Chapter 542: Artillery Battle Across the River (Part 2)

Wang Dou arrived at the riverbank. On this stretch of the Nüer River, the Qing army had originally set up seven floating bridges of various sizes, but by now several of them were already damaged. On the nearby water, quite a few Qing corpses still floated, along with all manner of disgusting severed limbs and entrails.

Wang Dou thought, “When the time comes, we must fish out these floating corpses; otherwise, apart from affecting the army’s drinking water, they could easily breed pestilence.”

Taking advantage of a slight lull in the Qing offensive on the north bank, Han Chao and Zhong Xiancai, bringing only a few guards, hurriedly crossed the river to pay their respects to Wang Dou.

Both men bore the marks of gunpowder smoke all over them. Zhong Xiancai in particular, his originally fair face now streaked white and black, had several long strands of hair from his temples lying disheveled across his scarf. Zhong Xiancai had many eccentricities — for instance, he insisted on wearing a scarf at all times, regardless of whether the weather was hot or cold.

Having spent a long time with him, everyone had grown accustomed to it.

After dismounting, the two generals strode over. Han Chao’s bearing was increasingly steady and composed; Zhong Xiancai still appeared slightly bashful.

Seeing the neatly arrayed formations of the Jingbian Army’s B-class infantry, along with the rows of war wagons, not far from the shore, both men’s eyes shone with pride.

This army was orderly and silent, young and full of vigor, every soldier’s gaze bright and brimming with keen spirit. To be part of such a corps was their honor.

The sand table cart from the central camp was hauled over. Pointing at the sand table, the two generals concisely reported the situation on the opposite bank to Wang Dou.

At present, the troops of the Right and Rear Camps — over three thousand A-class musketeers and pikemen — had already firmly secured the ridge. Several Qing cavalry assaults had been repelled by the two of them.

In particular, with the river behind the ridge, the Qing army could not outflank it, and with the floating bridge below to the right, reinforcements could cross the river in a steady stream. Moreover, the artillery positions on this bank could bombard any Qing cavalry to the left or right of the ridge. Thus, although the hilltop had no real defensive works — only a roughly dug trench — the attacking Qing troops still could not advance a single step.

Wang Dou offered a few words of praise, which made both men, especially Zhong Xiancai, beam with delight. Perhaps because his face was smeared black, the two rows of teeth he revealed looked exceptionally white.

Zhao Xuan, standing nearby and feeling envious, reminded everyone, “Don’t forget, the artillery camp’s several dozen small and medium breech-loading cannons are also defending the ridge together with them!”

Han Chao smiled. “Indeed, Brother Zhao also deserves great credit.”

Zhong Xiancai shot Zhao Xuan a glare, but his voice remained soft. “Little Xuan, if you don’t speak, no one will take you for a mute. Do you think Brother Han and I would steal your credit?”

Zhao Xuan muttered, “Public is public, private is private — this involves quite a few merit points…”

Seeing Zhong Xiancai glare at him, he shrank his neck and looked around evasively. “Hey, someone go check how the artillery position is coming along.”

Strangely enough, although Zhao Xuan was several years older than Zhong Xiancai, in daily life Zhao Xuan was completely kept in check by Zhong Xiancai. Perhaps this was what they meant by one thing always being conquered by another.

Wang Dou watched the two bicker with a smile. The scene before him reminded him of those years — Han Zhong and Yang Tong, Gao Shiyin, had been just the same. Only, what a pity…

Gazing at the ever-growing Qing forces several li away on the opposite bank, he then looked back at the sand table before him, his eyes sinking into deep contemplation. The historical Battle of Song-Jin and the situation before him flickered alternately through his mind. He had considered every possible strategic disposition as thoroughly as he could. How would the coming battle unfold?

…

Because the Jingbian Army infantry and war wagons had arrived, large-scale combat on both sides of the river ceased. However, scouting riders still raced along both banks, and small bands of cavalry continued to clash from time to time. More and more Qing riders were crossing the river from the northern section of Rufeng Mountain — the wind filled the tower, heralding the coming mountain rain.

Two quarter-hours later, the infantry formations of Yang Guozhu and Wang Pu arrived one after another. The south bank of the Nüer River was covered with Ming soldiers and war wagons.

But it was clear these men were utterly exhausted. In particular, several Assistant Regional Commanders from Wang Pu’s Datong garrison and the soldiers of the mobile corps all plopped down onto the ground on their backsides. Some even lay sprawled flat on their backs, panting heavily.

Fortunately, with the cavalry on alert at the moment, the infantry could rest and recover at leisure. Otherwise, if only a few thousand Qing cavalry had charged, these Ming troops, in their state of exhaustion, would very likely have collapsed and scattered.

However, Li Fuming’s Jin Army and Zuo Guangxian’s Qin Army infantry were still chasing from several li away and would probably need quite a while longer to arrive. Fu Yingchong’s Divine Machine Battalion was even farther away.

