Strategy for the Revitalization of the Late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 316 Counter-Ambush

Liu Bin glanced at the more than one hundred soldiers who had assembled, and a stern look appeared on his face.

He took a deep breath, waved his hand, and led the troops in the direction Chen Liang had just gone, sneaking away carefully, trying not to make any noise.

In the grass ahead, Chen Liang was lying on the ground, his eyes fixed on the Qing army's route on the mountain road.

He lowered his voice and said slowly:

"I'm afraid the enemy has more than three or four thousand men, probably five or six thousand. Judging from their marching formation, they are strictly disciplined and clearly an elite force."

He frowned and continued:

"How could the Qing army sneak in so easily? And they didn't even bring any artillery. How could they be so confident? Could they have dared to launch a surprise attack with just these few men?"

Liu Bin analyzed calmly, a fierce glint in his eyes:
"The bunker ahead didn't sound any alarm at all, which is absolutely abnormal.

I'm afraid there's a traitor among us, or maybe someone in the city has already defected to the Tartars!"

His eyes were sharp, as if searching through the darkness for clues about friends and enemies:

"I heard a long time ago that due to the recent crackdown, some officers who were afraid of death surrendered to the Tartars.

If these people acted as insiders and helped them get in, then everything would make sense."

Although Liu Bin is usually protective of his shortcomings, does not pay attention to trivial matters, and sometimes does not demand strict military discipline, he is clear about right and wrong and has a clear position and bottom line.

Not only did he escape unharmed during this crackdown, but he was also appreciated by his superiors for his clean and selfless behavior. I heard that he would have the opportunity for promotion soon.

Chen Liang frowned, his face full of doubt and worry. He whispered:

"What should we do now? This place is full of hills. If we send a signal directly for reinforcements, I'm afraid the army inside Shimen Pass won't be able to rescue us in time, and we will die here in battle."

His eyes were serious and uneasy.

The Qing army had the advantage in manpower. Once they discovered the traces of the Ming army, they only needed to encircle and suppress Liu Bin's army of 100 people.

In such terrain, escape is almost impossible. As long as the Qing army reacts, they will have no way to retreat.

What's worse is that in such a situation, no one can be sure whether the large force inside Shimen Pass will rashly send out troops to rescue.

It is impossible for Liu Bin and Chen Liang not to take these harsh realities into consideration. If they are not careful, their situation will become extremely dangerous.

After a moment of silence, Liu Bin raised the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing a calm smile, and said in a deep voice:
"Let's wait until the Qing army passes through here before we take action."

Although his tone was low, it revealed an unconcealable confidence:

"In order not to alert the sentries on the river, the Qing army had no choice but to take these mountain trails.

Their large group of people was lined up in a long line, stretching for a full two miles.

As long as we wait for their vanguard to pass and then attack from the rear, the Qing army will be unable to do anything to us for a while."

Liu Bin's words made Chen Liang's eyes flash with excitement. Although he knew that this plan was risky, in the current situation, it was the best choice to preserve himself and harass the enemy.

Liu Bin was already familiar with the surrounding terrain. Since he moved in, he had used night attack drills to familiarize himself with the mountains and hills, and had figured out every path and hidden place for ambushes.

Because of this, he was able to quickly formulate an action plan under such circumstances and had a thorough plan in mind.

"As long as we master the rhythm and control the timing and method of our attack, we can slow down the advance of their main force," Liu Bin continued, his tone tinged with sternness.
"Even if we can't completely repel them, we can still slow their advance and buy enough time for the troops inside Shimen Pass to react."

Chen Liang took a deep breath and nodded. The tension in his heart subsided a little, replaced by a firm determination.

He knew that tonight was destined to be a sleepless night. The soldiers around him also held their breath, their expressions solemn, waiting for the commander's next order.

Liu Bin turned around and looked around, then whispered instructions to several of his team leaders:
"Everyone, spread out and set up an ambush on both sides of the trail. Strictly prohibit making any noise.

