[{"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-310":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},1205599,1561,"Chapter 310: Strike Them as They Scatter in Flight","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-310",310,"\u003Cp>\"To make the slave troops' vanguard Oboi fall into our ambush, we must first screen the battlefield, then send out troops to harass and lure the enemy — either to exhaust them or to make them pursue recklessly... When their main force reaches Daxing Village, our army will await them in strict formation, strike them as they scatter in flight, and we can achieve a great victory!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the Daxing Village area is all open wilderness and valley land, a so-called ambush does not necessarily require troops charging out from some mountain defile or gorge. In ancient warfare, the demands on formation were extremely high — whether infantry against infantry, cavalry charging an infantry formation, or cavalry clashing with cavalry, all required drawing up in strict and orderly battle arrays; only then could maximum power be unleashed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using a strict and orderly military force to strike an enemy's scattered and disordered formation often yields an extremely high chance of victory — this is the so-called tactic of striking while the enemy is mid-crossing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Oboi comes pursuing with several thousand troops, all in chaotic disarray without proper formation, and the Ming army deployed in formation at Daxing Village attacks with infantry and cavalry together, Oboi's men and horses, already exhausted, will surely suffer a crushing defeat. In the end, with several thousand cavalry in relentless pursuit, it is even possible to annihilate his entire force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What Wang Dou said was orthodox military doctrine, and neither Cao Bianjiao nor Wang Tingchen had any objection. Screening the battlefield and blocking the enemy cavalry scouts was, of course, a task for none other than the Night Scouts of the Shunxiang Army and the cavalry under their command. Over the past two days, they had toiled to keep Oboi's scout riders blocked dozens of li beyond Pinggu's perimeter, preventing the enemy from spying. To strengthen this force, Cao Bianjiao and Wang Tingchen also dispatched some of their own retainers to assist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Intelligence had long been screened, but as for harassing and luring the enemy — who should be sent? The Qing army had always been expert at harassment, and their counter-harassment capability was outstanding. If handled poorly, the troops sent to harass might be like meat buns thrown at a dog — gone without return. Moreover, to make the enemy thoroughly convinced, the force sent could be neither too large nor too small.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou had very few cavalry and could not shoulder the heavy responsibility of harassment; they could only rely on the cavalry under Cao Bianjiao and Wang Tingchen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou looked at the several men. Wang Tingchen gritted his teeth: \"I will go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Shaofan, a Mobile Corps Commander under Cao Bianjiao, suddenly stood up: \"This humble officer is also willing to go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good. The critical task of luring the enemy is hereby entrusted to Military Governor Wang and Mobile Corps Commander Yang.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both Cao Bianjiao and Wang Dou voiced their approval. In the end, they decided that for this battle, Wang Dou's force would leave behind Sun Sanjie's Wu Unit of over a thousand logistics troops, while all remaining infantry would be deployed. The cavalry at Pinggu would likewise all be deployed, concentrating superior strength to deliver the harshest possible blow to the Bordered Yellow Banner vanguard under Oboi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sixth day of the second month, the twelfth year of Chongzhen. Pinggu County, Chenliang Village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noon, the hour of Wei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the distant horizon, dense clouds of dust rose, accompanied by a muffled thunder of hoofbeats, as a vast, dark mass of cavalry surged toward the Daxing Village area. Most of these cavalrymen wore yellow cotton armor with red trim, and the great fluttering banners were likewise a blend of red and yellow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They wore black helmets with red tassels; on their bodies and on their horses hung horn bows and foot-archery quivers, along with an assortment of long and short weapons. Every rider's face bore an expression of arrogance and ferocity. Among the riders, several hundred wore quicksilver-colored iron armor — these were the elite Bayara soldiers of the Qing army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These riders were precisely the vanguard forces of the Qing Bordered Yellow Banner's Meiren Zhangjing Oboi, pressing toward Pinggu. They advanced in columns of ten men per rank, nearly every man with two horses, so although they numbered only five thousand cavalry, they created an immensely vast marching presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they passed beside an abandoned village, a rough, bold voice suddenly rang out from among the cavalry, and at once these rolling, advancing Qing riders halted. Even when halting, they maintained a strict and orderly marching array — truly they were a force that obeyed commands and prohibitions, a model of a strong army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several riders came galloping from the front, each man with multiple horses, raising a great cloud of dust. They raced to beneath a large banner, and one of them tumbled from the saddle and knelt on one knee before a towering Qing officer to report: \"Reporting to Meiren Zhangjing: not far ahead lies Daxing Village, less than ten li from Pinggu. Before Daxing Village, our warriors encountered a large force of Ming sentry riders blocking the way and can advance no further to scout.