There were rumbling sounds of cannons and roaring of gunfire, and a battle was going on outside Zhenjiang Fort.
"Kill! Anyone who retreats will be beheaded!" Oboi's face was ferocious, and he howled like a vicious monster. He swung his sword mercilessly and knocked down an officer who was running backwards. His men also used swordsmanship to maintain order and resumed the attack.
Warfare requires courage. The general is the leader of the army; if he is cowardly, his soldiers will fall.
Aobai, a rough man, probably didn't know the essence of these flowery military books. But he knew that leading the troops by example and charging into battle could boost their morale.
The enemy's position has been breached. If we push harder and break through it, the Ming army will lose their courage. These cowards only dare to hide behind the fortifications and fire their guns.
This is what Aobai thought, and his vision was limited to the attack surface in front of him, which was more than 200 meters wide.
But Huang Taiji, who was behind the formation, could see clearly that the Ming army was deliberately retreating, abandoning some front-line positions, but increasing troops on both wings, forming a concave pocket formation.
The defenders of Zhenjiang Fort were numerous, perhaps even as numerous as the troops he had brought with him. With their well-fortified fortifications, powerful firepower, and superior numbers, Huang Taiji knew he could not capture them.
When he saw Oboi finally advancing with two thousand Jianzhou soldiers, he knew the situation was not good, but he hesitated for a moment and did not immediately issue the order to retreat.
This offensive and defensive battle has gone beyond the scope of military affairs. Especially after the Ming army on the opposite side shouted in unison "Don't raise the Zhengbai Flag", Huang Taiji felt heavy pressure and helplessness.
If he had just sent the Han army as cannon fodder to attack casually and then retreat as he had planned before coming, wouldn't that have confirmed the saying that "Huang Taiji is one of them"?
Huang Taiji was not too worried about his subordinates' suspicion, but his father Khan's suspicion would make him lose his qualification as heir, and even be removed from the position of flag leader, like "One-legged Fifth Brother", with no hope for the future.
Therefore, he saw the sinister deployment of the Ming army and could not suddenly issue an order to retreat when Oboi's army had apparently achieved a breakthrough.
I wonder how many true warriors will be killed or injured before I can order a retreat without being criticized?
Huang Taiji had a blank expression on his face, but his heart was in turmoil. He hated the Ming army generals on the opposite side. They were so bad that they had sores on their heads and pus on their feet.
But Huang Taiji couldn't help but feel frightened. His opponent saw through his intentions and even figured out his psychology. This was really a scary thing.
The battle continued, and Aobai finally led 2,000 Zhenyi soldiers into the pocket formation set up by the Ming army. However, the Ming army did not immediately launch a siege. The troops were mobilized, the grenade carts were moving, and preparations were in full swing.
The Han army had suffered heavy casualties, and the newly joined Jiannu became the main force of the attack.
Oboi's persistence had its reasons. After so many casualties and all the equipment he brought was used up, he finally crossed the wide trench. Retreat would mean all his efforts were wasted.
"Charge, kill!" Oboi roared madly, waving the big knife in his hand, and commanding the soldiers to continue to attack deep into the enemy's territory.
As long as they can cross this damn trench breastwork and engage in a melee with the enemy, there is hope of victory thanks to the ferocity of the Jianzhou warriors.
"Boom!" A cannon dozens of meters away spewed out countless projectiles, like a scythe of death, knocking down a group of Jiannu.
The muskets were no longer firing in volleys. At a distance of dozens of meters, the Ming army musketeers were firing freely, and their accuracy was greatly improved, knocking down the enemies whose faces they could clearly see.
The counterattack began with a barrage of thunder bombs that pelted the air. Although the Ming army had also used them at the beginning of the battle, the intensity was many times greater.
Thunder bombs rolled to the ground, emitting wisps of blue smoke. Many landed in the trenches, where there was no escape in the narrow space, causing the Jiannu in the trenches to scream in fear.
Boom, boom, boom... A series of explosions sounded inside and outside the trenches. The Jiannu army had never experienced such intensive bombardment, and even the Ming army had never used it before.
Money, all this is money!
If Zhu Youxiao saw this scene, he would probably be heartbroken. But even if he was heartbroken, he would not hesitate if he could use money to smash the Jiannu to death.
This is the biggest difference between warfare with cold weapons and warfare with hot weapons. Hot weapons consume a lot of energy and have higher requirements for logistics.
Without sufficient human, material and financial resources, and guaranteed transportation capabilities, it is simply impossible to do this.
From this point of view, even if the Later Jin wanted to develop thermal weapons, it would still face huge difficulties. For example, where could they get so much raw materials such as sulfur and saltpeter?
Historical data shows that it was the Eight Great Shanxi Merchants who provided strategic materials to the Later Jin Dynasty.
They used the materials that the Later Jin lacked to exchange for ginseng, deer antlers and sable furs, and then traded them for mountains of gold and silver, enriching themselves but harming the country and the people.
If you are just a businessman, no matter how powerful you are, it is impossible for you to pass through numerous checkpoints to engage in smuggling.
This also involved corrupt officials and military commanders. It was these selfish and shameless people who contributed to the demise of the Ming Dynasty.
Well, I’ve strayed off topic, let’s get back to the battlefield.
Smoke rose and spread rapidly from countless explosions, flames flashed, dazzling people's eyes, and loud noises roared, deafening people's ears.
Wave after wave, the loud explosions of thunder bombs covered up the roar of musket fire; the thick smoke obscured the vision and human figures.
From the thick smoke, dazed Jiannu soldiers rushed out from time to time, some were injured, some were staggering, and were soon ruthlessly shot down by muskets.
The firing from muskets and artillery became sparse. The Ming army loaded their ammunition and waited for the smoke to clear before giving the Jiannu a final blow.
The officers stared with wide eyes, observing the results of the battle to decide whether to continue the attack with firepower or to charge.
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