After Yang Guozhu and Wang Pu led their infantry camps over, they all converged at Wang Dou’s side. Li Guangheng, Guo Yingxian, Wang Zheng, and the other grand generals of the various garrisons, who had been confronting the Qing cavalry around Twin Peaks with their horsemen, now came over to report on the earlier fighting, seeing that their respective commanders had arrived.

When Guo Yingxian came over, he rode stirrup to stirrup with Li Guangheng, cracking his wide mouth in a grin and repeatedly exclaiming how satisfying it had been.

Li Fuming and Zuo Guangxian had personally led their cavalry on the raid. Seeing that all the other forces had arrived while their own infantry camps were still far away, they both felt somewhat embarrassed.

Zuo Guangxian, in particular, had a fiery temper. He sent out several waves of personal guards to hurry them along, and also bellowed like a thunderclap, “You donkey-balled bastards, still dragging your feet on a march — you’re disgracing me, your old man!”

Although in peacetime the Regional Commanders of each garrison generally had little authority over the Vice Regional Commanders, Assistant Regional Commanders, and Mobile Corps Commanders within their garrisons, in wartime they could exercise command and control. Zuo Guangxian’s orders to them were perfectly legitimate; if any officer disobeyed a military order, he could submit a memorial of impeachment.

By the hour of Si, Fu Yingchong and his Divine Machine Battalion had finally arrived. Along with them came his enormous artillery camp.

Two hundred and fifty rocket wagons, twenty-five Grand Divine Might cannons, thirty large-caliber mortars, nearly a hundred small-caliber mortars, and two hundred breech-loading cannon wagons. This was the artillery group Fu Yingchong had left after detaching support for Wang Dou’s Changling Mountain defense line and for Wu Sangui’s side of the battle — and it was still exceedingly massive.

The large rockets in his army, such as the Divine Fire Flying Crows, also made their appearance. Like the Divine Machine Arrows, these Divine Fire Flying Crows and similar rockets were mounted on tall war wagons, and their shape did indeed somewhat resemble crows.

The arrival of the Divine Machine Battalion greatly boosted the morale of the frontline troops. However, it was clear that the soldiers in the battalion were already exhausted to the extreme. Fu Yingchong, his face a mask of misery, complained to Wang Dou that in order to hurry on the march, some of the oxen and horses in the camp had literally dropped dead from overwork.

Not long after, Hong Chengchou and Army Supervisor Zhang Ruoqi and others arrived in haste. They served as the central army and had also acted as the rear guard during the march.

For this campaign, Hong Chengchou led over two thousand troops from his personal battalion, more than ten thousand troops from the Ji Garrison, as well as local forces including Songshan Vice Regional Commander Xia Chengde, Songshan Mobile Corps Assistant Regional Commander Liu Zhengjie, and Songshan Assistant Regional Commander Fan Chenggong. Trailing behind his main army was a large number of accompanying civilian laborers, pushing cart after cart of earth and hauling a great quantity of river-crossing supplies.

As for Army Supervisor Wang Chengen, he remained stationed at Songshan Fort to supply the army with provisions and supplies. At present, inside Songshan Fort, there were only Garrison Commander Shang Yudi, Camp Mobile Corps Commander Ge Chaozhong, and a few others. Also present was Liaodong Provincial Governor Qiu Minyang, who had accompanied Wu Sangui and Ma Ke on the campaign to the Xiao Ling River.

With the army’s initial victory and the successful occupation of most of the south bank of the Nüer River, Hong Chengchou and the others all felt invigorated.

Wang Dou paid particular attention to Songshan Vice Regional Commander Xia Chengde.

Historically, after Songshan was besieged, Xia Chengde opened the gates to collaborate with the enemy and had Hong Chengchou bound and delivered to Huang Taiji. Yet now, he was sticking closely behind Hong Chengchou, putting on an appearance of utter loyalty and barely contained delight, which made Wang Dou marvel at the strange workings of historical fate.

The current situation was favorable to the Ming army. The westward advance strategy had yielded considerable results.

The Qing troops on the opposite bank were gathering in ever greater numbers. It was highly likely that their main force would concentrate on the north bank of the Nüer River. When the two sides became locked in combat, Wu Sangui, Ma Ke, and the others could seize the opportunity to cross the Xiao Ling River and establish contact with Zu Dashou inside the city.

But it was also at this moment that the Jingbian Army lookouts on the observation tower cart reported intelligence: it seemed that Han Banner musketeers had arrived on the opposite bank.

Everyone looked toward the opposite bank. Amid the endless military formations over there, some Qing infantry banners and standards had indeed appeared, indistinctly. It was very likely the troops of the Han Eight Banners or Korean soldiers.

A sense of crisis stirred in everyone’s hearts. The Han Banner infantry had arrived. Their Ujen Cooha artillery camp, by estimation of the distance, would reach the north bank of the Nüer River by the hour of Wu at the latest.

