Chapter 552: Who Will Win the Deer

Old White Bull: I solemnly recommend Pingshan Sanren's "The Adjutant Physician of the Left Chancellor," a very fine book, and I also solemnly recommend a book I personally found immensely satisfying, "Urban Supreme Pride." www.89read.www.89read.

……

In truth, deep within, Huang Taiji still harbored hesitation and dread over whether the Han Eight Banners could face the Jingbian Army's firearms and cannons in battle. However, within the Qing state, aside from the Uzhen Chao Ha cannon camp and the Han Army musketeers, he could no longer find any other excellent cannon fodder capable of inflicting large-scale casualties on the Jingbian Army. He had no choice but to drive the ducks onto the perch.

The ferocious performance of the Jingbian Army's cannons that day had also left a deep impression on Huang Taiji. However, the Jingbian Army's counter-intelligence was quite strict; until now, Qing spies had still been unable to learn the secret techniques of their artillery firing. But according to Kong Youde's arrangements, the Great Qing cannon camp could still bring its excellent combat power into play.

The sovereign and ministers of the Qing state meticulously planned this decisive battle. According to intelligence, the forces of Wu Sangui, Ma Ke, and Tang Tong by the Xiaoling River numbered over forty thousand, less than fifty thousand. Inside Jinzhou city, there were also over twenty thousand troops.

However, after more than two years of siege, the Jinzhou garrison had long been utterly exhausted. Even Zu Dashou's several thousand core troops were equally weary.

During this period of standoff, the Qing state had also long since figured out that the Shanhai Army under Ma Ke's command had suffered heavy casualties in each battalion. Officers and soldiers alike were full of complaints, morale in every battalion was low, and they were on the verge of collapse. Faced with all these unfavorable circumstances, Ma Ke, as the Regional Commander, was powerless to suppress the discontent.

Tang Tong only knew how to protect himself. By the Xiaoling River, the only force with combat effectiveness was Wu Sangui's Ningyuan Army.

Since the standoff began, this unit had performed outstandingly. They not only blocked the flanking attacks of the Qing army at Rufeng Mountain but also seized some narrow strips of land on the north bank of the Xiaoling River and the north bank of the Nüer River, providing some degree of material support to Jinzhou city, such as transporting in some firewood.

In the plan, Daišan's Manchu Plain Red Banner and Dudu's Bordered Red Banner would still be used to deal with Zu Dashou and Wu Sangui's forces outside the city.

For this campaign, all the Manchu, Mongol, and Han banners had mobilized nearly every able-bodied man. Even the reserve men under each Niru had accompanied the army in considerable numbers. The two banners each had over thirty Niru, plus the two affiliated Mongol Plain Red and Bordered Red Banners, totaling around twenty-seven thousand banner troops.

When the siege first began, Daišan, Dudu, and the others had only about fifteen thousand banner troops gathered beneath Jinzhou city, with the rest stationed in Yizhou.

However, as the Ming and Qing standoff continued along the Nüer River, Huang Taiji had again drawn some forces from Yizhou. Thus, only seven thousand Manchu and Mongol Plain Red and Bordered Red banner troops remained there, though the over thirty thousand bondservants and Aha responsible for farming and transport had not been moved.

Because of the news from the steppe, Huang Taiji had already ordered the Qing troops in Yizhou to be on alert and focus on defense.

Dudu, full of lofty ambition, waved his fist: "Although the Ming army at Jinzhou and by the Xiaoling River is claimed to number over sixty thousand, the only Ming troops capable of fighting are Zu Dashou's several thousand men and Wu Sangui's ten thousand plus. Your slaves have over forty thousand troops and can certainly smash the Ming army, annihilating them beneath the city walls."

Accompanying Dudu and the others in the siege were also over twenty thousand Aha laborers. Many of these laborers were reserve men from various Niru, equally skilled in archery and combat. At critical moments, they could be sent onto the battlefield, and the Aha could also serve as a stopgap.

Although the siege had dragged on so long and each banner had suffered some casualties, in Dudu's mind, while their troops might not be a match for Wang Dou, they still had more than enough strength to deal with Wu Sangui and the others. Thus, he was full of confidence for this battle.

