Ming Dynasty: Moral blackmail? I, Emperor Chongzhen, have no morals!

Under Zhu Jian's leadership, the mighty guard battalion's torrent instantly tore open a gap in the battlefield.

It rushed southeast without stopping.

The moment the dragon banner appeared, the Ming soldiers who couldn't find their general's flag or command flag involuntarily moved closer to it.

The dragon banner represents not only the emperor, but also a banner that unites the people, especially when it appears in the middle of the battlefield...

Just then, He Renlong's troops, who had retreated to the outskirts and broken off contact with the Qing army, were resting when a scout sent out by He Renlong returned. He hurriedly dismounted, scrambling and stumbling towards He Renlong, stammering, "General, His Majesty... His Majesty... His Majesty has personally led... led... troops into the battlefield..."

Upon hearing this, He Renlong abruptly stood up, exclaiming incredulously, "What? Say that again?"

"His Majesty's imperial banner is advancing towards the Qing army's central camp!"

"General, General, we've reached the outer perimeter. Should we continue retreating?" A soldier who had rushed over to scout ahead asked He Renlong.

"Fuck your mother!" He Renlong cursed.

Now that the emperor is personally leading the charge, if he tries to run away, he's certain to die, regardless of whether the emperor wins or loses...

"All troops, follow me and charge back! Anyone who dares to retreat—die!"

He then mounted his horse and charged back from the eastern battlefield. As soon as the battle began, he saw the imperial banner being pushed towards the Qing army's central force in the southeast, with a large number of Ming soldiers gathered around it.

"Damn it! Everyone, follow the dragon banner and charge towards the Jurchen central army!" He Renlong shouted as he led the charge, hacking and slashing.

In an instant, the morale of the Ming army, which was on the verge of collapse, was greatly boosted the moment the dragon banner appeared, and in just half an hour, they launched a counterattack against the Qing army.

Dorgon, who was observing the battlefield from a distance, frowned slightly: "What's going on here?"

He roared like a wild beast, "Who can tell me what's going on?"

Yue Tuo stared blankly at the dragon banner on the battlefield, muttering to himself, "The Emperor of the Ming Dynasty has personally led the expedition..."

Dorgon and Yuetuo knew all too well how terrifying a Ming emperor who completely deviated from the normal path of an emperor could be.

If this emperor were to gain the support of the Ming army, it would be unthinkable... that no one in the Ming Dynasty would be able to check and balance him...

"Uncle Wang, the number of soldiers around the dragon banner is increasing, and they are attacking the central army!" Hauge said, pointing to the battlefield.

"Withdraw!" Dorgon gave the order to retreat without hesitation.

He and Yue Tuo entered the pass this time to plunder, but they did not expect that the Ming emperor would fight them to the death right away.

If all the troops in their hands were lost, it would take the Qing Dynasty at least ten years to recover... so a strategy of rapid retreat was adopted.

Zhu Jian led the Yongwei Battalion, fighting their way through the enemy lines, but before they could reach Dorgon, Dorgon retreated.

Zhu Jian was now covered in blood, his face contorted in a grimace. He stared intently at the Qing army's central banner moving northward.

Similarly, several generals and a large number of soldiers had already gathered around Zhu Jian, having surged in from all directions. They were taken aback upon seeing the imperial banner, but upon reaching it, they discovered it was indeed the emperor himself, and not merely a command flag...

"All troops, follow me and pursue them!" After saying this, he pursued Dorgon along his retreat route until nightfall before stopping.

The entire Shuntian Prefecture is now in ruins, littered with corpses and blood...

Zhu Jian dismounted, and Sun Chuanting, Hong Chengchou, Lu Xiangshan, Cao Bianjiao, Sun Yingyuan, Zhou Yuji, and a large number of soldiers rushed to Zhu Jian's side...

Sun Chuanting stepped forward and asked, "Is His Majesty injured?"

"My left arm was hit by a stray arrow. I broke the shaft, but the arrowhead is still inside!" Zhu Jian said casually.

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone rushed forward and quickly removed Zhu Jian's armor. Lu Xiang Sheng then used a knife to carefully remove the arrowhead, applied herbal medicine, and wrapped it with a white cloth strip.

As everyone watched Zhu Jian grit his teeth and remain silent, they silently changed their opinions.

The image of an arrogant, suspicious, and indiscriminate killer is gone, replaced by one resembling the figures of the Taizu and Chengzu emperors... Perhaps this emperor truly can create miracles...

Zhu Jian touched his wound, feeling no discomfort, and said, "Check yourselves to see if you're injured. Those with minor or serious injuries stay where they are. Leave three thousand soldiers to care for the wounded and clean up the battlefield. We'll continue the pursuit of Dorgon tomorrow!"

.......

The next morning, the autumn wind blew, but it couldn't dispel the stench of blood.

When Dorgon retreated north, he encountered the Ming army that was marching south from Yutian.

Seeing that the Qing army's morale was low, Wu Sangui stepped forward to fight.

After an hour of fierce fighting, the Qing army left behind thousands of corpses and withdrew from the battle, heading towards Qingshan Pass...

Seeing this, Wu Sangui led the Guan Ning cavalry to follow closely behind.

Two hours later, Zhu Jian led his army south and arrived. Upon seeing Wu Aheng, who was stationed in the same spot, he asked, "Where has Dorgon gone?"

"Reporting back to Your Majesty, they have retreated towards Qingshan Pass, and Wu Sangui is in pursuit!"

After listening, Inspector Zhu pondered for a moment and said, "The entire army should rest and reorganize on the spot, and then tally the casualties!"

Now, after more than half a month and several battles, the Qing army has fled and will not return in the near future....

Zhu Jian then stood up and, as he walked towards the wounded soldiers' camp, said, "Go and see the wounded warriors of the Ming Dynasty!"

In this fierce battle, which lasted only a few days, the number of dead and wounded was countless. Although the exact number has not yet been tallied, it must be many...

Before long, Inspector Zhu arrived at a newly erected tent. Inside, the candlelight flickered, and many wounded soldiers lay scattered about, some with severed arms and legs, bleeding and groaning in pain.

As Zhu Jian walked and looked around, his eyes slowly welled up with tears... These people who dared to give their lives, yet there were still those who had the heart to embezzle the meager military pay they had earned with their lives...

At this moment, Prosecutor Zhu's hands were clenched tightly, his nails digging into his palms...

He said in a deep voice, "Chuan Ting, compile a list of soldiers who died in battle. Also register those who were wounded and unable to continue serving. As long as they are alive, their entire families will be exempt from taxes!"

Zhu Jian greatly desired to establish a separate support system within the imperial court, but this was not feasible at present. After much deliberation, the only viable solutions, besides a one-time commendation, were a family tax exemption policy. This would prevent those who, after losing their ability to work, from being abandoned by their families and ultimately dying alone in some unknown corner. These people are truly great heroes!

"Your Majesty, I obey your decree!" Sun Chuanting bowed slightly. "Your Majesty, I believe it is imperative to implement rewards and punishments, compensation, and the subsequent military pay as soon as possible...!"

Although the war is over, things are not over yet. The remaining tasks are the most important. As long as these three things are done well, these veterans who have crawled out of the blood will definitely be the most powerful army in the Ming Dynasty!

As Zhu Jian walked, he nodded slightly: "Once Wu Sangui returns and confirms the Qing army's exact retreat direction, we will return to the capital to implement this plan!"