Behind the densely erected shields, the heavy breathing of the sergeants could be heard.
Behind them, there were two rows of spearmen holding their spears tightly and waiting, and behind them there were hundreds of archers sitting on the ground to rest and recover their physical strength, especially their arm strength.
At this moment, although there were thousands of Tatars and horsemen surrounding them, the defeated civilians in front of the Ming army's formation also disappeared, and the gunners could finally move forward with peace of mind.
They gently righted the chariot and cleaned the corpses on it. As for the blood stains all over the chariot, they left it alone. They endured the bloody stench and moved with difficulty in the dark red blood mud. If they were not careful, Will slip.
There was always someone who was not careful enough to step on a stump and accidentally fell down. The corpses on the ground were having an intimate face-to-face fight with him, and he was so frightened that he screamed, which could be heard from time to time near the chariot.
The cavalry soldiers behind the formation were much calmer. They were all ready to go. Each of them was looking after his own horse, and the saddles and bridles were on.
Because only a small number of them went out to fight just now, dealing with the unarmed civilians and defeated soldiers was like chopping melons and vegetables, without spending too much energy.
However, the knights who had just gone to battle felt very aggrieved. After they returned to the team, they were all silent, and some even ran to a deserted place and vomited.
After all, I have killed too many of my own people. Although we usually stay in our base camp and seldom move around, we are all soldiers and horses of Shanhai Town, and we are always familiar with each other. But at this moment, for the sake of our own life and death, we can only kill them. How can I feel at ease on the spot?
On the rear wing of Mako's main barracks, there were still some defeated soldiers who had escaped. They were all exhausted, lying horizontally and vertically in the strong formation of the civilian army. They could only breathe heavily and could not recover for a long time.
There were hundreds of soldiers from the main camp holding ordnances guarding the surroundings, and there were also some military junior high schools who were questioning these broken soldiers one by one, wanting to know the reason for the instant collapse of the left wing battalion.
Marco was also very anxious. He looked around the camp and was worried.
He came to the front of the formation and looked at the Tatars who were constantly patrolling outside the formation. He looked worried and said to his general Ma Zhiyong: "There are many captives. Can our army hold the camp and wait for reinforcements?" ?”
"Commander, there are nearly ten thousand Tatar thieves. If the left wing battalion is not defeated and we are the horns of each other, we may be able to stop them for a while. Now, with only thousands of troops and horses in the main barracks, I am afraid it will be difficult to resist them." Ma Zhiyong replied.
Marco became even more anxious after hearing this. He was a little at a loss and said, "What should we do? What should we do?"
He was as anxious as an ant on a hot pot at this moment, especially under the stimulation of the instant collapse of the left wing battalion. At this time, he was completely confused.
Suddenly, Marco's eyes lit up. He turned to Ma Zhiyong and asked, "How about we withdraw our troops and go east before the Tatars launch their offensive?"
"No!"
Ma Zhiyong was shocked when he heard this. After he hurriedly stopped him, he explained patiently: "Commander, you must not make this plan. Although the Tatars are not in a hurry to attack my camp, if our division goes eastward at this moment, If you retreat, under the gaze of the strong captives, the morale of the army will be in chaos.
If the Tartar thieves and cavalry take advantage of the situation to pursue them, our soldiers may become meat on the chopping block. They will have no room to fight back and will have no choice but to be slaughtered by the thieves. "
"What should we do? What should we do?"
Marco was obviously panicked, without any strategy in mind, and looked at a loss.
Even his general Ma Zhiyong secretly shook his head and sighed, but for the sake of the whole army, he still patiently said: "Commander, there are nearly 10,000 Tatars outside our army, but they have been reluctant to launch an offensive. It's just that The intention of attacking with wandering cavalry is unpredictable and there must be a profound plan."
Marco also regained some sense at this time, and after hearing this, he couldn't help but look outside the formation.
Mongolian light cavalry were constantly galloping around, and from time to time a clump of arrows would hit them. Although the damage was not serious, they had to be careful, and the harassment was quite effective.
There were also cavalry from various banners in Manchuria forming a team due west. They also sent groups of knights on horseback. In addition to throwing shots from a long distance, they also rushed closer and threw some javelins, swinging knives, throwing axes, and iron weapons. Bones and other things.
In particular, many of the throwing axes they threw were wrapped with a piece of iron chain. When the hand was thrown, it was gently pulled, and the chain drove the flying ax to rotate forward. It had a miraculous effect of killing people and was really difficult to prevent.
They galloped back and forth on their horses, howling and shouting loudly from time to time, and were extremely arrogant.
Although this was the case, there did not seem to be an attack by the army. Seeing this, Marco felt relieved. He even secretly guessed: Maybe his previous communication with the captive chief had played a role. They Shouldn't he be forced to become a drowned rat? If so, not only will he lose his role in the eyes of the Tatars, but it will also be disadvantageous to them.
