Strategy for the Revitalization of the Late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 277 Fierce Battle

"General Bai, there's movement up ahead! The Tartars are approaching!"

A soldier following closely behind Gu Defu suddenly stood up straight, looking alert, pointing his finger at the mountain path to the north, and spoke in a low and hurried voice.

Gu Defu kept his eyes fixed on the mountains in the distance from beginning to end. He had already noticed something unusual.

The faint sound of horse hooves came from the north. Although not dense, the dull echo was particularly clear in the silent valley.

He looked closely and could see a few flickering flames in the distance, sparse and dim.

It seemed that, as he expected, this was the first wave of Qing troops breaking out.

The bushes on the mountainside blocked his view. Gudefu hesitated for a moment, then quickly jumped onto a huge rock beside him, facing the cold night wind and looking at the mountain path.

As his vision widened, he saw that the mountain road farther to the north had been engulfed in orange-red flames.

That was the strategy designed by Zhang Huangyan - it was originally just a bluff, and he was going to put up a brief resistance and then pretend to retreat.

But obviously, the Qing army did not retreat as expected, but stubbornly fought and dragged the battle into a stalemate.

"I didn't expect these Qing soldiers to be so difficult to deal with..."

Gu Defu thought to himself that he and his men had been hiding on the mountainside for a long time, but had not waited for the opportunity.

A moment later, more flames appeared, and the light spots in the distance began to expand rapidly. Even the farther mountain roads had flames - that place was far away from the mountain pass, and it should be the tail of the main force of the Qing army lighting a bonfire.

The soldiers around him also noticed the unusual movement and looked north along Gu Defu's line of sight.

The sound of Qing army's horses' hooves became more and more frequent, mixed with vague shouts and cries coming from afar, and the flames became more and more intense.

The originally silent team began to show some commotion. Although the soldiers were well-trained, they were inevitably nervous when facing night combat.

The sound of fire and horse hooves on the mountain road seemed to foreshadow the enemy's fierce attack.

The sudden increase in the number of Qing troops and the act of setting fire to the mountains were obviously intended to hinder the pursuit of the Ming army and attempt to break out in the chaos.

Gudefu is well aware that the current situation is not optimistic.

He had only two bureaus under his command, with a total of less than two hundred soldiers. Although they had built fortifications long ago and occupied advantageous terrain by relying on the terrain of the mountain, fighting at night always made people uneasy.

The number and strategy of the Qing troops made the situation confusing.

Gudefu stood on the stone and stared for a while, his brows furrowed, and his mind quickly thought of a countermeasure.

After a moment, he turned back to look at his guards, his tone steady but with a hint of decisiveness:
"Brothers, get into the fortifications immediately, set up the four-pounders immediately, adjust the angles, and have the musketeers prepare to fire in formation.

Also, send someone to contact General Zhang Bai on the opposite mountain and have him act quickly as well."

After hearing this, the guard quickly took the order, turned around and ran towards the team with hurried steps.

Gu Defu looked at the fire that was getting closer and closer in the distance, feeling a little uneasy.

This time, the Qing army's tactics were obviously different from before.

Although they were at a disadvantage, judging from the Qing army's deployment, they were not disorganized. Instead, they showed sufficient cunning and resilience.

Various unexpected tactics emerged one after another, causing the Ming army to suffer a lot.

However, Goodford knew that the situation was still under control.

Although the thousands of Qing troops in front of them tried to break out, their hope was not great.

Even if the pursuers from the north were temporarily blocked, as long as he could hold the mountain pass longer, the reinforcements from the mountains on the north and south sides could take the opportunity to break in and surround the Qing army in the narrow mountain pass.

As long as there are no major mistakes in the plan, victory will eventually belong to them.

Gu Defu couldn't help but think of Zhao Zhengdong's deployment. In order to stop the Qing army, Zhao Zhengdong had already ordered the civilians to build trenches and breastworks at the narrow part of the mountain pass.

