Chapter 64 Slowly forming an array, the summer wind dances wildly
"The Qing army has moved!"
Cao Benrong, the staff officer of the Joint Army Department who was also observing the movements of the Qing army on the city wall, exclaimed. Xu Du was attracted by him and also cast his gaze towards the city.
Donglu did make a big move. The siege army, which was already much thinner due to the transfer of tens of thousands of troops, actually surged up again. Several soldiers and horses passed by backwards, each put away their flags, and withdrew to
On the periphery of the battlefield, they seemed to have ceased their activities and their morale was low. They didn't know whether they should simply withdraw north or turn to other battlefields.
The two imperial tents located at the front of the Qing army's siege front also had some movement at this time. The elite armored cavalry that were originally deployed around the imperial tents were also mobilized. Many people and horses were transferred away. The defense of the imperial tents was suddenly weakened a lot.
The throne in front of the imperial tent was held by the stars. At this time, due to the decrease in personal guards, the Qing army withdrew to the imperial tent.
Xu Du frowned, feeling confused and confused about the Qing army's movements. Chen Yongfu pressed his hands on the city wall, his eyes were moving rapidly, and he carefully observed the Qing army's second large-scale troop deployment.
, and then suddenly exclaimed:
"Donglu has been transferred to the west!"
After he said these words, his face turned red. He waved his hands and said excitedly: "Your Majesty's soldiers must have come out of Jingxingkou! It seems that Donglu has mobilized the siege troops and horses to meet the enemy!"
Chen Yongfu's son, Chen De, was wearing a helmet and fighting at the side. Under the supervision of Chen Yongfu, he was calm and hardworking in this battle. He had been patrolling the city wall without any slack. Chen De's armor was covered with dust and
Gunsmoke, after hearing the news that Dashun Army reinforcements were probably approaching the Zhending battlefield, he immediately felt relieved and leaned against the city wall in relief:
"The city is truly worry-free..."
Many other military department staff officers, including Cao Benrong, who were good at doing paper homework and military deductions, although they did not react as quickly as Chen Yongfu, the veteran general, they were familiar with the military situation and quickly made the same judgment.
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Based on the previous situation of the Qing army's first troop deployment, everyone almost came to the same conclusion:
The first time the Qing army mobilized troops, they should have divided their troops to attack Jingxing Pass. Judging from the haste and urgency of this second troop deployment, and the fact that many troops had ceased their activities and did not raise flags, it is estimated that in all likelihood, it was
Before the Qing army captured Jingxing, Li Zicheng arrived at the battlefield with reinforcements from the Dashun Army.
Under the sudden change in the situation, it seemed that Huang Taiji had no choice but to move his besieging troops westward to meet the enemy.
"The Qing army has transferred some more troops!"
So far, it seems that the troop deployment and movements of the Qing army have been speculated by the Zhending defenders.
Xu Du, Cao Benrong, and Chen Yongfu and his son all looked at Gu Junen. Everyone knew Gu Junen's character and knew that Gu Junen was willing to take risks. Now was a good opportunity for the defenders to leave the city and pursue them.
The Qing army withdrew from the siege in a hurry, and its morale seemed to be very low. Once the defenders boldly left the city to attack, the Qing army would probably be forced to abandon a large number of heavy artillery weapons and equipment.
Retreating is originally a very difficult battle action. Now because of the arrival of Dashun Army reinforcements, the Qing army was forced to suddenly withdraw from the siege and mobilize troops to meet the enemy without achieving any beneficial results in the siege.
Morale is definitely at a low ebb.
At this time, as long as the defenders attack boldly, they will surely achieve many results.
Gu Junen therefore sighed: "Alas! The two princes rounded up all the cavalry in Zhending City and took away almost all of them. Many of the light cavalry we sent to contact Jingxing were intercepted and killed by the Qing army. So far, no news has been sent back.
.Although the current situation is favorable to our army, it is difficult for a clever woman to make a meal without rice. If we use infantry to rush out to pursue and kill, we may not be able to catch up with the Donglu soldiers and horses. Moreover, if the Donglu soldiers gather their cavalry to fight back with carbines, our army will use infantry to attack them.
If the main purpose is to control the situation, the situation may turn dangerous in a hurry.”
Cao Benrong did not expect that Gu Junen's opinion would tend to be cautious at this time. Chen Yongfu originally wanted to successfully complete the task assigned by Li Laiheng because he was a subordinate. It would be a good thing to go out of the city to pursue and achieve significant results, but going out to pursue and kill would be a good thing.
If the Qing army counterattacked, causing too many casualties to the defenders, and even affecting Zhending's success or failure, the impact on Chen Yongfu's personal gains and losses would be too great.
Therefore, Chen Yongfu also agreed with Gu Junen's opinion. On the contrary, his son Chen De, who had the temperament of a newborn calf who is not afraid of tigers, objected:
"The Donglu retreated without raising their flags. It was obvious that they were flanked by the troops led by Banzai. I think it is very likely that the liver and gallbladder have been broken. Now is a good time for us to make contributions. Although there is a lack of war horses in the city, the enemy has a lot of military resources.
