Southern Ming Rebel Army

Chapter 520: Destroying the Qing Dynasty (Part )

Meng Jun began to carry out reforms across the country. While Lu Ping was anxiously waiting for Meng Jun's reply in Jiangnan, Zhao Yongping in Liaodong had already surrounded Shengjing.

As for Jirgalang's request for peace, Zhao Yongping said that the envoys could go to the capital safely, but if they wanted him to stop the attack, the only option was surrender. As for becoming a vassal, abdicating, or changing the Jurchen name, he, Zhao Yongping, was just a military man and didn't understand so much.

Jirgalang naturally disagreed with Zhao Yongping's request. If he surrendered so easily, leaving Hetuala to the Qing Dynasty would be empty talk. It was obvious which one was easier to squeeze, a soft persimmon or a thorny bush.

When the Qing court envoys were traveling day and night to the capital, Zhao Yongping ordered the Shengjing city to be surrounded.

At this time, Zhao Yongping had gathered Huang Cheng and the Sixteen-Division Allied Forces, Zhao Yongping's own troops, Gao Jinku and the Korean Volunteer Army, as well as Yu Youtian and Zheng Chenggong's troops which had become remnants.

After receiving the news that Zhao Yongping had broken through the Ningjin defense line, Gao Jinku immediately realized that the final battle to destroy the Qing Dynasty was about to come. At this last moment, Gao Jinku hurriedly rushed and finally joined the army before Zhao Yongping attacked Shengjing City.

There were more than 70,000 cavalry and 120,000 infantrymen from various departments at the gates of Shengjing. Despite such a large number of troops, there were only less than 30,000 people in Shengjing city. Among them, the 7,000 troops who stayed with Jirgalang to defend Shengjing were the most determined, while the more than 7,000 people who followed Suksaha to retreat to Shengjing after his defeat in Dulubi obviously had low morale.

As for the 20,000 cavalrymen under Baiyintu, they also suffered some casualties when defeating Zheng Chenggong's troops. In particular, before they forced their way into the firearms array, they were hit by nearly a hundred large and small artillery shells, and then they charged into the musket array and were hit by more than ten rounds of projectiles. Among the 20,000 cavalrymen, more than 3,000 were killed and more than 1,000 were injured. Most of the injured were killed by firearms and basically could not go to the battlefield again.

Jirgalang was on the city wall, looking at the murderous atmosphere below the city. In the distance, the Qian army camp was filled with flags covering the sky, swords and spears were like a forest, and the sound of swords and horses was deafening. Zhao Yongping had built one such camp on each of the four sides of Shengjing.

Jirgalang clearly understood Zhao Yongping's intention from his camping behavior. He was so aggressive that he was unwilling to even take the action of surrounding the city on three sides and leaving one person behind, which could reduce the morale of the defenders. It was obvious that he wanted to destroy all the soldiers in the city.

Compared with the Qian army, the Shengjing defenders were undoubtedly alone. Jirgalang knew that once Zhao Yongping attacked the city, he would definitely attack from all sides. The 30,000 troops were scattered in four directions, with less than 8,000 people on each side. The Qian army had six times the strength of the defenders in each direction, and the defenders had to consider rotation, rest, wounded soldiers, etc. This battle would be very difficult.

Jirgalang, wearing armor, stood on the city wall. He looked up at the sky and wanted to sigh, but he held the sigh back before he could do so. Now, he was the pillar of Shengjing City, so how could he be cowardly and sad?

Thinking of this, Jirgalang showed a heroic spirit. Therefore, he drew his sword and pointed it to the sky, then pointed it directly at the Qian army, shouting: "Shengjing is the capital of our dynasty and the foundation of our country. How can we allow the southern bandits to covet it! In the past, Taizu started the army with only thirteen sets of armor. The situation was so dangerous, but Taizu trampled those enemies under his feet one by one. As Taizu's descendants, how can we lose the face of our ancestors! The Qing Dynasty will win!"

The Geshaha beside Jirgalang shouted loudly: "The Qing Dynasty will win! The Qing Dynasty will win!"

