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With the precise intelligence provided by the high-altitude hot air balloon, Su Ning had a clear understanding of the movements, speed, and even the general layout of the Qing army's three forces.

The Qing army commander was still slowly adjusting his deployment based on reports from traditional scouts, attempting to form an encirclement, unaware that his every move had already been exposed to the "sky eye".

Suning stood in front of the huge sand table, his gaze sharp as an eagle's.

Instead of passively waiting for the Qing army to encircle him under the walls of Daming Prefecture, he decided to take the initiative and use the time difference and intelligence advantage to defeat the three Qing armies one by one, staging a classic "besieging the point and attacking the reinforcements". Daming Prefecture was the "point" that attracted the Qing army to come to the rescue.

"Pass on the order!" Su Ning's voice echoed in the command post, carrying an unquestionable decisiveness. "The First and Second Divisions of the Red Flag Army, advance to a point fifty li north of Daming Prefecture and conceal yourselves in the Shalu Mountain area, which is the only route the Southern Mongolian cavalry must take to move south! The Third Division of the Red Flag Army, secretly move to the jungle near the Weihe River crossing seventy li west of Daming Prefecture, and wait for the Shanxi Green Standard Army to cross the river before launching a surprise attack!"

"Yes!" The generals accepted the order, their eyes gleaming with excitement.

This feeling of anticipating the enemy's moves and proactively setting up ambushes filled them with confidence in victory.

Ordo, the commander of the Southern Mongolian cavalry, led more than 10,000 elite cavalrymen southward at breakneck speed.

He was confident in his unparalleled horsemanship and archery skills, and was determined to be the first to arrive at Daming Prefecture and seize the credit.

The hilly terrain around Shalushan Mountain was relatively sparsely forested, which he considered not an ideal ambush site.

However, he never expected that the Red Flag Army's artillery range would far exceed his imagination.

As the vanguard of the Mongol cavalry entered the valley below Shalu Mountain without any precautions, the hot air balloons sent out the pre-arranged signal.

Hidden on the reverse slope of the hill, the commander of the Red Flag Army artillery position suddenly waved the red flag down: "Target, enemy cavalry group, full battalion fire! Fire!"

"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Dozens of 75mm mountain guns and 105mm howitzers roared simultaneously!

The cannonballs, like deadly hailstones, struck the Mongol cavalry's marching column with deadly precision!
In an instant, men and horses were thrown about, and blood and flesh flew everywhere!
The violent explosions and towering flames startled even the battle-hardened warhorses, causing them to run wildly and shatter their formation!
"What's going on?! Where did this cannon come from?!" Erdo was stunned by this sudden attack.

He brandished his scimitar, attempting to control his troops, but under the cover of modern artillery fire, any effort to rally them was futile.

The artillery barrage lasted for a full fifteen minutes, and the entire valley seemed to have been plowed through.

Just as the Mongol cavalry were disoriented and suffering heavy casualties, the resounding bugle call rang out!

"Expel the Tartars! Kill!"

The Red Flag Army's cavalry, which had been lying in ambush for a long time, and the infantry, which moved quickly in trucks, charged out from behind the hills on both sides like tigers descending the mountain!
The machine gunners, positioned on high ground, unleashed a furious barrage, further decimating the chaotic enemy forces.

The surviving Mongol cavalry attempted to counterattack using their superior archery skills, but their bows and sabers proved utterly ineffective against the Red Banner Army's dense automatic firepower and disciplined infantry formations.

The battle was one-sided.

Ordo himself was wounded by a mortar shell and fell from his horse, whereupon he was captured alive by the Red Flag Army.

Of the more than 10,000 elite Mongol cavalry, most were annihilated at the foot of Shalu Mountain, except for a few who managed to escape by reacting quickly.

The Mongol cavalry, which once swept across Eurasia, faded into obscurity before the overwhelming firepower and steel torrents of superior weaponry.

Almost simultaneously with the end of the Battle of Shalushan, the Shanxi Green Standard Army on the western front, led by General Wang Fuchen, slowly arrived at the Weihe River crossing.

They received news of the attack on the Mongol cavalry, but the specifics were unclear, leaving them filled with doubt and uncertainty.

Wang Fuchen was a cautious man, so he ordered his troops to cross the river in batches and sent scouts to scout along the river.

However, all his actions were clearly seen by the "sky eye" high in the sky.

When the vanguard of the Green Standard Army, numbering several thousand, crossed the Wei River, while the main force remained on the south bank and the follow-up troops were on ferries across the river, Su Ning's order reached the "Dawn" Corps.

"Now! Fire!"

The Red Flag Army artillery, concealed in the jungle on the north bank of the Wei River and in their pre-arranged positions on the south bank, roared simultaneously!

The shells seemed to have eyes, focusing their fire on the main Green Standard Army forces gathering on the south bank, where they were waiting to cross the river, as well as the crowded ferries on the river!
"Boom!" "Crash!"

