"I don't know how many real slaves there are among the more than 20,000 Buddhist slaves."
Xu Yingwei continued: "But there are only two or three thousand at most."
After hearing this, Huang Zongxi shook his head and said: "More than a thousand is the most, otherwise it would not go so smoothly."
"There are also Eight Banners and Han troops." Zhu Cijiong added, "There are at least 3,000 Eight Banners and Han troops in various forts on the west bank."
"Oh yes, there are still about 3,000 Eight Banners Han troops." Zheng Sen nodded and said, "Nearly 60,000 frontier troops, facing more than 20,000 Baoji, one or two thousand real slaves plus 3,000 Eight Banners Han troops,
But to be labeled like a bear is really disappointing."
"Disappointed?" Huang Zongxi said suddenly, "Brother Damu, why should I save face for them? Such behavior is really useless. If the slaves were to leave one to two thousand more real slaves, the outcome of this battle would probably be completely different."
All the scholars immediately fell silent upon hearing this. Although what Huang Zongxi said was a bit exaggerated, it was basically true.
Just leaving one or two thousand more true slaves will definitely not change the final result, but the losses of the Ming army will be greatly increased.
If the number of extra real slaves left exceeds 5,000, then the outcome of this counterattack will be really difficult to predict.
Chongzhen secretly sighed, thinking that after this battle was over, the training of the new army must be put on the agenda.
Otherwise, relying on such frontier troops, the Ming Dynasty would never be able to look forward to the day of the Northern Expedition. Holding the Huanghuai defense line and ruling across the river from Jiannu would be a waste of money.
…
Chongzhen was very disappointed in the battle last night.
Duduo on the other side was so angry that he vomited blood.
The reason is simple: Jiannu suffered greater losses this time.
First, dozens of miles of blockade ditches on the west bank of the Yellow River were filled in, protective walls of the same length were knocked down, and more than a hundred forts along the line were destroyed. Now the blockade of Xuzhou was complete.
Secondly, more than 40 forts on the west bank of the Yellow River were also destroyed.
Without the more than 40 forty forts on the west bank, the blockade of the Yellow River waterway was complete. From now on, the warships and cannons of the Ming Navy could freely enter and exit along the west bank of the Yellow River.
Because the Hongyi cannons on the east coast fort can't hit that far.
Even if it can barely reach the west bank of the Yellow River, its hit rate is appallingly low.
The maximum range of the Hongyi cannon of this era was only two thousand meters, and the effective range was less than one thousand meters.
The narrowest point of the Yellow River is five miles, so the Hongyi cannon on one side cannot block it.
Therefore, as the forts on the west bank of the Yellow River were destroyed by the Ming army, the blockade of the Yellow River waterway came to nothing.
Then, the five Niulu bannermen stationed at the forts along the blockade ditch were wiped out, and more than 20,000 soldiers dressed as bannermen with white flags fled in all directions. In the end, it was not known how many could be recovered.
Later, the Eight Banners Han Army suffered heavy losses, losing more than a thousand Han troops and more than a hundred cannons.
Among the more than 100 cannons, there are more than 50 Hongyi cannons and more than 80 Franco machine guns.
In the end, all five pontoon bridges across the Yellow River were destroyed. Dorgon's army and the Xianglan Banner were blocked on the south bank of the Yellow River, and they might not be able to reach the north bank in a short time.
This time it was troublesome. Although the defeat last night actually had nothing to do with his command, the rule of the slave establishment was that whoever suffered the defeat would be responsible for the defeat, so the blame could only be shouldered by Duduo.
When he thought of this, Duduo's head got really big, and he was afraid that not even the king would be able to protect him this time.
The best outcome is probably that I can only keep one Baylor title, but at worst, I may be deprived of several titles.
But no matter what the outcome, Duduo had to face it. The top priority was to find a way to save the wheat seedlings in the field, because he had just seen Chongzhen releasing the old, young, women and children in Xuzhou City to harvest the wheat seedlings outside the city.
This dog emperor Chongzhen is really evil, he wants to cut off all the wheat seedlings outside the city!
At that moment, Duduo asked Vasinga with a dark face: "Have the horses been sent to Pei County, Xin'an Town and Xiao County?"
Wa Xing'a hurriedly said: "Returning to the master, at the end of the year last night, the slaves sent fast horses to Pei County, Xin'an Town and Xiao County respectively, and later sent two more groups."
"Really?" Duduo asked with a dark face, "Why haven't the Zhengbai Banner, Zhenghong Banner, Zhenglan Banner and Xianglan Banner sent troops back to support Xuzhou? Could it be that they want to watch helplessly outside Xuzhou City?
Will all the wheat seedlings be cut down by Ming dogs? If all the wheat seedlings outside Xuzhou City are cut down by Ming dogs, what will the Eight Banners warriors eat in the next year or so?"
Wa Xing'a was speechless. He said in his heart, "What are you asking me to do? Ask them."