Only old Daišan was quite cautious. He advised Huang Taiji: "Wang Dou's flanking force is pressing in from beyond the frontier. Whether this is true or false, we should heighten our vigilance. Your slave believes we can select some reserve men from the laborers to participate in the defense of Yizhou city. We can also raise some Aha to banner status. These slaves, out of gratitude, will surely serve Great Qing with utmost sincerity."

The Yizhou garrison already numbered seven thousand men, commanded by Luoluohuan, the second son of Yoto. They had the city walls to rely on. If they further selected laborers to assist in defense and raised some strong and loyal Aha to banner status, the defense of Yizhou would be even more secure.

Huang Taiji thought to himself: "The older the ginger, the spicier it is. An old fox is still an old fox. Before planning for victory, first plan for defeat. As long as the rear is secure, the main army can fight with peace of mind at the front."

Without showing any emotion, he said: "Let it be as Prince Li says."

The key to this decisive battle lay in the frontal battlefield and the operation to cut off the Ming army's retreat route.

Without any courtesy, Huang Taiji named Dorgon and Dodo, along with all the Han Eight Banners and the Korean army, assigning them to the frontal battlefield to fight face-to-face against Wang Dou and the others.

To demonstrate impartiality, his son Hooge's Manchu Plain Blue Banner and Jirgalang's Bordered Blue Banner would also join the battle. Accompanying them would be the Eight Banner Mongol troops of the Plain White, Bordered White, Plain Blue, and Bordered Blue banners, as well as some Outer Mongol troops.

Thus, on the frontal battlefield north of the Nüer River, with the four Manchu banners as the main force and the Mongol, Han, and Korean armies as auxiliaries, the total strength would be just under one hundred ten thousand.

Of course, due to casualties suffered by each banner after previous battles, the number of troops actually capable of fighting was only about one hundred thousand, perhaps even slightly less. The Ming army facing them, including the garrison at Songshan and such, was estimated to be around one hundred thousand as well.

Huang Taiji's gaze was as sharp as a hawk's as he swept it back and forth over the assembly: "The banner lords of the two Yellow Banners, Ashan and Baiyintu, shall lead the Eight Banner Mongol two Yellow Banners, totaling about thirty thousand troops, plus over twenty thousand Outer Mongols, fifty thousand laborers and Aha—a grand army of one hundred thousand—to attack the Ming army at Xingshan, as an encircling maneuver to cut off their retreat!"

According to intelligence, the Ming state had deployed Liaodong Regional Commander Liu Zhaoji, Eastern Route Regional Commander Cao Bianjiao, Qiantun Guard Regional Commander Wang Tingchen, and others at Xingshan and other locations. Including some local troops, the total strength was about forty thousand plus. Near Bijiashan, there were also several thousand troops under the Assistant Defense Regional Commander Meng Dao.

A thunderous assault by a hundred thousand troops should be able to encircle and annihilate them!

Although Cao Bianjiao, Wang Tingchen, and the others were considered combat-worthy, Huang Taiji did not take them to heart. What caused him a slight degree of worry was the Jingbian Army troops deployed at Changling Mountain.

This Changling Mountain, viewed from afar, was just an ordinary mountain ridge, utterly unremarkable. One could not even see any defensive fortifications. Only upon close inspection did there seem to be some low earthen walls, as if even parapet walls were absent—so crude it could not be cruder.

Of course, given the importance Huang Taiji placed on Wang Dou, he believed Changling Mountain would not be so simple.

Although the scouts could only observe from a distance and found it difficult to approach, from the words they used to describe it, Huang Taiji sensed a familiarity, somewhat similar to the Julu defense line that Dorgon and others had attacked back then. This aroused great concern in Huang Taiji.

However, he believed that the garrison at Changling Mountain was still too small, estimated at only two to three thousand men, and manned by Jingbian Army logistics troops. Under his side's superior numbers, it could still be taken by assault.

Back then, when Dorgon and the others attacked Julu, hadn't they broken into their defense line too? It was just a matter of driving plenty of Aha laborers forward.

The Aha slaves accompanying the army could largely be enticed with measures like raising them to banner status and distributing farmland, which would certainly greatly enhance their enthusiasm for fighting and dying.

