Chapter 886: Recovery

(Old White Bull: Three more chapters and it's over. Years of cultivation, and at last the time to harvest the fruit.)

Amid the drumbeats, dense rows of shield carts pushed forward, heading toward the Huilong Temple area.

This was the Qing army attacking the Jingbian Army's left-flank line, with Prince Yu, Duoduo, overseeing the battle, leading half of the Eight Banners' Han, Japanese, and Korean bannermen. Aside from bondservants and attendants of each ethnicity pushing dense shield carts forward, in the Japanese Eight Banners' position there were also Japan's unique bamboo bundles, infantry shields, and other protective equipment.

As the main infantry fighting force, they needed to press all the way to the Jingbian Army's front line, at least one or two li away, so that Army Supervisor Duoduo could continuously arrange assault operations.

After the Japanese daimyo and others submitted, because time was short, aside from shaving their heads they had basically not changed equipment, so their formations looked quite dazzling — gaudy family crest flags and horse insignia, flamboyantly dressed elite mounted messengers and hatamoto samurai.

Even the ashigaru wore bamboo armor painted with bright red or black lacquer, and with the dense array of banner flags in each unit, it was quite eye-catching.

Those feudal lords and daimyo serving as gūsa ejen wore even more magnificent armor, horned helmets, their appearance ferocious.

Dressing so flamboyantly naturally drew concentrated fire.

The Japanese Eight Banners and Korean Eight Banners, sixteen thousand bannermen in total, had all turned out for this battle. They were very enthusiastic about fighting — Liaodong was vast and sparsely populated, the land fertile, but lacked people. In this invasion they also hoped to capture more bondservants.

Because they had been conquered, they were full of confidence in the fighting power of the Manchu and Mongol Eight Banners, not to mention that after entering the pass they had also captured weapons that shocked them: great cannon, kuni-kuzushi.

This confidence lasted until after the Jingbian Army fired their rockets, when the Japanese discovered with horror that there were firearms in this world even more devastating than kuni-kuzushi.

Compared to the Jingbian Army's sharp weapons, their own few dozen great cannon and kuni-kuzushi were clearly no match.

At this moment, the mere five great cannon in front of the central army position were utterly dwarfed by the firearms the Jingbian Army possessed on the opposite side.

They had roughly four banners, eight thousand men, in this left-wing grand formation, with four banners, sixteen thousand Han Eight Banners bannermen, positioned in the center and front, while they and the four banners of Koreans occupied the two wings. Finally, Duoduo led some Manchu Eight Banners bannermen to hold the rear and oversee the battle.

To the commands of gongs and drums, they slowly advanced. Just the scale of this left wing was enough to leave many feudal lords and daimyo breathless — the host of soldiers and horses was simply too vast.

Looking further to the left, they could faintly make out the Shun army's right-wing forces, even more boundless and endless. Adding everything together, this was probably a battle on the scale of a million men. When had there ever been such a thing in the history of Japan? Only by coming to China could one see such a grand spectacle.

Compared to battles back home where a ten-thousand-man engagement could be recorded in the history books, participating in this great battle would surely make their names immortal.

Just as these feudal lords and daimyo were sighing with deep emotion and then swelling with boundless heroic spirit, the five heavy red-barbarian cannons, five heavy mortars, and twenty ordinary red-barbarian cannons that the Jingbian Army had placed at the Huilong Temple position roared and opened fire on them, striking from three li, to two li, to one li.

These Japanese Eight Banners, in their uniformly bright armor and sea of gaudy flags, stood out as conspicuously as a crane among chickens — if not them, who else would you hit?

Not to mention they also had several thousand arquebusiers. Japanese arquebusiers had always been famous; the bird-beak gun had been introduced from Japan. The Jingbian Army would not allow these arquebusiers to exist unchallenged.

If necessary, they would also bring up rockets to wipe them out in one stroke. So during the advance to form up, these Japanese Eight Banners were bombarded until the sight was too horrible to endure.

Marching on foot, they covered roughly one point two meters per second. Maintaining formation and pushing carts, they moved even slower. At this distance, the Jingbian Army gunners aimed at leisure, leaving those Japanese Eight Banners to suffer who knew how many cannon shots.

