Yang Ling's army had already arrived at Halimang.
Drums and horns roared across the sky. Neat battle formations, gleaming blades and spears, fluttering flags of various colors, grand and majestic, unmoving like a mountain. The thirty thousand strong army marched across the autumn grassland, as slow as a forest.
Armed with swords and shields, and armed with long red tasseled spears, the cavalry square formation was murderous, declaring endless majesty and fierceness. In the middle of the cavalry was a four-wheeled carriage, flanked by armored guards, flags and banners, imposing.
A rider galloped over, the small red flag on his shoulder flapping in the wind. When he got close, he dismounted. The travel-worn rider's lips were chapped, but he did not even have time to catch his breath. He hurriedly took out a secret letter and handed it over with both hands.
The guard handed over a water bag and at the same time took the letter. He hurriedly went to the carriage and reported a few words in a low voice. The curtain was lifted and Yang Ling sat upright in the carriage. The carriage was still moving forward shakily. Yang Ling opened the letter and read it carefully. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Someone, inform the vanguard to turn to Sali Qian 'er and head straight for Hulan Luji!"
The messenger acknowledged and left. The army suddenly changed direction, the carriages rumbling toward the northwest.
Yang Ling unfolded the map and examined it carefully. He could not help smiling.
Hulan Luji was the place where the Arhun River, the Onan River and the Tula River met. It was surrounded by water on three sides and was the most dangerous place. At the same time, there were many mountains around Hulan Luji, which was good for the cavalry to hide and move. It was obvious that Bayan Meng's remaining bargaining chip could not be used up. He could only make his last struggle in this desperate situation, which was also easy to defend and difficult to attack.
But he had forgotten that here, more than a hundred years ago, the Khagan of Wala, Ma Hamu, led thirty thousand cavalry against the Great Ming Emperor Zhu Di, intending to use the advantage of cavalry to defeat the Ming army. In the end, he returned in defeat. Ever since then, when Emperor Yongle went on expeditions to the north, he could not even find the shadow of the enemy. Their morale was shattered in one battle, and decades of peace followed. In that battle, the secret weapon that the Ming army used to destroy the Wala cavalry was the firearms of the Shenji Battalion.
A hundred years ago, the Ming Empire's firearms had defeated the Wala. Today, a hundred years later, could the firearms of Ming Destiny not deal with the Tatar cavalry? Yang Ling smiled.
He had already received news from Red Lady and knew the details of the battle between the two armies.
Bayan Mengke's' Sea Holly ', which never left his side for even a moment, hovered above Bayan Mengke's military camp. Red Lady accidentally saw them with her binoculars, thus exposing the true strength of his' Ox Horn Formation '. Red Lady didn't hesitate at all. Just when no one would believe that she would stake everything on one throw to break out of the encirclement so quickly, that very night, she launched a surprise attack on the left flank, which lacked strength, and killed her way out of the encirclement.
What was even more unbelievable was that she didn't care about the weakness of breaking out of the encirclement at night. The formation was scattered, and it was difficult to concentrate and communicate with each other. As soon as she killed her way out of the encirclement, she immediately turned around and carried out a counter-encirclement, trapping Bayan Mengke's army in it.
Bayan Mengke racked his brains to force the Duo Yanjun to this place because he knew that this was a dead end. How could he let Red Lady do as she wished? Thus, he immediately reorganized his troops and broke out of the encirclement before the Duo Yanjun could close the encirclement.
Both armies were in a state of disarray and mixed together in a chaotic battle. In this battle, Bayan Meng suffered heavy losses. Due to the mutual threat between the two armies, all kinds of sound and light signals were rendered useless. The two armies fought until the sun rose and they could see again. Only then did they begin to gradually gather their troops with banners.
It wasn't until noon that Bayan Mengke gathered all his troops and escaped towards the northwest. Because the Duo Yanjun suffered heavy casualties and needed to reorganize, they didn't chase after him. Now that Ming Destiny's army had arrived from the northeast and south, Bayan Mengke was like a dying sun under the heavy encirclement. He could only struggle at death's door.
