South of Huangtu Ridge, there are already three battlefields from west to east. To the east, Bai Guangen's troops have been defeated, while Wu Sangui's troops are still holding on. In the middle, Yang Guozhu and Li Fuming were still fighting bravely to attack the mountain. To the west, Ma Ke and Tang Tong encountered unprecedented trouble.
With a loud bang, a cannonball hit the hill heavily, stirring up a large amount of soil. Because the cannonball landed on a hilly slope sloping upward, although it bounced high forward, after falling, it rolled down a few times and stopped bouncing.
At this time, both Ma Ke and Tang Tong looked nervously at the Qing artillery array in the distance, and no longer had the intention to face the Han army flag soldiers and horses on the opposite side. The cannonball just now was not far from their central army position. According to the two people's military formation, the hills were filled with cavalry and infantry from the main barracks of the Second Town. The distance between one thousand generals and one thousand generals, and each thousand generals, are widely separated to reduce casualties when being bombarded.
The 35,000-strong army in the two towns was filled with small phalanxes one after another along the top and front of the hills. From north to south, they were all covered with soldiers, horses and flags. On the plain below the hills, there are vehicle formations, forming a slight arc around the hills, stationed by gunners, gunners, and rocket launchers. To the north of the hills, a guerrilla force under Tang Tong was stationed, equipped with chariots and horses.
In fact, the deployment of Ma Ke and Tang Tong is quite systematic. As long as the soldiers of the two towns can fight to the end, it is still unclear who will win the battle.
The shell just now did not cause any casualties to the soldiers and horses in the two towns. Tang Tong and Ma Ke were relieved. But then, the gunfire from the Qing army's position rang out one after another, and the two of them suddenly became nervous.
On the hilly high ground over there, another large plume of black gunpowder smoke was seen rising, followed by dozens of solid artillery shells roaring towards them. The Qing army's artillery lowered its firing range at this time, not pointing at the hills, but at the various vehicle camps arranged in front of the hills. It seemed that the Qing army was preparing to destroy the vehicle camps first, and then attack with troops.
In the blink of an eye, a large number of artillery shells landed in front of and behind the car camps in the two towns, or missed the target, but did not hit the people or horses when they bounced. Or directly hit the chariots, smashing those chariots into pieces and flying sharp wooden thorns. The gunners who were hit behind him were writhing and howling, and the soldiers and horses in the two towns began to suffer casualties.
There were also many artillery shells fired directly into the position of the gunners behind, as well as the formation of the captain's gunners. The heavy artillery shells continued to bounce off the dry ground, and then brought up bursts of bloody mist from the remaining limbs. In just the blink of an eye, the troops in Miyun Town and Shanhaiguan Town were crying and howling, and the soldiers and horses in the car camp in front were in chaos.
At this time, the main barracks of the two towns deployed on the hills were also in a commotion. Looking at the miserable situation of their companions in front, the elites of these main barracks all turned pale. They never expected that the artillery fire of the Qing army was so fierce. Where did the Tatars get it from? So many heavy artillery?
Although Miyun Town and Shanhaiguan Town are also equipped with some artillery, they are all kinds of small French cannons, with a range of within two miles. At this time, the Qing army is three miles away, and the Ming army's artillery cannot hit it at all. so far away.
Tang Tong and Ma Ke were anxious and debated how to respond. Ma Ke advocated advancing the entire army to within two miles and then firing back with artillery. However, Tang Tong advocated that the entire army retreat and at the same time send people to ask Hong Chengchou for help. It would be best to dispatch heavy artillery and reinforcements.
Just as the two were arguing, another roar came from the Qing army's artillery array. This time the Qing army's gunners used Qunzi. Hundreds of artillery shells formed a barrage and smashed into the Ming army's array, and then They started shooting, bombing, rolling, jumping, and smashing randomly. From time to time, tanks and military formations were hit. Flesh and blood were flying everywhere, and debris was flying.
After just two rounds of shelling, the several car camps deployed at the front completely collapsed. Many broken soldiers began to flee backwards. They were so anxious that Ma Ke and Tang Tong cursed and immediately sent servants to suppress them.
In fact, the soldiers in the second town stood very sparsely. Thirty-five thousand people and horses were lined up several miles away, with open spaces between each small formation. It's just that the fighting will of the soldiers and horses in the two towns was too poor. They were bombarded by Qing artillery twice. Looking at the miserable situation of their companions in front, their psychological defenses began to collapse.
Afterwards, the Qing army's artillery bombarded several more rounds, and almost all the car camps in the two towns collapsed. A large number of broken troops began to flee in all directions. Ma Ke and Tang Tong were frightened and had difficulty in sending a large number of manpower to suppress and collect the broken troops.
Fortunately, the Qing army's artillery stopped firing and began to cool down, and the main force of the Qing army did not launch an attack, which made Ma Ke and Tang Tong a little relieved.
These waves of artillery fire from the Qing army did not know how many casualties they caused to the two towns. However, Ma Ke and Tang Tong were worried that the Qing army's artillery would fire again, and the soldiers and horses in the two towns would definitely not be able to withstand it.
At this time, a large number of dead and injured people from the car camp were carried to the front of the hill. Ma Ke and Tang Tong watched the casualties being carried down one by one. Either their hands or feet were broken, or they were broken into pieces. Some people were even swept into two pieces. Broken, intestines and feces flowed all over the floor, making the two people's stomachs churn.
After Tang Tong retched for a while, he frowned and thought for a while, and said to Marco: "General Ma, the only solution now is to evacuate the car camp and let them retreat to the front of the hills!"
