The first mountain is five miles northeast of Ningyuan. There is a beacon tower of the Ming army on the top of the mountain. It was abandoned before the arrival of the main force of the Qing army. Now it is used as an observation post by Dorgon. From a high position, almost every move in Ningyuan city cannot escape the eyes and ears of the Qing army.
The main force of the Qing army, more than 100,000, including cavalry, infantry, artillery and logistical equipment, passed through the mountain pass one after another and camped at the northwest foot of Shoushan Mountain. At first glance, more than ten miles away to the Zhengbei Mountain Pass, there were countless military flags and densely packed tents, such as
A crowd like an ant colony...
The Ming army has not seen this formation for two years.
Wu Sangui on the city had no expression on his face, and there was no sign of happiness or anger, but Tang Tong beside him had a solemn face. The two-year battle two years ago was still vivid in his mind. Eight generals, 130,000 Ming troops, only 100,000 people died in the battle.
There were nearly 60,000 soldiers, but it ended in a disastrous defeat. All the elites on the nine sides were destroyed, and only 30,000 remaining soldiers followed Wu Sangui to retreat to this small city outside the pass. But now the Qing army came to the door again.
The last time was 110,000 against 130,000, and we won a big victory.
Now there were more than 100,000 people but less than 60,000 people. Tang Tong couldn't help but tremble.
Looking sideways, he looked at Wu Sangui with a calm face, and then he thought that Ningyuan was a blessed land of the Ming Dynasty. Nurhaci and Huang Taiji had both returned without attacking. What could Dorgon do? So he became heroic and looked at the sunset on the west mountain: "Little Governor
, I can keep my composure, there is no movement all day long.”
When he said there was no movement, he meant that there was no movement among the flag bearers in the Western Mountains. Communication between the two places relied on the flag bearers.
Wu Sangui glanced at Xishan, then looked back at the Wangshou Mountain Observation Station: "I'm afraid of being exposed. He is lurking in the mountains. How can he be easily exposed if he doesn't seize the opportunity?"
Unexpectedly, Tang Tong said softly: "Maybe it needs to be exposed in advance." He raised his hand and pointed.
Wu Sangui also raised his eyebrows: "The little governor has a lot of fun."
"Playing?" Tang Tong was startled and confused.
"No," Wu Sangui looked at a group of about half a hundred Qing troops running towards the Western Mountains: "It's boring in the mountains. The young governor is fond of playing and can't rest. Dorgon sent this toy in time."
With a puff, Tang Tong couldn't help but laugh.
But Chang Yu in the mountains couldn't laugh. He didn't enter the cave for a whole day. He hid in the observation post under the rock on the top of the cave and secretly observed the Qing army. He saw the Ming army firing artillery and bombarding them and chasing them out of the city. The Qing army sent reinforcements to expand the army.
However, the large Ming army returned to the city, while the Qing army continued to harass outside the city...
The Qing army was busy camping at the foot of Shoushan...
Qing army spies began to run around everywhere. They wandered into the valley in the north, and sent people into the mountains in the northwest. The west mountain would not let them go either. According to the hidden reports placed around them, at least seven groups of people entered the mountain from different directions to investigate.
It's just that the West Mountain is not a single peak, but consists of several large mountains with more than ten peaks. There are dozens of valleys, densely covered with thorns, rocks, and snow-covered mountains making it difficult to walk. Most of these spies entered the mountain for a few hundred meters and withdrew when they saw that there were no traces.
There are dozens of meters away from the peak of the rocks under the overgrown trees. The secret sentry set up an observation post here with rocks and trees. After two rounds of wind and snow, it was almost perfect. Let alone looking from a distance, you can see it as close as you can.
It's hard to spot any abnormalities without careful observation.
The outpost is covered with hay, and a pit is dug to keep warm at night with charcoal. Although the cold wind blows outside, it feels as warm as spring inside. At least Chang Yu likes this feeling.
Seeing that it was already dusk, and guessing that the Qing army would not make any big moves today, Chang Yu, who had been hiding in the outpost for a day, decided to go down into the cave to relax his muscles.
