Chapter 1042: The Shanxi Army Arrives to Aid the Emperor
Just as the people of Gao Family Village were still handling the aftermath of Gao Yingxiang's passing, Chen Yuanbo, the Magistrate of Daizhou and one of Gao Family Village's most outstanding first-generation middle school graduates, was facing a grave challenge.
"Report!" A militia scout burst in, cupping his fists respectfully to Chen Yuanbo. "The vanguard of the Manchu invaders is already close to Xuanfu and Datong."
Chen Yuanbo frowned. "I'm not very familiar with military matters. Didn't the Wushen Tribe lead a large number of Mongol tribes to attack the Eastern Mongol tribes? Under these circumstances, how did the Manchu manage to reach Xuanfu and Datong?"
The scout replied, "The Mongols are no match for the Manchu. As soon as the Manchu general Ajige led his troops out, the Wushen Tribe scattered like startled birds and beasts, keeping a wide berth and avoiding the main Manchu army."
Chen Yuanbo was astonished. "Where is Zao Ying's Cavalry Battalion? Aren't they helping the Mongols?"
At his question, the scout's expression turned a little strange. He lowered his voice, "Instructor Zao is indisposed for campaigning... she's been at home these past few days... resting during her pregnancy."
"What?" Chen Yuanbo was startled. "Pregnant? What happened? I hadn't heard she got married."
The scout whispered, "Apparently, on a dark and stormy night, after getting Zheng Daniu drunk... *cough*... well, that's the gist of it."
Chen Yuanbo: "..." He finally understood. "The Mongols are too weak. Without our village's Armored Cavalry Battalion, they can't fight the Manchu head-on. To stop the Manchu, we still have to rely on ourselves. So, what's the situation with the border army at Xuanfu and Datong now?"
When Chen Yuanbo first took office as Magistrate of Daizhou, the Supreme Commander of Xuan-Da was Yang Sichang. He and Yang Sichang had exchanged letters regarding the recruitment of miners. However, not long after Yang Sichang took office, his father, Yang He, passed away, and Yang Sichang resigned to observe mourning. A year later, his mother also died, extending his period of mourning... This position of Supreme Commander of Xuan-Da has remained vacant.
Therefore, the Xuan-Da border army is currently only overseen by Regional Commander Wang Pu of Datong.
Chen Yuanbo said, "A few days ago, the Heavenly Lord already ordered all Gao Family Village generals to return to their posts, ready to receive orders at any time, precisely to deal with a situation like this. Immediately send this message back."
The scout acknowledged and quickly boarded a car heading to Taiyuan.
Soon, San Shier, who had been assisting Wu Shen with administrative affairs in Taiyuan, received the news. San Shier didn't understand warfare, but he was exceptionally skilled at deploying supplies. He immediately sent people to notify the various Gao Family Village generals and began preparing all the necessary materials for battle...
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Xuanfu, also known as Xuanzhen, was one of the Great Nine Border Garrisons of the Great Ming, originally under the jurisdiction of Supreme Commander Yang Sichang of Xuan-Da. Now, however, it was overseen by Regional Commander Wang Pu of Datong.
Days earlier, Manchu invaders had breached the pass, their forces reaching the northern district of Changping (now Changping District, Beijing), sending shockwaves through the capital.
Changping was merely a hundred *li* from Xuanfu. Imperial requests for aid had long since reached Xuanfu.
But Wang Pu dared not move!
He had only five thousand troops, a mere nominal figure. Four tenths of these were ghost soldiers, drawing pay but non-existent, leaving a true strength of only three thousand. And the Manchu this time commanded a massive army of one hundred thousand.
"Damn it, utterly damn it!" Wang Pu paced frantically. "If I go to help, it's a dead end. If I don't, it's morally indefensible, and His Majesty will punish me—still a dead end. What should I do?"
As he was pacing anxiously in circles, a soldier rushed in, cupping his fists and bowing. "General, the Governor of Shanxi, Wu Shen, has sent imperial aid forces."
Wang Pu was overjoyed. "The Shanxi army is here? Quick, quick, I'll go out to welcome them!"
He ran to the city gate and saw an army standing outside Xuanfu's south gate. Their formations were indeed orderly and disciplined, displaying a large banner with the character "Wang."
Wang Pu was somewhat familiar with generals surnamed Wang from Shanxi. This one should be Wang Xiaohua, the Garrison Commander of Pingyang. Standing beside him was a burly, full-bearded general who looked imposing; he was Wang Xiaohua's deputy.
This combination was quite well-known. Wang Pu didn't think much of it at first. However, he soon noticed that behind the barracks led by Wang Xiaohua, there was another cavalry battalion.
Over two thousand cavalrymen, all heavily armored and mounted on iron steeds, stood in neat ranks. Their military bearing was impeccable, clearly a strong, well-trained army. The general leading them, however, flew no banner.
Wang Pu asked curiously, "Who is this?"
Bai Mao smiled and introduced him. "This gentleman's surname is Ma. His name is Ma Shouying. He's a military officer recently promoted by the Governor; his current rank is quite low, hardly worth mentioning."
Wang Pu lowered his voice, "General Wang, this Ma Shouying clearly looks like a formidable man. I think he'll rise through the ranks very quickly. Should I prepare a calling card and try to befriend him?"
Bai Mao: "That's up to you."
Wang Pu eagerly trotted over to Ma Shouying. "Greetings, brother. I can tell at a glance that you are a dragon among men. If you don't mind..."
Ma Shouying rolled his eyes. "I do mind!"
Wang Pu: "..." A venerable Regional Commander was thus snubbed to his face. Wang Pu was furious!
But seeing the over two thousand armored cavalry behind Ma Shouying, he swallowed his anger. These two thousand didn't look like easy opponents; every one of them had a fierce, bandit-like expression. If he were to cause trouble, they certainly wouldn't give a Regional Commander like him any respect and would most likely draw their blades. He'd also end up with the charge of "inciting a mutiny," and if it were investigated afterward, he might even lose his head.
Best to forget it.
Wang Pu returned to Bai Mao's side and whispered, "This man doesn't know how to conduct himself socially."
Bai Mao whispered back, "Never mind him. As long as he can fight, that's enough. Since we've arrived, let's get going and relieve Changping."
Wang Pu tallied the forces: his own three thousand, nominally five thousand. Plus Bai Mao's three thousand, also nominally five thousand. And the unsociable Ma Shouying's two thousand-plus, nominally four thousand. All together, they nominally formed an army of twenty thousand, which should be able to tie down the Manchu forces from the periphery.
He was not a man who feared battle. He waved his hand and declared, "Let's go, attack!"
The "twenty-thousand-strong army" immediately set off for Changping.
Upon arrival, they discovered that Changping city had already fallen. A Manchu army was roaming the outskirts of Changping, chasing and slaughtering the local villagers everywhere.
Wang Pu hesitated for a good ten seconds, his mind trying to devise a battle plan. Then, he saw Bai Mao give an order, and the Shanxi army under his command surged forward to meet the enemy head-on.
Wang Pu was startled. "General Wang, the Manchu are fierce! Don't underestimate them; we should consider our strategy carefully..."
His reply was met with a volley of flintlock fire and the explosions of hand grenades.
The Manchu were utterly disoriented in a very short time.
Then, the unsociable Ma Shouying led his iron cavalry in a sudden charge, sending the Manchu scattering in disarray.
Wang Pu's mind had wandered. By the time he regained his senses, they had already cut down 1,104 Manchu soldiers and captured 143.
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