Strategy for the Revitalization of the Late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 348 The Crucial Battle

As a monarch recognized by the world today, whether it is the victory in Liaodong or the previous brilliant achievements within the Great Wall, in the eyes of most ordinary soldiers, all of this is inseparable from the wise decision-making and excellent command of His Majesty the Emperor.

"Your Majesty is a military genius" almost became the unanimous evaluation of Zhu Cilang in the army, which also made the prestige of this young emperor reach its peak in the Ming court central army and even all anti-Qing forces.

When he reached the eastern hill, Zhu Cilang slowly reined in his horse and stopped. He looked up at the night sky. The waning moon hung coldly in the sky, reflecting the hazy mountains and fields under the night sky.

His gaze then turned to the west, overlooking the vast camp before him—the scattered campfires were like a sky full of stars, stretching for miles, as if the entire world was filled with his army.

Witnessing this spectacular scene, he couldn't help but feel a surge of heroic spirit in his heart.

"After this battle, the whole world will belong to our Ming Dynasty!" Zhu Cilang thought to himself.

He knew very well that with his current prestige and strength, even if Zheng Zhilong, who was trapped in Fujian, rebelled, he would not be able to cause any trouble.

As for the remnants of the Shun army, which only had 30,000 to 40,000 troops, they were no longer the powerful army that once ruled the northwest.

Zhu Cilang was certain that after this great victory, he would demonstrate to all forces in the world as a king that the centralized power was unshakable.

From Zhu Cilang's perspective, this was not only a magnificent military victory, but also a clever political layout.

Military generals from all over the country, whether they were Li Guo, Gao Yigong, Sun Kewang, Liu Wenxiu, Li Dingguo, or Li Laiheng, could only be military generals who obeyed the orders of the central government.

Any ambitious person who attempted to get involved in the central power was a challenge to the order of the new dynasty. Zhu Cilang did not hesitate to punish such challengers severely.

The next morning, Zhu Cilang formulated a new battle plan in his tent and ordered Zhang Huangyan to carry it out.

His goal was clear: to capture the two deserted villages to the north and west to lay the foundation for victory in the overall war.

In order to achieve this goal, he specially mobilized heavy troops - six red cannons, twenty four-pound cannons and other heavy weapons were all in place, and even the elite hundred generals under Chang Denggui and Ma Bao were transferred from the eastern hills to lead reinforcements.

These assault troops will become the core force of the entire combat plan, aiming to quickly capture the deserted village with lightning speed, intimidate the Qing army, and create overwhelming military power for the Ming army.

These two deserted villages were located only three miles in front of the Ming army's defense line and were garrisoned by the Qing army's Beile Balin. Balin has always been known for his meticulous defense, but this deployment was too confident.

Because the Ming army had launched many unsuccessful feint attacks before, he mistakenly believed that the defense system of the deserted village was impregnable, and even had the illusion that "the Ming army would not be able to take the village for a long time."

In fact, the strategic value of these two deserted villages is extremely high. They are not far apart and can support each other.

There were two thousand baoyi soldiers and one thousand Eight Banners soldiers stationed in the village, and most of the Eight Banners soldiers were Han Eight Banners musketeers who were good at using firearms.

In addition, each deserted village was equipped with four cannons, and a defense system was built with the help of the remaining ruins in the village. These troops and equipment made Balin full of confidence. He believed that his defense was enough to block any attack from the Ming army.

However, he overlooked the fact that the Ming army's offensive was no longer a simple exploratory one.

This time, Zhu Cilang mobilized heavy weapons and elite main forces, determined to win.

Behind the two villages, there are 4,000 Manchu Eight Banners cavalry stationed. This force is a mobile force deployed by Dorgon. They can carry out active raids, blocking and covering, or strategic retreats when necessary.

They are the hidden threat on this battlefield. Once the Ming army advances to a key position, this cavalry can become the sharp weapon that decides the outcome of the battle.

However, the Ming army had already learned of this arrangement through reconnaissance.

Although the specific numbers of the Qing garrison and cavalry were not very accurate, through continuous feints and probing, the Ming army roughly grasped the deployment of this cavalry, which provided an important reference for the subsequent plan.

At the same time, Zhu Cilang ordered more scouts to approach and scout the camp of Dorgon's army to further deepen their understanding of the enemy situation.

He adopted a posture of decisive battle, trying to create psychological pressure through this posture. At the same time, he ordered Zhang Jun and Lin Changfeng to intensify the attack on several strategic locations in the eastern mountains to divert the attention of the Qing army.

"Pass the order down, His Majesty requires that the two villages be captured before noon tomorrow. There is no need to save artillery and ammunition!" Zhang Huangyan, dressed in military uniform, personally rushed to the front line to supervise the battle.

His tone was cold and decisive. The messengers did not dare to delay for a moment and rushed to the various armies to convey the order.

