Nuk, the young chief of the Zalantu tribe, did not interrupt. He had also learned some human relations and knew that the Zalantu tribe had a good relationship with the Ming army, but it was inappropriate to ask or request any conditions in public.
Sure enough, a Mongolian who had naturalized as a member of the Flying Cavalry Battalion soon secretly found him, gave him a badge, and told him that if the situation became bad, he could take his people to the northern part of Guangning for temporary refuge.
Although this was limited help, Nuke was quite clever. Since he had agreed to provide refuge, the so-called bad situation was a flexible range.
He and his father could have made preparations earlier, sending the elderly, weak, women and children to the Guangning border first. After the defeat in the battle with the Chahar tribe, he sent a message on horseback and took refuge in the Guangning area.
Ma Chengfei was simply returning a favor, as Guangning hadn't yet resettled Liao people. It was also a good opportunity for the Mongol tribes to see the magnanimity and generosity of the Ming Dynasty. Those who had helped the Ming Dynasty would not be ruthless in times of crisis.
Once the armies of the Inner Khalkha tribes left, only 5,000 mixed cavalry of the Ming army were left. Generals such as Man Gui and Ma Chengfei were in a dilemma as to whether to advance or retreat.
Although Zonom Duleng could still gather 3,000 troops, Man Gui and Ma Chengfeng looked down on them, thinking they would be a burden on the battlefield and might even lead to the defeat of the Ming army.
Just when they were in a dilemma, Leng Sengji, who had fled back to Shenyang, sent someone to deliver a secret letter, which immediately cheered up Man Gui, Ma Chengfei and others.
"The Jianlu suffered a crushing defeat in Haicheng. This old slave is seriously injured or dead..."
Ma Chengfei tapped the secret letter on the table and announced loudly to the assembled crowd, "Fourteenth son Dorgon has been designated as the heir to the Khanate, with Grand Prince Daishan assisting. The defeated army is retreating towards Shenyang, and they have also relocated Jiannu civilians from towns along the way."
Hahahaha, Mangui was the first one who couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Generals such as Hu Dawei, Meng Ruhu, and Fan Hualong also laughed heartily. The old slave's designation of a successor meant that he could not manage affairs as long as he was dead; the relocation of civilians meant that the army was defeated and they no longer had the confidence to withstand the attack of the Ming army.
"The Jianlu suffered a crushing defeat and their demise is imminent. This old slave must have been beaten to death. The news was blocked only to stabilize people's hearts." The first person to cheer loudly was Zonom Duleng. He felt relieved. What a correct choice!
Ma Chengfei was also happy, but he managed to hold it in. He smiled for a while before reaching down and saying, "Although the situation has changed, our army should not take any risks. You know, even though the Jianlu suffered a crushing defeat, they still have 20,000 to 30,000 troops."
"Old Ma, have you forgotten the Flying Cavalry Battalion led by General Cao and General Zhou?" Man Gui said, "With the speed of the cavalry, they are chasing the defeated Jiannu army. How can they transfer troops to attack us?"
Ma Chengfei shook his head slightly and said, "Old Man, that's just speculation, it's not accurate. The General is cautious in his military operations. After a great victory, he won't advance alone. He should coordinate his infantry, cavalry, and artillery, advancing steadily and unstoppably."
Fan Hualong pondered and said, "With our army's firepower, if we hold the city, even if the Jianlu have tens of thousands, it will be difficult to capture it. If we fight in the open, the victory or defeat will be unpredictable."
He led a group of cavalrymen with two to three thousand muskets and carried several carts of gunpowder chests. He was still confident in defending a small city like Kaiyuan.
Zonom Duleng nodded repeatedly, but didn't dare to interrupt easily. He was afraid that if the Ming army left, no one would take care of him. If the Later Jin army sent troops to settle accounts, he would have no choice but to flee with his people.
Man Gui scratched his head. He was leading the cavalry and staying in the city, which seemed a bit unwilling.
Ma Chengfei smiled, looked at Fan Hualong, and asked, "General Fan, are you confident that only the cavalry can defend the city?"
Fan Hualong chuckled and said, "I'm talking about our unit defending the city. The cavalry is great at killing, but defending the city is obviously not their forte."
Man Gui smiled and said, "Old Fan never brags. If he says he has confidence, then there will definitely be no problem."
Ma Chengfei nodded, turned to Zonom Duleng, and said, "Chief Zonom, please send two thousand cavalry to form an alliance with General Man's troops to support us outside the city."
"No problem, no problem." Zonom Duleng agreed repeatedly and happily.
Ma Chengfei smiled and said, "Please gather the laborers in the city to dig trenches and fortify the city, just in case."
"As you will." This suited Zonom Duleng's wishes even better. His family and property were all within the city. "I will immediately gather the laborers to dig trenches and reinforce the city according to General Fan's instructions."
At this point, the discussion was concluded. Kaiyuan would be the base, with the spearmen and chairmen guarding the city, while the Flying Cavalry Battalion and the Mongolian troops would maneuver outside.
Only when the news becomes clearer can we make the correct and safe choice whether to attack southward or intercept the Jianlu.
………………
Shenyang.
With a loud crash, Manggurtai overturned the table, and cups and plates fell to the ground, but he still couldn't vent his dissatisfaction and resentment in his heart.
The heir to the Khanate was unexpectedly the Fourteenth, a stinky boy with barely grown hair. What merits and prestige did he have? He was merely favored by his mother.
But at this point, he had no other choice. The messenger came with the news, carrying the Khan's decree and the generals of the Plain Yellow Banner, all of whom were Nurhaci's trusted confidants.
Manggurtai's military power was taken away, and even in Shenyang, there were not many troops left, so he was no longer needed to command and dispatch them.
Even when he cited the fact that Kaiyuan had been captured and wanted to lead his troops to attack the Ming army to rescue his sister, he was ruthlessly rejected.
Now he was completely empty-handed, with only his personal guards left. His sister in Kaiyuan was also dead, and his brother-in-law had surrendered and rebelled. No matter how resentful Manggurtai was, he could do nothing.
The Khan finally completed his plan. With the exception of the great prince Daishan and the deceased Amin, he and Huang Taiji were left without any power or military power. The so-called Four Great Princes also became a historical term.
Although he still had his old subordinates in the Zhenglan Banner, they were all taken to Haicheng by Nurhaci. Regardless of whether they suffered heavy losses or not, he could not cause any trouble in Shenyang.
"Lord Beile," Leng Sengji said with a sorrowful look on his face, bowing, "Can't you go and save the princess? There aren't many enemies attacking Kaiyuan!"
Manggurtai glared at Leng Sengji fiercely, stepped forward and slapped him, cursing, "Save him, save him, how can I save him? I'm going to die with dozens of my personal soldiers."
Leng Sengji was knocked back and his nose started bleeding, but he didn't wipe the blood off. He just bowed his head and stood there obediently.
The blood from his nose stained the blue bricks, turning them dark red.
Manggurtai took a look and his anger subsided a little. He sat down on the chair, breathing heavily.
After a long while, Manggurtai finally spoke: "Tell me, what else can we do now?"
Leng Sengji raised his head and said, "Why don't you go find the Fourth Prince? Staying in Shenyang, with no troops and no power, you can only retreat to Haixi with those civilians. Who knows, they might even keep you in Shenyang to resist the Ming army and buy them time to escape!"
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