The wind rises at the end of the Ming Dynasty

Chen Wang slowly lowered the powerful bow in his hand, his eyes blazing as he gazed at the white gyrfalcon that was circling in vain and falling down with a mournful cry.

The bowstring of the hard bow in his hand was still vibrating slightly, emitting an almost inaudible hum, as if telling of the precision and power contained in the arrow just now.

The magnificent gyrfalcon that soared in the sky was shot down by his own hand.

"mighty!"

The armored cavalry guards standing beside Chen Wang witnessed this scene and were all filled with excitement. They raised their weapons and cheered hysterically, with worship and fervor, for their commander.

The enormous sound even temporarily drowned out the clamor of the battlefield.

Among the various Mongol tribes, only the most outstanding archers could be given the prestigious title of "Eagle Shooter."

However, very few people are actually able to shoot down eagles in the sky.

And now, amidst the chaotic battlefield where thousands of troops are fighting, Chen Wang actually shot down a gyrfalcon that was soaring high in the sky and moving as fast as lightning with a single arrow.

In the Battle of Qingshan Pass, Chen Wang shot Tan Tai with an arrow, securing victory and drawing the attention of the entire army.

This time, as they once again drew their bows and shot down the gyrfalcon, all the soldiers were filled with emotion, recalling once again the amazing arrow that had pierced through a willow leaf at Qingshan Pass.

"The general's archery skills are extraordinary, surpassing even those of Yang Youji in the Spring and Autumn Period and Li Guang in the Han Dynasty!"

Zhao Huailiang gazed at Chen Wang's calm face and couldn't help but sigh.

He had spent a long time in the Liaodong army, having been through countless battles and seen many skilled archers and veterans in Liaodong.

Indeed, there were many among them who could draw a powerful bow and had accurate shooting skills.

However, none of them can compare to Chen Wang.

He was one of the earliest people to follow Chen Wang.

He has personally witnessed Chen Wang's journey to where he is today.

His reputation for bravery among the three armies is never an exaggeration.

Chen Wang had accumulated countless merits, including slaying generals and capturing flags—enough to make ordinary generals look up to him for a lifetime.

He had already reached level thirty-nine when he was still a servant.

The heads of the thirty-two bandits were nothing special, but on the Liaodong battlefield, Chen Wang also personally took the heads of seven Jurchens, including one head of a white-armored soldier.

In the dire situation of Liaodong at that time, such a victory was already remarkable.

After being promoted to battalion commander, Chen Wang rose through the ranks to the present day, and the number of enemy soldiers and officers he personally beheaded has already approached two hundred.

This is only the head that was promptly cut off and registered on the merit tablet by a close associate.

The casualties on the battlefield are difficult to quantify, and the actual number of enemy soldiers killed by Chen Wang himself would likely be even greater.

Chen Wang looked around at the boiling battle line and, amidst the cheers of the generals, realized he had achieved his goal.

The morale of the soldiers and officers continued to rise at this moment.

The deafening cheers rose in waves, merging with the bugle calls for attack and the thunderous drums of war, forming an unstoppable torrent.

Command of the army has been handed over by Chen Wang to Dai Zhenglin and a group of staff officers from the General Staff Department.

Chen Wang was not worried about the command of the army. Huang Taiji had already fallen into the trap, and the Qing army's front was collapsing.

Chen Wang turned his head and looked west. A large amount of smoke, like a thick curtain, permeated every corner of the western battlefield, but the shouts of battle and the rhythm of the war drums clearly indicated the direction of the battle.

Zhou Yumao has already begun to steadily advance with his newly recruited troops, in accordance with the pre-arranged plan.

The tide of battle on the left wing had already turned by the time he left the central command post.

Initially, under Jirgalang's leadership, they used the cover of Mongol cavalry to get close to the front lines and break through many formations.

The light cavalry of the outer Mongol vassals had collapsed, leaving only the standard-bearers who were attacking on foot.

Although fierce fighting was still taking place on the right flank, the Fourth Division of Hanzhong Town, led by Zuo Guangxian, was undoubtedly the real elite force. No matter how hard Dorgon attacked, he could not stir up any big waves and was firmly pinned down on the right flank battlefield.

Chen Gong and his cavalry had successfully defeated the Qing cavalry force that attempted to cross the Sishui River and outflank them.

At this moment, they are regrouping their troops, preparing to launch a fatal attack on the exposed flank of the Qing army to the east.

Further east, Hu Zhili had already broken camp and left Qiaoheji as ordered, and was now leading his troops to advance rapidly northward.

