Five kilometers east of Shanhaiguan, Balipu!
This Dongjiu people occupied a small fortress closest to the front line of Shanhaiguan.
Two years earlier, the Eastern Captives had recruited Zu Dashou and Wu Sangui, and after marching into the Western Liaoning Corridor, they galloped westward, trying to get to Shanhaiguan before the Chu army.
However, it is still a step too late!
The Dongji people finally reached more than ten kilometers east of Shanhaiguan. Seeing that they could reach Shanhaiguan in just one day, the Chu army captured Shanhaiguan and built fortifications overnight.
On the next day, the Dongjiu people continued to march westward. After entering Balipu, they used Balipu as a support point to advance and launched a large-scale attack on Shanhaiguan. They wanted to take advantage of the Chu army who had just captured Shanhaiguan and were not yet stable. Defeated the Chu army and captured Shanhaiguan.
But they did not expect that the Chu army only spent one night to initially build fortifications and deploy a large number of artillery. In the end, the Dongji people paid heavy casualties and still failed to shake the Shanhaiguan defense line.
Then they were forced to retreat to Guangning Zhongqian Fortress. However, although the main force of the Dongjiu people retreated, there were still many troops left in Balipu.
After all, this is an extremely important outpost. Even if it cannot be used as the core defense system to resist the Chu army's eastward advance, it is used as an outpost to monitor the Chu army's movements and detect the enemy's movements as early as possible when the Chu army launches a large-scale attack. Moreover, it is also very valuable to slightly block the Chu army's advancement speed and buy time for defensive deployment for the center and front in the rear.
Therefore, the Dongjiu people left several thousand troops to garrison here, and there were also many cavalry.
Subsequently, the Chu army did not launch a large-scale attack in this direction, but the Dongji people took advantage of the time to continue to strengthen the defenses of Balipu.
So much so that this small village-fort-like place has been transformed into a fortress that can garrison thousands of troops and has solid defenses.
According to the intelligence previously detected by the Chu army, there are at least 3,000 Dongji troops deployed here, and these 3,000 people are very special. They are not infantry or artillery in the traditional sense, but cavalry.
And it's not just some miscellaneous troops, but the elites of the Manba Banners from the Dongji people's headquarters!
These elites can mount horses and shoot, dismount and wear heavy armor to fight on foot, and they also have mounted artillery units that are relatively rare among the Eight Banners.
The Dongji people put this elite force at the forefront, and their strategic intentions were very obvious!
That is to use these elite cavalry to retreat freely.
If the Chu army attacks with few troops, then they will fight defensively!
The three thousand cavalry dismounted and wore armor to fight. They were the most elite armored heavy infantry among the three thousand Dongjiu people. It would not be a problem to block the small and medium-sized attacks of the Chu army.
You can even react in a counterattack!
Three thousand cavalry rushed out. If the Chu army on the opposite side did not have corresponding cavalry to cover it, they would probably suffer a big loss!
If the Chu army attacks on a large scale, then these three thousand cavalry can simply abandon Balipu, and then directly resume the cavalry combat method, threaten the Chu army's strength by maneuvering the flanks, compress the Chu army's forward space, etc., and provide space for the rear, center and front All preparations take time.
Now, these Eastern captive cavalry are doing the same thing.
When they discovered that thousands of Chu army cavalry came out of the pass in front of them, followed by a large number of infantry and artillery, they immediately realized that the Chu army was about to launch a full-scale attack.
While they urgently sent people to send messages to the rear, they packed up their belongings and pulled their horses out of Balipu.
Before leaving, he did not forget to burn the entire Balipu to avoid being exploited by the Chu army.
The East Capture garrison in Balipu retreated neatly. Although this gave the Chu army an undefended Balipu, it actually caused greater trouble to the Chu army.
After the three thousand cavalrymen abandoned Balipu, they didn't go far and stayed nearby.
In this regard, Lieutenant General Zhu Xingfa, the commander of the Chu Army's forward cavalry, the First Cavalry Corps, has always been highly vigilant.
