Chapter 406: Victory

From the Chuang army's position, three mighty roars suddenly came from the Ming army's direction: "Victory! Victory! Victory!"

Then came the thunderous boom of cannons, as countless cannonballs came crashing down upon them.

Even though many Chuang army soldiers had witnessed the power of the Shunxiang army's artillery during the Luoyang battle, experiencing it again in this field battle still felt like a nightmare. The volley from forty-five cannons, all firing grapeshot, struck like a violent storm, instantly stunning the entire Chuang army position.

The Hongyi cannons were quite powerful, but previously they could not fire more than three times in succession, and after every forty shots they had to pause for an hour to let the barrels cool. However, with improvements to the gunpowder formula, the army's cannons now had greater range and could fire more rounds, already capable of firing five shots before needing to cool, their power further increased.

The Folangji cannons in particular had no such cooling concerns. With the distance between the two sides less than a li, the large Folangji cannons could not only strike the Chuang formation but their range also covered many ranks of the famine soldiers in the Chuang army's front line.

Moreover, the Folangji cannons used removable chambers; a skilled Ming artilleryman could fire one shot every twenty seconds, but the Shunxiang army's gunners needed less than twenty seconds. To the Chuang army, it felt as if the Ming artillery fire was endless, never ceasing.

Shrieking cannonballs continuously shot over, and wherever they landed, flesh and blood flew, severed limbs scattered. Not to mention the Chuang army's sword-and-shield soldiers, archers, gunners, and artillerymen at the front of the line, who instantly collapsed. Even the famine soldiers in several formations behind, caught in the barrage, fled in terror.

Though their morale had just been roused, how could these famine soldiers withstand the terror of this metal storm? Fighting openly with blade and spear was one thing, but the power of such cannon fire was something even first-rate troops could hardly endure, let alone these men who until recently had been common civilians.

Not only that, but even in the formations not yet hit, many Chuang army soldiers stirred with unrest, their hearts trembling with fear, especially after witnessing the gruesome state of those struck by cannon fire.

At the central command position, Li Zicheng and the others wore extremely grim expressions. Although the great formation was very deep and the artillery threat ultimately reached only a small portion of the ranks, unable to strike the central command, the moment the government troops opened fire, at least several famine-soldier formations—nearly ten thousand men—fell into chaos, casting a thick shadow over the battle.

That the artillery corps achieved such results the moment they opened fire filled the entire Ming army position with joy and soaring morale. Not only that, the soldiers and civilians watching the battle from Luoyang city also erupted in cheers, everyone shouting: "The government troops' cannons are formidable."

At that moment, Wang Yinchang and the other officials, along with the heir apparent, had also climbed the Wenfeng Pagoda to watch the battle with the Prince of Fu. Looking out from the thirty-meter-high pagoda, the distinction between friend and foe was clear: two great formations, one large and one small. The small formation was ours, red and sharp; the large formation was the enemy's, motley and disordered.

After the bombardment, the turmoil in the enemy formation was plainly visible. Everyone in the tower was excited. The heir apparent said happily, "Well struck! They say General Wang's valor surpasses the three armies, sending the Tatars fleeing with their tails between their legs. I never understood before, but now I see—with artillery like this, even a coward couldn't help but be brave."

The Prince of Fu narrowed his small eyes and gazed in that direction for a long while before saying, somewhat incredulously, "Why is Lord Wang's artillery battalion so deadly, yet my own troops cannot match it?"

These words embarrassed the Luoyang officials. Wang Yinchang said, "In reply to Your Highness, the cannonballs and powder are easy enough to procure; it is the training of the gunners that is not easily accomplished."

The Prince of Fu sighed, "General Wang possesses great talent, and under his command, outstanding men emerge in droves."

This remark was somewhat awkward to respond to. The former Minister of War, Lü Weiqi, looked thoughtful, and Military Defense Circuit Wang Yinchang said, "To have such a fine general is a great blessing for the realm."

...... Meanwhile, on the Chuang army's side, seeing the situation deteriorate, Li Zicheng decisively issued orders for each formation to gather the routed troops, steady their lines, and execute on the spot anyone who dared stir unrest. At the same time, he ordered the many famine soldiers in the front line to immediately leave the encampment and attack, taking the initiative so that the enemy cannons could not fire. This was especially true for the famine-soldier positions slightly outside the Ming army's formation line.

The commanders all nodded. The volunteer army's position was spread extremely wide. The Ming army, after all, had fewer men, and the length of their deployed line compared to the volunteer army's was like the difference between a thumb and a middle finger. Famine soldiers attacking from beyond that range could threaten their flanks without facing the artillery threat.

