noveltune Chapter 103 No other way out but to get to the bottom of it
Chapter 103 No other way out but to get to the bottom of it
Chapter 104 No other way out but to get to the bottom of it
Chapter 103 "Did you know? Nurhaci is leading an army of hundreds of thousands to attack!"
"What? How did you know?"
"We, a thousand or so people, were returning to our tribe when we were met head-on by the Jurchen army. Of those thousand or so, only a few of us remained. Our leader—in order to save everyone, was—his hands and feet were bound, and he was roasted alive on a fire!"
"Ah, when did this happen?"
Three days ago!
"Three days ago? Why haven't the Jurchens shown up yet?"
"That's the cunning of the Jurchens. They were waiting for the Haixi Jurchen tribes and the Wild Jurchen tribes to escape back. Among those who have recently escaped, there must be Jurchen spies among them!"
"That's not all. The Jurchens know that Lord Chen has sold most of his grain to various tribes. There's not much grain left in the city. With so many people flooding in, they'll eat it all. We won't even need to fight; we'll be finished!"
Just as Chen Ying received news that Nurhaci was leading an army of tens of thousands to attack Shuangchengwei, similar rumors began to circulate in the trade area of Shuangchengwei.
The rumors mainly consist of three points: among those who recently escaped back, there are Jurchen spies who relied on these spies to capture important Liaodong towns such as Shenyang and Liaoyang, and now they are doing the same thing.
Secondly, these Haixi Jurchens, Wild Jurchens, and Solon people will devour all the food in the city, as well as the tens of thousands of Jurchen troops.
At first, it only circulated in the trade area, but it quickly spread to every corner of the Twin Cities, and then spread to the rear like a plague, getting out of control in the blink of an eye.
Now, all the tribes of the Haixi Jurchen are filled with vigilance towards people from outside their own tribes. They would even grab someone by the hair and interrogate them, asking if they were a spy for the Jurchens.
Chen Ying used the pretext of trade in Shuangchengwei to form an alliance among the various tribes. This alliance was very fragile. Once the seeds of distrust were sown, the impact would be enormous. Not only were the tribesmen hiding in the trade, but even the soldiers of the Wolf Cavalry were filled with vigilance.
When Chen Ying received the news, he was both shocked and furious. He did not expect that Nurhaci would resort to such despicable tactics when he had an overwhelming advantage in military strength.
However, this underhanded tactic was relatively effective. The various departments in the Twin City Guard trade zone now distrust each other, and even when they sleep, they send people with weapons on guard.
Shuangchengwei, the office of the Da Ning Military Command.
Lu Jiucheng was initially tidying up his private residence in Shuangchengwei City when Chen Ying gave him a neighboring courtyard in the city, which was about four or five acres in size.
Lu Jiucheng led his men to clean up his house, but little did he expect that the house would be emptied of the more than two thousand taels of bribes he had received.
Before he could even enjoy his new house, he received news that Nurhaci had personally led an army of tens of thousands of men. He was practically dragged by the Embroidered Uniform Guard to the headquarters of the military commander.
He slumped into a chair, his face ashen, his hands trembling so badly he could barely hold the teacup, spilling tea all over himself, but he seemed oblivious. He exclaimed, "General Chen—General Chen, Nurhaci really came in person? With hundreds of thousands of troops?"
"Nurhaci has arrived, but his army of tens of thousands is definitely an exaggeration."
Chen Ying nodded, his expression grave, and said, "There are still seventy or eighty thousand people!"
Is there a difference between 70,000 or 80,000 Jurchen slaves and 100,000 or more Jurchen slaves?
Lu Jiucheng was almost in tears: "Commander Chen, what should we do now?"
Lu Jiucheng was filled with regret. If he had known Nurhaci would come, why did he become the military supervisor?
They didn't make much money, gained no benefits, and might even lose their heads.
Lu Jiucheng suddenly stood up, spun around twice, and then grabbed Chen Ying's arm: "Commander Chen, let's retreat! Before the Jurchens arrive, let's retreat quickly! Retreat to Yongning Port, retreat to Dalu Island, and if all else fails, retreat to Dengzhou. As long as we're alive, we can always fight another day!"
Chen Ying remained silent. If he could retreat, he didn't want to fight Nurhaci to the death. But the question was, could he retreat?
