Southern Ming Rebel Army

Chapter 109 The decisive battle

War is not limited to people themselves, but also includes various aspects such as economy, people's hearts and weather. These seemingly insignificant factors can have a subtle and far-reaching impact on the combat effectiveness of an army.

Take the Ming army as an example. Once they encountered the flag of the Qing army, they were often defeated nine out of ten times. However, what is surprising is that when these soldiers chose to surrender to the Qing Dynasty, although they did not change as people, they were still the same people, but their fighting power soared instantly, and they were able to easily suppress their former colleagues.

The army is made up of living people, not emotionless machines. In the war of this era, morale is undoubtedly a crucial link. At this moment, the morale of the Meng army is high, and Meng Jun is determined to send troops to fight to the death with Bolo!

In the Qing army camp, Bolo was in a dilemma. He didn't know how to start with the pen in his hand. He simply threw down the pen and strolled to the tent door. Looking at the rain that was still falling, Bolo's mood was as terrible as the weather. In the battle the day before, more than 1,200 Manchurians were killed and 200 were injured. Even the general Bai Yingtu had a broken leg and could no longer fight. There were only a few Manchurians. If they continued to waste time like this, they would be exhausted in no time. Bolo didn't know how to write the military report to the Regent.

And who knows how many days it will rain in this weather. It is so muddy that not only the war horses, but even the infantry have to walk with one foot deep and one foot shallow. Marching is already so difficult, let alone launching an attack. Bolo is a little hesitant at this time. He can neither retreat nor fight. If he stays here, the Eight Banners soldiers can't stand this kind of weather. Many people in the army have diarrhea. Bolo is also afraid that there will be a big epidemic in the army. Thinking of this, Bolo said to Goshaha beside him: "Order, the sick soldiers gather in one place, except for the military doctors, no one else is allowed to go in or out."

24th, morning.

It was raining heavily, and the Meng army marched hard on the muddy road. The soldiers were wearing armor, holding spears or swords, and marched forward with firm steps. The rain hit their shields, making a crisp sound.

The generals led the troops and directed the marching direction. Their shouts echoed in the rain, inspiring the morale of the soldiers. However, the rain made the vision blurred and the road slippery, increasing the difficulty of marching.

The horses struggled to pull the vehicles loaded with ordnance. The wheels were stuck in the mud, and the soldiers had to work together to push the vehicles forward with difficulty. This was the armor of the heavy armored army. If the heavy armored army walked in armor, when they arrived at the battlefield, almost no one would have the strength to fight. The armor could only be transported by auxiliary soldiers and vehicles.

The rain soaked the soldiers' clothes and equipment, but they did not retreat, because the governor's figure was right in front of them. He was wearing armor and standing on a high place, trying his best to be seen by all the soldiers.

On the marching road in the rain, the soldiers' figures were looming in the rain.

Huang Cheng's face was wet, and he didn't know whether it was sweat or rain. He was the scout battalion officer, the eyes and ears of the army. He should have investigated and reported the news in time, but the road was so muddy, and the horse could not run faster than a human being could walk. If it ran a little faster, the horse's hooves would either slip and fall to the ground, or its feet would sink into the mud and become unable to move.

Huang Cheng was extremely nervous and gritted his teeth and said, "Zhang Chengsheng, take a few people with good eyesight to the slope over there to observe the movements of the Tartar army camp."

Zhang Chengsheng shouted, "Yes," and then without looking back, he picked a few people at random and ran towards the slope with difficulty.

……

After walking around the Qing army camp and Bolo's tent for a few times, Bolo sat back on the table and picked up his pen to write. He decided to report truthfully, "Meng Jun, whose courtesy name is Yuanzhi, is from Changshu County, Suzhou Prefecture. He is quite strategic and has the support of his soldiers. His army is morale-building and he is not constrained by the Ming court. In the field battle, he was able to withstand the fierce attack of more than a thousand heavy infantrymen from the Eight Banners, but his front line did not collapse and his cavalry charged into the battle formation with great tenacity..."

Before Bolo finished writing, a Goshha rushed into the camp and said, "General, the enemy troops have set out, and they are only ten miles away from the camp."

Bolo was shocked, stood up immediately, and asked in horror: "How many people?"

"If you can't see the end, the whole army should be mobilized"

"Beat the drums and gather the generals"

Meng Jun had already arrived at the scene of the fierce battle on the river bank the day before. The dense corpses of the Qing army had not yet been cleaned up. After being soaked by the rain, all the corpses looked swollen and somewhat terrifying.

And in that mountain of corpses, there seemed to be some movement. Meng Jun took a closer look, the corner of his mouth twitched, and then he turned his head away.

Seeing that the Qing army camp could be vaguely seen, Meng Jun shouted, "Line up!" The messenger beside him immediately ran quickly to the generals of each town.

The sky was covered with dark clouds, lightning and thunder, rumbling sounds could be heard from time to time, and raindrops hit the soldiers' armor violently, forming a piece of water mist. However, they were not afraid, and stood firmly in the rain, forming a neat formation.

Meng Jun stood on a high place, with the flag behind him fluttering in the wind and rain, his eyes firm and majestic. The soldiers held their weapons tightly, their expressions solemn, revealing a fearless determination.

The rain soaked their battle robes, but it did not weaken their morale. On the contrary, the rain made them more sober and more determined to face the upcoming battle.

The entire battlefield was in a state of solemnity, with only the sound of rain and the soldiers' breathing intertwined. They knew that this rain might bring more difficulties to the battle, but the Tartar Army was in the same difficulty.

Bolo rushed to the camp gate and looked up. The Meng army was like a group of black ants, surging towards the Qing army camp. Bolo's face turned pale and he cursed, "Madman!" Then he shouted, "Prepare for battle!"

Bolo originally wanted to attack Meng Jun quickly, and as soon as he crossed the river, he planned to defeat him in one battle. The Qing army's camp was just a half-man-high wall made of local materials.

"Marshal, these lunatics dare to go out to fight in such weather. It's really unreasonable," Bai Yingtu said seriously while leaning on a crutch.

Nikan was also a little stunned. He didn't expect that the Han army in the south of the Yangtze River would have such morale. If it were the Ming court, the soldiers would not be willing to leave the camp even if forced in such weather.

Fang Guoan behind him turned pale. He knew his own situation and knew that it was impossible for his soldiers to do this.

"How magnificent! How magnificent! The Yellow River flows from the west and breaks through Kunlun Mountain, roaring for thousands of miles and touching Longmen." Xiong Ruolin danced excitedly and said to Meng Jun repeatedly.

"Mr. Xiong, you could have stayed in the camp, why did you have to follow the army and endure the wind and rain?" Meng Jun suddenly felt a sense of heroism in his heart, and asked loudly to Xiong Ruolin.

"Your Majesty, what you said is wrong. To fight for the country, I would rather use my old body and take up my sword into battle. How can I just sit back and do nothing?" Xiong Ruolin said seriously.

A faint smile appeared on Meng Jun's lips. Yes, during the Southern Ming Dynasty, there were many civil officials and generals who surrendered to the Qing Dynasty, and there were also countless people who were willing to fight for the country.