[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army":3,"chapter-a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-129":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","A Little Soldier of the Late Ming Border Army",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1205418,1561,"Chapter 129: Fleeing Without Battle","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-129",129,"\u003Cp>Regarding going out of the city to fight, the picket officers Han Chao, Han Zhong, Zhong Diaoyang, Sun Sanjie, and Wen Fangliang all vied to go. Seeing their high enthusiasm, Wang Dou felt gratified but also had a bit of a headache. In the end, Wang Dou decided to let Sun Sanjie defend the city, while he led Han Chao, Han Zhong, Zhong Diaoyang, Wen Fangliang, and their several pickets of troops out to battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the beginning of the hour of Wei, the four pickets of troops were already fully prepared. Hearing they were going out to fight the Tatars and recapture the plundered cattle, sheep, and commoners, every soldier was full of excitement. Especially hearing that the opponent was still that unit of Qing troops who had been defeated and fled dejectedly under the walls of Shunxiang Fort a few days ago, everyone's enthusiasm soared even higher.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Defense Lord Wang's rewards for captured spoils were extremely generous. Many were already calculating how much reward they could get after this battle. As for their fear of the Qing troops and the danger of fighting them, through the battles of these days, everyone in Shunxiang Fort was already filled with confidence and no longer turned pale at the enemy's name as before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the cheers of the commoners inside the fort, the four pickets of troops, one unit after another, their combat soldiers fully armored and in order, left the fort and assembled outside. Very soon they finished assembling outside the fort. After Wang Dou gave a brief mobilization speech, he gave an order, and the four pickets of troops left Shunxiang Fort, swiftly heading in the direction of Huailai Guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the sake of swift marching and combat, this time Wang Dou led the troops out to battle still without bringing a single auxiliary soldier or camp equipment. Including the medical officers, the four pickets of over a thousand men were all combat soldiers, each man carrying only a few days' worth of parched grain rations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the march, they also advanced in a column formation of a string line. At the very front were Wang Dou's several standard-bearers, then Wang Dou's several guard drummers, then the Provost Chi Dacheng and several discipline officers, then Wang Tianxue and a group of rescue medical officers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next came the great banner of Han Chao's Right Picket. After Han Chao's guard standard-bearers and drummers passed, there were his four units of troops marching in order, one unit of firelock soldiers and one unit of pikemen alternating. Within each unit, the unit officer walked at the very front, a large unit flagpole strapped to his back, followed by the unit's fifty-nine soldiers. Behind the large unit were the squads, the squad leader walking at the front, a squad flag strapped to his back, followed by ten soldiers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind Han Chao's Right Picket was Han Zhong's Left Picket, then Zhong Diaoyang's Central Picket, and finally Wen Fangliang's Front Picket, one picket advancing after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the road from Shunxiang Fort was flat all the way, the four pickets of Shunxiang troops all marched in a column of five men per row. Such a string-line formation, if encountering the enemy in the field, could instantly link head and tail, forming a circular or square formation advantageous for defense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Daxing led the night scouts and scattered them far out, constantly returning to report on the movements ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the twelfth day of the seventh month, although the Shunxiang Army began implementing the new organization, with pure pikemen units and firelock units within each picket, due to the short time, each unit had not yet incorporated sword-and-shield soldiers. They only had each unit's pikemen and firelock soldiers each select one squad of soldiers to hold shields, to protect against the sharp arrows shot by the Qing troops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou traveled light, leading the army all the way. His Shunxiang Army trained hard in peacetime and had ample provisions, so each man's physical quality was very strong. Even carrying armor and weapons, they could walk for an hour straight and march ten li without any problem, and this was even with some newly joined auxiliary young men among the combat soldiers slowing them down. Every ten li of marching, Wang Dou ordered a brief rest. After the troops drank some water and ate some dry rations, they could march again full of vigor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From Shunxiang Fort to the Shimen Bay by the Yanghe River near Huailai Guard was only a little over fifty li. By evening, Wang Dou had already led the main army to the vicinity of Shimen Bay. There was originally a small civilian fort at Shimen Bay, long since slaughtered clean by the Qing troops, leaving only broken walls and ruins, empty and desolate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou ordered an overnight rest inside Shimen Bay Fort. Wen Daxing returned to report the enemy situation to him: \"The slave bandits are escorting many carts of commoners, so their march is slow. They still haven't reached the Langshan area.