The Red Mansions

Chapter 1360 Jia Heng: Using one's own weaknesses to attack the enemy's strengths

Chapter 1360 Jia Heng: Using one's own weaknesses to attack the enemy's strengths...

Gaizhouwei

The air was filled with smoke from the red cannons, and the roar of cannons was heard. The cannons fell on the city walls, and then the earth and wood flew everywhere.

When his erection was about to rise, he suddenly felt a piercing pain in his leg. He looked closely and his pupils shrank. A blinding red color jumped into his eyes.

"My Lord, the Han army is rushing in and we can't stop them." The horseman said anxiously.

Ebilun endured the pain in his legs and said angrily: "There are still 20,000 Eight Banner warriors in the city, how can we not stop them!"

As shouts of killing rang out one after another, a large number of Han soldiers poured into the city like a tide and fought with the Eight Banners of the Jurchens.

The sabers and goose-feather swords collided with each other, making a crisp clanging sound, and then the sharp blade of the steel sword broke through the heavy armor and fell on the torso with a "swish" sound.

A large number of Jiangnan navy soldiers poured into the city and fought with the Eight Banners of the Jurchens. The two sides' weapons collided, and the sound of ping-pong was endless.

The shouts and cries of killing shook the sky.

In fact, Ebilun was right in one thing. Although the Jurchen troops could not defend the city, it did not mean that they would collapse quickly after the city was captured.

Nearly 20,000 elite soldiers of the Eight Banners were quite capable of fighting. At this moment, when they were fighting with the Jiangnan Navy, the battle situation became a little tense for a while.

When Ebilun saw this scene, he suddenly came to his senses and shouted, "The Qing Dynasty should not defend the city, but should go out to fight in the field. Tell the relevant soldiers to attack with all their strength and drive the Han dogs out!"

The Jurchens' strength was not in defending cities. Previously, they could only passively take hits from the Han army's red cannons. It would have been better for them to take the initiative.

"Yes."

The officers and soldiers around him looked solemn and responded in unison.

A large number of Jurchen officers and soldiers led the elite soldiers of the Eight Banners and began street fighting with the Han army in the city. Therefore, there was no situation of immediate defeat as soon as the city was broken.

On the contrary, the Han army lacked the support of red-haired cannons and muskets, and its suppression of the Jurchen troops was much weaker.

"Dong dong..."

At this moment, the sound of cowhide drums outside the city was as dense as raindrops. All of a sudden, a large number of Han soldiers rushed into the city and engaged in street fighting with the Han army.

Ebilun's reaction speed was also very timely. Especially after the two sides' troops were entangled, the Red Cannon could not be fired and the thunder bombs were useless. The combat effectiveness of the elite Jurchen soldiers increased instead of decreased.

Wei Che led his Jiangnan navy, which was divided into six teams, to attack the Eight Banners of the Jurchens, firmly maintaining the advantage in military strength.

The elite troops of the Eight Banners of the Jurchens lived up to their name and fought hard in the long streets and alleys. In some local areas, they even caused the Han army's front line to waver and retreat rapidly.

Jia Heng watched this scene, frowning secretly and saying nothing.

Prince Beijing Shui Rong whispered: "Duke Weiguo, this..."

Jia Heng said, "Your Majesty, wait a moment."

King Chen Qin of Chu also looked more serious and worried.

……

……

In Xiongyue City, not far from Gaizhou City, the city’s defender Du Lai, wearing heavy black iron armor and with a resolute face, was patrolling the city’s defenses with a saber in hand.

At this moment, he arrived in front of the city gate tower, and a pair of cold eyes fell on the Han army formation in the distance, with anger surging in his eyes.

This deputy governor of the Bordered White Banner of the Qing Dynasty had also sensed the crisis in Gaizhou City a few miles away through scouts.

A large number of Han troops have rushed into Gaizhou City, and the situation in the city is extremely precarious.

"General, the situation in Gaizhou City is not good." The deputy general reminded from the side.

Du Lai frowned, his face gradually becoming as solemn as iron, and said: "You stay in the city, I will personally lead a group of soldiers to help Lord Beile."

The deputy general bowed in response.

Afterwards, Du Lai gathered 6,000 soldiers and marched along at lightning speed, intending to rescue Gaizhou City.

As the soldiers of Xiongyue City moved, Ye Kai outside the city also noticed the movement. He turned to the two generals Jia Chang and Jia Ling and said, "General Jia, the Jurchens have moved."

In the past few days, Ye Kai and Jia Chang's troops were more focused on surveillance. Every day, they only launched tentative attacks with a small number of soldiers and red cannons, putting a certain amount of defensive pressure on Xiong Yue City.

Jia Chang's face was stern, his eyes fell on Xiongyue City, and he said in a deep voice: "General Ye, you and I will stop these reinforcements and prevent them from interfering in the attack and defense of Gaizhou City."

