Done! Your Majesty is going to prostitute me for free!

After Xu Wenpu read the secret letter carefully, he stood there in a daze, his eyes wide open, as if two marbles were about to jump out of his eye sockets, and he didn't say a word for a long time. His face was full of astonishment and confusion, as if he was suddenly caught in an unpredictable storm.

After a long while, he asked cautiously with a trembling voice: "This... does this mean that Your Majesty's real target is not Duoduo, but Dorgon?" His voice was mixed with disbelief and fear, as if this question itself was a taboo, and once it was said, it might lead to unpredictable consequences.

Huang Degong nodded, his eyes firm and deep, as if he could see into the deepest secrets of people's hearts: "That's right. We must win this battle, but I'm not sure about dealing with Duoduo directly. But if it's Dorgon, then there's nothing to worry about! His mere 20,000 troops are not enough for us!" His tone was full of confidence, a kind of calmness that came from a person who knew the situation on the battlefield well.

"But isn't Dorgon in Miyun? How can he fall into our trap so easily?" Xu Wenpu was still somewhat confused, his brows furrowed, as if he was trying to solve a complicated puzzle.

Huang Degong smiled slightly, the scar on his face was faintly visible in his smile, no longer looking so scary, but adding a bit of majesty, "Not only can you fall into the trap, but you can do it quickly!" There was a bit of cunning in his smile, as if everything was under control.

"Your Majesty ordered Zhu Fenghui to recapture Xuanfu and stored hundreds of thousands of dan of grain there, intending to use this tactic of 'luring the snake out of its hole' and luring the main force of the Jiannu army there. Now it seems that Your Majesty is really as good as a god. Duoduo really brought an army of 60,000 to besiege Xuanfu!" Huang Degong's tone was full of admiration, and he praised the emperor's wisdom.

"Dorgon entered the pass and was blocked by us in Miyun. His mission was to delay us and buy time for Duoduo to attack the city. So at the beginning, he just wasted time with us and didn't really fight." Huang Degong explained further, his eyes flashing with his accurate grasp of the dynamics of the battlefield.

"Now your majesty has used a strategy of 'hiding the truth from the heaven and escaping the sea' and sent Gao Di to Miyun to replace us, while we will quietly lead the main force out of Juyongguan and directly attack Duoduo." Huang Degong's words revealed a kind of confidence in strategizing, as if everything was in his plan.

"Before the troops were dispatched, I asked Ji Zishen to lead some men, disguising themselves as the Jiannu's Zhengbai Banner, to launch a surprise attack on Duoduo's spies. This tactic is called 'stirring up trouble.'" Huang Degong sneered, as if he had foreseen the coming chaos.

"Once Duoduo hears this, he will definitely abandon Xuanfu. On the one hand, he will use his main force to deal with us, and on the other hand, he will send someone to notify Dorgon." Huang Degong's words were full of accurate predictions of the enemy's reaction.

"If you were Dorgon, what would you do?" Huang Degong suddenly changed the subject and looked at Xu Wenpu with sharp eyes, as if testing his ability to respond.

When asked this question, Xu Wenpu was stunned for a moment, and after thinking for a moment, he said: "I will let Duoduo test the waters with Jingnan Bo first. If Duoduo wins, I will ignore Xuanfu for the time being; if he loses, I will go out personally from Juyongguan and cut off General Huang's food supply." His answer revealed a kind of caution and strategy, and it was obvious that he had his own insights into the situation on the battlefield.

"Or, to be on the safe side, I can just cut off the food supply. Once the food supply is cut off, the army's morale will be in chaos, and General Huang's defeat will be inevitable." Xu Wenpu added, his eyes flashing with a deep understanding of the cruelty of war.

Huang Degong nodded and agreed with Xu Wenpu's analysis: "No matter what Dorgon thinks, as long as we defeat Duoduo once, we can force him to take action." His tone was full of determination, as if he had seen the dawn of victory.

"When we arrive at Juyong Pass, the army will be waiting for him there! By then, it will be 40,000 against 20,000, and we will have the advantage!" Huang Degong's words revealed a belief in victory, as if victory was already in his grasp.

Xu Wenpu blinked, a trace of worry flashed in his eyes: "But...but as soon as General Huang moves his main force, Duoduo will definitely notice it. He will definitely inform Dorgon, and then lead his troops in pursuit. The Jiannu cavalry is so fast, how many of our 40,000 people will be left?" His worries are not unreasonable. The cruelty of war is often beyond imagination.

