The Red Mansions

Chapter 1404 Jia Heng: No matter how hard we fight, we cannot defend Ningyuan City.

Chapter 1404 Jia Heng: ...No matter how hard we fight, we cannot defend Ningyuan City.

Beiping Prefecture, in the government hall——

At this moment, officers from the Beijing Camp and the Peking Military Planning and Pacification Office gathered together. The entire hall was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

Pairs of eyes, some resolute, some admiring, were cast on the young man's face.

Marquis Zhongjing Shi Ding was also sitting on a pearwood chair with a backrest, among the generals, looking forward to the scene.

Jia Heng's sword-like brows and clear eyes flashed with great majesty. He asked, "Lord Shi, the Jurchen troops are now in Ningyuan City in Liaodong. Where is my vanguard army now?"

Shi Ding, the Marquis of Zhongjing, looked solemn, his eyes flashed, and he cupped his hands and said, "Duke Weiguo, the deputy general of Shanhaiguan, Cao Bianjiao, has led 30,000 troops to Gaotai Fort and is confronting the enemy in Ningyuan City."

Jia Heng said in a clear voice: "After our army, we should first conquer Ningyuan City. The Jurchens have set up two defense lines in Shengjing, one is Ningyuan and the other is Songjin. After our Han army breaks through this city, we will meet the enemy on the Songjin line. As long as we defeat the main force of the Jurchens, our Han army can sweep away Liaodong in one fell swoop."

Marquis Zhongjing Shi Ding nodded and complimented him, "Duke Weiguo is right."

After finishing the meeting with the generals, Jia Heng, accompanied by Shi Ding, Marquis of Zhongjing, held a welcoming banquet.

At this moment, all the generals were toasting each other, and soon they were all drunk.

Shi Ding and the officers of the Beiping Jinglüe Anfusi Division supported the officers of the Beijing camp and went to the camp located in the south of Beiping City.

In the study -

On a wood, stone and mica screen behind him hung a map depicting mountains, rivers and cities. Various blue lines were drawn on it, which was the topographic map of Korea and Liaodong. The criss-crossing lines showed that the battle was endless.

Jia Heng sat down behind a lacquered wooden desk. Under his sword-like brows, his clear eyes were sharp and his face was like dark water. He was thinking about how to use troops.

Chen Xiao walked slowly forward, a rich aroma floated over, and said, "Do you have any good ideas?"

Jia Heng paused for a moment, his brows furrowed, and he said, "The Jurchens stationed their troops along the Songjin line. This place is not far from Shanhaiguan, so the defense pressure for transporting baggage and fodder is not that great."

Chen Xiao said softly: "This time the Red Barbarian Cannon has been pulled to Beiping Prefecture. If we use the cannon to attack Ningyuan City, Ningyuan City will be destroyed in an instant."

This is Chen Xiao's confidence in the Han Dynasty's firearms and military industry. As the Han Dynasty's Military Equipment Bureau improved the technology for manufacturing cannons and guns, the red cannon has undoubtedly become much lighter.

Jia Heng looked deep under his sharp eyebrows and said, "But the Jurchens are good at turning the tables in difficult battles, so we have to be on guard."

The so-called art of employing troops is to be cautious and not to be negligent in the slightest.

Don’t be fooled by the appearance of being defeated with a flying dragon on your face now, but in the real battlefield, the situation changes rapidly.

Chen Xiao nodded and said, "According to the secret spy, the Jurchens have stationed about 90,000 troops in Jinzhou, and have sent about 30,000 more troops to Ningyuan City."

Jia Heng turned around and stared at the map with mountains and rivers, and said, "In the direction of Ningyuan City, there are Qiantun and Gaotaibao. Shanhaiguan Deputy General Cao Bianjiao is stationed in Qiantun. After a few days, when the army has rested, we will go to Gaotaibao to join him."

From Shanhaiguan to Ningyuan City and even Jinzhou City, it is actually not far.

Chen Xiao said: "First send a vanguard army to support Cao Bianjiao."

Jia Heng nodded, paused for a moment, and said loudly, "That's exactly what I was thinking."

After thinking for a while, he ordered the Jinyifu guards outside, "Come here, go and call the loyal and diligent Marquis over."

"Yes."

The Jinyifu guard turned around and left the hall without saying anything more.

Not long after, Xie Zaiyi, the Marquis of Loyalty and Diligence, entered the hall, clasped his fists and said, "Greetings, Marshal Jie."

Jia Heng nodded and said, "Thank you, brother. No need to be polite."

Then, under Xie Zaiyi's puzzled gaze, he said, "Lord Xie, tomorrow morning, you will lead the troops of the Guoyong Battalion to Gaotai Fort first, join Cao Bianjiao, and threaten Ningyuan City?"