When their rear march passes, attack the flank cavalry first. Don't engage in a prolonged battle. Quickly retreat to your hiding place and wait for the next opportunity."

The soldiers followed orders and moved quickly and secretly.

Under the cover of night, they hid their bodies behind bushes and rocks, forming secret ambush points.

Although these soldiers were few in number, they were all elite soldiers and had no complaints about carrying out orders. They were all ready to face the battle with an expression of being ready to die.

As the Qing army slowly advanced, Liu Bin's eyes were as cold as an eagle's, and he silently calculated the time.

He knew in his heart that once the attack was launched, there would be no way to retreat and he had to hit the target with one strike.

In the quiet mountain forest, except for the occasional neighing of a horse or two, it is almost dead silent.

The two sides were engaged in a silent contest in the darkness, and it seemed that whoever had less patience would become the other's prey.

Finally, there was a slight noise coming from the front, and the tail of the Qing army was gradually approaching the area where they were ambush.

Liu Bin took a deep breath and made a brief gesture with his right hand, indicating that everyone should be on combat readiness.

The soldiers lurking in secret places quickly adjusted their posture, fixed their eyes firmly on the enemy's rear cavalry, and waited for the commander's orders.

One of Liu Bin's adjutants came forward nervously and asked:
"What about the signal? Should we notify them in advance?"

"No rush," Liu Bin waved his hand with a confident smile on his face.
"The Qing army is still six or seven miles away from the county town, so even if we move quickly, it will take some time.

"Wait until they're a little closer, then launch an attack with flares, giving them a head-on blow that takes them completely by surprise!" His tone was calm and composed.

"Since they've formed a long dragon, we should concentrate our forces and cut off this 'dragon' from behind, slicing them into pieces!"

Liu Bin's eyes were sharp as he scanned the surrounding subordinates, his tone revealing determination and strategy:
"They've been running all night and are already exhausted. We can take this opportunity to rest. Once our brothers have recovered their strength and regained their energy, we'll launch a fierce attack!"

He raised his hand slightly, signaling everyone to relax and adjust their state.

Liu Bin summed up an iron rule from many life-and-death battles on the battlefield: haste often leads to disastrous defeat, and only steady and cautious efforts can turn the tide.

He knew that his soldiers needed to be energetic in order to crush the enemy, so maintaining patience and not being impatient was his long-term winning strategy in battle.

At the same time, the Qing army commander Ba Ming was riding on his horse with excitement in his eyes.

He looked back at the Qing army stretching for miles behind him, then turned his head to look in the direction of Shimen Pass, his heart full of anticipation.

Chen Fu inside the pass is his target and his best chance to make a contribution!
As long as he could capture Chen Fu, regardless of life or death, this military achievement would be enough to earn him a place in the court.

Thinking of this, Ba Ming clenched his fists slightly, and his heart was filled with a boiling passion.

Ba Ming actually had a hint of anxiety and ambition in his heart. He was still young, had limited battlefield experience, and had even less qualifications, making it difficult for him to overpower the veterans under his command.

He understood that if he could defeat Chen Fu, a senior general of the Ming army, in this battle and bring his military achievements back to the court, he would not only win the admiration of the entire court, but also make those arrogant generals convinced of him.

He was extremely eager for his position in the Qing army and urgently needed a victory to establish his authority or even become an unquestionable force.

At this moment, he kept imagining the glorious future in his mind - a big victory would completely change his situation.

Ba Ming turned to look at the young deputy general Shuo Sai, his voice low and full of determination:
"Shuosai, I'm assigning two more Niulu to you. Lead them to deploy on the north and south wings of Shimen Pass. Don't allow any Ming troops to escape! Block the retreat route!"

"As you command!" Shuo Sai bowed and then turned his horse and galloped westward. As Shuo Sai left, Ba Ming glanced at the other generals present. He knew that he could not afford to miss any opportunity at this moment.

