Lushun Castle.

Zhang Pan stood on the city wall again, looking at this familiar land that had experienced bloody battles.

The judgment made by the old slave is quite accurate. Zhang Pan led his troops to land, which is indeed a test.

But the test is just a landing. If Jiannu responds slowly, the Left Alliance will gradually increase troops, build fortifications, and consolidate and strengthen the occupation.

Moreover, this is not a separate action of the Zuohui Association, but a unified action of the Dongjiang Army, and it has very important strategic significance.

The Liaodong Peninsula, which is on three sides, is indeed a very favorable battlefield for the Ming army, which has the convenience of boats and boats.

Lushun, Jinzhou, Fuzhou, and even the entire southern Liaoning four guards all have great attraction to Zhu Youxiao and even the Dongjiang Army.

Being able to firmly occupy a piece of land is of great significance to the entire Pingliao Plan.

Although it is still far from the old nest of Jiannu, Chenyang, and the risk of continuing to go deep into Liaodong is even greater. Having a bridgehead for a large counterattack is an indispensable and critical step.

What's more, Lushun, which has a good geographical location and a good port, is not only a bridgehead for counterattack, but also a transit base for materials, and it is also a hub connecting Liao Town, Jin Town, Deng Town and Dongjiang Town.

Firmly occupying Lushun is equivalent to filling in the gap and pushing the blockade line against the Later Jin Dynasty a big step forward.

Of course, these are all strategic. Tactical, or in a short period of time, the threat to the Later Jin Dynasty is indeed not great.

"I think it can send troops to occupy key points outside Lushun Fort, expand outward, and drive out the Donglu cavalry." Kong Youde walked up to the city and suggested to Zhang Pan: "Shield its reconnaissance and spying, our army will increase its troops in large numbers."

Zhang Pan thought for a while and said, "Yes. The fortifications have been consolidated, and Jiannu has attacked them, so they can resist them."

Kong Youde stood beside Zhang Pan, looked outside the city, and smiled and said, "With our two assisting forces, Jiannu came to attack, which was enough to repel them. Moreover, Dengzhen mobilized more than 10,000 troops as support!"

Zhang Pan smiled and nodded, knowing that Kong Youde was saying that he was too cautious. But he was not very worried about it.

Moreover, the Port of Lushun has not been expanded yet, and the ships and personnel landing are restricted.

Kong Youde glanced at Zhang Pan and knew his temper. He couldn't help but shake his head and smiled, "You, a scholar who reads and reads, but he talks very little."

Zhang Pan laughed and said, "I have such a personality. It's not easy to change it. Brother Kong, please forgive me."

Kong Youde waved his hands, expressed his inconspicuous concern, patted the city wall and said, "Why didn't Jiannu demolish the city? Do you hope we will come again, or are you feeling tired?"

Zhang Pan said: "I guess I think it's useless to demolish it, but it's a waste of trouble. In addition, Jiannu also hopes that we can get on land to fight and fight!"

"It makes sense." Kong Youde nodded slightly and said, "We are on the island, Jiannu can only stare at me."

After pausing, Kong Youde said again: "If this is the case, Jiannu should still hold his troops. Even the Jinzhou Jiannu wanted to abandon it, attracting our army to land in large numbers."

Zhang Pan said: "There are also possible. But our army must take steady steps, first consolidate Lushun, and then advance to Nanguan."

"Cut off the land at Nanguan, lure the sea water to strengthen itself, and set up a fort to defend." Kong Youde smiled and patted Zhang Pan's back, saying: "Knowing your plan is a great way to spend a lot of money in addition to the large project."

Zhang Pan scratched his head, smiled and said, "The plan has been reported to Lord Yuan, it depends on the court's willingness to withdraw the payment. This is a bit too much for 200,000 taels."

"But if it is successful, then a hundred miles of fertile soil can be stored or cultivated, and tens of thousands of refugees can be reunited, which is also a foundation for not being able to break out." Zhang Pan paused for a moment and emphasized the importance of the plan.

Kong Youde also deeply agreed with this, but he felt that the court could not bear the 200,000 taels of silver, and at least he might not be able to make the money in a short period of time.

"Next year--" Kong Youde looked into the distance and guessed thoughtfully: "The court's finances should not be too embarrassing, right? This year it's all supported by the Long Live Treasury!"

Zhang Pan smiled bitterly and didn't say anything further, but sighed unaware.

…………………………………

Pi Island.

Zhang Pan and Kong Youde's two associations launched the action, while the Dongjiang Army's former association and the latter association had their own combat plans.

The former association re-occupied Manpu, Changcheng, and monitored the Later Jin Dynasty across the river; the latter association was stationed in Pi Island and Xinyizhou to guard against possible attacks by Jiannu.

In view of the increase in military operations, Mao Wenlong felt the shortage of troops. After discussing with generals such as Gou Zhenhuai, he reported to Yuan Keli and secretly reported to the emperor to ask for the establishment of the China Association.

According to the previous regulations of Dongjiang Kaizhen, the entire army had four alliances, each of which was 6,000 troops, and a total strength of 24,000 troops. If Yuan Keli agreed and the court approved it, the Dongjiang army would reach a scale of 30,000.

In fact, increasing the military force of the association is to defend Lushun without affecting the number of troops raided by the Later Jin Dynasty.

Moreover, according to the emperor's secret order, the Dongjiang army would be expanded to help North Korea resist the attack and looting of the Later Jin Dynasty.

