prosperous age

Chapter 1127 1218 Defeat Again
"dong dong dong"

Intensive artillery fire rang out again on the battlefield. After more than ten consecutive rounds, the battlefield fell into a brief silence, followed by bursts of wailing from the soldiers.

However, this time the targets were reversed.

The artillery that fired came from the front of the Burmese army, while the Ming army's gunners were carrying the Portuguese cannon forward.

As the soldiers walking in the front, they naturally suffered the heaviest casualties.

Starting from the gunner's position and heading backwards, a straight bloody alley appeared in the Ming army's formation.

The Ming army officers and soldiers, who had been in high spirits just now and were pursuing the Burmese army, were now frightened.

The range of the enemy's artillery exceeded their imagination and was much longer than the range of the Portuguese cannon they used. This was also the reason why the officers of the Ming army's front team did not immediately choose to prepare for battle after seeing the Burmese army's formation.

At this distance, he never expected that the Burmese army's iron pipes could hurt them.

In the bloody alleys in the Ming army's formation, the dead were just lying quietly, while the wounded soldiers had already dropped their weapons and were wailing while holding their broken limbs.

The sudden attack made their comrades around them somewhat at a loss, and for a while, no one from the rear team came up to make up for them.

Just when the Ming army was in a dilemma, cheers broke out from the Burmese army on the opposite side.

Their previous experiences finally came back to haunt the Ming army on the opposite side, and they were of course relieved.

"Reload the shells, quickly."

Santos was not elated by the cheers of the Burmese army behind him. He knew that this was a big war, a large-scale war.

It can be said that Myanmar has put all its efforts into the battle, with an army of 200,000 to 300,000. Although the Ming army on the opposite side may not have that many people, it still has tens of thousands or so.

This is the case when the other side is caught off guard. If the Ming Dynasty starts to gather troops to counterattack, it would be unimaginable.

He had heard that the Ming Dynasty had an army of more than one million people.

It is hard to imagine what kind of country this is and how many people it has.

The Portuguese began to operate intensively, cleaning the barrel, then loading gunpowder and shells, preparing for the second round of firing.

At this time, the commander of the Ming army had already realized that the enemy had bronze cannons similar to their own, which was why the range was so far.

Yes, the craftsmen of the Ming Dynasty actually saw from the trench mirror that the field artillery used by the European army at that time had a longer range than the falconet gun, but the firing speed was much slower.

This cannon is not difficult to make. The key is casting the barrel. Any slight defect will cause it to be scrapped and melted down.

Relying on their existing experience in artillery making, they were able to make it easily, but the scrap rate was relatively high.

Therefore, it is best to use copper to cast this type of field gun.

Naturally, the Ming Dynasty's Ministry of Industry would not miss the opportunity to manufacture this kind of weapon, but due to the scarcity of copper, relatively few cannons were manufactured, and they were not produced in such large quantities as the falconet.

Moreover, after this type of cannon was cast, a large number of them were taken away by the navy.

According to convention, it is impossible for the Southwest to be allocated this kind of artillery, so it is already very good to be able to allocate some falconets to them.

But it was Li Chengliang who asked for the cannons. Although there were few bronze cannons, Li Chengliang still wanted ten such cannons.

After seeing the range of this cannon, he felt like he had found a treasure, so he always kept this artillery team with him.

This weapon, which seems extremely backward in later generations, is actually a strategic-level weapon of this era. In the previous defense of Baoshan City, Li Chengliang did not move this kind of artillery onto the city wall to fire, and still mainly used the old-fashioned falconet cannon.

However, everyone among the generals of the Ming army knew about it.

The Marshal has an artillery team around him, and the artillery he is equipped with has a long range and great power.

The commanding officer had already realized that they had entered the range of the Burmese artillery. If they started charging at the enemy from this position, it would reduce the damage from the enemy's artillery, but the formation would be disrupted.

A scattered formation versus a neat formation, with the opposite side's archers firing at the same time, the casualties on our side would probably be considerable.

Perhaps some people would think that as long as they can withstand the casualties and charge to the front of the enemy's army, everything will be fine.

But in fact, when the casualties of the charging army reach a certain ratio, the morale of the attacking soldiers is damaged, and they will unconsciously choose to escape, that is, find a place to hide, and are unwilling to continue charging.

The defending army is actually similar.

When casualties reach a certain proportion, they will flee.

It is impossible for people to remain indifferent to the possibility of death. They will choose the safest way to protect themselves.

On the battlefield, is there anything safer than running away?
Even if there is a supervision team behind him, he is still a guy who kills without blinking an eye.

