Still a big chapter

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From February to September of the sixth year of Yongli, because Xiying annexed Guizhou Province the previous year, the troops entered southwestern Hunan and southern Sichuan. The Ming and Qing armies soon began to fight in Sichuan.

First, in February, Pingxi King Wu Sangui, Sichuan Governor Li Guoying, and the Han army's Xianglan Banner Gushan'erzhendingxi General Mergen Guard Li Guohan commanded Shaanxi, and the Qing troops from Sichuan and Sichuan provinces went south and swept through western and eastern Sichuan; subsequently, due to the Qing Dynasty,

The army faced Yunnan, the base of the Ming Army in the southwest, and the two provinces of Guizhou from the north, which posed a huge military threat. Sun Kewang once again used Liu Wenxiu, who led the army to the north, and soon achieved a series of victories and effective killings.

A large number of Qing troops forced Wu Sangui, Li Dingguo and Li Guohan to flee north in haste.

By September, the Qing army had retreated to Baoning Fucheng, the last stronghold in northern Sichuan. Once this place was lost, Shaanxi would be wide open. Wu Sangui, Li Guoying and Li Guohan, who had been frightened by Liu Wenxiu,

Under the repeated insistence of the patrol censor Hao Yu, and even under the pressure of "If you don't die from thieves, you will die from the law", you had no choice but to defend the city.

At the same time, the Ming army led by Liu Wenxiu quickly recovered other lost territories in Sichuan and quickly launched an offensive against Baoning.

On the second day of October, Liu Wenxiu led General Yuan Guogong Zhang Xianbi, general Wang Fuchen, and general military officers Wang Ziqi, Li Bengao, Qi Sansheng, Guan Youcai, Yao Zhizhen, Zhang Xinzhen, Wang Jiye, Yang Chunpu and more than 50,000 troops to approach Baoning.

When Liu Wenxiu entered Sichuan, he commanded a total of 60,000 soldiers and horses and more than 60 war elephants. Among them, only the 8,000 soldiers and horses under Zhang Xianbi were from the old Ming army, and the rest were all troops organized by the Western Camp. This attack

Baoning has assembled almost all the main forces that can be assembled in Sichuan.

Since Baonyeong City is surrounded by water on three sides, facing the Jialing River to the west and south and the Dong River to the east, Liu Wenxiu ordered the construction of a pontoon bridge to help the troops, and the main force was deployed to the north of Baoning City. In addition, Liu Wenxiu even

A part of the army was mobilized to "forge Jiameng Pass in the north and Liangshan Pass in the east" to prevent the Qing army from breaking through and rushing into Shaanxi after the capture of Baoning. It was clear that it was to annihilate the Qing army in Sichuan and strive to complete its achievements in one battle!

Boryeongfu Fortress is twelve miles and 330 steps in circumference, which is slightly larger than Chaozhou Fortress. Except for the convex part in the southwest, it is basically a square shape, and because it is shaped like a boot, it is known as "

It is known as "Boot City". The city is 11.7 meters high, 5 meters wide at the top, and 11.7 meters wide at the bottom. It has four gates: Wangying in the east, Yingxun in the south, Zhanyue in the west, Gongji in the north, and the outer gate is 10 meters wide.

, a five-meter-deep moat. On the top of the city wall, a rectangular pier was built every 60 steps, with a total of 81 enemy towers, allowing defenders to attack the enemy from the side. It can be said that it is not a strong city.

"Your Highness, Baoning is surrounded by water on three sides. Now our army's way back to the north is cut off. This can block the way for the Japanese army to escape north, but it also violates a military taboo..."

"Wu Sangui is just a defeated general. You don't need to say anything. I have my own plans."

In siege warfare, the art of war focuses on encircling three and missing one. This gives the defenders a way to escape. Generally speaking, the defenders may not fight desperately. Wang Fuchen was worried, but Liu Wenxiu was very confident and could not persuade the commander to change his mind.

You just have to follow orders.

At dawn on October 11th, Liu Wenxiu sent his troops to attack the city. Tens of thousands of Ming troops "covered the mountains and descended, and the sound of cannons shook the sky."

Use artillery, blunderbuss, playing cards, flat knives, bows and arrows, and spears, layer upon layer, and swarm to attack the city."

