The wind rises at the end of the Ming Dynasty

At 5:30 AM (the second quarter of the hour of Mao).

The lingering night is about to end.

The sky was turning from inky black to raven blue, with only a few scattered stars remaining in the west, like fallen silver nails.

A layer of gray mist still shrouded the fields east of Jining City.

In the hazy distance between heaven and earth, the Jingnan Army and the Qing army's cavalry continued their pursuit.

The main forces of the two armies' cavalry had long since left the battlefield.

The withdrawal of the Henan garrison was a foregone conclusion, and further pursuit was pointless, so the Qing army abandoned the idea of ​​pursuing them.

However, the cavalry of the Jingnan Army still did not withdraw from the battlefield.

Their mission was to control the battlefield for the main army, while simultaneously harassing the Qing troops crossing the river as much as possible, making it difficult for the Qing army to deploy easily and calmly.

The Qing army also dispatched a large number of light cavalry to intercept the harassment of the Jingnan Army's cavalry.

The light cavalry dispatched by the Qing army were all veterans who had been through many battles.

They were either the most valiant warriors among the various banners, or skilled archers from the outer Mongol tribes.

However, they were never able to completely drive the Jingnan Army's cavalry out of the battlefield.

True.

The elite cavalry of the Qing army.

But which of the Jingnan Army soldiers who participated in this Northern Expedition were ordinary people?

They were either veterans who had fought in the Nine Border Regions for many years, or servants of generals and officers in the southern garrisons, but most of them were elite cavalrymen who came from the Seventy-Two Battalions and fought their way through Shaanxi, crawling out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

Whether it was horsemanship, archery, or close-quarters combat skills, they were in no way inferior to the Qing army's cavalry.

The cavalry of both armies harbored a fierce resentment, and any encounter between them was destined to be a life-or-death struggle.

As arrows rained down, knights fell from their horses one after another.

Amidst the flashing blades and clashing spears, the mournful neighing of warhorses echoed continuously.

Although the Qing cavalry had tried their best to charge and fight, they were unable to completely drive the Jingnan army out of the lines.

Until 6:00 AM (卯正时).

As dawn broke through the darkness, the surface of the Fuhe River reflected a shimmering, cold light.

As more and more Qing troops crossed the Fu River, the number of Qing cavalry increased dramatically. Finally, it was only through overwhelming force that the Qing army gradually suppressed the Jingnan cavalry that kept harassing them.

Amidst the resounding clang of metal, the Jingnan Army cavalry, who had been lingering on the south bank of the Fu River, finally withdrew temporarily from the south bank under the leadership of their respective officers and banner commanders.

However, they only retreated to a more rear area.

Chen Wang had no intention of relinquishing control of the battlefield to the Qing army.

Balapu, located north of the Martial Arts Hall, is a bustling commercial area in the east of Jining City and is now the most important outpost of the Jingnan Army's grand formation.

Chen Yongfu's Second Division of Henan Town, with 12,000 soldiers, was stationed here.

After two months of construction, Balapu has already become a massive military fortress.

To its northwest stood a large cavalry force.

Cao Bianjiao wore a pointed iron helmet, a fish-scale armor that reached his waist, sleeves for both civil and military use, and a brocade battle skirt embroidered with a hundred flowers.

His entire body was covered in blood, his armor was soaked through, and the white horse he rode was also stained with blood.

Atop the helmet, a fiery red helmet flag fluttered in the wind, while behind it, a towering, eighteen-foot-tall fiery red general's flag billowed against the wind, unfurling itself.

Adorned with pearl tassels and connected to the pheasant's tail, the eight-foot-five-inch-long ochre-yellow ribbon billowed in the north wind, resembling a fire dragon.

Cao Bianjiao, holding his long spear upside down, stood alone on horseback before the army of ten thousand.

Tens of thousands of Jingnan Army cavalry stood silently on the plains east of Jining, as still as a forest.
Only the warhorses occasionally trotted their forelegs, exhaling white steam as they panted.

During the earlier interception, Cao Bianjiao led his personal cavalry into the Qing army's cavalry formation, killing seven riders and beheading a Manchu Plain Yellow Banner vanguard officer, capturing his banner and routing his army.

As they led their troops back, they were attacked from both sides by Qing cavalry.

Cao Bianjiao ordered his cavalry to advance first, while he himself led 28 personal guardsmen, charging left and right and shooting down many Qing cavalrymen. Cao Bianjiao then led his personal guardsmen back to charge and kill a Mongol Eight Banners Niru Zhangjing.

The Qing generals were filled with awe and regarded him as a celestial being; they all reined in their horses and stopped, daring not to advance any further.

Huang Taiji witnessed the entire clash of cavalry that took place on the south bank of the Fu River.

Huang Taiji has already crossed the Fu River.

Surrounded by the guards of the Plain Yellow Banner Guard Camp, we arrived at Gongcunpu on the south bank of the Fu River.