Huang Degong took a few steps and came to Xu Wenpu. He patted him on the shoulder gently and said seriously: "First, let's retreat behind Qiangziling. If Duoduo wants to send a message to Dorgon, he must first go to Dushikou, cross the grassland, and then go to Qiangziling." His tone was full of familiarity with and utilization of the terrain.

"Between Qiangziling and Juyongguan, there is Miyun and Changping City! It's not that the letter cannot be delivered, but the speed is slow and it may be intercepted by us!" Huang Degong's words revealed a precise control of details.

"Secondly, I set up two lines of defense." Huang Degong continued, his eyes flashing with the exquisite tactical layout.

"The first one is you! Huailai Wei is the only way to Juyongguan, and the Jiannu will definitely pass through here when they pursue. There are high mountains on both sides of Huailai, and the road on both sides of the city is only two or three miles wide." Huang Degong's words revealed his profound use of the terrain.

"Before retreating, I will have people dig trenches, lay stones, put grass and trees on the road, and pour kerosene on it." His tone was full of careful arrangements for defensive measures.

"As soon as the Jiannu arrive, you send people to light a fire and use fire attack to stop them." Huang Degong's words revealed a determination and courage.

"In this case, if the Jiannu want to pass quickly, they must attack Huailai Wei!" His tone was full of understanding and prediction of the enemy.

"You and your nearly 2,000 brave warriors have the mission of holding on! The longer you hold on, the further our army can go!" Huang Degong's words revealed his trust and expectations for the soldiers.

"Guard..." Xu Wenpu repeated in a low voice, with a firm light flashing in his eyes, as if he was ready to die.

"Yes, that's right, we have to defend! If we defend for one hour, our army will have one more hour to march; if we defend for two hours, we will reach Juyong Pass; if we defend for three hours, we will have passed Juyong Pass and set up camp!" Huang Degong's words were full of desire and confidence for victory.

"The second line of defense is the cavalry of Ji Zishen and Bak Yong. They are conserving their strength and waiting to buy time for the infantry!" Huang Degong's words revealed his exquisite arrangement of tactics.

"This is our retreat plan, do you understand?" Huang Degong looked at Xu Wenpu, his eyes full of expectation and trust.

Xu Wenpu nodded. Although he still had some doubts in his heart, he stopped asking. He knew that he was only a platoon leader and could not access more confidential information. But he also understood that he had a great responsibility and had to go all out.

"I'm Xu Wenpu, your humble servant, and I follow Mr. Huang's lead!" Xu Wenpu's voice was firm and powerful, and his eyes flashed with admiration and trust for Huang Degong.

Huang Degong looked into Xu Wenpu's eyes and knew that he had chosen the right person. At the same time, he also knew that Xu Wenpu would probably die for his country in the future. Thinking of this, he felt a little sad. But he also understood that war is cruel and someone always has to pay the price of his life.

"After we go back, first send people to block the four gates with earth and rocks, and then concentrate on defending the west city wall. There will be a bloody battle there!" Huang Degong's words revealed a premonition and preparation for the upcoming battle.

"I obey your orders!" Xu Wenpu bowed to Huang Degong, then turned and walked out of the central army tent with an unusually calm look. He knew that he was about to face a life-and-death test, but he was ready.

Looking at Xu Wenpu's departing back, Huang Degong quickly calmed down. He knew that war would lead to death, let alone in troubled times! As the commander-in-chief of the three armies, he could not be tied down by emotions. What he was most worried about now was how to defeat Duoduo tomorrow! Only by defeating Duoduo could he lure Dorgon into a trap!
That night, the central army tent was brightly lit. Huang Degong sat at his desk, carefully studying the map, his eyes flashing with desire and determination for victory. He knew that this battle would determine the fate of the Ming Dynasty, and would also determine the life and death of him and Xu Wenpu and others. But he also understood that for the sake of the country and the nation, they must go all out and die.

It was just dawn, and the sky was just turning pale. A light morning mist caressed the earth, as if it was the most gentle touch of nature. The smoke from every household could not wait to come out. They rose up and drifted gently with the morning breeze, like light dancers dancing in this quiet morning, adding a bit of life to this quiet village. The smoke was mixed with the aroma of rice and the smoky smell of firewood, which made people think of the warmth of home.

Outside Huailai Weicheng, the Ming army, tens of thousands of people, had already eaten and drunk their fill and were busy gathering and getting ready. Their camp was set up in the northwest of the city, with an open area in front of them, flat and level, as if it was a battlefield specially prepared for them by nature. At a glance, the view was endless, and the mountains in the distance were looming in the morning light, like an elegant ink painting.

