Daming talker

Chapter 747: Political Battlefield
General Ma, whom the Heavenly Marshal was talking about, was leading tens of thousands of Heavenly Soldiers to chase the retreating Japanese army's center and left wing.

Tokugawa Ieyasu sacrificed two thousand men to cover the rear, and fought desperately to delay the Ming cavalry, ensuring that most of the main force retreated to the Taihe River.

But at this time, General Ma found that the situation was beginning to become difficult.

First, the course of the Taihe River here is curved, and the river bank is concave to the south. So when the pursuit arrived here, the side of the army formation was also the river.

Moreover, Japanese army ships have appeared on the side river. There are countless musketeers on the ships. They can rely on the river and ships for cover and shoot with almost no interference.

This was a huge threat from the side to the Ming army.

Secondly, the closer you get to the Taihe River, the more complicated the ground conditions become, with large areas of rotten mudflats left over from the spring floods.

The Ming army was mostly composed of cavalry, and this terrain was very unfavorable to the cavalry's advantage.

It is obvious that the Japanese army's retreat direction also had a certain purpose, and this was another preset position.

Another situation is that there are still a large number of pontoon bridges on the river, and the main force of the Japanese army can still continue to retreat to the south bank by relying on the pontoon bridges.

So after observing the situation on the battlefield, General Ma was also in a dilemma.

Should we quit while we are ahead and end the battle with a small victory, or should we continue to take risks and attack, striving for a big victory at all costs?
At this time, Ma Gui received new news that the right wing of the Japanese army did not retreat but advanced, penetrated into the rear, and launched a surprise attack on thousands of infantry in the rear of their own army.

However, under the command of Marshal Lin, the rear formation used chariots as cover and stabilized its position, temporarily blocking the attack from the Japanese army's right wing.

This new information made the situation on the battlefield more complicated.

The more this happens, the more it tests the overall level and psychological quality of battlefield commanders.

At this moment, it seems that the pressure of every decision is heavy, and every decision may affect the final victory or failure.

A general nearby couldn't stand it anymore and advised Ma Gui: "The Marshal is under attack, why don't we return to rescue him!"

Now all the commanders of the Ming army in Korea, including the powerful Lin Jinglie, have been attacked by the enemy, which means a huge political risk!

The best attitude is to rescue Marshal Lin as soon as possible, which can avoid many unnecessary political risks.

On the contrary, after hearing the news, he ignored it. No matter how many reasons he had, they could not overcome the "doubt" in Marshal Lin's heart.

If Marshal Lin regarded me as deliberately "not saving the dying" and hated me from then on, it would be a loss.

After hearing the advice from his subordinates, Ma Gui looked at the Japanese army in front of him and said, "If we hastily withdraw our troops now, it will easily cause chaos during the retreat!
We will be chased by the Japanese army in front of us, and we may also be surrounded by the Japanese army's right wing. Even we will be trapped in the encirclement of the Japanese army!
After all, the Japanese army outnumbers us by a large margin and has enough manpower to divide and encircle us!

If that happens, our army will lose the advantage we have gained and turn to defeat!"

The people around him advised: "Please think twice! If the Marshal is in danger, the consequences will be disastrous!"

The reason why many famous generals won military victories but did not get good results is because they lost points politically.

At this time, Ma Gui finally understood what it felt like to go to war with a "grandfather".

With such a "grandfather" around, not only are you restricted in your actions at ordinary times, but even if you get the command, you still have to look at the "grandfather's" face.

It is easy to say that a general is not bound by the orders of his king when he is away from home, but it is very difficult to do it.

Couldn't Marshal Lin just sit in the safe rear and make plans like other governors and generals?
After thinking for a while, Ma Gui said: "Although our rear formation was attacked, it has been stabilized, and we have the chariot formation to rely on.

Besides, we have a brave and powerful commander and a thousand elite soldiers. We should be able to hold out for at least a short period of time!
Therefore, we still have time to launch an attack. If we cannot defeat the enemy, we can still turn back!"

General Ma's decision showed that he was determined to take huge political risks.

Then Ma Gui gave the order directly: "Although the location chosen by the Japanese soldiers is not conducive to our cavalry, the narrow terrain also limits their numerical advantage!

Stay away from the right side of the river and go around the left side! When you get close, Baisai and Pogui will dismount and attack the main force of the Japanese army! If you can defeat the front row, Jie Sheng and Ye Bangrong will lead the cavalry to follow up and kill! "

At the same time, at the confrontation scene in the backcourt, Lin Tianshuai had no idea that he had triggered Ma Gui's "political crisis".

He was still standing with the middle officer Dayun, carefully observing the movements of Tachibana Muneshige across from him.

After all, Lin Tianshuai was as cautious as Zhuge Liang in employing troops throughout his life and never fought a battle without confidence.

As for the glorious deeds like being the first to climb the mountain, beheading the generals, and capturing the generals, although they seem risky, in fact, with Lin Tianshuai's historical-level martial arts value, plus eighty kilograms of heavy armor, the risk is not as great as that of ordinary people.

