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

Chapter 720

Li Zicheng, He Yilong, Luo Rucai, Sun Kewang, etc. stood between the formations and looked forward. The tenacity of the officers and soldiers was beyond their expectations. They thought that after the defeat of Cao and Wang, the Kaifeng soldiers and horses would be terrified. Even against the wind, their millions of troops are not timid.

They patrolled around in the exile camp. At this time, they were in a camp of hungry people who had just retreated. These places were full of various huts and sheds. Wild vegetable soup and steamed corn bread.

In many places, tall sheds similar to theatrical stages were set up, and some actors were babbling and singing, while the hungry people gathered beside them ate and drank loudly while applauding. survival.

The battles of these hungry people usually involve drinking a bowl of gruel or eating steamed buns before the battle, and then under the encouragement of the fanatical atmosphere, they drag their weak bodies forward and charge forward, fighting to the death until Mingjin retreats. A pancake or something, when they stepped back, a bucket of them was placed in front of them.

Those who were defeated in advance and who were cowardly and did not fight would be beheaded row by row. For example, during a siege battle, those who did not get the quota wall bricks would be beheaded.

As for these wowotou, many hungry people are also willing to fight, women and children are also the same. Although the camps are basically formed by men, women and children can stay behind, but after all, one more person will have more food, and the family can take care of each other when they are together. Increase combat power.

Staying in the rear, hungry and crazy refugees can do anything, and it is only a common phenomenon in this era.

Of course, if manpower is insufficient, or under certain circumstances, women and children will be forced to go to the camp.

Li Zicheng and others looked at these hungry people indifferently. Their joys and sorrows are just flowing water in everyone's heart. Drawing on the experience of fighting Cao and Wang Xinjun, these hungry people who retired after the war will not fight with those hungry soldiers who have not fought. Be in the same area to keep the morale of the huge starving crowd alive.

Li Zicheng was even observing the performance of these hungry people. Those who were sad and weeping continued to suffer slowly among the hungry people. Those who showed indifference or even elation, needless to say, were ideal candidates for the future cavalry and old camps.

He looked towards the Ming army, only thinking about the battle in his mind.

Hu Dawei and Chen Yongfu are not easy to fight. Their new army has sharp firearms and a strict formation. Even if they are not as good as Cao and Wang Xinjun, they are not far behind. They all returned home in defeat.

What's more, Hu Dawei and others have a great advantage over Cao and Wang who are trapped alone.

The middle formation of the Ming army was also difficult to attack, and Zuo Liangyu and others also went beyond Li Zicheng's expectations, and fought quite hard.

How to break it?All the generals in the camp are thinking.

Yang Shaofan followed Li Zicheng, looking at the Ming army's position, also thoughtful.

In the afternoon, the bandits launched several waves of fierce attacks on the Ming army's positions. Each wave consisted of at least tens of thousands of units, and each wave was divided into several waves. The sea of ​​people watched from afar and talked endlessly, but the officers and soldiers still resisted tenaciously down.

After all, hungry people are hungry people. Even if they attack desperately for food and drink, their frenzy comes and goes quickly.

Especially when encountering firearms, there was a burst of gunshots on the opposite side, and then inexplicably, people around him fell down, with blood and flesh flying, and I hadn't seen the opponent's bullets clearly. This feeling of coming and going without a trace is even more Everyone's fear was deepened, and often the Ming army's guns were fired, and the hungry soldiers attacking in front collapsed in bursts.

There were also a lot of cavalry in the Ming army. They attacked frequently to drive away the defeated hungry people. In one case in particular, tens of thousands of hungry people in exile camps could not gather back and did not know where to flee.

It seemed that it would be difficult to break through the battle line of the Ming army no matter how much they fought. Li Zicheng thought of attacking from Zuo Liangyu's side. The starving people are retreating in bursts, as long as they are willing to fight, the combat effectiveness of the officers and soldiers is still much stronger than that of the hungry people.

Near You, Li Zicheng had to order his troops to withdraw. Even if the cavalry of the exile camps were cut off, the cavalry of the officers and soldiers kept chasing and killing them until they reached the camp.

……

On the same day when the troops were withdrawn and returned to the camp, Ding Qirui ordered to kill pigs and sheep to reward the sergeants. All the officers and generals also gathered in Ding Qirui's camp to celebrate.

The generals were dissipated, drinking heavily, eating meat, such vulgar behavior in the past must have aroused Ding Qirui and others' displeasure, but now they also feel pleasing to the eye, can eat and fight, only then is a heroic man who roams the battlefield and sings generously and elegiacly.

Of course, compared to other generals, Yang Wenyue and other civil officials still maintained their decency and were not so rude, but unconsciously, they also drank a lot of alcohol.

