weaving

Chapter 1517 Four-pronged attack?

"However... if the army marches out of the pass through the tiger's den, I fear it will alarm Governor Jiang and cause him to obstruct us."

Zhang Cheng said, "It's alright. Governor Jiang will be setting off to defend the capital soon. Even if we run into each other, you only need to say that this trip is to aid Henan, so as to prevent the rebel Li Zicheng from making any moves and ruining the excellent situation in the Central Plains."

Before Guo Yingxian could say anything more, he addressed everyone, saying, "This time, let's go big."

Wu Zhizhong immediately pressed on, "How big is it?"

"A four-pronged attack!"

"Four lines..." everyone asked in unison.

"Yes," Zhang Cheng repeated firmly, "A four-pronged attack!"

The Earl of Yongning turned and walked to the Xuanda map on the left side of the main hall. This was a map of the three towns of Xuanda, as well as Jibei, Shanxi, Hetao, Tumote, Kaipingwei and other places, which had been drawn in recent years.

The map depicts mountains and rivers, castles and passes, tribal settlements, and other features, all connected by roads to form a complete map.

Some of the information came from caravans trading with Mongol tribes. Of course, these caravans all had spies from the Yongyi Army, so the information they provided was quite reliable. Some information came from Mongol tribes and Mongols who had submitted to the Mongol Empire, but most of the information was found by the Yongyi Army's scouts themselves.

Then, the Earl of Yongning took down a thin wooden stick and pointed to places on the map, such as outside Dushikou, north of Yehuling, and outside Shanyu City outside Shahukou. He said to everyone, "While the Jurchen army is invading our capital region and its internal troops are weak, we will launch an attack from these three places."

The objective here is to insert a dagger between the Tumed and Chahar, severing the connection between the Liaodong Jurchens and Guihua City, thereby weakening the Jurchens' sphere of influence and ultimately bringing the Tumed to our side.

Marquis Yongning Zhang Cheng turned his gaze away from the huge map, scanning the people behind him one by one, and asked, "Do any of you have any suggestions?"

At this moment, Lieutenant General Liu Guangwu spoke up: "Dividing our forces to attack is indeed a good opportunity. However, if we do that, we may not have enough troops."

“Yes,” Guo Yingxian chimed in. “Dividing our forces weakens us. While launching a multi-pronged attack is good, it requires more troops. We don’t have enough men to go around.”

Newcomers such as Guo Jinyi, Qin Sheng, and Yuan Fucheng, though they did not express their opinions explicitly, could still be seen from their eyes that they were also worried about the insufficient number of troops.

Wu Zhizhong was also somewhat worried about this. He looked at Zhang Cheng and said, "If the entire army is sent out, and something happens in Xuanzhen, we may not be able to return in time to provide reinforcements."

As soon as he said this, everyone in the hall fixed their gaze on Marquis Yongning, Zhang Cheng…

"Although the attack was divided into four routes, there were differences in their importance, rather than all four routes attacking with full force."

The Earl of Yongning first set the tone for the "four-pronged attack" strategy, and then further explained: "The four armies that I am launching have different missions and are of varying importance and urgency."

For example, the two routes of attack from Dushikou and Yefuling are mainly for harassing the enemy and cutting off their routes. They emphasize mobility and do not need to attack or defend. Only a small number of light cavalry are needed.
The route from Shahu Pass must not only capture Dabansheng and Guihua City, but also hold this place to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Jurchens, thereby achieving the goal of winning over and controlling the Tumet. Therefore, it is necessary to coordinate the infantry, cavalry and chariots. This route should be heavily armed.
As for the journey to defend the capital, to protect the emperor and kill the barbarians, it concerns the safety of the nation and the fate of our Great Ming Dynasty. It is not to be underestimated. This commander will personally go to the capital to drive back the barbarians and protect the emperor!

