"As expected, we are going to withdraw our troops. That's great..."
"Dog Tartar, bah!"
"get out!"
As Zhu Gaoxu had guessed, Jixi Fort had not been attacked again since the siege failed in the morning.
Especially after dusk, Zhang Chun from Hadaling Mountain also sent people down the mountain to report that the Uqiyete troops in the Wuliangha camp began to retreat, and nearly 10,000 people were evacuated in one fell swoop.
As the allies retreated, only one of the three Uliangha tribes was left, so their camps began to move to the rear, and many cattle and sheep were driven westward.
The Wuliangha people moved their camp ten miles away, which basically exceeded the farthest distance that could be seen from the Hadaling observation deck.
All these information seemed to reveal that Wu Liangha was about to retreat.
Seeing this situation, the Ming army also stood at the top of the city venting their anger, cursing the Uuliangha people who were retreating in groups.
"Did you really retreat..."
Standing at the gate tower, Lin Su, Yi Shiha, Wang Yi and others all felt that the news was a bit unreal.
Zhu Gaoxu, who was standing in front of them, frowned even more, as if he felt that the Uliangha people had retreated too soon.
Turning around and walking towards the gate tower, Zhu Gaoxu ordered as he walked: "They are just retreating the camp, not the troops."
"Tell all the departments to keep watch at night and don't try to be lazy."
"Only by surviving this last night can we know whether this military disaster has really subsided."
"Yes!" After listening to Zhu Gaoxu's words, the three generals puffed up their chests and responded.
Soon, they conveyed Zhu Gaoxu's military order to everyone in Jixibao City, and sent people to Hadaling Mountain to notify Zhang Chun.
Regarding Zhu Gaoxu's military order, Zhang Chun did not relax because of Wu Liangha's movements. Instead, he had people prepare enough wood and did not stop felling until the wooden platform could no longer be put down.
Zhang Chun's actions were all in Zhu Gaoxu's eyes, because he could clearly see the falling trees on Hadaling Mountain.
As the sun sets in the west, Jixi Fort begins to light bonfires and torches.
That night, Zhu Gaoxu rested on some wooden boards in the tower, as did the soldiers in the city.
Everyone didn't want to bother, but after preparing enough wood, rolling stones, and boiling water to defend the city, they lay down and never wanted to move again.
Not only them, but also the more than 2,000 followers could lie down and lie down, all looking for comfort.
Time passed little by little, and soon darkness enveloped the earth. In addition to the sound of the Songhua River, the soldiers of Jixi Fort could hear some natural sounds on Hadaling Mountain.
At the top of Hadaling, Zhang Chun asked everyone to extinguish the torches to prevent the Hu soldiers from being caught in the dark and use the light of the fire to judge their own number.
Many Jurchens suffer from night blindness due to malnutrition.
In comparison, the two hundred soldiers of the Bohai Navy were raised by Zhu Gaoxu to be tall and round.
Under the moonlight, they sat on makeshift chairs carved out of a wooden platform.
Others were sitting on the branches of trees.
They used moonlight to monitor their surroundings. Such behavior would be very difficult in later generations, but in this era more than 600 years ago, the moonlight was enough to provide them with brightness.
"Woo...Woo...Woo..."
In the mountain forest, the spotted owl, known as a night owl by the Jurchens, stood on a large branch and screamed in a low voice.
The mountain wind blew, and the big trees made a "rustling" sound. Listening to these sounds, the soldiers of the Bohai Navy looked around, but no one was found. They could only hear the gusts of wind and the roar of wild animals passing by. echo.
The mountain forest without fire makes people feel that the wild flowers, plants and trees have turned into ferocious beasts, peeping at you from the dark.
This quiet, dark forest revealed a strange atmosphere, which seemed eerie and terrifying.
"Aw...aow..."
Suddenly, a strange scream came faintly from the distance. It was frightening, but it quickly disappeared without a trace, which was creepy.
It's just that the Bohai Navy soldiers stationed at Hadaling have experienced this situation many times. Although they are still a little frightened, they will not suffer from stage fright.
"Do we still need to fight?"
"I don't know, I probably won't fight anymore."
"Then if we didn't kill anyone, can we become Jilin citizens?"
"It depends on Bohai Khan..."
On the dirt road, some Jurchens gathered together to discuss the possibility of their group obtaining Jilin citizenship. Since they did not know what the king meant, they called Zhu Gaoxu Khan.
