Early the next morning, the Third and Fifth Divisions of the Tiger Army left Gubeikou and sped towards Chengde County along the mountain road in two separate routes.
Although the majority of the soldiers in the Third and Fifth Divisions were new recruits.
However, among the physical training for these new recruits after enlistment, the most important one is weighted cross-country training.
Therefore, for them, the long journey was acceptable.
Even though the mountain roads were rugged, the Third and Fifth Divisions moved at a remarkable pace thanks to their strong physical fitness and unwavering will.
However, because the Third and Fifth Divisions were not only advancing as infantry but also carrying artillery for siege warfare, the artillery regiments moved relatively slowly.
On March 30, the infantry regiments of the Third and Fifth Divisions arrived outside Chengde City first.
Around noon that day, the artillery regiments of the two divisions also arrived smoothly.
After the army arrived, the Third and Fifth Divisions began to build defensive fortifications along the outskirts of Chengde.
Meanwhile, Sonam, the grassland bandit leader on the walls of Chengde, was deeply shaken as he looked at everything outside the city.
What's going on?
Sonam rushed to the city wall, looked at the dark mass of soldiers outside the city, and asked, "When did so many Dongning troops arrive? Where did they come from?"
However, the deputy commander beside him, Turg, shook his head and said, "Commander, they just appeared at noon today, and it seems they came from the Gubeikou area!"
"Gubeikou?"
Commander Sonam frowned and said, "What are these Dongning troops doing? Do they think they can take Chengde with such a small force?"
Dream on!
Sonom snorted coldly.
Although he looked down on the Dongning army, Sonam had naturally heard about the fate of the grassland bandit cavalry when he was in Dongning.
He also knew that he couldn't let his guard down.
Immediately, Sonom frowned and ordered, "Turgh, lead the cavalry out of the city at once and protect Chengde City on the flank!"
"yes!"
Turg quickly agreed.
For the grassland bandits and cavalry, cavalry was the greatest weapon.
We must ensure the cavalry's absolute advantage.
This is also a lesson learned from previous battles against the Dongning army.
"in addition,"
Sonam continued, "Send someone to Qiangziling to report the news here to the Left Khan!"
"yes!"
A close attendant quickly responded.
"The rest of you, defend the city!"
"Sonom gave the order in a deep voice."
Under Sonom's orders, the entire city of Chengde began to mobilize.
Five or six thousand cavalrymen left the city and roamed the open fields.
Meanwhile, thousands of soldiers on the city walls prepared defensive equipment.
For a time, the entire city of Chengde was bustling with activity.
...
Looking at Chengde City in the distance, Wang Qinggu and Li Lanhe were clearly somewhat surprised.
They never expected that Chengde City's response would be like this.
"You've learned your lesson!"
Wang Qinggu widened his eyes and said with a smile, "Back in Dongning, these grassland bandits didn't have this kind of awareness."
"hehe,"
Li Lanhe smiled and shook his head, saying, "Five or six thousand cavalrymen outside the city pose a great threat to us! It seems that the trenches and fortifications of each unit must not be neglected!"
"Dig the trenches properly!"
Wang Qinggu said, "In addition, our focus should still be on attacking the city! After all, our artillery advantage is our greatest advantage."
We should leverage our strengths to attack the city and draw the attention of the enemy cavalry.
"As long as the enemy cavalry becomes desperate and exposes an opening, we'll have our chance!"
"Okay!"
Li Lanhe quickly agreed.
Immediately, the Third and Fifth Divisions of the Tiger Army outside Chengde City also began to get busy.
One by one, the soldiers began digging trenches on the spot.
However, while the Tiger Legion was busy, the grassland bandits in the wilderness also noticed the situation.
"Heh, digging trenches, huh?"
Deputy Commander Turg sneered and said, "Men, we cannot let the enemy's plot succeed!"
Follow me and kill them!
At Turgh's command, thousands of steppe bandit cavalry charged toward the positions of the Third and Fifth Divisions in the wilderness.
Ta-da!
Ta-da!
Thousands of warhorses trampled the ground, causing the entire earth to tremble slightly.
The earth rumbled.
Upon seeing this, Wang Qinggu's expression changed slightly.
He didn't expect that these grassland bandits and cavalrymen opposite him had not only become smarter, but had also learned to use offense as defense.
"Stop them!"
Wang Qinggu said in a deep voice, "Artillery bombardment, infantry sniping! Cover the troops digging trenches! Move quickly!"
In fact, even before Wang Qinggu gave the order, the soldiers of the Third and Fifth Divisions at the front line sped up their digging of trenches.
Some regimental and battalion commanders also directed their soldiers to pick up Dongning-made flintlock muskets and aim them at the open field ahead.
Meanwhile, the artillery regiments of the Third and Fifth Divisions in the rear also deployed their cannons in the open fields.
The dark muzzle of the cannon was aimed at the cavalry bandits galloping across the open field.
As the grassland bandit cavalry drew ever closer, the artillery regimental commander roared in a deep voice, "Fire!"
At a command, the main gunners lit the fuses.
In an instant, countless shells rose into the sky, flying towards the open field with a shrill whistle.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
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