Chapter 179

179. Chapter 177: Chasing the Fugitives, Pouring Water into a Hanging River

Dong Huli was caught off guard by the bad news, his mind blank.

He tried hard to collect his thoughts.

Suddenly, he felt a sharp ringing sound, suddenly filling his ears.

He looked blankly at the panic and loss of the left and right.

His eldest son, Bazhahei, seemed to be impatiently confirming something with the comer, his face anxious, his mouth opening and closing constantly.

The followers, as if they had lost their backbone, looked around in terror like headless flies.

Further away, the troops didn't know what they were whispering, only seeing people reining in their horses, ready to move.

Night fell, people talked and horses neighed, in a mess.

Clang!

The sound of drawing a sword suddenly rang out.

Everyone subconsciously turned their heads.

Under the moonlight, a cold light reflected in everyone's eyes.

Following closely was hot blood, splashing on the ground, horses, bodies, and faces.

Only a crack was heard, a head slowly fell to the ground, the headless body gushed endlessly, and fell to the ground closely behind.

The one who was making the most noise just now stopped abruptly in the blink of an eye.

At the same time.

All gazes gathered uniformly toward Dong Huli.

The ringing in Dong Huli's ears had not disappeared, but it did not affect his ferocity in the slightest: "I am still alive, who dares to mourn for me!"

Everyone was speechless, leaving only the sound of the horses' neighing.

"What are you shouting for! If the son is gone, give birth to another! If the wealth and women are gone, grab them again! We have thousands of good men, what can't we grab!"

"If you mourn for me again and mess up the formation, don't blame me for cutting you one by one."

The left and right were originally terrified, but seeing the leader still had the spirit to kill, they were encouraged, following suit to restrain the horses and scold the troops.

At this time, Dong Huli's direct son Bazhahei had just confirmed the details.

He rode to Dong Huli and said straight to the point: "Abu, we must beg for Qingbaduer's protection!"

Outsiders were afraid of Dong Huli's power and dared not speak out their anxiety, so it was just right for Bazhahei, the biological son, to say this.

With him taking the lead, everyone followed suit and expressed their stance.

"Master, Chang'ang and Wulusihan have betrayed Eternal Heaven, we can't go back."

"Master, let's go quickly, this must be the Han people's revenge! Once dawn breaks, I'm afraid the Han people inside the Great Wall will also chase out."

Dong Huli sheathed his blood-stained sword.

Gritting his teeth, he rubbed his ears: "Bah! Qingbaduer is also a dog-born."

The troops wanted to say something upon hearing this, but were afraid of being cut by a sword, so they had to purse their lips and say nothing.

Dong Huli grinned and felt the tinnitus subside.

He perked up and spoke again, refuting the previous proposal: "We have patrolled this section of Jizhou for so long, and haven't seen any movement of Han people leaving the pass."

"Now that the Han people have suddenly touched behind our backs, which road could they have taken?"

The troops were shocked upon hearing this.

Bazhahei was stunned: "Abu means, Qingbaduer betrayed us? What good does this do them!?"

Dong Huli sneered: "Wuliangha is one of the six Mongol ten Battalion Commander, after all, swaying left and right for these years, instead, it was eaten by Andan Khan and the Great Khan until only sixty thousand troops were left."

"In recent years, Andan decided to rely on the Great Khan, and Andan Khan revealed the fangs of a wild dog, forcing Qingbaduer to marry his daughter to Chang'ang, wanting to contain us."

"Good? He Andan Khan is not only our Khan now, but also the Shunyi King of the Han people. If our pasture area is occupied by the Han people, can the Han people manage it themselves?"

In times of crisis, if the leader can remain calm, the upper and lower levels will inevitably be infected.

After the initial panic, they began to think about the way back.

"Master, Qingbaduer is not a human, let's follow Subahai to the north, hide for a while, and come back when the Han people leave."

As soon as the words fell, they were rejected by Dong Huli.

He shook his head with a cold face: "Subahai, that rotten goods, as long as he figures out our bottom line, he will definitely take our horses and leave us to cover the rear. Don't tell me you still think that rotten goods will advance and retreat with us?"

