weaving

Chapter 769 Jinzhou is in Danger
In the main hall of Governor Xingyuan, Bing Xian Zhang Dou said: "Xingshan Liangdao has Zuo Zongbing leading the army stationed on Wudaoling, and there is also Zongbing Meng Dao assisting Xingshan Baocheng, and Zhang Zongbing is on Changling Mountain. The elite battalion is stationed, and they are generally carefree, even if the Tatars attack unexpectedly, at least they can stand firm and wait for reinforcements due to the danger of the mountain."

He raised his hand and brushed his beard lightly, and said again: "Gaoqiao is located between the apricot and the pagoda, surrounded by Duoping River, and close to the Gaoqiao River, it is suitable for the army to station."

When Zhang Dou said this, he stopped talking, but looked up at Hong Chengchou, the governor of Jiliao, his face was as sinking as water, without any expression of joy or anger.

Yao Gong, the deputy inspector, said at this time: "The location of Gaoqiao is the key point of the Xingta grain road. It is adjacent to Daxing Fort in the north, Tashan Fort in the west, and Xingshan Fort in the east. It is indeed an important place.

What's more, there are not many garrisons in Gaoqiao. If a general is appointed to sit here today, he can not only monitor the movement in the direction of Nuerhe in the north, but also guard the grain road between the apricot towers, and take care of the defense of the two castles. "

Hong Chengchou flicked his three beards lightly, and said: "As General Zhongchen said, the army of captives is gathering in Jinzhou, and the outcome of the war cannot be decided in one moment. It is related to the morale of the army, and it cannot be neglected in the slightest.

It is indeed necessary to send a general to garrison Gaoqiao today, who can command the defenders in various places on Tashan and protect the safety of Bijiashan's grain storage.Generals, who is willing to go and protect the lifeline of food and road for our army? "

Wu Sangui, the commander-in-chief of the Ningyuan Regiment, was the first to stand up, and said loudly, "To Governor Hong, the final general is willing to go to Gaoqiao to guard the food road for the army."

Ma Ke's eyes flickered too. He first glanced left and right, took a step forward, clasped his fists and said, "I want to report to the governor, the last general is also willing to go to Gaoqiao to protect the safety of the food road for the army."

At this time, Tang Tong looked at Wu Sangui, then at Ma Ke, and hurried out of the crowd, and said loudly: "I report to the governor, the general is also willing to go to Gaoqiao to guard the grain road."

Hong Chengchou was very happy to see everyone asking for orders, but these people were all qualified candidates in his mind, but they were not suitable candidates.

In Hong Chengchou's view, under the current situation, as Zhang Cheng analyzed, after the arrival of the captive chief Hong Tai, the war in Liaodong is indeed much more complicated, and he has to guard against the grain road.

Although it is necessary to return to the division to garrison Takahashi to guard the grain road, the selection of the candidate is also very important. They must be familiar with the terrain of Ningjin and the situation of the defenders in Xingta, so they must be veterans of Liaozhen.

For this alone, Tang Tong is not suitable as the commander-in-chief of Miyun.

In fact, Wu Sangui is the most suitable, because he is the training commander of the Ningyuan Regiment and Zu Dashou's nephew, he knows the terrain of Ning, Ta and Xing mountains very well, and he also knows the generals in various places very well.

However, among the generals in Liaozhen, Wu Sangui commanded the largest and most powerful troops. He seemed to be the backbone of the generals in Liaozhen, but it was not easy to leave Songshan at this moment, fearing that the frontline troops would not be enough to deal with the captives.

Although the remaining Ma Ke was not the commander-in-chief of Shanhaiguan, he was also a former general of the Shaanxi Army of Hong Chengchou.

After all, he is not a local veteran in Liaodong, and he will not have much time in office. He does not have a deep understanding of the intricate relationship between the defenders in Ningyuan, Tashan, and Xingshan.

What's more, Ma Ke had such an embarrassing incident just now,
Hong Chengchou groaned silently, his eyes turned deeply on the generals, and after a while, they stopped on Liu Zhaoji, the general soldier of Liaodong, and did not go away for a long time.

Liu Zhaoji naturally also saw the meaning of expectation in Hong Chengchou's eyes. He had been worried that Wu Sangui's great contribution in the Songjin battle would probably replace him in his current position.

And although he had the merits of fighting against the Tartars under the city of Xingshan in the past, but now the battle of Songjin has just begun, and what will happen in the future is still unknown. Who dares to say that Wu Sangui's final military achievements will not surpass his own by a lot.

Just because he couldn't calm down in his heart, he didn't care about the disputes between the generals outside, and naturally he didn't think of asking himself to guard Gaoqiao.

However, seeing Governor Hong Chengchou looking into his eyes at this moment, he rushed out of the crowd, bowed down and said: "I want to report to the governor, the general is willing to lead the army to garrison Gaoqiao, and use his life to ensure that there is no loss of food and roads in Xingshan and Tashan!"

Seeing Liu Zhaoji come out to ask for orders, Hong Chengchou showed a little smile, and he said: "Okay, the generals dare to do things, and the governor is very relieved.

