[{"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-572":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},1205861,1561,"Chapter 572: Waiting","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-572",572,"\u003Cp>Old White Ox: Many thanks, friends, for your monthly tickets, subscriptions, tips, and support. Tomorrow there will be two updates, with one chapter at eight in the morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clamor on the central battlefield slowly died down. A cold wind blew mournfully. Wang Dou gazed at the cruel, blood-soaked battlefield, silent, his thoughts unknown. Hong Chengchou, Fu Yingchong, Yang Guozhu, Wang Pu, Wang Dehua, Zhang Ruoqi, and others stood beside Wang Dou. Some were stern and silent; others could not contain their delight, overjoyed beyond measure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, not only the Plain Blue Banner Qing troops in the center, but also the Plain White Banner Qing troops on the right wing had all retreated like the receding tide. The battle on the north bank of the Nuer River seemed to have ended for the time being. All that remained was a field of utter devastation, strewn with the bodies of Ming and Qing soldiers lying every which way, the agonized groans of the wounded, and the dying struggles of some horses in their final throes, sounds that came sporadically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tattered banners and armor of every kind, war chariots and cannons, lay discarded everywhere. The acrid smell of gunpowder and the nauseating stench of blood still hung thickly over the battlefield. Blood, like rivulets, spread from the Ming army's forward line and center line all the way to the rear line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clustered around Wang Dou, the group trod through the sticky, slippery blood, impatiently arriving before the area where the remnants of Hauge's Plain Blue Banner troops had been. There lay a heap of pulpy flesh, covered everywhere with severed limbs and various internal organs. The flowing blood had soaked the nearby earth a dark, blackish red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How terrifyingly fierce had been the canister shot fired by a hundred cannons? And they had fired ten volleys in one breath, so those Plain Blue Banner remnant troops had all been blasted to pieces. Upon the shattered human remains, all manner of broken, multicolored banners and armor, and weapons pitted with jagged marks, were also strewn everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having experienced the Battle of Huangtuling, Zhang Ruoqi and Fu Yingchong were already much better at handling the scene before them. Only Wang Dehua's face grew paler and paler; suppressing his discomfort, he forced himself to walk among the group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Yike and some Night Scouts of the Jingbian Army were cheerfully tidying up this battlefield of the Plain Blue Banner remnants. He personally worked with two burly soldiers to carry a corpse over, presenting it like a treasure before Wang Dou and the others: \"Look, Grand General, oh, and Viceroy Hong and the Imperial Envoy, this is the body of the slave chief, the false prince Hauge. Hmm, our Imperial Army had good luck. Hauge's body was blasted apart, but his head, it's still perfectly intact...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Chengchou and the others all looked over urgently. Indeed, Hauge's corpse was smashed to a pulpy, unrecognizable mess; one arm and one thigh were completely gone. Yet his head, miraculously, remained intact, unlike that Plain Blue Banner Bayara Banner Commander Aljin, whose body was not only shattered but whose head was also smashed to a pulp like a watermelon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although most of them had never seen Hauge before, the faintly discernible gilded armor of a banner lord's rank on his body, and the tattered dragon banner of the Plain Blue Banner still tightly clenched in his hand, naturally confirmed his identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at Hauge's ferocious face, dead with eyes unclosed, the group was silent for a moment, then suddenly burst into irrepressible wild laughter. Hong Chengchou likewise lost his composure, no longer possessing his usual calm and calculating demeanor. Pointing at Hauge, he laughed and coughed incessantly at the same time. His lung had been injured; even if healed, it would likely leave a chronic ailment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hauge, oh Hauge, never thought you would meet this day. The slave chief Hong Tai, with all his cunning schemes, never imagined he would lose his wife and soldiers both...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dehua also laughed uncontrollably. Indeed, the Ming army had won a great victory, even slaying a false prince. He stammered, \"This is a great triumph, an unprecedented great triumph...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Ruoqi, however, maintained a more restrained expression. Stroking his beard, he smiled and said, \"In the Battle of Jinzhou, our army first slew Ajige, and now Hauge. Let us see if the slave chief dares to look down on us Chinese people again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Yang Guozhu, Wang Pu, and the others were delighted, their expressions also held a hint of dejection. In this battle, the Ming army had achieved brilliant results, but its own losses were equally severe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Pu's expression was particularly somber. His Datong Garrison Army, aside from the non-direct-line battalions that suffered countless casualties during the collapse of the center line, had also seen his new army battalions, which he treasured like jewels, suffer heavy damage. In the great battle on the right wing, the cavalry of his main battalion had likewise lost quite a few men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, the Wang family was powerful and wealthy in Datong, so they could rebuild after returning. Moreover, those new army soldiers who survived the bloody battle were all excellent seeds for future officers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Loyal and Brave Count would not ignore them either and would surely provide some assistance in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Privately, he said to Wang Dou, \"This time, your little brother can also be considered to have served Great Ming with utmost devotion, sparing no effort until death.