There were not many of them gathered together. Even the brothers from the Bohai Navy gathered around Zhang Chun and complained to him:
"In this battle, the 600 or so of us got dozens of heads. I'm afraid we won't get any military merit points."
"There should be, but there are not as many brothers as there are in the city." Zhang Chun comforted the hundreds of officials beside him, and sighed at the same time:
"There is a chance to win military honors in the future, but it would be a bad thing if one loses one's life."
"You only saw the brothers in that city receiving military honors, but you never remembered their deaths and injuries."
"Perhaps many of the brothers who were killed or injured are familiar faces to you."
As soon as Zhang Chun opened his mouth, everyone shut their mouths.
No one thought he was wrong. After all, no matter how good your military exploits are, you still have to earn your life.
It seemed that they were a little nervous by Zhang Chun's words, and everyone stopped discussing military achievements and turned to discussing trivial matters in the city.
"After the Hu soldiers retreat, the city should start to continue its cultivation."
"I don't know if houses will be built this year. Last year, we said we would build them this year, but now we are delayed by this matter."
"It's been repaired well. I heard that we will also have the opportunity to enjoy the fire path. We won't have to freeze in the house in the future."
"If these damn Hu soldiers delay the construction of the new house, I will have to kill them alive."
Everyone chatted about trivial matters. The more they chatted, the more enthusiastic they became. The more time they talked, the longer they pushed back. Gradually, the number of people chatting began to decrease. In the end, most of them went to rest, leaving only the soldiers and retinues who were keeping watch at night.
Time passed and it soon came to midnight.
When no one was aware, Tuolu Huchaer led more than a thousand Tanma Red Army and two thousand retinues to detour south and came to a mountain depression.
In the dark night, no one could see their faces clearly. Tuolu Huchaer turned around and looked at the Tanma Red Army behind him. All their armor was carried by their followers, and they were only wearing breastplates at the moment.
"In one hour, climb to the top of the mountain, take a detour and attack the Ming army from the side. Half an hour later, Haragu Khan will attract the attention of the Ming army for us."
Tulu Huchaer gave instructions to several households around him, and then began to lead the team to climb the mountain.
In the dark primitive mountain forest, there are many ancient trees and vines, and from time to time you can trip over tree roots while walking.
Even so, the Hadal Ridge did not stop Tolu Huchaer. They slowly climbed up the mountain. Although the speed was very slow, they were always moving forward.
About half an hour later, they finally reached the top of the mountain, which was still seven or eight miles away from the wooden platform on the western slope of Hadal Ridge of the Ming Dynasty.
"Rest first and wait for Halagu Khan to attack."
Tolu Hucha'er was so tired that he panted and said that the Tanma Red Army behind him also sat on the ground to rest.
Time passed little by little, and after about a quarter of an hour, the Wuliangha camp was in full flames, and a 'fire dragon' walked out of the camp.
At first, due to the distance, Zhang Chun and the others did not notice it. It was not until they walked several miles towards Hadal Ridge that anyone noticed the team coming with torches.
"Beep--"
"Hu Bing has left the camp, please report to His Highness!"
The sound of wooden whistles sounded one after another, waking Zhang Chun from his sleep.
Waking up in panic, Zhang Chun squinted his eyes and listened tiredly to the shouts around him before suddenly waking up and suddenly stood up from the wooden platform:
"Prepare for war! Light the fire and shoot the rockets!"
As he shouted, many soldiers squatting on the trees immediately lit rockets and shot them towards the forest ahead.
Some of the hay in the dense forest down the slope was ignited by rockets soaked in kerosene. Since spring had just begun, there was not much hay, so people could barely see the scene in the forest.
Fortunately, there was no one in the forest, which made everyone breathe a sigh of relief.
"Be prepared with Somu and Boishui, inform His Highness to prepare for war!"
After confirming that no one was around, Zhang Chun subconsciously placed the direction of Hu Bing's attack on Jixi Fort at the foot of the mountain. He ordered two servants who could understand Mandarin to go to the foot of the mountain to inform them, while he prepared enough wood and boiling water on the mountain.
Even though he did not think that Hu Bing would attack the western slope, he felt that he was well prepared.
At the same time, the Ming army at the foot of the mountain also heard the intensive whistles on Hadal Ridge, and Zhu Gaoxu was awakened from his sleep by Yishiha.
After learning about the situation on the mountain, he immediately summoned a thousand followers and five hundred soldiers.
