In the early years of the Ming Dynasty, Haizhou Wei was set up in Haizhou, and the seat of governance was in the old Chengzhou City (now Haicheng, Liaoning), which was subordinate to the Eastern Department of Liaoning. Its land "controls the hole of the east and the west, and serves as the throat of the sea", rich in grain and sea salt.

Haizhou Weitong Tongtong Lushun and Shandong, north to Liaoxi and Jingshi, the strategic location is quite important.

At the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, the Korean envoys went to Nanjing, passing through Haizhou and heading south to Lushun. In the last years of Hongwu, the Korean envoys went to Beijing and turned to Liaoxi from here.

In the sixth year of Longqing (1572), the Korean envoy Xu Zhen passed through Haizhou, and he said: "The city of Haizhou is inferior to Liaodong, and the prosperity is victorious." ”

In the second year of Wanli (1574), when Xu Jiao passed through Haizhou, the description was more detailed: "Haizhou Weiyi is also a big town, and its wealth is second to Liaoyang. ”

In the thirty-eighth year of Wanli (1610), when Zheng Shixin passed through Haizhou, he described: "When he arrived at Haizhou Wei in the evening, his majesty and wealth were not inferior to Liaodong, and the pheasant building and the moat were to be changed, and they were strictly renovated and repaired, and they were far better than Liaocheng. ”

It can be seen from the records of the Korean envoys that at least during the Wanli period, Haizhou's economic prosperity was comparable to that of Liaoyang.

The battle of Mingjin in Liaodong was fought for several years, and the economy of various places was devastated, and Haizhou was no exception.

But there is also something that has not changed, that is, the fortified city of Haizhouwei. Not only was it slightly damaged in the war, but after Tong Yangxing led the Han soldiers to garrison, he stepped up repairs to make it better than before.

Three of the four guards in southern Liaoning have been lost, and only one Haizhou is still occupied by the Later Jin. As the gateway to Liaoyang in the north, it is impossible not to pay attention to Houjin.

Moreover, the Acropolis of Haizhou is located in the north of Haicheng Hebei, at the foot of the Jade Emperor Mountain, which can be described as a dangerous country and a difficult to defend and difficult to attack.

Tong Yangxing also showed confidence in his report to Nurhachi, believing that the Ming army would pay a heavy price if it wanted to attack. The only thing to worry about is that the Ming army is besieging the city, and the lack of food and grass may be a problem.

The reason for this confidence is not only due to the geographical advantages and cities, but also a large number of artillery pieces and the bird guns equipped by the Han soldiers.

Learning war in the war was not only done by the Ming army, but also by the Houjin. The sharpness of the Ming army's firearms, especially the power reflected in the defense, impressed Nurhachi and others.

Although the firearms of the Han soldiers led by Tong Yangxing were not as good as those of the Ming army, the artillery was old-fashioned, and the power of the bird guns was weak, but if they relied on the city to defend, they were still quite powerful.

"If the enemy marches deeper, he can't break it immediately, and he will stop under the fortified city, and when I send reinforcements for four sets, he will be defeated and ......."

Nurhachi transferred some grain and grass materials to Tong Yangxing, and told Tong Yangxing through letters that holding on is victory, and Liaoshen will not sit idly by and watch the Ming army besiege for a long time.

The amount of grain and grass materials was not what Tong Yang expected, but he also knew that Houjin's material reserves were not running out. The three guards in southern Liaoning, who have lost their wealth, will not have a good time this winter, and this is already Nurhachi's best to pull out.

And Nurhachi's analysis and judgment are also in line with the essence of the art of war, fighting a defensive counterattack battle, thwarting the offensive momentum of the Ming army, and perhaps capturing a lot of supplies, which is indeed a quite feasible strategy.

In this case, Tong Yangxing can be regarded as a reassuring pill. With Haizhouwei's city defense, it is still somewhat certain to hold on for half a month, or even a month.

