Strategy for the Revitalization of the Late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 342 Set within a set

From Tashanpu to Qimucheng, and then to the battlefield today, Chang Denggui has proactively deployed "retreat" three times in a row, paying the price of hundreds of soldiers' lives.

And now, he boldly used his main force as bait for a decisive "ambush counterattack".

This is exactly the tactic that Chang Denggui is best at - "luring the enemy deep into our territory and attacking them from both sides."

As one of the strongest field troops deployed by Zhu Cilang in the western mountainous area, Chang Denggui's elite division is not only well-equipped but also strictly disciplined.

Generals at all levels are experienced in battle and have strong ability to control and manage the troops.

Even in the face of the sudden attack of the Qing army's most elite cavalry, the Ming army suffered heavy casualties, but beneath the surface of panic and retreat, the entire army still acted in an orderly manner according to plan.

This battlefield resilience is the reason why Chang Denggui dares to adopt such high-risk tactics.

Chang Denggui understood that if "luring the enemy deep into our territory and attacking from both sides" could be successful, the results would be extremely brilliant.

However, this strategy also places extremely high demands on the executing troops. The troops involved in luring the enemy not only need to have excellent combat capabilities, but also need to maintain basic formation while pretending to be defeated to avoid real collapse.

More importantly, they must be able to quickly adjust in the chaos, complete the counter-encirclement of the enemy, and then decisively launch a counterattack.

This means that this strategy can only be carried out by the most elite troops, and any mistake may result in the annihilation of the entire army.

In other words, the success or failure of this tactic depends on the counterattack after "luring the enemy".

If the troops were unable to maintain their basic formation during the retreat and complete the pocket encirclement deployment, they would only become prey to the Qing cavalry.

Just imagine, if it were an ordinary Ming army carrying out such a mission, facing the fierce attack of the Qing army, they would probably have been defeated and completely out of control.

Even with such an elite force, Chang Denggui's tactics of luring the enemy were not completely risk-free.

The ferocity of the Qing cavalry exceeded expectations, especially Saige. He did not take Chang Denggui seriously at all. Saige led more than a thousand cavalrymen without any formation, galloped on horseback, and rushed straight to the Ming army position.

Such a fierce offensive inevitably caused chaos and accidents when the four Ming army battalions that were luring the enemy retreated.

The troops carrying out the mission of luring the enemy this time are about 10,000 people, all of whom are the elite among the elite.

Chang Denggui divided these troops into four battalions, led by his most trusted generals, who were responsible for the key tasks of luring the enemy with the main force, outflanking the two wings, and encircling and closing the pass.

However, the Qing army's rapid advance and the rapidly changing situation left some Ming forces unable to retreat. This was particularly true of the soldiers of the Left Feng Camp, who, in their hasty retreat, failed to keep up with the main force. One unit, numbering several hundred men, strayed from their planned retreat route in the panic and collided with the rear guard of the Right Chong Camp, which was responsible for providing cover and drawing off the enemy.

The coordination between the two camps was disrupted and the situation fell into chaos for a while.

These accidents made Chang Denggui feel nervous. At this moment, he was in the central army position and could see the chaotic situation in Zuofengying and Youchongying from afar. His face suddenly became gloomy.

He knew that the success or failure of this tactic could not afford any mistakes, and if the current accident was not dealt with in a timely manner, it would likely trigger a chain reaction and lead to the collapse of the entire tactic of luring the enemy.

"Send a message to Zuofeng Camp to disperse and evacuate immediately to avoid head-on conflict!" Chang Denggui gave the order decisively and ordered people to ride horses to convey the message quickly.

At the same time, he commanded the reinforcements on the right wing to advance and buy time for the retreating troops.

However, Saige did not give the Ming army a chance to breathe. The cavalry he led advanced like thunder, not only exerting tremendous pressure on the retreating Zuofeng Camp, but also attempting to outflank the Ming army from both flanks.

His goal was very clear - to defeat the Ming army's decoy troops in the mountains and forests, so as to completely destroy the Ming army's plan.

Faced with such a dangerous situation, the general of the Youchong Camp made a prompt decision and ordered his troops to retreat, trying to create distance again.

When the soldiers of the rear team of the Right Chong Camp met the deviated team of the Left Feng Camp, they quickly adjusted their formation and used dense formations of spears and muskets to resist the pursuit of the Qing army.

This small force, with its tenacious will, tied down part of Sage's forces, buying precious time for the main force to retreat.

On the other side of the battlefield, the two wings of the Ming army were quietly closing in, gradually forming an encirclement of the Qing army. The deputy general in charge of the left wing had reported victory, indicating that the pincer attack deployment on both wings was almost complete. If the Qing cavalry continued to advance, they would be completely trapped in this narrow valley.

"Sage, it seems that you still haven't seen through this game." Chang Denggui looked into the distance from the central army position, with the corners of his mouth slightly raised.

