Chapter 288 Return

In the first two days when the Ming Dynasty Expeditionary Force retreated south, the situation was relatively stable. With the power of the Weining Sea Battle, the pursuers from all sides did not dare to approach.

However, as the grassland tribes gradually figured out the situation of the Ming army, they found that the Ming army was struggling to drive the herdsmen and livestock southward. When they divided their troops and garrisoned them, they could only ignore the front and rear, and raids and sporadic local operations became easy. More.

Even though Ma Yi received Wang Shouren's instructions to send troops to drive away the pursuers, he found that the effect was not good.

The main force of the Mengoljin tribe did not flee in panic due to the attack by the Ming Dynasty soldiers and horses, or in other words, they had no way to retreat. All their own people were captured by the Ming Dynasty. Seeing the Ming Dynasty army gradually approaching Mao'er Zhuang, at most they would just break into pieces when the Ming cavalry came over. When the Ming cavalry retreated into the formation, they would surround them from all directions and break into pieces again.

After being unable to drive him away several times, Ma Yi finally had to inform Wang Shouren of the dilemma at the rear.

But at this time, Wang Shouren's headache was not the chasing troops in the rear, but the Mengoljin troops and horses retreating from Maoerzhuang in front.

"The initial inspection should be more than five thousand troops."

In the pre-formation meeting, all the generals who could attend the meeting looked solemn.

They are very aware of the actual situation of the Ming Dynasty Expeditionary Force. With the remaining 2,500 to 600 active forces, it is almost impossible to win against the 5,000 grassland tribe cavalry.

Cao Shun panicked when he heard this and asked, "Where are the artillery pieces? Zhang Zhitai gave us so many artillery pieces. Doesn't it mean that Ningyuan only used twelve cannons in the first battle and killed the Tatars and fled in all directions?" After all, there are still fifty or sixty cannons."

The surrounding generals looked excited.

At the critical moment, they were not strong enough, but they still had artillery and various firecrackers. During the previous surprise attack on Weininghai, these firearms played an overwhelming advantage and were the key to victory.

Wang Shouren said, "Transport all the firearms in the formation to the front. When the Di Yi cavalry comes, gather the troops to fight with them and leave 200 cavalry in the rear for raiding and harassing purposes."

Everyone present heard it.

Wang Shouren was preparing for the strategic focus, moving from the pursuing troops in the rear to the men and horses of the Mengoljin Front Banner who were about to face them in the front.

A war is likely to break out again.

After the military meeting dispersed, the generals from the artillery battalion came over, as well as Sun Shangqi and Liu Gui, two people sent by Zhang Zhou to supervise the army.

"Mr. Wang, we don't have many artillery shells at the moment. Coupled with the bumps along the way, there are only forty-nine artillery pieces left. It's good if one cannon can fire one shot."

Wang Shouren has long known what the artillery said.

The artillery given by Zhang Zhou was originally used for a surprise attack on Weining Sea. Now that the strategic purpose has been achieved, if it were not to continue to frighten the grassland tribes, he could have discarded most of the artillery and left only two. There are about ten gates. Based on this, it can also lighten the team's luggage and speed up the advancement slightly.

TwentyThere is no big difference between a cannon firing two rounds and forty-nine cannons firing simultaneously.

After all, with the reloading speed of the light cannon, it is completely possible to launch two rounds of shells before the enemy is within range and before fighting in close combat.

Sun Shangqi said, "The two hundred flint muskets given by Mr. Zhang previously, even if the ammunition has been reloaded, only more than one hundred and twenty are still usable. It may not be able to fire two rounds." times."

Because the flint gun is the latest research, the technology is not yet complete, just like a disposable fire gun.

After the Weininghai battle is used up, if you want to reuse it, the effect will be greatly reduced.

The subsequent report showed that even weapons such as matchlocks were obviously not enough. From projectiles to the current state of the army, it was impossible to fight another hearty battle like the surprise attack on Weininghai.

Wang Shouren said, "Don't leak the situation of the Shenji Camp. Be prepared for war. If there is no way out on the front line, we will all be destroyed."

The army continued to move south.

What followed was even worse news, that is, a team of more than 2,000 cavalry was discovered in the rear. It seemed that the troops from the Fire Sieve Headquarters had withdrawn after hearing the news.

At this time, four days had passed since the Battle of Weininghai, and it was already the ninth day of June.

