After setting up the city of Dongyu, the Ming army began to march south along the Xidang River Valley. Lin Chengxiang's 20th Army remained as the front army, while the combined army of Mu Qiyuan and Chen Zizhuang as the rear army set out a day later.
There were a small number of garrisons in the cities south of Tongguo, but after Talong fought the Ming army and the whole army was wiped out and fled south, he knew that the stragglers in these cities could not stop the advance of the Ming army, so except Five thousand defenders were left in Tongyu City, and the garrisons from other cities were gathered along the way and concentrated in the capital of Baigu. Talong looked forward to another decisive battle with the Ming army in Baigu.
From Dongyu City to Bai Gucheng's 400-mile plain, there was no Dongyu army along the way. The Ming army had no battle to fight, but the marching speed was not fast.
In the cities along the way, the army and civilian officials followed Tarong to Baigu, but the people did not flee and left their own land. They were beggars. The dignitaries of the ancient city would never give away their land and property. Distribute to these people who are fleeing.
The city is in a power vacuum. The people are the fat of various forces. Criminal cases such as murder, arson, robbery, and rape are endless. But all perpetrators are not restricted by the law. Both Mon and Burmese are victims.
Call the sky should not, call the earth not working.
Only then did the people think of the law and the government, hoping to be protected.
But the officials of Toungoo are drinking tea and admiring flowers at the tea shop brothel of Bai Gucheng at this moment. Where can they care about the lives of the people
For the people, the Ming army acted as the savior at the moment of greatest need.
Lin Chengxiang designed a temporary military government in the cities along the way, with local Han people as the chief official.
It was once the rule area of the Bai Gu dynasty established by the Mon people. After the rise of the Tunku dynasty, the Bai Gu dynasty was destroyed. However, the majority of the residents are still the Mon people, but the Han people are a minority. Therefore, many Mon people have entered the local army. The government, Mu Qiyuan also stationed a regiment of soldiers in Lianglibin to maintain local law and order.
Under the full intervention of the Ming army, lawless elements were arrested and killed, and social security has improved greatly. However, the marching speed of the Ming army has slowed down, originally from Toungoo to Baigu, but within seven or eight days, in order to establish an army in each city. The government dragged on for more than 20 days. When they arrived in Baigu, it was already mid-March.
Baigu City is located on the west bank of Tamar Bay, with the Baigu River to the north. If the Baigu River flows directly to the south and injects into the sea, it will pass from the west of Baigu City. However, the Baigu River weirdly turns eastward here, and then Back to the west, it poured into the sea, just flowing from the north, east, and south of the ancient city of Bai, encircling the ancient city of Bai for more than half a circle.
The more than 70,000 troops of the Ming Army confronted the Dongyu Army in the north of the city across Bai Guhe.
In the ancient city of Bai, Tarong took over the command of the fifty thousand troops in the Gillen Sea. Together with the troops gathered along the way and coming from all over the south, nearly one hundred thousand soldiers were gathered in the city.
All the troops in Tongyu were in the ancient city of Bai, and only this city could be controlled by Talong.
Mu Qiyuan was not in a hurry to attack the city. The water network near the ancient city of Baicheng was well developed and not suitable for army operations. If there was a slight loss, these rivers might be the place where the Ming army was buried.
Talong did not hide in the city, because there were a hundred thousand army, he deployed heavy troops along the Baigu River, it was not easy for the Ming army to think about crossing the river.
Mu Qiyuan could only send a large number of rangers to detect the defense of the Dongyu army while drawing a topographic map around the ancient city of Baicheng. After he had sufficient information, he held a military meeting to discuss the direction of the offensive.
"The Baigu River flows through Baigu City from the north, east, and south. The river bank is too close to the city wall, which is extremely detrimental to the army's attack on the city." Mu Qiyuan first talked about his worries based on the information collected by the rider.
"Yes, our army exceeds 70,000. According to investigation reports, the Toungoo army is close to 100,000. Once the 170,000 armies of the two sides start a decisive battle, they must have very open terrain." Lin Chengxiang is not very interested in crossing the Baigu River. It is not a suitable battlefield, especially not suitable for Ming munitions to give full play to the advantages of long-range strikes.
"Commander, Junzuo Lin, isn't there an open terrain on the west side of Baigu City?" To the west of Baigu City is the Baigu River Valley. The terrain is flat and there is no river blocking the marching battle. Chen Zizhuang looked at this at a glance according to the map. Piece of land.
"The west of the city is indeed a fast battlefield. Even if all the 170,000 armies of both sides participate in the war, our artillery can fully give out the advantage," Mu Qiyuan once looked at this land, "However, we are separated from this land now. Baigu River, there are a large number of Toungoo soldiers on the other side of the river. If we attack by force, we may be able to cross the river, but the casualties of the brethren should definitely not be few."
"Commander, we can withdraw north and cross the river from Tandaoji." Lin Chengxiang pointed a point on the marching map, which was the ferry crossing about forty miles northwest of Bai Gucheng.
"Could it be that Tandoori does not have a defender of Toungoo?" Since the Ming army can think of it, the Dongyu army who is familiar with geography should think that Tandoori must have a defender of Toungoo. Mu Qiyuan dare not care, this time It may be the last big battle to conquer Toungoo. The front has been smooth and smooth, and in the end it must not be overturned.
