area51novel Chapter 1421 Jia Fang: Who dares to stop me?
Chapter 1421 Jia Fang: Who dares to stop me?
Chapter 1421 Jia Fang: Who dares to stop me?
Shenjing City
On the other hand, as a group of cabinet military officials left the inner study, the news was spread in order to boost morale in the capital.
At this moment, the news that the Han army had captured the city of Hetuala in one fell swoop spread like wildfire.
The entire Shenjing city was immersed in the great joy of the Han army's victory in Liaodong again.
Because during the Longzhi period, the strategic goal of the entire Han Dynasty's Beijing Army's northern expedition against the Jurchens was undoubtedly the city of Hetuala.
Of course, what followed was the great defeat of the Han National Martyrdom Incident.
From then on, the prosperous era of Longzhi became a mirage and a dream.
Today, the Duke of Weiguo leads his army with unstoppable force and has won great victories one after another. Now even the Jurchens' lair has been destroyed, which is obviously of great significance.
For a time, the city of Shenjing became a sea of joy.
However, in a vast residential area in the southwest, in the middle of the night, bursts of dog barking could be heard coming from the streets, which seemed particularly quiet and clear in the inky black night.
A cluster of orange candle flames on the candlestick swayed in the wind, illuminating a tall and thin figure on the screen.
Chen Yuan's fair, clear face was gloomy as iron, and he said, "If we wait any longer, the Jurchens will be conquered, and when that person comes back, nothing will be done."
Ruan Yongde frowned and advised, "Sir, our people are still infiltrating the Beijing camp. If we start the rebellion now, everything will not be ready yet."
Chen Yuan frowned and nodded, "Do we have to wait for that kid Jia Heng to come back? And then ruin my plan?"
Ruan Yongde advised: "In the next few days, the guards at the palace gates need to be replaced, so don't rush."
Chen Yuan thought about it and felt that what Ruan Yongde said made sense. He suppressed his irritability, nodded, and said, "Go and get busy first."
It can be said that Chen Yuan has been extremely worried these days.
If we really wait for the Duke of Weiguo to take over Liaodong, then before the Beijing army returns, we can take advantage of the time when the emperor and his ministers in the city of Shenjing are jubilant and make plans?
As soon as this thought came to his mind, the plan in Chen Yuan's mind instantly became complete.
……
……
Shengjing City
It was already August, the trees were lush and green, the heat was rising, but at this moment the city of Shengjing was trapped in an icy cave.
Palace Garden, Xiande Hall
Concubine Zhuang and related Manchu princes, nobles and other high-ranking officials were discussing matters in the palace, and there were no Han officials at the moment.
The news of the fall of Hetuala City finally reached Shengjing City the day before yesterday, and the Manchu princes and ministers in Shengjing City were already in a state of panic.
As for the Han officials, I am afraid they are already feeling uneasy.
It has to be said that Hetuala, which represents the birthplace of the Qing Dynasty and the ancestor of the Aisin-Gioro clan, has a huge influence on people's hearts.
The Qing Dynasty has lost its mandate of heaven!
Such public opinion quietly circulated among Han officials and officers in Shengjing City.
The loss of Ningyuan and Liaoyang, coupled with the fall of Hetuala, has formed a trend throughout the Qing Dynasty.
Qing pills!
At this moment, on a short couch covered with a yellow soft mattress, Fulin, who was ten years old, was wearing a bright yellow dragon robe and a yellow silk hat, while Concubine Zhuang was listening to the government behind the curtain.
"My dear princes and ministers, how should our Qing Dynasty respond militarily now?" Concubine Zhuang said softly.
The Jurchen princes and ministers below all had worried looks on their faces, and for a moment, no one came out to respond.
As a noble of the Qing Dynasty, it can almost be said that one's wealth and glory are closely related to the rise and fall of the Qing Dynasty.
Shuo Sai looked sad, knelt down, clasped his hands and said: "Queen Mother, Hetuala City has been destroyed, and we, the descendants of Aixinjueluo, are deeply saddened, but now, the country and society are more important, and we must not act on impulse."
Concubine Zhuang turned her head to look at Shuo Sai below, her eyebrows raised, and she said in a clear voice: "Shuo Sai, you are always resourceful. Tell me, how should we deal with this matter?"