The distance was too far, and the Ming army might be defeated by the Burmese army before they could reach the opposite side.

This thought came into the captain's mind. When he saw those strange guys on the opposite side start to operate skillfully again, as if they were loading ammunition into the cannons, he knew he could not wait any longer.

"Fall back."

This time, the team leader reacted very quickly. After shouting, he took the lead in retreating.

The surrounding Ming army soldiers also followed decisively after hearing the team officer's calls and subsequent actions.

Now, even those soldiers who did not hear the order knew what to do and turned around and ran.

Those Ming army soldiers who were not seriously injured retreated behind the group, while those who were seriously injured, some retreated with the help of their friends, while some were directly abandoned on the battlefield, awaiting them: severe pain and death from excessive bleeding.

But at this time, no one would care about them.

They have been abandoned.

Soon, the Ming army retreated a long distance. Although there was another burst of artillery fire behind them, they had already run out of the effective range of the cannons. Even if there were still shells hitting them, the damage was much smaller.

Seeing the Ming army fleeing, the Burmese army on the opposite side became even more excited, waving their weapons and shouting desperately.

Santos also smiled as he watched the Ming army retreat.

Although only the first volley hit the opposite side, the power of the cannon was terrifying under the strict military formation.

Behind the Burmese army formation, several Burmese soldiers who witnessed all this looked at each other and sent one of them back to the river.

He went to report the news to the Burmese King Mang Yinglong. The Portuguese mercenaries were indeed very powerful, and their cannons were extremely powerful. With just one shot, the previously powerful Ming army was defeated.

We must report what we see to the king truthfully. In the past, the Burmese people thought that cannons were too expensive and were only useful when attacking a city.

But this actual combat allowed them to see the power of cannons in field battles, which was extraordinary and could directly defeat the opposing army.

In the past, this achievement required countless soldiers fighting to the death.

"Go and move those cannons back."

Right at the place where the Ming army had just been bombarded, there were still a dozen Portuguese cannons abandoned.

Although the Portuguese cannons were more advanced, for the Burmese who did not have such cannons, the Ming army's backward weapons were also very important equipment.

The Portuguese were not interested in the Ming-made falconets that were captured during a raid using war elephants. Although Santos identified them as weapons that had been used in large quantities by the Portuguese only decades ago, he was not interested in them at all.

But the Burmese king still protected these cannons as treasures and paid Santos to teach his soldiers how to use them.

Now, there are cannons in front, so they naturally have to be moved back, regardless of whether they can be used or not.

It is worth mentioning that the Burmese also realized that the tube is the most important and cannot be bent.

Because three of the captured Portuguese cannons were trampled by elephants, Santos directly told the Burmese King Mang Yinglong that these three cannons were useless and could not be used.

Although we don’t know what the situation is with the cannons left behind by the Ming army on the opposite side, there are still Portuguese people in front of the battle line. We can find out by asking them.

Soon, seven or eight cannons were carried back by Burmese soldiers.

They were also afraid that the Ming army in the distance would attack them, so they moved very quickly. "Lord Santos, can you see if this cannon is still usable?"

The Burmese general walked up to Santos with a flattering smile and asked in a flattering manner.

"This gun is broken. It must have been hit by a shell. The other guns should still be in good condition."

Santos just glanced at it briefly and said.

Even if the Burmese army obtains this old-fashioned cannon, Santos has nothing to fear.

Just like this battle, no matter how stupid the Burmese are, they should know that one cannon is different from another.

The battle situation at the front line was sent to the leaders of the Ming and Burmese armies as soon as possible. However, this place was closer to Lujiang River, so the Burmese King Mang Yinglong knew the outcome of the battle earlier.

"Okay, great."

Mang Yinglong walked back and forth excitedly for a few times, but at this time Hanbayou came over and asked in a low voice: "My king, do we still need to retreat across the river?

With the help of the Portuguese mercenaries, we may be able to defeat the pursuing Ming army."

Mang Yinglong came to his senses after hearing this. Yes, the Portuguese equipment was really effective. Perhaps with this army, he could defeat the Ming army head-on and then return home.

However, in fact, the Burmese army was in a dilemma at this time. The news that their lair was attacked by the Ming army could no longer be concealed and had already spread in the military camp.

Otherwise, how can we understand the sudden withdrawal of the Burmese king and the disappearance of the eldest prince Mang Yingli?

Defeat the pursuers behind you?
The thought appeared in Mang Yinglong's mind, but he quickly shook his head.