So, despite his regard for it, Huang Taiji did not believe Changling Mountain could not be captured. Moreover, this location was key to his plan for cutting off the retreat route and digging trenches; it had to be taken.

Dorgon was inwardly furious. Huang Taiji had deployed his and Dodo's troops on the frontal battlefield, while his own two Yellow Banners went to encircle the rear. Everyone knew that fighting Wang Dou was dangerous, while encircling the rear was relatively easy. Even a major battle outside Jinzhou city against Wu Sangui and the others would not be very risky.

He knew that Huang Taiji had long been suspicious of him and his younger brother. His and Dodo's two White Banners had a total Niru count of ninety-eight, greatly exceeding the seventy-five Niru of the two Yellow Banners.

Although adding Hooge's forty-two Niru, the strength of Huang Taiji and his son still surpassed theirs, it was not by much. No wonder Huang Taiji was constantly paranoid and, at every opportunity, used the two banners as cannon fodder.

Yet Dorgon could do nothing about it. As the Emperor of the Qing state, Huang Taiji's orders to them were perfectly legitimate. No matter how furious Dorgon was, he dared not openly resist. Moreover, in this great battle, Hooge's Plain Blue Banner was also assigned to the frontal battlefield, leaving Dorgon with even less to say.

He could only step out from the ranks and accept the order together with Jirgalang and the others.

As he loudly shouted his assent, he felt Huang Taiji's cold, sinister gaze sweep across his face. Dorgon's heart grew even more wary.

Kim Ja-jeom, the Right State Councilor of the Joseon Kingdom, sighed inwardly. To curry favor with his master, he had led troops to Jinzhou this time, and it had been a mistake.

The Korean army he led, because they were sent to die everywhere, now had less than ten thousand men capable of fighting.

The officers and soldiers were full of complaints and hated him, the Right State Councilor, to the bone. This time, they were even assigned to face the dreaded Jingbian Army. He could only hope for a complete victory in the decisive battle; otherwise, upon returning home, he would not know how to explain himself to the court and the public.

Kong Youde, Shi Tingzhu, and the others, however, were brimming with martial spirit and passion. From the moment they defected to the Qing state, they had no path of retreat and could only resign themselves to selling their lives for the Qing.

Of course, even as they roared their assent in unison, they still felt no small amount of dread in their hearts. Including the Korean soldiers, their musketeers numbered less than thirty thousand. It was estimated that the musketeers of the Jingbian Army, Yang Guozhu, Wang Pu, and others might number between thirteen thousand and fifteen thousand. Whether they could win in a matchlock exchange, they had no certainty.

Only some princes and ministers of the Outer Mongols showed relaxed expressions. It seemed Seleng's sacrifice had not been in vain; the Bogda Khan still showed them some consideration. Most of the troops from each banner had followed the two Yellow Banners to encircle the rear, avoiding the dangerous frontal battlefield. This was good news.

Hooge naturally had no objection to his father's arrangements. However, after the Battle of Huangtuling, he too had developed a fear of the Jingbian Army. He said: "Why not deploy the two Yellow Banners on the east side of Yijialing to launch a flanking attack on Wang Dou and the others? In this frontal area, with two hundred thousand troops attacking from both left and right, we could certainly achieve a complete victory."

Daišan, who seemed to accept any arrangement of Huang Taiji's as if it were sweet nectar, now spoke up to explain: "Although places like Yijialing are advantageous for the Han army's attack and defense, they are not conducive to our cavalry's charges. We would be forced to attack on foot. Wang Dou is skilled in defense, and his firearms are ferocious. If the battle becomes a stalemate, it would not benefit our army's goal of annihilating the Ming army's elite."

Jirgalang also said: "If the two Yellow Banners were deployed on the east side of Yijialing, the Ming state's Cao Bianjiao, Wang Tingchen, and others could also cross the Nüer River and flank our main army at Baimiao Fort. At that time, the two Yellow Banners might be caught in a pincer attack by the Ming army. It is better to encircle their rear, shake their morale, and trap them in a desperate situation."

Hooge put on an expression of sudden enlightenment and, uncharacteristically, bowed politely: "I have been taught. Many thanks to Prince Li and Prince Zheng for their instruction."

