Chapter 521: Insolence!

Wang Dou had originally planned to hold out against the Qing army at Songshan, ideally inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy.

But plans could not keep pace with change — the Qing army launched a fierce assault on Jinzhou, and he had no choice but to advance to its relief. After all, at this stage, the Qing forces were far more numerous than in history, and Jinzhou was also harder to defend than in history.

He asked Hong Chengchou's aides to bring out the sand table, which Wang Dou had gifted to Hong Chengchou a few days earlier. It depicted Jinzhou city and some of the surrounding terrain. Though not as exquisite as the sand tables used by the Jingbian Army, it was already quite rare, and after receiving it, Hong Chengchou had treasured it like a precious gem, allowing few people to approach it.

Everyone gathered around, and Wang Dou explained while pointing at the sand table: "The terrain of Jinzhou city is roughly surrounded by water on three sides. The Xiaoling River winds from the northwest around the city to its south; the Nüer River flows from the city's southwest to its south; and on the city's eastern side is the Baigu River. All these waters converge not far west of Xiaolinghe Fort, then meander southeast into the sea."

Wang Dou continued: "North of Xiaolinghe Fort is Mount Zijing, and south of it, across the Xiaoling River, is Mount Shimen. In the past, the slave rebels stationed heavy troops on these ridges, but since our forces captured Huangtuling, the slave soldiers on these two mountains have grown fewer and fewer. Recently, not a single slave soldier can be seen on Mount Zijing, and only a few thousand Tatars remain on Mount Shimen, with all their mountain cannons withdrawn."

Wang Dou spoke at length, and everyone nodded. His explanation was clear and lucid, giving everyone a crisp, intuitive sense of the situation. Of course, the sand table deserved part of the credit — ordinary maps could never achieve such an effect.

Wang Dou said: "Southwest of Mount Shimen is Mount Rufeng. The slave troops there have also dwindled considerably, now numbering less than ten thousand, and the cannons deployed on the mountain have likewise all been withdrawn."

"Where have their troops gone?"

He thrust several small flags emphatically into the northern part of Jinzhou city, and then the western zone: "Right here."

Sweeping his gaze over the assembly, Wang Dou's eyes blazed: "Originally, the slave rebels besieged Jinzhou, erecting eight great camps around the city and digging three long trench lines. Their main force was the Manchu Bordered Red Banner and Plain Red Banner; counting all the auxiliaries and laborers, they numbered about thirty thousand or more."

"After the slave rebels concentrated their forces, the slave troops now massed on all four sides of Jinzhou city have reached one hundred twenty to one hundred thirty thousand men. There are also slave troops at Baimiao Fort, estimated at no fewer than fifty thousand, and at Yizhou and other places, tens of thousands more. Of course, the exact numbers cannot be confirmed by intelligence, but the general disposition of the slave forces should be roughly like this."

Everyone drew a cold breath. Because the Qing troops had intensified their counter-reconnaissance efforts, the scouts of every division had been ineffective; only through the heroic sacrifice of the Jingbian Army's night scouts had this precious intelligence been obtained. Although the Qing army had suffered several thousand casualties at the Battle of Huangtuling, it was clearly far from a crippling blow — their troop strength remained extremely formidable.

Wang Dou concluded: "All the intelligence already makes it very clear: the slave rebels are employing the tactic of besieging the city to strike at our relief force. At present, Mount Shimen has few troops and is easy to capture. If we take Mount Shimen, our forces can strike west at Mount Rufeng, or follow the Xiaoling River route at the mountain's base to continuously transport grain, fodder, and firewood into Jinzhou city."

He saw everyone nodding, apparently sharing this view. He smiled and said with certainty: "This is also the slave rebels' trap."

"The slave rebels' trap?"

Wu Sangui mused: "Could it be that the slave rebels intend to strike while we are mid-crossing?"

Wang Dou laughed: "General Wu, your insight is profound and your judgment outstanding — truly worthy of a Tiger General of Liaodong."

Everyone laughed heartily. Wu Sangui, praised so highly by Wang Dou, felt both flattered and startled, and then, suddenly aware of his own reaction, could not help sighing inwardly.

Wang Dou said: "Indeed. With the slave rebels' great army massed outside Jinzhou city, would they simply watch as our forces calmly and unhurriedly transport supplies? They will certainly intercept."

He continued: "And to control the river route, one must cross the river and occupy the open fields east of Jinzhou city. With over a hundred thousand rebel cavalry, would they just watch as our forces cross at leisure? A great battle is unavoidable."