At this time, Shang Kexi was carried by the soldiers to Duduo, lying on the stretcher to apologize to Duduo.
"The ten kings all blame the servant for being useless and failing to defend the West Bank." Shang Kexi said with a guilty look on his face.
Duduo was irritable, but he still had to be patient and comfort him, which was gratifying: "King Zhishun, I don't blame you for this."
Seeing that Duduo did not blame himself, Shang Kexi was ashamed and worried at the same time, and advised: "Ten kings, Minggou's large-scale attack this time is really abnormal, because it completely violates the laws of military use, and there is not even a test."
, directly investing all the troops to launch a large-scale counterattack, this move is really too abnormal."
"So, what do you want to say?" Dodo asked with a frown.
Shang Kexi said solemnly: "I suspect that Ming Gou is colluding with Hypocrisy."
"Huh?" Duduo's heart trembled, "Is Ming Gou colluding with Hypocrisy?"
"Yeah." Shang Kexi nodded and said, "If this is the case, while Chongzhen ordered the Ming army in Xuzhou to launch a full-scale counterattack, he would also let the Ming army from other directions fully cooperate with it, so he was stationed in Xin'an Town.
The Zhengbai Banner, Zhenghong Banner and Zhenglan Banner stationed in Peixian County, and the Xianglan Banner stationed in Xiao County may not be able to return to Xuzhou in time."
Duduo said in a deep voice: "This way, Xuzhou's bright dogs can harvest wheat seedlings unscrupulously!"
"Exactly." Shang Keyi said solemnly, "So we have to inform the regent as soon as possible and ask the regent to lead the army to come back quickly. Otherwise, if we wait for three to five days, more than one million acres of wheat seedlings south of the Yellow River will no longer exist.
.”
"This dog emperor Chongzhen is so vicious!" Duduo cursed and yelled, "Waxing, hurry up and send flying cavalry to Kaifeng to report to the regent, asking the regent to lead the army back to Xuzhou as soon as possible. Chi Ze may not be able to garrison the fields.
It’s safe!”
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! "Hey!" Vasinga quickly found a Bagara and asked him to go to Kaifeng to report to Dorgon.
Duduo turned his attention to the west bank again and saw more old, young, women and children appearing in the wilderness.
A few of these old, young, women and children carry sickles, but most of them have empty hands. After they come out, they only do one thing, harvest with sickles or just pull the wheat seedlings with their hands.
Seeing this, Duduo almost felt anxious.
But there's no point in rushing, there's no way you can get through it.
It's useless to go there, because he has too few troops now.
With this small force, there is no problem in guarding the river defense on the east or north bank, but it is not enough to cross the river to attack the women and children on the south or west bank.
…
The day passed quickly.
In the Jiannu camp outside Kaifeng City.
Dorgon was pacing back and forth in the big tent, looking very worried.
The eyes of Hong Chengchou, Fan Wencheng and Ning Wanwo also followed Dorgon's figure.
After a long while, Dorgon suddenly stopped and asked: "Three gentlemen, why don't you go back to Xuzhou first? Right now, there are only five Niulu with white flags outside the city of Xuzhou, and the rest are more than 20,000 coats. Once
If the Ming army leaves the city to launch a large-scale counterattack, the consequences will be disastrous."
"Master, it's not like that." Ning Wanwo said, "It's definitely not like that."
Fan Wencheng also echoed: "What Mr. Gongfu said is absolutely true. Not to mention that the Ming border troops were frightened by our Qing soldiers and had no courage to go out of the city to fight in the field. Even if the Ming army really dared to go out to fight in the city, they would never do it."
The entire army may be deployed at once, but according to the usual practice, a small group of troops must be sent out for testing first, and then the strength of the counterattack will be gradually increased."
Ning Wanwo continued: "If it is just a small counterattack by the Ming army, the five Niulu with white flags can handle it. Even if it is a counterattack with thousands of people, the Eight Banners Han army can be mobilized to fight back. Wait until the Ming army
After several trials, they were preparing to launch a larger-scale attack. The Eight Banners soldiers from Xin'an Town, Pei County and Xiao County had probably already arrived in Xuzhou. At that time, no matter how many troops Chongzhen used to fight back, the result would be death.
.”
Fan Wencheng chuckled lightly and said, "It's really simple that way."
Ning Wanmei also said: "Who says it's not the case? In this case, the Qing soldiers won't have to garrison in Xuzhou."
Dorgon's eyes turned to Hong Chengchou: "Why don't you speak, Mr. Hengjiu? Do you also think Xuzhou will be in danger?"
Hong Chengchou pondered for a moment, nodded and said: "Xuzhou will be in danger only under one situation, and that is if Chongzhen and Li Zicheng collude. If so, after Li Zicheng discovers that the main force of our Qing army has arrived in Kaifeng, he can send a messenger to
Babaili hurriedly informed Chongzhen secretly, and Chongzhen would devote all his troops to counterattack without any trial. If this is the case, Xuzhou's empty city strategy will not be able to continue."
