Huangming

Chapter 287 The Struggle for the Crown Prince: Espionage Remains Elusive

In June, the heat of summer is at its peak in Liaodong.

The sun, like a red-hot copper plate, hung over the city of Fushun, scorching the sand and soil of the Zhengbai Banner camp. Walking on it, you could feel the burning heat even on the soles of your shoes.

Inside Huang Taiji's central command tent, although linen soaked in well water was hanging, it was still as stuffy and hot as a steamer. He was shirtless, with only a towel draped over his shoulders, and his fingertips traced the outline of Shenyang city marked in cinnabar on the unfolded sheepskin map.

These past few days, he has been preparing for the attack on Shenyang.

As dawn broke, the scouts changed into short clothes, packed salted rations, and ventured into the wasteland outside the city.

The waist-high grass provided excellent cover, but it also harbored countless mosquitoes.

They moved like venomous snakes, sneaking up to within a hundred feet of Shenyang city walls, counting the crenellations and cannon positions, and even noting the times when the guards changed shifts.

The returning scouts were mostly covered in red welts, but their reports were vague: "Three new moats have been dug outside the city, filled with barbed wire. The sentries in the watchtowers change shifts every half hour, so it's impossible to get close..."

Huang Taiji held the scout report, his brows furrowed.

This information isn't enough!

He originally placed his hopes on merchants.

After all, when the Great Jin Dynasty was fighting in the past, it bought intelligence from those merchants.

Those merchants who frequently traveled between the inside and outside of the Great Wall had noses sharper than dogs and could always find out some of the Ming army's movements.

When the secret envoy sent to make contact returned, all he brought back was a stack of silver notes soaked with sweat.

"After the eight major Shanxi merchants were raided, the new merchants from Hebei were so frightened that their legs trembled and they dared not provide any information."

The envoy wiped his sweat, his voice trembling.

"I found Manager Wang in Fengrun County, and as soon as I handed him the secret letter, he knelt down, saying that his whole family was in the capital and he dared not get involved in anything. He even threw the silver we gave him into the street..."

A burst of cicada chirping came from outside the tent, so noisy it was irritating.

"Aren't these businessmen even willing to make money anymore?"

Huang Taiji slammed the intelligence report onto the table.

With the merchant intelligence route cut off, inside help is no longer effective.

His gaze swept over the secret letters piled up in the corner of the tent.

That was a message from an inside source in Shenyang. The handwriting was so messy it looked like it had been blown by the wind, with the ink smudged and blurred, clearly written in a state of extreme panic.

"The agents of the Embroidered Uniform Guard were like flies, constantly hovering around the military camp, checking waist tags, searching bags, and even questioning the cooks in the kitchen three times."

Another secret letter read: "Last time, I tried to send a defense map out of the city, but as soon as I reached the city gate, I was stopped by two plainclothes officers and almost couldn't get away..."

Another letter was even shorter, containing only a few words: "Sufficient provisions and high morale. The brothers all say it's not worth risking our lives for this business..."

Huang Taiji stared at the line of text, his Adam's apple bobbing.

He was very clear about the situation in Liaodong before.

In their early years, the Ming army lived a life worse than beggars.

In winter, they couldn't wear cotton-padded clothes and drank thin porridge so watery you could see your reflection in it every meal. Their military pay was embezzled by officers, and their wives and children cried from hunger.

Back then, the secret envoys of the Jin dynasty could bribe a centurion with just two bags of grain and ten taels of silver, and even steal the key to the city gate.

However, after Emperor Tianqi ascended the throne, the governor he sent brought with him grain and salary, making up for the grain and salary that had been backlogged for three years. He also sent meat and wine to the camp during festivals.

Last month, a scout sneaked into Shenyang and said that the soldiers in the city were able to eat dry food every day, and some were even receiving new shoes and armor.

"No one is born wanting to be a slave..."

Huang Taiji muttered to himself, recalling the scene of the Battle of Sarhu.

At that time, the Great Jin relied on the Ming army's deployment map sent by their inside agents, as well as military intelligence from various parties, to set up ambushes in the mountains and forests, making the Ming armies run around in circles. Only then did they have the confidence to say, "No matter how many routes they come from, I will go my own way."