"The volunteer army's assaults shall be wave after wave without cease. The cavalry and elite riders shall hold the rear line. Any who dare flee shall be executed on the spot!"

"Tell those leaders: after defeating the government troops, they may take their pick of the captured baggage and supplies. They must fight bravely forward and must not retreat!"

Immediately, messengers flowed like water to relay the Chuang King's orders. Banner signals would have been most convenient, but how many of those famine soldiers and their chieftains could understand banner signals? Not to mention them—with the Great Ming's military preparedness in decay, many imperial officers themselves could not read banner signals.

"After defeating the government troops, the entire army shall be rewarded with wine and meat......"

"For every government soldier slain, the reward is fifty taels of silver per head, one suit of armor, and one fine weapon......"

"Any who dare retreat shall be executed on the spot!"

As the Chuang King's orders came one after another, the famine soldiers in the front line stirred into action. In an age of famine, they had long grown indifferent to life and death. To have wine and meat to eat, or to receive rewards after the battle—whether it meant a good future in the Chuang army or returning to their villages to live comfortably for a while—was motivation enough.

The men all said, "Let's fight it out with those government troops."

"A man dies with his prick pointing at the sky; I've lived long enough already."

The leaders and their personal followers in each formation did their utmost to stir the men up. Unlike the infantry and cavalry units, which had fixed numbers, the famine soldiers were loosely organized, mostly consisting of neighbors from the same city or village, sometimes even entire villages together. They were centered around men of prestige or desperate, fierce outlaws. Among these coerced famine victims, whenever battle came, aside from those too old, too weak, or too young who were left in camp, even some able-bodied young women and boys of eleven or twelve often stood in the ranks holding spears and wooden clubs.

For a time, within each famine-soldier formation, the squads that were relatively fiercer, or the more formidable warriors within each squad, organized themselves and lined up in the first wave of attack. Every man's expression was agitated as they desperately tried to bolster their own courage.

The government troops' cannons continued to roar. Suddenly, a cannon shot sounded from the Chuang army's central position, and hoarse, desperate shouts rang out. Countless gaunt, sallow-faced famine soldiers surged out of their positions, raising their weapons high and charging like a tide toward the government army's formation. Wang Dou raised his telescope to look: wave after wave of famine soldiers moved out, an unending stream, a vast sea of humanity surging like waves.

The momentum was considerable—truly human-wave tactics.

Chen Yongfu lowered his telescope, his expression grave, and said to Wang Dou, "Our forces are few, after all. We cannot afford to be worn down by them like this!"

Wang Dou nodded. Looking at the Chuang soldiers' assault, besides the frontal attack, many famine soldiers from the outer arc were also charging over. Judging by their intent, they might attack the front together, and very likely would also seize the chance to strike at his two flanks. After all, the Chuang army's inward-arc battle formation had that advantage.

Wang Dou immediately issued orders: the artillery corps was to continue bombarding, scattering the famine soldiers attacking the front; the musketeers and pikemen were to prepare for combat. He also ordered the cavalry on both flanks to dispatch squads, depending on the tactical situation, to rout those famine soldiers charging toward the flanks. If they fled in disorder, they could be driven to crash into the enemy's central command or cavalry positions.

Before the battle, Wang Dou and Chen Yongfu's strategic intent was for the cavalry to engage the Chuang bandits' elite riders. However, the Chuang formation was extremely deep, with the cavalry and elite riders wrapped inside many layers of famine soldiers. To engage them, they would first need to scatter the outer ring of famine soldiers.

Immediately, the central command's flag-bearers relayed Wang Dou's orders to all directions. Every Company Commander and Squad Commander had flag-bearers proficient in flag signals, so comprehending the central command's orders was very swift. This was another major advantage of the Shunxiang army. In war, timing is as urgent as fire; whoever can deploy one step faster seizes the initiative.

Chen Yongfu raised his telescope to look for a while longer, then said to Wang Dou, "The Chuang bandits' central great formation—whenever the bandit army is on the verge of collapse, we must also send riders to drive them, hastening the rout of their troops!"

Wang Dou nodded: "Commander Chen is seasoned in military affairs; that is sound doctrine."

Chen Yongfu gave a hearty laugh. Fighting side by side with Wang Dou, to be honest, it was impossible not to feel pressure. Wang Dou was only an Assistant Regional Commander, while he, a Vice Regional Commander, could only ever play a supporting role. Though he acknowledged the gap between them, did Chen Yongfu not also harbor a desire to prove himself, to display his own brilliance?