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amidst his joy, Fu Yingchong also felt dejected. In this great battle, his Shenji Battalion had suffered considerable losses. It would depend on how the Emperor replenished them later. Also, the Loyal and Brave Count had captured a large number of Han Eight Banners cannons; he wondered how he would deal with them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Central Army Officer Zhong Diaoyang leaned close to Wang Dou's ear and whispered a few words. Wang Dou nodded, looked at the overjoyed people beside him, and said, \"Viceroy Hong, Imperial Envoy Wang, Army Supervisor, let us go see Commander Zuo and Commander Li.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The joy on the faces of Hong Chengchou and the others immediately faded, replaced by expressions of deep sorrow. They had long known that during the collapse of the forward and center lines, the Shanxi Regional Commander Li Fuming and the Auxiliary-Pacification Regional Commander Zuo Guangxian had been surrounded by the heavy troops of the Plain Blue Banner and had already died fighting for the nation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They arrived at a spot in the center line. There, countless remnant soldiers of the Qin and Jin armies were kneeling in clusters, all wailing loudly, grief beyond measure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Wang Dou and the others looked, amidst the piled layers of Ming and Qing corpses ahead, Li Fuming and Zuo Guangxian supported each other. Their bodies bore countless wounds and arrows. Standing amidst the heap of corpses, they remained upright, not fallen. Zuo Guangxian's eyes were wide open; Li Fuming leaned on a great banner. Both still maintained the fighting postures they had in death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A surge of intense emotion welled up from within Wang Dou. His eyes reddened, and he choked out, \"Commander Li, Commander Zuo, your little brother has come too late.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked before the two men's bodies and bowed deeply. Hong Chengchou, Zhang Ruoqi, Wang Dehua, Yang Guozhu, Wang Pu, and the others all solemnly saluted together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the postures in which the two had died in battle, hot tears continuously welled up in Yang Guozhu's tiger-like eyes. Wang Pu and Fu Yingchong also lowered their heads. Wang Dehua beat his chest and stamped his feet, wailing loudly, \"Alas, the brave warriors have returned... I... I truly feel as if a knife is cutting my heart. Alas, what grief...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surrounding generals and soldiers were already overwhelmed with sorrow. Hearing Wang Dehua's loud wails, even more sobbing and crying spread all around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou's voice was low and deep: \"Generals die in a hundred battles, their bodies wrapped in horsehide for return. The annals of history, written in blue and red, will record this day's scene.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Chengchou and Zhang Ruoqi both said with deep grief, \"The Imperial Court will not forget these two generals and will surely arrange meticulous compensation, posthumous honors, and mourning titles.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After ordering the soldiers to properly collect and enshroud the remains of the two great generals, the group returned to the central army. Wang Dehua swept away his sorrowful expression and said to Wang Dou, \"On the north bank of the Nuer River, the Imperial Army has won a great victory. Loyal and Brave Count, can we pursue the victory and annihilate the enemy before breakfast?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Ruoqi also looked at Wang Dou with a face full of anticipation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Chengchou remained silent. The central army had suffered severe losses. Not to mention the troops of Zuo Guangxian and others he had brought from Shaanxi, his own Viceroy's Personal Battalion had fought so hard it nearly lost its organizational structure. At present, the only one who could dictate the battlefield was Wang Dou, this Loyal and Brave Count, although his Jingbian Army had likewise suffered considerable losses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou slowly shook his head: \"The heart is willing to slay the foe, but our strength cannot turn the tide... The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This battle could be said to be a mutual defeat, with neither side victorious. He had received reports that beneath the walls of Jinzhou City, Ma Ke had already died in battle, and even Zu Dashou had fallen. Although the Ming forces inside and outside the city had linked up, apart from strictly defending the city, there was no question of launching any further offensive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the main battlefield on the north bank of the Nuer River, even great generals like Li Fuming and Zuo Guangxian had died in battle. Counting the earlier death of Jizhen Regional Commander Bai Guangen, Great Ming had lost five great generals in succession. The Jizhen, Shanxi, and Shanhai Garrisons had been shattered, and the remaining units were equally severely damaged. Wang Pu's Datong Garrison had also nearly collapsed, as had the Shenji Battalion and the Viceroy's Personal Battalion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even his own Jingbian Army, as well as Yang Guozhu's new army and cavalry, had similarly suffered considerable losses. The Ming army had already lost the capability for active offensive operations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the Qing army in contrast...