Desert Eagle Suletan Khan

"Are you saying that the pseudo-Khan ignored the city of Maerdun on the east bank of the Suzi River and headed directly for Zaotu Mountain?" After listening to the report from Zhuerkengge, the Niulu Zhangjing who was in charge of collecting military intelligence, Bahai fell into deep thought. The pseudo-Khan has always been cautious in using troops. Isn't he afraid that our army will cross the river from Maerdun to harass his rear? This is really strange! While he was thinking, another personal guard brought a military report to Zhuerkengge, who turned pale after reading it.

"What's going on? What does the military newspaper say?" Bahai asked with a frown.

"The guards launched a surprise attack on Yagu Pass, and Niulu Zhang Jing Keshi and his 300 soldiers all died for their country."

"What!" Bahai was shocked after hearing this. If the guards continued to move south after capturing Yagu Pass and then seized Wula Mountain City, they could completely cut off the connection between southern Liaoning and Jianzhou along the Zhupo River. The pseudo-Khan was so treacherous! He actually made a feint to the east and attacked Yagu Pass in the west; the pseudo-Khan was so bold! He not only wanted to occupy Hetuala, but also wanted to swallow up all his own troops in southern Liaoning. After taking Yagu Pass, it would be connected with the guards' occupied area in Liaoyang. Logistical supplies could be continuously transported from Liaoyang to Yagu Pass via Taizi River. Naturally, they were not afraid of the defenders of Maerdun City harassing the grain route. It was a pity that in order to plant a nail on the east bank of Suzi River, he deliberately concentrated all the defenders of Jiefan City (Jiefan City) and Gule City in Maerdun City, and ordered the white flag Jiala Zhangjing Halde to command the defense of the city, but he didn't expect that all the work was in vain!

"General! The guards have captured Yagu Pass, and Maerdun City can no longer threaten their rear. It is better to transfer Heldzhangjing back to Hetuala and concentrate troops to defend the city," suggested Sabusu, a cavalry officer beside him. Although this man did not hold a high position, he was born in the Manchurian family Fucha. He joined the army at a young age and had many strategies. He participated in many anti-Russian wars and made many military achievements. That's why Bahai transferred him to his side and liked to ask for his advice when encountering problems.

"Well, we must retreat. But the guards are numerous and powerful. Our army's morale has been lost after losing Sarhu. Even if Held is transferred back, Hetuala will not be able to be defended," Bahai said calmly, as if it was just a trivial matter.

"What does the commander-in-chief mean?" Sabsu was startled, as if he had guessed the commander-in-chief's intention.

"That's right. I plan to abandon Hetuala and withdraw to Ningguta. Not only the army will withdraw, but all the people in the city will also withdraw to Ningguta, leaving an empty city for the guards," Bahai said grimly.

"Marshal, if we retreat with the civilians, it will probably slow down the march. It will be troublesome if we are caught up by the guards." Sabsu agreed to retreat, but did not agree to take the civilians with him.

"It doesn't matter. The army and the people can go separately and divide into several teams. Even if the guards pursue us, they can only catch part of them. Transportation is inconvenient. If the pseudo-Khan wants to chase us, how can he chase us if the food and fodder cannot be transported? By delaying the arrival of the imperial reinforcements, the situation outside the Great Wall will be favorable to me," Bahai explained his intentions.

"I understand the Marshal's painstaking efforts. I'm just afraid that some people cannot endure the hardship and are unwilling to retreat north to Ningguta," Sabsu sighed.

"Hmph! Anyone who doesn't leave will be subject to military law!" Bahai ordered with a grim smile, "Beat the drum to gather the generals, and ask them to come to the camp to discuss matters."

When the drum for gathering the generals sounded, Fengtian deputy governor Dadu, first-class guard Langtan, Niulu Zhang Jingtai Feiying'a, cavalry captain Alanjika, Daur tribe's Mukunda (clan leader) Bayalebuha, Qiler tribe's Khalada (chief) Xiluganu, Feiyaka tribe's Khalada Feiyaka, Yakut (Ewenki) tribe's Khalada Fusenei, and Udeh tribe's Khalada Sodorkai all came when they heard the drum.

Bahai calmly told everyone his decision, and there was dead silence in the tent.

"Marshal, Hetuala is the capital of our Qing Dynasty. If we lose it, I'm afraid the emperor will blame us and people will be uneasy. I don't agree with retreating northwards." Although Alanjika, a cavalry captain, is a Solon, he has joined the banner and has long considered himself a bannerman. He is unwilling to give up Hetuala. "Staying in Hetuala is a dead end. The guards are well-equipped and have fought many battles. The pseudo-Khan is cautious in using troops and is unwilling to divide them. Our army is definitely not an opponent in a head-on confrontation. Have you forgotten Sarhu? Only by retreating northwards and stretching their baggage supply lines can we find opportunities to fight and defeat the enemy." Bahai said firmly: "I have made up my mind. There is no need to discuss this matter again."

