Di Ming

Chapter 243 First make yourself invincible, then wait for the enemy to become vulnerable!

As the first wave of Mongol arrows rained down, Qi Jiguang raised his command flag at the same time.

"Raise your shield!"

The moment the messenger roared, thousands of bamboo shields, each over ten feet long, were raised in unison, the "clattering" sound of arrows piercing the bamboo strips like a sudden downpour striking banana leaves.

Through the gaps in the bamboo, the Ming soldiers saw the Tartar cavalry roaming around fifty or sixty paces away like a pack of wolves, their horsemanship as ghostly as ghosts—they charged close to the back of their horses, yet the riders could turn around and draw their bows to their full extent.

"Woo-woo-woo—" The Mongolian horns on the opposite bank tore through the sky. Light cavalry from both flanks swept past like arrows released from a bow, firing poisoned arrows at the Ming army.

These were two thousand armored Tartar cavalry, not ordinary herdsmen. Their armor was uniform, and their tactics were equally consistent. They would first use the speed of their horses to fire arrows, then adjust their direction to maintain a distance of fifty or sixty paces from the Ming army as they galloped sideways.

Not only were his movements highly skilled, but his coordination with his warhorse was also perfect.

"Whoosh whoosh—"

As the Tartars rained down arrows, the Ming soldiers immediately raised their shields. At the same time, the soldiers lowered their heads to protect their faces, which were not covered by masks.

However, the armor of the Ming soldiers was not fully protective, and the armor plates were not as fine as those of the officers. The number of shields was also limited, so people soon began to be injured.

"what-"

Ouch—

Amid screams and cries of pain, hundreds of Ming soldiers were wounded by arrows, and more than a dozen were shot in the face and died on the spot.

Unlike the Han army, the Mongol army did not have a strict distinction between infantry archers and cavalry archers.

Mongolian bows are all recurve composite bows, characterized by their short and light weight yet strong draw weight. With a draw weight of at least one stone, their power is no less than that of the Ming army's infantry bows, and they can still kill ordinary armored soldiers at fifty paces.

The three or four arrows they often used on horseback were actually only considered light arrows! With the added speed and height of their warhorses, their lethality was in no way inferior to that of the Ming army's infantry archers.

For Mongol cavalry, there wasn't much difference between shooting arrows from the ground and shooting arrows from horseback. They grew up on horseback, and their archery training from a young age rarely involved static training; almost all of it was done while moving on horseback.

Many people think that Mongolian horse bows are short and therefore weak, which is a big misunderstanding.

Otherwise, where did the claim of being proficient in mounted archery come from?

The Mongol cavalry on the east and west flanks were sparsely spaced, with a distance of more than ten feet between them, which was a common tactic of the Mongol cavalry.

They were mounted archers, and their arrows could accurately hit the enemy lines, but it was not easy for the Ming army to counterattack.

Because their formation was loose, unlike the Ming army which had to maintain a relatively tight formation.

"Clang!" Several feathered arrows covered in strange rust were stuck in a large shield not far from Zhu Yin, their fletchings trembling.

Clearly, this arrow was shot by an archer from the enemy army.

Mongolian bows are classified into several grades according to their strength. The strongest bows weigh over 200 jin (approximately 100 kg), and those who can use such bows are called "eagle archers." They can shoot an arrow 300 paces away, and even pierce armor at 100 paces.

However, even among the elite Mongol troops, only one in a hundred could be considered a skilled archer. Against two thousand enemy cavalry, there were at most twenty archers.

The Mongol army liked to use archers to shoot and kill enemy generals.

"Protect the Prime Minister!" Hundreds of armored soldiers shouted in unison, guarding against Zhu Yin being hit by arrows.

The Mongols preferred to poison their arrows.

"What do I have to fear!" Zhu Yin patted the camel's hump. "Although the Tartars are good at shooting, they are ultimately just traitors who sell their heads for a mark."

Ding Hongying quickly said, "Uncle Hu, you should go back to the Central Army's high-speed carriage; it's the safest place there."

