[{"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-472":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},1205761,1561,"Chapter 472: The Front Line","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-472",472,"\u003Cp>Huang Taiji sat upright in his seat, scanning the solemn ranks of officials standing within the chamber. His gaze first settled upon the Regional Commander of the Jinzhou front, Jirgalang, master of the Bordered Blue Banner: \"Prince Zheng, the Jinzhou campaign is under your direction. Explain the disposition to the assembled ministers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as he spoke, he suddenly broke into several coughs. He had long suffered from wind-dizziness, high blood pressure, and other ailments. After the nationwide mobilization, anxious over the front, he had ridden hard the entire way. Upon reaching the front, he allowed himself no rest, immediately inspecting every sector's terrain. His physical condition, inevitably, had worsened further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jirgalang glanced at Huang Taiji with concern and replied respectfully: \"Your slave obeys the imperial decree.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said: \"My lords, princes, and ministers, for this Jinzhou campaign, counting the Eight Banners, the Outer Vassal Mongols, and Goryeo, our Great Qing has mobilized a total of two hundred fifty thousand troops, plus one hundred twenty thousand Aha laborers. The remaining Banner soldiers and unarmored Banner men from each Banner number over one hundred thirty thousand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At present, Jinzhou is besieged. Eight great encampments have been erected around the city, and three lines of deep trenches have been dug. The troops deployed are primarily a portion of Prince Anping's Bordered Red Banner, a portion of Heshuo Elder Brother Prince Li's Plain Red Banner, plus some armored soldiers from the remaining Banners. In total, there are fifteen thousand Banner men, including twelve thousand armored soldiers, along with twenty thousand Aha laborers. Though Zu Dashou claims over twenty thousand troops within the city, they are all former garrison troops from various forts. Those with fighting strength are only his own core force of several thousand men. Fifteen thousand Banner men, plus twenty thousand Aha laborers, are sufficient for the siege.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone nodded. Prince Anping was Dodo, master of the Bordered Red Banner. Originally Anping Beile, after the twelfth year of Chongzhen, he had been enfeoffed as a Commandery Prince for his merits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, during that year's campaign, the troops under his command had suffered considerable losses. Although after returning home, many remaining Manchu, Han, and Mongol males under his banner, as well as many slave bondservants, had been elevated to Banner men, replenishing the population of each Niru, elite warriors were not so easily replaced, and his fighting strength had declined significantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In particular, the Eight Banners Manchu Plain Red Banner, whose Banner master Yue Tuo had been slain by Wang Dou that very year, had suffered severe losses. Its combat effectiveness had fallen even more drastically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, in the coming battle at Rufeng Mountain, they would essentially not participate, responsible only for the Jinzhou sector.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the remaining Banner men of those two Banners, together with a portion of the Eight Banners troops, were also garrisoned at Yizhou and other locations, tasked with overseeing the thirty thousand followers farming and transporting supplies, and with guarding the rear lines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Zheng Jirgalang continued: \"At present, our forces at Rufeng Mountain, along with Huangtuling east of Songshan Fort, Songshan to the southeast, as well as Mount Shimen, Shijialing, Mount Zijing, Mopanshan, Jinchang Fort, Shahe Fort, and Dasheng Fort, are garrisoned by troops from the Eight Banners Manchu Plain Yellow Banner, Bordered Yellow Banner, Plain White Banner, Bordered White Banner, Plain Blue Banner, and a portion of the Bordered Blue Banner, plus the Eight Banners Mongols, the bulk of the Eight Banners Han Army, the Outer Vassal Mongols, and a portion of the Goryeo Army. In total, there are seventy thousand Banner men, including fifty-eight thousand armored soldiers, plus approximately fifty thousand Aha laborers, to confront the Ming army head-on.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The remaining thirty thousand Banner men, including over twenty thousand armored soldiers, and thirty thousand Aha laborers, are stationed at Baimiao Fort, to be used to cross the Nüer River, attack Xingshan, and sever the Ming army's supply lines.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"However, scouting riders report that the Ming army is undertaking massive construction at Wudaoling and other locations, guarding their rear lines extremely tightly. Severing their rear is not optimistic.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sighed: \"Hong Chengchou has always been cautious, and the Ming army's fighting strength has improved considerably compared to previous years. Our army has set ambushes several times, such as at Xingshan and at Songshan, but achieved no results. This time, the Ming army's military might is extremely formidable. The Jinzhou campaign requires prudence.