Marco shook his head and said: "If there is no chariot camp in front, what will happen if the Tatars attack the formation? And you know the virtues of these Qiu Ba. If you ask them to retreat, what if they take the opportunity to escape? The chariot camp must be removed as soon as possible. Gather the defeated troops and deploy them to the front!"
Tang Tong was right. Without the carriage camp and the main barracks alone, it would be difficult for him to block the attack of the Tatar cavalry. Moreover, he knew the virtues of his subordinates, so he might still be able to persevere at this time. If he were given the order to advance, and the energy would drain out, they might collapse.
Tang Tong said worriedly: "This won't work, that won't work either, so what should I do?"
Marco stroked his whiskers and looked at the Qing army's position with a deep gaze: "The only way is to seize the artillery!"
Tang Tong was stunned: "Seize the cannon?"
Marco said: "Look, Commander Tang, most of the people on the opposite side are the two Tatars with the Han army flag. Most of them are infantry or gunmen. The real Tatars don't have many cavalry. It doesn't look like they will exceed four thousand." People, and our two town cavalry combined have an absolute advantage in strength!"
"As long as we gather the cavalry from the two towns and rush over quickly, rushing in front of the artillery array, can the two Tatars' cannons and blunderbuss stop us? Seizing the cannon by then will be a rare feat!"
Tang Tong thought about it for a while and couldn't help but nodded. If he went to seize the cannon, he still had a chance of winning. If he stood here and was beaten, he would be dead. Fight!
But then Tang Tong asked seriously: "Then who is going to seize the cannon?"
Ma Ke immediately clasped his fists and complimented: "Tang's general army is a rare elite among the towns. They have repeatedly captured and killed many people. This town admires them very much. Of course, the heavy responsibility of seizing the cannon must be given to Tang general's army." !”
Tang Tong waved his hands repeatedly and said: "General Ma, I don't deserve Tang's compliments like this! When it comes to marching and fighting, General Ma can truly be regarded as a fierce general. Naturally, General Ma was responsible for seizing the cannon." of!"
The two argued for a long time, but in the end they had no choice but to lead the troops together.
Soon the cavalry from the two towns gathered together. Including Tang Tong and Ma Ke's servants, there were more than 13,000 people. After discussion between the two, a deputy general under Ma Ke led his troops to seize the cannon, and a deputy general under Tang Tong led his troops to fight the Qing cavalry.
At this time, more than 13,000 cavalrymen from the two towns were deployed in front of the hilly carriage camp, with Ma Ke's army in front and Tang Tong's army behind.
The soldiers of the two towns formed their own cavalry formations. Each of these cavalrymen wore bright red long body armor and had arms and hands. Plus dense banners, like a forest of spears, swords and sticks. A murderous aura suddenly filled the air.
A trumpet sound sounded, and the cavalry armies of the two towns began to attack. More than 13,000 soldiers first rode their horses at a fast pace. After advancing for about a mile, they began to gallop. The iron hoofs hit the ground and shook violently. Thousands of mountain and navy war horses gathered into a galloping torrent, rolling forward!
On the battlefield at this time, thousands of horses were running wildly on one side, and artillery shells were roaring on the other.
The forty Hongyi heavy artillery pieces of the Qing army continued to bombard, and dozens of solid iron balls passed by like lightning, constantly hitting the Ming cavalry impact array, making crackling sounds, and one after another the Ming army's men and horses were knocked into blood mist. .
The screams of people and the screams of horses continued to sound, but the Ming army continued to march, especially after one mile, the cavalry charge slowed down.
By this time, in addition to the forty Hongyi heavy cannons on the hills, the Qing army's artillery array also had dozens of smaller Hongyi cannons deployed in front, and they all fired at this time.
The Qing army's artillery fire suddenly increased, and the casualties of the charging Ming army cavalry also increased sharply. However, the Ming army soldiers were still roaring and charging, and they were about to rush to the front of the Qing army's formation.
At this moment, all the artillery in the Qing army's artillery array began to use shotgun shells. With an earth-shattering roar, an almost airtight barrage swept over, giving the Ming army cavalry a head-on blow.
I saw a large area of Ming army cavalry officers falling down in unison. Amidst the neighing of horses, many cavalry officers were covered in blood, either at a loss or stunned by the roar of huge artillery. , riding his horse and looking around blankly.
Immediately afterwards, there was a dense sound of musketry, and bird cannons were stretched out one after another from the densely packed shield car. There were actually two thousand bird cannons fired from the front level. Although these blunderbuss are still matchlock guns, they are very well-made and naturally not bad in power!
Thick white smoke rose again, and two thousand cannons were fired. Many Mingqi in front fell at a loss. At this time, they no longer had the momentum to charge, and became a big target for the Han army's cannon soldiers. .
After three levels of shooting, countless Ming soldiers and horses fell. The cavalry in front no longer had the courage to march!
Countless Ming cavalrymen screamed loudly and fled back, hoping to stay away from the Tatar cannons and muskets.
Seeing the cavalry of Ma Ke's army running away in front, the cavalry of Tang Tong's army in front also fled back in panic. In just a short period of time, the Ming army's cannon-seizing operation failed!
And in the front, watching countless cavalry barking back, they seemed to be in a state of collapse. Ma Ke and Tang Tong on the hills were stunned. This... what is going on?
At this time, Ma Ke and Tang Tong never dreamed that the Qing army's firearms were so powerful. How could they fight this battle?
"God, why did we encounter these Tatar soldiers!"
While Tang Tong was wailing, he felt sorry for his loss. Thousands of soldiers and cavalrymen were gone, and his fortune as a general officer for many years was gone!
And Marco gritted his teeth and said tremblingly: "Why don't we withdraw?"
Some people died, but not completely...
