Zhang Cheng led the boy soldiers to gallop on horseback, and Lin Fangping led the soldiers of the Tiger Guard Battalion to closely follow the escort. They also followed Yang Guozhu's figure.
Behind them, more than a thousand fine cavalry from the Xuanbei Army spread out in all directions. Under the leadership of the cavalry camp commander Zhang Guangda, they slowly pushed towards the Zhengbai Banner Qing Army cavalry that was pursuing Huang Baozhong.
Zhang Cheng saw from a distance that a group of cavalry rushed to Yang Guozhu's location in advance and had driven away the remaining nearly 300 Qing cavalry. However, many knights gathered outside and could not see what was going on inside.
But Zhang Cheng already felt something was wrong. He rode quickly and the soldiers in the Zhenbiao camp in front naturally recognized his flag and retreated when they saw it.
Riding his horse to the middle, he saw Guo Yingxian kneeling on the ground, holding a veteran in armor in his arms. With a "pop", Zhang Cheng jumped off the horse and took a few steps forward.
He suddenly fell to his knees on the ground, his eyes filled with tears, and he asked with a choked voice: "Yang Shuai...he..."
Yang Guozhu seemed to hear Zhang Cheng's voice. He suddenly stretched out his hand to grasp Zhang Cheng tightly and said intermittently: "Zhong...Zhongchen...kill slave...kill...slave...ah..."
Only then did Zhang Cheng see the tip of the spear sticking out in front of Yang Guozhu. His heart couldn't help but "thump". Looking carefully, Yang Guozhu's eyes were blank and lifeless.
"Yang Shuai, it's all Zhongchen's fault for being late!"
"Ahem, I don't blame you. I'm destined to stay...down...to accompany my brother and the others...ahem..."
Seeing that he was speaking with difficulty, Zhang Cheng couldn't bear it and said hurriedly: "Yang Shuai, let's not talk about it for now. I will take you back to Songshan to find a medical officer..."
"Cough cough cough..."
Yang Guozhu coughed again, and blood spurted out from his mouth. Zhang Cheng cried and covered his mouth with his hands, trying to help him stop vomiting blood, but couldn't.
Suddenly, he felt Yang Guozhu holding his hand hard. Looking carefully, he saw Yang Guozhu holding him and Guo Yingxian with difficulty, saying intermittently: "Lao Guo... I am Xuan Zhen... Xuan Zhen Bing... Ma ...Do not...fall...in the hands of...outsiders...Zhongchen...take...bring everyone...back..."
When Yang Guozhu said this, he became silent again.
Zhang Cheng suddenly felt that the big hand holding him had lost its strength in an instant. Zhang Cheng shook Yang Guozhu's slightly cold hand and felt infinite emotion in his heart.
Thinking about the fact that he came to this world inexplicably, all the various characters he met at the beginning, such as his uncle Zhang Yan, the governor Lu Xiangsheng, and Hu Dayou, one of the four great generals under his command, have all disappeared.
Now that Yang Guozhu has left him again, in this world, he is overcoming all difficulties and growing vigorously, while his former relatives, bosses, and partners are leaving this world one after another.
Zhang Cheng knew that all of this was fate. Without their sacrifices, he would not have achieved what he has today.
Just imagine, if his uncle Zhang Yan is still there, how can he take the lead alone and go out of Zhenbei Road; if the governor Lu Xiangsheng is still there, how can he sit back and watch his wanton actions, killing Xue Liangqing and Wu Youlu, and assassinating Zhang Guowei.
Now, Yang Guozhu's martyrdom for his country may be another step forward for him, which will greatly enhance his strength, or even be the beginning of his taking control of the entire Xuanzang Town.
However, his relationship with Yang Guozhu was extraordinary, even as important as his uncle Zhang Yan, so how could he not be sad.
But Zhang Cheng also knew that this was not the time to feel sad. He stood up slowly, patted Guo Yingxian's shoulder gently, and said in a choked voice: "General Guo, kill the slaves, avenge Yang Shuai, and pick up the brothers. go home!"
