Chapter 529: Assault on the Mountain

Old White Bull: Went to Xiamen to take care of some matters, so updates have been a bit irregular these days. Apologies to my readers.

Also: Gao Dou is just fifty short of breaking ten thousand. Fellow readers who haven't subscribed to the first VIP chapter, please lend your support. Currently at thirty thousand bookmarks and an average subscription of five thousand seven hundred — overall, I'm quite satisfied with the results.

……

While the Qing sovereign and his ministers were smugly congratulating themselves on their stratagem, the Ming army was equally delighted that the Qing troops had fallen for their ruse.

On a hill behind the three garrison armies, Wang Dou, Hong Chengchou, Zhang Ruoqi, Wang Chengen, Qiu Minyang, and the regional commanders of the remaining garrisons were all closely watching the situation ahead.

Zhang Ruoqi held up his telescope and looked again and again. After a long while, he stroked his beard and laughed heartily: "The Loyal and Brave Count's plan is indeed brilliant — the slave scoundrels have walked right into our trap."

Wang Pu and Fu Yingchong, standing behind him, immediately chimed in with praise: "Brilliant, truly brilliant. The Loyal and Brave Count and Viceroy Hong devise strategies from their command tent, while Army Supervisor Zhang sees clearly across ten thousand li — all are outstanding men of this age."

Wang Dou smiled faintly and lowered his telescope. Beside him, Hong Chengchou also stroked his beard with a smile: "Judging by the slave troops' movements, they must believe our main attack is aimed at Mount Shimen, east of Jinzhou. Once General Wu and the others capture the various hills, they will immediately dig trenches and establish strongholds. Our main force will then advance west to the Nüer River, which will surely throw the bandit slaves into chaos."

Qiu Minyang, Provincial Governor of Liaodong, said gravely: "This ruse can only confuse them for a time. Once our army moves west, the slave scoundrels will quickly realize what is happening. The window of opportunity is fleeting."

He gazed into the distance: "I hope General Wu, General Ma, and General Tang will swiftly capture Mount Shimen and secure a foothold."

The Ming army's strategy this time was for Wu Sangui's three garrisons to first seize Mount Shimen, along with the river valley on the west bank of the Xiaoling River. Then the main army would posture as if preparing to cross the river, drawing the attention of the main Qing force beneath the walls of Jinzhou.

Afterward, the remaining garrisons would seize the chance to advance west. The Qing troops would inevitably fall into a period of confusion.

And the loss of the Nüer River was something the slave chieftain Huang Taiji could not tolerate; he would surely send his main force to the rescue. Once their grand army had marched off and left the area empty, Wu Sangui and the others could seize the opportunity to cross the Xiaoling River and link up with Zu Dashou and his men inside the city, east of Jinzhou.

From the current look of things, the Qing army's reactions were all within everyone's expectations. Just a few days earlier, the main camps of Ma Ke, Tang Tong, and the others had all been moved to the eastern side of Huangtuling, creating the false impression that the Ming main force was densely massed at the foot of Mount Shimen. The Qing army's misjudgment was inevitable.

Hong Chengchou glanced at Wang Dou beside him. On Wang Dou's face, there was always a faint smile, revealing nothing of his inner thoughts. Clad in a python robe, his bearing was extraordinary — truly the visage of a dragon and tiger. This man, who had risen from a common soldier to the rank of count, handled matters with seasoned shrewdness and unfathomable depth. Even after all his own years navigating the bureaucratic seas, Hong Chengchou felt a sense of inadequacy when facing Wang Dou.

He sighed inwardly. Wang Dou's voice carried ever more weight in the Liaodong grand army, and he relied on his own influence and ability — not on unreasonable bluster. Even if others were reluctant to admit it verbally, they had no choice but to concede in their hearts.

He, Qiu Minyang, and the others, though they strongly supported Wu Sangui, Ma Ke, Tang Tong, and the other Liaodong-affiliated officers, could not openly show too much favoritism if those officers failed to produce respectable battle results. He hoped that in this battle for Mount Shimen, each commander would deliver a good performance.