"And, there is no dangerous terrain to the north. Once someone follows behind, and sends firearm cavalry to chase and kill, we can't go too far."

The left and right thought more and more that the situation was not good.

The geography of going north, everyone present knew better than anyone.

The Duoyan Three Guards themselves were driven from the north by the Mongol left wing ten Battalion Commander.

Prince Tai Ning and Fuyu Guards were eaten clean by the Mongol left wing precisely because there was no dangerous terrain.

Only the Duoyan Guard, relying on the Yanshan terrain, has preserved the headquarters under Dong Huli until now.

So if you really want to flee north, once caught by the Han people, there will probably be no good end.

Bazhahei was also becoming more and more anxious, urging: "Abu, make a decision quickly!"

Dong Huli pondered for a long time without saying a word.

After a long while.

Dong Huli finally had an idea: "Go! Follow behind Subahai, that rotten goods, and get out of the Han people's sight before dawn."

"Once dawn breaks, abandon the tents and supplies, and ride lightly!"

The left and right stopped Dong Huli who wanted to leave, and distinguished earnestly: "Master needs to say how to go, so we can tell the tribal brothers clearly about the way back."

Dong Huli gritted his teeth: "Find Gongnan!"

After saying this, he turned his horse and greeted his subordinates to go straight in the direction Subahai left.

After dawn.

Twenty-three li outside Xifengkou, Qi Jiguang looked at the supplies abandoned on the ground and sighed with regret.

If he had received the news earlier, when Subahai, Heishitan, Beimataiji, and Laxitaiji withdrew yesterday, he would have directly blocked Dong Huli under the Great Wall, and things would have been simple—the Tatar withdrawal had no discipline, not to mention several tribes together.

Of course, this is also a helpless thing. Hu Shouren couldn't stop every Tatar from leaving, and he couldn't have received the news before Dong Huli, who was outside the Great Wall.

"Commander Qi, they went in this direction."

There is naturally no shortage of old soldiers who know how to distinguish traces.

After all, it was several thousand cavalry, and soon they distinguished the direction—in fact, the three thousand light cavalry of the vanguard had already chased up, and the central and rear armies were only half a step slow.

Qi Jiguang looked in the direction Dong Huli fled and thought calmly.

The Jizhen Deputy Regional Commander Zhang Gong frowned: "Didn't go north, is this to return to Wansonggou, wanting to decide the outcome with Regional Commander Hu before we catch up?"

The Tatars' greatest advantage in facing the Great Ming border army is coming and going like the wind.

The border army usually relies on the pass to defend, not to mention, even if they are cavalry, they can't compare to the Tatar marching speed.

If Dong Huli wants to turn back to regain his old nest, and then defend with the danger of Yanshan, it is not impossible to have a chance.

After all, there is always a time difference between the two.

Qi Jiguang shook his head: "Wansonggou is a dangerous place for Dong Huli to defend, and it is also a dangerous place for Regional Commander Hu to defend."

"Regional Commander Hu was able to take it quickly, firstly because Dong Huli took the elite of the headquarters out, and secondly because there was cooperation from Chang'ang and Wulusihan."

"Now that Dong Huli wants to take it back quickly, it is impossible to take it quickly."

"At that time, if he can't take it for a long time, he will be surrounded from front and back."

The stronghold of the Duoyan Guard headquarters is in Wansonggou, the so-called Wansong is dense, cannot enter, just explaining its danger.

The southeast of the ditch has the Hulu Mountain Valley, the valley has two mouths, narrow only twenty or thirty feet, the middle is wide, shaped like a gourd, near the mouth is Huangyayu, southeast to Gubeikou.

There are ditches and mountains, cliffs and valleys, which can be called natural danger, no one can take it down by hard attack.

So if Dong Huli goes back, it's just looking for death.

Jizhen Deputy Regional Commander Zhang Gong pondered for a moment, and suddenly had a flash of inspiration.

He guessed: "Commander Qi! This guy is probably looking for Gongnan!"

"Dong Huli's brothers, Mengke, Menggudai, and Makechi, were all swallowed by Qingbaduer and couldn't help."

"Now the only one who can help him is probably Gongnan!"

Yingke has three sons, Chang'ang and Mangjier are born of the main wife.