Shuo Sai raised his young face that seemed to be covered with tears, and choked up and said, "Queen Mother, now we can only ignore Hetuala City for the time being, and defend Shengjing City."
Hu Sai also spoke up at this time: "Your Majesty, the most urgent task for our Qing Dynasty now is to deal with the Han army besieging the city. The rest of the matter can be discussed later."
Concubine Zhuang frowned and asked, "Why didn't you send troops to take it back? And how could Man Dahai tolerate the Han people in Niumao Village to kill them all the way to Hetuala?"
Shuo Sai said: "My queen, Niumao Village fell into the hands of the Han army the day before yesterday, and Man Dahai also led his soldiers to temporarily withdraw from Niumao Village."
The young Qing Emperor Fulin, who was sitting nearby, also had a worried look on his handsome, fair face.
This precocious little emperor now realized that the Qing Dynasty was now in turmoil and in decline.
The Manchu princes and nobles below were all silent.
Concubine Zhuang was silent for a while, then suddenly asked, "Didn't the regent send an additional 10,000 troops to help Shengjing? Why not send those 10,000 troops to recapture Hetuala City?"
This refers to the previous Dorgon, who followed Ajige's advice and dispatched an additional 10,000 troops from the front line to support the war in Shengjing.
At this time, Lekedehun, who was guilty of a crime, came out of the court and clasped his fists and said, "Your Majesty, there are 100,000 Han troops outside the city, surrounding the city. Our troops in the city are already stretched to the limit, so it is not appropriate to send troops to rescue."
Shuo Sai also came out and echoed, "Your Majesty, there are many Han troops outside the city, and the walls of Shengjing are long, so we need even more troops. We really can't mobilize any."
Seeing that Concubine Zhuang's expression was slightly changed, Lekedehun said again: "Man Dahai led his troops to escape from the front line. I gave him a military order from Shengjing City, and ordered him to go to Hetuala City to recover the ancestral land."
In fact, Hetuala City is more like the spiritual totem of the Qing Dynasty. This city where the dragon rose fell into the hands of the Han army. Concubine Zhuang, the head daughter-in-law of the Aisin-Gioro clan, did not make any statement. In the eyes of outsiders, she was likely to be attacked and slandered.
Concubine Zhuang was silent for a moment, then she moved her lips, as if she wanted to say something to Kai Kou.
Suddenly, a young eunuch came into the palace in a panic and said, "Madam, the Regent..."
"What happened to the Regent?"
All the princes and ministers in the hall looked at the eunuch in unison.
"The Regent has led the army back to the city." The eunuch said anxiously with a panicked look on his face.
As soon as these words were spoken, all the princes and ministers present showed shock on their faces.
What does it mean to lead the army back to the city?
Return to Beijing?
Lekedehun looked extremely anxious and asked, "What's going on? What is the regent doing back in Beijing at this time?"
The eunuch's face turned pale as paper and he said, "I don't know either."
Concubine Zhuang's flawless face turned pale as well. She whispered, "Come on, go with me to take a look."
Afterwards, the princes and ministers in the palace, as well as the palace guards standing in front of the palace, escorted Concubine Zhuang out of the palace.
At this moment, right outside the city of Shengjing, one can see the remnants of a defeated army with its flag fallen.
They were the soldiers of the Eight Banners of the Jurchens led by Dorgon. After fleeing all night, Dorgon's resolute and calm face looked somewhat haggard, and under his thick eyebrows, his pupils were full of bloodshot.
The Han troops stationed not far away from Shengjing City were suddenly confused.
Where did this army come from?
Could it be reinforcements?
No, they look so listless, as if they are a defeated army!
At this moment, in the camp five or six miles away from Shengjing City—
Prince Beijing Shui Rong was in the military tent arranging the next siege. When he heard the guards outside, he entered the military tent and said, "My lord, a defeated army appeared outside the city. I don't know where they came from."
Upon hearing this, Prince Beijing Shui Rong was surprised and asked, "Defeated army?"
"What flag are you flying?" Kang Hong frowned and asked quickly.
The guard who reported the incident said, "Your Majesty, the flags do not have the names of the commanders, but they are all wearing white clothes and armor."
"White clothes and white armor?" Jiangnan Navy Admiral Wei Che frowned, his eyes flickered, and he asked, "Those are the soldiers of the two white flags. Could they be Dorgon's troops?"