The fierce attack of the Ming army put great pressure on the Qing army defending the city. Li Guoying had observed the majestic momentum of the Ming army a few days ago and quickly asked his Green Camp soldiers to change into the flag of the Eight Banners Army. In this way, it was

It added confidence to the defenders, and secondly, it frightened the Ming army outside the city. However, especially so, the fierce offensive of the Ming army still made it difficult for the defenders to resist, and they were almost attacked by the Ming army on the city wall several times.

By the time they struggled to hold on, the siege battle had become intense, and the defenders were gradually unable to hold on. The city was broken only in an instant. At this time, Wu Sangui personally led his troops and horses to open the Gongji Gate and leave the city. Regardless of others, he directly attacked Zhang Xianbi's headquarters.

Zhang Xianbi was from Yunnan. He was recruited by the Chongzhen Dynasty to encircle and suppress rogue bandits. His unit was named Dian Qiying and he was quite capable of fighting. The Qing army moved south and Huguang became a battlefield. Zhang Xianbi fought with Liu Chengyin and blindly expanded the army, destroying the original three thousand soldiers and horses in one go.

The army expanded to 50,000 to 60,000 people, but their combat effectiveness was diluted by those rebel servants. Later, He Tengjiao died, and Zhang Xianbi took control of Yuanzhou, seizing people's fields for farming. Day by day, he and the local Miao people were fighting each other, and they became increasingly exhausted.

.

This unit has many soldiers, but it is the one with the worst combat effectiveness among the Sichuan Ming Army. Wu Sangui has been fighting for many years, and his rich combat experience is beyond the comparison of ordinary generals. As early as a few days ago, he had already seen clearly from the top of his head.

In order to understand the situation of various military units, he formulated tactics for this purpose. Li Guoying and Li Guohan would defend the city until Chenshi. When the siege battle became intense, he would personally lead his troops to attack and attack the only weakness of the Ming army.

As Wu Sangui expected, facing the former Guan Ning cavalry, Zhang Xianbi's troops could not resist and fled one after another. The defeated troops were driven by the cavalry and rushed into the formation of Wang Fuchen and other Ming troops into a chaotic mess.

The Ming army was in chaos outside the city. The Qing army took advantage of the situation and stormed out of the city. By noon, the Ming army had completely collapsed. In this way, Liu Wenxiu could only order the entire army to retreat. However, Zhang Xianbi's brother Zhang Xianzhen cut off the pontoon bridge in panic, causing

A large number of soldiers were unable to cross the river and were chased by the Qing army or fell into the water and died.

Baoning suffered a disastrous defeat, and the Ming army's strategy of advancing across Sichuan failed to be realized. More than 30,000 Ming troops, including general Wang Fuchen, general Yao Zhizhen, Zhang Xianzhen, Wang Jiye, and Yang Chunpu, were captured and killed by the Qing army, losing battles.

Three elephants, more than 2,300 horses and mules, and even Liu Wenxiu's Golden Seal of the King of Funan were captured by the Qing army. As the winner of this battle, Wu Sangui could not help but sigh after a narrow victory: "I have never tasted this in my life."

Seeing such a powerful enemy, I really need to listen."

After losing more than half of his army, Liu Wenxiu had no choice but to flee back to Guizhou with his remaining defeated soldiers, leaving Sichuan's good situation behind. However, Wu Sangui's lament did not win him any good treatment. Sun Kewang was furious after hearing the news and ordered Liu Wenxiu to be dismissed.

Zhang Xianbi, who was the first to be defeated by the Qing army and whose brother cut off the pontoon bridge, causing great losses to the Ming army, was beaten to death by Sun Kewang with a wheel stick.

The situation in Sichuan improved for a time. If Liu Wenxiu could strengthen his roots and use the terrain around Baoning to limit the Qing army while restoring the people's livelihood in Sichuan, he would be in an invincible position. However, his eagerness for quick success ended up causing the overall situation after a disastrous defeat.

It suddenly took a turn for the worse, and I was left wondering what to do.

