Chapter 515: Blood Road (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

ps: It's still double monthly tickets right now — book friends with tickets, please support.

A dense cloud of white smoke rose from the position. A small iron ball streaked across the sky above the valley road, plunged unstoppably into the dense mass of Later Jin troops, and the crackling sounds of shattering bone and snapping sinew merged into one. Several weapons spun through the air. A line was instantly carved through the surging sea of heads along the cannonball's path. That three-catty iron ball transferred all its energy into the Later Jin army.

A ripple ran through the formation. Officers like the platoon commanders bellowed, and armored soldiers from the rear rushed forward. The ranks once again became a uniform sea of heads. The second cannon shot rang out immediately, repeating the scene from before.

The long, narrow, and dense formation left the Later Jin troops almost no room to disperse, yet they had to maintain a dense formation when closing in; otherwise, the attack would turn into a piecemeal feeding tactic. The excellent field of fire meant the four-pounder only needed to hit the main road to inflict severe casualties on the Later Jin army.

The shelling had been concentrated on the front of the Later Jin column. Although they were constantly being reinforced, their vanguard had become disordered. After every round of shelling, cheers erupted from the Dengzhou Garrison position.

"Morale is very high?" On a hilltop north of the road toward Caohe Fort, Huang Taiji slowly lowered his telescope. This Dengzhou army unit had deployed defenses on the road with astonishing speed, constructing a breastwork and trench in an extremely short time.

This brought Huang Taiji's thunderous surprise attack to an abrupt halt. They had fought the Dengzhou Garrison many times. Cavalry clearly could not break through a solid defensive position in such narrow terrain; fallen horses would clog the road into utter chaos, making any follow-up attack impossible. So Huang Taiji was forced to halt and use the Later Jin's best infantry tactics to deal with this small Dengzhou force.

Yet the high fighting spirit on the enemy position once again caught him off guard. In his understanding, when facing such a massive disparity in numbers, no unit could maintain such high morale.

Jirgalang, standing beside him, said, "Great Khan, this Ming force numbers only a few hundred. Though they are from the Dengzhou Garrison, I estimate we should take them in two waves."

Huang Taiji said flatly, "What surprises me is that this Dengzhou unit, suddenly encountering a powerful enemy, could choose favorable ground and deploy without any panic. If it were a large force, there would be strong Dengzhou generals commanding them — men like Zhu Guobin, Zhong Caisheng, or Dai Zhenggang; they have that ability. But how can such a small detachment also be so calm and full of fighting spirit? Could it be that Dengzhou truly produces strong soldiers and fierce generals in droves?"

Jirgalang could not answer this question. Just as he was at a loss for a reply, the great drums sounded from the front, their rhythm steady. A battle cry rose from the Later Jin ranks — the assault was about to begin. Huang Taiji's attention was drawn away, and Jirgalang took the chance to withdraw.

Huang Taiji suddenly spoke again: "Jirgalang!"

"Your servant is here."

"Lead the supervising detachment yourself. Even if all these armored soldiers die, not a single one is permitted to retreat."

The first wave of Later Jin troops numbered about five hundred. From Zhu Feng's perspective, this wave had already pulled away from the one behind it. This round of attack was roughly a thousand men in total. Further back, newly arrived Later Jin troops were forming up in the space vacated by the forward units. The large number of warhorses left behind by the forward units was causing them trouble. These raiding Later Jin troops lacked enough bondservants, so the rear armored soldiers had to lead those horses away themselves. Otherwise, they could not assemble, and the units behind could not enter the valley.

Zhu Feng felt greatly reassured. This combat position was excellent. Both ends of the road were lower than the position. The front was where the enemy could commit troops most easily, and it was also the direction of Dengzhou's strongest firepower. Besides the four-pounder in the center, two crouching-tiger cannons from the two Mandarin Duck squads were deployed on the front's two flanks.

The mountain forests on the rear and side flanks were dense. It would be quite difficult for Later Jin troops to shoot arrows upward from within them. The thick woods also made it impossible for Later Jin troops to mass heavy forces there. Any assault formation they launched on the flanks would inevitably be very scattered, and the speed of committing reinforcements would also be very slow.

The Later Jin troops entered two hundred paces. The four-pounder stopped firing solid shot. Although the elevated position was advantageous for defense, it increased the four-pounder's dead zone. Several artillerymen used this time to cool the gun, swabbing the bore with a wet sponge rod. The bore sizzled, emitting plumes of white steam. After a brief wait, they began loading canister shot. Because the Later Jin troops were on lower ground, the muzzle had to point downward. After the artillerymen loaded the fixed cartridge, one gunner casually took off his coat and stuffed it into the muzzle. The loader rammed it down tightly with the ramrod, and then several men together propped up the trail of the gun.

