Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 576 Military Meeting (Part )

Amin did not respond to Dalhan immediately, but turned sideways and looked at the huge map of Liaodong-Korea.

This map was created by Nurhaci, who commissioned Chinese artists and translators fluent in both Mongolian and Chinese. The maps were copied from Ming maps captured by the Jin army in Fushun, Qinghe, Kaiyuan, and Tieling. The map uses black and red ink to distinguish between Ming and Jin territory. Ming-controlled areas are marked with red ink, while Jin-controlled areas are marked with black ink. To facilitate understanding by mid- and lower-ranking officers, the map was written entirely in Mongolian, rather than the so-called Jurchen script. After all, this script was relatively new, and many older Jurchens, accustomed to Mongolian, could not understand it and were unwilling to learn it.

Since the capture of Fushun, this map of the Zhu-Xuan confrontation has been updated numerous times. Almost every time a city of any size was captured, Nurhaci would order a new map to be drawn and distributed to the Eight Banners. However, since the Jin army had made no significant progress or suffered any devastating defeats for over a year, the map remained undisturbed. Even the newly constructed city of Sarhu was a casual addition between Fushun Pass and Jiefan Village, created by the various banners to accommodate the original map.

Darhan originally thought Amin would ask him where he planned to set up an ambush, but unexpectedly, after studying the map for a while, Amin turned back to him and Yangguli and shook his head, saying, "No. I can't let you take that risk. Yangguli, Darhan, and the four Niulu of the two Yellow Banners, you should discuss with Shuo Tuo and fortify those important cities first."

Yangguli didn't respond for a moment, knowing Dalhan would protest. Sure enough, not long after Amin finished speaking, Dalhan spoke with a look of confusion: "Second Prince, this isn't a risky move. There are many ravines covered in dense forests along the Ao River, making them very well hidden. A few hundred people could hide in them, and unless they lit a fire or started a stove, they wouldn't be discovered."

"I know, but Hu Guochen is not someone you can easily deal with. He's certainly thought of everything we can think of." Amin shook his head and said, "Since Hu Guochen dared to order his men to advance deep into the country and attack day and night while we were building the wall and fort, it means he must have a backup plan. Don't let us ambush him and be ambushed by the Ming army instead."

"Second Prince is considering this," Dalhan thought Amin had misunderstood. He pointed to the map behind Amin and continued, "but my plan isn't to set up an ambush deep within the Ming army's territory. Instead, I'm planning to lead the army closer to our own territory and wait for them to tire. Recently, the Ming army drove us away from Shichengpu. Unless they choose to stop there, their next move will be north or east, toward Zhujiabao or Maodianzi."

"We only need to prepare in advance and set up an ambush halfway. Once the Ming army approaches or formally launches an attack on our positions, we can cut off their retreat and encircle them. In this way, the Ming army will become animals in the enclosure, waiting to be slaughtered."

"Let's take a step back. Even if our army fails to annihilate the Ming army in one strike, or the Ming army prepares follow-up support, our army can quickly hide in the mountains and will not suffer too much loss."

Amin didn't follow Dalhan's instructions and looked back at the map. He simply nodded, then shook his head and said, "Your idea is good, but I still won't let you go."

"Why!?" Dalhan's blood boiled all of a sudden.

Amin raised his hand and gestured downward. "Because you are sent by the Khan."

Dalhan was stunned.

Amin continued, "The conquest of Korea is ultimately the business of our three banners, the Blue, Red, and White. The Khan sent you and Yangguli here not to engage the three banners in a fight against the Ming army, but to serve as a reserve force to hold the fort. If you were to attack the Ming army on the front line and achieve great success, that would be best, and I hope so. But if there are losses, even heavy losses, it would be my fault. If the Khan blames me, I will have no explanation. But I have remembered your advice," Amin glanced at the other generals present. "Later, I will send others to ambush the Ming army. If they achieve any success, I will also seek credit for you."

Upon hearing this, the faces of the generals of the Blue, Red, and White Banners fell slightly. Darhan's suggestion was a good one, but it wasn't a truly earth-shattering tactic; many had already thought of it. They would have offered it whenever Amin asked for advice. But now, with the battle still unfought and the outcome uncertain, Amin was apportioning some of the credit to the two Yellow Banners, which naturally caused dissatisfaction. However, no one dared to object. After all, Darhan and Yangguli were "imperial envoys," and Amin's concerns were understandable.

