A small soldier of the frontier army in the late Ming Dynasty

Chapter 541 Power
Zhao Xuan swiftly retracted the gun scope, which was similar to the square utensils (rectangularity) used by the Ming army, but the calculation distance was clearer.

He went out in person, and in just a moment, Zhao Xuan figured out the distance and shouted loudly: "The distance to the target is 370 steps!"

Immediately, Mr. Qian and several observers shouted in unison: "The target distance is 370 steps!"

"The height of the gun is three points and six degrees, and the medicine is two catties and eight taels."

Amidst the roar, the armor commanders of the cannons wearing hats and helmets immediately calculated the relationship between the target distance and the angle of the muzzle.The correctors in each armour, vigorously rotated the spiral iron handles behind the breeches of each gun, and in the sound of creaking and creaking, slowly raised or lowered the muzzles of each artillery.

The correcting hands of each armor came to the muzzle urgently holding the round device (gun gauge), quickly checked the elevation angle of the gun barrel, and then everyone shouted: "The adjustment is complete."

"Adjustments are complete!"

Mr. Qian looked at the quick and accurate movements of his own gunners, and waved his right arm in satisfaction: "Send the medicine bag!"

"Send it in the medicine bag!"

The ammunition hands of each armor roared in unison, quickly picked up the corresponding propellant package in one of the grids distributed according to the amount of ammunition in the ammunition cart, and quickly stuffed it into the barrel of the gun.

After he flashed out, the pusher nimbly moved the push rod in his hand, and with just one stroke, the charge was sent deep into the bottom of the gun bore.

laugh!
The sharp iron awl pierced through the door of the fire, instantly piercing the silk medicine bag inside.

The iron awl hands of each armor quickly dodged, and one by one the medicine-introducing hands stepped forward, swiftly inserting the goose-feather medicine tube in their hands deeply into the fire door.

While they were working quickly, the ammunition crews of each artillery pushed heavy solid iron balls into the barrel of the artillery from the artillery cart.

Everyone has a clear division of labor, and their movements are graceful and swift, like flowing clouds and flowing water. Judging from their appearance, it seems that they are not preparing murder weapons, but practicing an elegant art.

At the same time, the captains of each armor were still urging and shouting: "Swift movements, fast and effective, fast, fast, fast!"

While yelling, all the armor chiefs looked at each other, which was quite provocative.In the Zhao Xuan Pao Battalion, the chiefs of the various artillery units in each department and each department are also competing fiercely with each other. It depends on which gunner in the armor can reload fast and well.

Unlike the soldiers of the Yu Battalion of the Jingbian Army, the skill assessment of the Artillery Battalion was all about the preparation and shooting of the artillery.Which artillery can shoot accurately and well is not only related to the honor of Jia, but also has real benefits in it.

Wang Dou also encourages the competition among the soldiers, of course, it is a benign competition!

With one hand on his hip and one hand on his sword, Zhao Xuan looked at his excellent artillery barracks, full of pride.At this time, the gunpowder smoke from the shelling had not cleared away, and the remaining smoke from the shelling was blowing gently on his face, which made the face of this Ming Dynasty version of the otaku look a bit determined.

He suddenly felt a little lonely, thinking: "It's boring to shell the helpless Tartar cavalry, it depends on the level of the Han army camp!"

It's wrong to think about it, is the artillery battalion of the Han Army Banner worthy of your opponent?My goal is to be invincible all over the world!
I heard that the Hongmaoyi's cannonball skills are good, and I hope to compete with them at that time.

Mr. Qian reported loudly that the artillery crew was ready.

Zhao Xuan turned sideways, the sharp sword at his waist slammed out, and the tip of the sword pointed straight at the floating bridge.

The sharp sword made of fine steel gleamed in the sunlight.

"Bombardment!"

Zhao Xuan's sword-holding hand was as steady as Mount Tai, and he roared hoarsely.

"Bombardment!"

Mr. Qian stared fiercely at the pontoon bridge with his big eyes like copper bells, and his eyebrows were also glaring!

In an instant, the thick smoke from twenty Hongyi six-pound guns enveloped the entire artillery position on this side, followed by the sound of thunder.The loud volley of twenty cannons made the hills here seem to be shaking, and even the mules and horses pulling the cannons above the hills neighed uncomfortably.

While the cannons spewed thick white smoke, the same sharp flames flashed between the muzzles, and the iron bullets whistling out of the chambers spun at high speed, making a strange and soul-stirring noise in the air.

The movement caused by the loud noise caused many people from both Ming and Qing Dynasties to stop their movements after hearing the sound, and could not help but look at the position of Zhao Xuan's artillery camp, and the direction where the shells flew.