Guo Yingxian stood up slowly with Yang Guozhu in his arms. He didn't know where he dropped his helmet, his hair was all messy, and he was in tears. He screamed: "Kill the slaves...kill the slaves...kill..."
At this moment, the Qing cavalry who had been ambushing in the hills here had all fled, leaving dozens of dead or injured Tatars behind.
Huang Baozhong also led the remaining two hundred or so Yang Guozhu's servants to rush over. They all dismounted and knelt in front of Guo Yingxian. After all, they had been following Yang Guozhu for a long time. They all had tears in their eyes and looked extremely sad and angry.
"Kill the slaves...Kill the slaves...Kill the slaves..."
A chorus of shouts, a cry of grief, and a cry of hysteria shook the hearts of the surrounding soldiers!
The fine cavalry of the Qianqi Town Biaoying Camp brought by Guo Yingxian, together with the soldiers of Zhang Cheng's Tiger Guard Battalion, gathered outside to ride on guard. The soldiers of the Xuanbei Army Cavalry Battalion who had just dispersed the Qing Army cavalry and rescued Huang Baozhong and other servants also Follow Zhang Guangda running back.
As soon as Zhang Guangda came back, he got off his horse, stumbled towards the middle of the crowd, knelt down in front of Guo Yingxian with a plop, and shouted: "Yang Shuai... Yang Shuai..."
Now there are more than 3,000 elite cavalrymen from Xuanzhen gathered here. They are considered to be the strongest combat force on the battlefield outside West Stone Gate. Zhang Cheng even understands the principle of "the soldiers who mourn will win".
He raised his arms and shouted: "Revenge! Revenge for Yang Shuai! Revenge for the brothers!"
"Revenge... revenge... revenge..."
Thousands of soldiers roared in unison, heart-rending, resounding throughout the sky.
Everyone's eyes were focused on the more than 3,000 cavalrymen of the Qing Army's Zhengbai Banner, which was about 400 steps away, and the gold-woven dragon flag erected high over there.
Guo Yingxian handed Yang Guozhu in his arms to his servant Huang Baozhong, and said: "Huang Manzi, you stay to protect Yang Shuai!"
He turned around and looked at Zhang Cheng: "General Zhang, please give the order!"
Zhang Cheng looked at the veteran Guo Yingxian who looked sad and angry, nodded heavily, and shouted: "Get on the horse!"
Everyone got on their horses, and the cavalry formation gradually spread out, facing the Qing army's cavalry formation on the opposite side.
Zhang Chengce got on his horse and said to the generals around him: "General Guo is on the right wing, Zhang Guangda is on the left wing, and Lin Fangping is with me in the middle army. The target is the dragon banner of the slaves opposite. If we don't capture the banner, we swear we will not return to the army!"
“If you don’t capture the flag, you will never return to the army!”
Amidst the roars of all the soldiers, Yang Guozhu's servant Tan Zhenlin staggered over and ran over. He grabbed the reins of Guo Yingxian's war horse and choked: "Master Guo, take me with you to kill the Tatars!"
Before Guo Yingxian could say anything, Zhang Cheng said from the side: "The brothers in the servant team are all good people, and they are also close to Yang Shuai. Just stay and accompany Yang Shuai for a while."
He looked at the Qing cavalry formation in the distance and said: "Killing slaves is not for a while. It is most important that you accompany Yang Shuai on this last journey!"
After Zhang Cheng said this, he ignored Tan Zhenlin and shouted loudly: "Every unit, unite and set off!"
More than 3,000 elite cavalrymen from the Xuanfu Town of the Ming Dynasty rode forward, gradually forming three tight formations, heading straight for Dorgon's gold-woven dragon banner on the opposite side.
As the cavalry marched forward, in addition to the dust rising into the sky, there were also bursts of roars.
"Kill slaves...revenge...seize the flag...swear not to return to the army..."
…………
Prince Dorgon of the Qing Dynasty and Shuorui had just received the report. Zu Dashou from Jinzhou City also led more than 10,000 Ming troops to rush out. Now they have broken through two trench defense lines. The Eight Banners warriors stationed at Rufeng Mountain rushed to reinforce them, and they were able to hold on to the last trench. Defense line, the situation is critical.