After all, from east of Jinzhou City all the way to the north bank of the Nüer River, the terrain was mostly flat and gentle. Apart from needing caution when crossing the Xiao Ling River, the rest of the way they could advance at full gallop — at most, they would just work some oxen and horses to death.

And at such a critical juncture of the great battle, neither the Ming nor the Qing side would care about such losses.

During the assault on Huangtu Ridge, the Qing army’s sharp artillery had likewise left a deep impression on the Ming troops. If they wanted to reduce casualties, it would be best to eliminate Twin Peaks before the enemy’s cannons arrived, and then probe toward Rufeng Mountain to gain the greatest strategic advantage.

Because the enemy troops at Maojia Gully had fled, the bulk of Hong Chengchou’s central army was hastily established there. The Jingbian Army’s medical treatment station was also set up at this location.

The Jingbian Army’s medical officers won unceasing praise from the soldiers of every garrison. Hong Chengchou was already considering whether to emulate the Jingbian Army and establish a similar system within his own personal battalion.

“In this westward advance, our army has already seized the initiative. We need only capture Twin Peaks and assume a posture of pressing toward the north bank, and the Eastern Slaves will surely concentrate their main force to confront us. Then the objective of this strategy can be achieved.”

Pointing at the sand table gifted by Wang Dou, Hong Chengchou loudly encouraged the various generals.

Zhang Ruoqi, also brimming with heroic fervor, laughed heartily at the side. “The Eastern Slaves are nothing special. In this battle, as long as our forces press forward, the siege of Jinzhou will surely be lifted!”

Wang Pu flattered him, saying, “It is all thanks to the brilliant leadership of the Army Supervisor and Viceroy Hong, who toy with the slave chieftain in the palm of their hands. Otherwise, how could we have earned such merit?”

Zhang Ruoqi was very satisfied with Wang Pu’s flattery. Stroking his beard, he praised, “General Wang is a young hero — his future prospects are boundless.”

At this moment, Zhang Ruoqi’s manner of speaking showed clear signs of stealing Hong Chengchou’s lines and limelight. Yet Hong Chengchou did not seem angered; he merely kept stroking his beard and nodding, as if he greatly approved of Zhang Ruoqi’s words. Only the private secretaries beside Hong Chengchou, such as Xie Sixin, looked rather indignant.

Ever since this Zhang Ruoqi had arrived in Liaodong, he had been scrambling for power and profit, trying to outshine the Regional Commander at every turn and desperate to show off — yet his pronouncements on strategy were often nonsensical.

However, Zhang Ruoqi represented the Minister of War Chen Xinjia, and Wang Dou and others also aligned themselves with him. Thus Zhang Ruoqi was brimming with confidence. Truly, there was nothing to be done about it.

Zhang Ruoqi offered another opinion: “At present, on the north bank, the Loyal and Brave Count holds a ridge — this is an advantage for our army. But what is worrisome is that the Qing camp’s cannons will soon be hauled up. I fear the ridge will be hard to defend then, and the slave bandits on the opposite bank are also digging trenches several li away. When that time comes, the battle will not be easy to fight…”

Wang Dou gave a light cough. This Zhang Ruoqi knew nothing of military affairs, yet here he was prattling on endlessly. Although Wang Dou stood on the same side as him, when it came to strategic arrangements, Viceroy Hong Chengchou was still the reliable one. Zhang Ruoqi’s pointing and gesticulating at this moment smacked of overstepping his role.

Beside him, Yang Guozhu also furrowed his brow.

Fortunately, Wang Pu was quick-witted. Hearing Wang Dou’s cough, he immediately understood his meaning and hurriedly said with a smile, “The military situation is urgent. We request Viceroy Hong to give us the strategy.”

Beside them, Fu Yingchong also caught on and said repeatedly, “Quite right, quite right. The military situation is urgent and cannot be delayed.”

Hong Chengchou’s expression remained impassive, but in his heart he felt a deep sense of desolation. He served the state with all his heart, yet outside there were domineering generals, inside there were army supervisors seizing power, and in the court there was even more obstruction. These were truly difficult times.

……

According to the strategy set beforehand, the key point of the battle at the Daughter River — whether the Ming army crossed to attack the far bank or the Qing army came over — was to tie down the main Qing force in a tangled fight, providing cover for Wu Sangui and others on the south bank of the Xiaoling River, and ultimately achieving the strategic goal of linking up with Jinzhou city.

Therefore, to exert maximum pressure on the Qing army, the first wave of battle on the north bank would inevitably be launched by the Ming army. But first, they needed to concentrate superior forces to take the Twin Peaks, and then plan for Rufeng Mountain.

As a secondary strategy, they also had to dig deep trenches along the base of Rufeng Mountain, so that the Qing army could not charge down from Rufeng Mountain to flank the Ming army or even cut off their retreat route.

Therefore, for the battle at the Twin Peaks, the Ming army on the south bank would temporarily adopt a defensive posture to prevent Qing troops from crossing the river, while the Jingbian Army stronghold on the north bank must be firmly held.