Ming politicians

Su Tiancheng made a mistake in his judgment this time. He believed that Hou Jin and Huang Taiji would definitely pay attention to Guangning and not Xiping Fort. Unfortunately, Huang Taiji's opinion was just the opposite, and his focus was also on Xiping Fort.

It should be said that after the Ming Dynasty conquered Jin, there were basically no small-scale battles. The two sides fought fiercely. The battle began to support, and there were three points to attack. Liaodong, Haizhou and the grassland, Su Tiancheng preferred Haizhou, and the results proved that This decision is completely correct. After annihilating part of the power of the later Jin Tartars and occupying Gaizhou, Su Tiancheng has now chosen Liaodong. This is the need of the actual situation, and it is also a feasible decision.

Guangning and Xiping Fort occupied by the Houjin Dynasty are both very special and their locations are very critical. Guangning City has a large population and was an important town in Liaodong long ago. Xiping Fort was only the place where the Ming army was stationed in the past. , Relatively speaking, it is not as prosperous as Guangning City. After the Jin Dynasty occupied Xiping Fort, it discovered the importance of this place, so it carried out large-scale reconstruction and expansion, but it was mainly used for garrisoning troops.

Therefore, in the eyes of ordinary people, Guangning's position is more important.

It’s a pity that Huang Taiji didn’t think so. He mainly started from the geographical location. The geographical location of Xiping Fort is very important. It is between Haizhou and Guangning, and it is the link between Haizhou and Guangning. In terms of distance, Xiping Fort and Guangning are about the same distance from Shenyang. Most of the troops of the Qing Dynasty are stationed in Liaodong, Shenyang and Haizhou. Xiping Fort is like a center, effectively connecting the three places. Once Xiping Fort If there is danger, or if it is occupied by the Ming army, Guangning and Haizhou will be in danger, and there will be great difficulties in dispatching all the troops of the Qing Dynasty.

Especially Guangning.Once the Xiping Fort is lost, Guangning will lose its support. Unless it leaves Guangning quickly and crosses the Liaohe River to return to Shenyang, otherwise it will form a situation of closing the door and beating dogs, isolated to the south of the Liaohe River.Independently resist the attack of the Ming army.

Using himself to judge others, Huang Taiji believed that Su Tiancheng would definitely attack Xiping Fort first. If it were any other general of the Ming army, he would attack Guangning first, but Su Tiancheng would not.

Sony became the special envoy of Huang Taiji and Hauge, traveling between Guangning, Xipingbao and Shenyang.

The commander-in-chief of Liaodong is Jierhalang, and the guard task of Xiping Fort is Han Eight Banners Xianghuang Banner Gushan Ezhen Shitingzhu.

Just when it was clear that the focus of the Ming army's offensive was Liaodong, Huang Taiji adjusted his combat deployment.The Zhenghong Banner and Xianghong Banner among the Eight Banners of the Han Dynasty were transferred to Liaodong, where they were stationed in Guangning and Xipingbao respectively.Moreover, the Zhenghong Banner and Xianghuang Banner among the Han Eight Banners were stationed in Xiping Fort, and then Xianghong Banner was also stationed in Xiping Fort.

Huang Taiji was very satisfied with Jierharang's decision that Shi Tingzhu was in charge of guarding Xiping Fort. Shi Tingzhu was familiar with the situation in Liaodong and the location of Xiping Fort, so he would never take it lightly.

As a special envoy, Sony has two main tasks.One is to care about the defense situation of Guangning and Xiping Fort, and report the truth to Huang Taiji.For possible omissions, Huang Taiji will supplement and emphasize. Second, pay attention to the situation in Xiping Fort and remind the troops stationed in Xiping Fort to be particularly vigilant and not to relax in the slightest.

Late August and early September.Sony once asked Shi Tingzhu, Ma Guangyuan, Bayan and others who were stationed in Xiping Fort if they had any difficulties.There are no difficulties.In fact, Sony asked this question because Huang Taiji was worried. After all, Shi Tingzhu was only Gushan Ezhen of the Xianghuang Banner belonging to the Han Eight Banners. Facing Ma Guangyuan, Bayan and others, there were still some problems in terms of dominance and authority. If Shi Tingzhu If the authority is shaken, Xiping Fort will be in danger, so Huang Taiji decided to give Shi Tingzhu the power to make decisions on the fly, and even directly mobilize the Eight Banners when the situation is critical.

Su Tiancheng led the army to set off, and Huang Taiji soon knew that the Jiangning Battalion would directly attack Xiping Fort. Huang Taiji admired Su Tiancheng's foresight, and felt that Su Tiancheng's appetite was not small. He began to worry, worried that Xiping Fort would be It's not that they can hold it, after all, the combat effectiveness of the Jiangning Battalion is extraordinary.

Jierhalang, who was in Guangning, also began to worry. If Xiping Fort was captured by Su Tiancheng and Jiang Ningying, Guangning would be in danger.