And with the mobility of the Eight Banners, it was completely late to come from Liaoshen. The internal and external flanking attacks quickly defeated the Ming army, and then returned to Liaoshen to prevent the Ming army and the water division in western Liaoning, and Tong Yangxing also knew the reason for this arrangement.

If the Ming army acted in multiple directions at the same time, Tong Yangxing felt more threatening and more containment.

Judging from the current intelligence, although the Ming army in western Liaoning is building ships and building pontoon bridges. But looking at the progress, he does not have the conditions to launch it quickly, and he is very puzzled about this.

Perhaps the Ming army learned the lesson of the split attack in the Battle of Salhu, and Tong Yangxing could only make such a guess.

Standing at the head of the city, looking at the dense moat breastwork outside the city, Tong Yang patted the artillery on the rack, squinted his eyes, and actually had some thoughts of hoping that the enemy would attack.

"If the enemy comes, he will let his corpses be strewn all over the field." Deputy General Ding Bi said Tong Yang's heartfelt words, "If there is a strong force of the Eight Banners outside, the enemy army will definitely flee in embarrassment." ”

Ding Bi was originally a general of the Ming army in Tieling, and when Jiannu attacked Tieling, he was bribed to open the city gate, causing the soldiers and civilians of Tieling who were "loyal to the city" to be killed and wounded.

Although these words were very kind to Tong Yangxing's thoughts, Tong Yangxing's mind was gloomy, and he did not immediately praise this obvious compliment and boasting, but glanced at Ding Bi with a little displeasure.

Ding Bi didn't know why, but he still closed his mouth knowingly.

Tong Yangxing's eyes turned to the outside of the city, and he said in a deep voice: "Guarding the city mostly relies on firearms, and whether the Han soldiers are effective or not is very important. Adjutant General Ding, I heard that you just robbed the wife of a Han soldier, is this true? ”

Ding Bi's face was embarrassed, he sighed, and said: "It is the divorce of the wife first, and the end will be remarried, and the robbery is not the truth." ”

Tong Yangxing snorted, and said in his heart: You should be stupid, you are deceiving this nonsense.

After a pause, Tong Yangxing didn't want to pursue it too much, and warned: "The war is imminent, if you want the Han soldiers to work hard, don't let them feel resentful." ”

"The end will be saved." Ding Bi bowed down and responded: "Go back and send the woman away, and pay some silver taels." ”

Tong Yangxing nodded, the expression on his face softened, and said: "There is only one of the four guards in southern Liaoning, and the Ming army will come to attack Haizhou." If you can make meritorious contributions, this official will promote you as the chief soldier. ”

"Thank you, sir." Ding Bi bowed down again to thank him.

Nurhachi was very suspicious of Han officials and generals, and even Li Yongfang was dismissed and lived in idleness, and only a few people such as Tong Yangxing could still be trusted.

Therefore, if you can get a nourishing promotion, the promotion is basically reliable. If he can be promoted to the general soldier, that is, the highest position of the Han general, except for Liu Xingzuo, who voted for Ming.

Beating and wrapping, Tong Yang feels pretty good. He knows Houjin's current predicament. But their Tong family has been unable to get out and cannot be separated from Houjin, which is the biggest difference between him and Liu Xingzuo.

Moreover, Tong Yangxing feels that the situation may not necessarily improve. The change of the court order and the battle between the court are the chronic diseases of the Ming court, how can it be so easy to change?

It is undeniable that the current emperor of the Ming Dynasty is very powerful, and he promoted and reused a number of capable generals, and vigorously ensured the logistics supply, so that the situation in Liaodong was gradually reversed.

But it is doubtful how much patience a young man in his twenties can have. What's more, isn't Ming Ting's vigorous investment gritting his teeth and persevering, and how long can he hold on?

Therefore, if the Ming army can suffer a big defeat, whether it is Xiong Tingbi or Mao Wenlong, they can transfer or punish one, and the situation in Liaodong will also have the possibility of changing.

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