His gaze rested on Shen Yongzhong and other trusted generals, and he slowly gave the order:

"After entering the city, all resisting Ming troops will be killed! Those who surrender will be handed over to Wan Ming for custody.

Food and other supplies in the city must be quickly collected. The elderly, weak, women, and children can be disposed of on the spot. All the remaining strong men will be captured and used to strengthen the city defenses!"

Ba Ming was not a pro-Han person. He would naturally accept it if ordinary people paid taxes, but if anyone interfered with the interests of the Qing Dynasty, he would do it without hesitation and without mercy.

In Ba Ming's view, taking tough measures when necessary is the way to consolidate the Qing Dynasty's rule, and there is no need to be soft-hearted.

"Yes, sir!" The generals immediately bowed and accepted the order, each with a grim expression.

Ba Ming felt relieved when he saw their calm reaction. All the generals under his command were veteran soldiers, and they were experienced in both night raids and encirclements.

He thought to himself that once Shimen Pass fell into his control, a huge gap would be torn in the Ming army's defense line, which would pave the way for the Qing army to further advance into Ming territory.

What he wanted was not only the immediate victory, but also a victory that would shock all sides, a merit that would be enough to allow him to gain a firm foothold in the Qing court!

At the same time, Liu Bin looked at the time on his wrist and judged that the distance of the Qing army was still within the controllable range.

He turned and whispered to the soldiers beside him:
"Everyone, take a break, stay quiet, and listen to my orders later! When we launch a surprise attack, they will be caught off guard and won't even have a chance to react."

He knew that the brothers behind him were extremely exhausted after this fierce battle. Their eyes were bloodshot after a sleepless night, but their morale remained firm.

The night sky in the distance gradually turns white, and the dawn of morning is about to come.

Liu Bin knew that victory in war often depends on opportunity. He stared at the enemy troops on the other side of the hillside and had a plan to defeat them in his mind.

What he wanted was not only victory, but also a heavy blow that would terrify the enemy.

At this moment, he suddenly waved his hand, the order was passed down, and the soldiers quickly gathered in a low voice.

They adjusted their posture, quietly gripped their guns, spears, and swords, held their breath, concentrated their minds, and waited for the moment when the flare would break through the night sky.

"Do it!"

As soon as Liu Bin gave the order, arrows and spears rushed towards the rear column of the Qing army like arrows from a bow.

The hidden rain of arrows accurately hit the Qing army's cavalry, and several Qing soldiers fell to the ground with their horses, causing chaos at the rear of the team.

Liu Bin led his soldiers to launch a quick surprise attack, catching the Qing army off guard and splitting its ranks.

Their movements were swift and powerful, and they quickly retreated to their hiding places after each attack, making it difficult for the Qing army to lock on to their positions.

The Qing army's rear suddenly became chaotic, and the infantry and cavalry fell into panic and found it difficult to restore their formation.

Liu Bin commanded his subordinates to quickly infiltrate and adopt guerrilla tactics to constantly harass the rear of the Qing army.

At this time, Ba Ming was riding on a horse, galloping in the middle of the army, with a smug look in his eyes.

However, at this moment, he suddenly heard a long-lasting "whoosh" sound in his ears. Looking up, he saw a gorgeous firework exploding in the air.

His heart sank suddenly, and he felt something was wrong.

The next moment, a hurried military bugle call came from the rear, breaking the silence in the queue.

The sound came from the position of Shen Zhong's troops, and when it reached Ba Ming's ears, it was accompanied by bursts of noise. The rear of the Qing army began to commotion, and chaos gradually spread.

Dozens of Ming army soldiers rushed down the mountainside like tigers descending from the mountain, their armor flashing sharp light in the moonlight.

The Ming army was arranged in two columns, with sword and shield soldiers in front and spearmen in the back. They advanced in an orderly and powerful manner, like a solid wall rushing towards the enemy formation.

When the Green Camp soldiers of the Qing army heard the sound, they turned their heads and looked, but they were caught off guard. They saw the Ming army taking advantage of the downhill momentum and sweeping towards them like a raging tide.

