Chapter 1517 Battlefield Situation

In order to rescue the refugees who were held hostage as human shields, they also had to deal with these Han flag soldiers disguised as refugees. The Haihan side had to bear greater risks of fighting. During this period, there were many cases of injuries caused by being attacked by fake refugees.

Casualties. In the eyes of General Haihan, the lives of his men were of course much more important than those of refugees he had never met. Therefore, Qian Tiandun also decisively ordered new response measures, specially arranging soldiers to hold tin trumpets to shout during the battle.

, requiring the young and strong men among the refugees to kneel down and hold their heads when approaching the life-and-death line drawn outside the Haihan camp, and wait to be received. Anyone who crosses the life-and-death line rashly will be regarded as spies and will be killed directly.

After formulating new countermeasures, the situation that had once confused Haihan finally improved. Almost all the troops deployed on the isthmus defense line were veterans with rich combat experience. There was no problem of being soft-hearted and unable to strike.

As long as there are clear military orders, the soldiers on the front line can just follow them. As for the inevitable accidental injuries or even accidental killings during this process, we don't have to worry about that much.

Hearing this, Mei Shengchuan responded: "On the battlefield, the overall situation should be the most important thing. This is killing people to save others. There is nothing wrong with your army's handling of it."

Qian Tiandun said: "Sir Mei really understands justice! What is pitiful are the Han refugees in Liaodong, and what is abominable are traitors like Geng Zhongming. Our army will definitely try its best to attack the enemy and save these Han refugees. Please rest assured, Mr. Mei!"

After hearing this statement, Mei Shengchuan did not feel any sense of relief. On the contrary, he felt a little uncomfortable. The task of rescuing Han refugees in Liaodong was originally supposed to be completed by the Ming army, but why did it become an outsider like Haihan?

But with Daming’s current strength, he really couldn’t say something like “Let me do it myself” to Qian Tiandun and others. This may not be the Haihan people deliberately using this to humiliate Daming, it’s even more

The most likely thing is that people simply regard Liaodong as their own ruling area, and saving the Han people here who were enslaved by Hou Jin is a matter of course for them.

Mei Shengchuan could only cough twice and quickly avoid this somewhat embarrassing topic: "That Geng thief was also a general when he served for the Ming Dynasty. He has many unique tricks in commanding battles. If your army is against him, you need to guard against his use.

It’s such a cruel method.”

Qian Tiandun nodded and said: "Master Mei is right. Geng Zhongming has a lot of tricks. Using refugees as human shields didn't work, so he thought of other ways and began to build a large number of small fortresses in the north.

Limit the atmosphere of activities of our troops in the area north of the defense line."

Compared to launching an offensive with the help of human shield cover, Geng Zhongming's new method achieved better results. These earthen fortresses, which can only accommodate dozens of people for garrison, are small in scale, and the construction period only takes a few days. As long as four sides of the adobe are built,

Even if the wall is completed, although the protection it can provide is extremely limited, what Geng Zhongming is counting on is not the protective effect of such small fortresses, but the number and distribution density.

The Han Army Banner mobilized thousands of civilians. In the past ten days alone, more than 20 such small fortresses were built in the area five miles to eight miles north of the defense line, and thousands of troops were stationed in them.

At this distance, Haihan's troops have attacked quite frequently in the past period, and Jin's original troop composition was unable to withstand opponents with obvious weapon advantages. Therefore, Geng Zhongming came up with such a countermeasure to move the entire area

The plain is divided into several smaller defense areas. If the Haihan army dares to break into this area, the Houjin fortresses can watch and help each other, and the scattered soldiers can be quickly assembled into an army to form an encirclement against the enemy.

Regarding the enemy's deployment, Qian Tiandun would definitely be lying if he said he had no scruples. Even if the Haihan Army had an advantage in weapons, its strength was always an insurmountable shortcoming. If the enemy wanted to advance to the north,

To carry out operations in occupied areas, infantry, cavalry, and artillery are indispensable, and hundreds of logistical personnel must be brought along. However, if the opponent builds relatively dense fortress defenses, then the risk of such an attack will be greatly increased.

Even with long-distance weapons such as artillery, it is difficult to guarantee that the Haihan Army can successfully pull out these fortresses in a short time. Even a general like Qian Tiandun, who has achieved extraordinary results in the Southern and Northern Wars, has to admit that

This method of the Jin Army did effectively curb Haihan's military actions.