"Chongzhen colluded with Li Zicheng?" Fan Wencheng laughed, "Mr. Hengjiu, do you think it is possible?"
Fan Wencheng also shook his head and smiled: "Even if Li Zicheng really sent someone to deliver the letter, Chongzhen wouldn't believe it, right?"
"I don't think it's possible either." Hong Chengchou shook his head mockingly and added, "Chongzhen is a mean and ungrateful person, suspicious and willful by nature, and he doesn't know how to adapt. With his nature, it is absolutely impossible for him to shake hands with the rebel Li Zicheng.
It is even more impossible to lower your face and join forces with Li Zicheng to fight, there is not even a slight possibility."
After Ning finished, I chuckled and said, "Mr. Hengjiu also missed an important point."
Fan Wencheng then said: "In fact, the Ming Dynasty was also messed up like this by Li Zicheng, a rebel. Chongzhen hated Li Zicheng, a rebel, much more than he hated the Qing Dynasty. Therefore, there is still a slight possibility that Chongzhen can make peace with our Qing Dynasty.
It would be absolutely impossible for Li Zicheng, a rebel, to make peace or even unite."
Ning Wanwo smiled and said: "If this were not the case, we would never dare to let the master carry out an empty city strategy in Xuzhou."
Dorgon said: "But the empty city plan is an empty city plan after all. If Chongzhen suddenly goes crazy..."
"There is no such thing as a chance." Ning Wanwo said, "Master, just rest assured, Chongzhen will never have the guts to fight back."
However, before Ning finished speaking, the sound of rapid horse hooves sounded outside the big tent, and a long and sad howl sounded faintly: "Urgent report! Urgent report! Urgent report from Xuzhou..."
"Huh?" After Ning finished me, Fan Wencheng and Hong Chengchou turned their eyes outside the tent at the same time.
Dorgon's heart also suddenly sank. Xuzhou urgently reported? Is something really wrong in Xuzhou?
After a while, the curtain was opened by someone, and then a short and stocky figure stumbled in.
Dorgon recognized him at once as a Baya soldier with a white flag. His name was Turhai, one of the Baya soldiers who stayed with Dodo.
"Prince Regent, Xuzhou is in danger!"
Turhai didn't have time to clap his sleeves, so he knelt on the ground.
"Turhai, don't worry!" Dorgon said in a deep voice, "Speak slowly."
Hong Chengchou, Ning Wan, Fan Wencheng and I looked at each other in shock. This slap in the face came too quickly. They were just saying that Chongzhen didn't have the guts to fight back, but Xuzhou was in danger?
…
At this time, we were in Kaifeng City.
Niu Jinxing said to Li Zicheng: "Your Majesty, the purpose of our sending troops to Kaifeng is not to attract the slave-building army from Xuzhou and fight with it in Kaifeng, but now we have clearly attracted the main force of the slave-building army in Xuzhou. Now Chongzhen and
The Ming army is relaxed, but we are in trouble."
"What's the trouble?" Song Xiance said.
"Huang Zongxi has returned to Xuzhou, and Chongzhen will soon know the news about us sending troops to Defu, so the Xuzhou Ming army will soon launch a counterattack, and then Jiannu should withdraw to Xuzhou."
"Stupid." Niu Jinxing said angrily, "Do you really think the Ming army in Xuzhou will fight back?"
After a pause, Niu Jinxing said with great disdain: "Even if Chongzhen wanted to fight back, would the Ming army who were hiding in Xuzhou have the courage to launch a counterattack? We have been fighting the Ming army for such a long time. What kind of coward is the Ming army? Zuo Junshi
You don’t know yet? You still have unrealistic illusions about them? How stupid.”
Li Zicheng frowned when he heard this. What the Prime Minister said seemed to be reasonable.
Song Xiance was so anxious that he scratched his head and head, but this time Niu Jinxing actually got the point, and he didn't know how to refute?
Li Zicheng asked Niu Jinxing: "So, what should our army do according to the Prime Minister's opinion? After all, the Jiannu army has already arrived at Kaifeng. We can't give up Kaifeng to the Jiannu."
"Kaifeng must not give in." Niu Jinxing waved his hand and said, "But we can send an envoy to explain the whole story to the slaves outside the city, saying that we only sent troops to defraud the Kaifeng Mansion from Nanming. We sent troops before and returned
The Defu government is just showing off, and does not really want to start a war with Jiannu."
"Hey." Song Xiance finally found an opportunity and said disdainfully, "Will Jiannu believe it?"
Niu Jinxing said angrily: "You haven't even tried it, how can you dare to say that Jiannu won't believe it?"
"That makes sense." Li Zicheng nodded happily, "Whether you believe it or not, it doesn't hurt to give it a try. Prime Minister, then send an envoy to the slave camp outside the city and persuade them to withdraw their troops and return to Xuzhou as soon as possible."
"I accept the order." Niu Jinxing accepted the order happily.
