The cavalry of the Shahe Camp have long been frightened by the Mini Lancers of Dongxing Port in the past few days, but they have never experienced the power of Dongxing Port's artillery. Today, Dongxing Port gathered 60 large-caliber Caron short guns. The concentrated artillery bombardment was the first time I had experienced the power of Dongxing Port artillery, and it was also the first time I had seen the terrifying lethality of concentrated artillery use! The powerful explosive shells exploded in the dense cavalry charge, and no one within 20 steps could be spared. The only difference was that the injuries were serious and the injuries were minor, because the distance between cavalry charges was much greater than that of infantry, and the direct damage caused was not It was not big, but the indirect damage was extremely shocking. The high-speed sprinting war horses were disturbed by the huge explosion and injured by flying shrapnel. They immediately neighed loudly, ran around uncontrollably, collided and trampled on each other, not only disrupted the entire The damage caused by the charge formation is also extremely shocking. Naturally, the high-speed sprinting horses could not stop. The only effective way was to control the horses to turn. However, the gunners of the Caron Short Artillery fired wherever they saw the concentration. The artillery and infantry of the Dongxing Port Guard had a clear division of labor, with long-range artillery and close-range artillery. The cavalry who had disrupted their position posed no threat to them at all. The sound of gunfire was deafening for a while, and the entire battlefield was filled with a pungent smell of gunpowder smoke. More than a mile away from the rear of the army, Bai Jue, the commander-in-chief of the Xuanfu who was leading the 5,000 cavalry to raid the formation, looked at the 10,000 cavalry who were beaten in chaos in an instant. He couldn't help but stare blankly. A man behind him All the generals were also stunned and frightened. Although they had heard that Dongxing Port was good at using artillery before leaving, they did not expect Dongxing Port to use artillery in this way. "Today is an eye-opener. Artillery can actually be used like this!" "Except for Dongxing Port, no one is so wealthy. How many troops and horses do we have on the nine sides, and how many artillery pieces are there in total?" "The power of this kind of explosive shell is too much. It's too big, with long-range guns and close-range guns, there is no chance of close combat! " "Dongxing Port has a full range of artillery. This time it is an ambush, and only one kind of light artillery is used. " " Listen. All the subordinates were talking softly behind them, but Bai Jue remained silent. He knew what all the subordinates were thinking, and was afraid that they would order a charge. He had no intention of going to the rescue. Who knows how many troops the other party had ambushed? Since the other party dared to set up an ambush in front of their camp, they would definitely have a large number of troops. If the camp does not send reinforcements, he will definitely stand still! At the Shahe camp, the generals who were watching the battle, including Duke Cheng, Zhu Xizhong, and Zhai Luan, were also startled by the sudden bombardment. They all turned pale, and Zhu Xizhong was even more frightened before leaving. Jiajing repeatedly warned that they could only fight while waiting for the army to rendezvous, and never engage in large-scale battles! "I didn't expect that Dongxing Gang was so cunning that he dug trenches in front of his camp to hide his troops and sent a small group of troops to lure, not to lure." It's a provocation! Force him to send troops to drive him away! He secretly thought that this matter should not be a big deal and he must try to control the losses, otherwise he would not be able to deal with Jiajing. The chain reaction caused by a big defeat was not something he could afford! Seeing that the White Count's five thousand cavalry were still staying in place, he couldn't help but secretly breathed a sigh of relief, waiting to give the order loudly. Zhu Xiong, the commander-in-chief, was already on horseback in armor. He reined in the reins under the lookout post. He raised his hand on the horse and said, "General, please lead your troops out of the camp for reinforcements!" Zhu Xizhong glanced at him and thought to himself. What is going on with this old guy? Before the battle, he begged to withdraw his troops. Now that he was ambushed, he begged for reinforcements! But right now he didn't have time to think too much. He ignored the order and loudly ordered: "Retreat the troops, withdraw the troops for the money!" "Master!" Zhu Xiong opened his voice like a broken gong and shouted loudly: "Retreating troops before the battle is a taboo for military strategists! Once they are pursued, the consequences will be disastrous!" "Don't be alarmist." Zhu Xizhong shouted: "Dongxing Port musketeers can't shoot on horseback. Retreat!" Hearing this, Zhu Xiong was speechless for a while. If he couldn't shoot on horseback, couldn't he mount his horse to pursue? An army of more than 10,000 people retreated through three pontoon bridges, and the opponent was not blind. Once they were pursued, the soldiers outside the camp would immediately break up and flee. If half of them returned to the camp, they should burn incense! Judging from Zhu