I

"Bang bang bang!"

"Shhhhhh!"

On the field, the scout horses of the Datong Army were fighting with Wu Sangui's cavalry on a small scale.

As the pursuit deepened, the firecrackers dispatched [-] cavalry and rushed further forward to inquire about news.Wu Sangui divided his troops to obstruct, and the dragoons sent more troops.

In the end, the cavalry of both sides fought between their main forces.

After fighting for half an hour, the casualties of each other were only single digits.

Not only those surrendered generals cherished the servant cavalry, Wu Sangui also did the same, he was reluctant to let the servants get close to be shot.One and two are all about preserving their strength, mainly because the ruling power of the Manchu Qing Dynasty is not stable, and the surrendered generals can only rely on the army to protect their own interests.

Historically, even when the Qing army reached the south of the Yangtze River, the generals of various tribes were still annexing each other.

But the small imperial court of Nanming was even more rubbish, and also had all kinds of infighting.

At that time, Jin Shenghuan, the surrendered general, was ordered to enter Beijing, and because he was afraid of being taken away from the army, he took the initiative to ask to lead troops to attack Jiangxi.This guy has only a few thousand soldiers in his hands, and he claims to be a pioneer. The Manchu Qing army will soon have 20 troops going south.The Minister of Civil and Military Affairs of the Southern Ming Dynasty in Jiangxi was trembling with fright, so Jiangxi surrendered...

Because when Jin Shenghuan occupied Nanchang, he got a lot of gold and silver treasures.The Jiangxi civil servants appointed by the Qing Dynasty were jealous, and they forcibly demanded and extorted money.The Manchu Qing Dynasty didn't reward Shenghuan generously, so Jin Shenghuan simply brought the whole of Jiangxi to seek refuge in Nanming.

I heard that Jiangxi rebelled, and Guangdong followed suit, because Governor Tong Yangjia suppressed surrendered generals who were not from Liaodong.

Civil officials blackmailed and suppressed military generals, causing the Manchus to lose Jiangxi and Guangdong one after another... This script is bad enough.

But Manqing and Nanming were competing for bad luck, and it turned out that Nanming was even better.

The Manchu Qing is really no match, and the world is in a daze.

At this moment, several cavalry rushed back and reported the information: "The enemy army is camping halfway, waiting for our army to kill."

After discussing with Huang Shun, Jiang Dashan ordered the whole army to stop and rest, and took out the dry food they carried with them to eat.

The distance between the two sides was about [-] miles. Zu Dashou quickly got the information and ordered the whole army to slowly approach the Datong army.He had to seize the opportunity to take the initiative to attack while the Datong army had no armor or artillery, and he would accomplish all his achievements in one battle!

Zu Dashou marched slowly, dragged down by a group of garbage soldiers.

When they were only a few miles away from each other, the sun had already set.Zu Dashou was afraid that if he was too burdensome, he would be successfully attacked by the enemy at night, so he continued to lead the front army, planning to fight a decisive battle before dark.

Cao Bianjiao, who was fighting with the enemy cavalry, also gradually distanced himself.He held up the binoculars to observe for a while, and immediately rode towards Wei Guoxiang: "General Wei, the enemy army is in chaos in several places, let's take the cavalry to kill there!"

Wei Guoxiang is a son of a family in Zhejiang. He studied since he was a child, but he likes to dance knives and sticks. He joined the Datong Army as a scholar.

First, he was a propaganda and instructor in the army. Because of his proficiency in bows and horses, he turned into a cavalry general when he was training cavalry. Now, like Cao Bianjiao, he commands 2500 dragoons.

Wei Guoxiang also took out his binoculars to observe carefully, and then said with a smile: "I will attack the left wing, and General Cao will attack the right wing."

After all, the two of them took their cavalry and pulled farther to restore their horses' physical strength.By the way, replace the match, re-ignite, and wait for a more suitable time.

Wu Sangui also took the cavalry back, but retreated to the rear of his own infantry.His troops are superior, and he wants to wait for the infantry to attack first, and then find an opportunity to charge and kill the main force of the Datong army... Still wanting to preserve his strength, he doesn't want too many cavalry soldiers to die.

As the sun sets, the afterglow is everywhere, coating the wilderness with a layer of gold.

