weaving

Chapter 1633 This debt will be settled sooner or later!

On the ninth day of the third lunar month, at the end of the Yin hour, the starlight had gradually faded, and only a crescent moon remained on the northwest horizon, seemingly reluctant to leave this vast land.

At this moment, the east began to show a hint of dawn, gradually expanding little by little, as the first rays of morning light spread slowly from east to west, covering the entire land.

However, in the twilight before the dawn broke, a group of low-lying figures were hidden in the grass. They were working in groups of three, seemingly operating something, and behind them were small hills...

That wasn't a small hill—it was a man crouching on the ground, leading two warhorses that were also crouching in the grass.

Suddenly, flames appeared where the low-lying figures had gathered, clearly indicating that someone had lit a tinderbox. Then, torches were lit simultaneously, with flames and wisps of black smoke appearing at the same time.

"Boom... boom boom... boom boom boom boom..."

A sudden, deafening roar erupted, from sporadic booms to a continuous barrage of thunderous explosions. The sound was particularly jarring in the early morning stillness, as if the earth were shaking, its power astounding.

The fierce artillery fire flashed with dazzling light, completely obscuring the rising dawn. As large plumes of smoke and dust completely shrouded the artillery positions, cannonballs fell one after another inside and outside the Jurchen camp.

The Vermilion Bird Camp was originally a combat unit mainly composed of cavalry, and it was not equipped with combat infantry. Even the two wagon battalions were mainly responsible for providing supplies to the cavalry, and their role in garrisoning and assisting in combat was secondary.

Therefore, the Vermilion Bird Camp did not carry many cannons and cannonballs, especially the famous Flying Cannon and exploding shells of the Brave Army, which were extremely scarce for the Vermilion Bird Camp and had already been used up during the previous defensive battle.

Even so, the salvo of solid cannonballs was too much for the Jurchens' earthen and wooden fortifications to withstand. The roar of the cannons came one after another, seemingly without end, as countless cannonballs pounded into the Jurchen camp.

Just as the Jurchens were hastily forming ranks to prepare for defense, the cavalrymen who were originally behind the artillery positions mounted their horses. They each rode a warhorse and led another into the dust cloud ahead.

Meanwhile, the light cavalry soldiers responsible for firing the cannons simply abandoned their various artillery pieces, took the reins from the approaching cavalrymen, mounted their horses, and followed them towards the Jurchen camp.

Among the charging cavalry, three groups stood out: the heavy cavalry mixed in with the light cavalry, the true vanguard of breaking through enemy lines—who would eventually become the nightmare of the Jurchens!

Nearly two-thirds of the cavalrymen were still holding torches, which were very conspicuous in the dim light of early morning. A burst of light rushed towards the Jurchen camp and charged in through the gap created by the artillery fire.

The Jurchens seemed to be still in the midst of the chaos of the artillery bombardment. They rushed forward in a scattered manner to defend, but before they could even fire a few arrows, the Vermilion Bird Camp cavalry had already charged in front of them, throwing torches at them one after another.

Instinctively, the Tartars dodged the thrown torches, but they ignored the approaching Vermilion Bird Camp cavalry, who unleashed a barrage of killing blows: iron axes, hammers, longswords, and tiger spears.

Almost all other cavalry units within the Yongyi Army system had completed the distribution of standard equipment. However, the light cavalry and patrol cavalry units of the Zhuque Camp still freely chose their own weapons based on personal preference, which is why they appeared to be so diverse.

This is mainly because they often serve as the main force of scouts and carry out tasks such as ambushes, infiltrations, and raids. Although they also need to coordinate their battle formations, individual martial prowess is also very important, especially in small-scale contact battles. That is why they have the privilege of freely choosing their weapons.

After charging into the Jurchen camp, the light cavalry immediately dispersed in all directions. They set fire to the camp in the chaos, spreading the unrest throughout the Jurchen camp. The three heavy cavalry groups, however, did not do so. They plunged into the Jurchen camp like tigers descending from the mountains, rampaging and charging straight towards the Jurchen central army camp.

…………

Chen Shi, the first quarter of the hour.

The rising sun had already hung on the eastern horizon, and the whole earth seemed to awaken from its long slumber. Wherever the light shone, there was no longer a trace of darkness.

Meanwhile, in the Jurchen camp directly north of Jiagushao, the fires were dying down, but black smoke billowed everywhere, and the ground was covered with ashes from the fires, resembling a scene from hell.

However, no one cared about any of this, because the Yongyi Army that had launched the surprise attack had just retreated from the ruins, and the pursuing Jurchens had just been defeated and forced to retreat by the Zhuque Camp cavalry.

After an hour-long raid, the entire Jurchen camp was almost completely destroyed, with ruins everywhere. Seeing that his objective had been achieved, Zhang Guangda immediately ordered the retreat.

As planned, the light cavalry would cover the heavy cavalry as they withdrew from the Jurchen camp. Now, they no longer held back, each taking out their issued pistols. As soon as the Tatar soldiers approached, they would immediately fire a pistol at them.

But how could the Jurchens easily let them go back like this?
Naturally, the cavalry should be organized to pursue Zhang Guangda and his men!

At this moment, the rocket magazines that had been removed from the chariots came in handy. One rocket after another roared into the sky and shot straight at the Tartar cavalry that were chasing after them on horseback.

In this way, most of the pursuing Tatar cavalry were stopped. How could the remaining few Tatar cavalry be a match for the brave and fierce Zhuque Camp light cavalry, scouts, and heavy cavalry?
…………

After Zhang Guangda led his cavalry back to Jiagushao, he did not stop for a moment. He immediately changed horses, and the heavy cavalrymen quickly took off their heavy armor and removed the armor from their warhorses, placing them on packhorses. He himself also rode a secondary horse.

The light and heavy cavalry were the first to leave the Jiagushao camp, heading south in pursuit of the chariot division. The remaining rangers set fire to Jiagushao, setting all the remaining chariots ablaze...

Good things should not be left for the Tartars to use!

On a hill, Zhang Guangda rode back to the Jiagu Post, where flames were raging, and a few tears streamed down his face—tears of resentment, tears of reluctance, and tears of hatred.

Zhang Guangda silently told himself, "I'll get my revenge sooner or later!"

General Gu Zhide, who had been following Zhang Guangda closely, advised from the side, "General, we've already escaped twice now!"

The deputy general, Xiang Jinbao, was also there. Before Zhang Guangda could speak, he gritted his teeth and said, "Let's remember this grudge for now. We'll get our revenge on those damned Tartars sooner or later."