Although he was very confident that the three cavalry divisions under his command were enough to cover the flanks of the army, the Dongdu cavalry on the opposite side knew at a glance that they were elite.
As for things like elites, you cannot look at them with normal eyes. If the combat power breaks out, you will suffer a loss.
Once one's own cavalry suffers a loss, the large number of infantry, artillery and even baggage units at the back will be unable to move even an inch under the threat of a large number of cavalry from the east, let alone storm the central front post.
In this regard, Army Lieutenant General Zhu Xingfa was very cautious and directly dispatched the most powerful Second Cavalry Division under his command to continue monitoring the Eastern Cavalry on the opposite side.
If the opponent wants to go around, stop them immediately. If the opponent doesn't take the initiative to attack or try to go around to the side, don't worry about them.
Army Lieutenant General Zhu Xingfa gave very serious instructions to several major generals of the 2nd Cavalry Division, including Brigadier General Qi Lianghou, commander of the 4th Cavalry Brigade: "We must keep in mind that our mission is not to kill or injure many enemy troops, nor to create a great victory. , but to ensure that the main infantry, artillery and baggage troops in the rear can smoothly enter the battlefield and launch an attack on the enemy city!"
"If we want to win this war and drive the Dongji people back to the mountains and forests, we must give full play to our infantry and artillery advantages."
"As for the cavalry, we must have a clear understanding. We are not as good as the other party in terms of the number of cavalry, the experience of the cavalry, and the quantity and quality of the horses!"
"On this point, we must have an accurate and substantial understanding, and blind arrogance is absolutely not allowed!"
"As long as we smoothly cover the infantry, artillery and baggage troops to the front line, then we will win this war!"
"So, no matter what the situation, ensuring the completion of the strategic mission must be the only priority!"
With that said, Lieutenant General Zhu Xingfa looked at Brigadier General Qi Lianghou, commander of the 4th Cavalry Brigade: "Old Qi, fight steadily this time, don't be too aggressive like before!"
Brigadier General Qi Lianghou showed a rare cautious expression and nodded: "Commander, don't worry, I understand!"
Army Brigadier General Qi Lianghou, this man has a very hot temper. He even dares to scold General Zuo Yingzhe, commander of the Third Army, when he encounters dissatisfaction. He also often takes the lead during battles. He often sets an example and leads the cavalry to charge, with a fearless momentum. Crush the enemy directly.
This kind of fighting style allowed him to lead his army to win many small and medium-sized battles with the Eastern captive cavalry in the past two years, and several times beat the Mongolian cavalry controlled by the Eastern captives into panic.
But this style of fighting is fine in small and medium-sized battles. After all, this kind of battle does not have a big strategic goal. When both sides have small forces, the brave one wins when they meet on a narrow road!
But in a large-scale battle involving hundreds of thousands of troops on the surrounding battlefields, if the Fourth Cavalry Brigade continues to fight as boldly as before, or even goes deep alone, it will easily be led into an ambush by the enemy, or be ambushed by the enemy. Deliberately diverting the opponent away, thus exposing a huge gap in one's own flank defense.
As a result, the rear infantry, artillery and baggage troops were directly threatened by the enemy's cavalry!
Therefore, Zhu Xingfa gave Qi Lianghou some important instructions!
He actually feels very good about this person. Although he has a bad temper and doesn't know how to adapt, he really dares to fight and his fighting style is extremely brave.
Such a general led the troops, and even the Fourth Cavalry Brigade under his command gradually developed this kind of courageous fighting style.
The Fourth Cavalry Brigade has also become a core main cavalry unit in the First Cavalry Army. Zhu Xingfa is still counting on them to play a key role at critical moments.
But this is also a double-edged sword. If used well, it will be a sharp sword, but if used incorrectly, the sharp sword will be broken.
Now Brigadier General Qi Lianghou's statement makes Zhu Xingfa a little relieved.
Although Qi Lianghou has shortcomings of one kind or another, he still takes the overall situation into consideration, which is good.