Chapter 422 [Military Spirit and Discipline]

Cao Bianjiao knew that he would raid the enemy's scattered troops and cause the enemy's entire army to be defeated. Zu Dashou, who has fought for decades, would not know?

When the two armies were about three or four miles apart, Zu Dashou began to adjust his troops.

He placed more than 3 infantry with normal combat effectiveness in the front line.He also used himself and Wu Sangui's more than [-] Liaodong elites as the Chinese army and reserve team.The cavalry is placed on both sides of the central army. While protecting the central army, it can also support the front army formation, and can come out to parry the dragoons at any time, or to harass the infantry of the Datong army.

As for the more than 2 weak soldiers with no combat effectiveness, Zu Dashou put them last.If it breaks, it will break. In such a position, it will generally not attack friendly troops.

Cao Bianjiao and Wei Guoxiang, who were already preparing to attack, felt very helpless about this.

Jiang Dashan, who had been walking with the soldiers all this time, finally rode his horse and rushed to Huang Shun's side: "Shunzi, the enemy's strength varies from good to bad, so there is no need to fight hard with them. Withdraw troops slowly, disrupt the enemy's formation, or simply drag them to the sky. black."

"Okay, I'll listen to you." Huang Shun said with a smile.

Both of them are division commanders, and they have no position after joining forces.This is a big taboo in war, and there must be a leader, otherwise differences will easily arise.

At the beginning of the formation of the Datong Army, there was a rule.

If an officer is killed in battle, a corps commander should be elected temporarily from among the five, and a chief should be temporarily elected from among the ten.By analogy, when several top officials are at the same level, it should be decided in advance whose orders will prevail.

Jiang Dashan and Huang Shun were from the same village, and they followed Zhao Han in the uprising at the same time, and their relationship was pretty good.

Moreover, Jiang Dashan was promoted to teacher first, and his qualifications were older.For this joint battle, the two had already agreed that Jiang Dashan would be the commander in chief and Huang Shun would be the deputy commander.

In order to take care of Huang Shun's emotions, Jiang Dashan took the initiative to ride over at this moment to discuss the change of tactics together.

Using binoculars to observe the enemy's situation, the two discussed while watching.

Huang Shun said: "Just looking at the marching lineup and flags, the enemy's front army is not as good as our rural peasants and soldiers. The enemy's central army should be elite, with an orderly formation and undisturbed flags. The enemy's rear army... I'm afraid Never fought a war."

Jiang Dashan said with a smile: "If the enemy advances further, we will retreat, and their rear will definitely be left far behind."

To put it bluntly, pull repeatedly!

The distance between the two armies was still a mile and a half, Zu Dashou sent troops to outflank it, and Datong's army suddenly retreated as a whole, without giving the enemy a chance to outflank.

This is an unconventional operation, because the distance is too close, it is very likely that the enemy will take the opportunity to chase, and the chase will collapse.

However, the Datong army came lightly, without even luggage, and had strict discipline. The situation when they retreated was more orderly than when the enemy army advanced.

Zu Dashou marched forward in formation, his speed was as slow as a turtle crawling.

There is no way, if the improvised army moves fast, it will not be able to walk a few dozen steps, and the various ministries will become uneven.

Seeing the Datong army retreating slowly, Zu Dashou became anxious immediately.

If you go on like this, don't even think about fighting.It is impossible for a group of miscellaneous troops under his command to catch up with the Datong army. Once the order to pursue them is given, they will become chaotic.At that time, if the enemy seizes the opportunity, the whole army may be defeated.

In this case, it has nothing to do with the general's command ability, nor with the tactics and equipment of both sides.

It is purely a difference in the quality of the army. The well-trained and disciplined Datong army crushes the enemy's miscellaneous brands in terms of execution.

How to do?

Zu Dashou has three options:

First, move forward to catch up and fight immediately.

Second, let the cavalry attack to hinder the enemy's main force and prevent it from retreating calmly.

Third, stop advancing and set up camp on the spot. It only takes one day to drag the enemy army without luggage to run out of food.

The first method is easy to play yourself to pieces, and the third method may make the Datong army run away.

Zu Dashou chose the second option. He ordered Wu Sangui to take the cavalry out to harass the retreating Datong army.

