Chapter 133: The Jianzhou Jurchens Prepare to Fight Desperately

Late at night, at the General's headquarters.

Wang Pu and Zhen Youcai sat opposite each other. Although they had won two consecutive battles during the day, there was not a trace of joy on their faces; instead, they were shadowed by worry. Their anxiety stemmed from the sheet of paper lying on the desk before them, which detailed the ammunition consumed that day.

Zhen Youcai counted on his fingers, calculating, "In two fierce battles, we consumed a total of 15,000 paper-cartridge rounds and 1,500 Dragon King cannons. Yet, the number of Jiannu (Manchu) killed cannot exceed 5,000. On average, it takes five cartridges to take down one, and each Dragon King cannon shell only kills one."

Wang Pu asked in a deep voice, "How much stock do we have left?"

Zhen Youcai replied, "We have about 100,000 cartridges and over 15,000 Dragon King cannon shells remaining. Based on today's consumption rate, these supplies can last at most seven days, killing at most 35,000 more enemies. After that, we will have no choice but to engage in hand-to-hand combat."

Wang Pu frowned, "Is there no gunpowder in reserve?"

Zhen Youcai sighed bitterly, "We have enough charcoal and over 10,000 catties of sulfur, but the saltpeter is gone. When the rebel forces arrived, the craftsmen sent to procure saltpeter could not return to the city in time, and then the Jiannu arrived. I do not know what has become of those craftsmen now."

Wang Pu pondered and said, "If we could force the Jiannu to concentrate their forces on the breach they blasted open, the lethality of the Dragon King cannons should increase significantly, and the effectiveness of the muskets would also improve."

"If the Jiannu are willing to concentrate their forces on a single point of the breach, that would certainly be ideal," Zhen Youcai said. "But I fear they will spread their forces and launch attacks from multiple directions simultaneously. If that happens, our ammunition will last only three days at most, and we will kill even fewer of them."

Wang Pu shook his head. "The Jiannu likely will not divide their forces."

Wang Pu had his reasons. For people of this era, the greatest obstacle in a siege was always the insurmountable city wall. Since they had already blasted a breach in the wall, they would undoubtedly do everything in their power to break into the city through that breach or expand it, rather than trying to storm the walls elsewhere.

In the subconscious, capturing a breach is clearly easier than scaling an insurmountable wall. Taking a breach at least allows for direct combat on equal footing, whereas attacking a wall is inherently asymmetrical; the defenders hold the high ground, pouring down boiling oil, rolling logs, and stones, making it difficult for the attackers to hold their ground and resulting in heavy casualties.

Although the Jiannu suffered a crushing defeat at the breach today, they must realize that if they chose to attack the walls instead, the cost would likely be even more catastrophic.

By comparison, attacking the breach was still the easier option.

People are bound by set patterns of thinking, and an army’s tactics have strong inertia. Perhaps after suffering a painful defeat, the Jiannu might try to learn from the Ming army’s tactics, but that will not happen today. It is clearly impossible for the Jiannu to transform overnight into an army that excels at reflection and learning.

"It seems we cannot remain entangled with them any longer. We must reach a swift conclusion," Wang Pu said. "We must find a way to enrage the Jiannu, forcing them to commit a large force to a massive assault on the breach. That way, we can inflict massive casualties in a short time. Once their losses exceed a certain threshold, they will lose the courage and resolve to continue attacking Datong."

Zhen Youcai’s eyes rolled, and he said with a sinister tone, "Enraging the Jiannu is not a difficult task."

Wang Pu asked eagerly, "What is your brilliant plan?"

Zhen Youcai suggested, "General, you can have our men hang the corpses of the Jiannu on the city walls. Have them whip the bodies, flay them, or pour excrement over them. Just have our men find ways to insult the remains. The Jiannu revere warriors and hold their fallen kin in high esteem. If we humiliate their corpses in this way, they will surely not be able to stand it."

Wang Pu frowned, "Dorgon does not seem like a man who acts on impulse. Will he fall for it?"

Zhen Youcai sneered, "General, you do not quite understand the military system of the Jiannu. Although Dorgon is the Prince Regent, he cannot decide everything alone. Do not forget there are two regents in their army. As long as we enrage the majority of the Jiannu, Dorgon alone will not be able to change the outcome."

Wang Pu nodded. "Then let us try."

***

Shi Tingzhu and Li Yongfang had withdrawn their troops without authorization, an act that incited the fury of almost all the Jiannu nobility, including Prince Regent Yoto. Had Dorgon not stepped in to protect them, the two would likely have followed the path of Geng Zhongming and the others, becoming冤 souls under the blades of the Jiannu.