Upon hearing this, Xie Zaiyi cupped his hands and said, "General, I have 20,000 soldiers under my command. Should we attack directly?"

"Move as soon as possible." Jia Heng pondered and said, "Our army will fight the enemy in Songjin. We should first take Ningyuan City. Once our army arrives, we can attack with all our forces. Lord Xie should go and investigate the enemy's strength first."

Xie Zaiyi pondered the words "act as soon as possible", his face slightly solemn, and said firmly: "Don't worry, Duke Weiguo, I will definitely go all out to stop the enemy from plundering the south."

Jia Heng nodded and said, "Lord Xie is the bravest of the three armies. When you lead your troops to Ningyuan this time, you can send them as scouts and explore. When the main army arrives, if the opportunity is right, you can quickly attack the enemy from behind and defeat the enemy in one fell swoop."

Xie Zaiyi paused for a moment under his thick eyebrows, and clasped his fists and said, "Don't worry, Duke Weiguo, I have the same intention now."

It can be said that Xie Zaiyi was originally a general who was imaginative in his use of military strategies and was not bound by the usual conventions.

Jia Heng's eyes showed admiration, and he said, "Everything is left to Lord Xie."

Xie Zaiyi bowed and said yes, then quickly left the study to gather the generals and deploy the soldiers.

Jia Heng looked at Chen Xiao who was standing beside him, patted one of his shoulders, and called out, "Xiaoxiao, come over here and massage my shoulders for me."

Chen Xiao rolled his eyes at Jia Heng, snorted, and said, "My shoulder is still sore right now, can you help me massage it too?"

But she still felt sorry for Jia Heng, so she came behind Jia Heng and gently massaged the young man's shoulders.

Jia Heng's calm face showed a hint of satisfaction, and he said happily, "The deployment of troops should be almost done."

There was nothing that could be done about this kind of thing, and now with the Han army's might, it was completely possible to deal with it.

"Is there any news from the capital?" Jia Heng asked, his cold and sharp eyes flashing slightly under his sword-like brows.

Chen Xiao's snow-white face showed the tired look of the traveler, and he said loudly: "There hasn't been any news recently, but I asked Qu Lang and Liu Jixian to keep an eye on it."

Jia Heng nodded and said, "The capital city needs to monitor Chen Yuan's movements."

Chen Xiao said: "Senior sister always sends me messages by carrier pigeon."

Jia Heng said, "I'm very tired from the journey. Let's take a shower, change clothes, and have a good sleep. I'll go inspect the defense of Beiping City later."

After a while, the imperial guards entered the hall, looked at the young man in the python robe, clasped their fists and said, "General, the hot water is ready."

Jia Heng said, "Come on, help me bathe."

Chen Xiao raised her eyebrows and glared at the young man in the python robe with a hint of shame and anger in her eyes. Then, she followed Jia Heng to the side room.

After Jia Heng finished bathing, he inspected the defense of the Beiping city accompanied by Chen Xiao.

At this moment, on the towering city wall with a circumference of several miles, soldiers wearing black iron armor were holding bows and crossbows.

Accompanied by officers from the Beiping Prefecture, Jia Heng inspected the defense facilities and the military preparedness of the various camps.

After so many years, especially after the reorganization by Minister of War Li Zan and Marquis Zhongjing Shi Ding, Beiping Prefecture has become an elite force on the northern border defense line.

……

……

Ningyuan City

This city, where the great victory of Ningyuan took place in the history of parallel time and space, stands quietly in the vast land of Liaodong, majestic and magnificent.

At this moment, in the wilderness five miles away from Ningyuan City, one can see red flags embroidered with auspicious clouds waving in the wind, as bright as fire, and the white tents look like white clouds in the blue sky.

At this moment, Cao Bianjiao, deputy general of Shanhaiguan, was riding on a horse, holding a monocular telescope in his hand, looking at Ningyuan City a few miles away.

In the camera's field of view, on the battlements of the low city wall, there were tall, fierce-looking Jurchen soldiers wearing indigo-colored copper armor with studs. You could almost see beads of sweat the size of soybeans on their faces.

Deputy General Guo Yan paused for a moment and said, "General, the Jurchens have sent more troops."

Cao Bianjiao said loudly: "It is useless to send more troops. My 30,000 troops are enough to stop the enemy from returning."

Ever since the last time this deputy commander-in-chief of Shanhaiguan led his elite cavalry to defeat the troops of the Bordered Blue Banner led by Jirgalang, Prince Zheng of the Jurchens, not only the officers' confidence has doubled, but even the ordinary soldiers have felt their confidence doubled.

