weaving

Chapter 1627 The Chariots Did a Good Job
Niru Ejen Apuda led his Mongol warriors in pursuit of the chariot troops retreating from the trenches. However, after only a hundred paces, they heard a series of loud bangs, and more than ten Mongol cavalrymen at the front immediately fell to the ground.

He quickly ordered the remaining Mongol soldiers to retreat, thus avoiding greater casualties.

“Gushan, our warriors have suffered many casualties. Why don’t we rest for a while before attacking the Ming dogs?” Niru Ejen Bap advised.

Gadahun's eyes were bloodshot and he roared, "Go all out! Don't give the Ming dogs a chance to breathe! Charge forward with the whole army, break through their defenses, and slaughter them all! Only then will my hatred be satisfied!"

Bapu was taken aback by what he heard and dared not offer any further advice. He glanced at Apda beside him and then went down to reorganize his troops in preparation for another attack on the Ming army's position.

Gadahun's Mongol Plain Red Banner had five Jiala soldiers. This time, he was ordered to go to war against the Ming Dynasty. He took three Jiala with him, which is 4,500 Mongol warriors. In addition, there were the remaining soldiers and servants under his banner, making a total of only 6,000 people.

The Mongol Bordered Red Banner, which came to rescue Buyandai this time, only brought three thousand cavalrymen with two Jalas, as well as five hundred men and servants. The remaining Jala stayed in the camp to guard the looted money, grain, and people.

The two Jiala only had ten Niru in total, and now, as soon as the battle began, they had already lost one Niru Ejen. How could Gadahun not feel heartbroken?
This was only a small-scale battle. The Ming dogs numbered only two or three hundred, yet their Mongol warriors suffered over a hundred casualties, while the Ming dogs only had three dead bodies. Although dozens more Ming dogs were killed or wounded, they were all taken back to the rear defensive line and were not captured.

This was an utter disgrace to them!

"Ebutu, you'll be in charge of this attack on the Ming dogs," Gadahun said to a burly man with a full beard.

Jiala Ezhen Ebutu stepped forward and shouted loudly, "Yes, Your Majesty. Please rest assured, Gadahungushan, Ebutu will definitely kill all the Ming dogs."

…………

Under the command of Jiala Ezhen Ebutu, the Mongol Plain Red Banner mobilized more than 2,000 troops, who also launched a three-pronged attack on the second Ming army defense line.

Firstly, there were eight hundred warriors who dismounted to fight on foot and assault the enemy. As before, they advanced slowly towards the second line of defense of the Ming army, with shield bearers in front and archers behind.

Secondly, there were more than 800 cavalrymen, less than three Niru, who waited behind the infantry lines, ready to charge and take the heads of the Ming soldiers once the Ming army's defenses were breached.

Thirdly, this is the most mysterious team. Although it consists of only one Niru with more than 300 cavalry, it is tasked with the mission of flanking attacks to break through enemy lines. This team is still led by Niru Ejen Apuda—after all, he already has experience in flanking attacks!
“Gushan, how about I lead a group of brave warriors on foot to bypass the eastern riverbank and strike the Ming dogs’ rear? What do you think?” Jiala Ezhen Sangbu suddenly stepped forward to offer his services.

Gadahun merely glanced at him without saying anything, instead turning his gaze to the Ming army's defensive line opposite him...

At this moment, he was standing on the high wall that had been fought and captured, gazing at the battlefield to the south. However, from his eyes, it seemed that he was deep in thought.

“Sangbu, the riverbank is damp and muddy, making it difficult to travel. Even if we manage to go around it, the fighting here will probably be over by then.” Gadahun’s gaze remained fixed on the battlefield to the south: “Let’s launch a frontal assault.”

Now that Gushan Ezhen had spoken, Sangbu dared not insist on his own opinion any longer. He clasped his hands in response and stepped aside.

…………

Jin Yong's defensive setup was gradually strengthened, with two sentry vehicles on the first line of defense and four sentry vehicles on the second line.

After Huo Yuanshan retreated to the second line of defense, he immediately ordered Chen Zhidong to lead the five squads of chariot soldiers to continue their retreat to the last line of defense to rest and regroup, where they would hold their ground. Chen Zhidong wanted to take Huo Yuanshan with him to the last line of defense, but military orders were absolute, and since Huo Yuanshan had given the order, he had no choice but to obey.

When Chen Zhidong arrived at the last line of defense, before he could even catch his breath, he was summoned by Jin Yong, the deputy general of the Tengshe Battalion.

"The chariot troops fought well. It's quite an achievement for your supply battalion to fight like this."

Chen Zhidong looked a little embarrassed and replied softly, "Thank you for the praise, General Jin. I am ashamed, I didn't play well this time."

Jin Yong patted his shoulder and comforted him, "I don't have time to comfort you. Go down and rest for a while. The front line won't hold out for long either. Your fifth sentry will have to keep fighting later."

After he finished speaking, he stood up and walked forward without waiting for Chen Zhidong's reply, saying, "I'm going to check on the wounded soldiers. You can go back."

"Yes, sir." Chen Zhidong clasped his hands in a fist and accepted the order softly.

…………

Battles like these began in the early morning of the seventh day of the lunar month and continued to be fought repeatedly in a vast area stretching over sixty miles from north to south and over twenty miles from the west bank of the Shu River.

From dawn until noon and into dusk, the booming of cannons ceased, only to be followed by the sharp crack of muskets, yet this could not drown out the endless shouts of battle and screams of agony.

Countless people died that day, or lost limbs, and many others, though not immediately dead, lay on the ground or on stretchers, wailing and moaning.

This was only the beginning of the Battle of Yanzhou, far from the most intense moment of the battle, yet thousands of lively and strong men had already fallen forever...

They are destined never to return to their beloved hometown or to their cherished family!

This is the brutality of war. No matter which side wins or loses, countless lives will be lost to the victors, and the ultimate victors are destined to erect monuments to the fallen to inspire more people to fight for them.

The fighting wasn't just raging in Yanzhou; the border between Qingzhou and Yanzhou was also engulfed in a fierce battle...

Abatai was determined to break through the blockade and head south to rescue Turgh. Despite his fierce attack, which spared no casualties, and despite relying on the pre-arranged trench and earthen wall defenses, and despite having advantages such as landmines, anti-tank weapons, and artillery, the disparity in troop strength between the enemy and himself was simply too great.

On the seventh day, at dusk, the Jurchen general Abatai led reinforcements to the front of Jiagu outpost.

He personally led a large army of Manchu, Mongol and Han troops from four banners to the west bank of the Shu River, while only the Mongol Bordered Blue Banner led by Hushibu went south to reinforce Suna on the east bank. It was clear that Abatai had placed the main attack on the west bank of the Shu River.

On the morning of the eighth day, the battle began.

Deputy General Xiang Jinbao directed the chariot troops of the tank division to hold their ground along the defensive line, while also directing the cavalry and light cavalry to seize the opportunity to launch a decisive attack, barely managing to hold the main position of Jiagushao.

However, the defenses along the official road have been breached!