Mao Wenlong and Cao Wenzhao also asked Zhu Yin to return to the central army's high cart. Zhu Yin did not insist, and immediately dismounted from his camel and returned to the high cart with Black Tiger.

Although he had his precious sister-in-law's medicine on him, it would be troublesome if he were injured by arrows soaked in feces, rotting corpses, and poisonous herbs by the Mongols.

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh—" Thousands of infantry archers in the Ming army formation also fired a large rain of arrows at the same time, but only thirty or forty Mongol cavalrymen were killed or wounded, because the Mongol cavalrymen were riding on horseback and their formation was very scattered, making it really difficult to hit them.

However, it must be acknowledged that the archery skills of the Ming army were generally inferior to those of the Mongol army. Mongol children learned archery at a very young age; archery was a survival skill cultivated from childhood. How could the Han people compare?
In the Ming army, archers were considered elite archers after a few years of training.

In the initial engagement, the Ming army suffered a minor loss. The Ming army suffered over a hundred casualties, while the Tartars only suffered thirty or forty, a casualty ratio exceeding two to one, approaching three to one.

Soon, the two thousand Mongol cavalrymen roared away and separated, regrouping a mile behind the Ming army's main formation to rest leisurely.

Many cavalrymen even dismounted and rested in the shade of trees, appearing fearless and unafraid of a counterattack from the Ming cavalry.

The first engagement between the two sides ended just like that.

Although the Ming army had 15,000 cavalry, neither Qi Jiguang, Zhu Yin, nor Li Rusong ordered the cavalry to pursue.

Don't waste your energy, because you definitely can't catch up.

If the Ming cavalry could catch up with the Mongol cavalry, the Mongols would not have been able to threaten the Ming Dynasty for more than two hundred years.

Mongolians were said to ride sheep at age three and horses at age five. Not only were their horsemanship unparalleled, but their understanding of horse temperament was also far superior to that of the Han Chinese; they were born cavalrymen. While both were mounted, the Ming cavalry consistently lagged behind the Mongol cavalry in speed and endurance.

This is the main reason why the Ming army always had to be on the defensive when facing Mongol cavalry.

"Oh ho ho—" The Mongol cavalrymen burst into mocking laughter when they saw that the Ming cavalrymen had stopped in place and had not pursued them, showing off their dazzling and superb horsemanship.

This tactic may seem simple, but it is a clever tactic used by Mongol cavalry to harass and exhaust the enemy. Jackal packs are generally very difficult to deal with.

Relying on their superior speed, they used a small force to constantly harass the slower enemy, maintaining a high level of tension for days or even weeks. Once they had worn down the enemy's morale and fighting spirit, they broke through their lines in one fell swoop.

They've used this method for hundreds of years, and it's always worked perfectly. To this day, there's still no effective way to break it.

The truth on the other side, along with Ayun and other Mongolian nobles, immediately showed expressions of "nothing special," which reassured them considerably.

What about Zhu Yin and Qi Jiguang? The troops they led were just so-so.

Zhu Yin and Qi Jiguang looked at the smug Tartar cavalry on both flanks, who were galloping and shouting, and remained calm.

No rush, this is nothing. Let the Tartars be smug for now.

When he launched the counterattack, Qi Jiguang did not order the use of firearms, which was a last resort.

The firearms carried by the Ming army this time, whether they were arquebuses, three-barreled guns, rockets, or breech-loading cannons and tiger-squatting cannons, were all unsuitable for use just now.

Having fought against the Ming army for a long time, the Mongol cavalry had long since learned how to counter the Ming army's firearms. First, they spread out their formations as much as possible. Second, they properly stored dry bowstrings and chose to fight on rainy days. Third, they lured the Ming army into firing easily, thus depleting their gunpowder.

The Ming army's muskets and rockets had limited range, making it difficult to penetrate armor at a distance of fifty paces. They were also inaccurate and had a slow firing rate. Against sparse and scattered mobile cavalry, their lethality was not as reliable as that of bows and arrows, and they mostly wasted ammunition.

