Manggurtai frowned and said uncertainly, "I don't think the situation has reached that critical point. Liaoyang and Shenyang are both fortified cities. Our army spent a lot of effort to attack them back then."

"They were scared out of their wits after the battle at Haicheng." Leng Sengji wiped the blood from his nose with his sleeve and said with feigned disdain, "Otherwise, they wouldn't have retreated straight back to Shenyang. Even in Liaoyang, only a few troops were left to buy them time to escape."

Manggurtai was simple-minded and had never personally experienced the Battle of Haicheng, so he did not have the most accurate understanding of the strength of the Ming army. Listening to Leng Sengji's provocation, he felt that everything he said made sense.

After all, it was just a defeat. Why was he so embarrassed and anxious that he even migrated and fled to the bitter cold land of Haixi?

"While what you said makes sense, the Fourth Prince has no power and no troops." Manggurtai shook his head and said helplessly, "The Khan has issued an order. He won't have any chance in Sarhu."

Leng Sengji's eyes flashed, but Manggurtai didn't see it. He thought quickly and said slowly, "Even so, what do you think the purpose of staying in Shenyang will be?"

After a pause, he continued, "If Jianzhou can be preserved, wouldn't that be better than Haixi? Returning to our homeland, sleeping on straw and eating bitter food, and waiting for an opportunity to rise again, wouldn't that be a better option?"

Manggurtai was somewhat tempted. Not only him, but even other generals and officials of the Later Jin Dynasty did not want to go to the bitter and cold place of Haixi.

This is human nature. Who wants to live a hard life after enjoying the good life? If you are used to eating fine grains, eating a big pancake will definitely make your throat feel tight and difficult to swallow.

But judging from the current situation, Lao Nu's decision should be the right one. If he defends Liaoshen to the death, it will be exactly what the Ming army wants.

There is no need to rush the main attack. By making a circuitous move and cutting off the Jiannu's retreat, we can wipe out the enemy in Liaoshen in one fell swoop and solve the problem once and for all.

But the right choice may not be understood by others. No one would be willing to give up all the territory gained over so many years just because of one failure.

A poisonous snake bites the wrist, a martyr loses his arm. How many people in history can be so decisive?

"Return to Jianzhou?!" Manggurtai nodded repeatedly and said, "There are still some troops in Fushun and Tieling, led by my trusted aides, and there are about three to four thousand of them. Dudu is on good terms with the Fourth Prince, and the Plain White Banner led by Ajige may not obey his orders."

"If a prince leads his army to Jianzhou and joins up with the Fourth Prince, defeating Mao Wenlong of Dongjiang would be a great achievement," Leng Sengji said excitedly, continuing his allegiances. "The main force of the Ming army is in southern Liaoning. I heard they have numerous artillery pieces and fierce firepower. But Dongjiang is located far away overseas, so it's definitely no match for the main force of the Ming army."

Manggurtai nodded his head, completely convinced, "Yes, Mao Wenlong is a coward, he can only launch surprise attacks."

Looking up at Leng Sengji, Manggurtai said, "I am secretly leaving the city to go to Fushun and Tieling to mobilize troops and rush to Sarhu to meet up with Lao Ba. What about you? Will you go with me or stay in the city?"

Leng Sengji had already made plans and said, "I'd better stay in the city. If there is any news, I can send someone to inform the prince."

"Okay, it's settled." Manggurtai stood up, limped to Leng Sengji, and patted his shoulder.

……………………

Haicheng won a great victory, and the Jiannu fled north in a panic. The news was transmitted to Zhenjiang through a signal tower, and then sent by fast horses. In more than a day, it reached Mao Wenlong.

Holding the urgent military report, Mao Wenlong walked back and forth in front of the sand table, thinking over and over again.

Gou Zhenhuai also examined the sand table and probably guessed what Mao Wenlong was thinking, so he spoke first to test the waters. "The Jiannu suffered a crushing defeat. Will they hold on to each city, delaying our main force's advance? Or will they abandon Liaochen and flee back to Jianzhou, or to the remote northern regions? It's hard to tell."

Mao Wenlong nodded and said, "It's precisely because it's difficult to judge that I'm hesitant and undecided."

As he spoke, he pointed at Yagu Pass, then drew a line to Hetuala, saying, "If the Jianlu want to retreat back to Jianzhou, our army can attack and seize it quickly, and seize their base."

After saying this, he moved his finger north again, to Sarhu, and said, "If the Jianlu want to retreat to Haixi, this place must be the route they must pass through."

Mao Wenlong crossed his arms, held them in front of his chest, squinted his eyes and began to think again.

In terms of understanding of Jianlu, Mao Wenlong was even better than Xiong Tingbi. Especially when it came to Nurhaci, he was far superior to Xiong Tingbi.

Therefore, Xiong Tingbi led the main force to fight head-on, not playing any tricks. In the face of absolute strength, tricks and schemes are indeed of little use.

Mao Wenlong believed that Nurhaci was a very cunning guy. This could be seen from his obedience and tolerance towards the Ming Dynasty when he was still young, and then his seizing opportunities and fabricating excuses to gradually unify the Jurchen tribes.

Besides this, Nurhaci was also very decisive. He would never miss an opportunity, and when faced with difficulties, he would be patient and not act impulsively.

For example, during the Battle of Sarhu, Lao Nu mobilized all his troops, and it was like an out-and-out attack. During Xiong Tingbi's first term as governor of Liaodong, Lao Nu was able to remain inactive. It was not until Yuan Yingtai came to power that Lao Nu suddenly launched an offensive and attacked Liaodong.

According to the casualties of the Jianlu counted by the Ming army in the Battle of Haicheng, Mao Wenlong believed that the Jianlu had been severely damaged.

At present, Xiong Tingbi is leading the main force northward, pressing forward step by step, and heading straight for Liaoyang.

If the Jianlu resist stubbornly in Liaochen, Jianzhou will be unable to take care of them. The Dongjiang Army can make an effort to defeat the two flags of the Jianlu and seize the entire Jianzhou.

However, if the Jianlu gave up Liaoshen and returned to Jianzhou with the entire division, they would face a tough and fierce battle in Dongjiang Town.

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