The Ming Dynasty: Starting with the border troops, it was overthrown and the Qing Dynasty was destro

Chapter 156 Both Sides Have Their Wins and Losses
Although the sounds of battle were deafening outside, Jiang Han's central army camp remained quiet.

Upon receiving news of the night raid, Jiang Han didn't even have time to put on his clothes before hurriedly giving orders to his personal guards:
"Pass on my order: immediately notify Li Laowai, Dong Erzhu, and others, instructing officers at all levels to restrain their soldiers and prevent them from acting rashly!"

"Immediately light all the braziers and bonfires in the camp. Soldiers, don your armor and take up your weapons, maintain discipline, and guard the camp strictly!"

"Except for messengers and officers of the rank of captain or above, no one is allowed to make noise, run around, or give warnings in the camp. Anyone who disobeys this order will be executed on the spot!"

"Issue another order to Shao Yong, instructing him to immediately lead two squads of men to the left camp's stables at full speed, and to keep a close watch on the warhorses, ensuring that they are not startled and cause a disturbance."

"If anything goes wrong, he will be held responsible!"

"Order Dong Erzhu to lead 1,000 soldiers to guard the rear camp and ensure that the supplies and provisions are not lost!"

"Also, have Zhao Sheng lead five hundred auxiliary soldiers, carrying water cannons and fire extinguishers, ready to put out fires at any time!"

As Jiang Han issued his orders, the silent military camp gradually awoke and began to operate in an orderly manner.

Although it was the first time they had faced a night raid by government troops, thanks to the strict discipline and military law they usually upheld, few people in the camp dared to make a fuss.

The few panicked soldiers were also apprehended immediately, preventing further chaos.

Fire pits and campfires throughout the camp were quickly lit, and the flames rose up, dispelling the unknown and fear brought by the darkness.

The soldiers in the military tent, organized into squads, quickly rose, donned their armor and helmets, picked up their weapons, and waited silently in the tent under the leadership of their squad leaders and platoon leaders.

After three rapid drumbeats signaling the start of the assembly, the captains of each battalion, following the regulations of the drill manual, led their soldiers out of their respective tents in turn.

Then, the team leaders found their respective squad leaders, who then handed over the assembled teams to the battalion commander.

In the military, from the bottom up, from the most basic squad leader and platoon leader to the highest-ranking battalion commander, everyone has their own duties.

Under the strict control of officers at all levels, no disturbances occurred in the military camp, and the main force was successfully assembled in a short period of time.

After handing over command to Hong Ming, Shao Yong immediately led two squads of men to the stables. He had to calm the horses first and then assemble the cavalry.

Dong Erzhu and Zhao Sheng, following Jiang Han's orders, each led their soldiers and auxiliary troops to the rear camp to guard the provisions and supplies.

Li Laowai led two thousand soldiers, forming several neat square formations in front of the central command tent, like door gods guarding the central army, quietly awaiting Jiang Han's next command.

Jiang Han, clad in gold-lacquered mountain-patterned armor, stood firmly beneath the central army banner, his hand resting on his waist sword.

Not far away, the fleeing soldiers surged in like a tide, followed closely by Cao Bianjiao's menacing pursuers.

Seeing this, Jiang Han shouted sternly:

"Beat the drums three times, open the camp to meet the enemy!"

Boom!Boom!Boom!
The dull drumbeats struck everyone's hearts like heavy hammers, instantly silencing the clamor on the battlefield.

"Fire three cannon shots to disperse the fleeing soldiers!"

boom! boom! boom!
As three booming sounds rang out from Jiang Han's camp, the fleeing soldiers who were running towards them suddenly stopped in their tracks and looked at the camp in front of them in a panic.

Under their panicked gazes, Jiang Han's stockade gate slowly opened, and one orderly troop after another poured out of the gate.

The first to emerge were a scout and an archer. They moved swiftly, and as soon as they left the village, they each found a shooting position in front of the barricades and deer antlers, ready for battle.