In the sixth year of Yongli reign, the southwestern Ming Army launched a major counterattack. According to the division of labor, the Jiaqian Army was stationed in Guizhou, the East Route Army left Huguang and went to Guangxi, and the North Route Army restored Sichuan.

The three-pronged army was headed by Sun Kewang, King of Qin himself, as the commander, with Bai Wenxuan as deputy commander. Under his command were Zhang Hu, commander Hei Bangjun, commander Wang Aixiu, He Jiuyi, Zhang Mingzhi, Zhang Yue, Liu Zhenguo, Guan Youcai and other generals.

.There are 100,000 troops and more than 100 war elephants inside.

The East Route Army was chaired by Li Dingguo, King of Xining, with Feng Shuangli as the former military commander, and E Gongma Jinzhong as deputy. It was under the jurisdiction of the sitting camp commander Jin Tongwu, the left camp commander Wang Zhibang, the right camp commander Wu Zisheng, the Tianwei camp commander Gao Wengui, and the west camp commander Zhang Sheng.

, Commander Liu Zhidao of the Jinwu Camp, Commander Liao Yubiao of the Wuying Camp, Commander Chen Tongneng of the Wu'an Camp, Commander Gao En of the Firearms Camp, Commander Guo Youming of the Qiannu Camp, Wang Hui, Commander of the Iron Cavalry Camp, Bu Ning, Commander of the Left Commander of the Iron Cavalry Camp, Lu Yongming, Commander of the Elephant Camp

Waiting for the generals. There are 80,000 troops and more than 100 war elephants.

The Northern Route Army relied on the king of Funan Liu Wenxiu as its commander, with the king himself and Zhang Xianbi as his deputy. It was under the jurisdiction of general Wang Fuchen, general who defeated the captives, general Lu Mingchen, general who destroyed the captives, Di Sanpin, Yao Zhizhen, Zhang Xianzhen, Wang Jiye, Yang Chunpu,

Yin Sansheng, Wang Ziqi and other generals had 60,000 troops and more than 60 war elephants.

Among them, the Jiaqian Army once detached some generals, led by Bai Wenxuan, to reinforce Liu Wenxiu. Later, Chongqing was liberated, and Bai Wenxuan led his troops back to Guizhou. He also left Guan Youcai and other generals to assist Liu Wenxiu in Sichuan, but only one general was lost.

.

At the same time as the Sichuan battlefield was defeated, the main force of the Eight Banners Army, led by Jingjinqin and Wang Nikan, went south. Sun Kewang recruited Li Dingguo, who had just recovered Guangxi Province, to return to support the Huguang battlefield, and led the advanced troops still in Guizhou to launch an offensive.

A fierce attack on the capital city of Chenzhou.

Chenzhou Prefecture is located in the southwestern part of Huguang, the north of Jingzhou, the west of Baoqing Prefecture, and adjacent to the eastern part of Guizhou. In the fifth year of Yongli, Feng Shuangli captured Yuanzhou, which was within the territory of Chenzhou Prefecture, but it only occupied one Yuanzhou.

It was not enough to ensure Guizhou's peace of mind, so after receiving the news that Nikan was moving south, Husun ​​Kewang quickly led his army to attack Chenzhou.

Chenzhou garrison general Chenchang Xu Yong was Zuo Liangyu's old unit. His unit was quite powerful in combat and had repeatedly defeated the Ming army since its surrender to the Qing Dynasty. It even intercepted Feng Shuangli in Yuanzhou for a year, making him unable to attack.

inch forward.

However, in the face of the fierce offensive of the Qianqian Army, first deputy general Zhang Pengxing led the troops into battle and was killed by the Ming army's artillery fire. Then Xu Yong tried to hold the city and resisted. As a result, on the next day, November 22, Bai Wenxuan was selected to fight.

Xiang acted as the vanguard to break through the east gate, but Xu Yong was hacked to death by the Ming army in the melee.

In the great victory of Chenzhou, the Ming army killed Chenchang general Xu Yong, deputy general Zhang Pengxing, Liu Shengzuo, the deputy guard of Chenchang Road, Chenzhou prefect Wang Renqi and a large number of civil and military officials. They almost completely annihilated Chenchang Town Biao and regained this city which was enough to be used as a city.

The fortified city at the gateway to Guizhou.