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He led several squads of night scouts spread out for reconnaissance. Each man had two or three horses, so they moved swiftly, and intelligence on the enemy ahead was continuously transmitted back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Chao and the others all gathered around Wang Dou to look at the map. Wang Dou shook his head and said: \"They are moving too slowly. I estimate they only travel twenty to thirty li a day.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Zhong said excitedly: \"Based on our army's marching speed, we should be able to catch up to them by tomorrow afternoon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou said: \"Let the officers and men rest well and build up their energy. Tomorrow at the beginning of the hour of Mao, we set out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The twentieth day of the seventh month, the ninth year of Chongzhen. Afternoon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the beginning of the hour of Shen, near Langshan. Wang Dou, leading the four pickets of troops, caught up with those Qing soldiers escorting the Great Ming commoners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this time, the one escorting the commoners and valuables was precisely the Jalanggin Zhangjing Yanzha, who had suffered defeat under Shunxiang Fort. Hearing that Ming troops were in pursuit, he initially did not take it seriously. However, upon hearing the scout riders report back and learning that the pursuing Ming army was actually that unit from Shunxiang Fort, they collectively gasped and looked at each other in dismay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They could never have imagined that Wang Dou would actually rush from Baoanzhou all the way to Huailai Guard. This was far beyond his expectations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that time, Abatai, under Ajige's orders, led his troops to Yanzhou to join the main Qing army and enter the pass. Considering that there were still many plundered people and valuables within Huailai Guard that had not been transported out, besides personally leading the main army to escort away a portion, he ordered the Jalanggin Zhangjing Yanzha to be responsible for escorting the rest, transferring the people and valuables to Changpingzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That Jalanggin Zhangjing Yanzha had always been fierce and brave within the Bordered White Banner. Although he had lost some men under Shunxiang Fort, the remaining troops were more than enough to deal with any Ming troops that might pursue. In fact, this was indeed the case. When the Jalanggin Zhangjing Yanzha escorted the numerous people and valuables past the various forts of Huailai Guard, the Ming troops inside the forts were all trembling with fear, none daring to come out and pursue to recapture the captured people and supplies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Abatai calculated again and again, believing it to be absolutely foolproof. However, what he never calculated was that Wang Dou, far away at Shunxiang Fort in Baoanzhou, would actually lead his troops to Huailai Guard to seize the people and valuables they had painstakingly plundered. This was far too contrary to common sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention Abatai, even if Huang Taiji had personally led the army, he probably could not have predicted Wang Dou's astonishing move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That Jalanggin Zhangjing Yanzha was even more unable to imagine that Wang Dou would come. For a moment, they were all stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the distance, many banners of the Shunxiang Army emerged, becoming clearer and clearer. No one knew how many men they had brought. Although large numbers of Qing scout riders went forward to reconnoiter, they feared the power of the Shunxiang Fort firelocks and not a single rider dared to approach. In the end, they all came back to report that the pursuing Ming troops were, without a doubt, that unit of Ming troops from Shunxiang Fort of the Ming State.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the Qing side, there was chaos. Officers hurriedly ordered preparations and formations. Seeing their nervousness, those plundered commoners exchanged astonished glances, wondering which Ming unit had come to make these Tatar soldiers so tense. But their faces all showed excitement; finally, the Great Ming Imperial Army had come to rescue them from their misery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the distance, the Ming troops rolled in like a tide. Finally, they converged into a neat square formation, hollow inside and square outside, with long pikes and firelocks like a forest on the perimeter, pressing forward like a moving fortress. The sound of orderly footsteps from the square formation seemed audible even from this side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the familiar battle line of the Shunxiang Army opposite, the intimidating momentum, and the expanse of gray iron armor within the formation, the flesh on the face of the Jalanggin Zhangjing Yanzha twitched uncontrollably, as if recalling the painful memories of his time under Shunxiang Fort a few days ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shunxiang Army's formation stopped over two hundred paces from