Immediately following was the formation of the main infantry.

Two thousand soldiers, led by their respective officers, rushed out of the camp to the beat of drums and then stood at their respective positions.

Finally, Shao Yong emerged, followed by two cavalry squads that filed out of the camp and positioned themselves on either side of the infantry formation.

Upon seeing the well-organized military formation ahead, the fleeing soldiers, who had been scattering in all directions, consciously retreated to both sides.

The routed soldiers parted the sea like the Monkey King parting the ocean, clearing a path in front of Jiang Han's army.

Any few fools or unlucky souls who failed to retreat in time were instantly cut down by the soldiers at the front, their heads severed from their bodies.

The noise and chaos in the room were instantly suppressed, and the crowd gradually stopped rioting.

The routed soldiers, disoriented in the darkness, seemed to have found their backbone and rushed to the rear of Jiang Han's army, following the army step by step as it advanced.

Cao Bianjiao originally intended to lead the routed soldiers in a pursuit, and take advantage of the Jiang Han army's unstable formation to break through the enemy camp in one fell swoop.

But ahead were barricades, and behind them were rows of gunners and archers watching him intently.

Ai Wannian's infantry, oblivious to their own mortality, attempted to blend in with the fleeing soldiers and break through to the enemy's front.

But Jiang Han's musketeers and archers didn't care about that; anyone who dared to approach was shot dead on the spot.

After a volley of gunfire, Ai Wannian could only leave behind a dozen or so corpses and flee in panic.

Seeing this, Cao Bianjiao had no choice but to tighten the reins and stop his pursuit.

On a nearby earthen slope, Cao Wenzhao stood in the firelight and saw this scene from afar, his brows furrowing.

"How could such chaos be suppressed?"

"Such strong discipline, such great prestige."

Just as Cao Wenzhao was marveling at the situation, Jiang Han's army continued to advance, forcing the pursuing government troops to retreat repeatedly.

At this moment, Cao Bianjiao, who had ridden back on horseback, looked indignant and volunteered:
"Uncle, allow me to lead the team and charge at him!"

Seeing that the bandits had broken free from the protection of the barricades and antlers, Cao Bianjiao felt it was a good opportunity.

Cao Bianjiao is now full of confidence and high spirits.

This is not the Lüliang Mountains; the Guan Ning soldiers can only fight on foot, and the advantages of cavalry and their superb horsemanship cannot be utilized.

Now, the vast plains are open and the roads are flat, making them an ideal battlefield for cavalry to exploit their offensive advantages. Cao Wenzhao nodded in agreement.

"Go ahead, you and Guerrilla General Sun each lead three hundred cavalrymen, and charge forward in one wave to test the waters."

Cao Wenzhao dared not be careless, after all, he had suffered a loss last time, and he did not want to capsize in a ditch.

Upon receiving the order, Cao Bianjiao and Sun Shoufa launched a probing attack.

The two wanted to repeat their old trick and recreate the Battle of Puxian, using the impact of cavalry to break down the enemy's psychological defenses and cause them to fall into chaos without a fight.

However, Jiang Han was prepared for this.

Seeing the government cavalry rushing towards them, the shield bearers at the front suddenly parted to the sides, creating an opening.

Behind the shield bearers, musketeers and archers broke through the ranks, aiming their dark muzzles and gleaming arrowheads at the front.

"put!"

At the captain's command, a dense volley of fire ensued.

Bang, bang, bang!

The clatter of gunfire, like popping beans, mingled with the piercing whistling of arrows. Amidst the billowing smoke, many of the cavalrymen at the forefront fell to the ground, horse and all, raising clouds of dust.

Upon seeing this, Cao Bianjiao suddenly blew the bone whistle hanging on his chest, emitting a sharp and piercing whistle.

Upon hearing the whistle, the cavalrymen behind him drew their prepared javelins and spears from leather pouches on the side of their saddles.

