North America 1849, from Gold Rush to Warlord

Chapter 263 The Holy Land Soaked in Blood

"But now they've set up such a strange formation; it's probably a trap...!"

This Native American boy, only eleven or twelve years old, was mature beyond his years, looking like a little adult, with a serious and thoughtful expression on his face.

"Hahaha……!"

Hongyun, in his prime, strong, warlike, and confident, burst into laughter upon hearing this, saying, "Mad Horse, what do you know, little fellow?"

"This time you secretly followed me out, and keep a close eye on how your Uncle Hongyun wipes out all these white soldiers...!"

"Uncle Hongyun...!"

Crazy Horse, still young, wanted to say something, but was interrupted by Hongyun waving her hand.

Hongyun laughed with absolute confidence: "No matter what tricks these white soldiers have up their sleeves, they are nothing but clay chickens and earthen dogs in front of our Sioux warriors."

"I had already laid an ambush behind the white army!"

"Once the time is right, our ambush troops will strike from behind the enemy lines and wipe them all out in one fell swoop!"

Faced with such a confident Hongyun, the young Crazy Horse had words on the tip of his tongue, but didn't know how to persuade her.

Crazy Horse was born into the Sioux family, a family of curly-haired Sioux.

In the matriarchal Sioux tribe, Crazy Horse's mother was one of the Sioux priests and elders.

Although of noble birth, Crazy Horse was still too young, and this time he had secretly slipped out to join the army on the expedition.

There was indeed no room for Mad Horse to object to Hong Yun, the military leader elected by the Su tribe.

As the most famous and accomplished national hero among all Native Americans in history, it is not yet time for Mad Horse to roam freely and command the world.

In later generations, the image of Mad Horse was carved behind them, on the summit of Black Mountain, the sacred mountain of the Sioux tribe!

This enormous statue is a full 172 meters tall... but it has been under construction for almost a century and is still not finished... It is said that the construction will take up to 150 years!

……

But that's all in the future!

Under Hongyun's command, as many as 8,000 Su and Xiayan cavalrymen formed a neat cavalry line stretching for a thousand yards and began to slowly approach the enemy formation, which was two to three thousand yards long.

Through his telescope, Youma gazed into the distance at the approaching Indian coalition.

The staff officer beside him couldn't help but remind him, "Brigade Commander, the enemy has been within the range of our mortars and infantry guns the whole time. Should we...!"

Youma slowly shook his head: "No rush! It was not easy to get the main forces of the Su Clan and Xia Yan Clan together."

"I'm not afraid of them gathering a large army for a decisive battle; I'm afraid they'll break up into smaller units and attack from all sides, leaving us overwhelmed and unable to keep up."

"This time, we must teach them the most profound lesson so that they will never dare to defy the orders of California again."

"If we bombard them early on and break up their charging formation, let them see the power of our firepower, and make them realize that the situation is hopeless, they will scatter and flee early, making it more difficult to mop them up later."

"Brigade Commander, your insight is brilliant!!"

The surrounding staff officers couldn't help but be convinced and began to flatter him.

……

The opposing Native American coalition, with its seemingly enormous charging formation, began to gradually accelerate.

"Boom boom boom...!"

Eight thousand cavalrymen began their charge; the scene was absolutely breathtaking and awe-inspiring!
"Boom boom boom...!"

More than 30,000 horses' hooves pounded heavily on the vast earth, causing the ground to tremble violently!

Faced with such a massive Indian cavalry charge, the faces of countless soldiers, whether from the two cavalry units of the Southwest and Northwest Commands or the California Independent Cavalry Brigade, revealed panic and even fear.

Only Youma remained unmoved!
Her pretty face, which hadn't been groomed for many days, still radiated such heroic spirit and composure!
"Pass on my order: when the enemy charges within 500 yards, all machine guns and artillery will fire...!"

Youma gave the order in a deep voice.

"Yes, sir!!"

"Order: The cavalry units in the southwest and northwest, prepare for a counter-charge and await my command at any time!"

"Yes, sir!!"

"Order the rear phalanx to prepare for defense... Given our Native American fighting habits, they will most likely deploy an ambush force to outflank our rear!"

"Yes, sir!!"

"Order: The two ambushes led by Boulder and Blood Eagle are not to attack without my command...!"

"Yes, sir!!"

……

From Youma's mouth, one order after another was relayed to all directions by messengers.

……

The Indian allied forces, charging at full speed, were incredibly fast. In just a few minutes, the vanguard covered a distance of two to three thousand yards and was within five hundred yards of the enemy.

"Boom... boom...!"

Eight thousand Indian cavalry charged at full speed, like a rumbling thunderclap, intensely stimulating everyone's senses and nerves.

