Southern Ming Rebel Army

The Meng army's war horses were all captured on the battlefield. Although they gained a large number of qualified war horses when they defeated Bolo, training a qualified cavalryman is not something that can be accomplished overnight.

These scouts were the most elite in Meng's army, with superb horsemanship and the best in the army. However, they were still at a disadvantage when facing the scouts of the Eight Banners. However, Meng Jun still ordered a generous reward for Qi Ang and the other surviving scouts.

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This day will surely be a good day for Lekedehun to be proud of.

In his opinion, Bolo was a disgrace to the Qing royal family. Although Bolo later helped the court capture Fujian, overthrow the Longwu regime, and kidnap Zheng Zhilong, this still could not change the fact that he was defeated in Zhejiang and suffered heavy casualties.

Since Meng Jun wanted to fight a field battle with Lekedehun, Lekedehun had no reason to refuse. As long as he could defeat the six towns of the Meng army in this field battle, it would mean that the areas of Jiangsu and Zhejiang would be completely pacified, and he, Lekedehun, would be the most dazzling new star among the Qing royal family except Duoduo. This was the most beautiful temptation for Lekedehun.

As soon as it got light, Lekedehun walked out of the tent and began to reorganize the army. Although in his opinion these Green Camp soldiers were all rotten stuff, the Eight Banners of Han Army and the Eight Banners of Mongolia were not that bad, but they were not much better. The only ones who could be called warriors were the Eight Banners of Manchuria. However, this expedition, including the Eight Banners stationed in Jiangning, the real Eight Banners of Manchuria had only 4,300 people. But this was enough.

Although in Lekedehun's opinion, the Green Camp soldiers were a bunch of rotten vegetables, they were still qualified to serve as meat shields, charge into battle, attract artillery fire, and be cannon fodder. After all, there were so many Han people in the world, and the last thing they lacked was human lives and cannon fodder.

But not everyone in the Eight Banners was so optimistic. Jueluo Langqiu privately advised Lekedehun, "Since the Meng thief was able to defeat Bolo Beile, no matter how Bolo Beile made a wrong decision, the warriors of the Eight Banners are still those people."

Lekedehun was dismissive of such words, but after Jueluo Langqiu's constant persuasion, Lekedehun agreed that he would not easily send out the Eight Banners to charge without a huge advantage.

On March 6, the decisive battle that would determine the local battlefield in Jiangning officially began.

Under the command of the newly promoted Prince Duolo Shuncheng, Lekedehun led his Manchu general Juelu Langqiu, 4,300 Manchu Eight Banners led by Babutai, 1,500 men of the Mongolian Gushan Ezhen Sukhbaru, 4,000 men of the Han Army Banner Zhang Guoliang, as well as 42,000 surrendered soldiers of the Shun Army and the Green Camp Army of Hunan, 24,000 men of Jiangning Gao Jinku, Yang Wulie, and Ke Yongsheng. A total of more than 76,000 soldiers and 30,000 young men came out of the camp outside Jiangning City and set up a large camp ten miles away from Jilong Mountain to fight a decisive battle with Meng Jun.

After the Qing army set up camp, Lekedehun had an idea and decided to write a declaration of war, inviting Meng Jun to a decisive battle the next day. Lekedehun understood Chinese and Chinese characters, and wrote Chinese very well. Lekedehun was one of the few generals in the Manchu royal family who was familiar with Sinology.

Declaration of War: "To Meng Jun, Duke of Ming

There is an incident on the battlefield, and out of righteous indignation, we have no choice but to fight with swords. We, the Great Qing, were established by the will of heaven and govern the world in accordance with the will of the people. Now I hear that Duke Meng's army is approaching the border with great momentum. Although I am not talented, I am determined and want to compete with you to determine the winner.

Therefore, I send this letter of challenge, sincerely inviting you to line up for a duel on the bank of the Yangtze River the day after tomorrow. At that time, the two armies will face each other, with flags covering the sky and drums of war shaking the heavens. I will meet your army with a strict military force. I hope that this battle will demonstrate my martial virtues, determine the outcome, and make it known to the world.