"Lord Governor, look!" Just when he was about to get out, the sentry stopped him. He looked up and saw a group of Qing army spies running towards the foot of the Western Mountain from far to near, and then wandered near the Dianjiang Platform, and then
He actually walked slowly towards the mountain along the mountain pass.
This is the third wave of Qing troops today trying to enter the mountain to explore from this direction. The first two groups, like the group of people the day before, followed the footprints for at most one mile and then turned back.
However, there were only about ten people in the first few waves, but there were half a hundred in this wave, and all of them were wearing heavy armor and equipped with strong bows.
It was obvious that Dorgon was deeply troubled by the fleeting murderous intention. He sent several waves of troops but still couldn't feel at ease. When it was about to get dark, he sent another team of troops, determined to find out.
The ambush in the mountains cannot be exposed in advance. Chang Yu must take the Qing army by surprise and deliver a devastating blow when they attack the city. Otherwise, the ambush will be meaningless. Therefore, he immediately issued an order not to move this Qing army unless it was absolutely necessary.
The outpost at the mountain pass has warned that Qing army spies have entered the mountain.
Chang Yu did not feel much psychological pressure. During the day, he had ordered his subordinates to prepare to eliminate traces in the valley. Unless the Qing army discovered the cave, they would not be afraid and would not touch them.
"Master, look," Jiang Fa, who had been accompanying the young eunuch, raised his hand in a low voice.
Looking along the direction, I saw people and horses leaving the camp of the Qing army heading south, approaching Ningyuan City. There were about ten thousand people on horseback and on foot, and they were carrying heavy baggage.
Could it be that the Qing army is going to attack the city tonight? This is too impatient. Chang Yu narrowed his eyes and couldn't understand.
Boom, boom, boom, the artillery on Ningyuan City sprayed fire again, firing more than a dozen cannons in succession. The Qing army that had just approached the trench and tried to cross the line was immediately thrown into chaos, stopped and retreated.
Wu Sangui blocked the north with trenches and artillery, and he would have to pay a heavy price if he wanted to take any further step.
Unexpectedly, this group of troops did not hesitate too much and turned around and ran westward. Chang Yu frowned and quietly got out of the observation post and climbed towards the top of the peak.
Dusk has fallen, and there are trees on the top of the mountain. Hidden among the trees, few outsiders can see them. A few people walked on the snow and hummed for a long time before finally reaching the top. They ran to the west and carefully looked behind the trees, and saw the leader of the group of people.
The troops have already circled to the west side of Heifeng Mountain and are heading south.
It turned out that he didn't go to Xishan, so Chang Yu breathed a sigh of relief.
But what does this Qing army want?
The little eunuch was confused for a moment, so he had to watch them go around the west mountain and go south, then go up the official road and go south. At this time, he slapped his thigh and he was in the middle of the back!
This group of troops bypassed Ningyuan City and went south, and naturally went to the Zhonghou Station. Dorgon used his old trick again and cut off the rear!
Kuchi, Kuchi,... A group of Qing army spies were walking along the mountain road, looking left and right, with cautious expressions. The messy footprints in front of them were extremely clear. These were all left by their colleagues.
Now, they were walking again, this time they were ordered to go into the mountain to climb the peak and touch it everywhere!
After walking for a mile, there were no footprints. The leader of the team sneered: "This is how these gangs work together. You can detect nothing by just looking around."
At this time, it was dark and the sight was blocked. Everyone took torches and lit them. The leader signaled to continue moving forward. The spies were even more cautious. They drew their swords from their sheaths and looked around.
After walking for another half mile, the sky was completely dark. The thorns ahead were denser and it was impossible to walk. The leader ordered his men to clear the road. Several Qing soldiers went to chop with knives, but they were dodged and staggered and almost fell down. Those blocking the road
The thorns were pushed away without any effort.
Everyone was shocked and picked up a tree in front of the fire. Their expressions suddenly changed.
These thorns did not grow where they were, but were cut off elsewhere and thrown here. The traces were covered up by the wind and snow, and the cutting edges were very new!
That means...
Everyone looked at the dark mountain road with fear on their faces.
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