According to the conclusions drawn by the reconnaissance cavalry from the front in recent days, the enemy is still continuing to build this kind of simple but extremely effective defense fortifications, and gradually controls these areas with fortresses by virtue of their superiority in strength. In the wild, small areas

For the sake of safety, the active Haihan army had to keep a certain distance from these fortress groups to avoid being ambushed by enemy troops. The banner of the Han army commanded by Geng Zhongming was equipped with many muskets. These weapons

Although its performance is not as good as the Haihan rifle, it still has a certain probability of causing damage to Haihan soldiers without armor within a distance of 100 meters.

Of course, Qian Tiandun could also send out a large number of artillery troops regardless of the cost and use artillery shells to demolish these earthen fortresses. At present, most of the field artillery equipped by the Haihan Army are still traditional solid artillery shells. Considering the maneuverability, the general caliber is also

It won't be too big. If you use this kind of standard artillery to bombard a fortress made of adobe, it will not be a task that can be completed with a few rounds of artillery shells to destroy an entire earth wall that is more than two feet thick. Considering the current number of fortresses, consider

For combat situations that may arise during this period, the Haihan Army will have to prepare at least hundreds of rounds of artillery shells, and may even need to use a considerable amount of explosives to complete the demolition work.

So this is not just a matter of combat costs. In fact, the real test is the requirements for logistical supplies. If too much ammunition is consumed in the field, then during the defensive battle of the enemy's counterattack, the ammunition that can be distributed by the isthmus defense line

The base number may be reduced accordingly until the monthly supply fleet arrives from the south.

If the ammunition is not enough, no matter how good the performance of the guns is, it will be in vain. All Haihan generals know this truth. Therefore, in an environment like Liaodong, it is difficult for them to come up with an effective way to deal with Hou Jin's use.

This new tactic.

"I must tell you that the Haihan Army has indeed controlled the rhythm of the Liaodong battlefield so far, but the enemy has become more and more accustomed to this rhythm, and has been trying to break the situation and launch a counterattack." Qian Tiandun said frankly

: "Our attracting Houjin firepower in Liaodong is a costly combat mission, and it is not a necessary move for our country. If our country believes that this kind of military operation continues for a long time, it will only pay but not gain, and it will be isolated and helpless for a long time.

, then we will still consider giving up the possibility of continuing the war with Houjin."

Bai Kesi, who was next to him, took over and said: "I hope you all understand one thing. Going to war with Hou Jin is not a necessary option for our country. If there are other options that allow our country to obtain more benefits from Liaodong, then we will also include them.

Consider the scope.”

Mei Shengchuan was alert after hearing this, and quickly asked: "Master Bai, do you mean that your country intends to cease war and negotiate peace?"

Bai Kesi responded noncommittally: "Whether we continue to fight or cease the war, our country depends on the situation in Liaodong. Everyone knows that this place is quite far away from our country's mainland. Even if the world is turned upside down here, it will not directly affect our country's interests.

.As for the enemy, we have no plans to hold talks yet. After all, in our opinion, it is a pity to let the current good situation come to an end halfway."

Bai Kesi's tone was very calm, but the people who heard these words could not calm down. This was the first time that Haihan officials publicly expressed the possibility of a truce with Houjin, and before that, they had contacted Haihan

The military attachés all vowed to drive Hou Jin out of Liaodong, or even to completely eliminate them. They had never considered before that if Haihan really gave up fighting Hou Jin, what would happen to the situation in Liaodong?

What kind of changes will there be in the relationship between the Jin Dynasty, Ming Dynasty, and North Korea?

It was the North Koreans who were the first to lose their composure. Kim Sang-hyun quickly advised: "The Jin people are like tigers and wolves. Negotiating peace with them is tantamount to seeking skin from a tiger. Mr. Bai must not choose this method. In the future, the Jin people will definitely regret it and raise troops! You must know that you have to do your best to eliminate evil."

, since your country currently takes the initiative on the battlefield, why not take advantage of the victory to pursue it and inflict heavy damage on it!"

Bai Kesi sighed and said: "Yes, we want to do this too, but we are alone and don't even have a helping partner. Besides, even if we defeat them, will it be of much benefit to our country, Haihan?"

"

Bai Kesi deliberately emphasized the word "benefits" to remind the envoys of the two countries that whether Haihan will go to war or peace in Liaodong will ultimately be based on interests. If he does not get enough benefits,

And continuing to fight will face many difficulties, so a ceasefire will most likely be Haihan's next choice.