the front of the Qing army's main formation. Looking at the dense mass of firelocks opposite, unconscious gasps arose from within the Qing ranks. At this moment, the last wave of Qing scout riders also returned. They loudly reported: \"Lord Yanzha, the Ming troops opposite have been thoroughly scouted. Judging by the banners, they have a total of one thousand troops, all uniformly armored combat soldiers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jalanggin Zhangjing Yanzha's expression grew even uglier. The several Niru Zhangjing around him were also shocked and began discussing among themselves. This Ming Garrison Commander was truly strange. Last time he had mobilized over seven hundred men, which was already astonishing. This time he brought a thousand men, and all uniformly armored combat soldiers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where did he get so many men?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Putting that aside for the moment, the fact was already before their eyes: the Ming troops opposite numbered a thousand. Compared to the last field battle, they had more men and were even harder to fight. After a bitter battle between both sides, the warriors in their own Jalan would likely suffer heavy losses again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, the several Niru Zhangjing beside the Jalanggin Zhangjing Yanzha each harbored their own concerns. Last time at Shunxiang Fort, they had lost several hundred men, many of whom were the most elite armored combat soldiers in each Niru, including some Heavy Armor Soldiers, greatly depleting their strength, which they could not recover from for many years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the battle, the various Niru Zhangjing in that Jalan all harbored considerable resentment toward the Jalanggin Zhangjing Yanzha, believing that they should not have attacked that so-called Shunxiang Fort in the first place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, everyone had also learned that a few days ago, the Raoyu Beile Abatai personally led five thousand troops to attack Shunxiang Fort, and the final result was still losing men and being forced to retreat in frustration. If even the Raoyu Beile fared thus, one could imagine the outcome for them once battle commenced. After a hard fight, victory was secondary; it was certain that their Jalan would again suffer severe damage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Niru Zhangjing Niugulu said in a low voice: \"Lord Yanzha...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly saw several riders rush out from the Shunxiang Army's formation opposite, rolling toward this side. One Niru Zhangjing said: \"Lord Yanzha, shall we send out scout riders to intercept them?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Niru Zhangjing Niugulu hurriedly said: \"Lord Yanzha, it is better to see what they want first. A mere few Ming riders pose no threat to us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jalanggin Zhangjing Yanzha nodded. The Qing side remained on alert and did not move. Very soon, those several riders from Shunxiang Fort ran to within a few dozen paces of the Qing army's main formation. The leader shouted loudly in the Manchu language: \"I am Han Chao, Ming Picket Officer! By order of the Wude General of the Left Battalion of the Baoan Guard of the Great Ming, I command you to immediately hand over all plundered valuables and commoners! Otherwise, when our great army launches its attack, both jade and stone will be destroyed, and regret will be too late!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice carried far and wide, heard clearly before the entire Qing formation. Many Qing soldiers were enraged. They howled and shouted, demanding to kill those audacious Ming people to the last.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jalanggin Zhangjing Yanzha was also furious upon hearing this. He bellowed: \"All officers and men, immediately follow me out to attack! Kill those Ming people to the last! Let them know the might of our Great Qing soldiers!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Niru Zhangjing Niugulu hurriedly cried out: \"Lord Yanzha, hold! Han military strategy says: a general does not raise troops out of anger. The enemy force is strong; even the Raoyu Beile returned with blunted edge. Why should we, for a moment's impulse, sacrifice the precious lives of our warriors? The Han people have a saying: if one cannot endure small things, one will ruin great plans. What are mere Ming State valuables and commoners compared to the lives of our army's warriors? If those Ming people want the people and valuables, give them to them. The Great Ming is so vast; there are not many Ming officers who can fight. If we lose here, we can seize it back elsewhere. Those Han people opposite are desperate outlaws; we absolutely must not fall for their treacherous scheme!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The several Niru Zhangjing beside him all voiced their approval, repeatedly saying that Niru Zhangjing Niugulu's words were truly the prudent counsel of a seasoned statesman. The Niru Zhangjing Ning'erjia also said: \"Lord Yanzha, think thrice! We absolutely must not, for a momentary opinion, sacrifice the warriors of our army again. The combat-capable soldiers in our Jalan are already few.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, after the battles of the previous days, the losses in each Niru of that Jalan were severe, especially the loss of many armored combat soldiers. Even if they wanted to fight, their hearts were willing but their strength was lacking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jalanggin Zhangjing Yanzha said softly: \"I just fear that when we return and see the Raoyu Beile and the others, it will be hard to explain.