xymnovel Chapter 110 As long as Chen Ying is present, the Jurchens are nothing to worry about.
Chapter 110 As long as Chen Ying is present, the Jurchens are nothing to worry about.
Chapter 111 As long as Chen Ying is present, the Jurchens are nothing to worry about.
Chapter 110 Shuangchengwei, Da Ning Metropolitan Commandery. Chen Ying hadn't slept for more than two hours in three consecutive days. There was no other way; the Da Ning Metropolitan Commandery was newly established and a makeshift organization, so almost everything required Chen Ying's final decision.
The relocation of the four garrison towns in Xingzhou and the division of the garrison areas were quite complex. Although the land was mostly wasteland, some areas were large wetlands that could not be directly reclaimed. Ditches needed to be dug to drain the water from the wetlands. Other areas had natural rivers and streams, especially the land along the banks of the Suifen River.
Some garrisons were assigned to areas that were relatively easy to cultivate and convenient for irrigation. These areas were the core locations that each garrison was vying for. More importantly, Shuangchengwei was not the only garrison near Shuangchengwei. In fact, within a radius of 600 kilometers around Shuangchengwei, the Ming Dynasty had established a total of eight garrisons: Sulanwei, Supingjiangwei, Tongkuanshanwei, Xiacihanwei, Yimalwei, Salaerwei, Henkewei, and Shuangchengwei.
Among them, Shuangchengwei, Supingjiangwei, and Sulanwei were all formed along the Huanfen River. Both Sulanwei and Supingjiangwei are phonetic transliterations of the old names of Huanfen River. Sulanwei, in particular, has the best-preserved original city. It is about 80 li northeast of Yongning and 160 li southeast of Shuangchengwei.
The city of Sulan is even better preserved than the city of Shuangchengwei, because it was still occupied by the Wulan tribe, a tribe of the Haixi Jurchens, with a population of three to four thousand and more than eight hundred cavalry.
Yuanlan is also a transliteration of Sulan. The terrain here is irrigated by the Sulan River, making the land fertile. The Yuanlan tribe even retains iron plows and measuring cups bestowed by the Yongle Emperor of the Ming Dynasty. With the opening of the Shuangcheng trade route by Chen Ying, Sulan was the first tribe to submit to the government, and this garrison became the focus of contention among various garrisons.
As for the three guards of Xiacihan, Henke, and Salaer, they are currently in areas that Chen Ying has not yet explored. Henke is in the south of Xingkai Lake, Bulahan is in the northeast of Shuangchengwei, and Salaer is in the east of Shuangchengwei. These three guards have become places that even dogs don't want.
The allocation of garrison sites for the four garrisons, including Chen Ying, the commander of Shahe Garrison, was a major headache. The imperial court had already issued an order for Shahe Garrison to relocate as well. Those bastards in the Ministry of War even had their eyes on Shahe Garrison's less than 40,000 mu of military farmland. Of course, what they coveted was not only Shahe Garrison's military farmland, but also the Shahe School that Chen Ying had built, the expanded Gonghua City, and the Shahe Garrison blast furnace complex that was being constructed.
Left with no other choice, Chen Ying had to let each guard draw lots. Whoever drew a place would go there, and if they didn't draw a place, they shouldn't blame their bad luck. After the draw, Chen Ying's luck was very bad. He drew the place of Xiacihan Guard for Shahe Guard. Actually, this place was still a good thing for Chen Ying.
Because he guards the Suifen River, his navy can defend along the river in the future, and in the cold winter, he can gather all the people from the various garrison settlements in the garrison city to spend the winter.
After arranging the locations of each guard, Chen Ying did not change the names of the garrisons. First, the Xingzhou Left Garrison Guard was moved to the former Sulan Garrison City, which had five thousand-household units under its jurisdiction, a division within their own territory. The Xingzhou Right Garrison Guard was moved to Supingjiang Garrison City, which was not far from the Black Stone Fortress he had established, thus providing them with a place to settle down.
After the Xingzhou Qiantunwei was moved to Tongkuanshanwei and the Houtunwei was moved to Salaerwei, completing the division of the garrison locations, Chen Ying realized that since the fire horse formation that night, the Jurchen camp had fallen into an eerie calm.
There were no attacks, no challenges, and even the daily scouting harassment ceased. The snow hut camp, stretching for miles, lay quietly on the northern snowfield like a lurking beast.
There must be a demon in the abnormal situation.
"General,"
Zhou Bin brought in a bowl of hot porridge: "Please eat something. If you keep staying up like this, your body won't be able to take it."
Chen Ying took the porridge but didn't drink it. He stared at the map on the wall, his brow furrowed. "Zhou Bin, what do you think Nurhaci is thinking?"
Zhou Bin was stunned for a moment: "This—I am too dull to figure it out."
"He's waiting."
Chen Ying muttered, "Wait until we lower our guard, wait until we reveal a weakness—"
Just then, hurried footsteps came from outside the door.
"Report! A secret report from the Embroidered Uniform Guard!"
Chen Yongren handed over the secret report.
"Bring it here quickly!"