He knew in his heart that the critical moment to lure the enemy had arrived. He only needed to endure for a moment longer. When the Qing army entered the encirclement area, it would be the time for the Ming army to launch a full-scale counterattack.

Despite the chaos, Chang Denggui's elite troops were still carrying out their plan in an orderly manner.

Although the Left Feng Camp suffered hundreds of casualties, its main force was able to retreat to a safe area, while the Right Chong Camp's blocking action successfully slowed down the Qing army's momentum.

As the Ming army's encirclement gradually tightened, Saige's cavalry was gradually trapped in the pocket formation designed for him by Chang Denggui.

"All troops, listen up and prepare to counterattack!" Chang Denggui's order came down like a mountain torrent, and the battle situation began to develop in the direction he expected.

A fierce charge by the Qing cavalry was like a sharp spike piercing into the Ming infantry formation, directly causing serious casualties.

Hundreds of infantrymen were torn apart by this torrent of armor, blood flowed like a river, wailing filled the battlefield, and the formation collapsed in an instant.

The troops of the Right Battalion were also thrown into great chaos due to the tragic scene ahead.

This scene is not an isolated case. The same tragedy also happened in the Firearm Camp. The Ming army seemed extremely passive in the face of the powerful cavalry attack of the Qing army.

On the battlefield, no matter how brave a soldier is, it is difficult for him to escape unscathed if faced with a sudden charge from fully armed cavalry and armored war horses.

The tremendous strength of the war horses combined with the cavalry's charge quickly destroyed many fulcrums of the Ming army's defense line, and morale was severely hit.

However, the Ming army's retreat was not completely out of control. The troops covering the retreat were the elite soldiers under Chang Denggui, these battle-hardened soldiers were strictly disciplined and were known for their bravery and fighting skills.

After suffering the loss of hundreds of men, they quickly reorganized their troops and maintained their basic formation. Although there was some decline, the team was still able to retreat southward in an orderly manner.

You know, retreat is one of the most difficult actions in war, and it tests the army's discipline and command ability more than attacking.

The fact that the Ming army was still able to maintain its formation and retreat under such circumstances was enough to demonstrate the rigor of its training and the high quality of its troops. This performance was already the embodiment of an elite army.

But Saige had no intention of letting the Ming army retreat easily. Standing on his warhorse, he gazed at the Ming soldiers fleeing in panic with their backs to him, a glint of pride in his eyes.

"These deserters are our prey!" Saige shouted, raising his arms and ordering the entire army to give chase.

The Qing cavalry possessed a natural advantage in speed and impact, while the Ming infantry, exhausted from their retreat, were no match for the Qing's pursuit. During this period of pursuit and flight, the Ming soldiers became targets for the Qing cavalry, falling one after another to the blows of their arrows and spears.

In this battle, Saige's cavalry defeated part of the main infantry force of the Ming army with a swift offensive, killed hundreds of people, and captured more than 300 war horses.

He couldn't help but feel complacent, as if the scales of victory had completely tilted towards him.

"Leave the vanguard behind to support the main force, and the rest of the troops will follow me in pursuit!" Saige gave the order to pursue. In his eyes, the defeated Ming army was already vulnerable; with just one more push, they could completely disintegrate.

He immediately led 3,000 elite cavalry, left the main force and pursued the Ming army fleeing to the south.

However, after being separated from the main force for more than 30 miles, when Saige's army chased to the outskirts of Dapanling Pass, he was greeted by a high-flying Ming army flag, which was Chang Denggui's camp.

Saige was shocked, but then he smiled and said:

"One more battle, and destroying their flag will be a great achievement that will be remembered for eternity!"

He ordered his troops to launch an attack quickly and sent out 500 guards as vanguard to attack Chang Denggui's camp.

However, he never expected that this time he would run into Chang Denggui's "iron wall".

Chang Denggui had already prepared to meet the enemy. He personally led a thousand cavalrymen as the vanguard and charged forward with thunderous momentum.

The cavalry blades reflected a cold light in the moonlight, and the neighing of war horses rose one after another.

"Kill!" Chang Denggui roared, and a large group of Ming troops rushed into the enemy camp.

His vanguard general wielded his long sword like the wind, with a cold gleam, and killed five Qing soldiers in a row without mercy.

The morale of the Ming army on the battlefield was completely ignited, and the soldiers followed closely behind, going in and out three times, with the sound of killing shaking the sky.

This Qing army vanguard unit, which dared to face 4,000 with only 500 men, was defeated step by step under the powerful counterattack of Chang Denggui and the Ming army and was defeated in just two quarters of an hour.

Saige originally thought that he could pursue the victory and annihilate the Ming army in one fell swoop, but he underestimated Chang Denggui's strategy and the combat effectiveness of the Ming army.

However, his strategy of advancing alone and taking the enemy lightly also brought great hidden dangers to the overall situation of the Qing army.