"Order the dragoons to harass the enemy formation!" Jiang Dashan quickly made a decision.

When the order sounded, Cao Bianjiao and Wei Guoxiang immediately led the dragoons to evade Wu Sangui's cavalry and attack Zu Dashou's two wings.

The Datong army stopped retreating and formed an array to face Wu Sangui's cavalry.

Zu Dashou's infantry formation also stopped advancing, because the troops on the two wings were already somewhat confused. The 5000 dragoons, only half of them, fired guns at a long distance, and Zu Dashou's troops on both wings panicked.

Although there is no chaos in formation, the speed of advancement is slowed down.As a result, the troops in the middle came to the front, and the troops on the two wings gradually fell behind.

On the other hand, Datong pawns, in the face of Wu Sangui's cavalry harassment, calmly lined up to deal with it, showing discipline and judgment.

"Blow the horn and bring back the cavalry." Zu Dashou made a helpless decision. He felt that he should not fight in the wild, but should go to Taikang County to defend the city earlier.

However, the Datong army marched lightly, without luggage, armor and artillery. This kind of temptation made Zu Dashou unable to resist.

When Wu Sangui heard the order, he immediately led his troops back to help, and drove away the dragoons who attacked the friendly army.

As soon as Wu Sangui's cavalry left, the Datong infantry retreated calmly again.

The sky is getting darker and darker, this way of doing things, don't even think about fighting today, the two armies can't stand each other at all.

Zu Dashou ordered again: "The whole army stops!"

As soon as the enemy stopped, the Datong Army also stopped, always keeping a distance of one and a half to two miles.

Being so close, Zu Dashou didn't dare to retreat, he didn't even dare to order to set up camp, if he made a slight move, the formation would be chaotic, and the Datong army seized the opportunity to rush over.

It's hard to get off a tiger, you can't advance or retreat!

It was about to get dark, and the Datong Army retreated again. The distance between the two sides was about two and a half miles.

Jiang Dashan ordered the fire ropes to be extinguished. Not only did they not have enough luggage, but the firecrackers did not carry much fire ropes with them.And fighting at night is also very disadvantageous. Once the matchlock is lit, it will be discovered by the enemy.

At night, the moon is bright.

The two armies lined up, sat down where they were, and the cavalry also retreated to feed the horses and restore their strength.

The dragoons had only one piece of cake left per person. Although they also brought beans and water, those were for the horses.War horses not only need to eat beans and water, but also have to add salt to the water, otherwise it will be difficult to replenish their physical exertion, and they will be more likely to get sick.

Sitting and sitting, many soldiers under Zu Dashou's command began to lie down unsteadily.

Anyway, the enemy didn't attack. After a long day, it's so tiring to continue to sit. Let's lie down and rest for a while.

Zu Dashou asked the law enforcement team to scold him, but it was useless.The soldiers on this side were called up, and the soldiers on the other side lay down again. They were really tired from marching all day, but they were still very nervous at dusk.

Enforce military law, either to clean up military discipline when no enemy is encountered, or to punish deserters when there is already a battle.

Before a battle, no general dares to enforce military laws easily.

Killing the generals in front of the battle is a taboo for the army!

Especially with a group of miscellaneous troops under his command, Zu Dashou didn't dare to mess around at this time.In case any general harbors resentment and makes a fuss in the middle of the night, the situation will definitely be unmanageable.

Wu Sangui came to Zu Dashou's side and said in a low voice: "Uncle, this battle is impossible to fight. The enemy's army moves like an arm, and our army has one order. Although our army is superior in strength, the more people there are, the more chaotic it will be. How about... Come down!"

Zu Dashou shook his head: "The Prince Regent's tens of thousands of Eight Banners troops have already killed Shangqiu. If the Eight Banners army wins, wouldn't it be a joke for us to surrender at this time?"

Wu Sangui said: "Even if Dorgon can win a game, can he really win the world? The Datong Army on the opposite side, we didn't know it before, don't we know it now? This is the world's first-class elite, compared with the Eight Banners Army. Poor, the morale of the army is even better than that of the Eight Banners Army. If Dorgon can't win, even if this battle is a complete victory, it will only be ruled by rowing the river. The south is rich and has a sufficient population, and it can be slowed down in a few years. With a scarce population and insufficient food, how can we survive the counterattack in Nanjing?"

