weaving

Chapter 146
Within Jiazhuang, the generals are still discussing the specific details of defense.

The focus of defense is still the direction of the official road, which is to the east of Jiazhuang. There are nearly a thousand infantry from Lu Xiangsheng's Supervising Biao Battalion defending here. To the south of Jiazhuang is the infantry under Zhang Yan's command, and to the north is the infantry under Jiang Mingwu's command.

Zhang Yan and Jiang Mingwu each kept 400 infantry as the reserve team of the Chinese army, and they were not used for defense, but only for emergency use. In this way, the Chinese army headquarters defending Jiazhuang had a reserve team of [-] soldiers.

Yang Guozhu set up a stronghold on the southwest corner of Jiazhuang. Relying on big trees, carts, and sandy soil, and watering it with ice water, they formed a stronghold. They focused on defending against the attack of the Qing army in the south.

The distance between him and Jiazhuang was less than one mile to the east, and they happened to support each other. Even if the Qing army rushed through this gap, they would not be able to break through the camp, and would be attacked from both sides.

Hu Dawei set up a stronghold in the northwest corner of Jiazhuang. Like Yang Guozhu, he used infantry to defend the Qing army in the north, and the cavalry guarded in the west. If the Qing army attacked from here, it is not suitable to line up. out, can be easily repelled.

Nearly a thousand cavalry under Zhang Cheng's command were responsible for defending the west side of Jiazhuang. This side was deliberately left empty, with Yang Guozhu in the south and Hu Dawei in the north. They were more than a mile apart.

If the Qing army breaks into this empty field, Zhang Cheng can lead his cavalry to attack. At the same time, Jiang Mingwu's cavalry will also defend this side and cooperate with Zhang Cheng.

When necessary, Zhang Cheng could also attack from the gap between Jiazhuang and Yang Guozhu's camp to harass or pursue the Qing army, and the cavalry of Jiang Mingwu's troops could also attack from the gap between the north and Hu Dawei's camp.

Seen from the air, this formation looks like a character. Although Lu Xiangsheng's defense is in the direction of the official road, the wall of Jiazhuangzhuang is intact and reinforced, and the defensive surface is not very wide.

The most important thing is that under the command of Lu Xiangsheng, Zhang Cheng and other generals, there are still half of the cavalry, and nearly [-] fine cavalry can give the Qing army a lightning strike at any time.

…………

After the discussion between the army and the army, the generals had just left Lu Xiangsheng's tent of the Chinese army when they saw Chen Zheng, the left sentry chief of Zhang Cheng's battalion rushing over, his eyes were red and his expression was quite sad.

In Zhang Cheng's impression, although this Chen Zheng was just like him, and not very old, he had always been calm, and he had never seen him so anxious.

Zhang Cheng couldn't help feeling an ominous feeling in his heart, he hurriedly stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "President Chen Shao, why are you so urgent?"

Chen Zheng, the chief of the sentry, bowed and cupped his fists, and handed Zhang Cheng a military report: "My sentry officer, Niu Sheng, led his troops out of the sentry and sent back important military information."

Then he approached Zhang Cheng and reported in a low voice: "On the way back, Captain Niu was intercepted and killed by a large group of slaves. The team leader Cheng Dashan led the brothers in the team to fight the slaves in a bloody battle to cover the whole team back to camp. But he was exhausted and died in battle, and died for the country."

Zhang Cheng was stunned when he heard the words, and asked, "The bodies of the brothers..."

Chen Zheng said in a low voice, a little choked with sobs: "Dashan and his first-class brothers fought hard against the slave cavalry brigade and killed dozens of slaves, but they couldn't come back either.
According to the brothers who came back from the team, they saw Dashan detonate the grenade he carried with him from a distance, and died with the enemy, but their remains could not be recovered..."

Zhang Cheng closed his eyes helplessly. This was the first time since he had led the army into the guard that he had suffered such a huge loss. The first-class Xuanzhen cavalry was completely wiped out by the captive cavalry. The loss was extremely great.