But now, Shenyang is like a tightly sealed iron can; outsiders can't figure out what's inside, and insiders are too lazy to look out.

He didn't even know which unit had been replaced by the garrison there, or how many cannons had been added.

Without intelligence or inside help, how can this battle be fought?
The phrase "I will go my own way," which the Jin soldiers once took pride in, now sounds like an absurd joke.

"Send two more scout teams."

He spoke to his guards, his voice carrying a barely perceptible hint of anxiety.

Since merchants and inside agents can't be relied on, we can only rely on ourselves.

"Let them blend in with the fleeing refugees and make sure they get to the foot of the city wall."

"Whoo!"

The guards obeyed and left, leaving only the flickering candlelight in the tent.

Feeling frustrated and hot, Huang Taiji could only wash his face with well water to calm himself down.

Just then, he heard the hurried footsteps of his personal guards outside the tent flap, who reported cautiously, "Your Highness, the Third Prince of the Plain Blue Banner has arrived and says he wishes to see you."

"Mangultai?"

Huang Taiji's brows furrowed instantly.

According to the news brought back by the scouts, Mangultai suffered heavy losses at Shifang Temple Fort. Nearly 30% of the soldiers of the Plain Blue Banner were lost, and even the Niru of the Bordered Blue Banner were decimated. It was thought that this fool would hide on the grassland for a while and dare not come back to see his father, the Khan. How dare he break into his tent?

After some thought, Huang Taiji had made up his mind.

"Let him in."

Huang Taiji spoke slowly, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger.

After Mount Sumeru.

The tent flap was suddenly flung open, and a wave of heat mixed with the smells of sweat and blood rushed in.

Mangultai's figure blocked the doorway. His blue armor was covered in dust and dark red bloodstains, and the edges of the armor plates were torn in several places, clearly indicating that he had come directly from the battlefield.

The scars on his face glistened in the setting sun, and his already ferocious features were now twisted with rage, especially his eyes, which were like two burning will-o'-the-wisps, staring intently at Huang Taiji as if they were about to spit knives out.

"Huang Taiji!"

Huang Taiji, however, seemed oblivious to his murderous intent. He stood up with a smile, his tone even carrying a hint of warmth: "Third Prince, it's a rare treat to have you grace us with your presence. Please have a seat. We've just brewed some chilled tea, perfect for cooling you down in the summer heat."

He was about to step forward to help her up.

"Stop with the pretense!"

Mangultai abruptly flung his hand away, the force so great that Huang Taiji staggered half a step.

He took a step closer, his spittle almost landing on Huang Taiji's face.

"Didn't you say back then that the main force of the Ming army went to reinforce Daban City? Huh?!"

The air inside the tent froze instantly, and even the cicadas chirping outside seemed to be cut off.

Mangultai's chest heaved violently. He pointed at Huang Taiji's nose, his voice suddenly rising, filled with the madness and resentment of defeat:
"Those Ming soldiers never even went to Daban City! They had already laid a trap, just waiting for me to walk right into it! They caused the deaths of many of my Plain Blue Banner brothers. Huang Taiji, what are you up to?!"

Mangultai stared intently at Huang Taiji, the bloodshot veins in his eyes spreading like a spider web.

"If it weren't for your bullshit intelligence!"

Mangultai's voice trembled, half with anger and half with regret.

"Why would I be in such a hurry to ditch the baggage train, even throwing away the wagon shields, and charge towards Shifang Temple Fortress with my light cavalry?"

He thought of his brothers whose chests had been pierced by Ming soldiers' muskets, and of Nurhaci's reprimands; the hatred in his heart grew wildly like weeds.

"Those Ming soldiers were setting a trap! There were musketeers hiding behind the palisade, and cavalry ambushing on both flanks. My elite Plain Blue Banner troops were tricked and nearly half of them were killed or wounded!"

He would certainly not admit that he was afraid Huang Taiji would monopolize the credit for the battle of Daban City, which is why he insisted on taking the lead in Shifang Temple Fort despite his deputy's advice.