He ordered his son, Chen De, to lead the retainer battalion into battle. Depending on the tactical situation, they were to attack the Chuang army's central great formation; if they routed them, they were to drive them, and if the enemy line held firm, they were to withdraw.

Seeing that Wang Dou had something to say, Chen Yongfu waved his hand: "General Wang, do not try to dissuade me. On the battlefield, there is no father and son, only soldiers and commanders. Though Chen De is my son, he must still fight bravely and slay the enemy."

Receiving Chen Yongfu's order, Chen De responded excitedly, "Yes, Father!"

Then he shouted loudly, "Lads, follow me!"

Leading his five hundred retainers, he swept off like the wind.

Watching Chen De depart, Xie Yike felt a touch of envy; he too wanted to go kill the enemy like Chen De. Though the position of Chief of the Guard Corps was prestigious and honored, Xie Yike still missed the thrilling life of his former days as a Night Scout, fighting the enemy on the front lines and letting blood spatter onto his face.

But just as Wang Dou could no longer charge and fight at the very front as he once did, the current Xie Yike also could not simply follow his own inclinations. Wang Dou's safety concerned the future of the Eastern Route and the lives of hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians—a matter of such gravity that Xie Yike could no longer act as he had when he was a common soldier.

There is loss in every gain, Xie Yike sighed inwardly, feeling that he had matured.

By now, the tide-like Chuang army famine soldiers were surging forward and had already engaged the Shunxiang army's artillery battalion. The dense formations of famine soldiers were constantly torn open into bloody corridors by the shrieking cannonballs. Those struck were invariably reduced to flying flesh and severed limbs. Such a gruesome way to die made the famine soldiers' hearts pound with terror, yet each man forced down his fear and continued charging forward.

Because the crowd was so dense, many were involuntarily carried forward by the charge of those around them. And the further they charged, the fiercer the government troops' cannon fire became. In particular, within each famine-soldier formation, those who were originally more fierce and daring suffered even heavier casualties under the sweeping cannon fire.

But at that moment, the government troops' cannons suddenly fell silent. The men were overjoyed. Someone shouted, "The government troops are out of ammunition! Brothers, charge up! One severed head gets you fifty taels of silver!"

At once, everyone surged forward eagerly, the human tide like a flood, scrambling over one another to charge ahead.

Er Lengzi, who was charging with the army, suddenly felt a sense of fear and unease and instinctively slowed his pace.

Er Lengzi lived up to his name. He was big and burly, even a bit simple-looking, and his laugh was especially goofy. So although his formal name was Yang Yuanfa, everyone always called him by his nickname, Er Lengzi—whether back when he ran errands at a restaurant or now that he was among the Chuang army's famine soldiers, it had always been that way.

In truth, though Er Lengzi appeared simple on the outside, he was shrewd on the inside. When he worked as a waiter at a restaurant in Jia County, countless customers who yelled and shouted at him ended up eating food he had spat in, yet still praised him for being honest and rewarded him with a few copper coins, which secretly delighted him.

When the Chuang King's great army conquered Jia County and then razed the city, most of the county's commoners joined the cause. Er Lengzi, along with his old father and several brothers in the family, joined up together.

Er Lengzi's thinking was very simple: the Chuang bandits had ruined his livelihood and left him with nothing to eat. He couldn't do anything to the Chuang King, so he wanted to make sure others had nothing to eat either. If others could rob him, he could rob others. This was perhaps the vengeful psychology of many commoners coerced into banditry: their wealth and property plundered entirely, unable to survive was one thing, but if they couldn't live well, they'd make sure others couldn't either.

After joining the Chuang King's great army, Er Lengzi made survival his top priority. And so his shrewd old father died, and his equally shrewd brothers died too, yet the simple-looking Er Lengzi had managed to stay alive until now.

At this moment, Er Lengzi wore a headscarf, carried a wooden club, had wrapped his calves in puttees like the government soldiers he'd once seen, and was bundled in a padded jacket, hunched and shrunken, breathing out puffs of cold air—looking no different from the many other famine soldiers.

But his sense for danger was extremely sharp. Seeing the dark mass of cannon muzzles ahead, he felt uneasy, so when everyone else was shouting and charging forward, he deliberately slowed his pace.

His movements were noticed by several men nearby, and at once a club from one of them landed on him as he cursed, “You dumb fool, skulking and cowering, putting on an act here — the government troops are out of powder, why aren’t you charging up?”

