Chapter 1827 Successive setbacks

For the Qing army, the combat effectiveness of the North Korean navy was actually just that. If it had not been so severely suppressed by the Haihan fleet in the previous two years, the naval forces brought to Liaodong by the Ming Dynasty alone would have been enough to defeat the Koreans.

Drink a pot. But now, even the small warships of the Korean Navy, which are no more than five feet long, can make the Qing army, which only has a few rafts, sigh when they look at the river.

Due to the limited number of vehicles crossing the river and limited transportation capacity, the three islands of Lingluo, Yangjiao and Toulao near Pyongyang naturally became the springboard for crossing the river in the eyes of the Qing army. They took advantage of the low visibility at night to transport troops to the islands.

During the day, they stayed on the island to build the rafts needed for the second step of crossing the river. They waited until the garrison reached a certain scale and then took action after nightfall to try to land on the south bank of the Datong River.

Of course, this arrangement is only a unilateral combat plan of the Qing army. As for whether it can be achieved, it can only be determined by trying it first. But after this trend was monitored by Haihan early, the Qing army that landed on the island had essentially

Become a group of cannon fodder with no return.

Two days after the Qing army implemented this tactic, dozens of warships suddenly appeared on the river, blocking the river between the three islands and the north bank, blocking the retreat route of the Qing army on the islands. Then they took Haihan

The Marine Corps' troop carriers began to deliver troops to the island, and the infantry landed on the island to complete the task of clearing out the enemy forces.

The operation had only started for two days, and the troops that the Qing army could send to the island were extremely limited, and they were basically infantry using cold weapons. Toulao Island, where the Qing army invested the most troops, still had less than a thousand Qing troops on the island.

People, and because of transportation efficiency, basically no heavy weapons were transported to the island. This made it difficult for the Qing army on the island to have any effective counterattack in the face of a sudden attack. Under the intensive fire of muskets,

They soon lost their resistance. After the allied fleet blocked the river, the Qing army could only watch helplessly on the north bank of the Datong River as the enemy troops landed on the island and annihilated those companions hiding on the island.

Under the cover of the firepower of the warships, Sun Bing led the Marines to successfully land on Yangjiao Island, and then launched a clearing operation against the enemy forces on the island. On this small island with a terrain as narrow as Yangjiao, the Qing army had no choice.

There was nowhere to hide, but it was difficult to break through the Haihan Army's firepower net in a head-on confrontation. After receiving two rounds of gunfire, they gave up the charge and could only huddle in the woods on the island, waiting for an opportunity to launch a counterattack.

But how could Sun Bing leave a chance for the Qing army? He even ordered the forest to be set on fire. This time the Haihan army went to North Korea and specially brought a batch of incendiary bombs produced by Taiwan's Chushuangkeng Refinery. This stuff was just for use.

It was a trial product requested by the military, but it was very powerful. After using a simple thrower to smash it into the woods from dozens of meters away, the incendiary bombs using crude gasoline as an accelerant immediately ignited the forest.

Crude gasoline is a product of simple distillation of petroleum. It is extremely flammable and difficult to extinguish with water. After the woods on the island burned, Qing troops who had no way to retreat soon rushed out of the woods and tried to fight to the death. However,

What awaited them was the ruthless volley of shots from their opponents a hundred paces away.

Such a battle naturally turned into a one-sided killing. The Qing soldiers who rushed out of the forest basically didn't even see the enemy's face before they were shot and fell to the ground. However, the mission that Sun Bing received did not

He also implemented this attitude in his command and ordered his soldiers not to hold back their hands. Any Qing army who rushed out of the woods with weapons in hand would be treated as stubbornly resisting.

The thick smoke rising from the island quickly attracted the attention of both sides of the Datong River, but the emotions of the two sides watching the fire from the other side were naturally completely opposite. The coalition side was very excited about this action that could frustrate the Qing army, especially before.

The North Korean army, which had been losing consecutive battles, seemed to have seen the hope of victory.

Of course, the Qing army was not happy about this situation. Huang Taiji and others looked at the billowing smoke rising from the island in the middle of the river with livid faces, knowing that the troops who landed on the island who lacked rescue must be in danger now. The losses were severe.

This is a minor matter, but after this action plan is discovered by the opponent, it will be impossible to cross the river in this way.

