It wasn't just the warhorses that were startled; many Tatar cavalrymen were also taken aback, and the ground suddenly cracked open. Flying nails, iron beads, and even pieces of iron caused several unfortunate riders to fall from their horses.
Falling off their horses meant these cavalrymen were essentially doomed, with little chance of getting back up. This was the danger of being a cavalryman; falling off their horses generally meant certain death.
Ugchihashha was furious; the sudden explosion had knocked at least forty or fifty of his cavalrymen off their horses.
"Cut off their heads and use them as drinking vessels!"
Some Mongol cavalrymen had already begun to draw their bows and arrows, but it seemed to be of no use. The range was insufficient; those southerners were simply too fast.
Xu Yingxu turned around and shouted, "Throw the grenade!"
The last rank of cavalrymen began to scatter the landmines casually; at this point, there was no need to lay them. They just had to throw them down; with Tatar cavalry everywhere, some unlucky soul would inevitably step on them.
The landmines were being used up, but Xu Yingxu knew that their effectiveness was relatively limited. Each wave of mines only killed or wounded a few dozen Tatar cavalrymen. Compared to the Tatar cavalry, which numbered at least three thousand, the gains from these landmines were minimal.
"Charge!" Xu Yingxu knew they couldn't escape far; the landmines were all used up. "Form ranks!"
He only hoped that his elder brother could lead his troops to reinforce him soon, and that his brothers could hold on. Xu Yingxu believed he had completed his mission. He had been fighting and fleeing all the way, and over a hundred of his five hundred vanguard soldiers had already died in the two hours of pursuit.
A fierce battle ensued. Although the Ming soldiers were well-equipped, they were simply outnumbered. Even as everyone gritted their teeth and persevered, the casualties mounted.
"Brother!" Xu Yingxu threw down his broken sword angrily, looking at the few soldiers left, and felt a sense of despair. "Aren't they here yet?!"
Not far away, Marquis Chahan of Shenyang needed to offer his pledge of allegiance. He led the cavalry of various tribes in a circle, circling behind the Tatar cavalry. While cutting off their retreat, Chahan understood even more clearly that he needed to achieve merit in battle, otherwise he would have no way to explain himself.
Ugchihashha's eyes were bloodshot, and he was even more excited as he watched the Ming soldiers fighting like cornered beasts. His scimitar would soon be able to cut off the Ming general's head; he would become a hero of the Oirat tribe!
"Chief, those southern barbarians have cut off our retreat!" a scout reported in a panic. "It's that coward Nahachu!"
Nahachu was once a Grand Commandant of the Yuan Dynasty, commanding an army of 200,000. Yet this descendant of Muqali, one of Genghis Khan's four heroes, has now become a lackey of the southern barbarians!
Just as Ugchihashha was showing signs of backing down, Xu Yingxu ordered his men to raise the general's flag, announcing, "You Tartar, your grandfather is the son of Xu Da, the Prince of Zhongshan!"
Xu Da—this name made Ugqihashha grit his teeth. It was that guy who had once utterly humiliated the descendants of the Eternal Heaven, forcing them to relinquish their beautiful lands and wretchedly reclaim the northern desert.
They killed Xu Da's son!
Ugchihashha no longer hesitated; such an opportunity was far too rare. As long as he killed Xu Da's son, it didn't matter if his cavalry were all dead. Once he had killed Xu Da's descendants and beheaded these southern barbarians, Ugchihashha believed he would return to his tribe and soon become a great hero.
By then, he will have more followers and greater strength.
Xu Yingxu didn't care about anything else; he knew he had completed his mission. At this point, he would persevere, grit his teeth, and do his best, leaving the rest to fate. He only hoped his elder brother would act according to plan; then, even if he died in battle, he would have no regrets.
Despite his inner turmoil, Xu Huizu forced himself to remain calm. As the descendant of the Prince of Zhongshan and a subject of His Majesty, he should prioritize the affairs of the state!
As for his second brother, Xu Huizu couldn't care less about that now. He wanted a great victory, a resounding triumph for His Majesty!
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