779 Bloody Battle Cold Wind Ridge

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"General, let's withdraw too, the Qing army is going to kill."

Behind Hong Chengchou, a general anxiously persuaded Hong Chengchou, and there were dozens of private soldiers standing behind him.

In June, Li Zixiao received news from Liu Chong and Zhou Dazhu of Jinzhou in Xuzhou, and learned that the Tatars had launched an attack on Jinzhou.

Liu Chong and Zhou Dazhu said that Jinzhou is impregnable, although the Tartars are menacing and there are many soldiers and horses, they are still confident to hold Jinzhou.

At the same time, Liu Chong also told Li Zixiao in the news that after they repelled the first wave of Tartar attacks, the Tartars died down.

Moreover, the people who attacked Jinzhou City before were mainly Geng Jingzhong's men, and none of the Tartar soldiers went into battle.

After the three days of storming Jinzhou City, Geng Jingzhong retreated, and then the Tartars retreated to Hongzui Fort, besieged Daheisheng, and did not continue to attack Jinzhou City.

"Sir, why did the Tartars attack Jinzhou City this time, why did Huang Taiji hoard heavy troops in southern Liaoning, but now he is only besieging Da Heishan and no longer storming Jinzhou City, what is Huang Taiji thinking?"

After reading the news sent back by Liu Chong, Li Yan was also very puzzled, he thought that there would be a bloody battle in Jinzhou City, but now the situation caught him by surprise.

Li Yan was puzzled, but Li Zixiao was clear in his heart, as a traveler who is familiar with the historical trend and Tatar temperament.

Li Zixiao immediately guessed at this time that this time Huang Taiji really didn't want to seize Jinzhou, and it was estimated that Huang Taiji was thinking about entering the customs and looting again.

Li Zixiao smiled, took a sip of tea, looked at Li Yan, and said, "Huang Taiji is not a drunkard's intention to drink, his real target this time is not Jinzhou."

On the one hand, it should be his generals who reported to him that Jinzhou was difficult to fight, and he needed to pay too much price, which made Huang Taiji feel that the gains outweighed the losses, and he didn't plan to do it for the time being.

At this time, the Tartars were also very unhappy, they were sparsely populated, but they had to maintain a large army, and in the winter there was not even enough food to survive the winter.

I didn't see that in the past few years, every winter, the Tartars had to enter the customs and plunder to obtain population and food, sometimes on a large scale, sometimes on a small scale.

It has been four years since the last time the Tartars entered the customs and plundered on a large scale, and this time Huang Taiji probably wanted to repeat the old trick again, and the fight against Jinzhou was just a pretense. ”

After listening to Li Zixiao's words, Li Yan was also shocked, his face changed slightly, he looked at Li Zixiao, and exclaimed: "What does the lord mean that the real purpose of Huang Taiji this time is to enter the customs?" ”

"Hmm." Li Zixiao nodded.

"Then should we remind the court and let them take some precautions!"

"Remind or not, it makes no difference now, and now the defense of the imperial court in the north is basically rotten.

With the exception of Ningyuan and Shanhaiguan, the northern defense is basically full of holes.

As long as the Tartars don't want to completely enter the customs and come to destroy the Ming Dynasty, but have the intention of looting, they can completely skip the Shanhaiguan line.

Just like last time, they could travel lightly and take other routes to enter the customs, even if the imperial court knew in advance, they couldn't prevent it. ”

"Well, that's true."

After Li Yan heard this, he also thought that the defense of the imperial court in the north at this time was basically useless.

Immediately, Li Yan also became excited, because he knew that if the Tartars entered the customs and plundered again, it would be a disaster for the imperial court and Chongzhen, but for Li Zixiao and the White Dragon Army, it would be an opportunity.

At that time, if Li Zixiao goes north to Qinwang, he can lead his troops into Shandong and Hebei in a justifiable manner, and Li Zixiao's next expansion direction is these two places.

"No wonder the lord has sent General Wei to Kaifeng in recent months, where he recruited new recruits for training, it turns out that the lord has long expected that the Tartars may enter the customs again this year, so he has prepared in advance."

During this time, Li Zixiao actually did not have a shortage of troops in his hands, which was enough for him to control the existing territory, but he still ordered Wei Hong to rush to Kaifeng in person to recruit as many as 30,000 recruits.

This made Jiangbei's finances, which were already tense, face greater power, and finally Qian Guangyuan even came to Li Zixiao in person, hoping that he would suspend the recruitment of these recruits and postpone it for half a year.

But Li Zixiao refused, and in the end, Li Zixiao still adopted the old method, recruiting new soldiers, training, and equipment costs, all of which were not paid by the government, but by the Jiangbei consortium led by the Li family.

At this time, the Jiangbei consortium headed by the Li family had completely formed a group.