“But in doing so, the number of troops in the town will inevitably be greatly reduced. If this is not enough to deter the villains, once internal strife breaks out, not only will the officers, soldiers, and their families be affected, but the military academy, the industrial school, as well as workshops and merchants in various places will also be impacted, or even destroyed.” Wu Zhizhong’s next words sent chills down everyone’s spines: “At that time, it will inevitably affect the morale of my army fighting outside. If the army’s morale is unstable, it will be difficult to defeat the enemy outside, and there will be internal turmoil and unrest. Wouldn’t the land that my Yongyi Army has built up over the years be… handed over to others?”

"Hmph." A hint of disdain emanated from the Earl of Yongning's nose.

He continued, “I will not allow someone like Li Jianming to stay in the town; as for Li Jian’e and Yang Tianfu, they are a bit far from the town and their base in the town is weak, so they are not a big threat. However, I will not allow their entire army to stay in the town to prevent any unforeseen circumstances.”

Upon hearing this, Wu Zhizhong added, "But if we do this, we'll have fewer troops left to guard the town. If something unexpected happens, we might not be able to cope."

“There are guards in every fortress and town within the town, and there are also soldiers in every military garrison. They are guards and soldiers in my Xuan Town, but if they are released outside the town, they are no less capable than the government troops elsewhere. Although they are not enough to fight, they are sufficient to guard the fortresses!” said the Earl of Yongning.

Liu Minshen also chimed in, "Indeed, judging from my observation, the soldiers guarding each fort are no less capable than the troops under the former Yongning garrison commander, and seem even stronger."

Although Zhu Zhicang also attended the meeting, like other newcomers, he wanted to show himself but dared not speak in front of others. In general, he was not yet used to the environment and atmosphere of the Yongyi Army.

However, this topic sparked his conversation. He clasped his hands and said, "Commander-in-Chief, generals, in my observation, the soldiers and officers guarding the forts in Xuanzhen are as strong as the soldiers guarding Kaifeng. They are not inferior to the soldiers in the forts, let alone in the battle."

Although I have never fought against the Jurchens or the Mongol Tartars and do not know their strengths and weaknesses, if I were transferred to the Central Plains to suppress the rebels, even if I could not defeat the rebel leader Li Zicheng, I would certainly be able to defend the city without being defeated.”

Guo Yingxian understood Zhang Cheng's intention and urged impatiently, "General, please issue the military orders on how to assign troops to each route."

"No rush," the Earl of Yongning simply uttered.

He tapped the map with the wooden stick in his hand and said, "This is such a big game, we must plan it carefully and make full preparations. We can't rush it, and we can't wait."

Hu Yiwen chimed in, "Although the bandits in southern Shanxi have not been completely eradicated, they are no longer a major threat. It's time to recall General Zhang and the others to Xuanzhen."

Guo Yingxian then remembered something and interjected, "That's right. Su Laohu's Tiger Guard Battalion is full of Mongol soldiers. They'll be of great use to us when we attack Guihua."

He looked at the Earl of Yongning with hopeful eyes and said in an almost pleading tone, "Marshal, look..."

"I can't give them all to you." Before Guo Yingxian could finish speaking, Zhang Cheng had already decisively rejected his request: "All three routes of troops advancing into the grasslands need guides; I can't assign them all to you."

"Hehe..." Guo Yingxian scratched his head habitually and smiled awkwardly: "Okay... I'll take half."

Zhang Cheng ignored him, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. He simply called over Zhang Mingyuan, the commander of the central army, and ordered them to immediately pass on orders to Zhang Guangda, Lin Fangping, Xu Jinyong, Chen De, and others, instructing them to lead their troops north immediately and return to the town as soon as possible to await further instructions.

At the same time, the Earl of Yongning did not forget to send a message to Wang Pu and Li Fuming, instructing them to withdraw immediately. Li Fuming's Shanxi army took the Puyin Pass and waited for an opportunity to move after passing through Zijing Pass. Wang Pu led the Datong army directly to Xuanzhen, where they joined forces and entered the garrison together.

As for southern Shanxi, it will be entirely entrusted to Chen Zhong's Yanhe Camp to eliminate the remaining bandits. With Yang Shijie's Mangshan Camp assisting from the side, it is expected that there will be no major trouble.