In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 704 The First Victory over the Jurchens in the Twenty-Third Year of Hongwu

The Jurchen camp was located north of Lingshan Slope.

It stretches for more than ten miles to the north, not far from the upper reaches of the Songhua River and the upper reaches of the Huoer River.

Although the two rivers are not yet thawed, people can still draw water from them to fish, sustain the tribe's livelihood, and increase supplies.

At this moment, along the upper reaches of the Huo'er River,

The dozens of outposts and supply points set up by the Jurchens had all been trampled by horses.
The scene was littered with corpses and blood, a complete mess.

Meanwhile, in the clearings of the mountains and forests, the sprawling camps were being ravaged by cavalry!
Thousands of "steppe cavalry" are pouring into the Jurchen camp from different directions.
The thin, paper-like fence on the outside could not stop the horses' hooves from crashing down; it shattered at the slightest touch.

The Jurchens here seem to be there just to make up the numbers.

Although there were many tents, very few people were able to wear armor.
They were slaughtered without even the slightest resistance!

Especially these grassland people before me, so poised and at ease, advancing and retreating with such grace.

They unleashed a volley of arrows at the hard-won assembled force, and people fell to the ground like rain.

This enraged many Jurchen people.
He bared his teeth and screamed, hoping to escape.

But what awaited them was only a flash of light from behind.
Soon, the camp, stretching for miles, was cut in half, splitting it in two.
The towering fire was like a ray of sunshine in winter, stubbornly radiating its light and blocking many teams that wanted to come to its aid.

The "steppe cavalry" who had completed the blockade did not hesitate at all.
Amidst everyone's astonishment, they marched north.
But in the eyes of the Jurchens, this was undoubtedly a different outcome.

"Quickly, go and report to the king! The steppe cavalry have fled!"

Baturuhan, who was at the front lines, quickly received the news. His fists clenched tightly, and he erupted in fury.
He slapped her across the face.
"Trash, it's all trash!"

"Where did these grassland people come from? Who are they?!"

Batu Luhan ignored the Jurchen woman who had been flung away.

His gaze, sharp as a knife, swept fiercely over the leaders of the various Haixi Jurchen tribes, and he let out a cold laugh:
"Gentlemen, the western flank of Liaodong is guarded by your Haixi Jurchens."
"I want to know, why are there people from the grasslands coming from the west?"

The leaders of the four tribes—Hada, Ula, Yehe, and Huifa—had grim faces and looked puzzled.

They deployed 20,000 troops on the western flank of Liaodong specifically to guard against the Uriyangkhai Three Guards.

Now, steppe cavalry appear here.
They couldn't explain it either.
Urguchen Bayan took a deep breath and said in a deep voice:

"The most important thing now is to find out which tribe of grassland people they are and where they came from!"

Baturuhan stood up angrily and paced back and forth inside the military tent:

"I have said it countless times: do not make enemies blindly!"

But you cannot resist your greed and insist on fishing in the sea.
Now look what's happened, the grassland people have come to take revenge!
I don't care; my elite troops are besieging Lingchuan Slope.

"You Haixi people, deal with the grassland people in the rear yourselves!"

In response, Ulshi, the leader of the wild Jurchens, glared angrily.

The area behind the entire camp was mostly inhabited by the Jurchen savages.
Ullershi had a clear understanding of their combat capabilities.

Calling them a mob would be an understatement; they could never possibly defeat those steppe people!

Bayan glanced at the people beside him and said:

"The most urgent task is not to argue, but to find out who the enemy coming from behind is."

If they are people from the grasslands of Fishing Lake, then they can be ignored.

They traveled thousands of miles to get here; there are at most two thousand people.

If it's the Uriyangkhai Three Guards, then we must be cautious; they can muster ten thousand cavalry!

"The Three Guards of the Uriyangkhai?"

Baturuhan was even more furious:
"Aren't your people stationed in Haramurem?"
How did the Uriyangkhai people end up in Liaodong?

Will they advance in winter?

Before he could finish speaking, the sound of hurried footsteps rang out from outside the military tent.
Along with a flurry of shouts:

"Report!!"

"Grasslanders also appeared in the direction of the rear of the camp."
The number of people is unknown, but they are known to be covering the mountains and fields.
Moreover, the steppe people who launched the attack have already headed north, and it seems the two sides intend to join forces and launch a pincer attack on the rear army!

Ulrichten stood up abruptly and cursed:
"How many people are there?!"

The messenger stammered, then finally gritted his teeth:
"There may be close to ten thousand!"

At this point, Baturuhan could no longer sit still; he stood up:
"you sure?"