Although Dorgon tried his best to reassure them afterward, the incident had left a shadow in their hearts.

Worried that Shi Tingzhu and Li Yongfang might harbor ulterior motives, Dorgon summoned Fan Wencheng and Ning Wanya to discuss how to appease them. After hearing Dorgon's concerns, Fan Wencheng said, "Master, it is possible they feel like birds startled by the mere twang of a bowstring, but to say they harbor ulterior motives is unlikely."

Ning Wanya nodded in agreement, "I agree with Xiantou’s opinion. Master, do not listen to slander and doubt their loyalty."

Dorgon nodded. "It seems I was overthinking it."

Fan Wencheng added, "Master, there is something I do not know if I should say."

Dorgon replied, "Speak freely."

Fan Wencheng said, "Master, I believe the military system of the Great Qing needs some improvement. For instance, the rule that major decisions require the consensus of all eight banner lords is unreasonable. As the saying goes, military intelligence is like fire; opportunities are fleeting, and victory often hinges on a single thought. How can we wait for everyone to sit down and discuss before acting?"

"Indeed," Ning Wanya nodded. "There is an old saying: a snake cannot function without a head, but if it has two heads, it becomes chaos. If the two heads disagree, who should be obeyed?"

Dorgon remained silent. He understood the subtext of Fan Wencheng and Ning Wanya: they wanted Dorgon to become the sole commander of the Eight Banners army, rather than sharing power with Yoto.

In truth, Dorgon also wished to be the sole ruler, but the time was not yet ripe. Although Yoto was a Prince Regent on equal footing, above them both was Jirgalang, the Senior Prince Regent! Before he could topple Jirgalang, Dorgon needed to maintain good relations with Yoto and could not afford a fallout now.

"Very well, I will consider this," Dorgon instructed firmly. "However, you must not mention this to anyone else."

"Yes," they both responded in unison.

***

The next day, as dawn broke, the Jiannu camp outside the East Gate of Datong began to stir. Jiannu soldiers emerged from their tents, pointing at the distant walls of Datong, their faces filled with rage. This commotion soon alerted all the Jiannu nobility, including Dorgon and Yoto.

As Dorgon stepped out of his tent, he saw Yoto approaching quickly, surrounded by banner nobles such as Sahaliyan, Shoto, Tanggudai, Abatai, Feiyangwu, and Lashita. Seeing the fury on their faces, Dorgon felt a secret alarm, fearing that his defense of Shi Tingzhu and Li Yongfang had incited public anger.

"Fourteenth brother, this is too much!" Before Yoto could speak, the hot-tempered Abatai shouted, "Those damned Southern Ming barbarians are too much!"

Abatai, the seventh son of Nurhaci, was known for his distinguished service and volatile temper.

Realizing this was not about last night, Dorgon breathed a sigh of relief and asked, "Seventh brother, what have the Southern Ming barbarians done?"

"See for yourself," Yoto pointed toward Datong, shouting sternly, "Those detestable barbarians are hanging the corpses of our fallen warriors on the wall to humiliate them! I have already sent men to check—whipping the bodies is the least of it; they are skinning them and extracting oil to light lamps!"

"Indeed, those barbarians are truly wicked!"

"Prince, we must make these bastards pay!"

"Prince Regents, I am willing to lead my banner to charge into the city and slaughter every one of these bastards to avenge our fallen brothers!"

As Yoto finished, the other nobles clamored in agreement.

Dorgon was shocked. He looked toward the walls of Datong and saw that they were indeed bustling with activity. Although the distance made it hard to see clearly, it was certain that something was being hung from the walls. It was clear that Abatai and Yoto were telling the truth. But Dorgon, being Dorgon, wondered: why would the defenders do this?

Just then, Fan Wencheng and Ning Wanya rushed to Dorgon. Ning Wanya gasped, "Master, do not send out the troops! This is Wang Pu’s trick; he is doing this specifically to provoke us!"

"Shut up!" Yoto roared. "It is not you Han servants who are being humiliated, but our noble Eight Banner warriors. Of course you wouldn't feel the pain!"

Ning Wanya said miserably, "Prince, I am doing this for the sake of the Great Qing."

"Enough!" Yoto shouted. "I do not want to hear your sophistry."

Yoto then turned to Dorgon, "Fourteenth Uncle, we did not come to seek your permission. According to the regulations established by our ancestors, major affairs can be executed with the consent of the majority of the banner lords. If you do not agree, your Two White Banners do not have to participate in today's attack, but our Two Red Banners, the Two Yellow Banners, and the Bordered Blue Banner will not let these barbarians go."