Ye Kai responded, and then led his officers to launch a flank attack on the Jurchen soldiers who were leaving the city.

Jia Ling led his troops to raid the two generals' camp.

Because they had already received Jia Heng's military order before launching the general attack, the two knew that this was to cooperate with the siege of Gaizhou City.

Thousands of Jiangnan navy formed a battle array to block Du Lai's reinforcements, and the two sides fought together on the vast fields.

There were bursts of shouts and cries that shook the wilderness. Although the Han army's Jiangnan navy troops were slightly defeated by the fierce Jurchens, they remained fearless in front of the army.

The Yongning Prison City, on the other hand, was an inconspicuous small city. The Tianjin Guard's navy, led by An Shaocheng and Mao Shun, the left and right commanders of the Tianjin Guard, surrounded the Yongning Prison City.

The two armies also had a lot of soldiers and horses, and they were also equipped with some red cannons. At this moment, with the rumbling sound of cannons, they were bombarding Yongning Prison City continuously.

Mao Shun said to An Shaocheng standing beside him, "The power and range of this red cannon are really sharp. It can be used to attack cities and capture strongholds, and it will be successful wherever it is used."

An Shaocheng nodded, his eyes full of confidence, and said: "Although the Jurchens also have cannons, they are still not as good as our Han people."

Even though the Jurchen defenders in the city wanted to rush to the aid of Gaizhou City, they were powerless and could only fight to the death with the troops of the two generals.

Shouts and cries of killing also rang out, shaking the sky.

At this moment, the three cities of Gaizhou were filled with cries of killing.

Gaizhou City

A few miles in front of the city gate——

Under a large banner of the central army embroidered with auspicious clouds and flame patterns, Jia Heng held a monocular telescope in his hand, gazing at everything happening on the city gate, his eyes flashing fiercely, thinking to himself, they are truly worthy of being the elite founding soldiers of a parallel universe, they are not defeated even in this way.

King Chen Qin of Chu was watching the battle from a distance. He saw a look of delight in his sinister eyes and said with a smile, "It's really like a broken bamboo, and it's a one-shot victory."

This credit should probably be attributed to...his timely escort of the weapons to the front line, otherwise, who knows how many more twists and turns it would have taken.

An expression of reverence also appeared on the jade-like face of Beijing Prince Shui Rong. His eyes moved around and he would steal a glance at the young man in the python robe from time to time.

Zi Yu is indeed a great general of the time, unparalleled in the world.

I wonder what kind of experience Xueer has.

At this moment, Shui Rong even felt a little envious of his own princess.

Under Chen Xiao's curved willow-leaf eyebrows, her bright eyes sparkled like a crescent of stars, bright and dazzling, and there was something strange in her heart.

I'm afraid Shui Rong is planning on her man right now.

After all, after being with Jia Heng for a long time, she could naturally keenly capture the deep meaning in Prince Beijing Shui Rong's eyes.

Chen Xiao suppressed some absurd thoughts in his mind, stared at the young man, and said: "The elite troops of the Eight Banners of the Jurchens in the city still have the strength to resist, and there will be many casualties soon."

Jia Heng nodded and said, "The Jiangnan navy has not been tempered on the battlefield, so it is difficult for them to gain an overwhelming advantage."

Defending the city did limit the combat output of the elite Jurchen Eight Banners, and they fell into the trap of competing with the Han army in firepower.

It means using one's own weakness to attack the enemy's strength.

Of course, even if Ebilun led his troops in a field battle, the Han army might not be unable to cope with it. At that time, there would be a stalemate, and it would never be as easy to break the city as it is now.

Jia Heng shouted, "Come here, escort all the troops to the central army."

An officer not far behind him responded and left to mobilize his troops.

Although Kang Hong took away 20,000 cavalry, the troops from Hebei brought 30,000 this time, and there were 10,000 to be used as Jia Heng's central army to respond to various emergencies.

As Jia Heng gave the order, a large number of soldiers behind him were divided into more than ten teams and sent into the battlefield. Nearly ten thousand central army soldiers from the land of Yan and Zhao were sent to the battlefield again, which became the last straw that broke the camel's back.

These Hebei soldiers were essentially frontier troops. They had participated in the entire northern war triggered by the Battle of Ping'an Prefecture. Therefore, at this moment, they were surging like a tide, rushing all the way to the outside of the city to provide support.

The counterattack of the elite Jurchen Eight Banners was quickly suppressed.

Prince Beijing Shui Rong nodded, his voice unable to conceal his excitement, and said, "The overall situation has been decided."

King Chen Qin of Chu also showed a trace of joy on his face, saying: "Once Gaizhou City is captured, the Jurchens have lost at least another 20,000 elite soldiers."