Xizhong's determined look, he was too lazy to waste his words. Hearing his order to withdraw his troops, Zhai Luan would naturally have no objections. After all, what Dongxing Port needs is just a small victory. If there is really a big fight, God knows what the result will be? However, it is obvious that no matter what the result is, it cannot be as good as the result in front of you! On the battlefield, the sound of gunfire has gradually become sparse. The mobility of the cavalry is not comparable to that of the infantry. Those who charge so fast are almost dead. They turn the horse's head quickly with a quick reaction and are soon out of the range of the guns. They are still in shock. They walked in a circle from a distance, looking at the long trenches in front of them, the artillery emplacements in the back, and then looking back at the thousands of corpses thrown on the battlefield. Many people felt their scalps go numb. Just when the military attach¨¦s at all levels were hesitating about how to fight the next battle,The sound of the trumpet came from far away, and all the officers and soldiers secretly breathed a sigh of relief, quickly rectified their troops and retreated slowly. When he saw that the opponent withdrew after only one round, Liu Siwu couldn't help but cursed secretly! Naturally, he would not take advantage of this battle. After all, the Shahe camp had 60,000 cavalry. The previous thousand soldiers were bait, and his five thousand men were also bait. On the left and right sides of the position, he also prepared The ambush of four regiments was really in vain. They lay on the ground for a long time! After glancing at the messy battlefield, he initially estimated that only about a thousand people were killed or injured. He couldn't help but frown and said in a deep voice: "The whole army attacks!" "Bang, bang, bang," three red fireworks bloomed in the air, The loud "Charge" also resounded across the wilderness. A group of junior officers of the escort team immediately took the lead and jumped out of the trenches to pursue. The four regiments behind them, holding back their energy, no longer concealed their tracks and charged forward. , the sound of military bugles and shouts immediately resounded through the wilderness! The frontier cavalry, who had been beaten for a long time, were frightened and frightened. When the frontier cavalry saw this situation, they dared not to fight. They all galloped their horses and whips and fled in all directions quickly! The dark crowd that I saw rolled over like a flood, and the nearly 10,000 cavalry chasing them broke up and fled! Bai Jue's face was ashen and he said: "The shame of the frontier army! There is nothing better than this!" Hearing that his tone was wrong, the deputy general Jiang Dashan beside him hurriedly said: "Commander, there are at least 10,000 or 20,000 people in Dongxing Port. Not only are the muskets far more powerful, He is also very skilled in bows and arrows and battle formations" But Bai Jue ignored them at all. He knew very well that in this case, once the order was given to retreat, the five thousand cavalry would inevitably break up and flee. A defeat like a mountain is contagious. He immediately shouted loudly: "Listen to the orders left and right!" "The general is here!" A group of generals responded quickly. "Divide the troops into two groups to intercept!" Bai Jue said solemnly: "Don't disperse, the battle flag cannot fall, act according to the opportunity!" Although they were unwilling, no one dared to disobey the order, and the five thousand cavalry were immediately divided into two. Into the battlefield! I saw this situation. Liu Siwu's brows couldn't help but jump! As expected of a frontier army, there are still people who dare to turn the tide in this situation! Chase down the scattered deserters. No matter how many deserters there are, they are all lambs to be slaughtered! Even the cavalry is the same, but the organized cavalry is too much of a threat to the scattered infantry! He immediately shouted in a deep voice: "Blow the trumpet. Stop the pursuit and assemble on the spot!" On the battlefield, before the assembly horn blew, sharp whistles rang out one after another. When the grassroots officers rushing in front saw two neat formations of cavalry charging, When he came in, he immediately blew the whistle and ordered to assemble! The benefits of the officers' charge to the front and the escort's daily strict formation training and actual combat training are now reflected, even if the organization is disrupted. A group of soldiers still quickly formed a fighting formation. Bai Jue, who originally wanted to take the opportunity to counterattack, saw this situation and quickly led his team to avoid it. He did not think that a group of men with no fighting spirit could break through the musket formation in Dongxing Port! He had to admire the Dongxing Port Guards' ability to assemble so quickly. No wonder the Dongxing Port generals dared to be so arrogant and order the infantry to charge and pursue the cavalry! Bai Jue's interception prevented Dongxing Port soldiers from expanding their victory. They also gathered some of the defeated soldiers, but they failed to change the entire battle situation. Seeing the Dongxing Port soldiers coming like a tide, the frightened frontier troops did not dare to turn back and fight again! They all scattered and fled, running four or five