The Ming army deployed its troops and divided them into three groups: left, center, and right. On the surface, they all looked like infantry, but in fact, there were many tricks hidden inside. In the front were rows of chariots, with wheels rolling and turning, making a dull sound, as if it was the low hum of the earth. The chariot bodies were covered with thick wooden boards and iron sheets, and the dense copper nails flashed coldly, like pieces of sharp scales. The spears stood upright like a small forest, pointing directly to the sky, revealing an inviolable majesty. These chariots were very powerful. They could not only block the enemy's rain of arrows, but also were not afraid of the lead bullets from the bird guns. Coupled with the cotton armor on the soldiers, they were simply mobile fortresses, and it was difficult for the enemy to hurt them. Spears were weapons used to withstand the charge of enemy infantry and cavalry. The sharp spearheads flashed dazzlingly in the sun.

Each chariot was equipped with twenty soldiers, ten of whom were responsible for driving and ten for fighting. They had a lot of weapons in their hands, including bird guns, three-barreled guns, rocket launchers, and falcons. They wore heavy cotton armor, their faces were stained with dirt and sweat, but their eyes revealed determination and courage. The chariot was too heavy and had to be pushed by manpower, so they carried light weapons. These firearms glowed coldly in the sun, as if ready to devour the enemy's life at any time.

Speaking of bird guns, they are good things with long range and great power. When fighting against Korea during the Wanli period, the Liaodong Army specially requested tens of thousands of them. This firearm has a unique shape, and the long barrel is engraved with fine patterns, which looks both beautiful and practical. However, this thing is expensive and troublesome to make. When the court had no money, the quality of the guns was unsatisfactory, and they would explode at any time, injuring their own people. During the Tianqi period, this situation became even more serious. The soldiers were pitted by their own equipment before they even fought the enemy. Despite this, they were still full of trust and reliance on these firearms, because they were the swords in their hands and their survival.

These chariots were lined up in rows, like moving walls, protecting the infantry behind them. There were also chariots on both sides, but not so many. The infantry battalion followed behind, wearing uniform battle uniforms, holding spears and swords, and marching in neat and powerful steps, like an unstoppable torrent. The cavalry battalion was the main force, riding tall war horses, wearing armor, holding spears, and revealing a wild and unruly look in their eyes. The three groups of people marched in this way, facing the morning light, with a mighty momentum that was simply terrifying!
A few miles away, on a small earthen slope, Duoduo was hiding behind a tree, holding a telescope in his hand, carefully observing the Ming army's formation. His eyes were as sharp as an eagle, as if they could penetrate all the fog. Tulai and Aobai were also beside him, watching and taking notes, their faces full of tension and concentration. Aobai was also worried that the Ming army's artillery camp was hidden in the chariots. Duoduo laughed when he heard it, saying that the cannons were so heavy that they had to be pulled by animals, so how could they follow the chariots. There was a hint of contempt and confidence in his laughter.

Where exactly is the artillery camp hidden? Tulai thought so hard that his head ached, but he still couldn't figure it out. The paper had a lot of information, but the flags on the chariots were fluttering, and he couldn't see anything clearly. He frowned, and his eyes revealed a hint of confusion and helplessness. However, the chariots were followed by infantry and cavalry, which could be guessed. Chariots need people to protect them, and cavalry need open space to charge, so it is reasonable to put them at the back.

The arrangement of Huang Degong's artillery also gave Duoduo a headache. Artillery is very different in defending a city and in the field. When defending a city, you can place it however you want, but it is difficult in the field. If you put it in the middle of the team, it will be inconvenient to move forward or backward; if you shoot it horizontally, you are afraid of hurting your own people; if you throw it into the sky, it is easy to hurt people by mistake. Duoduo guessed that Huang Degong might have learned from Wu Sangui and brought the artillery to the field, but Tulai and Aobai did not think so. They each had different opinions and guesses, but no matter what, they knew that this battle would be a tough one.

The two armies were facing each other, and the air seemed to be frozen, full of tension and depression. Huang Degong was not idle either, he was also observing the formation of the Jiannu. The Jiannu also had three groups of troops, with a shield car battalion in front, followed by infantry and cavalry. Although the formation was different from that of the Ming army, their equipment, personnel, and tactical knowledge were all learned from the Ming Dynasty. In the final analysis, they were still one family. However, the Jiannu had a lot of cavalry, several times that of the Ming army. They rode tall war horses and galloped freely on the battlefield, as if they were a group of lawless wild horses. As for their artillery battalion, it has not appeared yet, as if it were a beast hiding in the dark, ready to pounce on its enemy at any time.

