[{"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-551":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},1205840,1561,"Chapter 551: No Matter How Many Routes You Come By","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-551",551,"\u003Cp>Old White Ox: Many thanks to the book friend Authentic Knowledge Appraiser for the reward and encouraging words. Also: in reply to the book friend Hero's Cry, that article on Dragon's Sky was written by me. Actually, the pen name Ye Feng is my true identity; Old White Ox is just an alt. The alt overshadowing the main — it really makes one sigh with emotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Seleng, do you know your crime!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long while, once the flogging was over, Huang Taiji's gloomy voice, impossible to read for anger or pleasure, came from the seat of honor above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flogged Mongol strained to lift his head, revealing a face with a high nose, deep-set eyes, and slightly Semu-like features — it was none other than Seleng, Jasagh of the Kharchin Left Banner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His Kharchin ancestors had once been a branch of the Oghuz people roaming the Central Asian steppes; after migrating east, they merged with the Doyan Uriankhai, so some among his tribe carried Semu bloodlines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, beads of sweat rolled down Seleng's forehead, and the searing pain from his flogged back contorted his expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lay on the ground, kowtowing as rapidly as pounding garlic, wailing all the while: \"Great Khan, mighty Bogd Khan, your slave did not disrupt the army's morale! Your slave is your loyal hawk and hound — how would I dare spread rumors? Wang Dou's hundred-thousand-strong army really is closing in from beyond the frontier...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A stir ran through the Mongols below. Huang Taiji's face grew even uglier. The Manchu banner lords below looked toward Seleng with gazes full of displeasure and cold menace; Dodo nearly leapt to his feet. Only Daišan and Dorgon seemed lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Taiji laughed in extreme fury and said: \"Listen, just listen. And he still claims he is not spreading lies to delude the masses. If you said Wang Dou had a few thousand scattered troops harassing beyond the frontier, We would believe it! But a hundred-thousand-strong army — heh heh, We would like to know: which Regional Commander of the Ming can possess a hundred-thousand-strong army?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seleng froze. Brave as he was, his mind was not the sharpest; besides, he had not personally laid eyes on Wang Dou's hundred-thousand-strong army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Taiji continued: \"You said that of your entire banner's thirteen Jalan and fifty-two Sum, the majority of the population was swept away by Wang Dou, and even your royal tent was raided. You also said that Basanger, the Sum Janggin left to guard the rear, personally witnessed Wang Dou's five-thousand-strong army beyond the frontier. How then did it become a hundred thousand?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Taiji went on: \"We then interrogated Basanger in detail, and in the end he confessed to Us that he had not even seen Wang Dou's five-thousand-strong army beyond the frontier. He only heard that Ming cavalry were raiding, so he fled. He does not even know how many troops there actually were...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seleng was rendered even more speechless, dumbstruck as a wooden chicken. Huang Taiji looked at Seleng, his expression pained: \"Duke Who Guards the State, do you know? Our heart aches deeply. In the ninth year of Tiancong, you led fifteen hundred riders to formally submit to the Great Qing. We remember that year, We personally attended the founding ceremony of the Kharchin Left Banner, enfeoffed you as hereditary Jasagh, enfeoffed you as State Duke, and bestowed upon you a python robe. Your several elder brothers — We also granted all of them the title of Tabunang. We showered you with grace and favor, and yet you...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seleng suddenly burst out again in a wail: \"Great Bogd Khan, your slave truly did not lie!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He kowtowed with heavy thuds, blood streaming from his forehead, as he crawled forward, leaving a long trail of blood behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his state, the various Mongol Jasaghs and Taijis could not bear it in their hearts. Gürüschiqib, Jasagh of the Kharchin Right Banner and Doroi Beise, even wanted to step forward and plead for Seleng. No matter what, Seleng was his uncle, and moreover, his tribal follower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, a Taiji behind him grabbed his arm firmly and slowly shook his head. Gürüschiqib's expression shifted and changed; in the end, he sighed and withdrew his step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Taiji's expression grew even gloomier, and he said darkly: \"Then do you have any definite intelligence?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seleng stopped and shook his head blankly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Taiji abruptly stood up and roared in fury: \"You do not! You merely heard something on the road and spread rumors throughout the army, disrupting military morale. Seleng, you are truly beyond remedy!