With a thunderous boom, white smoke rose again from the village in the direction of Xuanfu Palace. A cannonball weighing over ten jin howled over, slammed into the ground with a crash, threw up a huge mass of earth, then violently bounced up and hurtled fiercely toward the shield cart in front.

With a bang, that meticulously crafted shield cart instantly shattered into fragments, debris exploding outward in all directions. The Japanese bondservants pushing the cart screamed and tumbled in a large swath.

The solid iron ball of over ten jin, its momentum far from spent, crashed with powerful force into the bamboo bundles being pushed up from behind. Bamboo bundles could effectively stop bullets, but they could not stop cannon, especially solid iron balls fired from heavy cannon like this. They too split into fragments amid a clatter, and several infantry shields following behind were likewise smashed to pieces.

Infantry shields were excellent against arrows, but their impact resistance was far inferior to bamboo bundles. Struck by a solid iron ball of over ten jin, they broke apart as easily as toppling a pile of toys.

Then this heavy solid iron ball hurtled toward the arquebusiers arrayed in formation behind. They stood in dense columns, and after the solid iron ball tore through them, it created a scene of utter horror.

Severed limbs, shredded flesh, fragments of weapons, banners, helmets, and armor flew chaotically. When the solid iron ball finally came to rest, this entire area was filled with hoarse, desperate screams. Blood was everywhere, and numerous Japanese bannermen, missing arms or legs, rolled wailing in pools of blood.

One soldier in particular rolled about clutching his lower leg. His right lower leg had been severed clean at the knee, blood gushing out like a fountain. At the cut, ghastly white leg bone was exposed, along with some torn, residual muscle — a sight of extreme horror.

Another heavy cannonball shot into the vicinity of a daimyo's army formation, knocking down a large swath of the elite mounted messengers and hatamoto samurai serving as bayara there. These men sat on horseback; when the solid iron ball of over ten jin crashed through, there was a cacophony of screaming men and neighing horses, severed limbs and fragments of armor and weapons scattering.

These Japanese samurai cried out in alarm: "Kuni-kuzushi... kuni-kuzushi..."

Duoduo watched that side with some concern. The Jingbian Army's artillery fire howled over incessantly, pounding their own positions until men wept for their fathers and wailed for their mothers. The Japanese Eight Banners' area in particular was a scene of chaos, looking ready to collapse at any moment. Compared to the Han troops and Koreans, these Japanese had a rather poor ability to endure cannon fire. He was very worried whether they could hold on until they reached the Jingbian Army's front line.

He ordered the armored soldiers accompanying the formation to strengthen their supervision. Regardless of whether they were Han, Korean, or Japanese bannermen, regardless of rank or status, anyone who dared show fear, disobey orders, or flee in panic was to be killed.

Fierce cannon fire howled. Likewise, a solid iron ball of over ten jin roared over. A sturdy shield cart on the right wing of the grand formation was smashed to pieces by it. That cannonball likewise plunged into the infantry ranks behind the shield cart, and all along its path, flesh and blood flew, and shrill, piercing screams were deafening.

Some cart-pushing bondservants and rear-rank soldiers collapsed, screaming as they fled, only to be mercilessly cut down by the bannermen holding the line.

Compared to the Qing troops, these former Ming soldiers had even less experience enduring cannon fire. Facing the threat of artillery, even though many of them were elite Guanning troops, every one of them was terrified. Without the Qing soldiers supervising and holding the line, they simply could not have held on until they reached the Jingbian Army's front.

Tang Tong silently withdrew his gaze and glanced at the expressionless Wu Sangui.

Seeing Wu Sangui look his way, he swiftly turned his head away, though a trace of ferocity still lingered in the corner of his eye.

West of the capital lay a continuous range of beautiful peaks, towering, elegant, and majestic, guarding the right flank of the imperial domain, renowned as a scenic wonder.

