Chapter 446

Tang Hongchang swiftly produced a map marked with the locations of all the passes in Xuanfu and Datong. Zhang Dong leaned in to look, and after studying it, he was eighty percent convinced by Tang Hongchang's claim that no one would attack Zhangjiakou.

Longmen Guard was east of Zhangjiakou, and Shanfangbao was west of it. The Later Jin were coming from the east. If they had the time to slip all the way to Shanfangbao without entering through the most prosperous Zhangjiakou, it meant they intended to preserve this channel for resupply.

Secretary Jiang was somewhat flustered. Trembling, he asked Zhang Dong, "Th-this, Deputy Director Zhang, how did the Jianzhou bandits arrive without a sound? Your intelligence on this matter…"

Zhang Dong heard him blurt out his official title — both the Intelligence Bureau and its posts were classified, which was why he had only been addressed as Brother Zhang along the way. Now, in his panic, Secretary Jiang had let it slip. Zhang Dong immediately fixed his eyes on him and cut him off loudly: "Secretary Jiang, what are you panicking about? The Liao Sea freezes in winter, and the roads in Liaodong are difficult to travel. Even if there were intelligence, it would be slow to arrive. If the Jianzhou bandits moved fast with light troops, it is entirely possible they came quietly."

Zhang Dong shot Secretary Jiang two fierce glares. He had no wish to argue with him here. By now, the Dengzhou Intelligence Bureau had developed quite a few informants among the Kharchin and Khalkha Mongols, all placed through the trading company's commerce. By offering slightly cheaper southern goods, they had formed ties of interest with many small Mongol tribes. For these small tribes, concepts of collective or national identity did not exist — they followed whoever gave them benefits. Finding a few wavering elements among them was very easy.

Therefore, as long as the Later Jin passed through Kharchin territory, informants would certainly report to Ningyuan in exchange for high rewards. However, according to the intelligence transmission rules in Liaoxi, parallel channels were not permitted, so Liaoxi's intelligence would not be sent to the capital; it would go directly to Tianjin. For urgent military intelligence, it was normally sent by both sea and land routes. Now, during the freeze, only the land route was possible.

Zhang Dong, having come from the capital, would not have received the news, but he believed Dengzhou would receive it soon. Compared to the speed of the imperial court, Dengzhou Garrison's transmission speed was far faster.

But he was not certain whether Chen Xin would come to the rescue, because it was over two thousand li from Dengzhou Garrison to Xuanfu. Normally, sea transport would be fine, but now everything had to go by land. Dengzhou's firearms all required self-produced gunpowder, and they also had heavy weapons like cannons and Frankish breech-loading swivel guns, which required large numbers of horses and carts. Sending too few men would be useless, and the logistical burden was immense. It was also possible they would arrive just as the Later Jin troops withdrew. Even if they caught up with the Later Jin troops, the enemy could retreat using their cavalry's mobility. For Chen Xin, it would definitely be a losing proposition.

Tang Hongchang had not noticed the dispute between the two. After a brief glance at the map, he said, "My lords, the Jianzhou bandits' scout cavalry often come and go like the wind. However, they likely have not yet reached Xuanfu. If you two are worried, you could take advantage of the bandits not yet returning and head back to the capital first. Or you could travel all the way south and enter the Inner Great Wall."

"Good, good, then we…" Secretary Jiang looked up at Zhang Dong. Seeing Zhang Dong's unfriendly expression, he immediately stopped talking.

Zhang Dong turned to Tang Hongchang and said, "We of Dengzhou Garrison have no rule about retreating in the face of battle. I wasn't afraid of the Jianzhou bandits over a decade ago, and I'm even less afraid of them now. We will stay right here. At a time when the Jianzhou bandits are invading, Zhangjiakou is bound to have many interesting things going on. It would be a real pity not to see them."

Tang Hongchang had initially felt some contempt, but after hearing this, he paused, then burst out laughing. "Brother Zhang is a true brave man. Dengzhou Garrison is indeed extraordinary. However, with the Jianzhou army pressing the border, I cannot go to the various Tumed taijis to discuss the captive matter for now. Since you two wish to stay, we shall wait until the Jianzhou troops withdraw to discuss it further. As for the interesting things Brother Zhang mentioned, they will begin very soon."

As soon as he finished speaking, they heard someone shouting outside the compound wall: "Buying grain! Twenty percent higher than usual! Shops that want to sell, come on your own to Dadetong to sell! We'll take any amount…"

Tang Hongchang said flatly to Zhang Dong, "My lord, you may listen. That is the agent collecting goods for the Eight Families. Once you hear who the fodder and provisions are being prepared for, you will understand clearly."

