This was also why Xiong Tingbi wanted to see the results of the cavalry's training and test the effectiveness of the coordinated combat between the Flying Cavalry Battalion and the Dragon Cavalry Battalion.
Jin Guofeng poured Yang Guozhu a glass of wine and said, "How can the Xingshan and Tashan you mentioned be as impregnable as Jueyuan? If we don't let the Jiannu come over, wouldn't all the money we spent on building the city and deploying the red-haired cannons be wasted?"
Yang Guozhu chuckled, raised his glass, and said, "I naturally know the importance of this. It's not easy to train the Dragon Cavalry Battalion, and I don't want to see any heavy casualties."
Jin Guofeng drank a glass of wine with Yang Guozhu and said, "The Jiannu vanguard should arrive tomorrow, and the large group led by me won't be long behind. It seems that we can still have a peaceful day on New Year's Day!"
"I don't think so." Fan Hualong put down his chopsticks and said, "The Jiannu's vanguard is Manggurtai's Bordered Blue Banner. Given that guy's recklessness, he might attack as soon as he arrives!"
Jin Guofeng pondered and said, "With only one banner of troops, no matter how arrogant they are, they wouldn't dare to act rashly, right? I just don't know how far away the large group led by this old slave is."
"Why?" Yang Guozhu probably guessed Jin Guofeng's thoughts and asked, "Do you still want to take the initiative and destroy Manggurtai first?"
Jin Guofeng blinked, gave a wry smile, and said, "I'd like to, but unfortunately the weather isn't good."
Yang Guozhu and Fan Hualong looked at each other and shook their heads helplessly.
It's snowing! What luck for the Jiannu! Perhaps this is also the main reason why Xiong Tingbi was so cautious and wanted to fight a decisive battle under the most well-defended Ningyuan City!
Of course, even with the weather affecting them, Ningyuan City's forces could still secure victory by fully encircling Manggurtai's vanguard. However, the losses would undoubtedly be substantial, and facing the Jiannu's main force would be a difficult task.
Because of their different perspectives, Zhu Youxiao and Xiong Tingbi focused on the long-term and the overall situation, and adopted relatively balanced strategies and tactics between preserving strength and destroying the enemy.
The middle and lower-level generals are more looking forward to military achievements and promotions, so it is normal that they do not consider things far enough.
In fact, there is no need to worry that the Jiannu will not attack after arriving at the city. Don’t they know what they are here for?
Siege was even more impossible as the logistics supply lines had been stretched, and the Later Jin did not have the logistical capabilities to obtain supplies from the rear.
The food and supplies brought with the army could only last for half a month, or even less. The only way for the Jiannu to solve the problem was to capture Ningyuan or Juehua.
Judging from the current situation, although there is ice on the surface of the Juehua Sea near the shore, it is not frozen, and it is almost no longer a target for the Jiannu to attack.
Therefore, attacking Ningyuan was the Jiannu's only option. If they could capture the last strong city of the Ming army outside the Great Wall, they would not only obtain supplies and food, but the situation in Liaodong would also change.
In the Jinglüe Mansion in Ningyuan City, Xiong Tingbi finished his dumplings but didn't drink a drop of wine. After getting dressed, Old Xiong strode out, accompanied by dozens of his personal guards, to inspect the city's defenses.
We were absolutely certain of holding the position; the problem was to kill as many enemies as possible, so as to damage their forces and thus facilitate the siege and blockade arranged from all sides.
So, Lao Xiong had a plan. Simply put, he wanted to not overwhelm the Jiannu with such a sudden blow that they lost confidence, but rather give them some hope.
Moreover, how to fully utilize the power of the Red Cannon, preferably to kill or injure the Jiannu leaders, is also a question that requires timing.
To put it bluntly, the goal that Lao Xiong wants to achieve is to hide the trump card first, or to engage in a tug-of-war with the enemy on the position, so that the Jiannu army will continue to invest and suffer continuous casualties.
The snowflakes are still falling sparsely, which is not annoying but gives people a refreshing feeling.
There was only a thin layer of silver on the ground, and the city walls were also trimmed with silver. Going up to the top of the city wall and looking out, you can see the crisscrossing trenches and thatched roofs.
"Sir," said Huang Degong, who was on duty, stepping forward and bowing. "I have just finished my inspection. The officers and soldiers are all doing well. We are just waiting to fight the Jiannu tomorrow."
Xiong Tingbi nodded, a smile on his face, and said, "There may not be a battle tomorrow. The Eastern Tartars have just arrived at the city and still need to build siege equipment. They will definitely not attack the city without two or three days of preparation."
"But our army must not let down its guard." Xiong Tingbi added, "You've done a great job. Inspections are essential, and supervision is also essential."
Huang Degong bowed and accepted the order, accompanying Xiong Tingbi on a patrol on the top of the city wall.
"When the Eastern Tartars arrive, they will first cut off the main road to the mountains and seas, and set up their main camp north of the city." Xiong Tingbi pointed and said, "I don't expect them to attack from all sides, but rather to focus on one side."
"Attack the north first?" Huang Degong guessed with his eyes wide open: "Then I dare to ask Your Excellency to transfer me to defend the north."
Xiong Tingbi smiled and said, "The north cannot be handed over to you. Moreover, if the Jiannu want to attack, they should attack from the northeast and northwest. Because they will think that the defense of the corner fort is the weak point."
This is a conventional siege tactic, and Ningyuan is not a strict bastion. The Jiannu will most likely attack according to this routine.
"If the siege makes progress, the Eastern Tartars, unaware of the Red Barbarian cannons atop the city walls, might move their camp forward." Xiong Tingbi sneered, stroking his beard. "As long as we're within the cannon's range, we can catch them off guard."
Huang Degong didn't quite understand and asked, "Are we going to let the Jiannu attack the city? Wouldn't that mean we have to abandon the defense system outside the city?"
Xiong Tingbi smiled slightly and said, "Giving up some positions, or attacking and defending, will allow the Eastern Tartars to continue to invest their forces and engage in repeated battles with our army. With grenade carts and grenades, how can the Jiannu be a match for our army in a battle for positions?"
Huang Degong understood somewhat and said, "Master Jinglüe is very wise. If we attack too hard all at once, the Jiannu will no longer dare to attack, and all our preparations will be in vain."
"If we can inflict a crushing defeat on the Eastern Tartars in this battle, they'll likely take six months to recover." Xiong Tingbi narrowed his eyes and said, "Next year, we might be able to force them to retreat to Liaoning. Our army could also advance to Dalinghe and Jinzhou, further constraining the Eastern Tartars."
Huang Degong nodded vigorously and said, "If we can't seize it this time, the Jiannu will have a harder time. When our army retakes Guangning, the Jiannu will probably be finished."
Xiong Tingbi smiled and nodded. Returning to Guangning and working with the Dongjiang Army to put greater pressure on the Jiannu was indeed his strategic idea.
Retreating to stabilize the position and then recovering Guangning did indeed mean a major turning point in the situation in Liaodong, and it was also an obsession that Xiong Tingbi never forgot.
This obsession had been deeply planted in Xiong Tingbi's heart since he abandoned Guangning. He must fight back, and what he had lost from me must be taken back with my own hands.
The emperor's trust and support for him and his heavy investment in Liaozhen's military undoubtedly gave Xiong Tingbi more and more confidence.
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