Wang Tigan hurried forward and presented the memorial with both hands. The emperor was much calmer, not as anxious and out of control as last time.
Zhu Youxiao reached out and took it, opened it and read it.
This was a report of victory in the fierce battle of Port Arthur. The four towns of Liaozhen, Dengzhen, Jinzhen and Dongjiang joined forces and dispatched a total of about 10,000 troops to defeat the Bordered Blue Banner led by Amin, and beheaded a total of 4,362 people.
Among these more than 4,000 heads, 2,131 were Zhenyi, and the rest were surrendered Han soldiers and Mongolians who were affiliated with Jin.
Judging from the results alone, this was already the greatest victory since the start of the Liaodong War. However, Zhu Youxiao only glanced at it and focused on the course of the battle.
The interception at Dahei Mountain, the defensive battle outside Lushun Fort, and the final joint attack to victory were all clearly recorded in the report.
One victory was no longer enough to make the young emperor overjoyed. What he cared about most was the new tactics of the new army and what effect they would have.
After reading it carefully twice, Zhu Youxiao figured out the key to victory, which was three very simple words: not-adapting.
That's what happened. The Jiannu army faced the new army's tactics for the first time and had no idea about them. They still fought with their old methods. It's strange that they were not defeated!
The Ming army was also well-equipped with firearms, with individual soldiers primarily using bird guns and three-barreled cannons. Besides their low power, the quality of the bird guns and the training of the soldiers were the biggest problems.
Because bird guns frequently exploded, Ming army bird gunners were often frightened when using them and lacked confidence in the lethality of the bird guns.
When faced with the galloping and charging Jiannu cavalry, they were under tremendous psychological pressure from many aspects.
The lack of rigorous training made them panic in the combat center, unable to reload properly, and often unable to fire the lead bullets normally.
The Jiannu cavalry seized this weakness of the Ming army, feinted in front of the formation, and waited for the Ming army to fire their bird guns indiscriminately before accelerating their charge and engaging in close combat.
After firing a shot, the Ming army's bird gunners had no time to reload. The bird guns had no bayonets, so they certainly could not defeat the ferocious Jiannu with fire pokers.
Therefore, without the protection of brave melee soldiers, even if the Ming army was equipped with firearms, it would be difficult to compete with the Jiannu in field battles.
The most obvious example is the bloody Battle of Hunhe River, where the most elite firearms unit, the Qi Family Army, and the most courageous and daring close combat infantry, the White Spear Soldiers, cooperated with each other to inflict heavy losses on the Jiannu.
The Jiannu used shield carts to deal with the Ming army's artillery, and when they got close, they rushed forward and defeated the Ming army in close combat.
Therefore, whether it is a professor of martial arts or a general who has fought against the Jiannu, there is almost a consensus that the Ming army's close combat is its biggest flaw.
The victory in the defense of Port Arthur was achieved, firstly, because the sharpness of the Rumi gun was beyond the expectations of the Jiannu army, and secondly, because the bombs thrown by the grenade carts had the power of shrapnel.
Of course, the pre-set complete fortifications are the key factor to victory.
What made Zhu Youxiao feel gratified was that in the final field battle, the spearmen, swordsmen and shieldmen withstood the close combat charge of the Jiannu.
Although they were at a disadvantage and their victory was short-lived, it was still commendable. This proved that the rigorous training of the new army over six months and the harsh punishments in the army had worked.
Zhu Youxiao read it carefully and thought about it seriously. While he was happy, he also knew that he should continue to strengthen the weapons and equipment of the new army.
Learning war in war, the Jiannu people, whose overall strength was inferior to that of the Ming Dynasty, should have had a stronger motivation and desire to learn and improve.
We suffered a great loss this time, and our tactics will definitely change in the future.
If I were the Jiannu, how would I deal with the powerful firearms equipped by the Ming army and turn the unfavorable situation around?
Zhu Youxiao thought for a long time, smiled slightly, put away the victory report, and prepared to hand it over to the Ministry of War and the Academy of Military Affairs first. After they came to a conclusion, he would see if he could fill in the gaps.
"That's another big expense!"
Zhu Youxiao said this, but his face did not show any pain. He smiled and said to Wang Tigan: "The soldiers on the front line fought desperately. This reward and pension cannot be delayed, nor can it be reduced."
"Your Majesty's graciousness in rewarding the officers and soldiers is truly a benevolent act of wisdom." Wang Tigan bowed and replied, "I believe that if the Ministry of Revenue is insufficient, it won't be too late to use the treasury."
Zhu Youxiao nodded and said, "Then let the Ministry of Revenue disburse the rewards first. Well, I will also increase the rewards for meritorious officers. The recent income from the inner treasury should be sufficient. Wang Ban wants to save money for me, but he must not discourage the soldiers on the front lines."
"Yes, Your Majesty is wise." Wang Ti Gan was secretly delighted to see that the emperor understood his painstaking efforts.
Zhu Youxiao waved his hand, indicating that Wang Tigan could leave.
Nestling comfortably in the imperial chair, Zhu Youxiao stroked his chin and wondered whether he should organize some activities in the capital to let the people feel the benefits of the victory on the front line.
I can't spend too much money, I want to save money without being excessive, so what should I do?
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