Chapter 454: Pincer Attack

Beside the main road outside Matou Pass, the Long Qibing soldiers had all dismounted and were resting and eating. These hardy, long-suffering troops could not light fires. They scooped up snow from the roadside, stuffed it into their mouths, and bit off two mouthfuls of hard biscuit — that was their field ration. If they were in combat, they would have no chance to eat all day, yet still no one complained of hardship or fatigue. Since leaving Linxian and crossing through Zhending Prefecture, only twenty men had fallen out due to illness, and thirty horses had been lost — a testament to the Long Qibing's formidable mobility.

Guan Dadi stopped by the roadside. His coconut ladle was wrapped in cotton clothes inside his pack, still holding water, but he did not feel like fetching it. He went straight to the roadside to grab a snowball. The road was crisscrossed with hoof prints, and by the roadside lay the corpses of common folk — men and women alike, many completely naked, with frozen bloodstains on their bodies. Guan Dadi glanced at them, skirted around the bodies, and went farther off to grab some snow.

Several mounted scouts led seven or eight people who looked like commoners back from up ahead. Zhong Laosi came up from the rear. At the sight of a Great Ming officer, those commoners knelt on the ground and wailed loudly, begging the army to go rescue their kin.

As these people all talked over one another, pointing out the direction the Later Jin army had taken, Guan Dadi managed to make out some of it. From their accents, many were locals. When the Later Jin troops passed through, those who were quick-witted enough kept running up into the hills. The Later Jin soldiers did not chase them far. But those who ran along the main road — almost none of them got away.

Several staff officers flanked Zhong Laosi, cross-checking the confession they had just extracted from the spy against the commoners' accounts.

Guan Dadi gnawed a few bites of his biscuit, looked back at those ice-caked corpses, closed his eyes, and said quietly, "Zhong-tou, hurry and take us to save them."

。。。

"All troops, halt advance." Zhong Laosi pointed at the map scrawled in the snow. "Let the junction coming from Guangchang stay open. Let half of the Bordered Yellow Banner behind us cross the Tang River — then we charge out from Matou Pass. Form infantry lines and crush them. The junction is only so wide; they won't be able to run."

A group of company commanders nodded one after another. Zhong Laosi raised both fists and waved them above his head. He shouted a reminder: "I don't know whether to call our luck good or bad. Right now we're sandwiched between two groups of Tatars. The Plain Blue Banner is about twenty li ahead. The Bordered Yellow and Bordered White Banners are behind us. How far away? I don't know either. Sending scouts would risk exposing us, so I'm not sending any. My guess is, they're not too far apart. The Plain Blue Banner is busy pushing forward to loot — they probably won't turn around and march back for nothing. The threat from the rear force is greater than the front. But our target is Manggultai. He didn't head back north to Lingqiu; instead he's taking a detour toward the Cigou direction. This road is over a hundred li long, lined with villages and stockades the whole way. He's going after people. That dog-fucker is insufferably arrogant — daring to pull this even inside the Taihang Mountains. There are still three passes on that Cigou road. I don't know if any friendly garrisons are still holding them, but it's worth a gamble. Friendly garrisons must have a few men with balls. As long as one pass holds out for a while, Manggultai will be a turtle in a jar. He's one of the Four Senior Beile. Now there are only three Senior Beile left. Killing him will be the greatest battle honor Dengzhou Garrison has ever earned against the Jianzhou Bandits…"

Zhou Shao'er scratched his head. Last year he had attended a situation-analysis meeting at the Military Orders Bureau, where he heard that this Manggultai seemed to be at odds with Huang Taiji. The meeting's requirement at the time was: under equal conditions, prioritize striking the Two Yellow Banners, the Bordered Red Banner, and the Bordered Blue Banner. Given the current situation, they ought to be throwing everything into attacking the Bordered Yellow Banner behind them.

Just as he was about to speak up and remind him, Zhong Laosi pointed again at the junction leading to Zoumazhan. "The engagement with the Bordered Yellow Banner will take place in the river valley south of Matou Pass. Third Company will stay on the mountain path south toward Zoumazhan — stay concealed, and only come out after the fighting starts at Matou Pass. Bring extra banners so the Jianzhou Bandits won't dare flee that way. Matou Pass is our main force. Remember the key point: the Bordered Yellow Banner is the rear force. A rear force has no vigilance; their scouts are bound to be lax. That's exactly what we can exploit. We must all stay hidden behind the two mountain mouths. Post men on the hilltops to observe. When we deploy, it must be swift and decisive. Each company's detachment will move into position first to cover the main force's deployment. Line infantry will form up in three ranks, spread their frontage, and open fire. Advance along the flat river valley. Third Company will come out from the southern junction, move quickly to the Guangchang mountain mouth, cut off the Bordered Yellow Banner's retreat, and block any reinforcements from behind. This position is even better than the one by the Fuzhou River. I don't believe Tatar cavalry can fly up to the hilltops. The Tatars will have trouble even forming ranks coming out of the mountain mouth. Over seven hundred flintlocks — just two volleys and the Tatars are bound to break. After shattering their vanguard, Third Company will leave one platoon to pursue along the Guangchang mountain path. Once the enemy rear force is routed, immediately chase after the main body. Our target is Manggultai. That Abatai — what's he again?"