These javelins had thick shafts and sharp tips, making them effective weapons for cavalry to penetrate armor.

As the Guan Ning soldiers swung their arms with all their might, hundreds of javelins, carrying enormous kinetic energy, whistled into the enemy infantry formation.

Although Jiang Han's soldiers were all wearing cloth armor with iron plates, their defense was still somewhat insufficient against these javelins specifically designed to penetrate armor.

Many people were pierced through their armor by the thrown spears, screaming as they were pinned to the ground by the immense force.

However, the Guan Ning cavalry's offensive was far from over.

The moment the javelins hit the ground, Cao Bianjiao led a hundred armored cavalrymen, kicking up dust, and rammed into the foremost infantry formation.

Within the formation, many people were still trying to rescue their wounded comrades.

Caught off guard by Cao Bianjiao's charge, he was sent flying and fell to the ground, unable to get up.

The originally well-organized formation was thus forcibly torn open, creating a gap.

Seeing that the army formation was in danger of being breached, Li Laowai quickly led his personal guards forward, holding shields and spears, and stood firmly in front of Cao Bianjiao.

When Cao Bianjiao saw Li Laowai's familiar face, he was overjoyed. Today, he was determined to avenge his previous humiliation!
He looked down from his vantage point, his lance deflecting the surrounding spears, and charged towards Li Laowai.

Li Laowai wasn't stupid. Cao Bianjiao was already a fierce general, and now he was riding a horse and wielding a spear, so naturally he wouldn't go forward to fight him head-on.

So he quickly ordered his personal guards to raise their shields and hold them firmly in front of him, not giving Cao Bianjiao a chance to get close and fight.

If he could slow down Cao Wenzhao's cavalry charge, he would have won half the battle.

At this moment, Shao Yong's cavalry had arrived from both flanks, and the surrounding infantrymen also pressed forward with their spears, seemingly about to surround Cao Bianjiao.

Cao Bianjiao launched several charges in succession, trying to break through the shield wall in front of him, but Li Laowai's shield wall was like a tortoise shell, not moving an inch.

With more and more bandits surrounding them, Cao Bianjiao dared not fight any longer, fearing he would be trapped in a tight encirclement.

So he could only glare hatefully at Li Laowai's tortoise shell, then turn around and break through.

Not far away, Sun Shoufa saw that Cao Bianjiao was in danger of being surrounded, so he quickly led his men to meet him.

He led over a hundred cavalrymen in a charge against the enemy lines ahead.

However, Jiang Han's infantry had already recovered from their initial panic.

The spearmen in the front row roared, holding their spears straight, forming a forest of spears that blocked Sun Shoufa's path.

Faced with the gleaming spear, how could Sun Shoufa dare to charge forward?
He could only command his cavalry to sweep past the enemy's flanks.

Sun Shoufa and his men barely grazed the tips of the spears of the enemy soldiers in front of them before narrowly escaping the spear formation from the flank.

However, before they could even rejoice, they were soundly struck by lead bullets and feathered arrows.

For a moment, people and horses fell to the ground and screamed in agony.

Finally, after leaving behind dozens of corpses, Sun Shoufa managed to turn his horse around and flee back to his own camp in a sorry state.

After a fierce exchange, both sides suffered casualties, and for a time, neither side could gain the upper hand.

Although the Guan Ning cavalry had a strong impact, Jiang Han's army formation was as solid as a rock, and they could not gain much advantage.

Cao Wenzhao, watching from afar, took a deep breath and slowly said:
"Withdraw."

"Although we failed to break through the main camp of the Mountain Tiger tonight, we still dealt a heavy blow to the bandits on the periphery."

"The bandits suffered heavy casualties in the chaos, but they also gained a considerable amount of spoils."

He gazed at Jiang Han's army formation on the plateau and said in a deep voice:

"This thief is no ordinary person. Let's wait for the reinforcements from other units to arrive before we make a decision."

(End of this chapter)