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said bitterly: \"Read out Our decree!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The minister Ing'erdai stepped out from the ranks and said respectfully: \"Yes, Your Majesty!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He cast a veiled glance at Seleng, his expression one of considerable displeasure. That blockhead Seleng, at this critical moment of military urgency, shouting everywhere — it was truly of malicious intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He unfurled a yellow silk imperial decree and read aloud in a loud voice: \"Decree of the Great Mongol Bogd Khan, the Great Qing's Broadly Gracious, Gentle, and Benevolent Holy Emperor: It is hereby proclaimed to all Manchu, Mongol, and Han banner lords, Gūsa Ejen, and all Outer Vassal Mongol princes, beile, beise, dukes, taijis, and tabunangs: Kharchin Left Banner Jasagh Seleng received extraordinary grace and held noble rank, yet instead of rendering service, he spread lies to delude the masses. The magnitude of his crime warrants execution by beheading. However, We recall that when Seleng came to submit in days past, he rendered considerable military merit. By Our leniency, he is spared death. He is now stripped of his title, and five Sum of households are confiscated. The Second-Rank Tabunang G'arma is ordered to administer the subject people and act as Jasagh of the Left Banner in his stead...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Seleng's face turned ashen as death. Among the crowd, his brother G'arma revealed an expression of delighted surprise — truly, a pie falling from the sky; he never imagined such good fortune would land on his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ing'erdai continued reading: \"...Doroi Beise, Kharchin Right Banner Jasagh Gürüschiqib, has scrupulously fulfilled the duties of a vassal and safeguarded the frontier realm. Our heart is greatly comforted. Gürüschiqib is now promoted to Doroi Dureng Commandery Prince, and bestowed with five Sum of households. We hope you remain sincere and unwavering, neither negligent nor forgetful...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the Mongols felt the sorrow of the fox at the hare's death for Seleng, they all cast envious glances at Gürüschiqib — this kid had just been enfeoffed as Commandery Prince.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Gürüschiqib felt extremely conflicted inside, unsure what taste it left. He had heard something of the matters on the steppe; it was just that he was more deep and reserved, not jumping at a touch like his uncle. Seleng's outburst had also been partly instigated by his own veiled prodding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now his high enfeoffment as Commandery Prince was, in truth, built upon Seleng's blood and tears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Taiji listened coldly to the reading. The effect of killing the chicken to warn the monkeys was evident, and all his ministers were terrified. Yet in his heart, a trace of desolation surfaced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seleng was simple and straightforward by nature. In truth, what he said was not wrong — the situation on the steppe was indeed extremely dire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the eighth month, some news had successively reached Jinzhou, but Huang Taiji had suppressed it, deeming it a Ming army trick. However, after entering the ninth month, news from the steppe grew more and more frequent. The various Eight Banner Mongols and Outer Vassal Mongols were panicked and unsettled, and Huang Taiji found it increasingly difficult to suppress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time especially, even the lord of an entire banner had jumped out. What about next time? Would he still be able to suppress it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed the battle for Jinzhou could not be delayed, especially under the circumstances of difficult grain and fodder supply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to his intelligence, the army Wang Dou was pressing in with from beyond the frontier numbered over ten thousand. Regardless of where Wang Dou had gotten his troops, a decisive battle could no longer be avoided!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that instant, Huang Taiji made up his mind!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the decree was issued, Seleng not only became a commoner but also a criminal. Several wolf-like, tiger-fierce Gabsihiyan warriors dragged him out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seleng struggled desperately, twisting his head back with all his might, and shrieked mournfully at Huang Taiji: \"Great Khan, your slave truly did not lie! Wang Dou's great army really is closing in from beyond the frontier...