The course of war is not simply determined by human will. It's not as simple as saying you can win just because you want to.
The situation in Liaodong has reversed, but it is too early to say that the army has gained an overwhelming advantage.
Therefore, although the emperor asked the front-line generals to be cautious and not to underestimate the enemy and advance rashly, he did not stop them from taking action.
Wouldn’t it be better if we could deplete the Jiannu’s strength before the major counterattack in winter and spring next year?
In fact, the emperor was worrying too much.
Xiong Tingbi and Mao Wenlong were not stupid. They both adopted a steady and cautious tactic, advancing the front line steadily and resolutely towards the territory of the Jiannu.
The reason is simple. Although the Ming army rarely took the initiative to attack in the past few years, they relied on defense to inflict heavy losses on the Jiannu, which can be regarded as a victory.
In such an advantageous situation, if anyone loses the battle, it will not only affect the future command of the Liaodong battlefield, but will also be embarrassing when reporting to Beijing in the autumn.
Besides, when we returned to Beijing, it was almost the Emperor's birthday. Instead of congratulating him with the good news, you brought the defeat to upset the Emperor?
Therefore, although Xiong Tingbi and Mao Wenlong both launched military operations very actively, they both mobilized a large number of elite soldiers and their battle plans were also very cautious.
To put it bluntly, the two of them were vying for prominence. Of course, this was also to better prepare for the great counteroffensive the emperor had high hopes for next winter and spring, so they could gain a more advantageous position.
The two armies in southern Liaoning and eastern Liaoning moved forward, as if with some tacit agreement, and stopped advancing when they reached the Haicheng River and Taizi River respectively.
Across the Haicheng River is the Haizhou City Wall. After the Liaodong Ming army occupied a wall of castles and Songshukou, they did not immediately advance to Yagu Pass.
The Later Jin also responded to the Ming army's actions and dispatched two banners of troops to rush to Haizhou and Jianzhou for reinforcement. This was almost the maximum force they could mobilize.
Now, Haizhou has two banners and Jianzhou has three banners. Under the heavy pressure of Liao, only the pitiful three banners are left.
According to Nurhaci and his colleagues, retrenchment meant clenching their fists and waiting for the right moment to strike. If the Ming army attacked from different directions, they might be able to stage another "Sarhu" victory, thus improving the strategic situation in Liaodong.
However, the Ming army, with its three heavy military groups in western Liaoning, southern Liaoning and eastern Liaoning, plus the Mongolian tribes, formed a siege from all sides, advancing slowly and steadily, and did not give the Jiannu any chance to defeat them one by one.
In terms of military strength, if all the Jiannu were deployed, they would be able to gain an advantage in western Liaoning, southern Liaoning, and eastern Liaoning, although the advantage would not be particularly great.
But the real threat was the three heavily armed groups, and the enemy and us were not too far apart. If we attacked one, the other would come, and it was impossible for the Jiannu to concentrate all their strength and attack one side fiercely.
Moreover, with the current combat effectiveness of the Ming army, if the Jiannu really made a desperate attempt, even if they could defeat one side, the result would be killing one thousand enemies and losing eight hundred of their own.
This is also the biggest weakness of the Jiannu. With such a small number of people, if they fight a big and fierce battle that will cause them serious injuries, they will never be able to recover.
If a beggar competes with a rich man in wealth, do you have that much wealth?
Even if the Ming army lost tens of thousands of men, with Zhu Youxiao's ruthlessness, they would be fully equipped and manned again within a year or two. Come on, fight, and see whether you will give birth more or die faster!
What does it mean to be tied up and cautious? This is what the current Jiannu people are like.
The most deadly threat was not only manpower, but also food and supplies. After years of not being able to plunder, the result of eating up all the food was worse than in history, with famine coming sooner and faster.
"Fushun Prince Consort--" Huang Taiji was returning to his residence in great depression when Li Yongfang, dressed in disguise, came quietly to pay him a visit.
"Your servant greets His Majesty." Li Yongfang was emaciated, and even without makeup, he looked very different.
Huang Taiji quickly stood up and asked Li Yongfang to sit down. Huang Taiji felt a sense of sympathy for Li Yongfang and admired his loyalty to the Later Jin.
Li Yongfang killed his eldest son to prove his guilt, but he didn't expect that killing his son would be in vain.
Recently, news spread that his son-in-law Wu Changchun was in Zhenjiang. He was Nara Zhongming's right-hand man. Not only did he recruit rebels, he also sent people to deliver letters to his old father-in-law.
Li Yongfang knew that given Nurhaci's suspicious nature, it would be impossible for him to be reinstated and reused.
The situation of the Later Jin Dynasty gradually worsened, and he could not help but care about it. After all, the Later Jin Dynasty was about to end, and he and his family would definitely not have a good ending.
Nurhaci would never listen to the "unpleasant but honest advice", so Li Yongfang had to place his hopes on Huang Taiji.
In fact, the method is still the same old one, similar to Fan Wencheng's suggestion. Employ more Han generals and soldiers, relax the exploitation and oppression, and win the hearts of the Liao people in the ruled areas.
The number of Jurchens could not increase significantly, but the Han people could make up for it and solve the dilemma of the Eight Banners' insufficient military strength and shortage of troops.
Historically, after Huang Taiji inherited the Khan throne, he adopted a series of similar policies to ease the conflicts between the Manchus and the Han people and gradually reverse the unfavorable situation caused by Nurhaci in his later years.
After listening to Li Yongfang's suggestion, Huang Taiji smiled bitterly and said, "Although Fushun's suggestion is good, I do not have the power to accept and implement it. Don't you know the Khan's temper?"
Li Yongfang nodded and said, "The Fourth Prince is now powerless and without any troops. How could this servant not know this? But shouldn't the Fourth Prince be thinking of a way out of his current predicament?"
Huang Taiji lowered his eyes and said in a deep voice: "If Prince Fushun has any ideas, please tell me."
Li Yongfang didn't keep the secret and said, "The Dongjiang Ming army's attack on Jianzhou is the Fourth Prince's opportunity. Leading the army to reinforce, or accompanying the army, is better than staying in this city."
Huang Taiji pondered and said, "I'm afraid the Khan will not agree."
Seeing that Huang Taiji, despite his doubts, had accepted his suggestion, Li Yongfang continued, "The Fourth Prince can ask the Khan for permission to secretly travel to Jianzhou to negotiate the opening of trade with Korea."
Huang Taiji frowned and said, "Korea is pro-Ming, how dare they trade with us?"
Li Yongfang pulled out a piece of intelligence from his pocket and presented it to Huang Taiji, saying, "Li Zong's accession to the throne was illegitimate, and the Ming court hasn't officially conferred him a title, making it difficult to win over the people. Therefore, the old king's close associates are harboring disloyal intentions."
Huang Taiji took the information and looked at Li Yongfang with some suspicion. After reading the information, Huang Taiji fell into thought.
This intelligence seems to have been fabricated by Li Yongfang, and of course his name is not mentioned in it. However, he has been in charge of intelligence work for the Later Jin for so many years, so it is normal for him to have a few confidants.
If that were the case, perhaps my father would really send me there. The Plain White Banner was in Jianzhou, and although it was led by Ajige, the generals and high-ranking officials there should be more loyal to me, right?
It's not necessary to overthrow Ajige and recapture the Zhengbai Banner. But leaving Liaochen, where he can do nothing, may really be the way to regain authority.
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