"Rumble...!"

Closer, even closer...!
Whether it was the machine gunners positioned at the forefront, the artillerymen not far behind, or the two cavalry units positioned on the left and right flanks to protect the main position.

Cold sweat began to break out on everyone's foreheads and palms, and many people were even trembling with fear all over their bodies...!
……

When most of the Indian cavalry had charged within 500 yards!
When the vanguard of the Indian cavalry had already approached within two hundred yards of the machine gun position...!
While all the staff officers around him were drenched in cold sweat and extremely nervous, waiting silently for the commander to give the order...!
When the vast battlefield fell into an eerie and chilling silence as the enemy charged at full speed, sweeping in like rolling thunder...!
Yuma, who had been closely monitoring the situation, finally uttered a few words softly.

"Pass on my order: All troops, fire!!"

"Dong dong dong...!"

"Beep beep beep...!"

"Fire!!"

"Fire!!"

"Fire!!"

Youma's command was instantly transmitted to everyone's ears through the drumbeats, bugles, and the shouts of countless people.

In just a moment, more than a hundred HM51 water-cooled heavy machine guns, as well as more than a hundred mortars and infantry guns, roared deafeningly at almost the same time!

"Da da da da...!"

"Boom boom boom...!"

"Boom, boom, boom...!"

All heavy weapons, fire simultaneously!
Bullets and shells rained down, whistling and roaring, as they hurtled towards the nearby Indian cavalry coalition...!
"Swish swish swish...!"

"Boom, boom, boom, boom...!"

Faced with the dense charge of the Indian cavalry, heavy machine gun bullets rained down, easily reaping young and vibrant lives!

Shells whistled and crashed heavily into the Indian coalition's camp.

At such close range, both bullets and shells exerted their maximum power.

Every shell that lands will inevitably send everything in its vicinity flying high into the air!
Countless warhorses, countless Native American warriors, countless severed limbs, countless drops of blood... soared into the air, flying everywhere...!
"Whoosh whoosh whoosh...!"

More than a hundred heavy machine guns, like more than a hundred crimson whips of death, were sweeping away all enemies in their path!
In the blink of an eye, the Indian vanguard at the forefront was slaughtered by bullets and shells!
Following closely behind were even larger and denser main forces of Indian cavalry...!
But under the intense firepower of heavy machine guns and artillery, it was all in vain!

This was a one-sided massacre!

Even from hundreds of yards away, Indian cavalrymen were firing their Minié rifles at the front.

Even if one of the luckiest individuals manages to hit a California machine gunner from a few hundred yards away.

Even if a few luckier individuals dodged the hail of bullets and the flying shrapnel, and managed to get within a hundred or two yards, they could still draw the powerful bows traditionally used by Native Americans…!
But in the face of thousands of troops and such powerful firepower, sporadic resistance and casualties were utterly futile!

Countless Native American warriors fell one after another in pools of blood, like wheat being harvested.

In just a few minutes, the vast battlefield was littered with countless human and horse corpses.

There were even more wounded soldiers and horses lying in pools of blood, howling helplessly!
……

Because he had to command such a large army, Hongyun, who rarely didn't personally lead the charge, saw his warriors being slaughtered in large numbers before they even reached the edge of the enemy camp.

In that instant, Hongyun felt a loud "boom" in his mind, and he was completely shocked by the powerful firepower from the other side.

But soon, the warlike Sioux warrior realized what was happening.

Hongyun's eyes turned bloodshot in an instant, and her face became as red as if it were about to bleed.

He was like a gambler who had lost all his money, willing to risk everything.

"Sound the war horn! Let our ambush troops strike immediately!!"

"I refuse to believe that our Sioux warriors will lose! We absolutely will not lose...!"

"Charge! Follow me! Keep charging...!"

"Once we break into the enemy's camp, we'll definitely wipe them out completely!!"

As soon as he finished speaking, behind Hongyun, a dozen or so Native American warriors mustered their courage and sounded a great war horn.

The melodious and deep sound of the bugle could be heard for miles around!
Upon hearing the sound, the two thousand Su tribe soldiers who had been lying in ambush in the distant dense forest immediately rushed out on their warhorses and charged toward the distant battlefield.

With the speed of the Su tribe cavalry, this distance of several miles was only a matter of a snap of the fingers.

……

At the same time, Hongyun, without hesitation, led the last thousand elite warriors of the Su tribe, closely following the heavily wounded main force, to launch a final, desperate charge.

"Uncle Hongyun...!"