The sounds of explosions, wooden boats breaking apart, and soldiers falling into the water were all mixed together!
The south bank was instantly engulfed in flames and chaos; ferries were blown to pieces, and the river water turned red.

The Green Standard Army's vanguard, which had just landed on the north bank and was still in shock, was not even able to regroup before it was met with a fierce charge from the main infantry force of the Red Flag Army and a cut-off attack from the flanks by cavalry.

Surrender and you will be spared! Kneel down and you will be spared!

With thunderous slogans and fierce offensives, the already demoralized Green Camp quickly collapsed.

Wang Fuchen attempted to organize resistance on the south bank, but his troops had been scattered by artillery fire and command had failed.

Seeing that his troops on the north bank had been annihilated and there was no hope of crossing the river, he sighed and fled westward in panic under the protection of his personal guards.

The main force of the Shanxi Green Standard Army was thus annihilated on both banks of the Wei River.

When the news spread, the Qing army in Jiangbei, which was still lingering around Huai'an, was terrified. The commander-in-chief immediately ordered the entire army to retreat a hundred miles, close their camps tightly, and dared not mention the matter of heading north again.

The last reserve of the Eight Banners, which was stockpiled in Daming Prefecture and prepared to coordinate with the reinforcements outside the city, lost all morale and fighting spirit upon hearing that the two reinforcements had been annihilated.

Su Ning personally led his army and advanced to the city of Daming Prefecture without bloodshed.

Seeing that all reinforcements had been sent away, with no outside help and no will to fight, the defending general surrendered after a symbolic resistance of half a day.

Thus, the unprecedented Battle of Damingfu was won decisively by the Red Flag Army's near-perfect "encirclement and suppression" tactics and overwhelming firepower.

The Qing government lost its last mobile elite field forces, leaving the gates of Beijing wide open!

This battle not only established the Red Flag Army's reputation for invincibility, but also demonstrated a completely new mode of warfare to the world...

The era of combining intelligence, firepower, and mobility has arrived.

Amidst the thunderous roar of cannons, the ancient land of China welcomed its new ruler.

Standing atop the city wall of Daming Prefecture, Su Ning gazed northwards; his next target was already clear…

Shoot straight for the heart of the enemy, Yanjing!
……

The glorious victory in the Battle of Damingfu was like a heavy hammer blow, completely shattering the last pillar of the Qing government's spirit.

When the news reached Yanjing, the entire court and the public were filled with an atmosphere of impending doom.

Ao Bai was furious but had no troops to mobilize. Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang closed her eyes and chanted sutras, unable to hide her sorrow. The Eight Banners nobles either packed their valuables to flee or gathered in the temple to argue endlessly, but could not come up with any countermeasures.

In contrast, the Red Flag Army, riding high on its great victory, was in high spirits.

Su Ning gave the Qing court no chance to catch its breath. After resting and replenishing its ammunition in Daming Prefecture, it mobilized its entire army, determined to strike at the heart of the enemy and achieve victory in one battle!
The tide of the Northern Expedition swept northward with unstoppable force.

The core of this army consists of elite infantry and artillery equipped with various firearms such as rifles, machine guns, mortars, mountain guns, and howitzers.

Their military bearing was impeccable, their discipline strict, and their marching exuded an aura of steely intimidation.

Supplemented by some cavalry and infantry armed with cold weapons responsible for reconnaissance, guard duty, and pursuit, the entire army marched in a mighty procession, with banners obscuring the sun, their target being the city that symbolized the core of the Manchu rule—Yanjing!
The prefectures and counties along the way surrendered without a fight. The Qing government's local rule had already crumbled in the face of the Red Flag Army's absolute military power.

The army encountered almost no significant resistance before reaching the gates of Yanjing.

Yanjing, the ancient capital that has witnessed the Liao, Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, is now shrouded in the shadow of war.

On the towering city walls, banners fluttered in disarray, and the defending soldiers looked terrified.

Inside the city lay the last remaining forces the Qing government had mustered...

Including the last Eight Banners reserve force, as well as various other armed forces hastily assembled, although their numbers were still considerable, their morale was low and their equipment was outdated, forming a stark contrast with the Red Banner Army outside the city.

Suning did not rush to order an attack on the city.

He rode his warhorse, surrounded by his generals, gazing coldly at the magnificent yet humiliating city.

"Order! All artillery units, construct positions according to the predetermined firing range! Targets—key military points within Yanjing City, Eight Banners barracks, armories, as well as the residences of Manchu nobles and the Forbidden City!"

His order was concise and ruthless: "Without my order, the bombardment must not cease! I want this city of Yanjing to remember these three days and three nights!"

"Yes, Commander Su!" The artillery commander roared as he accepted the order, his eyes gleaming with fervor.

Soon, artillery positions were quickly constructed outside Yanjing City.

The dark muzzles of cannons, from different directions, pointed menacingly at this ancient capital.