Er Lengzi recognized him — a ruffian from the same ward who had gathered a bunch of street toughs. Whether back in the city or after joining the Chuang army, these men had never stopped beating and bullying him, especially this ruffian, who now, relying on his position as Picket Officer of this squad, was even more arrogant and swaggering.

Though struck by the club, how could Er Lengzi dare to talk back or strike back? He immediately put on a fawning smile, but in his heart he was calculating when he might catch them off guard and give them a jab.

A confidant beside him flattered the ruffian: “Lord Picket Officer, why stoop to the level of such a dumb fool? Let’s charge up, take some government soldier heads early, earn merit and collect the reward silver — that’s what matters.”

At once the group ignored him, and without regard for formation, shouting and yelling, they pushed forward with all their might, afraid that military merit would be snatched away by others.

Er Lengzi slowed his steps even more, shrinking his figure behind the flow of people. He saw heads bobbing ahead, everyone raising long spears and clubs high, every face filled with greed and longing.

Suddenly the earth shuddered, and the roar of cannon was terrifying. Er Lengzi was thrown to the ground at once, not knowing what had happened. He strained to lift his head and look ahead, but saw rolling smoke at the front, countless people howling in misery. The government troops’ cannons, which had ceased firing, were now firing one after another again, spewing great gouts of flame and thick smoke.

With every burst of flame, the formerly dense charging ranks were blasted open one line after another, and streams of blood mist erupted.

“Scatter shot, it’s scatter shot.”

Er Lengzi muttered.

He had seen the crouching-tiger cannons of the government troops or the Chuang army, filled with countless lead pellets and iron balls. When a man was hit, he ended up as minced meat and sieved flesh. The scatter shot of these government troops was countless times more terrifying.

Looking again, that gang of ruffians was nowhere to be seen — probably blasted into minced meat. In such bitter cold weather, what would that minced meat look like?

Er Lengzi felt a surge of satisfaction in his heart — good riddance, served you right for bullying me. Yet at the same time he was terrified. With a shudder, he suddenly sprang up, turned and ran, shouting as he went: “Defeated, we’re defeated!”

This wave of starving soldiers charging the formation had already been shattered in heart and gall by the Shunxiang Army’s canister shot. Hearing Er Lengzi shout like this, countless more followed, stumbling and scrambling back in retreat.

As Er Lengzi ran, he looked back. Seeing countless people running after him, he felt smug — everyone was running, so back in the formation the superior officers couldn’t casually punish him. But on second thought, he shouldn’t run at the very front; the rabbit that sticks out gets shot. Better to blend in with the crowd.

Suddenly he heard a great clamor behind him. Er Lengzi turned back in alarm to look — hooves rumbled, and out of the gunpowder smoke charged a group of cavalry, ferociously brandishing their sabers as they chased down his band of routed starving soldiers. Er Lengzi let out a great cry, threw away the club in his hand, summoned every ounce of strength, and ran for his life, howling.

But how could two legs outrun four horse legs? A cavalryman swept past him. That cavalryman was a veteran rider from Chen Yongfu’s retainer battalion, with extremely rich combat experience. He did not chop or slash; he simply held his blade forward and used the horse’s speed to swiftly slice across Er Lengzi’s body.

Er Lengzi pitched forward and fell. His last thought was: “After a thousand hardships and ten thousand sufferings, I still didn’t survive.”

“Ah well, that gang of ruffians died before me — I haven’t lost out after all…”

…

At this moment, whether in the enemy or our own battle formations, horns blared in unison and war drums shook the heavens, filling the air with a stirring atmosphere. Li Guangheng, the Cavalry Company Commander of the Geng Division guarding the right flank, had also received the order from the central army command: crush those starving soldiers rushing toward the flank. If the enemy routed, drive them to charge the opponent’s main formation.

Li Guangheng’s cavalry company and Gao Shiyin’s horse-infantry company were guarding the two flanks. Since this battle required heavy use of cavalry, Gao Shiyin’s horse-infantry company was also to follow behind the cavalry in charging the formation. Therefore, both units were split up — Li Guangheng’s cavalry were divided into two battalions on the two flanks, and Gao Shiyin’s forces were likewise, all led by cavalry officers.

Now seeing several thousand bandits rushing toward his side, Li Guangheng gave a snort, a chill flashing across his rugged face. A mere few thousand bandits — one battalion of his own cavalry was more than enough to deal with them. He barked the order: “Send word to Squad Commander Yang, order him to lead his own troops out and strike down the bandits.”

At once that cavalry Squad Commander received the order and led his battalion of over two hundred cavalry, in strict formation, sweeping like the wind, rolling toward those bandits.