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Jirgalang's words, everyone's faces showed worry. This battle would not be easy to fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the Jinzhou campaign, the Qing state had come with its entire national strength, leaving only the old, weak, and disabled to guard the homeland. One misstep, and it would be a catastrophe that extinguished the state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the Eight Banners' organization, the smallest unit was the Niru, with every two hundred to three hundred men forming one Niru, passed from father to son, elder brother to younger brother upon death. Of course, this did not mean a Niru consisted of two to three hundred people, but rather that each household provided one able-bodied man. \"Ding,\" in the ancient sense, referred to adult males aged sixteen to sixty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Generally, a household had several members, with varying numbers of able-bodied men—sometimes two or three, sometimes five or six, depending on the reproductive capacity of the household's men. Therefore, the population of each Niru in the Qing state ranged from two to three Company Commander, generally between one thousand and two thousand people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Qing state, those who served as soldiers were called Banner men, divided into armored Banner men and unarmored Banner men. Those temporarily not serving as soldiers were called \"surplus men\" or \"idlers.\" They could also follow on campaign, serving as a type of follower, their status higher than that of the slave Ahas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two to three hundred men in each Niru were all soldiers; whether they could wear armor depended on each soldier's ability. However, Qing males, starting from the age of ten, participated in examinations every three years. Those who met the standard became garrison soldiers (foot armor), receiving military pay and armor, and subsequently tested up to horse armor, Bayara, and so on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The proportion of armored soldiers in each Niru was still very high. After all, as Banner men, they became soldiers as adults. They were examined from the age of ten; to reach sixteen, eighteen, or twenty and still be unable to wear armor, in the martial atmosphere surrounding them, would be far too disgraceful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just that for this great Jinzhou battle, nearly every Banner man under every Banner's Niru had gone to war, and many surplus men had also followed on campaign, along with the masses of Han and other slaves captured in previous years. The country's able-bodied young and middle-aged men had been swept away entirely. If this battle were lost, for the Qing state, it would indeed be a calamity of utter annihilation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Taiji nodded, expressing satisfaction with Jirgalang. Jirgalang was prudent in conduct and steady in character. This disposition had no flaws; even after personally inspecting the various sectors of Rufeng Mountain, he could find no fault. Truly seasoned and devoted to the state, worthy of his trust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said: \"Prince Zheng has personally experienced battle formations, braved arrows and stones, and made decisions amidst the masses. This disposition shoulders immense responsibility without disorder. We are very satisfied.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said: \"Let each minister also speak: once the Ming army arrives, how shall we meet them in battle?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Taiji's eldest son, Prince Su Hooge, however, dismissed Jirgalang's words. He said: \"The southern barbarians are indeed somewhat more formidable than before, but so what? Under the iron hooves of our Great Qing, whether they come one hundred thousand or two hundred thousand, the result will still be a great rout. Once the Ming army arrives, we will simply form ranks and fight. Prince Zheng's words are far too disheartening.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hooge was inherently skilled in battle, with extensive military achievements. Due to his outstanding merits, he had been continuously promoted and had long enjoyed Huang Taiji's favor, his power base quite formidable. He was at odds with Prince Rui Dorgon. In recent years, Dorgon had been repeatedly suppressed by Huang Taiji, his influence considerably diminished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As one fell and the other rose, Hooge's power grew even greater. He enjoyed considerable prestige among the Eight Banners' princes and ministers and was even placed in charge of the Ministry of Revenue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hooge had always held the Ming army in contempt and had suffered no real blow in the twelfth year of Chongzhen. Though inwardly he acknowledged that the Ming army was different now than in the past, upon hearing Jirgalang's words, he still instinctively spoke up to refute them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At his arrogant demeanor, Jirgalang merely smiled, not arguing with Hooge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jirgalang did not speak, but Huang Taiji's expression darkened. He rebuked: \"Prince Zheng serves the state with all his heart; every word he speaks is for the good of our Great Qing. How can Prince Su be so discourteous? Quickly, apologize to Prince Zheng!