The third son, Gongnan, is the offspring born of Yingke forcibly having sex with his aunt (his mother's sister) Bohu, and he took his mother to separate the family early.

Separating the family is one thing, he has always relied on the pure bloodline obtained from the intercourse of relatives, repeatedly colluding with Dong Huli, persuading Dong Huli to kill Chang'ang and merge them.

This person will definitely take in Dong Huli and defend with danger.

"Anyway, they can't escape these few families, Gongnan, Changtu, Chahalai, are all barbarian thieves to be destroyed this time."

Qi Jiguang nodded upon hearing this, not too worried about who Dong Huli wanted to rely on.

The division of the Duoyan Guard's pasture area had long been decided. Except for the Wansonggou headquarters, there was no dangerous place that could support thousands of people—otherwise, they wouldn't have been swallowed up by the Mongol left and right wings except for the headquarters.

Qi Jiguang turned on his horse and issued an order: "Pass the flag language to all units, chase quickly! The rear army takes the supplies and follows closely!"

"Chase the thief army quickly!"

Tens of thousands of infantry and cavalry on the grassland obeyed the order, silent, but under the sky, the bear flags and bird banners were neatly lined up, and after a long sound of the painting horn, they moved like an arm.

A day later.

Qi Jiguang finally caught up with Dong Huli.

Pity, the Tatars rode like the wind, and Dong Huli had already entered Gongnan's pasture area.

The two joined forces to clear the fields and set up camp at the foot of the mountain overnight to resist the King's army.

Qi Jiguang stopped his horse, took the telescope and looked at the small mountain on the opposite bank: "What is this mountain called?"

Someone who knew the geography immediately opened his mouth: "Commander Qi, this mountain is red because of the mountain body, so it is called Red Mountain. Its south slope is a cliff, difficult for living people; the north slope is a steep slope, which is the only way to enter the stronghold, easy to defend and difficult to attack."

Jizhen Deputy Regional Commander Zhang Gong asked for orders: "Commander Qi, this place is much easier to fight than Wansonggou. Although it is a steep slope, it is unobstructed, without any danger, and can be broken in one charge."

"Gongnan's young and strong are no more than nine thousand, with five hundred cavalry. Now that Dong Huli has joined forces, it can also be taken in the blink of an eye. Give me eight thousand men, and I will break the enemy for Commander Qi within today!"

Qi Jiguang shook his head and handed the telescope to Zhang Gong.

He ordered the left and right: "Set up camp and supply on the spot! Take the rear army's supplies and assemble the firearm cannons!"

Zhang Gong showed surprise upon hearing this.

He picked up the telescope and looked at Red Mountain.

I saw thousands of camels, cattle, and sheep tied and lying on the north slope, with boxes, debris, and what seemed to be a layer of wet felt for fire prevention placed on their backs, arranged in a ring, wrapping the entire slope tightly, forming a thick and solid defense line.

After he looked over, he could still see the thief army strengthening the defense line on it.

In front of the slope is a natural deep trench, only paved with wooden boards, which the enemy army can pull away at any time, and at the same time can charge with light cavalry from a high position at any time.

Behind the slope is a dense forest, as the reliance of the thief army.

The so-called "seeking mountain forests and deep trenches, relying on danger to form a camp," is nothing more than this.

Zhang Gong put down the telescope and sighed.

As he said, this is much better than the natural danger of the Wansonggou valley mouth, which is only twenty or thirty feet wide.

But looking at this layout, it can't be broken in one charge, and if you don't fight a hard battle, I'm afraid you can't break this camel city.

Thinking of this, Zhang Gong also turned his horse and arranged the ranks.

At the same time.

Behind the slope, Dong Huli saw a military formation of dark clouds approaching from far to near, and his heart jumped suddenly.

He hurriedly stopped Gongnan: "I see the dust behind the Han thieves, it looks like a war chariot, you quickly order to prepare more deer horns, rejection horses, and iron traps to prevent them from charging."

Gongnan was flustered for a while.

After a while, he calmed down and ordered the left and right to handle the matter.

He looked at the Han thieves setting up camp at the foot of the mountain with a solemn expression, and grabbed Dong Huli's arm tightly: "Uncle, you said you would only defend for three or five days. If three or five days pass and the Khan still doesn't come to help us, what should we do?"