After giving instructions to these people, Zhu Xingfa sent the Second Cavalry Division up.
The 2nd Cavalry Division will not get too close to the enemy cavalry, but will stay on the side and rear to prepare for possible enemy cavalry attacks from behind.
As for himself, he led the 1st Cavalry Division and 3rd Cavalry Division to follow up from the rear.
Sure enough, after the Dongjie cavalry on the opposite side voluntarily abandoned Balipu, they really had the idea of attacking from behind.
He tried several quick maneuvers to bypass the First Cavalry Corps and go to the rear, but Zhu Xingfa responded calmly.
If the enemy cavalry makes the slightest movement, the Second Cavalry Division will go directly to block the enemy's route. At the same time, the two cavalry divisions in the rear are always paying attention and are ready to go up for reinforcements at any time.
Under such circumstances, although the enemy's three thousand cavalry are elite, it is impossible to get around them.
As for their forced breakthrough, they would immediately engage in battle with the Second Cavalry Division, and then not long after, they would be surrounded by the three cavalry divisions of the First Cavalry Corps.
The East Riding Cavalry on the opposite side were not stupid. Their generals were very clear-headed and had no intention of forcing a breakthrough. Instead, they kept wandering around trying to find opportunities.
The Chu army's cavalry continued to maneuver and intercept!
During this process, although no large-scale cavalry battle broke out between the two sides, there were several small-scale cavalry battles.
Three of the battles were fought by the 2nd Cavalry Division, or more accurately by cavalry sentries under the 4th Cavalry Brigade.
The cavalrymen of the 4th Cavalry Brigade, influenced by Brigadier General Qi Lianghou's personal style, often fought very bravely in such small-scale battles!
Although in terms of riding skills, experience and even personal combat skills, the cavalry in the 4th Cavalry Brigade are inferior to those opposite the East Riding Cavalry who have been on the battlefield and are extremely experienced.
However, in this kind of small-scale combat, courage is actually more important.
Furthermore, the excellent national defense industrial strength of the Great Chu Empire also gave the Chu army's cavalry better cavalry equipment.
The Fourth Cavalry Brigade serves as the main traditional cavalry in the front line!
Their equipment is naturally the best. The sabers attached to the cavalry are all the best fine steel sabers. The riding bows and infantry bows are also carefully selected bows and arrows. Even the arrows used in the bows and arrows are of fine quality. Made of steel, the heavy arrows have excellent armor-piercing capabilities.
Finally, the armor they wear is pretty good.
This is the latest type of plate armor from the arsenal of the Dachu Empire's Ministry of Industry. Although it is only a light half-body armor and has basically no protection against bullets, it can still protect against bows, arrows and sharp weapons.
At the same time, while maintaining the same protective capabilities, this kind of armor is lighter than previous cloth-covered iron armor, which gives these cavalrymen better mobility.
Not only that, these cavalrymen also went to the battlefield with two and a half kilograms of cavalry cannon!
These two-and-a-half-pound cavalry cannons gave the cavalry of the Fourth Cavalry Brigade extremely beneficial fire support. Several times, the enemy cavalry was on the way over and suffered heavy casualties from the two-and-a-half-pound cavalry cannons.
Sometimes the Dongjiu people would retreat directly, and sometimes the Dongjiu cavalry would bite the bullet and increase their speed at a longer distance, or even start sprinting at a distance of three to four hundred meters.
A premature sprint charge will greatly consume the physical energy of the war horse, so that it will naturally fall into a disadvantage in the subsequent confrontation with the Chu army's cavalry.
The three-year-old two-and-a-half-pound cavalry cannon of the Dachu Empire was developed from the ordinary two-and-a-half-pound field cannon. The overall structure is similar, but the barrel is shorter, and the gun mount also adopts a lightweight design, so that This resulted in further weight reduction.
Of course, the power and shooting accuracy at medium distances also dropped slightly, but they were all within an acceptable range.
