Southern Ming Rebel Army

Chapter 399: Raid on Dingtao

Just when Zhao Yongping captured Zibo, more than 10,000 elite cavalrymen from the Eight Banners under Hauge were stationed in Yongcheng, Guide Prefecture.

Since Hauge looted Huai'an and Yangzhou, the morale of his troops was boosted. They no longer retreated from Wuchang, which was so low. After leaving Huai'an, Hauge saw that Zhou's army was defending the city more and more strictly. Knowing that there was no opportunity to take advantage of, he led more than 10,000 cavalrymen under his command to the north to Woyang.

Henan is a flat land, which is a perfect place for cavalry to move around. Hauge felt a little sorry that Meng Jun's army was almost entirely marching along the canal, and his cavalry had no place to use their skills.

Until the news came from the spy that Meng Jun in Jinan City had divided his troops into three groups and wanted to take over Shandong. Hauge felt that there might be an opportunity, so he continued to lead the cavalry north to Guide Prefecture and stationed in Yongcheng.

Haoge knew that there must be spies from Meng Jun's Qingluan Guard in the city, so after entering Yongcheng, he blocked the four gates, allowing people in the city to enter but not leave, which caused the people of Yongcheng to complain.

It was not until the end of March, when Liu Tichun, Hao Yongzhong and Huang Cheng's two thousand cavalrymen captured Yuncheng, that Hauge felt there might be a chance to attack this small army.

The first day of April.

In Guide Prefecture, Hauge led 10,000 cavalrymen out of Yongcheng, passed through Shiyang Town, Wenjiaji, Shangqiu City, crossed the river from Kaocheng County, and entered Shandong.

After crossing the river, Hauge sent scouts to investigate the situation in Dingtao City.

At this time, Hauge's army had passed Cao County, and the cavalry was marching all over the field. The scene was grand and spectacular.

Under the big banner, Hauge rode on a horse, followed by Oboi, Leng Sengji and other generals.

Leng Sengji smiled and said, "Your Highness, the bandit Meng has captured Yuncheng, and he will certainly send troops to capture Dingtao. If everything goes well, perhaps we can use cavalry to defeat infantry in the wild and teach the bandit Meng a lesson."

Haoge nodded slightly and said, "If the thief Meng came in person, I would be more cautious. However, most of the troops from Yuncheng are the remnants of the former thieves, and only about 2,000 cavalrymen are the thief Meng's trusted men."

In the battle of Jilong Mountain, Meng Jun beheaded Prince Lekedehun, and in the battle of Huguang, he defeated Duoduo. Although they were rivals, Haoge still admired Meng Jun very much. It was not that he was a military genius, but that he controlled his subordinates and made them work like an arm. The soldiers were willing to die for him, which was something not everyone could do.

"Da Da... Da Da" the sound of horse hooves could be heard, and the scout came to report: "Your Highness, I and others went to Dingtao City to investigate, and we happened to see the city open the gates and surrender!"

Since the defeat of Huguang, the rebellion of Jiang Xiang, and the separatist rule of Wu Sangui, the reputation of the Qing Dynasty has long since plummeted. Although Haoge despised these county magistrates and officials, he also knew that if the situation could not be reversed now, then by then the city might not surrender until Zhou's army was at the gates, but would surrender before the army arrived.

"How many soldiers are there?" Hauge asked coldly.

The scout bowed and replied, "I dare not get too close, but there are not many soldiers entering the city, about two to three thousand people, and there are only cavalry, no infantry."

Haoge thought for a moment, then sneered, "Two thousand cavalrymen, Meng Jun's cavalrymen are scarce. If he kills these two thousand cavalrymen, I think he will be in pain for a few days. Send an order, the whole army will rush to Dingtao, surround the city gate, and prevent the enemy army from escaping!"

Besieging a city and attacking its reinforcements was the specialty of the Qing army at that time. Hauge's father, Huang Taiji, was an expert at it. They would first besiege Dingtao. If the cavalry in the city broke through the city and escaped, they would be killed by that cavalry. If they did not escape, Hauge would not attack the city, but would surround it and wait for the bandits to come to the rescue.