After Sony arrived in Guangning, Ji Erhalang discussed with him for two full hours. The two discussed for a long time about the direction and focus of the Ming army's attack. Zhenghongqi was also transferred to Xiping Fort, and Xiping Fort must be defended, but Sony felt that it was not appropriate to do so. If the number of soldiers guarding Guangning decreased, the Ming army suddenly changed its decision and attacked Guangning, there might be danger up.After careful consideration, Jierhalang also thought that he was a bit of a soldier, after all, there were more than 6 soldiers stationed in Xiping Fort.

For a moment, all attention turned to Xiping Fort, and even Dorgon, who was stationed in Haizhou, also focused his attention on Xiping Fort.

After Sony arrived at Xipingbao, Shi Tingzhu, Ma Guangyuan and Bayan received him.

Although Xipingbao was already before the war, Shi Tingzhu didn't panic at all, instead he specially hosted a banquet in honor of Sony, not to mention Ma Guangyuan and Bayan, both of whom used to be direct subordinates of Sony.

Sony is very happy about the confidence of Shi Tingzhu and others, but the responsibilities he shoulders are not ordinary.

After picking up the wine glass, Sony spoke directly.

"Everyone, the emperor asked me to ask two questions, please answer clearly."

Shi Tingzhu and the others knew Sony's identity a long time ago, holding a wine glass, they looked at Sony and fell silent.

"I respect you three with this glass of wine. I wish you can defend Xiping Fort and defeat the Ming army."

After Sony finished speaking, he toasted first, and Shi Tingzhu and others also drank it in one gulp.

"The emperor's first concern is whether Xiping Fort can be defended. Su Tiancheng led the Jiangning battalion to attack Xiping Fort. You are under great pressure. You must not have the idea of ​​underestimating the enemy. If you feel that it is difficult, the emperor will Consider sending reinforcements to help defend Xiping Fort."

Shi Tingzhu stood up and answered.

"My lord, this slave promises to defend Xiping Fort. Although the Jiangning Camp is brave, my soldiers stationed at Xiping Fort are not vegetarians. I dare not fully guarantee that I will defeat the Jiangning Camp, but I guarantee it with my life. Jiangning Camp should not think that they can break through Xiping Fort. Generals Ma and Ba have the same idea as the servants, and promise to defend Xiping Fort.”

Sony waved Shi Tingzhu to sit down.

"The second question, the emperor is concerned about whether there is a problem with the defense of Xiping Fort. The Ming army has already set off from Montenegro. It is estimated that within five days, they can start attacking Xiping Fort. I believe that you have made all the preparations. But this battle is extremely important, if you have any questions, feel free to ask them."

When Shi Tingzhu was about to stand up again, Sony waved again, signaling Shi Tingzhu to sit down.

"My lord, this servant is entrusted with the grace of the emperor, so he must do his best. There is no problem at present."

Sony looked at Ma Guangyuan and Bayan, thinking to see if they had something to say.

Both Ma Guangyuan and Bayan stood up and made a statement, promising to defend Xiping Fort.

Sonny picked up the jug and poured wine for the three of them himself.

"Okay, I believe you, I will toast you another glass of wine, and wish you defend Xiping Fort and defeat the Ming army."

After drinking the glass of wine, Sonny continued to speak.

"There are two deployments. I can tell you that the emperor has ordered Prince Rui, who is stationed in Haizhou, to send soldiers to go to Xiping Fort in the starry night. The army will not enter Xiping Fort. Their main duty is to attack the Ming army. To distract the attention of the Ming army, at the same time, Prince Zheng also sent [-] soldiers to be ready at any time to reinforce Xiping Fort and besiege Guangning City. Take the initiative to launch an attack, defeat the Liaodong frontier army in one fell swoop, and attack Xiping Fort from the direction of Guangning."

Having said this, Sony was also a little excited and stood up.

"The emperor's deployment this time can be described as far-sighted. He hopes to completely defeat the Jiangning camp in Liaodong. If this goal is achieved, our Qing Dynasty will be able to take Liaodong and march into the Central Plains. Therefore, your mission is extremely critical and also It is very honorable to have defended Xiping Fort and held back the Ming army, and our Qing Dynasty is about to start a large-scale counterattack."

Sony's few words quickly aroused the fighting spirit of Shi Tingzhu and others.

The battle is imminent, it is impossible to get drunk, and Shi Tingzhu and others don't need to utter too many bold words, but the fire in their hearts is ignited, this is the real fighting power, the frightening fighting power.

As for the tactical arrangement Sony mentioned, that was not Huang Taiji's original intention, but during the process of discussing with Hauge, he mentioned such an idea. Huang Taiji knew very well that if he wanted to completely defeat Su Tiancheng, the possibility was not It's very big. Given the current situation, it is basically impossible to achieve such a goal. What's more, the Ming army is still firmly stationed at the Guanningjin line of defense. It is an insurmountable line of defense. .

Sony is a person who leads troops to fight, and he knows how to mobilize the enthusiasm of others. He said these words in order to encourage Shi Tingzhu and others' fighting spirit to the greatest extent.

After Sony left Xiping Fort, Shi Tingzhu, Ma Guangyuan and Bayan began to attach great importance to the news sent by the scouts. Mishap, the three of them thought after researching that all the troops should be deployed in Xiping Fort, stick to the city, and ignore the outer defenses for the time being, so as not to cause unnecessary losses. is the greatest credit. (To be continued..)