At this moment, the Ming army not only repelled the Qing army's fierce attack, but also successfully curbed its morale, laying the foundation for the subsequent counterattack.

However, although this Qing cavalry was in a state of decline under the fierce attack of the Ming army, they were, after all, the elite among the elite of the Qing army.

Hundreds of soldiers among the defeated troops still maintained their ranks. Relying on their skilled combat skills, they were always able to maintain a certain order and resist tenaciously during the retreat.

Although their formation gradually became loose, they continued to fight and retreat, advancing step by step, demonstrating their excellent combat qualities.

As more Qing troops joined the battle, the Ming army, which had originally had the upper hand, gradually felt the pressure increasing.

The two cavalry armies fought alternately on the plains and in the mountains. The dust raised by the horses' hooves scattered everywhere, and the battlefield was filled with the sounds of charging, shooting arrows, and shouting.

The close combat between the Qing and Ming armies was like a surging tide, with neither side yielding. Even if one side gained the upper hand, it was quickly counterattacked by the other, and the situation remained stalemate, with neither side able to achieve a decisive victory.

At this time, a part of the Ming army led by Chang Denggui was here to meet the enemy. He originally hoped to defeat the Qing army's morale through a fierce offensive, but he underestimated the combat effectiveness of this Qing cavalry.

In a short period of time, it was difficult to tell who was stronger between the two sides. Every charge and counterattack cost them flesh and blood in exchange for insignificant results.

Chang Denggui was as calm as usual, but there was a hint of solemnity between his brows. He realized that this battle would take a lot of time and manpower.

Although the opponent was at a disadvantage, they refused to retreat thanks to their tenacity and skillful tactics.

On the other hand, Saige's fighting spirit became higher and higher as the battle escalated. He had been chasing the Ming army all the way here, and the Ming army had suffered many defeats. He had not yet encountered a truly equal opponent.

But at this moment, the Ming army in front of him was extremely tenacious, completely different from his previous vulnerable opponents. This tough battle aroused his deep desire to fight.

He brandished his spear and gave orders with confidence. Saige did not have many doubts about the situation.

He did not realize the deep plan of the Ming army. Instead, he was completely relieved by the fighting effectiveness shown by Chang Denggui's guards. He believed that the tenacity of the Ming army was just a struggle before death.

As both sides deployed more troops, the battlefield became increasingly chaotic.

Despite the fierce fighting, the forces of both sides remained in a stalemate and neither side could gain the upper hand.

Sage gradually realized that the fierce battle before him seemed to have no end.

The battle continued in the mountain plains north of Dapanling Pass. The two sides fought back and forth several times, but the winner was still undecided.

At the same time, the overall layout of the Ming army was quietly taking shape.

Under the command of Li Le, the Zuo Camp and the Youchong Camp have entered the designated positions on the two wings; the Tianwei Camp, Xizhen Camp and Zhangwu Camp led by Lin Changfeng have also completed their deployment and are secretly ambushing.

The firearms battalion and the artillery battalion were lying in ambush on the other side, and Ma Bao's troops were lurking in strategic locations.

Everything is going according to plan. Zhu Cilang had already grasped the whereabouts of the Qing army through scouts. Now all the troops are ready and are just waiting for the best time to take action.

As the commander-in-chief, Chang Denggui already had a plan in mind.

Seeing that Saige was in a frenzy of rage, he judged that the time had come, and immediately ordered his soldiers to retreat voluntarily, pretending to be unable to hold on, and lure the enemy deeper.

The Ming army deliberately created chaos during their retreat, giving the Qing army the illusion that victory was imminent.

As Saige watched the Ming army retreat, his fighting spirit grew stronger. He commanded his troops to pursue them relentlessly while riding his horse and leading his personal guards to the front.

He believed that if he continued to pursue the enemy for a while, he would be able to completely defeat the Ming army.

He wielded his spear like a dragon, his horse's hooves trampled across the blood-stained land, and behind him was a devastated battlefield.

Finally, after chasing for several miles, Chang Denggui's personal guards showed signs of defeat, and the army scattered and retreated.

This scene fell into Saige's eyes and undoubtedly became a sign of the complete collapse of the Ming army. He reined in his horse, looked around, and then laughed out loud at the sky.

"Hahahahaha, hahahahaha!"

Under the flying Qing army flag, a Meilezhangjing heard this laughter and couldn't help but look puzzled. He rode closer and asked with a fist clasped:
"Lord Baylor, why are you laughing?"

Saige pointed his spear, a smug look on his face, his laughter filled with contempt and arrogance:
"These Ming troops are only so-so. They were barely holding on just now, but now they can't even hold their formation. They are already at the end of their rope. We are confident of victory, so what is there to worry about?"

He looked into the distance, as if he had seen the glorious moment of completely defeating the Ming army. Little did he know that at this moment, he was stepping step by step into the real trap set by Chang Denggui.

(End of this chapter)