If we retreat now, the Haixi Jurchen and the Wild Jurchen tribes will definitely turn against us immediately. Whether it's the Haixi Jurchen or the Wild Jurchen, their intuition about power is very accurate. Once they find that the forces they have pledged allegiance to are beginning to weaken, they will immediately turn against us. Betrayal is the least of their worries; attacking us as a group is their only way to survive.
Lu Jiucheng stared at Chen Ying without speaking, stamping his feet in frustration: "Master Chen! You don't know how powerful Nurhaci is! Since this old slave raised his army, he has been invincible! Fushun, Qinghe, Kaiyuan, Tieling, Shenyang..."
Liaoyang—which city hasn't he conquered? Do you think our dilapidated Shuangchengwei walls can stop him?
Lu Jiucheng became increasingly agitated as he spoke, his voice turning into a sob: "Marshal Chen, Master Chen, I—I am a military supervisor, not here to die! I must return to the capital, I must go back to report to the Emperor! Marshal Chen, please listen to my advice, it's not too late to leave now!"
Chen Ying's voice was eerily calm: "Eunuch Lu, if you wish to retreat, I will not stop you. However, I must remind you, are we even capable of retreating?"
"I suppose you don't ride horses often, and even if you were on horseback, could you outrun the Jurchens? Besides, can you guarantee that the Jurchens aren't lying in ambush outside?"
Lu Jiucheng was taken aback; Chen Boying's words made sense.
Chen Ying walked to the window, pushed it open, and a cold wind rushed in, carrying with it the faint sounds of commotion from afar: "Eunuch Lu, listen to what's going on outside."
Lu Jiucheng leaned closer to the window and could faintly hear arguing, crying, and the occasional clash of weapons coming from afar.
"That's the border area."
Chen Ying said calmly, "The people in each department no longer trust each other. They see everyone as a spy and want to take action against everyone. If this continues, we'll fall into chaos before the Jurchens even attack."
Lu Jiucheng's face turned even paler.
Chen Ying closed the window and turned around: "Eunuch Lu, do you know why the Jurchens haven't arrived yet?"
Lu Jiucheng shook his head blankly and said, "I don't know!"
"Because they did it on purpose."
Chen Ying said with a serious expression, "They deliberately let those who escaped back come back, deliberately let them return with fear and rumors. What they want is for us to fall into internal strife, so that they can come and collect the corpses after we've exhausted ourselves."
Lu Jiucheng opened his mouth, but couldn't say a word.
Chen Ying looked at him calmly: "Eunuch Lu, you are the military supervisor, sent by His Majesty to watch over me. I will not stop you from leaving if you wish, but have you considered what those people outside will think if you leave? They will say that even the military supervisor has run away, this city is definitely not going to hold. At that time, we will be finished without the Jurchens even needing to attack."
Lu Jiucheng slumped back into his chair, muttering, "Then—what do we do?"
Chen Ying walked to the map and pointed to the location of Shuangchengwei: "Eunuch Lu, you just said that Nurhaci was invincible in every battle. Then I ask you, did he ever fight such a battle?"
"How was Shenyang lost back then?"
Lu Jiucheng murmured, "It was the Jurchen spies who infiltrated the city, seized the city gates, and that's how Shenyang was captured in a single day!"
"That's right, that's how Shenyang was lost, and that's how Liaoyang was lost, including Guangning Right Garrison and more than forty cities in Liaodong. Ninety-nine percent of them were due to spies!"
Chen Ying smiled faintly and said, "This is Shuangchengwei. We are in the East City. The Haixi Jurchen and Wild Jurchen tribes are in the border trade zone between the West and East Cities. Even if they have Jurchen spies infiltrated, they won't be able to enter the East and West Cities. As for the border trade zone, it's fine if we lose it. They can't attack the East City or the city itself. We have strong fortifications, firearms, and a well-trained Da Ning New Army. As long as morale remains high, we may not lose this battle."
Lu Jiucheng raised his head, a glimmer of hope flashing in his eyes: "Really—really?"
Chen Ying patted him on the shoulder: "Eunuch Lu, if you trust me, stay in the city and do something for me."
"What is it?"
"To appease people's hearts."
Chen Ying said, "You come from the palace, you are someone close to His Majesty. One word from you is more effective than a hundred words from me. You only need to tell everyone that His Majesty knows about what's happening here, and that reinforcements are on their way. As long as everyone works together, we will definitely be able to hold out."
Lu Jiucheng was stunned: "But—but what about reinforcements?"