"The mounted scouts report back that the slave cannons are now all concentrated outside Jinzhou city. The slaves have iron cavalry and sharp firearms and cannon. If our river-crossing force is too small, it will be no match for them; if the crossing force is too large, it will be tantamount to fighting a pitched stalemate against the slave cavalry right under the walls of Jinzhou."

"Crossing these mountains and ridges, how extremely difficult is it to transport grain, fodder, and heavy supplies? Even shipping supplies along the Xiaoling River would hardly meet the great army's needs."

Wang Dou sighed: "Moreover, with the main force massed beneath the city walls, not to mention Xingshan, even Songshan city itself would be left undefended. And the slaves can assault Jinzhou fiercely as the battle situation dictates, without worrying that our forces will not advance to its rescue."

Everyone frowned at the sand table in silence. Indeed, Jinzhou city was the Ming army's soft underbelly — not rescuing it was impossible, but rescuing it meant falling into the Tatars' cunning trap. Each man had originally thought that the Qing army's withdrawal from Mount Shimen might offer a cheap advantage, but it turned out to be a snare.

Many officers also watched Wang Dou speak at length, his every word true insight and sound judgment, and showed expressions of admiration. That the Loyal and Brave Count had reached this point was no fluke. Only Ma Ke, seeing Wang Dou steal the spotlight, felt intense jealousy in his heart.

Hong Chengchou concentrated in deep thought for a long while, then asked Wang Dou: "Does the Loyal and Brave Count have a brilliant plan?"

Everyone looked at Wang Dou. Yang Guozhu, Wang Pu, and others had already learned of Wang Dou's strategy on the road, but of course they would not reveal it now.

Wang Dou said fiercely: "Since the slave rebels' scheme is thus, how can we act according to their wishes? We should do the opposite — feign an attack on Mount Shimen, while the main army advances west from Songshan Fort, pressing toward the Nüer River."

Everyone was taken aback. Before anyone could speak, Ma Ke already sneered: "Is the Loyal and Brave Count making sport of us? A few days ago, Regional Commander Wu proposed attacking Mount Rufeng first to open the westward route, and many senior generals present agreed. It was the Loyal and Brave Count who strenuously objected, urging us to attack Huangtuling and Songshanling first. Now you've turned full circle — all this back-and-forth, wasting troops and supplies..."

He laughed coldly and said: "Does the Loyal and Brave Count imagine that these hundred thousand-plus troops at Songshan are all your private soldiers and retainers, to be toyed with at will?"

Wang Dou flew into a great rage and roared: "Insolence!"

He pointed at Ma Ke's nose and said: "My wholehearted devotion to the country — how dare you slander it so wantonly?"

His gaze was icy: "Time and again, with your sneers and barbs, you oppose me. Regional Commander Ma, what exactly are you trying to do?"

Wang Dou's sudden outburst caught Ma Ke off guard, and Wang Dou's merciless words left him utterly unable to save face before the assembly.

His face turned pale, then flushed. He suddenly realized that his actions just now had been a colossal mistake, but now, having mounted the tiger, he could hardly dismount, and could only force himself to say: "I was merely commenting on the matter at hand."

"Commenting on the matter at hand? Is that what you were doing?"

Wang Dou, hands behind his back, walked toward him step by step and said coldly: "I know. You've long been resentful of me. Is it because when the routed troops broke through the lines, your kinsman Ma Fuming was killed by me? In great army operations, there is only advance, no retreat. Never mind Ma Fuming — if you, Ma Ke, dared to rout and flee in chaos, I would kill you just the same. Do you believe that?"

With every step Wang Dou advanced, Ma Ke retreated one step, beads of sweat the size of soybeans streaming down his forehead. The icy, oppressive force emanating from Wang Dou pressed down on him until he could scarcely breathe, and in his heart he regretted it so bitterly his bowels turned green.

The hall was utterly silent; no one spoke. No one had imagined that Wang Dou's wrath could be so terrifying, and many were frozen into silence like cicadas in winter.

In ordinary times, Wang Dou was all affability, which made people overlook his other side. Only now did everyone suddenly realize: this was the man who held the strongest army under heaven, who had once slaughtered the slave rebels until their corpses piled like mountains and their blood ran like rivers — not someone whose tiger's whiskers could be lightly stroked.

Han Chao and Zhong Xiancai also glared angrily at Ma Ke. The dignity of the Grand General could not be offended, and Zhong Xiancai, watching Wang Dou's figure, had eyes that sparkled brightly.