Zhang Dong nodded with a cold sneer and said to Tang Hongchang, "I would like to ask Shopkeeper Tang for a favor."

"My lord, just say the word."

"Find a shop assistant familiar with the roads of Shanxi to lead two of my companions south, riding horses by the shortest route to… Lin County, Zhangde Prefecture, Henan."

…

At Shanfangbao in Xuanfu, disorderly crowds of Mongol herders poured in through the pass gate. These people were in tattered clothes, most wrapped in sheepskin coats, their appearance not much different from refugees of the Great Ming. A small number wore gaudy, motley garments — no one knew when they had been looted. They surged forward in chaos, shouting and yelling, and once inside the pass, they began running wild. Even the leading taijis could not call them to order.

Because of Dengzhou Garrison's influence, history had been altered beyond recognition. The Later Jin had failed to capture Lushun in the sixth year of Chongzhen, instead losing troops and officers. Shang Kexi had not surrendered to the Manchu Qing either. Dongjiang Garrison, supported by Dengzhou and Laizhou, was slowly recovering and was far stronger than in the original history. The Later Jin was at a critical juncture where their strategic advantage might be reversed. To make up for the heavy losses of the Lushun campaign, raiding Xuanfu and Datong was their best option at present. The existence of Dengzhou Garrison in southern Liaodong made long-distance expeditions far more difficult for the Later Jin, but the winter freeze of the Liao Sea provided a very suitable window.

Under the influence of various changed factors, the Later Jin's invasion had come half a year early. In the original history, the invasion of Xuanfu and Datong had begun on the eighth day of the seventh month; now it was the twenty-first of the first month. The attack routes had also changed from four to three. The Later Jin still employed the tactic of advancing separately and striking together, widening the front and scope of their march as much as possible in order to plunder more people and wealth. As usual, large numbers of Mongols followed behind the Later Jin army, swarming in groups to scavenge for spoils.

"Great Khan, shall I send someone to find those Tumed taijis? These men are practically a disorderly mob." Sahaliyan gazed at the chaotic Mongols and could not help but speak up beside Huang Taiji. Behind them stood rows of impeccably arrayed White Armor Soldiers, forming a stark contrast with the disorderly Mongols.

"Not practically — they are a disorderly mob," Huang Taiji said flatly. "But now is not the time to restrain them. Last year at Lushun, the various Mongol tribes lost five to six thousand men. The tribes were seething; even the Khorchin complained everywhere. When my Great Jin envoys went to the Khalkha and Kharchin in the eleventh month, not only did they refuse to heed any orders, they were also verbally abused. This campaign into Xuanfu and Datong is precisely to let them gain some benefits and dispel the resentment in their hearts. Let their taijis manage them on their own. If we try to manage them, it may backfire. Sahaliyan, remember this: different situations require different strategies. Do not be rigid."

"The Great Khan is brilliant and wise," Sahaliyan murmured in flattery. He was Daišan's third son. Although not a banner lord, he had his own niru under his control and also held the powerless post of Minister of Revenue. Each banner managed its own funds and provisions; as Minister of Revenue, he oversaw the public portion, but how it was used was entirely beyond his say. After the Lushun campaign, the public funds and provisions were essentially exhausted, and he had become a commander without an army, going to his government office each day just to sit for a while.

Abatai, standing behind him, was even more idle. He was Minister of Works and did not even want to go sit there each day, earning Huang Taiji's criticism many times. He had suffered the heaviest losses at Lushun, effectively taking the punishment on behalf of the two Yellow Banners. Huang Taiji had not scolded him recently, but neither had he given him adequate replacements.

Abatai said in a low voice, "I think it does not matter if we don't restrain them. The Ming soldiers here in Xuanfu have no will to fight. The last time we entered the passes, our army did not fire a single arrow. The Ming officers at Shahebao voluntarily delivered the three hundred and twenty Mongols who had fled into the fort, along with over a thousand head of cattle and sheep. Using the 'exploit discord' stratagem, we also negotiated peace with the various circuit intendants and grand coordinators of Xuanfu and Datong, reaping rich rewards. It is clear the soldiers and officers here fear our Great Jin like tigers. When the Mongols go in, they are also soldiers of our Great Jin. I expect those Ming weaklings won't dare to act rashly."

Several other generals loudly voiced their agreement. Facing these traditional Ming troops, the confidence of the Later Jin commanders had swiftly returned. The attack on Shanfangbao had also gone exceptionally smoothly. As always, the Ming army collapsed at the first encounter; capturing Shanfangbao had cost almost no losses.

