The wind rises at the end of the Ming Dynasty

"Boom! Boom! Boom boom boom!!"

A tremendous roar resounded beneath the towering city of Jining, its sound like thunder, shaking the surrounding landscape.

Jining City, once a majestic and fortified city, is now in ruins.

The outer city had long been reduced to ruins by days of bombardment, with bricks and stones crumbling, walls collapsing, and broken flags and armor of the Qing army scattered among the charred ruins.

The inner city walls were also crumbling, with many collapsed gaps resembling the ferocious fangs of a giant beast. The exposed rammed earth and wooden beams trembled under the gunfire, as if they would collapse completely at any moment.

The Jingnan Army's artillery array was like a forest, with its dark muzzles spewing flames, and each salvo made the earth tremble.

The smoke billowed, almost blotting out the sky, and even the heavens seemed to be torn open by the continuous barrage of fire.

The shells whistled across the sky and slammed into the city walls, sending bricks and stones flying and dust billowing into the air.

The remaining Qing soldiers huddled behind the remaining battlements in Jining City, their ears filled with the roar of gunfire, and their eyes filled with the billowing smoke and flying stones.

The shelling finally ended after nearly half an hour.

However, the Qing troops in Jining City had no chance to catch their breath.

because.

Outside the city, the Jingnan Army's infantry had already formed a well-organized military formation, pressing down on the breach in the city wall like a dark cloud.

The deafening roar of muskets firing in unison mingled with shouts of battle, arrows rained down like locusts, bowstrings twanged, and arrows weaved through the smoke and dust.

The Qing cavalry swept in from both sides of the city, maneuvering on both flanks in an attempt to slow down the Jingnan army's offensive.

At this moment, the Jingnan Army's cavalry also launched an attack, and the long bugle call echoed in the suburbs of Jining City.

However, the Qing army had a large number of cavalry, and many light cavalry eventually broke through the blockade of the Jingnan army cavalry.

However, when faced with the Jingnan Army's well-organized array of firearms, these once invincible elite cavalrymen appeared utterly powerless.

But military orders are absolute; once a command is given, there is no turning back.

A large number of arrows flew up from the Qing army's cavalry formation, like a dense swarm of bees.

Hundreds of light arrows pierced the air, creating a sound like the wind rustling through the trees.

"Raise your guns!"

"put!"

Within the Jingnan Army's ranks, officers issued short, forceful commands, and rows of muskets opened fire in succession.

The volley of gunfire sounded like thunder, and many Qing light cavalrymen were hit and fell from their horses, their screams and neighs filling the air.

Many soldiers of the Jingnan Army's dense infantry formation fell, but those who remained standing still gripped their muskets firmly, calmly and resolutely reloading them despite the constant barrage of arrows.

Banners fluttered and bugle calls echoed like mountains, reverberating throughout the Jingnan Army's various formations.

"Commands are clear, rewards and punishments are readily available."

"I would not hesitate to face fire and water!"

The stirring military songs echoed through the Jingnan Army's ranks, and countless soldiers raised their weapons, charging forward without hesitation.

Just as the military song goes, even if the situation ahead is like fire and water, it is not a reason to stop.

"Second rank, raise your guns!"

As the command flags of the second rank fluttered, the musketeers of the second rank simultaneously lowered their oath-wielding muskets.

Wearing a red-tasseled helmet, Wu Ping held his Hai Shi gun level, gazing resolutely ahead amidst the resounding military songs.

After the Battle of Yangzhou came to an end, he was conscripted by the Military Affairs Department of the Jingnan Army. Because of his steadfast performance in the battle, he was selected to join the Jingnan Army's Imperial Guard Division and became a captain.

The earliest predecessor of the Jingnan Army's Imperial Guard Division was the regular army battalion directly led by Chen Wang when he was only the garrison commander of Hanzhong Town.

Then Chen Wang selected elite troops from various camps under the town, recruited the family retainers of many generals and officers from various towns in the South, as well as the veteran cavalry of the seventy-two camps, totaling three thousand cavalry, and established the Imperial Guard Cavalry Camp.

Afterwards, Chen Wang took over the Second Infantry Battalion of Hanzhong Town as his direct subordinate, and ordered it to be the Second Guard Battalion. He used the original soldiers of the Second Battalion as the backbone and recruited elite soldiers from various towns for his own use.

The three battalions were all elite troops who had fought countless battles and were the best in all the towns.

It was under these circumstances that Wu Ping was selected for the 2nd Guards Infantry Battalion.

"put!"

The melodious swan song had barely faded when it soared into the sky once more.

In an instant, a dense barrage of gunfire erupted like thunder.

Hundreds of Hai Shi guns simultaneously spewed fire, and white smoke rose up like a wall.

Amidst the shrill whistling of lead bullets tearing through the air, the Qing cavalry formation fifty paces away seemed to be swept away by an invisible scythe.