Both Daišan and Jirgalang were surprised and hurriedly returned the courtesy. Hooge, relying on Huang Taiji's influence, had always been arrogant and domineering. After being thoroughly beaten by Wang Dou, he had changed greatly.

Huang Taiji smiled and nodded. Since his son had suffered that setback, he had matured considerably. He suddenly felt a surge of emotion, as if seeing the eaglet of the past had now grown into an eagle in the sky, capable of flying on its own.

The assembled Han and Mongol ministers also nodded secretly. The Emperor's health was deteriorating day by day, and they all felt anxious. Hooge was showing the first signs of a wise ruler, which comforted their hearts.

Dodo curled his lip. Only Dorgon lowered his head, concealing the cold glint that flashed in his eyes.

After the grand army's arrangements were finalized, a solemn atmosphere filled the room. The great armies of Ming and Qing would soon face each other directly on the north bank of the Nüer River, in a zone stretching over ten li east to west and over ten li north to south. Who would win was yet unknown.

Huang Taiji slowly swept his gaze over the various princes and beile, his eyes unprecedentedly stern: "This time, our Great Qing army of over two hundred thousand will wage a great battle against the Ming army at Jinzhou, the Nüer River, Xingshan, and other places. We will fight head-on and sever the enemy's supply lines. You must all fight to the death without retreat. Anyone who shrinks from battle, I will behead without mercy!"

He further declared: "On the eighteenth day of the ninth month, the great battle between the two sides will commence. On the north bank of the Nüer River, I will personally lead the Gabshiyan elite cavalry to oversee the battle!"

Haoge was the first to raise his arm and roar: "The Great Qing shall prevail!"

Duoduo also bellowed: "Slaughter the southern barbarians!"

The Mongol crowd once more prostrated themselves, each shouting: "Bogda Khan, Bogda Khan, Bogda Khan…"

Amid the ministers' shouts, Huang Taiji sat high in the seat of honor. His gaze was deep, and in his heart he silently prayed: "Spirit of the High Emperor in heaven, watch over our army and grant us a great victory. Heaven protect our Great Qing!"

…

After the ministers came out, the Imperial Son-in-Law, Bordered Red Banner Mongol Gūsa-i Ejen Buyandai, walked together with Plain Red Banner Gūsa-i Ejen Enggetu.

On Buyandai's face was worry he could not conceal. He complained to Enggetu: "What is Bogda Khan thinking? Does he truly want a decisive battle with the Ming army?"

Enggetu sighed: "The Great Khan has already decided. Let us see how the fighting goes before speaking further."

Like the two of them, Ombu Chuhur of the Outer Vassal Mongol Tumed Banner, and also Shanba, likewise worried about the outcome of this battle.

They were even more concerned: what exactly was happening on the steppe?

…

That afternoon, at the Nüer River section of Shuangzi Mountain.

At this moment, the river's surface was covered by densely packed pontoon bridges. For several li on the southern bank, and roughly three li on the northern bank, the ground was already crowded with Ming army encampments. Dense, fluttering banners snapped and billowed in the cold wind.

Not far north of the main camp lay one complex, winding trench after another. One or two li beyond the trenches was the Qing army's main camp, and in front of the encampments there, the ground was likewise filled with a complex variety of low walls and trenches.

Behind the trenches, many soldiers from both the Ming and Qing sides walked about and gazed into the distance. On their faces was a weariness they could not conceal.

Moreover, along the official road east of Shuangzi Mountain, several deep trenches snaked southward, nearly extending all the way to Songshan Fortress.

To prevent the Qing army from charging down from Rufeng Mountain and cutting off the Ming army's rear at the Nüer River bank, under the arduous labor of the massed civilian laborers accompanying the army, the official road had nearly vanished. Trench after trench, each over ten li long, replaced the formerly relatively flat ground.

Wang Dou stood by the riverbank, near a pontoon bridge. Over there, groups of civilian laborers were hauling large quantities of supplies, hurriedly crossing the bridge. Their heavy footsteps made the pontoon bridge creak and groan.

After these laborers passed, a group of Jingbian Army soldiers came over from the other side of the pontoon bridge. They were being rotated out for rest. On the southern bank of the Nüer River, the main camp army had seen almost no combat, but on the northern bank, fighting broke out from time to time — sometimes no battle for several days, sometimes several battles in a single day.