"My lord, cavalrymen are everywhere across the mountains and plains."
Our cavalry are all in the vanguard; the rearguard has no warhorses.

"I can't catch up. I can't see how many people there are."

Baturuhan's eyes turned red instantly, and many images flashed through his mind in a flash!
Some armies suffered crushing defeats, while others were besieged from both sides and beset by internal and external troubles.
In short, none of the outcomes were very good.

What followed was frustration.
His teeth were bitten until they bled; this was the most united the three Jurchen tribes had ever been!
If he wins this battle, his prestige will extend to the entire Jurchen people, and he may well be able to unify the Jurchen tribes in the future!

But now, the Ming army's camp is about to be captured.
But then steppe people appeared behind him, how could he not be furious!

But he quickly made a decision, glaring at the leader of the four Haixi tribes, gritting his teeth:

"Tell your people in Haramulin to come back quickly, without stopping!"
What use are they there?

Then, he looked at Ullershi and said in a deep voice:
"You stay here. The front lines must maintain their offensive against the Ming army's stronghold."
"I will lead my elite troops back to fight the steppe people!"

As soon as the words were spoken, almost everyone present said "No way!"
The main Ming forces currently facing the enemy are the Jianzhou Jurchens.
If they return with their elite troops, who knows what kind of trouble might arise without them?

They lacked sufficient confidence to face the Ming people!

At this moment, Mengge Timur, who had been standing in the corner, stepped forward, his face resolute, and said in a deep voice:

"Guo Luoma Fa, I am willing to lead three thousand cavalry back!"

The situation at the front is critical; you must stay here, otherwise morale will be low.

"Yes, yes, it's safer to stay here!"

The Ming army at the front is powerful; a counterattack is not out of the question.
As for the rear guard, Timur and I can go together.”

Bayan also spoke up in time.

Uleshi, the leader of the wild Jurchens, pursed her lips.

Although he longed to watch the Ming army camp fall from here.

But the rear guard consisted entirely of his clansmen, and it would be inappropriate for him not to return.
So he spoke up as well:

"Baturuhan, you should stay at the front. We can handle the rear."

Baturuhan narrowed his eyes, subtly glancing at the group of people who had spoken.

Finally, his gaze lingered on Menggetemur, giving him a deep look.

He was aware of his grandson's ambition.
If the situation weren't so critical, he would never have been given the opportunity to lead troops.
But alas.
Taking a deep breath, Baturuhan said in a solemn voice:

"Go, you don't need to wipe out the enemy, just keep them occupied."

Once the Ming army camp at Lingshan Slope is breached, I will lead troops back to its aid.
"Now that the steppe people have come, my Jurchen tribe will defeat both enemies in one battle!"

A fleeting look of wild joy crossed Mengge Timur's eyes, which he quickly lowered to hide.

But his voice still trembled with excitement:

"Guo Luoma Fa, this humble general will hold off the enemy troops and await your arrival to provide reinforcements."

"Yes, three thousand elite soldiers, go."

"Yes!"

Mengge Timur turned and left, his heart pounding, and his pace quickening.

Although he concealed his actions very well
But Baturuhan saw it all, his eyes darkening.

He has no intention of relinquishing power.

Bayan and Uleshi also noticed the conflict between the grandfather and grandson.
They exchanged a silent glance, both revealing the smugness of an old fox.

They were happy to see the Jianzhou Jurchens descend into chaos.

They even wanted to compete for the leadership of the three departments.

Each of them had their own ulterior motives and quickly slipped away.

Mengge Timur led three thousand soldiers away from the flank.
Bayan and Uleshi each led three thousand men and marched in a grand procession toward the rear!
The moment the elite troops were transferred, Huang Yingzhi, who was stationed at the Lingshanpo military camp, noticed the change.

He wielded a long sword and with one stroke killed a Jurchen man who had climbed onto the top of the village.
He quickly walked uphill, picked up his telescope, and looked at the vast Jurchen people in front of him.

"what happened?"

In sight, many female warriors turned their guns around and began to retreat towards the camp in the mountains and forests.

Huang Yingzhi keenly sensed something was amiss, and he made a new discovery.
Many Jurchens who withdrew from the battlefield did not retreat to their military camps to rest as usual.

Instead, they remained at the rear of the army formation, waiting for their next opportunity to advance!
This scene clearly demonstrates that there are not enough soldiers on the northern front.
Furthermore, the Jurchens were also trying to use veteran soldiers as new recruits.
To maintain the illusion of an ever-increasing and elite force.

After all, Liaodong didn't even have telescopes.

The Jurchens could not possibly have known that the Ming army possessed something capable of seeing a thousand miles.

"Something happened to the rear guard?"

