The size of a city is not important. For the defenders, the larger the city, the more troops are needed and the greater the possibility of being breached by the enemy. A city like Port Arthur is actually very suitable for holding on.
It was for this reason that Yuan Keli and Mao Wenlong agreed to launch the Battle of Lushun. Xiong Tingbi sent He Kegang to assist in the battle in order to verify the effectiveness of combining firearms with fortifications in actual combat.
Of course, passive defense alone was not the ultimate goal of the Battle of Port Arthur. According to Yuan Keli's plan, after a successful defense, a counterattack would be launched at the appropriate time to recapture Jinzhou and keep Port Arthur firmly in the hands of the Ming army.
Lushun's strategic location is quite important. Judging from the three-way deployment of the Ming army, Dengzhou, Laizhou, and Tianjin surrounding the Bohai Bay, their relay port is Lushun.
If we can firmly occupy Lushun, or even Jinzhou, it will be equivalent to connecting Liaozhen and Dongjiangzhen. Dengzhen and Jinzhen can serve as support, and the effectiveness of coordinated operations will be greatly improved.
For the Later Jin, if the Ming army was allowed to establish a stable bridgehead on land, it would tie up a considerable number of its troops and affect its attack on the Ming army in western Liaoning.
In other words, if the Later Jin did not want to retreat to Liao and Shen, and wanted to take the initiative to start a war, it could not tolerate a large number of Ming troops stationed in Lushun, and could not tolerate the Ming army being able to quickly transport troops through the port of Lushun.
This is different from Zhu Youxiao's fear that the Later Jin would not come to fight for it, and he mobilized the army in vain. Or, he was misled by history and did not think that Lushun was a place that must be fought for by military strategists.
Because historically, Lushun was abandoned by the Later Jin several times. And after the Ming army occupied it, it did not pose much threat to the Later Jin.
On the contrary, in several offensive and defensive battles around Lushun, Ming army generals such as Zhang Pan, Huang Long, and Zhang Weiluan were killed in battle.
However, Xiong Tingbi, Yuan Keli, and even Mao Wenlong all believed that the Later Jin would definitely come to fight for Lushun, so they each sent their elite troops to help in the battle.
Of course, the current defensive counterattack arrangements were still quite cautious. After all, the new army was newly established, and its combat effectiveness and the power of its muskets had not yet been tested in actual combat.
Although Zhu Youxiao did not give remote commands or make any comments on the combat strategies, he was always patient and his principle of steady warfare and aggressiveness was implemented by the officials below.
At this time, on Monkey Stone Mountain (Hill 203) in Lushun, several Ming army generals were directing and arranging battle strategies from this high place overlooking Lushun Port.
In later times, this location was considered very important and a battleground for military strategists. However, at that time, there were no long-range artillery that could threaten Fort Lushun and the ships in the port, so it was not so important.
Zhang Pan extended his arm, pointing to the harbor and Fort Lushun. He said, "Leave a few gunboats in the harbor, and wait for the rest at sea. The left wing will hold Fort Lushun securely. Once the enemy's offensive is thwarted and their troops are exhausted, you can lead your troops out."
He Kegang pondered for a moment and said, "If only the Left Army holds the line, it's not strong enough. How about using the musketeers I lead as a reserve force to defend together?"
"I would be delighted to have your help, Brother He." Zhang Pan bowed to express his gratitude and accepted He Kegang's suggestion.
Looking at the map, Zhang Bang pointed and said, "How about Brother He and I lead our men to Dahei Mountain to have a small battle with the Jiannu?"
Dahei Mountain, known as the No. 1 Mountain in Southern Liaoning, was formerly known as Dahe Mountain, Daheshang Mountain, and Tiger Mountain. It lies between Jinzhou City and Lushun Fort, and also contains the strategically important Beisha City.
Although the Beisha City built in the Jin Dynasty has collapsed and been destroyed, it is still a good place to ambush or hold out to defeat the enemy because of the mountains and forests that serve as cover.
The key is that Dahei Mountain is adjacent to the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea in the south, which makes retreat quite convenient for the Ming army with a navy.
Zhang Pan thought about it, agreed, and then teased, "Don't fight too hard, or you'll scare the Jiannu away, and the arrangements for Lushun Fort will be in vain."
"I know, I know." Zhang Bang nodded repeatedly.
He Zan is younger in generation and should be considered a nephew, but everyone calls him brother. He also acquiesced, but he didn't say much and was very respectful in his manners.
Zhang Bang pointed into the distance and said, "After a battle at Dahei Mountain, we will move to Shuangdao Bay and, upon receiving a signal from Brother Zhang, launch a flank attack on the Jiannu who are attacking the city."
"That's right." Zhang Pan laughed heartily and said, "I have already drawn two thousand spearmen from the left wing and divided them between the two of you. You will definitely be able to defeat the Jiannu army head on."
Those who came from a long distance to support the battle were all musketeers. Without spearmen or sword and shield soldiers, there was still a lack of troops.
Even without Zhang Bang and He Zan's comments, Zhang Pan could see clearly that as the host, they naturally had to take better care of the visiting troops.
"Thank you, General Zhang." He Zan bowed in thanks.
Zhang Bang chuckled and said, "General Zhang, it would be rude to refuse such a kind offer." After a pause, he continued, "Now that everything has been discussed, Brother He and I will rush to Dahei Mountain to make the arrangements."
"Thank you both." Zhang Pan bowed and said, "I wish you two victory in your first battle and enhance the prestige of the Ming army."
He Kegang also bowed and said, "I wish you two a successful start and immediate success."
Zhang Bang smiled heartily, bowed, turned around and strode away.
He Zan bowed politely before following Zhang Bang down the mountain.
Zhang Pan and He Kegang smiled at each other and looked down from a high vantage point again. The trenches that crisscrossed the land like lines and the figures of people busy like ants made them feel ambitious and confident.
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