"Commander, the general has ordered Han Shichen to lead a hundred cavalry servants. If the situation is critical, he can protect the commander and escape. As long as the commander is well, the general will have nothing to worry about."
Ma Ke was also quite moved when he heard this. Ma Zhiyong has always been loyal and reliable to him, and he is also a good leader in fighting. Whenever there is a crisis, he always considers his own safety first.
He couldn't help but secretly rejoice in his vision: I really didn't see the wrong person!
"With you in the army, I feel at ease, Commander."
Ma Ke praised Ma Zhiyong, but no longer mentioned the withdrawal of troops to the east. He looked at the horsemen and soldiers coming and going outside the formation, and said: "The Tartars have not attacked for a long time, what do you think?"
Ma Zhiyong continued: "The general thinks that the Tatars want to use our army as bait."
"Bait?" Marco's face showed confusion.
"Commander, look at these Tatars. They are in full strength and have narrowly defeated the remaining forces of the left wing camp. If they come in force, my main camp will have no resistance and they will definitely break through and enter."
Ma Zhiyong raised his finger and pointed at the Tatar cavalry outside his formation, and continued: "Now, the Tatar troops are superior in strength and momentum, but they have stopped moving forward and only want to harass. The general will guess that their intention is not mine, but Reinforcements are coming.”
"Reinforcements?"
Ma Ke seemed to be alert. He turned around and asked urgently: "Where are Zhao Junchen and Bao Guangfu? Where are Hu Zhongxin? When can Wu Sangui, Tang Tong, and Bai Guangen break through the border and join me?"
Several soldiers had been guarding him. Now after listening to his questions, they were all confused and at a loss.
On the other hand, Ma Zhiyong replied from the side: "Commander, Zhao Guerrilla and Bao Guerrilla troops are returning for reinforcements, and they are expected to arrive soon. Hu Zhongxin did not advance quickly, and just reported that he was fighting a group of Tatars. After leaving the battlefield, , respond immediately.”
He paused for a moment and then said: "Miyun Tang's General Soldier has captured the Sailor Camp a long time ago, but for some unknown reason, he has not been able to contact him so far. I don't know where his Miyun troops and horses have moved."
Marco stood up and cursed bitterly: "Tang Tong is a beast. After taking the sailor camp, he must have thought that he had the credit, so he dilly-dallyed and refused to use his life. This thief misled me and I will not let him escape this time." thief."
He turned to look at the west stone gate and said in deep thought: "I heard that Bai Guangen's troops in Ji Town were about to attack the west stone gate, so Governor Hong sent us to join them. I don't know why we haven't seen the soldiers and horses of Ji Town yet?"
Everyone looked confused and didn't know why.
At this moment, Ma Zhiren trotted over in a panic. When he arrived in front of Marco, he said loudly and excitedly: "General... Commander... Reinforcements... Reinforcements..."
Marco looked at him and felt anxious in his heart. He raised the whip in his hand and was about to whip it down. However, he finally held back and shouted loudly: "How are the reinforcements? Report as soon as possible."
Ma Zhiren couldn't hide the excitement on his face. He swallowed several times and then said intermittently: "Reinforcements... reinforcements are coming... Bai Shuai from Ji Town... Bai Shuai's soldiers and horses..."
"Hahaha……"
When Ma Ke received confirmation of the arrival of the reinforcements, he couldn't help laughing loudly with joy: "It's true that 'just say Cao Cao, Cao Cao will be there'. Tell me quickly, where is Commander Bai now?"
At this time, Ma Zhiren had almost breathed evenly, and he replied with a smile on his face: "Come back to the commander, my sentry cavalry has reported that Commander Bai's army in Ji Town has captured the west stone gate, and is now heading towards our army. I'm about two miles away."
"Hahaha."
When Marco heard that reinforcements were coming, he was in a good mood. He said: "It's true that God will never stop me, and God will never stop me."
He turned back to Ma Zhiyong and said, "I'll leave the front to you. I'll go meet Commander Bai's army in person."
After Ma Ke finished speaking, he ran to the camp, followed closely by Han Shichen and a hundred servants. Ma Zhiren glanced meaningfully at his brother Ma Zhiyong, then turned and followed Ma Ke away.
…………
Facing the harassment of the Qing army's cavalry, the Ming army basically focused on defense. Their shield soldiers hid behind the chariots. Whenever a rain of arrows hit, they stepped forward to cover the falling arrows for the gunners.
There were constant fire gun soldiers who had finished loading their ammunition in the back, and were forced to return to the first line of defense behind the chariot. Although most of them were reluctant, they were unable to do so under the pressure of Marco's servants.