The expeditionary army is still more than forty miles away from Maoerzhuang. In terms of the speed of travel, it may not be possible to complete the journey in one day, but it seems that it can no longer move forward.

There are tigers in front and hungry wolves in the back. When attacking the enemy's lair, the fight is hearty, but it is not so easy to escape unscathed.

From the evening of the eighth day of the lunar month to the morning of the ninth day of the lunar month, the team marched less than ten miles. The team's progress was greatly hindered by the wind and rain.

"Report"

"Five miles ahead, there is a gathering of Tatar cavalry"

"Report"

"The two men on the right Ten miles away, there are cavalry gathering"

"Ten miles away from the rear army, there are cavalry attacking the camp, and the horse commander leads the troops to meet the enemy."

Only then did Wang Shouren realize that they were close to It has been trapped in a circle surrounded by Mengoljin troops from three sides.

Only their left wing, that is, the east direction towards Xianxuan Mansion, was not approached by Tatars, but this seemed to be in line with the so-called tactical concept of surrounding three groups by military strategists.

Not all of them were trapped to death.

"It is impossible for the main force of the Chinese army to withdraw so early in the fire screening, but it is just a deception. If the opponent's troops and horses are several times larger than ours, they would have sent troops long ago, so why be so secretive"

But his words didn’t seem to have the ideal effect.

Just the early troops of the Huoshi headquarters that Maoerzhuang had withdrawn to block their way south, there were at least 5,000 cavalry, and these were not the old, weak, sick and disabled who stayed behind in Weininghai. It was the main force left behind before the Western Expedition to prevent the Ming Dynasty from sending troops from Datong to attack Weininghai, and its combat effectiveness was extraordinary.

Not youWe believe Wang Shouren's enemies are paper tigers.

What we want is to use firearms to deter them. Now they dare not launch a full-scale assault. In addition to being afraid of us escorting the hostages, it is also because we have firearms to guard them. Once they find a flaw, they will still kill them mercilessly. Came here.

At the pre-military meeting, everyone looked solemn.

Liu Gui, who was from a hundred households, suddenly said, "Isn't there a mountain to the east? Why don't we use the mountain as our back and fight against it?"

Cao Shun said angrily, "Who are you?" "You have the qualifications to speak here and lean on the mountain, which means we are waiting to die there."

Liu Gui didn't understand. In his opinion, leaning on the mountain with your back can only make you have no one behind you. No matter what the threat, you can concentrate on dealing with the enemy in front of you.

Since we are trapped in a tight siege and surrounded by three people, shouldn’t we also block the escape route?

But doing so is telling Cao Shun and other people who are afraid of death that we cannot After breaking through to the south, just stay where you are, just to make yourself look like a trapped beast still fighting.

Wang Shouren looked at Liu Gui with a burning gaze, and suddenly there was a hint of appreciation in his eyes. At about this time, Liu Gui's suggestion was considered to be the best one.

What to continue? Heading south

Since we can't break through the barrier of five thousand soldiers and horses in front of the Huoshi headquarters, we must first think about how to preserve our effective strength, or more importantly.

Wang Shouren said, "What Liu Baihu proposed is also the right choice. Using the steep and dangerous peaks that cannot be climbed as a support, with your back to the mountains, you can also take advantage of firearms to temporarily build forts and fortifications. You can also use firearms to compete with Di Yi."

"You" Cao Shun was unhappy when he heard this, "Master Wang, do you also want to wait for death?"

Wang Shouren shook his head. He said, "We have tens of thousands of men, women, and children from Di Yi as hostages. If they want to attack the mountain, we will use these people to stand in front of the formation, plant the mighty sky gunpowder, and blow them up together."

Guan Jing acted as the executioner The deputy general immediately received the order and said "Get the order"

"Wait"

Cao Shun immediately stopped Guan Jing and said, "The troops and horses must be stationed high on the mountain. How can we ensure that we are not seeking death? Besides, the Tatars are not coming to kill him now.”

Cao Shun did not want to wait for death.

Wang Shouren took a firm stance and took advantage of Cao Shun's doubts to explain to the soldiers present: "Listen carefully, now is a good opportunity for us to wait for reinforcements. Our water bags can support three If the Ming reinforcements still don't arrive within three days, they can only kill the Tatar herdsmen, and the whole army will not be worried about breaking out without water and food, not to mention we still have tens of thousands of cattle and sheep."