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Qing officer gave a snort. He wore heavy armor, not yet forty years old, with two thick swaths of mustache above his lip. On the surrounding cheeks, great bulging slabs of greasy, sinewy flesh; in every glance, a thick, murderous aura. Beside him, those riding on horseback were all sturdily built Bayara soldiers, sitting steady in their saddles, their horses snorting, the iron plates of their armor gleaming coldly in the chill wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Qing officer was none other than Oboi, Third-Class Meiren Zhangjing of the Qing State's Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner. His uncle Fiongdon had followed Nurhaci in raising troops in the early years and was one of the founding heroes of the Qing State; his second elder brother, Zhuo Butai, was likewise a battle-hardened commander of distinguished merit in the Qing army. Oboi himself had also followed Huang Taiji on campaigns everywhere, with illustrious battle achievements, and was a trusted confidant on whom Huang Taiji deeply relied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the eighth year of Tiancong, Oboi was granted the hereditary post of Niru Zhangjing. In the second year of Chongde, Oboi served as vanguard, crossing the sea to fight fiercely in the campaign against Pi Island, and was bestowed the title \"Baturu,\" advancing to Third-Class Meiren Zhangjing. Just recently, Oboi had followed Huang Taiji through the passes and routed the fierce Ming generals Yang Guozhu and Hu Dawei at Tongzhou; Huang Taiji was deeply pleased and bestowed lavish rewards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside Oboi was the Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner Bayara Jalan Zhangjing Zhunta, a man in his forties. His rough hands gripped the reins tightly, and his expression was dark and cold. In the campaign against Pi Island, he and Oboi had both served as vanguard and earned great merit, but he lacked Oboi's career fortune, rising only one rank from Bayara Niru Zhangjing to Jalan Zhangjing. If Oboi were promoted to Bordered Yellow Banner Bayara Banner Commander, he would become Zhunta's direct superior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhunta glanced at Oboi: \"Baturu, the Nikan sentry riders are blocking us. Should we send more warriors to see what trickery they are up to?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhunta was gauging Oboi's thoughts, knowing that to flaunt his martial valor, Oboi preferred others to address him as \"Baturu.\" Sure enough, as soon as Zhunta said this, a satisfied expression appeared on Oboi's face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said arrogantly: \"No need. Those Nikan cannot withstand a single blow. At Tongzhou, with only a thousand warriors, I routed the five-thousand-strong army of Ming's Yang Guozhu and Hu Dawei... Even if there are ten thousand Ming troops waiting ahead at Pinggu, so what? We'll still beat them until they flee clutching their heads like rats.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Qing officers around him all burst into raucous laughter, their contempt evident beyond words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since following Huang Taiji through the passes, they had won every battle without exception. The tens of thousands of troops at Tongzhou trembled before them, not a single man daring to leave the city or stockade to offer battle, filling the three-banner Qing troops who had entered the passes with Huang Taiji with utter disdain for the Ming army. They also sneered at how Dorgon and others had lost so many troops at the hands of the Ming army. Likewise, they regarded the Ming army at Pinggu with complete indifference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhunta said: \"But the Ming army at Pinggu is different. Among them are several thousand troops under the Ming general Wang Dou.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oboi's raucous laughter came to an abrupt halt. Before departing, Huang Taiji had repeatedly instructed that facing Wang Dou's grand army required utmost caution. No matter how wildly arrogant Oboi was, he dared not disobey Huang Taiji's words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, since his vanguard had arrived, he too had sensed that the Ming army at Pinggu was indeed different. Unprecedentedly, all the scout riders he sent out were intercepted by the Ming army. In days past, what Ming army would dare intercept their scout riders? They would always press their grand army straight to the city walls and scout every situation with perfect clarity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oboi pondered briefly, then barked an order: \"Bateer, take a squad of warriors and go scout Pinggu. See what trickery those Nikan are up to!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Bateer was a Fende Boshoku of the Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner Bayara camp, outstanding in both battlefield combat and enemy reconnaissance. Upon receiving the order, he answered loudly and led a squad of Bayara soldiers, about to ride out from the ranks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just at that moment, several more riders suddenly came galloping from the right. They raced before Oboi and, without dismounting, the lead rider, a sturdy man, shouted from horseback: \"Reporting to Meiren Zhangjing: several li to the right, a force of Ming cavalry has been spotted. They are rapidly closing in on our main army, numbering about three hundred or more.