The retinues carried armor on their backs, and the soldiers waited lightly. As long as news came from Hadaling, they could quickly switch to guard the city in Jixi Fort, or rush up the mountain to help.
Not only them, many of the subordinates and soldiers were awakened. The figures in Jixi Fort were shaking and the lights were brightly lit.
"There are indeed many of them..."
A mile or two away, in the dark night in the north of the Songhua River, Haragu was leading a hundred cavalrymen to observe Jixi Fort in the dark night.
They didn't dare to light it for fear of exposing their target.
However, Jixibao had to light up, so they could see the figures running back and forth on the horse path.
Haragu should either be happy or regretful.
If he knew that there were so many soldiers and horses in Jilin City, he would never attack Jilin City.
It's just that it's too late to say anything now. He can't go back empty-handed after thousands of people were killed and wounded. Thinking of this, he turned his head and looked at the fire on Hada Ridge.
Whether Jilin City can be captured depends on whether Hadal Ridge can be captured.
As long as Hadaling was captured, they could open up a road and use Hadaling to bypass Jixi Fort and drive straight into Jilin City.
Even if the Jixibao Ming army retreated and came back for reinforcements, it would be useless. There were tens of thousands of people in Jilin Bay. Halagu already knew this through the mouths of the prisoners.
Spring has just begun, and Jilin City is bound to be short of food and grass.
As long as he takes Jixi Fort and then leaves troops to garrison it, he can completely defend Jilin City while resisting the Ming army coming for reinforcements.
Zhu Gaoxu could not survive for long. As soon as Jilin City was broken, he could lead the city's craftsmen across the river and retreat calmly to the north of the Yangtze River.
While thinking, Halagu stared at the western slope of Hadal Ridge. At this time, nearly 10,000 tribesmen under his command had arrived and rode down the slope of Hadal Ridge.
Just when Zhang Chun thought they would continue to move forward and attack Jixi Fort, they stopped, dismounted, and rushed towards Hadaling Mountain.
When the tens of thousands of flames came toward him, Zhang Chun felt horrified and subconsciously grabbed the people around him: "Go! Go to the bottom of the mountain to ask for help, and tell them that Hu soldiers are attacking Hadaling in a large scale!"
"Yes!" It was not just Zhang Chun who was frightened, but everyone present.
After receiving the military order, the flag officer led the people to run down the mountain, rolling and crawling. Zhang Chun also pulled out the long knife from his waist: "Get ready for war!"
With pale faces and nervous bodies and minds, the six hundred people on Hadal Ridge began to prepare for battle. The retinue stood next to Sumu, and beside them stood the armed Ming army protecting them.
With their help, the Ming army pierced the armor. When the armor was fully equipped, they began to prepare to obey orders and throw down the wood at any time.
In the night, a flock of birds were awakened and flew out of the mountain forest. Seeing this scene, Tolu Huchaer, who had been waiting for a long time, also ordered the whole army to set off.
They went all the way to the Hadaling Ming Army, frightening countless birds along the way.
At first, it was because the distance was too far and the Ming army could not see it. When the Ming army saw it, the Hu soldiers at the bottom of the mountain had already gone up the mountain and were now scattered up the mountain.
"throw!"
At the sound of a military order, four hundred subordinates began to join forces and throw out pieces of wood weighing dozens of kilograms.
The wood was smashed down the hillside, and countless people were injured and killed in a short time, but more of them were lucky enough to escape and climbed up with all their strength.
When the situation was critical, Zhu Gaoxu saw the burning Hadaling before he could wait for Zhang Chun's Butang.
Under the guidance of Fu Youde and Feng Sheng, he knew the main attack direction of the Hu soldiers just by the light of the fire, so he immediately ordered Wang Yi behind him: "Take the soldiers prepared outside the city up the mountain, the Hu soldiers are attacking the mountain!"
"Yes!" When he heard that Hadaling where Zhang Chun was stationed was attacked, Wang Yi turned around and left without any delay.
Watching him leave, Yi Shiha also worried: "Wang Yi watched Zhang Chun grow up. Will Wang Yi worry about causing trouble?"
"The number of Hu soldiers is too large. It's useless to worry about causing trouble." Zhu Gaoxu looked solemn, but he still ordered a Baihu official next to him:
"You go with Wang Yi. When you arrive, tell me the number of Hu soldiers, especially the number of Jia soldiers."