Liu Yue quickly added, "Duoluo Beile."

"Right, this Duoluo Beile. 'Duoluo' means 'extra.' Our Dengzhou Garrison already killed Abatai's son-in-law. Better to forgive where one can. Let's set this father-in-law aside for now — don't exterminate him completely. So his head is worthless. I want to kill a Senior Beile. Once we rout Abatai, we chase Manggultai."

The group of bureau chiefs, company commanders, and deputy company commanders roared with laughter and loudly acknowledged their orders. Hearing they were going to kill Manggultai, the atmosphere grew intensely fervent. Zhou Shao'er again felt it would be a bit awkward to pour cold water on it.

In that moment of hesitation, Zhong Laosi had already finished assigning the orders. Each company commander shouted a thunderous "Hu!" and hurried back to their respective companies. Zhou Shao'er edged up in front of Zhong Laosi. "Zhong-tou, this…"

"This what? Don't dawdle. Every one of you, get moving, fast. Whoever's late, I'll personally shoot his head off with my gun." Zhong Laosi drew his hand cannon and waved it a few times. After cursing, he went to call over the two artillery chiefs from the brigade headquarters and pointed out their movement routes during deployment.

Battalion Commander Zhou Shao'er, having taken a tongue-lashing, slunk back to his own company. On the way he spotted the brigade headquarters' indoctrination officer. He originally wanted to have the indoctrination officer go speak, but then recalled that this officer was not on speaking terms with Zhong Laosi at all. He could only shake his head. Anyway, they were all Tatars — hitting any of them was still hitting. Having consoled himself, Zhou Shao'er headed toward his company.

。。。。。。

On the road from Guangchang (present-day Laiyuan) toward Matou Pass, a column of cavalry, commoners, carts, and ox- and horse-drawn wagons stretched for several li, like a gray-black river flowing through the Taihang Mountains. Scattered throughout, one could see many Niru banners with yellow grounds and red borders.

A group of silver-armored Bayara guards rode at the front. Occasionally, one or two commoners still squirmed by the roadside, and a Bayara would spur his horse over and trample them until the person moved no more.

Abatai, leading his Goshiha retainers, rode behind the White Armor Soldiers. Beside him was the Bordered Yellow Banner's Gūsa Ejen, Darha. Both men's expressions were somewhat grim. According to Huang Taiji's plan, the Eastern Route Army was supposed to threaten Zijing Pass and Daoma Pass. They had to at least put on a show.

The Eastern Route Army's commander was the Third Beile, Manggultai. After heading south from Yanqing Subprefecture, Manggultai had tossed Huang Taiji's orders aside. Wherever he wanted to loot an extra couple of days, he looted an extra couple of days. He paid absolutely no heed to the message about rendezvousing at Yingzhou.

After Abatai had located them, Manggultai still came toward the Lingqiu direction. They had sealed the Lingqiu mountain entrance early on and swept through the prosperous areas around Lingqiu. They had captured close to thirty thousand people, and the material goods were beyond counting.

Manggultai had a violent temper, and most of the others were unwilling to travel with him. After Ajige breached Lingqiu, he went off on his own to Wangjiazhuang and looted separately in that vicinity. Manggultai left Degelei to continue looting Lingqiu and himself headed east to Guangchang County. To prevent the others from competing with the Plain Blue Banner over the richer Lingqiu, he also dragged Abatai and Darha along to Guangchang. The Plain Blue Banner threw its weight around everywhere. The two mid-level cadres of the Bordered Yellow Banner could do nothing about Manggultai.

Guangchang County was, after all, farther away. Many commoners had already fled into the mountains ahead of time, and even more had followed the official road along the Juma River valley to Zijing Pass. The county seat's defenses were tight, and the Later Jin troops, having come as light cavalry, were unwilling to assault the city. They only looted outside the walls.

Abatai still remembered that Huang Taiji had ordered the Eastern Route Army to feint an attack on the Three Passes. He discussed with Manggultai about threatening Zijing Pass or Daoma Pass. Manggultai immediately told Abatai to go attack Zijing Pass and told Darha to go via Zoumazhan to attack Daoma Pass, while he himself would continue looting in Guangchang County.