……

Wu Sangui's Ningyuan Army, Ma Ke's Shanhai Army, and Tang Tong's Miyun Army — nearly fifty thousand troops — surged like a tide to the foot of Mount Shimen. The rolling grand army finally halted at a local place called Damutun.

Before the grand army now stretched undulating mountain ridges, the terrain gradually rising from south to north and from east to west.

A few li west of the army's position lay West Shimen, where Rufeng Mountain and Mount Shimen intersected. The terrain here was relatively steep, impassable for war chariots, easy to defend and hard to attack. But if they captured this place, the army could follow the gentle slopes behind the mountain all the way to the confluence of the Nüer River and the Xiaoling River.

This spot was also heavily defended by the enemy. During fierce fighting, Qing troops from nearby Rufeng Mountain could likewise come to reinforce.

In the central part of Mount Shimen, there were several ridges and slopes that were relatively gentle. As for the river valley between the Xiaoling River and Mount Shimen, the terrain was mostly flat, though the width varied — sometimes stretching several li wide, sometimes less than a single li.

At that moment, at the central command post behind the three garrison armies, the regional commanders Ma Ke, Tang Tong, and Wu Sangui were in high spirits, pointing and gesturing at a sand table laid out on a large cart.

This sand table had also been a gift from the Jingbian Army. Sand tables were indeed excellent tools — troop deployments and the relative positions of both sides were all clear at a glance. Whatever misgivings each man might harbor toward Wang Dou or the Jingbian Army, they were all utterly enamored with this sand table.

For this great battle, aside from leaving a small portion of troops to guard their camps, the three garrisons had deployed the bulk of their forces. At this moment, gathered around each regional commander were officers from every battalion, all clad in helmets and armor, their bearing fierce and valiant.

The three garrisons were tasked with attacking Mount Shimen and also bore the heavy responsibility of crossing the river to provide reinforcement. Given the strength of the Ningyuan Army, Wu Sangui's standing in the eyes of Ji-Liao Viceroy Hong Chengchou, and the powerful clan background behind him, it was only natural that he took the lead. Among the three regional commanders, all deferred to Wu Sangui as their chief.

Wu Sangui pointed at the sand table and spoke with eloquence: "Viceroy Hong's strategy is this: for our three garrison armies, Marshal Ma will lead the main assault on Mount Shimen, Marshal Tang will attack the river valley, and I, your humble subordinate, will provide support and hold the line. Mountain ridges are hard to assault — the key to this battle lies with Marshal Tang's force on the eastern route. If they can break through the trenches at the sailors' camp, Marshal Tang's troops can circle around to the rear of Mount Shimen and, together with Marshal Ma, launch a pincer attack from front and back. In this way, the slave scoundrels will surely be defeated."

Originally, according to the strategy laid out by Hong Chengchou, Wu Sangui was to attack Mount Shimen, with Ma Ke providing support.

However, during the council of war that morning, Ma Ke — as if he had taken some wrong medicine — vied to be the vanguard. Seeing his eagerness to earn merit, Hong Chengchou could hardly dampen his ambition and morale, and troops charging forward with valor was something he was happy to see. So he replaced Wu Sangui with Ma Ke as the vanguard for the mountain assault.

The tactical arrangement at this moment was as follows: Ma Ke's force would split into two columns to attack Mount Shimen. Tang Tong's force, under the cover of war chariots, would advance along the river valley until they reached the confluence of the Xiaoling River and the Baigu River — the site of the future Baigu Bridge — and then launch an attack on Mount Shimen from the rear. The two forces would coordinate to seize the mountain ridge.

Moreover, after the three garrison armies captured Mount Shimen, they would immediately establish strongholds by the Xiaoling River, dig trenches, and construct pontoon bridges in preparation for crossing the river.