The sun was rising higher and higher, making people sweat. Huang Degong saw this and ordered everyone to rest for a while. Soldiers took off their helmets and drank water. Some used gourds to hold water, and some used bamboo tubes. These were the treasures they carried with them. It was written in "Wu Jing Zong Yao" that these water bottles were indispensable for soldiers to go out to fight. They looked so tired and thirsty when drinking water, as if they were fighting with their lives.

After resting enough, Huang Degong began to arrange tactics. He sent Nalan Jiben with a thousand cavalrymen to lure the enemy deep into the territory, and then Zhisheng led the troops to support them from behind. Bakyong was responsible for the backup work. His eyes revealed firmness and courage, as if he had seen the dawn of victory. Duoduo was not to be outdone, he sent Oboi with cavalry to fight against Nalan Jiben and his men. The cavalry on both sides rushed towards the battlefield like two black whirlwinds, the sound of iron hooves rumbled, and the dust was rolled up by them. They seemed to be the gods of death on the battlefield, rushing towards each other with endless killing and destruction.

The cavalry of the Ming Dynasty and the cavalry of the Jianzhou Jurchens rushed into this ancient and vast battlefield like two sudden storms. However, before the two armies clashed like a raging fire, they stopped at the same time outside the cold and effective range of the bird guns, standing side by side, like two ancient statues, frozen in the river of time.

On this vast battlefield, the sky was as blue as a wash, and a few white clouds drifted by leisurely, adding a bit of tranquility to this tense confrontation. Between the two armies, there was an open area, and the grass was dotted with scattered wild flowers, swaying in the wind, as if silently telling the cruelty of war and the beauty of peace. However, in this moment of tranquility, the hearts of both sides were beating like drums, fearing that the other side was hiding a cavalry unit equipped with a modified version of the bird gun, which would be a nightmare on the battlefield.

Speaking of the tactics of the bird gun cavalry, they had already shown their prowess in the early Ming Dynasty, when they were given the reputation of "horse god gunners". However, the bird guns of that time, in terms of range and performance, could not be compared with the versions that had undergone countless improvements in the middle and late Ming Dynasty. Today's bird guns, like the cold eyes of death, can decide life and death on the battlefield in an instant.

On this open battlefield, the cavalry of both sides seemed to be performing a silent dance. They circled in circles, and the sound of horse hooves and the collision of armor intertwined into a strange war song. However, this was not a brave charge, but a cautious test. Nalan Jiben muttered in his heart: "Why don't you dare to come and fight?" On the other side, Tulai had the same doubt in his heart. The two sides were in a stalemate. Some soldiers stopped, while others stepped on the spot. The rhythm coincided with tap dance. But this was by no means a strategy to lure the enemy deep into the enemy, because on this endless plain, the formations, troops, and equipment of the two armies were all clear at a glance. This was purely a contest of courage and wisdom, a silent game.

Nalan Jiben and Tulai both held telescopes, like two wise men, carefully examining the other side's formation, trying to spy out the other side's strengths and weaknesses from every detail. Nalan Jiben first locked his eyes on the place where the enemy's flags were most dense, trying to find the artillery battalion hidden there. According to the custom of the Ming Dynasty army, artillery battalions were usually arranged on both wings to prevent accidental injuries to their own people. The artillery battalions of the Jianzhou Jurchens were mostly composed of Han troops in the Eight Banners, including many Ming Dynasty soldiers who surrendered. However, Nalan Jiben searched for a long time but found nothing. He couldn't help cursing in his heart: "These Jianzhou Jurchens are extremely cunning!" Tulai's observation was the same. He thought to himself: "Huang Degong is as cunning as a fox!" Nalan Jiben was getting impatient, his brows were furrowed, and his eyes revealed a resolute look. Finally, he gave an order: "Spread the white cloth!" As soon as the order came out, the Ming Dynasty cavalrymen all smiled knowingly. A cavalryman quickly untied the thick cloth roll on the saddle, and worked with another cavalryman to spread the several-meter-long white cloth in the center of the battlefield. The white cloth was raised high, more than three or four feet long, and a few big words were written in ink on it: "Duoduo, your father is calling you back to Liaodong to dig ginseng!" These words, like a sharp dagger, pierced the heart of the Jianzhou Jurchens.

When Tulai saw this word, he was so angry that he trembled all over. You know, "Jiannu" was a derogatory term used by the people of the Ming Dynasty to refer to the Jianzhou Jurchens, meaning that they were slaves who dug ginseng for the Ming Dynasty. As a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty, Korea and the two countries had close relations. Back in the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty, the ginseng tributed by Korea weighed 50 kilograms, which shows how precious it was. Nalan Jiben's move undoubtedly hit the Jianzhou Jurchens' sore spot and exposed the shortcomings of their ancestors.