Looking back to the past, the Han Dynasty was terrified when facing 10,000 Jurchen soldiers and horses. But in just a few years, the offensive and defensive situations have been reversed.

"There are still many enemy soldiers in Xiongyue City and Yongningjian City." Chen Xiao reminded with a pair of bright eyes under his curved willow-leaf eyebrows.

Jia Heng's sword-like brows were covered with cold eyes, and he said in a deep voice, "They are too busy to take care of themselves, and they are even more unable to send troops to help."

Gu Ruoqing stared at the two of them from the side, her snow-white face showing a thoughtful look.

Afterwards, just as Jia Heng had said, a large number of Han troops rushed towards the city, like a ball of burning fire, covering the entire city wall.

At this moment, the fighting was in full swing in the city. A large number of generals from the Eight Banners of the Jurchens were fighting with the Han army soldiers, but they were defeated under the fierce offensive of the Han army and soon gathered in the center of the city.

A large number of Han soldiers from the border towns of Hebei poured into the city, surrounded the Jurchen bannermen from all sides, and strangled them layer by layer.

At this moment, the total strength of the Han army was about 50,000 to 60,000, while the Jurchen soldiers were less than 20,000. The Han court's troops were several times larger than those of the Jurchens.

With the majority defeating the minority, the outcome is predictable.

Ebilun rejected his followers' suggestion to retreat. At this moment, he was riding on a horse, leading a group of personal guards, holding a long sword, and urging his bannermen to fight with the Han soldiers.

At this moment, looking from the sky, the Han soldiers and the Jurchen soldiers were engaged in a fierce battle. The two sides fought together, and the fiery red uniforms representing the Han army's strength swept over like flames.

Wei Che, the admiral of the Jiangnan Navy, saw this crucial scene and also led a group of soldiers to surround the city from outside.

Like arrows, they tore apart the defense line hastily built by the elite troops of the Eight Banners of the Jurchens using the streets and alleys.

It is in disarray and unsustainable.

At this moment, miserable groans could be heard from the elite Eight Banners soldiers under Ebilun.

Ebilun also realized that his soldiers were gradually on the verge of defeat.

The general beside him looked anxious and said, "Lord Beile, the Han army has more soldiers. Our army is doomed. Let's retreat."

Ebilun rode on his horse, drew his saber, and said indignantly: "Now that Gaizhou City has been captured, how can I face the emperor and fight the Han army to the last man!"

"Everyone, it's time to serve the emperor." Ebilun shouted loudly, and the surrounding grooms sang in unison and charged towards the surging Jiangnan navy.

……

……

By evening, the sky was filled with sunset glow, and golden red rays of the setting sun shone on the black and red city walls, which were wet, sticky and in a mess with blood.

"We are at the foot of Gaizhou city." Chen Xiao's icy face did not show the joy that was on the face of King Chen Qin of Chu.

After all, he had been through many storms with Jia Heng, so his voice was almost as calm as an ancient well, extremely peaceful.

Instead, it was Gu Ruoqing who was watching from the side. Perhaps because he was concentrating, or perhaps because he was too concerned, he became more worried.

Jia Heng raised his eyebrows, his eyes sparkling, and said in a clear voice: "Let's go into the city."

Then, without further ado, accompanied by a group of royal guards, they marched into the city through the city gate at sunset in the autumn.

Gu Ruoqing naturally followed closely beside Jia Heng, but her cold and bright eyes never left the young man in the python robe with his cold and resolute brows.

Or, it is hard not to be so. Older, high-quality single women are falling in love, with their hearts entirely fixed on their lovers.

At this moment, the corpses and the battlefield had not been completely cleaned up, and there was still a pungent and unpleasant smell of blood in the air, filling the air.

Gu Ruoqing stared at the scene with her beautiful eyebrows like willow leaves, and felt inexplicably shocked. The corpses were lying on the ground in all directions, and the deaths were almost horrible to look at.

Jia Heng said in a deep voice: "Order Ye Kai, Jia Ling, Jia Chang and the soldiers from Xiong Yuecheng and Yongning City to not let them escape and to pursue them with all their might."

Afterwards, the Jinyi Guards took the order and left to deliver the message to the three generals.

Jia Heng, accompanied by his personal guards, entered the government hall. At this moment, the soldiers in the hall had already been cleared out in advance by the Jinyi Guards and the generals of the Jiangnan Navy.

The Jinyi Guards, wearing black cloaks and embroidered flying fish robes underneath, walked along the official steps of the yamen all the way to the front of the yamen with solemn expressions and sharp eyes.

Jia Heng sat down behind a lacquered wooden desk and asked, "Have the casualties in various parts of the city be reported to us."

Chen Xiao nodded, and then ordered the Jinyi Guards to go and pass on the message.