From 75mm mountain guns to 105mm and even 150mm heavy howitzers, they formed an unprecedented and terrifying long-range strike force.

The first day, at noon.

Su Ning looked up at the sky, slowly raised his right hand, and then suddenly swung it down!

"fire!"

"boom--!!!!!"

The first cannon shot, like a thunderclap, opened the curtain on this unprecedented bombardment!

Immediately afterwards, hundreds and thousands of cannons roared in succession!

Countless shells, trailing a mournful whistle, ripped through the sky like a dense rain of meteors, crashing heavily into Yanjing City!
“BOOM Boom Boom Boom!!!”

The explosions rang out in quick succession, and the earth shook violently!

The city walls trembled, houses collapsed, and flames and thick smoke shot into the sky, almost blocking out the sunlight!

The shells landed precisely on their intended targets: the Eight Banners barracks were reduced to ruins, the armory was hit by a series of explosions, and the palaces and pavilions of the Forbidden City collapsed and shattered in the flames!
The sounds of crying, screaming, and explosions mingled together in the city, making it seem like a living hell!

The shelling continued for the entire afternoon, and did not stop until nightfall.

The night in Yanjing was illuminated by the firelight as if it were daytime. The continuous explosions were deafening, keeping the city's defenders and residents awake all night and pushing them to the brink of mental collapse.

The shelling continued the next day.

The defenders attempted to retaliate with the old, red-coated cannons on the city walls, but their range and power were far inferior, and their sporadic counterattacks were quickly covered and destroyed by more intense artillery fire.

Any attempt to assemble or mobilize troops will be met with devastating artillery fire.

The city's command system was completely paralyzed, communications were cut off, and the defending troops were reduced to scattered soldiers fighting their own battles and cowering behind the ruins.

The third day, at dusk.

The relentless bombardment, which lasted for three days and three nights, finally began to subside.

At this time, Yanjing City was already devastated.

The tall city wall collapsed in many places, revealing huge gaps.

Thick smoke billowed from the city, the once bustling streets were reduced to rubble, most of the iconic buildings were destroyed, and the Forbidden City was still ablaze with flames, a scene of utter devastation.

The main force of the defending army in the city had long been wiped out in this indiscriminate steel storm. Most of the survivors were wounded, their morale was completely reduced to zero, and a large number of them even suffered mental breakdowns.

Su Ning lowered his binoculars and ordered the infantry division commanders who had been waiting around him: "The general offensive begins! Mobilize the remaining enemy forces and kill any stubborn remnants of the Qing dynasty who are putting up a last stand!"

"As ordered!"

The resounding bugle call echoed across the plains!

The main infantry force of the Red Flag Army, which had been resting and recuperating for a long time, poured into the city like a tide through multiple breaches in the city wall!

The ensuing street fighting was almost a foregone conclusion.

The remaining Qing troops were unable to mount any effective resistance and collapsed or surrendered at the first contact.

Only a small number of die-hard Manchu remnants, deeply favored by the emperor and stubbornly clinging to their beliefs, such as some Eight Banners nobles, loyal eunuchs, and some Mongol princes, relied on the dilapidated buildings such as the Forbidden City to wage a desperate and futile resistance.

"For the Qing Dynasty! For the Emperor! Fight them to the death!" A Manchu commander covered in blood brandished his chipped sword and led dozens of his personal guards out from behind the broken wall.

"Da da da da—" The only response he received was the cold, sweeping fire of submachine guns from Red Flag Army soldiers.

In an instant, the group was riddled with bullets and lay dead in the ruins.

Similar scenes were playing out in various corners of the city.

These die-hard elements who attempted to sacrifice themselves for the old era were swiftly and thoroughly annihilated by the Red Flag Army's overwhelming firepower and efficient mopping-up tactics, like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

As Su Ning, escorted by elite guards, trudged through the rubble into the dilapidated Forbidden City, still shrouded in the smoke of war, and ascended the steps before the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the dragon flag, a symbol of the Manchu rule, had already been trampled into the mud.

A brand-new, enormous crimson dragon flag fluttered in the wind, which carried the smell of gunpowder, atop the former Hall of Supreme Harmony!

Beijing, liberated!
An old era came to a complete end amidst three days and three nights of continuous gunfire.

A brand new era has officially begun as this red flag flies high!

The world is at peace, and the banner of China has been raised!
The proud heads of Empress Xiaozhuang, Da Yu'er, and Ao Bai have been cut off by the Red Flag Army soldiers, their eyes wide with remorse for their past arrogance.

The remaining Manchu remnants and court officials have been imprisoned and will face a just trial by the Red Flag Army.

Anyone who participated in the massacre when they entered the pass will not be spared and will have to pay for their blood debts.

As for those Han traitors who were loyal to the Qing Dynasty, they will be thoroughly purged, and it is their good fortune to have their entire families exterminated.

...(End of chapter)