miles away before they dared to relax. When they looked back, they saw that the camp had not sent out reinforcements. All the officers and soldiers were yelling curses! At the Shahe camp, seeing that the defeat was a foregone conclusion, Zhai Luan turned to Zhu Xizhong, Duke of Cheng, and said, "Qing Zhen, please go back to your tent." Upon hearing this, Zhai Luan greeted him with every word. Zhu Xizhong was stunned for a moment, and then he expected that he was going to discuss how to deal with this defeat. He had no intention of watching anymore, nodded slightly, got off the observation tower, and returned to the Chinese army's tent. After sitting down in the tent and serving tea, Zhai Luan did not speak. He picked up the tea cup and slowly scratched it with the lid. Seeing this, Zhu Xizhong waved his hand and dismissed the sergeant in the tent, and then said: "Mr. Zhai Ge, If you have something to say, it¡¯s okay to say it.¡± Zhai Luan nodded slightly, put down the lid of the cup, sat up straight and said, ¡°In today¡¯s battle, the casualties plus those who escaped, the loss is at least 5,000, and the loss in the camp is second. We must also retreat. King Yi will definitely take the opportunity to publicize it, and the Jinling News will definitely publish it. How to explain to the emperor? "Zhai Luan's estimated losses may still be light. Once the Dongxing Port soldiers block the three pontoon bridges, they can To block the attack, you can also burn the bridge. The soldiers who have not returned to the camp will inevitably flee in all directions. The morale of the army is unstable and morale is low. There are already many officers and soldiers fleeing in the camp. If there is such an opportunity, how can the fleeing soldiers return to the camp? Thinking of this, Zhu Xizhong sighed softly and then said: "Zhai Ge has been in the center for a long time, so he must have good strategies." "No." Zhai Luan said simply. No? Zhu Xizhong looked at him suspiciously and did not respond.Fa, why are you asking me to go back to the big tent, and why are you bringing this up again? Do you still need me to come up with ideas? Seeing him staring at him with a puzzled look on his face, Zhai Luan slowly took a sip of tea and said calmly: "Today's battle will give us a glimpse of Dongxing Port's combat power. If the emperor mobilizes more than 300,000 troops, The army counterattacked the capital. What chance does Zhenqing have of winning? ""Within five or five years, how likely is it to completely annihilate King Yi and the people of Dongxing Hong Kong?" Zhu Xizhong glanced at him and said slightly: "I have never seen the combat power of Dongxing Port with my own eyes before, so I always thought that the rumors were exaggerated. But after seeing it today, I know that Dongxing Port's reputation is well-deserved. If the soldiers and horses of Dongxing Port are dedicated to breaking out, it can be said that no one can stop it!" Zhai Luan He slightly nodded his head and said, "Then Qing Zhen, think about it again. If King Yi is defeated, what will happen if he abandons the capital and breaks out of the encirclement and goes south?" After hearing this, Zhu Xizhong couldn't help but be stunned. After a long while, he said: "Mr. Zhai Ge You might as well say it clearly. " "Since King Yi has launched the Jingnan campaign, there is no reason to stop." Zhai Luan said solemnly: "If King Yi goes south, he will definitely occupy the southeast half. If the emperor loses the southeast half, it will be impossible to fight in the west. The Tatars are fighting against King Yi in the south But if King Yi can win without fighting or at a very small cost, then the world will be safe." After hearing this, Zhu Xizhong did not say a word for a while, and Zhai Luan was already there. Said so clearly. He didn't necessarily ask again. At this time, a guard reported outside the tent: "Master Yan, please see me." Zhai Luan glanced at Zhu Xizhong and said slowly: "I asked him to come here." "Let him in." " Zhu Xizhong said in a deep voice, he vaguely guessed that Yan Shifan must be King Yi's lobbyist, and King Yi was really good at it. He actually got Yan Shifan to come to the camp to lobby. No one would believe him even if he said it! Yan Shifan slowly walked into the tent, glanced at the two of them, and saw the solemn look on Zhu Xizhong's face, knowing that Zhai Luan had already been assigned, he stepped forward and bowed slightly. He then sat down and said, "King Yi, Xu Cheng, Duke of Guo, one family and two Dukes!" One family, two Dukes! Zhu Xizhong was even breathing rapidly. The Duke of Ming Dynasty was not a big cabbage. The Duke of the Ming Dynasty was not even a slap in the face. Compared with the glory brought by one family and two Dukes and the real value to the family and descendants. Benefits, nothing else is worth mentioning! He immediately said to the outside world: "Come here!" The guards outside the tent immediately bowed and entered. "What are your orders, sir?" Zhu Xizhong immediately ordered: "Immediately, the governor of Xuanda, Fan Jizu, the governor of Shuntian, Yang Shouli, the governor of Xuanfu, Wang Yi, the governor of Datong, Shi Dao, the commander-in-chief of Jizhou, Zhu Xiong, and the commander-in-chief of Datong. Wang Sheng and the chief military officer of the Xuanfu called Bai Jue! "Hearing these words, a big stone finally fell into Yan Shifan's heart. It's done! Now you can