Now, they only needed to hold on in the fortifications and rely on the powerful firepower of the four-pound cannon to resist the attack of the Qing army.

The atmosphere in the valley became increasingly tense. Gudefu looked around and saw that the soldiers were moving quickly, entering the fortifications as planned, deploying artillery and musketeers to prepare for firing. Everything was in order.

Although the situation was complicated, Gu Defu felt inexplicably calm, as if he saw the dawn of victory gradually approaching.

The four-pound cannons were quickly set up, and the soldiers pointed the black muzzles at the distant mountain road.

Behind the fortifications, the musketeers lined up in neat rows, their eyes solemn, their hands tightly gripping their muskets, waiting for orders.

The heavy gun barrel seemed to symbolize their last line of defense and their only hope of holding the mountain pass.

"As long as we can hold on through this wave, their breakout plan will be completely shattered." Gu Defu thought coldly in his heart.

He did not underestimate the enemy, but he knew that in the current battle, they had the advantage of terrain and the four-pound cannon equipped by Zhao Zhengdong.

The power of this cannon is particularly great at night. Once it fires, the Qing army's formation will inevitably fall into chaos.

The fire on the mountain road was getting closer and closer, the shadows of the Qing army began to sway in the darkness, and their attack was imminent.

Gudefu took a deep breath, raised his arm, and prepared to give the order to fire.

At this moment, a shrill horn sounded, the sound was low and echoed in the valley, as if foreshadowing that a more fierce battle was about to come.

Immediately afterwards, several lights suddenly flashed in the darkness at the end of the mountain path. They were the Qing army's cavalry. Under the cover of fire, they sped up and rushed towards the mountain pass like a torrent.

Gu Defu's order was conveyed like a gust of wind, and the entire Baizong army quickly took action.

The iron armor worn by the soldiers made a series of "clang" sounds as they ran. The armor plates collided with each other, intertwining with their hurried footsteps and echoing in the mountain path.

In the night, the figures of the soldiers appeared more tense and powerful under the light of the fire, and every step was carried out with fearless determination.

In less than a moment, the soldiers of the two hundred commanders had entered the pre-built fortifications in an orderly manner.

Goodford felt a little comforted by this, at least they had an absolute advantage in terms of geographical location.

The musketeers quickly gathered behind the breastwork and lined up in neat rows.

In the dim light, they skillfully loaded gunpowder, loaded bullets, and then lit the fuse. The smell of gunpowder emanating from the soldiers mixed with the cold wind filled the valley with the urgency of war.

At the same time, the soldiers in formation stood behind the musketeers, waiting for orders, their eyes determined, their hands tightly gripping their weapons, like sharp blades ready to strike at any time.

In front of the fortifications, two four-pound guns were quickly pushed to the center of the position. The position was precisely measured to ensure that the lethality of the artillery fire could be maximized.

The artillerymen moved swiftly and had already mastered every step of the operation.

They quickly opened the ammunition box, took out the heavy solid iron bullets and gunpowder bags, and loaded them into the gun barrel carefully and quickly.

The gun body was heavy and stood in front of the breastwork with an oppressive feeling. The shield provided it with a solid protection, avoiding the direct threat of Qing army's arrows.

Gudefu looked around and made sure that preparations at all locations were complete.

At this time, the fire was already flickering faintly in the distance of the mountain road, and the sound of horse hooves was getting closer and closer.

He knew that skirmishers would soon appear and they had to be prepared for anything.

At this moment, he walked steadily towards the north side of the position and met General Zhang Bai who was also on patrol.

"Old Zhang, the Qing army's vanguard skirmishers may be arriving soon." Gu Defu whispered, a hint of vigilance flashing in his eyes:
"We must send a flag team to meet them in advance and delay their attack.

When the skirmishers approach, we will withdraw them as a reserve force in case of any emergency."

Zhang Baizong stood aside, silent for a moment, then nodded, his expression revealing his trust in Gu Defu.