In Dingtao city, Huang Cheng was in high spirits. He had come here almost exclusively for tourism. As for what it meant to surrender at the sight of a threat, Huang Cheng said that this stretch of his journey was a perfect example of this phrase.

Fang Ji, the magistrate of Dingtao County, had cut off his braids and was extremely respectful to Huang Cheng. He also served the Zhou cavalry wholeheartedly and provided logistics, looking like he had completely surrendered to the Zhou army.

Although Dorgon abolished the shaving order, it only applied to civilians. For officials of all ranks in various places, it was still a strict requirement. Anyone who dared not shave his head would be beheaded.

Just when Huang Cheng thought it was another ordinary day, a hurried bell rang on the city wall.

Huang Cheng's face changed and he immediately rushed out, mounted his horse, and rushed to the city wall.

Huang Chengyu looked out from the city wall and saw dust flying in the distance. He could vaguely see a large cavalry team approaching quickly. He frowned and thought to himself that something was wrong.

Huang Cheng stood by the parapet, scanning the enemy with a telescope in his hand, thinking about his response. Liu Kun on the side said anxiously: "General, these are the Eight Banners of the enemy army. They must be coming for us! General, we must withdraw from Dingtao immediately! The enemy cavalry is charging here, and their horses are about to run out. If we break out of the city now, the enemy army will not be able to catch up with us!"

At this moment, a fast horse came galloping from outside the city, and on the horse sat a scout, who was Li He who was in charge of reconnaissance.

He looked hurried. As soon as he entered the city, he quickly came to Huang Cheng and whispered, "General, they are the enemy cavalry, at least more than 10,000!"

Upon hearing the news, Huang Cheng's face became even more serious. Huang Cheng had also been in Liaodong. He was familiar with the Eight Banners' tactics of besieging a city and attacking reinforcements. What he was worried about was that if he was trapped in Dingtao City, and Liu Tichun and Hao Yongzhong came to help, without the help of cavalry and firearms, would the soldiers of the two towns of the Loyal Camp be able to withstand the impact of the Eight Banners' elite cavalry? Huang Cheng did not dare to hold too much hope for this.

Thinking of this, Huang Cheng decisively issued an order: "Pass the order down, the entire army will assemble immediately, break out of Dongcheng, and retreat to Yuncheng!"

The two thousand cavalrymen in the city responded quickly and were ready to go. At this moment, Fang Ji, the magistrate of Dingtao County, grabbed Huang Cheng's armor tightly and cried, "General Huang, I just rebelled today, why did you abandon the city immediately?"

Huang Cheng felt a little guilty when he heard this, and said to the Dingtao County Magistrate: "County Magistrate Fang, the enemy troops have suddenly arrived, and I need to return to Yuncheng as soon as possible to prevent any accidents. However, County Magistrate Fang can surrender to the Qing again. Don't worry, our army will not blame you in the future!"

After saying that, Huang Cheng jumped on his horse and led two thousand cavalrymen out of Dingtao City. Outside the city gate, Hauge's cavalry had gradually formed a semi-encirclement, but Huang Cheng and his subordinates did not hesitate at all. They were like a sharp knife, stabbing straight into the weakest part of the enemy, trying to tear open a way out.

Haoge didn't expect this man to be so decisive. He said to Leng Sengji with some emotion: "This man is experienced in military battles. Meng Jun has his own men!"

At this time, Aobai said in a deep voice: "There is still some time left. If it is a little later, we can surround the city gate."

"Send the order to mobilize the cavalry from the two southwest gates to encircle and annihilate the enemy cavalry. Aobai, you go too!" Hauge said in a cold voice.

Upon hearing this, Oboi bowed and then led a team of Goshaha to chase after Huang Cheng and others.

…………

(The National Day holiday is about to end, I went back to work yesterday ^O^)