Southern Ming Rebel Army

Chapter 511 Ping Liao (5)

Man Dahai died in the battle and even his body could not be retrieved. The Qing army's tactic of delaying Huang Cheng and the allied forces with 20,000 cavalrymen had come to an end.

Suksaha knew that with his current military strength, it would be difficult to hold back Huang Chenggong, so he led the remaining 6,000 cavalrymen to retreat hastily to Shengjing.

Just as Jirgalang received the good news that Baiyintu had defeated Zheng Chenggong, he received the bad news that Mandahai was defeated and killed in the north. This dealt another blow to his confidence in using war to promote peace.

Now he can only pin his hopes of a comeback on Shengjing City. As long as he can hold on to Shengjing City for a year or two, Meng Jun might agree to peace talks.

In Jirgalang's memory, the Qing Dynasty had encountered many difficulties and suffered some defeats since its establishment, but in the end, the Qing Dynasty was able to overcome the dangers. However, the current situation is something that Jirgalang cannot think of a solution to no matter what.

After Huang Cheng defeated the Qing cavalry in the Battle of Dulbi, he did not advance directly eastward to Shengjing, but turned southward to Guangning and Dalinghhe, trying to support Zhao Yongping.

When the news of Zheng Chenggong's defeat reached Yizhou, Gao Jinku was already preparing to march into Liaodong. After hearing the news of the great defeat in Lushun, Gao Jinku immediately slowed down his advance.

Hu Zhan was somewhat speechless, but Gao Jinku was like a person who was bitten by a snake once and was afraid of the rope for ten years. He said: "The defeat of Prince Nan'an shows that the Qing army is still capable of fighting. We only have 30,000 garrison troops, and the rest are all Korean soldiers. If the Qing army sends 20,000 or 30,000 cavalry, and we are defeated again, then I guess I will never be able to lead troops again in my life!"

Upon hearing this, Hu Zhan advised, "But if we hesitate and delay the plan to destroy the Qing Dynasty, His Majesty will surely be furious. In my opinion, we should continue to march forward. Besides, the Qing court can't spare any troops now. General Gao, you worry too much!"

Gao Jinku also knew that it would be a taboo not to advance at this time, but he was still worried about a surprise attack by the Qing army. Therefore, after crossing the Yalu River, Gao Jinku ordered scouts to carefully survey the environment along the way. Only after confirming that it was safe would Gao Jinku order the army to advance.

However, this made the marching speed very slow. After capturing Phoenix City, Gao Jinku ordered Yang Sanwu to stay in Phoenix City as the army's retreat.

However, Gao Jinku was obviously worrying too much. In order to defend against the three armies of Huang Cheng, Zheng Chenggong and Zhao Yongping, Jirgalang was already wishing to use one soldier as two. Jirgalang knew that Gao Jinku was a threat, but it was not an imminent crisis. Therefore, after Bolo withdrew to Hetuala City, the Qing army had almost no defensive forces in the east.

Just as Gao Jinku was slowly marching towards Liaoyang City, in Jinzhou City, Zhao Yongping finally cleared the fortifications outside the city.

In the southwest of Jinzhou, more than sixty red cannons were bombarding Jinzhou City in turns. This fortress, which was once an extremely important frontier in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, was once again plunged into war.

The gunners opened fire at the same time. In the line of battle, one red cannon after another suddenly retreated, emitting a series of continuous loud noises.

In an instant, the artillery array was filled with gunpowder smoke. The smoke rising from the muzzle quickly formed white smoke bands after spreading, moving with the wind.

Dozens of bullets flashed in the air and hit the wall of Jinzhou. The wall was already in a mess because Zhao Yongping had already started shelling the city after arriving in Jinzhou.

The weather has started to get cold. Although it has not yet reached the point where the ground has frozen, it is obviously not an easy task to break into the city by digging tunnels and burying explosives. However, Zhao Yongping now has no shortage of supplies or gunpowder bullets. Even though Jinzhou City is a fortress, Zhao Yongping believes that Jinzhou will be blown down sooner or later under the bombardment of so many cannons.

With round after round of bombardment, the powerful projectiles hit the city walls, causing them to dent and bricks and stones to fall off the walls piece by piece.

Zhao Yongping put away his telescope, felt the power of the heavy artillery bombardment of the city, and said to his generals with a smile: "In my opinion, after two more days of bombardment, the walls of Jinzhou will collapse."

After filling the moat outside the city, under the fierce bombardment of more than 60 cannons for twelve consecutive days, a small section of the city wall in the southwest corner of Jinzhou City collapsed, forming a gap. Although they still had to climb, the defenders could no longer defend at the gap.

In this battle, all the generals wanted to fight and were willing to lead their troops as the vanguard. The morale of the generals was high and no one was willing to give in. Zhao Yongping saw that the army could be used, but it was unfair to make random assignments. So on the eve of the battle, in the central army tent, all the generals gathered together and chose the order of siege by drawing lots.

This method was simple and direct. All the generals agreed with it and were willing to accept the defeat. No one could cheat. Those who participated in the drawing of lots included Qian Biao, Li Laiheng, Hao Yongzhong, Bai Yongfu, Jiang Xiang, and Wang Fuchen.

Everyone's eyes were focused on the small box. There were only simple numbers on the paper inside the box. As for the order of drawing lots, Qian Biao strongly expressed that he wanted to be the first to draw.

Most people had no objection to this, except Bai Yongfu, who couldn't stand Qian Biao and insisted on rushing to be the first to draw.

The two of them argued endlessly, and finally Zhao Yongping got angry and scolded them, and the argument stopped.

Bai Yongfu snorted and said, "It doesn't matter if I let you draw first. You might be the last one."

Qian Biao made a "Pooh" sound, then rubbed his hands, pulled out a piece of paper, unfolded it, and his expectant expression instantly fell. Qian Biao drew a four, which meant that he would go into battle on the fourth day.

Bai Yongfu came over to take a look and laughed. Seeing Qian Biao's ugly face, he stepped forward and pulled out the note, but the result was worse than Qian Biao's, a six.

After Qian Biao finished reading it, his expression turned from gloomy to bright and he laughed loudly: "Laugh, laugh, laugh, what a joke, you deserve it!"

Everyone knew that the city of Jinzhou had been destroyed by artillery fire. With inferior forces, the Qing army would not be able to hold out for more than the fourth day, let alone the sixth day. If nothing unexpected happened, Bai Yongfu would not have a chance to appear in the battle of Jinzhou.

At dawn the next day, as the first ray of light penetrated the clouds, the horn of attack resounded through the sky. On the first day, Hao Yongzhong's troops led the Yingyang Town into battle.

Hao Yongzhong's troops were fully armed and ready to go. The morning air was a little chilly, but this could not cool the soldiers' fiery hearts.

The battlefield is where a warrior can change his destiny. Only by fighting to the death can he fight for wealth and glory.

Following an order, the Yingyang Town rushed forward like a tide, carrying countless sandbags to fill the jagged rocks in the gap.

(I want to change the title, but Liaodong has not been pacified yet, so annoying!!!)