Zuo Liangyu stood up suddenly, with a strong smell of alcohol on his mouth, walked up to Hu Dawei, and said loudly: "Master Hu, Zuo wants to toast you, the dirt bike you made , it has helped Zuo Mou a lot!"

Both Yang Dezheng and Fang Guoan said: "Yes, it also helped me a lot, so I should toast Hushuai!"

In the afternoon, more than a dozen cannons were also used to break into the camp. Although there were only a few cannons of General Furang in the camp, they also killed and wounded left wing Zuo Liangyu, Yang Dezheng, Fang Guoan and other troops. Ding Qirui hurriedly ordered the wheelbarrows and carts made by Hu Dawei to be brought in and placed on the position.

At this time Ding Qirui came to his senses. Indeed, the earthen truck arranged by Hu Dawei came in handy. Although he thought that the ability of the artillery to enter the camp was just like this, the suggestion of Wen Shiyan and others was too much to make a fuss, but it could reduce the casualties of some soldiers. good thing.

He laughed loudly and said: "That's right, General Zuo and others are right, we should offer a toast to General Hu, and congratulate General Tiger!"

All the generals stood up together, raised their glasses and said loudly: "Congratulations to General Tiger!"

Hu Dawei raised his glass, and the veteran who has fought for the country for many years said loudly: "Congratulate the governor, congratulate all the generals, and most importantly, congratulate me!"

"Congratulations to Daming!"

Everyone's voice was like thunder, and they drank it all in one gulp, and then they all laughed.

Everyone sat down, and then the atmosphere became more relaxed. Ding Qirui twirled his long beard and whispered to the officials beside him, nodding slightly from time to time. What to communicate softly.

During the dinner, Yang Wenyue mentioned that Che Yingzi had used a lot of medicine, and it seemed that he needed to save money, so as not to run out of gunpowder when he got it, and Che Ying's combat power would not be there.

Ding Qirui was slightly intoxicated after drinking a lot of wine. Finally, he raised his glass and stood up, saying loudly: "Today's battle also proves that as long as the officers and soldiers dare to fight, there will be millions of thieves, so why not fear them?" Yes? Gentlemen, serve the imperial court only today, and when the news of the victory is heard tomorrow, it will be the day when the Holy Majesty will open his face. You will leave your name in history and seal your wife and son, and it will be easy!"

All the generals stood up and shouted: "It is our duty to kill thieves for the country!"

……

The Ming army is celebrating, while the leaders of the Liuying camps are also discussing matters.

In today's battle, although Li Zicheng and others have decided that if they deal with Cao and Wang, they will consume the medicine and morale of the officers and soldiers with hungry people, but it is obvious that the situation in Zhuxian Town is different from that of Cao and Wang at that time. , if it is really consumed, the Liuying side may be the first to be unable to support it, which makes Li Zicheng and others secretly anxious.

"It's better to use artillery."

After the battle of defeating Cao and Wang Xinjun, Ge Liyan He Yilong became very interested in the use of artillery and firearms. He suggested concentrating all the artillery and bombarding the positions of officers and soldiers.

In today's battle, Liuying used some artillery, but did not put all its strength on it. First, it was a test, and second, Li Zicheng felt that it would be better to use the artillery at the most critical time. Finally, there was also the consideration of saving gunpowder.

After all, in the hearts of Li Zicheng and others, shells and gunpowder are much more important than the lives of hungry people.

However, the results of the artillery's rough testing made everyone in the camp feel that they had not met their expectations.

The result of the sentry report was that Zuo Liangyu and others used a kind of earthen cart, which blocked many artillery shots. It seems that this kind of earthen cart was used by Cao and Wang You, and now Kaifeng officers and soldiers are also using it. Why do they use it? More and more tricks?
Luo Rucai stroked his two mustaches and said, "The cannon can be used, but there are a few points to pay attention to."

He stretched out his finger: "One, no matter where the Ming army is bombarded, they can use earthen vehicles. I am afraid that the power of the artillery will be greatly reduced. After all, the officers and soldiers are not alone, and they can calmly drive countless earthen vehicles. It is not comparable to Cao and Wang."

"Second, no matter which direction the Ming army is bombarded, if the rebel army takes the opportunity to attack, the officers and soldiers can calmly support them. The rebel army may not reach the intended ideal target."

"Three, they also have artillery. Even if the range is not as good, they can push forward and bombard them. Their horsemen can finally take the artillery."

Everyone was silent, what Luo Rucai said was not a prediction, but affirming the facts when the time comes, Liu Zongmin pulled his hair angrily and said: "Donkey ball, I feel that this battle is getting more and more different from the past."

Hao Yaoqi gritted his teeth and hated it. The reason why he had the nickname Hao Yaoqi was that he used to like to raise the flag to charge and encourage the soldiers to follow, but after the 14th year of the Chongzhen War, he rarely There are similar moves.