Tulai was so angry that he drew his sword and was about to rush out, but was stopped by his subordinates: "Master, the order of the Tenth Prince is to lure the enemy deep into our territory. We must not fall into the trap of the Ming army!" Tulai suppressed his anger, but the words had already been spoken, like spilled water, and could never be taken back. He pondered for a moment, waved his sword and shouted: "Retreat! Go back and report to the Tenth Prince!" With this order, the Jianzhou Jurchen cavalry retreated like a tide.

Seeing this, Nalan Jiben hurried to Huang Degong and said anxiously: "General, the Jianzhou Jurchens were not fooled, and the artillery battalion was not found." Huang Degong nodded and looked deeply at the enemy formation in the distance. At this time, the sun was already high in the sky, the sun was shining on the earth, the wind was calm, and tens of thousands of Eight Banners soldiers were ready for battle, with flags fluttering in the wind, like flowers blooming in summer, gorgeous and dangerous.

Huang Degong looked at the enemy formation, but found no obvious flaws, and could not figure out their strengths and weaknesses. So he turned to look at his own army. The 20,000 infantrymen in the central army were the main force. They were well-disciplined, well-equipped, and in high spirits, as indestructible as the Great Wall of Steel. There were 10,000 men on each of the left and right wings, who were in high spirits and ready to charge at any time. And there were nearly 10,000 cavalrymen hiding behind them, who were like sharp blades, ready to give the enemy a fatal blow at any time.

Huang Degong knew the importance of this battle and he had to win it to live up to the emperor's trust. However, he did not want to fight a decisive battle with Duoduo, let alone send out his entire army. He planned to use part of his troops to test the enemy's strength first. After all, the offensive and defensive situation on the battlefield changes rapidly, and the defending side can often take advantage of artillery.

So, Huang Degong rode to the right wing and discussed countermeasures with Weng Zhiqi. They lowered their heads and whispered, sometimes frowning, sometimes with a firm look. Finally, Huang Degong drew his sword and stood under the military flag. He scanned the soldiers of the army, his eyes were as hot as fire, full of determination and faith. He swung his sword fiercely, and the Qi family sword shone coldly in the sun, pointing directly at the enemy camp: "I, Huang Degong, obey the order of the emperor, and fight a decisive battle with the Jianzhou Jurchens! This battle is a decisive battle, and the outcome will be decided in one battle! Wherever the sun and the moon shine, wherever the rivers flow, will be the territory of my Ming Dynasty!" His voice resounded through the sky like thunder, arousing the lofty sentiments of the soldiers of the army.

The soldiers responded in unison, their voices surging like a tide: "The sun, the moon, the mountains and the rivers will last forever! The Ming Dynasty will last forever! Rise up! Kill the bandits! Kill!" Their voices were full of strength and determination, as if they could shake the heavens and the earth. At this moment, they were no longer separate individuals, but became part of the Ming Dynasty, becoming the sacred force that protected this land. They will use their blood and lives to defend the glory and dignity of the Ming Dynasty!
Oh, what a thrilling scene!

The sad sound of the horn was sharp and piercing, like a blade cutting through the sky, which instantly tightened people's hearts. Then, there was a loud bang, and the cannon exploded. The sound was so loud that the heaven and earth seemed to tremble, as if even the air was trembling.

Huang Degong, a battle-hardened general, led the right-wing 10,000-horse army. After a full hour of silence, they finally slowly moved. Their faces were full of perseverance and determination, as if every soldier was a solid rock, ready to meet the coming storm. First, the chariot battalion went out, and the drivers pushed the chariots with all their strength. The pace of advancement was neither impatient nor slow, just right. Why? Moving too fast would easily consume physical strength and easily cause confusion; moving too slowly would give the enemy an opportunity to take advantage and undermine their own morale. These chariots were filled with all kinds of firearms, from light ones like falconets and bird guns to heavy ones like rockets. The soldiers were busy loading them with gunpowder and ammunition, waiting for an order to perform well.

The sun shone obliquely on the battlefield, casting a golden glow, which formed a sharp contrast with the upcoming battle. The battle flags fluttered in the wind, as if they were cheering for the upcoming battle. "Kill!" As the flags were waved, the soldiers shouted in unison, and the sound resounded every few dozen steps, as majestic as a tsunami. The infantry on the right wing, with uniform steps, approached like a dark cloud, shouting and killing, and their eyes flashed with the desire for victory and anger at the enemy.

They followed closely behind the chariots, ready to seize the enemy's weakness and launch an attack at any time. The fuse had been lit, the gunpowder bullets were ready, and the crossbowmen were holding the arrows tightly, ready to pounce on their prey, like a group of cheetahs ready to pounce on their prey.