……

There were swords and spears like forests, and the rushing iron stream of reinforcements from the Qing army still poured in from the north bank like waves.On the large pontoon bridge on the right, there are densely populated Manchurian knights with white flags on the pontoon bridge. Hearing the neat and strange sound of cannons, they all subconsciously look into the air.

Jialazhang Jingyanzha, with a flat face, flat nose, and ugly appearance, also subconsciously slowed down the horse.

Looking at the other side of the river, there is smoke and dust rising to the sky, and there are countless soldiers looming. The troops of the Ming and Qing Dynasties are fighting fiercely.However, following the loud noise, somewhere off the shore, the shining flames and large puffs of white smoke could still be seen clearly.

Seeing the tense expressions of everyone in Jiala beside him, he hesitated to rein in his horse, although he was a little panicked.

Yan Zha had also learned a lot about the artillery of the Jingbian army, and he was still afraid.But on the surface, he still disdainful, and shouted at his subordinates loudly: "What are you looking at, hurry across the river, and kill Nanmanzi to death..."

Before he could finish speaking, he saw iron balls heading towards his side's pontoon bridge with whistling screams.

He couldn't help but stop, looking at the sky, his Adam's apple rolled up and down rapidly.

Niu Luzhang Jingniu Gulu, who was not far behind him, was even more nervous. He had been silent a lot in recent days. The death of his in-law Ning Erjia made him even more decadent, and he already thought of disarming and returning to the fields.

After the Battle of Shunxiangbao, the Jingbian Army at that time, no, it should be called the Shunxiang Army, seemed to be the nemesis of the Qing Dynasty, and everyone familiar with him died in battle. He had a premonition, Next, it might be my turn.

Seeing the iron ball roaring in the sky, he was terrified and didn't know whether to move forward or retreat.

And when riding the horse, you have to pay attention to the gaps on the pontoon bridge, so as not to lose the horseshoe.

After the continuous bombardment by the artillery battalion of the Jingbian Army, the pontoon bridge at this time was full of holes and gaps.On the river next to it, corpses that started to swell can be seen from time to time. Some of these corpses had no wounds on their bodies, but they were rushed into the river after the horses were frightened and drowned alive.

Looking at the expressions on their faces floating on the water, they were all ferocious with fear and helplessness.Most of the soldiers in the Qing army who could own horses were wearing heavy armor, which was already heavy. In addition, some of them had weapons, bows and arrows on their bodies.

Under the terrified eyes of the Qing soldiers on the bridge, the iron balls made strange noises and finally fell down.

"boom!"

An iron bullet weighing several kilograms whizzed towards it, accompanied by screams of panic from the Qing soldiers on the bridge, and landed not far from the bridge.

Yan Zha breathed a sigh of relief: "Ben Jiala just said..."

Before he finished speaking, the second and third solid iron balls were thrown one after another.

The arrival of these iron balls was extremely short, and they fell in almost the same range, which made the Qing army on the bridge feel that something was wrong.

Boom!

A large column of water rises from the pontoon bridge!
Boom, bang, bang!
The floating bridge area not far from the front, back, left, and right sides of Yanzha was directly hit by many heavy iron balls, and the sound of wooden boards collapsing and cracking exploded one after another.

Ah!
While screaming, many knights with white flags fell into the river from the cave in succession.

Puff puff puff!
After the shells blasted through the wooden boards, many fragments shot indiscriminately!

Severed limbs and flesh and blood flew everywhere, and many armored soldiers shouted, and blood spurted from them like a fountain.

The power brought by the cannonballs is so powerful. The planks of many pontoon bridges are also very dry wood. Once the cannonballs are fired, they will explode into countless pieces.

They have sharp blades and fly around in all directions. Even these knights are all wearing heavy armor, and they are also blood spurted by the blows.Some people at close range have many large and small wooden thorns deeply inserted on their horses, and heavy armor is useless.

In particular, the horses under the knights were frightened and frantic under the pain, jumping wildly.

Compared with the land, the pontoon bridge is relatively narrow, especially the left and right parts. In the chaos, those war horses can easily lead the knights on their horses into the river.For a while, as the shells fell, there were constant screams of panic on the pontoon bridge.

Yan Zha roared at the top of his lungs: "Accelerate forward, rush over!"

Niu Gulu lashed the horse with the whip, trying to make the frightened horse move forward.

Amidst the howling sound, Niu Gulu looked up in horror just as a heavy shell had landed on him.

boom!
The wooden planks in front of him exploded, and Niu Gulu shot out puffs of blood mist. Numerous fragments hit him, and blood clots gushed out of his mouth.

Suddenly, a slender wooden thorn shot out, piercing Niu Gulu's chest and back.

Then another piece that looked square but not square swept across his neck and sent his head flying.

Niu Gulu's last thought: "I knew it, I couldn't survive..."

