light armor was brought into the hall. His face was weathered and his lips were chapped. He knelt down and presented a leather tube sealed with wax.

Huang Taiji personally descended the steps, took the leather tube, tore open the seal, and pulled out the secret report inside. He read it very slowly, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper, his gaze growing increasingly solemn.

“Sun Chengzong…” he uttered the name, his tone filled with barely concealed apprehension.

The western route, the Liaoxi Corridor.

That place was once a hunting ground where the Jin dynasty's iron cavalry roamed freely, and a prison where the Ming dynasty relied on its fortified city and cannons to prolong its existence.

But now, that place is becoming a tiger about to awaken, and the tiger tamer is none other than Sun Chengzong.

Upon arriving in western Liaoning, this man was like a heavy hammer, smashing the previously lax military affairs along the Ningjin line into a whirlwind of activity. He rectified military discipline and enforced strict rewards and punishments, transforming those arrogant and fierce soldiers into a truly resolute force ready to fight to the death.

Since the beginning of spring, its activity has become increasingly intense, like boiling water and scalding oil.

"...Sun Chengzong mobilized all the elite troops from within the pass and marched to Ningjin. For nearly three months, they have been conducting military exercises without ceasing, with the sounds of battle shaking the heavens. Their military formations advance and retreat with great discipline, and their muskets fire in unison, obscuring the sun with smoke and flames. They also forced laborers to build several more bastions west of the Daling River. Their layout is unpredictable, with cannons that can support each other, making it difficult for scouts to get close..."

Every word in the secret report seemed to carry the scent of gunpowder from western Liaoning, both cold and scorching.

Huang Taiji's fingers slowly traced the rough parchment. Frequent military exercises, forward-built fortifications, and constant reconnaissance... all of this indicated that an unprecedented war was about to begin.

A chill suddenly rose from the depths of Huang Taiji's heart.

He suddenly remembered last year, when the young emperor of the Ming Dynasty seemed to have gone mad. He swiftly confiscated the property of Shanxi merchants, fabricated charges against several retired officials, and even killed the two princes of Qin and Fu this year!

The Ming court not only settled all the military pay owed by the Liao army over the years, but also issued an edict that the pay would be paid in full every month thereafter, with no arrears!
Huang Taiji could only smile bitterly. The source of the Liao army's battle cries that could be heard for miles during their drills, and their morale that was the highest in twenty years, lay right here!
“What a Zhu Youjian…” Huang Taiji practically spat out these words through clenched teeth, his voice already filled with deep apprehension.

He knew better than anyone what this meant.

The Ming army had no shortage of soldiers or cannons; what it lacked was pay and the morale to fight to the death!

The fact that the nine border regions were in arrears with their pay was a well-known problem and a key factor in the Jin dynasty's repeated victories.

Now, this biggest weakness has been quietly and decisively addressed by that young emperor within a year using such ruthless and resolute methods!
With generous rewards, brave men will surely emerge; with sufficient provisions and pay, morale will surely soar.

Huang Taiji closed his eyes, his mind racing to reconnect all the information.

Sun Chengzong's resolute offensive posture on the western front was no longer a mere bluff.

This was an open strategy. The Ming people knew that the Qing Dynasty was suffering from a great disaster, its national strength was depleted, and its military morale was wavering. This was the golden opportunity for them to recover lost territory and pacify Liaodong.

The young emperor of the Southern Dynasty clearly intended to place all his bets on Sun Chengzong's formidable Guan Ning cavalry.

Huang Taiji had no choice!

Liaoxi was the homeland of the Ming Dynasty, a place of deep-seated pain for its rulers and ministers. Recapturing Liaoxi would be a great achievement that would make Zhu Youjian famous in history, so Sun Chengzong's direction of attack was beyond question.

"This is my greatest concern and primary threat!" Huang Taiji slammed the secret report heavily on the table, his voice as firm as iron, and resolutely ordered, "If the Ming Dynasty wants to finish us off in one battle, I will fight them to the death in Liaoxi! Issue my decree! Order the main forces of the Plain Yellow Banner and Bordered Yellow Banner to assemble at the Guangning line."

"Your Majesty is wise!" The generals accepted the order.

