[{"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-538":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},1205827,1561,"Chapter 538: Might","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-538",538,"\u003Cp>Zhao Xuan swiftly put away the artillery scope — this scope was similar to the square device used by the Ming army, but its distance calculation was clearer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He personally took charge, and in mere moments, Zhao Xuan had calculated the distance and roared loudly: \"Target distance, three hundred and seventy paces!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, the Company Commander on that side and several observation officers shouted in unison: \"Target distance, three hundred and seventy paces!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gun elevation three fen six du, powder charge two jin eight liang.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the shouts, the gun captains of each cannon, wearing their bowl-shaped helmets, immediately converted the relationship between target distance and muzzle angle. The adjusters in each crew forcefully rotated the spiral iron handles at the rear of each cannon; amid creaking sounds, the muzzles of each cannon were either slowly raised or lowered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the adjusters of each crew urgently brought round devices before the muzzles, rapidly verified the barrel elevation angle, and each man roared: \"Adjustment complete.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Adjustment complete!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Company Commander watched his gun crews' swift, rapid, and precise movements and waved his right arm with satisfaction: \"Load the powder bag!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Load the powder bag!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ammunition handlers of each crew roared in unison, swiftly grabbed the corresponding firing powder bag from one of the compartments in the ammunition cart — distributed according to charge weight — and quickly stuffed it into the gun bore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After he flashed aside, the rammer deftly seized his ramrod and with a single thrust sent the powder bag deep into the bottom of the bore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thwack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp iron awl stabbed in through the vent hole, instantly piercing the silk powder bag inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The awl men of each crew quickly dodged aside, and one after another, priming men stepped forward, deftly inserting the goose-quill priming tubes in their hands deep into the vent hole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While they worked rapidly, the ammunition handlers of each cannon pushed heavy solid iron balls from the shot carts into the gun bores.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each man's division of labor was clear, their movements graceful and swift, flowing like clouds and water; watching them, it seemed they were not preparing instruments of death, but practicing an elegant art.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, the gun captains of each crew were still urging with roars: \"Move swiftly, fast and effective, quick, quick, quick!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While shouting, the gun captains also kept glancing at each other, with a rather provocative air. In Zhao Xuan's artillery camp, the gun captains of each cannon between every section and every company were fiercely competitive with one another, seeing whose crew could load fastest and best.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike the other camp soldiers of the Jingbian Army, the artillery camp's skill assessments were entirely based on cannon preparation and firing. Whichever cannon fired accurately and well not only concerned the honor within the crew, but also carried tangible benefits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou also encouraged competition among the soldiers — healthy competition, of course!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xuan stood with one hand on his hip and the other on his sword, gazing at his elite artillery camp, his heart swelling with pride. The smoke from the cannonade had not yet fully dispersed, and the lingering wisps of the gun array gently brushed his face, lending this shut-in of the Great Ming era a somewhat steely countenance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suddenly felt a bit lonely and thought: \"Bombarding Tartar cavalry that can't fight back is boring — let's see what standard the Han Army Banner is!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he reconsidered: could the Han Army Banner's artillery camp even qualify as his opponent? My goal is to fight across the world without a single rival!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had heard that the Red-Haired Barbarians had decent gunnery skills, and he hoped to test himself against them someday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Company Commander loudly reported that the gun group was fully prepared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xuan turned sideways; the sharp sword at his waist rang out as it left the scabbard, its tip pointing straight toward the pontoon bridge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fine steel blade glittered and flashed under the sunlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fire!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xuan's sword hand was as steady as Mount Tai as he roared at the top of his lungs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fire!