On the left flank, this position was held by Horse-Infantry Company Commander Gao Shiyin with two battalions of troops, along with a Vice Company Commander of the cavalry leading two battalions of cavalry in joint defense, under the unified command of that cavalry Vice Company Commander.

By now the left flank had received the central army’s order. Seeing over ten thousand bandits rushing toward them recklessly, the Vice Company Commander and Gao Shiyin both gave a cold snort, bloodthirsty disdain flashing across their faces.

That Vice Company Commander said: “Ten thousand-plus bandits — sending out two battalions of troops is more than enough to deal with them!”

Gao Shiyin grinned savagely: “Good, let the lads have a satisfying slaughter.”

After a brief discussion, the two decided to dispatch one battalion of cavalry and one battalion of shock infantry, with the cavalry as the vanguard, to strike the enemy.

The cavalry Squad Commander who received the order let out a great roar, suddenly drew his cavalry saber, and thrust it forcefully forward: “Kill the bandits!”

“Ten thousand victories!”

The crack riders going into battle all thundered in response, urging their horses like dragons, sweeping forth with irresistible momentum.

All the cavalry carried cavalry lances, and the horse-infantry behind carried long blades. They formed four ranks in total. The first two ranks were cavalry, the rear two ranks horse-infantry. The razor-sharp lances, the snow-bright long blades, the heavy iron hooves shook the earth like the suffocating drumbeat of death.

A rolling torrent of iron, trampling through the north wind. The Shunxiang Army’s warhorses were all tall and powerful, their heavy hooves pounding the earth in a rhythmic, muffled thunder. Though few in number, their momentum was terrifying, carrying the force to crush everything in their path. The charging bandits watched, halted in terror, and screamed in panic.

The starving soldiers were restless and uneasy. Some wanted to keep charging, but others retreated in cowardice. No matter how the leaders threatened and incited, it was useless — for a time their formation was in utter chaos.

Amid the dense, rain-like pounding of iron hooves, the two battalions of Shunxiang Army iron cavalry swept in like a whirlwind. Amid despairing, terrified screams, they viciously slammed into the ranks of those ten thousand-plus starving soldiers. At once, miserable howls and the sounds of collision merged into one. Like red-hot iron branding, the iron cavalry rampaged into the formation, instantly scattering the starving soldiers’ ranks into pieces.

The first two ranks of Shunxiang Army riders were all elite cavalry. The cavalry lances in their hands could easily pierce the vital points of their targets, and they controlled their force with exquisite precision. Moreover, what armor did these starving soldiers have? So as they thrust all the way through, their lances never failed.

These two ranks of riders opened the way and charged, while the saber-wielding riders behind followed closely, their formation strict and orderly. By horse power alone, they swept all before them.

“Kill!”

Zhao Rongcheng let out a great roar, urged his horse swiftly forward, swept his long blade in an arc, and viciously slashed across the neck of a starving soldier beside him. Watching the blood spray and the head fly up, his heart was filled with the pleasure of slaughter.

Grandfather said it well: the realm is like a painting, and how many heroes and gallants slaughter each other for such splendor! Blood did not make him cower in fear; instead, it stirred boundless heroic passion in his heart. Perhaps he was born for troubled times, born for slaughter.

But he was only horse-infantry, charging behind the cavalry. When would he be able to ride alone, leaving all behind, and take the head of an enemy commander amid ten thousand troops?

The near-modern cavalry that Wang Dou had painstakingly trained — what power they possessed! They could charge and fight against the fierce Qing cavalry head-on. For these starving soldiers who did not even have a formation, the outcome was obvious. Very quickly, the two battalions of cavalry pierced through them completely, without any resistance.

After penetrating the starving soldiers’ formation, that cavalry Squad Commander slightly reformed his ranks, then wheeled his horse back and continued to charge the starving soldiers’ ranks in strict formation, smashing them to pieces. These starving soldiers who had come out to charge were thrown into chaos, not knowing what to do — some ran everywhere, some fled back toward their own main formation.

Gao Shiyin and the others on the left flank saw the advantage and seized the moment decisively, leading the remaining two battalions of cavalry out again. Together with the earlier cavalry, they drove those routed soldiers to charge the enemy’s own main formation. At this time, whether on the right flank or in the center formation, cavalry were all sent out, driving the routed starving soldiers and adding further to the chaos of the Chuang army’s main formation.

“The bandit horde is defeated!”

