In terms of military strength and strength, Liaozhen is number one.
Two groups of officers and soldiers have been drawn from Shanhaiguan and all incorporated into combat units, which can compete with the main force of the Jiannu in terms of manpower.
In terms of strength, the Liaozhen was the only unit equipped with red cannons, as well as a variety of new artillery. Besides artillery, they also had war horses, the largest number of which was also the highest among all Ming armies in the country.
This is just the current data. The tens of thousands of cavalrymen from the Beijing camp that Zhu Youxiao wants to dispatch will also arrive after autumn, which will further increase the strength of Liaozhen.
Mao Wenlong wanted to be granted a title, but Xiong Tingbi believed that after the Liaodong pacification was completed, he should be promoted to the Minister of War, that is, the Minister of National Defense.
Sun Chengzong was old, and after the Liao Dynasty was pacified, he would most likely become the Prime Minister or Deputy Prime Minister of the Cabinet. The position of Minister of War would be vacant, and based on seniority and military achievements, it seemed that only he, the big, smelly-mouthed bear, was qualified.
A soldier who doesn't want to be a marshal isn't a good soldier. And no one doesn't want to get promoted or get rich. The so-called utilitarian mindset, to put it bluntly, is also the desire for advancement.
Even Lao Xiong was indifferent to fame and fortune, but what about the officers and soldiers of Liaozhen? The generals wanted to be promoted by military merit, while the soldiers wanted to live a peaceful life after winning the land after the battle.
After the defensive battles of Guangning and Ningyuan, the Flying Cavalry and the Dragon Cavalry joined forces to defeat the enemy and capture Amin alive. The morale of the Liaozhen officers and soldiers was greatly boosted, and they had completely gotten rid of their fear of the Jiannu.
The generals often discussed privately that if the Dongjiang Town, with the largest number of troops and the best equipment, stole the victory in the Liaodong Campaign, it would be a huge loss of face. They would not be able to raise their heads when they met the officers and soldiers of the Dongjiang Town in the future.
Xiong Tingbi was very pleased with this. From fearing war to wanting war, such a change was simply unimaginable two years ago.
In the past two years, the imperial court has invested so much that Lao Xiong dare not even calculate it. Your Majesty has not seen gold and silver for two years, and this money is only a small part of the investment in Liaodong.
If the war against Liao drags on any longer, the royal family will have trouble living, right? Every time Lao Xiong thought of this, he couldn't help but smile bitterly.
The emperor's impatience was understandable, and it wasn't unrealistic to want to complete the Liaodong War within the next year. However, Xiong Tingbi knew that this wasn't easy, and that careful planning was the first step to success.
While attacking Liaoyang directly was a ruthless move, Liaoyang was also a crucial location that the Jiannu had to defend with all their might. Given the Jiannu's combat style, defending Liaoyang would inevitably involve a field battle outside Liaoyang, rather than a defensive retreat.
The Liaozhen army had more troops than the Jiannu, but it was not an absolute advantage; its equipment was also powerful, but the coordination between infantry, artillery and cavalry had not been tested in actual combat.
Therefore, Xiong Tingbi wanted to win military merit for Liaozhen, but he also remained somewhat cautious.
Now, the Inner Khalkha Alliance has all sided with the Ming Dynasty, which is definitely a bargaining chip that can be used. Moreover, the Liaohe River is no longer an obstacle for the Ming army, and they don't have to be restricted to passing through a single place.
To put it simply, the most direct route is to attack Liaoyang directly from Zhenwu Fort and Xiping Fort; and to attack Shenyang directly from Zhenyuan Fort and Zhong'an Fort, slightly to the northeast, is also a feasible strategy.
A more conservative approach would be to advance from the coastal areas, join forces with the Ming army in southern Liaoning at Gaizhou Wei or Yingkou, then attack Haizhou and Anshan to the north, and approach Liaoyang with an absolutely superior force.
From the emperor's secret report, it was obvious that although the strategic deployment had not yet been finalized, it was inclined towards conservative tactics and had begun to be implemented.
This was not surprising, as Wansui had always been very cautious and prudent. Although he was anxious, he rarely took any risky moves.
The Ming army in southern Liaoning had already stationed troops in Gaizhouwei and quickly built defensive fortifications, basically consolidating the occupation.
Xiong Tingbi also ordered the navy to enter the Liaohe River from its mouth, conduct reconnaissance first, and then send troops to occupy Yingkou, forming a pincer attack with Gaizhou Wei.
Such a deployment is not a complete action, but only a discounted connection is achieved through the sea route.
After all, to connect the land route, the Ming army in Liaozhen would have to cross the Daliao River, Shuangtaizi River, and Sancha River. Of course, a floating bridge could be built, but Xiong Tingbi felt it was too early to act now.
Moreover, after suffering repeated setbacks and implementing a contraction strategy, the Jiannu army was unlikely to rashly attack the Ming army fortresses along the coast.
Therefore, even if the land route was disconnected, Xiong Tingbi was not too worried about Yingkou being attacked. How stubborn were the Jiannu? How dare they come and bash us in?
Xiong Tingbi’s main task at present is to improve Guangning’s defense system, build fortifications in various forts, and station troops there to garrison them, leaving the Jiannu no opportunity to take advantage.
We cannot just think about launching a counterattack in the winter or spring of next year. We also have to consider the possibility of the river freezing and the Jiannu launching an attack.
Xiong Tingbi raised the telescope and looked at the opposite bank and the surrounding terrain.
The river blocking the way is just one difficulty; the swamp wetlands are even more difficult to travel, especially for heavy vehicles.
"When Qi Shaobao was fighting against the Japanese pirates, he encountered a muddy mudflat. He ordered his soldiers to carry grass on their backs and walk at night, using the grass to pave a path that led them directly to the island occupied by the Japanese pirates..."
Listening to the generals' discussion behind him, Xiong Tingbi pursed his lips. This method might be feasible, but it only works for small units. It is not suitable for a large army.
The one who was talking so excitedly actually believed the story he heard from somewhere and even showed off to others!
Go back and think it over carefully. When you go to Beijing to meet the emperor, you will definitely find the best counterattack strategy and strive to pacify Liaodong within one or two years.
Thinking of this, Xiong Tingbi turned his horse and galloped away first.
…………………………
Gaizhou City Wall.
Zhang Keda, the general of Dengzhen, stood on the top of the city wall, looking at the trenches and breastworks outside the city, and nodded slightly.
Even without the advantage of the city walls, the 5,000 Ming troops were enough to withstand the attack of tens of thousands of Jiannu with just the field fortifications.
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