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even long after he had been dragged out, the sound of his wailing still lingered, coiling within the room and refusing to dissipate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room was silent as the grave. After a long while, the aged and decrepit Badari, Prince Tüsiyetü of Khorchin, coughed and stepped out from the ranks, saying: \"Seleng was saturated with imperial grace, yet instead of thinking how to repay it, he committed treason and aided the enemy. His Majesty's thunderous punishment is truly a great satisfaction to all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the Outer Vassal Mongol ministers, he had to be the first to step forward. The Khorchin tribe had the deepest ties with the Manchus. Jere, daughter of Khorchin Beile Manggusi, was precisely the current Central Palace Empress of the Qing state. Bumbutai, daughter of Khorchin Beile Jaisang — also known as Dayu'er — was Huang Taiji's consort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Manchu women were likewise married on a large scale to the Mongols of the Khorchin tribe. The ties between the two sides could not have been tighter. Among the Outer Vassal Mongol banners, the Khorchin tribe was the most loyal to the Qing state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once Badari stepped forward, a weary young man also had no choice but to step forward and express himself — it was Eje, Prince of the First Rank and Gülen Efu of Chahar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After his father, Lindan Khan, was defeated and perished, he had led his remaining followers to surrender to Huang Taiji and presented the Imperial Heirloom Seal of the Mongol Yuan emperors. For this merit, he was enfeoffed as Prince of the First Rank, his noble rank crowning all the Jasaghs. Of the three daughters born to Jere and Huang Taiji, the Gülen Wen Zhuang Senior Princess had also been married to him as his wife.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Historically, after the Battle of Jinzhou, Eje would soon die, and this princess would then remarry his younger brother Abunai, bearing a son, Burni.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Eje was full of sickly pallor, looking as though he was not far from death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Badari and Eje both having come forward, the various Outer Vassal Mongol Jasaghs also had to come out one by one to declare their stance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The newly appointed Jasagh G'arma went without saying. Even Ombu Cühür of the Tümed Right Banner and Shanba of the Left Banner, though heartsick over the steppe affairs, had to step forward and speak. For a time, the room was filled with an atmosphere of righteous indignation and united resolve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having finished their impassioned speeches, the assembled Mongols prostrated themselves, raised their arms in unison, and shouted: \"Bogd Khan, Bogd Khan, you are the eagle of the steppe, your broad bosom surpasses the vast starry sky. Bogd Khan, Bogd Khan, your silver-handled python whip slashes through the heavy curtain of night. Bogd Khan, Bogd Khan, your hurricane-like iron cavalry tramples a myriad-li journey...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Taiji sat high upon the seat of honor, receiving the cheers of his ministers. His gaze was deep and profound, as if he truly considered himself the deity in their mouths, high above, looking down upon mortals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long while, Huang Taiji halted their cheers and said calmly: \"From the fifth year of Chongde, the siege of Jinzhou has already lasted two years. Now the great armies have entered a stalemate. The Ming's elite forces are all gathered beneath the city walls. If we can destroy them in one sweep, then the realm hereafter will be ours for the Great Qing to gallop across at will!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sneered: \"Perhaps Wang Dou is pressing some troops from beyond the frontier. So what? No matter how many routes you come by, I go by only one route! At the Battle of Sarhū, the Taizu High Emperor did not fear the Ming's troops. With this Emperor on the throne, what is there even more to fear?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His right hand slowly extended, the blue veins bulging on its back, then clenched fiercely: \"First annihilate the Ming army at Songshan and Jinzhou, then annihilate the Ming army on the steppe. Let their elites be utterly lost!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suddenly looked toward Jirgalang: \"Prince Zheng, how should this battle be fought? You explain.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jirgalang hurriedly said: \"Your slave obeys the decree.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took a deep breath, then said: \"At present, our Great Qing's iron cavalry are locked in a standoff with the Ming army on the north bank of the Nü'er River and on both banks of the Xiaoling River. In terms of troop strength, counting the Aha laborers, we have over two hundred forty thousand, roughly equal to the Ming army, I estimate. However, overall, our army's combat strength is superior to theirs!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the Liaodong campaign began, the Qing army's casualties appeared large, but in truth a great portion were laborers and bondservants. Especially when spread across each banner, it was even less noticeable — each banner suffered roughly a few hundred casualties. Overall combat strength was not lost, and in terms of troop numbers, they were also quite ample.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jirgalang mused: \"At present, the great armies are in a standoff. If we are to have a decisive battle with the Ming army, we need advantageous terrain that can accommodate the galloping of our ten-thousand-strong iron cavalry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought carefully for a moment: \"Your slave suggests abandoning Rufeng Mountain, abandoning the banks of the Nü'er River, and luring the Ming army deep into the hinterland.