Three snow-white messenger pigeons flew up from the top of Yang Ling's carriage with secret letters written in code. Like arrows, they shot into the clouds and headed straight for the south. They passed on Yang Ling's order, and they requested Xu Tai to immediately change the direction of the Outer Four Great Families' Army and attack Hulan Jiuwen.
Just in case, besides the messenger pigeons, Yang Ling also sent out a team of messengers. In fact, he didn't have to do this. These messenger pigeons were carefully selected. They weren't afraid of rain, snow, and dust, and were good at flying at high altitudes and at night. With three messenger pigeons flying together, one of them would definitely be able to deliver the letter to Xu Tai.
This was because most birds of prey didn't appear at night. Even if there were, like owls, they were birds of prey that flew at low altitudes. It was difficult to catch messenger pigeons that could spread their wings and spread their wings. Messenger pigeons had been used for military communication since the Tang and Song Dynasties. By the Ming Dynasty, the technology was quite mature. Some of the rich and powerful clans even raised messenger pigeons to send messages.
During the Zhengtong era, a family in Huaiyin caught a pigeon. Just as they were about to kill it, they discovered a letter wrapped in oiled paper attached to its feet. When they opened it, they found that the letter had been sent from the capital three days ago. The distance between the two places was more than seven hundred kilometers. From this, one could see the speed of the messenger pigeons. The land outside the Great Wall was sparsely populated, and it wasn't as well-equipped as the relay stations inside the Great Wall. The distance between the capital and the capital was several thousand li. Occasionally, there would be important military intelligence, so military pigeons were often used.
After sending off the messengers, Yang Ling fell into deep thought. He had great confidence in the fighting power of his army. Of course, this kind of fighting power was only for offense and defense. Long-distance raids on the steppe, harassment of the enemy, and roundabout encirclement still required the close cooperation of the Duo Yan Army.
After all, the fighting power of an army wasn't something that could be built up overnight. This was especially true for cavalry. The Tatars, whose entire population was a soldier, had an innate advantage on horseback. This was an indisputable fact. However, Yang Ling's army, which was made up of twenty thousand border soldiers and ten thousand militia soldiers, used a large number of firearms.
These firearms included the cheap and effective hand grenades, as well as the multi-barreled firearms. Furthermore, the multi-barreled firearms used the design principle of the flintlock. When the enemy cavalry charged over, they would find themselves in a nightmare.
This way, not only was their firepower sharp, but most importantly, they were easy to train. This allowed Peng Xiaoshou's militia to quickly gain a powerful fighting power. In a large-scale battle, they didn't even need to worry about the accuracy of their shooting. As long as the weapons were prepared in time, they could train a valiant killing machine after a few months of intensive training.
However, not all of the firearms they used were shipped from inside the Great Wall. Some of them were manufactured by Yang Ling's family's munitions factory. Cheng Qiyun built a secret firearms research base near the Songhua River Shipyard. Other than importing some steel from inside the Great Wall, she also built a small smelting mill near the Iron Ridge Guards to provide them with high-quality steel. As for the gunpowder, it was manufactured according to Yang Ling's optimized gunpowder formula.
Cheng Qiyun took advantage of the fact that the imperial court had relaxed its control over craftsmen and could use silver in lieu of labor. She also spent a lot of money to poach several firearms experts from the imperial court's Bureau of Military Weapons, including Lu Zekai and Cheng Bingxi, who had discussed firearms with Yang Ling in the past.
These two firearms enthusiasts were researching land artillery. One designed artillery that was easy to use on the grasslands, and the other was researching artillery carriages that could carry artillery quickly on the grasslands and enter battle.
Even though Cheng Qiyun had already made it clear when she sent someone to deliver this batch of weapons to Yang Ling in secret, and even though the number of firearms did not match the number of firearms that had been transported from the Pass for war preparations, she had already used Yang Ling's influence in the various fields of the military, politics, and the special forces to instruct reliable people to alter the documents and official letters from the time the firearms left the factory to the time they were transported and issued. There were no flaws. This time, they had invested this batch of weapons to ensure the firepower of Yang Ling's army and to test the actual combat capabilities of their own weapons. However, Yang Ling was furious and uneasy after learning of this.