Dong Huli broke free from his pulling and said earnestly: "Believe me, Gongnan, if the Han thieves could kill us unscrupulously, why wait until now? When Andan Khan surrendered, they would have swept us away, isn't it because they fear the Khan?"

"Now the Khan wants to use me to integrate the Wuliangha ten Battalion Commander and work for him, how can he sit idly by?"

Gongnan finally felt a little relieved after hearing this.

However, with lingering fear, he still sneered: "If Uncle had believed my words earlier and killed Chang'ang, we wouldn't have lost our old home and come to rely on me."

A trace of shame and anger flashed in Dong Huli's eyes.

Fortunately, he suppressed it, smiled reluctantly, and comforted: "When the Han thieves retreat, I will lead you to see the Khan. Let's be of one mind for now, and after we reintegrate the Wuliangha ten Battalion Commander, I will hand them all over to Gongnan."

Gongnan was satisfied after hearing this and nodded.

Seeing that Gongnan was comforted, Dong Huli gave many instructions, clearing the surrounding trees to prevent fire, and for the same reason, to soak the wet felt in water to prevent fire, and to send light cavalry to charge the camp from time to time to disrupt the Han thieves' formation, and so on.

After many instructions, Dong Huli finally felt a wave of fatigue.

He twitched his mouth and tried to get close: "How is Auntie recently?"

Gongnan saw Dong Huli's sweating appearance, knowing that this uncle was tense and consumed a lot of physical energy, so he had to rest.

He nodded: "Now Bohu has become my wife, Uncle doesn't have to call her Aunt, just call her name, I will have someone take Uncle to see her."

After saying this, he ordered the left and right to take this uncle to the stronghold to rest.

After Dong Huli left.

Gongnan stayed alone, looking at the Southern people under the slope with a solemn expression.

At noon, Gongnan led two thousand cavalry, rushed down the slope, and rushed straight to the Han army's camp that had not yet been stabilized.

The Han army was caught off guard and could only abandon the camp and retreat.

Gongnan was overjoyed and rushed into the central army camp.

As soon as he went deep, there were arrows and stones like a sudden rain, and where the arrows and stones fell, people and horses turned over.

The feathered arrows of the God-Arm Bow were eight feet long, shooting horizontally, and five, six, seven, or eight Tatars were pierced through.

Gongnan saw the light and immediately led his troops to flee in a panic.

Leaving behind the corpses of more than seventy people and horses.

Affected by Gongnan's harassment, the progress of the Han army's camp construction naturally slowed down.

Until evening, Qi Jiguang finally stood firm and launched the first round of probing.

A round of rocket volleys, arrows like rain.

Pity not even half a leaf was hit, only startling three or five cattle, sheep, and camels that were not tied firmly.

Seeing that fire attack had no effect, the Han army tried to line up and attack hard.

Pity, easy to defend and difficult to attack is not an empty word.

As soon as they lined up on the slope, giant stones rolled down immediately, making it difficult to maintain the formation, let alone advance steadily.

Both attempts to see results quickly failed, and it seemed that there was no choice but to fight steadily.

The Han army lined up in front, covering the rear army to dig trenches.

The trenches were only to limit the light cavalry charge—the Han army's cavalry was weaker than the Tatars, but the infantry was the opposite.

Digging trenches layer by layer could abolish the cavalry of both sides and cover the soldiers to charge the formation.

However, this move is steady, but it is inevitably slow.

Coupled with Tatar sword cavalry occasionally rushing down from the slope to destroy the works and delay the Han army's pace.

In this tug-of-war, after a day, they only pushed up one-tenth.

? ttkΛn? ￠o

The two sides confronted each other on the mountain, and the outcome was difficult to distinguish for a while.

"After half a day of trouble, it was a false alarm. According to this defense, let alone three or five days, it wouldn't be a problem to defend for a month." Gongnan breathed a sigh of relief, and at the same time held his head high to Bazhahei, "Look at these Ming people, they are so incompetent. I managed to lead the cavalry to charge down today, although I suffered some losses, at least I didn't lose morale."