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said, “West of Jinchangbao, the hills and wilds are many, the terrain high and open. Traveling southward, there is a large stretch of flat plain and open wilderness, perfect for our Great Qing iron cavalry to do battle!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After suffering several setbacks, Hooge had grown much more cautious. He interjected, “I only fear the Ming army will not take the bait and will rashly advance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Taiji abruptly turned to old Daišan and said, “Prince Li, share your thoughts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old fossil in Huang Taiji’s eyes coughed once and said, “This is easy to handle. Our army abandons the riverbank zone and withdraws into the interior. We need only feign a fierce assault on Jinzhou, and they will be forced to press forward and fight a decisive battle with us!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Taiji narrowed his eyes and looked toward Dorgon: “And Prince Rui?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorgon seethed inwardly. Huang Taiji was plainly suspicious of him and old Daišan, yet whenever there was a matter, he demanded they devise strategies and plans, squeezing their labor to the utmost — truly detestable! But when the Emperor spoke, he had to answer, especially after the earlier display of killing the chicken to scare the monkey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pondered deeply for a long while, then said, “This slave believes the plans of Prince Zheng and Prince Li are feasible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said, “Jinzhou is the Ming army’s weak spot. Their thousand-li rescue — is it not all for Zu Dashou inside the city? From the Emperor down to the Jiliao Viceroy Hong Chengchou, the Ming state cannot tolerate the consequences of the city falling. Once our host moves, whether the Ming troops at the Nüer River or the Xiaoling River, all will be compelled to follow!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone in the room, whether Mongol or Han gūsa ejen, taiji, and the rest, murmured in low discussion, debating the feasibility of this plan. Huang Taiji laughed heartily and declared loudly, “My ministers and I have thought of the very same thing!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then his face darkened again, and he said coldly, “For two years, I have sent men to deliver no fewer than a hundred letters urging surrender, yet those inside the city remain unmoved, wasting my painstaking goodwill!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suddenly stood up and said sternly, “Zu Dashou truly does not know what is good for him. Does he really think I cannot take Jinzhou?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment his fury erupted, a chill seemed to envelop the room again, and all the ministers were silenced like cicadas in winter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zu Zerun, gūsa ejen of the Han Bordered Blue Banner, trembled in both legs. He fell to his knees with a thud, crawled forward on his knees, and wailed, “Your servant is guilty. I could not persuade my father to abandon darkness for the light and serve the Great Qing. I beg His Majesty to punish me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Taiji gazed at him for a long time, until cold sweat streamed down Zu Zerun’s face. Then he said flatly, “Zu Zerun, I know your loyalty. Rise.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said, “I merely sigh — what virtue or ability does the Southern Dynasty’s emperor possess, to be worthy of Zu Dashou’s such devoted service?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He waved a hand and said, “The crux of this battle is Wang Dou’s Jingbian Army, along with the new armies of Yang Guozhu and Wang Pu. The rest — Li Fuming, Zuo Guangxian, Ma Ke, Tang Tong, and the like — are all rats and mediocrities. Oh, and Wu Sangui has some fighting strength as well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jirgalang reminded him, “Liu Zhaoji, Cao Bianjiao, and Wang Tingchen — these three also require cautious handling.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Taiji grunted, “Those Ming troops deployed at Xingshan — I have my own arrangements for them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said, “In the decisive battle with the Ming state, the most critical thing is how to pin down Wang Dou’s forces and the like. Do my ministers have any good strategies?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone in the room looked toward the various gūsa ejen of the Han Eight Banners, and also toward the Korean minister Kim Ja-jeom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at these men, both Hooge and Dodo showed undisguised contempt. Dodo even cursed loudly, “A pack of fools, wasting provisions and pay. Once they actually take the field, they are utterly useless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He cursed and reviled without the slightest restraint, showing no regard for face. The various Mongol gūsa ejen and the ministers of the Outer Mongol feudatories all revealed expressions of schadenfreude. Ever since the twelfth year of Chongzhen, the Qing Emperor had increasingly favored the Han banners, and they had long been seething with resentment. Now Dodo was venting their spleen for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dodo was young and hot-blooded. Curses in Chinese, Mongolian, and Manchu poured from his mouth in a torrent of filth and obscenity. Facing Dodo’s abuse, Kim Ja-jeom seemed to have fallen asleep. Shi Tingzhu and the others were ashen-faced and dared not retort, only casting resentful glances at Kong Youde.