"What are you saying?" Dorgon retorted, his face darkening. "As Prince Regent, how could I not know the system established by the late Emperor? Say no more. All banner lords and beile, return to your camps immediately. The Han Army Banners and the Mongol Banners are to assemble outside the breach. We attack in half an hour!"

Dorgon was no fool. Since a massive attack had become the inevitable trend, if he opposed it now, it would only boost Yoto’s prestige among the nobility and weaken his own. He would never do something that harmed himself to benefit others.

"Yes!"

Except for Yoto, the other nobles responded with a roar and departed to carry out their orders.

Once they were out of earshot, Ning Wanya said anxiously, "Master, we should not attack."

"It is too late now," Dorgon sighed. "As Mr. Wencheng said, the military system of our Great Qing truly needs to be changed..."

Fan Wencheng, who had been silent, suddenly said, "Master, in fact, a massive attack might be a good way to reach a swift conclusion."

"Eh?" Ning Wanya urged, "Xiantou, you..."

Fan Wencheng gestured for him to stop. "Gongfu, let me finish."

Dorgon asked urgently, "Mr. Wencheng, please speak."

Fan Wencheng said, "Master, a massive attack might cause significant casualties, but it is the only way to break through Datong in a short time! Master, Gongfu, do not forget we have penetrated deep into enemy territory and cannot stay in the Ming border for too long. Furthermore, our goal is not just Datong—it is Beijing!"

"That is true," Ning Wanya nodded. "We should not linger in Datong for too long."

Dorgon slammed his hand on his knee. "Even if we lose tens of thousands, we are sworn to break Datong!"

Dorgon had already decided: during the massive attack, he would have the Han Army Banners and the Mongol Banners lead the charge, while the Manchu Banners would remain in the rear. That way, even if there were heavy losses, it would be the Han and Mongol soldiers who suffered, while the strength of the Jurchens would remain intact.

***

At the East Gate of Datong, the watchtower.

Zhen Youcai said excitedly to Wang Pu, "General, look! The Jiannu are assembling!"

"Hmm."

Wang Pu nodded. He had already seen it without Zhen Youcai’s reminder.

In the thin morning light, squads of neatly armored Jiannu were pouring out of their camp, assembling on the open ground outside the breach. According to the colors of their armor, they were divided into four great formations—yellow, red, blue, and white. Each formation contained Manchu, Mongol, and Han soldiers, which were easy to distinguish.

Although the flags and garments of the Han and Mongol banners were the same color as the Manchu banners, the quality of their armor was vastly different. The Manchus were uniformly equipped with chainmail, the Mongols wore leather armor, and the Han Army Banners were the worst equipped, wearing cloth armor that could be pierced even by bamboo swords.

"General," Zhen Youcai asked with concern, "The Jiannu are going all out. Can the brothers hold?"

"Rest assured," Wang Pu said calmly. "Even if the Jiannu were heavenly soldiers, they will die no matter how many come!"

Although he said this, Wang Pu felt uncertain. Even though the firepower of the musket teams was sufficient to seal a breach less than ten zhang wide, unexpected variables always occurred on the battlefield. Sometimes, a tiny oversight was enough to cause irreversible consequences.

The only thing Wang Pu could do now was to ensure that the pre-battle preparations were as perfect as possible and then project enough confidence before his subordinates. If Wang Pu himself lacked confidence, his army would have none at all. Once the army defending Datong lost its nerve, the fall of the city would not be far off.

"Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom!"

Before the Jiannu began their official attack, Tong Yangxing’s artillery camp opened fire first.

The shells screamed through the air, crashing outside the breach and exploding instantly, sending debris and rubble flying into the sky once more. A thick cloud of dust rose up. While the noise was terrifying, the lethality to the defenders was almost zero. In fact, Dorgon ordering Tong Yangxing to fire was not to kill the defenders, but to boost the morale of the Jiannu army about to launch the attack!

Dorgon’s approach was somewhat reminiscent of using artillery barrages followed by infantry charges. Unfortunately, he only had five Red Barbarian cannons, and they were the most primitive muzzle-loaders. Reloading took a long time, leading to a lack of continuous firepower.

However, Dorgon’s goal was achieved.

As the cannon fire ceased, the Jiannu army began their charge toward the breach. Shi Tingzhu led 2,000 Han troops in the vanguard, followed by 3,000 Khalkha Mongol cavalry, then 3,000 Khorchin Mongol cavalry, and finally, 2,000 Manchu banner troops.

These 10,000 troops were only the first wave.

Dorgon’s task for the first wave was simple: tear down the walls on either side of the breach, widen the ten-zhang gap to at least fifty zhang, and then the subsequent five waves—60,000 troops—would surge through the breach like a tide into the city.