[{"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-677":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},1205966,1561,"Chapter 677","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-677",677,"\u003Cp>At mid-hour of the si period, the sun rose high, and the armor and weapons of both battle formations glittered under the sunlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chill over the grassland had slowly dissipated. As the deep sound of horns rang out, about five hundred riders from the Mongol left wing, arrayed in a fish-scale formation, slowly surged forth and charged continuously toward their own left flank. Han Chao lowered his telescope and said flatly, \"All troops, mount up! Prepare for battle!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Prepare for battle!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The central army officer Lei Xianbin swiftly relayed his order. The army headquarters bugler blew the trumpet. Amid the shrill call, the ceaseless clatter of armor plates rang out as the Xuanwu Army soldiers mounted their horses one after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pikemen among them, before mounting, also checked the armor-piercing long cone lances hanging from their saddle victory hooks, the thick-backed sabers at their waists, and their two flintlock pistols.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The arquebusiers checked their long flintlock bird guns, powder, flints, and other conditions. This weapon was indeed more convenient than the matchlock. When forming ranks, they could pack tightly and deliver fiercer gunfire. Every soldier was utterly fond of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then each man drew the four-edged bayonet from his waist and fitted it on. The round, sharp spikes reflected a cold gleam, and waves of light shimmered up across the military formation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After fixing their bayonets, the arquebusiers slung their guns across their backs with gun straps. The straps were quite tight, so the long guns would not jolt about while riding. They likewise checked the two flintlock pistols on their saddles and their own thick-backed sabers — quite a lot of equipment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Considering that the feathered cavalry of the Jingbian Army mostly faced barbarian horsemen, they could not dismount to fight just because they wanted to; that required the enemy's cooperation. Thus, they needed mounted combat capability. The flintlock pistols were naturally indispensable, as were the thick-backed sabers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because they were first-class troops, every soldier in the central battalion excelled in dismounted combat. Therefore, daily training focused mostly on formations, firing from horseback, and saber skills. However, because the cavalry lance was difficult to master, the first-class battalion soldiers — whether pikemen or arquebusiers — all used the thick-backed saber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, the bulk of their ability still lay in dismounting to form ranks and fight, and they could not compare with the professional cavalry battalions. After all, their horses were inferior, and the various cavalry formations could not be mastered in a short time. Still, after drilling, they had gained considerable proficiency in basic cavalry formations and mounted combat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Toward the Jingbian Army's orders, the newly attached Mongol auxiliaries in the front formation were still somewhat bewildered. Hearing the bugle calls, most of them stood there dumbly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Ceng Jiuyi bellowed out the orders, and the battalion disciplinary officers also began patrolling. Toward these brutal and merciless fellows, every Mongol in the battalion was utterly awed and obedient. They hurriedly mounted up as ordered and checked their weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, because most of them had two or three horses each — different mounts for endurance, explosive power, and so on — they generally rode the endurance horses on the march and switched to the corresponding warhorses for battle. It was obvious that after they mounted, the warhorses beneath them were much taller and sturdier than the ones they usually rode.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ceng Jiuyi's gaze swept over them. In his heart, he thought they ought to seize all these Tatars' horses and distribute them to the Jingbian Army's first-class battalion soldiers. But the Jingbian Army had military law forbidding the plunder of allied forces' property, and these tribes paid tribute horses to the Grand General every year, so he could not act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all had mounted, and upon seeing the flag signal from the army headquarters, Ceng Jiuyi ordered the front cavalry to advance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That battalion commander — whose tribe had contributed four hundred troops, second only to Lemiege's battalion commander — not only held the rank himself but his tribal lads also occupied two squad commander posts, with the remainder being a mix of young men from various tribes. Receiving the order to meet the enemy, he was overjoyed and eager to perform before his master. He hastily led his tribal cavalry out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although these newly attached Mongol auxiliaries contributed troops in varying numbers from each tribe, in battalion organization they were divided into four sections: front, rear, left, and right — eight hundred riders per section, two hundred riders per company. Each section likely gathered many young men from various tribes within it. Ceng Jiuyi's two hundred Jingbian troops served as the central force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ala!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This battalion commander led eight hundred riders surging forth. As they ran, the Mongols of this section urged their horses on and roared. What they bellowed was the word for \"kill\" in the Han language.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching them charge out with earth-shaking momentum, the various Mongols in the formation all howled strangely and beat their shields to cheer them on. Only Lemiege's eyes flickered with a trace of worry. That day, although the newly attached battalion had won and taken over a dozen heads, it was because several thousand had fought a few hundred. Now, with numbers evenly matched, who would prevail was still unknown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hoofbeats thundered and grass clippings flew as the two groups of Mongols charged closer and closer across the grassland. Through his telescope, Ceng Jiuyi saw that both sides used the lava tactic, forming a very broad front, with both wings arcing out widely, spread very far apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at the center of the arc, at least thirty percent of the armored troops were concentrated, bearing hooked long spears, heavy axes, heavy hammers, and other weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As both sides galloped, each tried to envelop the other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was clearly evident that the opposing Mongol riders were far more adept at the tactic. A mere hundred riders had the momentum to envelop a multitude. Though their own side had eight hundred men and the opponent only five hundred, they were quickly enveloped. Judging by their wolf banners, it was unclear which Outer Jasagh Mongol khan's troops they were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ceng Jiuyi furrowed his brow. Behind him, Han Chao also observed this, but his hand holding the telescope remained perfectly steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two sides rapidly closed in. The Sun-Moon-Wave banners and the various wolf-skin-draped sulde instantly mingled. The twang of bowstrings, the clash of weapons, the death screams of warriors, the neighing of horses — it seemed they could hear it all from here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both sides used the lava tactic. The cavalry on the wings, separated by several paces or a dozen paces, shot arrows at each other. From time to time, men and horses were struck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shoot the horse before the rider. Compared to the horse, the rider on top was not only a smaller target but also constantly dodged, twisted about, or blocked with an arm shield. In contrast, the horse was far more clumsy and easier to hit. Moreover, a rider thrown from a high-speed horse would lose a layer of skin if not his life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after the engagement began, it was obvious that their own side was getting the worse of it. Far more of their riders and horses were hit by arrows than the opponent's.