But the shame of defeat was like a branding iron, burning him so much that he had to find a scapegoat.

Huang Taiji is the best target.

It's all Huang Taiji's fault!

This caused him to be so afraid to return directly to Fushun after escaping from Shifang Temple Fortress.

The Plain Blue Banner suffered heavy losses, almost losing its banner. The Khan would surely be furious. He could only lead his remaining troops to wander the grasslands, raiding a small Inner Khalkha tribe under cover of night, seizing over ten thousand cattle and sheep and several hundred herders, barely managing to gather some "spoils of war" before reluctantly returning to report.

Even so, Nurhaci still berated him severely in the main hall, saying that he had "disgraced the Eight Banners," and even reduced the number of Niru (military units) of the Plain Blue Banner by three.

This debt should naturally be attributed to Huang Taiji as well.

Huang Taiji simply shook his head slowly, a faint smile even on his face, as if he were looking at a child throwing a tantrum.

"Third Prince, please calm down."

“The messenger I sent clearly stated: ‘The Chahar tribe has made unusual movements and has mobilized troops to support Daban City,’ but he did not mention where the main force of the Ming army had gone.”

He took a half step forward, lowered his voice, and spoke with a deliberate gentleness, yet each word was like a needle: "Perhaps the Third Prince was too anxious at the time and misheard? After all... who wouldn't want to be the first to claim credit?"

These words were like a blunt knife, precisely stabbing Mangultai in his sore spot.

He clenched his fist tightly, but was speechless at Huang Taiji's calm and composed demeanor.

Yes, at that time his mind was full of "we can't let Huang Taiji get there first", so he couldn't listen to the vague words "may have some unusual activity".

This is Huang Taiji's open scheme.

He had already planned it out.

Cunning fox!
Mangultai's forehead veins throbbed.

"Humph!"

Mangultai snorted coldly, deciding not to engage in verbal sparring with Huang Taiji.

Since we can't win with words, surely we can try to get some tangible benefits?

We can't let Huang Taiji enjoy all the benefits.

"Stop giving me that nonsense! It's easy for me to swallow this anger. Two Blue Flag armored vehicles, 80% of them were damaged this time. You, Zhengbai Flag, will have to spare a hundred of them!"

The moment those words were spoken, the air inside the tent seemed to freeze.

The guards behind Huang Taiji couldn't help but gasp.

The shield carriage was the lifeblood of the Eight Banners!

Those wooden carts covered with iron plates could not only block the Ming army's muskets, but also be used as temporary siege ladders. It would take an ordinary Niru half a year to gather ten carts, and a hundred carts would be like cutting flesh off the Plain White Banner!
Mangultai, however, was perfectly justified.

When he evacuated Shifang Temple Fortress, in order to escape faster, he deliberately left all the shield wagons at the foot of the Great Wall.

Those heavy-duty things are too heavy to drag across the open field; it would be better to save the effort to carry the wounded.

But when they returned to Fushun, they found that without the shield carts, they were not only afraid to attack the city, but even to defend the camp.

Veterans of the Plain Blue Banner say, "Without the shield wagons to block our way, the Ming dynasty's muskets could have riddled us with holes!"

"As you know, the Eight Banners' tactics rely entirely on shield carts to clear the way. When cavalry charges into battle, shield carts are needed to block arrows; when attacking a city, shield carts are used to build ladders. Without shield carts, our two Blue Banners will be sitting ducks in the next battle. Can you bear to watch the brothers of the Plain Blue Banner die in vain?"

He spoke with grand words, but his eyes concealed calculations: Huang Taiji had just gained the favor of his father and was in a position to win people's hearts, so he dared not contradict him in public.

Besides, thanks to the Khan's rewards over the years, the Plain White Banner has accumulated at least three hundred shield wagons, so averaging one hundred is nothing.

Looking at his "you're a sinner if you don't agree" face, Huang Taiji was already sneering inwardly.

This fool has probably forgotten how he threw away the shield cart as a burden in his eagerness to claim credit.

