Zhang Cheng led the boy soldiers to gallop on horseback, and Lin Fangping led the soldiers of the Tiger Guard Camp to closely follow the escort. They also followed Yang Guozhu's figure.
Behind them, more than a thousand fine cavalry from the Xuanbei Army spread out in all directions. Under the leadership of the cavalry commander Zhang Guangda, they slowly pushed towards the Zhengbai Banner Qing Army cavalry that was pursuing Huang Baozhong.
Zhang Cheng saw from a distance that a group of cavalry rushed to Yang Guozhu's location in advance and had driven away the remaining nearly 300 Qing cavalry. However, many knights gathered outside and could not see what was going on inside.
But Zhang Cheng already felt something was wrong, so he galloped on his horse. The soldiers in the Zhenbiao camp in front naturally recognized his flag and retreated when they saw it.
Riding his horse to the middle, he saw Guo Yingxian kneeling on the ground, holding a veteran in armor in his arms. With a "pop", Zhang Cheng jumped off the horse and took a few steps forward.
He suddenly fell to his knees on the ground, his eyes filled with tears, and he asked with a choked voice: "Yang Shuai...he..."
Yang Guozhu seemed to hear Zhang Cheng's voice. He suddenly stretched out his hand to grasp Zhang Cheng tightly and said intermittently: "Zhong...Zhongchen...kill slave...kill...slave...ah..."
Only then did Zhang Cheng see the tip of the spear sticking out in front of Yang Guozhu. His heart couldn't help but "thump". Looking carefully, Yang Guozhu's eyes were blank and lifeless.
"Yang Shuai, it's all Zhongchen's fault for being late!"
"Ahem, I don't...blame you, I am destined...to stay...down...to accompany my brother and the others...ahem..."
Seeing that he was speaking with difficulty, Zhang Cheng couldn't bear it and hurriedly said: "Yang Shuai, let's not talk about it for now. I will take you back to Songshan to find a medical officer..."
"Cough cough cough..."
Yang Guozhu coughed again, and blood spurted out from his mouth. Zhang Cheng cried and covered his mouth with his hands, trying to help him stop vomiting blood, but couldn't.
Suddenly, he felt Yang Guozhu holding his hand hard. Looking carefully, he saw Yang Guozhu holding him and Guo Yingxian with difficulty, saying intermittently: "Lao Guo... I am Xuan Zhen... Xuan Zhen Bing... Ma
...Do not...fall...in the hands of...outsiders...Zhongchen...take...bring everyone...back..."
When Yang Guozhu said this, he became silent again.
Zhang Cheng suddenly felt that the big hand holding him had lost its strength in an instant. Zhang Cheng shook Yang Guozhu's slightly cold hand and felt infinite emotion in his heart.
Thinking about the fact that I came to this world inexplicably, the various characters I met at the beginning, such as my uncle Zhang Yan, the governor Lu Xiangsheng, and Hu Dayou, one of the four great generals under me, have all disappeared.
Now that Yang Guozhu has left him again, in this world, he is overcoming all difficulties and growing vigorously, while his former relatives, bosses, and partners are leaving this world one after another.
Zhang Cheng knew that all of this was an arrangement of fate. Without their sacrifices, he would not have achieved what he has today.
Just imagine, if uncle Zhang Yan is still there, how can he take the lead alone and go out of the North Road of the town; if the governor Lu Xiangsheng is still there, how can he sit back and watch his wanton actions, kill Xue Liangqing, Wu Youlu, and assassinate Zhang Guowei.
Now, Yang Guozhu's martyrdom for his country may be his step forward, which will greatly enhance his strength, or even be the beginning of his taking control of the entire Xuanzang Town.
However, his relationship with Yang Guozhu was extraordinary, even as important as his uncle Zhang Yan, so how could he not be sad.
But Zhang Cheng also knew that this was not the time to feel sad. He stood up slowly, patted Guo Yingxian's shoulder gently, and said in a choked voice: "General Guo, kill the slaves, avenge Yang Shuai, pick up the brothers.
go home!"
