The end of the Ming Dynasty swept the world

Chapter 576
In February of the tenth year of Chongzhen (1637), Huang Taiji sent troops two months later than in the original history, and conquered North Korea for the second time.

On February 300, Mafuta, Lausa and others led [-] Qing troops disguised as businessmen to set off from Shahebao (now Shahe Street, Anshan, Liaoning).

On February [-]th, this Qing army crossed the frozen Yalu River and opened the prelude to the war of entering Korea.

On February 2th, Duduo and Shuotuo led the second Boba Yala to continue the journey for 1000 days after Mafuta and Lausa, with a force of [-] guards.

Four days later, the main forwards of the Qing army, Yue Tuo and Yang Guli, set off with 3000 fine cavalry (mainly used for reinforcements).

Then came the main rear army of the Qing army, which was divided into two groups: the left wing was led by Hauge to attack Ping'an Road and Hamgyong Road to cover the flanks (about 16000 to [-] troops); the right wing and five banners were led by Huang Taiji. The rate marched into Seoul (about [-]) from Yizhou on the border along the main road.A total of about [-] soldiers and horses.

Three days later, about 1 soldiers from the Qing army set off, and King Ershun (Kong and Geng) escorted the logistics supplies and King Ershun's firearms troops followed up.

The entire Qing army, about 3 people, was divided into five groups and continuously crossed the Yalu River.

The North Korean army retreated to the cities and did not dare to stop them, causing the vanguard of the Qing army to march forward triumphantly, as if entering a land without people.

Huang Taiji himself commanded the main force of the Qing army to pass through Yizhou from the Zhenjiang road, and Dorobelle Haug commanded the Eight Banners Manchurian and Three Banners, the Eight Banners Mongolian Three Banners, and the Mongolian Army of the Outer Domain, and broke into the interior from Kuandian Fort.

The main force of the commander-in-chief of Huang Taiji crossed the river from Changcheng, and Guoshan City and Dingzhou City in North Korea fell. surrendered to the Qing Dynasty.On February 22, Huang Taiji was stationed in Gashanhe, and at the same time ordered the Mongolian Baylor ministers and other ministers of the outer vassals to lead their troops to raid the coast and meet in Anzhou.

On the 24th, Huang Taiji arrived at the camp in Anzhou and ordered the left and right wing soldiers to divide into two routes. On the 27th, he stopped at Shun'an Station for thirty miles.It can be seen that the strategy adopted by Huang Taiji is to approach Seoul from a shortcut.

The Qing army advanced so quickly that North Korea was unaware of the imminent danger.Facing the invasion of the Qing army, the North Korean military generals did not carry out effective resistance at all. What's more, the Pyongyang defenders fled without a fight, and the Qing army won the city of Pyongyang without a fight.

In addition, North Korea's military intelligence system was useless, and Renzu Li Ji didn't know the intelligence until the Qing army crossed Anju City.He was going to take refuge in Jianghua Island, but when he thought of the words brought by Ding Yi of the Ming Dynasty, he was forced to defend Seoul. He was in a dilemma and hesitated. He asked every day, where are the soldiers and horses of Ding Yi of the Ming Dynasty?
On February 1637, the tenth year of Chongzhen (26), Ding Yi's [-] soldiers and horses, escorted by the navy, slowly came to Jianghua Island.

When the huge hull of Changjiang No. 1 appeared in front of the Jianghua Island defenders, the North Korean defenders were stunned.

After all, they have never seen such a large battleship before.

On the same day, Ding Yi took Chen Youyou, Xiao Yongqiu, He Xiaoche, Ma Yue, Yuan Youcai and other generals to the island. North Korea had already prepared a large amount of food, grass and gunpowder.

Part of the gunpowder was sent by Ding Yi at the end of last year and January this year.

Zhang Shen, the guard of Jianghua Island, is Ding Yi's old opponent, so he hurried to meet him.

Ding Yi asked him about the whereabouts of the Qing soldiers, and he didn't know anything about it. He only knew that the Qing soldiers entered the country and how many troops they fought there.

It turned out that Zhang Shen was guarding Jianghua Island and did not dare to leave the island. At this time, in Seoul, Li Zhen only knew that the Qing soldiers had passed Anzhou two days ago.

The news hasn't reached here yet.

Zhang Shen asked back, when are you leaving?
Ding Yi said there was no rush, and went out immediately.

Although Zhang Shen wanted to ask for help, he also knew that his own strength was not enough, so he could only wait on the island.

Ding Yi was not in a hurry. After going to the island to replenish food, he rested for another day, then took the whole army, continued to board the ship, and then landed near the last Incheon pier.

Ding Yi asked Yuan Youcai to take [-] cavalry and North Korean guides to the east, away from Seoul, and leave a few sentries ten miles away. When they saw the fireworks, they came to gather again. Yuan Youcai immediately led the cavalry to wander.

He brought the rest of the infantry with food for ten days, and then led by the North Korean guide, went to Anguling to ambush. At the same time, he asked Zhang Shen to send people to carry [-] stone grain to keep up, and Zhang Shen did so.

