Strategy for the Revitalization of the Late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 345 A critical moment

At this time, Sage finally came back to his senses from his previous shock.

He glanced around, and the brutality of the battlefield and the miserable situation of the Qing army came into view, but there was no fear in his expression.

Perhaps it was because he knew that the situation was irreversible and a breakout was almost impossible, or perhaps he still had a mysterious confidence in the invincibility of the Eight Banners of Manchuria.

Faced with the request of his subordinates to break out, he flatly refused.

"We, the Eight Banners soldiers of Manchuria, will either win or die when facing the enemy in battle!" Saige said loudly, his tone full of arrogance and determination.

He raised his head, his eyes like torches, and looked around at the generals around him, and continued:
"I am a member of the royal family, how can I retreat? If I cannot kill all these bandits, how can I face the regent?"

His tone was sonorous, as if he ignored the almost desperate situation before him. These words left the generals around him speechless for a moment, and no one dared to persuade him anymore.

Was it out of awe? Or was it because he was powerless to do anything about Beile's stubbornness? No one could tell.

Sage looked around and saw that no one spoke again. His eyes suddenly turned cold, and then he made a quick decision and raised his arms and shouted:
"Kabu!"

"I am here!" The guard lieutenant Kabu, riding on his horse, immediately bowed and responded in a loud voice with a bit of helpless loyalty.

Sage ordered without hesitation:
"Bring your warriors and follow this prince to charge! Target—Chang Denggui's central army. I want to take his general's flag!"

Before he finished speaking, he swung his spear with all his might. The tip of the spear gleamed coldly in the sunlight, pointing straight at Chang Denggui's flag in the distance.

Upon hearing the order, all the generals looked in the direction of Saige's spear. The commander's flag was flying high, and behind it was a dense array of Ming troops.

The generals looked at each other in bewilderment, their faces revealing surprise and uneasiness - in such a dangerous situation, the slightest mistake would lead to the annihilation of the entire army, and Beile actually wanted to counterattack the enemy's center?

Is this a desperate gamble or a suicidal gamble?
However, the battlefield is ruthless and the situation changes rapidly, leaving no room for anyone to think too much.

Sage's order had been given. Although Kabu knew that the situation was difficult to change, he obeyed without hesitation. He immediately reined in his horse, turned around, raised his arms and shouted:
"Warriors, follow the Prince and charge! Kill the enemy, gain merit, and sacrifice your lives for your country! We Manchu men are fearless of life and death. Chop off the head of that General Nikan!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he began to mobilize his cavalry and quickly formed a battle formation to charge.

Seeing this scene, a hint of pride flashed in Saige's eyes. He pursed his lips and smiled, took a deep breath, and shouted:

"Charge! Follow this prince and kill him!"

Saige no longer hesitated. He rode his horse and waved his spear, leading more than a hundred cavalrymen who had just gathered and headed straight for Chang Denggui's flag.

On the mountain road, the sound of Qing cavalry's hooves rolled like thunder, mixed with Saige's roar and the sounds of soldiers fighting.

However, Saige's so-called "life-threatening charge" was nothing more than a last-ditch struggle in the eyes of the enemy.

In the distance, Chang Denggui was standing on a high ground, looking around at the battle situation.

He was protected by layers of personal guards, and his face was calm, as if he had seen through the entire trend of the battlefield. Looking at the Qing army's attack like trapped beasts, he couldn't help but nod slightly, with a sneer on the corner of his mouth.

By this time, the situation on the mountain path had become clear. The Ming army's tactics of divide and encircle had proven effective, and the Qing army, surrounded on all sides, was unable to escape.

Even if Saige led his troops to charge bravely, it would be a futile struggle and it would be difficult to change the defeat.

Heavy troops had already been ambushed near Chang Denggui's flag. The Ming army's position was like a solid wall, with archers, musketeers and soldiers armed with spears deployed in layers.

Before Saige's cavalry arrived, arrows poured down like a rainstorm. The Qing cavalry was defeated by wave after wave of arrows. The horses neighed, the soldiers screamed, and the vanguard troops collapsed almost instantly.

"Hold the formation!" Kabu urged his subordinates to continue charging forward while trying to stabilize the chaotic cavalry.

However, facing the Ming army's carefully arranged defense line, his shouts were almost drowned out by the sounds of fierce fighting.

Saige still refused to stop. He urged his horse to speed up, pointed his spear at the general's flag, and roared, trying to boost morale. However, at this time, there were only a few cavalrymen left around him.

Ming soldiers were everywhere, shouting, waving swords and guns, and rushing towards Saige like a flood.

In the end, Saige's "counterattack" ended in complete failure. His cavalry was almost wiped out, and he himself was trapped in the enemy's formation, with no way out.

Seeing the Ming army approaching step by step, Saige's face finally showed a trace of regret, but more of it was unwillingness and anger.