Like a surging tide, it flows eastward into the sea.

Qing army.

It was already beyond saving.

only……

The outcome of the Battle of Jining was already decided, but how much victory could be achieved was still unknown.

"Has there been any news from Cao Bianjiao yet?"

Chen Wang's expression was solemn. He looked at the Balapu that stretched across the western part of the suburbs and asked with a furrowed brow.

……

Northeast of Balapu, Qing army cavalry in formation with the Plain Red Banner.

Ao Bai, wearing an iron helmet and bright armor, and holding a large spear, stood in front of the army.

His entire body was stained with blood, his armor was soaked through, and blood droplets dripped down, mixing with the mud beneath his feet.

He hung his head, breathing heavily, but his tiger-like eyes still looked ahead.
He lowered his head, his chest heaving violently, emitting heavy, bellows-like breaths, clearly having fought for a long time and exhausted himself.

However, even though he was exhausted, his tiger-like eyes remained as sharp as ever, fixed intently on the road ahead.

In the field ahead, between the two armies, as far as the eye could see, there were piles of corpses, almost covering most of the field.

Ao Bai gripped his spear tightly, glaring resentfully at the distant Ba La Pu.

The rumbling sounds still occasionally echoed from inside the Eight Cannon Shop; they were the sounds of cannons that he loathed.

Both muskets and cannons are weapons used by cowards.

Those Jingnan Army infantrymen who had been hiding in their fortified positions, like turtles in their shells,

As the battle between the main forces intensified and the central army was embroiled in a fierce melee, they finally poured out of their lines and marched in a mighty force toward the central battlefield to provide reinforcements.

Ao Bai knew in his heart that he could not let these Jingnan Army troops achieve their goal so easily.

However, he had no way to realize his idea of ​​wiping out all these cowardly Nikans.

because……

Cao Bianjiao has arrived.

Ao Bai struggled to shift his gaze from Balapu to the southwest.

The boundless crimson reflected in his eyes, making it almost impossible for him to open them.

Countless crimson banners fluttered high, and the deep, resonant sound of horns echoed. Those were the Jingnan cavalry led by Cao Bianjiao, who had been lurking like ghosts on the western side of the battlefield, and the Jingnan cavalry had never been able to completely eliminate them.

Ao Bai gripped his spear tightly once more, and due to extreme anger and resentment, the spear in his hand began to tremble slightly.

He really hated this feeling, this feeling of helplessness.

Many times, you have the strength but can't use it, like punching cotton.

The cavalry tactics invented by the Jingnan Army were a complete disaster for Ao Bai.

The cavalrymen, like the infantry, advanced shoulder to shoulder, close together, like a wall. Their individual bravery and the skills they had painstakingly honed were completely useless. They were all just disposable expendables.

Victory no longer depends on the skill and bravery of the soldiers on both sides, but on whether the entire formation can remain intact and advance fearlessly with high morale.

They can no longer win with fewer troops.

Those Nikan cavalrymen were far inferior to them in skill, and were no match for them in ordinary battles.

However, in this clash of cavalry with thousands or even tens of thousands of men, it was they who ultimately came out on the losing end.

Those Nikan cavalrymen were fearless and their officers treated them as disposable expendable troops.

They don't care, they're indifferent.

But the Eight Banners were no good...

Ao Bai was frustrated. He led the Plain Red Banner soldiers and suffered heavy casualties of nearly a thousand men, but he had not achieved any success. He had only barely managed to block the eastward advance of the Jingnan Army cavalry, and he was not even able to stop the enemy troops from Balapu from rushing to reinforce the central formation.

Those Mongol cavalrymen from the outer regions were indeed true cowards; they scattered and fled as soon as the Jingnan Army's cavalry arrived.

Ao Bai raised his spear; he was determined to lead his troops in another charge.

This time, he was determined to force the Jingnan Army's cavalry into a direct confrontation with them.

The central army is engaged in fierce fighting. If the fresh troops of the Jingnan Army guarding Balapu were to encircle and flank from the west, it would inevitably greatly shake the morale of the army.

Such consequences were unacceptable to Ao Bai.

But just as Ao Bai was about to turn his attention completely to the west.

A sudden, deafening cannon blast, like a muffled thunderclap, abruptly halted his movements.

Ao Bai gazed into the distance. The central formation was now completely shrouded in thick smoke, which permeated every part of the battlefield like a thick white curtain, obscuring his vision and making it difficult for him to see the true situation inside the formation.

