Desert Eagle Suletan Khan

The shiny chain mail flashed with a cold light, and the ferocious-looking helmet protected the top of the head, revealing only the eyes. The long pheasant feathers on the top symbolized the noble status of the owner. Du Zixiang, the new deputy governor of Guizhou and the general of Duyun in the David State, was very satisfied with the pheasant feathers on his helmet. According to the rules of the David State, the helmet tassels of ordinary soldiers were made of cow and horse tail hair or dyed silk and linen, the helmet tassels of officers below the rank of 100-household chief were made of yak tail hair, the helmet tassels of officers from the rank of 100-household chief to the rank of deputy 1,000-household chief were made of pheasant feathers (ordinary pheasant feathers), the helmet tassels of officers from the rank of 1,000-household chief to the rank of deputy 10,000-household chief were made of pheasant feathers (brown pheasant feathers), and the helmet tassels of generals above the rank of 10,000-household chief were made of sable tails. Those who made great contributions were given smoked sable tails or peacock feathers. Looking at the generals of the David State, not many were qualified to use pheasant feathers.

Although Du Zixiang did not raise his title to a higher level when he followed General Xi Rimo, the general of the Southern Expedition, on this expedition, he was promoted to the deputy governor of Guizhou and one of his sons was appointed as the head of a hundred households. More importantly, he became friends with Xi Rimo and Na Risong, the senior officials of the Wei Army. This time, he was ordered to follow the Governor of Yunnan and Guizhou, Altan Cang, to the south to aid Guizhou, which was recommended by the old general Xi Rimo. At the same time, Fang Yuxuan, the governor of Yunnan, also followed Altan Cang to the south. Like himself, this person also caught Xi Rimo's eye because of the Northern Expedition. The only difference is that he won the trust by wielding swords and guns and risking his life, while he won the trust by wielding ink and writing. It doesn't matter, it's the same thing! Du Zixiang felt that he was lucky. He was originally a subordinate of Liu Tichun, a general of the Dashun Army, but he was more discerning than Liu Tichun. First, he surrendered to the Qing when he saw the Qing army was strong, and then he surrendered to the Wei army when he saw the Wei army was strong. Now Liu Tichun has become a ghost, and he is still alive and well and in a high position! Time! It’s fate!
The Great Khan Lianhua led his army back to Beijing for a rest, and only allocated 3,000 Mongolian cavalry to the Governor of Yunnan and Guizhou, Altan Cang, and asked him to ask the General of the Southern Expedition, Xi Rimo, to draw 20,000 troops from the Shaanxi and Sichuan garrisons to Guizhou. Xi Rimo had a good personal relationship with Altan Cang, and when he saw Altan Cang coming to him for help, he recommended Du Zixiang, saying that this man was brave, wise and talented and could be of great use. Seeing that it was the old general's recommendation, Altan Cang naturally believed it, and immediately ordered him to be the vanguard and lead 23,000 troops to Guizhou.

Touching the hen feather on his helmet, Du Zixiang suddenly remembered the words in the "He Fu": "Promote the strong feathers of the dark yellow". The hen is an animal that is brave, good at fighting, and fearless of death. Once it starts fighting, it will fight to the death. Therefore, since the Warring States Period, kings have used hen feathers as headdresses for military commanders to reward their bravery and inspire them to be loyal and fearless. This time, we must fight well in the southern expedition, so that our Du family's title can be upgraded again!
"You mean the Qing army captured Zunyi? Don't worry, how many soldiers and horses are there in the enemy, and which general is leading the army? Tell me in detail," Du Zixiang asked Wang Liucang arrogantly after stroking the feathers on his helmet. Although he and Wang Liucang were previously under the control of the old commander Xi Rimo, he has now been promoted to the deputy governor of Guizhou, and is considered Wang Liucang's superior. As a superior, he must have the dignity of a superior.

"Reporting to the general, the ones coming are Ma Bao and Li Rubi, the generals under Wu Sangui. The two villains have about 50,000 subordinates. I have few soldiers and generals, and I really can't resist them," Wang Liucang answered miserably, deliberately exaggerating the enemy's strength to excuse himself for losing the important military town of Zunyi.

"Ma Bao? Li Rubi?" Hearing these two names, Du Zixiang was silent for a moment. He had once been in the Dashun Army. Although they were not of the same line as the Dashi Army, they were both bandits, and he was familiar with their names. If these two ruthless men had so many soldiers, wouldn't it be like sending themselves to death if they went to Zunyi alone? To be able to survive until now, Deputy Admiral Du did not rely solely on military force, but also had a very flexible mind. He immediately ordered to station troops at Erlangba, northwest of Zunyi, waiting for Altan Cang's army.

