Huangming

Chapter 353 A Slight Moment of Warfare, Two Fronts Advancing Simultaneously

Tong Guoyao quickly learned that Huang Taiji had personally led 20,000 elite troops to attack Korea.

After all, the movement of 20,000 people was a huge undertaking, and although he was in Hetu Ala, he was not deaf.

As Zu Dashou's mole planted in the Jurchen Khanate, Tong Guoyao's situation was quite delicate.

Previously, he risked his life to save the Grand Consort Abahai. Although he was rewarded with one hundred taels of gold and fifty bolts of silk by Nurhaci for this merit, and the Tong family's residence in Hetu Ala was expanded by half an acre, he was still suspected of being favored.

With Liu Xingzuo and Li Yangeng successively defecting, Nurhaci had completely lost trust in "Han people who surrendered".

Normally, the Tong family held some weight among Han officials due to their early submission to the Jurchens, but now even Abahai's protection seemed powerless.

The Manchu nobles privately still referred to them as "Nikan slaves," and never allowed Han officials to approach the core of the council during meetings.

When allocating grain and fodder, the Tong family's estates were always 30% less than those of the Jurchen nobles.

Even when he wanted to dispatch two Jurchen soldiers to escort his servants out to shop, he had to go through layers of approval from the three banner commanders, and in the end, he only received a cold remark: "Han people must be careful to keep to their duties."

For Tong Guoyao now, the word "power" is nothing but a mirage.

Even passing on messages is somewhat difficult.

After all, Han Chinese are not being given important positions these days.

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The news that Hwang Tai-gil had launched an attack on Korea was extremely important.

If this news could be relayed back to the Ming court in time, Xiong Tingbi's garrison in Liaodong could seize the opportunity to launch a surprise attack on Fushun and Kaiyuan, cutting off the Jurchens' retreat and perhaps even completely defeating them.

For him, this was also a great achievement.

Now that the Jurchens are weak, one day they will return to the Ming Dynasty.

But as soon as the thought crossed his mind, he pressed the button again.

The risks of delivering the message were far greater than he had imagined.

The city of Hetu Ala is now guarded every three steps and sentries every five steps. At the city gate, not only are waist tags checked, but people are also searched and packages are inspected. Even the goods of caravans are opened and examined piece by piece.

If he sends his trusted confidants out of the city in disguise, and they are discovered, not only will he be executed by slow slicing, but the entire Tong family will also be implicated and wiped out.

More importantly, he was one of the few highly valuable inside agents within the Jurchen state.

Without Zu Dashou's explicit instructions and without a foolproof communication channel, he would never act rashly.

"Rather than risk being exposed, it's better to use someone else's hand."

A calculating glint flashed in Tong Guoyao's eyes.

He recalled his family's caravans that traded with Shenyang and Liaoyang year-round. Those caravans included both Jurchen managers and Han Chinese assistants. They traveled between Hetu Ala and Ming territory on weekdays. Although they were subject to inspections, they had more convenience than ordinary travelers because of their "grain transport and trade" status.

That evening, Tong Guoyao summoned the Han Chinese manager of the caravan under the pretext of "checking the accounts".

In the secret chamber, he dismissed his attendants, wrapped a note that read, "Huang Taiji is leading 20,000 troops toward Korea, with no ambushes along the way," inside a silver ingot, and slipped it into the steward's hand.
"Try to deliver this message to Manager Wang of the 'Shunhechang' trading company in Shenyang. Remember, if you encounter any checks on the way, just say it's ordinary business news and never mention anything else."

The steward was a refugee whom his grandfather, Tong Yangxing, had saved in his early years. He was extremely loyal to him. Although he did not know that the message on the note was related to the war situation, he understood that this matter was of great importance. He immediately bowed and agreed: "Don't worry, boss. I will do my best to deliver the message."

Tong Guoyao watched the steward's departing figure as he left overnight, but felt no relief whatsoever.

The caravan would have to avoid the checkpoints of Mingjing and traverse mountains and grasslands, taking at least twenty days to reach Shenyang.

In those twenty days, Huang Taiji's army may have already crossed the Yalu River.

But that's all he can do.

He had fulfilled his duty as an "insider," but whether the message could be delivered in time and whether the Ming court could seize the opportunity were beyond his control.

If a major event is truly delayed due to a lack of information, Zu Dashou cannot be blamed.

He delivered the message, but the journey was too long and could not be completed quickly by human effort.

Twenty days later.

Shenyang City.