Lu Jiucheng was very clear about the state of the Ming Dynasty. The court had neither money nor soldiers. The Ministry of War's roster showed that the Ming Dynasty still had more than three million garrison soldiers, but he knew very well what kind of people they were.
The Ming Dynasty's garrison troops are now weaker than ordinary laborers, almost like refugees. When they are fighting a favorable battle, they can still put on a show of strength and make up the numbers. But if they are really made to fight the Jurchens, they will flee at the first sign of trouble and collapse at the first contact.
Where did the Jurchens' saying "If the Jurchens number less than ten thousand, they are invincible if they number ten thousand" come from? It was all highlighted by the Ming Dynasty's garrison troops.
Lu Jiucheng now has no other choice but to trust Chen Boying.
Chen Ying smiled slightly: "If I say it exists, then it exists."
Half an hour later, the council hall was full of people.
Of course, these people were not generals of the Da Ning New Army, but leaders of the Haixi Jurchen, Wild Jurchen and Solon tribes, headed by Hamutai, Menggun, Bomubogor and others.
The eyes of these leaders flickered with complex emotions: some fear, some anger, and some bewilderment.
Chen Ying stood before the map, looking at the crowd and laughing, "Nurhaci hasn't even arrived yet, and you're already afraid? If you're afraid, you can go and surrender to Nurhaci yourselves, and see if he'll accept your surrender!"
In fact, Nurhaci had no credibility whatsoever in the eyes of the Haixi Jurchen tribes and the Wild Jurchen tribes. Many tribes that trusted him were wiped out.
When Daishan led the four prefectures of the Right Banner of the Jurchens to the territory of the Nurgan Commandery, he wanted to seek revenge on the Xibe tribe. More than twenty tribes surrendered to Daishan, but he almost wiped out all of them.
"Nurhaci led an army of over 100,000 men, a huge number. Did the Jurchens have enough food to feed such a large army? Don't you know how poor the Jurchens are?"
Chen Ying smiled faintly and said, "If you dare to come to our door, Nurhaci will devour you completely. Your wives and daughters will become their concubines, your sons will call them father, and your tribe will only become their meal."
Chen Ying's words silenced the tribal leaders. The Jurchens had their own system. They had annexed the Huifa tribe and the Yehe tribe, but they usually only kept women and children, killing all the adult men.
Both the Solon and Sibe tribes knew exactly what kind of people the Jurchens were.
"We cannot avoid this battle."
Chen Ying said with a serious expression, "The Jurchens are coming for us, and they are also coming for you. What Nurhaci wants is to flatten Shuangchengwei and kill everyone who dares to resist him."
The hall fell silent. Suddenly, Hamutai stood up and declared, "Lord Chen! Our Xibe tribe has a blood feud with the Jurchens. This battle, we will fight! Even if we fight to the last man, we will take a piece of their flesh!"
Meng Gun also stood up and said, "The Gualcha tribe is willing to fight to the death with you, sir!"
Bomubogor slowly rose to his feet and said in a deep voice, "The Solon tribe is willing to fight to the death with you, sir. The past is the past, and the present is the present. From this day forward, the Solon people will be of one mind with you, sir."
The other department leaders also stood up one after another, expressing their opinions in a cacophony of voices.
Chen Ying raised his hand to quell the commotion, his gaze resolute: "Fine! Since you are all willing to fight, then I will make this clear: this battle is not for you to go and die. We have fortified cities, firearms, and the advantage of familiarity with the terrain."
The Jurchens outnumber us, but in this icy wasteland, their cavalry can't run fast, and their supplies are insufficient. As long as we can hold our ground and endure the war, they will be the ones to lose in the end!
He pointed to Shuangchengwei on the map: "From now on, all the elderly, weak, women, and children of the tribes must evacuate to Yongning Port. All able-bodied men must assemble at Shuangchengwei. I will assign you defense zones and distribute weapons. As long as we hold this battle, things will be much better from now on!"
The leaders responded in unison, their voices resounding through the heavens.
Chen Ying suddenly laughed, a laugh that sent chills down everyone's spines: "I've heard that you're all suspicious of each other, suspecting each other of being Jurchen spies. Very well. Then I ask you, which of you is the spy? Step forward and let me see."
No one answered.
Wherever Chen Ying's gaze fell, all the leaders lowered their heads.
"I tell you, the Jurchens have indeed come. Hundreds of thousands of troops, personally led by Nurhaci, will be at the city gates in three days."
A commotion broke out in the crowd.