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Abatai, Beile of the Bountiful Surplus, remained a staunch supporter of firearms. He stepped forward to defend the Han banners: “Your Majesty, in battle against the Jingbian Army, who else but the Han troops can shoulder the task? Prince Gongshun’s artillery battalion also performed outstandingly at the Battle of Huangtuling. Though there was a minor setback at the Nüer River, one must not be overly harsh. This slave has thought it through — as long as there is terrain suited for the Han troops to fight, the Ujen Cooha artillery battalion and the various Han musket soldiers can still unleash tremendous battle strength.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Taiji’s expression did not change. He said flatly, “Prince Gongshun.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kong Youde hurriedly stepped forward. After that day’s artillery duel with the Jingbian Army’s cannon battalion, he had been despondent for a long time. The Emperor’s ardent expectations and the enormous funds expended had resulted in him achieving a kill ratio of one finger to a hundred, greatly disappointing all sides in the Qing camp and causing his standing in the Emperor’s heart to plummet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After that day’s artillery battle, his cannon battalion had suffered considerable losses, but fortunately most of the gunners remained, and all the cannons were intact — they still had fighting strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During this period of lying low with his tail between his legs, Kong Youde had pondered much. On how to regain the Emperor’s favor, he had racked his brains and prepared multiple plans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dodo’s words were harsh, scolding him like a son. Though inwardly furious, he lacked the courage to clash with a Manchu banner lord. His direct superior, Daišan, remained utterly silent and showed no intention of offending Dodo on his behalf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Abatai’s righteous act moved him to tears of gratitude. After stepping forward, he declared loudly, “Reporting to His Majesty, your servant has thought it through. To counter the Jingbian Army’s cannons, we must use our strengths to attack their weaknesses — only then can we achieve a great victory!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He explained, “The weakness of the Jingbian Army’s cannons is their range. Why should my cannon battalion engage them in close-range duels? We can fire from afar and reenact the victory at Huangtuling.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Taiji said flatly, “And if they use earth carts for cover?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kong Youde said, “As the Bountiful Surplus Beile said, our Han troops can select suitable battle terrain to render their earth carts useless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said, “Your servant has thought it through. From Yangxingtun, which the Ming army occupies, all the way to Yijialing, Sujiagou, Songjiagou, and other places, the ground undulates, full of pits and hollows, with numerous fields and gullies. Their earth carts and war wagons simply cannot be pushed through. Even if they can pass in certain spots, they lose their purpose of shielding the main army. As their formations advance, our cannon fire will surely deal Wang Dou and the others a heavy blow!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Taiji pondered. It was rare for Kong Youde to devise a winning strategy, and his expression softened considerably. The others also began discussing, all feeling that Kong Youde’s method was feasible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jirgalang said, “Deploy the Han troops at Yijialing and similar places to counter Wang Dou’s and the others’ musket and cannon formations. Deploy our iron cavalry to the south and east of Jinchangbao — the terrain there is flat and can strike the Ming state’s massed cavalry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Daišan added, “Due to the terrain, the Ming army cannot deploy cavalry at Yijialing and the like. They will have no choice but to place their infantry there, which will walk right into the Han army’s grand formation trap.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Taiji thought of a problem: “If the Jingbian Army and the like cannot push their earth carts and war wagons, neither can you. In a face-to-face arquebus duel, can the Han army’s arquebus formation rout Wang Dou’s arquebus formation?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, everyone’s gaze turned to Kong Youde. Kong Youde’s expression shifted, and finally he gritted his teeth and said, “To serve the Great Qing, your servant will lay down his liver and brains and not rest until death. I am also resolved to push all the small red-barbarian cannons of the artillery battalion forward, right before the battle line, and duel them at close range.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Taiji smiled slightly. “Very good. Prince Gongshun is loyal and courageous, worthy of praise. I shall wait and see.” (To be continued.)\u003C\u002Fp>",3885,"2026-06-03T14:05:53.320Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","7a833dd76cb21301b3d76d3e6ba14646f1470e841157c9757a7835c97a91e024","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-552","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-550",896,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-cover.jpg"]