"The last general takes orders!" Officials from hundreds of households bowed in response, turned around and followed Wang Yi away.
When Zhu Gaoxu saw this, he also looked at Yi Shiha: "There are still 600 brothers from the Bohai Navy in the city. Let them feed the army horses."
"Your Highness..." Yishiha seemed to have guessed Zhu Gaoxu's thoughts, and Zhu Gaoxu did not hide it:
"If Hadal Ridge is in danger, then I will have no choice but to lead my troops out of the city and attack the Halawu camp."
"Whenever he returns to the army, I will take his people to the north. At that time, Jixi Fort orders Lin Su to stay behind. You can take your people back to Jilin City and sail south, ready to meet us at any time."
Compared with Wu Liangha, Zhu Gaoxu has one more mobile team, which is the navy of Jilin City.
Although the navy's eight artillery pieces have been dismounted and have no ability to attack land, it is still a good choice to use them for rescue.
"My slave knows, please take care of yourself, Your Highness."
Yishiha knew that he did not have the power to dissuade Zhu Gaoxu, so he could only do his best to ensure that Zhu Gaoxu could break out.
After bowing, he ordered his people to return to Jilin City and sail the warship to Jixi Fort.
After all this, the defenders in Jixi Fort were left with only 500 cavalry and 200 infantry waiting to set off, as well as more than 2,000 Jurchen followers.
"kill!!"
On Hadal Ridge, facing the Hu soldiers coming like waves, the defense line that Zhang Chun and others worked hard to maintain was finally broken.
The gentle slope of dozens of steps was covered with people, and Masaki could no longer deal with them all. Some people kept climbing up the wooden platform.
"They are all ordinary Hu soldiers, don't be afraid!"
Zhang Chun looked at the Hu soldiers who were wearing animal skin armor and went into battle, and a flash of relief flashed in his heart. While giving orders to the surroundings, he also sat in the army with a sense of humor, instead of going into battle himself.
After all, he was only fifteen years old, and he was not a strong general like Zhu Gaoxu. When it came to fighting the Hu soldiers, he could only drag down the soldiers around him.
Two hundred Bohai navy and four hundred retinues began to defend the city with spears and oak trees from a high position.
The six-foot ridge that Zhu Gaoxu deliberately sent people to dig out became a low city wall.
The Ming army standing on the wooden platform shot and assassinated Hu soldiers wantonly, and the followers also threw wood as much as possible.
The war was deadlocked on this line of defense, but things soon took a turn for the better.
The death of a large number of Hu soldiers caused the remaining Hu soldiers who attacked the mountain to stop moving forward, and some even joined the team to fish in troubled waters.
In response to this, Qianhu, a member of the Tanma Red Army who commanded the army, was also furious: "Anyone who dares to retreat will have their whole family made slaves!"
His words made many Hu soldiers who were trying to fish in troubled waters not dare to delay any longer, and they all rushed up bravely.
After a quarter of an hour of fighting, nearly a thousand Hu soldiers fell, and Zhang Chun and others were almost exhausted.
"Beep--"
Suddenly, a rapid wooden whistle came from the west, and Zhang Chun immediately reacted: "Something bad happened, Hulu came from the west!"
Zhang Chun's face was pale, but there was nothing he could do. The six hundred men were at the end of their efforts to resist the ten thousand people attacking the mountain, and now there was no one left to mobilize to the west.
"Qianhu!" At this moment, he came down the mountain from Butang and came to Zhang Chun's side and reported excitedly: "Qianhu, Wang Qianhu has led five hundred brothers and one thousand retinues up the mountain. He asks you to hold on for another quarter of an hour!"
"Guard!" After hearing Butang's words, Zhang Chun gritted his teeth and said this word. When the soldiers around him heard the news, they also gritted their teeth and prepared to fight hard.
During the fight, many weak soldiers were dragged off the platform by the Hu soldiers, fell into the Hu soldiers, and died from multiple knife wounds.
The war and military glory came, but it was not what they imagined.
The western defense line collapsed first. The armor-piercing soldiers led by Tuolu Huchaer penetrated the western defense line and the Ming army retreated steadily.
A hole opened in the defense line, and many Hu soldiers climbed onto the dirt road along the unguarded wooden platform to the west and began to fight fiercely with the Ming army in the forest.
Wang Yi led his troops to the top of the mountain, but he didn't even have time to rest. A thousand followers helped the Ming army penetrate the armor. Five hundred Ming troops went into battle and fought fiercely. The followers also rushed up with short soldiers.