"Second Prince," Darhan said, his voice suddenly agitated. Even the most insensitive man could sense the delicate atmosphere. "A warrior shouldn't fear shedding blood on the battlefield! We volunteered to fight. Even if we fail or even die, it's our own fault, not anyone else's. Second Prince, don't worry about it. I can issue a military order!"

"Yanguli, what do you think?" Amin raised his eyebrows. Instead of answering Dalhan, he nodded at Yanguli and winked, as if to signal him to persuade Dalhan.

Yangguli's eyes rolled, and he said politely, "Since you've requested a fight, I'm not afraid of death. However, according to the Great Khan's rules, since the Second Beile is the commander of our army, we will naturally obey his every command. As for military merits, they should also be distributed according to the Great Khan's rules, to whoever gets the spoils will get them."

"Hahaha," Amin laughed directly. "How about this, let's put things aside for now. After today's meeting, you and Dalhan go down and draw up a detailed written plan for me, how about that?"

"Second Prince, I..." Dalhan wanted to say something, but was stopped by Yangguli.

"Then let's settle this for now." Amin turned around and looked at Shuo Tuo.

"Here!" Shuo Tuo said sternly.

Amin said solemnly, "I will temporarily assign you the four Niulu of the two yellow banners. In addition, I will later assign you a group of craftsmen from Kuandian and Xindian. Within half a month, I must see those castles erected."

Nurhaci was a highly educated leader. As early as the 31st year of the Wanli reign, when he was building Hetuala City, he began bringing in Han Chinese civil engineers to learn and widely apply the rammed earth technique. By the time he built Jiefan City in the 47th year of the Wanli reign and Sarhu City in the 48th year, the Jin Dynasty's fortification technology had matured considerably. Given sufficient manpower and time, building a reverse Great Wall to resist the Ming army would have been a straightforward task.

"Yes!" Shuo Tuo replied.

"Do you have any other requests? If so, please tell me all of them now. In half a month, if those places remain the same as they are now, I will not listen to any explanation from you." Amin said with almost a stern face.

Shuotuo calculated and felt that with these new recruits, they would be able to build the rammed earth walls and moats of the small forts. "Second Prince, I don't have anything else," Shuotuo said before Yuetuo, who was sitting next to him, reached out and grabbed Shuotuo's shoulder, interrupting him. "Second Prince, I have a question." Yuetuo looked at Amin and raised his other hand.

"That's what you said." Amin's eyebrows moved slightly, and a hint of imperceptible dissatisfaction appeared on his face.

Yuetuo withdrew his hand and straightened his sitting posture. "With these additional manpower, I believe Shuotuo can build the moat and city wall within the time you allotted," Yuetuo said preemptively. "However, if the four Niulu of the two Yellow Banners are temporarily withdrawn to fight the Ming army during this period, I'm afraid the construction period will have to be postponed."

Amin was stunned. He thought these two kids were dumber than each other. They couldn't even see through a delaying tactic. Even if they truly had concerns, couldn't they discuss them privately after the meeting? Why did they have to bring it up and ask him to express his opinion? Amin even suspected that the silly kid might be secretly happy that he had eliminated a potential threat for his brother.

But at this moment, Amin would neither replace Shan in educating his two foolish sons, nor would he openly say that the so-called "written plan" was just a piece of shit that could be delayed and revised indefinitely. And at this moment, Amin did have some other ideas.

Amin smiled at Yuetuo. "You're right. If Dalhan and Yangguli's four Niulu truly come up with a sound plan during this period, I will promptly transfer personnel from other locations to fill these vacancies. You don't have to worry."

"Thank you, Second Prince." Yue Tuo stood up and saluted. Shuo Tuo also stood up.

"No need to be like that. We are just discussing business." Amin nodded with a smile and waved his hand.

Yuetuo sat back down, and Amin's smile faded. He faced the crowd and said solemnly, "If Shuotuo can rebuild those forts within two weeks, then Kuandian and Xindian will no longer be in danger. Then, our army can launch its offensive. The main reason I called you here today is to hear your thoughts on the strategy for the advance."