consider whether it is better to become an official or to be ennobled? He was not worried at all about the governors and general military officers below. The Zhu family was fighting among themselves. Who among the ministers was willing to fight to the death for this? Dongxing Port had a strong fighting force. All the civil servants and generals had witnessed it with their own eyes. Who was willing to bite this hard bone? After a great defeat, all the civil servants and military generals were worried. After hearing the summons from Duke Zhu Xizhong and Second Assistant Zhai Luan, they all rushed over quickly. When they entered the tent, they saw Yan Shifan sitting under them. Everyone was slightly surprised, but no one said a word. After waiting for a while, everyone except Bai Jue, the chief military officer of the Xuan Mansion, had arrived. Zhu Xizhong then said: "In today's battle, you have all seen the combat power of Dongxing Port. Dongxing Port started with artillery. It is reported that there are hundreds of artillery inside and outside the capital, as well as powerful grenades. You think this Can the capital be captured? Even if the capital can be captured, how many casualties will there be?" Everyone in the tent was a little confused after hearing this, wondering what it meant? Zhai Luan cursed secretly in his heart, glanced at everyone, and said straight to the point: "Everyone, I have discussed with Duke Cheng Guo and decided to submit to King Yi!" "Subordinate to King Yi?" Everyone couldn't help but be stunned. Zhu Xizhong, Duke of Chengguo, was one of Jiajing's most favored ministers, and Zhai Luan was the second minister of the cabinet. Are they testing them? Could it be that after a small defeat, the two of them are preparing to make a big attack to win the game? Seeing that everyone was silent, Zhai Luan said slowly: "Being attached to King Yi is not out of concern for your own safety and selfish interests. You should know what will happen when the border army and Dongxing Port are exhausted in the capital? You should also know It is clear that with the combat power of Dongxing Port, it is impossible to encircle and annihilate the Dongxing Port people and King Yi" After analyzing the situation in detail, he continued: "You might as well think about it carefully " After listening carefully, everyone concluded that the two of them really wanted to surrender to King Yi, and everyone's minds immediately became active. The example of Emperor Wen Zhu Di Jingnan was placed in front of them, and none of the civil servants and generals wanted to do it. If you are willing to get involved in this kind of battle for the throne, if you follow the right person, you will surely rise to the top, but if you follow the wrong person, you will risk the annihilation of your clan.Being involved was completely out of help, but Dongxinggang was another tough nut to crack. After hearing this analysis, everyone felt that King Yi had a greater chance of winning the world. After all, King Yi, who completely controlled the sea area, was already firmly in an invincible position, and both the frontier army and Dongxing Port were harmed. They could only It's cheaper for Tatars. Fan Jizu, the governor of Xuanda, glanced at Yan Shifan and took the lead to speak: "King Yi Jingnan, this is a civil war. As the saying goes, meat rots in the pot. We cannot take advantage of the Tatars and deploy border troops because of the struggle for the throne. Xiaguan did not agree with the siege of the capital. King Yi was generous and kind, and he was willing to surrender to King Yi! " "That's right," Wang Sheng, the commander-in-chief of Datong, immediately agreed, "We all the border troops are fighting for it. Even if they can recapture the capital, the entire north will be annexed by the Tatars! The general is willing to put life and death, fame and fortune first, and put the Ming Dynasty and the country first!" Seeing the two people expressing their opinions one after another, Zhu Xizhong and Zhai Luan were secretly relieved! Seeing this situation, Governor Yang Shouli of Shuntian, Governor Wang Yi of Xuanfu, and Governor Shi Dao of Datong also expressed their willingness to join King Yi. King Yi and Jiajing competed for the throne. Since they could not sit on the sidelines and had the opportunity to choose, they naturally You have to choose the one with a greater chance of winning. Moreover, in this situation, if you don't join King Yi, you will definitely end up with your head missing. Anyway, they are all the sons and grandsons of the Zhu family, so there is no need to waste their lives for this. Among the people in the hall, only Zhu Xiong, the commander-in-chief of Jizhou, did not express his position. Everyone who saw him looked over. Zhu Xiong sighed softly and said: "General, I am deeply favored by the country, highly valued by the Holy One, and entrusted with important tasks. It is a matter of great importance to the Ming Dynasty and the country, as well as the life and death of the frontier army. The general has no choice but to be ashamed of himself. However, the general is unwilling to kill each other with the frontier army" "General Zhu. Don't worry." Yan Shifan intervened at the right time: "When I leave, King Yi has told me that he will not let the border troops fight each other. The three towns of Jizhou, Xuanfu, and Datong will remain neutral and strictly guard against the Tatars."