However, there are many evil slaves in Jincheng, and it is urgent to solve them. In the past, all the kings would reciprocate, but now that the meeting is in progress, it is even more necessary for you to sit and guard Songshan to prepare for the battle with the slaves.

However, the safety of food and roads is also the lifeblood of the army, and there is no room for loss. A general must be sent to guard, so that the hundreds of thousands of soldiers in Songshan City can feel at ease. "

Hong Chengchou kept his eyes on Liu Zhaoji all the time, and said to him at this time: "Liu Zongbing in Liaodong has always been brave and good at fighting, and now he will lead his troops to Gaoqiao to garrison and coordinate the deployment of the Tashan garrison. We must ensure that the food and roads in Tashan are not lost. There is no need to worry about food in the mountains.”

Liu Zhaoji apologized again and saluted, and said: "Yes. Please rest assured, the governor. I will guarantee with my life that I will never let a Tartar thief cross the high bridge."

Hong Chengchou nodded, and after they turned around and returned to their seats, he spoke again: "The slave soldiers are gathering today, the battle between Songjin and Songjin is difficult, and it has a bearing on the safety of Liaodong. I hope you can guard your camps and fight to the death with all your strength." .”

He also said: "At present, the battle between the land of pine brocade and slaves is not a war of waves. They must be upright to make a surprise, and then they can defend their battles. To defend, not to defend in vain. They must defend and fight at the same time, and then they can be defended." .”

He said: "Of course, slave chieftains are not ordinary people. They can definitely see my teacher's intentions. If they don't last long, they will come up with surprises in order to win. All generals must not take their guard lightly, so that they will be taken advantage of by slaves.

Since the slaves are attacking fiercely, they should stick to their camps and wait for reinforcements. They must not retreat lightly, so that the reputation of years of hard work will be lost here. "

The strategy for dealing with the captives has been established in the near future, and people have been sent to guard the food road in Tashan. Hong Chengchou discussed some specific details with the officials and generals.

Hong Chengchou even gave Zhang Ruoqi, Zuo Guangxian, Liu Zhaoji and other officers and generals who guarded the food and Taoism the strategy. In this battle, the enemy must not be underestimated or careless. Be careful everywhere, set up more sentries, and always pay attention to the surrounding situation.

Zhang Ruoqi and the others were respectful and educated, especially Zuo Guangxian and Liu Zhaoji slapped their chests loudly, saying that if they could not protect the integrity of food, they were willing to raise their heads to see the governor.

Hong Chengchou nodded in relief. For him who is arrogant, the attitude of Zhang Ruoqi and others at the moment is very useful to him.

After the military discussion was over, all the officials and generals took their leave one after another and left the governor's office.

The smile on the face of Ma Ke, the chief soldier of Shanhaiguan, disappeared instantly, and his oily face was so gloomy that it seemed that water was about to drip.

When Wu Sangui was about to leave, he was stopped by Hong Chengchou. He looked at Wu Sangui and asked solemnly, "Uncle Chang, this battle is very important, do you understand?"

Wu Sangui looked respectful, and said with gratitude on his face: "The governor, you will understand in the end."

Hong Chengchou nodded, looking at the back of Wu Sangui leaving respectfully, he couldn't help thinking of what happened in the main hall just now, and sighed in his heart: "Oh, with someone like Zhang Cheng around, I don't know if it's a blessing or a disaster for me, Da Ming. what!"

After Zhang Cheng led his subordinate general Guo Yingxian and guerrilla Zhang Guangda back to his camp, he pondered for a long time before slowly saying: "It seems that we should pay more attention to that Ma Ke in the future, and don't be tripped by him, or It was his trick."

Guo Yingxian sat on a big chair, and said angrily: "What is he, Ma Ke, who dares to talk with a gun and a stick in front of the young handsome man? tooth."

Zhang Guangda also nodded, deeply agreeing with this, but in front of Zhang Cheng, he did not dare to speak presumptuously.

…………

In the 14th year of Chongzhen in the Ming Dynasty, on August 22, Jinzhou, Liaodong, was already time.

Jinzhou City is located on the north bank of the Xiaoling River. In the 24th year of Ming Hongwu, the commander Cao Feng rebuilt the old county town of Yuan Yongle. At that time, the circumference of Jinzhou City was only five miles, with bricks inside and outside.

Then, in the 12th year of Chenghua in the Ming Dynasty, Wang Kai, the commander of the capital, expanded the city wall. At that time, the circumference reached more than six miles, and four towers were built at the four corners of the city wall.

In the 17th year of Hongzhi in the Ming Dynasty, Hu Zhong, the general of Jinzhou City, expanded Jinzhou City again. After the construction, Jinzhou City was round like a plate, so Jinzhou City was also called Pancheng.

At that time, Jinzhou City Wall had a perimeter of seven miles and five hundred steps, and there was a moat outside the city. The city wall was nearly ten meters high. Outside the south wall, there was a small section of city wall. On the east, west, and north sides of Jinzhou, there are small Guanxiang towns.

After the city defense of Jinzhou City was completed during the Hongzhi period, the general layout remained basically unchanged until the end of Chongzhen. However, due to the wars between the Ming and Qing Dynasties over the years, Jinzhou has always been at the forefront. The trail of gunpowder smoke full of war.

