The special operations battalion has been withdrawn and replaced by the charge of the soldiers of the middle camp. Shang Kexi personally commanded, charging in turns with a force of thousands, and fighting fiercely with the Jianlu who were constantly being reinforced.
The casualties on both sides are increasing, but with the constant bombardment of artillery and rockets, the overall casualties of the Jianlu army cannot be reflected only in the positions they hold.
Moreover, half of the narrow position, which was only more than one mile long, had been occupied by the Dongjiang Army. Although the Jianlu were still resisting stubbornly, the geographical advantage was evenly divided.
In the open space behind the position, the corpses of Jianlu were scattered everywhere, with broken limbs and broken arms and broken swords, guns and flags everywhere.
Boom, boom, boom... The reinforcements of the Jianlu were subjected to another fierce bombardment in this area. In the rising fireworks, the Jianlu were tumbling and tumbling, and they continued to fall casualties. The corpses on the ground were tortured again, with flesh and blood flying everywhere.
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Mandahai's face was full of regret. He hesitated several times to give the order to retreat, but gritted his teeth and continued to insist.
If we retreat, we will have to abandon Jiefan City together. Under the fierce enemy offensive, we can only fight and retreat, and we will lose the advantage of geographical location.
Although the casualties are now very high, they are still able to withstand the enemy and buy time for the brigade.
The promised few days seemed to come to naught, and the unprepared brigade was bound to suffer extremely heavy losses.
"Master Beile, we don't have many troops at hand." Jia La'e Zheno Xing'a reminded carefully, the tragic battle affected his mood.
Mandahai gritted his teeth. How could he not know how many men and horses he had in hand? There were two thousand soldiers on the position, and reinforcements were constantly coming up. Of the seven thousand men and horses, there were now less than three thousand left.
There is a fierce struggle in my heart: should I continue to fight the enemy with casualties, or should I temporarily retreat and fight and leave?
No matter how we fight, we will ultimately fail. Mandahai has already realized this. But for the entire retreat, which option is more beneficial needs to be weighed.
Retreating past Jiefan Mountain and fighting the enemy in a wide area or on the road, the enemy's artillery and rockets can still exert their power, no different from the current battle.
The place is now so narrow that the enemy's strength advantage cannot yet be brought into play. However, the ferocious attacks continue, and Mandahai can expect that all the troops will soon be filled in, and the fighting time will not be too long.
Boom, boom, boom...there was another round of shelling, the bombing range was farther, almost reaching the headquarters.
Obviously, the enemy is advancing again, and soon this place will no longer be safe.
The explosions one after another seemed to wake up Mandahai. He finally made a decision and ordered in a deep voice: "Send an order to Sobodo and Yasiha to abandon the defense of Jiefan City and come immediately to meet up."
Since we want to retreat, we cannot ignore the friendly forces. The defenders of Jiefan City who have been cut off from their retreat will end up being completely annihilated.
Now it seems that the defense strategy of Jiefan City is somewhat taken for granted. Under the enemy's strong military strength, if you stick to it, it will become an isolated city, just like Liaoyang.
Mandahai ordered another two thousand troops to retreat first, and built simple fortifications at a narrow place on the road a few miles away, preparing to fight step by step to delay the attack.
This was a desperate move. Mandahai did not want to exhaust his troops here so that the enemy could launch a smooth and unimpeded pursuit.
While blocking the attack step by step, he will also send messengers to notify the retreating brigade. Jiefan City's blocking plan has failed. The brigade can only reduce losses by continuing to speed up.
Accompanying the brigade were more than 10,000 troops led by Azig. Mandahai hoped that they would be prepared, or at least be able to block the pursuers like him.
"The enemy's firepower is so powerful and the fighting is so fierce that our army can no longer confront it head-on." Mandahai lamented in his heart, for himself and for Houjin.
When he was guarding Jiefan City, he was quite confident, but when the fight actually started, the overwhelming bombing and the fearless attack soon plunged him into despair.
All horse-riding and shooting, as well as hand-to-hand melee combat, have lost their former sharpness. This makes Jianlu no longer able to gain an advantage in tactics. It is natural and not surprising that he is panicked, frightened, and at a loss.
Although the Jianlu soldiers had not completely retreated, their retreating actions still affected the battle ahead. As more and more Dongjiang Army soldiers rushed to the position, the number of Jianlu soldiers on the position became smaller and smaller.
"Kill!" Two bayonets stabbed into the bearded Jianlu's body. The scimitar he raised hung down weakly. As the bayonets were drawn out, blood gushed out, taking away all his strength.
Staring with unwilling eyes, Bearded Jianlu slumped down. The best image in his mind was the smoke-filled sky and the hanging sky.
A Jianlu was highly skilled in martial arts. He used the scimitar in his hand to fight left and right, and he could also fight back against the enemy. He had already cut down two Dongjiang Army soldiers.
