The stalemate of the battle was immediately reversed. The main attacking Jiannu were attacked from both sides. In front of them were bombs, muskets and bayonets, and on the sides were rounds of lead bullets, causing casualties to increase sharply.
Then, the breakthrough and pincer attack on the right wing became the final straw that broke the camel's back. Under attack from three sides, the Jiannu were trapped between smoke and lead bullets. Without the order to retreat, they were no longer able to attack and began to retreat.
The horn of retreat sounded, sobbing and complaining, just like the miserable situation of the Jiannu.
The Jiannu cavalry also rushed out, shooting arrows in front of the formation to cover the retreat of their defeated soldiers.
Although Ajige made his best arrangements, the attacking troops suffered heavy casualties after this heavy defeat. It would take some time for them to prepare for another fierce attack.
As the war drums sounded, the Ming army launched an all-out counterattack, chasing the fleeing enemy with muskets and bayonets, and drove the Jiannu out of the trench.
The rumbling sounds of artillery and gunfire in the distance became clearer and clearer. The blocking troops led by Zhuona were also struggling to hold on. They were forced to retreat continuously under the pressure of the Ming army with powerful firepower, and the cost of casualties became more and more heavy.
"Lord Beile, the enemy's firepower is fierce. Our army is struggling to maneuver when engaging the enemy on the main road. We have suffered heavy casualties. General Zhuo requests a retreat!"
Ajige was reorganizing his troops when the messenger sent by Zhuona to ask for orders poured a bucket of cold water on him.
Looking at the messenger half-kneeling on the ground, Ajige frowned. Although the attack on Weizi Valley was not smooth and took longer than he expected, the fact that the troops responsible for blocking the way could not hold on was even more beyond his expectation.
The messenger didn't dare to look up and continued, "The enemy's main attack is with chariots and artillery, and their muskets are also very powerful. They also have thousands of reinforcements to help them. Furthermore, there are also numerous artillery pieces bombarding the rear, making it difficult for our army to escape on the main road..."
Tulai bowed and advised, "Beile, I believe we should not fight any further. The Ming army is well prepared and has formidable firepower, and they seem intent on luring us into battle. We have already suffered heavy casualties, so for future plans, we should withdraw."
Tulai was the son of Fei Yingdong, one of the five founding ministers of the Later Jin Dynasty. He was known for his outspokenness and courage to criticize, and he enjoyed high prestige in the army. He was sent by Lao Nu to assist Ajige, and Ajige had to take his opinions seriously.
Ajige sighed silently. In his opinion, the disadvantages mentioned by the messenger were indeed difficult to resist.
When attacking Weizi Valley, he also experienced the powerful firepower of the Ming army, even though they did not have many artillery pieces.
In order to block the Ming army, Zhuona's troops could only gather on the main road to block them. The narrow space allowed the Ming army to fully utilize its firepower advantage.
"Send this prince's order, ordering Zhuona to lead his troops to retreat immediately."
Ajige gave the order in a deep voice, but he didn't look at the messenger. Instead, he looked up at Weizi Valley. Although the Ming army had suffered casualties, their strength had not been greatly reduced. They still had the strength to resist the attack, so it would not be captured in a short time.
Moreover, the heavy casualties of his own unit, coupled with the difficulty of blocking the enemy by Zhuona's troops, finally made Ajige give up the will to continue fighting.
If the fighting continued, both sides would suffer losses. However, the losses were beyond the ability of the White Banner to bear.
Even if they tried their best to destroy these thousands of Ming troops, the Zhengbai Banner would be seriously injured. How could they defend Yagu Pass and stop the subsequent Ming army from attacking Jianzhou?
Although Ajige was rather reckless and violent, he was no fool. If he were simple-minded, how could he have defeated Li Zicheng repeatedly, captured and killed Liu Zongmin, and been known as a skilled warrior?
Seeing that the Ming army in Weizi Valley had formed a battle formation again, with fewer people but still in a well-organized formation, Ajige knew that nothing could be done even though he was unwilling to accept it.
The rumble of cannons and the roar of muskets were getting closer. On the road, defeated soldiers appeared. It was Zhuona's troops retreating. Judging from the time, the messenger may have just arrived, which shows that Zhuona's struggle to hold on has reached its limit.
Boom, boom, boom... The heavy bombing of the Ming Dynasty continued to extend, with explosions one after another. Smoke rose in the bursting flames. People in the Later Jin army shouted and horses neighed, and many were killed or injured.
Ajige watched from afar with his eyes narrowed.
The Ming army's artillery was indeed fierce. Before seeing the soldiers, we saw their artillery. This shows how difficult the battle that Zhuona's troops had experienced was.
"Retreat as a whole army!" Ajigeyang's subordinates gave the order.
Amid the wailing horns, the Jiannu army retreated in formation. Zhuona's troops also used the speed of their horses to speed out of the range of the Ming army's artillery.
The Ming army seemed to have no cavalry. Even if it had cavalry, if they dared to pursue them, Ajige would not hesitate to fight back and could even take the opportunity to avenge his defeat.
Therefore, Ajige and his Jiannu troops did not appear to be in such a panic when retreating from the battlefield. However, they could not clean up the bodies of those who died in close combat with the Ming army and within the range of the Ming army's muskets.
Since the Battle of Guangning, the Jiannu have abandoned the bodies of their dead several times and retreated sadly and helplessly, as if they have become accustomed to it.
There was no other way. Looting the bodies would only result in more casualties, and the Ming army would not show any mercy. After weighing the pros and cons, the Jiannu could only accept this outcome.
With the help of sharp firearms, the Ming army's defense was very solid. Ajige looked out at Weizi Valley and the ruined fortress left him with a profound lesson.
In a narrow area, if there were no fortifications, they would suffer heavy casualties from the powerful artillery fire of the Ming army.
Looking at Zhuona, who came to report with his wounds wrapped and bleeding, Ajige sighed helplessly.
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