Dayun noticed something and shouted, "It's bad! The morale of the Japanese soldiers is recovering!"

Lin Tianshuai looked at the opposite side in confusion, then looked at Dadonglou. How did you know that the morale of the opposite side had recovered?
Maybe Lin Tianshuai was a latecomer after all, and was not as sensitive as Dayun, who grew up in a military camp in a border town.

Then I heard Dayun say with some worry: "The Japanese army just lost two generals. Although the Japanese soldiers did not suffer any casualties, their morale is already very low.

But Tachibana Muneshige was eating and drinking leisurely in front of the battle line, and the Japanese soldiers seemed to no longer panic after seeing this, and their morale rose. "

Having a strong will to fight and having a weak will to fight are two completely different things when fighting.

Lin Tianshuai said confidently: "How difficult is it to strike at the enemy's morale? No one knows how to strike at the enemy's morale better than me, Lin!"

Then Lin Tianshuai called Shen Weijing over and whispered something to him.

Left Guardian Zhang Wen sighed to Dayun: "This Tachibana Muneshige is going to be in bad luck."

Dayun asked in surprise: "Why do you say that?"

Zhang Wen replied, “One of the things my boss hates most in his life is when someone tries to show off in front of him!
This guy named Tachibana Muneshige has successfully violated the taboo of my master today. How can he not be unlucky? "

However, the Japanese interpreter Shen Weijing walked out of the chariot formation under the cover of several huge shields and approached the Japanese army.

Then Shen Weijing shouted to Tachibana Muneshige, "General Tachibana, listen here! Something is happening in your country that you probably haven't heard about yet!
I heard that Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the great general of the Han Dynasty, specially stayed in Nagoya Castle in Kyushu to deal with the affairs of Korea!

Then he summoned the wives of all the daimyo in Kyushu to go to Nagoya Castle to pay homage, and those who were good-looking among them had to stay and sleep with the Taiko!

I heard that your wife Tachibana Ginchiyo is both very beautiful and has an outstanding temperament. I believe she has already received the favor of the Taiko!"

Tachibana Muneshige was drinking in a leisurely manner, but his face suddenly froze.

Ono Shinyuki, a senior official of the Tachibana family, stepped forward and shouted:

"What nonsense! Madam Ting Chiyo is a heroine. It is absolutely impossible for a Western female husband to tarnish her reputation!"

Shen Weijing said loudly with disdain: "This kind of rouge-colored horse will definitely attract the interest of Taiko who has seen countless women! In front of the extremely lustful Taiko, does Tachibana Ginchiyo have the qualifications to refuse?
There is no doubt that the mistress of your Tachibana family must have slept with Taiko!"

After hearing Shen Weijing's shout, the Tachibana family's hatamoto warriors wearing golden helmets were able to remain calm, but the other Japanese soldiers could not help but whisper to each other.

Tachibana Muneshige, who had been pretending to be calm and stabilize the morale of the troops, finally broke down and smashed the wine glass in his hand to the ground!

Shen Weijing knew that he didn't have much time left, so he hurriedly continued to shout: "You are fighting for your life in the front, and your wife is selling her body in the back. It can be said that both men and women in the family are sacrificing their lives for Taige!"

Bang! Bang! Bang! Suddenly, several muskets were fired at Shen Weijing, but they were all blocked by the giant shield.

Shen Weijing, who was hiding behind the giant shield, was still shouting dutifully, "Not only Tachibana Muneshige, but you weed foot soldiers are the same!
The situation in your country is so bad. While you are shedding blood and risking your lives in North Korea, your wives and children at home are also suffering from hunger and cold and being bullied!

Maybe his wife sold herself or remarried because she couldn't make a living, and his son also followed someone else!"

Tachibana Muneshige drew out his sword and rushed forward to kill Shen Weijing, but Shen Weijing saw that the situation was not good, so he quickly turned around and ran towards the convoy of vehicles!

Dayun, who was in the traffic jam, was confused and asked Lin Tianshuai, "What did Shen Weijing yell?"

Lin Tianshuai said calmly: "Nothing, just say that the famous wife of Tachibana Muneshige was slept with by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and make a well-reasoned argument."

Dayun: “.”

Marshal, you have a really dirty heart. Didn't you say you wanted to hurt the enemy's morale? Why did you become like Tachibana Muneshige?

Lin Tianshuai defended himself by saying, "They also said that the wives of the Japanese soldiers back home might have been slept with by others. Tell me, has this had an impact on the morale of the Japanese soldiers?
We have a few thousand rear-line soldiers facing tens of thousands of Japanese soldiers, so of course we have to do everything we can."

Shen Weijing still escaped back, but Tachibana Muneshige fell into the same situation as Honda Tadakatsu just now.

That means you have lost your right to choose and have to fight. If you back down, your character will be completely ruined.