Every time he thinks of the charge that was launched outside Luoyang City that day for the rebels, he is secretly startled.

At that time, the Shunxiang army's artillery battle formation was terrible, and everyone familiar with him fell down, and more than half of his close subordinates were killed or injured, including Li Shuangxi and Zhang Ding, who accompanied the charge, died together, although in the end he narrowly escaped death, I took a few rides and fled, but the feeling of fear after the event has been shrouded in my heart.

In the past, there were few and bad firearms for officers and soldiers, which allowed him to show his bravery, but now that the firearms on the East Road spread, Hao Yaoqi felt that his courage was getting smaller and smaller. He had no similar actions against Cao and Wang Xinjun before, and there were fewer and fewer in the camp. People call him Hao Yaoqi, but his real name, Hao Dayongfan, has been mentioned many times.

Hao Yaoqi felt ashamed. He had a feeling that if this continues, people like him will eventually be eliminated. How can we not make him hate and fear?Hate Wang Dou to the bone?

Of course, this is also the reason why the ghost of Oboi who was also beaten to pieces in Chongzhen 12 years did not inform Hao Yaoqi and others of the situation, otherwise he would not have been so reckless at that time.

Li Zicheng tapped his fingers on the case, and slowly, he looked at the silent general Yang Shaofan beside him, and said with a smile, "I wonder if Brother Yang has any good ways to deal with officers and soldiers?"

Everyone looked at Yang Shaofan, their eyes flickered, Yang Shaofan thoughtfully, he slowly raised his head, and said calmly: "Actually, the battle between the rebel army and the officers and soldiers is very similar to an allusion, Tian Ji's horse racing."

He said: "In order to break the formation of officers and soldiers, the general felt that Zuo Liangyu had to start... This person is a typical military leader, a selfish generation. Back then, Yang Sichang called Zuo Liangyu nine times, but Zuo Liangyu ignored him. Now Ding Qirui has nothing to do with Zuo Liangyu, and he often fails to command him. Now Zuo Liangyu is willing to fight, but he just thinks that the officers and soldiers may win a big victory, and he wants to fight for military exploits.

Li Guo interjected, "Today the battle is also fought, just now Master Cao also said, Zuo Liangyu's side is afraid it won't be a good fight."

Yang Shaofan said indifferently: "Indeed, but the most important thing is, seeing King Chuang and everyone in charge, I am reluctant to part with the capital."

Li Zicheng became interested: "Brother Yang, tell me in detail."

Yang Shaofan cupped his fists and said, "Yes."

He said: "Just now Master Cao also said that when the rebel army stormed Zuo Liangyu, the rest of the officers and soldiers might rescue them, so we must first entangle them for possible reinforcements... The last general means that all the artillery of our rebel army is aimed at the officers and soldiers. The Chinese Army, and Hu Dawei and the others, and then..."

A cold expression flashed in his eyes: "The leaders of each battalion, gather all the cavalry and storm Zuo Liangyu's left wing. His earthen cart can fire guns, can it defend Xiaoqi?"

Everyone in Liuying took a deep breath, and those who knew the allusion secretly thought: "It really is Tian Ji's horse race."

Many people still cast their eyes on Yang Shaofan. Hu Dawei, Chen Yongfu and others have a new army. Yang Shaofan used to be in charge of the new army, but now he does not hesitate to deal with them in the most ruthless way. This person...

Of course, Yang Shaofan was cruel to the officers and soldiers, which was a good thing for the rebels, and they were all thinking about Yang Shaofan's strategy.

Li Dingguo looked at Yang Shaofan for a long time, and he said slowly: "There is one thing to worry about. Our rebel cavalry will go to deal with Zuo Liangyu. On the other side, the officers and soldiers may attack our army with cavalry, and even come and capture me during the artillery battle." Artillery, the ultimate victory or defeat is hard to say."

Yang Shaofan said: "The general proposes this strategy, the pros and cons of which need to be considered by each family, and the King Chuang decides. What the general proposes is that in order to break through Zuo Liangyu's army formation as soon as possible, the rebel army had better arrange the strongest cavalry in front. The tactics of the Tartars often cause the officers and soldiers to be defeated."

Hao Yaoqi stood up abruptly, clasped his fists to Li Zicheng and shouted: "King Chuang, the last general is willing to hold the flag himself, and lead the old battalion to the forefront to break through Zuo Liangyu's army formation!"

Li Zicheng was silent. Yang Shaofan's proposal was completely different from the style of the rebel army in the past. They usually put the old battalion at the end. The trick, now Yang Shaofan suddenly wants to change it...

His fingers kept tapping on the table, making a dull sound.

The leaders of the exile camps didn't have any idea about the Tartars outside the Great Wall, they just talked about it and argued endlessly.

(End of this chapter)