At the same time, battle reports from other parties also came frequently. On the side of Prince Su Hauge at East Shimen, the soldiers and horses of Wu Sangui and Bai Guangen of the Ming Army were cautious and moved steadily.
Despite all kinds of temptations, they failed to make them submit. However, even so, both sides still fought evenly. Judging from the current situation, it seems that the Qing army still has a slight upper hand.
In Huangtu Ridge, Maojiagou, Songshan Ridge and other places, there were heavy casualties, and the Ming army's hard attacks and casualties were inevitable.
At the same time, although the Qing army was said to be good at attacking but not good at defending, it was assisted by Han Banner, Tianyou Army, Tianyou Army, and Korean Army. They used firearms, which was indeed a big help.
Even in the face of a strong attack by the Ming army, they were able to defend well. They relied on the geographical advantage and gave full play to the advantages of firearms. With the blessing of the Qing army's elite cavalry, they did a lot of damage to the Ming army.
In fact, in addition to the direction of Huangtu Ridge, the performance of Cao Bianjiao, the commander-in-chief of the Eastern Association training in the Ming Dynasty, was particularly outstanding. He rushed to the Qing army's position several times and only missed the Qing army's defense line at Huangtu Ridge. It was a pity. !
What Dorgon was most worried about was actually the war outside Jinzhou City. As long as the siege of Jinzhou remained unresolved, it didn't matter how rampant the Ming army was between Songjin and Jinzhou.
He had ordered the Qing troops from Maojiagou, Songshanling, Rufengshan and other places to try their best to mobilize troops and horses to assist the battle in the south of Jinzhou City. At the same time, he also dispatched Qing troops besieged in the east, west and north of Jinzhou City to support.
However, he has been leading troops to stay here only because of greed. His purpose is only Yang Guozhu. If he can be forced to surrender, it will be of great benefit.
Even if he could not make him surrender, Dorgon would try his best to kill Yang Guozhu in the battle formation. In this way, he would not only be able to kill the general of the Ming army in the battle formation, but also damage the morale of the Ming army's reinforcements, and also set the stage for the future. War clears obstacles.
Now, Dorgon's goal has been achieved. Even if it is not the optimal solution, at least half of the original intention has been achieved.
Just now, he had been rewarded by the cavalry who escaped back to the Qing army. Now he was in front of the soldiers. In addition to wanting to show off his power, he also wanted to personally confirm whether Yang Guozhu was dead or alive.
Dorgon looked at the Ming army slowly approaching from the opposite side and had a vague premonition. He asked in a deep voice: "Are you sure that General Yang of Xuan Mansion has been killed by our Qing warriors?"
E Keqin on the side replied very proudly: "My uncle is relieved. Although he failed to snatch Yang Thief's body, he was indeed killed by our warriors in front of the battle. In this battle, he killed a general of the Southern Dynasty. Uncle." The king is mighty!"
Dorgon did not appear very happy. He stared at the Ming army's cavalry formation opposite and asked, "Which troop is that coming from the center?"
"Uncle King Hui, according to the report of the scouting horse, the flag is from the soldiers and horses of the Xuanfu of the Ming Dynasty. They just came from the south. They have not fought with our warriors before."
Hearing this, Dorgon was filled with doubts and asked: "You just came? The Tazhan side was not able to be defended. Do you know who the leader of the Ming army is?"
"Back to my uncle, our warriors are investigating!"
Although Dorgon still had doubts in his heart, he was helpless. He just said lightly: "Get ready to fight!"
…………
On the high platform in front of the Chinese army's formation, Hong Chengchou put down the telescope in his hand and said calmly: "There are Zhang Cheng's Xuanbei army and horses at West Shimen going to reinforce, so there is no need to worry.