Because Dorgon had already sent an elite force from Jinzhou to support Shengjing City.
That's why Wei Che said this.
Jia Fang thought for a moment, nodded and said, "Your Highness, please wait here. I will go out and take a look."
As he spoke, he stood up and prepared to leave the tent to give chase.
Prince Beijing Shui Rong's expression changed slightly, and he said, "The situation is unclear, General Xiao Jia should not be reckless."
Jia Fang said in a decisive and high-spirited voice, "If the defeated army returns, why not take advantage of the situation to defeat them?"
Having said that, he strode out of the military tent, leaving Prince Beijing Shui Rong, Kang Hong and Wei Che looking at each other in bewilderment.
On the other side, Dorgon had already led a group of bannermen from the two white flags and the Han army flag to the city of Shengjing.
As the drawbridge gate ahead made a teeth-grinding creaking sound, Lekedehun led a group of elite cavalry out of the gate to meet Dorgon.
"Regent." Lekedehun calmed himself down, rode his horse forward, saluted and said to Dorgon.
Dorgon looked ashamed and said, "Jinzhou City is about to fall. I will lead my troops to help Shengjing. Let's enter the city first."
When Lekedehun heard this, he was shocked.
This is... Jinzhou City is lost?
This is really like the sky is falling and the earth is collapsing, and two ghosts are knocking on the door.
Lekedehun nodded and said, "The Regent will enter the city first. I will lead the elite troops to cover the main army entering the city."
However, at this moment, the army formation behind Dorgon was in chaos, followed by the sound of "clattering" of horses' hooves, which gradually turned into the rumbling of horses' hooves.
At this moment, Jia Fang was riding on a maroon horse, holding a spear with a sharp blade and a bright blue light in his hand, slashing back and forth.
Wherever he passed, he saw blood and gore, which made people tremble with fear.
The elite cavalry of the Beijing Camp behind him was like a sharp knife that cuts through thorns and brambles, tearing into the defeated Jurchen soldiers. With the sound of weapons clashing and the "swish" sound of weapons entering flesh, many of the elite cavalry of the Beijing Camp were beaten to a pulp.
Until Lekedehun, who was not far away, at this moment, holding a large iron knife in his hand, riding on a horse with a maroon mane, he rushed towards the young general in white robe riding on a horse not far away.
This kid hasn’t settled the score with me in Liaoyang City last time.
At this moment, Jia Fang was wearing a plain cloak, riding on a horse with a chestnut mane, holding a rein, and rushing towards Lekedehun.
"Dangdang..."
The weapons collided, and at this moment, there were bursts of piercing screams. The two men were like a revolving lantern, crossing each other's paths.
One was young and strong, full of vigor and vitality, and the other was in his prime. When the two fought, they were almost evenly matched.
At this moment, the elite cavalry of the Han army fought back and forth with the elite soldiers of the Eight Banners of the Jurchens, while the defeated troops under Dorgon gradually came to the city to support them.
Wait until the troops have almost entered the city.
Lekedehun was not interested in fighting any more. His tiger eyes flashed fiercely under his thick eyebrows, and he shouted in a deep voice, "Thief, we'll fight to the death tomorrow."
As he spoke, he used the long sword in his hand to block Jia Fang's weapon. Then, the horse under him neighed and immediately rode away.
Seeing this, Jia Fang was furious and asked, "Where are you going?"
But at this time, the four or five horsemen beside Lekede rode their horses quickly towards Jia Fang, blocking Jia Fang's way in an instant.
Jia Fang roared angrily, like thunder in spring, and said, "Who dares to stop me?"
As he spoke, he swung his spear rapidly, transforming into a sharp edge that swept towards the four or five horsemen around him.
"Puff, puff..."
As the blades of the spears swept in the wind, flashes of blood could be seen. Four or five people flew backwards, leaving only a few horses circling in place.
At this moment, Jia Fang cleared the obstacles in front of him, and saw that the city gate in the distance had been closed, and the drawbridge was slowly rising.
Jia Fang was filled with inexplicable resentment and could only raise the long spear in his hand and sweep it towards the hundreds of Jurchen bannermen who were left behind, venting his anger.
"Dangdang..."
Then, the sound of a horn was heard behind him. It was clearly Prince Beijing Shui Rong ordering his men to call back the troops.
Jia Fang's face turned pale and he shouted, "Withdraw!"