Rumbling, after a long time after the shells fell, another pontoon bridge collapsed, startling the stunned Yan Zha.

He stood up numbly, looked to the left and right of him, the pontoon bridge in this area was already in disrepair, and the gaps collapsed everywhere, and even between some two boats, there were only some lazy and broken wooden boards barely supporting them, and they could not walk again at all. .

These broken wooden boards are full of stumps and pieces of meat, scattered weapons and helmets, and below and on both sides, there are many Qing soldiers who fell into the water calling for help in the reddened river.

Some injured horses struggled in the water, or neighed and swam away on their own.

In front of and behind Yan Zha, the planks on the boat were empty.

At least a dozen shells from the Jingbian army landed on the pontoon bridge area, blasting many bridge planks and sweeping them away.It's just that Yan Zha was very lucky, the location of his horse happened to be on a wooden boat, so the bridging boards in front of and behind him broke, and he was still safe and sound.

Just in a hurry, where did the horse go, Jia Lazhangjing tried his best to think back, and he didn't know how he stood here and how the horse ran away during this period of time.

Howls and groans were mixed, Yan Zha looked again, and saw some armored soldiers shriveled and leaned out from some cuts. Looking at their expressions, they all had dull eyes, and he yelled loudly.

After the bombardment, the Qingqi who crossed the river on the pontoon bridge there were stagnant, and it was no longer possible to cross the river here.

Many Qing cavalry who came later rode forward with lingering fear, and they came to the broken mouth.At this time, the sun was already somewhat warm, and it was no longer as hot as it used to be. However, the situation in front of it still made many people feel chills.

Among the many painful groans and cries for help, they heard a voice roaring from a boat ahead: "Damn Nikan, you cowardly rat, what kind of skill is it to use firearms? ..."

……

During the shelling, Zhao Xuan always kept one hand on his hips and the other holding a sword.

Although this posture is handsome, it also made Zhao Xuan suffer a lot.

When the artillery salvoed and roared deafeningly, not to mention the gunners, even Mr. Qian quickly covered his ears with earplugs, only Zhao Xuan remained motionless.

The loud noise of the artillery made his heart beat violently, his ears buzzed continuously, and even his face couldn't help shaking.

After the firing of the artillery stopped, when the gunpowder smoke dispersed a little, Mr. Qian hurriedly used binoculars to watch the results of the battle. After seeing it, he laughed loudly: "Aha, what a disaster for the Tartars!"

Turning around to look at Zhao Xuan, with admiration in his heart, he praised loudly: "Our army fought bravely and gave the enemy heavy executions. This is the result of General Dong Du's skill!"

Zhao Xuan put the saber into the sheath slowly and said, "What did you say?"

Mr. Qian was taken aback, and said: "General, the last general said that our army's heavy execution against the enemy is the result of General Dong Du's skill!"

Zhao Xuan agreed loudly: "You are right, we should do it again!"

……

Huang Taiji, who was riding his horse in a hurry on the Rufeng mountain, suddenly stopped. At this time, he almost reached the place where Nuwa mended the sky, not far from the west side of Rufeng mountain.

He was surrounded by the elite Kabush Xianchao Ha camp soldiers and horses, as well as ministers such as Ying Erdai and others.However, the former Manchurian and Mongolian banner owners, such as Dorgon, Jierhalang, etc., have returned to the Jiabing army of their own banner under his strict orders, commanded reinforcements, and quickly rescued Nuerhe.

At this moment, he looked thoughtfully at the plain below the mountain: "Has the Jingbian army arrived?"

Looking down from the bottom of the mountain, it can be clearly seen that the large army formed by small formations is rapidly marching towards the Nuerhe River, not far from Shuangzi Mountain.The red flag and red armor of the army, the unique flag of the sun, the moon, and the waves, after marching for tens of miles, their army formation was not chaotic, their armor was still bright, and they marched in a calm manner.

Looking from a distance, the fluttering flags seem to imply huge waves, with an unstoppable momentum.The prosperity of the army is obviously the atmosphere only possessed by an extremely elite and strong army.

Behind this army formation, ranging from several miles to tens of miles, there are also formations of the Ming army in Yuzhen.However, those military formations were not so strict when they marched, and they possessed that kind of oppressive force that made people palpitate.

but……

Looking at the rear of the infantry of the Jingbian army, there were several marching formations chasing desperately. From the banners, Huang Taiji knew that they were new troops from Datong Town and Xuanfu Town, and they were equally difficult to fight.

Behind these relatively well-organized military formations, there are groups of Ming troops marching rapidly. They are like ants, back and forth, sparsely covering the flat land below the mountain, with some cattle and horses pulling artillery in between.

A large flag, not far from the west of Songshan Fort, seems to be the banner of Hong Chengchou, governor of Jiliao, and others. The military formation around the banner is a little stricter.Finally, behind the Ming army, there are many civilian husbands who seem to follow the strong men.