Although the Qing army had built many pontoon bridges along the river, they would surely all be burned by then. At present, though the Xiaoling River's water volume had decreased, men and horses still could not cross easily, and the river was full of mire and mud ponds. Heavy supply wagons and cavalry could not do without pontoon bridges.

The area for constructing pontoon bridges was mainly at the eastern section of the sandbar. Where the Nüer River and the Xiaoling River converged, they formed a rather large sandbar — the site of the future East Lake Park. The current here was swift and turbulent, and in the areas between, it was difficult to build pontoon bridges.

Listening to Wu Sangui's explanation, Ma Ke and Tang Tong both nodded slightly, one stroking his beard, the other smoothing his armor, each wearing an expression of confident mastery.

Tang Tong looked at Wu Sangui. A flicker of jealousy flashed imperceptibly in his eyes. He had dressed meticulously today, in a set of exquisite mountain-pattern armor with a bright red cape. His face was as fair as jade, and he looked dashing and refined. Yet compared to Wu Sangui, he was like a barnyard fowl next to a phoenix.

Wu Sangui was exceptionally handsome to begin with — otherwise he would not have earned the praise of "the fairest youth among the marquises." The bearing of an aristocratic scion was not something Tang Tong could match.

Moreover, both the Wu and Zu families were local powerholders in Liaodong. With their backing, Wu Sangui's official career naturally soared. Add to that his own mastery of both civil and martial arts — his martial skills and mounted archery were all first-rate — and among his peers, he exuded an almost intangible, oppressive pressure. Besides, Wu Sangui was also many years younger than him.

Yet on his face, he wore an expression of sincere admiration and praised with a grin: "General Wu truly lives up to his name as the Tiger General of Liaodong. Your explanations are so clear and lucid."

Ma Ke, playing the part of a kindly elder, sighed with emotion: "The younger generation inspires awe indeed. This old marshal can't refuse to admit his age."

But then, with a look of contempt, he pointed toward the Qing troops on Mount Shimen and said: "A mere few thousand Tartar slaves — my Shanhai Army will surely sweep over them in one charge, annihilate them, and seize the mountain ridge."

Tang Tong and the others cheered loudly. The officers of the Shanhai Garrison behind Ma Ke also felt their marshal's imposing presence was most impressive, greatly boosting their prestige before the assembled commanders, and they shouted one after another: "The Grand Marshal is mighty!"

"With the Grand Marshal's tiger-like might, a few eastern slaves are hardly worth mentioning."

Among the officers, his trusted general Ma Zhiren and Bai Houren, the former Jizhen Mobile Corps Commander newly inducted into the main battalion, shouted the loudest.

Not long ago, Ji-Liao Viceroy Hong Chengchou had supplemented Ma Ke with over a thousand cavalry from the routed troops of Jizhen — all soldiers from Jizhen's original main battalion, whose combat strength was among the best in the garrison. Tang Tong's force had also been supplemented with a hundred cavalry. From this, one could see Hong Chengchou's protective intent toward them. Although both had been charged and punished, they had in fact reaped considerable benefits.

Among the various Jizhen officers, Ma Fuming, the Front Battalion Assistant Regional Commander, Left and Right Assistant Regional Commanders Chen Guitu and Mou Suntian, Mobile Corps Commanders Pan Jixi and Ye Qibang, and others had all been punished. Only a scant few like Bai Houren escaped penalty. After being reassigned to Ma Ke's force, Bai Houren was desperate to cling to Ma Ke's coattails, obsequiously currying favor on every occasion. Ma Ke, in turn, made every effort to win him over — harmony reigned between commander and subordinate.

Wu Sangui also praised: "Marshal Ma's blade has lost none of its edge. Sangui is full of admiration."

He said to Ma Ke and Tang Tong: "Rest assured, both Marshals. The Ningyuan Army is here holding the line. If any faltering occurs, I, your humble subordinate, will immediately lead troops to reinforce."