He just wanted to remind Cao Shun's soldiers.

This is not the battle of Tumu Fort.

It doesn’t matter what kind of water source problem you have. The water on your body is enough for three days. If the reinforcements still haven’t arrived after three days, there is no need to look for water. You can just kill the captured ones. Take the prisoners, cattle and sheep, and lead the troops to charge out. How many can break through the encirclement?

Sun Shangqi said, “There are currently more than 10,000 Tatar herdsmen., plus so many cattle, sheep, and officers and men, the formation is indeed a bit big, and it is easy for the army to focus on one thing and lose another when it comes to defense. Major General Wang's suggestion is very good. ”

Although the Battle of Weininghai was won by Wang Shouren’s command.

But after all, Wang Shouren had no actual experience in leading troops before, and his prestige was not high. In matters of life and death, whether to advance or retreat, many generals are actually focusing on Cao Shun.

We have to fight at Weininghai, but we must fight when we arrive.

But. Now Maoerzhuang is right in front of us. After more than a hundred miles from Maoerzhuang, we can reach the Datong border of Ming Dynasty. If we give up the prisoners of grassland herders and cattle and sheep, and attack with fast horses, we still have a chance to kill them back.

And Sun Shangqi's words can be regarded as the "final word" in disguise.

Because of Sun. Behind Shangqi is the firearms camp, which is the artillery battalion in the army, and Sun Shangqi is the supervisor sent by Zhang Zhou. The Ming Dynasty Jinyi Guard Qianhu is equivalent to the person who supervises the battle team. Even Sun Shangqi thinks that the defense line should be reduced now , and the migratory team that had been dragged for three or four miles or even five or six miles was consolidated into one place. The lieutenant general thought again, the king had no objection to the breakout battle in three days, so it would be better to send the troops and horses first. Gather in one place.

Perhaps Ming’s reinforcements will arrive without breaking out

A general asked from behind the crowd, “Can the troops from Datong Town come?”

The generals present were all embarrassed.

None of them were fools.

If the Ming Dynasty's frontier troops were so efficient, they would not have sent troops for so many days. , Datong's army still has not passed Mao'erzhuang. Logically speaking, when they fight here now, they should not face the banner soldiers and horses of the Huoshi headquarters, nor will they be attacked from three sides, but should be the army that greets them in triumph.

There may not be a situation in three days now.

Only a fool would expect that the situation will be completely different in three days.

Wang Shouren saw that. The morale of the army was low, and he said sternly, "Everyone, no matter whether Datong Town sends troops or not, Zhang Zhitai's men will definitely come, and they will come with the divine long-range artillery and divine heavy artillery. By then, the Tatars will be defeated without a fight." If you retreat, do you want the credit you have gained to fly away, and when you return to the border town, you will be laughed at as a coward who cannot fight to the death?"

Now we can only use various methods to cheer up these generals.

After all, Wang Shouren couldn't summon all the soldiers to talk one by one. He had to first make the group of soldiers confident in order to fight this battle

And the reasons he gave. , the first is to bring up Zhang Zhou's "awesomeness"

You don't believe in the soldiers in the border towns, don't you still believe in Zhang Banxian who can pinch and calculate?

You have forgotten before. Who came up with the strategy of surprise attack on Weininghai? Zhang Zhou said that he would open up a way for us to go south. Could it be that he just paid lip service and left us alone? Then IWhat good would it do him if our whole army was wiped out

As for the second point, it is to act with emotion and reason.

You have gone back now. You are considered deserters at best. You said how many heads you killed but did not bring them back. Who would believe it?

The herdsmen were captured by you, whether they were killed or abandoned. Ignore him and go back like this, and he will be ridiculed as a coward for the rest of his life.

It is better to stay and fight to the death. If you wait for reinforcements from the Ming Dynasty, not only will you not be ridiculed, but everyone will be a hero. I will ask you if you want to be a coward or a hero

"War"

Guan Jingxian waved his arms.

"War"

Under Wang Shouren's encouragement, the morale of the army was stabilized.

While the men and horses of Huoshan's various ministries have not formed an encirclement, they quickly headed towards the unknown mountain peak to the east. It was not a famous mountain, and it only relied on the foot of the mountain to provide an escape route to the east. Block up.