General Liu of Liaodong was ordered to lead his troops to East Shimen to assist in the battle, hoping that he would be able to use his life in front of the formation in order to achieve a breakthrough. If he could defeat the enemy with one blow, I and Director Zhang would ask for a reward. "
After the flag commander of the Chinese Army left, Commander-in-Chief Zhang Ruoqi said: "The fighting at the West Stone Gate is the fiercest, and we don't know whether we can break through. As long as the East and West Stone Gates are opened in one place, and we can unite with the Grand Commander of Jincheng Neizu, we won't have to worry about breaking the siege of Jinzhou. "
Qiu Minyang, the governor of Liaodong, said: "Yang Shuai's Xuanzhen army and horses fought hard at West Shimen. Even with Zhang Cheng's Xuanbei army and horses as reinforcements, I'm afraid it will be difficult to attack West Shimen in one go. In the end, it still depends on whether there can be a breakthrough in the direction of East Shimen."
Now, only Hong Chengchou's Supervisor Battalion in the Chinese army's formation has not moved, and Datong Wang Pu's soldiers and horses have been transferred back from the foot of Rufeng Mountain and are now resting.
A few miles away in front of the Chinese army's formation, the Chicheng Battalion of the Xuanbei Army, led by Zhang Guodong, had repelled the Xianghuang Banner Han Army led by Shi Tingzhu and protected the safety of the Shenji Battalion's artillery position.
Now he is leading his soldiers of the Xuanbei Army to pursue Shi Tingzhu and attack with difficulty along the mountains and hills towards the Empress Temple.
At the same time, the Chariot Battalion and Infantry Battalion of the Xuanbei Army led by Wei Zhice also took over from Li Fuming's Shanxi soldiers and horses on the mountain road to fight against the Qing army led by Baya Lahuzhang Jingtazhan.
Ta Zhan did not take the Xuanbei Army seriously at first. After all, they were elite Tatar thieves who had fought many battles. How could they be afraid of the Ming Army's infantry?
He was just worried about the group of Ming cavalry in the distance. After all, in his eyes, the elite cavalry led by Zhun Ta were Zhengbai Banner. However, they were defeated by the Ming army as soon as they engaged in battle. How could he call him Don't be alarmed!
Later, he saw that the Ming army cavalry did not continue to charge towards him, but rushed towards the west stone gate along the mountains and hills. He did not have time to intercept it, so he flew forward to report the message to Dorgon.
Just as he was about to defeat the Ming army under Li Fuming and return to the aid of Prince Rui Dorgon, he saw another large group of Ming army infantry pushing a chariot. He quickly sent an order to the whole group to prepare for the attack with mounted fire and heavy armor. The infantry charged into battle.
However, facing the sharp artillery bombardment from the Xuanbei Army's sophisticated tanks and the volleys of artillery fire from the tanks' rear camp, they suffered heavy casualties and failed to rush to the front of the vehicle formation. They tried two times in a row, but failed. Successful, helpless to retreat.
Wei Zhice, on the other hand, led the soldiers of the chariot battalion and the infantry battalion to rush into the West Stone Gate. Although there were constant harassments by the Tatars and cavalry along the way, in the face of the sophisticated chariots and cannons of the Xuanbei Army, the small groups of cavalry were unable to resist them. , it just slightly delayed Wei Zhice's advance.
Wei Zhice put two chariots in front, with Li Jiyu's infantry camp behind, and then with Du Youwei and He Kuan's soldiers and horses as the left and right flanks, he slowly advanced towards the West Shimen direction.
Suddenly, news came from Du Youwei's troops on the left wing that most of the Tatar cavalry was found two miles ahead. Opposite the Tatar cavalry seemed to be the banner of Zhang Cheng, the commander of the Xuanbei Army, fluttering in the wind.
Wei Zhice immediately sent an order, with Zhou Ruli leading the cavalry sentry officers of the Dengfeng camp to spread out to investigate. At the same time, he ordered Li Jiyu to lead the infantry of the two thousand headquarters under his command to go ahead to meet the Qing army. The infantry on the left and right wings also accelerated their advance. .
He led the soldiers of the chariot battalion to push the cart slowly behind. As long as Li Jiyu could withstand a charge of the Tatars, he could lead the chariot battalion to rush to form a chariot formation to occupy the enemy.