On Cuifeng Mountain, Gao Xun raised his telescope to observe the movements over at the capital. Beside him, Zhuang Huizu, an officer of the Cavalry Left Battalion, glanced from time to time at the sundial nearby, watching the sun's shadow move, corresponding to the hour markings on the dial's face. The appointed time was drawing near.

He looked toward the capital, then turned his head to glance down at the foot of Cuifeng Mountain. Dense rows of cap-shaped helmets filled the valley floor. The metallic gleam of armor, long spears, and firearms stretched all the way to the other side of the mountain, and dense waves of Sun-Moon-Wave banners billowed in the wind.

Since yesterday, their thirty thousand men had been concealed in this area thirty li from the capital, waiting all the way until today, until this moment.

Soon. The appointed hour was nearly at hand.

In the capital, atop the towering Deshengmen city wall, an official who had surrendered to the Shun and taken office said worriedly to Niu Jinxing: "Lord Chancellor, in recent days, rumors have been spreading through the capital. It seems there are lawless elements inciting the people to revolt. The atmosphere is quite amiss."

Niu Jinxing frowned slightly, then finally waved his hand and said: "The main army has gone north. Only twenty thousand men remain in the city. It is no surprise that remnant Ming villains are stirring up the ignorant masses to revolt. Once our great army returns victorious, they will all be ground to dust. For now, each of you be cautious and go out as little as possible."

These surrendered officials looked at each other, all harboring regret. Since Li Zicheng had led the main force north on the seventeenth day of the fourth month, the atmosphere in the capital had changed. Even the most obtuse person could sense that a great storm was about to descend. After they voiced this worry, the remaining Chancellor Niu was just as helpless, merely telling them each to be cautious and that was all.

Alas, coming over to the bandits to seek wealth and status in the new dynasty seemed to be nothing but a dream after all.

At this moment, they followed behind Niu Jinxing, Song Xiance, Gu Junen, Song Qijiao, Zhang Linran, and other officials of the Six Ministries, accompanying them on an inspection tour of the city's defenses. Song Qijiao and the others all heard Niu Jinxing's words and remained silent.

From the high-spirited confidence when they first entered the city to the present, where each man was anxious and fearful, only a short month had passed. Who could have known it would turn out like this after entering the capital? Each man could only hope that the army at the front would win.

Among this group, Marquis Ze, Tian Jianxiu, walked at the very front. He and civilian officials like Niu Jinxing had been left to guard the city. His own three thousand veteran camp troops, some outer camp forces, and part of the capital garrison, totaling twenty thousand men, were divided between defending the inner and outer cities. Compared to the vast capital, it truly felt like the troops were insufficient, stretched thin everywhere.

He too sensed the strange atmosphere in the capital, but with the main army having left the city and gone north, and only a small force in hand, even if he wanted to take action, he felt his spirit was willing but his strength insufficient.

He also heard Niu Jinxing's words. Apart from a slight frown, he made no other sign. He stood by the city wall and gazed north, inwardly calculating how much grain and fodder would need to be supplied today, and wondering when the Chuang King would achieve victory.

Such a towering, magnificent capital — how he wished they could occupy it forever.

As he inspected the city defenses, he was naturally accompanied by his personal guard cavalry. His three thousand veteran camp troops were split among defending the many gates of the inner city, scattered here and there, so he had only a dozen or so personal attendants by his side. And among these, five armored soldiers were particularly eye-catching.

Compared to the other veteran camp soldiers who wore light armor or no armor at all, these men were all in heavy armor, every plate forged from fine iron, looking extremely weighty and solid. As they moved, the armor plates clanked and clattered.

These armored soldiers were five brothers from the same mother. Two years earlier, Tian Jianxiu had unintentionally saved them in Henan. Since then, these five brothers had followed him constantly. Over these two years, they had gone through life and death together with him, saving Tian Jianxiu and others' lives many times, and were deeply trusted and valued by Tian Jianxiu himself.

After entering the capital, Tian Jianxiu knew these five men loved heavy armor, so he had specially gathered these five sets of armor from the storehouses for them.

"I wonder how things are going over at Qinghe Shop?"

Tian Jianxiu muttered to himself, still gazing at the open country outside the city, but his hand reached behind him.