Chang Denggui watched all this coldly. He felt calm in his heart as he saw the Qing army in front of him fall into a desperate situation.

He saw from afar the flag of Saige, one of the Qing troops, charging towards him, and a hint of sneer crossed his lips. Saige was merely relying on his status as a Beile to maintain his prestige. He lacked the composure of a commander and the strategic planning.

If he was not of noble birth, how could he serve as the vanguard of the army?
In Chang Denggui's eyes, Saige at this time was just a reckless man with empty courage.

Saige was obviously unaware of his own recklessness. He waved his spear and shouted orders, urging his cavalry to speed up their charge and try to tear through the Ming army's defense line.

However, before he could get close, he was blocked by a Ming cavalry in an extremely tough manner.

At this time on the battlefield, the Ming army general Ma Bao was like a sharp sword drawn from its sheath, invincible among the enemy.

The dozens of cavalrymen he led charged into the Qing army's formation like a hungry tiger among a flock of sheep. Ma Bao alone had killed more than a dozen Qing soldiers, and his armor was splattered with blood.

While fighting, Ma Bao was looking for Beile Saige of the Qing army.

He knew that as long as Saige could be killed, the Qing army's offensive would collapse.

However, with so many people moving around in the chaotic army, how easy would it be to find Sage?

As the saying goes, "You search high and low for something, but when you find it, it comes without any effort." Just as Ma Bao was scanning the battlefield, he found that Saige's recognition flag was actually heading straight towards him.

Seeing this scene, Ma Bao's eyes lit up and he shouted:
"Brothers, follow me and kill!"

More than ten of the dozens of cavalrymen behind him quickly broke away from the surrounding Qing troops and followed this fierce general, rushing towards the Qing army that was several times larger than their own without hesitation.

In the long course of history, Ma Baoben should have become famous for his outstanding military achievements.

Starting from the Battle of Hengyang where he killed Nikan, he served as the vanguard of the Wu-Zhou army during the Three Feudatories Rebellion, leading his troops from Yunnan all the way to Jiangxi, and then from Guangxi to Sichuan.

He, Wu Guogui and Wang Pingfan were known as the "Three Great Generals of the Wu Army" and became names that the Eight Banners of the Qing Dynasty feared.

However, the victors in history wrote his obscurity. As the loser, Ma Bao's achievements were almost completely erased in official history and few people knew about it.

But right now, none of that matters.

At this time, Saige did not know that he was approaching a life-and-death moment. His recognition flag rushed forward, which was particularly conspicuous and attracted the attention of countless Ming army soldiers.

However, this ostentation also laid hidden dangers for him.

Less than two miles away, dozens of Qing cavalrymen on his left and right wings were entangled by the Ming army and separated from the team. In the chaos, the cavalrymen with scattered formations became vulnerable.

Just as Saige was hesitating whether to adjust his tactics, a fierce shout of killing suddenly came from the front. He looked closely and saw a fierce general galloping towards him. The man was wearing armor, with a strong build and a fierce face, holding a lance that gleamed with cold light.

He charged all the way, killing three Qing cavalrymen who blocked his way, blood splattering everywhere, and headed straight for Saige.

Saige was stunned for a moment. He did not recognize the Ming army general in front of him, but he did not take him seriously.

As a Manchu Beile, he had practiced martial arts since childhood and led the elite Qing army, so he was naturally full of confidence.

He sneered and thought to himself:

"A mere Han general dares to act so arrogantly in front of this prince? You don't know your own limitations!"

Saige showed no fear and raised his gun to fight. However, the moment the close combat began, he immediately felt the pressure.

Ma Bao's spear skills were sharp and swift, and each strike carried the force of thunder. Even the vibration transmitted to Saige's arm through the weapon made him feel sore and numb.

The situation on the battlefield became increasingly unfavorable. More than ten cavalrymen behind Ma Bao rushed into the Qing army like tigers. They cooperated well, had clear goals, and fought entirely around Saige.

Although Sage's personal guards were loyal, they were obviously unable to stop this group of enemies as fierce as wolves.

Ma Bao did not give Saige any chance to breathe. He rode his horse around and stabbed with his lance. His eyes were like a beast locking onto its prey, and he compressed Saige's space for movement little by little.

Saige's mount had begun to become restless, and fear was revealed in the neighing of the warhorse, while his guards were gradually divided and surrounded by the Ming army.

Seeing the critical situation, Saige finally realized that he had underestimated the enemy. He suppressed his anxiety and shouted to his guards to break out.

However, the battlefield was firmly controlled by Ma Bao at this time, and every step of Saige's retreat was accurately blocked by the Ming army, and the hope of breaking out became increasingly slim.

At this critical moment, one of Saige's personal guards suddenly rode forward, trying to use his own life to buy a chance for the commander to escape.

The guard brandished his long sword and collided with Ma Bao. The sword broke and the guard died, but this momentary sacrifice bought Saige a moment of freedom.