Huang Yingzhi frowned and muttered to himself.

Although he didn't know why the Jurchens were doing this, he wasn't going to give up this opportunity!
Huang Yingzhi looked at the messenger beside him and said in a deep voice:
"Move the garrison troops that have not yet participated in the battle to the left and right camps, and bring troops from there here to prepare for the attack!"

A hint of surprise flashed in the messenger's eyes. Without any hesitation, he ran off at lightning speed! As the drumbeats changed, Huang Yingzhi pursed her lips and looked at the tall Jurchen figure on the high platform of the enemy camp.

Although the situation is difficult, there is still a possibility of a last-ditch effort.

If we can swiftly and decisively kill the enemy general, the course of the battle will surely take a turn for the better!

However, while there is a possibility of success in doing so.
However, the risks are equally high; it remains to be seen whether the three thousand garrison soldiers can hold both flanks.

But given the circumstances, he had no choice but to fight to the death!
A quarter of an hour later, Chi Yun, who was stationed at the left-hand camp, climbed up the high platform and met Huang Yingzhi.

His brows were furrowed, and his entire being exuded seriousness.

"My lord, your subordinate has arrived!"

Huang Yingzhi removed the telescope, looked at Chi Yun, and laughed:
"Are you hungry? There are big pancakes in the back."

After he said that, Chi Yun felt her stomach growling and couldn't help but glance over.

There was a small basin covered with a cloth.

You can vaguely see the white pancake and the black spots that have burned on it.

"Gudong."

Chi Yun swallowed hard, struggling to look away:

"My lord, I have already eaten. Why did you summon me here?"

Chi Yun originally thought that the north could not be defended.
But upon arriving here, I discovered that although the situation was intense,
However, it is still able to maintain its position and is far from being breached.

"The Jurchens withdrew nearly 10,000 elite troops. I suspect there was a rebellion in their rear, which is why I sent elite troops there."

There are only about five or six thousand elite troops at the front lines right now, and they are constantly being rotated.

I'm wondering if we could launch a surprise attack from the camp, hoping for a desperate counterattack and to kill the enemy general.

As she spoke, Huang Yingzhi handed the telescope to Chi Yun, whose face was filled with astonishment:

"Look, apart from those who stayed behind to guard the central army, there are only four or five thousand people rotating shifts."

Chi Yun took the telescope and looked at it for a while.
The more he looked, the more excited he became, his eyes flashing with a sharp light:
"My lord, it's worth a try! I'm willing to lead two thousand troops to charge into the enemy lines!"

"No rush. Let's wait and see. Let's wait until these people are completely exhausted, and also until those ten thousand elite troops have gone some distance."

As she spoke, Huang Yingzhi said with some regret:
"It's a pity that the camp is too well surrounded now, so we can't send out scouts to see what's going on with their rear guard."

Chi Yun also shared this regret.
"My lord, we must seize this opportunity. Let's wait until we capture that Baturuhan. There's no point in holding out any longer."

"Yes, you're right. If we only defend and never attack, we'll die sooner or later."

Huang Yingzhi nodded and looked at the messenger:
"Go and tell the cooks to bring up the food. If there's no rice or noodles, make more meat broth and bones to stave off hunger."

"Yes!"

The Jurchen central army camp.

"Three-stage attack, volley fire!"

"Bang bang bang-"

Exploding sparks rang out in the rear of the Jurchen army, blasting two hundred fully armored soldiers who had just gathered to pieces.

Their bodies were engulfed in smoke and gunpowder.

He remained bewildered until his death.

They didn't understand what this was.
How were they able to kill them from such a distance?
After two hundred people fell to the ground, the Jurchens, who were already hesitant to advance, retreated almost like a tide.

Lu Yunyi's face was cold as he watched their retreating figures, his expression unchanged.

Calling them soldiers seems to be giving them too much credit.
These people could only be considered laborers at best; perhaps only after the elite troops were all dead...

Only then did they have the opportunity to put on the armor they had taken off and impersonate soldiers.
Now, they are without armor or soldiers, and have no fighting power whatsoever.

Lu Yunyi ignored the Jurchens who scattered and ran away.

Instead, he focused on the next camp and waved his hand:
"Continue the attack! Leave no enemy elite alive!"

"Anyone who gets close to the musketeers should be killed by the guards without mercy!"

The sound, accompanied by military orders, was transmitted to the four outer rings.
The five thousand-household stations quickly regrouped and headed north as a unit, their faces beaming with excitement.

Zhang Huai'an, in particular, has now descended into madness.

He never imagined that a battle against overwhelming odds could be so exhilarating.