Afterwards, the elite cavalry led by Jia Fang returned in a mighty force.
……
……
On the other hand, Dorgon led the defeated Eight Banners troops from Jinzhou and entered Shengjing City in a panic.
Concubine Zhuang and a group of Jurchen princes and ministers had already left the palace and were staring at Dorgon, who was sitting on his horse with a haggard face and dark circles under his eyes.
Concubine Zhuang's bright eyes flickered under her willow-leaf-like eyebrows, and she couldn't help feeling distressed, but then another kind of fear surged into her heart.
Fourteenth Uncle was defeated in Jinzhou, so is the Qing Dynasty...really going to be finished?
"Fourteenth Uncle." Concubine Zhuang took a few quick steps, a hint of anxiety appearing in her clear eyes.
Dorgon got off his horse at this moment, his burly figure staggered, and threw a rein to the horseman beside him. Then, facing the gazes of Concubine Zhuang and a group of princes and nobles, he said in a hoarse voice: "Jinzhou can't be defended, I come to help Shengjing City."
When Concubine Zhuang heard this, she felt a darkness before her eyes.
Was Jinzhou City really lost?
At this moment, Shuo Sai's handsome face showed a solemn expression, and he asked in confusion: "Fourteenth Uncle, doesn't Jinzhou have 100,000 elite soldiers and sufficient food and fodder? It's more than enough to defend for half a year. Why now?"
Those were the Qing Dynasty's 100,000 elite troops, and they couldn't even hold out for three months?
Dorgon's face showed pain, which was the pain of recalling the past, and he seemed to be preparing a "Ma Jingtao"-style roar, saying: "The Han court's Jia Heng kid first used the plan of flooding and soaking Jinzhou City, and then used gunpowder to blow up the city, and he couldn't stop it."
Shuosai frowned and paused.
Concubine Zhuang raised her eyes to look at Dorgon, with tears of tranquility in her eyes, and choked up and said, "Fourteenth brother, go in first and we'll talk."
Dorgon nodded and dragged his tired body into the palace gate.
We traveled day and night without stopping and finally returned to Shengjing.
Dorgon and other generals returned to the palace. Concubine Zhuang ordered the imperial kitchen to prepare dishes to welcome Dorgon.
Lekedehun asked: "Prince Regent, who is guarding Jinzhou City now?"
Dorgon was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice: "It is Prince Ying, but he has few soldiers and horses, and the Han army is coming with a large force this time, so Prince Ying can't hold them off for long."
At the end of the story, Dorgon was almost overcome with grief, and his nose felt sore.
The Qing Dynasty is going to be destroyed in the hands of Dorgon!
Lekedehun said: "The Han navy now has about 60,000 to 70,000 people, just outside. Not long ago, the city of Hetuala was also captured."
Hearing this, Dorgon sighed softly and asked, "How many troops are there in Shengjing now?"
Leked was silent for a moment, then said, "Regent, there are still 70,000 to 80,000 soldiers in the city. A lot of soldiers have been recruited in the past few days. If you add the soldiers the Regent brought this time, there should be more than 100,000 soldiers."
Hearing this, Dorgon murmured, "One hundred thousand soldiers and horses."
Lekedehun whispered, "Our Shengjing City is tall and has no rivers around it, so there is no need to worry."
Shuo Sai said: "But this time the Han army is besieging us from several directions, with a total of 300,000 to 400,000 soldiers and horses. Although our army has a strong city, without any reinforcements, I am afraid it will be difficult to hold out for long."
Dorgon nodded and said loudly: "As long as we defend Shengjing until winter, when it is cold, we can take advantage of the Han army's depletion of food and fodder and their inability to withstand the bitter cold to launch a counterattack."
Dorgon had said the same thing when he was in Jinzhou before.
Lekedehun frowned and whispered, "This is the only way now, but we need to leave a group of soldiers outside to coordinate with the outside forces."
Hu Sai nodded and said, "Man Dahai is leading his troops outside right now. Send someone to inform him and ask him to gather troops in Mongolia and the Eight Banners. When the time is right, the two sides will cooperate internally and externally."
Dorgon said helplessly: "Let's leave it at that for now, take a break and prepare for the defense of the city in the next few days."
Then, under Concubine Zhuang's worried gaze, all the Manchu princes and nobles dispersed.