Chapter 398 Reinforcements
Zhao Xiaokun organized the Ke Nan Army to rearrange the military camp and repair the damaged fortifications.
The Korean army also realized that the Ming army did not have the strength to attack the city immediately, so they began to attack the Ming army camp frantically.
However, at this time a lot of artillery had been transported ashore and artillery positions had been formed. These Korean soldiers were afraid to come out because of the artillery bombardment.
Zhao Xiaokun asked, "When will Wu Sangui arrive?"
"Your Excellency, the fleet will definitely arrive at noon!" said Sun Wang, the captain of the personal guards.
"When Wu Sangui arrives, he doesn't need to come to see me. Let him lead the cavalry to charge for a while, and I will be there soon! Everyone should be prepared for defense, the Koreans may attack at any time!" said Zhao Xiaokun.
"Yes!" Sun Wang said.
At noon, the reinforcements finally arrived, and Sun Wang had already conveyed the order.
Wu Sangui did not hesitate. He immediately assembled his troops and led the cavalry to attack.
Watching the cavalry gradually retreating, Zhao Xiaokun ordered, "Prepare to depart!"
In Seoul, inside Changdeok Palace, Kim Ja-jeon, Kim Ji, Song Jun-gil, Kim Sang-heon and others are holding an urgent meeting.
Li Hao had just been crowned King of Joseon by the Qing court the year before, and this year the Ming Dynasty unexpectedly sent two naval forces to attack him. Song Siyeol had already stated the Ming Dynasty's conditions, but Li Hao knew that if he went to the Ming capital, he would not be able to return.
Their only thought was to force peace through war, but even after sending out all their best troops, Busan only held out for three days.
After the defeated soldiers gathered, they discovered the Ming army in Incheon again. These elite Korean soldiers began to launch sneak attacks and harassment on Zhao Xiaokun's troops.
However, when Wu Sangui's Guanning Iron Cavalry arrived, these elite Korean soldiers completely collapsed and fled back to Seoul. Now the entire Seoul is shrouded in the shadow of war.
"Your Majesty, why don't we go north to Pyongyang and regroup there!" said Jin Zidian.
"No! Wouldn't that mean handing over half of Korea to the Ming people? We still have to defend Seoul and wait for the army to come to support the king," said Song Junji.
"The Qing Dynasty will come to rescue us soon, so just hold on a little longer!" Jin Ji said.
At this time, Jin Shangxian came in and saluted Li Hao and said, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you!"
"What's going on outside?" Li Hao asked quickly.
"The Ming army hasn't attacked yet, and I have completed the deployment in the city. There is no problem in defending for half a month, but the king still needs to make plans early." Jin Shangxian said.
"Half a month! That's enough! In this half month, both the royal army and the Qing cavalry will arrive!" Jin Zidian said excitedly.
Inside the Shengjing Imperial Palace in Liaodong, Dorgon held the Joseon King's letter of help, but he was helpless. The Bordered Blue Banner had been destroyed, and he was busy reorganizing it! The Eight Banners were now far less powerful. Although Shanhaiguan was in their hands, it could be recaptured by the Ming army at any time.
Bumbutai came over and asked, "What's troubling you so much?"
"The Ming army has begun to attack Korea. The Korean king has sent a letter asking for help, but the strength of the Eight Banners is now greatly reduced!" Dorgon said with a sigh.
"The Bordered Blue Banner has just been reorganized and has not experienced the trials of war. Why not send them there?" said Bumbutai.
"However, the one who conquered Korea this time was Zhao Xiaofei's brother. He is more powerful than Zhao Xiaofei. He is cautious and prudent in using troops. He is also good at firearms. It will not be easy to defeat him!" said Dorgon.
"What's wrong with you? Are you scared by the Ming army? You're the regent of the Qing Dynasty. If you really think that, what about the others? What about the ordinary soldiers? If even you think that, the Qing Dynasty will soon be destroyed!" Bumbutai demanded. The hero in her eyes had been scared by the Ming army. Where had his courage gone? Bumbutai's eyes were filled with disappointment.
"The Qing Dynasty will not perish in my hands!" said Dorgon.
In Sinuiju, Korea, Oboi was wearing armor and military uniform. He received a letter from the newly reorganized Bordered Blue Banner, which he had led, asking him to support the King of Korea.
He said to Ebilun beside him: "Is Dorgon sending us to our deaths? What kind of soldiers are these? Many of them are still children. They have hardly seen blood!"
Ebilun said: "It doesn't matter. If you can win, then fight. If you can't, save your strength and return to Shengjing. If you can save North Korea, then save it. If you can't, then give up!"
"It's the only way!" Oboi had long felt the Eight Banners' strength was declining too quickly. Since their last visit to the capital, many nobles had quickly become corrupt. Originally, the Bordered Blue Banner was to be re-established, with each family of the remaining Bannermen contributing one man. But those Bannermen who had robbed money in the capital were actually paying others to replace them. This kind of thing had never happened before!
Outside Seoul, North Korea, the attack has been going on for ten days. The city has not been broken yet, but it is already on the verge of collapse.
The various armies sent to support the king fought several battles outside Seoul and were basically defeated at the first touch. However, they could not go far and could attack at any time.
Although there were Wu Sangui's cavalry, they were not as familiar with the terrain. When the Guanning Iron Cavalry rushed over, the Korean loyalists immediately scattered and hid. If you leave, they will come out from nowhere and attack you at any time.
Wu Sangui cursed in his heart: Kong Youde, Geng Jingzhong, Shang Zhixin, can't you guys hurry up? Have Korean women drained your bodies? You can't even walk so slowly for such a short distance!
Kong Youde sneezed as he rode, thinking, "Who's thinking of me? Is it that Korean girl surnamed Jin? Her flirtatious nature is so irresistible. I'll take her in as my eighth concubine when I get home."
At this moment, shouts and screams were heard from the front. Kong Youde called his personal guards and asked, "What's going on?"
"Your Excellency, we have encountered the Korean royal supporters' army ahead, and they are coming towards us!" said the personal soldier.
"Damn it, it's always like this. They have wasted too much of our time! Pass down my order. From today on, all men passing through any village or town will be executed! Do you understand?" Kong Youde said.
"clear!"
Logically, we should have arrived by tomorrow. However, the North Korean soldiers were harassing us daily, and whenever they encountered a force with more troops, they would charge our own troops. As a result, we might end up arriving in Seoul a day later.
On the city walls of Seoul, Kim Ji-jeon, Kim Sang-heon and Song Jun-gil all cried with joy.
To the west appeared the flag of the Qing dynasty, the Bordered Blue Banner. They finally saw reinforcements; if they had been a day later, they would have been unable to hold on.
But their joy didn't last long, as the Guanning Iron Cavalry charged forward. Equipped with lighter and stronger modern armor, they ran faster and moved more flexibly.
Inside Changdeok Palace, a eunuch ran in, shouting, "Your Majesty! Your Majesty! The Qing army has been defeated!"
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