The armies on both sides were getting closer and closer. Although the Jiannu army was strong, especially on the left wing, they were still quietly waiting for the Ming army to enter their artillery range. They had a cold smile on their faces, as if they had seen the upcoming victory. Once they entered the range, those chariots would not be able to protect the Ming army. Once the solid giant bombs were fired, there would be a lot of casualties.

Duoduo, the general of Jiannu, counted the distance silently in his mind: one thousand steps, nine hundred steps, eight hundred steps... His eyes were cold and deep, as if he could see through everything. Suddenly, he saw dust flying behind the right wing of the Ming army. It turned out that hundreds of cavalry were galloping out and rushing straight to their front. Seven hundred steps, they have entered the range of the red cannon. This red cannon has a range of up to two thousand meters, but the common range is within one thousand meters. It is easy to explode if too much gunpowder is loaded. Duoduo's mouth curled up with a sneer, he seemed to have seen the end of these Ming cavalry.

When the Ming cavalry reached the 600-step mark, they began to gallop, their horsetails flying and the dust filling the sky. Their figures were looming in the dust, like a group of ghosts from hell. Duoduo knew at a glance that this was an old trick of the Ming army and a tactic they often used. The dust served as a cover, making it difficult for the enemy to determine their movements.

Duoduo was thinking about all the possibilities: If the enemy attacks, we will fire back, but this will expose our position; what if the enemy does not attack? Then firing will be useless, and will tell the enemy our position. If we do not fire, we are afraid that the enemy will take the opportunity to approach and enter our range, and then our defensive advantage will be gone. His brows were furrowed, as if he was thinking about some important decision.

"Tenth King, what should we do? Fire?" Tulai asked solemnly on his horse. His eyes were full of expectation and anxiety, as if he was waiting for an answer that would decide his fate.

Duoduo replied calmly: "Our Qing army's cavalry is invincible in field battles!" His voice was firm and powerful, as if it could give people infinite confidence and courage. He immediately ordered: "Let the artillery battalion on the left wing use horse archery to deal with the Ming army's cavalry, and the troops on the right wing press forward and fight them in the field! The middle and right armies should hold their formations!" His orders were concise and clear, but full of majesty and power.

In a field battle, formation is very important. Even in a melee, the formation must be quickly reorganized to defeat the chaotic enemy with a neat formation. Because with the same number of troops, the chaotic side will inevitably lose to the neat side. Therefore, Duoduo especially emphasized that the middle and right armies should not be impulsive, so as not to lose their footing and expose their flanks to the enemy. There was a gleam of wisdom in his eyes, as if he had already seen the future victory.

Boom! Dozens of red cannons fired at the same time. Because of the long distance, they used solid huge bullets. The wind was whistling, and the bullets fell like raindrops. Although it caused some casualties to the Ming cavalry, the damage was limited because the artillery fire did not hit accurately. However, this was just the prelude to the battle, and the real contest had just begun.

"Kill!" The Jiannu army blew shrill horns and shouted for killing. The chariots, cannons and other firearms of both sides opened fire, but the large shells could not penetrate the chariots' solid defenses. The screams of wounded soldiers were heard from time to time on the battlefield, but more people continued to load gunpowder and ammunition, preparing for the next round of attack. Their eyes were full of determination and persistence, as if they had forgotten life and death and pain.

Bang, bang, bang! As the distance shortened, the two sides began to fire at each other, accurately killing the enemy. The holes and gaps on the chariots became deadly weapons for the musketeers, who used these advantages to continuously take the lives of the enemy. Their figures shuttled across the battlefield, as if they were a group of death gods from hell, reaping the lives of the enemy.

Under the pressure of casualties, some timid soldiers began to retreat, but the commander waved the flag and the soldiers in the rear roared. Although there was fear hidden in anger, fear could be transformed into anger, and anger made them fearless. The distance between the two armies was getting closer and closer, and the air was filled with a strong smell of blood and gunpowder.

Suddenly, there was a burst of empty noises in front of the Jiannu army, coming from far away and getting closer. It turned out that a rain of arrows rose into the air like locusts, covering the sky and the sun and rushing towards the Ming army's position. Although cannons, Portuguese cannons and bird guns can kill people, bows and arrows can shock people's hearts. The rain of arrows was pouring down, and the soldiers were all shot by arrows, and the chariots were not spared. Although the infantry's bows and arrows had a long range and great power, the projectile arrows could not penetrate the armor, so although they caused a lot of injuries, they did not cause a large number of deaths. However, the rain of arrows still frightened the soldiers, and even the old soldiers changed their faces.

