Chapter 268: As Heaven sent down several heavy rains in succession, the weather gradually turned cool, and the rainy season in Liaodo

On the twentieth day of the seventh month of the tenth year of Chongzhen, an army of over ten thousand Jianzhou troops under the command of Prince Cheng, Yoto, gathered and set out from Shengjing twenty days after Yizhou had been taken by the Ming army. After marching several hundred li, they entered the city through the north gate of Yizhou.

Yoto had brought with him over ten thousand men this time, plus more than ten thousand Han Chinese booi bondservants.

Of these ten thousand-plus men, besides the Han Army Banner's total of twenty niru numbering nearly six thousand, there were also six and a half niru of the Bordered White Banner, eight niru of the Bordered Red Banner, and three thousand Mongol cavalry.

That one and a half niru consisted of the five hundred Bordered White Banner cavalry led by Duobi and Bayangga.

When Tanggudai led the remaining thousand men in a bloody fight against the Yongwei Camp, Duobi led five hundred cavalry but, under the watch of several thousand Jinzhou horsemen, could not get close. Only when they saw great flames rise within the city—a sign that the Ming army had already breached the walls—did they realize that Tanggudai and his clansmen were likely doomed.

Duobi and Bayangga had no choice but to lead their troops away from the Jinzhou horsemen and head north. After finding a shallow ford to cross the Daling River, the two led their men to Guangning, then swiftly sent riders back to Shengjing to report that Yizhou had fallen and Tanggudai had died in battle. They emphasized to their masters that the Ming army attacking the city this time had numerous and extremely formidable firearms, and though its numbers were unknown, it did not resemble the Ning-Jin Ming troops who had fought Jianzhou for years.

Originally Hong Taiji had planned to send only the Han Army Banner's firearms regiment, plus three thousand Mongol cavalry and five niru of the Bordered White Banner—that should have been enough. But upon hearing this news, he additionally transferred the eight niru of Bordered Red Banner troops stationed at Liaoyang to Yoto's command, and dispatched the entire Han Army Banner, intending to use the Han Army Banner's firearms to suppress the Ming army.

After receiving reports from scouts that no Ming troops were within fifty li in any direction, Yoto ordered the Han Army Banner and the booi bondservants to camp inside the city, while the Eight Banner troops and Mongol cavalry pitched their camps outside the walls.

Following the custom handed down from his ancestors, Yoto did not stay in the more comfortable quarters inside the city, but instead pitched his great tent in the Bordered Red Banner's camp outside the walls.

It was already past the hour of wei. In Yoto's ox-hide great tent, all the generals had gathered. Yoto, whose health had only recently recovered, had changed into plain clothes and sat in the central seat of honor. The Han Army Banner generals led by Kong Youde stood on the lower left side, while the jalan janggin and niru janggin of the Bordered Red and Bordered White Banners, along with the gushan ejen Borge of the Eight Banner Mongols, the meiren janggin Tumen, and Asude stood on the right.

"Our army has come from afar from Shengjing and is somewhat weary. Today we shall rest and recover fully. Tomorrow at the hour of chen, E'erdai will lead the Bordered Red Banner troops to break camp first and head for Jinzhou. The Three Obedient Princes will lead the Han Army Banner in the center, the booi bondservants in the rear, the Bordered White Banner guarding the rear formation, and Tumen leading the Eight Banner Mongols to range left and right. The entire army must arrive and camp forty li from Jinzhou by the hour of wei!"

Yoto gave the order in a deep voice.

After all the generals acknowledged the order in unison, Yoto continued: "Our earlier scouts reported that Jinzhou's four gates are tightly shut—the Ming seem to know we are coming, and as before they have shrunk back inside their city. The Ming are skilled at defense, and Jinzhou will not be easy to break. They say the Han are full of schemes—Obedient Prince, do you have a good plan?"

Kong Youde had not expected Yoto to call on him right away. Startled for a moment, he quickly stepped forward and saluted: "To answer Prince Cheng, I have heard that when the Ming army attacked Yizhou, they did not swarm the walls, but instead blasted open the city gates with cannon fire before entering. The Han Army Banner has brought twenty red barbarian cannon this time. This slave believes that our Eight Banners should repay them in kind—set up the guns directly and bombard the gates. Though the Han Army Banner has never employed this method, since there is precedent, this slave thinks it should not be difficult!"

After entering Yizhou, because he had heard of the might of the Ming army's cannon, Kong Youde had ordered his men skilled in firearms to examine the traces left by the Ming bombardment. After inspecting along the city walls in all directions, the Han Army Banner men found no obvious sections destroyed by cannonballs. Only when they saw the three city gates reduced to mere debris did they suddenly understand: the Ming army had used cannon to blast straight through the gates.