Privately building an armory was one thing. After all, if he didn't do this business, there would naturally be other merchants outside the Great Wall who would make full use of the abundant and cheap leather goods outside the Great Wall to invest in this industry. As such, it was better to control it in his own hands. However, he had concealed the fact that he was building a steel mill and manufacturing firearms and cannons from the imperial court. This was simply disgraceful and heresy. If news of this were to spread, it would be a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations.
However, Cheng Qiyun was actually unwilling to be left out and had run off to the battlefield. He couldn't find anyone to vent his anger on even if he wanted to. Yang Ling had a bellyful of anger. On one hand, he had no choice but to accept the large number of firearms provided by the Yang Munitions factory to arm his expeditionary army. On the other hand, he had to rack his brains to think of how to explain this matter to the Emperor after entering the Great Wall and how to return this hot potato to the imperial court.
"Sigh!" As Yang Ling thought about this, he couldn't help but sigh heavily. "Cui Ying 'er, that troublemaker, has just been dealt with and now Cheng Qiyun has begun to make trouble for him. How long do I have to plug this hole for them?"
He began to faintly feel that after eliminating Bayan Meng Ke, he would not be able to rest easy. He had gotten himself a bunch of beautiful, capable, and troublemaking wives. In the future … there would probably be a lot of things for him to worry about.
* * *
"Woo ~ ~ ~ Woo woo", the bugle horn sounded.
Accompanied by the long and powerful sound of the bugle horn, countless black dots gathered from all directions at the far end of the grassland. They gradually formed a ferocious wave that resembled a ferocious wave, fiercely surging toward Yang Ling's army.
Bayan Meng Ke's army pounced towards Yang Ling's army who had not yet stabilized their footing.
His army had already fought against Red Lady's army many times in Hulan Jiwen. Both sides had victories and defeats, but as the Ming Dynasty's army arrived to provide reinforcements, he could no longer gain a footing here. Hence, once he received news that my son's reinforcements had arrived, Bayan Meng Ke immediately led his army out of the mountains and pretended to attack Red Lady's army. Then, he suddenly turned around, and like an incredibly sharp scimitar, he drew a smooth and swift arc in the air before he cut viciously at the Ming Dynasty's formation. He was incredibly wild and fierce, and he showed off his abilities.
As they watched the Mongolian cavaliers draw closer with an astonishing momentum, Yang Ling's army remained strangely calm. They did not have the courage and boldness of two armies charging at each other. When they faced the Mongolian cavaliers who had already brought out their speed and strength to the max and showed astonishing strength when they charged forward, Yang Ling's army just stood where they were. In fact, many of the soldiers got down from their horses and set up very strange two-legged or three-legged stands. There were very strange things placed on them. Most of them opened up a circular plate, and it looked like a huge umbrella that was opened up to the front.
The area was silent!
The area roared like a tsunami!
This was a contest of technology and strength between agricultural people and nomads.
Who would win?
Who would lose?
The silent side suddenly erupted with a furious roar. That roar was truly like the shaking of the heavenly thunder, immediately overpowering the neighing and shouting of the Tatar troops galloping over.
The forest of spears fired a rain of bullets. Roll-shaped, multi-barreled firearms spewed out flames and smoke. The rain of bullets gathered together and sliced through the air with a shrill whistle that shook people's hearts. The fierce Tatars did not even see the shadow of their opponent's weapons before they were torn apart by the waves of the rain of bullets. Their horses were thrown off their feet, and the dying let out short and shrill screams of pain. They were quickly trampled by their own cavaliers who could not stop their charge at all, and they turned into fertilizer on the plains.
The cavaliers moved like flowing water, and their attacks were like axes cutting through the ground. However, if the other side was a hundred times sharper than you, then it would be like holding a wooden board that was about to rot, fiercely smashing it into a pile of iron nails. It would be strange if you didn't break your own head and bleed.