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hooge said: \"Yes, Your Majesty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He apologized to Jirgalang, but his expression remained utterly indifferent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Taiji doted considerably on his eldest son Hooge. After ascending the throne, he had successively engineered the deaths of his elder brothers Amin and Manggūltai, and constantly made things difficult for the various Banner masters—all for Hooge's sake. Now, seeing Hooge's expression, he frowned but ultimately let the matter pass, not raising the issue of his rudeness toward Jirgalang again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Wuying Ajige also voiced support for Hooge's words. He likewise held the Ming army in contempt and was now on good terms with Hooge—at Huang Taiji's behest, Hooge continuously cultivated Ajige, Dorgon's elder brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ajige was a man of crude and violent temper, formidable in battle but utterly ignorant of political maneuvering. He had always been dissatisfied that his younger brother Dorgon had replaced him as master of the Plain White Banner. Under Hooge's constant overtures, he immediately aligned himself with him. Hooge's words also suited his own taste, so he instantly sided with Hooge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Taiji looked at these two blunt instruments and could only sigh. Times were different now. If they remained like this, the Qing elite would be destroyed in a single day beneath the walls of Jinzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ajige did not matter. When would his own son Hooge finally mature? Would all his painstaking efforts turn to nothing in the future?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, the minister Inggūldai stepped forward at this moment and said: \"Your slave believes Prince Zheng speaks reason. The Jinzhou campaign requires prudence. The Ming troops are very numerous and very sharp; a swift battle must be avoided. Otherwise, if anything goes wrong, what then? Therefore, your slave believes we can fight encircling Songshan, defending step by step relying on the mountain defiles, depleting the Ming army's sharpness. Once their provisions are exhausted, we can blunt their edge and achieve merit in this endeavor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Taiji nodded. Inggūldai had always been highly valued by him and was himself very talented, particularly excelling in financial management and diplomacy. His several missions to Joseon had all achieved satisfactory results, leaving him with no rear worries to focus fully on the Great Ming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, the Joseon kingdom's dispatch of ten thousand troops and supply of vast quantities of grain and fodder were also the result of Inggūldai's efforts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of Inggūldai's talent, Huang Taiji had specially appointed him as a Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, tasked with the overall management of funds and provisions for this campaign's grand army. His words now also subtly aligned with his own prudent deliberations. He praised: \"Tatara Minister is diligent in his duties, truly seasoned and experienced. He should serve as a model for all ministers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Taiji then turned his gaze toward the master of the Plain Red Banner, Daišan. That old fossil had remained silent throughout. Toward Daišan, Huang Taiji inwardly felt wariness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though that old fossil had retreated behind the scenes for many years, he had commanded armies and dominated the scene for three decades. Among the Eight Banners' princes and ministers, his seniority was the highest, his status the loftiest. He also had a vast brood of sons and grandsons enfeoffed with princely and ducal titles—Šoto, Wakda, Adali, Luoluohun, Mandahai, and many others—his power network immensely complex. He himself also held the title of Grand Beile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the first year of Chongde, compelled by his prestige, he had been forced to enfeoff him as Heshuo Elder Brother Prince Li. Though he had suppressed him multiple times, and Daišan had shown himself obedient and honest, content to remain a subject, deep in his heart, Huang Taiji had never been able to set his mind at ease about him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he grew increasingly senile, he simply would not die. Huang Taiji's inner guard never relaxed. Now he said coolly: \"Let Heshuo Elder Brother Prince Li also speak. Once the Ming army arrives, how should this battle be fought?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daišan coughed once and said gently: \"Prince Zheng's military disposition is without issue. Our Eight Banners grand army is positioned at Rufeng Mountain, at Huangtuling, and at Maojiagou—like several great pincers, firmly clamping down on the Ming army's path to Jinzhou, blocking their relief efforts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The various mountains have many trenches and stone walls. Relying on these strategic fortifications, we can certainly greatly deplete the Ming army's fighting strength and sharpness. There is also the grand army at Baimiao Fort. In the future, once the Ming army's morale collapses, we can cross the Nüer River, attack Xingshan, and sever the Ming army's supply lines. Our Eight Banners army excels in field battles. When the Ming army's morale collapses and we engage them in a decisive battle, we can achieve victory in one stroke, laying the foundation for His Majesty's eternal and indelible legacy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Taiji nodded noncommittally, then finally cast a complex look toward Dorgon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This former Prince Rui, after his several suppressions, had been demoted from Prince of the Blood to Commandery Prince. He had also found fault with his younger brother Dodo, demoting him from Prince Yu to Beile. Currently, it seemed they had become considerably more obedient and had repeatedly submitted memorials proposing their own operational concepts and strategies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said: \"Let Prince Rui also speak.