The wind rises at the end of the Ming Dynasty

April 11th, the sixteenth year of the Chongzhen reign.

Five o'clock.

East of Jining city, the fields are ablaze with lights.

From the first cannon shot fired at the fourth watch of the night, the roar of gunfire never ceased.

Torches flickered and danced along both banks of the Fu River, gunfire roared like thunder, and battle cries shook the heavens. War drums thundered across the open fields, and Han, Mongolian, and Manchu languages ​​mingled in the smoke of battle.

The commotion caused by the withdrawal of tens of thousands of Jingnan troops from their camp could not possibly be kept secret from the Qing army, which was only separated by a river.

At the fourth watch of the night, as the Jingnan Army marched south, the Qing army camp suddenly erupted in a commotion.

Urged on by the sound of conch shells, a large number of Qing troops poured out of the camp like a swarm of locusts and flew south.

The right-wing Qing army, which had already crossed the Fu River, launched a full-scale attack the moment it received the order to strike, advancing from the east.

Countless flames danced across the countryside on both sides of the Fu River.

Gunfire erupted one after another, and shouts of battle grew louder and louder.

The spring rain that had lasted for more than ten days had just stopped, but the fields outside Jining City were still filled with dampness.

The land, soaked with rainwater, became soft and muddy, and when horses trod over it, they splashed up dark brown mud.

The continuous spring rains have caused the water level of the Fuhe River to rise a few degrees higher than usual, and the turbid water, carrying broken branches and leaves, rushes downstream.

However, it is still possible to forcibly cross the river at several shallow sections where the river is wider.

The Qing army had long wanted to cross the river and had already scouted the water conditions in advance.

The Qing troops north of the Fu River have begun crossing the river.

Squads of Qing cavalry, clad in bright helmets and armor, began to wade through the water.

They were the guards of each banner, and in this battle they served as the vanguard of the main army.

However, long before them, hundreds of small boats carrying nearly a thousand soldiers had arrived at the south bank of the Fu River and set up several camps on the beach for crossing the river.

The civilian laborers accompanying the army were driven into the Fu River to begin building a pontoon bridge.

Amidst the fierce Manchu voices, there were occasional glimpses of incomprehensible Korean.

During this entry into the pass, Huang Taiji also forcibly conscripted a considerable number of soldiers from Korea to his camp.

However, given the poor morale and weak fighting spirit of the North Korean soldiers, Hwang Tae-gil did not actually use them as soldiers.

More often, these North Korean soldiers were used as auxiliary troops and engineers.

The icy river water immediately flooded the horses' bellies, causing them to whinny anxiously.

The horses' hooves stirred up the mud and sand at the bottom of the river, making the already murky water even more chaotic.

Then came the second horse, the third horse, and so on.

Then hundreds and thousands of warhorses, driven by their riders, surged into the river like dumplings being dropped into boiling water.

On the river, numerous boats traveled, transporting squads of fully armed Qing soldiers and their warhorses to the south bank of the Fu River.

"Chen Wang has realized our intentions."

Hong Chengchou looked solemn as he gazed at the flickering sea of ​​fire to the south.

The surrounding firelight shone on his face, flickering between light and shadow.

Hong Chengchou's eyes were half-closed, and the flames flickered gently in his eyes, making it impossible to see the undercurrents surging within.

"Now……"

Huang Taiji sighed, but he did not become depressed because of it.

"We can only head south."

They had concealed their plans very well, but Chen Wang eventually discovered the clues.

A silent fear slowly rose in Hong Chengchou's heart.

The firelight before my eyes is so much like the firelight during the Songjin period.

but.

The force that gained the upper hand on the battlefield was not the Qing army, but the Jingnan Army that flew the red flag.

Hong Chengchou felt a chill in his heart.

He was ultimately afraid of death.

In the chaos of Songjin, when he encountered the pursuing Qing cavalry, and his army was in disarray, he mustered his courage to commit suicide to die for his country.

But when the cold blade touched the skin of the neck.

The fear of death overwhelmed all sense of propriety and shame in his heart.

He ultimately lacked the courage to end his own life.

In the Qing army's prison, every moment and every day, he wanted to live more than ever before.

In the end, he convinced himself.

live.

It was a disgrace.

But in the end, he survived.

A momentary humiliation is nothing.

As long as the Qing Dynasty takes control of the Central Plains.

As long as the Qing Dynasty, like the Mongol Yuan Dynasty, becomes the legitimate successor to China.

He wouldn't be considered a traitor, nor a disloyal subject.

His actions will be in accordance with the will of Heaven.

History books will not be too harsh on him.

But all of this requires the Qing Dynasty to become the legitimate dynasty...

"Chen Wang..."

Hong Chengchou lowered his eyes, his expression complex.

He always remembered Chen Wang.

I remember that young military officer who exuded a vitality completely different from others, and whose posture was upright.