The Later Jin troops surged forward down the slope. The rustling of scale armor plates mingled with the sound of footsteps brushing through the grass.

The soldiers behind the Dengzhou Garrison fortifications fell silent. Following the orders of squad leaders and banner team leaders, the soldiers checked their ammunition one last time.

"Watch your own field of fire and range markers. Only shoot at what's directly in front of you. The first volley must wait for the order. After that, each Squad Commander will direct fire on his own. The crouching-tiger cannons only fire when the bugle sounds." Zhu Feng walked along the line, shouting to remind these new recruits, "Reload immediately after firing. Unless the Jianzhou bandits cross the trench, nobody fucking charge out for close combat."

Zhao Xuan gripped his short musket tightly, muttering repeatedly, "Shoot where the crowd is thickest, where the crowd is thickest..."

"First two ranks, kneel!" the commander of the First Company bellowed.

The two ranks of soldiers knelt down in unison.

"Third rank, prepare!"

"Prepare!" The soldiers nearby repeated the order together, spreading the sound so everyone could hear. This was the Dengzhou Garrison's method of simplifying the command system — using more verbal orders and fewer bugle and drum signals.

Over eighty gleaming bayonets were raised. All soldiers stood at attention with their muskets, these youths' faces flushed red, bearing an expression of intense excitement.

"Aim!"

The flintlock muskets leveled. The artillerymen also brought their torches close to the vent. The dense mass of Later Jin troops, holding shields, surged forward with wild shouts. Countless weapons swayed above their heads.

The Later Jin vanguard entered the hundred-pace range. Because the front was narrow, they could only keep the road clear; they could not even stop to shoot arrows. The archers who normally would provide cover from behind the formation were still lagging far behind.

Zhu Feng stared intently at the human tide. Just as they entered the seventy-pace range, the company commander bellowed, "Fire!"

Flashes of fire appeared on the position. The front rank of Later Jin troops was struck as if by a heavy hammer; their bodies shuddered, and they pitched forward.

"Second rank, rise!"

At the company commander's order, the second rank stood, and the third rank began loading while standing upright. This rotating fire method allowed the soldiers who had just fired to reload in the most convenient posture. Before the second rank fired, the four-pounder fired a round of canister. Seventy-two one-ounce canister balls rained down upon the Later Jin mass. The artillerymen stopped the recoiling gun carriage and immediately began reloading.

The Later Jin troops ran along the slope, sparing no effort to close the distance and enter close combat. The second rank of flintlock musketeers fired another volley. Another swath of Later Jin troops collapsed in unison. The road was filled with sky-rending screams. The corpses slowed the advance of the Later Jin troops behind. The forward formation began to scatter, but from the perspective of the Dengzhou Garrison defense line, it was still a dense mass of men.

The first rank of flintlock musketeers stood up. By now, the third rank, which had fired first, was nearly finished reloading. Seeing that the Later Jin troops had not drawn their bows, the company commander kept his raised hand from dropping.

Zhu Feng moved behind the four-pounder. The four-pounder, its trail propped up, pointed diagonally down the gentle slope. The gun captain watched the company commander over there. Zhu Feng grabbed the bugler's bugle, ready to give the order to the crouching-tiger cannons.

The Later Jin troops before them drew closer and closer. The vanguard had already entered thirty paces. The company commander finally slashed his hand down. Eighty flintlock muskets and the four-pounder roared simultaneously. White smoke spread across the battle line.

Almost all the Later Jin troops at the very front fell to the ground. Just as the armored soldiers behind them were exposed, a bugle call sounded. The crouching-tiger cannons on both flanks fired in a crossfire at an oblique angle. One hundred one-ounce iron canister balls swept across the Later Jin front at a slant. The entire Later Jin vanguard was suddenly cut short by a section.

When using proper gunpowder, the crouching-tiger cannon's lethal range against unarmored targets exceeded a hundred paces. The Qi army's training range for the crouching-tiger cannon was eighty paces. The Qi army's loading process was very complex. Now the Dengzhou Garrison had switched to fixed canister cartridges, eliminating the need for the iron tamping ball, making loading very fast. However, this iron cannon had poor heat dissipation and could fire three rounds at most in quick succession. But those three rounds could deal a fatal blow to the enemy at close range. Therefore, Dengzhou's close-combat units still retained this old-style Ming army cannon as a firepower supplement for the close-combat troops. Used on this narrow road, it was the most suitable place for the crouching-tiger cannon.

"Third rank ready!" the First Company sergeant major loudly reminded the company commander.

The company commander's eyes were fixed on the Later Jin vanguard. They had not yet recovered from this volley and had clearly lost command. The heavy losses threw the Later Jin troops into chaos. White-armored soldiers constantly hacked at armored soldiers within the ranks. The company commander still did not give the order. The sergeant major stood to the rear flank, observing the second rank's reloading progress.