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Company Commander's bell-like large eyes glared fiercely at the pontoon bridge opposite, equally furious and scowling!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, thick smoke belched from the twenty red-barbarian six-pounder cannons, completely shrouding this side's artillery position, followed by thunderous booms. The tremendous sound of twenty cannons firing in unison seemed to make the hills themselves tremble; even the mules and horses hauling the cannons above the hill neighed uneasily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As dense white smoke erupted from each cannon's muzzle, equally fierce muzzle flames flashed; the iron balls screamed out of the bores, spinning at high speed, producing soul-snatching, eerie shrieks in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The commotion caused by the tremendous sound made many men and horses on both the Ming and Qing sides stop their actions upon hearing it, involuntarily turning to look toward the position of Zhao Xuan's artillery camp and the direction the cannonballs were flying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blades and spears like a forest, the surging iron tide of Qing reinforcements still poured from the north bank like floodwaters. On the large pontoon bridge to the right, dense ranks of Manchu Bordered White Banner riders were stepping onto the bridge; hearing the uniform and strange thunderous cannon fire, they all instinctively looked up into the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jalangga, the Company Commander with a flat, pancake-like face, a collapsed nose, and a vicious, ugly countenance, also subconsciously slowed his horse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking across the river, dust and smoke surged skyward on the opposite bank, countless armored soldiers faintly visible; the men and horses of both Ming and Qing were locked in fierce combat. Yet with the tremendous sound, the flashing firelight and the great plumes of rising white smoke somewhere not far from the bank were still clearly visible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing everyone in his company tense and reining in their horses, hesitating to advance, he felt some dread himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jalangga had seen plenty of the Jingbian Army's cannons and still feared them in his heart. But on the surface he showed disdain and roared at his subordinates: \"What are you all looking at? Hurry across the river and slaughter those southern barbarians until not a single piece of armor remains...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before his words faded, he saw iron balls, trailing shrill howls, hurtling straight toward their pontoon bridge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He involuntarily shut his mouth, staring at the sky, his Adam's apple bobbing rapidly up and down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not far behind him, Niohuru, the Squad Commander, was even more nervous. In recent days he had grown much more silent; the death in battle of his in-law Ning'erjia had made him even more despondent, and he already harbored thoughts of retiring from service and returning to the fields.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the battle of Shunxiang Fortress back then, the Jingbian Army — no, it should be called the Shunxiang Army at the time — seemed to have become the nemesis of the Great Qing. One after another, familiar people around him had died in battle; he had a premonition that next, it might be his turn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the iron balls in the sky howling toward him, his heart was full of dread, not knowing whether to advance or retreat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, while spurring his horse, he had to watch for gaps in the pontoon bridge to avoid losing his horse's footing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the Jingbian Army artillery camp's continuous bombardment, the pontoon bridge at this moment was riddled with holes and gaps everywhere. On the river water beside it, bloated corpses could be seen bobbing from time to time; some of these corpses bore no wounds, but were men whose horses, panicked, had charged into the river and drowned alive. Looking at their faces floating on the water, each was contorted with terror and helplessness. The armored soldiers among the Qing army who could own horses mostly wore heavy armor, which was already weighty; coupled with some carrying weapons, bows, and arrows, if rescue did not come in time, ninety-nine percent would meet death by drowning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the terrified gazes of the Qing soldiers on the bridge, the iron balls, emitting strange howls, finally fell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Boom!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A several-jin iron ball howled in; amid a flurry of panicked screams from the Qing soldiers on the bridge, it landed near the bridge's edge, plunging into the water and sending up an enormous column of water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jalangga exhaled in relief: \"This Jalangga said so...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not finish. A second, a third solid iron ball came crashing down in rapid succession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The arrival of these iron balls was separated by extremely short intervals, and they landed in nearly the same area, making the Qing soldiers on the bridge sense that something was wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom! Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Great columns of water erupted beside the pontoon bridge!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom, crack, crash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pontoon bridge area not far in front, behind, left, and right of Jalangga was directly struck by multiple heavy iron balls; the sounds of wooden planks collapsing and splintering burst out in succession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid screams, numerous Bordered White Banner riders toppled one after another from the collapsed sections into the river water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Splash, splash, splash, splash, splash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless fragments from the planks shattered by the cannonballs flew wildly in all directions!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Severed limbs and mangled flesh flew everywhere; many armored soldiers screamed as blood sprayed from their bodies like fountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kinetic force carried by the cannonballs as they shot forth was immense. Many of the pontoon bridge planks were made of extremely dry timber, and when a cannonball struck, they shattered into countless fragments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like razor-sharp blades, these fragments flew wildly in every direction. Even though these riders all wore heavy armor, they were struck until blood gushed forth. Some men and horses at close range were deeply impaled by numerous large and small wooden splinters — heavy armor was useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The warhorses beneath the riders, driven mad with shock from the pain, bucked and leaped wildly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to the open ground, the pontoon bridge was relatively narrow, especially at the sides. Amid the chaos, those warhorses easily carried their riders plunging into the river. For a time, as the cannonballs fell, terrified screams rose unceasingly from that section of the pontoon bridge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yanzha roared at the top of his lungs, \"Speed up and advance — charge through!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Niugulu lashed his horse furiously with his leather whip, trying to force his terrified, maddened warhorse forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the howling, just as Niugulu looked up in terror, a heavy cannonball had already landed on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The planks before him exploded. Misty sprays of blood shot from Niugulu's body; countless fragments battered him, and from his mouth, clots of blood gushed out in great mouthfuls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whish, whish, whish — a long, slender wooden splinter shot through, piercing Niugulu from chest to back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then another chunk, neither quite square nor round, swept across his neck and carried his head away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Niugulu's final thought was: \"I knew it… I wouldn't survive…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rumble… long after the cannonballs had finished falling, another section of the pontoon bridge collapsed, startling the dumbstruck Yanzha.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood up numbly and looked around him. This stretch of the pontoon bridge was already a wreck — breaches and collapses everywhere. In some places between boats, only a few limp, broken planks barely bridged the gap, utterly impassable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These shattered planks were covered in severed limbs and shredded flesh, scattered weapons and helmets. Below and on both sides, numerous Qing soldiers who had fallen into the water cried for help in the reddening river.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some wounded horses struggled in the water, or neighed and swam away on their own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before and behind Yanzha, the planks laid across the boats were already empty and bare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least a dozen of Jingbian Army's cannonballs had landed on this section of the pontoon bridge, blasting many of the bridging planks apart and sweeping them clean away. Yet Yanzha was remarkably fortunate — the spot where he had ridden his horse happened to be directly atop a wooden boat, so although the bridging planks before and behind him fractured, he himself remained safe and sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only, in the chaos, where had the horse beneath him gone? The jiala zhangjing racked his brain, but he could not recall how he had come to be standing here during this time, nor how his horse had run off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pitiful howls and groans mingled together. When Yanzha looked again, some of the utterly terrified bannermen soldiers were timidly poking their bodies out from the breaches. Judging by their expressions, every one of them had a dull, vacant stare. He let out a great cry of \"Ah!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the bombardment, the Qing cavalry crossing the river at this section of the pontoon bridge came to a halt — this place could no longer be crossed. The many Qing cavalry arriving afterward urged their horses forward with lingering fear, reaching the broken gaps. By now the sunlight had grown somewhat warm, no longer as scorching as in days past, yet the scene before them still sent chills through many hearts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the many agonized groans and cries for help, they heard a voice roaring from a boat ahead: \"Detestable Nikans! Cowardly rats — what skill is there in using firearms? If you have the guts, fight with real blades and spears!