The frightened soldiers watched the rain of arrows flying and felt it approaching, but they were powerless and their lives were uncertain. Their heartbeats accelerated and their breathing became rapid, as if they could feel the approach of death. Firearms were different. They would only feel fear when they were approaching, and they could only see the results but not the process, so the fear would be reduced. Behind the chariot, since the bird guns were direct shots instead of projectiles, they were slightly safer. But even so, they did not dare to relax or slack off.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! The sound of arrows and screams intertwined, and the chariots of the two armies came closer. The dust flew again behind the right wing of the Ming army and the left wing of the Jiannu army. The cavalry of both sides rushed out, and a fierce cavalry duel was about to take place. Their eyes flashed with the desire for victory and anger towards the enemy, as if they had forgotten life and death and pain. In this thrilling battle, every soldier was fighting for his own beliefs and honor. They knew that only victory could prove their value and existence.

The Ming cavalry attacked in two groups. One group quietly went around the left side of the right wing, like a ghost in the dark night, silently; the other group rushed out directly from the right side, like a tiger descending from the mountain, fiercely. Nalan Jiben, a general with a resolute face and sharp eyes, led the charge on the left. He was wearing silver armor, shining in the sun, like a god of war. Ji Zisheng, a burly general with a long beard and hair, led the team on the right. He held up his spear, majestic and awe-inspiring, like an ancient god of war reborn.

"Wait!" After the order was given, the two teams did not engage the enemy immediately. Instead, they slowed down their horses and observed the enemy's movements like cheetahs, looking for the best opportunity to fight. The atmosphere on the battlefield was extremely tense, and the breathing of every horse and the heartbeat of every soldier could be clearly heard.

In the Guanning Army, the fierce general Bakyong was being cleverly hidden deep in the battle formation by Huang Degong. Bakyong was tall and muscular, like a moving hill. His inaction was far more strategically valuable than directly participating in the battle. Huang Degong, a general with a calm face and deep eyes, knew that once Bakyong was exposed, Duoduo would lose his last trump card and would definitely come out in full force. At that time, whether they won or lost, it was not the result they expected. If they won, they would only temporarily force the enemy back and could not expand the results of the battle; using more than 10,000 cavalry to pursue an enemy army that was several times larger than their own was too risky and might even be swallowed up. If they lost, all their previous efforts would be wasted and the plan of making a feint to the east and attacking in the west would be disrupted. After all, the real target of the emperor and the court was not Duoduo in front of them, but Dorgon far away in Miyun!

Huang Degong concentrated his mind and kept his eyes on every subtle change on the battlefield. His eyes revealed a deep wisdom and firm determination, as if he could see through every subtle change on the battlefield.

The enemy cavalry also quickly split into two groups, like two black lightnings, rushing in from both sides of the left wing. They were wearing black armor, holding long spears, and were aggressive, as if they were going to destroy all obstacles in their way. As soon as they entered the battlefield, they accelerated and rushed straight to the two sides of the Ming army's right wing.

Bakyong picked up the telescope and his face changed suddenly: "General Huang, the enemy has at least 50,000 troops!" His voice revealed an unconcealable shock and tension.

"The central army is no less than 20,000, and the left and right wings are 15,000 each. The infantry accounts for 40% and the cavalry accounts for 60%. I am afraid that Jiben and Zhisheng will be unable to resist!" Huang Degong nodded slightly, but did not say much. He had already expected that Jiben and Zhisheng were no match for the enemy cavalry. He sent them out only to harass the enemy, not to fight with the enemy. His eyes revealed a deep wisdom and firm determination, as if he had seen through the future of the battlefield.

Before he finished speaking, the enemy cavalry had already approached both sides of the Ming army's right wing. They raised their spears high and shouted loudly, as if they were going to destroy everything under their iron hooves.

boom!
The infantry on the right wing of the Ming army opened fire first, and the chariots were sparsely arranged in the rear as cover. The soldiers operated firearms and fired freely at the enemy cavalry. However, although the bird guns and the Portuguese guns were much more advanced than bows and arrows, the first round of shooting was not very effective, only shooting down a few horses and injuring more than ten people. This was mainly due to the lack of troops in the regional defense. The battlefield was filled with smoke and flames, like a chaotic ocean.

Imagine the vast battlefield: if 10,000 people were arranged in a horizontal line 500 meters wide, then the depth would only be 20 people. If they were arranged in a horizontal line 1,000 meters wide, the depth would only be 10 people. In ancient times, when marching and fighting, without terrain restrictions, they often adopted a horizontal formation to maintain the advantage of frontal forces and strengthen the defense in depth to prevent defeat.

