After the reinforcements expected by the Shun Army and the Qing Army arrived on the battlefield one after another, a sudden spring rain in March disrupted the layout of Li Laiheng and Dorgon.
The rain in late winter and early spring fell on the land of Xuzhou, soaking every inch of the soil filled with bones and blood, making the battlefield muddy and the temperature changing from warm to cold, making the soldiers unpredictable.
The spring rain affected the Qing army's attack on Xuzhou City's earthen forts, but for Li Laiheng, who was resting and recuperating, it was a good cover.
In the rain, Li Laiheng ordered the entire army to stay alert and rest. The military tents of Dashun Army were brightly lit no matter day or night.
The large position of more than 80,000 people, with flickering lights, formed a dazzling nebula in the dark night. It not only oppressed the Qing army behind the trench, but also established a strong hope and hope for the defenders on top of Xuzhou City.
confidence.
During the spring rain, Dorgon was still worried that the Dashun Army might use the cover of the rain to launch a surprise attack and storm the Qing Army's trench position.
Therefore, the Qing army reduced its violent offensive against Xuzhou City, and instead redeployed a large number of troops to the outermost edge of the trench. Like the Dashun army, they were ready to confront each other under strict vigilance.
A small number of Qing army's rangers - most of them were Mongolians skilled in bow and horse - braved the freezing rain, took the initiative to cross the deep ditch, and launched a powerful reconnaissance of the Shun army's position.
Dorgon tried every means to find out the current overall strength of the Dashun Army and possible attack opportunities. Those Mongolian soldiers with extraordinary skills were dispatched for this purpose.
Unfortunately, facing the solid positions and defense lines of the Shun Army, these few rangers were unable to spy on any fighter opportunities.
Li Shiwei, the commander-in-chief of the Imperial Army, had already led a large number of gunmen to temporarily build a defense line mainly composed of wooden fences along the periphery of Shunjun's Tea City position.
The fire gunners all placed the overly large and heavy bird guns directly between the gaps in the wooden fence. There were powerful matchlock guns, and there were even many self-made fire guns made in Suizhou mixed in between.
Fire the gun.
Such intensive and fierce firepower will form an airtight firepower network once traces of the enemy's rangers are discovered, making it impossible for the Mongolian riders to get close.
In the meantime, Liu Fangliang also continued to send some light cavalry troops to spread the front to the south.
The purpose of the Shun Army is: on the one hand, it is the same as the Qing Army, to conduct powerful reconnaissance of the enemy and find out the overall strength of the Qing Army; on the other hand, it is also hoped that through the fragile Ming Army defense line, some light cavalry troops can directly penetrate and break through to
Go to Xuzhou city.
The muddy soil made it easy for horses' hooves to sink in, which also limited the scope of the Qing and Shun armies' range of activities. However, considering the importance of reconnaissance before the battle, neither Dorgon nor Li Laiheng ordered the reduction of
The action of riding.
The light cavalry of the Shun Army and the Mongolian riders of the Qing Army braved the heavy rain and were stuck in the muddy ground. Their whole bodies were soaked in dirty muddy water. In order to create favorable conditions for their own battle, they fought to the death between the two armies.
In the wilderness between the camps.
Li Laiheng put a long telescope on the shoulder of the soldier. Through the lens, he clearly saw the fierce fighting between horsemen and horses in the plains.
"Leshan, Haozhi, Xiongli, master, have the military replenishment of all armies been completed? Have the battle deployments of the divisions of the Central Army and the Left Army been adjusted?"
This sudden spring rain gave the Dashun Army a perfect opportunity to make adjustments before the war.
Everyone in the huge camp is very busy. All the grain trucks loaded with rice and wheat have been opened, and all gunpowder and arrows have been distributed. The soldiers at the artillery mark are correcting the shooting elements on the Xuzhou battlefield, and the infantry are all ready.
Armor, spears and knives were prepared, and the cavalry warriors took their horses to have a feast.