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following that, from the left and from the front, sentry riders likewise came galloping back, reporting the discovery of Ming cavalry, each force numbering several hundred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The last group of sentry riders came racing back, reporting that ahead, an even larger force of Ming cavalry had been discovered, numbering about several thousand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oboi gave a savage grin: \"These Ming dogs have some nerve, daring to come attack and harass the troops of this Baturu.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He barked an order: \"Change horses. Form ranks and prepare to meet the enemy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once his order was passed down, the several thousand Bordered Yellow Banner cavalry immediately converged and formed ranks, assembling niru by niru into a wedge-shaped battle formation suited for cavalry combat. All the Qing soldiers also leaped onto their warhorses, calmly and unhurriedly making ready.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stamina of the horses of nomadic and fishing-hunting peoples is slightly inferior to that of Central Plains horses, so on the march they typically ride with several horses per man. While marching, they ride inferior horses or mares, while the remaining horses carry tents, weapons, and other baggage. When going into battle, they switch to warhorses, preserving the horses' strength at all times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These Qing soldiers were long-veteraned in battle. Though weary men and horses from the long march and hearing that a large enemy force was closing in, they were not the least bit disordered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Very quickly, they switched horses one after another and formed a cavalry battle array capable of both offense and defense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before long, one group after another of Ming cavalry had ridden to within less than two li of them, eyeing them covetously and spying from the perimeter. Seeing how swiftly these Bordered Yellow Banner Qing riders had readied themselves, the Ming riders were also quite astonished and halted their horses to regroup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oboi gazed out from horseback and saw that the Ming troops on all sides were gathering in ever greater numbers. However, on two sides the Ming cavalry were fewer — several hundred each — while ahead lay a vast dark mass, likely numbering several thousand cavalry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oboi, long-veteraned in battle, devised a response in mere moments. He bellowed: \"While the Ming army's formation is still scattered, our army will attack first — strike them as they scatter in flight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He called out a series of Bordered Yellow Banner officers. On the left and right wings, four squads of two hundred men each would attack, each including one squad of Bayara soldiers. At the front, a thousand men would attack, including two hundred Bayara soldiers. The remaining three thousand six hundred men would remain still, serving as a reserve to observe and reinforce.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rising and falling like wolf howls, whistling signals sounded on all sides. As Oboi finished his dispositions, squad after squad of Qing riders emerged from the formation. Arrayed in formations far stricter than those of the Ming army, they spurred their horses faster and faster, sweeping in like a gale scudding clouds, charging from three directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Tatars are coming!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the left-side zone of the Qing army, the one halted there spying was none other than Yang Shaofan, Mobile Corps Commander under Cao Bianjiao. He led seven hundred cavalry under his command; the remaining five hundred cavalry were led by a Company Commander from the army, deployed on the Qing cavalry's right wing to harass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the Qing cavalry take the initiative to attack, Yang Shaofan and his men were all taken aback.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once those Qing riders moved out, they first trotted, then accelerated to full speed. The several hundred cavalry were all a mass of red-and-yellow armor colors; as iron hooves churned, they swept in like a hurricane. Though few in number, their momentum was considerable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the Qing troops surging forward ahead, horse heads jostling, hoofbeats like thunder, the Ming soldiers beside him all showed expressions of terror. Yang Shaofan's heart, too, pounded violently. Then he felt his blood seethe, as if all the blood in his body had begun to boil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He brandished the three-barreled hand cannon in his grip and shouted: \"Brothers, follow me and kill the slaves!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He charged forth at the head, galloping straight ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kill the slaves!