From the Ming army’s position, Wang Dou could see clearly: under the continuous charges of his own cavalry, the morale and formation of the Chuang army’s starving soldiers had already fallen into chaos. If their horse troops and elite riders did not come out to fight, under such repeated charges, the only path was a great rout. Once the starving soldiers routed completely, those foot soldiers could forget about surviving either.

He immediately issued the order: “The entire army, advance and press the enemy formation!”

…

In the Chuang army’s central main formation, Li Zicheng’s face was ashen. The plan was fine, but it simply could not achieve its goal. He had demanded wave after unceasing wave of attacks from the righteous army, with the horse troops and elite riders holding the line. But after just the first few waves, once the starving soldiers were soundly defeated by the Ming army’s elite cavalry, chaos broke out everywhere.

The Shunxiang Army’s cannons and arquebuses were formidable, and their cavalry was just the same. Those starving soldiers who went out to fight were no match at all — the goal of attrition simply could not be achieved.

Even with the horse troops holding the line, amid the great chaos the starving soldiers all rushed toward their own horse troops. Clearly, in their understanding, the Shunxiang Army’s cavalry was more terrifying.

Gazing at his own main formation from afar, everyone was in panic. Especially those starving people — the morale they had mustered earlier was long gone. The various setbacks in attacking Luoyang, along with the seizure of their grain and fodder and a series of other shadows, surged back into their hearts. They had no will to fight left.

Seeing the restless state of every formation, and hearing the enemy’s war drums stirring as the opposing army began to move, cannons and arquebuses in front, pressing forward step by step like a mountain, the situation was such that a decision had to be made immediately.

The horse troops must be sent out, Li Zicheng thought. Liu Zongmin, Gao Yigong, Yuan Zongdi, and the others were full of fury and also pleading to fight, clearly unwilling to accept this. Though the starving soldiers were unfit for battle, their own horse troops and elite riders had yet to move — who would win was still unknown.

Liu Zongmin in particular roared like thunder: “Chuang Wang, give me five hundred from the old camp, three thousand horse troops, and I refuse to believe those government soldiers have three heads and six arms. I’ve fought for so many years — who have I ever feared?”

Li Shuangxi and Zhang Nai were also pleading to fight. Both were Li Zicheng’s adopted sons — newborn calves unafraid of tigers — and they too clamored to lead the cavalry out and fight the government troops to the death. Just as Li Zicheng was steeling his resolve and about to issue the order, Liu Fangliang and Li Guo exchanged a glance, then suddenly dismounted together and knelt on the ground: “Chuang Wang, we cannot fight any longer!”

Everyone was stunned. Liu Zongmin exploded in rage: “Liu boy, Li boy, what are you doing? What do you mean we can’t fight? Do you want us to flee without a battle? Have your souls been beaten away by that brat Wang Dou?”

Seeing everyone’s furious eyes upon him, Liu Fangliang clasped his fists and said earnestly: “Please, Master Liu and all brothers, hear me out.”

He said to Li Zicheng: “Chuang Wang, right now in our righteous army, the horse troops and the old camp together number only a few thousand. I don’t mean to boost the government troops’ prestige, but those horse troops will be no match for the Shunxiang Army’s cavalry. And those core veterans of the old camp — is Chuang Wang willing to spend them all in a fight to the death?”

Everyone was taken aback. They all knew Liu Fangliang’s words were harsh, but they were the truth. Setting aside the horse troops — most were originally cavalry who had surrendered from government forces, or some horse bandit gangs. Though they had horses, they were actually a motley mob. They could handle the original Henan Prefecture troops, but against the Shunxiang Army cavalry, the odds were grim.

As for the old camp soldiers, most came from the Old Eight Units. Though they could fight the Shunxiang Army cavalry, every one of them was a veteran who had survived over a decade of battlefield slaughter. How could anyone bear to throw them away in a desperate fight? Even if you offered a hundred thousand starving conscripts and foot soldiers in exchange for these old camp Chuang army men, none of the generals would agree.

Liu Fangliang continued, “The best outcome is that we and Wang Dou’s troops bleed each other dry. Do you really think we can annihilate them? We would just keep dragging on here, locked in stalemate at Luoyang. Most of our grain and fodder is already gone. If we drag on a few more days, I fear that even if we wanted to leave by then, we wouldn’t be able to.”

The men’s expressions grew even uglier. Liu Fangliang’s words were also the truth; it was just that each man still harbored resentment in his heart.

Liu Fangliang spoke again: “Chuang King, brothers of every house — as long as the green hills remain, there’s no fear of running out of firewood. With these veteran soldiers in hand, where can we not go? Besides, Wang Dou is after all a guest army; he cannot stay in Henan forever. Once they leave, Henan and those places will still be our world. So what if we leave these foot soldiers and starving folk to the government offices? When we return, they will be our troops and horses again!”