Ma Ke stroked his beard and smiled: "In that case, this marshal is at ease."

The three men chatted and laughed amiably. The Ji-Liao army was one body, and in ordinary times, Ma Ke and Tang Tong were already close with Wu Sangui and his circle. With Wu Sangui deliberately cultivating their ties, on the surface at least, everyone could be described as being in perfect harmony and sincere unity.

While the great marshals conversed, Fu Tingfu, Mobile Corps Commander of the Divine Machine Battalion, stood to one side with an arrogant expression, somewhat indifferent to the others. But Wu Sangui turned to him and said with a smile: "The slave scoundrels' stockade walls now have large numbers of earth-filled bags and baskets, so cannon and gunfire have little visible effect. When we assault the mountain shortly, we will need the great assistance of the Divine Machine Battalion's mortars."

Ma Ke laughed heartily: "Indeed, we cannot do without Commander Fu's formidable cannons in a moment."

Tang Tong added even more warmly: "In this coordinated grand army operation, Commander Fu, whatever you require, please do not hesitate to say so. Whatever this general can provide, he will do his utmost to deliver."

The power of the mortars had been heard by all during the earlier battle at Huangtuling, and Wu Sangui had witnessed it with his own eyes. Due to the insistent demands of Ma Ke and the others, and with Hong Chengchou's coordination, Fu Yingchong had detached fifty rocket carts and twenty mortars to support the three garrisons, led by his trusted officer Fu Tingfu.

Fu Tingfu was actually somewhat reluctant to go into battle alongside Wu Sangui and the others. He would much rather follow behind the Jingbian Army — that way he would be safe and earn plenty of merit. But with orders from above, he could not refuse.

The officers of the Divine Machine Battalion were all brimming with arrogance. Although they could only play the grandson before Wang Dou, even when facing Wu Sangui, every one of them put on full airs. Ordinary men were not worthy of their lowered gaze.

At this moment, Fu Tingfu held his head high and merely swept his eyes over the three garrison commanders from the corner of his vision. He said coolly: "We are all serving the nation. This general has no special requirements, only that the safety of the gunners and archers must be ensured, and that my brothers' meritorious deeds must not go unrecorded."

Ma Ke's eyelid twitched, but he quickly patted Fu Tingfu on the shoulder and said cordially: "Commander Fu, you may set your mind at ease. The extraordinary merit of this mountain assault will certainly not lack a share for the Divine Machine Battalion. Besides, they will be firing their cannons from a great distance — there will surely be no danger."

"Mm."

Fu Tingfu still had his hands clasped behind his back, his head held high. He snorted through his nostrils: "That will be fine, then."

Judging by their expressions, the officers of the three garrisons were all cursing inwardly: “What damned Divine Machine Battalion — nothing but fancy show, and still putting on such airs.”

Ma Ke was still all smiles; Tang Tong’s smile was somewhat strained. Only Wu Sangui smiled faintly and said, “We’ve put you to trouble, General Fu.”

……

Next, Ma Ke and Tang Tong swiftly assigned the officers for the mountain assault. The garrison officers who received their orders all bellowed their commands. They took the arrow-tallies and strode off with great strides. Judging by their expressions, every one of them seemed filled with an unyielding resolve and will. Watching them, Ma Ke and the others could not help nodding — the troops’ morale was usable.

Of course, after a few officers of the Shanhai Garrison received their orders, their faces turned rather unsightly the moment they turned around.

The Shanhai Garrison was a large garrison, its encampments a tangled mix, and many of its troops were rotation soldiers. For this mountain assault, Ma Ke, as Regional Commander, naturally placed his own Main Battalion at the very rear. Among the two assault columns, many rotation-force officers were tasked with attacking the most difficult objective — West Stone Gate.

Meanwhile, those officers close to Ma Ke were assigned to attack Central Stone Gate, where the slope was gentler. Such blatant favoritism — how could it not enrage the various rotation-force officers?