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorgon said respectfully: \"Yes, Your Majesty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said: \"Your slave agrees with Tatara Minister's opinion. The Ming army is powerful and at the peak of its military sharpness. First avoiding its edge and using mountain defiles and fortifications to deplete its sharpness is the correct course. With an army of several hundred thousand, how much fodder and provisions do they need each day? If a prolonged standoff ensues, I fear criticism will quickly arise within the Ming state. Once their morale collapses and their provisions are exhausted, the Great Qing army will have an opportunity to exploit. Although our country's supply of provisions is also difficult, we are united from top to bottom. Compared to the Ming state, our army's advantages are considerably greater.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dodo glanced strangely at his elder brother. Recently, Dorgon had become considerably more active and also showed deference to Huang Taiji. Dodo could not fathom Dorgon's inner thoughts, but as he always followed Dorgon's lead, he now repeatedly voiced his agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Ajige snorted coldly, casting a frigid glance at Dorgon and Dodo. Toward these two younger brothers, he felt not the slightest goodwill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterward, the various ministers voiced their agreement one after another, all saying that the Ming troops were very numerous, and that if a swift decision were sought, their strength might prove insufficient. The tactic of encircling Songshan and encamping to await the exhaustion of provisions was sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Taiji listened impassively, his mind already decided. At that moment, Turai, the Bayara Banner Commander of the Plain Yellow Banner, hurriedly entered, reporting that the Ming grand army had arrived and was continuously converging beside Songshan Fort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A stir ran through the chamber. Huang Taiji gave a cold snort, a chill light flashing in his eyes: \"The Ming army has finally come? All ministers and officials, follow Us to observe!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group hurried to the top of the mountain fortress. The site for this mountain fortress had been chosen extremely well. Standing atop the walls, every part of Songshan and Xingshan lay spread out before them, unobstructed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the blazing sun, waves of heat surged upward, making the view seem slightly distorted. Everyone raised their eyes to the south and saw a sea of people slowly moving toward them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ming army favored red, and the area around Songshan was also a landscape of low hills and rolling ridges. So as this red sea of people moved, under the sunlight’s glow, it resembled a lake or ocean shimmering with ripples, surging wave after wave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From Huang Taiji down, everyone drew a cold breath. Word had it that the Ming army’s might this time was extremely formidable, but hearing it had not felt like much. Only now, seeing it with their own eyes, did they realize the truth of it. This Ming army was indeed different from past years — it was not just the patrol riders and Jirgalang and the others talking nonsense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the wildly arrogant Hooge and Ajige were speechless, staring somewhat dumbfounded, then gnashing their teeth, their faces twisting with ferocity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before this sea of people were dense, galloping patrol riders and night scouts. They drew the attention of the mountain fortress crowd for a moment, but then gazes shifted back to the great formation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear the Ming army advanced in unison, arrayed in formation. They were composed of countless large and small battle arrays, cavalry in front, infantry behind, all moving rhythmically to the marching drums. Looking out, endless red armor, boundless long spears and firelocks, banners and flags dense — truly an army like the sea, seeming to stretch to the horizon’s end. They moved closer and closer; the heavy sound of hooves and marching feet seemed audible even to those on the mountain fortress, shaking everyone’s hearts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly Huang Taiji’s gaze focused. Amid the swaying ocean of banners, several great banners mounted on large carts stood out with striking clarity, like cranes among chickens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stretched out a hand, and a telescope was placed in his grasp. Yes, a telescope. Back when Kong Youde surrendered to the enemy, his army had several telescopes used by the Portuguese, which he presented as treasures to the Qing emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After obtaining the telescope, Huang Taiji considered it a critical tool for the state and army, and dispatched craftsmen to imitate it, while also secretly gathering them from within Great Ming territory. However, technical talent was limited, and Great Ming also strictly controlled them, so production and collection were meager. The few telescopes available were treated as precious objects, bestowed upon favored banner lords and princes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now Huang Taiji held the telescope and gazed out. Those among them who had telescopes followed suit, all looking toward the Ming army formation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Taiji saw clearly: within the Ming army, there were four great banners standing side by side, one slightly shorter, the rest equally enormous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These great banners were all mounted on large carts, pulled by strong horses. Behind the great banners were numerous large drum carts. At this moment the drummers were beating them, and the entire army advanced to the soul-shaking drumbeats. No wonder this Ming army formation was especially different — it was thanks to these great banner carts and drum carts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Taiji stared even more intently at a huge banner bearing the sun, moon, and surging waves. Setting aside the intelligence reports, even from his own first impression, he knew this was Wang Dou’s command banner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou always did the unexpected. The moment his great banner appeared, it gave a feeling of surging passion, just like his Jingbian Army — utterly distinctive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Taiji’s eyes were sharp. This man was the greatest enemy in his Jinzhou campaign!