In the battle tomorrow, may the heaven and earth be witnesses, may the sun and the moon be examples. Regardless of victory or defeat, we should treat each other with courtesy to show our style.

If Duke Meng is willing to submit to our dynasty, our emperor is wise and our regent is sharp and courageous. If you submit to us, we will welcome you with open arms. The reward of the royal title will be hereditary, and you will enjoy wealth and glory forever. I ask you to consider it carefully, and I am willing to wait for good news.

If you don't agree, I still hope to go to the battlefield with you, show your prowess, and live up to the expectations of history.

Sincerely,

——The commander of the Qing army, Prince Duoluo Shuncheng, Aixinjueluo-Lekedehun

After writing the letter, Lekedehun felt refreshed, and then ordered several messengers from the Eight Banners to deliver the declaration of war to the Meng army.

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The letter of challenge soon arrived in front of Meng Jun. He opened it and smiled. He said to his attendants, "If Lekedehun wants to challenge you, just do it. Why do you have to lure me into surrendering by offering me the title of king? I am also a king now. Why do I need to be given a title by Manchuria? It's ridiculous that Lekedehun is showing off his literary talent. Since we are about to fight, how can I surrender without a fight?"

After saying this, Meng Jun wanted to write a reply letter himself, but looking at Lekedehun's literary talent, Meng Jun did not have much confidence in his literary talent. He thought that if he wrote it himself, he would be laughed at. At that time, people would say that Lekedehun, a Manchurian fisherman and hunter, had better literary talent than Meng Jun, who was born in the south of the Yangtze River and had a strong literary style. If this story is passed down to future generations, wouldn't it be a great shame?

After a moment's hesitation, Meng Jun finally decided to give the reply to Xia Wanchun. After Xia Wanchun took over the task, he smiled confidently, bowed to Meng Jun, and said solemnly: "Your Majesty, please rest assured! I will do my best and will never let you down!"

After finishing speaking, Xia Wanchun sat back at his desk, picked up his pen and started writing. The scent of ink filled the air and the words flowed on the paper. He finished writing in one go, with a majestic and powerful handwriting. After finishing, Xia Wanchun handed the reply to Meng Jun.

Meng Jun read it and praised: "Okay, pass this letter back to the enemy army, and prepare for battle. The day after tomorrow, we will fight to the death with the enemy army!"

Xia Wanchun replied: "To the Prince of Lekedehun in Manchuria

When I received the declaration of war, I was deeply moved by the heroic feelings between the lines of the prince's words, but I have the world in my heart. Today, the Han Dynasty is in misfortune, and the land of China is sinking. How dare you say that you are carrying the mandate of heaven and ruling the world? You are encircling land, changing your hair and clothes, and killing people so much that even the bamboos in the Nanshan Mountains are exhausted, it is difficult to list your crimes. Even the waves in the East China Sea are breaking, and it is difficult to end all the evil. How can you say that you are carrying the mandate of heaven?

Although Jun is not talented, he has lived up to the expectations of the world. The people of Han are all waiting for the royal army with tears and blood. I am now leading a large army to hunt in Jiangning. Since you have invited me, I will naturally accept it. Using war to make my intentions known is also what I wish.

Therefore, we gladly accept your challenge and agree to meet you at the bank of the river the day after tomorrow to fight you. We will point our swords to the sky and our shields to protect the mountains and rivers.

Jun is a citizen of the Divine Land. How could he not stay in the Central Plains but go among the barbarians? I have already reported the title of king to the heavens and offered sacrifices to the earth. Why do I need you to confer any more titles on me? Your words of persuasion for surrender will only make you laugh.

Sincerely,

——Zhou Wang Mengjun

It was the next morning when Lekedehun saw the letter. After reading it, Lekedehun sneered and said, "This is all nonsense. Everything depends on the battlefield."

Afterwards, Lekedehun threw the letter aside, reorganized his troops, and planned to send out all the troops tomorrow. Lekedehun was full of confidence that he would defeat the Meng bandits in this battle.