So, how did the rout happen? Who would be the first to flee? Routs often come from defeat or fear, and those who flee are often soldiers who did not directly participate in the battle. Infantry battles are not a chaotic battle like in movies and TV dramas, but a stalemate along a front line with soldiers lined up on both sides of the front line. When the soldiers in front fall, the ones behind will take over. If there is no follow-up support, it will reveal to the enemy that the defense line here has been breached. The more breakthrough points there are, the more likely the enemy will divide and surround the Ming army and divide and annihilate it. Soldiers on the front line often rely on morale and adrenaline stimulation, and will not easily flee, but will become more and more courageous as the battle progresses; the soldiers in the rear are different, they have not yet participated in the battle, but are just spectators. When the front line wins, they are excited and eager to try; once the front line fails, fear will grow in their hearts. Soldiers with weak wills will flee first, and those who are slightly more determined will follow when they see someone fleeing. Even the originally determined soldiers cannot defend their positions alone when they are isolated and helpless, and will eventually choose to flee. Once the spectators run away, the front line will be disrupted; those who run fast may escape, but those who run slowly will not be able to escape death. This is the cruel reality that warriors face when charging into battle!

The Ming army's right wing was arranged in a conventional way, with fifty chariots arranged on the front, with two chariots forming a position. These chariots were made of solid wood and iron sheets, like mobile fortresses. There were three chariots on each side as flank defenses, and they would move forward if an attack was needed; if they encountered an enemy on the flank, they would adjust their direction and use the chariots as shields to resist. However, the three chariots on the flanks had only a hundred soldiers and backup, while the enemy cavalry that rushed over numbered thousands. They were dressed in black armor, holding long spears, and were aggressive, as if they were going to destroy all obstacles that stood in their way.

Some people may ask: Why not distribute the tanks evenly to all directions? Or since there are enough supplies, why not build more tanks so that both the front and the side can be strengthened? In fact, everyone knows that the flank defense is weaker, but if the front line is breached, even if there are more tanks on the flank, it will be useless. Moreover, more tanks require more drivers, and more drivers will disperse the firepower in battle and reduce the overall combat effectiveness. This is the dialectical way on the battlefield! On the battlefield, every decision needs to weigh the pros and cons, and every action needs to consider the overall situation.

"Prepare the armor-piercing arrows!" A commander in the Ming army, wearing dark armor, sat on a simple stool, his eyes as sharp as an eagle, staring closely at the movements of the enemy cavalry. His voice was steady and powerful, revealing an unquestionable majesty.

"Shoot!" He waved his hand to signal the archers to shoot when the time was right, because a direct shot would be blocked by the chariot in front. With a wave of his arm, like a flash of lightning that cut through the sky, the archers quickly responded to his command.

The phalanx of one hundred archers hiding behind the infantry responded quickly to the commander's order, holding longbows and shooting arrows at the enemy cavalry. Their movements were swift and accurate, as if they had been tempered a thousand times.

Whoosh! The arrows cut through the sky, flying towards the enemy cavalry like the scythe of the god of death. The arrows drew beautiful arcs in the air, rushing towards the enemy with the breath of death.

Tulai, the enemy general, had excellent eyesight. He had already noticed the Ming army's rain of arrows, but he showed no fear. He looked back and adjusted the direction of attack with the flag-bearing soldier, changing from facing the Ming army sideways to facing the enemy head-on to reduce the damage to their side from the rain of arrows. The armor for frontal defense was thicker, and the warhorse was also covered with cotton armor. Only by facing the enemy head-on could casualties be minimized. His eyes revealed a firm determination and incomparable courage, as if he wanted to trample everything under his feet.

Seventy steps... whoosh... With a burst of dense air-breaking sounds, more than a hundred arrows fell into the enemy cavalry. However, these arrows had almost no effect. The power of the thrown arrows was not enough, and the enemy was wearing heavy armor, so even if they were hit by arrows, it would not be fatal. The battlefield was raining arrows, but the enemy seemed fearless. They raised their spears high and continued to charge at the Ming army.

Tulai waved the bow in his left hand in the air, and under the command of the flag bearer, all the cavalrymen took out their bows and prepared to fight back. Their movements were swift and orderly, as if they had undergone rigorous training.

Sixty steps...

"Shoot!" The flag bearer waved the flag fiercely, and Tulai and hundreds of cavalrymen in front of him quickly fired arrows, launching a fierce arrow rain attack with the Ming army... The battlefield was raining arrows, and both sides were trying their best to attack and defend. This was a life-and-death contest, and every arrow could determine a person's life or death. (End of this chapter)