The soldiers and horses of the Southwest Ming Army headquarters have been recuperating in Yunnan for many years. Once they are released, their power in Jingzhou, Guilin, Xuzhou, and Chenzhou cannot be underestimated. Especially the defeat of Baoning, the Qing army will not feel comfortable. Of course,

, there are also some other factors involved, such as changes in tactics, such as the Qing army's underestimation of the enemy, such as using the crowd to bully the minority on a single battlefield, but compared with the old Ming army, these new Ming armies who fought out of Yunnan and Guizhou are obviously

It is sharp and unstoppable.

At the same time as Chenzhou was victorious, the main force of Nikan's Eight Banners Army had also approached the boundary of Hengzhou Prefecture. The Eight Banners Army was so prestigious that it should not be underestimated. The Ming Army quickly gave up on Changde, Changsha and other prefectures that had been recovered earlier and retreated to

Hengzhou, Baoqing first line.

On November 19, Nikan led his army to Xiangtan County in the south of Changsha Prefecture. Ma Jinzhong's troops, who were originally stationed here, withdrew to the boundary of Baoqing Prefecture in accordance with the plan of the commander of the East Route Army Li Dingguo. On November 21, Nikan

The army set out from Xiangtan and arrived thirty miles away from Hengzhou Prefecture the next day. Here they encountered a force of more than 1,800 Ming troops. This force faced the Eight Banners Army and quickly retreated after a little resistance.

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Nikan was a prince of the Manchu Qing Dynasty. Before he became the three kings of the Qing Dynasty, he accompanied Huang Taiji, Dorgon, Duduo, Azig, Hauge and other famous generals in the early Qing Dynasty many times, and won the battles.

This is the most common thing. The Ming army resisted for a while before fleeing hastily. In his eyes, they were already regarded as brave soldiers, and he agreed with the standard of killing Kong Youde's slave. Seeing this

, he continued to lead his army southward, and did not stop even at night. Instead, he "advanced all the way" and arrived near Hengzhou Fucheng before dawn, and encountered Li Dingguo's troops.

This time it was the main force of the Ming army. The flag of Xining King Li Dingguo was faintly visible in the firelight of the night. Nikan cheered up and led the Eight Banners Army to shout for a fierce battle. The result was also a slight resistance. The Ming soldier who forced Kong Youde to death

The commander-in-chief of the army actually took the lead in retreating, completely unworthy of the Eight Banners Army's power in a battle.

"The thieves named Li are nothing more than that."

Li Dingguo's army fled, and Nikan quickly launched a pursuit for more than 20 miles. When he finally caught up with Li Dingguo's cavalry, a cannon sounded, and the Ming army swarmed out from a nearby ambush point. In an instant,

He surrounded the forward troops led by him tightly.

"Fell into a trap!"

This was the first thought that came to Nikan's mind, and it was also the most correct one. From when the Ming army abandoned Changde and Changsha, to when they retreated after a small battle thirty miles outside Hengzhou Prefecture, to when the coach just now led the team

Escape, everything was Li Dingguo's way of awakening Nikan's disdain for the Ming army. And this disdain and underestimation of the enemy finally threw him into the encirclement of the Ming army.

As deputy commander-in-chief, Dorobel Tunqi was still leading the main army and hurried over, and soon got into a fight with the Ming army's reinforcements. On the other side, Li Dingguo had already noticed that he had caught a big fish in this incident.

Quickly closing the net, Nikan led the powerful Eight Banners troops to fight hard, but they were outnumbered and were quickly killed by the Ming army. Even the prince's head was picked up on the tip of a spear by Li Dingguo.

"Wan Sheng!"

"Wan Sheng!"

"Wan Sheng!"

"..."

The formation killed Prince Jingjin Aixin Gioronikan, one of the three kings of the Qing Dynasty. This was an unprecedented honor since the Liao Dynasty. For a time, the Ming army cheered loudly and resounded throughout the sky.

The Ming army cheered thunderously. Even if only Nikan entered the encirclement with a small number of cavalry, the number of casualties was not even a drop in the bucket for the main force of the Eight Banners Army. However, the commander was dead and Tun Qi, as the deputy commander, did not dare to stay for a long time.
To be continued...