Boom! There was a gunshot very close at hand, and the prisoner was hit hard in the chest, his movements stagnated, and a bayonet was inserted into his left rib.
After moving his lips a few times, Jianlu stared wide-eyed, as if he wanted to scold his opponent for his lack of martial ethics, but another bayonet stabbed into his body, and then a big foot kicked him to the ground.
The roar of muskets started, and another row of musketeers rushed forward and fired at the enemy. Then they roared forward and fought with bayonets.
With both shooting and bayonets, the soldiers of the Dongjiang Army were already very skilled in such a battle. But for Jianlu, it was a nightmare.
This is a fighting method that is hundreds, or even hundreds of years ahead of its time. But being able to win is not the most important thing.
Strict training, sufficient food and salary, the guarantee of life support and support, and the aroused hatred towards the Jianlu were the most critical reasons why the Dongjiang Army was able to crush the Jianlu.
What's more, these battalions are all elite, and their combat strength is much higher than the average strength of the Dongjiang Army.
There were fewer and fewer prisoners on the position, so the soldiers of the Dongjiang Army began to load their guns and ammunition in batches, using the most labor-saving method that could reduce casualties to eliminate the enemy.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! The gunshots came one after another, and Jianlu, who was thinking about melee combat, fell down one by one. With unwillingness and fear of death.
No more reinforcements were sent, and the position held by Jianlu was quickly occupied by the Dongjiang Army. After a brief reorganization of the team, under the command of the officer, the troops moved forward again and rushed towards Jianlu's main team.
This narrow river beach was the most advantageous blocking position for Jianlu. After being broken through, the Dongjiang Army continued to pass through, spread out in a wide area, and continued to attack forward without stopping.
When Mandahai was anxious and unbearable, Soboduo and Yasiha finally led more than two thousand Jianlu, rushed out of Jiefan City with fireworks rising, and came down the mountain to join them.
Jianlu immediately began a large-scale retreat, or it would be more accurate to say that it was a defeat.
Thinking about it in Mandahai, the enemy's infantry is difficult to resist in attacking forts, but it is difficult to match the cavalry in mobility. After retreating a few miles, ten miles, or even dozens of miles, the infantry may not be able to pursue it.
Although he thought well, the result in front of him was somewhat beyond his expectation. The Dongjiang Army pursued quickly and did not relax, and soon started another battle, easily breaking through the defense line arranged by Mandahai.
Mandahai had no choice but to lead his men and horses back in large strides and set up a crude blocking position more than ten miles away.
Guo Dajing had already crossed the Hun River and arrived at the front line.
There were corpses everywhere on the battlefield, a mixture of friendly and enemy forces, dense craters, and the smell of blood mixed with the smell of nitrous sulfur, which was very unpleasant.
After squinting his eyes, Guo Dajing's face returned to a stern look, looking forward and moving forward quickly.
Casualties were unavoidable and had been anticipated before the decisive battle. The years of fighting had made his heart as hard as stone.
The peace of the world and the peace of the country and the people are achieved with force and must be guaranteed by force. Especially against foreign enemies, there is no bloodless victory.
But the blood cannot be shed in vain. The reason why Guo Dajing despised Chongzhen and the imperial court the most is that the blood was shed in vain, but it did not change the fate of China.
Behind the fall of China were the lives of hundreds of thousands or millions of civilians, and the tragedy of many families. Rivers of blood flowed and lives were devastated. As the supreme leader of the empire, Chongzhen could not escape the blame.
"When the emperor is bright, the country prospers, but when the emperor is dim, the country declines and the people suffer, this shortcoming should be changed." Guo Dajing's eyes became firm. The lives and blood of those martyrs filled him with motivation to move forward.
These bloodshed and sacrifices can be avoided. China's suffering can also be saved.
Arriving at the broad area to the north of Tiebei Mountain, a large number of infantrymen were forming a team. Behind them was the road leading to the north gate of Jiefan City. Infantrymen had already climbed up to occupy the city, and flags were flying on the city where the fireworks were not extinguished.
"Commander." Kong Youde made a report, "Jianlu retreated for more than ten miles and has not moved far away. The general is arranging his troops to prepare for pursuit."
Guo Dajing nodded and said: "Advance slowly, don't be too hasty. Wait until all the cavalry regiments arrive, then launch a fierce attack to open the way for them."
"The general will finally understand." Kong Youde bowed to accept the order and rode away.
In order to preserve the strength of the Flying Cavalry Regiment as much as possible, this kind of attack is still undertaken by the infantry.
After this line of defense was broken through, if the Jianlu retreated any further, the lancers in the Flying Cavalry Regiment would have to dismount and fight on foot to defeat the obstruction.