These words were spoken with utter nakedness, yet Niu Jinxing and Song Xiance both remained silent. Li Yan opened his mouth, but seeing the expressions of the others, he only sighed and thought to himself, “The righteous army can never shed its nature as roving bandits. Though the Chuang King has great ambition, he is forced by circumstance. When will the realm ever know peace?”

Li Zicheng remained silent. In truth, he was a veteran of countless battles, and his battlefield instincts had always been sharp. He knew that if they forced the fight, he truly feared the entire army would be wiped out and his family fortune completely squandered.

But he could not resign himself. He recalled how, when he first rose in Henan Prefecture, nothing could stop him — especially when Niu Jinxing, Li Yan, and others came to pledge allegiance, and Song Xiance even presented the prophetic chart: “The eighteen lads shall hold the divine vessel.” How full of soaring spirit he had been then…

Why did Wang Dou have to appear at Luoyang? Could all these days’ experiences have been nothing but a dream?

He was a man of decisiveness. In an instant he calmed himself, and in his heart the intent to withdraw had already formed.

He gazed out at the great formation of government troops closing in and said slowly, “I fear Wang Dou and the others will not let us withdraw at our leisure!”

At these words, the Chuang army generals all spoke up: “Chuang King, let me stay behind to cover the retreat.”

“Chuang King, let me stay and hold off the government troops.”

Brothers in life and death for many years, the bonds among the Chuang army generals ran extremely deep — especially these commanders who were Li Zicheng’s trusted confidants. Every man wished to stay behind and cover the retreat.

Li Zicheng felt comforted in his heart. To Hao Yaoqi, who was the most agitated, he said, “Dayong brother, you stay behind to cover the retreat.”

Ever since the Mount Shangluo affair, Hao Yaoqi had suffered ostracism within the Chuang army. Now that the Chuang King entrusted him with a heavy responsibility, he was overcome with emotion and shouted, “Chuang King, brothers of every house, set your minds at ease. I, Hao Yaoqi, will stake this life to make sure everyone withdraws safely.”

Li Zicheng said, “Good. With those words from you, I am at ease.”

He sighed and added, “In truth, regarding the Mount Shangluo matter, I have never blamed you.”

Hearing this, Hao Yaoqi’s eyes brimmed with hot tears. He beat his chest, unable to speak.

Li Zicheng continued, “Shuangxi and Ding’er will also stay. I give you two thousand horse troops, and all the foot soldiers as well. You must be careful.”

Li Shuangxi and Zhang Ding were both Li Zicheng’s adopted sons. Leaving them to cover the retreat would settle the troops’ hearts.

The two men loudly acknowledged the order.

Li Zicheng was a man who understood warfare. He knew that in such a situation, if the old camp withdrew first, the entire army would collapse and no one would escape. They had to take the initiative and attack, tying down the government troops, and only then could they fight while retreating. This rearguard mission was of the utmost importance — and nine deaths out of ten.

Li Zicheng imparted his strategy to the three: they could lead the horse troops in a rapid charge against the Ming army’s great formation. Though the Shunxiang Army’s cannons and bird guns were formidable, the firing of cannon and gun was after all slow. At the speed of swift horses, they might be able to pass through the cannon fire and burst into the Ming army’s positions. With the foot soldiers and starving conscripts following close behind, they could achieve the goal of tying the enemy in tangled combat.

The three all accepted the order. Li Zicheng again carefully exhorted them, making clear that they must preserve their lives, regroup at Yongning City, and not cling to battle.

He then issued a series of further orders, instructing Tian Jianxiu and Liu Xiyao at Jianshan to withdraw and rendezvous with his main force. Each man received his orders and hurried away.

Though Li Zicheng had resolved to leave and the Chuang army’s trusted generals all harbored the intent to retreat, within the army camp the starving conscripts, foot soldiers, and some horse troops knew nothing of this. They saw the government troops’ formation pressing relentlessly closer, about to bear down on them, and did not know what to do.

At that moment, Hao Yaoqi, Li Shuangxi, and Zhang Ding led several thousand horse troops out and shouted loudly to the ten thousand foot soldiers in the formation: “Brothers, the government troops have bullied us too far — fight them to the death!”

Hao Yaoqi even leaped onto his horse’s back, personally raised a great banner, and bellowed: “When the head falls, it’s just a bowl-sized scar — what damn bird is there to fear? Brothers, fight those damned government troops to the death!”