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The centers of the lava formation arcs soon clashed together as well, with long spears, blades, and axes flashing cold metallic light. However, with this Mongol cavalry tactic, the gaps were very large. As both sides crossed on the jolting horseback, they often failed to stab or slash anyone. The combat looked intense, but casualties were very light. Still, the fight was deadlocked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as their own wings fell to a disadvantage, more Mongol riders came to support, and this Mongol cavalry unit that had sallied out began to struggle on all fronts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eight hundred riders can't beat five hundred? Add another eight hundred!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ceng Jiuyi bellowed in fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ceng Jiuyi kept dispatching reinforcements. Finally, he personally led his own company of Jingbian first-class troops, along with Lemiege's Mongol cavalry unit, and charged into the fray. As a result, the entire newly attached Mongol battalion — every man — became trapped within the Mongol riders' encirclement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jingbian Army side kept sending reinforcements, and the Mongol riders did the same. They split and merged at times, sometimes concentrating forces for a sudden strike, sometimes dispersing in small squads to shoot arrows — extremely agile. Ceng Jiuyi and his men fought several rounds with them, and before they knew it, they had been enveloped by the enemy's crow-scattered-stars formation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strange howls filled the sky. Wave after wave of rolling Mongol riders circled and shot arrows like a tide. They numbered only a little over two thousand, but they gave the impression of exceeding ten thousand riders. Moreover, over two thousand more young braves remained motionless in the rear, watching covetously, waiting for an opportunity to strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slightly behind the main formation, among a group who looked like leaders, smug laughter rang out again: \"Told you so — a bunch of savages from petty tribes. How could they fight our great army?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their mocking gazes turned toward the Xuanwu Silver Eagle banner on that hill, merely waiting for those genuine Jingbian troops to move out. Once they defeated them, their own objective would be achieved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the Jingbian Army side, only the Xuanwu Army's first-class battalion remained unmoved. Watching the situation on the battlefield, many wore grave expressions. That over three thousand riders of the newly attached Mongol auxiliaries were being beaten like this by over two thousand Tatars was something few had anticipated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Chao lowered his telescope and frowned in deep thought. It seemed ordinary tactics and battle formations truly could not decide the outcome against the grassland Tatars. How should he respond?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside him, central battalion officer Lei Xianbin was secretly anxious. He saw that their own men on the battlefield had already dismounted and formed ranks, besieged by Tatar riders on all sides. They had to be rescued immediately. The Tatars' arrogant and frenzied howls also infuriated him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he had fought for many years, through bloody battle after bloody battle, and had long cultivated the composure of one who remains unruffled even if Mount Tai collapses before him. He did not lose his head. He merely looked at Han Chao and said softly, \"Commandant?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Chao seemed to have made up his mind. He abruptly pointed to a certain spot in the enemy lines and said, \"Old Lei, do you see that place?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lei Xianbin could certainly see it clearly. That was where the Tatars had gathered a large number of pack mules and horses carrying dried meat, water flasks, and other supplies, as well as warhorses — a dense mass of horses, who knew how many, with only a small guard force. Perhaps some high-ranking leaders were there too. From time to time, Tatar soldiers whose warhorses were exhausted would go there to change mounts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A veteran of many battles, he immediately understood Han Chao's meaning and said, \"What does the Commandant mean?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Chao nodded heavily. Lei Xianbin could not help but draw a cold breath. He had to admit, this plan was extremely bold, yet its feasibility was high. It seemed that although Commandant Han was steady, deep in his bones there was also a sharp, madly daring side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, after a moment of deliberation, he said, \"Only, to strike straight at that place, we must pass through the chaotic battle formation. Moreover, the Tatar slaves still have several thousand riders, who will certainly not stand idly by. The trapped enemy along the way will also entangle us. Although our battalion is called cavalry, these horses, and the men's riding skills...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was quite worried. With the first-class battalion's mounted combat ability, could they even reach that place? Or would they become bogged down among the Tatar riders halfway, just like the newly attached Mongol auxiliaries?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Chao said, \"No need to worry. I have observed the slaves' battle formation. It is quite sparse, relying mainly on mounted archery and small squad skirmishers. Our first-class battalion's feathered cavalry, with the battle formations they drill daily, can certainly smash through all the way and reach the objective.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lei Xianbin recalled that in the daily mounted training of these first-class troops, the strictest requirement was the tightness and density of the cavalry formation. Although not as tight as the regular cavalry battalions, the Tatars' current crow-scattered-stars formation — a pile here, a pile there, loose and scattered — facing cavalry advancing like a wall, would obviously be smashed to pieces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if they quickly converged, their formation would still be far sparser than their own side's. They could simply barrel straight through, smashing open a path and galloping all the way to the objective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he recalled a hidden danger: \"I only fear that once the Tatar slaves come to their senses, they will avoid the front and attack our two wings, striking at our waist.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Chao smiled faintly: \"In the first-class battalion, there's not much else, but there are plenty of self-igniting pistols...\" (To be continued...)\u003C\u002Fp>",2203,"2026-06-03T14:06:10.567Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","9f46f465fd099eb561cac0c5d7d001723a42c84c94a1511d49c51c97b346ebe8","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-678","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-676",896,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-cover.jpg"]