There are four shops on the south bank of the Fu River: Gongcun, Xiaodian, Tazai, and Sunshi.

The four shops are distributed along the Fu River in a diagonal line from southwest to northeast.

Gongcunpu is only ten li away from Balapu.

Chen Wang set up the central army in the martial arts hall and left the decisive battle at the Eight Wax Formation line.

Gongcunpu is located directly opposite Balapu to the north and south, with Jining City to the left, Xiaodian to the right, and the Fuhe River to the north, making it an important strategic location.

That's why Huang Taiji arrived at Gongcunpu first and set up his camp in the camp originally set up by the Jingnan Army.

When Huang Taiji climbed onto the newly erected watchtower in Gongcunpu, he saw a sight that enraged him.

The Jingnan Army's cavalry withdrew calmly, and the vanguard troops hesitated and dared not pursue.

Huang Taiji sat on a chair set up on the observation deck, his face ashen, suppressing the anger in his heart.

His large hands gripped the handrail tightly, his knuckles turning bluish-white from the force.

His health had been declining for some time, but due to the war in the interior, he rode south on horseback.

After arriving inside the pass, I traveled a long way, enduring wind and rain, but my physical condition inexplicably improved a lot.

Especially after conquering the capital of the Ming court, he was full of pride and joy. The dizziness and tinnitus that used to plague him disappeared for many days as if the tide had receded, and he was also much more energetic.

His spirits have improved a lot in recent days.

But at this moment, Huang Taiji looked at the distant battle and saw that his cavalrymen hesitated and dared not advance, letting the Jingnan Army cavalry ride away.

A surge of burning anger suddenly erupted from his chest and abdomen, rushing straight to the top of his head.

In an instant, that long-lost feeling of unease, like a venomous snake returning to its nest, suddenly seized him.

Huang Taiji felt his temples throbbing and his ears gradually ringing, as if a million cicadas were flapping their wings inside his head at the same time.

The scene before his eyes began to distort.

The military banners in the field of vision began to sway and distort slightly, like reflections in water.

A surge of heat rushed into his nasal cavity without warning. Almost instinctively, Huang Taiji raised his hand and placed it under his nose.

He didn't feel that familiar, warm, sticky sensation between his fingers. Nor did he smell that rusty, sweet-smelling odor.

Huang Taiji slowly lowered his hand, clenched his fist tightly with his five fingers.

Then he closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and tried to relax his body as much as possible.

His face grew increasingly ashen, and he appeared even more stiff and cold as he tried to suppress his physical discomfort.

I don’t know how long it took.

The feeling that had been bothering Huang Taiji and causing him extreme discomfort finally dissipated.

Huang Taiji leaned back in his chair, his large body almost filling the entire seat.

He was no longer the strong and powerful Manchu warrior who had just ascended to the throne, capable of drawing a powerful bow and wielding a dagger, galloping across the battlefield like the wind.

His pampered lifestyle over the years caused him to gradually gain weight, his figure became increasingly bloated, and excess fat piled up under his waist and abdomen, making his jaw rounder and thicker.

Beneath the military uniform were no longer bulging muscles, but rather fat nourished by fine wine and delicacies.

He couldn't even ride a horse for long periods of time.

During his long journey from outside the Great Wall to inside, he often had to travel by carriage.

“Ebilong”.

Huang Taiji slowly opened his eyes.

The bloodshot in his eyes had not completely faded, and the waves of weakness in his body had not yet completely dissipated.

However, his gaze had regained its usual calm and sharpness.

"The slave is here."

Upon hearing Huang Taiji's call, the Grand Minister Ebilun, who was standing to the side, stepped forward, quickly dusted off his sleeves, then bent his left leg forward and squatted back with his right leg. His right hand hung down, and he rested his left hand on his knee, bowing his head respectfully.

"Bring all the vanguard generals to the tent."

Huang Taiji's voice was hoarse, his tone carrying a weariness born of a desperate attempt to quell the anger, yet also a suppressed rage. Ebilun trembled, then lowered his head again. He dared not disobey and could only respectfully obey.

A moment later, more than a dozen Qing army officers and soldiers, including Manchu and Mongol generals, were brought up to the central command's observation platform.

All the Qing army officers and soldiers were trembling with fear, kneeling on the ground, not daring to raise their heads to look up at Huang Taiji.

Huang Taiji leaned back in his chair, looking down at his officers and generals with a cold and murderous expression.

He really wanted to drag them all down and chop them all up.

But all of this can only be wishful thinking.

Executing a general on the eve of battle is extremely detrimental to morale.

However, while the death penalty may be avoided, punishment is inescapable.

Everyone was demoted one rank, had their salary reduced by six months, and was sent to the front lines to atone for their crimes.

"Cao Bianjiao..."

Huang Taiji raised his head and looked towards the vast cavalry formation of the Jingnan Army to the south.

He had learned why they dared not advance and fight.

That valiant and unparalleled general of the Jingnan Army.