At this time, Jinzhou City was once again facing the flames of war. Looking at the east, west, and north sides of the city wall, there were countless arrays of Qing troops surrounded by cavalry.

During the rumbling of the cannons, many roaring cannons continuously hit the city wall full of gunpowder smoke, and the heavy iron balls shook.The sound of breaking and collapsing city bricks rumbled from time to time.

Under the heavy bombardment of the Qing army, the Jinzhou defenders on the walls of the inner city of Jinzhou, wrapped in folded scarves and wearing short body armor, were terrified to avoid the incoming cannons. Some people even yelled and panicked.

The gunners of the Ming Army in Jinzhou City also fired back with all their might, but it is a pity that although there are many cannons in Jinzhou City, there are only seven Hongyi cannons, and General Frangji has less than twenty cannons. The army's long-range heavy artillery is more than enough.

The Qing army cleared out pieces of open space in the outer city of Jinzhou, and set up layers of artillery positions. The bombardment continued one after another, as if it would never stop.

Under the fierce artillery bombardment, there was no place to stand on the city wall, and the defenders of the inner city had to go down the city wall and go to the hiding cave below the city to avoid the bombardment of the artillery.

I don't know how long it took before the Qing army's artillery slowly stopped. Before the defenders in Jinzhou City could breathe a sigh of relief, another burst of loud horns sounded.

In the large formation of the Qing army surrounded on three sides outside Jinzhou City, shouts rang out overwhelmingly, and the densely packed shield chariots were immediately pushed out row by row.

They are distributed layer by layer. Behind each layer of shield carts, there is a layer of archers from the Qing army. Behind the multi-layer shield carts and archers, there is a large wave of various small carts carrying soil and hemp baskets, which the Qing army used to fill. For the purpose of leveling ditches, the last is the dense Qing army infantry holding shields and knives.

Seeing the dense crowd of Qing soldiers and horses outside the city, it seems boundless, and the ocean-like signal bands flutter in the wind, shining into a colorful phosphorescence in the sun.

The Jinzhou defenders on the city gasped, and many of them turned pale with shock.

"Is the Tartar crazy?"

On the southwest corner of Jinzhou City, there is Guangji Temple and the Liao Pagoda that has existed for nearly 600 years. This pagoda is as high as [-] floors and is located on a hill. It can be called the highest point in Jinzhou.

Standing on the tower, you can have a clear view of the movement and movement around you. During the wars over the years, the guards in Jinzhou City have lived on this tower, taking it as their loyalty for command and dispatch.

At this time, on one of the floors of the ancient pagoda of the Liao Dynasty, there was a group of Ming generals in helmets and armor. The leader was a general who was over sixty years old. Zu Dashou, the former general of the soldiers and conscripts.

Zu Dashou is the soul of the local generals in Guanning, and the core figure of the local warlord family in western Liaoning.

It can be said that the Zu family is full of officials, and it is the leading military family in western Liaoning. Zu Dashou's brothers and brothers Zu Dale, Zu Dacheng, Zu Dabi, Zu Dachun, etc., and his nephews Zu Zeyuan, Zu Zepei, Zu Dachun, etc. Ze Sheng, Zu Zefa, Zu Zerun, Zu Kefa and others are all officers at all levels from the general army to the deputy generals, generals, and guerrillas.

They were stationed in Ningyuan, Dalinghe, Jinzhou and other castles in the territory, and there were many relatives and servants of their ancestors who were now guarding and serving as the commanders of the castles. In this area in western Liaoning, they are really powerful. The potential is so great that no one can match it.

It is the newly emerging Wu family. Even Wu Xiang, Wu Sangui and his son, who have thousands of family members, can only rely on the ancestors in this land in western Liaoning.

However, after the four-year battle of the Daling River in Chongzhen, Zu Dashou's younger brother Zu Dachun, sons Zu Zerun, Zu Zepu, Zu Zehong, and adopted son Zu Kefa brought Zhang Cunren, Li Yun, Han Daxun, Wu Sanfeng, Pei Guozhen and others all surrendered to Houjin.

Since then, Zu Dashou's influence has been much worse than before, especially Wu Sanfeng is Wu Sangui's elder brother, and Pei Guozhen is his uncle.

However, a lean camel is bigger than a horse. In the area of ​​Western Liaoning, Zu Dashou is still the No. 1 leader of the Liaoxi Army of the Ming Dynasty.

It was his younger brother Zu Dabi who spoke just now. He is tall and tall, with a beard and hair, holding a huge mace in his hand. Although he is over fifty years old, he is still very brave in battle.

Every time he faced a battle, he would charge first, shouting and shouting. He once fought against the cavalry of the Qing army on his own, and because of this, he got a resounding nickname "Zu Er Crazy".

At this time, he and his elder brother were boarding the Liao Pagoda, and seeing the swarming Qing army, even the "Zu Er Crazy" couldn't help being stunned, and shouted: "Since yesterday, the Tartars have been attacking fiercely in wave after wave. Hit, is this... really an attempt to capture Jinzhou City?"

(End of this chapter)