After Sun Chuanting took over as governor of Shaanxi, Chen Wang served under Sun Chuanting and had little contact with him after that.

After that, Hong Chengchou rarely saw Chen Wang.

However, news about Chen Wang has never stopped.

He quelled the rebellion in Hanzhong, beheaded Gao Yingxiang, and made numerous meritorious contributions in the battles to defend the emperor, including in Zhen Ding, Jia Zhuang, and Jinan.

In the final battle at Qingshan Pass, Chen Wang shot and killed Tan Tai, the chieftain of the Plain Yellow Banner, and inflicted a great defeat on the Qing army. Emperor Chongzhen personally issued an edict to commend him, praising him as the greatest contributor to Liaodong, and even comparing him to Qi Jiguang.

When Hong Chengchou was heading north to take up his post, he considered transferring Chen Wang to his command.

However, Yang Sichang ultimately spoke up, and Chen Wang's voice was not as powerful as Yang Sichang's, so in the end he could only send Chen Wang away to the south.

Hong Chengchou often thought about this.

If all the troops under Chen Wang's command in Hanzhong were transferred to Songjin.

Perhaps they really will be able to win the battle of Songjin.

But many things don't have "what ifs".

Hong Chengchou gripped the reins tightly.

He couldn't help but feel a sense of resentment towards Chen Wang.

The Qing army was advancing with unstoppable momentum.

The Ming Dynasty was at its zenith.

It was clear that the Qing Dynasty's rule over the Central Plains was a foregone conclusion.

The collapse of the Ming Dynasty was almost inevitable.

However, Chen Wang single-handedly turned the tide and saved the situation.

just now.

Chen Wang unified the southern kingdoms and quelled all rebellions.

The moment they captured the capital, they launched a northern expedition.

What was originally a favorable situation for the Qing court has suddenly become precarious.

Hong Chengchou gritted his teeth.

He dared not think about the consequences of defeat in Jining.

If Chen Wangruo wins.

The Qing army's momentum to take control of the Central Plains would then crumble.

The various contradictions hidden within the Qing court will continue to surface.

For the Qing court, the best outcome was simply being driven to the harsh, cold lands beyond the Great Wall.

And he.

Not only will they be unable to continue living, but they will also be forever nailed to the pillar of historical shame...

The Jingnan Army camp on the opposite bank was eerily silent. The flags on the watchtowers were still there, but not a single soldier was in sight.

The vanguard scouts have reported back and forth three times.

There were no ambushes in any of the Jingnan Army's camps on the south bank; they only left behind some tents and supplies that they hadn't had time to take with them.

They were ultimately a step too late.

Huang Taiji had become fully aware of the Jingnan Army's deployment on the south bank of the Fuhe River during these days.

Huang Taiji ordered his troops to launch a full-scale attack at dawn, hoping to catch the Jingnan army off guard.

Dorgon has been transferred from Jining City by Huang Taiji to command the right wing of the Qing army.

Jirgalang replaced Dorgon in guarding Jining.

Once dawn breaks, Huang Taiji will order the artillery to open fire, and then lead his troops to forcibly cross the Fu River to attack the Jingnan Army camp on the south bank of the Fu River.

Jirgalang and Dorgon will also launch an attack simultaneously, encircling the enemy from the east and west.

If the battle goes extremely well, they might even be able to completely cut off the Jingnan Army from the center, using their superior cavalry strength to directly isolate them from the north and south.

Even if the battle is intense, it can greatly deplete the strength of the Jingnan Army, making it difficult for them to withdraw safely, and ultimately pulling the battlefield as far north as possible.

This forced the Jingnan Army to be attacked from three or more sides simultaneously.

However, Chen Wang sensed the danger first. The Jingnan Army on the south bank of the Fu River had already withdrawn from their camps on the south bank of the Fu River at the fourth watch of the night and then headed south.

Now, all their previous schemes have completely vanished.

Huang Taiji's gaze swept forward, past the countless flickering flames in his field of vision, and landed on the deepest part to the south.

"These cowardly Nikans want to escape? Draw your swords and tighten your bows! Take their heads and present them to our most honorable and greatest emperor!"

More and more Qing soldiers crossed the river and quickly assembled.

Amidst the almost midday-like sound of conch shells, the Qing soldiers quickly gathered together and, at the command of their respective commanders, swarmed into the darkness to the south.

The sound of horses' hooves, all coming together, was as loud as the eastward flow of the Fu River.

The deep, resounding sound of war drums echoed fiercely across the eastern outskirts of Jining City.

Huang Taiji has also received the message from the right wing.

The troops that swam across the Sishui River were first thrown into chaos by gunfire from the Jingnan Army infantry.

Then a cavalry force surged out from the side and utterly defeated them.

The cavalry did not stop after defeating them; they even crossed the Si River to launch another attack.

