This tactic of two stepped trenches is equivalent to increasing the density of firepower out of thin air. The rotation of muskets in the two trenches can ensure the continuity of firepower. It can be said to be a very reasonable and efficient configuration.
The grenade truck showed its power again, and the bombs flew through the air like they were free and smashed into the enemy's ranks.
With every loud explosion, large clouds of smoke and bright light could be seen blooming among the crowd, and scattered objects mixed with snow and frozen soil were blown into the air, setting off a burst of screams and wails.
This weapon, which is simple to make and has the power of an explosive bomb, can be launched very quickly and can cause great damage and shock to the Jiannu.
Every bomb rolled and emitted wisps of green smoke as it hit the ground. Even the brave Jiannu couldn't help but panic and dodge in a hurry.
Lying down on the spot should be the best solution, but that was the sparse skirmish line attack of later generations. In a denser charge formation, falling down meant being trampled, and there might not be a chance to stand up again.
Light in front, heavy in the back, the muskets behind the two lines of fortifications spewed out round after round of flames, sending up thicker white smoke. Occasionally, there was a barrage of chariot and tiger-crouching cannon... the firepower was dense and fierce.
Armored soldiers were constantly knocked to the ground. Some of them could not die for a while and struggled painfully in the cold and hard snow, making inhuman screams, which intensified the bloody atmosphere on the battlefield.
In front of the wooden stakes, corpses lay scattered in all directions, their deaths in various forms, a scene of extreme misery.
Relying on shield carts, wooden boards, and even axes, grappling ladders, and shields, the Jiannu paid a heavy price and finally opened up a passage and advanced to the last blocking trench.
When faced with the flames spewing from the breastwork and countless lead bullets flying towards them, the Jiannu's attack suddenly came to a halt.
"Push the shield cart into the trench, push it in!" Degelei howled loudly. This might be the fastest way to fill the trench, and this last trench was not very wide.
A dark cloud rose from behind the formation. It was the Jiannu archers, shooting hard, hoping to kill more Ming soldiers and provide cover for their own army.
If we try harder, we can reach the city wall.
Looking at the Ningyuan city less than fifty meters away, Degelei seemed to see hope. After so many casualties, if they couldn't even touch the city wall, wouldn't it be the biggest failure?
Moreover, Degelei also knew that attacking Ningyuan would inevitably result in heavy casualties. This was caused by the fact that his army was not good at attacking strongholds and had backward and scarce attacking weapons.
Either attack or besiege, but for the Later Jin army, there is only the first option.
Because their supply lines were hundreds of miles long, and Ningyuan had abundant supplies, if the siege lasted for a long time, the Later Jin army would not have the logistical capabilities and would be dragged down first.
The firepower on the Ming army's position became more intense. Due to the advance of the Later Jin army, even the Ming army's muskets and artillery on the flank had the opportunity to support the battle.
The breakthrough was fifty to sixty meters wide, but the Jiannu army was under fire from the front and sides of hundreds of meters, and the casualties of the Jiannu army increased suddenly.
The screams became more intense and piercing. Degelei cursed loudly and ordered the armored soldiers to use shields to strengthen their protection. But even he could see that the effect was not very good.
A heavy lead bullet hit the shield. Although it failed to penetrate it, the huge impact force pushed the shield back and hit the shield-bearing soldier hard in the face.
With blood gushing out of his nose, the armored soldier's shield arm was broken, but when he fell backward, he was already unconscious.
A Boshiku bravely stepped forward, but was hit by two lead bullets in quick succession, one of which struck him diagonally in the shoulder. He was spun around like a sledgehammer, his entire shoulder shattered and broken, crippled if not dead.
Boom, boom, boom... The large and small artillery pieces on and below the city walls fired fiercely, smashing the shells into the protective line formed by shield-bearing and heavily armored soldiers.
The power of a cannonball is much greater than that of a bullet. When one hits, the shield shatters like paper, and the armored soldiers behind it are knocked away and knocked over like dolls.
It's bad! When Degelei heard the dense roar of artillery fire, he felt as if he was trapped in an icy cave, and his heart sank into a bottomless abyss.
This is the shortcoming of the main attack. The defenders can mobilize troops and weapons to defend with all their strength; but if they want to besiege the enemy from all sides, how many shield carts will be needed to provide cover and how many bannermen will be needed to fill the trenches? This is simply beyond the ability of the Jiannu.
Obviously, the Ming army in Ningyuan had mobilized a large number of artillery and deployed them on the city walls and outside the city, preparing a bloody battlefield, waiting for their army to rush to this last trench.
Although this cannot be considered as far-sightedness or extraordinary wisdom, because the Jiannu's attack point is so clear, which is the southwest corner.
One or two days is enough to adjust the troops and weapons and massacre the enemy at the right time.
The only thing to blame was the slow speed of the attack, the underestimation of the number and power of the Ming army's firearms, and the inaccurate or even very scarce intelligence information.
Shells large and small flew down, ricocheting and crashing; thunder bombs flew through the air and exploded on the ground. The defensive line of shield carts and shields was instantly shattered, and countless armored soldiers lost their lives in the artillery fire.
A loud roar erupted, thick white smoke rose from the breastwork fortifications, countless lead bullets were fired towards them, blood splattered, and screams and wails were heard. The unprotected Jiannu suffered an extremely heavy blow.
The roar continued, and the Ming army musketeers behind the two fortifications quickly took turns firing, pouring large and small lead bullets like rain at the embarrassed and confused enemy.
Under the fierce and continuous attack, the Jiannu army was in chaos, but Manggurtai behind did not seem to see clearly, or had not reacted yet, and did not issue any orders.
There can be no retreat without orders. Degelei cannot turn around and run away, and he cannot let his fifth brother be troubled by how to deal with him and other defeated soldiers.
Having already fought this far, with so many casualties, a retreat would be a waste of all previous efforts. Perhaps with one more charge, they could break into the enemy's position, engage in close combat, and achieve victory.
Degelei felt that he had guessed his brother's intention, so he mustered up his remaining courage, shouted orders loudly, and urged the chaotic army to continue attacking under the artillery fire together with his personal soldiers.
A volley of heavy lead bullets roared in with an indestructible momentum and blasted diagonally towards Dergelei. Apparently, the Ming army also noticed this shouting Jiannu leader.
The Jiannu suffered heavy casualties and gradually slipped out of the sniper's range of Dege Lei, even though he was still hindered by his personal guards.
Degelei had been wondering why so many officers were killed or injured. The answer now came to him, but he understood it too late.
The sniper attack at Port Arthur killed Zaisanggu; ancient warfare also emphasized capturing the leader and going straight for the chief.
Organizing sniper teams of five or six people to specifically target officers and leaders became a tactic used by the Ming army in the use of heavy muskets.
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