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

The army heading north,

After leaving the territory of Gaizhouwei, they noticeably increased their speed.

Zheng Chenggong was unclear about how many parts the more than 60,000 troops and the more than 20,000 soldiers in Phoenix City were divided into, and he was even more unclear about which part of the Marquis's command his 5,000 Japanese soldiers belonged to.

To be honest, this was the first time Zheng Chenggong had ever marched with such a large army.

I felt like a drop of water in the ocean, only knowing to follow the main group. If I slowed down, a sentry would come up to remind me.

This feeling is like a flock of sheep, with the sentries roaming around like sheepdogs.

As for the shepherd, that would naturally be the Marquis.

However, this acceleration has become extremely noticeable.

far away,

Zheng Chenggong seemed to have spotted Ximu City to the east.

It was a strategic fortress that was larger than a typical camp but smaller than a typical city.

On the city wall, Ming army flags were flying, and outside the city, armored soldiers were cleaning up the battlefield.

Clearly, Ximu City must have been captured not long ago.

It's obvious that Xu Anguo's Second Army must have attacked and captured it ahead of time, and even while the main army was on its way.

efficiency,

This has always been the principle upheld by the Marquis of Pinglu's residence.

When a large army marches north, the role of the vanguard is to pave the way for the main force that follows.

Dajun,

Continuing north, north, north!

at night,

Each unit lit a bonfire and slept on the ground.

Although doing this in the dead of winter could easily lead to people freezing to death, fortunately, the logistics department had prepared enough charcoal and firewood, as well as meat soup for the soldiers.

Unlike the soldiers inside the pass, these soldiers had plenty of food and pay, and could have some meat with every meal, so their bodies were naturally toughened up.

The next morning,

The army packed its belongings and continued northward.

Zheng Chenggong noticed that there were significantly more scouts on the west side. He asked Xu Anguo and learned that they were scouts from the First Army.

Since Wu Guozhong's First Army has appeared on the left flank, they should not be far from Haizhou City.

And Haizhou City,

It was the first and most important line of defense south of Shengjing.

Zheng Chenggong originally thought they would set up camp about twenty or thirty miles south of Haizhou City.

result,

Lord Zhang ordered him to lead 5,000 Japanese soldiers to turn around, break away from Xu Anguo's second army, and follow the cavalry of the personal guard to head northeast!

Is the Marquis... not planning to personally oversee the attack on Haizhou City?

This route essentially bypassed Haizhou City, the Qing Dynasty's first line of defense.

They headed straight for the Qing court's second line of defense, which was the former Liaodong Military Commandery in Zizai Prefecture, Dongning Guard!

But Zizai City is a large city with high walls and deep moats. Even if they had another 50,000 troops, they might not be able to conquer it, let alone with their small force.

The Imperial Guard was composed entirely of cavalry, and their marching speed did not slow down due to the presence of these 5,000 Japanese soldiers. As a result, the Japanese soldiers following behind were struggling to keep up, and some had already fallen behind.

Zheng Chenggong finally couldn't hold back any longer. As the commander of this Japanese army, he had to ask his adoptive father:

"Godfather, where exactly are we going to fight?"

Haizhou Garrison hasn't even been captured yet, and with such a small force, it doesn't seem like they're going to ambush the Qing army rushing from Dongning Garrison to reinforce Haizhou City. Such a tactic...

Aren't you afraid of being surrounded and killed by the Qing army?

Of course,

Zheng Chenggong also had an extremely bold guess, but he dared not make that guess.

Because when studying and deducing the lord's tactical thinking with Miyamoto Musashi, such assumptions were not uncommon.

Because that would mean that the Qing army's iron cavalry could reach the walls of Gaizhou without any hindrance, and the few soldiers guarding Gaizhou would be like a virgin's membrane, easily broken.

To put it bluntly,

What's the difference between this kind of play that only focuses on the head and ignores the tail, and playing like a hermit enjoying chrysanthemums?

They really think they wouldn't dare to strike directly at the heart of the enemy's territory!

Lord Zhang smiled, seemingly quite pleased with Zheng Chenggong's expression.

Simultaneously,

With a flick of the whip,

shouted:

"Shengjing!!!"

"Shengjing???"

Zheng Chenggong stood there dumbfounded, as did Miyamoto Musashi, and the five thousand Japanese soldiers who were running so hard they were almost out of breath also stood there dumbfounded.

Is the Marquis planning to lead his five thousand Japanese soldiers to attack Shengjing? To attack the capital of the Qing Dynasty?

When did you, Lord Marquis, start to think so highly of the Japanese soldiers?

Or has the Marquis become so arrogant that he thinks he can attack Shengjing with five thousand Japanese soldiers?

But soon,

Zheng Chenggong and Miyamoto Musashi then abandoned their idea.

because,

Lord Zhang led a thousand cavalrymen from his personal guard and began to gallop at full speed.

Zheng Chenggong and five thousand Japanese soldiers were left standing there, bewildered and helpless, like children abandoned by their fathers, standing in the raging storm with their minds in turmoil.

this moment,

Zheng Chenggong and Miyamoto Musashi had no choice but to accept the cruel reality before them.

That is,

The Marquis's initial goal was Shengjing.

Do not,

strictly speaking,

The purpose of this large-scale troop buildup to march north, whether to Haizhou or Fenghuang, was not to seek a decisive battle with the Qing army.

All this commotion is just a smokescreen.

Their true purpose was Shengjing, the capital of the Qing Dynasty!

As for Zheng Chenggong's five thousand Japanese soldiers... placed between Shengjing and Haizhou, they seemed to be a pawn abandoned by the Marquis, but in reality, they were a link.

If the Qing army in Haizhou City were to send troops to surround and kill the Marquis of Pinglu...

Zheng Chenggong's 5,000 Japanese soldiers were a decoy, intended to restrain the Qing army. Even if they couldn't stop them, they could at least greatly deplete the enemy's strength.

This bought the Marquis ample time to attack Shengjing.

If the Marquis's attack on Shengjing fails, Zheng Chenggong's forces can serve as a backup, covering the Marquis's retreat in critical moments.

Fighting a war is like playing chess.

A true master never places a move randomly on the board; he wishes every piece could serve both offensively and defensively.

Zheng Chenggong also possessed considerable military expertise.

otherwise,

It was impossible for Zheng Zhilong to entrust him with the command of 20,000 pirate soldiers.

Having understood his adoptive father's deeper meaning, Zheng Chenggong's eyes flashed with a sharp glint. He drew his long sword from his waist and pointed it at the distant woods.

He opened his mouth and said:

"Everyone, follow me into the woods!"

……

"What!?"

Prince Hauge was greatly alarmed. He glared at the scout who had come to report and pressed him for an answer:

"You're saying a Ming army bypassed us and headed straight for Dongningwei?"

At this time, there were more than 20,000 Qing troops in Haizhou City.

Although 30% of them were newly recruited soldiers temporarily conscripted from Mongolia and the rear, it was enough if it was just for defending the city.

but,

The Ming army has actually divided its forces around Haizhou City, and judging from the situation, it seems to be heading towards Dongningwei.

Haizhou City was the Qing Dynasty's first line of defense, Dongningwei was the second, and further north was Shengjing, the Qing Dynasty's capital.

If Dongningwei were to fall, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Of course,

The few thousand Ming infantry and cavalry that circled around could not possibly pose a threat to Dongning Guard.

but,

Haug didn't dare to gamble.

"Quickly, send someone to Dongningwei to report this!"

……