He remained expressionless, even showing some difficulty, his brows furrowing slightly as if he were carefully considering the matter.

"What the Third Prince said is true."

Huang Taiji spoke slowly, his voice carrying just the right amount of understanding.

“The shield cart is indeed important; without it, it would be difficult for the brothers to fight.”

Mangultai's eyes lit up, and he was about to force Huang Taiji to agree when Huang Taiji changed the subject: "But the shield carts of the Plain White Banner are all registered and under the unified management of the banner's Niru Ejen. Although I am the banner lord, I cannot just move them as I please."

He spread his hands, his tone full of helplessness.

"This matter probably needs to be decided by Father Khan. After all, it's a hundred shield wagons, which is no small number. If the Third Prince is in a hurry to use them, why don't we go together to ask Father Khan to issue an order? My Plain White Banner will have no objections."

These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Mangultai's head.

How could he dare to go to his father?

The last time his father reprimanded him, he scolded him for "not cherishing military equipment and burning shield wagons like firewood." If he were to mention again "wanting to distribute shield wagons from the Plain White Banner," his father would skin him alive!

Mangultai's face instantly turned a deep purplish-red. He stared intently at Huang Taiji before he finally understood.

This kid is deliberately using his father's power to intimidate him!
"Stop talking nonsense!"

His eyes were wide open like copper bells, and his spittle almost sprayed onto Huang Taiji's face.

"Isn't the Han army flag under your command? They have at least two hundred shield wagons piled up in their camp. What's wrong with giving me a hundred? The lives of those Nikan people are in your hands. It's just a matter of a word from you!"

Huang Taiji slowly shook his head without even frowning, as if he were talking about a trivial matter.

"Fifth Brother is wrong."

His tone remained calm.

"Although the Han soldiers are those who have surrendered, they are also brothers who have served the Great Jin. Their shield carts are military equipment specially approved by our father, the Khan. If I were to take them to you for nothing, what if it chills people's hearts? Who would be willing to risk their lives for the Great Jin in the future?"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Mangultai's flushed face, and slowly added, "Besides, my restraint on them is to ensure they fight well, not to make them anyone's private property. This is a request that I simply cannot grant."

"Good! Very good!"

Mangultai felt a tightness in his chest from these words, and almost couldn't catch his breath. He pointed at Huang Taiji's nose, his finger trembling like a leaf in the wind.

"For a few Nikan, you'd even abandon your own brothers? Huang Taiji, you just wait! This feud is now on!"

He was about to rush forward when he was secretly stopped by Huang Taiji's personal guards.

The air inside the tent instantly tensed, and the guards gripped their sword hilts, waiting for Huang Taiji's command.

Mangultai looked at his menacing guards and then at Huang Taiji's calm and composed demeanor, realizing that continuing to cause trouble would only bring him further humiliation.

He stomped his foot angrily, turned around and left, the heavy curtain snapping loudly as if venting his pent-up anger.

Huang Taiji watched his staggering figure, slowly shook his head, and a crack finally appeared in the calm in his eyes, revealing the cold light hidden within.

Mangultai, Mangultai, do you think this is still like when we were kids fighting over cornbread?

He walked to the table, picked up the already cold tea, and drank it all in one gulp.

The Khan is getting old, and the throne of the Great Jin Dynasty has never been secured by brotherly affection.

From Sarhu to Dabancheng, from the shield carts to military power, every step was fraught with danger; whoever showed mercy would die.

"Deep brotherly affection?"

Huang Taiji chuckled softly.

"What does this amount to compared to the Khan's throne?"

If you can't even understand this point.

Mangultai.

You are not worthy to be my opponent!

but.

The conflict with Mangultai was quickly forgotten by Huang Taiji.

The most important thing right now is to take Shenyang.

As long as he takes Shenyang, his position as crown prince will be secure.

just
How can we take Shenyang?

Huang Taiji was in a hurry.

ps:
I wish to govern diligently, but treacherous officials are in power and rebels are rampant, so I hold my vote and refuse to vote.

Don't you all want more chapters?
(End of this chapter)