Guo Yan said: "Now the offensive and defensive situation is really different. I remember when I was a soldier in Shanhaiguan, facing the enemy cavalry coming south, I could only hide in the fortress and could not move at all."

This deputy general of Cao Bianjiao was only in his early forties. In his early years, he witnessed how the border of the Han Dynasty was allowed to be invaded by the enemy and the Han army had no power to fight back.

Cao Bianjiao nodded, his expression paused, and he said in a clear voice: "Duke Weiguo has defeated the enemy in several consecutive battles, which has dealt a severe blow to the arrogance of the Jurchens. This is why we have such a good situation now."

His cold gaze seemed to penetrate through the thick clouds and fell on the towering city. He said in a deep voice, "The war to annihilate a country, to establish merit and achievements, to go down in history, is happening today. How lucky I am to be here."

Deputy General Guo Yan nodded and said, "What the general said is very true."

If this war leads to a great victory in destroying the country, he might even be awarded a title for his merit, which would indeed be a grand event celebrated by the whole world.

This actually reflects the confident mentality of the Han army at this moment. After several major victories, the entire Han Dynasty is filled with a positive and optimistic atmosphere.

Cao Bianjiao's eyes were piercing under his thick eyebrows, and he said in a deep voice, "Go back first."

At this moment, a soldier wearing red armor and a black cloak gripped the reins tightly, rode over and shouted, "General Cao, the commander's order!"

A look of surprise appeared on Cao Bianjiao's face.

Then, he took a copy of the newspaper from the soldier and read it attentively. After a while, a hint of surprise appeared in his tiger eyes under his thick eyebrows. He met Guo Yan's gaze and said loudly, "The commander has sent Xie Hou to lead the vanguard troops to rush to our aid."

Guo Yan's tone was full of excitement as he said, "It would be great if our army could station troops here."

"Build barracks and prepare to welcome the army here." Cao Bianjiao said in a deep and decisive voice.

Once an army of hundreds of thousands arrives, just preparing their food, drink, defecation, and related food and fodder is not an easy task.

On the other side, Ningyuan City——

On the towering city gate tower, with vermilion beams and pillars, green bricks and black tiles, one can see Jurchen soldiers holding weapons and guarding the city gate from all sides.

The commander-in-chief of the Bordered Blue Banner stationed in the city, Aiduli, who was also Jirgalang's nephew, and the deputy commander-in-chief Gulmahong, stood on the top of the city wall, looking at the Han army in the distance with a solemn look in their eyes.

With the decline of the Jurchen princes and nobles, the Jurchens were somewhat lacking in succession, and the younger generation of Jurchens began to make their debut and step onto the big stage of history.

"How cowardly! In the past ten years or so, has our Qing Dynasty ever been so cowardly?" Gulmahong said with humiliation in his eyes under his thick eyebrows and a somewhat indignant voice.

Ai Duli sighed, his face full of disappointment under his thick eyebrows, and he said loudly: "The national strength is weak, the military power is declining, and our Qing Dynasty is no longer the same as it used to be."

Gu Erma Hong said: "The Han people should be on their way. The 150,000-strong Beijing camp army is going to destroy our country in one fell swoop."

Ai Duli's eyes were cold, and he said, "You have forgotten the border troops in Beiping and the troops in Shanhaiguan. Together, there are estimated to be 200,000 to 300,000 soldiers. This is the most critical battle in the history of the Qing Dynasty, no less than the battle of Sarhu."

Hearing this, Gulmahong frowned, a hint of worry appeared in his eyes, and he said, "What did the Regent say?"

"What else can we say? Let us lead our troops to hold the position. Reinforcements are on the way." Aiduli said with a grim face and worried expression.

Upon hearing this, Gulmahong, who was standing by, also had a serious look in his eyes.

Ai Duli looked deeply at the military tent under his thick eyebrows and said in a deep voice: "Defend this city first, and wait for the regent's military order."

As they spoke, the two of them quickly walked down the city wall and headed towards the government office.

While he was looking at the map in the hall with a frown on his face, a guard's voice suddenly came from outside, saying, "Prince Zheng is here."

The two people who were drinking tea and thinking hard looked at each other, and a hint of joy appeared on their faces.

Prince Zheng has arrived, and we have a backbone.

Although Prince Zheng Jirgalang suffered two defeats against the Han court, he was still one of the few princes who could stand on his own in the Qing Dynasty where talent was dwindling.

As they were talking, the two of them strode out of the yamen. In the distance, they saw a middle-aged man riding a tall horse coming down the street. He was also wearing blue nail armor. His strong and majestic face was full of determination and bravery.

"Uncle." Ai Duli stepped forward quickly and saluted Prince Zheng with his fists clasped.