They have vigorously promoted commerce and trade from overseas trade and Li Zixiao's trade in Jiangbei and Henan, so that the merchants in Jiangbei have tasted the greatest sweetness, and now they are eager to jump on Li Zixiao's chariot.

Not only is recruiting new soldiers and strengthening training, Li Zixiao is also hoarding grain and grass now, and the food in the government is quite sufficient, but Li Zixiao also borrowed 500,000 stone grain and grass from Jiangbei grain merchants.

At the same time, the two major arsenals in Jiangbei are also working overtime to build weapons and firearms, and Jiangbei's war machine has already been quietly running.

Originally, Li Yan thought that Li Zixiao was preparing to exterminate Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong, as well as to rebel, but now Li Yan knew that he was wrong.

Li Yan didn't know why Li Zixiao was there, and he could have expected in advance that Tartar would enter the customs again this year to loot, but now it seems that Li Zixiao's preparation was too timely.

"Don't worry, Ben Jue guesses, there should be a few months before the real entry time of the Tartars, and there is still plenty of time left for us to prepare.

The last time, when the Tartars entered the customs in a big way four years ago, Benjue had limited troops at his disposal, and he could only teach them a small lesson.

This time, Benjue prepared tens of thousands of elite soldiers for them, and this time Benjue wanted to let the Tartars know that it was easy to enter the customs and difficult to get out. ”

As he spoke, a sneer appeared on Li Zixiao's face.

Just when Li Zixiao was secretly preparing for the entry of the Tartars, Huang Taiji outside the Guanwai was also secretly planning to go south in the autumn at this time.

At the beginning of July of the fifteenth year of Chongzhen, late at night in Shengjing, the study of Chongzheng Palace.

At this time, Huang Taiji's study was crowded with many civil and military ministers of the current Manchu Qing Dynasty.

Including Dai Shan, Dolgon, Azig, Zilharang, Duoduo, Hauge, and the traitor Fan Wencheng, Ning Wan and I are all there.

These people crowded Huang Taiji's originally small study.

"Ahem!"

Huang Taiji, who was sitting on the imperial chair, habitually coughed, moved his fat body with difficulty, glanced at everyone, and then said, "Ladies and gentlemen, I summoned you here this time.

I want to ask you, about our 'Southern Hunting' operation this year, are all the weapons, armor, grain, grass, and supplies of your banners ready? ”

Azig was the first to stand up and said, "Your Majesty, the grain, grass, materials, armor, etc. of all ministries are being urgently prepared.

However, this year's harvest is not good, and it is difficult for all tribesmen, and it is a great burden for all tribes to raise and supply the grain and grass needed for several months to supply the army of more than 100,000 at one time.

I also hope that the emperor will give us a little more time, and we will definitely complete the fundraising as soon as possible, and never delay this year's 'Southern Hunting' operation." ”

But Huang Taiji shook his head and said: "No, your various departments must speed up, we must take advantage of the Han people's defenselessness and rush to the south before winter, and take advantage of their unpreparedness to go south in one fell swoop, in order to reap miraculous results."

Otherwise, once we wait until winter, the weather is cold and freezing, and it will be even more inconvenient for us to enter the customs, and if we wait for the Han people to react, in case of another stalemate, it will be extremely unfavorable to our Qing Dynasty.

This time, we still have to fight fast and slow as before, avoid Shanhaiguan, quickly go south to enter the customs, and fight the Ming army without hurrying.

Before the army of the emperor of the Ming Dynasty arrived in Beijing, we quickly plundered and re-exited.

We now need more people to cultivate more land, and we also need manpower for mining and iron smelting, so this time we are going south to enter the customs, and we are still mainly looting people.

The main targets are Shanxi in the Ming Dynasty, as well as Shandong and Shandong. ”

Huang Taiji also knew very well that at this time, the Daming Hebei region had already been in tatters after being plundered by them on a large scale in the previous few times, and there was not much population and wealth to plunder.

Therefore, this time Huang Taiji prepared to divide his troops into two routes, all the way west to Shanxi, and all the way south to Shandong, both of which they had not penetrated too deep before, and the oil and water were still very sufficient.

"What the emperor said is reasonable, the courtiers asked to attack Shandong, and this time I will take Jinan."

Dolgon, the owner of the white flag on the side, also stood up at this time, said excitedly, and took the initiative to lead the Southern Route Army.

Dolgon has not forgotten that four years ago, he encountered the White Dragon Army in Shandong, Duoduo was captured, and Li Zixiao forced him to give up the attack on Jinan.

This time, Dolgon is ready to attack Jinan again, and he must defeat it to make up for the regret of the last time.

In addition, he knew that Shandong was not far from Li Zixiao's station, and Li Zixiao was very likely to lead his army to meet them at that time.

This time, Dolgon also went to wash away his shame and defeat Li Zixiao.

"Your Majesty, my courtiers are also asking for war, and my white flag is willing to go south to Shandong." When Dorgon had finished speaking, Dodor couldn't help but stand up.