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the cannon battery was firing, Zhao Xuan had maintained a pose with one hand on his hip and the other holding his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though this posture was gallant and upright, it also caused Zhao Xuan to suffer quite a bit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the cannons fired in unison and let out their deafening roar, everyone — from the individual cannon handlers to the Company Commander — had nimbly plugged their ears with earplugs. Only Zhao Xuan remained motionless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thunderous boom of the cannons made his heart pound violently, shook his ears until they buzzed incessantly, and even made the skin of his face quiver without pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the cannon fire ceased and the gunpowder smoke had thinned slightly, the Company Commander hurriedly raised his telescope to observe the results. At a single glance, he burst into loud, wild laughter: \"Aha! The Tartars are in a sorry state!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to look at Zhao Xuan, his heart full of admiration, and loudly praised, \"Our troops fought valiantly and dealt the enemy a heavy blow — this is all the result of the General's masterful supervision and command!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xuan slowly sheathed his sword and said, \"What did you say?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Company Commander was taken aback and said, \"General, your subordinate said that our troops dealt the enemy a heavy blow — all the result of the General's masterful supervision and command!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xuan loudly agreed, \"You are right — we should do it again!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riding swiftly along the ridge of Mount Rufeng, Huang Taiji suddenly halted. By now he had roughly reached the Nüwa Heaven-Mending Boulder, not far from the western side of Mount Rufeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clustered around him were the elite troops of the Gabushixian Chaoha Battalion, as well as ministers such as Ying'erdai. However, the original Manchu and Mongol banner lords — men like Dorgon and Jirgalang — had already, under his strict orders, returned to their own banner armored troops' formations to take command of the relief forces and rush to the aid of Nü'er River.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, he gazed thoughtfully at the plain below the mountain: \"Has the Jingbian Army's infantry formation arrived?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking down from the mountain, one could see very clearly: great military formations, assembled from small units, were advancing rapidly toward Nü'er River and were already not far from Shuangzi Mountain. This army wore red armor and carried red flags, with their distinctive sun-moon-wave banners. After a forced march of several dozen li, their formations remained unbroken — helmets still gleaming, armor still bright, their ranks stern and imposing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gazing from afar, those fluttering banners seemed to conceal towering, surging waves, carrying an irresistible, unstoppable momentum. Such martial splendor — it was clearly the bearing possessed only by an extremely elite and powerful army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following behind this army formation, at distances ranging from several li to over a dozen li, were the divisional formations of various other Ming garrison troops. However, those formations did not march with such strict order, nor did they possess that heart-palpitating oppressive force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the rear of the Jingbian Army's infantry, at several marching columns chasing desperately after them, Huang Taiji knew from their banners that they were the new armies of Datong Garrison and Xuanfu Garrison — equally difficult to fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following behind these relatively orderly formations was a mass of Ming troops advancing at top speed. Like swarms of ants, they spread across the plain and flatlands below the mountain, strung out front and rear, scattered and sparse, interspersed with some oxen and horses hauling cannons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A great banner, not far west of Songshanbao, appeared to be the standard of Ji-Liao Viceroy Hong Chengchou and his staff; the formations around that banner were slightly more orderly. Finally, behind these Ming troops came a multitude of civilian laborers who looked like camp followers and conscripts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Taiji gazed into the distance for a long while, lost in concentrated thought. He took out his telescope to observe the battle at Nü'er River and Shuangzi Mountain, and said coldly, \"How goes the relief force?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ubai, the Gabushixian Gala Angbang behind him, knew that this tone of Huang Taiji's was precisely the prelude to a violent rage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not daring to be remiss, he stepped forward cautiously and answered, \"Jirgalang and the others report that the Ming army's elite cavalry exceeds twenty thousand, arrayed along the riverbank and mountainside. In particular, the Jingbian Army's cannon battery is devastatingly effective. Our first wave of relief was blocked and found it difficult to cross the river.