The range of the Franco cannon and the Tiger Crouching Cannon was sufficient, and their destructive power was enough to penetrate armor at long range. However, they were not suitable for dealing with cavalry with such a loose formation. Even if hundreds of cannons bombarded them at the same time, consuming a whole cartload of ammunition, they would not hit many cavalrymen, which was too inefficient.

Moreover, firearms have a limited lifespan; firing too many shots will render them unusable or cause them to explode.

There are specific rules about when to use firearms and what type of firearm is suitable; they should be used where appropriate.

In other words, if Ming dynasty firearms were truly so effective against non-Han peoples, there would have been no Later Jin or Manchu Qing dynasties.

Qi Jiguang couldn't help but sigh inwardly, thinking of the firearms of the Eight Banners overseas.

That was a new firearm developed by Zhu Yin after learning about the firearms of the foreigners, and it was even more powerful than the foreigners'.

The Jinghai Navy is now equipped with new firearms.

If the Ming Dynasty had all these new firearms, then it would no longer fear the Tartar cavalry, and the Ming Dynasty would be able to take the initiative to completely suppress the Tartars.

Unfortunately, this is just a fantasy.

Qi Jiguang once considered whether to introduce the new firearms from Daishan into the Ming army. But the conclusion was no!

His experiences over the years have changed his mindset significantly, giving him a clearer understanding of reality. He also began to speculate about Zhu Yin's identity.

Even with advanced firearms, nothing can be changed if the deep-seated problems of the Ming Dynasty are not addressed.

Anyone could master the technology for new firearms. Ultimately, the Jinghai Army suffered, while the corrupt and powerful officials profited. Furthermore, manufacturing new firearms required top-quality steel and skilled craftsmen; it demanded meticulous workmanship and a willingness to invest in quality regardless of cost. In the words of Zhihu and Caiwei, it was a complete system, something the rampant corruption of the court simply couldn't achieve; even good intentions would be distorted.

Zhu Yin glanced at Qi Jiguang, and of course knew what his adoptive father was thinking.

In recent years, my adoptive mother has played a significant role, seizing every opportunity to brainwash my adoptive father, trying to dissuade him from his blind loyalty to the imperial court. My adoptive father has finally seen the light.

The fact that the adoptive father didn't mention introducing the new firearms from Daishan was enough to show that he was no longer blindly loyal to Wanli and the Ming court. He would no longer disregard the overseas base of the Jinghai Army for the sake of a corrupt court and a muddle-headed emperor.

Zhu Yin pointed to the enemy army across Huangyangchuan and whispered to Qi Jiguang, "Father, the enemy army is already arrogant, and our army has a better chance of winning."

Zhu Yin and Qi Jiguang's main objective was to pin down the enemy's main cavalry force here, keeping them locked up east of Lenglong Ridge and south of Huangyangchuan!
At first glance, it seems that 30,000 men are holding back 30,000 men, and the enemy army is not at a loss. However, it is the main force of the enemy cavalry that is being tied down, which puts them at a disadvantage in the overall battle.

Qi Jiguang's move seemed ordinary, but it was actually a deadly trap. Like a gazelle hanging its horns, it was extremely deceptive and, without the enemy realizing it, put them in a noose.

Fighting a war isn't as simple as just rushing into battle the moment you meet someone.
Qi Jiguang nodded, "We can't be too careless. We need to hold out for at least ten to fifteen days. Our army only carried five days' worth of rations, and the supply lines in the Zhuanglang River Valley cannot be cut off. Zhihu, the two deadly moves you've devised are fierce, but they will take some time to materialize. If we lose in a direct confrontation, your two plans will be useless."

Zhu Yin was no longer a novice on the battlefield, so of course he knew what he was doing.

Defeating an enemy army primarily composed of cavalry head-on was virtually impossible. Neither Qi Jiguang, nor Zhu Yin, nor Li Rusong were so optimistic.