This fire burned far more Qing troops to death than those who rushed out and were shot dead by the Marines. Sun Bing had received relevant training in the use of incendiary bomb tactics before, and he also knew that many people might not be burned to death directly, but in

They were choked to death by the thick smoke or suffocated to death in the fire scene, and there was no time to rush out and escape. However, no matter what, if the Qing army on the island could be wiped out cleanly, it would be considered a successful completion of the mission.

Not long after, a fire also broke out on Lingluo Island. The Haihan Marines who suppressed the area used the same method to deal with the Qing troops on the island, burning the woods on the island and the hundreds of Qing troops hiding inside.

Got it all clean.

Toulao Island, which is located downstream, is a little more troublesome. This island is about the size of three Yanggak Islands. For this reason, Wang Tom sent all the remaining marines there, and also asked Simang to mobilize 300 Portuguese musketeers.

Troops landed on the island to help in the war, in order to complete the cleanup of the island in the shortest possible time.

Although the Qing army on Toulao Island also tried to resist, it had no effect under the intensive rifle fire. The shields and armor equipped by the Qing army could only provide certain defense against the oldest matchlock guns.

It works, but the rifles used by the Marines are beyond their defensive capabilities. When the troops are of similar strength, there is almost no chance of winning in a battle. After a few rounds of salvo fire, they will be dead.

The coalition forces spent most of the day cleaning up the three larger islands on the river near Pyongyang. During this process, the Qing army failed to take any effective rescue measures, and could not even attack the Haihan troops who landed on the islands.

Interference. The fires that were ignited one after another on several islands could be seen miles away by anyone who was not blind, which also caused a big blow to the morale of the Qing army.

Of course, Huang Taiji didn't understand what "asymmetric warfare" meant, but he knew that his own disadvantage in water warfare was fully exploited by his opponents. If he still couldn't find a way to rebalance the combat power of both sides, then this southern expedition would

It is very likely that the Korean War will really end on the banks of the Datong River.

Naturally, Huang Taiji would not be satisfied with this outcome. When he took the oath to set out in Shenyang, he announced to his ministers that he would conquer North Korea in one battle and make the country dependent on the Qing Dynasty and no longer obey the orders of the Ming Dynasty.

But he really didn't expect that North Korea would change its gates faster than he expected. It's just that the strength of the mercenaries invited was too strong, which restricted the Qing army everywhere in North Korea and added a lot of material consumption and personnel in vain.

casualties.

Of course Huang Taiji would not be happy if he just retreated to the country in such a dejected manner. Even if he didn't say anything, the civil and military ministers would not be willing to just stop. You must know that until now, the Qing army has not even lost its capital.

Even if they haven't been able to recover it, how can the Eight Banners banner owners and domestic dignitaries be willing to let the many resources they invested in this war go to waste?

The high-level officials of the Qing Dynasty had very good calculations before going out to the war. They strived to end the war within three months. Not only could they capture a large number of Korean people to enrich the labor force in the areas under their control, but they would also have to ask for a large sum of money from the Korean royal family for the war.

Compensation, no matter how you think about it, is a business that can make a lot of money. But the reality is that the farther south you push, the greater the resistance. Most of the time is spent in the water basin controlled by the Haihan coalition forces, and the domestic offshore areas

Frequently attacked by Haihan, the number of people kidnapped by them is almost equal to the number taken back from North Korea this time.

This expedition of the Qing army is called a hundred thousand troops. Although this number is a slightly exaggerated result after adding tens of thousands of civilians, the daily consumption of so many people actually requires sufficient supplies of supplies, just for every day.

The rations consumed by both men and horses were a considerable amount. Now the supply line from the territory of the Qing Dynasty to the bank of the Datong River has been hundreds of miles long, and several rivers have to be crossed along the way. Beware of attacks by local Korean armed forces on the way.

The sneak attacks and transportation pressure were so great that the quartermasters were always on the verge of mental collapse.

Every day the war is delayed means that tens of thousands of people's survival supplies will be wasted on that day. Starting from Anzhou, the Qing army can no longer obtain large amounts of supplies from the local area, and the supplies they brought with them during the expedition have long been consumed.

It's over. We can only rely on logistical supplies transported from the country to the front line. This is not a method that can be sustained for a long time. If this war drags on for another month without major changes, then it will be able to fight Haihan.

, Huang Taiji also had to choose to withdraw his troops voluntarily due to supply problems.

Ironically, the Datong River is rich in fish resources, but due to the lack of ships, the Qing army cannot even fish from the river to supply food. Huang Taiji had to send some troops to the north of Pyongyang.