So when Shen Weijing escaped back, he saw the Japanese army launching an attack again.

A large group of Tachibana family warriors wearing shining golden helmets, protecting hundreds of iron cannon foot soldiers, and under the leadership of Tachibana Muneshige, pressed towards the direction of the general's flag.

When Dayun led the cavalry out for a walk just now, he had already witnessed the shooting speed of the Tachibana family's musketeers.

Seeing this, he was shocked and said, "The enemy probably wants to use their elite musketeers to shoot quickly at close range first!"

Then Dayun urgently called upon the shield bearers and used the giant shield to block Lin Tianshuai.

Although Lin Tianshuai was wearing 80 kilograms of heavy armor, he would not be able to survive if he was hit by dozens of bullets.

Lin Tianshuai said calmly: "No need! Donglou, do you know what the most important factor in war is?"

Da Yun was a little confused. What's going on? Marshal, are you itching to show off? Are you ready to catch the bullet with your body?

Lin Tianshuai taught earnestly: "The most important factor in war is people! Only people can play a decisive role in war, and their importance far exceeds that of weapons and equipment!"

After listening to the instructions, Dayun was even more confused. What did it mean?
Then some personal soldiers carried two people over, one was called Ii Naomasa and the other was called Honda Tadakatsu.

They were all tied up tightly and their mouths were blocked with rags.

With a smile on his face, Lin Tianshuai held Ii Naomasa in his left hand and Honda Tadakatsu in his right hand, and waved towards the Tachibana family's iron cannon foot soldiers lineup approaching from the opposite side.

Dayun: “.”

Is this the role of people? Is this a factor more important than weapons and equipment?

I don’t know if the opposing musketeer can kill Tianshuai with a few rounds of random shooting, but he will definitely send Ii Naomasa and Honda Tadakatsu to hell.

Lin Tianshuai turned back and shouted to Dayun: "Don't just stand there! Lead the cavalry who are resting in the back to move out again and contain the enemy from the side and rear!"

So Tachibana Muneshige and Ma Zongbing on the opposite side had similar experiences and both encountered political difficulties.

If his lord was also Tokugawa Ieyasu, it would be fine. At most he could fight first and explain later.

But Tachibana Muneshige was an outsider and a daimyo from the western country who was completely different from the Tokugawa family in the eastern country.

If he personally killed these two most important ministers of the Tokugawa family, it would be impossible to explain it clearly afterwards.

In fact, many Japanese generals did not have much political concept in their minds and were the kind of people who would rather die than act rashly. However, Tachibana Muneshige was a political person, so he was in a difficult situation here.

In the end, Tachibana Muneshige did not let the arquebusiers concentrate their fire. He personally led the hatamoto samurai and rushed towards the Ming army's flag without hesitation!

Even if it means sacrificing more than half of the hatamoto, it is worth it as long as Lin Tianshuai can be captured!
During the Battle of Pyeongyang, the warriors of the Tachibana clan fought bravely and almost captured Li Rusong!
Lin Tianshuai was carrying two people in his hands and had difficulty moving, so he hid behind someone.

Being called "the unrivaled one in the West", Tachibana Muneshige was indeed very brave in battle. At this time, he was holding two long swords and frantically attacking the Ming army's defending forces.

After killing several people in a row, they finally broke a small gap in the Ming army's chariot formation.

Tachibana Muneshige was very happy about this. Most of the other miscellaneous soldiers and foot soldiers were just working without putting in any effort. Even if they launched an attack, they were just slacking off. He had to rely on himself and the hatamoto warriors around him to break the deadlock!

After occupying the gap, when Tachibana Muneshige was about to expand it further, he suddenly saw Tianshuai from the opposite side rushing out to fill the gap himself.

Tachibana Muneshige was about to swing his sword when he saw Lin Tianshuai lift up Ii Naomasa in his hand and smash it towards him.

Tachibana Muneshige was quickly forced to put away his knife and subconsciously caught Ii Naomasa with his arm.

But the next moment, he felt as if his wrists were clamped by iron pliers!
Then the world started to spin, and my whole body was thrown out like a top and rolled a few times.

It's over! Tachibana Muneshige, who had completely lost control of his body, was immediately terrified, and he knew he was going to end up in trouble!
At the same time, I felt a little relieved that I finally didn't have to go back to face Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Seeing their lord fall into the hands of the enemy, the Tachibana family's hatamoto samurai did not retreat, but continued to fight to the death.

After Lin Tianshuai took shortcuts several times, he finally encountered a tough battle.

However, Lin Tianshuai is not afraid of such a tough battle. He is wearing heavy armor and has huge shields on both sides for protection. He just wants to fight to his heart's content!

In the end, Lin Tianshuai's armor was stained red with blood again. More than 200 Tachibana family hatamoto samurai died in this gap.

However, this gap itself may have been deliberately left by Lin Tianshuai in order to "lure the enemy deeper."

(End of this chapter)