Although the Jiannu retreated to the Jinzhou citadel, they were unwilling to give up and seemed to be gathering strength for another offensive. However, their local combat situation was already at a disadvantage.
The Ming navy could land from both the east and west directions and attack the Jiannu from behind. The most threatening approach would be to break through Pulandian Bay and capture Shiheyi or Xinjin.
In other words, if the Jiannu were wise, they would withdraw from the entire Jinzhou, strengthen the military forces in Fuzhou, and curb the Ming army's northward harassment and containment.
There was no other way, as the Liaodong Peninsula was surrounded by the sea on three sides. Such geographical conditions meant that the Jiannu, who were good at cavalry and archery, could hardly fight against the Ming army with its powerful navy for a long time.
Of course, if the shortcomings of field battles cannot be made up, the Ming army will face considerable risks if it continues to advance into southern Liaoning.
Field battle - Zhang Pan looked up at the gray sky. Snowflakes were floating scattered, falling on his face and bringing a hint of coldness.
The matchlock gun is afraid of rain and snow. Zhang Pan shook his head helplessly.
To defend the position, you can build a straw hut or something, but where is the time and conditions for that in the wild?
Therefore, the Ming army's performance this year was good, but it was only harassment, containment, and attrition. If they wanted to truly launch an offensive, their field combat capabilities must see a breakthrough increase.
Zhang Pan thought of cavalry, but he didn't know about the "cavalry wall" tactics that the Beijing camp was training. He believed that if he wanted to fight the Jiannu head-on, it would take at least three years of rigorous training.
Zhu Youxiao not only thought of cavalry, but also infantry, and the flintlock rifle was the key to solving the problem. Of course, there were also weapons such as field artillery.
According to Zhu Youxiao's schedule, he would strive to fully equip Liaozhen and Dongjiangzhen within a year, so as to form a two-pronged attack on the Jiannu and launch a counterattack.
Zhang Pan did not know the emperor's timetable. Although he was eager to make the army stronger and strike the Jiannu more fiercely, he also knew that the court had already given its full support to the Dongjiang Army.
In nearly a year, the Dongjiang Army grew from nothing to become stronger. How could he not know how much money, food and supplies were consumed?
It wasn't just the Dongjiang Army, there were also hundreds of thousands of Liao civilians. If the court hadn't sent food and money and provided resettlement, who knows how many people would have died of starvation and freezing!
A familiar figure appeared in front of him. Zhang Pan recognized him immediately because of his slightly limping steps and powerful movements of swinging the hammer.
Zhang Pan had a particularly close feeling for this veteran and walked over to him.
Bang, bang, bang!
Zhang Zhuzi swung the sledgehammer several times, hammering the stake into the ground. The ground was only a thin layer frozen, so it wasn't too difficult.
Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he took a few civilians with him to plant a wooden stake.
"Old Zhang." A call stopped Zhang Zhuzi.
"Master Zhang." Zhang Zhuzi turned his head to see clearly and bowed.
Zhang Pan stepped forward, supported his arm, and said with a smile, "Let them do it first. I have something to tell you."
Zhang Zhuzi nodded, handed the hammer to someone else, gave a few more instructions, and then walked aside with Zhang Pan.
After a pause, Zhang Pan spoke, "The weather is getting colder, making construction difficult, and food and supplies are limited. After the military barracks are built, most of the people will have to return to their original islands. It's not until the beginning of next spring that they will return in large numbers to build homes and settle down."
Zhang Zhuzi knew all this, so he didn't say anything and waited for Zhang Pan to continue.
"But we have to leave some of the able-bodied people behind. You can't leave." Zhang Pan smiled and said, "First, clean up the houses in the old village. There's enough for us to live in. Take them with you to measure the fields and register them. This will save you a lot of trouble next year."
"And—" Zhang Pan paused, then continued, "I estimate that the Jiannu won't hold out against our army for long and will likely withdraw from Jinzhou soon. Many Liao people will likely seize the opportunity to break away from Jiannu rule and come over by sea or land."
Zhang Zhuzi thought for a moment and said, "My Lord, do you mean to keep them here temporarily? You're a little worried, so you want me and the able-bodied civilians who are staying here to look after them?"
"Guard?" Zhang Pan nodded and said, "Well, it's a combination of guarding and taking care of him!"
"I understand, sir." Zhang Zhuzi said, "Some brave people want to stay and live here. First come, first served, they can choose the land first, so there will be no problem."
Zhang Pan patted Zhang Zhuzi's arm, took off his cotton gloves and stuffed them into Zhang Zhuzi's hands, saying with a smile, "You can handle these matters flexibly. The court doesn't collect taxes or grain anyway, so having land to farm is naturally a good thing."
Zhang Zhuzi asked a few more questions, such as providing some guns, swords and other weapons to the strong people, and Zhang Pan agreed to all of them.
After everything was explained, Zhang Pan waved goodbye and left with his men.
Zhang Zhuzi watched Zhang Pan and the others go away and put on his gloves, which were still warm inside. This was equipment for the army, but the common people didn't have it, so they had to make it themselves.
But now he was not feeling grateful for having gloves, but was excited and happy about regaining the Lüda area and being able to hold it for a long time.
Although Zhang Pan didn't say anything and he didn't ask, he could see Zhang Pan's confidence from the plan to resettle the civilians. This was also the confidence and confidence of the army.
Exhaling a breath of thick white mist, Zhang Zhuzi walked quickly towards the people who were nailing wooden stakes in the distance with a joyful smile.
He wanted to tell them the good news that this place was safe and the officers and soldiers would definitely be able to defend it.
………………
Pi Island.
All the troops involved in the harassment operation have returned to their base, but they only rested for a few days before becoming tense again.
With the arrival of winter, where will the Jiannu attack be directed? Will the Dongjiang Army, which is struggling so hard, become a key target for the Jiannu?
There is no need to worry too much about Pi Island and Simi Island, but if the Yalu River freezes, Manpo, Changseong, Sinuiju and Cheolsan are likely to be attacked by the Jiannu.
Although many defensive fortifications were built, it did not have the geographical advantage of the Lüda area.
Moreover, this is what His Majesty warned you about in a secret memorial. If you take it lightly and suffer heavy losses, you will be derelict in your duty.
According to the situation in previous years, the Yalu River would remain frozen for another month or two. During this period, how to improve the defense was the task that Mao Wenlong and others had to work hard on.
"Only a small number of troops will remain in Manpo and Changcheng for security and surveillance." Chen Jisheng glanced at Mao Wenlong and continued, pointing at the map. "Concentrate our forces in Sinuiju and relocate the elderly and weak from the farming communities to the islands."
Mao Wenlong nodded slightly, seemingly in appreciation, but did not give a positive answer.
In reality, Chen Jisheng's suggestion did not align with his thinking. With the Yalu River frozen, the Jiannu could not only attack directly across the river, but also launch a detour from the middle reaches, launching a multi-point attack on Sinuiju.
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