Upon hearing this, the defenders all raised their arms in response, and for a moment they were full of energy and enthusiasm.

The generals of the Qian army who were holding a meeting in the city camp also heard the shouts of the defenders. Most of them sneered at the words. Qian Biao laughed and said, "The Qing Dynasty will win. They won all the way from Nanjing to Shenyang. It's really funny."

Zhao Yongping said calmly: "Everyone, don't underestimate the enemy. Shenyang is the capital of the Qing Dynasty. Jirgalang will definitely defend to the last moment. Judging from the morale of the people in the city, this battle may not be easy."

Gao Jinku patted his chest and said, "Marshal, I am willing to be the vanguard and help you capture Shenyang City!"

Qian Biao stood up immediately and said, "You said you would be the vanguard? Why? Just because you were rushed all the way from Liaoyang to Jeju Island by Bolo last time?"

Upon hearing this, Gao Jinku's face turned red and he sat down angrily. Li Hao, who was standing by, was shocked to see that such a great general like Gao Jinku was actually exposed in front of him.

Bai Yongfu also spoke up at this time, exposing his shortcomings, saying in a sarcastic tone: "When we attacked Jinling City, the Qingluan Guards had already opened the Dinghuai Gate. Who was it that didn't get in? I don't know about others, but I, Bai, am not convinced!"

"Bah!" Qian Biao was so angry that he wanted to go forward and practice martial arts with Bai Yongfu, but he was pulled away by everyone and was unable to do so.

While the generals were fighting for the vanguard, Zhao Yongping turned to Zheng Chenggong and asked, "Prince of Nan'an, can the army's morale be used?"

Zheng Chenggong nodded and said, "Morale is high and the army is ready. Shenyang will surely be captured."

Zhao Yongping laughed and then stopped the generals. Zheng Chenggong sat next to Zhao Yongping. In fact, he didn't want to come to Shenyang at all. After the defeat, the remaining troops retreated to Haizhou. Just when he thought that the Qing army would continue to pursue him, he didn't expect that they would retreat directly back to Shengjing City.

Soon after, Zhao Yongping broke through the Ningjin defense line and Huang Cheng wiped out the Qing army fleeing Jinzhou at Dalingh River. Zheng Chenggong was so ashamed that he originally planned to take a boat directly back to Fujian.

However, Zheng Chenggong also knew that he was now the commander-in-chief appointed by Meng Jun himself. Defeating the enemy was a matter of the battlefield, but if he abandoned his troops and left without orders, it would not be a matter of the battlefield, but would escalate into an extremely serious political issue.

The current Zheng family has submitted to the Qian Dynasty, and the Qian Dynasty is not the Yongli court. Yongli could not do anything to the Zheng family, but the Qian Dynasty had plenty of ways.

Just when Zheng Chenggong was feeling extremely annoyed, Zhao Yongping sent a team of light cavalry to invite Zheng Chenggong to join them in besieging Shenyang. Zheng Chenggong knew that this was Zhao Yongping's way of giving him a way out. Although it was embarrassing, Zheng Chenggong had no choice but to accept Zhao Yongping's invitation and led the remaining 4,000 troops to join Zhao Yongping.

Out of 20,000 men, only 4,000 were left. Their morale was low, and 70% to 80% of their weapons were gone. They looked in a miserable state, which formed a sharp contrast with the high morale of Zhao Yongping, Huang Cheng, Gao Jinku and other subordinates.

At this time, Zhao Yongping said to Zheng Chenggong: "Prince of Nan'an, do you have any ideas on how to capture Shenyang City?"

Zheng Chenggong was slightly stunned. Among all the generals, he was the only one who held the title of a prince, but here, his military force was the weakest, which was really a mismatch.

Zheng Chenggong pondered for a moment, then said in a deep voice: "In my opinion, the enemy army is already exhausted, the city gates are blocked, and they are determined to defend to the death. Then we have to attack from all sides, drive troops to the city day and night, and attack for a month, and we will definitely break Shenyang City!"

(It’s Chapter 520, this chapter is so adorable!!! ⊙▽⊙)