Saige took the opportunity to kick his horse hard, trying to break through.

However, Ma Bao was well prepared. He rode his horse and chased after him, with the tip of his spear pointing directly at Saige's back.

Saige felt a chill coming over him, and in a panic he and his horse suddenly rolled to the side, barely avoiding the fatal blow.

Although Saige managed to survive in this encounter, his troops were already defeated. The casualties of the elite Qing troops made him heartbroken, and he regretted his underestimation of the enemy.

In the distance, the shouts of the Ming army gradually resounded throughout the battlefield. Ma Bao led his subordinates to reorganize their formation, like a beast waiting for an opportunity, ready to pounce again at any time.

As a Beile of the Qing Dynasty, Saige had been feeling depressed and dissatisfied for many days. This ambush finally made him burst out with his long-suppressed anger.

"Whoosh-whoosh-whoosh-!"

Rapid gunshots and the whistling sounds of bows and arrows pierced the air, and the battlefield instantly fell into chaos.

Saige suddenly swung the spear in his hand, a sinister smile appeared on his face. He spurred his horse, whipped it, and rushed towards the Ming army general Ma Bao with a sharp gaze.

Sage's anger was not only due to the sudden ambush, but also due to his dissatisfaction with the battle situation and his desire for victory.

If this raid could defeat the main force of the Ming army, it would not only win valuable results for the Qing army, but also further consolidate his prestige in the army.

"Raise the flag!" Saige gave a loud order, and the cavalry guards beside him responded quickly, raising the flag representing Beile.

The flag fluttered in the night wind, signaling the Qing cavalry to charge.

As the flags fluttered, the guards rushed towards the Ming army's positions like ignited flames.

Without waiting for the flag bearer to retreat, Saige rushed out first, leading a small number of vanguard troops and three thousand personal guards, and rushed towards the direction of Ma Bao, the main general of the Ming army.

However, the ever-changing battlefield was beyond Saige's expectations. Just as he was about to rush into the Ming army camp, Ma Bao showed extremely high tactical qualities and quickly dodged sideways.

Ma Bao moved swiftly, swinging the long spear in his hand mercilessly, sweeping it fiercely from the side. The wind from the spear whistled past and headed straight for Saige.

Saige reacted quickly and leaned back to try to avoid the fatal blow, but his movements were a little clumsy due to his heavy armor.

Despite this, Sage's bravery and reaction speed still gave him a certain advantage in this confrontation.

The scraping sound of the long spear pierced the night sky, sparks flew everywhere, and scratches were left on Sage's armor. Cold sweat dripped from his forehead.

However, Ma Bao is obviously not someone who can be easily defeated. As the top general of the Ming army, he is agile and has rich combat experience.

"Sage, come on!" Ma Bao said coldly, with unquestionable majesty in his tone.

Seeing this, Saige gritted his teeth and suddenly launched another attack.

He knew that only by defeating Ma Bao could he completely shake the morale of the Ming army and ensure the victory of the Qing army.

The two were evenly matched, and the fierce exchange quickly ignited the entire battlefield. Saige swung his spear, and it collided with Ma Bao's lance, making a deafening collision.

Seeing the fierce confrontation between the two commanders, the guards and followers around also joined the battle. Amidst the flashing of swords and the shadow of sabers, the battlefield was filled with shouts and bloodshed.

The soldiers on both sides were inspired by this fierce battle at high levels. Their morale was high and their fighting power was doubled. The entire battlefield seemed to have become a sea of ​​blood.

However, the climax of the battle had not yet arrived. During a fierce attack, Saige used too much force and lost his balance, and was suddenly caught by Ma Bao with the long spear in his hand.

Ma Bao took advantage of the horse's inertia and pulled hard, snatching Saige's spear away.

Saige lost his balance, his center of gravity shifted, and he fell off the horse and hit the ground hard.

With a loud bang, Sage felt that all his strength was gone, his eyes went dark, his consciousness gradually became blurred, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.

Ma Bao took the opportunity to counterattack, pulled out another long spear, and stabbed it towards Saige.

With his strong will, Saige struggled hard to stand up again. However, he was already dying and could not withstand Ma Bao's fatal blow.

On the battlefield, Saige's crushing defeat caused the morale of the Qing army to plummet instantly. They watched their commander being knocked down by the opponent, and their confidence was shaken.

Seeing their commander fall to the ground, the chaos on the battlefield intensified further. Many Qing soldiers began to panic, lost their will to fight, and fled in all directions.

At the same time, Ma Bao did not stop his attack. Only by completely defeating the main force of the Qing army could he win the battle completely.

So he waved his long spear and led a group of personal guards to continue launching a fierce attack on other elite troops of the Qing army.

The Qing army's offensive was gradually suppressed, and the originally advantageous situation was reversed step by step by the Ming army.

(End of this chapter)