Matsudaira Nobutsuna and Yagyu Jubei discussed for about an hour before they came to a preliminary result.
Today, there are nearly 500,000 Japanese soldiers in the entire Korea, most of whom are fire gun soldiers, that is, matchlock soldiers. There are probably more than 400,000 civilians such as farmers.
All added up, there are almost one million people. However, these million people are scattered throughout North Korea, which seems a bit sparsely populated.
In particular, Koreans often resist. In order to ensure safety, they were also taught a lesson by the harassment of Wu Sangui’s cavalry last time.
Therefore, the Japanese are currently mainly concentrated in major towns to ensure that they have sufficient military strength to enslave Koreans to work for them.
Now, Tokugawa Iemitsu's letter made Matsudaira Nobutsuna decide to mobilize an army of about 300,000 to cooperate with the Qing Dynasty to launch an unprecedented attack on the Ming Dynasty. He must hurt the Ming Dynasty and hit the Ming Dynasty hard.
military.
But originally, in the agreement between Matsudaira Nobutsuna and Dorgon, they only planned to send a hundred thousand troops at most, which was enough.
This new decision made Matsudaira Nobutsuna decide to send Yagyu Jubei to the Qing capital immediately to discuss the latest situation with the Qing side. And he himself began to mobilize troops and generals in North Korea to ensure that
After the troops are mobilized, the remaining troops can still ensure the security of North Korea.
……………………
In Shenyang, Liaodong Province, fast horses galloped from the west. Passers-by hurriedly avoided and broke into the city.
The gatekeeper at the city gate did not dare to stop him because it was an express delivery horse.
Not long after, the news was sent to the palace.
"What?" Dorgon confirmed in shock, "The Oman tribe was also attacked by the Ming cavalry?"
In the past month or so, he has received several urgent reports from the grasslands. It was that the eastern Mongolian tribes were attacked by the Ming cavalry and had to move eastward, while asking for help from the Qing Dynasty.
In fact, there have been some in the past, but there have never been such frequent attacks on the eastern Mongolian grassland tribes as this year.
Dorgon was a little confused. At the end of last year, the Ming Dynasty just swept away the three Mobei tribes. How could it have the ability so quickly to launch an attack on the eastern Mongolian tribes?
War is not just playing house, it consumes a lot of manpower and material resources! Just like the Qing Dynasty in the past, after entering the customs and plundering once, you need to wait for a period of time before launching the next war of entering the customs and plundering.
Therefore, Dorgon was a little puzzled.
However, after receiving the confirmation reply, he waved the messenger away, his head hurting a little.
The Qing Dynasty originally planned to help the eastern Mongolian tribes, but now the Ming Dynasty's troops attacking the eastern Mongolian tribes are all cavalry. They move suddenly and fast, and it is difficult to grasp the enemy's situation!
Moreover, the attack force of the Ming Cavalry was too strong, which made him a little unsure. He was afraid that not enough troops would be sent out, which would lead to the sheep falling into the tiger's mouth; however, if too many troops were sent out, he would be afraid of affecting Liaodong.
defense.
This is really difficult!
If you don't care, that's absolutely not possible.
If eastern Mongolia fell into the hands of the Ming Dynasty, it would be equivalent to the flanks of the Qing Dynasty, all exposed to the front of the Ming army. At that time, the Ming Dynasty would not only be able to attack from Haizhou, but also be able to bypass the Mongolian grassland and attack directly.
On the Shengjing side.
Thinking about this, Dorgon got a headache!
The shortcomings of the Qing Dynasty that its national power was not as strong as that of the Ming Dynasty were really exposed at this time.
They just lost two battles, so they were so passive; poor Qing Dynasty, they had won countless battles before, that is to say, the Ming Dynasty had lost countless battles, but after they recovered, they were still like this
powerful!
Dorgon had no choice but to summon Prince Baylor, Hong Chengchou and other wise men for a meeting to discuss countermeasures.
In Chongzheng Hall, he explained the situation and asked their opinions.
However, these princes, Beile, either directly called for soldiers to cover up the water and earth, killing and killing; or they bowed their heads and remained silent in response; in short, none of their speeches were in line with Dorgon's wishes. In the end,
He looked at Hong Chengchou and asked, "Hong Qing, do you have any good ideas?"
When Prince Baelor was speaking just now, he didn't say a word. Then he took this opportunity and was thinking hard about good strategies.
At this time, when Dorgon asked him for his opinion, Hong Chengchou did not hesitate and immediately replied: "Master, I think that the Ming army cannot be allowed to attack the various ethnic groups in eastern Mongolia according to their wishes. They must change from passive to active.
Only in this way can we find better solutions!”
He seemed to have something in mind. Suddenly, everyone in Chongzheng Hall stared at him.
Dorgon too, with a little hope, quickly said to him: "If Hong Qing has any ideas, just say it!"