Yet openly, none of them dared show the slightest discontent. Ma Ke was the Regional Commander and had the authority to command and deploy them. Moreover, if they were to earn the lasting grudge of “Ma the Skinner,” each man’s official post and future prospects would grow utterly dim.

They would just have to fight it out. Fortunately, there were not many Tartars on Mount Shimen; with the enemy few and their own forces many, seizing Mount Shimen should still be easy.

By the hour of Chen, the three garrison commanders had finished their arrangements, deployed their troops, and formed their battle lines. The vast, surging mass of men and horses split into three columns and surged toward West Stone Gate, Central Stone Gate, and the river valley.

Wang Dou lowered his telescope and frowned slightly. From the hour of Mao, when the grand army left camp, until Chen, when the attack was finally launched — these old-style armies that relied on a small number of retainers were far too slow and inefficient. Had it been the Jingbian Army, or even Yang Guozhu’s troops, they would have long since engaged the Tartar caitiffs.

Yet looking at Hong Chengchou, Qiu Minyang, and the others beside him, they were clearly still satisfied with Ma Ke, Wu Sangui, and the rest. Over the years, they had long grown accustomed to such a pace of operations. Besides, the three garrisons’ troops seemed to have soaring morale, surging forward like a tide — the momentum was considerable.

“The Ming army is finally assaulting the mountain.”

On Mount Rufeng, Huang Taiji and the others let out a breath of relief. All the scheming had at last drawn to a close. The battle was now irreversibly underway; all that remained was to see the final outcome.

Hooge, cursing and grumbling, said, “Dawdling and dragging their feet. If not for the Jingbian Army, an army like this — our Great Qing’s iron cavalry would need only ten thousand, or even a few thousand, to rout them.”

Yet even as he spoke, watching the boundless sea of Ming troops below and looking eastward to see a mass of red-armored figures surging north, his expression remained grave.

It was plainly evident that the Ming army was using human-wave tactics, with several battalions forming each wave. Their assaults would surely come wave after wave. The defending troops on Mount Shimen were few; even with stockade walls, trenches, and moats, they clearly could not hold out for very long.

In fact, Daišan and others had once proposed deploying twenty thousand elite cavalry on Mount Rufeng, lying in ambush and arrayed in a ring, ready for battle. When the Ming army attacked through West Stone Gate and entered the hollow between the two mountains, the ambushers would spring out from all sides and could certainly inflict devastating casualties on the assaulting Ming troops.

However, Huang Taiji had rejected this proposal. Although it could kill and wound many Ming soldiers, it ran counter to the overall strategy.

If the Ming army suffered heavy losses at Mount Shimen, who knew whether they might shrink back and no longer concern themselves with the survival of Jinzhou City? A prolonged stalemate between the two armies was something Huang Taiji was unwilling to see.

Although the Ming state was plagued by natural disasters and its grain and fodder supplies were strained, it was still clearly far better off than the Qing state. Recent intelligence had revealed that Wang Dou had even come up with some kind of dried fish, greatly easing the pressure on provisions. Huang Taiji wished to emulate this, but the Qing state lacked fishermen; the desire to produce dried fish was there, but the means were insufficient.

Therefore, between a stalemate and a decisive victory, Huang Taiji chose the latter.

……

The Ming army’s vast host of men and horses closed in on the mountain ridge. The Qing troops on Mount Shimen awaited them in tight formation. The strategy at the high command level was not something the ordinary soldiers on either side could understand. For the Ming troops, taking Mount Shimen would be a great merit; for the Qing troops defending the mountain, it was the same.

On a beacon tower atop the ridge, Ajigenikan, the Bayara Guards Banner Commander of the Manchu Plain White Banner, watched coldly as the Ming troops drew near below. The death of Prince Wuying, Ajige, in battle days earlier had dealt him a devastating blow. And for his failure to protect his lord, Ajigenikan had also been punished by Huang Taiji.