Chen Ying abruptly reined in his horse and raised his voice: "But let me tell you, the Jurchens are not to be feared! I defeated their right wing four banners with seven thousand men. Now, I have nine thousand wolf cavalry, fifteen thousand arquebusiers, fortified cities, and cannons. What makes the Jurchens think they can win? What makes them think they can win?"
The leaders were also stunned.
Chen Ying laughed and said, "If Nurhaci were truly confident of defeating me, would he need to spread rumors and throw us into disarray? They killed those who fled back to frighten us. Why don't they dare to attack directly? Because they are afraid! They are afraid of our muskets, our grenades, and our wolf cavalry!"
"If you suspect each other today, the Jurchens will dare to storm in and massacre the city tomorrow! Your wives and children are here. Do you want them to be defiled by the Jurchens? Do you want them to be tied to a fire and roasted alive?!"
"In no mood!"
"What should we do then?"
"Kill the Jurchens!"
The leaders roared in unison, their voices shaking the heavens.
Chen Ying nodded and said, "Good! From now on, the Wolf Cavalry will be under my personal command. Anyone who dares to doubt their comrades or spread rumors will be executed without mercy!"
"I am ready to obey your orders, sir!"
Chen Ying breathed a sigh of relief. If Nurhaci hadn't been so incompetent, Chen Ying wouldn't have been able to complete the united front work so easily. He continued, "I will lead the soldiers of the Da Ning Army to defend the city. You leaders, take your troops and quickly withdraw from Shuangchengwei. Use your familiarity with the terrain to outflank the Jurchens and attack Nurhaci from the rear. Understand?"
"clear!"
Chen Ying waved his hand and continued, "In this battle, the old rules apply. Each Jurchen head beheaded can be exchanged for 25 catties of snow salt, or a sword, or other goods of equivalent value. Of course, there are a large number of Mongols in the Jurchen army at this time. Each Mongol leader beheaded can be exchanged for 10 catties of snow salt, or other valuables!"
Hamutai asked, "My lord, why are there so few Mongols?"
"Even three Mongols couldn't defeat one Jurchen. The moment you brandish your swords, they'd be pissing themselves in fear. Isn't it normal for you to give them a little discount?"
Chen Ying laughed and said, "I don't care how you fight, whether you ambush or launch a sneak attack, I only care about heads. Whether you want to get rich or live a good life, it's up to you!"
"Yes, sir!"
That evening, an urgent report arrived from Yongning Port.
The first batch of immigrants from Xingzhou's four garrisons, totaling over 400 ships and more than 80,000 people, has arrived at Yongning Port. The second and third batches will arrive within the next three days.
Chen Ying stared at the urgent report, remaining silent for a long time.
Su Mei said softly, "My lord, why don't we let them stay on the ship for now? They can come ashore after the battle is over?"
Chen Ying shook his head: "It's even more dangerous on the ship. The weather is cold now, and they're cramped, the air is polluted, and they lack food and clothing. Even without the Jurchens attacking, every extra day they stay at sea will mean countless more deaths!"
"But if the Jurchens take a detour and launch a surprise attack on Yongning, then they will be sitting ducks."
Chen Ying pondered for a moment, then a glint flashed in his eyes: "Order Yongning Port that all immigrants organize themselves immediately after landing. The able-bodied should be incorporated into the labor corps to transport supplies, treat the wounded, and reinforce the city's defenses. The elderly, women, and children should be placed in the safest areas of the city. Tell them that if they want to live, they must come and defend the city. Anyone who dares to cause trouble or create chaos, I will recognize them, but my sword will not."
Chen Ying stood alone by the window, gazing at the dark night sky to the north.
Three hundred thousand immigrants, nine thousand wolf riders, and eight thousand fire-fighting soldiers—that was all he had.
On the other side was a massive army of hundreds of thousands of Jurchen soldiers, led by Nurhaci, who had never been defeated.
Can he win this battle?
he does not know.
But he knew he had no way out.
Taking a step back leads to an abyss.
There might still be a glimmer of hope if we go further.
He originally thought he still had time to slowly develop this land. He originally thought the Jurchens wouldn't arrive until at least spring.
But he was wrong.
The consequences of a wrong judgment are very serious. Chen Ying could only do his best and leave the rest to fate. However, at this moment, his gaze fell on the urgent report behind him.
Zhang Changgeng, the garrison commander of Shahewei, reported back: "Transfer 15,000 catties of gunpowder—"
"very good!"
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