Caught off guard, the commander-in-chief of the Bordered Red Banner, Gushan Ezhen Yekeshu, was killed in battle by the Jingnan Army, and the banner fell to the ground.

The troops that crossed the Surabaya River have been completely defeated.

This news was reported by soldiers who had escaped from the south bank of the Surabaya River.

It was around dawn, just before daybreak.

The Qing cavalry, heading south, were not able to advance unimpeded.

The Jingnan Army cavalry, covering the retreat, had already deployed.

In contrast, various voices filled the Qing army's vanguard.

These Jingnan Army cavalrymen, tasked with providing cover, were eerily silent.

In the midst of the cavalry formation.

There were no loud reprimands from the officers.

There was no impassioned command from the commander.

some.

Each swan's cry was higher and higher than the last.

No encouragement is needed.

No reward is needed.

they.

They had already prepared themselves to die.

When the people along the way escorted them away from the Yellow River, they had already abandoned everything.

On the plains of the eastern outskirts of Jining, the two cavalry forces met and immediately began a bloody battle.

The soldiers of the Third Division of Henan Town, retreating south, did not look back at the chaotic battlefield behind them.

More than 30,000 soldiers from Henan Town were silently marching south, each carrying a musket on their shoulder, a bow and arrow at their waist, and a spear in their hand.

Long-term training and extremely strict military discipline have enabled them to maintain a calm mindset and move forward steadily, even when they clearly hear the overwhelming sounds of battle behind them.

They know.

behind them.

Their comrades, their compatriots, their allies will spare no effort to cover their safe evacuation.

The massive army spread out across the plains, resembling giant pythons slowly moving south through the mud.

The giant python's scales were clearly defined, and its posture was calm, yet it exuded a dangerous vigilance at all times.

The baggage wagons were placed at the very end of the marching column. Although their wheels carved deep ruts in the rain-soaked earth, they still resolutely headed south.

The supply wagons used by the Jingnan Army today are no longer the two-wheeled horse-drawn carriages that have been used in the Central Plains; they are all four-wheeled caravans like those used during the American West's westward expansion.

The four-wheeled covered wagon did not carry much baggage or military equipment.

The soldiers of the Third Division of Henan Town were tasked with withstanding a wave of Qing army attacks, so they did not carry much baggage.

All supplies, weapons, and provisions were concentrated in the rear and guarded by the navy.

Each carriage carried seven or eight Jingnan Army musketeers, armed with muskets and ready for battle.

The supply trains accompanying the Jingnan Army have been almost entirely replaced with four-wheeled horse-drawn carriages.

Once attacked, the musketeers accompanying the army could use the four-wheeled covered wagons to quickly launch a counterattack against the attackers.

These four-wheeled covered wagons, huddled together in a circle, formed a simple fortress.

If they are laid out horizontally in a row, they form a solid city wall.

The cavalry's horses simply could not overcome such an obstacle.

Most of the Qing army pursuers were intercepted by the Jingnan Army cavalry that came to their aid.

The few Qing soldiers who came to pursue them were too few in number to pose any threat to these four-wheeled covered wagons carrying gunners.

When they wanted to advance further south, they would have to directly confront the cavalry that were being shielded between the Henan garrison formations.

After the convoy, the officers and soldiers of the Third Division of Henan Town withdrew in a well-organized formation.

On the plains of the eastern outskirts of Jining, as far as the eye can see, there are dazzling lights everywhere.

The deep, resonant sound of horns rose and fell, like the low, labored breathing of a giant beast, rolling across the damp earth from north to south.

The large formation of Jingnan Army infantry was already in full battle array north of the training hall, waiting to provide support.

Chen Wang reined in his warhorse and stood calmly on the plain.

Behind him stood nearly ten thousand fully armed guardsmen, standing silently.

Thousands of guards cavalrymen surrounded him.

Both men and horses were clad in heavy armor, with three-eyed guns and sabers already prepared beside their saddles, like ferocious beasts poised to pounce.

The firelight illuminated Chen Wang's fish-scale armor, giving it a bluish-black sheen.

The flickering firelight on the plains was reflected in Chen Wang's eyes.

Dawn was still stingy with its light, and the world was plunged into a state of chaotic twilight.

The surroundings remained a viscous, bluish-gray gloom.

It was neither night nor day.

But in the East.

At the edge of the horizon.

That pale white light was slowly expanding.

The night is receding.

far away.

The outlines of the river, the shadows of the trees, and the banners began to appear in a blur.

The world is striving to shed its heavy ink and instead be tinged with a hazy gray-blue.

Gazing at the vast army unfolding before him, and listening to the sounds of battle carried on the north wind.

Chen Wang slowly raised the lance in his hand.

And in the very next instant.

The thunderous shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" drowned out all other clamor in the world! (End of Chapter)