The wind rises at the end of the Ming Dynasty

At 7:30 AM (the second quarter of the morning).

Eight Wax Shop.

Jirhalang stopped, his cold gaze piercing through the pervasive morning mist, fixing on the Balapu, which was still shrouded in a thin fog.

Not far ahead, on a low earthen platform that had been temporarily built, more than thirty dark red heavy cannons were lined up in a row, lying across the open field north of Balapu.

For a full quarter of an hour, these war behemoths continuously spewed flames and thick smoke, relentlessly unleashing their firepower upon Balapu.

Heavy iron bullets crashed into the bastion of Balapu like meteorites. The rammed earth walls trembled with each impact, and large amounts of earth and stone rolled down with the booming sound of cannons.

Deep within the Balapu bastion, twelve equally heavy Jingnan Army cannons roared.

Despite being outnumbered, these artillery pieces were carefully positioned in fortified positions and protected by bastion salients and thick earthen ramparts.

When Dorgon was defending Jining City, he repeatedly sent out elite cavalry to harass the city, which greatly delayed the construction of the Balapu defensive fortifications.

However, in less than two months, the Jingnan Army still managed to build a fairly solid military fortress prototype based on Balapu.

The current Bala Shop.

It was not a well-equipped, indestructible European-style fortress.

It's more like an emergency product that grasped the core design concept of the bastion.

Several key, prominent angles have been constructed and reinforced, providing the basis for crossfire.

The walls were thick and reinforced with rammed earth, wood and stone, making them strong enough to withstand ordinary artillery fire.

Although the trenches are not yet fully connected into a system, they have been dug deep and wide in key areas, creating obstacles.

It is rough, it is imperfect, and many details have not been polished, but it already possesses the "skeleton" of a bastion.

It was this simple yet effective "bone structure" that caused the Qing army to fall into a disadvantageous position in artillery battles.

The Qing army had a numerical advantage in artillery, with fierce firepower and a more intense barrage of bullets.

However, their artillery positions were located in the field, and although they were arranged, they were still much more exposed than the artillery positions of the Jingnan Army, which were hidden behind fortified fortifications.

Although the Qing army's artillerymen were seasoned veterans and highly skilled, they were still very experienced in battle.

However, they did not have a systematic artillery training and aiming method, and often relied on experience.

The artillery of the Jingnan Army, on the other hand, had long had a systematic training method, and even equipped each cannon with a special aiming tool.

During artillery training, live ammunition is used without reservation.

And they are also experienced veterans.

After initial calibration, the Jingnan Army's artillery became increasingly accurate.

Soon, a cannonball landed accurately in the Qing army's artillery position.

A Qing army heavy cannon was hit directly, the cannon body shattered, and countless fragments flew everywhere.

A scream of agony suddenly erupted from the Qing army's artillery positions, and none of the Qing artillerymen who were nearby escaped unscathed; they all collapsed to the ground in agony.

Shrapnel was embedded deep in their bodies, tearing muscles, severing blood vessels, and even shattering bones.

The intense pain caused them to lose all strength instantly, and the push rods and shells in their hands suddenly fell to the ground.

People, like felled reeds, writhe, roll, and collapse in agony.

On the battlefield, figures fell in an instant, and cries of agony filled the air.

Jirhalang held up his binoculars and observed the Jingnan Army's positions at Balapu.

The shelling was far less effective than expected. The Jingnan Army, which had been stationed in Bala Town for a long time, had already completely transformed Balapu.

The traditional earthen and wooden fortress walls were reinforced and the corners were built with bricks and stones, forming several prominent angles, making it look like a fortress in its early stages.

Most of the shells struck the sloping rammed earth slopes or solid edges, either embedding themselves deeply into the soil and rocks without causing a large-scale collapse, or being deflected by the angle of inclination, futilely ploughing the land in front of the fortifications.

The telescope trembled in Jirhalang's clenched hand, and the view through the lens gradually became shaky.

Jirhalang put down his telescope, and everything at the artillery position not far away was now in his view.

"Bang the drum!"

Jirhalang clenched his teeth, his cheek muscles tensed, and he raised his riding whip and swung it forward sharply.

He had already figured out the situation; their artillery couldn't overpower the Jingnan army's artillery, and everything was just a waste of effort.

Can't wait any longer!
The Jingnan Army's artillery is becoming increasingly accurate, and it won't be long before the army's precious artillery is completely destroyed in the continuous shelling.

The thunderous sound of war drums echoed across the battlefield.

The Qing army has begun its advance!

Amidst the continuous sound of conch shells.