The secret report was sealed with sealing wax and stamped with the official seal of the Northern Garrison of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Chen hurriedly opened it and scanned it quickly, a complex expression gradually appearing on his face.
"General, what's wrong?"
Zhou Bin asked nervously.
Chen Ying put down the secret report and suddenly smiled: "Grand Secretary Sun has made his move. Ma Shilong is leading 28,000 elite troops in a surprise attack on Liaoyang."
Zhou Bin was stunned at first, then overjoyed: "Liaoyang? That's the Jurchens' stronghold—their backyard, their most important territory on the Songliao Plain. As long as we take Liaoyang, the Jurchens' foundation will be destroyed. They won't even need to fight; they'll collapse from lack of food. Commander, this is fantastic news!"
Chen Ying nodded, but he wasn't as excited as Zhou Bin. A plan is a plan, and a good plan doesn't guarantee success. The Ming Dynasty had already been thoroughly infiltrated by the Jurchens, especially in the Liaoxi region.
Sun Chengzong's military order had just reached the military governor's office when the Jurchens probably already knew about it. In later times, Nurhaci might not have known about the surprise attack on Liaoyang, but in the Ming Dynasty, Ningyuan City was more than 600 li away from Liaoyang City. At the speed of the Ming army's march, it would take at least eight or nine days, and at most half a month.
The Jurchen cavalry were fast, and their spies were fast at delivering messages. Perhaps Nurhaci had already received the message before he even received it.
Chen Ying said softly, "Now Nurhaci doesn't not want to fight, but he dares not fight."
Zhou Bin suddenly realized: "You mean, he's already received the news?"
"Eight days."
Chen Ying murmured, "The news I received came from Ningyuan to here. Especially with the fall of Liaodong, even if Grand Secretary Sun used a fast horse to deliver the message over 600 li, his speed would be much slower than Nurhaci's. He probably knew about it three days ago."
Chen Ying turned around: "Send down the order to double the number of scouts and closely monitor the movements of the Jurchen camp. Also, send someone to invite Hamutai, Menggun, Bomubogor, Hada, and Baldachi to the council hall for discussion."
"yes!"
Just as Chen Ying judged, Nurhaci was indeed more aware than him of the news that Ma Shilong was preparing to attack Liaoyang. In the Jurchen camp, the atmosphere in the Khan's tent was so oppressive that it was almost as if water could be squeezed out of it.
Nurhaci sat at the head of the table, with a newly delivered secret report in front of him. His hands trembled slightly, and the wrinkles on his face seemed to deepen.
He suffered a setback at the gates of Shuangchengwei, his first defeat since he rose up and annexed the Jurchen tribes. Although the Battle of Hunhe was a Pyrrhic victory in terms of casualties, a Pyrrhic victory is still a victory. But in the Battle of Shuangchengwei, he was so defeated that he couldn't even find an excuse to blame himself.
Chen Boying, with only a thousand personal guards, eight thousand draft horses, and tens of thousands of hand grenades, inflicted the first crushing defeat of his life on him. If he were to retreat, he would lose face and could not afford to lose face.
Over the past few days, as he sent out scouts to scout towards Yongning, he obtained more detailed information. Although there were a large number of Chen Ying's troops in Yongning, small cavalry units could still bypass them through the beacon towers and post stations. However, large-scale troop movements would not be able to bury Chen Boying.
However, this is also good, as it will lure Chen Boying out of Shuangchengwei City. As long as they are on a field march, they can launch a surprise attack and defeat Chen Boying in one battle.
Unfortunately, before the plan could be implemented, devastating news came from Liaoyang.
"Liaoyang—the Ming dogs actually dared to attack Liaoyang."
Below the tent, the princes looked at each other in bewilderment.
Daishan was the first to speak: "Father, Liaoyang is undefended, with only 1,500 garrison troops and 6,000 Han soldiers. Those Han soldiers are unreliable, what if—"
"What if what?"
Nurhaci looked at him coldly.
Dai Shan lowered his head, not daring to say anything more.
Huang Taiji pondered for a moment and said, "Father, I believe that Liaoyang cannot be lost and we must return to its aid. We have over a million mu of farmland in Liaoyang, and more than 60% of our grain is stored there. If Liaoyang falls, the consequences will be unimaginable!"
In fact, both Huang Taiji and Daishan had been traumatized by Chen Boying. The Jurchens were a slave society, and all the people in each banner were the private property of the banner lord. Losing a banner soldier meant losing their property. After a probing attack, Shuangchengwei was very difficult to defeat.
Even if we use human lives, we might not be able to defeat Shuangchengwei.
"Your Majesty, Liaoyang is the foundation of our Great Jin Dynasty. We must not allow the Ming dogs to conquer it!"
"We need to take a longer approach to this matter regarding Twin City Guard."
The Jurchens have lost more than 30,000 men in this wretched place. The Jurchen Right Wing Four Banners had already suffered heavy losses. If the fighting continues, how many more will they lose?
Of course, no one dared to say this in front of Nurhaci. Upon hearing that Ma Shilong had launched a surprise attack on Liaoyang, the princes began to have their own ideas.