After hearing this, Hong Chengchou replied: "I think that for the Mongolian tribes in the east, the Qing Dynasty should come forward to coordinate the pastures and try to keep them as far away from the Ming Dynasty border as possible to extend the attack distance of the Ming army; in addition, relying on one tribe alone
It will definitely be difficult to defend against the Ming army's attack. Therefore, the Qing Dynasty has to step in and coordinate the tribes to gather their elites to deal with the Ming army's attack, so that they will not be passively beaten like now and always suffer losses! In addition..."
While he was talking, Dorgon was listening and thinking about whether his strategy was okay?
As for the countermeasure I just heard, at least in Dorgon's view, this matter is actually difficult, but it is undeniable that this is indeed an effective countermeasure.
The difficulty is that Hong Chengchou's strategy is tantamount to requiring the various ethnic groups in the eastern Mongolia to no longer be divided into tribes and merge into one. Not only do they share the pastures in the east, the elites of each tribe must also gather together and act in a unified manner.
However, if you really want to do this, some tribes' interests will be harmed, and some tribes will want to gain benefits. After all, each tribe has its own requirements, and it is difficult for one tribe to dominate and make other tribes obey.
Yes, this is the problem.
When he was thinking about this problem, he heard from Hong Chengchou that he seemed to have other countermeasures, so he put aside the problem temporarily and listened to what other countermeasures Hong Chengchou had.
Just listen to Hong Chengchou continue to talk there: "... I think that we have to take the initiative to attack the Ming Dynasty to interrupt the rhythm of the Ming Dynasty's attack; the master Shengming has made an appointment with the Japanese country to attack the Ming army during the autumn harvest.
.The slave thought that since we were going to fight, it would be best to hurt the Ming Kingdom. In this way, the Ming Kingdom would not dare to be distracted by other things, and by the way, the subsequent danger on the grassland would be solved!"
After saying this, he stopped talking.
Obviously, these two strategies that Hong Chengchou could come up with were all he had.
Although Hong Chengchou's statement today is contrary to the contraction strategy he proposed a few years ago, Dorgon also understands that it is common for different timings to adopt different strategies, or even opposite strategies.
matter.
Thinking about this in his mind, Dorgon thought and said in a slow tone: "I'm afraid Hong Qing doesn't know that if the Mongolian tribes are allowed to move east together and share the Horqin tribe's pastures, they may even compete for the birthplace of girls."
Land is not an easy thing. Even if the Qing Dynasty coordinates it, no one can really convince anyone!"
Hearing this, Hong Chengchou did not frown, or even think about it, and answered directly: "Since the Mongolian tribes do not obey anyone, then I thought that the Qing Dynasty should coordinate and command the Mongolian tribes. In short,
, we need to make all Mongolian tribes work together as one."
Upon hearing this, the princes Baylor who attended the meeting in the Chongzheng Hall all agreed: Since they don't obey anyone, they will directly come under the control of the Qing Dynasty! How dare they disobey the Qing Dynasty?
However, Dorgon did not nod immediately, and still frowned. Obviously, in his opinion, there was still something wrong.
Perhaps seeing what Dorgon was worried about, Hong Chengchou continued to advise him: "When the Qing Dynasty sends people there, they can make an agreement with the heads of the various Mongolian tribes that the tribes will still be their tribes. When the Ming army is defeated, the eastern
Once Mongolia is safe, the tribes will return to their original pastures. For the tribes that have paid more, the Qing Dynasty can also make promises to compensate them for their losses."
Having said this, he paused and then explained: "In this case, coupled with the threat of the Ming army to various tribes, especially the eastern Mongolian tribes who have entered the pass to plunder, I can emphasize to them that the Ming emperor will definitely
I won’t let them go. I believe that based on the experience of their tribal leaders, they will make the right decision!”
After listening to his explanation, Dorgon's brows widened as expected. It can be known that he was worried about this.
A smile appeared on Dorgon's face, and he said to Hong Chengchou: "Hong Qing is indeed very intelligent. He can come up with clever ideas with just a raise of his hands. High, high!"
"They are all wise masters. Only with the guidance of the master can I think of something." When Hong Chengchou heard this, he quickly became humble.
Later, Dorgon asked other people's opinions, including Daishan, but no one objected, and the matter was settled.
However, when we later discussed who to send to the grasslands to rule the tribes, we encountered another problem.
Not just any cat or dog can control the clan leaders of those tribes, they are all old foxes, and they must have enough prestige and ability!
If it were in the past, Dorgon would have thought of Duduo first. This was a suitable candidate. Not only was he capable, but his status was also enough to suppress those tribal chiefs.
However, Duduo was also unlucky. He actually snatched Hong Chengchou's set of wine vessels, causing him to be seriously poisoned. He is still alive now. It is already a great luck. How could he go to the grassland again!
Thinking of this, Dorgon glanced at Hong Chengchou and suddenly felt that if Duduo had not snatched the set of drinking utensils and killed Hong Chengchou, it would be a great loss to the Qing Dynasty!