Hundreds of shield carts lined up in a row, sheltering more than 3,000 Mongol light infantrymen and more than 1,000 fully armed bannermen of the Plain Red Banner as they slowly advanced.

What followed was more shield carts and more infantry and cavalry.

Time was not on the side of the Qing army.

Jirhalang was aware of this as well.

So he didn't hesitate at all.

In the first wave of attack alone, he deployed 6,000 Mongol light infantry and 6,000 soldiers from the two Red Banners on the front.

The 8,000 Bordered Yellow Banner soldiers who rushed to the aid of the central army were positioned by Jirgalang at the location west of Balapu. Jirgalang also stationed 10,000 Mongol light cavalry there to guard against the left-wing cavalry of the Jingnan Army led by Cao Bianjiao.

Jirgalang on the right wing also stationed a force of 10,000 Mongol cavalry to guard the battlefield.

Once the infantry on the front approaches the camp of Balapu, the two Mongol cavalry units of 10,000 men will also join the battle to harass and contain the Jingnan Army's defenders inside Balapu.

Jirgalang dispatched all 26,000 of his light cavalry from the outer Mongol vassal states out of the battle lines.

The main reason why the armored soldiers of the Bordered Yellow Banner were placed on the west side was that although the left-wing cavalry of the Jingnan Army led by Cao Bianjiao had been repelled, they were still lingering in the southwest of Balapu.

A single Mongol cavalry force of ten thousand men could not possibly withstand the charge of the Jingnan Army's cavalry.

That's why Jirgalang placed the 8,000 Bordered Yellow Banner soldiers in the same position.

In the first wave of the offensive, Jirgalang deployed a total of 46,000 soldiers.

Only eight thousand soldiers with the Bordered Red Banner remained around Jirgalang.

These soldiers were kept by Jirgalang as reserves to defend against an initial attack and a second wave of offensive.

He did not expect the first wave of attacks to break through the Jingnan Army's positions in one fell swoop.

The long, drawn-out sound of conch shells echoed across the Qing army's lines.

Tens of thousands of Mongol light cavalry swept across the land like a silver river, and spread out like the wings of wild geese, enveloping the positions of the Jingnan Army in Balapu.

Under the cover of layers of shield carts, the Qing army's formation moved slowly forward like a moving black cloud, resolutely advancing towards Balapu, not far ahead.

Spurred on by the soldiers, the bondservants accompanying the army were pushing the heavy shield carts with all their might.

Standing at the forefront, behind the shield-carrying vehicles, are the light infantry of the Mongols.

Most of them were dressed in various fur coats and felt hats, and very few wore armor.

The Ming court's long-standing economic sanctions against the Mongol tribes made it virtually impossible for them to effectively arm themselves. Although they received some military reinforcements after entering the Central Plains, they were ultimately still unable to fully arm themselves.

The armories in various parts of the Northern Kingdom of the Ming Dynasty had very few soldiers and armor, as they had long been exhausted by repeated campaigns and constant supplies.

The rest were mostly weapons and armor that were simply not up to par.

With melee weapons hanging from their waists, one hand gripping a horse bow, the other resting on a quiver at their waist, they moved slowly forward.

Behind them were Qing army infantry archers.

Their equipment was undoubtedly far superior to that of the Mongol light infantry who had advanced earlier.

Most of them wore red cloth armor and carried a variety of weapons such as daggers and maces at their waists.

Like the Mongol light infantry who followed the shield carts ahead, they also marched with bows drawn and arrows ready.

Further back were the elite armored soldiers of the two red banners.

These elite soldiers were mostly dressed in bright armor, their bodies bulging, and they also had standard-issue swords tied at their waists, but the bows and arrows were just grazed at their waists and not in their hands.

The armored soldiers at the front, each wearing a shield, were undoubtedly sword and shield soldiers responsible for breaking through enemy lines.

Meanwhile, some of the armored soldiers at the rear were carrying tiger-shaped spears on their shoulders.

The swords and spears stood like a forest, reflecting a cold, icy light in the sunlight.

At the very back of the formation were thousands of guards from the Two Red Banners, clad in Ming Dynasty armor and helmets.

They rode their warhorses, bringing up the rear of the formation as they moved slowly.

The red tassels flared in anger, fluttering in the wind.

They were the true elite of the Qing army, all battle-hardened soldiers, all killing machines.

they.

It is the pillar that holds the line.

Vast and mighty, like mountains and forests.

Crimson armor and menacing weapons formed an unstoppable torrent of death, sweeping across the open fields of eastern Jining.

A somber atmosphere hung over the Jingnan Army's position at Balapu.

