Wind Rises in North America 1625

Chapter 605 Hinges (Part 3)

June 9, 1644, Nangang Fort (near present-day Yanji City).

In summer, the Tumen River basin is covered with verdant mountains and rushing water, carrying the chill of melting snow and abundant rainfall as it flows south into the Sea of ​​Japan.

Scattered across this land covered by dense forests and crisscrossed by river valleys are the Warka tribe, which lives by fishing, hunting, and gathering, and the more primitive and isolated Kurka tribe.

They were the targets of Nurhaci and his successor Huang Taiji's constant conquests and plundering of people to replenish the Eight Banners army.

However, due to the geographical barriers, the Qing government's rule in this area remained at the level of appeasement and tribute, and it failed to establish firm direct control.

However, this relatively quiet land has had its balance disrupted by an external force in the last decade.

In 1634, the original rebel forces of Dengzhou and Laizhou, led by Kong Youde and Geng Zhongming, fled to Hamgyong Province in northern Korea and quickly established themselves in the coastal areas.

They drove themselves into this mountainous region like a wedge, taking advantage of the decline in the authority of the Joseon royal family after the "Byeongja Horan" (a period of turmoil in Korea). They launched campaigns in the south and north, not only effectively controlling most of Hamgyong Province, but also extending their reach to the Kurka tribe south of the Tumen River, incorporating their young men into the army and using them as cannon fodder in battle.

The massive flood that swept across Hamgyeong Province three years ago became another turning point in the fate of Kongbu.

The massive famine within his jurisdiction forced Kong Youde, who had nowhere else to turn, to seek help from the "New Chinese," whom he greatly feared.

In return for limited food and weapons aid, Xinhua granted it a port in Hamgyong Province and the right to exert military and political "guidance".

From then on, the Kong Youde Group was effectively incorporated into Xinhua's strategic game against the Qing Dynasty.

As a pledge of allegiance and for its own expansion, Kong's troops began to frequently cross the Tumen River to attack the Kurka and Warka tribes within the Qing's sphere of influence on the north bank, and gradually eliminated several strongholds established by the Qing government.

Last September, taking advantage of the autumn weather when the horses were fat and the heavy snow was about to close the mountains, a force of more than 200 elite soldiers from the Kong tribe went deep into the north bank and chose this flat valley located at the confluence of the Burhatong River and the Yanji River (now the Yanji River). They drove and captured tribespeople and artisans who accompanied the army to establish this military stronghold called Nangangbao.

After a winter of intensive construction, as the ice and snow melted and spring arrived, a sizable earthen and timber fortress stood tall in the valley.

The fort walls are nearly two zhang high, with rammed earth as the core and covered with logs and stone slabs on the outside, and protruding arrow towers at the four corners.

A wide and deep moat was dug outside the stockade wall, drawing in nearby streams to form a cold water barrier.

The fortress contained barracks, granaries, armories, and even a deep well, giving it the appearance of a long-term defensive position.

At this moment, Zhang Chenglu, the garrison commander, was standing on the arrow tower on the south wall, but his expression was far less calm than the fortress appeared from the outside.

He was about forty years old, with a rugged face. His half-worn Ming army armor was washed until it was almost white, and his eyes held a mixture of a veteran's alertness and a trace of worry that he could not hide.

He leaned against the battlements, his gaze sweeping across the shimmering Burhatong River and towards the distant, layered mountains to the north.

That place is in the direction of Ningguta, an important stronghold of the Qing army in the heart of Northeast China, only about 300 li away from here.

If the Qing army's elite light cavalry were to advance swiftly, they could reach the city walls in just a few days.

"Sir, are you still worried about the north?" Deputy Commander Wang Huan asked as he climbed the creaking wooden stairs to the watchtower, a coarse wheat cake in his hand, which he was munching on.

Wang Huan was slightly younger and had once been a bodyguard of Kong Youde. He had a noticeable scar on his face.

Zhang Chenglu didn't turn around, but sighed: "How can we not worry? We've got a nail driven into the Tartars' backside. We built this fort last year while the snow came quickly. Now that the snow has melted and the road is open, how can the Qing invaders in Ningguta to the north, and even further west in Wula Village (now Jilin City), just sit idly by?"

Wang Huan chewed on a biscuit and mumbled, "Our fortress is well-built, and none of the brothers are cowards. Besides, don't we still have more than thirty Xinhua guns? Those things are much better than the matchlock guns we used to use!"

“Thirty muskets…” Zhang Chenglu gave a bitter smile. “The firepower is fierce, but we have too few soldiers. If hundreds or thousands of Tartar cavalry surround us, raining down arrows, how much use will these few muskets be? How many fortified cities are there in Liaodong? Liaoyang, Shenyang, Guangning… which one isn’t more fortified than this fortress? And yet…”

He didn't finish his sentence, but Wang Huan understood what he meant.

Those horrific falls and massacres were a haunting nightmare for all the Ming Dynasty's government troops.

"When will the reinforcements and provisions arrive from the Grand Commander's (Kong Youde's) side?" Zhang Chenglu changed the subject, as this was his most pressing concern at the moment.

The fort's grain reserves were running low, and the efforts to collect grain from the surrounding Warka tribes were not very effective. Seeing that the Qing forces were still in power, those tribes dared not be too friendly with them and mostly adopted a wait-and-see attitude, and the grain they paid was a drop in the bucket.

Wang Huan shook his head: "There's still no news from the people we sent back last time. Xianxing City isn't well-off either. I heard that the Grand Commander has almost emptied the neighboring counties of Jiangyuan Province to get food. As for reinforcements... I think it's unlikely."