Yang Guozhu beside Zhang Cheng, his Chinese army general Guo Yingxian and others all patted Zhang Cheng on the shoulder to express their comfort.

Lu Xiangsheng also heard the news at this time, and came out of the tent. He also faintly heard the questions and answers between Zhang Cheng and Chen Zheng. Afterwards, the governor will write a letter to the imperial court to ask for sympathy and awards for all the sons and daughters."

Zhang Cheng collected himself, and said to Chen Zheng warmly, "Go down and rest first."

Chen Zheng arched his hands and stepped back silently.

After walking back a few steps, his tears rolled down uncontrollably.

Zhang Cheng looked at the military newspaper in his hand, and it was still stained with blood. He passed the general newspaper to Lu Xiangsheng. Long Ping forced to come;

To the east, about [-] slaves from the Zhenglan Banner came from the direction of Nangong, and another group of more than [-] slaves came from the direction of Guangzong. The flags seemed to be the color of the Mongolian Zhenghuang Banner;
From the south, there were more than a thousand slaves and thieves rushing forward, followed by most of the slaves. The colors of the flags were more mixed, roughly the remaining banners, the Eight Banners and the Mongolian banners.

It seems that the slave thief is determined to win against us, Julu, it must be a fierce battle. "

He then shouted in a deep voice: "Pass down the order of the general governor, and the soldiers of each battalion, step up the construction of the battalion defense!"

After the generals received the order, Zhang Cheng took a step forward, clasped his fists and said, "Minister, the slaves and thieves marched in several ways and wanted to encircle our army. The last general suggested that all our troops should go out with all their best cavalry, and first defeat them all the way or two." Lu, the envoy is also afraid of me, so don't dare to despise me."

All the generals also agreed with Zhang Cheng's suggestion. At present, it was agreed that Zhang Yan, the general of Xuanzhen, would stay and preside over the construction of the camp defense, and the remaining generals would lead their fine cavalry to attack the Tartars.

…………

The mid-December of the Ming Dynasty was already the mid-winter season, especially during the 11th year of Chongzhen, which was still in the Little Ice Age, and the sky was cold and freezing. Looking at the wilderness in the distance, you can see a gray and desolate land.

The fields on both sides of the official road were also frozen hard and solid. Under the control of the knights, teams of war horses raised their hooves and trotted across the barren fields.

In the vast land, a group of fiery armored cavalry galloped in, billowing smoke and dust rose behind the cavalry, and all the sky and plains were big elite cavalry.

Zhang Cheng led the four sentinel cavalry and was galloping across the fields. He was ordered to take a detour and wait for the two cavalry of Lu Xiangsheng and Yang Guozhu to fight with the slave cavalry that was approaching from Guangzong's direction.

They rode together on two horses, and kept changing their horses back and forth during the march to maintain their horsepower. All the knights were riding their horses and galloping, when they saw more than ten horsemen galloping towards the northeast, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Zhang Cheng tightened the reins to slow down the horses under his crotch, the army stopped slowly, and the captain of the personal guard Chen Zhong led a group of personal guards to meet them on horseback.

It turned out that Zhang Cheng's subordinates came back from the sentry at night. Chen Zhong asked about the situation, and rode back to report: "General, go to the northeast less than two miles, and pass the dirt bag in front, which is where the slaves are. According to the post of the sentry According to the newspaper, the group is suspected to be Mongolian Tartars, with more than 2000 people, they are divided into two groups, and they are fighting fiercely with the governor."

Zhang Cheng raised his whip and shouted: "Soldiers and soldiers, the slave thief is working hard to kill the slaves behind the earth bag. Just today, follow me to kill..."

"Kill slaves...kill slaves..."

"Kill the slave...kill..."

Amidst the roars, nearly a thousand red-armored knights rode their horses up to the mound without resting for a while. With a roar, Zhang Cheng rode his horses down, swooping down from south to north.

(End of this chapter)