Cao Shun looked at the soldiers below being bewitched by Wang Shouren, and cursed, "I still want to imitate Han Xin who fought against the enemy but failed to do so. You are a fledgling with a mountain on your back, but you are so fearless of death."

At least he has never seen a young man as daring as Wang Shouren. His execution ability and his seemingly awesome momentum are quite bluffing

Thinking about it more carefully, it seems that there really is one, and that is Zhang Zhou.

The expeditionary force led by Wang Shouren personally drove the 16,000 to 7,000 prisoners and nearly 100,000 cattle and sheep into the area near Tushan, and then found that there was not enough space. .

Where originally more than two thousand cavalry could easily fight on their backs, but with so many prisoners and animals, they couldn't even move.

For the first time, the entire expeditionary force saw the full picture of the "trophies" they captured.

Just watching the countless cattle and sheep driving up the hillside was a spectacular scene.

It was really spectacular.

I couldn’t help but wonder how much military merit they could exchange for it if I took it back

There was also a carriage and a carriage’s heads, which were symbols of their military merits, and they were also carried up the hillside. Condescendingly, prepare to wait for the attack of various troops in the fire sieve.

Before nightfall on the ninth day of June, all the soldiers and horses were assembled. Some cattle and sheep that were too late to go up the mountain were killed directly by Wang Shouren's order, and then slaughtered into beef and mutton and sent up to the soldiers on the mountain.

No matter what happens tonight or tomorrow, at least the officers and soldiers will eat meat first, even though many of them have almost vomited the beef and mutton in the past few days.

When guarding such a herd of cattle and sheep, there will always be lame people or those who die accidentally.

After nightfall.

The three armies reorganized.

Wang Shouren changed his troops into two squads and rotated the garrison day and night. He also stipulated that all soldiers should be on guard and ready for battle at any time.

"I don’t know what will happen tomorrow. ”

Cao Shun took out the wine to warm up and warmed himself by the fire while drinking and eating meat.

This treatment made the surrounding generals greedy.

Drinks are not available to everyone. As the eunuch guarding the Xuanfu, Cao Shun has a high status. In fact, he has the highest status in the army, but now he is suppressed by Wang Shouren, and he feels a little depressed. Qu, now that I listened to Wang Shouren, I was driven to this dead end place, feeling that my life was about to decline. It was a feeling of great joy and great sadness.

Don't drink and complain. Two sentences, is that still my old Cao?

Wang Shouren came back from his inspection and sat in front of the bonfire. He said, "Even in the hot summer on the grassland, the temperature difference between day and night is huge. It will rain at any time at night. Let the soldiers Let's keep warm. There is no need to hide the bonfire, you can light as many as you can."

If it is a normal march, you have to be careful when opening the stove, but now the strength of their army has long been under the control of the grassland tribes, mainly in these two days During the retreat to the south, due to lack of manpower, the expeditionary force was in such a mess

Now there is no need to hide it. What should be done, first ensure the daily needs of the soldiers, especially food and drink. It is even more important to stay warm and even recuperate.

Standing for help is an extremely physically demanding job.

The atmosphere on the hillside is somewhat depressing. But Mengoljin's men did not move closer immediately, mainly because they were frightened by Ming's artillery.

Who knows if Ming will lure the enemy deeper, but if they wait for them to come up and surround them, Ming will be defeated. The soldiers rushed down with carriages carrying artillery and bombed their camps indiscriminately. It was a shame.

So much so that even though the Ming Dynasty's expeditionary force huddled in front of a mountain in a very irregular shape, The Tatars still had to camp about ten miles away, and sent a large number of cavalry to patrol around, especially to prevent the Ming cavalry from suddenly attacking

When Wang Shouren learned about the Tatars' arrangements, he Cao Shun and others looked at each other and said with a smile, "This is called deterrence. It is no longer the case before. Wherever the Tatar cavalry went, the border troops could only hold on and let them wreak havoc in our Ming Dynasty. "

Cao Shun asked, "Master Wang, do you think Zhang Zhitai will come?"

Wang Shouren said coldly, "How can a person who knows the secrets of heaven break his promise?" We have completed our mission. We are just leading the troops to withdraw southward in accordance with Zhang Zhitai's instructions. We have done our best, and the rest is all up to God." Please remember to collect it. The latest and fastest website without anti-theft is free to read.