Jirgalang approached and asked impatiently, "What's the situation? Has the Han army sent more troops?"

"It seems that the Han army has recently received a cavalry reinforcement, which is heading towards Ningyuan City." Aiduli said.

"Cavalry?" Jirgalang was surprised and asked, "But the Han court's Beijing camp troops are coming?"

Ai Duli's face was still full of worry, and he said in a deep voice: "It should be."

"Follow me to the top of the city." Jirgalang said with a serious expression.

As he spoke, accompanied by his personal guards, he climbed up the city wall in a mighty procession and observed the movements of the Han army.

……

……

On the other side, after two days of rest, Jia Heng led the Beijing army to leave Beiping Prefecture and head for Gaotai Fort.

Finally, in the late June of the 19th year of Chongping, we arrived at the castle, close to the city of Ningyuan. We walked slowly and steadily along the way.

Previously, this castle was also a military fortress used by the Jurchens to station troops and protect the city of Jinzhou. After being unexpectedly defeated by the cavalry under Cao Bianjiao, it has now undoubtedly become a place for the Han army to station troops.

On top of the towering city walls, one can see flags fluttering like a forest, and long spears flashing a faint cold light.

At this moment, Cao Bianjiao, the deputy general of Shanhaiguan, led a group of soldiers to meet outside the fort. He looked at the young man in the python robe and said, "This general greets the Duke of Weiguo."

Jia Heng nodded, with a hint of admiration in his eyes beneath his sharp eyebrows, and said with a smile: "General Cao, long time no see."

Cao Bianjiao's sharp and majestic tiger eyes showed a hint of respect, and he clasped his fists and said, "Duke Weiguo has been gone for many years, and his demeanor remains the same."

Jia Heng smiled, got off the saddle, threw the reins to the Jinyifu guards beside him, and praised: "General Cao defeated Jierhalang's troops before. He was brave and good at fighting. This is the first time that our Han Dynasty has defeated the Jurchens on the frontal cavalry battlefield. It is of great significance."

Cao Bianjiao showed a humble look on his face and said, "Duke Weiguo, you are too kind."

Being praised by his idol, Cao Bianjiao felt inexplicably happy, but in order to maintain his calm and dignified image, he did not show it.

Jia Heng nodded and said loudly: "Okay, this is not a place for chatting, let the army enter the city."

He came here as the supreme commander, so it couldn't be said that he was the host.

Cao Bianjiao also reacted immediately, and quickly extended his hand to invite him, saying, "Duke Weiguo, please."

Afterwards, Jia Heng led a group of personal guards and officers into a two-meter-high fortress and entered the government office of the city council.

Jia Heng sat down, his eyes paused, and he asked in surprise, "General Cao, why didn't you see Lord Xie just now?"

Cao Bianjiao said, "Reporting to the Duke of Wei, Marquis Xie has already set up camp outside Ningyuan City to monitor the enemy troops in the city. He has delivered military intelligence in the past few days."

Upon hearing this, Jia Heng smiled and said, "Marquis Xie has always been unparalleled in courage and bravery, and is good at fighting. Few people in the world can match him."

This was also what Xie Zaiyi had been told before, that is, to seize the opportunity and act accordingly.

Jia Heng looked at Cao Bianjiao and asked, "Have the Jurchen Tartar troops in Ningyuan City made any recent moves?"

Cao Bianjiao raised his eyes to look at Jia Heng, and said in a clear and crisp voice: "Replying to the Duke of Weiguo, the Jurchen troops in Ningyuan City are still hiding and not coming out."

Upon hearing this, Jia Heng asked, "Have you found out how many soldiers are there in the city?"

Cao Bianjiao frowned, his eyes full of worry, and said, "Duke Weiguo, there are about 30,000 soldiers from the Bordered Blue Banner, the Eight Banners of Mongolia, and the Eight Banners of Han Army in the city, but because they are defending an isolated city, it is difficult to capture the city with the same number of troops."

Jia Heng nodded, thought for a moment, and said firmly: "Don't worry about it. The Jurchens have more than 30,000 soldiers and horses. Even if they resist stubbornly, they can't defend Ningyuan City."

Cao Bianjiao said: "I think so too. Once our army arrives, it will only be a matter of time before Ningyuan City falls."

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then said, "In the past few days, the army has sent out a team of scouts to guard against the Jurchen cavalry harassing our food supply route."

The army of more than 100,000 had a long supply line from Shanhaiguan to Gaotaibao, so cavalry were indispensable for protection along the way.

Cao Bianjiao nodded in agreement.

Afterwards, all troops of the Beijing camp were stationed in Gaotai Fort.

(End of this chapter)