Seeing that most of the second rank had raised their muskets, the sergeant major shouted, "Second rank ready!"

The company commander bellowed, "First rank, kneel!"

"Second and third ranks, prepare!"

The two ranks of musketeers leveled their weapons in unison. The rear rank extended their barrels through the gaps in the front rank.

"Fire!"

One hundred sixty muskets fired another volley. A mist of blood flew across the Later Jin vanguard. Even several supervising white-armored soldiers were struck down. The entire mountain road was piled with corpses. The Later Jin vanguard fell into complete chaos, pushed forward entirely by the units behind them.

Several ferocious white-armored soldiers and platoon commanders, brandishing greatswords and heavy axes, howled as they led scattered armored soldiers through that corpse-strewn stretch of road, charging into the twenty-pace range.

"Fire at will!" the company commander bellowed. He raised his short musket and fired at a Squad Commander who had rushed close to the trench.

That Squad Commander's legs buckled, and he tumbled into the trench. Officers like the military judge and training officer all fired from the gaps in the ranks at the approaching armored soldiers. Zhao Xuan also squeezed into a gap, his scalp tingling as he watched an armored soldier running toward this direction, a throwing axe already raised in his hand. He hurriedly raised his gun and fired.

The strong recoil made his gun barrel jerk sideways. Through the white smoke, Zhao Xuan saw that the armored soldier was completely unharmed. The throwing axe flew from his hand, spinning violently through the air. With a whooshing sound, it grazed past Zhao Xuan's shoulder. A scream came from beside Zhao Xuan. A musketeer fell clutching his chest. A soldier from behind immediately stepped up to replace him.

Zhao Xuan hurriedly retreated to the rear rank. The gunfire at the front was continuous, but it lacked the soul-shaking impact of a volley. Although the road was littered with corpses, the Later Jin troops still surged forward relentlessly, driven from behind by the supervising white-armored soldiers.

At the edges of the forests on both flanks, the figures of Later Jin Gabsihiyan soldiers began to appear. Using the trees at the forest edge for cover, they constantly darted out to shoot heavy arrows at the Dengzhou troops on the flanks. The Dengzhou archers, who had been waiting in full formation, immediately began to return fire.

The first Later Jin soldier threw himself onto the breastwork. He killed a Dengzhou flintlock musketeer with his spear and was immediately shot dead by a soldier beside him. The Dengzhou battle line was filled with deafening shouts. The young soldiers were both nervous and exhilarated. They didn't even know what they were shouting. No one could hear the officers' voices. After their harsh training, these highly stressed soldiers repeated the motions of loading and firing entirely like automatons.

More and more Later Jin troops rushed close. Only when the cannons fired could their advance be momentarily checked. Then armored soldiers would surge forward again. Many armored soldiers had their feet pierced by caltrops in front of the position, but they did not pull them out. With ferocious expressions, they raised their weapons and threw themselves onto the breastwork. Dengzhou's Mandarin Duck squads provided support everywhere. Hand-to-hand combat erupted in some sectors. The battlefield was a cacophony of hoarse, desperate howls and miserable screams.

Zhao Xuan, having finally finished reloading with great difficulty, saw the dire situation and shouted to boost morale: "Beat back the Jianzhou bandits! Commander Zhong will be here to help us soon!"

Though he used all his strength, his voice was still drowned out in the din of shrieks.

"I oppose rescuing the vanguard! They should be left to find their own way to withdraw; if that truly fails, let them retreat into the mountains."

At Tongyuan Fort, about forty li away, Liu Yue pointed at the map and said, "The Later Jin army uses wolf-smoke as their signal. They will certainly launch a coordinated attack from the Lianshan Pass and Tianshuijing Station directions, with a force numbering over ten thousand. The Later Jin's elite troops are all gathered here. We have only the Second Guard Battalion, a little over two thousand men. Master Shang and Master Mao's military households are mostly used for transporting supplies. There are also some stationed at Xiuyan. Our total combat-effective strength is only around fifteen hundred, far fewer than the Later Jin army. If we leave the protection of the fort, and if the Jianzhou bandits split their forces, move south along the Caohe River to Fenghuang City, and then turn back to attack Tongyuan Fort, our main army will be in critical danger."

The Second Battalion's operations staff officer also raised his hand and said, "There is another problem. Shen Zhixiang's troops are roughly between Liujialing and Lianshan Pass. The greatest likelihood is that they are already at the foot of Motian Ridge. Judging from Zhu Feng's report, the wolf-smoke first rose from the direction of Lianshan Pass, meaning the Jianzhou bandits at Lianshan Pass control the timing of the attack. If I were the Tatar general, I would wait until Shen Zhixiang reaches Lianshan Pass Fort. The Dongjiang Garrison's several thousand men would extend their encampment to the foot of Motian Ridge. Then I would launch a pincer attack from both Tianshuijing Station and Lianshan Pass. Shen Zhixiang would certainly be unable to resist. If they were attacked at the moment the wolf-smoke rose, Shen Zhixiang would now be on the path of retreat. The Jianzhou bandits might drive them to charge our main army's battle formation. Once the formation is thrown into chaos, our entire eastern route main force would be lost. The Jianzhou bandits would enter Xiuyan directly, shaking the flank of the Liaonan Brigade's main force at Gaizhou, and the entire spring offensive could not continue."