In the dark night, fire broke out in the forest, and the sound of killing filled the sky.
Zhu Gaoxu wore two layers of armor and sat in front of the city gate of Jixi Fort. Chi Huan next to him had already put on a vest and was kicking the ground uneasily.
In front of each of them, five hundred fine knights who were ready to go nervously held the spears in their hands.
Not long after, Lin Su silently walked out from the back of the team, armor plates rustling.
He walked up to Zhu Gaoxu, and Zhu Gaoxu knew what he wanted to say without opening his mouth, so he stood up and grabbed Chi Huan's horse rein.
But at this time, Lin Su grabbed the reins of the horse together and looked at Zhu Gaoxu solemnly: "Your Highness, let me take the brothers!"
"Heh..." Zhu Gaoxu chuckled: "I'll go, I'm sure of breaking through, are you?"
"..." Lin Su was silent. His personal martial arts skills were not very good, not even comparable to Wu Zhangyi and Wang Jian of Nanjing City, let alone Zhu Gaoxu.
"Don't worry, Chi Huan is here, and the Hu soldiers are attacking the mountain. This is a good opportunity."
After comforting Lin Su, Zhu Gaoxu grabbed the reins of the horse and looked back: "Brothers!"
He pulled out the zhangliu iron gun stuck in the ground, led Chi Huan towards the city gate, and at the same time turned his back to everyone and shouted: "Let's go! I will take you to kill the Tatars!"
Without too many words, the five hundred fine cavalry grabbed the reins of the horses. Lin Su also suppressed his emotions and ordered people to pull up the thousand-jin gate and open the city gate.
"Great Khan, the southerners seem to have opened the city gate."
Outside the city, Haragu, who was hiding in the dark night, heard the reminder from the people around him. He looked carefully and saw the opened gate of Jixi Fort.
"Not good!" Looking at the city gate opening, Harawu's heart tightened.
No one knows the situation of the military camp better than him.
In addition to a thousand Hu soldiers left behind, he only had 400 armored soldiers in his hands.
If the Ming army sends troops and they send elite cavalry, they will be doomed.
"Let Tulu Huchaer Taiji take the three thousand people of his headquarters back to the camp!" Haragu calmly ordered while turning the horse's head.
"But Hadaling is about to be captured..." Qianhu next to him couldn't bear it, but Halagu just glanced at Hadaling: "They can't defend it."
As Haragu said, after losing the defense line of Mutai, the Ming army was indeed unable to defend Hadal Ridge.
Without the advantage of geographical location, they retreated steadily, and Haragu also turned his horse's head and led his troops back to the camp.
But before leaving, he still took a look at the gate of Jixi Fort.
The distance was too far for him to see clearly, but even so, he still saw a vague figure leading a horse out of the city corridor.
"Let's go and kill the Tatars!"
"A bunch of thieves, kill their leader and take the credit!"
"Let's see who kills the most!"
"Ha ha……"
In the corridor of Jixi Fort, Bo Haijun led the army horse out and followed behind Zhu Gaoxu and Chi Huan, and this scene was fully visible to Ha Lawu.
"There are so many armored cavalry in Jilin City?!" Harawu was shocked, but he still led his troops and horses to evacuate to the camp as if nothing had happened.
Not long after, Tolu Huchaer on the mountain also received Haragu's military order. He had no objection to this and had to withdraw to the camp as soon as he received the order.
When he was going down the mountain, he saw the Ming army lighting torches and rushing towards the camp in the direction of Jixi Fort.
Because the distance was too far, and the Ming army led their horses on foot, he did not see clearly that the Ming army was armored cavalry, and sneered at this: "There are only a few hundred people, and Haragu is making too much fuss."
Although he was dissatisfied, Tulu Huchaer still retreated to the camp according to Haragu's instructions. After all, there were still cattle and sheep involving the entire army in the camp.
Once these livestock are gone, they have little hope of retreating to Ulyanha Tucheng.
Without any delay, Tolu Huchaer began to retreat with the Tanma Red Army who had taken off their armor and the retinue who were wearing armor.
After his three thousand people withdrew, the pressure on Zhang Chun and Wang Yi was greatly reduced.
At this moment, they didn't know that Zhu Gaoxu was using his body as bait, but they just said bravely:
"Brothers! Hu Bingjia's soldiers have been greatly reduced, continue to kill!!"
(End of chapter)