Of course Jin Shangxian could understand what Bai Kesi was complaining about, and immediately said to Mei Shengchuan: "Master Mei, the matter in Liaodong needs to be discussed properly by the three countries. Liaodong is the territory of the Ming Dynasty, so why not let the Ming Dynasty take the lead?"

Mei Shengchuan thought that it was true that Liaodong was the territory of the Ming Dynasty, but how could the Haihan people give up control to the Ming Dynasty? This matter of taking the lead was completely the wishful thinking of the Koreans. It was probably just to see how the Ming army and the Haihan people in Dongjiang Town would go.

I only had such an illusion very recently, but I didn't know that Dongjiang Town had already turned to the Haihan side, and it just continued to use the name of the Ming Army.

Mei Shengchuan had not expressed his position yet, but Bai Kesi spoke first: "There is no need to rush to make a decision on this matter right now. It is getting late today. Everyone has been working hard on the journey, so please rest early. The conditions on the front line are relatively difficult. Please be patient."

Forgive me. Tomorrow morning, General Qian's troops will escort you to the front line for field inspection."

Bai Kesi suddenly terminated the conversation, but Umeikawa failed to raise some issues that came to mind. For example, after the alliance of the three countries, what standards should be used to distribute rights and obligations in the Liaodong region; the military assistance mentioned by Haihan

Plans, and how to implement them. Mei Shengchuan still has many issues like this that involve the interests of the Ming Dynasty, but the Haihan people have not given a clear solution so far, which is one of the reasons why he has been unable to make up his mind.

Although there are barracks built in the fortresses of the Jinzhou Isthmus defense line, the conditions are not as good as those of Lushun Fort, which has become the rear area. Even the envoys of the two countries have high status and can only live in the same barracks with their subordinates.

, sleeping on a two-foot-wide wooden bed for the night. Moreover, soldiers returning from the defense changes inside and outside Jijiabao came in and out of the nearby barracks intermittently throughout the night. Although there was no deliberate noise, it still made it difficult for the pampered officials to sleep.

Early the next morning, Mei Shengchuan and Jin Sangxian met outside the barracks. They found that the dark circles under each other's eyes were very obvious. They couldn't help but look at each other and smile bitterly. They both knew that the other party did not have a good rest in the military camp last night.

Qian Tiandun came after breakfast, and as always asked them to leave their entourage behind, and each person could only take two guards on the road, so as to avoid too large a team being difficult to dispatch and command on the battlefield.

Jin Sangxian was still hesitant at first, but Mei Shengchuan agreed to Qian Tiandun's request very clearly. He had learned from intelligence from Dongjiang Town that this kind of field inspection was a customary activity arranged by the Haihan Army, so he came here

In fact, people from the Ming Dynasty and North Korea were not the only ones to observe the war. Some countries in the South China Sea also sent military attachés to the Haihan Army as military observers.

So when they were getting ready to hit the road, Mei Shengchuan saw several officers with dark skin, short height, and clothes obviously different from those of the Haihan Army joining the team. Qian Tiandun introduced to them that they were from Annan.

Military observers and officer cadets from Champa, Siam and other countries will basically be arranged to participate in every similar inspection activity to learn from Haihan's experience in marching formations.

Many countries in the South China Sea have accepted Ming Dynasty's canonization in the past, but in recent years, diplomatic relations have also tended to weaken. However, since they have sent officers to accompany the Haihan Army on the expedition to Liaodong, it shows that the relations are not too bad. Mei Shengchuan does not know

Haihan has also established a regional international organization in the South China Sea, but he can also feel from these signs that Haihan's influence in the South China Sea cannot be ignored, and he may even have become a regional leader. In a few years,

, the generals of these South China Sea countries probably only know Haihan, and will no longer take Ming Dynasty into their eyes.

Of course, one cannot blame Haihan for tampering with the south in such a situation. After all, the power of the Ming Dynasty was declining, and its influence could hardly reach such a distant place. However, North Korea is a country that is good at adapting to the wind. Seeing these situations will definitely give rise to small

You have to be careful about them.

Mei Shengchuan thought of this and turned back to look at the North Korean envoy, only to see Kim Sang-hyun standing next to Qian Tiandun with a flattering look on his face, as if he was actively offering to hold his whip and stirrups.
Chapter completed!