Liu Wenxiu stood inside the observation platform of the bastion, calmly watching the Qing army slowly advancing.

The Qing army advanced very quickly, and their high level of organization allowed them to assemble their troops in an astonishingly short time.

In just a short while, they had advanced to a position nearly a mile away from Balapu.

Just then, a deep bugle call rang out over the Jingnan Army's Balapu position.

"The enemy is within firing range!"

On the northern defense line of Balapu, reports from artillery observers of the Jingnan Army rang out from various gun emplacements.

"One shot reload!"

On the various artillery positions of the Jingnan Army, countless artillerymen moved swiftly.

As each small flag, once ready, was raised by the gunners.

The officers in charge of each gun emplacement immediately issued military orders.

"put!"

On the northern front of the Jingnan Army's Eighth Wapu, twenty-six 7-jin battalion-level cannons roared simultaneously, thick white smoke billowing out like a wall and rising abruptly into the air.

The scorching iron ball tore through the air with a deathly shriek, swiftly sweeping across the slightly gloomy sky before crashing heavily into the Qing army's formation.

In an instant, blood and flesh flew everywhere!
The seven-pound cannonball flew through the air, spraying blood mist everywhere.

The pungent, fishy stench instantly permeated the Qing army's formation.

The Qing soldiers behind them, whether armored infantry or unarmored bondservants, were either killed or maimed if they were touched.

A cannonball flew by and hit a shield cart at the forefront of the Qing army.

The sturdy wooden shield cart, covered with wet blankets and quilts, was instantly reduced to pieces, just like a child's toy!
The few people pushing the cart didn't even utter a sound before they were turned into a blurry mass of flesh and blood.

The cannonball shattered the shield cart, its momentum slowed slightly, and it slammed heavily onto the ground before bouncing up and plunging forward through the Qing army's ranks.

The ricocheting shell, like a sharp blade, severed the thigh of a Mongol light soldier behind them.

Without pausing, he sliced ​​open the calf of a Qing army soldier from the Plain Red Banner behind him.

Fortunately, the damp ground reduced the shell's final kinetic energy considerably, preventing further damage.

When the Qing army advanced, it did not maintain a very tight military formation, but instead spread out its ranks considerably.

At the same time, each formation was spaced a certain distance apart, and each formation consisted of only five to six ranks of soldiers. Therefore, although many cannonballs landed in the Qing army's formation, the casualties were not significant.

Within the great formation, Akdun, a member of the Plain Red Banner infantry, silently advanced.

The warm, salty liquid splashed onto Aktun's face and even into his mouth; the taste was so salty and nauseating.

His vision was instantly stained red; through the blood-red blur, he could even clearly see the flying bits of flesh, broken bones, and fragments of internal organs.

Not far to his side was a soldier from the same Niru, whom he had eaten with in the camp yesterday.

But now, the soldier was only half a body left. He had been cut in half by another shell, and his lower body had been taken away somewhere. Only his upper body was left lying face up in the mess.

Colorful intestines and other visceral fragments were scattered on the ground, mixed with dirt and blood, and filth continued to flow out.

Despite the severe injuries, he did not die completely. He lay on his back on the ground, his eyes blinking incessantly as he gazed at the gloomy sky, his mouth opening and closing silently.

It's as if it's calling someone's name, or perhaps it's just instinctively taking its last few breaths.

Akdun gripped his heavy bow tightly, but he did not stop.

More than the cannonballs fired by the Jingnan Army, he feared the swords held by the soldiers behind him, and even more so the strict military law.

They also encountered artillery fire from the Ming army in Songjin and the capital.

They were going to die, but they died a long time ago.

Those who have survived to this day are veterans who possess both luck and ruthlessness.

Fear is an instinct; it is the most direct reaction when people face irresistible destruction.

The purpose of the military's long-term, brutal training and battlefield experience is to overcome this fear inherent in human nature.

The fear of death did not overwhelm these hunters who came from the land of white mountains and black waters; instead, it aroused the ferocity in their bones.

"Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump thump thump!!"

Amidst the Qing army's massive formation, the rhythm of the drums suddenly quickened, each beat striking the heart of every soldier.

The Qing soldiers marched faster and faster to the urgent, life-threatening drumbeats, their pace quickening from a slow step to a rapid one.

Akdun didn't say anything; he simply lowered his body, bowed his head, and walked forward in silence.

The view ahead swayed violently as I walked, filled only with the surging helmets of my companions ahead and the fluttering helmet flags; nothing else.

The entire world seemed to shrink to just a few feet in front of us, leaving only the instinct to move, breathe, and avoid obstacles beneath our feet. (End of Chapter)