[{"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-876":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},1206165,1561,"Chapter 876: A Startling Encounter","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-876",876,"\u003Cp>Sun Sanjie knew the heavy rockets needed to be placed at the front. Regretful at heart, he could only fight for a larger quantity of light rocket rounds, though even that was not easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the start of this month, although the Jingbian Army had a stockpile of twelve thousand light rockets and one thousand four hundred heavy rockets, rockets were consumables. Take the light rockets for example: with six hundred rocket launch racks, if each rack fired just twenty rounds, the twelve thousand rockets would be gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the launch racks did not have the overheating problems of cannons — they could fire as many rockets as they had. With the slightest inattention, even another hundred thousand rounds would not be enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching those rocket troops pass by, with large crowds of soldiers gathered to watch and every one of those rocket soldiers looking cocky and full of swagger, Sun Sanjie schemed how to beg rockets from the Grand General — especially the heavy rockets. Even getting just one launcher over to satisfy his craving would be nice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They rode their horses on a circuit around Tangshan. This Tangshan was not large — no more than three or four li east to west, two or three li north to south, and its elevation was not high, under a hundred meters. However, on its southwest side there were copious mountain spring waters, called the Tang Springs. In later ages this area would have resorts and farms, but at present there was only one tiny hamlet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And there were quite a few mountain springs like this east of Changping — Mount Shenling, Mount Baifu, all had abundant springs, with the Baifu Mountain springs being especially famous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back in the day, Guo Shoujing surveyed the elevation of the Baifu Spring at 55 meters, and Wengshan Lake (the Kunming Lake at the Summer Palace) at 40 meters. He then built the Baifu Weir west of Baifu Village, constructing channels along the way, tracing a great arc around the Western Hills, gathering the various springs into Wengshan Lake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He also channeled the water into Jishuitan inside the inner city, a total length of one hundred sixty-four li and one hundred four paces — an astonishing masterpiece in the history of water conservancy. From then on, Beijing city had its lifeline of water supply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Already at that time the concept of elevation existed, and the water diversion route had to overcome all sorts of complex terrain — something exceedingly rare and difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now the Baifu Weir had fallen into disuse, and the Baifu spring water flowed directly south into the North Sha River.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Sanjie, of course, did not think about all that. With so much mountain spring water here, he was simply glad that the army had ample drinking water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They rode along the three hills and two walls. Seeing the solid defenses and high morale, the officers beside him all said cheerfully, \"General Sun, the defense line is solid, the firearms and cannons are deadly, and we have rockets too. If the Tatars truly come to attack, they will certainly smash their heads bloody against these low walls.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Sanjie's soft, gentle, almost effeminate voice sounded. He said firmly, \"That is certain. Just like the old Changling Mountain defense line — if the slave bandits truly come to attack, let them come as many as they will, and die as many as they come.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like Zhao Xuan, Sun Sanjie was a technical officer. He was simple and honest by nature, very inept at scheming and intrigue. But within the Jingbian Army, he had no need to scheme or flatter. Over the years, relying on his own merits, he had risen step by step smoothly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This made him profoundly grateful to the Grand General Wang Dou. When Wang Dou first arrived at Shunxiang Fort, Sun Sanjie's wish was merely to lead an outstanding company of firelock troops. He never imagined that now the troops under his command would exceed ten thousand. He had no other thoughts — only to work diligently and conscientiously with all his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the eighteenth, the main force of the Jingbian Army began to march toward Gonghua City, Dang'er Ridge, and other places. In view of the increasing number of Tatar and bandit scout riders probing around, Wang Dou also dispatched more Night Scout warriors to drive them off and screen the area — especially to prevent the bandits from learning anything behind Dang'er Ridge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That same day, Dorgon also began to march toward the Sha River. The Sha River, where the South Sha River and North Sha River converged, basically formed a large arc shaped like the character \"7.\" Advancing south from Changping, one would encounter the Sha River waters; advancing west from Shunyi, one would likewise encounter the Sha River waters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorgon constantly monitored the bandits and Wang Dou, especially Wang Dou's movements. He wanted the snipe and the clam to fight so the fisherman could profit — and for that, he had to time his arrival just right, at just the opportune moment. So after reaching Shunyi and resting only one night, he hurriedly pressed on toward the Sha River to the west.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From west of Shunyi city to the Sha River was about thirty li. He did not fly any banners, only taking his personal guard, the Gabshihiyan camp, westward. All along the way were vast, surging columns of Eight Banners troops — men like a tide, banners billowing like a sea, the tread of hooves shaking the earth, and especially the carts pushed by the bondservants of each banner, swarming like ants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Logistics and supply problems constantly plagued Dorgon. His troops were numerous, and especially his horses were far too many. The grain, rice, and fodder consumed in a month would be no less than that of Wang Dou's Jingbian Army — roughly around one hundred fifty to one hundred sixty thousand shi per month, and that did not even include wastage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially when on campaign, the horses could not eat too poorly; they needed proper grain supplements. Otherwise, never mind fighting — how far an unburdened horse could even run would be a problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was very similar to human rations. By analogy, eating grass was like drinking gruel; eating dry hay was like eating plain dry rice; adding bean fodder and grain was like adding meat. The higher the proportion, the more meat — only then would they have sufficient strength for labor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So even the horses of nomadic and fishing-hunting peoples, normally left to graze freely on the steppe, had to be given a sudden supplemental boost before battle, supplied with some grain and bean fodder. It was just like doing heavy labor on a construction site — what happens if you eat no meat?