Southern Ming Rebel Army

Lekedehun officially led his troops southward, and the first people he came into contact with were scouts from both sides. As the news that the first batch of scouts had witnessed the Qing army's reconnaissance cavalry reached Meng Jun, the smell of war began to spread, and another major war was about to begin. The scale of this battle could be regarded as the largest battle in the southern land today!

Ten scouts of the Meng army rode their war horses and shuttled through the mountains and forests, vigilantly scanning the surroundings for any movement. Suddenly, a sharp and piercing whistle sounded, breaking the silent air.

The sudden whistle made the Meng army scouts' heartbeats accelerate instantly. Their nerves were tense and they clenched their weapons tightly. They looked in the direction where the whistle came from and saw six figures gradually emerging not far ahead - they were six scouts from the Qing army!

From their clothing and equipment, it can be seen that these Qing soldiers were not ordinary Han Army Green Camp soldiers, but the Eight Banner Army. The scouts of both sides met at this moment, and their eyes met. There were no extra words and no hesitation. The first confrontation between the two armies started without any warning.

In an instant, both sides shot arrows at each other on horseback, but the distance was too far, and due to the bumps on the horses, the arrows from both sides missed. However, as the distance got closer, another round of arrows was fired at each other. This time, two scouts of Meng's army fell, and another was shot in the left hand, while only one Eight Banners soldier was shot in the neck and fell off his horse. In terms of horseback archery skills alone, the Eight Banners were far superior to the Meng army.

However, as the two sides charged at each other, they could only fire two rounds of arrows in time. Both sides drew their swords and spears, preparing for close combat.

The Meng army scouts brandished swords and guns, fearlessly charging at the Eight Banners, while the Eight Banners scouts met them with skilled horsemanship. The horses' hooves trampled the ground, raising clouds of dust. The confrontation between only a dozen people was still full of dangers. The weapons crossed in an instant, and a life-and-death contest began.

There were five cavalrymen from the Eight Banners and eight cavalrymen from the Meng army. After only one round of fighting, Qi Ang, the captain of the Meng army, looked unhappy. Four Meng soldiers fell in the fight, while two Qing soldiers fell. Although the Qing army had more people, they still achieved a two-to-one victory.

There was an unyielding light in Qi Ang's eyes, and his heartbeat was as violent as a war drum. He looked back at the remaining three companions, and they also had the same resolute look on their faces.

The four of them exchanged glances tacitly. Without words, they adjusted their breathing, calmed their minds, and prepared for the upcoming fierce confrontation.

The Eight Banners soldiers on the opposite side roared something, a kind of wildness and pride that came from the country of iron and steel, and the confidence brought by their years of victory.

The war horses of both sides seemed to feel their masters' will. Their hooves kicked the grass from time to time, their breathing was heavy, and their posture of being ready to go was like an arrow about to be released.

As the roars were heard, the war horses accelerated instantly like a released gust of wind. The four men and the three Eight Banners soldiers were like two torrents, colliding on the battlefield.

Qi Ang's palms were sweating slightly as he gripped the spear, but he did not relax at all. His eyes were fixed on the opponent in front of him, and his body swayed naturally with the ups and downs of his horse. He was waiting for that moment, the moment when he could deal a fatal blow to the enemy.

At the moment when the two armies were about to come into contact, Qi Ang shouted loudly and stabbed the opponent's chest with his spear. However, the Eight Banners soldier blocked it with his sword. Although Qi Ang moved the spear downward, it was still powerful and hit the Eight Banners soldier's waist and abdomen. The spear slipped out of his hand. Qi Ang drew out his sword again, turned around and saw that the Eight Banners soldier had fallen off his horse, staggering and lying on the ground, his life or death unknown.

Qiong's companions also launched an attack at the same time. On the battlefield, the sound of metal colliding rang out in an instant and ended in an instant. Then all that could be heard was the neighing of war horses and the groans of knights.

Qi Ang looked at the only companion left beside him, and a feeling of sadness welled up in his heart. There was only one person left in the Eight Banners opposite him. He was lying on his horse, and it seemed that he had suffered serious injuries. The man rode away on his horse without even looking back.

Qi Ang and the other man turned around and looked at the devastated battlefield. This brief confrontation was only the prelude to a major war. Both sides knew that even more brutal battles were waiting for them.

Now Zhang Chengsheng was the commander of the scout camp. He looked at Qi Ang, who looked exhausted, patted him on the shoulder and encouraged him: "The Eight Banners have fought on horseback for many years. I am very pleased that you can achieve this result. I will record this achievement. You can go down and rest first."

Zhang Chengsheng looked at Qi Ang who was leaving, put away his smile, and rushed to the central army camp, while Meng Jun was holding a military meeting at this time.

"Shiqi, have all the cannons been pulled up to Mount Qixia?" Meng Jun asked without raising his head while looking at the topographic map.

"Your Majesty, after days and nights of felling trees and building bridges, more than forty cannons have been transported to the hillside, and the rest will be deployed today. Our artillery will be in a commanding position and can bombard the enemy troops. Even if the enemy uses their artillery to counterattack us, we will still have a great advantage," Lin Shiqi replied immediately after hearing Meng Jun's question.

"Yang Changshi has transported another 60,000 arrows, 6,000 kilograms of gunpowder, a large amount of military rations, and some military equipment from the rear. He has also transferred 8,000 young men who have received brief training from the rear." Meng Hong, a former clerk in the Governor's Office, read the urgent documents and reported to Meng Jun.

"Mu De is truly as talented as Xiao He," Meng Jun couldn't help but praise when he heard this.

Zhao Yongping asked anxiously, "My lord, is the battlefield here too close to Jiangning City? If the enemy is defeated, they can retreat directly into the city."

"What's the matter with the recent ones? If we defeat the Tartars here, Jiangning City might be scared and abandon the city and flee without us having to fight," Qian Biao retorted disdainfully.

"The battlefield is here, the outcome is a foregone conclusion, don't say that anymore." Meng Jun looked up at Zhao Yongping, frowned, and said in a deep voice.

At this moment, Zhang Chengsheng hurried in and said to Meng Jun: "My lord, the scouts have reported..."

"Just say it"

"Yes, my king. The scout battalion squad, led by squad leader Qi Ang, engaged in a battle with the Eight Banners scouts more than 20 miles away from the main camp. Eight of the ten-man squad died and one was injured, while five of the Eight Banners men died and one was injured. Only one man was left from the Eight Banners and he fled in a panic." Zhang Chengsheng said to Meng Jun.

"More than twenty miles, it's very close. It seems that Lekedehun will face us face to face tomorrow," Meng Jun said slowly while looking at the map.

Meng Jun then looked at Zhang Chengsheng and said, "The names of those who died on the battlefield must be recorded. This is the first battle with the enemy army. We should boost the morale of the army and spread the news that there were 15 people from the Eight Banners, 10 from our army, and 14 enemies were killed. "

Zhang Chengsheng was stunned, looked up at Meng Jun, but quickly lowered his head and said in a muffled voice: "Yes, my king."