Soon, the various Ming army units that had entered the battlefield quickly formed into formations. As the horns and drums sounded, the vanguard phalanx began to march first.

For this operation, Zhu Cilang mobilized a full 6,000 infantry and cavalry, plus a special firearms battalion to suppress the enemy's firepower.

In addition, there were 5,000 cavalrymen specifically used to tie down the Qing army's rear cavalry. All these arrangements showed that the Ming army was fully prepared for this battle.

In the wilderness, the Ming army's spear phalanxes gleamed coldly in the sunlight, like a surging forest of steel.

As the formation continued to advance, the firearms battalion followed closely behind, and behind it was a team of carriages loaded with artillery. The rumbling sound of cannons was about to sound, and the Ming army was powerful and imposing.

Zhang Huangyan also arrived at the front line and looked at the dark mass of Qing cavalry behind the village.

He frowned slightly, a hint of vigilance flashing in his eyes. This was a force that could not be underestimated. If handled improperly, it could very well pose a fatal threat to the Ming army at a critical moment.

At this time, in the central camp of the Qing army, Dorgon's face was as gloomy as water. His desk was piled with urgent reports. These intelligence sent from the front line made his brows furrowed more and more.

"The Ming army has begun to mobilize again..." He muttered to himself, tapping the table with his fingertips, obviously thinking about how to respond.

Luo Er had been sent to the north of Gaizhou, responsible for containing the Ming army there and preventing Chang Denggui's troops from taking the opportunity to launch an attack. Without the assistance of this veteran general, Dorgon had to rely on other generals.

However, the enemy situation is complicated and the Ming army is pressing forward step by step, so he cannot find a complete solution for the time being.

The battlefield situation became increasingly tense as the Ming army advanced. Although the Qing cavalry remained motionless on the surface, they had already begun to adjust their formation in secret to prepare for the Ming army's attack.

Among the Qing cavalry behind the village, several Eight Banners generals were also whispering to each other, their eyes fixed on the Ming army's formation, waiting for Dorgon's orders.

Zhang Huangyan stood at the front line of the position, calmly observing the enemy situation. His eyes swept across the dark cavalry formation, and he had a plan in mind.

He knew very well that the two villages ahead must be destroyed as soon as possible to force the Qing cavalry to take the initiative to attack, rather than allowing this mobile force to remain on the sidelines.

"Prepare the artillery, lock on to the target, and suppress it point by point!" Zhang Huangyan gave the order decisively.

The morning mist had not yet completely dissipated, but the Ming army's cannons had already begun to roar. Six red-coated cannons fired one after another. The huge sound of the cannons shook the valley, and the entire deserted village was instantly shrouded in artillery fire.

The broken walls were blown to pieces, the flames illuminated the sky red, and the Qing army camp in the village was in chaos.

A moment later, the Ming army's artillery fired in unison. Amid the deafening sound of the artillery, thick smoke rose from the village ahead, and the Qing army's defense line was suddenly in turmoil.

Under the barrage, the Ming infantry quickly launched an offensive, their spear formations advancing like a tide, closing in on the village's defenses. The assault troops, led by Liu Bin and Chen Liang, advanced swiftly. Clad in elite armor and armed with sharp swords and spears, they charged into the enemy lines with swift momentum.

The commanders of the Qing cavalry finally could not sit still. They watched the Ming army advancing step by step, and the bombing of the firearms battalion gradually tore apart the village's defenses. They realized that if they did not take action, they would be in danger of being wiped out.

"Pass the order! Prepare to fight!" A flag leader of the Qing army waved his hand and gave the order.

However, Dorgon chose to keep his troops in place. He was well aware of the purpose of the Ming army's action and knew that the advantages of the Ming army's infantry and firearms battalions would be difficult to shake in a frontal battle.

He whispered:

"Don't act rashly. Wait until they get deep into the enemy territory before launching a surprise attack."

Under the command of Zhu Cilang, the Ming army's relentless advance put the Qing army in a dilemma.

The contest between the two armies is not only a competition of military strength, but also a game of patience.

Both sides are waiting for a critical moment, and this moment will determine the success or failure of this battle.

After defeating Saige in the Battle of Shimen Pass, Chang Denggui quickly led his troops to retreat inside the pass. He knew very well that although he had won the battle, his own troops had suffered heavy losses. If the Qing army discovered the actual situation, he would probably fall into a new crisis.

In order to cover up his post-war fatigue, he sent out 300 elite cavalrymen as scouts, who not only patrolled frequently but also deliberately put on an aggressive posture.

As a result, the Qing army stationed under Lor's command was under great pressure and could only stay in the camp, not daring to attack rashly.

At the same time, Ba Ming deployed defenses in a deserted village south of the battlefield, trying to contain the attack of the Ming army's fierce general Chen Fu. His troops had been tied down and he was unable to support other fronts.