In their view, facing the main force of the Ming army, whose morale, supplies, and manpower were all at their peak, the only chance of victory was to launch a head-on attack with the full force of the Qing Dynasty's most elite troops.

This was the most difficult, but also the only correct decision.

“Your Majesty,” Ning Wanwo stepped forward and bowed, “the western front is indeed crucial, but we must also be wary of Mao Wenlong on the southern front.” A hint of disgust flashed in Huang Taiji’s eyes at the mention of Mao Wenlong.

This vicious dog has been entrenched on Pi Island for many years, like a persistent leech, constantly tearing and harassing the southern flank of the Qing Dynasty.

Another military intelligence report on the southern front was presented.

"...Mao Wenlong's forces have become increasingly rampant recently. Small groups of his troops, traveling by sea, have been imitating Japanese pirates and frequently harassing the coastlines of Jinzhou and Fuzhou. Since April, seven villages have been burned down, and more than a hundred Manchu civilians have been plundered and killed. Their leaders, Kong Youde and Geng Zhongming, have even led a fleet deep into the Yalu River estuary, attacking our border outposts, killing, burning, and looting..."

"...Even worse, their troops dared to land and harass us near Lushun Port. Although they were repelled by our garrison, their audacity is evident..."

Intelligence indicates that Mao Wenlong's activities this year are not only more frequent than in previous years, but also seem to be more organized and purposeful.

Huang Taiji tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his mind racing. He connected the intelligence from the western and southern fronts, and a clear strategic picture emerged in his mind.

"This is a diversionary tactic!" he sneered. "Sun Chengzong wants to fight me on the western front, so he has instructed Mao Wenlong to bark wildly on the southern front in an attempt to disperse our forces and prevent me from fully dealing with the western front. This is a common trick used by the Ming Dynasty and is not surprising."

"Therefore..." He looked at Jirgalang and Amin, who had just returned from the campaign against the Mongols, "I order you two to personally lead the main force of the Bordered Blue Banner to Zhenjiang to strengthen the southern defenses. Keep a close watch on Mao Wenlong! If he dares to cross the river on a large scale, annihilate him! At the same time, send an envoy to warn King Injo of Joseon, ordering him to strictly maintain neutrality. If he dares to secretly collude with Mao Wenlong and plot rebellion, I will follow the example of the campaign against the Mongols and make his king a prisoner!"

“Yes, sir!” Amin and Jirhalang responded loudly.

The southern front was clearly defined as a secondary harassment mission on Huang Taiji's strategic chessboard, with a force of one flag reinforced for defense.

After dealing with the western and southern fronts, the atmosphere inside the tent eased slightly.

However, there is still a final threat from one direction, like a dark cloud on the distant horizon. Though not fatal, it makes one uneasy.

The northern frontier was once the Later Jin's backyard, a vast territory from which they could acquire wealth, people, and strategic allies.

But now, things have changed.

"Your Majesty, Ligdan Khan of the Chahar tribe in the north has recently been in close contact with the Ming Dynasty..." Fan Wencheng stepped forward and whispered a reminder.

Huang Taiji's expression darkened.

The young emperor of the Ming Dynasty actually learned the trick of the Jin Dynasty—marriage alliance.

"The Ming court not only bestowed upon Ligdan Khan a large amount of gold, silver, and cloth, but also ironware and firearms! With this assistance, Ligdan Khan is now arrogant and has reorganized the eight tribes of Chahar, eyeing the northern border of our Great Qing with covetous intent."

"Moreover," Fan Wencheng continued, "Man Gui, the Governor-General of Xuanfu and Datong of the Ming Dynasty, is no mediocre man either. His troops are strong and well-trained. Although our Great Qing's allies, such as the Khorchin tribe, act as a barrier, cutting off the direct contact between the Ming army and the Chahar tribe, if this continues, and the Ming Dynasty and the Mongol tribes become completely united, our Great Qing will be surrounded on three sides, with endless future troubles!"

Upon hearing this, all the generals in the hall looked worried.

It's really unpleasant to be countered by someone using your own tricks.

Huang Taiji remained silent; he certainly understood this principle.

But at this moment, the country was exhausted and the main force had to be transferred to the west, so he really had no spare strength to deal with the threat from the north.