Both Abatai and Darha were seething with resentment. Still, it at least counted as a plan. But the next day when they got up, Manggultai had vanished without a trace. The two sent out scouts to inquire and only then learned he had gone toward Matou Pass. In the end, he sent a Bayara to notify the two of them, saying each should loot on his own and they would rendezvous at Lingqiu in the end. The Plain White Banner's Gūsa Ejen, Ashan, seeing this situation, stated that he would only loot the Guangchang periphery and then return to Lingqiu by the original route.

That left the Bordered Yellow Banner with fewer than ten Niru. Among them, Abatai's six Niru, though they appeared to have eight or nine hundred men, in reality had only two hundred armored soldiers. The two mid-level cadres of the Bordered Yellow Banner felt a hollow dread in their chests. Without Manggultai to support them, the two dared not venture into the vast, endless mountains to feint against Zijing Pass and Daoma Pass.

So, in a gloomy mood, the two decided to follow Manggultai's direction and return to Lingqiu via Matou Pass. The spy Zhong Laosi had captured was a Datong bandit bought off by the Eight Great Houses, specifically serving as a guide for the Later Jin troops. He was assigned to Abatai's group. Acting on Abatai's orders, he had been on his way back from contacting the Plain Blue Banner with two armored soldiers when he ran straight into the Dengzhou Long Qibing.

Darha was big and burly, with a wild, untamed look. He took off his hat, revealing a scalp covered with short stubble. After rubbing it, he said, "Time to shave the head again. Since entering the pass, I've shaved it three times already. About time to head back."

Abatai shot a glance at Darha. This man was one of Huang Taiji's trusted confidants. He fought decently and had three self-administered Niru under him. The year before last, during the campaign against the Chahar, two Mongol household retainers under Darha had run off and ended up tipping off Ligdan Khan, causing the Later Jin army of tens of thousands to blunder around the great desert for months without even catching a glimpse of Ligdan Khan's shadow. Even after causing such a colossal blunder, Darha still sat securely as the Bordered Yellow Banner's Gūsa Ejen.

Abatai turned his head back and said flatly, "From Matou Pass we'll take the Lingqiu road directly. I hear the Third Beile has gone south. We won't follow."

"Of course we won't follow." Darha put his hat back on properly and said, his face full of indignation, "He's looted every last person and bit of wealth clean along the way, and there's only one road. If we follow behind him, we'll be eating his farts."

Abatai's face twitched slightly, forcing out an expression resembling a smile. Anyway, Manggultai had always been lawlessly arrogant. Now, after the Battle of Lüshun, Huang Taiji's prestige had plummeted to rock bottom, and many people actually listened to Manggultai. At the very least, Degelei now dared to openly criticize Huang Taiji to his face at the Deliberative Council, and the Plain Blue Banner's Gūsa Ejen, Tobohui, was also gradually siding with Manggultai.

The current political situation in Later Jin was indeed far too chaotic compared to the time of Nurhaci. Huang Taiji lacked sufficient prestige. The joint drills of the various banners had all ceased; everything relied on each Banner Lord supervising on his own. If the Ming army were not so utterly rotten, this great primitive tribe that fused military and civilian life would have struggled to survive. Fortunately, they had not yet encountered a fatal blow. Although Dengzhou Garrison's strength was growing rapidly, it still could not face Later Jin in open, pitched battle — especially in terms of cavalry.

Even so, Abatai was still unwilling to fight Dengzhou. The enemy's seemingly rigid method of warfare was actually very difficult to deal with in practice, especially the long-spear formations. Apart from using bows, Abatai could not think of any weapon that could counter them.

Abatai fobbed him off casually: "The Third Beile is still better than Amin. Back then, Amin was actually preparing to declare himself king in Korea."

As the two were talking, the Bayara up ahead turned north. Abatai's view opened up before him, the vista becoming broad. A riverbed, still covered in ice and snow, appeared ahead. A Han guide beside him said, "Seventh Beile, this is the Tang River. The riverbank is the Lingqiu road. Up ahead is Matou Pass."

Abatai swept his gaze around. The Tang River flowed south. Downstream there was another junction; upstream was the direction toward Lingqiu.

Everything looked the same as the road before. Abatai stood by the river, watching groups of armored soldiers file into the Lingqiu road, crossing a wooden bridge over the Tang River.

All around was utterly silent. Abatai's eyes roamed the surroundings. He kept feeling that something was off. After another moment, his gaze settled on the ground not far away. The snow was covered with hoof prints. The middle of the road had been trampled into a muddy slurry, while off to the sides one could see scattered, isolated hoof prints.

Abatai followed the hoof prints with his eyes. They came from the direction of Zoumazhan to the south. He felt something seemed amiss. Manggultai should not have mobilized that many cavalry to feint against Zoumazhan.

At that moment, the White Armor Soldiers were already crossing the wooden bridge over the Tang River. Abatai turned and said to the Goshiha beside him, "Go tell the front to send a few scouts to take a look at Matou Pass. Everyone else, halt the horses." (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, welcome to Qidian to cast your recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at.)