Having foreseen the unfavorable outcome of this battle, Mad Horse grabbed Hongyun's horse's mane: "Uncle Hongyun, the enemy's firepower is too strong. If we charge head-on like this, we...we have no chance of winning...!" Hongyun's crimson eyes glared fiercely at Mad Horse: "Mad Horse, let go of my mane, or I'll whip you...!"

"Uncle Hongyun...!"

Crazy Horse wanted to say something more, but Hongyun lashed out with her whip, striking the arm that was gripping the horse's mane hard.

With a loud "smack!", Crazy Horse, in pain, reflexively withdrew his hand.

"drive……!"

Hongyun squeezed his legs together and charged forward on his mount.

"Warriors of the Su tribe, charge with me...!"

"To fight on the land of our ancestors, death is the highest honor...!"

"Our names will be remembered by posterity forever...!"

……

"Boom boom boom...!"

The last batch of one thousand elite Su tribe soldiers, led by Hongyun, charged into the battlefield!
At the moment of parting, Hongyun suddenly turned around, smiled at the young Mad Horse, and then waved to him from afar.

Even Hongyun, who was hot-blooded and filled with rage, knew that launching such a powerful frontal attack would surely lead to his doom.

So he told the young mad horse to get out of here, to leave this battlefield that devours flesh and life...!
……

In that instant, the boy Mad Horse's tears flowed uncontrollably!

"Charge!!"

Young Mad Horse felt a surge of adrenaline rush to his heart. He grabbed the longbow from the side of his saddle and, following closely behind the last Indian cavalryman, charged into the battlefield without hesitation!
……

Meanwhile, Youma, riding a horse and standing on a small hill overlooking the entire battlefield, remained expressionless.

But at this moment, no one knew that her heart was bleeding and writhing in pain!
These Sioux and Cheyenne Indian warriors, who share the same bloodline, have fought and slaughtered each other for thousands of years.

But today, thousands of Native American warriors fell senselessly to the firepower of guns, a massacre unlike any other!

And he himself personally directed such an unprecedented massacre!

Youma's feelings at this moment were so complex and so hard to describe.

Having been by her man's side for so long, Youma knew perfectly well what her man wanted to do.

She knew even more clearly where the way out lay for all the Native Americans.

Only by learning from and integrating into this ever-evolving era, just like the Blackfoot tribe, can all Native Americans find a way to survive.

Otherwise, the fate awaiting the Native Americans would ultimately be one of complete annihilation.

However, it wasn't just the white people who were the main culprits in the destruction of Native Americans; these stubborn Native Americans who clung to outdated customs and chose to stand on the opposite side of history were also huge stumbling blocks.

Without removing these huge obstacles, Native Americans will never have the opportunity to learn and integrate into this era!
Just like the Qing Dynasty across the Pacific, those foreigners who invaded and enslaved China with opium and powerful ships and cannons were certainly the culprits.

But weren't those Qing dynasty ruling class who clung to outdated customs and bad habits, lacked ambition, and were stubbornly inflexible, as well as those corrupt scholars and ignorant people, also bringing about their own destruction?
These stubborn Native American warriors today, like those across the ocean who have been eliminated by the times, are courting their own destruction!
……

That's why, deep down, Yuma didn't want to carry out such a massacre, but he had no choice but to take up the knife himself!

This is a tragedy of an era, and even more so a tragedy of a race!

The desire to innovate and learn and integrate into this era always comes at a heavy price, and countless precious lives are lost!
When Azu privately consulted Youma, she had already foreseen that this day would come.

But she still took on all of this herself without hesitation.

Rather than let these Native American warriors die under the swords of foreigners, it would be better for them to die by our own hand.

Only in this way will they truly realize the necessity of learning and integrating into this era.

Perhaps, I am doing the most correct thing in the most ruthless way!
Youma couldn't help but think this.

But even she herself didn't notice that, without her noticing, her eyes were already brimming with tears!

……

The nine thousand Indian cavalrymen in the front were still launching a desperate charge.

Although more than half of them have been killed or wounded!
Although only a handful of riders were able to get within a couple hundred yards of close range!
Although the vast battlefield was already littered with corpses and wounded!
Although the dripping blood has already stained this sacred land red!
……

At the same time, the Indian cavalrymen who were lying in ambush in the rear also launched an attack on several thousand-man square formations behind the position.

But facing a well-prepared square formation of a thousand men, these two thousand Native American cavalrymen were like running into an impenetrable wall, unable to break through the solid defensive formation in a short time.

……

On the vast battlefield, which spanned six or seven miles in radius, gunfire, cannon fire, and the sounds of fighting filled the air. There were roars of soldiers, neighing of warhorses, and cries of agony everywhere.
……

Time passed slowly, and the number of Indian cavalry on the battlefield dwindled rapidly.