"This matter is tentatively considered a long-term hidden danger." He finally made a decision. "The Ming Dynasty has only recently formed an alliance with Ligdan Khan, and its foundation is unstable. Moreover, with the Khorchin as our shield, they are unlikely to pose a substantial threat for the time being. The current priority is to defeat Sun Chengzong and destroy the main force of the Ming Dynasty! As long as we achieve a great victory on the western front, the troubles in the north and south can be easily resolved."

At this point, Huang Taiji made strategic deployments based on all known intelligence:
—The strategic focus shifted westward, with the entire nation's resources concentrated on defending against Sun Chengzong's all-out offensive; the southern front remained on high alert to guard against harassment and containment by Mao Wenlong; the northern front was temporarily shelved to observe the situation.

Huang Taiji firmly believed that the Ming Dynasty, which had just recovered from the brink of collapse, had limited national strength and could not possibly launch a large-scale offensive on three fronts at the same time. The decisive battle posture that Sun Chengzong had put on the western front must be a gamble with everything they had!

Just as this momentous strategic decision was being made, another path that had been seen as a lifeline was quietly blocked.

Huang Taiji recalled the extremely tempting suggestion Fan Wencheng had made a few months earlier—to conquer Korea.

Indeed, taking advantage of a year of great famine, following the example of the former Khan, the Jin Dynasty launched a campaign to ravage the weak and militarily deficient state, seizing its grain and wealth to save itself. This was a tried-and-tested method for the Jin Dynasty to prolong its life.

The idea was like a branding iron coated in honey, full of wild allure.

However, a secret report from North Korea turns this seemingly easy option into a deadly trap.

In early March, a Ming Dynasty fleet flying the flag of Zheng Zhilong arrived at Unchong Island in Korea and unloaded the supplies from four large ships.

Among them were not only grain and cloth, but also firearms, gunpowder, and iron armor!

The meaning behind this intelligence was like a chill that instantly seeped into Huang Taiji's heart.

The Ming emperor did not abandon Korea as a pawn under heavy pressure on the western front; instead, he strengthened his control and support for it with unprecedented intensity.

This means that attacking North Korea will no longer be an easy plunder, but rather a time-consuming and laborious battle.

Huang Taiji knew perfectly well that attacking Korea required the full force of his army to achieve a swift victory, but once all his main forces were deployed, the Liaodong hinterland would be extremely vulnerable.

At that time, Sun Chengzong's seemingly decisive battle stance along the Ningjin line will instantly turn into a truly fatal blow!
Without hesitation, Commander Sun would lead the Guan Ning cavalry, whose morale was at its peak, across the Daling River and rush towards Guangning like wolves and tigers, even reaching the gates of Shenyang!

Huang Taiji could almost imagine the terrible scene: the main force of the Eight Banners was mired in the Korean quagmire, while the capital was besieged by the Ming army.

If our retreat is cut off and we are attacked from both sides, what use will it be if we seize mountains of gold and silver in Korea?

That would be an irreversible crisis leading to the downfall of the nation!

This series of interests unfolded in his mind in the blink of an eye, extinguishing the last glimmer of hope in his heart like a spark doused with ice water.

Yes, the Ming emperor has changed.

He was no longer the coward who only knew how to guard the nine borders and passively take hits.

He learned to take the initiative, to plan strategically, and to use a seemingly inevitable attack on the western front to firmly control all his responses.

The aid to North Korea may seem like a casual gesture, but it is actually a decisive move!

It increased the cost of the Qing Dynasty's plunder of Korea and psychologically sealed off this escape route.

Having figured all this out, Huang Taiji sighed deeply, bringing the imperial conference to a close.

"Gentlemen, the times are difficult, but this is also a test from the Eternal Heaven for our Great Qing. Issue the order: the entire army must be on high alert and overcome these difficult times together! Once I have defeated Sun Chengzong's main force on the western front, the Ming Dynasty will no longer have the power to resist me. At that time, the whole world will be the pastureland of my Eight Banners!"

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Qing Dynasty!"

Outside the tent, the sun still shone brightly, but the wind carried an inescapable sense of desolation and chill.

Huang Taiji stood in front of the palace, gazing southward, his eyes seemingly trying to pierce through layers of clouds and the vast landscape to see through the young rival who was stirring up the world!

(End of this chapter)