Southern Ming Rebel Army

When Gao Jinku saw that Lekedehun was captured alive, he was overjoyed and his face flushed with excitement. He quickly jumped on the warhorse next to him and shouted to the fleeing soldiers around him: "Brothers, there is no need to flee anymore! The prince has been captured alive. Let's submit to the King of Zhou together. I will share the glory and wealth with you! Let's fight!"

Gao Jinku knew clearly that if dozens of people surrendered with Lekedehun, at most they would have no worries about wealth and honor, but if they wanted power, then everything would be in the hands of King Zhou. He looked at the defeated soldiers around him. These people were not just defeated soldiers, but the capital for his advancement.

Gao Jinku kept inciting the defeated soldiers, and most of them followed him. More and more defeated soldiers stopped and gathered under Gao Jinku's banner, and a look of hope appeared on their originally exhausted faces.

Countless defeated soldiers responded in unison: "Anyway...anyway!"

Led by Gao Jinku, this group of troops marched towards the battlefield. Although they had lost their grassroots organization, these people had forgotten their previous fatigue and fear.

…………

The setting sun was as red as blood, shining on the battlefield that had just experienced a brutal battle. The smoke of the war dissipated, leaving only a desolate and silent battlefield. The flags were half-rolled and inserted obliquely into the soil, swaying gently in the breeze, as if telling the tragedy that had just ended.

Meng Jun ordered the army to gather the defeated and surrendered soldiers and stop the pursuit. The soldiers' steps were heavy and their faces were tired, but there was pride after victory in their eyes.

A large number of surrendered soldiers were gathered in an open area. Their expressions were complicated, some were filled with fear, and some were confused. These surrendered soldiers sat on the ground, densely packed, a large black mass. Although the surrendered soldiers had no weapons in their hands, the Zhou army soldiers still looked at them with vigilance.

The officers began to organize the soldiers to count the number of surrendered soldiers, and the auxiliary soldiers in the rear camp began to go to the battlefield to clean up the fallen soldiers, collect weapons, armor and other matters.

Wang Qingtuo, the commander of Changshu, was pale as paper and trembling all over. He had vomited three times in a row and was almost vomiting bile. The scene before him was too horrible.

In the past, it was rare to see death scenes a few times a year. Today, the surroundings were filled with incomplete limbs and separated heads. These horrific scenes made people shudder, as if they were in hell.

Song Jianping, the captain, also had a sad expression on his face. He swallowed and said, "Master Qianzong, today I finally understand what the book says about millions of corpses and flowing blood."

"Don't show off your knowledge. Hurry up and pack up. I'll sit in the back for a while. I can't bear to see this scene." Wang Qingtuo covered his nose, waved his hands and said to Song Jianping.

In the distance, smoke rose from the kitchen, indicating that the rear camp had begun to prepare dinner. Although it was just simple food, it was particularly precious to the soldiers who had experienced the battle of life and death.

Meng Jun never thought that he could kill Lekedehun on the battlefield. He was overjoyed to defeat his army. After the battle, the army regrouped and attacked Nandu again. This time, how could the anxious city resist his offensive?

Meng Jun was full of confidence and expectation. He knew very well that after this battle, his side's morale would be greatly boosted, while the enemy's morale would be low and they would become panic-stricken because of the failure.

At this moment, Yu An ran over excitedly and said to Meng Jun: "My king, Lekedehun has been captured! Gao Jinku led his people to surrender, and Lekedehun was captured alive!"

Meng Jun was stunned. He actually caught it. He hurriedly said, "Come on, take me to see it."

Gao Jinku knelt on the ground, his armor was covered with dust and blood. When he saw a group of armored men surrounding a young man, he lowered his head and said loudly: "I was a sinner who didn't know the destiny and dared to challenge the king. Now I have come to my senses and turned over a new leaf. I have captured the Tartar King Lekedehun and presented him to the king. I have gathered more than 10,000 surrendered soldiers and am willing to serve the king even if it means death!"

Meng Jun stood there, his eyes were gentle, without any contempt. He walked forward, helped Gao Jinku up, and said in a calm tone: "General Gao, please get up quickly, it is not too late to abandon the dark and join the light. It is a great achievement to capture the king. I, Meng Jun, have seen it with my own eyes and will remember it in my heart."

Gao Jinku looked at Meng Jun, his eyes sparkling with joy, and said hurriedly: "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will remember your kindness in my heart!"

Meng Jun nodded and looked at Lekedehun who was behind Gao Jinku. He saw that his hands and feet were tied up, with a piece of rag stuffed in his mouth. He was covered in blood and looked in a miserable state. He glared at Gao Jinku with his eyes and kept making "wuwuwu" sounds in his mouth as if he wanted to say something.

Meng Jun wanted to say something when he saw this, but after hesitating for a moment, he smiled and said, "Take him away, don't let him die. We should take him to Jiangning City and offer sacrifices to the flag under the city!"

It was not until the afternoon of the next day that the approximate number of casualties came out. In the military tent, all the generals gathered, and everyone's face showed the joy of victory.

Xia Wanchun handed the sorted documents to Meng Jun. Meng Jun just flipped through them, then looked a little gloomy, and said slowly: "Wanchun, you read it."

"Yes, Your Majesty"

Xia Wanchun responded, then opened the document and read: "The casualties in this battle are as follows: Changlin Town, the enemy cavalry broke through the main formation, more than 3,700 people were killed and more than 2,200 were injured. Ningwu Town, more than 1,600 people were killed and more than 2,300 were injured. Wuning Town, more than 1,500 people were killed and more than 2,900 were injured. Wuxing Town, more than 900 people were killed and more than 1,700 were injured. Wuan Town, more than 1,200 people were killed and more than 2,000 were injured. Guwu Town, more than 1,100 people were killed and more than 900 were injured."

Xia Wanchun took a breath and continued, "The cavalry battalion suffered heavy losses, with more than 2,700 killed and nearly 1,000 wounded. The fire gun battalion was unscathed, with only six wounded. The heavy armored army had more than 200 killed and less than 100 wounded. In this battle, our army had more than 11,000 killed and more than 15,000 wounded."

Gu Yanwu sighed when he heard this: "One general's success is the result of the sacrifice of thousands of soldiers. The casualties are all our elite soldiers."

Xia Wanchun turned to the next page and said, "In this battle, Lekedehun was defeated. More than 20,000 enemy corpses were left on the battlefield, countless wounded, and more than 30,000 enemies were captured. Yang Wulie and Gao Jinku led their troops to surrender, and nearly half of the soldiers in the camp surrendered. There were more than 30,000 civilians in the enemy camp, all of whom have been gathered. There were also more than a hundred Eight Banners surrendered soldiers. The battlefield and the camp were seized. There were more than 80 small cannons of various types, such as Huzun cannons, bowl-mouthed guns, and more than a hundred various rockets, swarms, flying sand tubes, etc., as well as more than 2,000 kilograms of gunpowder, more than 40,000 sets of swords, spears, and armor, 6,000 bows and arrows, more than 90,000 arrows, 2,000 war horses, and money and food. Supplies are enough to support the army for two months."