Chapter 2451

Of course, the battle plan mentioned by Wang Tom is still on paper. If Haihan really wants to fight a national war-level war in Liaodong, the resources needed to prepare for the war in the early stage will be astronomical. Haihan It is not difficult for the army to land in Gaizhou, but the more than 300 miles of land route from Gaizhou to Shenyang will not be as easy as Wang Tom said. It can be pushed all the way across in three or four days. And Haihan is in This process will consume not only ammunition and supplies, but also the lives of many soldiers.

For Haihan, there is no need to fight desperately against the Manchus unless it is a last resort. There are large areas in the south that are easier to develop and manage, so there is no need to invest all limited resources in the cold and cold places in the north. Besides, If the Manchus were really wiped out, the people who would benefit the most would not be Haihan, but the Ming Dynasty who would reap the benefits. The Executive Committee would not formulate such a self-sacrifice strategy.

But such a combat plan is of course very attractive in front of Yang Sichang. If the three countries jointly send troops to attack the Manchu and Qing territories from the east, south and west at the same time, there is indeed a chance to defeat the Manchu Qing. Of course, the premise is that the sea The Han must invest enough troops, otherwise with the strength of the Ming and North Korea, they may only be dealt with by the Qing army.

Yang Sichang actually hoped that the battle plan mentioned by Wang Tom was not just to threaten the Qing Dynasty to accept the terms of reconciliation, but a plan that could actually be implemented so that Ming Dynasty would have the opportunity to complete its victory in one battle. But reason told him that the shrewd Hai It would probably not be that simple for the Han people to take the initiative to propose such a plan that was obviously beneficial to the Ming Dynasty.

Yang Sichang said: "So, is your country's war plan just a verbal threat, or will it really be implemented after the peace talks fail?"

Tao Donglai smiled and said: "If the Manchus can be convinced that we will implement this combat plan, then there is no need to implement it."

Tao Donglai's words were a bit confusing, but Yang Sichang immediately understood what he meant. If the Manchus believed that this plan was true, they would not risk going to war, but would choose to accept the existing reconciliation conditions. In the final analysis, the Haihan people were still Yang Sichang couldn't help but be a little disappointed because he was unwilling to go to full-scale war.

Tao Donglai continued: "Master Yang, don't be disappointed. The compromise now is just to recharge your batteries. When the time is right in the future, it will not be too late to take revenge on the Manchus."

Yang Sichang quickly adjusted his mood and responded: "Master Tao, what you said makes sense, but I don't know how the next negotiation will proceed?"

Tao Donglai said: "Master Yang just needs to act according to the plan and cooperate well."

The next day, the negotiations continued. Shang Kexi, with red eyes, walked into the conference room and found that the atmosphere was a little different today. Representatives from the other three countries were already seated, and the three senior officials of Haihan were all here today. This posture looks a bit like a three-chamber trial.

After Shang Kexi sat down, Tao Donglai took the initiative to start the conversation: "Sir Shang, this meeting has been going on for more than ten days, but it seems to have been stuck in your country, resulting in the final agreement not being reached. We discussed it , believes it is necessary to make your country aware of the seriousness of the situation."

When Shang Kexi heard that the three countries had "discussed it", he secretly thought that something was wrong. They were clearly planning to join forces to deal with him. However, he was not sure what the other party's plan was, so he still responded forcefully: "Can't we talk about it?" It’s not our country’s unilateral responsibility, right? Master Yang has been refusing to let go for so many days, why doesn’t Mr. Tao persuade him to give in?"

Tao Donglai did not respond to his question, but said to himself: "If your country is unwilling to solve the problem peacefully, then we will have to use force. If it causes war and devastation, it will all be your monk's fault." responsibility!"

Shang Kexi was indeed irritated and said with a dark face: "Master Tao, you have such a strong tone. Even if you combine the strength of the Three Kingdoms, you may not be our opponent!"

What Tao Donglai was waiting for was Shang Kexi's harsh words, and he immediately said to Wang Tom: "Then let's show Mr. Shang our solution by force."

Wang Tom stood up, walked to the wall, pulled out the map, and began to explain. The combat plan he described was basically the same as what he told Yang Sichang last night. The main difference was that he added offensives in the east and west directions.

On the eastern front, the Korean army acted as the main force, crossing the river from Yizhou to attack the Manchu and Qing towns in the lower reaches of the Yalu River. However, there are no big cities in this area, and there is a mountainous area of ​​400 miles between Shenyang and Shenyang. Fighting here will not even encounter the Qing Dynasty. The main force of the army, so the difficulty of this task is more suitable for the North Korean army. Anyway, Haihan does not expect the North Korean army to pass through these hundreds of miles of mountainous areas to attack Shenyang City, handing over the eastern front to the North Koreans, which can be regarded as a concession. It can provide a sense of participation.