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only Huang Taiji — everyone on the mountain fortress who had a telescope fixed their gaze on Wang Dou’s great banner, each gnashing their teeth, wishing they could devour his flesh raw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long while, Huang Taiji sighed, “This Ming army is indeed powerful, unlike any before!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heart was conflicted. From the fourth year of Chongde onward, the Ming state had been training troops on a massive scale, and indeed the fighting strength of their soldiers had markedly improved. In contrast, his own Qing state lacked such financial resources. A starved camel is still bigger than a horse. It seemed that entering and ruling the Central Plains would be a heavy burden and a long road.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jirgalang, Abatai, Daišan, and the others also wore grave expressions and said, “They say Hong Chengchou is skilled in deploying troops. Observing the order of his formations, it is indeed so. Coupled with the presence of Great Ming’s Loyal and Brave Count Wang Dou, the Jinzhou campaign bodes ill for our Great Qing. The officers and men must have a resolve to die if we are to achieve victory!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That day, the Ming army reached Songshan and joined forces with the defending officers and troops of Songshan, as well as the previously dispatched reinforcements — Shanxi Regional Commander Li Fuming and Ningyuan Regional Commander Wu Sangui. Afterward, the great army set up camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The terrain of Songshan Fort was in a low-lying area. Originally, Huangtuling ten li east of Songshan Fort, and the Songshan ridge several li to the southeast, were both excellent camping grounds for a large army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, these locations were now all occupied by the Qing army. With their deep encampments and dense stockades, they formed close mutual support. Wu Sangui and the others had attempted attacks but found them hard to take, instead losing some troops. So they halted their forces and camped outside Songshan Fort, quietly awaiting the main army’s arrival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that the great army had converged, following the strategy Hong Chengchou had laid out at Xingshan, and based on the actual Qing dispositions, the Ming infantry and cavalry set up camp between Songshan Fort and Rufeng Mountain, as well as on the east, west, and north sides of Songshan Fort, forming a layout encircling Songshan city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the Ming army encamped, their formation was imposing and majestic. Watching from the mountain fortress, Huang Taiji could not help but admire it. Hong Chengchou’s encampment was strict and orderly — he truly had a method for managing troops. Their deployment was flawless, the entire defensive arrangement tight and rigorous, extremely meticulous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Ming army, assembled in full force, was indeed a formidable foe for the Great Qing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The great army had encamped. It was now the shen hour in the afternoon. The Ming officers and generals could not rest; braving the scorching sun and surrounded by guards, they rode to the vicinity of Rufeng Mountain and other points to spy on the Qing dispositions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou held his telescope and gazed out, observing Rufeng Mountain and the other areas. After a long while, he silently admired. From the old chieftain onward, the Eight Banners army had always campaigned and hunted, erecting stockades in winter and digging trenches in summer. They could be said to have profound expertise in trench digging. In this Jinzhou campaign, they had brought their trench-digging talent to its fullest expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the Jingbian Army’s night scouts had delivered intelligence, seeing the Qing army’s trenches with his own eyes, Wang Dou still felt admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their trenches had stakes above them, ropes on the stakes, bells on the ropes, and dogs beside the bells. Every defensive line was arranged with extreme tightness. No wonder Zu Dashou, after being trapped in Jinzhou, had launched repeated breakouts but could never break through the Qing army’s trench defense lines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The trench warfare of World War I was only a little better than this. (To be continued. “This text provided by @XiaoAi 332335.” If you enjoy this work, welcome to the original site to cast recommendation votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)\u003C\u002Fp>",4033,"2026-06-03T14:05:53.320Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","35990d7fd1fabbad5609f4f991f5db385f1715af48ca43fe8452cab81401e00d","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-473","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-471",896,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-cover.jpg"]