Prince Beijing Shui Rong said: "Zi Yu, the elite troops of the Eight Banners of the Jurchens are so brave, I'm afraid it will be difficult to attack Shengjing City."

Jia Heng sneered and said, "There aren't many old soldiers like this among the Jurchens. One less soldier will be killed."

The founding soldiers were naturally brave and valiant, but there were only about a hundred thousand of them, and they were wiped out several times. The Qing Dynasty had actually lowered the military quality of the Eight Banners through various military expansions.

Not long after, Wei Che, the admiral of the Jiangnan Navy, walked quickly into the city, bowed and said, "I greet the Duke of Wei."

Jia Heng looked at Wei Che with a dignified gaze and asked, "Admiral Wei, what are the casualties between the enemy and us?"

Wei Che's broad face was still stained with blood, his eyes were gleaming, and he said in a deep voice, "Reporting to the Duke of Wei, the Jurchen leader Ebilun was killed in the battle. Our Han people annihilated nearly 10,000 bandits, with more than 4,000 casualties. The Eastern Bandits probably... 4,000 to 5,000 people escaped, and our army is pursuing them."

After Ebilun was killed in battle, several Jurchen generals did not choose to fight the Han army head-on, but led the remaining troops to flee northward.

Relying on his familiarity with the terrain, he managed to escape the pursuit of the Han army.

In short, out of the more than 20,000 soldiers in Gaizhou City, only four or five thousand escaped.

Jia Heng nodded and asked, "We must not let go of the other defeated soldiers either. We must search and pursue them with all our strength."

Wei Che clasped his hands and said, "The Jurchens fled northward from the city gate. The Hebei border troops are leading their troops in pursuit, and the casualties have not yet been counted."

Jia Heng looked at Li Shu, the deputy commander of the Jinyi Guards, and said, "Xiong Yuecheng, the Jurchen soldiers in Yongning City have fled. Ye Kai, Jia Chang, Jia Ling and others have not returned yet. Go check the situation and send someone to report quickly."

"Yes, Governor." Li Shu bowed and walked away quickly.

Jia Heng once again looked at Wei Che and said, "Admiral Wei, let your soldiers eat and rest first. Tomorrow, except for the cavalry that will pursue the Jurchen soldiers, all other troops will rest for a day."

In this battle, the Eight Banners soldiers under Ebilun fought desperately, while the Jiangnan Navy suffered heavy casualties and would face fierce battles along the way.

In fact, to some extent, it is somewhat inappropriate for the Jiangnan Navy to serve as the main force in the attack.

However, the elite regiments of the Beijing Camp were not transferred here.

Wei Che bowed and said, "I will take my leave as ordered."

Having said this, he left the military tent.

Beijing Prince Shui Rong's fair and clear face showed a prosperous smile, and he said: "Zi Yu, now that Gaizhou has been conquered, my Han Dynasty can have a foothold here."

Jia Heng nodded and said softly, "Your Highness is right, but how can we allow others to sleep soundly beside our bed? The Jurchens will certainly not tolerate our army staying here permanently. I'm afraid they have already lost their way."

It can be said that until this moment, the so-called strategy of attacking the Jurchens by sea finally saw the light of day.

Prince Beijing Shui Rong asked: "What is Zi Yu's next plan? Will he continue to advance and attack Shengjing directly, or wait for the Jurchen troops?"

Because his Jiangnan navy and Hebei border troops had a 70% to 80% chance of failing to achieve the strategic goal of pacifying Liaodong.

While Jia Heng and Prince Beijing were talking, a Jinyifu guard came from outside, strode into the government office, and said, "Report to the governor, General Jia Ling sent his personal soldiers to say that Xiongyue City and Yongning Prison City have been breached, and invites the army to enter the city."

Hearing this, Jia Heng raised his eyes to look at the faces of the King of Chu and the King of Beijing, and said loudly: "At this point, the three cities are complete, and there will be no more recurrences in Gaizhou Weicheng."

King Chen Qin of Chu smiled and said, "Zi Yu, I brought a lot of wine and meat this time, which can be used to reward the officers and soldiers under your command."

Jia Heng nodded and said gently, "Let's prepare some wine and meat today to reward the soldiers."

King Chen Qin of Chu, accompanied by his chief secretary Liao Xian, and chief clerk Feng Ci, went to handle the matter.

Jia Heng looked at Beijing Prince Shui Rong who was standing beside him and said, "Your Highness, it's getting late. Let's have dinner together and wait until tomorrow to send out the troops."

Prince Beijing Shui Rong nodded.

This time he was more of an assistant to Zi Yu in commanding his troops, and did not actually fight in the battle.

In fact, high-ranking military ministers like Jia Heng and Beijing Prince Shui Rong had few opportunities to lead troops in battle.

……

……

(End of this chapter)