Blood suddenly bloomed on the bodies of the outermost Qing cavalrymen, and the iron plates under their cotton armor twisted and deformed under the impact of the lead bullets, with fragments and flesh spraying out from their backs.

Wu Ping gripped the Hai Shi gun tightly in his hand, feeling no fear whatsoever.

There was only anger.

Even though two months have passed.

However, everyone in the Jingnan Army remembers the day they set off from Xuzhou.

Wu Ping was no exception.

The rising smoke obscured the Jingnan army's formation, choking Wu Ping and causing him immense discomfort in his chest.

Amidst the billowing smoke, Wu Ping suddenly lost his composure.

The resounding military songs lingered in Wu Ping's ears.

The desperate cry of "Long live the Emperor!" echoed in Wu Ping's mind.

Thick white smoke obscured his vision, and it also brought him back to that morning before he set off...

The Yellow River flows slowly eastward, carrying floating ice, while the north wind sweeps across both banks, carrying fine snowflakes.

When the devastating news arrived that the Qing army's iron hooves had trampled through the capital, the northern lands groaned in bloodshed, and countless people were displaced and fled south.

After news of the Northern Expedition spread.

After they left the military camp outside Xuzhou City.

On both sides of the streets and alleys, along the roads, and in the countryside outside Xuzhou City, stood countless people dressed in cloth and linen clothes.

Those people who are still struggling to make a living every day and living in poverty.

Holding a rough earthenware bowl, filled with the millet they had saved up.

He carried a bamboo basket containing his only pickled vegetables.

They carried bundles containing all that they had.

Holding these meager gifts, they stood in the cold wind to see them off.

The navy didn't have enough ships, so many of their men crossed the Yellow River northward from the south bank in fishermen's boats.

Monks and Taoist priests on both the north and south banks of the river sincerely recited scriptures, praying for their triumphant return.

Countless voices ultimately converged into just two words—"avenging the enemy!"
Whenever Wu Ping closes his eyes, he can see that scene again.

How can they retreat?

How could they be cowardly?
Wu Ping mechanically loaded the gun in his hand.

Tears streamed uncontrollably down his cheeks.

At this moment.

He finally understood.

Why did the preacher tell them about the Battle of Jia Zhuang, and why did the soldiers who followed Governor Lu, knowing that death lay ahead, still rush forward without hesitation?

Their emperor was forced to commit suicide by the enemy.

Their land fell under the enemy's sword. Their people cried out in agony under the enemy's iron heel.

Death is terrifying.

Life is indeed precious.
However, there are things in this world that are more precious than one's life.

"avenge!!"

The desperate shouts echoed beneath the walls of Jining City. Amidst the resounding calls of swans, the Jingnan Army, already exhausted from the repeated fierce battles, roared once more and charged forward, launching a fierce attack on the Qing troops inside Jining City.

The Jingnan Army's formation was like a sophisticated war machine, slowly but irresistibly rolling across the battlefield, advancing resolutely amidst blood and fire.

On the walls of Jining, the Qing army's cannons suddenly roared, and iron bullets, accompanied by the shrill screams of death, crashed into the ranks of the Jingnan army, instantly sending flesh and blood flying.

Lead bullets tore through the air, whistling as they crashed into the Jingnan army's ranks.

At such close range, even though the Qing army's artillerymen were not skilled, many cannonballs still slammed into the Jingnan army's formation.

The shells flew in, carving a shocking bloody path through the dense ranks of soldiers.

The heavy projectile kicked up a cloud of dust as it landed, then bounced forward like a demon.

Wherever it passed, human bodies were snapped in half like stalks of wheat cut by a sickle, with shattered armor and flesh flying through the air.

At the same time, from the breach that had been blasted open, bursts of explosions and the trembling of bowstrings echoed. The Qing army's cannons on the walls of Jining suddenly roared to life.

Figures were torn to pieces in the exploding flames, and wounded soldiers staggered to the ground, screaming in agony.

But the massive war machine of the Jingnan Army continues to operate.

The gaps left by fallen soldiers were immediately filled by those in the rear, and blood-splattered footprints quickly covered the corpses of their comrades.

"go ahead!"

The crimson banners fluttered in the strong wind.

Countless armored cavalrymen of the Jingnan Army raised their swords high, spurred their horses forward without hesitation.

"go ahead!!!"

More infantrymen of the Jingnan Army, carrying muskets on their shoulders, marched forward in orderly steps amidst artillery fire and arrows.

The rapid drumbeats echoed throughout the Jingnan Army's various formations.

The deep sound of horns echoed over the countryside outside Jining City.

The drumbeats were heavy, violently reverberating in everyone's chests.

South of Jining City, the Jingnan Army's large formation.

Chen Wang stood atop the central command platform, silently surveying the entire battle situation.

On the central command tower, command flags fluttered and messengers rode back and forth.