An armored soldier understood, took out a box of "Company Commander Gao Brand" small cigarettes, drew one and gave it to Tian Jianxiu; another armored soldier pulled a fire striker from his waist and lit it for him.

Tian Jianxiu slowly exhaled a puff of smoke. These small cigarettes were truly wonderful things — take a drag, and all worries and troubles vanish. After entering the capital, he had confiscated some from a marquis's mansion, and now he had only a few boxes left. He had heard that Xuanfu Garrison had plenty of small cigarettes; he hoped that after defeating them, he could confiscate some large cigarettes from Wang Dou's mansion.

He was just thinking this when, unexpectedly, several armored soldiers behind him exchanged glances. One armored soldier looked at the sky and nodded.

Suddenly, with a sharp clang, an armored soldier drew his long blade from his waist. A flash of cold light, and it stabbed straight into Tian Jianxiu's back through his heart. With a "thud," fresh blood instantly shot straight out.

This sudden blade made Tian Jianxiu's eyes widen. His face full of disbelief, he let out a beast-like howl. One hand, dripping with blood, grabbed the protruding blade, while his other hand tried to claw at the person who had stabbed him from behind.

The armored soldier exerted force, pressing the knife handle down firmly. His face was splattered with blood droplets shooting from Tian Jianxiu's body, and the sharp blade was still slowly twisting. Tian Jianxiu thrashed and roared, but he simply could not turn around. Finally, his hands weakly clutched the city wall as he slid down, dying without ever seeing who had dealt him the blade.

The armored soldier braced one foot against Tian Jianxiu's body, pulled the blade out with a "squelch," and instantly blood splattered onto the city wall, spraying across the city bricks — a shocking, horrifying sight.

This sudden, lightning-fast scene stunned everyone present. One personal attendant recovered and cried out in grief and fury: "My Lord!"

He moved to draw the weapon at his waist. With a clang, another armored soldier drew his long blade, and with a "thud," viciously drove it through the attendant's left eye and out the back of his head.

Instantly, fresh blood mixed with brain matter, red and white intermingled, splattering all over the wall and ground.

Another personal attendant roared and thrust his blade forward to slash. This armored soldier neither dodged nor evaded; the attendant's long blade struck his iron armor with a clang, sparks flying in all directions. Seizing this opening, the armored soldier did not hesitate, his long blade slashing across the attendant's neck.

More than half of that attendant's neck was cleaved open. Great gouts of blood spurted out, and with a "thump" he collapsed to the ground, his body still twitching continuously.

Cold light flashed, miserable screams rang out, and very soon Tian Jianxiu's personal attendants on this side were all killed by the five armored soldiers. Their iron armor was streaked with bloodstains, and the air here was thick with the smell of blood. At the same time, sounds of killing emerged nearby — several groups of elite soldiers, similarly clad in iron armor, were hurrying this way.

Niu Jinxing and the others were so frightened they screamed repeatedly. One compliant official tried to flee, and a long blade stabbed straight through his abdomen to his back. As the long blade was drawn out, great gouts of blood gushed from his mouth and wound. The official tumbled to the ground, shrieking in agony at the top of his lungs.

Niu Jinxing and the others' eyes widened to the utmost. They huddled together, screaming in utter terror.

At that moment, those several groups of elite soldiers rushed up close. They nodded to the few men on this side. The lead armored soldier pulled out his waist token and raised it, shouting sternly at Niu Jinxing and the others: "Soldiers of the Imperial Ming Xuanfu Garrison are here! You roving bandits, surrender at once!"

……

In the low, narrow alleys along Chongwenmen Avenue, dense crowds of local elders lay hidden everywhere. Each of them gripped weapons — clubs, hoes, pitchforks, cleavers — silent, merely lying in wait, gathered here.

Their leader was that cold-faced armored soldier, Tang Yanji. Now he had donned his own fine-steel heavy armor. He held a long blade in his hand, expressionless, merely raising his eyes to the sky from time to time.

Not far behind him was the garrison soldier Zhang Shouyin, gripping a long spear. From excessive force, the veins on his hands already bulged. Yang Bagu stood beside him, cleaver in hand, grinding her teeth, her eyes bloodshot.