This three-year-old two-and-a-half-pound cavalry gun can be pulled by one horse for short-distance maneuvers, and only two horses are needed for long-distance maneuvers.
Moreover, the design of the gun mount and lead vehicle has been specially optimized to enable faster and more convenient deployment, ensuring that the cavalry can deploy the cavalry cannon and fire in the shortest time after maneuvering in place.
After all, the cavalry maneuvers too fast. If there are also cavalry on the opposite side, they will rush up very fast, but they will not give the cavalry artillery much time to deploy.
And these three-year-old two-and-a-half-pound cavalry cannons can provide extremely powerful fire support to one's own cavalry in this small and medium-sized combat capacity.
When the enemy's cavalry was still several hundred meters away and slowly advancing at walking speed, these cavalry cannons began to carry out long-distance covering artillery fire.
When the opponent enters three to four hundred meters and begins to enter the trot stage, the two-and-a-half-pound cavalry cannon will take advantage of its fixed ammunition rate of fire. A skilled gunner can fire three shells per minute, and the rate of fire is comparable to that of a skilled shooter. Second year type flintlock gun.
When the enemy enters one or two hundred meters and is about to launch a sprint charge, the two-and-a-half-pound cavalry cannon will fire shotgun shells. After the shells are fired, each shell will emit numerous small iron balls, forming a coverage area. Kill a large number of enemy troops.
And because of the short distance, the hit rate is very high!
Therefore, when the enemy enters two hundred meters, the two-and-a-half-pound artillery will often switch to shotgun shells.
The five-pound or nine-pound field artillery will even directly switch to shotguns to kill the opponent after the enemy reaches a distance of 300 meters.
At this medium and short range, shotgun shells are better than solid bullets, and even better than grenades.
And now, the Dongjiu Ren cavalry in front was threatened by two and a half kilograms of shotgun shells!
A group of approximately one hundred cavalrymen from the east began to enter the battlefield more than 600 meters away, trying to attack a cavalry post under the Fourth Cavalry Brigade.
The Chu army's cavalry sentries lined up in preparation for hedging operations, while the two cavalry cannons of the cavalry artillery unit directly deployed on the spot to launch shelling.
After being bombarded, the Eastern Cavalry, which had only jogged into the battlefield, had to increase its speed and tried to pass this distance quickly to avoid being called out one by one by the Chu Army's cavalry artillery and passively beaten unilaterally.
Ever since... they started charging more than 400 meters away!
Just like this, he was also hit by shotgun shells from the Chu army's cavalry artillery!
At the same time, I thought they had launched the charge too early. When the Chu army's cavalry counterattacked, the moment the two sides came into contact, the opponent's horses were almost exhausted.
In the following days, the cavalry on both sides suffered heavy casualties, but the Chu army's cavalry casualties were only about half of the opponent's!
This is not the most important thing. The most important thing is that when the cavalry of both sides passed by and the confrontation was over, the Chu army's cavalry directly maintained their speed, drew a small semicircle, turned around and rushed up again with their swords. These captives The cavalry horses can no longer run!
They couldn't charge back, or even ride away!
As a result, this Dongfeng cavalry actually ended up in failure when they took the initiative to attack and fought with the Chu cavalry of comparable strength!
More than half of the cavalry were destroyed on the spot, and only half of the remaining cavalry fled in panic. They were also continuously pursued by the Chu army's cavalry, and finally waited until the friendly cavalry responded.
If there were no friendly forces to support them, this cavalry force of more than a hundred riders would probably be completely wiped out.
By the way, when the cavalry sentry of the Fourth Cavalry Brigade was chasing the enemy's remnants, they almost ran into the enemy cavalry ambush. At that time, there were already more than a hundred cavalrymen on the left and right sides, trying to Outflank them.
Fortunately, I discovered it early and immediately turned around and ran away when I saw that the momentum was wrong. Otherwise, the Chu cavalry might have suffered a huge victory and defeat...
——
This sentinel-level battle between cavalry also announced that the two sides had entered a stage of fierce confrontation.