"The Qing army amassed a large force, with 3,000 elite troops from the two Blue Banners, 6,000 infantry, and 10,000 cavalry from the outer Mongol vassals, and launched a fierce attack on the defensive positions of our Fifth Division in Henan Town from the right flank. Our army was caught in a bitter battle!"

"A Qing army unit, judging from its banners, should be mainly composed of the Bordered Yellow Banner of the Jurchens, along with light cavalry from the outer Mongol vassals. Its size exceeds ten thousand cavalrymen. It is flanking our army from the left flank and attacking the central army!"

"The Second Battalion of the Imperial Guard Division has reached the south of Jining City and broken through the heavy defenses of the Qing army stationed there. The vanguard has already broken into the southern urban area of ​​Jining City."

"The First Battalion of the Imperial Guard Division encountered a large-scale artillery barrage from the Qing army. At the third breach in the west, they were intercepted by the Qing army's Han Chinese banner troops armed with firearms. The casualties have exceeded three hundred."

The news that kept coming in was both good and bad.

The battle situation was not overwhelmingly one-sided.

Since ancient times, starting with the Grand Canal, expeditions from the south to the north inevitably relied on the canal.

Jining, located along the Grand Canal, is naturally the first to be affected.

Therefore, as early as when Huang Taiji attacked the capital, he had already arranged for soldiers and conscripted laborers to continuously strengthen the defenses of Jining City.

In reality, Jining today has long since lost its ordinary citizens.

Huang Taiji conscripted 200,000 laborers and transformed the entire city of Jining into a massive military fortress.

Although the Qing army was completely inferior in terms of manpower, weaponry, and training.

However, relying on the fortified city of Jining and the guns and cannons mobilized from various places, they eventually managed to stabilize the situation.

The sheer number of cavalry gave the Qing army a greater advantage on the battlefield.

"Ugh——"

A mournful bugle call rang in Chen Wang's ears.

Chen Wang turned and looked to the side, following the sound.

On the right flank, a Qing cavalry force of about a thousand men was deploying its troops.

That military formation was not the same charging formation that the Qing army used when they were defending the emperor.

Instead of using the traditional scattered charge formation, they regrouped with astonishing discipline, and three dense ranks of mounted flanking gradually took shape.
As the bugles sounded continuously, the Qing cavalry gradually closed in, forming three dense ranks.

Chen Wang remained calm. The Qing cavalry's formation was precisely the reserve formation for a wall charge.

"Ugh——"

The same deep bugle call also sounded in front of the Qing army's armored cavalry formation.

Those were the cavalry battalion of the Fifth Division of Henan Town. Under the command of the military flag and the bugle, the armored cavalry of the Jingnan Army also began to form ranks.

Warhorses neighed softly, their iron hooves lightly tapping the earth, and the cavalrymen held their lances level, their blades like a forest.

Two of the strongest cavalry forces of the era, guided by horns and battle flags, approached slowly like two unsheathed swords.

First they moved slowly with small steps, and then the sound of dense hooves gradually rose.

Then he took quick, short steps, and the ground began to tremble slightly.

Finally, the warhorses' speed was increased to the maximum, and the sound of their iron hooves was like muffled thunder rolling in the sky.

"kill!!!"

A roar of charge suddenly erupted, and the two torrents of steel collided with a deafening crash!
In the blink of an eye, countless bloody storms had already been stirred up.

The Qing army during Huang Taiji's reign was undoubtedly one of the most powerful armies in the world.

The Qing army under Huang Taiji's control was highly disciplined and organized.

This can be confirmed by the details of the Battle of Four Cities in the second year of Chongzhen's reign.

The Qing army commander Amin was defeated by the Ming army and fled, abandoning his army.

With the Ming army's superior forces about to encircle them and their commander fleeing, they were completely out of command.

The Manchu Archives record such a scene.

"Upon hearing that their commander had departed, the soldiers, in groups of forty or fifty or twenty or thirty, rushed to Yongping."

“The enemy troops launched attacks from all sides, and our troops broke through the encirclement, but those who were wounded or infected were unable to escape.”

After the main force was defeated and the commander fled, the remaining troops were able to spontaneously organize themselves and escape before the Ming army could complete the encirclement.

In subsequent incursions into the border region and the Battle of Songjin, the Qing army demonstrated extremely formidable fighting power.

What makes them even more formidable is their ability to learn.

After witnessing the power of firearms, Huang Taiji immediately began to imitate them, first building the Hongyi Cannon, and then training a fully equipped firearms-powered army in Wuzhen Chaoha.

The Battle of Jia Village was altered by Chen Wang's involvement.

Although the Qing army was defeated, it lost a significant amount of resources and its captures were greatly reduced.

However, due to the defeat at Jiazhuang, they began to learn the wall-style charge.

Although there are flaws in many places.

However, the tactics currently being used by the Qing army are undoubtedly the same tactics Chen Wang employed in the Battle of Jia Zhuang—a tactic often used by modern cavalry—the wall charge! (End of Chapter)