Yang Ling was still sitting steadily in the carriage. All around him were border army elites who were looking around like wolves. Before the two sides even made any substantial contact, those grassland heroes who made others tremble with fear at the sound of their names were already thrown off their feet under the rain of bullets. Yang Ling clearly saw someone's raised saber suddenly snap in the middle, saw someone's chest erupt with a rain of blood, saw a warhorse let out a long neigh, suddenly fall to the ground, crushing the owner who couldn't free himself in time. He couldn't help but close his eyes slightly.
With a slight wave of his hand, the imperial bodyguard under him lowered the carriage's curtain.
There wasn't much to see, and there was even less of a feeling of pride or flaunting. Using a type of advanced technology to destroy a wave of primitive power, for someone who came from an advanced civilization, this was definitely not the joy of winning in a contest of skill. However, this backward power in front of him always thought that he was the master of the world, viewing plundering as a common thing, using strength to determine justice. That was why he could only use violence to control violence, to make him know his place.
They were getting closer, getting closer. After paying a heavy price, the Tatar cavalry closed in. After the flintlocks reaped large amounts of lives, the grenades and howitzers began to create large amounts of casualties. The other side's rain of arrows had already become sparse, landing sparsely on the Ming army's shields and the umbrella-shaped shields of the flintlocks …
At this time, the Ming army's camp still didn't move, not suffering the slightest bit of impact.
Immediately, Peng Xiaobai pulled out two steel pitchforks and fiercely stabbed them into the horse's buttocks. With strange cries, he led the border army troops with spears, spears, and giant axes over. His equestrian skills were already quite good. His high level of martial arts and the psychological intimidation of firearms overcame the difference in equestrian skills between the two sides.
He swung his pitchforks and knocked away two sabers. The sharp and snow-white steel pitchforks flickered, and the sharp blades turned into murder weapons that flowed with thick blood. Three bloody holes appeared on the chest of the Mongolian cavalier on the other side, and he tumbled off his horse.
More Tatar warriors shouted in grief and indignation as they charged over. They were like a pack of trapped beasts fighting to the death. Both sides were entangled with each other, and the flashes of blades and shadows of swords could be seen. Blood flew everywhere.
A thick white cloud suddenly blocked out the sunlight, and the grassland where they were fighting became dark. In the distance, Red Lady's army chased after them, and the sound of horns and shouts shook the heavens and earth.
It was a hillside plateau. The clouds moved, and the sunlight moved. The edges of the sunlight and shadows were on the frontline of the White Shirt Army, and they were quickly moving towards them. Those brave warriors were like wind chasers chasing after the sun.
Bright light jumped out from the clouds and shone on the battlefield where the two sides were fighting. The warriors who were chasing after them also merged into the battlefield where the flashes of blades and shadows of swords could be heard. The sounds of weapons clashing became even more intense, and the number of souls that died on the ground also increased …
* * *
Red Lady only had time to take a glance at Yang Ling. Her glance was filled with countless words, and she was pleasantly surprised. Then, she rode past him and chased after Bayan Meng's deserters.
Yang Ling temporarily became the master of Hulan Jiwen. He ordered the soldiers to stay where they were, clean up the battlefield, bury the corpses, count the spoils of war and horses, lock up the prisoners of war, and so on.
Cheng Qiyun rushed over excitedly. She originally wanted to throw herself into Yang Ling's arms, but she was stopped by Yang Ling's gaze. She followed him for a while in embarrassment, then secretly ordered her men to occupy the high ground and main roads nearby. She also sent out many layers of sentries, and sent out scouts to scout ten miles away to prevent any accidents.
When everything was settled and the central army tent was set up, Yang Ling returned to the commander's tent. Only then did Cheng Qiyun brace herself and rush over again. At this moment, she also understood that there were only four reasons for Yang Ling's reproachful gaze. First, she sent out the troops without permission. But the facts proved that she was right to take the initiative to send out the troops. Yang Ling was not an arrogant and domineering person. Most likely, he did not blame her for this.