Amid the eerie silence in the hall, a voice rang out — it was Wang Pu who spoke: "This is utterly outrageous."

He said indignantly: "As the saying goes, one time is not another. Back then, the slave rebels were entrenched on Huangtuling and Songshanling. Without capturing those two ridges, how could the safety of Songshan Fort be guaranteed? Without capturing those two ridges, how could the drinking water for over a hundred thousand troops be secured? Without capturing those two ridges, even the thought of attacking Mount Shimen would have been groundless. The Loyal and Brave Count's wholehearted devotion has been suspected of ulterior motives — truly, it chills the heart."

One remark stirred up a thousand waves. The officers in the hall spoke up one after another, also feeling that Ma Ke had been unprincipled.

Fu Yingchong, now fully awake, chimed in repeatedly: "Indeed, indeed, this is utterly outrageous. Truly, it chills the heart."

Yang Guozhu also furrowed his brow and said: "If he had a differing opinion, Regional Commander Ma could very well have expressed it civilly, offering counsel for the great army. Such caustic and mean-spirited behavior — how can that be the way of a general?"

Li Fuming, the Regional Commander of Shanxi, shook his head. He was of a bold and forthright character, and he too could not stomach Ma Ke's conduct.

Zhang Ruoqi rebuked Ma Ke: "Nonsense. The battle situation shifts from moment to moment; that day was that day, and now is now. How can one be shackled to fixed norms and past circumstances? If Regional Commander Ma has a good plan, by all means state it. How can he make such reckless, slanderous remarks and chill the hearts of his colleagues?"

Hong Chengchou and Wang Chengen also furrowed their brows. Army Supervisors Zhang Dou, Cai Maode, and others looked at Wang Dou with some surprise — only now did they understand Wang Dou's temper.

Zuo Guangxian stroked his own unkempt beard and hair and said to Ma Ke: "Old Ma, if you have something to say, say it properly. This kind of veiled attack — I can't stand by and watch."

Ma Ke's heart felt as though it had fallen into an ice pit, and chill after chill rose up his spine. Of all the people present, not one spoke up for him; it was as if a thousand fingers were pointing at him, leaving him utterly dejected. The several Shanhai Pass officers behind him felt equally humiliated, and each stood motionless, lest others notice them.

Finally, Ma Ke cast a pleading look toward Wu Sangui, Tang Tong, and the others. Wu Sangui's eyes shifted, and he said gravely: "Commander Ma, you have misspoken. Quickly, apologize to the Loyal and Brave Count. The Loyal and Brave Count is magnanimous and will surely not hold it against you."

Tang Tong smoothed things over: "Yes, yes, quickly apologize."

Ma Ke looked again toward the Viceroy of Jiliao, Hong Chengchou, but saw that Hong Chengchou's expression was displeased as he said sternly: "Will Regional Commander Ma not offer his apologies to the Loyal and Brave Count?"

He looked again at Wang Chengen, whose face was likewise dark and unhappy.

Abruptly, Ma Ke's face broke into a broad smile. He lightly slapped his own mouth twice: "Look at this foul mouth of mine — truly deserves a beating, deserves a beating."

Then he bowed repeatedly to Wang Dou: "I'm just a blunt man, all mouth and no heart. Loyal and Brave Count, do not take offense, do not take offense."

Seeing that he could still smile, everyone present marveled at the thickness of his skin; even Wu Sangui and the others averted their gazes.

Wang Dou looked at him for a moment, then a smile also appeared on his face. He said: "How could I possibly take offense at Commander Ma? We are all serving the imperial court — disputes are unavoidable."

The two men chatted and laughed amiably, as if the earlier incident had never happened, and even walked back to the sand table hand in hand.

Everyone in the hall breathed a sigh of relief; the matter was finally over. When Wang Dou had flared up just now, everyone had felt their hearts tremble with fear — it was terrifying.

Hong Chengchou said sternly, "This matter ends here. Should it happen again, I, your Viceroy, will show no mercy."

Wang Chengen looked Wang Dou over again and again, then said coolly that debate was permissible, but baseless slander was not. If it jeopardized vital military and state affairs, he, as Army Supervisor, would certainly submit an impeachment memorial.

Ma Ke nodded so rapidly his head bobbed like a chicken pecking rice. "Yes, yes, the Viceroy and the Army Supervisor's teachings — this lowly general will engrave them upon his heart."

Zhang Ruoqi stroked his long beard and chuckled. "There, there — disputes among colleagues are quite normal. So long as they are not born of personal spite, they are all welcome. Military intelligence is urgent; let us resume our deliberations."