Huang Taiji stared at it for a long time, he didn't know what he was thinking about, he took out the binoculars to look at the Nuuhe River, the battle on the other side of the Shuangzi Mountain, and said indifferently: "How about the reinforcements?"

Behind him, Karbush Xianga La Angbang Wubai, knew that Huang Taiji's tone was the prelude to fury.

He didn't dare to be negligent, and stepped forward cautiously and replied: "Ji'erhalang and others reported that the elite cavalry of the Ming army exceeded [-], and they lined up on the banks of rivers and mountains. In particular, the Jingbian army's artillery array was sharp. Our army made the first wave of relief. blocked, it is difficult to cross the river."

He took a peek at Huang Taiji's expression, and said again: "Manchurian Zhenglan Banner on Rufeng Mountain, Baya Lajialazhangjing Fei Yangwu and others led their cavalry down the mountain to fight. Gu Yingyuan returned helplessly."

Huang Taiji was expressionless. Although Rufeng Mountain now has more than [-] soldiers and horses, there are many handymen and infantry inside, and not many elite cavalry.

Moreover, the terrain of Rufeng Mountain has many rocks in the central area, and the terrain is steep. Although it is conducive to defense, it is not conducive to the attack of the brigade, especially the attack of cavalry.Only the east and west can be used as soldiers, and Fei Yangwu and others did not complete their efforts, which is also within his expectation.

He murmured: "The situation in the south bank is gone."

He glanced at the other side of the Nuu River bitterly, pondered for a while, and sent an order: "It is useless for cavalry troops to cross the river. I have passed on my decree. Except for the Nuu River in the northern section of Rufeng Mountain, the rest of the river, the army should stop crossing the river. All banners The handyman is dressed, and immediately digs a trench three miles from the north bank of the Naughty River, builds an earthen city, and digs a deep trench in the direction of the Baimiao fortress!"

The sentinels reported that the Ming army had already occupied a place on the north bank. Judging from its direction, it was very likely to move towards Baimiaobao.If the connection between Baimiaobao and Jinchangbao were cut off, this would be intolerable to Huang Taiji.

"Order, the mountains of Maojiagou have accumulated more rituals and retreated, and the defense of Shuangzi Mountain has been strengthened. Fei Yangwu and others will quickly assist Weng Adai!"

In a short while, Huang Taiji sent out a series of orders. Although the situation in the south bank was over, Huang Taiji could not tolerate the loss of Shuangzi Mountain.If Shuangzi Mountain is lost, Rufeng Mountain will be dangerous. The Ming army can occupy the river bank area to the north of Rufeng Mountain, and together with the Ming army in Shimen Mountain, they can attack the defenders of Rufeng Mountain.

Losing Rufeng Mountain, the Qing army would suffer a great strategic loss. Especially if the Ming army put artillery on Rufeng Mountain, under their artillery fire, the south and east of Jinzhou City would not be able to camp in many Xiaoling River areas.

And the Ming army has at least two directions to meet the defenders of Jinzhou, and the siege of Jinzhou is meaningless.

Looking at the artillery formation of the Jingbian Army by the Daughter River from a distance, Huang Taiji's eyes flashed a terrifying coldness, and he asked, "Where did King Gongshun's Wuzhenhachao artillery battalion arrive?"

Wu Bai replied: "Report from the sentry cavalry, we have arrived in the west of Jinzhou City, especially some small cannons, less than two miles away from the pontoon bridge at the ferry."

Huang Taiji said coldly: "It's too slow, Wuzhenhachao Pao Battalion, before noon, you need to reach the North Bank of the Daughter River, if you miss the time, cut it off!"

Wu Bai was sweating profusely, and said repeatedly: "Yes, this slave will send someone to pass the order."

After issuing the decree, Huang Taiji felt weak all over, and had a deep sense of frustration.He worked hard and devised a strategy of besieging the city and fighting for aid. Unexpectedly, the Ming army did the opposite, attacking Nuuhe from the west, making all his plans empty talk.

He waved his hand and was about to order to continue marching, but at this time, he was rewarded by the sentinel again.The soldiers on the front line said that the artillery battalion of the Jingbian army was strange. Their artillery could fire more than ten cannons without heat dissipation, resulting in extremely fierce firepower, and the difficulty of crossing the river to reinforce the army was largely due to their artillery battalion.

Huang Taiji's expression was complicated: "Wang Dou is worthy of being a powerful enemy of the Qing Dynasty, and his whimsy and whimsy come up one after another. Order, as a sentry cavalry, immediately conduct a secret reconnaissance, learn their secret methods, and use them in the Wuzhenhachao artillery battalion!"

(End of this chapter)