Nurhachi, who started his army in the 11th year of Wanli (1583), was almost invincible in the war to unify the ministries of Jurchen and in the battle to conquer Mongolia and the Ming Dynasty, creating invincible myths.

However, in his last battle with Ming, his 44-year military career was the most severe challenge. The battle of Ningyuan not only caused heavy casualties to the nomads from the army, but also dealt a heavy blow to Nurhachi's extremely proud psychology, and he soon died of depression.

Yuan Chonghuan, commander-in-chief of Ming army, is famous for his victory in Ningyuan, and is the first enemy of 8 Jin Army. To win this battle, "those who are willing to defend" and "those who must defend" are of course the first. But it was 1 1 western artillery that really frightened the nomads, made the Ming army obviously superior to its opponents in military skills and tactics, and thus defeated Nurhachi.

This kind of western cannon will be imported to China through Macau at the beginning of tomorrow. It is also called "Red Yi Gun" because it is made by the Dutch with red beard. It is said that 30 guns were imported before and after, except for 18 guns, which were left in Beijing, and 1 guns were killed during the trial sale, and all of them were transferred to Ningyuan.

At that time, the Ming army in Ningyuan skillfully incorporated this kind of western artillery into Ningyuan's city defense system. The buildings in Ningyuan City are basically square, and there is a square enemy platform in every corner of the city. Three sides extend out of the city and one side is connected with the battlements. The cannon is mounted on the stage and can be fired on three sides. Even if the enemy rushes to the gate, the two sets of guns at the door corner will keep attacking horizontally. There will be no fire corner.

By using this new tactic, the Ming army completely deprived the nomads from the advantages of Mercedes-Benz and incurable diseases in Ye Ping. In the battle, the nomads from the army still swarmed forward, which just provided a group target for the bombardment of western artillery. Every gun must hit the target, and the erosion can be several miles, which shows its great power. The soldiers and civilians guarding the city marveled: "It's like a firearm. Really unpaid soldiers, incompetent horses. The world is invincible! "

Because of this, after the war in Ningyuan, Ming Xi Emperor Zhu Youxiao, while generously rewarding the combatants, did not forget to praise the meritorious service documents, and specially named the Western Artillery "General Anguo, the whole army, Liao Ping and Lu Jing".

Yuan Chonghuan also pointed out in his memorial to the imperial court after the war: "The evil left over from the Liao Dynasty, although the people's hearts were not solid, also led to the loss of tangible risks and failed to consolidate the people's hearts. Soldiers are not conducive to field operations, and only the city can use cannons. "

It can be seen that the red cannon, a new weapon, has become an important factor in determining the outcome of the war in the late Ming Dynasty.

The battle of Ningyuan is also a sobering agent for Manchu nobles who have long been proud of the Central Plains. Heavy gunfire forced them to learn from their opponents. After Huang taiji ascended the throne, he paid special attention to capturing the artillery of the Ming army in the war.

At that time, the practice of the Ming army was to list these firearms before the battle. When the battle started, the enemy who was in shock was first shot and killed, and then he entered close combat.

But later, the nomads from the army soon discovered the weakness of the Ming army. They took advantage of the conflict between iron and cavalry like wind power and surpassed the artillery firing line of the Ming army with fast approaching tactics; Or use the gap between the two fires of its artillery to launch a charge sweep.

In this way, the artillery of the Ming army sometimes became the spoils of enemy cavalry before it even had time to play its role.

In addition to capturing the Ming artillery, Huang Taiji was determined to imitate the Western artillery himself. In the fourth year of Tiancong (1630), he ordered Han officials to imitate red cannons. The following year, the first batch of guns were made and named "God Blessed Cheering General".

Since then, the advantages and disadvantages of the battlefield have undergone a new reversal, and large artillery has become a sharp weapon for the attack of the 8 Jin Army. The Ming army guarding the city with artillery lost to the Jin army attacking the city with artillery more and more.

In August of the fifth year of Tiancong, Huang Taiji besieged Daling River City with red cannons. As the first test after the completion of the cannon, the cannon showed its great power and quickly captured Daling River City, forcing the Ming Dynasty to clear Zu Dashou.

Although the battle of Ningyuan brought great humiliation to the nomadic people, Huang Taiji and others were able to sum up experiences and lessons in time, adjust their strategic guidelines in time, absorb advanced military technology without hesitation, and turn disadvantages into advantages. This national character of being good at learning is one of the key elements for Manchu to successfully enter the Central Plains.