Facing them were 25,000 Mongol cavalry! Since the Gengxu Incident, the Ming army had never encountered 20,000 to 30,000 Mongol cavalry in a single battle.

Moreover, these 25,000 cavalrymen were the main force of the rebel army, and their armor coverage was very high, with as many as two-thirds of the knights wearing armor!

Things are not like they were at the beginning of the dynasty. Facing 16,000 to 17,000 armored Mongol cavalry is a great test for the Ming army.

At present, the Ming army also has 15,000 cavalry, mainly Li Rusong's Liaodong Iron Cavalry, as well as cavalry drawn from several other garrisons.

They were indeed the most elite cavalry in the Ming army, but their archery skills were far inferior to those of the Mongol cavalry.

Although they were better at close combat than the Mongol cavalry, the Mongol cavalry rarely gave their opponents the opportunity to engage in close combat.

Unless Zhen and Ayun make a serious mistake, it will be too difficult to wipe them out.

If the direct confrontation fails, the two secret killing moves I've prepared will be meaningless.

"Good heavens, there must be 17,000 armored cavalry." Qi Jiguang put down his monocular telescope, his face ashen. "Many of the armor styles are clearly those of my border troops. Some of them are truly despicable and deserve to die."

Although he had long known that border generals were selling armor to foreign tribes, which was not unusual, he did not expect that so many of the Mongol cavalrymen on the other side were wearing Ming army armor.

“Father,” Zhu Yin said softly, “Gansu is far from the emperor’s reach, thousands of miles away from Beijing, and it is also the most corrupt, with the most rampant theft of military equipment and armor. Furthermore, the Western Sea is rich in warhorses, leather, salt, and iron. Tribal chiefs smuggle with merchants from the Northwest and trade with merchants from the Western Regions, so they have plenty of money and can afford armor.”

"To be honest, the Western Sea Mongols are stronger than the Tao Mongols."

Qi Jiguang squinted, his tall figure resembling a monument in the setting sun, his tone carrying an air of awe:

"Very well. Let's take advantage of this Hexi campaign to recover the Western Sea as well. When the Tang Dynasty destroyed Tuyuhun, the Western Sea came into the hands of the Central Plains. At worst, our Great Ming Dynasty can destroy it again."

Zhu Yin laughed, "Even that incompetent Emperor Huizong of Song was able to reclaim Qingtang (Xihai), yet our Great Ming Dynasty lost Qingtang for two hundred years. Is the Great Ming Dynasty even inferior to the weak Song Dynasty? This is the opportunity to reclaim it. I'm just afraid..."

At this point, Zhu Yin deliberately stopped the conversation.

Sure enough, Qi Jiguang's expression turned even colder.

"What are you afraid of?" Qi Jiguang sneered. "I'm afraid the court is unwilling to recover it and will give up on its own initiative, is that it? Hmph, if the court deliberately gives up, I have already done my best for the court."

Zhu Yin's expression was inscrutable, his eyes flickering.

He knew very well that the imperial court had reached its limit in recovering the Hetao region and would not recover Qinghai. Even if he and his adoptive father conquered Xihai, the imperial court would not be willing to station troops to defend it.

Giving up is the most likely outcome.

This was the Ming Dynasty's inherent nature after the Tumu Crisis, and it was difficult to change.

However, the adoptive father still harbored illusions and expectations for the imperial court. But in the end, he would be disappointed.

Zhu Yin surveyed the 30,000 troops standing ready, then glanced at the sun about to set behind the mountains. He brandished his tiger-tooth sword and commanded, "Issue my order: set up camp on the spot!"

"Yes, sir!" The messenger immediately relayed the order, and the flag officer waved the flag, and the 30,000-strong army immediately set up camp on the spot.

They have already ignored the enemy army on the other side.

The various units of the Ming army operated in an orderly manner, like a huge, well-organized machine constantly moving across the land.

The creaking of the chariot wheels grinding over the gravel suddenly became clearer, as if crushing the setting sun on the horizon. The side wagons of the Ming army's chariots were linked end to end, quickly building a chariot siege on the plain.

