My Portable Ming Dynasty

Chapter 392 A Battle That Crushes the Era
A commandery consists of one hundred people.

The Annamese army placed particular emphasis on building up its reconnaissance forces.

Therefore, Zhu Shikun's reconnaissance brigade was an elite mixed force, consisting not only of fifty elite scouts, but also artillery and infantry.

After a night's rest, the fifty elite cavalrymen of the reconnaissance brigade had fed their horses, cleaned their accompanying light mountain guns and special equipment, and lined up in high spirits in front of the simple dock.

"Commander, the guide has arrived!"

Cheng Hai, the deputy banner officer, was a student in the infantry department of the military academy. He was also promoted this time and was assigned to work with Zhu Shitai.

Two dark-skinned, middle-aged men dressed in a mix of Han and Tujia clothing stood awkwardly to one side. They were descendants of local chieftains, temporarily recruited by the Nanning government, and were familiar with the mountain trails and the gossip of the various chieftain tribes.

"State your names. How much do you know about the White Horse Tribe?"

“Reporting to the general, we are Amu and Ashi.” The leader, Amu, who was thinner, had a heavy accent, but could still communicate in Mandarin. “We recognize Baimadong! About half a month ago, we heard that Chief Zhao Quan declared himself king there! They…” A hint of fear flashed across Amu’s face, “A while ago, some officials nearby were also killed, and there are rumors in Fangcheng that they came to kill us!”

Zhu Shikun frowned.

The three chieftains who rebelled lived in the western mountainous region of Guangxi, quite far from Fangcheng.

Zhu Shikun did not believe that it was the rebel army of the three chieftains that had attacked Fangcheng. He thought it was probably the nearby villages that had heard the news of the rebellion and took the opportunity to cause trouble.

Zhu Shikun recalled the knowledge he had learned at the Martial Arts Academy.

The southwestern chieftains were scattered throughout the country, and in addition to all submitting to the Ming Dynasty, they also maintained tributary relationships with each other.

Many chieftains would also form alliances to fight against the Ming Dynasty.

Fangcheng is a coastal area, and it was one of the earliest places to implement the policy of replacing native chieftains with centrally appointed officials. The Ming Dynasty had a strong control over this area.

If villages in Fangcheng also respond to the rebellion of the three chieftains, then the scale of this rebellion will need to be reassessed.

"Are there other villages nearby that have joined the rebellion of the three chieftains?"

The two chieftains shook their heads blankly.

"Where were the officials killed?" Zhu Shikun pressed.

“It’s at Bazhai Creek to the west!” Ah Shi chimed in. “It’s three or four days’ journey through the mountains from here, and it’s close to Shendong. Han Chinese merchants don’t dare to go that way.”

"Bring me the map!"

After Zhu Shikun finished giving his instructions, Deputy Banner Officer Cheng Hai immediately took out a map from his person.

This is the latest map from the Imperial Observatory.

In recent years, Huang Ji, the historian, has been observing stars at the Nanjing Observatory. In addition to astronomy, he has also made many achievements in cartography.

By observing the orbit of Jupiter's moon I, longitude can be determined, and then latitude can be determined by measuring the constellation Dipper.

By using celestial bodies to determine locations on Earth, maps created using this method are far more accurate than those of the past.

Over the years, the Crown Prince helped the Imperial Observatory offer rewards to encourage astronomers in various provinces to learn new cartography and to purchase their newly drawn maps at high prices.

The three provinces of Guangxi, Yunnan, and Guizhou have offered high rewards to encourage astronomy students from other provinces to conduct surveys in these three provinces.

So when Zhu Shikun got the map, he even thought that Dean Su had foreseen the rebellion and had already prepared the map.

Such precise maps further enhance the accuracy of military operations.

"Bazhai Creek..." Zhu Shikun had a plan in mind.

They also learned about the terrain of Bazhai Creek from the two guides. This place is a high peak in western Fangcheng, a good starting point for scouting enemy positions and surveying the terrain.

There are eight villages in the nearby mountains. These villages are not large enough to warrant the appointment of a chieftain, but they live in the mountains and do not interact with the Han Chinese government of Fangcheng.

Therefore, the local government allowed them to elect their own leaders to govern themselves.

Based on this, it is highly likely that these eight villages joined the rebellion in response to the three chieftains.

Their reconnaissance unit came to Fangcheng to gather intelligence on Guangxi ahead of the main army.

In addition, Fangcheng has good port conditions and can serve as a sea supply route for the army. The scout commander also needs to investigate the situation near Fangcheng and eliminate threats in the vicinity.

As Bazhai was an unstable factor near Fangcheng, Zhu Shikun could not ignore it, so he said to the two guides:
"Alright, lead the way! Remember, avoid the main roads with checkpoints, and only take the narrow paths that are passable by horses."

"Understood!" Amu and Ashi quickly replied.

The next day.