Smoke and dust rolled, and about 5,000 more soldiers and horses arrived. They were the second line of the Guard Army, the Shaanxi Deputy Admiral and Lanzhou General Xin Sizhong's troops. When he saw Du Zixiang and Wang Liucang, Xin Sizhong slowly asked, "It's just noon, why are you standing still?"

Seeing that it was Xin Sizhong, Du Zixiang was jealous. After the fall of the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Great Khan Lianhua promoted many generals at once. Danbadarjie, the general of Guizhou, was promoted to the rank of admiral. He, Xin Sizhong, Qi Zhizhen, Fan Dingge, and Ma Anbang were all awarded the title of deputy admiral and followed the Governor of Yunnan and Guizhou, Altan Cang, to the south. There was news that the court wanted to select one of these four deputy admirals as the admiral of Yunnan. Xin Sizhong surrendered much earlier than himself and had the best hope. How could he not be jealous? He put the jealous thoughts in his heart, forced a smile, and introduced Wang Liucang, saying: "This is Wang Furong, the defender of Zunyi. According to Wang Furong, the Qing army Ma Bao and Li Rubi have already captured Zunyi. The two bandits have 50,000 elite soldiers. The enemy is numerous and we are few, so they dare not advance lightly, so they are stationed here."

After listening to Wang Liucang's introduction of the defeat, Xin Sizhong was furious. "According to what you said, the Qing army went around from the Pingyue Military and Civilian Office to the rear of Zunyi and attacked the city. If the enemy really has 50,000 people, why take a detour? Just attack the city directly. Even if there are really 50,000 enemies, they are now scattered in various places in Pingyue and Zunyi. What is there to be afraid of? David, a brave warrior, has always advanced without retreating. How can you be afraid of the enemy and not move forward? I will lead my troops forward. Are you willing to follow me?"

Du Zixiang was annoyed by this reprimand, but he dared not say a word. It was because he was only a deputy general in the Dashun Army when Xin Sizhong was named General Youweiwu by Li Zicheng, the King of Chuang. This man was much more powerful than himself, and was so brave in battle that he was nicknamed Tiger Flame Class. People called him General Xin, and he was a famous fierce man in the army. He was not someone he could afford to offend! Thinking of this, he had to say shamelessly: "I am willing to follow Brother Xin!"

Seeing that both of them agreed to advance, Wang Liucang naturally did not dare to refute and led the defeated army to join forces with the two generals.

More than 10,000 guards advanced fiercely towards Zunyi. When they reached Loushan Pass, they encountered more than 10,000 pursuers led by Ma Bao and Li Rubi. Seeing that his guess was correct, the number of enemies was not even 50,000, Xin Sizhong felt relieved. He ordered Du Zixiang to the left, Wang Liucang to the right, and himself to the center, to attack the Wu army from three directions. As soon as the battle started, Xin Sizhong's generals Yang Guanglie and Da Yuanzhen led a thousand cavalry to attack the Wu army's center. These two generals were both from Wuwei general families, with high martial arts and extraordinary bravery. They quickly wedged into the Wu army's formation. Xin Sizhong was overjoyed when he saw this, and immediately followed up with his deputy general Ding Guodong and the infantry.

Seeing the fierceness of the guards, Ma Bao's second son Ma Ziyuan retreated in fear, and Ma Bao whipped his left hand to kill him. Seeing his father angry, Ma Ziyuan dared not retreat again and turned back to fight again. Ma Bao also fought to the death with a whip in his left hand and a gun in his right hand. After a day of fierce fighting, the two sides were evenly matched. The next day, Altan Cang arrived with 13,000 soldiers and horses. Seeing that the enemy was brave and had more troops than himself, Ma Bao did not dare to fight and ordered his troops to retreat to Loushan Pass and hold their ground. He also sent people to Guiyang to ask for help from Wu Sangui, the King of Pingxi.

When Wu Sangui heard that the Wei army wanted to retake Zunyi, he hurriedly ordered General Wu Zhimao and Deputy General Ke Duo to lead 10,000 troops to help. Seeing that the Wu army had reinforcements, the battle-hardened Altan Cang did not order an attack on the city, but contacted General Liu Ding, Biaolin Xuanfu Envoy She Baoshou, Zhenxiong Xuanfu Envoy Long Hongxun and other troops stationed in Bijie and Chishui, asking them to form a horn with him to hold off the Wu army. (End of this chapter)