On the rugged mountain road, the Ming army marched forward in long lines.
Due to the rugged mountain roads, some places cannot accommodate heavy artillery, tanks and grain trucks.
Roads need to be built.
There are also some places where baggage can be transported, but the roads are narrow and the speed of travel is very slow.
The Ming army could do without gunpowder or chariots.
But we cannot cut off food supply.
In order to march quickly, Li Dingguo put all the baggage at the back.
The infantry and cavalry carried rations and went ahead.
Li Dingguo was Huang Degong's vanguard, and Jinyiwei was Li Dingguo's vanguard.
They were divided into teams of ten people, and when they encountered a fork in the road, they would split up to explore.
As they marched, they encountered two Jiannu scouts.
In order to identify their identities, the two sides moved closer and began to investigate each other's background.
"Which unit are you from?" the Jiannu scout asked loudly in Manchu.
"Our own people!" the Embroidered Uniform Guards answered in Manchu.
"Our own people?" The Jiannu scout was even more puzzled: "Whose subordinates are you?"
The Jinyiwei took out a package from his arms, threw it to the other party and said, "Look carefully, this is my official seal."
When the Jiannu scouts opened it, they found four Ming Dynasty round treasures inside.
The Ming army had entered Liao for a long time, and the Jiannu soldiers had long known that the Ming Dynasty no longer used silver, but instead used Ming Yuanbao.
One round treasure is worth one tael of silver.
They looked at the big Ming round treasure inside and their eyes began to shine.
Jinyiwei immediately said, "The court has issued an order that as long as you surrender to the court, not only will your past actions be forgiven, but you will also receive military pay and food wages according to the standards of the Ming border troops."
The two Jiannu scouts looked at each other and began to hesitate.
They wanted to take the silver and run away.
But then I thought again and felt that it was not possible.
The currency used within the Eight Banners was silver, not the Ming Dynasty's round coins.
Not only will they be unable to use the Yuanbao when they return home, but they will also face strict interrogation if their superiors find out.
Jinyiwei immediately launched a psychological warfare: "You are just trying to make a living, why are you risking your life for this?"
"Yeah, you can't even get enough food, and you're still thinking about swearing allegiance?"
"Your last name is not Aixingjueluo, so being crowned as a king or a marquis has nothing to do with you, but you are the one who is sent to fight and die! Think about this carefully, for yourself and your family!"
After hearing what the Jinyiwei said, the Jiannu scouts became even more hesitant.
Seeing this, the Jinyiwei did not urge them to surrender, but chatted with them not far away.
"Brother, what are we having for dinner tonight?" asked a Jinyiwei.
Another Jinyiwei replied, "Pancakes and stewed meat, and each person also has a roasted potato! This stuff came from the palace, don't mention how delicious it is!"
"What about tomorrow morning?"
"The breakfast was not good. I could only eat porridge and pickles."
"It's really normal. You won't eat porridge and pickles for lunch tomorrow, right?"
"How can that be possible! We're still having stewed meat for lunch, but we're eating white rice. Pour the broth into the rice, and it's so delicious!"
Listening to the conversation between the two Jinyiwei, the Jiannu scout began to swallow his saliva uncontrollably.
An Imperial Guard immediately asked loudly, "Surrender or not? Give me a straight answer!"
A Jiannu scout made up his mind and said, "I surrender!"
Another Jiannu scout rebuked: "The emperor (referring to Haoge) treats us well, how can you surrender?"
The Jiannu scout replied sincerely: "I want to eat meat! I don't want to be hungry anymore!"
The other person hesitated for a while and chose to surrender.
With their joining, the Jinyiwei became even more powerful.
The Jiannu scouts not only knew the road conditions well, but also knew the deployment of nearby troops.
Under the temptation of money and food, many Jiannu soldiers who were short of pay and food chose to surrender.
This is just a reflection of part of the Jinyiwei's capabilities.
Based on the information from some surrendered soldiers, they disguised themselves as the enemy and went deep into the rear of the Jiannu to gather information.
Even assassination.
As long as the enemy general is assassinated, the enemy army will collapse without a fight.
Dorgon deployed many ambushes on both sides of the mountains and at forks in the road that the Ming army had to pass.
Under the Jinyiwei's attack of money and cold arrows, these ambush troops were either bribed, ambushed, or discovered by the Ming army and defeated.
The mountain journey was originally expected to take five or six days, but Li Dingguo completed the entire journey in just two days.
In the evening of May 23rd.
Li Dingguo's vanguard troops arrived at the exit of the mountain road.
Just as they were about to go out to scout the enemy situation, they were forced back by Jiannu soldiers near the exit of the mountain road.
Further ahead is an open area.
Once the Ming army breaks through, they will be able to gain a foothold here.
Subsequent troops will also continue to pass through here and pour into the front line to fight.
In order to prevent the Ming army from taking advantage of its military strength, Dorgon deployed heavy troops for defense here.
The entire exit had long been blocked by various obstacles.
In addition to chevaux de frise and deer antlers, there are also stones of various sizes and logs of varying thicknesses.
There is even a large amount of human and animal feces.
Li Dingguo did not bring chariots or artillery. He tried to attack once, but was forced back by the Jiannu using bows.
In order to avoid unnecessary casualties, Li Dingguo had to stop temporarily and wait for artillery and chariots.
Half a day later, news came: "It is estimated that it will take about three days to transport the artillery and tanks to the front."
"Three days?" Li Dingguo frowned and said, "Three days is too long. Let them speed up."
Gao Wengui replied: "This is already the limit of the baggage train!"
"In that case, let's not wait any longer."
Gao Wengui blinked and asked, "What does your Excellency mean?"
"Split into small groups to go up the mountain, and split into small groups to go down the mountain! Go around the mountain pass and attack the two wings of the Jiannu!"
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