The west route is the responsibility of the Ming army. According to Wang Tom's explanation, the Ming Dynasty will gather 300,000 troops on the western front and send troops from Shanhaiguan, Yongping Prefecture. If the Qing army transfers the main force to the south route to intercept Haihan who disembarks in Gaizhou army, then the Ming army could take advantage of the situation and march straight into Shenyang.

"Even if you attack in three directions, I, the Qing Dynasty, can attack separately and won't let you succeed!" Shang Kexi listened to Wang Tom's explanation. Although he was a little panicked in his heart, he was not convinced at all.

The North Korean army's combat power is limited, and the battle line is located in a remote mountainous area. It cannot threaten Shenyang at all, and it can be ignored for Shang Kexi. The 300,000 Ming army sounds a bit scary, and the terrain to the west of Jinzhou is open, so we must guard against it. At least hundreds of thousands of troops must be prepared to intercept on the Western Front.

What really worries Shang Kexi is Haihan. If Haihan invests heavily in the southern front, the Qing army may not be able to stop it. Think back when the Haihan army attacked Jinzhou and pushed all the way from Lushun to the Jinzhou defense line. In Korea, it was pushed from the Datong River to the Yalu River in one go. Its strength and ferocious fighting made many Qing generals still look down upon them.

As if seeing through Shang Kexi's plan, Wang Tom continued: "I am not afraid to tell Mr. Shang that our country is preparing to dispatch 30,000 musketry infantry, 5,000 artillery, 5,000 cavalry, 10,000 navy, a total of 50,000 troops. If your country feels If you can withstand this wave of offensive, you might as well give it a try!"

Qian Tiandun also spoke at this time: "In order to give Mr. Shang a reference for comparison, let me tell you another old story... The year before last, when we fought against the Qing army in Korea, our country only invested 4,000 troops on the banks of the Datong River. I think Master Shang still remembers the outcome of the battle."

After crossing the river, the Qing army attacked several cities and reached the Datong River line without much effort. However, it encountered a strong blockade by the Haihan Army here. One hundred thousand Qing troops were unable to break through the Haihan Army's position in the hail of bullets. In the end, they had to give up the plan to conquer North Korea in despair. At that time, the senior officials of the Qing army estimated that there were at least 10,000 to 20,000 Haihan troops gathered along the Datong River, but they did not expect that the actual number of troops would be much less. Although it is not ruled out that Qian Tiandun deliberately Underreporting the strength of troops provides misleading information, but the gap in combat effectiveness between the two armies does exist objectively. In terms of positional offense and defense, the Haihan Army can indeed rely on its advantages in weapons and equipment and its complete position structure to defeat the Qing Army. One against ten.

Fortunately, Haihan was limited by objective conditions and had been unable to deploy more troops in the direction of Liaodong. Therefore, although the Manchus and Qing Dynasties were afraid of the combat power of the Haihan army and avoided direct confrontation with it, they did not think that Haihan would truly

Threaten its dominance in the Liaodong region.

But what would happen if Haihan really invested more troops in Liaodong and wanted to fight a head-on national war with the Manchu Qing? If based on the comparison of strength in the last confrontation in Korea, it would have to resist the offensive of 50,000 Haihan troops.

The Qing Dynasty probably had to prepare ten times as many troops to be confident, but the problem is that with the Qing Dynasty's existing national strength, it is simply impossible to organize such a large-scale armed force. Unless all the old, young, women and children are brought to the battlefield,

But if we do that, the Qing Dynasty will have collapsed before the war begins.

Of course, Shang Kexi didn't know exactly how many troops Haihan had, and he couldn't be sure whether Haihan really had the courage to invest heavily in Liaodong, but this matter was related to the fate of the country, and he didn't dare to make the decision to take a gamble.

Wang Tom struck while the iron was hot: "If Mr. Shang feels that this is not sincere enough, then our country can also organize a multinational coalition to participate in the war. Annan and Champa in the South China Sea, as well as Portugal and the Netherlands from the west, many countries will be happy to send troops

Participate in the military operations organized by our country. I heard that your country also invited officers from a certain Western country to train the Qing army. I must have told your country how the city of Manila in the South China Sea was breached by a multinational coalition, right?"

It is no secret that the Qing army invited the Spaniards to train musketeers. When Manila was captured by the multinational coalition led by Haihan, it was a painful experience for the Spaniards. Although the significance of the multinational coalition was just the icing on the cake, not the main force on the battlefield.