Although Beizi Mur, who was under Ba Ming's command, was able to carry out orders, he obviously lacked the ability to act independently. At this critical juncture, he was completely unable to perform important tasks.

At this moment, urgent reports came one after another from around Qinghe.

The Qing army's garrisons in the south and east were in distress at the same time. Intelligence stated that Zhu Cilang's army had been making frequent movements recently, and was suspected to be preparing for a decisive battle.

What is even more disturbing is that the imperial flag of the Ming army has appeared on the front line, indicating that Zhu Cilang is personally in charge, injecting strong confidence into the morale of his subordinates.

In fact, Zhu Cilang's deployment hit the weak spots of the Qing army generals.

Although Dorgon and his subordinates were the core of the Qing army, they had been unable to make up their minds: should they choose to fight a decisive battle with the Ming army here, or choose to withdraw?

In particular, the situation of Gaizhou City made people even more hesitant - to save it or not, this multiple-choice question made the Qing generals deeply entangled.

The current war situation is obviously extremely unfavorable to the Qing army.

Retreat means not only to be wary of the Ming army's pursuit and avoid excessive losses, but also to properly arrange the defense of Gaizhou during the withdrawal to ensure that this city can serve as a "nail" to continue to deter the Ming army and hinder its subsequent actions.

This was also the strategy Dorgon had formulated earlier: if he could pursue the victory, he would do his best to expand the results of the battle; if the situation was unfavorable, he would quickly retreat to Haizhou, stabilize the main force, use the strong city of Gaizhou to contain the Ming army, and leave a glimmer of hope for future counterattacks.

However, Saige's disastrous defeat at Dapanling Pass completely disrupted Dorgon's plan. Thousands of elite vanguards were almost wiped out, causing the morale of the Eight Banners soldiers to plummet.

These once proud cavalrymen have now suffered repeated defeats and have almost lost the confidence to take the initiative in attacking. The entire army passively waits for the next move of the Ming army and finds it difficult to formulate their own strategy.

Despite this, Dorgon remained superficially calm among the generals.

He knew that some minor matters had already been planned at the previous military meeting and only needed to be carried out step by step.

However, key decisions, such as whether to launch an active attack on the Ming army and how to deal with Gaizhou, became increasingly complex and difficult as the war situation changed.

The atmosphere in the meeting was dull and solemn.

Although many generals had opinions, they did not dare to rashly put forward radical suggestions due to the current downward trend.

Lor's silence, Bamin's obstruction, and even Saige's defeat all made the Qing army uneasy.

Dorgon knew very well that if the situation could not be reversed quickly, the Qing army would probably fall into greater difficulties.

At the same time, the morale of the Ming army on Zhu Cilang's side was high. With the imperial flag flying and the presence of the commander-in-chief, the Ming soldiers were deeply excited. They took the initiative to mobilize troops in various positions and launched frequent attacks in an attempt to further weaken the Qing army's defense line.

The shouts of the Ming army soldiers and the screams of the Qing army mixed together, and the atmosphere on the battlefield was extremely tragic.

Zhu Cilang knew in his heart that victory at this moment depended not only on the strength competition on the battlefield, but also on the psychological game.

He wanted to take advantage of the Qing army's indecision and completely crush the enemy's morale.

All this happened just as Zhu Cilang and his advisers had expected.

The contradictions and fears within the Qing army have become apparent, and the isolated city of Gaizhou has become the focus of contention between the two sides.

If the Ming army could completely defeat Gaizhou, the victory of the Ming army would be almost certain; on the contrary, if the Qing army held this place, they would still have the possibility of counterattack.

The battle was at a stalemate, and the shadow of a decisive battle hung over both armies.

However, at this moment, the dominant power has obviously begun to tilt towards Zhu Cilang.

Balin was originally full of confidence, but after witnessing the fierce offensive of the Ming army, he suddenly became panicked. He ordered his subordinates to defend desperately and tried to use the musketeers and artillery in the village to counterattack.

However, the Qing army's counterattack had little effect. The Ming army, relying on its powerful firepower and precise coordination, quickly broke down the Qing army's defense line.

The entire battle lasted less than two hours, and the Ming army successfully occupied two deserted villages. The Qing army suffered heavy casualties, the baoyi soldiers were almost wiped out, and only a few remnants of the Eight Banners musketeers were left.

Seeing that the situation was hopeless, Balin had no choice but to flee the battlefield with a small number of personal guards.

The victory in this battle not only allowed Zhu Cilang to stabilize the situation on the northern front, but also completely shattered the psychological defenses of the Qing army.

After the Battle of Huangcun, the morale of the Ming army was greatly boosted, while the Qing army was in a state of collapse.

Zhu Cilang stood on the hill, looking at the ruins on the battlefield, his heart filled with the joy of victory.

He understood that this was not only a victory in a battle, but also an important step in the revival of the dynasty.

(End of this chapter)