Whether it is a "three-party arrangement" or a "four-party arrangement", North Korea is the weaker link. Whether blockade and restraint can play the greatest role depends on the strengthening of this weakest link.

Moreover, although North Korea is weak, it can still supply part of the Dongjiang Army in terms of food and supplies, reducing the great burden on the court.

Originally, Mao Wenlong thought the court would make the decision quickly, but it would take next year to withdraw the armor and weapons and related expenses.

But unexpectedly, the emperor quickly responded. He had already discussed with Yuan Keli and Bi Ziyan, and drew troops from Jin Town and Deng Town, and then recruited new soldiers from Dongjiang to form the China Association. He was about to return home soon.

At the same time, the establishment of the China Association has changed, with 4,000 infantry and 2,000 cavalrymen, that is, the mixed infantry and cavalry association, and designated to be led by Gou Zhenhuai.

Mao Wenlong was a little surprised, but more surprised. He was planning to draw some soldiers from each association, and these veterans and new recruits were mixed together, which would enable the China Association to have the ability to fight faster.

Taking the old and leading the new has become the main way for the Dongjiang Army to expand its organization, conduct training, and participate in battle as soon as possible.

Therefore, as long as the troops from Jin Town arrive, the China Association will quickly complete the organization and have the ability to fight.

As for the lancers, it is still easy to pick out two thousand cavalry soldiers from the Dongjiang Army.

"I thought the change of the system would not be just a China Association." Mao Wenlong looked at Gou Zhenhuai and made a more confident judgment. "As the improvement of the financial situation of the court, other associations in Dongjiang Town will also change this way."

Mao Wenlong was really guessed correctly, but it was not very complete. In Zhu Youxiao's vision, the mixed cooperation of scholastic, cavalry, cannon and baggage was what the Ming army would look like in the future.

Of course, this needs to be done step by step. Inadequate money is the main reason, and other aspects, such as artillery manufacturing and artillery training, are also constraints.

Gou Zhenhuai nodded in agreement, but sighed: "Long live to use the treasury again. This year, it's no less than two million taels, right?"

"I'm afraid it's not the end." Mao Wenlong hurriedly echoed: "Only our Dongjiang Town, weapons, equipment, food, supplies, and military pay and silver rewards are all amazing."

Gou Zhenhuai looked at Mao Wenlong and asked with a smile: "Long live the plan, the Grand Marshal should know?"

Mao Wenlong hesitated for a moment, nodded vigorously, and did not speak, but stretched out five fingers.

In the fifth year of Ping Liao, or in other words, the emperor did not announce it to the public. However, such information was revealed between the lines of secret compilation.

Is it difficult? Compared with Wang Huazhen's previous bragging and the estimates of the fast-winner theory, five years have been long!

In Mao Wenlong and Gou Zhenhuai's view, as long as the court maintains its support for Dongjiang Town, it may take less than five years to achieve the hope of the emperor.

Gou Zhenhuai looked at Mao Wenlong's big slap, laughed, stretched out four fingers, and said, "It should be this number soon!"

Mao Wenlong nodded and said with a sigh: "A year passes so fast, and changes are really great. Thinking about the embarrassment and poverty at the beginning of the year, and looking at the current Dongjiang Army, I still feel like I am dreaming."

Gou Zhenhuai also had a deep feeling. From the selection of the capital to the emperor personally asking for a meeting, to the bloody battle in Guangning, then returned to Beijing to win the victory, and was sent to Dongjiang Town to serve.

Looking back, it was really a strange experience, which made people feel moved and felt like life was like a dream.

After a while of reminiscing, Gou Zhenhuai first calmed down, smiled and said, "The China Association will be successful, what should we do next? Mao Shuai thinks he has a scheming case?"

Mao Wenlong gently patted the map on the table and said, "With the China Association for Defense of Jiannu, I think that the idea of ​​Mao Shen General should be necessary to take action."

Gou Zhenhuai narrowed his eyes, focused on the map, thought for a while, nodded vigorously, and said, "It's great. Let Jiannu know that there are leaks everywhere, and they must be worried when they gather troops to attack."

Mao Chenglu had long thought of leading troops along the Yalu River to secretly northward, entering the Changbai Mountains, and harassing the rear of the Later Jin Dynasty.

After the Later Jin Dynasty moved its capital to Shenyang, the original guards of Jianzhou were empty. The Ming army was surprised and attacked him unprepared. If the action was secret enough, it would definitely catch Jiannu off guard.

The result of harassing the so-called "land of dragon prosperity" of the Later Jin Dynasty was a trivial matter, but the political significance was of great significance.

Moreover, after the attack was successful, it would inevitably force the Later Jin army to divide the troops and strengthen its defense, which would also weaken its ability to gather troops to fight.

"Our army would better support General Mao Shen's actions." Gou Zhenhuai looked at the map, looking for an opportunity to take advantage of the weakness.

Mao Wenlong smiled slightly, stretched out his finger and pointed at the coastal area south of Xiuyan (now Zhuanghe City), and said: "The coast of the sea is controlled, and the left and right can be blocked. The north can be attacked Xiuyan, and the west can be supported by the left and right cooperation, and the Jiannu who is stationed in Fengcheng can also be mobilized."

Gou Zhenhuai looked carefully and smiled and said, "This place is very familiar. The Dongjiang Army has attacked it. I have traveled to the old place again and I am familiar with the road!"

Mao Wenlong nodded with a smile, stroked his beard with his hand, showing a very complacent expression.
Chapter completed!