Although Dengzhen played a significant role in supporting Liu Xingzuo's uprising, Zhang Keda knew that in terms of combat effectiveness, the officers and soldiers of Dengzhen were inferior to the battle-hardened Liaonan and Liaonan brigades.

Combat experience is crucial, and that's what the Dengzhen soldiers lack. The same problem also exists with the Jinzhen soldiers.

The troops led by Zhang Bang of Dengzhen and He Zan of Jinzhen were better. They had fought side by side with Zhang Pan and Kong Youde, and their troops had also been tempered by war.

Therefore, the coordinated operations of the officers and soldiers of Deng and Jin towns were mostly to defend the city, so that the left and right associations of Dongjiang Town could free up their hands and feet.

Zhang Keda was aware of this and did not expect to make the troops he led reach the combat effectiveness level of the left and right coalitions in a short period of time.

Originally, the officers and soldiers in Dengzhen also had their own advantages, that is, they were adaptable to ship navigation and had some of the characteristics of the Marine Corps.

However, after the Jiannu retreated, they almost abandoned all the coastal areas. Zhang Keda had no chance to lead his troops to land and harass them.

The garrison at Gaizhou was, not surprisingly, the responsibility of the officers and soldiers of Dengzhen. Given that Gaizhou had become the front line facing the Jiannu, Zhang Keda was extremely serious and cautious, personally supervising the construction of the fortifications.

"Sir," an officer nearby bowed and said, "The training of the officers and soldiers in Dengzhen is personally supervised by our old ancestor (Yuan Keli). It shouldn't be much worse than that of other military garrisons, right?"

Zhang Keda shook his head and said, "Training is training, but actual combat experience is indispensable. I know you're eager to make achievements, but now is not the time."

After a pause, Zhang Keda pointed in the direction of Lianyun Island and said, "Now that the Liaohe River and Sancha River have been explored, it's time to dispatch the navy. This is the action that the officers and soldiers of Dengzhen are most adept at."

"I heard that my grandfather is going to move his residence to Lushun. I wonder when that will be?" Another officer changed the subject and asked about Yuan Keli's move.

In the eyes of these officers and generals, Yuan Keli was the chief officer in charge of Dongjiang and Dengzhen. If he could move his headquarters to Lushun, these officers and soldiers in Dengzhen would stand up straighter.

"The court hasn't made a decision yet." Zhang Ke waved his hand and said, "This is not something we can worry about. Let's focus on training our soldiers and defending the city!"

Zhang Keda did not agree with Yuan Keli moving his government to Lushun, and he believed that the imperial court would not allow it either.

The current Ming army in southern Liaoning includes officers and soldiers from the three towns of Dongjiang, Deng and Jin, and the next town will be Liao Town, which will be connected to the coastal area.

Zhang Keda believed that Xiong Tingbi was more suitable than Yuan Keli for unified command. The two corpsmen in Dengzhen would be transferred to Pidao and commanded by Mao Wenlong, indirectly confirming Zhang Keda's suspicions.

Xiong Tingbi and Mao Wenlong will be the supreme commanders of the pacification of Liao, commanding their troops to launch attacks on the Jiannu from the east, west and south directions.

If Yuan Keli moved his government to Lushun, the power would be a bit chaotic. Yuan Keli and Xiong Tingbi were both governors, and Xiong Tingbi was the governor of Liaodong, which seemed more legitimate.

Of course, Yuan Keli's control over Dongjiang and Dengzhen did not mean he had complete control over everything. At least, Yuan Keli did not directly command the battles.

"Sir..." A signalman ran up, knelt on one knee and saluted, then handed the letter in his hand to Zhang Keda.

Zhang Keda inspected the seal before opening the letter and reading it. It was from Yuan Keli, and the content was pretty much what Zhang Keda had guessed.

After reading the letter, Zhang Keda didn't tell the other generals. It wasn't an order, but more like a private letter.

…………………….

In the battle of southern Liaoning, the left and right brigade of Dongjiang and one brigade of Dengzhen defeated Daishan's two red flags in a melee, which completely consolidated the base of Jinzhou.

After the defense of the Lüda area was taken over by a brigade from Dengzhen, the left and right brigade were stationed in Fuzhouwei and Luanguguan respectively to rest and replenish troops.

Compared to Xiong Tingbi, Mao Wenlong, and others, Zhang Pan and Kong Youde knew very little about the major counteroffensive planned for the winter and spring of next year. They could only speculate about the upcoming major operation based on the court's increased logistical supplies.

"Old Zhang, look at the map. If we want to attack Liaoyang, we're going to take the southern route." Kong Youde swiped his finger across the map. "Take down Haizhouwei, then Anshan, and the only thing left is Liaoyang."

Zhang Pan just smiled and said, "Recovering Liaoyang is of course of extraordinary significance, but with our military strength, I'm afraid we are not yet strong enough to form a main force."

"The main force is Liaozhen?" Kong Youde waved his hand as soon as he finished speaking, indicating that Zhang Pan didn't need to answer, and then continued: "It is likely that this is the case. We really can't capture Liaozhen unless the people from our headquarters are with us."

"Whether it's the main attack or a supporting operation, a major operation is certain." Zhang Pan looked at the map, pointed at Liaoyang and Shenyang, and said, "Recover these two places, and the Jiannu will have no choice but to retreat to Jianzhou Guard and linger."

Kong Youde nodded in agreement, leisurely took out a cigarette, lit it, and took a deep, comfortable drag. After a long while, wisps of smoke finally emerged from his mouth and nose.

Zhang Pan was used to it. He shrugged his shoulders and lowered his head to study the map again.

"After we defeat Liao, I'm afraid our military achievements won't be enough to earn us a title, right?" Kong Youde said, then smiled to himself, "Marshal Mao should be qualified. We still have to keep going."

Zhang Pan didn't take it seriously. He cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, you are wise and will not treat meritorious officials unfairly."

"Long live the wise and virtuous." Kong Youde also bowed, then said with a smile: "If you can give cigarettes to the soldiers, you will be even more wise and virtuous."

Zhang Pan knew Kong Youde was just saying it casually. With his salary, smoking wasn't a big deal. Of course, there were more places to spend money besides alcohol and cigarettes. It wasn't like a year or two ago when he had money but nowhere to spend it.

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