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stole a glance at Huang Taiji's expression and added, \"On Mount Rufeng, the Manchu Plain Blue Banner's Bayala Jiala Zhangjing Fiyanggu and others led their cavalry down the mountain to fiercely attack, but the Ming cavalry were too numerous; they could not fully attend to the relief and returned with no choice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Taiji's face was expressionless. Although Mount Rufeng currently held over ten thousand troops, there were many laborers and infantry among them, and few elite cavalry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the terrain of Mount Rufeng's central area was full of rocks and extremely steep. Though advantageous for defense, it was unfavorable for large-scale sorties, especially cavalry charges. Only the eastern and western sections could accommodate large troop movements. That Fiyanggu and the others had not achieved complete success was within his expectations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He murmured, \"The situation on the southern bank is lost.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He cast a hateful glance toward Nü'er River, pondered briefly, and issued an order: \"Cavalry crossing the river is pointless. Pass on Our decree: except for the Nü'er River section at the northern part of Mount Rufeng, for all other river sections, the grand army is to cease crossing. The bondservants and laborers of each banner are to immediately dig trenches three li from the northern bank of Nü'er River and build earthen ramparts. In the direction of Baimiao Fort, the trenches must be dug especially deep!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scout cavalry reports indicated that the Ming army had already occupied a section of the northern bank. Judging by their direction, they were very likely to move toward Baimiao Fort. If the link between Baimiao Fort and Jinchangbao were severed, this was something Huang Taiji could not tolerate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Order: the forces amassed on Maojiagou Ridge are to withdraw immediately. Strengthen the defense of Shuangzi Mountain. Fiyanggu and the others are to speedily reinforce Onggodai!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a matter of moments, Huang Taiji issued a series of decrees. Although the situation on the southern bank was lost, Huang Taiji could not tolerate the loss of Shuangzi Mountain. If Shuangzi Mountain fell, Mount Rufeng would be in danger. The Ming army could occupy the riverbank zone north of Mount Rufeng and, together with the Ming forces at Mount Shimen, jointly assault the defenders of Mount Rufeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Losing Mount Rufeng would put the Qing army at a severe strategic disadvantage. In particular, if the Ming army placed cannons atop Mount Rufeng, under their artillery fire, many areas along the Lesser Ling River south and east of Jinzhou would become untenable for encampment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the Ming army would have at least two directions from which to link up with the defenders of Jinzhou, rendering the siege of Jinzhou meaningless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Staring from afar at the Jingbian Army's cannon battery beside Nü'er River, a murderous, chilling light flashed in Huang Taiji's eyes. He asked, \"Where has Prince Gongshun's Ujen Cooha cannon battalion reached?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ubai replied, \"Scout cavalry report that they have reached west of Jinzhou city. In particular, some of the smaller cannons are less than two li from the ferry pontoon bridge.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Taiji said sternly, \"Too slow. The Ujen Cooha cannon battalion must reach the northern bank of Nü'er River before high noon. Any who fail to arrive on time will be executed!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drenched in sweat, Ubai said repeatedly, \"Yes, Your Majesty. This slave will dispatch men to relay the order at once.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After issuing his decrees, Huang Taiji felt utterly drained, a profound sense of defeat washing over him. He had painstakingly devised the strategy of besieging the city to strike the relief force. He had not expected the Ming army to do the exact opposite — attacking Nü'er River from the west and turning all his plans to naught.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He waved his hand and was about to give the order to continue advancing, but at that moment, he received another report from his mounted scouts. The frontline officers said that the Jingbian Army’s artillery battalion was peculiar — their cannons could fire over ten shots without needing to cool down, resulting in extremely fierce firepower. A large part of the reason the reinforcements crossing the river were blocked was because of that artillery battalion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Taiji’s expression was complicated: “Wang Dou truly deserves to be the Great Qing’s formidable foe — his ingenious ideas emerge in an endless stream. Order the spies and mounted scouts to immediately and closely investigate, learn their secret method, and apply it to the Ujen Cooha artillery battalion!” (To be continued.)\u003C\u002Fp>",3716,"2026-06-03T14:05:53.320Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","586eb84e7d48b977e265300b6a4461ad64d8ca5237ea2e52a690b86885effd92","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-539","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-537",896,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-cover.jpg"]