Countless supplies are flowing in the military camp. This is the power brewed by the Yuchu base camp, which is as rich as milk and honey. All soldiers of the Shun army will be armed to the teeth.
Fang Yiren opened the folding fan with a snap. The temperature dropped slightly on the rainy day. It was not cold to the bone, but it was far from the point where he had to shake the fan. Just opening the folding fan has become a signature move of Taishi Fang.
He used this method to relieve the pressure in his heart and smiled calmly:
"Master of the Palace, the preparation and mobilization of all armies have been completed. We only need to wait for the rain to stop before we can join the battle."
The muddy land after rain can easily affect the army's frontal offensive capability, but if the Dashun Army is in difficulty, wouldn't it be even more difficult for the Qing Army?
The impact of spring rain on both sides is exactly the same. "The movement of heaven is consistent, and it will not survive because of Yao, nor will it perish because of Jie." The Dashun Army's material advantage can offset the adverse effects of the weather.
Therefore, the overall balance of the battle is actually leaning towards Li Laiheng's side.
Li Laiheng nodded and clenched his hands. The Battle of Xuzhou was about to begin, and the timing of the attack was in his own hands. The initiative of the battle was completely in the hands of the Dashun Army. Li Laiheng firmly believed that he had grasped all the advantages and completely
There is no reason to lose.
But this is not the case with Dorgon.
Of course, the Nine Kings are also convinced that they have mastered most of the advantages on the battlefield. What's more, in terms of military use, how can the world-famous general Dorgon, who has experienced hundreds of battles, be afraid of a young boy like Li Laiheng?
The two are equally confident in their confidence, but relying solely on spirit is not enough. Only blood can determine victory or defeat.
"The grain has arrived!"
Large quantities of grain trucks have been driving from Henan to Xuzhou, and Chen Xin is going all out to mobilize supplies for the Shun Army's rear base camp.
Even when the battle was imminent, the military supplies and supplies in the rear of the Shun Army were still being continuously added to the front. On the roads in Henan and Hebei, everywhere you looked, it looked like it was crowded with horse-drawn carriages, grain carts, and handcarts.
Among the grassroots cadres of the Dashun regime, many of them had backgrounds in the carriage and horse industry. Many of them were professionals in organizing the transportation of grain and fodder, and the efficiency of logistical supplies was therefore very good.
Li Jiyu led a local guard under his command and escorted a large amount of grain and fodder to the Shun Army's Tea City position.
A few years ago, Li Laiheng met Li Ji once in Funiu Mountain, and he was impressed by this famous local bandit in Henan.
Li Laiheng saw that even a well-known speculator like Li Jiyu led troops and supplies to the battlefield at the critical moment before the battle, and he was even more confident about the victory of the battle.
"General Li! The timing of your arrival is so good and appropriate! Gu Dang will remember your merits."
The supplies Li Jiyu brought didn't include much of the gunpowder and arrows he had saved for the battle. Most of them were just grain. There were Chinese cabbage stored in the winter, as well as cured meat jerky carefully made by camps across Henan specifically for frontline soldiers. More
The other one is Mi Mai, which is filled with white-gold light.
Just pierce a sack with a dagger, and you will see rice grains and wheat flour that look like platinum and pearls flowing out. The soldiers seemed to smell the enticing aroma of rice, and they all burst into laughter.
Li Laiheng took the accompanying ministers and generals and briefly inspected the convoy of grain and supplies brought by Li Jiyu. Although there were not many military supplies, so much food, especially a large number of rich varieties of vegetables and meat, was just enough for the battle.
It played a role in boosting the morale of the entire army.
Li Jiyu's lieutenant general Shen Jingbang knelt on one knee in front of Li Laiheng, recalling that a few years ago, the local bandits and handsome men in Yuzhai could still show off in front of Li Laiheng.
But now, only three years have passed, and the relationship between them and His Highness Prince Jin is already completely different.
Li Laiheng waved his hand and ordered Shen Jingbang to stand up. The majesty between the monarch and his ministers was displayed. The authority of His Highness the King of Jin was reflected brightly inside and outside the military camp.