Ba Ming's subordinates had not yet reacted when they saw that the Ming army's armored torrent had torn through the Qing army's formation with great momentum, and instantly pressed into the enemy formation and launched a ruthless attack.

Before the command system had time to adjust, the Ming army had already rushed into the battle formation with steady and swift steps. The whole process was like the force of thunder, striking the hearts and minds of the Green Camp soldiers.

Liu Bin, who was at the forefront of the charge, led the charge. His eyes were as sharp as an eagle, locking onto a Green Camp soldier in front of him who was holding a spear.

While the opponent was still in shock, Liu Bin suddenly thrust out a spear, and the tip of the spear, with a sharp gust of wind, pierced straight into the opponent's abdominal armor.

With the help of inertia and momentum, the spear head directly pierced through the Green Camp soldier's armor, making a sharp "clang" sound, and the armor broke.

The Green Camp soldier had just raised the spear in his hand, and before he could even see the enemy clearly, he had already lost his fighting ability due to the pain.

He spat out blood, with astonishment and pain in his eyes. The hand holding the gun dropped weakly, and the spear fell to the ground. Before he could make any resistance, Zhang Xiaoliu rushed to his side like lightning and kicked him to the ground.

Liu Bin and Zhang Xiaoliu cooperated tacitly. Zhang Xiaoliu held the shield in front, lowered his body close to the ground, and the shield formed a solid barrier to protect Liu Bin.

Liu Bin provided support from behind, thrusting his spear continuously and moving quickly through the enemy formation, invincible.

They attacked like a tiger descending from the mountain, winning battle after battle and were unstoppable.

Zhang Xiaoliu led the way, always on guard against enemy counterattacks. He waved the round shield in his hand like the wind, protecting himself and creating more opportunities for Liu Bin to attack.

Liu Bin continuously attacked the Green Camp soldiers' vital points with precise stabs. His spear rose and fell rapidly in the enemy formation, piercing the opponent's heart and vital points. The blade flashed with cold light, bringing up a pool of blood.

In just a short moment, the two of them had rushed into the six-man formation, with corpses strewn all over the ground. Without a trace of hesitation, they continued forward with steady and powerful steps.

Although the enemies were several times more numerous, they were completely unable to withstand this ferocious attack.

The Qing army's defense line retreated step by step under their attack and the troops were defeated.

The enemies were frightened by the momentum of the two men and retreated in panic, not even wanting to fight again. They only wanted to save their lives in panic.

When Ba Ming saw this scene, his expression changed from initial shock to anxiety. He realized that if he did not stabilize his position in time, this battle might not end well.

So he gave a stern order, summoning the troops in the rear to regroup and try to counterattack.

However, the speed of the Ming army made it impossible for him to arrange his defense calmly. As soon as the formation began to regroup, it was once again attacked by the Ming army.

The figures of Liu Bin and Zhang Xiaoliu shuttled through the enemy army like a ghost. Wherever their swords, shields and guns went, the enemies fell to the ground, blood splattered, and their momentum was like a rainbow.

At this time, more Ming troops joined the battle from the mountainside. They cooperated tacitly, divided the Qing army into several small groups, and defeated them one by one.

Liu Bin was sweating profusely, but his eyes were bright like burning flames, and the spear in his hand was still extremely swift.

Zhang Xiaoliu's shield was stained with blood in many places, but his steps were not at all disordered. Every step he took was on mud and blood, but his steps were as steady as a rock.

At this time, the morale of the Qing army had collapsed, and the soldiers fled in all directions, no longer willing to fight.

The Ming army took advantage of the situation and pursued the enemy without leaving any way to retreat, driving all the enemies into low-lying areas and completely disintegrating the enemy camp.

Ba Ming witnessed all this, with shock and anger on his face. He rode his horse forward and tried to organize a counterattack, but the surroundings were already in chaos, with shouting and crying heard everywhere.

(End of this chapter)