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although their Han Eight Banners and Korean troops had been shattered, and among the Manchu-Mongol forces they had also lost Hauge and Ajige, the main strength of the Manchu-Mongol forces still remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such is the nature of mass infantry against mass cavalry: routing them is easy, but annihilating them is difficult. After all, human legs cannot outrun horse legs, not to mention that when the Plain Blue Banner was routed, the Plain White Banner was outside providing support.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to Wang Dou's estimates, the bulk of their Plain White Banner and Plain Red Banner forces still remained. The Plain Blue Banner's losses would be more severe, but perhaps over half of the Bordered Blue Banner's troops might have escaped. The Plain Blue Banner lost nearly half its strength, making it the Manchu banner that suffered the greatest losses in this battle for the Qing army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given that they possessed large numbers of horses, being able to surround and kill Hauge and the Plain Blue Banner's Bayara Banner Commander in this battle could also be considered a stroke of luck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the Mongol Plain Blue Banner, they ran faster than rabbits. Seeing the situation turn unfavorable, they had fled even before Jirgalang and the others, preserving the bulk of their troops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, calculating overall, on the north bank of the Nuer River, the Qing army actually held the advantage in troop strength. In terms of losses, the Ming army's might even be greater.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the Ming army also had its advantages. The Qing state at this time still retained its tribal nature and could hardly bear massive casualties; they could not afford such losses. Presumably, Huang Taiji was under immense pressure right now. Perhaps he was still unwilling to give up, waiting for battle reports from Xingshan and other places.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But thinking about it, it was probably about time. The battles on the north bank of the Nuer River and beneath Jinzhou City had started from the Mao hour to the Chen hour (5 a.m. to 9 a.m.). It was estimated that on the Xingshan side, because the distance was slightly farther, the great battle would unfold from the Si hour to the Wu hour (9 a.m. to 11 a.m.). Now, with the Wei hour approaching the Shen hour (1 p.m. to 5 p.m.), the battle report from Xingshan should be arriving soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou was very confident in the defensive line he had set. He estimated that the Plain Yellow Banner must be battered and bleeding by now. If they could not take the Changling Mountain defense line for a long time... perhaps, combined with the battle report from Yizhou, Huang Taiji would have no choice but to withdraw his troops. Then the Battle of Jinzhou would end in victory...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, he let out a long sigh and said, \"Eunuch Wang, the rebel slaves, after all, have a multitude of cavalry. It is difficult for our army to expand the fruits of victory. Moreover, the various garrisons have suffered considerable losses in this battle. Fortunately, after the great defeat at the Nuer River, it is expected that the rebel slaves have lost their will to fight and will soon retreat... Our army should not act rashly. We must immediately reorganize our troops, form ranks, and confront them with strict vigilance. Perhaps today, or perhaps tomorrow, the rebel slaves will surely retreat!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Guozhu and Wang Pu both agreed. The surrounding generals all concurred with the Loyal and Brave Count's assessment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dehua, helpless, also sighed. After all, following the great battle, the Imperial Army had suffered heavy casualties and truly lacked the strength to attack. If not for Wang Dou's presence, many people, comparing the forces of both sides, might already have been unable to resist retreating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sighed and said, \"What the Loyal and Brave Count says is very true. Very well, let us be content with what we have gained and stop here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Zhang Ruoqi was disappointed, he also knew that Wang Dou's words were the correct reasoning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given the situation, it was better to halt the troops and maintain a standoff. Their own side had suffered great losses, but the Tatar slaves' side had likewise suffered heavy casualties, and the false chieftain's prince had even died. It was expected they had also lost their will to fight. As long as they retreated and their own side recovered a few cities, they could announce a great victory to the outside world and withdraw the army back to court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, this battle ended in a draw, with both sides wounded. One wonders who would benefit from it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This thought flashed through Zhang Ruoqi's mind. His thoughts raced ahead, already brewing how to write the victory report and envisioning his own glory after returning to the capital. (To be continued.)\u003C\u002Fp>",2549,"2026-06-03T14:05:53.320Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","607f85b3eb4300b545ffe1899638c387d2bcacec131d0bad0e68f674366435f6","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-573","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-571",896,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-cover.jpg"]