Anguling is 20 miles northwest of Namhan Mountain City, which is more than 40 miles away from Seoul.

They were walking from the east of Seoul, while the Qing soldiers came from the west of Seoul, so it was impossible to meet each other for the time being.

The North Korean guide didn't understand why the Ming army didn't go west to beat the Qing soldiers head-on, but went east in the opposite direction.

Ding Yi comforted him: "Don't worry, I guessed right, the Qing soldiers will definitely come over."

The guide has no choice but to follow.

At the end of February, Ding Yi's troops arrived at Anguling, and asked the North Korean guide to organize the local people to collect grain.

Ding Yi led his soldiers and horses to ambush Anguling, eating and drinking and waiting every day.

Fortunately, this time Huang Taiji dispatched troops two months later than in history. At this time, it is March and the weather is not so cold.

Let's talk about North Korea.

On February 27th, Marshal Jin Zi of the capital said, "The rebel soldiers have arrived in Anzhou." Only then did Li Ji, the emperor of the Joseon Dynasty, urgently summon the ministers to discuss countermeasures.

From our current standpoint, it’s a little unbelievable. It’s as if the Qing soldiers entered Tongzhou and Chongzhen knew that the Qing soldiers entered the pass. It’s hard to imagine.

At this time, Jin Liu, who was in charge of the political affairs, advocated conscription as soon as possible, and asked Renzu to come to Ganghwa Island, but at this time, Li Zhen thought that the Qing army would not go deep, and Jin Liu insisted on requesting. Ding Yi made fun of him and lost confidence, so he reluctantly agreed, but he did not agree to the division of the royal family.At the same time, Duoqing recovered and Shen Qiyuan became the general who stayed in the capital, staying in Seoul.

Prepare to retreat to Ganghwa Island.

Li Zhen's escape behavior seriously shook the hearts of the army and the people. "The scholars and women in the city walked with bare feet, mixed with the imperial chariot, father and son, couples, brothers, slaves and maidservants ran away from each other, fell down the road, and cried thunderously."

At the end of the day, Li Ji and Prince Sohyun set off for Ganghwa Island, but as soon as they arrived at Sungnyemun (South Gate), they heard that the vanguard of the Qing army had arrived at Hongjiwon in the western suburbs of Seoul. A small group of more than 80 cavalry led by Xingye was defeated by the Qing army.

It turned out that on March [-]st, the forward troops led by the Qing army generals Mafuta, Shuo Weng Keluobatululausa, Ubai and others had already arrived in Seoul.

Hearing that the Qing army was coming so quickly, Li Ji had to send Cui Mingji to Laojun. Cui Mingji met with the Qing army forward Ma Futa and others outside Seoul and asked about the Qing army's intention. Come and discuss matters with your king.” Cui Mingji said: “Since you have come to discuss matters, let me tell my king and welcome you with courtesy.”

At the same time, Li Zhen had already ordered his son, Prince Soxian, Fenglin Dajun, Linping Dajun, harem concubines, and courtiers, the old and the weak, to avoid going to Ganghwa Island.

But Li Zhen didn't even dare to defend Seoul until the Ming army came, so the group took the opportunity to turn to Namhan Mountain City, which is [-] miles south of Seoul. Originally, under the persuasion of Jin Ran and others, he also planned to go from Namhan Mountain City On Ganghwa Island, however, the Qing soldiers came one after another. Li Ji was worried that he would be captured by the Qing army, so he followed the advice of Li Shibai, the defender of Namhan Mountain City, and decided to defend Namhan Mountain City instead of fleeing to Ganghwa Island.

The progress at this time is basically similar to the original history, but the only difference is that Ding Yi's soldiers and horses have been hiding in Anguling, quietly collecting news from all parties.

He hid Anguling for a reason, that is, the history has changed now, and he doesn't know if Li Tan will stick to Seoul, but no matter whether Li Tan defends Seoul, retreats to Namhansan City, or retreats to Ganghwa Island, Ding Yi hides in Anguling. Guling can travel to three sides at any time, and the journey is all within one day.

Originally, he estimated that Li Zhen would defend Seoul to the death after receiving his letter, but he did not expect that Li Zhen would not see the shadow of the Ming army, so he gave up and retreated to Nanhan Mountain City.

Ding Yi was also quite speechless. He wanted soldiers to show up ahead of time. The Qing soldiers might give up fighting North Korea, and either fight him directly or retreat.

So he had to wait for the Qing soldiers to surround the Koreans.

Unexpectedly, Li Ji, a mediocre man, didn't see the Ming army, so he thought Ding Yi had broken his promise and retreated directly to Nanhan Mountain City.

But just as he retreated into Namhan Mountain City, a Korean messenger finally arrived at Namhan Mountain City.

The courier was sent by Zhang Shen, so he had to meet Li Zhen alone.

Because at this time, there were two factions in North Korea, the pro-Qing faction and the pro-Ming faction.

(End of this chapter)