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ming soldiers beside him roared in unison, spurring their horses, maintaining their battle line, rolling forth behind Yang Shaofan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Very quickly, the two sides closed in on each other. The appearance of those Bordered Yellow Banner Qing riders became clearer. They were arrayed in wedge-shaped battle formation; within each arc-shaped array, the center recesses were filled with heavy-armored cavalry. They held long spears, each clad in iron-studded cotton armor, with chain mail likely beneath; even the warhorses beneath them were covered in cotton armor, leaving only their muzzles and eyes exposed. On their flanks were deployed light-armored archers bearing bows and arrows. Those Qing riders either howled strange cries or charged in silence, their faces filled with a savage relish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hoofbeats thundered, dust billowed, and the two charging torrents of iron collided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kill!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Shaofan let out a great roar and used a fuse stick to light the match cord of the three-barreled hand cannon in his hand. The cavalrymen charging in the first rank performed the same action.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thunderous roar erupted — the distinctive massive boom of the three-eyed guns — as Yang Shaofan fired all three barrels of his weapon at once. Yang Shaofan now had fourteen squads of troops, roughly divided into seven assault columns. The hundred men at the front opened fire with their three-eyed guns, forming a dense volley of shot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the three-eyed gun was not very accurate when fired from horseback and its armor-piercing capability was weak, at close range the impact of the balls was considerable. This fierce wave of fire still sent the opposing ranks into chaos, men and horses tumbling. At the same time, a volley of arrows came from the other side, and men and horses from both sides crashed to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Shaofan's three three-eyed gun shots seemed to strike a Fende Boshiku. Whether or not they pierced his armor, he was blasted off his horse and sent rolling. Yang Shaofan spurred his horse past him, swung up his long three-eyed gun, and brought it smashing down onto the head of a heavy-armored Qing soldier coming up behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three-eyed gun Yang Shaofan used had iron spikes added to its exterior, turning it into a three-eyed wolf-tooth club — a rather vicious weapon. Leveraging his horse's momentum, he struck down and instantly splattered the heavy-armored soldier's brains everywhere. Like Yang Shaofan, many in his unit had added iron spikes to the heads of their three-eyed guns. A retainer behind him charged forward on horseback and brought his three-eyed wolf-tooth club heavily down onto the head of the Fende Boshiku who had just fallen from his horse and was scrambling up in a daze — a mist of blood flew into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cavalry behind Yang Shaofan followed in quick succession. Wielding three-eyed guns, or long spears and sabers, they clashed head-on with the Qing troops opposite. Warriors on both sides were cut down by long blades or speared off their mounts. In fast-paced cavalry combat, life and death hung on a single blink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After both sides had charged through, each had suffered considerable casualties. Seeing how many of his brothers in arms were missing, Yang Shaofan felt as if a knife were slicing through his heart. Although this battle was a feint to lure the enemy, it had been extremely grueling. Especially the last wave — a squad of Bayara soldiers from the Bordered Yellow Banner who attacked. Their combat prowess, both mounted and on foot, was outstanding. Most of the deaths and injuries among his brothers had been inflicted by them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Shaofan himself had been slashed several times. Fortunately, he was wearing iron armor, so he suffered no serious harm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blades were not to be feared; in mounted combat, the most terrifying thing was the long spear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their men and horses gathered together. Beside Yang Shaofan, the Battalion Commander of the central army said in a low voice, \"General, shall we charge again?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Shaofan's heart was pounding with uncertainty. He gazed into the distance. On the right wing and ahead, Ming troops were locked in fierce clashes with Qing soldiers. At the very front, Qiantun Guard Regional Commander Wang Tingchen still had a thousand men not yet committed to the battlefield. Just as he was hesitating, he suddenly heard the sound of gongs signaling withdrawal coming from Wang Tingchen's direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Shaofan breathed a sigh of relief and shouted, \"Retreat!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Retreat! Retreat!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The officers in his army all began shouting. The remaining cavalry swiftly wheeled their horses and fled toward Daxing Village. Hearing this signal, whether on the right wing or at the front, the Ming troops all pulled their horses around and left. Several thousand cavalrymen raced back in a rout, creating a scene of utter defeat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oboi saw it clearly and burst into loud laughter. \"These Ming dogs can't withstand a single blow! Pass my order: all light cavalry in the formation are to pursue. The heavy armor will follow with me in the rear, advancing steadily to keep formation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the Ming troops flee in disarray, a thoughtful expression appeared in Juntai's eyes. \"The Ming troops from Pinggu shouldn't be routed so easily. The Ming general Wang Dou has yet to appear. Baturu, in this humble one's opinion, routing these Ming troops is enough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oboi bellowed, \"Even Ming's bravest, like Yang Guozhu and Hu Dawei, were routed in a single blow and chased for dozens of li by me. Look at these Pinggu Ming troops — what difference is there between them and Yang Guozhu? What of Wang Dou? Even if they have troops arrayed ahead, I can drive these routed soldiers to crash into their formation and rout their entire army. Perhaps without even waiting for His Majesty's main army to arrive, my vanguard can easily take Pinggu.