Important supplies are being transported, and more than 100,000 troops are retreating in a hurry. How can we quickly withdraw from the siege? We attack decisively, and even if we are infantry, we will definitely be able to intercept many enemies.
The opportunity to found a new dynasty, establish meritorious services, protect descendants, and become princes for generations to come is now! Gu Sima, his father-in-command, must have been subject to constant rebellion, so now is the time to attack and kill every Donglu without leaving a single piece of armor behind!
"
There are many young staff officers in the Army Joining Department. They have been joining the Breaking Army for quite some time, but most of them lack any mentionable military merit. Now that the new dynasty has been founded, everyone knows that Li Zicheng is pursuing a "right military" policy.
The Shun Dynasty focused on military merit. At this time, the Qing army hurriedly withdrew from the siege, and huge military achievements came to their doorsteps. Who would dislike it?
The staff officers were stimulated and inspired by Chen De, and soon the crowd became excited. Everyone asked for a battle, hoping to chase the North and gain their own share of military glory in the cause of "one sea" and "unification" of the Dashun Army.
Xu Duze analyzed in a deep voice: "The Qing army had more than 100,000 soldiers and horses, and Huang Taiji personally led the troops. He even placed an imperial throne in front of the army, as if he would never give up until his true determination was broken.
But since the siege, everyone estimates that the Qing army has only used a certain amount of force? Why did they suddenly withdraw from the siege?
There are many things in it that are inconsistent with military science. Huang Taiji has always been a master of military tactics. Is it true that, as the prince said, Huang Taiji is terminally ill and his fate is not long? It can’t be that Huang Taiji died suddenly on the front line now, right?"
When Chen De heard this, he said happily: "It's not impossible! It's unnatural for the Rong and Di to enter the Central Plains. Moreover, the Donglu are all northerners outside the Pass. They must not be used to the summer climate in the Pass. Maybe they are infected with plague diseases!"
"There are too many unreasonable things in this." Xu Du shook his head and advised Gu Junen, "If the Qing army is just trying to raise suspicions, the reinforcements from Taiyuan haven't arrived yet? If we rush to pursue them, we will fall into Huang Taiji's trap."
In the painting, there are really no dangers on all sides, and there are many enemy cavalry. We can change our retreat into an attack at any time, and then attack our own army. This is something we must guard against."
Both Chen Yongfu and Gu Junen were responsible for commanding Zhending's defense, but Gu Junen was Li Laiheng's confidant, and Chen Yongfu was a demoted general of the Ming army. It was obvious which of the two had higher status.
At the very least, even if Chen Yongfu's status is inferior to Gu Junen's, under normal circumstances, as a surrendered general, he would not steal Gu Junen's limelight.
So now everyone is waiting for Gu Junen's decision. Should the defenders really go out of the city to pursue and withdraw the Qing army? What will their next step be?
Gu Junen didn't think about it for long. He turned around and walked down the city wall, saying as he walked:
"The movements of the Donglu are strange and we must be on guard. However, if reinforcements from Taiyuan have arrived, with a strength of 100,000, the number of soldiers is greatly inferior to that of the Donglu. It is true that there are as many as 20,000 defenders. Rather than sit and watch in the city
The victory or defeat is determined by going out of the city to meet the enemy."
Gu Junen turned to look at the generals and said firmly:
"But we are not chasing after you, but we are going to participate in this decisive battle! The defenders will leave ten thousand soldiers to defend the city, and another ten thousand people will go out of the city to fight and join the battle.
First, wait for all the Qing troops to withdraw from the siege, and then slowly leave the city. There is no need to pursue, but we must advance slowly and cautiously, and make camp step by step. It is really not far from Jingxing Pass. If Taiyuan reinforcements have arrived, it is estimated that the main forces of the Qing army and Dashun army will soon
There will be a confrontation. At that time, the Donglu will have no time to take care of Zhending. At this time, we will march forward with ten thousand infantry in a cautious manner, force ourselves to the battlefield, and join forces with Wansui inside and outside to defeat the enemy."
Gu Junen made up his mind that the Zhending defenders must participate in the battle to eliminate Li Zicheng's unfavorable situation in terms of strength. If the Qing army reserved part of its troops to monitor the Zhending defenders, then at least Gu Junen could be considered to have contained them.
part of the enemy.
Although most of the Zhending defenders were infantry, and they slowly formed formations to attack, it is highly questionable whether they could eventually catch up with the battle. But as long as it is possible to contain part of the Qing army, it may have a positive impact on the final outcome of the battle.
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If the Dashun army were defeated in this battle, even if the Zhending defenders successfully preserved their strength, they would not be able to fight against the huge Qing army. Only a victory in the battle could guarantee the survival of Zhending and the survival of Dashun.
The battle to decide who belongs to the world is about to begin.
The wind suddenly howled in the distance, and the scattered flags of the Qing army were fluttering in the summer wind. On top of the Zhending city, the generals looked at each other in silence, and everyone had a different mood in their hearts.