I was living at the end of the Ming Dynasty, and I dealt a brutal blow to the Eight Banners!

at dusk,

The afterglow of the setting sun dyed the earth reddish-brown, and some soldiers were still cleaning up the battlefield outside the city, creating a desolate and sorrowful scene.

Inside Jinzhou city, the sparse smoke from cooking fires added a touch of life to the desolate and bleak atmosphere.

Zhang Jingchuan removed his armor, rolled up his sleeves, and stirred the thick rice porridge in the pot with a large ladle. The Ming soldiers, who were holding bowls and lining up, looked on with envy and their mouths watered.

They had been guarding Jinzhou City for over a year; how long had it been since they had tasted such thick rice porridge?

After the steaming hot flatbread was placed on the table, Zhang Jingchuan called out loudly:

"One bowl per person, come back for more when you're done, there's plenty!"

A bowl of rice porridge and a flatbread—the Ming soldiers, having received their food, gathered in small groups and wolfed it down.

This scene,

Hong Chengchou and Zu Dashou, who had just arrived from the North City Tower, happened to see this.

Once a person leaves a good impression on others, their favorability will increase dramatically when they do similar things again.

Hong Chengchou already admired young people like Zhang Jingchuan, and now that his soldiers had brought these things when they needed food and herbs the most, Hong Chengchou's goodwill towards Zhang Jingchuan rose to another level.

As for Zu Dashou, he looked at Zhang Jingchuan with considerable curiosity.

On the way there, Hong Chengchou not only told Zu Dashou about Zhang Jingchuan's deeds, but also praised him highly.

Seeing Zhang Jingchuan personally serving rice porridge to his soldiers warmed his heart even more.

Generals like Zu Dashou naturally cherish their soldiers. Zhang Jingchuan's arrival not only ensured that his soldiers didn't go hungry and had medicine to treat their wounds, but for Zu Dashou, this was an immense favor.

Zhang Jingchuan, who was busy serving rice porridge to the soldiers, was naturally unaware of the thoughts and feelings of Hong Chengchou and Zu Dashou.

For Zhang Jingchuan, since he was waiting anyway, he might as well make his presence known to these hungry Ming soldiers.

after all,

The food and herbs were brought by himself; this good person should take care of them himself.

Moreover, things are ever-changing, and who knows, one of these Ming soldiers might one day receive a good reward for the kindness shown to them today.

Being kind to others can help you build positive relationships.

When Zhang Jingchuan saw Hong Chengchou and a gaunt old general looking at him, he quickly handed over his work to someone else, wiped his hands on the lining, and hurried over.

"Your humble servant greets Your Excellency the Governor!"

Hong Chengchou smiled, pointed to Zu Dashou beside him, and said to Zhang Jingchuan, "This is the Left Commander-in-Chief, General Zu, the Vanguard Commander of Liaodong."

Zhang Jingchuan feigned fear and respectfully said, "Zhang Jingchuan, garrison commander of Donghai Fort, pays his respects to General Zu."

Zu Dashou smiled and nodded, saying, "Not bad, young and promising!"

Immediately afterwards, Zu Dashou pointed to the place where the grain and fodder were piled up and asked, "I heard that the grain and supplies you brought were all intercepted from the Qing army?"

“Yes,” Zhang Jingchuan nodded, “If the enemy can steal our grain, we can steal it back!”

"Hahahaha," Zu Dashou laughed heartily, "Excellent! Our Great Ming Dynasty needs rising stars like you!"

Hong Chengchou was also very satisfied with Zhang Jingchuan's harassment of the Qing army's supply lines behind enemy lines, and said, "You, Zhang Huai'an, also deserve credit for the recapture of Jinzhou this time. I will petition the court for your commendation."

"Thank you, Your Excellency. I will certainly do my duty and serve the court!" Zhang Jingchuan said firmly.

……

The next morning,

General Wu Sangui of Ningyuan and General Wang Pu of Datong led their troops and two hundred carts of grain and supplies to Jinzhou.

When Wu Sangui learned that Zhang Jingchuan had not only successfully intercepted and harassed the Qing army's supply lines, but had also gained the appreciation of Hong Chengchou and Zu Dashou, he felt extremely uneasy.

Although Zhang Jingchuan was Wu Sangui's subordinate, he always felt that he couldn't control this person.

At first, Zhang Jingchuan led the vanguard battalion to make great contributions, and Wu Sangui originally wanted to promote and give him an important position. However, Zhang Jingchuan took the opportunity to make demands of him.

Although the request wasn't unreasonable, Wu Sangui was not pleased with the way the man was asking for it.

Therefore, he tacitly approved Song Ben's actions against Zhang Jingchuan and sent him to Donghai Fort.

The original intention was to use the Qing army to eliminate Zhang Jingchuan, or at least to strike a blow at him if they couldn't eliminate him.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Jingchuan not only successfully took over Donghai Fort, but also annihilated a whole Niru of Qing troops from the Bordered Yellow Banner. Even Aobai, who was bestowed the title of the First Baturu of Manchuria by Huang Taiji, was wounded and forced to flee.

Next, Zhang Jingchuan was sent to harass the Qing army's supply lines, which was meant to send him to his death. However, he not only returned alive but also intercepted a lot of grain and supplies, which he sent to Jinzhou, thus gaining favor with Hong Chengchou and Zu Dashou.

However, after each meritorious service, Zhang Jingchuan would praise Wu Sangui, giving outsiders the illusion that it was all due to Wu Sangui's excellent teaching.

Moreover, Zhang Jingchuan handled the task entrusted to him by Wu Sangui extremely well.

Right now,

Even Wu Sangui had to admit Zhang Jingchuan's abilities.

This gave Wu Sangui a feeling that he neither liked him nor could bear to part with him.

at night,

Under the cover of night, Zhang Jingchuan led his troops away from Jinzhou and headed towards Donghai Fort.

Because he knew in his heart,

The Battle of Songjin will truly begin in the coming period, and the decisive battle between the Ming and Qing armies will unfold from there.

Zhang Jingchuan knew that he didn't have much time left. He needed to ensure that he had enough strength to protect himself before the Battle of Songjin was decided, and at the same time complete the tasks assigned to him by the system to get another chance to draw a prize.

After arriving at the Jinzhou front, Huang Taiji first ordered the digging of trenches to prevent the Ming army in Jinzhou from launching an offensive. Then he ordered Dorgon and Dodo to lead their cavalry deep into the area between Songshan and Ningyuan to harass the Ming army's supply lines.

On the 21st,

Hong Chengchou led his troops out of Jinzhou and launched an offensive against the Qing army, attempting to engage in a decisive battle with them.

After three days of fierce fighting, the Ming army not only failed to break through the deep trenches, but also suffered heavy losses. Hong Chengchou decided to hold Jinzhou and no longer take the initiative to attack.

So far,

The Ming army in Jinzhou and the Qing army outside the city began to confront each other.

However, Donghai Fort, where Zhang Jingchuan was located, did not experience a tense and oppressive atmosphere due to the fierce battle in Jinzhou. On the contrary, it was developing rapidly and vigorously.

Two thousand infantrymen and one hundred cavalrymen were practicing their formations on the drill ground, their battle cries resounding with overwhelming momentum.

The artisans in the armory are forging weapons and armor, while the craftsmen in the firearms workshop are repairing damaged muskets and cannons.

The laborers unloaded the grain and supplies from the ships and then carried them to the warehouses inside the fortress for storage.

Zhang Jingchuan stood on the dock, gazing at the Fujian-style ship that was moored.

Li Daniu has returned, bringing with him representatives from businesses in Fujian and Zhejiang provinces.

……