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jingbian Army's horses normally had bean fodder and grain added to their diet. On campaign, the ratio even reached half dry hay and half bean fodder and grain. With ample nutrition, naturally every horse looked big, strong, and tall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Qing state's horses could not reach this standard, but because of their sheer numbers, consumption was still enormous. In the two months since the army set out, the grain and rice Dorgon had plundered from Japan and Korea had been rapidly depleted. In particular, his supply line was far too long — after reaching Shunyi, he could not possibly still be supplied with grain from within Qing territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So after entering the pass, in reality his great army's supplies were all seized locally — feeding themselves off the enemy. He told Wu Sangui and others that the great army, upon entering the pass, would not commit the slightest offense against the people. Yet in truth, wherever his army passed, it was just as clean as the bandits left it — every village and town belched fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only, Dorgon was very careful not to violate the gentry, and especially not to harm their lives — provided they did not resist. So compared to the past burning, killing, looting, and total destruction, this gave a refreshingly new impression. Already there were gentry singing the praises of the Great Qing's benevolence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even so, the immense supply of grain and fodder still plagued Dorgon. Including bondservants, his army was two hundred fifty thousand strong — oh, by now it was even more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The daily grain consumption was five to six thousand shi. This quantity was simply too great. So after requisitioning grain, Dorgon's highest priority was supplying his Manchu Eight Banners, then the Mongol Eight Banners, then the Outer Mongol tribes, then the Han Eight Banners, then the Korean and Japanese Eight Banners, then the newly surrendered Ming-Shun army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every day there were countless disputes over grain. For instance, the newly surrendered Ming-Shun troops hoped their treatment would be the same as the Han Eight Banners, and they even robbed grain from each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last of all came the bondservants. These people still endured a bitter existence of one full meal followed by one of hunger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, if the great battle was won, they could go and plunder the common Ming people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They did logistics and other miscellaneous chores in camp. After reaching Shunyi, they were even driven to chop down trees, collect planks, build pontoon bridges, and make shield carts — without a moment's rest all day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorgon arrived at the banks of the Sha River. He rode to a hillside not far from the river and looked out. The riverbank was already a stream of people like ants. Especially at some shallow spots, dense crowds of bondservants stood in the river water, and under the roars of the banner soldiers, they were desperately building pontoon bridges.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, the Sha River's surface was not narrow — it already exceeded one hundred paces. At the same time, Dorgon believed that when the time came for the great army to cross quickly, at least ten pontoon bridges would be absolutely necessary. So the trees all around had been chopped bare, and planks and timber from many villages and towns had also been seized and brought here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the bustling scene below, Dorgon nodded. By tomorrow the pontoon bridges should be ready.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked further into the distance. Faintly, the sound of gunfire came through. On both sides of the river, quite a few mounted squads seemed to be chasing and dashing about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Jingbian Army has discovered us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ubai, the Gabshihiyan Gala Amban beside him, said worriedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorgon drew out his spyglass and looked in that direction for a long time, but it was too far away, and he could only make out vague, indistinct shapes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said, \"That is certain. Wang Dou is no ordinary man. Once my great army reached Shunyi, he would certainly send riders to scout.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inwardly he felt admiration. The Jingbian Army was indeed a famous and powerful force under heaven, sending scouts from such a great distance. Had it been any other Ming army, they might only suddenly awaken when his own troops were already beneath their city walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, he said confidently, \"But our screening is effective. Wang Dou will have difficulty grasping the true situation for a while. Though he will be on guard, his plan to attack the bandits will not change. Our Great Qing can surely reap the fisherman's profit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorgon had intelligence that the Jingbian Army was building extensive defenses east of Changping — likely a measure to protect their rear, fearing the bandits might encircle and cut off their retreat. Now that he himself had reached Shunyi, although Wang Dou would be suspicious, he had sent far too many elite cavalry to screen the battlefield, so their Night Scouts could not get close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, Dorgon believed that Wang Dou still did not know his true strength at this moment, did not know whether the troops at Shunyi were his main force. Apart from strengthening his precautions, he would still proceed with his original plan to attack the bandits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, Dorgon believed that Wang Dou had marched out of the pass under the banner of a righteous cause, and his primary enemy now was the bandits. Even if he knew that his main force had reached Shunyi, he would pretend ignorance, hoping to defeat the bandits quickly first. That was his opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorgon acknowledged that Wang Dou was very strong, but not so strong as to fight a two-front war. So even if he discovered him, he would face him defensively while concentrating his forces against the bandits. He himself could then take the chance to pin down Wang Dou's forces and sit back watching them fight to the death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the midst of this, by deploying a grand formation, especially concentrating tens of thousands of cavalry as a rapid mobile main force, he could then leisurely harvest the fruits at the right moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything was prepared, all within his grasp — except for one point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned his head and gazed toward the extreme distance to the southwest, murmuring, \"I wonder if the bandits have detected our Great Qing's troops?