Just over half an hour later, the number of Indian cavalrymen still standing on the battlefield, including the ambush troops behind them, was less than four thousand.

Only then did Youma give the order in a deep voice: "Pass on my command, Boulder and Blood Eagle, attack from the flank and rear of the enemy forces in front and surround them!"

"Yes, sir!!"

"Order! The cavalry units in the southwest and northwest, attack simultaneously to surround the enemy in the rear!"

"Yes, sir!!"

……

"Brothers, charge with me...!"

The giant rock and the blood eagle, who had been unable to restrain themselves for a long time, charged out from the forest where they were lying in ambush.

These two fresh forces swept out like two dark clouds, unstoppable, and stormed into the battlefield, completely surrounding the remaining less than two thousand enemy troops.

At the same time, the cavalry from the southwest and northwest also turned their horses around and surrounded the enemy forces behind them.

Youma continued to relay the order: "Order: all machine guns and artillery to cease fire!"

"Yes, sir!!"

"The order is for all enemy troops to lay down their weapons and surrender!"

"Yes, sir!!"

……

The remaining less than four thousand Indian cavalrymen were divided between two battlefields and surrounded like an iron barrel by forces several times their size.

Unwilling to accept defeat, the Indian cavalrymen made several attempts to break through the encirclement, losing hundreds of lives in the process, but to no avail. They were forced to lay down their weapons and surrender.

……

When the battlefield finally calmed down, it was already noon.

After suffering only minor casualties, Youma's various forces almost completely annihilated the main forces of the Su and Xiayan tribes.

In the end, fewer than a hundred cavalrymen from both races managed to escape.

Before the encirclement was fully formed, these escapees, sensing the danger, had already fled the encirclement.

But that's irrelevant now!
After this battle, the main forces of the Su and Xiayan tribes were completely annihilated, and their remaining fighting strength was negligible.

Having suffered such a crushing defeat, neither of these two powerful Native American tribes will be able to regain their former glory for at least the next twenty years.

……

After cleaning up the battlefield, the boulder, carrying a blood-soaked Su tribe boy and a corpse on a stretcher, came to Youma.

"Sister, the body on the stretcher is Hongyun, the war leader of the Su tribe!"

Youma dismounted, took two steps forward, and stared at Hongyun's corpse, riddled with bullet holes.

Even though she had long since died, Hongyun's eyes were still wide open, glaring angrily at Youma, her eyes wide open in death!
Youma examined Hongyun's corpse expressionlessly, then turned his gaze to the Su tribe youth, whose eyes were unruly and filled with hatred.

"Going to the battlefield at such a young age?"

Youma asked in a deep voice, "What's your name?"

"snort……!"

Crazy Horse stared intently at Youma. He couldn't believe that the most powerful Sioux cavalry among all the Indian tribes had been wiped out by a woman!
Moreover, she is such a young and beautiful woman!

Even though she was his enemy, young Mad Horse had to admit that the woman in front of him was definitely the most beautiful and charming woman he had ever seen!
But Crazy Horse just snorted and turned his head away, completely ignoring Youma's question.

"Bang...!" The boulder raised its hard, cushion-sized hand and gave Crazy Horse a solid slap: "My sister is asking you a question, you brat, answer me honestly!"

"Pooh……!"

Crazy Horse spat at the boulder, yelling, "You traitors to the Indians, helping the white army slaughter your own people...!"

"If I were to grow up alive, I would personally scalp all of you...!"

"Huh...!" The boulder delivered another solid blow to his forehead: "You brat, you're still pretty stubborn. Looks like I'll have to teach you a lesson..."

As he spoke, Jushi rolled up his military uniform sleeves, ready to give this stubborn kid a good beating.

Native Americans don't hold back when beating children; they beat them to death... Those who survive their parents' beatings are true warriors!
"Wait...!" Youma waved his hand, stopping the boulder from acting, and then continued in a deep voice, "Tell me honestly, and I will not only let you go back, but also return Hongyun's body to your Su clan...!"

"Really?" Crazy Horse's eyes lit up immediately. "Woman, are you telling the truth?"

"Bang...!" Boulder couldn't help but give him another hard shove: "What woman, you brat, you should call me General...!"

"Hmph...!" Mad Horse turned around and glared fiercely at Boulder.

If glares could kill, Boulder would have been dead countless times over.

Youma nodded calmly: "As long as you tell the truth, I will keep my word!"

"Hmm...!" For some reason, Crazy Horse couldn't muster much hatred for the woman in front of him, who was dressed in military uniform, looked heroic and tall, and was also so beautiful.

So Crazy Horse honestly replied, "My name is Crazy Horse, I'm eleven...twelve years old, and I come from the Curly-haired family...!"

(End of this chapter)