Looking out over these dense crowds of local elders, every one of them was silent, merely waiting for the hour to kill the bandits to arrive.

They were men and women, old and young, just waiting quietly.

Suddenly, they all raised their heads to look at the sky. A sharp whistle shot into the air, and they saw an enormous rocket rising continuously from the inner city, then exploding in midair. Finally, brilliant fireworks flashed, extraordinarily dazzling.

The dazzling fireworks slowly coalesced into two large golden characters: "Ten Thousand Victories!"

This thunderous boom made Zhang Shouyin, Yang Bagu, and the others jolt all over, and all the neighborhood folk jolted all over as well.

Tang Yanji roared: "Kill all the roving bandits!"

Taking the lead, he brandished his blade and charged out.

"Kill the roving bandits!"

Zhang Shouyin shouted at the top of his lungs, leveling his long spear, and also charged out.

"Kill the bandits!"

Countless neighborhood folk, brandishing their crude weapons, charged out.

"Kill the bandits!"

Not just this alley, but from the nearby streets and lanes, the outer city, the inner city, near every city gate of the capital, came shouts of killing. Those voices were male and female, old and young, growing louder and louder, until finally the entire city of Beijing was shouting: "Kill the bandits!"

Yang Bagu charged out alongside Zhang Shouyin, a pot lid raised in her left hand, a cleaver raised in her right. As she charged, she kept screaming at the top of her lungs, heart-rending: "Kill the bandits! Kill the bandits! Kill the bandits! Kill the bandits!"

Her voice carried far, merging into the voices of countless people. The entire city of Beijing shook the heavens with shouts of killing. Men and sturdy women brandished weapons and cried out to kill the bandits. Within and beyond a hundred li of the capital, the noise rose together. Children and women struck gongs and beat drums, banging copper washbasins to aid them.

Some commoners threw beds, tables, and door planks to block the main roads, or transported utensils and piled them crisscross to clog the alley mouths, hindering the roving bandits' passage. Others flung tiles and stones like crows, dust clouding the eyes. Men kept climbing onto rooftops, crouching under eaves to watch; whenever bandits passed, they hurled bricks, tiles, wood, and stones down upon them.

The million-strong populace of the capital all surged out from every alley, vowing to kill every last roving bandit.

……

"Good, the hour has come, there's the signal!"

Gao Gui abruptly withdrew his telescope. The dense crowd of officers around him also withdrew their telescopes. At a distance of thirty li, if one did not keep watching constantly, the firework signal sent from over there might be missed.

Looking at the officers beside him, Gao Gui said in a deep voice: "Gentlemen, recovering the capital and defeating the roving bandits rests upon this very action."

He let out a sudden roar: "Kill all the roving bandits!"

"Ten Thousand Victories!"

The stirring bugle call sounded. The cavalry of the Central Army's Left Battalion charged out first. Several thousand riders surged out of the valley, like a rolling torrent of metal, heading toward the inner city's Fucheng Gate. They had to race against every second, or the sacrifices of the capital's populace would be great.

Also, Gao Gui's White Tiger Army Left Battalion spurred their horses and charged out, heading toward the outer city's Guangan Gate. Then the remaining soldiers of the several C-class battalions all advanced at a run, entering through Fucheng Gate and Guangan Gate respectively.

Iron cavalry surged, fine steeds like a tide, hoofbeats like thunder, and dense waves of cap helmets swayed. Beneath layer upon layer of long spears and flintlock guns sounded the rhythmic tramp of marching feet.

The city gates were already open. Finally, amid overwhelming cheers, the billowing Sun-Moon-Waves Banner entered the capital. The cavalry of the Central Army's Left Battalion first charged into Fucheng Gate, then Gao Gui's White Tiger Army Left Battalion charged into Guangan Gate, and then the C-class soldiers of each battalion soon also entered the city through the two gates.

Dense, cold-gleaming weapons swayed rhythmically. They ran on without stopping. The torrent of eight-petal cap helmets flowed endlessly into the city.