The second matter was to blame her for being too daring. She actually turned the act into reality. When he was on his way back to the City Guards Institution, she instigated Red Lady to agree to Queen Yin Qi's marriage. According to her understanding, this daren's sense of justice had most likely flared up again. But on this matter, he should have listened to her opinion first. He would not criticize her so harshly after such a long time of separation.
The third reason was that she, a weak woman, followed the army into battle. He should be more worried. Even if he was angry, he would not be so harsh.
Then … there was only one last thing left: the firearms that she had never mentioned to Yang Ling! The secret firearms manufacturing factory that belonged to the Yang Family. And this matter was actually to give Yang Ling something to rely on and to be able to build up his own strength. To explain this matter, he had to lay his cards on the table now. Was this the best time?
Cheng Qiyun hesitated.
Bayan Meng had suffered a crushing defeat. He did not know if there was still a chance for him to make a comeback. He could only instinctively wave his treasured sword and lead his loyal guards to hack down and charge out.
Ming Destiny's army and the White Shirt army were everywhere. Bayan Meng was no longer able to fight against their elites. He was forced to lead the remaining few thousand men to feint to the west. After attracting the pursuers, he suddenly headed south. He weaved in and out of the heavy encirclement. He made use of the lightness and agility of the Light Cavalry to fish in troubled waters and escape the encirclement of the Ming army and the White Shirt army.
However, when one is unlucky, even a mouthful of cold water will get stuck. Under the pursuit of the White Shirt Army, Boyan struggled bitterly and finally managed to shake off the dogskin plaster of the White Shirt Army. Coincidentally, he came face to face with Xu Tai's army which had traveled thousands of miles.
He was covered in sweat and his armor was crooked. But Xu Tai's army had not been through a series of battles. The spirit of chivalry on horseback was much stronger than his. In the end, Bayan Meng had just shaken off Red Lady when he was chased by many and beaten on the buttocks. He was like a hanging ghost.
This stupid battle was the most difficult battle Boyan Meng had ever fought in his life. Every time he thought he had shaken off the Ming army's pursuit and had just stopped to get something to eat, the black mass of the Ming army would come charging at him. Bayan Meng could only jump on his warhorse and continue running for his life.
The morale of the army and their will to fight were slowly diminishing in this pursuit. More and more people died in battle and fled. From west to east, from south to north, Bayan Meng did not know where to go. He could only run instinctively. He was chased by Xu Tai's army for three days before he completely shook off the Ming army's pursuit in the autumn rain. Because of this heavy rain, all traces of their march were washed away.
The next morning, the heavy rain stopped. When a rainbow hung on the horizon, a large group of yurts appeared under the clear blue sky. The unshaven and red-eyed Bayan Meng only had about three hundred horsemen left. Before he could figure out which tribe's tent it was and whether he should go get something to eat, thousands of warriors from the tribe brandished their swords and spears and charged at him.
This was a Wala tribe. The news that Bayan Meng had been chased by the White Shirt army until he lost his temperature had spread across the grasslands. Seeing this battered and exhausted Tatar cavalry, the people in the tribe instinctively thought that they were Tatar warriors who had scattered. Who would not want to beat a drowning dog? The tribe leader immediately gathered the warriors and charged at them.
In fact, if Bayan Mengke's wolf head flag had not been lost in the attempt to break out of the encirclement, as long as he flashed that flag, with his title as Bayan Khan, even though there were only three hundred people, this tribe leader might not have dared to send troops to attack. Now, he could only be a tiger being bullied by dogs.
Bayan Meng Meng's spirits rose. He raised his curled blade and led the last three hundred warriors. Like tigers and wolves choosing their prey, they began to fight the warriors of this tribe. Every single warrior was injured, exhausted, and covered in bloodstains, causing them to seem like ferocious fiends. This escape route had completely exhausted their willpower and physical strength.
At the end of a hero's road, Bayan Meng had actually been defeated by this small tribe that he usually did not care about. Only a few dozen horsemen had managed to escape. Then, they encountered a group of horse bandits who had been forced to descend because of the endless war on the grasslands.
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