One could see that these second-class troops all wore expressions of exhaustion, yet their eyes were sharper.

The tempering of war had turned each of them into a qualified, elite warrior.

The weather had turned cold, and they had all changed into winter uniforms. Though they wore outer garments of gray-green, the occasional flash of vivid red showing from within made their whole appearance bright and striking.

In the visual appeal and splendor of clothing and color, the Great Ming had already reached the pinnacle of China's thousands of years. Neither the later Qing state, the Republic, nor the People's Republic could reach their level. The Jingbian Army's uniforms paid even greater attention to this point, maximizing the soldiers' heroic bearing and martial dignity.

As these soldiers came over, exhaustion mingled with relief. When they saw Wang Dou by the pontoon bridge, every face showed an expression of reverence.

Watching them head toward the rear camp, Xie Yike, standing beside Wang Dou, suddenly muttered: "So exhausting. When will these days ever end? If you ask me, what's the point of this standoff? Better to fight one great, satisfying battle — far more refreshing!"

After recovering from his wounds, Xie Yike had returned to his lively, bouncing self. But the prolonged army standoff had dulled his spirits considerably. Since the enemy and friendly camps were right before their eyes, there was nothing much to scout. Xie Yike had nothing to do and was bored out of his mind.

Wen Daxing tugged at Xie Yike's hand. Zhong Xiancai gave a smack and swatted Xie Yike on the head. In front of Wang Dou, Zhong Xiancai was still quite violent.

Xie Yike rubbed his head and muttered: "Hitting people for no reason."

He knew he had spoken out of turn. The army standoff was what the Grand General insisted on, and Wen Daxing and Zhong Xiancai were only looking out for him.

Han Chao hesitated a moment, then also said softly: "Grand General, will our division's standoff with the Tatar caitiffs continue?"

Wang Dou looked at him. Han Chao's face had grown much thinner, appearing even more resolute, his eyes glinting with the light of wisdom.

Yet one could see that deep inside, Han Chao was also weary.

And if the commanding officer was like this, the soldiers went without saying.

Wang Dou suddenly felt a moment of hesitation. His army's style was to press forward inexorably — attack, and attack again — sweeping everything before them in field battles. This current standoff, this static war — would it deal a hidden blow to the army's morale?

Although Wang Dou was confident that his army could carry out his orders with unshakable resolve, the gradual erosion of army morale was not something he wished to see.

Moreover, whether to continue the standoff with the Qing army was now a matter of fierce debate within the Ming camp. Many officers and commanders believed that rather than let the army's morale and fighting spirit be worn away in prolonged attrition, it would be better to fight one satisfying battle, to decide the outcome with the Tatar caitiffs once and for all, and avoid this dreary, lifeless state day after day, with no end in sight.

At present, both armies were utterly exhausted. It all came down to who could endure longer.

Wang Dou also recalled the intelligence he had received the day before: the roving bandits had risen again.

The Great Ming court and the Grand Secretariat had zero confidentiality. Thus, after Li Vanguard Commander's memorial reached the capital, it quickly became the talk of the town. Intelligence agents the Intelligence Division had placed in the capital rode at full speed, and before long, the intelligence was delivered into Wang Dou's hands.

That Li Zicheng had risen from the ashes so quickly caught Wang Dou somewhat by surprise. Although he knew that historically Li Zicheng was a cockroach, a man fated to thrash about, yet to rise again so rapidly…

Internal troubles and external threats — it seemed the Emperor would soon make his choice. Even if he exerted all his strength, could he truly change the regrets of history?

In that instant, Wang Dou felt a moment of hesitation, of uncertainty. But very quickly, he expelled such weak thoughts from his body.

Through years of struggle, through blood and iron, his heart had long been tempered like steel, his will unshakable.

"It is time to make a decision!"

Wang Dou said to himself.

Just as he was about to answer Han Chao, suddenly a rider came galloping over. The rider tumbled from the saddle and said loudly to Wang Dou: "Grand General, Viceroy Hong urgently summons you. An imperial edict from the Emperor has arrived."

Another rider arrived, shouting: "Grand General, the Tatars seem to be pulling back and withdrawing their troops!" (To be continued.)