"I'll think about it again." Zu Dashou didn't agree, nor did he directly refuse.

As for the life and death of their respective families, Zu Dashou and Wu Sangui didn't think about it, and they didn't even bother to mention it.

Unless it is absolutely necessary, Zu Dashou will not descend.

He had a premonition that he might be defeated tonight, but he would rather escape than surrender, which stemmed from his own hesitant character.

Both sides sent a small number of soldiers to collect dry firewood and hay, and set up fires one by one.It can be used for both lighting and heating.

The Datong army ate dry food, while Zu Dashou sent the rear army to garrison with pots, and then transported them to the front to fill the soldiers.

In this case, there is no way to set up camp, and both sides line up to rest.

After eating, the Datong army took turns to sleep, and Zu Dashou's side also took turns to sleep.There are cavalry guards between the two armies, and no one can sneak attack. The battle will not continue until tomorrow.

Second watch.

The Datong army lit up dots one after another, but the match was lit.

"Woooooooo..."

Zu Dashou's sentry cavalry immediately blew their horns to warn them, and then the bugles blared, and the sleeping soldiers were woken up one after another.A few troops even panicked, thinking that the enemy had already killed them.

As soon as the bugle sounded on the opposite side, the Datong Army snuffed out the match again.

Three watch days.

The mission officers of 52 dragoon troops ran out with tin horns and began to shout at the enemy in turn.

"Brothers in Liaodong, you have been born and raised in Liaodong for generations, and your ancestral graves are also in Liaodong. Your fathers and fellow villagers were all killed by the Tartars, and your elders, wives and children were abused by the Tartars. You Do you still want to sacrifice your life for the Tartars if you don’t remember the bloody feud? Every Qingming Festival, who will worship at your ancestor’s grave? When you die one day, your ancestor will ask you why you didn’t sweep the grave and offer incense? How should you answer your ancestor!”

"Brothers in Henan, the government of the Ming Dynasty was greedy and left Henan empty. The Manchu Qing Dynasty was more brutal than the Ming Dynasty. They burned, killed and looted everywhere. How many brothers and fathers were killed? Many of you used to be rebels. Why do you want to Rebellion? Because we don’t have enough to eat! Our Emperor Datong in Nanjing also killed all the rebels because he was hungry. He has the same background as you. Your Majesty the Emperor of Datong knows how hard it is for the poor. His Majesty abolished excessive taxes and returned land to the poor Life is good. Let’s say that in Runing Mansion and Nanyang Mansion in Henan Province, the common people have already divided their land. Don’t work for the Tartars, vote for His Majesty the Emperor of Datong, organize households and divide the land, and cultivate land for yourself in the future. Everyday You can eat enough, and the dolls don’t need money to study!"

"Brothers in Shanxi, most of you are from military households. The Tartars have entered the customs and plundered year after year, and you have been ordered by King Qin every time. How many of your fathers, brothers and elders, your relatives and friends, have died under the swords of the Tartars. Serving your life for the Tartars, is it worthy of your dead relatives and friends? Surrender quickly, His Majesty the Emperor of Datong, the military households have been abolished. From now on, soldiers and wars are all voluntary. Those who don’t want to fight can be given the land and grow their own food. There is no government. Exploitation, and there are no officers who order you to be cows and horses..."

As the shouting progressed, Zu Dashou's army became noisy.

Those soldiers and generals who surrendered may only have a little feeling.But the low-ranking officers and ordinary soldiers were shaken by the shouting, and the missionaries said every word to their hearts.

"Han brothers, if you want to surrender, throw away your weapons during the battle and lie on the ground, or squat on the ground. The Datong army does not kill prisoners, but also divides the land for you. Remember, when you start a war, throw away your weapons. Lie on the ground, or squat on the ground!"

Zu Dashou's face changed drastically: "The cavalry quickly drive away those shouts!"

Chapter 423 [Thousands of People Charge]

Xue Si sat on the ground, tilted his head and asked the fellow villagers: "What are you shouting on the other side?"

"It's too far away, I can't hear you clearly." Fang Tang shook his head.

Xue Si asked again: "Why is there a commotion in front?"

Fang Tang was upset and said: "How do I know, after running for a day, no one is allowed to sleep."