"Now the Toungoo Army is facing us across the river. They can't figure out where we crossed the river. They probably won't lay down heavy troops on Tandaoji. We can let the soldiers swim in a sneak attack, occupy Tandaoji in one fell swoop, and then take the army to cross the river. "Chen Zizhuang now only has more than 10,000 soldiers. Most of his troops are stationed in the cities already occupied by the Ming army. They are almost reduced to Mu Qiyuan's staff. In order to make meritorious service, he has been racking his brains these days and striving to be a good one. Temporary staff.
"We can also send a large number of rangers to detect from the south to attract the Dongyu Army." Lin Chengxiang is not far behind. The Ming Army now has the initiative to attack. When to cross the river and where to cross the river are all determined by the Ming Army. , Tongyujun can only be exhausted.
"Mingxiu is a low-level way, secretly Chen Cang?" Mu Qiyuan immediately understood Lin Chengxiang's meaning, he thought for a while, "However, don't be too eager, first find out the information near Tandaoji, and then talk about it before the attack. God, send a large number of rangers, even a small army, to the south to make the illusion of crossing the river, and we will take the opportunity to attack Tandoori."
Neither Lin Chengxiang nor Chen Zizhuang objected, and they were basically settled.
"Two, you said, we attacked the city from the west. The north, east, and south of Bai Gucheng were blocked by Bai Guhe. If Talong was defeated, where would he escape from?" Mu Qiyuan never doubted, Ming Jun He will surely win the final victory. Although the Ming Army has only 70,000, which is nearly 30,000 less than the Tongyu Army, the advantage of the Ming’s firearms cannot be compensated by the mere 30,000 Tongyu soldiers. He considers Talon. He must not let him go. He wants to see people when he lives, and the corpse when he die.
"The south of Bai Gucheng is close to the sea, and there is no escape route. The west will be our station. If he loses, he will not dare to flee west. Only the north and the east are left." Chen Zizhuang had studied the east for a long time. The terrain near Yucheng is now just in handy.
"Nor to the north. The cities on the north are in our hands. If he flees north, he will definitely be blocked in these cities. Although there are not many soldiers in each city, our army will chase him as long as he blocks it for a while. Can't escape." Lin Chengxiang said rushingly.
Mu Qiyuan nodded, they were going to tell him a fortune.
Chen Zizhuang took the conversation: "Commander, Junzuo Lin, Talong has only one way to the east, regardless of whether he has calculated in advance, but Baigu's east is Talong's mortal enemy, the big city, and the situation should be the same as Lin Junzuo analyzed to the north. , Is also a dead end."
"Chen Junzuo meant that once Ta Long was defeated, there would be no way to go?" Mu Qiyuan didn't believe that Cunning Rabbit still has three caves. Ta Long has led the soldiers in the war for many years, and it is impossible not to leave himself a way out.
"Subordinates didn't mean that," Chen Zizhuang clasped his fists in salute to Mu Qiyuan. "Subordinates said that after Talong escaped from the East City Gate, he would not dare to go all the way east, either to the southeast, or even to the island, or to the northeast. Attempt to escape to the Hengduan Mountains."
"Northeast? Hengduan Mountains?" Mu Qiyuan shook his head, "It's too far away from the Hengduan Mountains. There are Ming troops guarding various cities along the way. Unless Talong is seeking his own death, it seems that the possibility of Talong's escape to the southeast is Bigger."
"Commander, if Talong escapes to the southeast island, what shall we do? We don't have a navy army!" Lin Chengxiang suddenly became anxious.
"We don't have a navy army, but we have never heard that he has a navy army. Can he live on the island for a long time?" Mu Qiyuan smiled. If Talong fled to the southeast, it would be really not a good place, but now Dongkuo There are Ming troops on most of the country, and there doesn't seem to be much safe place.
If I knew today, why bother in the first place.
"Commander, since it is estimated that Talong will start to flee from the east of the city, can we be prepared?" Lin Chengxiang also did not want to let Talong go. Not only did Zhu Youjian put down a secret decree and punish all the powerful and powerful in Dongyu, but also because of his military exploits. , If he captures Talong, the credit will never be less than the capture of any city in Toungoo.
"Prepare? Lin Junzuo said to divide the troops?" Mu Qiyuan glanced at Lin Chengxiang, he still poured cold water, "If we can divide the troops and break the enemy, then can't we besiege the city? The Dongyu Army in the city is no less than 100,000. , And it's Talon himself."
"Commander, it's not division of troops. What the subordinates mean is, can you scare the Dongyu Army? For example, before the army crosses the river, you can send some soldiers to pretend to cross the river from the east."
Mu Qiyuan understood, "Okay, let's do something cruel. Before my army crossed the river, the rest of the 17th Army of Chen Junzuo pretended to cross the river from the east. The Ming army of more than 10,000 people, Donggu people Never dare to take it lightly. They will even remove the pontoons on the river, burn down the boats and so on. In the future, it will be difficult for Talong to cross the river to escape."
"Commander, this can also cover the army from crossing the river from Tandaoji." Chen Zizhuang also agreed to this decision.
The three then discussed some details, how to take down Tandoori, how to cross the river, when to start siege, how to deal with the possible fish death of the Dongyu Army, and so on.
Initially finalizing the details, the military meeting has ended, and the three are waiting to leave. Mu Qiyuan's personal soldiers reported: "Commander, two military seats, the messenger from the big city is here!"