Government response, 1399–1400 Jingnan Campaign

1 government response, 1399–1400

1.1 first offensive
1.2 second offensive

1.2.1 defense of beiping
1.2.2 battle of zhengcunba
1.2.3 battle of baigou river

government response, 1399–1400
first offensive

in july 1399, news of rebellion had arrived in nanjing. jianwen emperor ordered removal of royal status prince of yan , began assemble attack on yan forces. headquarters expedition set in zhending, hebei province.

since many of generals in ming court have either died or been purged zhu yuanzhang, lack of experienced military commanders major concern. no other options, 65-year-old geng bingwen appointed commander , led 130,000 government forces north on expedition against yan forces. on 13 august, government forces arrived in zhending. prepare offensive, forces divided , stationed in hejian, zhengzhou , xiongxian separately. on 15 august, yan forces assaulted xiongxian , zhengzhou surprise , captured both of cities while annexing forces.

one of generals in geng bingwen’s camp surrendered zhu di , informed him positions of geng bingwen forces. zhu di instructed general return message yan forces approaching convince geng bingwen gather forces prepare general attack.

on 24 august, yan forces arrived in wujixian. based on information gathered locals , surrendered troops, began prepare raid government forces.

the yan forces launched surprise raid on geng bingwen next day, , full-scale battle ensued. zhu di led strike force against flank of government forces, , geng bingwen suffered crushing defeat result. on 3000 men surrendered yan forces, , remainder of government forces fled zhending. general gu cheng surrendered zhu di. next several days, yan forces attempted capture zhending unable succeed. on 29 august, yan forces withdrew beiping. gu cheng sent beiping assist zhu gaochi defense of city.

second offensive

as news of geng bingwen s defeat reached nanjing, jianwen emperor starting concerned war. li jinglong proposed huang zicheng new commander, , proposal accepted despite of opposition qi tai. on 30 august, li jinglong led total of 500,000 men , advanced hejian. news reached yan camp, zhu di of yan victory outlining weakness of li jinglong.

defense of beiping

on 1 september, government forces liaodong began lay siege city of yongping. zhu di led yan forces reinforce city on 19 september , defeated liaodong forces 25 september. following victory, zhu di decided raid city of daning controlled prince of ning in order annex army. yan forces reached daning on 6 october, , zhu di went inside city. able coerce prince of ning , troops in daning submit him, , strength of yan forces increased significantly.

upon learning zhu di away in daning, government forces led li jinglong crossed lugou bridge , began attack beiping. however, zhu gaochi able hold off attacks. on 1 occasion, government forces broke city, attack held suspicious li jinglong. temperature in beiping subzero during month of october, , yan defenders poured water on city walls @ nightfall. walls covered in ice next day, government forces prevented scaling walls. government forces composed of soldiers south, , unable sustain attack in cold weather.

battle of zhengcunba

on 19 october, yan forces gathered in huizhou , began march beiping. 5 november, yan forces in outskirts of beiping , defeated scout forces of li jinglong. main army of each side engaged in zhengcunba major battle in same day, , forces of li jinglong suffered crushing defeat. @ nightfall, li jinglong retreated zhengcunba hastily, , remaining attack force in beiping subsequently surrounded , defeated yan forces.

the battle of zhengcunba concluded retreat of li jinglong dezhou. government forces lost more 100,000 men in battle. on 9 november, zhu di returned beiping , wrote imperial court intention remove qi tai , huang zicheng post. jianwen emperor declined respond. in december, wu gao dismissed post in liaodong imperial court, , zhu di decided attack datong. yan forces reached guangchang on 24 december, , garrison surrendered. on 1 january 1400, yan forces reached weizhou , met no resistance yet again. on 2 february, yan forces reached datong , began siege on city. strategic importance of datong significant imperial court, , li jinglong forced reinforce city in hurried manner. however, zhu di returned beiping before government forces arrive, , government forces suffered considerable amount of non combat casualties. troops exhausted, jinglong wrote zhu di , requested armistice. during attack in datong, several forces mongolia surrendered yan forces. in february, garrison @ baoding surrendered.

battle of baigou river

in april 1400, li jinglong mobilised 600,000 men , began advancing northwards toward baigou river. on 24 april, yan forces engaged government forces in decisive battle. government forces ambushed zhu di, , yan forces suffered series of defeat initially. landmines placed in retreat path of yan forces government forces, inflicted heavy losses yan army on way camp. new battle ensued following day, , government forces successful in attacking rear of yan forces. zhu di led personal charge against main force of li jinglong, , battle turned stalemate zhu gaochi arrived reinforcements. @ point, wind started blow , snapped flag of li jinglong in half, led chaos in government camp. zhu di seized opportunity , launched general assault , defeated government forces. more 100,000 government troops surrendered yan forces, , li jinglong retreated dezhou once again.

on 27 april, yan forces began marching toward dezhou siege city. yan forces captured dezhou on 9 may, , li jinglong forced flee jinan. yan forces followed , encircled city of jinan on 15 may, , li jinglong fled nanjing. despite of losing entire army , being condemned imperial court, li jinglong spared of execution.