Although Liaozhen retreated to Ningyuan and Juehua, putting some distance between them and the Jiannu, it was very likely to become a target of the Jiannu this winter, so weapons and equipment would naturally be a priority.
More importantly, there was an emperor who always thought ahead. As soon as the Eagle Gun began to be mass-produced, Xiong Tingbi and Mao Wenlong obtained the emperor's instructions through secret reports.
Taking advantage of the small number of Eagle Guns in the army, Liaozhen started the selection and training of Eagle Gun musketeers in advance.
Similarly, Dongjiang Town received instructions and trained a group of soldiers before the Eagle Guns were delivered, basically completing the preparation of the musketeers.
In order to reduce the pressure of transporting ammunition and supplies, earthen kilns were built in Liaozhen and Dengzhen to burn sand pottery shells for thunder bombs.
This adjustment meant that the capital's weapons and gunpowder bureau only needed to send craftsmen and supply granular gunpowder and ignition devices, and they could assemble and manufacture the weapons on site.
While this may have been intended to save on shipping costs, the actual effect was significant. The front's weapons and ammunition reserves grew, and the country became increasingly capable of sustaining continuous combat operations.
The Ming Dynasty had an absolute advantage in manpower and troops. If supplies were sufficient, blockades and sieges, coupled with frequent raids, would greatly shorten the process of bringing down the Jiannu.
The continuous strengthening of Liaozhen's strength also made more proactive combat concepts gradually gain the upper hand.
Boom, boom, boom!
The roar of the eagle gun continued to sound, echoing over the training ground.
The improved buffer device is very effective, which can be seen from the soldiers' reactions.
If using the Eagle Gun previously required a first-rate physique, now anyone in average condition can do it.
Several generals also came forward to test-fire, and then gathered together to discuss.
"The Eagle Gun is so powerful. Simply waiting for the Jiannu to attack is quite passive. Even if Jinzhou's geographical location is not conducive to reinforcements, holding the strategically located Songshan, Xingshan, and Tashan first is still a proactive move!"
Huang Degong, who had just graduated from martial arts school and returned to the army, had been promoted to guerrilla. He had some complaints about Liaozhen's current passive defense strategy.
Zu Dashou looked at Huang Degong and thought he was a bit arrogant. He was still aggressive, which clearly didn't fit the court's strategy of stabilizing Liaoxi and depleting the Eastern Tartars.
Ningyuan's city defenses and fortifications are as strong as a fortress. It's no exaggeration to say they're impregnable. When the Eastern Tartars attack, we can wait for them to tire themselves out and kill them. How safe!
Furthermore, due to the limited financial resources of the imperial court and in order to reduce the logistical burden, the Liaozhen garrison temporarily had only 60,000 soldiers.
There were 25,000 people in Ningyuan, 8,000 in Juehua, 24,000 in Shanhaiguan, plus 3,000 cavalrymen who advanced to Jinzhou.
With such a force, we have more than enough for defense but less for attack. If we occupy more cities and forts, we will always feel that the force will be weakened by dividing it.
Seeing that the crowd's reaction seemed less than enthusiastic, Huang Chuangzi said with wide eyes, "I have three thousand soldiers and horses, enough ammunition to garrison in Songshan, and can hold off tens of thousands of Jiannu."
Jin Guofeng chuckled and said, "General Huang's bravery is unquestionable. But I think we'll have to wait until next year to take the initiative."
Raising a hand to stop Huang Degong, Jin Guofeng continued, "Weapons and equipment are still insufficient, and the soldiers have only been trained for a short time. The key is that the court's finances are tight. If there is some relief next year, then it will be time to change our strategy."
Zu Dashou nodded in agreement and said to Huang Degong in the tone of a senior student, "Huang Chuangzi, don't just focus on Liaoxi and Ningyuan. Haven't you been to the southwest with the observation group? Don't you know that the court is fighting two wars?"
"How could I not know?" Huang Degong shook his head and said defensively, "It is precisely because fighting two wars has consumed so much energy that I want to deal with the Eastern Tartars as soon as possible!"
Turning to look at the guard Huang Long who was studying martial arts with him, Huang Degong raised his eyebrows and said, "Xiao Huang, am I right?"
Many officers who entered the military academy were confused and puzzled, wondering why the emperor would take a fancy to them, who were low-ranking officials. Huang Long was an example.
But who would not cherish such an opportunity?
Every time an officer was sent from the military academy, the emperor would personally summon him, hold a farewell banquet, and look forward to it with great anticipation. This made them even more grateful and made outsiders look up to them.
Hearing his clan's request for his assistance, Huang Long couldn't help but smile bitterly. He pondered, "The Jiannu are formidable in field battles, while the She'an rebels rely on terrain advantages. Neither can be pursued hastily. While muskets are powerful, they are greatly affected by the weather and aren't a sure-win weapon."
Huang Degong rolled his eyes, but he knew Huang Long was right. There was such a teaching in martial arts, and there was a profound analysis of the shortcomings of the matchlock gun.
Feeling somewhat unwilling, Huang Degong muttered, "I think it would be better to go to the Dragon Cavalry Battalion. Fighting the Jiannu would be more satisfying."
Someone smiled and changed the subject, talking about how to decorate the iron mask to make it look more fierce and majestic, and everyone expressed their opinions again.
At this time, the Dragon Cavalry Battalion, which was envied by Huang Chuangzi, had already advanced to Jinzhou and, together with Man Gui's Flying Cavalry Battalion, became the vanguard force of Ningyuan.
If the two cavalry units were only stationed in Jinzhou or used for early warning, their advance would be of little significance.
According to Xiong Tingbi's idea, the Dragon Cavalry Battalion and the Flying Cavalry Battalion carefully surveyed the dangerous areas from Jinzhou to Ningyuan and selected several places as the designated battlefields.
Since everyone has to play to their strengths, the Flying Cavalry Battalion is responsible for inviting the enemy into battle, luring them into battle, and hunting down the defeated enemy.
The Dragon Cavalry Battalion was responsible for ambushing, killing and wounding the enemy with muskets, breaking up the enemy's formation and creating chaos to facilitate the Flying Cavalry Battalion's charge and counterattack.
"It's too dangerous to set up an ambush." Yang Guozhu stopped his horse to observe and shook his head in denial.
The garrison commander, Fan Hualong, was somewhat puzzled and asked, "Sir, aren't we planning to ambush them from a dangerous position?"
Yang Guozhu smiled and explained, "An ambush is certainly true, but relying on dangerous terrain is not necessarily true. Think about it, if the Jiannu could spot the dangerous terrain at a glance, how could they be so careless? And how could they successfully ambush them?"
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