Zhong Lao Si stared grimly at the map on the table. The situation was critical, and he had to make a decision quickly. His choices were two: one, abandon the vanguard and hold Tongyuan Fort firmly, which was the most secure option; the other, use a secondary force to defend Tongyuan Fort while the main force rescued the vanguard, intercepting the Later Jin army at Caohekou. The second option carried high risk, with forces at their most dispersed. Because the special operations team scouting the Caohe River had not yet returned, if a portion of the Later Jin army had already moved south along the Caohe River, they might attack Tongyuan Fort from the direction of Fenghuang City. Once Tongyuan Fort was cut off, the Second Battalion would be trapped in a death ground.

Shang Kexi and Mao Chenglu, who had come with the unit, dared not even breathe loudly. Both hoped to abandon Shen Zhixiang, and even felt the Dengzhou vanguard should be abandoned, since it was only a few hundred men. They had fought the Jianzhou bandits for over ten years; tens of thousands had died, so a few hundred was nothing. They just dared not say it aloud. Now that the Dengzhou Garrison's own people had said it, the two of them immediately expressed agreement.

"I think..." Zhou Shao'er cautiously began, "we should go rescue them."

Everyone in the room turned to look at him. Zhou Shao'er was usually a man of few words. Although he had been a soldier since the seventh year of Tianqi, he was still only a Squad Commander. Many believed he had only been promoted because he was Zhong Lao Si's comrade-in-arms. During meetings, he often said nothing at all, giving people a sense that he lacked a sense of responsibility.

Zhong Lao Si turned to Zhou Shao'er and said, "Squad Commander Zhou, speak."

Zhou Shao'er raised his head and said, "We are all soldiers of the Dengzhou Garrison. Zhu Feng is holding firm against a powerful enemy to cover the withdrawal of Shen Zhixiang's unit. Our main army is only thirty-five li from Caohekou. How can we watch our comrades fight a lone, bloody battle? Although holding Tongyuan Fort firmly seems more secure, it would mean discarding the martial soul of our Dengzhou force. If we do not rescue our comrades today, who will come to rescue us tomorrow? I state my position here: I am willing to lead the two companies under my command as the vanguard to open the path. If I die, it will be a death worth dying."

Zhong Lao Si looked at Zhou Shao'er, his eyes full of admiration. He and Zhou Shao'er had been close friends for many years, but in the past, he had only thought Zhou Shao'er valued loyalty, was a passable fighter, and had ordinary courage. Today was the first time he saw Zhou Shao'er's truly brave side.

"I concur with Zhou Shao'er's opinion." The Second Guard Battalion's military judge stepped forward and said loudly.

Liu Yue still shook his head and said, "I am only speaking of military matters. Holding Tongyuan Fort secures the eastern line. No matter how badly Shen Zhixiang's unit is routed, as long as our Dengzhou Garrison firmly holds Tongyuan Fort, Liaonan is secure. The Caohe River road has never been an official route; the path there is difficult and cannot support a direct advance by a large Jianzhou bandit army to the Liaodong coast. Moreover, with one strong battalion of ours stationed here, the main Jianzhou bandit force would absolutely not dare to move south. Otherwise, they would be more likely to be counter-encircled by our troops. As long as we tie down the main Jianzhou bandit force, we buy time for the Liaonan Brigade at Gaizhou. That is what a professional soldier should be thinking."

That operations staff officer also insisted, "It is my duty to advise the military commander. Although the decision-making authority does not rest with me, I insist on my right, within my duties, to issue three reminders. The main force should firmly hold Tongyuan Fort, not abandon the overall situation of the spring offensive for a secondary force. Even if we are to sortie, we should wait until Shen Zhixiang's defeated troops have passed, and after the situation in the Caohe River valley has been thoroughly scouted. Then we sortie in a stable formation, confront the Jianzhou bandits head-on in the river course, tie down their troops, and prevent them from withdrawing."

Zhou Shao'er said in a low voice, "We have all said what needs to be said. You decide. Master Chen once said that worse than a wrong decision is making no decision."

The relay rider who had come to deliver orders was still waiting outside. Everyone in the room awaited Zhong Lao Si's decision. Facing such a choice for the first time, Zhong Lao Si, who had never known what hesitation felt like, broke out in a dense sweat on his forehead. (To be continued...)