The Donglu people no longer watched from a distance, nor did they simply try to find opportunities by maneuvering, but directly charged over head-on.
It is impossible for the Eastern Capture Cavalry to watch the Chu army successfully advance into the front post of Daozhong. They must do something to delay the Chu army's offensive pace and provide time for defense preparations and reinforcements in the rear.
As a result, a small group of cavalry tried to take the initiative to attack.
On the one hand, it is to test the strength of the Chu army's forward cavalry. If it is a soft persimmon, then just crush it. If it is a tough one, then find another way.
Obviously, they encountered a tough situation this time!
Although Brigadier General Qi Lianghou has shortcomings of one kind or another, he is really fierce in fighting, and the soldiers he leads are also greatly affected by his personal style, so they are quite fierce in fighting.
It's easy to get carried away while trying to fight... Chasing a small group of remnants of the enemy actually almost led them into the enemy's ambush circle.
You know, the actions of the Dongjiu cavalry are actually not very secretive. After all, the terrain is very flat, with some ups and downs at most. On the opposite side, Dongjiu sent three cavalry groups to respond, one to respond from the front, and two to flank. Line outflank.
As long as you raise your head and observe a little, you can basically find their traces a few hundred meters away.
It was a pity that the Chu army's cavalry sentry was too high at that time, and it was not discovered until it was close to a range of about two to three hundred meters.
If he hadn't made a decisive decision and ran fast, he might have been surrounded and suppressed!
This incident also alerted Zhu Xingfa: Qi Lianghou and his Fourth Cavalry Brigade are really not that easy to use.
This sword is sharp enough, but a bit brittle and easy to break.
Immediately, he directly transferred Qi Lianghou and his 4th Cavalry Brigade to the headquarters of the 1st Cavalry Corps, under his direct jurisdiction in the name of serving as military guards.
This sharp and easy-to-break sword had to be held directly in his hand to use it, so that he could feel more at ease, otherwise he would worry that Qi Lianghou's brain would get hot and he would put himself in the mouth of Donglu Ren...
——
That night, after a day of fighting, Lieutenant General Zhu Xingfa led his troops to rest in a small place a few kilometers east of Balipu. Not far in front of him was the Guangning Zhongqian Fortress.
In the night, Zhu Xingfa also began to dictate while the adjutant wrote the battle report, focusing on several small-scale battles between the 4th Cavalry Brigade and the enemy cavalry.
Based on the proactive surprise attack shown by the enemy cavalry after this evening, Zhu Xingfa judged that the enemy at Zhongqian Station was most likely not ready, otherwise the enemy cavalry would not have been able to take such a huge risk and launch a direct attack. Assault.
The enemy forces at Nakazensuo may not be fully prepared, but this is extremely valuable information.
Of course, he was only reporting actual facts and his inferences.
But this is just an inference, and we don't know the specific situation at all. As for what choice Zuo Yingzhe, the commander of the group army, will make after seeing the battle report, that is beyond his control.
After writing the battle report, Lieutenant General Zhu Xingfa did not sit idle, but took advantage of the night to visit dozens of cavalrymen injured in today's battle!
Today's several small-scale battles, although not large in scale, were two consecutive hedging battles between cavalry. In this kind of hedging battle, even if a complete victory is achieved, one's own casualties will not be too high. Small.
Dozens or even hundreds of war horses from both sides clashed, and any slight contact with the enemy's sword would result in injury.
What's more, there is often a scuffle after hedging, and casualties are naturally inevitable in this case.
Therefore, after one day of fighting, the cavalry under his command had suffered nearly a hundred casualties, including more than 30 killed and more than 60 injured.
Although these casualties, for many troops, the division commanders and army commanders did not even bother to take a look, but Zhu Xingfa was different. He paid more attention to the situation of the wounded after the war.
So after the battle was over and he was busy with other things in the evening, he took the time to visit the wounded!
For some of the cavalry who were seriously injured, especially those who were disabled, the war ended just one day after it started.