However, the arrows thrown by the captives are relatively easy to block and dodge. Even if they are hit, they are mostly not at the vital points. Although the power is a bit bluffing, the power is not enough.
However, there are also some Tatar soldiers one after another, especially the Baya La soldiers and Gebusxian soldiers of various banners, who dismount their horses and fight on foot. They come in small groups and get within a few dozen steps in front of the chariot. , constantly shooting heavy arrows with a strong bow.
Screams came occasionally, and every scream made the Ming army soldiers tremble. The gunners also shrank and carefully checked the loaded cannons and medicine bags.
Although the musketeers and archers of the Ming army were also fighting back desperately, the Hu people outside the Great Wall had a natural advantage in horseback archery.
The reason why the Ming army vigorously developed firearms and chariot tactics was this. The skills of horseback archery could not be compared with them, so they needed to find another way to overcome the enemy's shortcomings with one skill.
It's a pity that such a good tactical tool as Cheying Firearms was ruined by the generals of the Ming Dynasty and even abandoned!
The heavy armored cavalry, Bagala, Gebusixian and other soldiers in the Qing army shot sharp arrows from dozens of steps away. They shot accurately and hard, and they focused on the faces of the Ming army soldiers. , eyes and other vital parts.
What's more, many of the arrows they fired were soaked in horse dung, and the arrowheads were full of toxins. Few people who were hit by arrows in the face could survive to the end.
It can be seen that the sharp formation of Ma Ke's main barracks is no longer as neat as before. Many places have been torn open. Although the Ming troops in the formation are resisting vigorously, it can also be seen from their desperate howls. I learned that it was unable to reverse the situation!
Zhengbai Banner, with the pearls on his forehead, laughed wildly and said, "Prince Rui, Prince Zheng, the children have almost played. The Southern Army on the opposite side can break through at any time. What should we do next?"
Before Dorgon and Jierhalang could say anything, Du Du answered from the side: "According to me, even if the warriors rush forward and sweep all the way, the Southern Army will definitely be hungry after breaking through Shimen Mountain. I am so tired that I have no power to stop my warrior’s progress!”
Ji'erharang couldn't help but nod, and said: "Dudubele is right. We obeyed the emperor's imperial decree and intercepted the Ming army here. We had no intention of protecting Ma Ke's troops.
Although we intend to use it as bait to induce the Ming army from elsewhere to come to rescue, a mere Ma Ke cannot be compared with Zu Dashou in Jinzhou City, and most of the Ming army's main force may not sincerely come to rescue.
Moreover, we don't need to kill them all, we just need to defeat them. We can use their defeat to put some pressure on other southern armies, and perhaps end the war here faster.
What does Prince Rui think? "
Dorgon squinted his eagle eyes and scanned the main camp of Ma Ke opposite him. After a moment of meditation, he said: "Although Ma Ke is older than his ancestor, he is also the commander-in-chief of the mountains and seas of the South. They will never let him go." Being surrounded, they did not try their best to rescue.
Otherwise, how can Governor Hong of Nanguo convince the public, and how can he expect that all the troops coming to the aid can work together to fight against our Qing warriors? "
When he said this, he raised his eyes to look at the sky, and then said: "What Prince Zheng said just now is not unreasonable. We really don't need to completely defeat Ma Ke's troops, we only need to force them back.
In this way, it can be retained for later use, and it can also damage the morale of the Confederate Army and strengthen the reputation of our Qing warriors. It can be said that it serves multiple purposes with one stone. "
Dorgon glanced deeply at everyone, and finally stopped at Jierhalang, and said to him: "Prince Zheng, if you don't wait for half an hour longer, our warriors can relieve some of their fatigue, and we can surround the enemy." Reinforcement strategy.
If there is still no reinforcements from the South after half an hour, we will attack with all our strength, drive Ma Ke all the way east, sweep across the entire southern bank of the Nuerhe River, recapture the Mariner Camp, and defeat Miyun Tangtong's troops.
So, what does Prince Zheng think? "
"Prince Rui's foresight and thoughtfulness really make me admire him endlessly. Prince Rui is in charge of the war here, and I am just here to assist according to the order, not to mention that the main force is white flag troops.
Since Prince Rui intends to do this, I also think it is appropriate and have no objection! "
Jierhalang answered vaguely. His words were perfect. He clearly told Dorgon that you make the decision here, and I am just assisting. You can make the decision.
But deep down, he had a good plan. If he had merit in this battle, his help would be indispensable. But if he had no merit in this battle, the decision rested with Dorgon alone, so he was naturally not responsible.
This little thought, Dorgon is a person who lives in the military and official circles, so he can't see it clearly, he just doesn't like to talk to him.
Suddenly, several horses galloped over. They arrived in front of Dorgon and others and loudly reported: "Prince Rui, reinforcements from the South are coming!"