Although they had the support of Santos' artillery, their numbers were too small.

Mang Yinglong had watched a previous battle with the Ming army, and he was very clear about the effect of the roar of dozens of cannons in front of the Ming army.

Many of the war elephants, which he regarded as his treasures, were beaten so hard that they wailed incessantly.

The war elephant had thick skin and flesh, and it was difficult to hurt it with swords or knives.

In order to capture them, the Burmese have to use traps and then tame them little by little.

They can be said to be a group of subordinates who do not feel pain, but they are still vulnerable in front of the Ming army's cannons.

Some war elephants were even fatally wounded and killed by cannon fire in front of the battlefield.

These had a significant impact on Mang Yinglong.

At this time, he had completely given up the idea of ​​continuing to develop elephant soldiers, and instead planned to return home and spend all his money to do business with the Portuguese and buy more cannons.

Forget about muskets, the Burmese have bows and arrows, and they don’t seem to be more powerful at all.

But cannons that can fire farther must be purchased.

Thinking of this, Mang Yinglong decisively gave up the idea of ​​a decisive battle with the Ming army on the banks of Lujiang River.

The number is not enough, so even if he wins, it will be a pyrrhic victory. He still needs troops to return to the country to destroy those Ming troops.

He has already seen the combat effectiveness of the Ming army, and he needs to lead more troops back.

"Settle the soldiers and allow them to cross the river in an orderly manner."

Mang Yinglong said: "We cannot stay here in this messy situation, we must return home as soon as possible.

If we are entangled by the Ming army here, the Ming army in the south will be like a no man's land in our Burma, and there will be no strength in the country to resist. "

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Although he was not recognized, Hanba had no choice but to nod and obey the order.

Who said the person opposite is the King of Burma, his king.

After learning that the front line had suffered another setback, Li Chengliang was still extremely furious, although the Ming army had stabilized its front and did not collapse.

"Call the man over here. I want to ask him myself what's going on."

Li Chengliang gave the order.

Soon, the commander of the battle on the front line, a Sichuan guerrilla general, was brought over by his personal soldiers.

Li Chengliang asked unkindly, "Why did you retreat?"

"Marshal, I..."

The guerrilla was also frightened. He could not speak clearly and his lips kept moving up and down.

"Poor command."

"Unfair, unfair."

Just as Li Chengliang was about to issue an order to punish him, the guerrilla fell to the ground and began wailing.

"It's good to cry out for injustice after losing a battle"

"Their cannons can fire farther than ours."

Li Chengliang's words were interrupted again. Although he stuttered a little, he still made the general idea clear.

"Cannon, do they have cannon?

Oh, I remember, those are the ones I lost before."

The contemptuous smile on Li Chengliang's face faded, and a hint of ruthlessness emerged.

"No, it's that there are a group of weirdos in the opposing army. Their cannons are also very powerful, more powerful than ours."

The guerrilla seized the last opportunity and told the situation.

Just now, Li Chengliang was planning to drag this guerrilla out and whip him to death, but after a moment, the murderous look on his face disappeared, and he asked curiously: "What kind of weirdo are they? What kind of cannon are they?"

"Pull up the artillery team and tell them to be careful so as not to be ambushed by the enemy."

After Li Chengliang learned from the guerrilla that the Burmese army had artillery that was more powerful than the Portuguese cannon, he naturally thought of the treasures in his hands.

Of course, he had heard about the origin of that batch of cannons, because most of the advanced firearms of the Ming army at that time came from trench mirrors.

Li Chengliang had never seen the barbarians, but he had heard of them, and his words did match those of the guerrilla.

Since the other side also has advanced cannons, he has to carefully consider how to fight the Burmese army.

However, after this personal experience, Li Chengliang did not forget to write a report on the entire battle situation in Liedu and send it to the capital.

The Ministry of War needed to understand every battle, which meant that the generals on the front lines needed to write down the information and submit it back.

This kind of thing should, of course, be done by the military clerk. He only needs to take a final look at it and make some changes.

Even though this was a failure, it still had to be written down.

There are also people from the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Ministry of War in the army, who are responsible for supervising the generals and officers on the front line.

Besides, even if they don’t care, don’t we still have Luo Rufang?

But he said that the Censor-in-Chief was equivalent to a military supervisor.

He would definitely send back the news of victory and defeat in writing.

But he didn't know that after this document fell into Wei Guangde's hands, he felt the difference in weapon generations for the first time.

Before this, Wei Guangde had no idea that there was such a huge difference in the power of the two cannons.