In fact, he had long heard of his colleague's abilities and knew that he was not only decisive in command, but also good at adapting to changing circumstances.

Zhao Zhengdong had already issued the order that Gu Defu would lead the combined forces, and Zhang Baizong was fully convinced. "I understand. You take charge of the right side, and I'll arrange the left," Zhang Baizong replied firmly, his voice low but powerful.

Gu Defu nodded with satisfaction, and then ordered the guards around him to notify the soldiers in charge of the flag team.

At the same time, he personally began to inspect the formation of the entire army.

He knew clearly that the current situation was complex and volatile, and he had to ensure that every link was in order. If he was not careful, the consequences would be disastrous.

"Everyone listen up!" Gu Defu stopped in front of the formation, his voice loud and serious, reaching the ears of every soldier:

"When firing a volley, you must maintain a neat formation, not act on your own, and always obey orders.

Don't worry about those Qing stragglers who rush to the front; they will only disrupt the formation. Once they are in disarray, the archers and shock troops will take care of them one by one."

He paused, glanced at the neatly lined soldiers, and after confirming that they were all listening attentively, he continued:

"Once the volleys have ended, the Qing army will surely seize the opportunity to close in. When the musket team retreats, the soldiers behind the formation must remain calm and wait patiently. Do not rush to charge and make sure to maintain a neat formation!
We have a solid breastwork protecting us, and there are deep trenches outside the wall. The Qing cavalry will definitely not be able to break through!"

Upon hearing this, the soldiers nodded one after another, their eyes determined and their fighting spirit high.

Gu Defu turned and looked at the front of the position. The fire in the distance was getting closer and closer. Accompanied by the chaotic sound of horse hooves and the shouts of the Qing army, the atmosphere of battle became stronger and stronger.

As the Qing army gradually approached, the soldiers' breathing became increasingly rapid, and the air was filled with a depressing and tense atmosphere.

He knew that although the Qing army outnumbered them, they had the advantage of terrain, solid fortifications and powerful artillery support.

The soldiers before me were all loyal and brave, with high morale.

A firm belief surged in Gudefu's heart that they would defend this position no matter what the cost.

Not far away, the horn sounded again, which was the Qing army's assembly signal.

Then, a small group of Qing army vanguards appeared at the end of the mountain road, with flames dancing behind them. They were holding spears and bows and arrows, and marched quickly, obviously intending to launch a surprise attack under the cover of night.

"Here it comes!" Gu Defu was alert.

He quickly waved his hand, and the guards beside him immediately conveyed the order. A flag team quickly rushed forward and formed a line of defense at the intersection of the mountain road.

At the same time, the four-pound gun was adjusted in angle by the artillerymen and aimed at the mountain road.

Soon, the first wave of Qing army vanguards had approached within a hundred steps of the breastwork.

Gu Defu did not hesitate at all. He raised his right hand and shouted, "Prepare to fire!"

The musketeers immediately entered combat status, pointing their muskets in the direction of the Qing army. The fuse had been lit and a wisp of blue smoke was coming out of the muzzle.

With a command, dozens of muskets fired at the same time. The gunshots echoed in the valley like thunder, and smoke immediately filled the air.

The Qing army's vanguard immediately fell into chaos, and several soldiers fell to the ground. The soldiers in the rear were unable to react for a while, and their formation began to loosen.

"Another round!" Gudefu gave the order calmly.

On the battlefield, the musketeers quickly reloaded their ammunition and prepared to fire the second round of volleys.

At the same time, the four-pounder gun was ready, with its muzzle pointed at the densely packed enemy area, ready to fire a fatal blow at any time.

Most of these soldiers were newly enlisted recruits with relatively limited combat experience. Apart from having witnessed the brutal scenes of the "Siege of Jinan", they had not personally participated in many battles.

The most unforgettable battle was the sudden night battle with the Eight Banners Army outside Tai'an City. That confrontation was a shocking experience for them.