Yoto had always believed Yizhou had been taken by Ming troops swarming the walls. Hearing Kong Youde's report, he was first stunned, then overjoyed: "The Ming army blasted open the city gates with cannon? Is this true? Zu Dashou has been locked in battle with our Eight Banners for years—he is nothing but a mediocrity. When did he learn such skill? Cannon can be used this way? Heaven truly aids our Great Qing! Hahaha!"

The Eight Banners excelled only at field battles; they had always lacked effective means for besieging and defending cities. When attacking Ming cities, aside from relying on internal collaborators, they had no good methods. Now suddenly hearing of such a swift and convenient way to take a city, Yoto was beside himself with joy: if this method worked, not only could they take Jinzhou, but in the future they might even find an opportunity to seize Shanhai Pass as well.

"This slave's men examined carefully—the east, west, and south gates of Yizhou were all blasted open by Ming cannon fire, and there were no traces of fierce fighting atop the walls. It seems this method should be feasible. But the Han Army Banner has never employed it before, and its effectiveness must be tested before we can know for certain. When our great army arrives before the walls of Jinzhou, we can try it!"

In the study of Zu Dashou's residence in Jinzhou city, the three Zu brothers were discussing the impending invasion of the Jianzhou barbarians.

"Second brother, any movement from the Jianzhou side? Are the city walls all properly arranged? Except for keeping the south gate open, seal off the other three gates completely. Tell the lads to keep their spirits up and guard the city well. Defense of the city is your sole responsibility—the moment anyone shows signs of treachery, execute them on the spot! Outside the city we leave to the Emperor's personal troops. We'll just shut our gates and watch the show!"

Zu Dashou was quite confident in Jinzhou's fortifications. The Jianzhou barbarians were not attacking the city for the first time, and never once had they gained any advantage. This time would be no exception—even if Kong Youde brought cannon along, it would be useless.

"The day before yesterday there were reports of Jianzhou scout tracks seen twenty li outside the city. Yesterday their scouts reached the east, west, and north sides of the city to reconnoiter. I estimate their main force should arrive in two days, though their exact numbers are unknown. The cannon atop the walls are all prepared. The north and west gates should be their direction of attack—six red barbarian cannon are placed on both flanks of the north gate tower, four at the west gate, and two at the east gate. I've already issued the order: if the barbarians dare come within three li of the walls, blast the hell out of them! Defending the city has always been our strength. Never mind that the enemy isn't numerous this time—even if Hong Taiji came with a hundred thousand troops, trying to take our Jinzhou by force would be a pipe dream. Elder brother, just lie back and sleep easy!"

Zu Dale leaned back lazily in his grand armchair and replied with complete unconcern.

Jianzhou had attacked Jinzhou several times, and every time they had returned in defeat. Since the court intended to use Jinzhou as bait to catch the invading Jianzhou barbarians in one net, the Zu family was happy to enjoy some leisure.

"Elder brother, I think the Ministry of War's guess this time is not far off. After striking at Jinzhou, the Jianzhou barbarians will still turn toward Songshan. Since Hong Hengjiu has a plan, and the government troops have formidable weapons, elite soldiers, and greater numbers than the barbarians, I reckon the Eight Banners won't get off easy this time. We should send out more scouts to keep an eye on things. If the court's army looks about to win, we can also send men out to cut off some heads, so that when merits are recorded later, our lads can share in some of the glory!"

Zu Dabi offered his suggestion.

"Mm, have Dakuan and the others prepare three thousand elite troops. When they see the battle outside has basically been decided, take the men out through the south gate. Warn Dakuan—don't provoke the real Eight Banner slaves. Those savages are no pushovers when they fight for their lives. Just go after those soft eggs in the Han Army Banner! Second brother, don't stay here—go up to the walls and inspect, see if there are any oversights. Make sure the lads on the walls are properly fed, and lay out the reward silver where they can see it. Anyone who wounds or kills a Jianzhou barbarian gets ten taels of silver! A cautious man sails safely for ten thousand years—we can't lose face right under Hong Hengjiu's nose!"

Zu Dale rose and acknowledged the order, then left.

Two days after the Zu brothers finished their discussion, the Jianzhou army of over twenty thousand, including the booi bondservants, arrived before the walls of Jinzhou. Yoto ordered the army split into two forces—one prepared to attack from the north gate, while the other circled around to the west gate to begin pre-battle preparations. Under Zu Dale's direction, the Jinzhou defenders also began their tense preparations.

A great battle unseen in western Liaoning for a long time was on the verge of erupting.