Xiong Tingbi, the Liaodong military commissioner, frowned as he looked at the mountain of military reports piled up on his desk.

Since the Battle of Shenyang last year, he had ordered the strengthening of border patrols and close monitoring of the Jurchens' movements. However, reports from the past few days have shown that "the Jurchen cities are calm and there are no signs of large-scale troop movements."

It wasn't until this morning that a caravan manager, covered in snow and wind, stumbled into the "Shunhechang" trading company and handed the note to Manager Wang. Manager Wang then passed it through a secret passage to Xiong Tingbi's trusted lieutenant. Only then did this secret report, delayed for twenty days, finally reach Xiong Tingbi's desk.

"Huang Taiji...attacks Korea?"

Xiong Tingbi clenched the paper tightly, his expression changing drastically.

He strode to the Liaodong map hanging on the wall and traced the route from Hetu Ala to Korea with his fingertips.

Zhenjiangbao, Yizhou, Pyongyang...

This route is the same one the Jurchens used to plunder Korea. Huang Taiji's decision to launch an attack at this time clearly indicates that he is betting that the Ming Dynasty will not rashly launch a northern expedition.

But then he thought again and realized something was wrong: "With all 20,000 elite troops deployed, Hetu Ala must be vulnerable. The defenses of Fushun and Kaiyuan, where Daishan and Mangultai are stationed, are probably weak!"

He looked up at the window; the snow was still falling in Shenyang, but a fighting spirit ignited in Xiong Tingbi's eyes.

Although this belated news caused the Ming court to miss the initiative, it was not entirely useless.

If troops are mobilized immediately and the main force of the Jurchens is bogged down in the Korean battlefield, a surprise attack on Fushun and Kaiyuan can not only recover lost territory, but also cut off Huang Taiji's retreat route, and perhaps even rebuild the Jurchens in one fell swoop!
The moment Xiong Tingbi put away the secret report, he had already made up his mind.

This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity must not be missed again.

He immediately ordered his personal guards: "Invite the General of Shenyang, the General who is aiding Liaodong, and the deputy generals, guerrillas, and brigade commanders of all battalions. We will meet in the White Tiger Hall in half an hour!"

The sound of messenger hooves broke through the morning snow in Shenyang, and within half an hour, a group of generals arrived one after another.

The leader, General He Shixian of Shenyang, was dressed in black soft armor with a gleaming long sword hanging at his waist. However, his left shoulder slumped slightly as he walked, and his steps were somewhat hesitant.

During the Battle of Shenyang this year, he was seriously wounded while resisting the Jurchens' attack on the city. Although he has been recuperating for several months, his wound has not yet healed and he still feels a slight pain when he exerts himself.

Following closely behind was General Chen Ce, the commander-in-chief who was assisting Liaodong. His expression was calm, and his armor was still covered with snow dust, indicating that he had just arrived from the camp outside the city.

The most noteworthy figure is Deputy Commander-in-Chief Qi Jin.

This veteran, who is over sixty years old, is a direct descendant of Qi Jiguang's army. A few months ago, during the Battle of Shenyang, he fought bravely and fought to the death despite being wounded several times. Although he can now get out of bed and walk, he needs his personal guards to help him stand. The white hair at his temples looks even more weathered under the candlelight.

At the very back, the three officers of the Beijing Garrison, Man Gui, Ma Shilong, and He Gang, stood tall and were quite eye-catching.

They were all rising stars personally promoted by Emperor Zhu Youxiao. They missed the opportunity to make meritorious contributions during the Battle of Shenyang because of the long distance. At this moment, their eyes were filled with barely suppressed eagerness.

In addition, General Liu Xingzuo, the Earl of Weilu, and Deputy Commander Tong Zhongkui, among other generals, also joined the ranks, and the White Tiger Hall was instantly filled with figures clad in armor.

Xiong Tingbi sat upright in the main seat, his gaze sweeping over the generals. He saw Qi Jin being supported by his personal guards and standing in a corner, his face pale but his spine still straight. He couldn't help but feel a sense of respect.

Given Qi Jin's injuries, he shouldn't have been summoned, but this veteran general was the "pillar of strength" in the army.

His presence not only stabilized morale but also allowed him to offer sound advice based on his decades of battlefield experience.

This respect is not only an affirmation of Qi Jin personally, but also a comfort to all the soldiers who fought valiantly.

"This humble general pays his respects to the Commander-in-Chief!"

All the generals and soldiers bowed to Xiong Tingbi. "Generals, you may rise."