Gao Hongzhong, in the back row, said, "Great Khan, choosing to advance into Xuanfu and Datong when none of the Ming expected it is truly a stroke of genius. The Ming armies of Xuanfu and Datong flee at the sight of our banners. This is proof that Heaven favors our Great Jin."

Yoto also said loudly, "The Great Khan did not inform the Mongol tribes in advance, only issuing the summons for troops when we reached Khalkha territory. Although fewer troops came from the outer vassals, the Ming were utterly unable to detect it in time, achieving the effect of a surprise attack and leaving Dengzhou Garrison no time to come to the rescue."

Huang Taiji smiled faintly. He had actually planned the Xuanfu-Datong campaign two years earlier. Judging from the results of the last invasion, the fighting strength of Xuanfu and Datong was even worse than that of Liaozhen. Since the death of Man Gui, very few in the Xuanfu-Datong army dared to engage the Later Jin troops in open battle.

According to the news the Shanxi merchants of Zhangjiakou had sent to Liaodong, the elite frontier troops of Xuanfu and Datong had also been drawn away to pursue the roving bandits. They were currently in southern Shanxi, with some already having crossed the Yellow River, so the forces in Xuanfu and Datong were very depleted.

For Huang Taiji, this invasion was another all-or-nothing gamble. He had left five thousand armored men and three thousand mounted auxiliaries at home; nearly all other able-bodied men had been mobilized. Lushun would thaw in mid-to-late February, and Pi Island in March.

Therefore, the earliest date he had set was to depart in mid-twelfth month, campaign for two months, and return to Liaodong around mid-third month, exploiting the window when the Liao Sea was frozen to prevent Dengzhou Garrison from reinforcing southern Liaodong. With only about ten thousand troops in southern Liaodong, of which only around two thousand were cavalry, Huang Taiji was confident he could hold them off with eight thousand Manchu Eight Banners troops.

But no plan ever goes smoothly. There were more disputes among the banners. Manggūltai and Daišan wanted to campaign in Liaoxi, because it was closer and they could return to relieve any threat at any time. That plan was very safe, but there was really nothing worth plundering in Liaoxi, especially in winter.

Then there was the matter of army provisions. The reserves of the Ministry of Revenue had been carved up and emptied by the various banners. The army finally set out at the end of the twelfth month, detouring through Khorchin and Khalkha into Tumed territory, gathering the outer vassal Mongols along the way without slowing their pace. Although fewer troops were mustered, they achieved surprise.

Unlike what Daišan and the others considered, Huang Taiji had to think more about Mongol political interests. The Lushun campaign had severely damaged the Later Jin's military prestige. Without giving them a direct show of force, these Mongol fence-sitters might very well waver.

As far as Huang Taiji knew, some tribes among the Tumed and Kharchin were already in contact with Ming border generals. This time, as soon as the Later Jin army arrived, all the tribes fell silent with fear. The various Tumed tribes obediently answered the summons, reinforcing the Later Jin's suzerainty. Of course, this was temporary and would weaken once the Later Jin army left, so the most important thing was still benefits. Through this invasion, he could keep these wavering Mongols on the Later Jin's side and increase the hatred between them and the Ming.

What excited Huang Taiji was that his policy of striking against Ligdan Khan had succeeded. Many small tribes nearby, abandoned by the Chahar in years past, came one after another to join the Later Jin army. These Mongols would all be incorporated into the Manchu Eight Banners, becoming Mongol niru within them. The Mongol Left and Right Wings would make up for the losses at Lushun. Huang Taiji faintly glimpsed another opportunity to strengthen the Later Jin's power.

Of course, Dengzhou's movements still worried him. Huang Taiji was concerned both that if he returned too late, Dengzhou might reinforce southern Liaodong and attack central Liaodong, and that Dengzhou Garrison might be waiting for him somewhere in Shanxi.

During the Jisi Campaign and the Battle of Shenmi Island, the Wendeng Battalion had appeared suddenly both times, ruining the Later Jin's excellent position. The repeated defeats at the hands of Dengzhou Garrison had also left a slight psychological shadow on Huang Taiji.

He turned his head to look at Bao Chengxian behind him. "This time, you are responsible for dealing with those Ming merchants in Zhangjiakou. There must be riders coming and going every day. Those merchant houses have shops in the Ming capital, Shanxi, and along the Grand Canal. They can learn early which troops are coming. Make sure they pay close attention to that Dengzhou Garrison. Report any news immediately; there must be no negligence whatsoever. The silver seized by the public treasury must be promptly exchanged for trade goods. You will handle this as well."

Bao Chengxian knelt and said, "As commanded!"

Huang Taiji cracked his riding crop and galloped past the chaotic herders, speeding southward. (To be continued…)