Battle of Songjin - The Siege of Jinzhou

The Siege of Jinzhou

Since the time of Yuan Chonghuan,the Ming dynasty had rarely changed its Liaodong defensive strategy. Ming leaders largely spent their energies building fortresses, relying on artillery and cannons as defensive measures rather than going on the offensive. For a time this defensive strategy frustrated the Qing army, but eventually Huangtaiji was able to develop a solution for the Qing by reforming their logistical operations, creating supply lines that allowed them to prosecute long-term siege warfare.

Zu Dashou was by then in charge of defense in Jinzhou. Zu at first surrendered to Qing and offered to take Jinzhou. When he succeeded taking Jinzhou, he re-changed his side again to Ming and took control of Jinzhou. In the 6th year of Chongde (1641) Jirgalang ordered his troops to retake Jinzhou and lay siege to the city. Zu then sent a letter seeking reinforcement from Beijing. At the forth lunar month, Huangtaiji decided to maintain the siege upon Jinzhou.