Spurring his horse, he took the lead and charged out with a wild cry, dust rolling in his wake. Li Shuangxi and Zhang Ding led two thousand horse troops close behind.

Seeing the old camp’s key generals personally charging into battle, and the Chuang King’s two adopted sons besides, roused by this inspiration, not only the foot soldiers in the formation but even the starving conscripts who had been on the verge of scattering were greatly heartened. They all shouted battle cries and surged out with the main army.

At that moment, the drumbeats of the central army rose like thunder, rallying them for the first time, and an even greater roar of “Kill the government troops” erupted. More and more starving folk joined in.

Watching the Chuang army’s horse troops and foot soldiers charging forward, with countless starving conscripts following behind, Chen Yongfu gave a cold snort: “A dying struggle!”

A thought stirred in Wang Dou’s mind: “Li Zicheng is about to flee.”

He immediately issued orders: “Guns and cannons engage. Pikemen stand ready in tight formation. Cavalry strike the bandit foot soldiers and starving folk. Send word to Wen Fangliang at Jianshan: be ready at any moment to sally forth and attack.”

And so it proved. The charge of the Chuang army’s horse troops and foot soldiers was like a replay of the Bordered Yellow Banner’s Oboi vanguard story from the twelfth year of Chongzhen. Between the Shunxiang Army’s cannon fire and musketry, their assault quickly turned to bubbles. The horse troops, foot soldiers, and starving folk suffered grievous casualties and could not break into the Shunxiang Army’s positions to achieve tangled combat, let alone cover the retreat…

Seeing everything ahead, the generals around the Chuang King all turned pale — yet secretly they rejoiced. Fortunately they had heeded Liu Fangliang’s words of persuasion and had not committed the old camp and all the horse troops. Otherwise their family fortune would have been completely squandered.

Only Li Zicheng gnashed his teeth in secret. The Shunxiang Army’s guns and cannons were so ferocious; in mere moments, the righteous army’s casualties were appallingly heavy. The horse troops fell one after another, wave upon wave. He feared his two adopted sons faced grim odds. In his heart he cursed bitterly: “Wang Dou, Wang Dou — I am sworn against you to the death!”

He dared not delay. Li Shuangxi and the others were buying time with their lives. If he did not leave now, when would he?

When word spread that Li Zicheng had fled with the old camp and part of the horse troops, the entire Chuang army camp erupted in uproar. All the starving conscripts and foot soldiers felt a sense of abandonment. Their will to fight utterly gone, they either fled in panic or rushed into the various camps to loot valuables and silks. The army of over a hundred thousand collapsed with a roar.

Victory. Though he had long known this would be the outcome, when the reality stood before him, Wang Dou could not suppress his excitement. Together with Chen Yongfu, he issued a series of orders: the cavalry would pursue, especially the Night Scouts and Li Guangheng’s mounted troops, who would press hard on Li Zicheng’s old camp without letting up — not one of those great bandits was to be allowed to escape.

Very soon, Gao Shiyin’s horse and foot troops, as well as Chen Yongfu’s retainers, also joined the pursuit.

And Wen Fangliang, who had been at Jianshan, upon seeing the Chuang generals Tian Jianxiu and Liu Xiyao and others retreat in panic, already understood the outcome of the battle. Leaving one company of soldiers to guard the grain and fodder, the rest also joined the pursuit.

A rout is like a landslide. Everywhere were Chuang army soldiers shouting and fleeing for their lives. Seeing the government troops’ great victory, the soldiers and civilians of Luoyang City cheered the triumph, while the city’s militia and community corps troops also came out of the city to help sweep the battlefield and take prisoners.

The tide could not be defied. Amid a chorus of “Those who surrender will not be killed,” countless starving conscripts and foot soldiers, utterly shattered, fell to their knees and surrendered, awaiting an unknown fate.

Chen Sheng gripped his bird gun and watched it all with a heart full of emotion. Before his eyes were countless starving conscripts weeping and begging for their lives. The earlier scene of those horse troops and foot soldiers charging the battle formation was still vivid in his mind. In their frenzy, he had almost thought the formation would be broken. In that moment, his mind had gone completely blank; he had only fought mechanically.

Chen Sheng did not know how many men his musket had killed. Looking at the corpses and blood covering the ground, though he knew this path was bound to be strewn with bones, he could not help but sigh inwardly.

The Battle of Luoyang — over a hundred thousand roving bandits scattered. The history books would record this stroke, but those who died — who would remember them?

“The affairs of the world are like the wind, like a fleeting dream.”