He was none other than the son and nephew of Cao Wenzhao, who once led only five hundred armored soldiers to storm into his imperial camp and was invincible.

The cold sun hung high in the sky, the dark clouds had dispersed, and the sunlight shone on Huang Taiji, but it did not make Huang Taiji feel much warmth. It only made his face look even more pale and gloomy.

Huang Taiji lowered his eyes and shouted coldly.

"Where is Ao Bai?!"

Before Huang Taiji could finish speaking, a burly warrior with a full beard stepped forward and bowed in response.

"I want you to be the commander of the vanguard cavalry."

Huang Taiji gripped the armrest of his chair tightly, staring at the bowing Ao Bai, and spoke slowly and deliberately.

"Bring me back Cao Bianjiao's head!"

Ao Bai lowered his head slightly, responded in a muffled voice that he obeyed the order, and then stood up without hesitation, walked straight away, and left the observation platform.

Huang Taiji glanced at the group of former military officers still kneeling on the watchtower and snorted coldly.

Ebilun, who was standing nearby, immediately understood and kicked one of the officers to the ground, angrily rebuking him.

"What are you all standing there for? Get out of here!"

Hearing the insults, the Qing army officers stumbled and rolled down from the watchtower.

Huang Taiji's eyes were filled with murderous intent, and anger was spreading rapidly in his heart.

However, he did not let these emotions affect his judgment.

"Is Ye Keshu really dead?"

Huang Taiji paused for a moment and then asked.

Ebilun was slightly taken aback and turned to look at Baiyintu, who was standing to the side with his head bowed.

He was only in charge of the central army and was not familiar with the situation in other places.

Fortunately, Baiyintu was not really distracted; he simply chose to remain silent to avoid being implicated by Huang Taiji.

Upon hearing about Huang Taiji's culture, Baiyintu immediately replied.

"Prince Rui has sent word that Ye Keshu is indeed trapped in the chaos of battle."

Baiyintu raised his head slightly, observing Huang Taiji's expression, and said cautiously.

"The Ming army also deployed a cavalry force of more than 10,000 on the right flank. This force was ambushed along the Sishui River in advance. Ye Keshu led his army across the Sishui River and was heading north when they encountered them."

"The defeated soldiers returning from the south bank of the Sishui River claimed that they saw Lord Ye Keshu being killed by a Jingnan Army general dressed in brocade robes."

"Prince Rui led his troops through Sunshipu and engaged in battle with them, with each side experiencing victories and defeats."

"Upon investigation, it was found that the commander of the Ming army's right wing cavalry was Chen Gong, the Earl of Xuanwu and the General Commander of Pingnan Garrison."

Huang Taiji narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Chen Gong..."

This name caused Huang Taiji's emotions, which had finally calmed down, to fluctuate again.

The name Chen Gong was not unfamiliar to Huang Taiji.

Chen Gong was not only Chen Wang's younger brother.

In the battle reports that came after they entered the border in the eleventh year of Chongzhen's reign, Chen Gong's name appeared frequently.

Chen Wang never appointed people based on favoritism, but only on their talent.

Although many members of the Chen and Hu families joined the army.

However, most of them rose to the rank of commander or garrison commander.

Only Hu Zhiyi, Hu Zhili, and Chen Gong were entrusted with important responsibilities.

Hu Zhiyi defended Hanzhong, and Li Zicheng launched several attacks with a large force, but all of them ended in great defeat.

Hu Zhili and Chen Gong had served in the army for many years, and their eventual appointment as generals outside the capital must have been due to their approval.

Someone who can be recognized by a famous general like Chen Wang must be quite capable in military strategy.

He recalled the battle report he had received from Dorgon.

Huang Taiji can now be certain.

Chen Gong.

He was a valiant general.

A valiant general like Cao Bianjiao.

It's not just about individual martial prowess.

They also focused on the use of cavalry, perceiving changes in the battle situation, and making the best decisions.

Huang Taiji's mood sank even further.

The cavalry of the Jingnan Army were valiant and fierce.

Although the eastern suburbs of Jining are open fields, there are rivers on both the east and west sides, making it difficult to encircle from both sides.

Even though their cavalry outnumbered the Jingnan Army several times over, they were still useless.

"Chen Wang..."

Huang Taiji gazed at the vast Jingnan Army's lines in the distance.

His heart was cold.

perhaps.

Jining is a place.

It really will become his final resting place...

"Thump! Thump! Thump thump thump!!"

The heavy drumbeats echoed across the open fields on the eastern outskirts of Jining.

distance.

The blue plains on the eastern outskirts of Jining have been completely covered by a crimson hue.

within sight.

It was all bright red.

A crimson wave spread from one end of the horizon to the other.

The light reflected from the weapon stung his eyes.

An indescribable chill spread from the deepest part of his heart, gradually freezing his limbs and bones.

A rousing military song.

It's coming from afar.

"With one heart and one mind..."

"Mountains can be shaken!" (End of Chapter)