Guo Yingxian stood up slowly with Yang Guozhu in his arms. He dropped his helmet without knowing where it was. His hair was all messy, and he was in tears. He screamed: "Kill the slaves...kill the slaves...kill..."
At this moment, the Qing cavalry that had been ambushing in the hills here had all fled, leaving dozens of dead or wounded Tatars behind.
Huang Baozhong also led the remaining two hundred or so Yang Guozhu's servants. They all dismounted and knelt in front of Guo Yingxian. After all, they had been following Yang Guozhu for a long time. They all had tears in their eyes and looked extremely sad and angry.
"Kill the slaves...Kill the slaves...Kill the slaves..."
A chorus of shouts, a cry of grief, and a cry of hysteria shook the hearts of the surrounding soldiers!
The fine cavalry from Qianqi Town Biaoying Camp brought by Guo Yingxian, plus the soldiers from Zhang Cheng's Tiger Guard Battalion, all gathered outside to ride on guard. The soldiers from the Xuanbei Army Cavalry Battalion who had just dispersed the Qing Army cavalry and rescued Huang Baozhong and other servants also
Follow Zhang Guangda running back.
As soon as Zhang Guangda came back, he got off his horse, stumbled towards the middle of the crowd, knelt down in front of Guo Yingxian with a plop, and shouted: "Yang Shuai... Yang Shuai..."
Now there are more than 3,000 elite cavalry from Xuanzang gathered here, which is considered to be the strongest combat force on the battlefield outside West Stone Gate. Zhang Cheng even understands the principle of "the soldiers who mourn will win".
He raised his arms and shouted: "Revenge! Revenge for Yang Shuai! Revenge for the brothers!"
"Revenge... revenge... revenge..."
Thousands of soldiers roared in unison, heart-rending, resounding throughout the sky.
Everyone's eyes were focused on the more than 3,000 cavalrymen of the Qing Army's Zhengbai Banner, about 400 paces away, and the gold-woven dragon flag erected high over there.
Guo Yingxian handed Yang Guozhu in his arms to his servant Huang Baozhong, and said: "Huang Manzi, you stay to guard Yang Shuai!"
He turned around and looked at Zhang Cheng: "General Zhang, please give the order!"
Zhang Cheng looked at the veteran Guo Yingxian with a sad and angry face, nodded heavily, and shouted: "Get on the horse!"
Everyone got on their horses, and the cavalry formation gradually spread out, facing the Qing army's cavalry formation on the opposite side.
Zhang Chengce mounted his horse and said to the generals around him: "General Guo is on the right wing, Zhang Guangda is on the left wing, and Lin Fangping is with me in the middle army. The target is the dragon banner of the slaves opposite. If we don't capture the banner, we swear we will not return to the army!"
“If you don’t capture the flag, you will never return to the army!”
Amidst the roars of all the soldiers, Yang Guozhu's servant Tan Zhenlin staggered over and ran over. He grabbed the reins of Guo Yingxian's war horse and choked out: "Master Guo, take me with you to kill the Tatars!"
Before Guo Yingxian spoke, Zhang Cheng said from the side: "The brothers in the servant team are all good people, and they are also close to Yang Shuai. Please stay and accompany Yang Shuai for a while."
He looked at the Qing cavalry formation in the distance and said: "Killing slaves is not for a while. It is most important that you accompany Yang Shuai on this last journey!"
After Zhang Cheng said this, he ignored Tan Zhenlin and shouted loudly: "Every unit, unite and set off!"
More than 3,000 elite cavalrymen from the Xuanfu Town of the Ming Dynasty rode forward, gradually forming three tight formations, and headed straight for Dorgon's gold-woven dragon flag on the opposite side.
As the cavalry marched forward, in addition to the dust rising into the sky, there were also bursts of roars.
"Kill slaves...revenge...seize the flag...swear not to return to the army..."
…………
Prince Dorgon of the Qing Dynasty and Shuorui had just received the report. Zu Dashou from Jinzhou City also led more than 10,000 Ming troops to rush out. Now they have broken through two trench defense lines. The Eight Banners warriors stationed at Rufeng Mountain rushed to reinforce them, and they were able to hold the last trench.