Hong Chengchou cleared his throat and looked toward Wang Dou. "A moment ago, the Loyal and Brave Count proposed a westward advance. Please elaborate in detail."

Wang Dou nodded. "The slave-thieves' intent is obvious: to lure our army before the walls of Jinzhou. But why should our army let them lead us by the nose? The westward advance strategy is precisely about this."

Pointing at the sand table, he said, "Our army feigns an attack on Mount Shimen while the main force advances west, striking toward the Nüer River. If we can cross the river, we can first neutralize the trench-and-stockade defenses the slave-thieves have set south of Jinzhou; second, we can attack Jinchangbao; third, we can strike Baimiaobao. The plan is extremely flexible."

He continued, "Of course, the slave chieftains are no ordinary men. They will certainly see through our army's intent. When our army advances west, they will surely redeploy their forces to intercept us along the Nüer River. If the slave-thieves commit few troops, they cannot stop us. If they commit many, then the forces besieging Jinzhou will be drained away, and the siege of Jinzhou will be lifted at once."

Hong Chengchou nodded slowly. Ma Ke exclaimed loudly, "Brilliant! Truly brilliant! Advancing west from Songshanbao to the Nüer River is a flat, open plain — transporting heavy supplies or provisions is extremely easy. If the two main forces stalemate there, it is far superior to the Mount Shimen sector."

Wang Dou smiled. "That is precisely the reasoning. Marshal Ma truly deserves his reputation as a veteran general; he sees the strategic advantages and disadvantages at a single glance."

Ma Ke said modestly, "Not at all, not at all. Compared to the Loyal and Brave Count, this marshal is far, far behind."

Hong Chengchou mused, "In that case, we must divide our forces into two routes. Although Mount Shimen is a feint, if we can seize it and reach the riverbank directly, it will be far more convenient to support the Jinzhou garrison in the days to come."

He looked around at everyone in the hall. "Who is willing to go and seize Mount Shimen?"

Wu Sangui was the first to step forward and declared with fervor, "Reporting to Viceroy Hong, this lowly general is willing to go!"

Ma Ke's eyes flickered. He also clasped his fist and said, "This lowly general is also willing to go, and fight the enemy shoulder to shoulder with General Wu."

Tang Tong glanced at Wu Sangui, then at Ma Ke, and hurriedly said, "Reporting to Viceroy Hong, this lowly general is also willing to go."

Hong Chengchou was very pleased. "Good. The vile slaves around Jinzhou are thick as weeds and cannot be dislodged quickly. In times past, you gentlemen all vowed to repay the nation with your utmost. Now the moment has come. I hope you will all fight to the death with all your strength."

He issued the strategic directive: in this battle, they must neither underestimate the enemy and advance rashly, nor hang back and watch. Once the Qing main force had been drawn away, they were to seize the opportunity to cross the river and advance west, linking up with the Jinzhou defenders into a single front.

He said, "This battle is no reckless fight. It must be a proper engagement launched with unorthodox tactics; only then can the engagement be sustained. Defense is not merely passive defense in name; one must defend while also engaging, and only then can the defense hold."

Wu Sangui and the others all received the instruction with deference. Ma Ke and Tang Tong even thumped their chests until they boomed like mountains, swearing that if they failed to carry out the directive, they would offer their heads.

Hong Chengchou nodded with satisfaction. For someone of his proud disposition, the attitude of Wu Sangui and the others pleased him greatly.

Next came the assignment of personnel for the two routes.

The three Regional Commanders — Wu Sangui and the others — with nearly fifty thousand men, would attack Mount Shimen. They would further divide into two columns: one to strike West Shimen, the other to advance along the Xiaoling River, pass through Shuishouying, and fight their way straight to the Baigu River. The two forces would rendezvous on the riverbank north of Mount Shimen and await the opportunity to cross.

Ma Ke vehemently demanded fire support from the Divine Machine Battalion or the Jingbian Army's cannons.

However, intelligence indicated that the Qing defensive line at Mount Shimen made extensive use of earth-filled sacks placed forward, rendering the solid shot of the Red Barbarian cannons ineffective. Moreover, the undulating terrain was unfavorable for moving heavy cannons, and the slave-thief forces on this mountain were weak — the wagon-fort firepower of the various garrisons would suffice.

After discussion, they decided to send only mortars from the Divine Machine Battalion for support, firing poison shells and ash shells, along with some rocket-arrow carts to accompany them.