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire tent was in an uproar.

When Amin had reprimanded Shuoto earlier, the generals had found him somewhat baffling. Why convene a general meeting for the construction project? Even if there were dissatisfaction with the progress, there was no need to bring everyone together and embarrass Shuoto. Some, more nimble and imaginative, even thought Amin was teaching Shan a lesson for these two unloved and undeserving fools who had forcibly divided the Red Banner. But with the military discussion thrown in, it all made sense.

Most of those present were veterans of many battles. With the exception of Wu Ergudai, who huddled in a corner, almost all of them had their own opinions on the invasion of Korea. The tent grew increasingly noisy as everyone looked around and chattered. The voices of those eager for war turned into an invisible pressure, pressing down on Shuotuo like a mountain.

If Shuotuo couldn't resolve Amin's concerns within two weeks, causing the division's schedule to be postponed, he would become the laughing stock of everyone present. Shuotuo couldn't help but reconsider whether the project could be completed on schedule after adding four more Niulu. The more he thought about it, the more uncertain he became, but he didn't dare to raise any additional conditions at this time.

"Brother." Shuotuo approached Yuetuo, wanting to tell him about his troubles so that he could help him with his advice. But before Shuotuo could elaborate, the commotion in the tent was interrupted by Amin's whip.

boom!boom!
Amin took the horsewhip and banged it hard on the long wooden table in front of him.

"Alright!" As the second-highest prince, second only to Nurhaci and Daishan, Amin held considerable authority. Furthermore, the other two flag bearers present were juniors whose experience and achievements far surpassed Amin's. With this loud shout, the tent quickly fell silent. Shuotuo no longer had the opportunity to seek advice from his brother.

Amin first looked at Dudu, the leader of the Bordered White Banner. "Let the Bordered White Banner speak first."

If ranked by strength, the Bordered Blue Banner, Bordered Red Banner and Bordered White Banner have the largest number of Niulu, the Bordered Blue Banner with thirty-five Niulu, followed by the Bordered Red Banner which took away half of Daishan's power and has more than twenty-five Niulu, and the weakest is the Bordered White Banner which has been repeatedly suppressed and has less than twenty Niulu.

However, from the very first meeting, Amin had always let the Bordered White Banner speak first. The reason was simple: Amin was both the leader and commander of the Bordered Blue Banner. If the Bordered Blue Banner spoke first, the other two banners would not have to speak. Daishan's two sons, however, were inferior to Dudu in terms of seniority, ability, and seniority, and even they themselves would have no objection to being placed behind Dudu. Of course, if Amin had reversed the arrangement, Dudu would have no objection either. As the son of the deceased crown prince, Dudu had no right to object.

Du Du nodded gratefully to Amin, then turned and glanced at the several officers of the Bordered White Banner standing behind him. Seeing they merely shook their heads without any other reaction, he turned back to Amin and said sternly, "Second Prince, I believe the key to conquering Korea isn't Korea itself, but the Ming troops stationed around it. Therefore, we should first march south to capture Fenghuang and Zhenjiang. From there, we can use these two cities as a base to defend against Ming reinforcements from Liaoyang, Lushun, and Jinzhou. As long as we can capture and hold these two cities, conquering Korea will be as easy as taking candy from a bag."

Amin waited a moment. "Anything else?"

"Generally speaking, no." Du Du shook his head.

"Yeah." Amin nodded slightly, then looked at Yuetuo, the leader of the Bordered Red Banner. "What does the Bordered Red Banner say?"

"." Yue Tuo was stunned. What could he say? The conclusion reached by the Bordered Red Banner was almost identical to what Du Du had just said. The Bordered Red Banner generals also believed that the key to attacking North Korea did not lie with North Korea, but with the Ming Dynasty watchdog blocking the Yalu River.

But the young and energetic Yuetuo was unwilling to just say some words of agreement, saying "Great minds think alike." If he said this, wouldn't his Red Banner become a foil to the White Banner?
Yuetuo remained silent, trying to hold back a few words of insight. Fortunately, Amin waited patiently and didn't speak or urge him.

(End of this chapter)