Defense line, the situation is critical.
At the same time, battle reports from other parties also came frequently. On the side of East Shimen, on the side of Prince Su Hauge, the troops of Ming army Wu Sangui and Bai Guangen were careful and cautious, and fought steadily.
Despite all kinds of temptations, they failed to make them submit. However, even so, both sides still fought evenly. Judging from the current situation, it seems that the Qing army still has the upper hand.
In Huangtu Ridge, Maojiagou, Songshan Ridge and other places, there were heavy casualties, and it was inevitable that the Ming army would attack hard and suffer casualties.
At the same time, although the Qing army was said to be good at attacking but not good at defending, it was assisted by the Han Army Banner, the Heavenly Blessing Army, the Heavenly Blessing Army, and the Korean Army. They used many firearms, which was indeed a great help.
Even in the face of a strong attack by the Ming army, they were able to defend well. They relied on the geographical advantage and gave full play to the advantages of firearms. With the support of the Qing army's elite cavalry, they did a lot of damage to the Ming army.
In fact, in addition to the direction of Huangtu Ridge, the performance of Cao Bianjiao, the general officer of the Ming Dynasty's Eastern Association training, was particularly outstanding. He rushed to the Qing army's position several times and only missed the Qing army's defense line at Huangtu Ridge. It was a pity.
!
What Dorgon was most worried about was actually the war outside Jinzhou City. As long as the siege of Jinzhou remained unresolved, it didn't matter how rampant the Ming army was between Songjin and Jinzhou.
He had ordered Qing troops from Maojiagou, Songshanling and Rufengshan to mobilize troops and horses to assist the battle in the south of Jinzhou City. At the same time, he also dispatched three Qing troops besieged in the east, west and north of Jinzhou City to support.
However, he has been leading troops to stay here only because of greed. His purpose is only Yang Guozhu. If he can be forced to surrender, it will be of great benefit.
Even if he could not make him surrender, Dorgon would try his best to kill Yang Guozhu in the battle formation. In this way, he would not only be able to kill the general of the Ming army, but also damage the morale of the Ming army's reinforcements, and also set the stage for the future.
War clears obstacles.
Now, Dorgon's goal has been achieved. Even if it is not the optimal solution, at least half of the original intention has been achieved.
Just now, he had been rewarded by the cavalry who escaped back to the Qing army. Now he was in front of the troops. In addition to wanting to show off his power, he also wanted to personally confirm whether Yang Guozhu was dead or alive.
Dorgon looked at the Ming army slowly approaching from the opposite side, and had a vague premonition. He asked in a deep voice: "Are you sure that General Yang of the Xuanfu has been killed by our Qing warriors?"
E Keqin on the side replied very proudly: "Uncle Wang is relieved. Although he failed to snatch Yang Thief's body, he was indeed killed by our warriors in front of the battle. In this battle, he killed a general of the Southern Dynasty. Uncle."
The king is mighty!"
However, Dorgon did not appear very happy. He stared at the Ming army's cavalry formation opposite and asked, "Which troop is that coming from the center?"
"Back to my uncle, according to the report of the scouting horse, I saw that the flag was the soldiers and horses of the Xuanfu of the Ming Dynasty. They suddenly came from the south and had not fought with our warriors before."
After hearing this, Dorgon was filled with doubts and asked, "You just came here? The Tazhan side was not able to be defended. Do you know who the leader of the Ming army is?"
"Back to my uncle, our warriors are investigating!"
Although Dorgon still had doubts in his heart, he was helpless. He just said lightly: "Get ready to fight!"
…………
On the high platform in front of the Chinese army's formation, Hong Chengchou put down the telescope in his hand and said calmly: "There are Zhang Cheng's Xuanbei army and horses at West Shimen heading for reinforcements, so there is no need to worry.
General Liu of Liaodong is ordered to lead his troops to the East Shimen to assist in the battle, hoping that he can serve in front of the formation in order to achieve a breakthrough. If he can defeat the enemy with one blow, I and Director Zhang will ask for a reward."