"If we give up Hetuala, what will happen to the friendly forces in southern Liaoning?" asked Niulu Zhang Jingtai Feiying'a.

"I have ordered the Jiala Zhangjing Taldai to lead the troops to withdraw from southern Liaoning to Ningguta, and ordered the Niulu Zhangjing Sashuku to defend the Wula Mountain City. No matter what, we must hold out until Taldai's troops arrive before we can leave," Bahai said calmly.

"I am the deputy governor of Fengtian appointed by the court, and I have the responsibility to defend Fengtian. The Qing military law is strict, and Hetuala is still under the jurisdiction of Fengtian. If I go to Ningguta, the court will pursue the crime of losing territory. It's death either way, I would rather die defending Xingjing than go to Ningguta with the Marshal." Dadu refused to obey the order and was willing to lead his troops to defend Hetuala alone.

"Don't worry, Deputy Governor-General. I will report to the emperor that the retreat to Ningguta was my idea alone and has nothing to do with you. You just need to obey my orders. If the court wants to hold anyone accountable, it will only be me." Bahai took all the responsibility.

Seeing him say this, Dadu had no choice but to bow to him to show his agreement.

"Woo~woo~woo~" A crying sound suddenly came from inside the tent. Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw that it was the first-class guard Lang Tan.

Lang Tan wiped his tears and said, "Xingjing is the birthplace of our Manchuria and the tombs of our ancestors. How can we retreat without a fight? The emperor has appointed me as the minister to guard the tombs, and I should die guarding the tombs. Gentlemen, please don't try to persuade me. I swear to guard the Yongling Mausoleum!"

After hearing this, everyone understood immediately. Losing land is easy to deal with. There are many officials who have lost land since the war began, and not all of them have been punished. But losing the ancestral tomb of the Aisin Gioro family is a much bigger crime. Bahaibao was convicted of losing land, but he might not be convicted of abandoning the tomb and escaping. After all, the Yongling Mausoleum on Qiyun Mountain west of Hetuala is the mausoleum of the ancestors of the Aisin Gioro family. The sixth-generation ancestor of Emperor Taizu, Mengge Timur (posthumously named Emperor Zhaozuyuan) and his legitimate wife (posthumously named Empress Zhaozuyuan), great-grandfather Fuman (posthumously named Emperor Xingzuzhi) and his legitimate wife (posthumously named Empress Xingzuzhi), grandfather Juechang'an (posthumously named Emperor Jingzuyi) and his legitimate wife (posthumously named Empress Jingzuyi), father Taksi (posthumously named Emperor Xianzuxuan), mother Xitala (posthumously named Empress Xianzuxuan), uncle Lidun, fifth uncle Tacha Piangu and others are all buried in Yongling Mausoleum. Lang Tan was a first-class guard and minister in charge of guarding the Yongling Mausoleum. If he abandoned the Yongling Mausoleum and fled, he would surely die. It would be better for him to die in battle and preserve his reputation and family.

This time, Bahai did not persuade him anymore. He sighed and said, "For future battles, I can't give you too many soldiers. You can only lead your own troops to guard Yongling. Don't worry, my dear brother. I will report your achievements to the emperor, and the emperor will definitely treat your family well."

Langtan's troops had been completely wiped out in the Battle of Sarhu, and there were only 300 men left. Bahai's failure to allocate troops to him was like forcing him to death. But instead of getting angry, he bowed deeply to Bahai and said, "Thank you, Marshal, for your help. Please tell the emperor that I am a Manchu in life and a Manchu in death!"

"Don't worry, I will report your loyalty to the emperor!" The military situation was urgent, Bahai said no more, and immediately organized the military and civilians to retreat. Hetuala (Old City) and Fuala (Old Hill, Old Old City) suddenly cried loudly. Although reluctant to leave, the Eight Banners children of the two cities quickly packed up their belongings, loaded them onto carts, and headed north under the escort or escort of the army. Marshal Bahai's military order made it clear that all my Manchu people must fortify their walls and clear the fields to wait for the guards. Those who refuse to retreat are traitors and will be killed on the spot. This is not a joke. Several Manchu elders relied on their past merits and cursed Bahai for ruining the country and abandoning Xingjing. They were beheaded by the fierce Solon soldiers on the spot. Several bloody heads were hung on the city wall, and the military and civilians of the two cities immediately moved quickly. Fortunately, after Conglong entered the pass, there were not many Eight Banners left in Hetuala and Fuala, only about 20,000 at most, so if they really withdrew, they would retreat very quickly. In order to buy time for the army to retreat, Bahai ordered the Daur tribe Mukunda (clan leader) Bayalbuha to lead 1,400 Daur cavalry to the rear, constantly harassing the guards and delaying their pursuit. (End of this chapter)