Late Ming Dynasty: So what if Emperor Chongzhen was inactive?!

Chapter 272 The War Ends, Huang Taiji Dies
After dawdling for about half an hour, the Jurchen's hedgehog formation was shattered. Huang Taiji finally enjoyed the same treatment as the White-Spear Soldiers in the bloody battle of Hunhe. The last few hundred Jurchens were blasted to pieces by the cannons, with the cannon muzzles deliberately lowered a few inches to avoid smashing their heads as well.

Besides these few small cannons, all kinds of muskets and bows and arrows were also used to attack the Jurchens without restraint. Huang Taiji's first half of life was incredibly glorious, but he died a pathetic death, without even leaving a last word. He was shot into a hedgehog and died with his blood drained.

Surrounded by his generals, Zhao Shuaijiao grabbed Huang Taiji by the braid and cut off his head, then held it high so that more people could witness the scene. The crowd was stunned for a moment, then erupted into a thunderous roar of cheers!

“This head is too precious to exchange for money. I think it would be a waste to give it to Cao Bianjiao. When he becomes a duke, he will remember our kindness and we can look after each other in the future. He will also have someone who can speak for him in the court,” Man Gui said half-jokingly.

What's his is his, and what's not his isn't. As for claiming military merits without authorization, Cao Bianjiao said no and waved his hands repeatedly.

Cao Wenzhao was not so pure; he strongly agreed with the approach, but being rather reserved, he remained silent.

Zhao Shuaijiao was tempted, but it seemed unfair, and he was in a dilemma, so he wanted to hear other people's opinions. He looked at Zhou Yuji, who crossed his arms and said with a sour face, "I have no objection."

Wu Xiang's eyes darted around. They used to be Zu Dashou's subordinates, and he was related to Zu Dashou by marriage.

Cao Wenzhao, on the other hand, was somewhat detached. He was stationed at Youtun, the most important defensive point outside Jinzhou City, but he was not inside the city. His relationship with Zu Dashou was ambiguous, and his relationship with Wu Xiang was even less than good.

Therefore, Wu Xiang did not want to elevate the Cao family to become the top military force. Besides, why should he? He was already in his fifties and couldn't even become a deputy commander-in-chief. Did Cao Bianjiao, at such a young age, want to become the Marquis of Champion?!
Zhou Yuji, Huang Degong, and Sun Yingyuan all came from the Beijing Garrison, so they naturally stood together through thick and thin. Wu Xiang's actions also influenced the Jinzhou faction. Now that Cao Wenzhao had become the commander-in-chief of Jinzhou, some people were dissatisfied. Following Cao Wenzhao was not as comfortable as following Zu Dashou.

In fact, all three generals agreed, and it was not up to these small fry to make irresponsible remarks. The final report of victory and the memorial to the emperor would definitely be finalized by Zhao Shuaijiao, but doing so would have some hidden dangers.

Finally, Zhao Shuaijiao looked at Cao Bianjiao apologetically and said earnestly, "I will report the cause and effect of this battle and the situation truthfully, without any deception. As for the reward or punishment, it is entirely up to Your Majesty to decide!"

Cao Bianjiao felt a little disappointed. He wasn't stupid. Even though the matter hadn't succeeded, he still owed everyone a debt of gratitude. So he circled around and bowed to all the generals, including Zhou Yuji, who had opposed him.

This made Zhou Yuji a little embarrassed. From the perspective of maximizing benefits, Man Gui's suggestion was actually the best, but he couldn't quite get over his own conscience.

After the cheers subsided, exhaustion set in, leaving them physically and mentally drained. However, they could not stop to rest. They were deep in enemy territory, and the Jurchens could launch a counterattack at any moment. They had to hurry and clean up the battlefield before quickly withdrawing. The decision not to take prisoners was also based on this consideration, in case Huang Taiji was captured again on the way, and all their hard work would be in vain.

In this battle, the Ming army suffered 277 dead, 57 seriously wounded but not dead, and more than 500 lightly wounded; they killed more than 2300 guards of the Plain Yellow Banner, obtained 1900 intact heads, killed more than 100 leaders of various ranks, and killed the slave chieftain Huang Taiji!
From this point on, the Ming army achieved a great victory! Facing an equal number of elite Jurchen troops, they almost annihilated them, while suffering only minor losses themselves.

The Ming army captured more than 5500 Jurchen-style waist knives, including more than 80 waist knives with iron handles used by chieftains; more than 1900 horse spears and infantry spears; more than 2200 sets of bows and arrows, totaling 13 arrows; 2 small breech-loading cannons; more than 6000 sets of armor of various types, including more than 60 sets of iron armor with copper trim used by chieftains; 1800 warhorses; and more than 80 Jurchen military documents.

Fifteen seals of the leaders were seized, including those of the Niru Zhangjing and Jiala Zhangjing, made of bronze and inscribed in both Manchu and Chinese. Flags and insignia included: over 30 flags of the Plain Yellow Banner Guard, including one flag for the Guard Commander, featuring a yellow flag with a black wolf's head design; and over 50 personal insignia flags for the leaders, including leopard-tail flags and wolf-tooth flags. Much more supplies were destroyed in the fire; much grain was roasted into popcorn, charred and scattered across the ground. The Ming soldiers, feeling a pang of heartache, grabbed handfuls from the ground, stuffing them into their mouths and stuffing others into their pockets.

In this raid, the Ming army suffered heavy losses of warhorses, with 400 dying of exhaustion on the spot. Due to injuries and illnesses, it is estimated that no fewer than 800 more will be eliminated later.

After a major battle, nearly half of the warhorses were lost. Fortunately, the captured warhorses made up for this loss. However, battles that wipe out the enemy army are rare these days, and most of the time the lost horses cannot be replenished in time.

The Ming Dynasty desperately needed its own horse breeding grounds. Zhu Yuanzhang was able to launch his northern expedition because the Mongol Yuan Dynasty had established horse farms all over the country, and the Huaixi horse farm provided him with a sufficient number of warhorses for his northern expedition.

The Ming Dynasty's technique of using infantry to control cavalry was impressive, but it could only be used for defense. To launch an attack, they still needed to use magic to defeat magic and cavalry to fight cavalry.

After the captured warhorses were added, the number of warhorses in the Ming army reached three and a half per person.

Zhao Shuaijiao leaned on Huang Taiji's sword, staring blankly at the ruins of Xiping Fort.

Man Gui strode over with an air of indifference, grabbed the old man, and the stench of sweat from her armpits nearly made him faint. The old man struggled in resistance, but Man Gui held him even tighter.

"Don't be sad, we'll fight back sooner or later. Huang Taiji is dead, how far are we from recovering Liaodong?!" Man Gui gently patted the old man's right shoulder, then turned around gracefully and shouted, "Let's go, let's go home!"

Zhao Shuaijiao was speechless with frustration; he really wanted to chop this idiot to death! Unfortunately, he was no match for Man Gui…

"You said the same thing when Nurhaci died," Zhao Shuaijiao muttered resentfully, watching Man Gui's retreating figure.

In the early hours of the morning, the night had become much darker. East of the Liao River, tens of thousands of Jurchen cavalry were rushing towards Xipingbao, carrying torches that formed a fiery dragon stretching for miles.

In the middle and lower reaches of the Sancha River, Ming Dynasty naval warships are sailing upstream, with both sides racing against each other in a life-or-death race, and the distance between them is constantly closing.

Huang Taiji's request for help was sent out. Daishan, who was usually the most amiable, was indifferent, while Mangultai, who was loyal to Huang Taiji to the death, did not hesitate to send troops to the rescue. No one knew what he was thinking.

(End of this chapter)