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A company of Shun army cavalry raced along the banks of the Qing River flowing east. They wore red-tasseled felt hats and black uniforms with the huge character \"Shun\" on them — troops of the forward camp under the command of Marquis Mian, Yuan Zongdi. Every one of them had a lean, capable bearing, superb horsemanship, long sabers and strong bows, skilled both mounted and on foot — they were the highly elite old camp soldiers of his force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were under orders to scout. More and more of the bandit troops were massing around Qinghedian, yet they knew nothing of the situation behind Dang'er Ridge. Li Zicheng had sent large mounted squads into the ridge to scout, but all had been firmly driven back by the Jingbian Army's cavalry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This squad also attempted to go forward, but the horse carbines of the Jingbian Army's Night Scouts were too terrifying. From far off, a shot fired at fifty or sixty paces — even if it did not kill you, it would take half your life. Their own horse bows were utterly useless. Use foot bows? The Jingbian Army's cavalry had already galloped far away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So they sought another path, to see if they could bypass Dang'er Ridge, make a wide detour, and look at the Jingbian Army's rear from the flank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They spurred their horses on, galloping amid rolling dust — uniformly fine horses, uniformly superb horsemanship. As old camp soldiers, they lived their lives on horseback, galloping on horseback, fighting on horseback. In the mastery of equestrian skill, perhaps many Mongols beyond the frontier could not match them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything was without issue — except for their armor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zicheng's army could be considered a light-armor or no-armor force. Even among the old camp soldiers, many were equipped with mere cotton armor — and even that was of the outer-jacket style, without iron plates sewn inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They galloped on, estimating they were already a dozen or so li from Dang'er Ridge. Just as they were about to change direction, they suddenly saw rolling dust ahead, as if a body of troops was heading this way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Border-Pacifying Army?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately the old battalion soldiers of the forward camp went on alert. As that group of riders drew nearer, these veterans were astonished to discover it was an army they had never seen before, in very unfamiliar attire. They numbered about twenty-odd riders, each wearing blue cotton armor covered with gleaming studs, thick lacquered iron helmets with high crests, and red tassels fluttering from the top.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them were several riders wearing silver-glinting iron armor, extremely thick and solid, each plate seemingly forged from fine iron, with a small, slanted, flame-like banner thrust into their backs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was also a cavalryman in equally thick and heavy iron armor, a flying-tiger banner at his back, and several eagle feathers on his helmet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their uniform expression was one of fierce, brutal eyes, their entire bodies filled with a chilling, savage aura. Every man had various weapons on his horse, all thick and heavy without exception, and the arrow quivers hanging from them were bulging, full of assorted light and heavy arrows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who are these people? They don't look like the Border-Pacifying Army.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old battalion soldiers of the forward camp looked at each other. Where had this cavalry squad come from? Why had they never seen them before?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their attire, too, was vastly different from ordinary Ming troops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fierce, savage aura about them also made one's heart pound with unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strange — how could a Sun Wukong pop out of flat ground?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The forward camp veterans remained on guard. The strange cavalry squad opposite also spotted their force, slowed their horses, and gradually approached. The leader seemed to be the cavalryman with eagle feathers on his helmet. He forced a stiff smile onto his face and, in stiff Chinese, said they were men of the Great Qing, come specially to help the Great Shun's heavenly troops strike down the rebel Wang Dou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing their amiable manner, even seeming to carry a hint of ingratiation, the forward camp veterans breathed a sigh of relief, and at the same time, their inherent nature of outward ferocity masking inward cowardice immediately surfaced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at these men's armor, their horses, greed surged in many eyes. Abruptly the picket officer shouted: \"Insolence! Before heavenly troops, you dare call yourselves great? What Great Qing — never even heard of it. Since you've heard a new Son of Heaven reigns, why not enter to offer congratulations in person, instead of skulking about here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They all exchanged glances. With a clang, the picket officer drew his saber and shouted sternly: \"You lowly, base barbarians — such a crime of gross disrespect truly merits ten thousand deaths. Dismount at once and submit to capture!\"\u003C\u002Fp>",2991,"2026-06-03T14:06:27.906Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","0d088e7161b172e1cb4263b599e8442a728b19c6a552e75bdbf0fd2b25fdf7ae","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-877","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-875",896,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-cover.jpg"]