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having routed these Pinggu cavalry, Oboi no longer took Wang Dou seriously. With great merit before him, his eyes burned red and his heart grew hot, and he cast Huang Taiji's instructions to the winds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He roared furiously, \"Pursue!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oboi has fallen for it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Wang Tingchen, Yang Shaofan, and the other cavalry units racing back across the open field, every one of them gasping for breath, Wang Dou was reassured by the Night Scouts' report that Oboi had committed his entire army to the pursuit. Having chased this far, and already exhausted from the long march, would they still have the strength to fight when they arrived?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So much for the number one warrior of Manchuria — a reckless brute with more courage than brains.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing that Oboi had taken the bait, Cao Bianjiao also relaxed, and he and Wang Dou exchanged hearty laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By now, Cao Bianjiao and Wang Dou were already arrayed in strict formation. On the left wing were Cao Bianjiao's own two thousand cavalry. On the right wing was a Mobile Corps Commander from his garrison leading over a thousand cavalry, plus four hundred cavalry from the Shunxiang Army. Cao Bianjiao personally led the remaining thousand-plus cavalry and stood with Wang Dou at the central army position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the vanguard position were over three thousand soldiers of Wang Dou's Shunxiang Army drawn up in orderly ranks. For this battle, Wang Dou had deployed troops from Han Chao's Jia Division, Wen Fangliang's Bing Division, Wen Daxing's Ji Division, Li Guangheng's Geng Division, and Zhao Xuan's Xin Division. Yang Guodong, a Battalion Commander from the Viceroy's Personal Battalion, had also brought over three hundred of his own troops to join the fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Including two hundred arquebusiers from the Viceroy's Personal Battalion and over two hundred arquebusiers from the artillery battalion, Wang Dou had a total of twelve hundred arquebusiers in this battle, arrayed in a four-rank firing formation. The remaining pikemen and saber-and-shield men were likewise drawn up in several ranks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In front of the arquebusiers, Zhao Xuan directed the crews of four 6-pounder red-barbarian cannons and twenty-five medium breech-loading falconets, all loaded and long since itching to fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this arrangement, Wang Dou was determined to reenact another great victory like Dingzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a steady stream of reports came in, Wang Dou knew that Oboi's pursuing troops had arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those Bordered Yellow Banner cavalrymen were chasing behind the Ming troops, shouting wildly in exultation, when suddenly they saw the cavalry part like a tide to both sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the fleeing Ming cavalry dispersed and the line of sight cleared, these Bordered Yellow Banner pursuers could not help but freeze for a moment. Before them, less than a li away on the open field, several strict Ming military formations were already arrayed. Infantry in the center, cavalry on both flanks — there must have been nearly ten thousand men. They stood there in silent formation, no one knew for how long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chill ran through the hearts of these Bordered Yellow Banner pursuers. They hurriedly came to a halt, and the officers shouted desperately to reorder the ranks. But these pursuing troops were scattered, and both men and horses were exhausted — how could they possibly reform so easily? Seizing this opportunity, the previously routed Ming cavalry all converged onto the flanks or rear of the battle formations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Oboi arrived with the heavy-armored troops and Bayara soldiers. Seeing this situation, he secretly regretted his actions. What made him regret even more was that the Ming banners in the formation were raised, and two columns of Ming cavalry, each several thousand strong, were already sweeping in like hurricanes from both flanks to envelop them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Juntai shrieked, \"Meiren Zhangjing, we've fallen into a trap! Withdraw quickly!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oboi bellowed, \"We cannot retreat! Have the warriors reform ranks quickly and meet the enemy!