After the generals finished their bows, Xiong Tingbi raised his hand in a gesture of support, and without any pleasantries, went straight to the point:
"We just received a secret report that Huang Taiji has led 20,000 elite Eight Banner troops, armed with cannons, to Korea! The Jurchen heartland is now empty, and the garrison in the three cities of Fushun, Kaiyuan, and Tieling is less than 5,000, and most of them are old, weak, or disabled soldiers. Today is the perfect opportunity to reclaim these three lost territories!"

"What? Huang Taiji went to attack Korea?"

"Great! We can finally fight the Jurchens!!"

The moment the words were spoken, the hall erupted in chaos.

Man Gui was the first to lose his composure and took a step forward.

"My lord, I am willing to be the vanguard! I have been feeling deeply ashamed for not being able to participate in the Battle of Shenyang this year. This time, in the attack on Fushun, I will definitely take the lead and live up to His Majesty's great favor!"

Before he finished speaking, Ma Shilong and He Gang stepped forward, their eyes burning with urgency.

Seeing that Man Gui dared to seize the vanguard position, Ma Shilong immediately stepped forward and said, "Military Advisor Man, you are mistaken! In terms of cavalry charges, the cavalry of the Beijing Garrison under my command is superior. The vanguard position should rightfully belong to me!"

He Gang was not to be outdone.

"The walls of Fushun are strong; we must breach the city gates first! I am skilled in attacking fortified positions, and I am most suitable for the vanguard role!"

The three of them jostled and fought over it, and the hall suddenly became lively.

Looking at the three young generals, He Shixian smiled and was about to speak when he coughed twice, aggravating his wound.

Chen Ce quickly helped him up, then turned to Man Gui and the other two and said in a deep voice, "Generals, please calm down! The Grand Coordinator has not yet made arrangements, how can you compete for credit beforehand?"

Xiong Tingbi raised his hand to quell the argument in the hall, and the debate instantly subsided.

His gaze swept over the generals, and his tone was calm: "War, of course we must fight! But what I want is not a Pyrrhic victory, but to recover the three cities and strike the Jurchens hard at the lowest possible cost!"

Upon hearing Xiong Tingbi's words, Liu Xingzuo immediately understood Xiong Tingbi's meaning, stepped forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and said:

"I understand what you mean, General! Although the Jurchens are beset by internal and external troubles, they still have the strength to fight. Relying solely on our Ming army's frontal assault, I'm afraid we are not up to the task. To break this stalemate, we need to find allies and form an encirclement!"

Upon hearing this, Xiong Tingbi nodded heavily.

"That's right! Ligdan Khan of the Chahar tribe has been furious this year because the Jurchens plundered many of his cattle, sheep, and pastures. If we send an envoy to him, offering him gold, silver, and silk, and promising to return some of the pastures seized by the Jurchens after the war, he will surely be willing to send troops to fight the Jurchens together!"

He paused, pointing his finger to the locations of the Khorchin and Inner Khalkha tribes on the map, his gaze growing increasingly profound:
"Furthermore, the Jurchens are now weak and their people are restless. The Mongol tribes that originally submitted to them are not a monolithic entity."

Although the Khorchin tribe had previously formed an alliance with the Jurchens through marriage, they were now observing the situation as the Jurchens weakened; the Inner Khalkha tribe, on the other hand, had long been dissatisfied with the Jurchens for withholding their rewards.

If we can send someone to make contact, even if we can't get them to send troops to help us, just getting them to remain neutral and not support the Jurchens will greatly reduce the pressure on our northern front.”

At this point, Xiong Tingbi suddenly sighed, his tone tinged with regret:

"It's a pity... Now, within the Jurchen territory, Han Chinese are no longer valued and are even oppressed by the Eight Banners. If it were before, we could still turn Han Chinese within the Jurchen territory into internal agents to gather intelligence and disrupt the rear. But now, they don't even have the right to get close to the Jurchen's core camp. Trying to leverage their strength is as difficult as climbing to heaven."

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent.

After their defeat in Shenyang, the Jurchens became increasingly suspicious of the Han people. They not only reduced the military power of the Han bannermen, but also allowed the Eight Banners soldiers to plunder the property of the Han people, leading to either a Han people rising up in resistance or being completely suppressed.

This policy of "excluding Han people" caused the Jurchens to lose many capable people and their strength to decline, but it also unexpectedly made them more closed off internally.

The Ming army faced significantly increased difficulty in spying on the Jurchens' movements.