After the flag commander of the Chinese Army left, Commander-in-Chief Zhang Ruoqi said: "The fighting at the West Stone Gate is the fiercest, and we don't know whether we can break through. As long as the East and West Stone Gates are opened in one place, and we join forces with the commander-in-chief of Jincheng Neizu, we won't have to worry about breaking the siege of Jinzhou."
"
However, Qiu Minyang, the governor of Liaodong, said: "Yang Shuai's Xuanzhen army and horses fought hard at West Shimen. Even with Zhang Cheng's Xuanbei army and horses as reinforcements, I'm afraid it will be difficult to attack West Shimen in one go. In the final analysis, it still depends on whether there can be a breakthrough in the direction of East Shimen."
Today, only Hong Chengchou's Supervisor Battalion of the Chinese Army's formation has not moved, and Datong Wang Pu's soldiers and horses have just been transferred back from the foot of Rufeng Mountain and are currently resting.
A few miles away in front of the Chinese army's formation, the Chicheng Battalion of the Xuanbei Army, led by Zhang Guodong, had repelled the Xianghuang Banner Han Army led by Shi Tingzhu, protecting the safety of the Shenji Battalion's artillery position.
Now he is leading his soldiers of the Xuanbei Army to pursue Shi Tingzhu and attack with difficulty along the mountains and hills towards the Empress Temple.
At the same time, the Chariot Battalion and Infantry Battalion of the Xuanbei Army led by Wei Zhice also took over from Li Fuming's Shanxi troops on the mountain road to fight against the Qing army led by Baya Lahuzhang Jingtazhan.
Ta Zhan did not take the Xuanbei Army seriously at first. After all, they were elite Tatar thieves who had fought many battles. How could they be afraid of the Ming Army's infantry?
He was just worried about the group of Ming cavalry in the distance. After all, in his eyes, the elite cavalry led by Zhunta were Zhengbai Banner. However, they were defeated by the Ming army as soon as they engaged in battle. How could he call him
Don’t be alarmed!
Later, he saw that the Ming army cavalry did not continue to charge towards him, but rushed towards the west stone gate along the mountains and hills. He did not have time to intercept it, so he flew forward to report the message to Dorgon.
Just as he was about to defeat the Ming army under Li Fuming and return to the aid of Prince Rui Dorgon, he saw another large group of Ming army infantry pushing chariots. He quickly sent an order to the whole group to prepare for the attack with mounted fire and heavy armor.
Infantry charges.
However, in the face of sharp artillery bombardment from the Xuanbei Army's sophisticated tanks and volleys of artillery fire from the tanks' rear-mounted battalions, they suffered heavy casualties and failed to rush to the front of the vehicle formation. They tried two rounds in a row, but failed.
Successful, but reluctant to retreat.
Wei Zhice, on the other hand, commanded the chariot battalion and infantry battalion soldiers to rush all the way to the West Stone Gate. Although there were constant harassments by Tatar cavalry along the way, in the face of the Xuanbei Army's sophisticated chariots and cannons, the small group of Tatar cavalry could not resist them at all.
, it just slightly delayed Wei Zhice's advance.
Wei Zhice put two chariots in front, Li Jiyu's infantry camp behind, and Du Youwei's and He Kuan's troops as the left and right wings to support him, and slowly advanced towards the West Shimen direction.
Suddenly, news came from Du Youwei's troops on the left wing that most of the Tatar cavalry was found two miles ahead. Opposite the Tatar cavalry seemed to be the banner of Zhang Cheng, the commander of the Xuanbei Army, fluttering in the wind.
Wei Zhice immediately sent an order, and Zhou Ruli led the cavalry sentry officers of the Dengfeng camp to spread out to investigate. At the same time, he ordered Li Jiyu to lead the infantry of the two thousand headquarters under his command to go ahead to meet the Qing army. The infantry on the left and right wings also accelerated their advance.
.
He led the soldiers of the chariot battalion to push the cart slowly behind. As long as Li Jiyu could withstand a charge of the Tatars, he could lead the chariot battalion to rush to form a chariot formation to occupy the enemy.