Especially when he saw the "grassland people" armor painted in a yellowish-brown color, he couldn't help but chuckle to himself.

They killed the people, but the people of the grasslands are blamed.
Is there any battle in the world that's this satisfying?
He just didn't understand why they had to cut off the route northward.

In his view, they should strike directly at the enemy's central army, kill all their generals, and then slowly kill the scattered soldiers.

After much thought, he could only come up with one answer.
That means the adults want to leave all these Jurchens here.

Kill them first, then send troops to block their retreat!
Zhang Huai'an looked at the Jurchen people running through the mountains and forests, a hint of regret flashing in his eyes.

It would have been better if we had brought more soldiers with us this time.

We can block the Jurchens from behind, ensuring none of them can escape.
"What are you standing there for? Let's go."

Li Guangyuan rode his warhorse over, vigorously wiped the blood off his face, and said excitedly.

His current state of mind is very similar to Zhang Huai'an's.
It can only be summed up in one word: awesome!
"Walk"

Zhang Huai'an realized what was happening, and grinned.

While pulling on the reins, he followed the majority of the army northward, continuing to break through enemy camps.

It is worth mentioning that the Jurchens did not learn the essence of setting up camp.

Any camp stretching for several miles must be divided into sections when setting up camp; it cannot be placed as a single, unified entity.
Otherwise, if one point is breached, the entire camp will fall.

This is what Jurchen camps look like today.

The entire camp was unobstructed from front to back, without even any gates to block the cavalry's advance.
Therefore, after the vanguard scouts broke through from the middle...

The journey was smooth and without any obstacles.

At the northernmost point of the Jurchen camp, Toruhuchar, wielding a long spear, swept it back and forth amidst the battle.
With a light sweep, several unarmored Jurchens were slashed, leaving bloody marks.
His flesh was torn open, and he lay on the ground groaning in agony!
After the cavalry charged, those following behind would finish them off with blows, killing them all.

The army of the Doyan Three Guards swarmed like locusts.
They launched a surprise attack from the rear of the camp, a move that was more direct than that of the vanguard scouts.

Regardless of gender, age, or whether they wear armor or not,
They're not afraid to waste their energy; they should all be killed!

Every now and then, soldiers would turn back to look at the battered camp trampled by horses' hooves, their eyes flashing with greed.

The Commander has already made a promise.

The camps they destroyed were left to their own devices to store their food.

Only 30% of the gold and silver treasures need to be handed over to the commander; the rest can be kept by them and disposed of after the war.

Encouraged by this, the five thousand Duoyan cavalrymen went berserk.
Use all your strength to head south as fast as you can and try to destroy as many camps as possible!

On one battlefield, Tuoluhuchaer led his personal guards to annihilate three hundred Jurchens who were organizing resistance.

He flicked the spear in his hand, dripping blood, a chilling sight.

At this moment, the Liao King Azashili, carrying a curved sword, walked over and said with a smile:

"Save your energy, the real Jurchen elites haven't arrived yet."

Tuoluhuchar smiled somewhat disdainfully:
"These Jurchens are truly foolish."

Soldiers with poor combat skills were also sent to make up the numbers, which wasted food.

In my opinion, the Jurchen's elite force probably only numbers around ten or twenty thousand at the very front; the rest are just a rabble!

Azashiri smiled and nodded:

"Of course, we only have a little over 20,000 elite troops, how could the Jurchens be stronger than us?"

His voice trailed off, for they now had only ten thousand elite troops left.
Tuoluhuchaer tugged at the reins, a shadow of gloom flashing across his eyes, and let out a long sigh:

"Hurry up, open up the rear camp as soon as possible."
We joined forces with the commander's troops to fight against the elite Jurchen forces.

"I want to see how the capital's army fights."

Azashiri understood his implied meaning:
"You haven't given up yet?"

"Give up?" Tuoluhucha'er's face stiffened, and he chuckled softly:
"I will not give up."

Azashiri shook his head:

"Compared to two years ago, Lord Lu's troops have undergone significant changes."

Their main force against the enemy now consists of musketeers.
That thing is great! It kills a lot of enemies while causing minimal damage to itself. It's completely different from what it was two years ago.

On the contrary, we are even weaker. I advise you to give up this idea.

Tuoluhuchar, with his deep-set eyes, looked south towards Liaodong and gently shook his head.

"Even while the old emperor is still alive, there are military officers who would engage in collusion from within and without."
Once the old emperor dies, the Ming Dynasty will surely descend into chaos.

They won't stay strong forever; that will be our chance.

With that, Toruhuchar flicked the reins and charged off first.

Azashili watched his retreating figure, her expression complex.
"I hope you can do it when I get old."

(End of this chapter)