Then, one after another, chevaux-de-frise were pushed out and positioned outside the chariots. The muzzles of the cannons, the arrows of the ballistae, and the launch tubes of the rockets were all pointed outwards.

After the chariots came rows of shield wagons. After the shield wagons came came a line of camels. After the camels came a row of spearmen and spearmen.

In less than fifteen minutes, the heavily guarded temporary camp was completed, resembling a giant hedgehog.

The two thousand Mongol cavalrymen who had attacked the Ming army saw that the Ming army had set up camp on the spot and had no intention of engaging them. With no opportunity to take advantage of the situation and no way to attack them, they had no choice but to cross the Huangyang River again and return to their camp on the other side to claim credit.

The truth is that they were "victorious in their first battle" and were in high spirits. Seeing the Ming army camping out like tortoises and avoiding battle, they became even more contemptuous of the Ming army.

He actually had reasons to underestimate the Ming army.

Over the years, he has repeatedly sent troops to invade Hexi, Longxi and other places, plundering a lot of women and wealth. Two years ago, he also created the Taozhou Incident, which shocked the court and the public, and killed the Ming Dynasty's deputy commander-in-chief and the imperial inspector.

However, the Ming army could not do anything to him and was defeated by him several times.

Although this was his first time fighting against Qi Jiguang and Zhu Yin, he did not believe that the Ming army on the other side was much stronger than the Ming army that he had repeatedly defeated before.

"Prince of Xihai," Crown Prince Zhu Shuaixin looked at the Ming army camp with some concern, "the sun is about to set, should we fight through the night?"

“There’s no need,” Zhen said bluntly. “Your Highness, please don’t be anxious. A battle involving tens of thousands of people cannot be rushed. Night battles are prone to chaos. Not only our army, but the Ming army is also not good at night fighting.”

Ah Yun said, "Truly, Taiji, I think we should send out a thousand men tonight to harass them in shifts, so they can't sleep all night."

"Hahaha!" Truth laughed. "Of course! If the enemy sleeps well, he'll have sweet dreams and destroy us in his dreams."

Upon hearing this, everyone burst into laughter.

The laughter subsided, and Zhenxiang pointed across the street with his riding crop, saying with high spirits:

"Warriors, the enemy before us is no different from their cowardly brethren! When arrows pierce their bodies, scimitars cut off their heads, and warhorses trample their courage, they will fear us for a hundred years! A thousand years! They will dream of us!"

"Pass on my order: set up camp at Zamu River to the north. In this sweltering heat, let the horses cool off! We'll come back early tomorrow morning!"

At a single command, the 30,000-strong army immediately set off, thundering northward.

Only a few dozen scouts remained on the spot, keeping a close watch on the Ming army camp, ready to report the military situation to the truth at any time.

As the large band of rebels headed north, the blood-red setting sun finally sank into the distant, desolate Qilian Mountains.

As the earth slowly slept under the overwhelming night sky, a crescent moon gradually rose, gazing down upon the mountains and rivers of Liangzhou.

The brightly lit Ming army camp suddenly fell silent. Even the noisy warhorses were quiet.

As the summer heat subsides, the winds blowing through the Qilian Mountains and Zhuanglang River Valley bring a cool, refreshing night.

Xiao Hei, no longer sticking out its tongue in the heat, sat cross-legged at Zhu Yin's feet and dozed off.

On the high carriage, Zhu Yin held a folding fan, looking at the huge silhouette of the Qilian Mountains with a profound and unfathomable gaze.

Will tonight's night raid be successful?

He suddenly remembered a line from Sun Tzu's Art of War:

"Those skilled in warfare in the past first made themselves invincible, and then waited for the enemy to become vulnerable!"

P.S.: I've changed my plan to only briefly mention Ningxia; I still need to write two or three more chapters about it. I only realized at the last minute that I really can't rush things. Thank you to all my friends who have supported me. Goodnight!

(End of this chapter)