"Look at these Ming generals, they only know how to hide in the crowd and shout."

Although many of their own people died today, they wouldn't hurt their muscles and bones, and if they kept grinding, they would have the advantage.

This is outside the Great Wall, the Ming people can't show off here forever.

How much food did they bring?

Can they go back if they stay too long?

When will the Khan's reinforcements arrive?

Can Chang'ang still suppress the headquarters if they don't take it down for a long time?

Even Andan Khan and Qingbaduer can't let these Ming people ravage the pasture area forever—if many people die and the weather gets hot, let alone the pasture area, aren't they afraid of the epidemic entering the water system?

Bazhahei knew that Gongnan was also mocking himself for not following him down.

He didn't expect that after fleeing for a day and a night, he would be ridiculed after resting a little bit.

Bazhahei's temper flared up: "Gongnan, just watch here, I'll lead the cavalry to charge!"

As soon as the words fell.

At the foot of the mountain, a drum sounded.

Both knew that the Han thieves were attacking again, and immediately restrained their expressions.

"Raise the flag!" A faint voice sounded in the night sky.

At the foot of the mountain, a tooth flag was raised.

Following closely, a charge flag shook in response.

Gongnan hurriedly got up and ordered the troops to perk up and be careful.

Dong Huli arrived late, his expression solemn, with a trace of astonishment: "How dare the Ming people press the army at night!?"

Night is the hardest time to maintain formation.

The attacker is always at a disadvantage compared to the defender.

Facing Qi Jiguang, he shouldn't not understand this truth.

Then the next moment.

A faint voice came.

"Fire the cannons!"

Dong Huli realized later, his face changed wildly, and he suddenly pulled Gongnan and Bazhahei to the ground.

He shouted with all his might: "It's the Frankish cannons! The trenches were used to cover the cannons!"

Along with the sound.

There was also the sound of thunder!

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

Thunder exploded.

Light dazzled, and everything touched was disabled.

Corpses shattered, blood rain flew.

Cattle and sheep wailed, artillery fire filled the sky.

A cannonball exploded not far from Dong Huli.

Fragments splashed, and mud fell on Dong Huli's shoulders and back.

He only felt the world spinning, and a sharp explosion sounded in his ears again.

Dong Huli gritted his teeth and shouted at Gongnan: "Quick! Gather the light cavalry! Charge again! Destroy the trenches and the Frankish cannons!"

After saying this, he was about to turn over and get up.

Suddenly, the whistling sound rang out again.

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

Dong Huli couldn't care less, braving the artillery fire and sharp tinnitus, shouting loudly: "Come! Come! Raise the flag and follow me!"

At the same time.

At the foot of the mountain, Qi Jiguang was expressionless and issued an order to the left and right again: "Fire the cannons for three more rounds! Then press the whole army!"

With an order.

Another roar sounded.

The fire burned through the entire slope, smoke lingered, like a fire cloud.

In the fire, the Tatars finally gathered and wanted to charge down.

Outside the fire, the Qi family army was competing and wanted to decide the outcome in one fell swoop.

The fire burned more and more fiercely.

With a horn sounding on the slope, the drums followed closely at the foot of the slope.

The sounds of sorrow echoed each other, the cavalry and infantry of both sides poured out, like tentacle shadows, spreading up and down the slope, and like two floods, there was a trend of merging.

Finally.

The two floods collided with a roar.

It was the Qi family army that fiercely chiseled into the cavalry from a high position!

Accompanied by the familiar fierce charge, Zhu Jue on the left wing roared: "Building achievements and establishing a career! Just at this moment!"

Wang Rulong on the right wing charged with armor: "If I don't defeat Dong Huli today, I will commit suicide!"

The two shouted one after another, and then the sound of the soldiers behind them shouting gathered, shaking the sky!

Zhu Jue is the bravest in the Qi family army, and has the record of killing eight Japanese pirates alone without changing his breath.

At this time, he rushed forward, no one could stop him.

He held a musket in one hand and a spear in the other, cutting off a head with one strike, breaking the blade with another, and in the blink of an eye, he had killed five thieves, brave and unparalleled.