Wang Dou pondered. The battle for Mount Shimen and the future link-up with the Jinzhou garrison was the secondary theater of this campaign. The forces of the three Regional Commanders under Wu Sangui were sufficient.

The crux of the campaign was the main force's westward march. Additionally, they had to seize Mount Shuangzi, Maojiagou, and other points, while also guarding against Qing cavalry from Rufeng Mountain. Thus, after deliberation, Wang Dou, Yang Guozhu, Wang Pu, Fu Yingchong, Li Fuming, Zuo Guangxian, and others, along with Hong Chengchou's Viceroy Personal Battalion and the remnants of the Jizhou Garrison — roughly eighty thousand troops in total — would all attack westward.

A large quantity of cannons and rockets would accompany the army's advance.

As for the original Liaodong officers and men at Songshanbao and other points, they would remain to garrison the fortifications.

After careful discussion, they set the date for attacking Mount Shimen: the thirteenth day of the eighth month.

As they took their leave and came out, the smile on Ma Ke's face vanished. His oily face turned so dark and sinister it seemed about to drip water.

When Wu Sangui came out, he was called back by Hong Chengchou, who looked at him and said gravely, "Changbo, this battle is of the utmost importance. Do you understand?"

Wu Sangui said gratefully, "This lowly general understands."

Hong Chengchou nodded. Watching Wu Sangui depart with respectful deference, he recalled the scene in the hall just now and sighed inwardly. "Ah, with a man like Wang Dou present, I do not know whether it is a blessing or a curse for our Great Ming."

Wang Dou returned to the military camp with Han Chao and Zhong Xiancai. He pondered for a long while, then said slowly, "It seems we must keep a closer eye on that Ma Ke from now on."

Han Chao and Zhong Xiancai both nodded, deeply concurring.

……

The Nüer River, also known as the Niaoxin River or the Eqin River, was lush with grasses and verdant as a carpet of brocade. The river teemed with fish; wading through its waters, one would constantly bump into silver carp, common carp, and the like.

The crescent moon hung in the sky, the starlight bright and clear. Xie Yike led his horse, bent low, and carefully waded forward through the river. The icy water seeped into his iron boots, soaking the inner stockings, and a discomfort like bathing fully clothed welled up in his heart.

A cool breeze blew from time to time. The faint splashing sounds stirred by wading never ceased, and the soft murmur of flowing water reached his ears.

The footing beneath was loose and uncertain — sometimes stepping on sand and gravel, sometimes on muck, and occasionally some damned fish would blunder stupidly into him.

None of this affected Xie Yike. Cautious yet utterly resolute, he pressed forward. His alert eyes constantly swept over any suspicious spots. His ears were pricked high; not the slightest movement around him could escape them.

Following behind Xie Yike were many horses and Night Scout warriors. Every one of those sturdy horses had its mouth fitted with a bit.

And those Night Scouts — not one of them made a sound. They simply followed closely one after another, careful not to let their movements grow too large, lest they create loud splashing noises.

Like Xie Yike, as they advanced, their eyes vigilantly scanned the surrounding terrain, and every man's ears were pricked high.

Their movements were all charged with a fierce, predatory vitality, like so many agile leopards.

But many of these leopards now bore wounds. On several of the horses were tied the bodies of Night Scout soldiers who had died in battle, and some of the more severely wounded were also bound tightly to their mounts. Each man endured the pain with gritted teeth, refusing to let himself groan aloud.

From time to time, Xie Yike would raise his left hand, and then everyone would halt. Even the horses, docile and clever, would stand perfectly still.

Only after confirming there was no movement around them would they slowly begin to move again.

They could not afford to be careless. They were now at the Wofosi section of the Nüer River, an area where the Tatars also roamed. Those Tatar scout riders were mostly hunters from the White Mountains and Black Waters, equally accustomed to night marches and ambushes. In particular, they often brought hunting hounds, which made them doubly formidable.

Those damned dogs — their noses were truly sharp. Before the Night Scouts had even entered the river, the hounds had caught their scent and immediately started barking wildly, drawing packs of elite Tatar riders who came charging after the sound.

Fortunately, they had brought some rabbits on this mission. After releasing them, they sent those hunting hounds chasing off in the wrong direction.

Now that they had entered the river, the scent was blown away by the wind and carried off by the current, so there was even less to fear from the Tatar hounds.

Still, it was not yet time to relax. Once they crossed the river, the opposite bank was still a haunt of Tatar scout riders. They had to remain cautious and vigilant. To be continued. _