On the second day of March in the first year of Qiongyuan, Dorgon came to Zhenyuan City with 2,000 troops to inspect the Qing army's siege of Zhenyuan City. Around the New Year, Dorgon actually decided to mobilize an army to completely eradicate the two cities of Ningyuan and Zhenyuan. For the Manchu and Qing dynasties, these two fortified cities were like a lump in the throat. The Manchu and Qing dynasties in Liaodong were very sad because they couldn't swallow and couldn't spit out. But what makes Dorgon sad is that he cannot start the war in winter. Although winter is a season of fighting due to abundant labor and hard roads. However, because the ground is hard, the battle against Ningyuan and Zhenyuan cities must not begin. For the fortified city that they were determined to defend, the Qing army did not have many good strategies to attack the city. In other words, there is no army in the world and no good strategy for attacking a city. For example: The Runing Army was helpless at the foot of Wuchang City. In previous battles, the Qing army's success in attacking a fortified city was nothing more than using two methods: inner city dedication and long-term siege. The Qing army would never use the ant attack method to attack the city, because for the Manchu Qing, the number of Eight Banners was too small, and they could never afford to lose it. Therefore, there is no way to carry out siege warfare in winter, and the hard ground is too difficult to dig. However, as soon as spring began, Dorgon did not hesitate to order an army to be assembled and sent troops to besiege the two cities of Ningyuan and Zhenyuan. However, it can also be seen from this season of sending troops that Dorgon was very determined. He was ready to sacrifice a year's production of the Qing Dynasty in exchange for the capture of these two cities, so as to achieve the unification of Liaodong and outside the Pass. . But fortunately for Dorgon, the harvest from the last entrance battle was simply too great. The seized materials piled up like mountains, and the plundered population became slaves for production. If coupled with the request for some cattle, sheep, grain and grass from Mongolian tribes and North Korea, the Qing army would definitely be able to sustain a two-year siege. Dorgon didn't believe it: Could Ningyuan and Zhenyuan be able to hold on for two years? At this time, the troop deployment of both sides was like this: The total strength of the Qing army reached 230,000, and tens of thousands of soldiers and horses could be recruited from Mongolian tribes and North Korea in the future. Coupled with the large amount of armor and weapons seized after entering the customs, it can be said that the troops are strong. At Shanhaiguan, the Qing army deployed 40,000 troops of Wu Sangui's Guan Ning cavalry and 10,000 Qing troops led by Hauge; those in charge of the siege of Zhenyuan City were 40,000 troops led by Sony, Obai and Tan Tai; Ningyuan had 45,000 soldiers and horses led by Duduo and Azige; Dorgon himself led the main force of nearly 100,000 Qing troops. Stationed in Jinzhou, ready to respond to any emergencies. As for the Daping Army: Ningyuan City has an association of more than 7,300 people led by Yao Liang and Fu Sheng, and nearly 4,000 auxiliary soldiers and minzhuang to help defend the city; Zhenyuan City has the remaining 13,000 Langxiao Town troops Soldiers and horses, as well as more than 3,000 auxiliary soldiers and civilians assisted in defending the city. And in front of Shanhaiguan, there is the main force of the Daping Army in six towns commanded by Xue Yongli. These 90,000 soldiers and horses lined up, blocking the main force of the Qing army from leaving the pass and going south. In Tianjin Wei. There are 20,000 Marines and 5,000 Reclamation Company escorts; on the front line of Xuanda, there are more than 20,000 Pegasus Town riders who have been replenished again. In Beijing City and Tongzhou Camp, there were 37,000 troops led by Wu Shigong. These soldiers and horses are the main field troops of the Daping Army. Of course, in addition to this, the Daping Army has nearly 200,000 miscellaneous troops stationed near the capital, and nearly one million village protection teams are conducting military training. However, these troops can only do auxiliary tasks such as city defense and logistics transportation. It is of little use in field battles. Therefore, it can be seen that the strength and strength of the two armies can be said to be evenly matched. However, one thing should be emphasized: as time goes by, the Daping Dynasty, which has a large population base and sufficient financial and material support, will have greater and greater advantages. But at this time, in the two cities of Shanhaiguan, Ningyuan, and Zhenyuan, the strategic advantage of the Qing army was quite obvious. Because it is quite convenient for the Qing army to support Shanhaiguan, but it is difficult for the Daping army to support Ningyuan and Zhenyuan cities. to this end. Dorgon formulated the following campaign plan: siege Ningyuan and Zhenyuan for a long time to attract the main force of the Daping Army to come to rescue. After that, on the flat battlefield outside the pass, the power of the Qing cavalry group was fully used to annihilate the effective forces of the Daping Army, and preferably the reinforcements of the Daping Army. If the Daping army sees through the Qing army¡¯s plan and does not come to rescue, then the Qing army will of course trap Ningyuan and Zhenyuan to death. Not to mention what a huge blow it would have to the morale of the Daping Army. Just saying that they have achieved great unification in Liaodong and outside the Pass, the Qing army can concentrate the main force of the Qing army at Shanhaiguan and anywhere along the Great Wall. Enter at will. As a result, the defense line of the Great Wall that was riddled with holes became simply undefended, because the Daping Army definitely did not have so many troops lined up along the Great Wall. When the Daping Dynasty, which was repeatedly threatened, insistedIf they are trapped, they can only retreat southward out of Beijing. Then the Qing army can logically occupy the Yanyun area. And with this strategic commanding heights. From now on, whether the Qing army launches a southern expedition or separates the north and south, it is in a favorable strategic situation and is already in an invincible position. If the Daping Army sends troops to rescue, there are only two rescue routes they can choose: one is to leave Juyongguan, bypass Shanhaiguan, and climb a long distance from outside the pass to rescue. But in this case, let alone the expedition, the Daping Army will first be harassed by the Mongolian tribes along the way outside the pass, and then face the main force of the Qing Army. Moreover, the Daping Army outside the Pass has no logistics at all, and the food routes cannot be guaranteed. In the final analysis, the Qing army does not need to fight the Daping Army at all. As long as they are in a stalemate with the Daping Army, the Daping Army will be in despair in the end. They had to retreat, not to mention being followed and pursued by the Qing army during the retreat. The other way is to storm Shanhaiguan. But inside Shanhaiguan, there are 50,000 Qing troops, a complete defense system and Guan Ning's cavalry who are familiar with the surrounding terrain. Not to mention it is impregnable! The Daping Army will never be able to conquer it in a short time. There is another point that is even more important. The Daping Army did not know at all how much the total strength of the Qing Army in Shanhaiguan was? Because it is impossible for the Daping Army to send spies to go around Shanhaiguan to detect the enemy's situation. Even if they go around, there is no way to pass the information back. If the Daping Army encounters a bloody massacre at the foot of Shanhaiguan, the Qing army can send large forces at any time to secretly sneak into Shanhaiguan. When the fierce battle between the Daping Army and the Qing army in Shanhaiguan is in full swing, the main force of the Qing army can take advantage of the situation and rush out of Shanhaiguan to kill them. Go out and catch the Daping army by surprise, so as to win the decisive battle.