Just like when Huang Taiji secretly prepared to attack the Ming Dynasty, the Ming army only learned of it through spies a dozen or twenty days later, missing the best opportunity to prepare in advance.

"The Grand Marshal".

Liu Xingzuo stepped forward to ask for permission.

"I am willing to go to the Chahar tribe! Although Ligdan Khan is arrogant, he is also greedy. I am confident that I can persuade him to send troops to join forces with our army to attack the Jurchens!"

Xiong Tingbi looked at Liu Xingzuo with approval in his eyes.

Liu Xingzuo had lived on the grasslands and was familiar with their customs and the relationships between various tribes, making him the most suitable person to be sent as an envoy to the Chahar tribe.

He nodded and said, "Good! The task of persuading Ligdan Khan is now entrusted to you. On your journey, you may take ten thousand taels of silver and a hundred bolts of silk as gifts. Make sure he agrees to send troops to harass the Jurchen rear when our army attacks Fushun and Kaiyuan!"

"The last general takes command!"

Liu Xingzu bowed and agreed, already having a preliminary plan for his mission.

As for the Inner Khalkha and Khorchin tribes

Xiong Tingbi then changed the subject, his tone becoming cautious.
"It is not advisable to send envoys for the time being. These two tribes have been dealing with the Jurchens for many years, and their loyalty is still unclear. If we send people rashly, they may use them as a 'pledge of allegiance' to the Jurchens. Not only will we lose the envoys, but we will also expose our plans. It would be a one-way trip."

He paused, then continued, "It would be better to contact them by letter first, explain the advantages and disadvantages, and tell them that the Jurchens are now at their last gasp, and following them will only drag them into the abyss."

If we can cooperate with the Ming Dynasty, we will not only receive generous rewards in the future, but also reclaim the lands seized by the Jurchens. Let's first test their attitude before making any further plans.

Everyone nodded in agreement, approving of this prudent plan.

"Furthermore, send news of the Jurchen invasion of Korea to the capital and Liaoyang as soon as possible. We cannot allow the Jurchens to take Korea so easily."

Korea was a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty. If it were conquered by the Jurchens and became their vassal state, it would not only allow the Jurchens to reverse their decline, but also have an adverse impact on the situation in Liaodong.

This situation absolutely cannot be allowed to develop.

Do you, the Jurchens, want to rise again?
I, Da Ming, will kick you into a ditch!
"Leader!"

The clerk beside him immediately accepted the order and left, also dispatching messengers to deliver the message to Liaoyang and the capital with the utmost urgency.

Then, Xiong Tingbi's gaze swept over the generals in the hall.

When General He Shixian, Chen Ce, Qi Jin, Tong Zhongkui, and Lieutenant General Ma Shilong saw Xiong Tingbi's gaze, they all bowed and stood at attention, their eyes filled with fighting spirit.

He took a deep breath, and his tone became serious.

"Gentlemen, Huang Taiji has led the elite Jurchen troops to attack the court. In the areas of Fushun, Kaiyuan, and Tieling, only the remnants of Daishan and Mangultai remain to defend. This is the best opportunity for us to recover our lost territory!"

"These days, you must make good preparations for the great battle, inventory the weapons, train the soldiers, and prepare the provisions. You must be ready to go to war before the Earl of Weilu returns from his mission!"
Once Ligdan Khan agrees to send troops, we will immediately dispatch them, taking advantage of the Jurchen elites' absence, to recapture Fushun, Kaiyuan, and Tieling in one fell swoop, thus opening the passage to Hetu Ala!

"I will obey your orders!"

The generals responded in unison, their voices resounding throughout the council hall for a long time.

Recovering lost territory and achieving great merit was something these military generals had long wanted to do.

No need for Xiong Tingbi to say more.

Looking at the resolute faces of his generals, Xiong Tingbi felt a surge of pride in his heart.

The hard-fought battle to recapture Liaodong is about to begin.

The land and dignity lost before the Ming Dynasty will all be taken back by him!

Furthermore, he also wanted to tell the Tartars, and the Jurchens:
Offensive and defensive types have changed!
The situation in Liaodong, where the Ming army was previously weak, has changed.

If you don't serve the Ming Dynasty properly, just wait for the Ming Dynasty's swords to come and make you dead dogs!
Inscribed on Yanran Mountain, sealing the wolf's lair, drinking from the vast sea.
If those people in the Han Dynasty could do it, so can the warriors of my great Ming Dynasty!

Build a slave!

Wait for death!

(End of this chapter)