In the darkness, the elite Eight Banners troops rushed out like tigers, leaving them with indelible memories.

In addition, there were several battles to attack Cangzhou City and its surrounding areas.

However, the experience of a head-on confrontation with the Eight Banners Army of the Qing Dynasty on a vast battlefield was still limited to that thrilling night battle.

Gu Defu looked at the new recruits lined up in front of him and felt a little uneasy.

He knew that the current situation was much more serious than any previous battle.

The enemy before them was not an ordinary troop, but the well-trained Eight Banners soldiers of the Qing army, and their number was more than ten times theirs.

At this moment, they were blocking the Qing army's only escape route.

It can be imagined that this battle will be more brutal and bloody than any previous one.

The enemy will break out at all costs, and they will face a battle that is more intense and with no retreat than usual.

He gripped the knife tightly in his hand, his eyes determined, and turned to shout to the soldiers behind him:

"Brothers! The Tartars have nowhere to retreat. An enemy with no way to retreat is the most dangerous, but it also provides us with the best opportunity to achieve military merit!
Today, we must stop these Tartars here and kill them all!"

Gu Defu's words instantly ignited the fighting passion of these young soldiers.

Their faces were filled with excitement, and they responded loudly:

"Kill the Tartars! Kill the Tartars! Kill the Tartars!"

The sound waves shook in all directions and echoed in the empty valley.

The morale of these new recruits was high.

Since they joined the army a year and a half ago, they have seen almost only their own victories.

The Eight Banners soldiers of the Qing army showed their bravery and never flinched, but in the eyes of these new recruits, they were more a symbol of military merit and glory.

Tens of thousands of brave soldiers who fell on the battlefield exchanged their lives for countless victories. The accumulation of these victories has forged an unshakable belief in victory in the hearts of these young soldiers.

Every victory in a battle seemed to inject them with confidence, making them firmly believe that they would be the winner in the end.

Gu Defu looked at the high morale of the soldiers and felt a little relieved. He then called a Tangma and ordered:
"Hurry and find General Zhao Qian and report the situation here to him.

Remember, you must ask him to bring some reinforcements, even if it's just one flag team. Time is running out, the sooner the better."

Tangma repeated Gudefu's words, and after confirming that they were correct, he quickly jumped on the horse's back, whipped the horse without hesitation, galloped away, and disappeared into the night.

After making the arrangements, Gu Defu called back General Zhang, who had been sent recently to lead a team to block the scattered Qing troops.

The two men stood in the dim firelight and once again confirmed in detail the areas they were responsible for and how to cooperate and support each other in the upcoming battle.

Every detail before the battle must be correct, as they know that this will determine the direction of the subsequent battle.

Soon, the scouts responsible for detecting the enemy situation also returned quickly from the front line.

They were originally in groups of four, but now only two of them rushed back alive, followed closely by a dozen Qing cavalrymen.

Even though the Qing army had discovered the Ming army's positions and fortifications ahead, they still did not retreat and insisted on pursuing the two scouts who had escaped by chance, vowing to kill them.

"They are so tenacious!" Gu Defu looked at the Qing cavalry galloping in the night, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

These Qing cavalrymen were like ghosts in the darkness. If the mountain roads had not been so rugged and difficult to travel, and if their horses had not yet fully adapted to the terrain, the two scouts would probably not have been able to return alive.

The darkness obscured Gu Defu's ability to discern the colors of the enemy's armor and uniforms, and he was unable to determine the specific origins and combat effectiveness of these Qing soldiers.

However, he did not let this uneasiness occupy his thoughts.

As the battle situation gradually became clear, the flag teams deployed on both sides to intercept the Qing army's skirmishers also began to act quickly.

The soldiers on the left and right wings launched attacks from both sides almost at the same time. The faint glow of fire and the flash of swords were intertwined in the darkness, and the deafening shouts of killing echoed in the valley.

(End of this chapter)