With warhorses neighing, this well-equipped Ming Dynasty reconnaissance team pierced into the heart of the rolling, densely vegetated mountains of western Guangxi like an awl.

The mountain road was rugged and narrow, and damp and sweltering.

Zhu Shikun gripped the reins tightly, sweat trickling down his brow. He wasn't unfamiliar with mountains, but compared to this miasma-filled, perilous primeval forest, the Taihang Mountain training grounds in the capital region were nothing short of child's play.

Fortunately, the Woyin Company had already transported Yunnan horses in advance. These small southwestern horse breeds are particularly good at traversing the southwestern mountains.

The Woyin Company had also prepared mosquito and disease prevention medicines in advance, along with heatstroke prevention and sun protection equipment, which enabled Zhu Shikun's reconnaissance team to set off so quickly.

Zhu Shikun felt that this battle was utterly absurd.

The officials in the court seemed to have anticipated everything, and the court had prepared everything for this war long ago, with all arrangements made before the battle even began.

When has our Great Ming Dynasty ever fought such a rich war?
Of course, marching through dense forests is still very arduous.

The air was filled with the chirping of insects and birds, but there was always a feeling that countless eyes were watching from the shadows. The newly issued mountain guns, after being disassembled, were transported by strong mules, making the journey exceptionally difficult.

However, Zhu Shikun strictly followed the military manual and enforced marching discipline. On the third day, the troops arrived at Bazhai Creek according to the map.

Deputy Banner Officer Cheng Hai and Zhu Shikun climbed up the high ground west of Bazhai Creek, where a clear view suddenly opened up before them.

In the afterglow of the setting sun, at the mouth of the stream, amidst jagged rocks, several blackened ruins of walls stand out starkly—the former site of the post station where the officials were killed.

Beside the stream, there were still faint traces of blood and torn strips of official robes.

On the distant mountains, you can see several villages; these must be Bazhai.

Zhu Shikun took out a map and said to Cheng Hai:

"Bazhai is a crucial point in the southwest of Fangcheng. If we control this area, Fangcheng will be safe and secure."

Cheng Hai said:

"Does the commander mean that we must control Bazhai no matter what?"

Zhu Shikun nodded and said:
"The officials were murdered and the imperial post stations were destroyed, but the Eight Villages remained silent and did not report to the local government. This is enough to show their disloyalty. Let's occupy the Eight Villages first."

Cheng Hai nodded.

Fangcheng's location is crucial, and the Reconnaissance Headquarters needs to ensure its absolute security as a rear base. Zhu Shikun's decision was naturally prudent. Cheng Hai also had other plans. Since its establishment, the Reconnaissance Headquarters had never engaged in actual combat, and Bazhai was a perfect target for such a mission.

"Set up camp and prepare for the night, and establish night watch posts according to the manual. We will go up the mountain again tomorrow."

Zhu Shikun gave the order, and the reconnaissance team immediately began to take action.

Some soldiers began to build temporary camps, while others began to set up defensive positions.

The infantrymen set up their muskets and several newly made "small repeating balls" from the Ministry of Works, using trees and rocks as cover. The small repeating balls were a special type of firearm with a relatively large caliber, which scattered a large number of steel balls after each shot, making them a powerful weapon for both offense and defense.

The flamethrower carrying a heavy metal canister found a high ground, and the other soldiers dug an earthen platform, where the flamethrower hid.

Setting up camp and establishing firing positions were actions that the new Beijing garrison had practiced countless times. They didn't even need Zhu Shikun's orders; the squad leaders would naturally supervise their completion.

Just then, a sharp whistle suddenly came from the dense forest ahead.

Zhu Shikun immediately put down the map in his hand. It was the warning whistle of the reconnaissance scouts. He immediately picked up his binoculars.

Deep in the dense forest, shadowy figures could be seen moving about, and there were more than one such figure.

"alert!"

Zhu Shikun immediately gave the order.

Just as Zhu Shikun gave the order, strange roars and a dense barrage of bamboo arrows and rudimentary firearms erupted from the dense forests on both sides of the stream below!

Arrows rained down, piercing through the branches and leaves, but the sentry posts were all covered, and no soldiers were injured.

However, the sudden attack startled the warhorses in the army, causing them to neigh.

"Enemy attack!"

Zhu Shikun quickly made a judgment:
"Grenadiers! Suppress the pass directly ahead!"

Zhu Shikun did not expect that the other side would not only dare to set up an ambush here, but also dare to take the initiative to attack the well-equipped government troops.

However, since the other side had already made a move, there was no need for him to hold back. With a command from Zhu Shikun, the grenadiers immediately began to retaliate.

Then they saw a group of natives rushing out of the dense forest, preparing to break through the pass and storm into the Ming army's camp.

The grenadier leader's eyes were fierce. He quickly judged the angle and distance, nimbly lit the fuse with the flint he carried, and swung his arm forcefully.