, but the effect of deterring opponents is first-class. If three countries are not enough, just add a bunch more. Anyway, Haihan has enough chips, and the Manchu and Qing Dynasties in the north can't figure out these seas at all.

What is the military strength of the Han allies?

Shang Kexi had already said harsh words before, but it would be embarrassing to surrender now. He said with a sullen face: "I thought the Golden State Conference was held to discuss peace among various countries, but I didn't expect that your country actually wanted to use this occasion to declare war!"

Tao Donglai said: "It's not that I'm declaring war. It's just that I think Mr. Shang has never understood the current situation, so I want to help Mr. Shang see the situation clearly earlier and make the right decision."

Shang Ke said happily: "In Master Tao's opinion, what is the right decision?"

Tao Donglai said: "Give up the unrealistic conditions and sign a formal peace agreement with our three countries."

Shang Ke shook his head happily and said: "The conditions proposed by Ming Dynasty are absolutely impossible to realize. Even if I agree in Jinzhou, I will not be able to deliver a message to the emperor after I return."

Although Shang Kexi still did not agree to make concessions, his words had obviously loosened up. Tao Donglai continued: "How about each side taking a step back? Following the agreement reached with our country, Shanhaiguan will be used as the boundary, and the inside of the pass will be the territory of the Ming Dynasty.

A buffer zone of 100 miles will be established outside the border, and neither side is allowed to station troops in this area. As for the demand for compensation, both countries can cancel it together."

Shang Ke said happily: "Isn't this just asking our country to move its control area back a hundred miles? Then our country will suffer a big loss!"

Tao Donglai shook his head and said: "That's not the case. This can win precious peace for your country and avoid a war that will destroy the country."

Shang Ke said with joy and anger: "If you don't agree, will we start a fight?"

Tao Donglai said: "We all believe that if we cannot achieve peaceful coexistence, instead of confronting the Qing army in Liaodong year after year, it is better to solve the problem once and for all. Of course, we will not choose this solution unless it is a last resort.

, after all, peace is the most precious thing!”

Tao Donglai had a smile on his face when he spoke, but Shang Kexi felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave when he heard these words. He knew that the other party must not have made a sudden move, but had already made plans and waited for the time to mature.

This move came out. The reason why he had been holding back for the past ten days or so was probably because he was observing his own strategy and making sure that he had no other trump cards to play, and then he showed his true colors.

Looking back on the negotiation process these days, Shang Kexi found that it did not take much time to reach an agreement with Haihan and North Korea. The other party must have arranged for Daming to hold him back. If the negotiation is successful, the other three countries will not suffer any loss in the future.

There is no need to worry about the invasion of the Qing army. If the negotiation fails, the three countries will send troops to attack the Qing Dynasty together. Although there are risks, there is also a great chance to solve the problem in one fell swoop. From this point of view, no matter what the final result of this negotiation is, the opponent will gain and the opponent will suffer.

It's myself.

Yang Sichang was also very emotional. He knew that if he negotiated with the Manchus alone, he would not be able to get an ideal result anyway, but the effect of the Haihan people's action was indeed different. It seemed that they had been frightened. It was gratifying.

When Wang Tom explained the plan to him yesterday, he did not mention the details of military strength, but today he suddenly added this aspect. Yang Sichang did not know whether Haihan had the ability to deploy 50,000 troops in Liaodong, but he wanted Ming Dynasty to concentrate

If 300,000 troops are sent to the north, it may take several months or even longer to complete the mobilization of troops and supplies. The cost is simply difficult to estimate. And if we really have to do it later, it will cost at least millions.

Two taels of silver. The Ming Dynasty's treasury may not be able to sustain such a big operation for too long. If a quick decision cannot be achieved, it is likely to be a lose-lose situation later on.

But if the Ming Dynasty and the Manchu Qing Dynasty fight to the death, will Haihan be left with a chance to make a profit? You must know that if you land at Dagu Port of the Bohai Bay, the journey to the capital is almost the same as the distance between Gaizhou and Shenyang.

The distance between them is the same, about three hundred miles. If the Haihan Army is able to attack Shenyang, it means that they have the ability to attack the capital.

It is said to be a peace negotiation, but what if Haihan intends to use this to provoke the Qing army to start a war? The Qing army cannot defeat Haihan, so in the end it will naturally have to find a soft persimmon to squeeze, and Ming Dynasty happens to be the one who is already ripe and within reach.

soft persimmon.

In just a short moment, many strange and bizarre thoughts flashed through Yang Sichang's mind. He didn't know if his thoughts were unfounded worries, but at this moment, he really felt the danger and terror of people like Haihan.

Even no less than the Qing general sitting opposite.
Chapter completed!