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the long march and the pursuit of who knew how many li, all five thousand men of the Bordered Yellow Banner, both men and horses, were utterly exhausted. The enemy had waited at ease for the weary. Their cavalry was rapidly closing in. If they met the enemy in bloody battle and routed them, there was still a sliver of hope for survival. If he ordered a retreat, the army's morale would collapse entirely. With nearly ten thousand Ming cavalry relentlessly pursuing, the fate of his several thousand troops would be dire indeed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of hoofbeats like a rising tide grew louder and louder. Watching the Ming cavalry on both wings, trailing great clouds of dust, sweep in with irresistible momentum, the Bordered Yellow Banner cavalry grew even more panicked. They formed up in chaotic disorder. Unable to worry about whether their formation was neat, and seeing the Ming cavalry pressing closer, Oboi could only dispatch over a thousand men to each wing, including several hundred armored soldiers, to meet them separately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rest were to rest and recover as much as possible. As long as they could buy some time for his warriors' horses to regain some strength and for the battle formation to be set, defeating the Ming army was still very hopeful. To guard against the worst, Oboi cast aside any concern for face and quickly dispatched riders to seek reinforcements from the main army coming up behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, the howl of cannon fire was heard. Oboi hurriedly looked over and saw a cloud of smoke rise from the Ming infantry formation. A round iron ball came hurtling straight at them and slammed viciously into his formation. The iron ball bounced and skipped, sending men's hands and horses' hooves flying, directly carving open a bloody path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Qing formation was in chaotic disorder, packed together like headless flies — the best possible large target. As soon as the cannonball struck, it immediately caused a wave of turmoil among the Bordered Yellow Banner troops. Coupled with the screams and agonized whinnies of wounded soldiers and horses, it dealt a severe blow to the morale of these Qing cavalrymen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oboi struggled desperately to suppress the turmoil among his men. He roared, \"No one move recklessly! Death to any who disobey!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fire!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xuan's uniquely hoarse, straining voice rang out. The Qing position was less than a li from the cannons. Whether the 6-pounder red-barbarian cannons or the army's medium breech-loading falconets, at this distance the shells could all reach. The results of the ranging shot satisfied Zhao Xuan, and he immediately gave the order for the remaining cannons to fire a salvo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A deafening roar of cannon fire erupted. Twenty-five medium falconets and three 6-pounder red-barbarian cannons fired in unison. Amid a great howling of shells, several dozen iron balls of various sizes came smashing down onto the Bordered Yellow Banner formation, sending them into even greater wails of despair, as the dense rain of shot swept open one bloody path after another. The several 6-pounder red-barbarian cannons were especially devastating, the dozen or so smaller shot they each fired causing enormous casualties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fire!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the gun crews had reloaded, Zhao Xuan again ordered a salvo. As this next wave of shot arrived, the Bordered Yellow Banner formation was rocked by wave after wave of violent turmoil. Only through the officers' desperate efforts to suppress it was the turmoil barely contained. Seeing that his formation seemed on the verge of collapse, a look of despair appeared in Oboi's eyes. Was his Bordered Yellow Banner vanguard force to be buried here today?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the scene before him, Wang Dou gave a cold laugh. He shouted, \"Pass the order: the entire army is to advance and press their formation!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Advance!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stirring beat of war drums rose. Several thousand Shunxiang Army soldiers immediately straightened up. Holding spears and guns, they advanced like a moving wall to the rhythm of the marching drums.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every one of them held his head high and chest out. They were the strongest army under heaven, the fiercest warriors. No one could block their advancing steps. Even the soldiers of Yang Guodong's Viceroy's Personal Battalion wore expressions of utter pride, honored to be part of this invincible army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Advance!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following behind Wang Dou's main army, Cao Bianjiao directed his formation's cavalry to follow. On the left wing, Wang Tingchen gave a hearty laugh and led his several thousand cavalry forward. On the right wing, Yang Shaofan likewise directed his subordinate cavalry to follow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Push, push, push.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xuan directed the gun crews, pushing nearly thirty cannons to the very front of the great army. He strode with his head high, insufferably arrogant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dense mass of Ming troops ahead pressed closer, infantry and cavalry intermingled. The Qing formation was rocked by wave after wave of violent turmoil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oboi stared fixedly ahead. There could be no retreat — if they did, the result would be a rout stretching a thousand li. The cavalry battle on the wings still held some possibility. Only the front was putting too much pressure on him. The only course now was to break through the Ming infantry formation. Only then might there be a chance to snatch life from the jaws of death.\u003C\u002Fp>",4865,"2026-06-03T14:05:36.780Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","37cd9667426c2f99af1978b8157bcbc42aec70736052b6ff86aad8fd2f0431c2","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-311","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-309",896,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-cover.jpg"]