Five black grenades traced short arcs as they flew precisely towards the densest jungle above the creek, where the roars were most concentrated!
boom! boom! boom! boom! boom!
Five muffled thunderous booms rang out in succession at the narrow mouth of the stream.

Grenadiers are also trained.

Research by the Ministry of Works found that the most lethal effect of a hand grenade is when it explodes in the air.

A grenade that explodes in mid-air can cause the most damage from the shrapnel that bursts out.

Although it was nearing dusk, these elite grenadiers still threw with great accuracy.

The explosive power and kill radius of this firearm far exceeded the imagination of these bandit soldiers! The enemies rushing from other directions visibly faltered, and some were even so frightened that they turned around and tried to run away.

"Flamethrower soldiers! Left flank! Clear the way!" Zhu Shikun seized the opportunity. A small group of enemies on the left, using the dense thorns and vines as cover, were still stubbornly charging forward.

"Sizzle—" A strange liquid spraying sound rang out, and the soldier carrying the metal canister aimed at the bushes!
A bright orange, viscous, and scorching pillar of fire, like the breath of a dragon, suddenly shot out! It wasn't a leaping flame, but a highly adhesive burning liquid!

The orange-red coal tar instantly covered a large area, and once it touched dry branches, vines, or even damp tree trunks and rocks, it burst into flames that were impossible to extinguish!

Its flammable and inextinguishable nature instantly turned the soldiers at the front into screaming flames, completely blocking the path for reinforcements! The acrid smell was nauseating.

"Right flank gunners! Extend your fire!" Zhu Shikun gave the enemy no chance to breathe.

The three-man artillery team, having already located their firing position, aimed their newly assembled light mountain gun at the area further back on the right flank, where they suspected the enemy command was concentrated.

A flash of light from the muzzle, and a roar louder than a grenade echoed through the valley! The shell whistled hundreds of meters away, slamming into the distant hillside and kicking up a cloud of dust and trees!
The Eight Villages were originally a loose alliance; they had merely accepted the White Horse's investiture and were preparing to rebel in response to their banner.

After the attack on the post station, the Eight Villages remained in ambush in the mountains, preparing to ambush the government troops.

Little did he expect to run into such a terrifying army!

A burning fire dragon, a rain of iron after a roar, and cannons so accurate they inspire fear!
A chorus of cries for their parents erupted from both sides of the stream. The remaining enemy forces, having lost all will to fight, abandoned their wounded and injured comrades and scrambled away, disappearing into the depths of the dense forest.

The jungle quickly returned to its deathly silence, leaving only the devastation left by the explosion and fire.

This time, the reconnaissance unit suffered no losses; the dead were all natives who charged forward.

As the adrenaline subsided, the air was filled with the smell of roasted meat and a strong stench of blood.

Even Zhu Shikun couldn't hold back any longer and almost vomited on the battlefield.

Of course, Zhu Shikun forcibly suppressed the urge to vomit. He didn't want his first real battle to leave a stain that would make people laugh at him for the rest of his life!
"Bring the guide here!"

It's impossible for Bazhai to be lying in ambush in the dense forest for no reason. Considering the guide's directional words, Zhu Shikun quickly determined that this was a planned ambush.

As expected, the two guides were terrified when they saw the might of the reconnaissance flag. Upon seeing Zhu Shikun, they immediately confessed everything.

They did indeed tip off Bazhai in advance, but they weren't actually from Bazhai.

This is a survival skill of those living between the Tu and Han people in Guangxi. These people who can communicate between the two sides will pledge allegiance to multiple forces.

Bazhai was a local power, and the two men dared not offend them, so they relayed the news of the Ming army's arrival at the port to Bazhai after nightfall last night.

Deputy Commander Cheng Hai angrily said:

"Commander! Kill these two traitors!"

Zhu Shikun waved his hand and said to the two of them:

"I'm sending you to the Eighth Village to tell everyone there that if they want to live, they should tie their hands and surrender by coming down the mountain!"

"Otherwise, I, the commander, will lead my troops to raze the eight strongholds to the ground!"

The two guides nodded repeatedly, and Zhu Shikun released them as promised. They immediately ran towards Bazhai Mountain.

"Commander, why did you let them go? They just betrayed us!"

Zhu Shikun, however, said:

"Have you forgotten what you learned in the military camp about the geopolitics of the southwest? The southwestern tribes are drawn to the strong; everyone is hedging their bets and becoming vassals of the strongest in the vicinity."

"The Eight Villages are built on the mountain. How many of our new army's best soldiers would be wasted in a direct assault? If we can take the Eight Villages without bloodshed, why bother with a direct assault?"

Just as Zhu Shikun had said, by the afternoon, the mountain stronghold was in motion. Soon after, a group of shirtless men, bound by thorns, came down the mountain and knelt in front of Zhu Shikun's camp.

(End of this chapter)