Wang Rulong had "If I don't defeat the Japanese pirates, I will commit suicide" in the forty-second year of Jiajing, and "If I don't defeat Dong Huli today, I will commit suicide" in the second year of Wanli, always taking the lead and boosting morale.

At this time, he was appointed as the vanguard commander as a battalion general, pulling out his gun, his momentum was unparalleled.

Holding the gun and riding the horse, the gun body went up and down, like dancing pear blossoms, charging left and right, like entering no man's land.

Seeing this situation, Dong Huli made a decisive decision, but regardless of everything, he shouted desperately: "Han thieves, your father Dong Huli is here! Dare to come and meet me!"

After a shout, the left and right immediately followed.

Bazhahei was the first to meet Zhu Jue.

Gongnan shouted loudly: "Kill! Kill quickly! Drive the Han thieves down!"

The sound of chopping flesh and bones.

The sound of heart-piercing shouting.

The neighing of war horses accompanied the wailing of cattle and sheep tied to the ground.

Metal and weapons collided.

Flesh fell to the ground.

Bazhahei looked at the long halberd in Zhu Jue's hand in terror, his teeth chattering, and fell from his horse to the ground.

It was killed by Zhu Jue in one strike during the collision!

Dong Huli saw his direct son die, and couldn't help but be furious, his blood surging.

His blood vessels were bursting, and he slashed with all his might, straight at Wang Rulong!

Wang Rulong saw that this slash was fast and fierce, and didn't dare to be fierce, so he had to block with his spear.

At the moment of blocking, infinite force was transmitted to Wang Rulong, his arms went numb, and the spear almost flew out of his hand.

He gritted his teeth, clamped his horse to avoid to the side, and finally unloaded the force, reorganizing his formation.

But, before he could catch his breath, Gongnan's group of people killed out from the side, rushing and charging, and slashed at Wang Rulong!

This slash was sinister and vicious, and it was in the blind spot of vision, and it was extremely critical for a while!

Fortunately at this time.

A long halberd flew like a fairy from outside the sky.

It was actually a thrown halberd!

With a whistle, the long halberd pierced straight into Gongnan's chest, knocking him flying a foot away!

Zhu Jue was like Guan Gong possessed, riding his horse to arrive, leaning down and reaching out, pulling the long halberd from Gongnan's chest.

The horse's speed did not decrease at all, carrying the blood of the long halberd and splashing.

Zhu Jue rushed straight at Dong Huli: "Old thief! Compete with me in martial arts!"

Dong Huli saw his bravery, killing his nephews in the blink of an eye, and had no power to fight back, and couldn't help but be shocked.

Zhu Jue's face was like a ghost, fierce and extraordinary, making Dong Huli's whole body disobedient, and he fled on his horse.

All this, lightning fast.

In the blink of an eye, the two armies met, and the outcome was clear!

The surrounding Tatars were dumbfounded, and after coming back to their senses, they hurriedly followed behind Dong Huli and fled in a mess!

Dong Huli saw the troops follow, and had no time to think.

Had to make a final effort, shouting loudly, organizing the defeated soldiers: "Follow me! Break out! Break out!"

Before he could say a complete sentence.

Dong Huli felt his whole body go numb.

The whole person lost all strength.

He looked down in astonishment, only to see a hole in his chest, gushing blood slowly after realizing it.

He remembered seven years ago, when he and his brother Yingke plundered the Great Ming dynasty, his brother's stomach also had such a hole...

Is this... a bird musket?

Time? Fate?

He wanted to reach out and cover it.

But the whole person suddenly lost balance and fell to the ground.

"Dong Huli is dead! Surrender first and you won't be killed!"

"Dong Huli is dead! Surrender first and you won't be killed!"

Dong Huli barely propped up his body and looked at the Ming army general who was shouting loudly.

Wasn't it a competition of martial arts... why not talk about martial virtue...

A big flag embroidered with the word Qi reflected in the firelight appeared in front of Dong Huli.

He looked at the sitting commander under the flag, sweeping and constantly backing, and finally lost consciousness completely.

Qi Jiguang saw that the victory was decided, and finally had time to review the battlefield.

He pointed at Dong Huli's corpse with his chin: "Cut off the head and pickle it, I want to offer it to the Emperor."