Although it is impossible to know exactly what kind of dramatic change occurred in the central army, the sudden and terrifying cannon fire was far beyond what was expected.

Smoke filled the air, and in an instant, Ao Bai had lost all sight.

But even through layers of smoke and multiple encirclements, Ao Bai could still sense the chaos and commotion in the central army's direction.

This is not good news...

Ao Bai suppressed his unease and tried to deduce the overall situation from other parts of the battlefield.

His gaze lingered on the battle line where the Bordered Yellow and Bordered Red Banner troops, personally commanded by Jirgalang, were stationed.

The overall situation on the battlefield can often be understood by observing just a glimpse of it; the condition of the central army can often be reflected in the state of the troops on both flanks.

However, what he saw made his heart tighten suddenly, as if he had fallen into an ice cave!

Previously, with the cover of the Mongol light cavalry, the two banners of armored soldiers led by Jirgalang launched a relentless offensive, continuously advancing and breaking through one hollow square formation after another composed of Jingnan Army musketeers. They advanced triumphantly, their morale soaring.

But now, that front line is in ruins.

The troops of the Bordered Yellow Banner and the Bordered Red Banner were retreating in disarray, and their once orderly ranks were falling apart.

In the distance, the fiery red banners of the Jingnan Army were gradually emerging and approaching amidst the thick smoke of battle.

The orange muzzle flashes flickered continuously on the Jingnan Army's front line, almost forming a continuous net of devastating fire.

Even more fatally, the Jingnan Army's covering cavalry had already completed a large-scale flanking maneuver from the south, almost completing the encirclement of Jirhalang's forces.

The light cavalry of the outer Mongol vassals had long since collapsed and no longer obeyed any orders.

More and more Mongol cavalrymen panicked and fled the battlefield, fleeing for their lives in the north.

As the thunderous roar from the central command resounded, the morale of the Jingnan Army soared even higher.

Even though they were several miles apart, Ao Bai could still hear the shouts, each one louder than the last.

In contrast, the Bordered Yellow Banner and the Bordered Red Banner, which had originally formed a fairly orderly ranks, began to show great chaos and obvious signs of collapse.

"Could it be..."

A chilling sense of despair instantly gripped Ao Bai, and a terrifying thought suddenly surfaced in his mind.

"Never will!"

Their emperor is a god-like figure.

How could we possibly lose to these despicable Nikans!

Ao Bai shook his head; he knew he couldn't dwell on this pessimistic mood any longer.

He told himself that the situation was still uncertain and far from being settled, and he must not give up.

A high-pitched swan-like cry suddenly rose from the southwest, abruptly pulling Ao Bai's increasingly scattered thoughts back to reality.

That was the signal for the Jingnan Army cavalry to deploy and launch an attack.

Ao Bai was slightly taken aback. He had been distracted by the situation in the central army and had not noticed the movement of the Jingnan cavalry until the sound of the attack signal woke him up.

He immediately gritted his teeth, trying to rouse himself and say some encouraging words to the demoralized soldiers of the Plain Red Banner, urging them to quickly defeat the Jingnan Army cavalry in front of them so that they could free up their hands to rush to the aid of the precarious central battlefield.

But all of Ao Bai's words ultimately got stuck in his throat; not a single syllable could be uttered.

Because, in the next instant, an even more terrifying sound overwhelmed everything.

A barrage of heavy shells whistled through the air, accompanied by a chilling shriek, and hurtled towards us!

The sudden artillery barrage threw the Zheng Hongqi cavalry into chaos in an instant.

Such chaos is not usually fatal.

In this era, only solid iron bullets are reliable. Long-range artillery fire does not cause much damage; it only results in a loss of morale.

However, at this very moment, when Cao Bianjiao led the Jingnan Army cavalry to within three hundred paces, this round of artillery fire caused chaos in the Zhenghong Banner cavalry formation, becoming the anthill that caused the dam to collapse.

The instant Cao Bianjiao discovered that the Zheng Hongqi cavalry formation was in disarray, he ordered his men to sound the horn for a full-scale attack.

Crimson banners fluttered in the wind over the northern outskirts of Balapu.

Countless crimson helmets and banners with red tassels fluttered fiercely against the wind, converging together like a surging, raging sea of ​​blood.

Cao Bianjiao wore a fish-scale armor that reached his waist, a brocade battle skirt embroidered with a hundred flowers, and a pointed iron helmet. Holding a horse spear, he rode his horse before the army of ten thousand men.

The earth receded rapidly like a receding tide. (End of Chapter)