Go hunting wild animals in the mountains to reduce the pressure on the logistics department.

"There is not much time left for the Qing army." Qian Tiandun picked up a piece of cut beef from the sizzling iron plate, dipped it in the seasoning on the porcelain plate in front of him, and then put it in his mouth.

Chewing: "Such beef, the Qing army in Pyongyang City must not be able to enjoy it... Mr. Jin, you are welcome, let's eat together!"

After Azig retreated from the Datong River base a few days ago, the area has returned to a peaceful situation. Thousands of workers have returned to the defense line construction site in the north to continue building forts and fortresses, while Qian Tiandun has plenty of room to build.

A banquet was held and they enjoyed the sizzling steak freshly prepared by the chef. Of course, the beef that can be eaten here is naturally provided by North Korea. As a reward for repelling the Qing army a few days ago, Kim Sang-heon ordered people to

Anyue on the south bank of the Datong River sent a batch of cattle and sheep, which are now delicacies in Qian Tiandun's mouth.

Although Jin Sangxian also liked to enjoy delicious food, he was more concerned about the progress of the war at the moment. He took the initiative to fill up the wine glass for Qian Tiandun, and then asked tentatively: "I heard that the Qing army has gathered heavy troops in Pyongyang City.

Nearby, I wonder if Huang Taiji plans to forcefully cross the Datong River from there. Is there any news about General Qian?"

Qian Tiandun took a sip and said: "Master Jin, the rice wine of your country is still a bit weak. Next time the Haihan merchant ship arrives in North Korea, I will have someone send you a few jars of Sanya special wine produced in our country. I guarantee that

You will have a different feeling after drinking it!”

Jin Sangxian was a little dumbfounded when he heard Qian Tiandun's erroneous answer. However, he had dealt with Qian Tiandun a lot recently, and he also knew that General Haihan liked to deliberately change the topic and then go around in circles.

When he came back, he didn't rush him immediately and quietly waited for his next words.

"Since the Qing army invaded North Korea, they have never lost a battle against your army. Huang Taiji is in a state of drunkenness now. We have to help him clear his mind." Qian Tiandun put down his glass and said: "The coalition fleet is now in a state of drunkenness.

Seventy percent of the warships are concentrated on the river near Pyongyang City. If the Qing army must choose to cross the river there, they may have to be mentally prepared to drown tens of thousands of people in the Datong River."

Qian Tiandun's description made Jin Sangxian feel a little more relaxed. Of course, the Qing army could not pay such a huge price to forcefully cross the river, but they certainly would not directly give up their plan to continue to advance south. As long as the Qing army tried

After crossing the river, the Hai-Han coalition forces would have the opportunity to inflict heavy damage on them.

The reason why Qian Tiandun is so relaxed is that the current war situation is basically in line with expectations. When the Qing army has suffered enough in the upper reaches and knows that it is hopeless to forcefully cross the river, it will place its last hope on breaking through the Datong River base.

This will force Haihan to withdraw from this area. When the independent regiment is stationed here to fight against the exhausted Qing army, it will naturally be another massacre.

As for the mentality of the North Koreans, Qian Tiandun had already anticipated this. When he and Wang Tom agreed to withdraw from the Yalu River, they intended to use the Qing army's fierce offensive to suppress North Korea. When the North Koreans lost consecutive battles, they thought it would be difficult for them to do so.

When supporting the war situation, Haihan stepped forward to block the Qing army and complete the comeback, thereby establishing an invincible and tall image in the hearts of the Korean people.

Although Kim Sang-hyun also knew that Haehan's repeated attitude during the war was to obtain more conditions from North Korea, he never expected that Haehan would have so many twists and turns in his belly. In his opinion, as long as he tried his best to satisfy Haehan's demands,

As for Haihan's long-term plans for the Korean Peninsula in the future, even if Qian Tiandun is willing to tell the whole story, he may not be able to fully understand it.

After the battle on the islands near Pyongyang City, after a rough inventory, the Haihan Army wiped out nearly 2,000 enemy troops on the three islands. Although some of them were North Koreans who were forced to land on the islands to work as lumberjacks.

The prisoners became unjust victims in the battle between the two armies, but even the North Korean authorities would not mention such a disappointing thing when they achieved a great victory. They quickly sent letters to Seoul to report the victory, and by the way, they took some credit for themselves in the battle report.

That's the business.
Chapter completed!