Abatai chimed in, "Father, we must withdraw our troops and return to Liaoyang. We can't afford to lose our homeland for the sake of Chen Boying, can we?"
"Shut up!"
Nurhaci roared, and the tent fell silent instantly.
He slowly stood up, walked to the map, and his gaze moved back and forth between Liaoyang and Shuangchengwei.
After a long silence, he slowly spoke: "Eighth Brother, you speak."
Huang Taiji took a deep breath and said carefully, "Father, I believe that Liaoyang must be saved. It is our foundation. If we lose Liaoyang, Shenyang will be lost, and the entire Great Jin will be finished."
Nurhaci nodded and said, "Go on!"
"but,"
Huang Taiji naturally saw that Nurhaci was unwilling to withdraw his troops back to Shenyang, and he changed the subject: "However, we cannot let the Shuangchengwei situation go either. Chen Boying has become a major threat. If we let him go unchecked, he will surely cause a great disaster in the future."
"Old Eight is right! So what do you suggest we do?"
Huang Taiji looked at Nurhaci: "Father, I suggest we divide our forces."
"Splitting the troops?"
"right."
Huang Taiji pointed to the map and said, "We have hundreds of thousands of troops here. We will send out an elite force of about 10,000 cavalry to march day and night to reinforce Liaoyang. The rest of the troops will continue to besiege Shuangchengwei and contain Chen Boying, preventing him from having the opportunity to support Liaodong."
Abatai couldn't help but ask, "Then who will stay behind? Who will come back to provide support?"
"I'm going back—"
"Your Highness, this is absolutely unacceptable! You were already ambushed before, and now you're going to be ambushed again by Ma Shilong—"
"Amin, shut up!"
Dai Shan glared at Amin: "Do you want to die? If you hadn't deserted your post, would we have lost?"
Amin, not to be outdone, retorted, "An incompetent general can cause the death of the entire army!"
"you!"
Amin immediately replied, "Your Majesty, this servant is willing to return to Liaoyang to provide reinforcements!"
Abatai chimed in, "I'm also willing to return to Liaoyang to provide assistance!"
Stay behind?
That means continuing to face that madman Chen Boying, those exploding fireballs, and those reckless Ming soldiers. Who would be willing to do that? Only a fool would.
Ma Shilong was an old acquaintance of theirs, and they knew each other very well. They lacked confidence in fighting Chen Boying, but they had absolute confidence in dealing with Ma Shilong.
They are absolutely confident that they can take on two opponents at once.
Looking at his sons, Nurhaci felt a surge of sorrow.
After their defeat, they were all terrified. That Chen Boying had truly frightened them.
He looked at Huang Taiji, a complex expression flashing in his eyes: "Eighth Prince, what about you?"
Huang Taiji remained silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Your subject—is willing to continue fighting Chen Boying!"
A commotion broke out inside the tent.
"Eighth Brother, are you sure you want to stay behind?"
Huang Taiji nodded: "Your subject is willing to share your father's burdens."
Nurhaci remained silent for a long time before finally nodding slowly: "Alright. Dudu."
Du Du stepped forward: "Your servant is here!"
"You will lead 5,000 elite cavalry from the Plain White Banner, plus 3,000 Mongol cavalry, for a total of 8,000 men, and immediately return to Liaoyang to reinforce it. Remember, travel day and night, and be sure to arrive before the Ming army."
"twitter!"
Du Du accepted the order, turned around, and strode away.
Nurhaci then looked at Huang Taiji: "Eighth Prince, I'm leaving this place to you. Remember, don't launch a full-scale attack, just besiege it. After I've dealt with Liaodong, I'll come back and deal with Chen Boying."
Huang Taiji bowed and said, "Your subject understands."
Nurhaci waved his hand, and the princes filed out.
Nurhaci slowly sat down, gazing at the snow-covered plain outside the tent, and murmured, "Chen Boying—what exactly are you?"
Twin Cities Guard, Council Chamber.
Chen Ying sat in the main seat, flanked by tribal leaders such as Hamutai, Menggun, Bomubogor, and Baldachi, as well as generals such as Zhou Bin and Liu Yuan.
"Gentlemen," Chen Ying said, getting straight to the point, "we have just received news that General Ma Shilong of Liaodong has led his troops on a surprise attack on Liaoyang. Nurhaci has already dispatched troops to reinforce the city."
A commotion broke out in the hall.
Hamutai exclaimed excitedly, "My lord, this is a golden opportunity! Let's take advantage of his divided forces, launch a surprise attack, and wipe out his stronghold in one fell swoop!"
With Chen Boying's great victory over the Jurchens, Hamutai became a staunch follower of Chen Ying. He even believed that as long as Chen Ying was around, the Jurchens were not a threat.
Meng Gun hurriedly added, "Yes! Let the Jurchens taste our might!"
Chen Ying raised his hand to quell the commotion and slowly said, "Grand Secretary Sun sent someone to convey a message, hoping that we would try our best to contain Nurhaci's main force so that he would have no time to attend to Liaodong. My idea is to attack."
"beat!"
"good!"
"It should have been done a long time ago!"
The crowd was filled with indignation.
Chen Ying suddenly smiled and said slowly, "But not by force."