He lowered his voice as he spoke: "With the change of the Korean court and the chaos in the various provinces and counties, the Grand Commander will probably have to deploy his limited troops to the south and east to seize more territory and people."

As the two were talking, a commotion arose from below the fortress wall.

A group of soldiers who had been out on patrol returned, escorting a bound Warkha man dressed in animal skins.

"What's going on?" Zhang Chenglu shouted down. A junior officer looked up and reported, "Sir, we've captured a Jurchen savage hiding in the woods, spying on the fortress!... He looks like a spy from the Warka tribe to the north!"

Zhang Chenglu and Wang Huan exchanged a glance, both seeing the seriousness in each other's eyes.

Even before the Qing army arrived, these tribes that depended on them had already begun to stir up trouble.

This is a dangerous sign.

"Interrogate him carefully! Find out who instructed him and how many people came!" Zhang Chenglu ordered, his mind on edge.

In the following days, the atmosphere around the fortress became increasingly tense.

The patrols encountered a significant increase in the number of sporadic Jurchen hunters. Although no large-scale conflicts broke out, minor skirmishes continued.

The garrison inside the fort was on high alert, with the number of sentries on night duty doubled, and torches burning all night long.

On June 15, just as Zhang Chenglu was about to risk sending someone back to Xianxing City to request reinforcements and provisions, there was finally movement on the mountain road to the south.

It wasn't a large contingent, but a small team of about a hundred people, escorting a dozen heavy mule carts, struggling towards the fortress.

The leading knight carried a large "Kong" character flag.

"Reinforcements!...Reinforcements have arrived!" The defenders on the fortress wall cheered, instantly enlivening the long-suppressed atmosphere.

Zhang Chenglu and Wang Huan hurriedly came out of the fort to greet them.

The reinforcements were led by a centurion named Kim Ho-cheon, a newly promoted Korean.

"Damn it, we've finally got you reinforcements!" Zhang Chenglu grinned as he looked at Jin Haochuan.

However, his peripheral vision couldn't help but glance at the large carts covered with tarpaulins: "How much grain and fodder have you brought? Does the Grand Commander have any further instructions?"

Jin Haochuan, travel-worn but with a fawning smile on his face, said, "My lord, I have been ordered to escort 250 shi of grain, enough for your Nangang Fortress for two months. In addition, the Grand Commander has also specially brought you a powerful weapon!"

He waved for the soldiers to lift the heavy tarpaulin covering one of the trucks.

Under the sunlight, a cannon gleaming with a dark metallic luster suddenly appeared.

It is slightly smaller than the breech-loading cannon commonly used by the Ming army, but its barrel is long and slender, its structure is exquisite, and its muzzle gleams with a cold light. The thick walls and sturdy carriage all demonstrate its superb craftsmanship.

"This is...?" Zhang Chenglu and Wang Huan were both stunned, surrounding the cannon with a mixture of surprise and curiosity.

"This is a new barbarian cannon!" Jin Haochuan explained in a low voice, with a hint of pride. "The Grand Commander spent a lot of money to get it from the new Chinese in Haidong. It is said to be lighter than the Hongyi cannon, but with a longer range and higher accuracy. It also uses pre-made ammunition packs, so it is very quick to load!"

He patted the cold cannon barrel: "With such a powerful weapon, you, sir, can be quite confident in guarding Nangang Fortress, right?"

"Perfect! Absolutely perfect!" Wang Huan was so excited he almost jumped up. He gently stroked the smooth cannon barrel. "Damn it, if the Qing barbarians dare to come, we'll bombard them with this treasure a few times first, and let them taste the power!"

Although Zhang Chenglu did not lose his composure like Wang Huan, a look of surprise appeared in his eyes.

He stepped closer and carefully examined each component of the cannon, especially the sturdy gun carriage and sights. A huge weight seemed to lift from his heart instantly.

He knew the importance of a powerful cannon in a siege, not only in enhancing the firepower on the city walls, but also in greatly boosting the morale of the defenders.

The scene of the Grand Commander arranging hundreds of cannons on the walls of Dengzhou, and the more than 100,000 Ming soldiers standing at the foot of the city wall, sighing in despair, is still vivid in my mind.

"Quickly! Carefully push the cannon into the fortress and place it in the gun emplacement behind the main north wall! ...Be careful to keep the ammunition dry!" Zhang Chenglu immediately gave the order, his voice much louder.

As the new barbarian cannon was carefully pushed into the fortress, the anxiety and unease that had permeated Nangang Fortress vanished.

Given the location of Nangang Fort, if the Qing army were to gather its forces, they would certainly be unable to carry heavy weapons such as cannons. Facing our high walls and thick fortifications, coupled with the support of these cannons, they would likely suffer heavy losses.

Standing on the fortress wall, Zhang Chenglu looked down at the busy and joyful soldiers below, and then at the continuous mountains to the north, a surge of pride welled up in his heart.

He knew that the existence of Nangang Fort was like a sharp knife stuck in the flank of the Qing army, echoing the settlements of the new Chinese in the Beiqinhai and Heishui areas, forming an increasingly urgent strategic encirclement and spatial pressure on Shengjing.

"Pass down the order: extra food tonight! ...Let the brothers have a good time!"

Zhang Chenglu instructed Wang Huan, "Also, send someone to those few remaining wavering Warka tribes in the surrounding area and tell them that a 'Thunder God' capable of blasting down the mountain gates has arrived at Nangang Fortress. Let them think carefully before they do so!"
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(End of this chapter)