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Niru Zhangjing Niugulu offered a plan: \"Lord Yanzha, that is easy to handle. Just say that during our escort, we encountered a large Ming force coming out of the city in pursuit. We were outnumbered and had no choice but to abandon the goods. The Raoyu Beile and the others cannot say anything.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Niru Zhangjing Ning'erjia said joyfully: \"Right! Inside Huailai City there are Ming Garrison Commanders and Mobile Corps Commanders, and inside Baoan Guard City there are also Ming Garrison Commanders. Adding the other forts, within Baoan and Huailai there must be nearly ten thousand Ming troops. Our force is only a little over a thousand men, and already severely depleted. These Ming troops came out of the city to pursue; after a bitter fight, we were outnumbered. That explanation holds!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jalanggin Zhangjing Yanzha sighed: \"Since you all say so, then we shall retreat.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He snorted and said viciously: \"If those Ming people still dare to pursue, then let them see the might of our Great Qing warriors!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The several Niru Zhangjing all praised: \"Lord Yanzha understands the greater situation and cares for the larger picture. Truly, he is deeply righteous. To have such a commander is truly the fortune of us slaves!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the Jalanggin Zhangjing Yanzha was about to pass the order to retreat, suddenly someone beside him cried out: \"To retreat just like this is a supreme disgrace! Since when have the warriors of our Great Qing feared those southerners?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a burly Heavy Armor Soldier commander beside the Jalanggin Zhangjing Yanzha, specifically leading several dozen Heavy Armor Soldiers and Elite Cavalry as Yanzha's personal guards. He bellowed: \"Supreme disgrace! To retreat without firing a single shot or arrow? I, Barhu, would rather die in battle than endure such humiliation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shouted: \"Warriors of the Great Qing, follow me into battle!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking the lead on horseback, wielding a great mace, he charged out of the formation toward the Shunxiang Army's position, howling madly. Behind him followed over ten Heavy Armor Soldiers, all shouting wildly. Seeing Barhu charge out, the Jalanggin Zhangjing Yanzha's face turned ashen. He just watched them leave the formation without a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the entire Qing main formation, only these dozen or so men charged out howling. The rest remained motionless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the Ming side came shouted orders, and row after row of firelocks were raised. Then came the successive booming reports of the firelocks. Barhu and his men, before they could even charge to the front of the Shunxiang Army's formation, had blood and fire erupting continuously from their bodies and horses. They were shot dead by volley after volley of firelock fire within a few dozen paces of the Shunxiang Army's formation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gunfire ceased, the smoke dispersed, and the corpses of Barhu and the others lay scattered on the open ground before the two armies, while a few blood-drenched horses ran wildly about, neighing pitifully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Qing troops were utterly silent; many grieved the deaths of Barhu and his men, and at the same time, the Shunxiang Army's fierce muskets stirred painful memories of past tragedies, striking fear into every heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gazing at the corpses of Barhu and the others over there, the Jalanggin Janggin Yanzha snorted coldly: \"That Barhu never showed me any respect. It's just as well he's dead — we can say they fell in fierce combat, which will be easier to explain to the Beile Raoyu and the others.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He loudly ordered a withdrawal. One Niru Janggin, somewhat unwilling, said: \"My lord Yanzha, are we to let those Ming people carry off the people and goods we toiled to plunder so smoothly? Should we not send some brave warriors to harass them along the way, so they don't have it so easy?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jalanggin Janggin Yanzha replied: \"Enough. Don't stir up trouble. We must leave at once!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Horns sounded, and the Qing troops abandoned all the commoners and livestock they had plundered, departing in columns. As they left, they kept glancing back, fearing the Shunxiang Army might pursue. To their relief, apart from a few Ming scout riders following at a distance, there was no further movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a wave of jeering laughter erupted from the Ming troops. Amid the loud mockery of the Shunxiang Army, the Qing soldiers, their faces ashen, retreated swiftly away.\u003C\u002Fp>",3197,"2026-06-03T14:05:19.908Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","89d082b24de2d99ce35c01a1fce670edc25f8815656d2b51e6659d11927cbfd5","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-130","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-128",896,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-cover.jpg"]