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Chapter 605: Entering the city alone
The emperor did give the Du family a chance to rise. As long as they can gain a foothold in the army and learn to master this new stuff, their future achievements will probably be higher than that of their uncle who is currently highly valued by the emperor.

This time when the whole army was out fighting, he didn't have to follow. The main reason was that he hadn't learned many things yet, and he couldn't use them if he followed. But after consulting his uncle's opinion, Du Wenhuan insisted on going on the expedition together, even if it was just for a hundred households.

As a result, Li Ruzhang and Ding Shun were not polite, and Baihu was exempt from discussion. It was not that he was taking care of him, but that he was too poor and he was not qualified. But it is not too derogatory, but it is classified into the category of avant-garde staff. He does not have the power to lead troops in combat, but he can participate in combat meetings of guard-level officers.

No, Tan Ma, a subordinate of the vanguard, discovered the enemy's situation. He volunteered to snatch the job of the messenger, galloped five or six miles back to report the news, and did not expect to actually see the emperor.

"Are there any slight differences between these three-color flags? For example, the red flag is bordered with white, and the yellow flag and the blue flag are bordered with red?" Du Wenhuan's report was quite detailed, but Hong Tao still sounded inaccurate.

The three-color flag and the armor of matching colors should be the Jurchen Eight Banners. However, red, yellow, and blue still need to be subdivided into positive and inlaid in order to figure out the enemy's ownership and quantity.

"...The investigation of the horse was never reported, and the minister never asked." Du Wenhuan was really confused by the question. Although he didn't know the difference between the multiple sides of the flag, he knew that the emperor was definitely not asking randomly.

"Probe again and report again. Look carefully. Don't panic."

Hong Tao was not too harsh on this oversight. After all, the Ming Dynasty's regular army had not fought against the Jurchen army for several years, and Shanhaiguan was no longer open for entry and exit. It was not easy to find out the details of the other side's changes.

Half an hour later, the accurate news finally came back. Just as the emperor said, the three colors of flags became four. Among them, the yellow flag has two types: red border and no border.

"According to Jun Song's battle report, the Jurchen armies that appeared at Gubeikou and Xifengkou carried white flags and blue flags respectively. Now they have true yellow, bordered yellow, true red, and true blue. So it is possible that the ones at Xifengkou It’s Xianglan, and six of the eight flags are here.

The remaining two flags with white and red flags may be lurking somewhere, or they may not come at all. It seems that Juniper's estimate of the number is correct. The Jurchens are indeed out in force, a hundred thousand more. What do you two think about this battle? Just say whatever comes to mind without worrying about it. "

With this information, although Hong Tao could not remember all the banner leaders, Baylor, he could roughly calculate the scale of the Jurchens' expedition. Judging from the known deployment, Nurhachi arranged for Huang Taiji of the Zhengbai Banner to attack Gubeikou, and I don't know who led the Xianglan Banner to attack Xifengkou. It was most likely a feint attack.

He led troops of at least four banners and waited in front of Shanhaiguan. First, he waited for Shanhaiguan to divide his troops and seize the opportunity to attack, and secondly, he waited for the imperial commander to rush out of the customs and wait for an opportunity to fight in the field.

Being able to know the opponent's general deployment on the battlefield is equivalent to having an advantage. On this point alone, you can rival the major strategists. You can often find historical data from some details that no one pays attention to. Use clues to make inferences with high accuracy.

"Your Majesty, although the enemy army is coming with force, the timing is indeed wrong. If we could come back two days later and let our army cross the river and leave Ningyuan City dozens of miles east, the situation would be much more dangerous than it is now.

I think our army can deal with it calmly, and there are two methods. The first was to quickly cross the river to seize Ningyuan City, rely on the city wall to deal with the enemy for several days, use artillery to sharpen their edge, and then leave the city for a decisive battle. The good thing about this move is that there is a strong city to defend, and there is no need to fear the enemy's cavalry. But the way back was cut off, making it difficult to resupply. Second, dig trenches on the west bank of the river for a confrontation. If the enemy crosses the river and shoots them with muskets, if the enemy does not move, our troops will not move either. This place is only four or five days' journey from Shanhaiguan. The roads are smooth and transportation is convenient, so there are no worries. But if the enemy retreats, our army will have no choice but to defeat it in battle. "

Although the emperor was asking about two people, Du Wenhuan was very sensible and did not overwhelm Li Ruzhang. Li Ruzhang was not polite. After a little thought, he came up with two plans, one was a little risky and the other was safer.

"Well, everything you said is right, but none of it is in line with my thoughts. Time is a little tight, so I won't explain and judge for now. I will carefully distinguish the pros and cons after the war. Li Ruzhang listens to the order!"

Hong Tao listened very carefully, and at the same time motioned to Wang Chengen to unfold the map, and squatted on the river bank to read it. When Li Ruzhang finished speaking, surprisingly he didn't say anything, but immediately began to order generals to send troops.

"Chen is here!"

"You lead the front and rear guards to retreat twenty miles immediately, set up camp near the seaside, and send more scouting horses all around. Let them decide what to do next. Don't ask why, just follow orders."

"I obey the order..." Hearing such a strange order, Li Ruzhang was a little confused. He turned his head and looked at Ding Shun, but he didn't get the hint. He then looked at the two assigned warriors of the Royal Horse Supervisor, but he still couldn't figure it out. Finally, he saw The emperor's expression showed that he did not dare to ask any more questions and took the order to retreat.

"Du Wenhuan, please stay here, I will show you the good show. Ding Shun, send the order, the left guard will immediately cross the river to occupy Ningyuan City, and hold on to the three north and southeast gates. The right guard will then cross the river and build fortifications outside the west gate and the bridgehead. Ask the engineering guards to abandon the pontoon bridge on the south side and hurry up to build the pontoon bridge on the north side. "

Du Wenhuan was supposed to go with Li Ruzhang, but the emperor stayed behind and did not tell him what work to do. He could only stand aside and listen to the emperor's instructions one after another to the commanders, Qianhu and staff present.

"There seems to be something wrong with your Majesty's move. I dare to remonstrate with you. I hope your Majesty will think twice before you act!" Only after the emperor's order was issued and all the generals who had received the order had left did Du Wenhuan dare to say anything. But this time, he knelt down first before speaking, with determination written all over his face.

The emperor went crazy. He led more than 10,000 people across the river to deal with at least 30,000 Jurchen troops, but he threw more than 10,000 elite soldiers twenty miles away. Was he planning to set an ambush for the Jurchens? But that's not how an ambush is set up. On the plains, with so many cavalry on the other side, it's not so easy for someone to strategize. Don't read too many military books.

"Speak less, listen more, read more, and the most important thing is to think more. Write down what you can't figure out first, and you will figure it out slowly. Come on, come into the city with me, and see if the Jurchens have the ability to conquer me. Trapped in this city."

The emperor at this time was completely different from the emperor in the palace. It was not that he was dressed differently or had a different temperament, but that he behaved differently. I no longer listen to too much advice, let alone ask other people's opinions, and don't give them a chance to explain. I really follow what I say and there is no room for negotiation.

(End of this chapter)