Compared with Dorgon, Duoduo was even more imperative for going south to Shandong this time, and he couldn't forget the shame of being captured by Li Zixiao four years ago.

"Okay, I'm right, the Southern Route Army that entered Shandong will take your two white flags as the main force, and I will let the blue flag, and the Mongolian two red flags, and the white flag to cooperate with you.

In addition, the Han army with red, white, and yellow flags formed your Southern Route Army, with Dolgon as the commander, Duoduo as the deputy commander, and Zilharang as the deputy commander. ”

When Emperor Taiji saw that Dorgon and Dorgon were so invited to fight, he had no reason to disagree.

Originally, this time Dolgon was one of the commanders of the two-way raiding army in Huang Taiji's mind, and now he took the initiative to ask to command the Southern Route Army, which was the same as Huang Taiji thought.

At the same time, the two white flags of Dorgon and Dodor have always acted together, and it is not realistic to separate them.

Of course, Huang Taiji also knew the thoughts of Dolgon and Duoduo, and he also intended to fulfill them, and Huang Taiji believed that Dolgon should not be careful with him this time.

This time, Huang Taiji summoned so many Manchu ministers to come back, originally to determine the commander and composition of the two route armies in the south, otherwise there would be no time later.

Dolgon's Southern Route Army, including the Three Banners of the Tartars, the Three Banners of the Mongol Army, and the Three Banners of the Han Army, had more than 80,000 troops.

"Your Majesty, who will command the army that entered Shanxi?" Fan Wencheng asked beside him.

"This time for the Western Route Army, I am ready to hand over to Commander Azig, with Hauge and Du Du as deputy marshals, leading the Yellow Flag, the Red Flag, and the Blue Flag.

As well as the Mongolian two yellow flags, the white flags, as well as the two blue flags and inlaid red flags of the Han army, entered the customs from the north of the Great Wall, and plundered Shanxi to the west. ”

"Yes, Your Majesty." When Azig heard this, he was also overjoyed and immediately received the order.

Azig's Western Route Army also had more than 70,000 people, and the combined armies of the two routes had reached 150,000 soldiers and horses this time.

This has almost accounted for two-thirds of the total strength of the Tartars at this time, and you must know that the national strength of the Tartars at this time is only about 220,000 people.

This is also because in the past two years, the Tartars have suffered a lot of losses in the hands of the White Dragon Army, which has allowed Huang Taiji to expand the ranks of the Eight Banners of the Han Dynasty several times in a row, which has made the Tartar army grow rapidly.

Huang Taiji couldn't send all the soldiers and horses south to enter the pass, and he needed to leave enough troops to defend the old nest.

Huang Taiji didn't want to, last year Li Zixiao crossed the sea and led his troops to Shengjing City to reappear.

Although Li Zixiao only brought 2,000 people to Shengjing City last year, and did not cause much loss to the Tartars in Shengjing City, just the capture of Da Yu'er was already difficult for Huang Taiji to accept.

Therefore, this time Huang Taiji has fully considered it and will not give Li Zixiao any more loopholes.

"Now that the summer harvest has just ended, it is the best time to raise grain and grass materials, and I want your departments to complete the collection of all materials and the mobilization of troops within two months.

In September, all the troops will go to the meeting place one after another according to my orders, and in late September, they will enter the customs.

I think my father started with thirteen pairs of armor, how many difficulties have we overcome since we can develop to the present, no matter how difficult we are now, can we have the difficulties of my father's time?

The grain of each department was first supplied to the army, and when we entered the customs this time, the Han people there had food for us to grab.

When we bring back a cart full of grain, we will double it and return it to the people, not only food, but also women, real money, silk and satin. ”

Huang Taiji's words caused the Tartar generals to laugh, they recalled that they had entered the customs several times before, and each time they had gained a lot, and they were even more looking forward to this time.

Haoge laughed even louder and said, "What my father said is right, what we lack, just go to the Han people and grab it!"

I think that Taizu was able to create today's great foundation with thirteen pairs of armor, not because of the bravery of our people and the plundering from the Han people again and again!

The father and the emperor can rest assured that after the sons and daughters go back, they will take out the grain in the house, and they will ensure that they will raise all the grain and grass they need within the time limit. ”

"Okay." Huang Taiji glanced at Haoge appreciatively.

"Your Majesty, rest assured, we will do our best to help the princes and Belles, raise the materials needed for the army as soon as possible, and never delay the emperor's 'Southern Hunting' plan."

Fan Wencheng and Ning Wan, the traitor ministers next to him, also hurriedly stood up at this time and expressed their determination to Huang Taiji.

As the late-night meeting in the Emperor's study ended, Dolgon, Azig and other Tartar generals returned to their men.

And the various departments under him have also accelerated the collection of grain and grass materials, and this time it is needed

(End of chapter)