If the Jianlu had no time to set up their positions, it would be even easier. The flying cavalry regiment would directly crash into them, destroying the thousands of Jianlu, and then the pursuit would be smooth.
The obstruction of Jiefan City was no longer there. The passage along the coast, the transportation of ships, and a large number of people and horses were quickly gathering. Liu Xingzuo led 10,000 flying cavalry to set off first.
"Although the pursuit is relentless, there must be a limit." Guo Dajing summoned Liu Qishi and Fan Hualong and warned again: "In five days, no matter how successful the battle is, we will lead the army back."
Liu Qishi nodded vigorously and said: "Don't worry, Commander Guo. The Jianlu Brigade is moving slowly. If our army travels under the stars and at night, we can catch up in about three days."
Fan Hualong also believed that the speed of the Flying Cavalry Group should be about twice that of the Jianlu Brigade. Even though they were delayed in Jiefan City, they did not gain much distance.
"There are only ten thousand Jianlu troops left. Our army is almost three times that of the enemy. As long as we catch up, we can kill them all." Fan Hualong said: "It's a total annihilation, but I don't dare to say such a big thing.
"
Guo Dajing smiled and nodded, and said: "Despite this, don't underestimate the enemy. Even if the Jianlu soldiers run away, they will no longer be a problem. In a bitter and cold place, letting them suffer more is also a kind of punishment."
Guo Dajing was quite satisfied that the battle had reached this level. Jianlu's strength had suffered a heavy blow, which was also caused by their stupidity.
If it were not for Guo Dajing's fantasy of relying on a solid city to stop the Dongjiang Army, it would still be very difficult for Guo Dajing to annihilate the Jianlu.
But Jianlu chose a seemingly prudent defensive strategy, which resulted in the loss of tens of thousands of troops in the battle of Liaoyang. This was the vane of Jianlu's advance and retreat, but it was also a major turning point in strategy.
As soon as Liaoyang fell, Jianlu lost the capital to continue dealing with the Dongjiang Army. This was because Dorgon was quick to see the opportunity and did not have to defend every city. Otherwise, it would not be surprising if the entire army was annihilated.
Liu Qishi naturally knew the meaning of Guo Dajing's words. In order to reassure him, he repeatedly made guarantees without any reluctance.
The Pingliao War can actually be declared over. Even without the final pursuit of the Flying Cavalry, it was still a perfect ending.
If at the end of the perfect ending, the Flying Cavalry Group suffers too much damage due to underestimating the enemy or other accidents, it would be too disgraceful.
Moreover, Guo Dajing also asked Liu Xingzuo, and they all discussed it and reached a consensus.
"After this battle, can we enjoy leisurely and leisurely for a few years?" Liu Qishi said with emotion: "The war of more than ten years is finally over."
Guo Dajing smiled and said: "Although the army will still take action, leisure and enjoyment are certain. The big problem of Jianlu has been eliminated, and I feel safe even when I sleep."
Even now, Chongzhen and the princes in the court would not have thought that it was Jianlu who won the world in the end. Only Guo Dajing was sincerely happy to have eliminated China's biggest enemy.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Fan Hualong smiled and said: "Ping Liao and the extermination of the captives can be completed this year. The imperial court will be overjoyed, and the reward will not be too stingy, right?"
Liu Qishi curled his lips and said: "Don't expect the court to be generous. Anyway, a certain family doesn't care about it. Even if we in Dongjiang Town don't rely on the court, the treatment will be the same."
Guo Dajing pondered and said: "Rewards will be rewarded for meritorious service, and the imperial court will still show some expression. Of course, with the chaos in the pass, it is true that we cannot give much in terms of money and food."
Apart from being promoted to an official title or receiving symbolic royal rewards, Chongzhen really could not afford a lot of money.
Guo Dajing didn't expect him either. As long as he was given policies to give him the freedom and power to run Liaodong, it would be enough.
As he was talking, some cavalry came to report, and the Flying Cavalry Regiment had gathered more than 10,000 troops and was ready to set off.
"Commander, the last general will lead his team to set off immediately." Fan Hualong bowed and said, "Just wait for the news of victory!"
Guo Dajing nodded and said, "Be more careful."
Fan Hualong said hello to Liu Qishi again and rode away.
"Brother." Guo Dajing watched Fan Hualong leave, then turned to Liu Qishi and said: "In this pursuit, meritorious service is important, but safety is the first priority."
When Liu Qishi heard the title of "Big Brother", he couldn't help but grin widely, "Don't worry, third brother, Big Brother knows it well. It doesn't matter what achievements you make. What's important is that after the victory, we can drink happily."
"This is exactly the reason." Guo Dajing nodded vigorously and said, "If it weren't for the fact that I couldn't escape, I would really like to go with the team."
This is not a lie, at least Guo Dajing's space accumulation can help the Flying Cavalry Group catch up for another two or three days.