Chapter 8: Observing the Battle (2)

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  Xiong Tingbi took Zhu Yinglong's hand and taught him how to observe the battlefield, how to use troops, and how to deploy them. He explained how to fight defensive battles, siege wars, field battles, encounter battles, and ambushes. Teaching by example is always better than dry indoctrination. Zhu Yinglong himself was not untalented and learned quickly, having read many military books in his previous life. He had a basic understanding of military affairs, so simple concepts were easy for him to grasp, but deeper ones required individual ability. Even if Xiong Tingbi's knowledge was imparted to Zhu Yinglong, it didn't mean he would become another Xiong Tingbi, a renowned general who rose from blood and fire. Zhu Yinglong did not aspire to be a famous general, but necessary military knowledge was still essential.

  Unbeknownst to them, the entire morning had passed, and the moat outside the north city wall that Zhu Yinglong and others were facing was almost filled up. Nurhaci sounded the golden horn to retreat his troops, and only saw smoke rising from his military camp, presumably burning fire for cooking, waiting for the soldiers to eat their fill before fighting again! Zhu Yinglong and others also quietly retreated down the mountain, lest they be discovered by the enemy, they couldn't start a fire to cook, so they had to make do with eating some dry rations.

  They have no problem eating like this, but Sun Shenxing is forced to drink thin porridge every day, otherwise he would have starved to death long ago. This old man is stubborn enough, and there's no other way but to feed him the cold porridge that was prepared beforehand. This time, unlike in previous days when he refused to open his mouth, not only did he drink the porridge, but after finishing it, he also said he wanted to see Xiong Tingbi.

  As soon as Sun Shenxing saw Xiong Tingbie and Zhu Yinglong, he asked directly: "Is it true that Nurhaci attacked Ningyuan City?" He really suspected that he was being fed a little thin porridge every day, but at this time he still had such great strength.

  Facing his old friend, Xiong Tingbi didn't want to hide anything and slowly nodded.

  "Oh, the country is ruined!" Sun Shenxing cried out in sorrow, with two streams of murky tears flowing down his eyes. At this moment, Zhu Yinglong truly felt the old man's strong patriotic heart, and couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. Those who are patriotic and talented, instead of being valued by their country, are subjected to numerous hardships and bear many unfathomable accusations. Yet they remain steadfast, with their hearts always focused on their nation. Why do such people exist? In his original time in the Ming Dynasty, would the country still have fallen? This question was worth Zhu Yinglong's deep contemplation!

  After the golden heavenly mandate, Khan Huai tent. Nurhaci is gathering his generals to discuss how to break through Ningyuan City.

  Seated upright on the white tiger skin above, with gray hair on both temples, his face was calm and composed, his eyes were bright and piercing, gazing at the dozen or so high-ranking generals standing on either side of him. Half of them were his sons, each one brave and skilled in battle, which made him extremely pleased. However, having so many excellent sons wasn't necessarily a good thing, as they all eyed his position, making it difficult for him to decide. Among the sons, the most capable was the Fourth Beile Hong Taiji, but his ambition was too great, not a good thing. The one he liked the most was Old Fourteenth Dorgon, unfortunately, he was still young and hadn't shown any special qualities yet, and had been intentionally kept at arm's length by him to temper his character, waiting for a few years to see if he could be of great use, then he would establish him as the successor.

  The Beile, the flag owner, and the assistant leader saw the Khan summoning them over, not saying a word. Everyone started whispering to each other, but no matter how they guessed, they couldn't guess that Nurhaci was thinking about who would succeed him instead of the Ningyuan War.

  Nurhaci found that all the generals had arrived, and he cleared his throat slightly. Suddenly, the entire tent was silent, and all the generals stood in their positions, looking at Nurhaci sitting above them, waiting for him to speak.

  "Azige, how were our casualties in today's siege?" Nurhaci asked in a deep voice.

  "Azige didn't expect to be asked first today, and he was taken aback for a moment. He hastily stepped forward and said: 'Reporting to Mother, the casualties among the Eight Banners troops are not severe, with over 300 people injured or killed. The Han army's infantry suffered more than 2,000 casualties.'"

  "How were the casualties of the Ming army defending the city?" Nurhaci continued to ask.

  Ajige suddenly broke out in a cold sweat, he was good at fighting and charging, but when it came to arranging troops and counting casualties, he was not good at all, let alone the enemy's, he was even more unable to answer, the data just now was also what he had just heard from his fourth brother Huang Taiji, how could he answer this?

  Hong Taiji and Ajige, Dorgon brothers relationship is good, can't bear to see him being scolded by Nurhaci, stepped forward: "Report to mother, the eleventh brother just now charged forward, did not notice the casualties of the Ming army, I was behind and saw clearly, the casualties of the Ming army are probably around two thousand people."

  Nurhaci nodded and said: "You all stand aside for now!"

  Ajige and Huang Taiji hastened to respond in unison, Ajige secretly gave Huang Taiji a grateful glance, the brotherly affection was implicit.

  "What is the strength of the Ming army defending the city?" Nurhaci suddenly asked, wasn't the answer to this question already known? Why did the Khan still ask?

  "Report to the Great Khan: The Ming army's commander is Ningqian Circuit Intendant Yuan Chonghuan, and there are over 10,000 soldiers defending."

  "Yuan Chonghuan, do any of you know him?" Nurhaci scanned the faces of his generals in the tent, but no one replied for a long time.

  At this time, Han official Fan Wen Cheng came out and said: "I know this Yuan Chonghuan. He was originally from Dongguan, Guangdong Province, and studied under Han Biao. He had served as a county magistrate and was ranked first in the imperial examination. He was appointed as the head of the Ministry of War's Department of Military Affairs. This man is well-versed in military strategy, has both literary and martial skills, is calm and bold, and has a good relationship with Xiong Tingbi. Moreover, he had been recognized by Sun Chengzong, the former governor-general. Unfortunately, the Ming court does not recognize talent. If they reuse this person, if he were to be in Liaodong, I'm afraid we would find it difficult to enter Shanhai Pass!"

  "Mr. Fan, you won't be exaggerating, will you? Just a mere Ningqian Dao Surveillance Commissioner, and still a civil official at that. Even if Xiong Tingbi were to come back to life, with his paltry force of over 10,000 men, he would be no match for my army of 130,000. It's simply the ravings of a madman! Now that he has no way out, either forward or backward, as long as we besiege him for a few months, I'm afraid not a single soul will be left in Ningyuan City!" Ma Guangtai stepped forward and said.

  Fan Wen Cheng did not refute, but instead retreated to his own ranks, without making a sound.

  "Be more respectful! You still haven't apologized to Mr. Fan!" Nurhaci said with a furious expression.

  Manggultai, under his father's accumulated prestige, had to run over and bow to Fan Wen Cheng, saying: "Mr. Fan, Manggultai apologizes to you."

  Fan Wencheng's lips didn't move, he just slightly clasped his fists and returned the courtesy. Nurhaci saw that the atmosphere in the tent was not suitable for discussing military strategy, so he announced the cancellation of the military council and left Fan Wencheng alone in the Khan's tent.

  Later historians do not understand why Nurhaci, who was originally cautious and wise, did not understand his opponent before the war began. Even if he didn't understand, it wouldn't have been necessary to ask in public, wouldn't that have ruined his reputation? He left Fan Wenpeng alone, and no one knows what they said. After Nurhaci's death, no matter who asked, Fan Wenpeng remained tight-lipped until his own death, never revealing anything to anyone.