Chapter 411 Northern Expedition 3
As soon as Zhao Xiaofei left Xifengkou, he was ambushed by tens of thousands of Jianlu. The news quickly spread to the capital and Zhao Xiaokun, who was conquering various tribes on the grassland.
On the grassland, in the central military tent of Alashan Taiji Samba, Taijis from several tribes were arguing about whether they should continue the eastern expedition against the Jianlu. They were all waiting for news on whether Zhao Xiaofei could withstand the Jianlu's attack.
Alashan Taiji Sangba said: "If the Ming army can successfully defeat the Jianlu without losing any vitality, we will continue to follow Admiral Zhao and continue to advance eastward!"
Bayannur Taiji Gunbu asked, "What if we lose?"
"Then let's do as the Han people say and go back to our homes!" said Samba.
Abar, the Taiji of the Ulanqa tribe, said, "We have accepted so much food and weapons from the Ming court. Wouldn't it be a breach of trust if we just left like that? We grassland people have always kept our promises. My Ulanqa tribe will never betray our alliance!"
Eleuth Taiji Seleng said, "Abar, we also want to survive, not only for the sake of our credit, but also for our tribe, for our wives and children, and for our people! It's not that we don't keep our word, it's the wisdom of us grassland people to survive."
Abak Taiji Saha said: "We can see the situation. The Ming court has given us so much food and weapons. We can't just sit there and do nothing. But if the Ming army is defeated, we still have to see which way the wind is blowing. We can send some troops appropriately, but not too many. Just a token of our gratitude will be enough."
Everyone nodded in agreement. Zhao Xiaokun knew everything they said from his own tent. He had someone bugged Samba's tent, so he knew everything they said. Although they all spoke Mongolian, there were Mongolian-speaking soldiers nearby to translate.
After the translation was finished, Zhao Xiaokun said, "A bunch of fence-sitters, unfamiliar prairie wolves!"
"Sir! Should we call them together to continue attacking other tribes?" asked the personal soldier.
"Let them come to my tent. We will continue to fight on the grassland and continue to rob the cattle and sheep. I have said that once these wolves see blood, their greedy nature will be aroused. Who among them doesn't want to strengthen their own strength? Who doesn't want more slaves and cattle and sheep?" said Zhao Xiaokun.
In the capital, Li Zichu was kneeling on the ground of Kunning Palace, Princess Kunxing was sitting in the middle, and Liu Rushi and Jiang Xiaomei were sitting on the embroidered stools at the bottom.
"Did you find out anything this time? I told you last time that we must strictly investigate traitors and traitors! What did you promise me?" Princess Kunxing asked coldly.
"Your Highness Princess, I am unworthy of the trust you and the prince have placed in me. I am guilty!" After Li Zichu finished speaking, he knocked his head hard on the ground. When he got up, he was covered in blood.
Princess Kunxing didn't pay any attention, but Liu Rushi did speak up. She said to the maid Xiaohong beside her, "Get the medicine and bandages. Didn't you see that Lord Li is bleeding?"
Xiaohong didn't move. She glanced at Princess Kunxing who was sitting in the middle. Princess Kunxing nodded slightly, and then Xiaohong went to get the medicine.
Jiang Xiaomei just looked at him without saying anything. She felt that Li Zichu was just using this trick to make Princess Kunxing feel miserable so that she could calm down.
She thought to herself: Why are there so many traitors and traitors here at Zhao Xiaofei's place? Or maybe he hasn't killed enough people!
It can only be said that the so-called Baojia system is no longer effective. Even if it works, it only works for ordinary people. It is completely useless for those rich people and those officials and candidates.
It seems that we need to commit a few major cases, even unjust cases, to make those rich and powerful people live in peace.
At Xifengkou, Zhao Xiaofei and Wanshan Zhou Shuai had been fighting for two days. The Jianlu suffered heavy losses, but they did not retreat and even replenished their troops.
This time, Dorgon still used the old tactics of Ye Zhupi. No matter how many ways you come, I will only go one way!
And the one supervising the battle from behind was Dorgon, who now had nowhere to go. All the flag owners were against him continuing to rule. The Bordered Blue Banner was gone, and although it was re-established, it was just a showpiece to serve as an auxiliary force.
The only ones with power left were his Plain White Banner and the Plain Yellow Banner and Bordered Yellow Banner under the Shunzhi Emperor. The Shunzhi Emperor was still very young, so the Plain Yellow Banner and Bordered Yellow Banner were essentially in the hands of Dorgon.
Dorgon expanded his army upon his return, recruiting numerous capable Han Chinese. For example, he recruited artisans to forge weapons, armor, and firearms for his banners. Some Mongols also joined, as did some Jurchens, such as the Daur and Ewenki.
Dorgon generously rewarded him with gold, silver, women, flattery, and weapons. As a result, Dorgon's power grew immediately. Coupled with the traitors selling firearms, Dorgon was now very confident that he could once again challenge the Ming court and even prevent the Ming army from reaching Shanhaiguan.
What a pity! Dorgon had the help of traitors and traitors, but Zhao Xiaofei's arrival in the Ming Dynasty was the biggest bug.
A steady supply of weapons and supplies kept the Ming army fully armed. The stable performance of their weapons made it a nearly all-firearms force. With the guidance of modern veterans like Wan Shan and Zhou Shuai, the Ming dynasty was essentially stabilized.
Inside Zhao Xiaofei's central tent, Wan Shan and General Zhou were deducing the battle situation. The Jianlu had just retreated, and the Ming army was resting.
"Did Jianlu take an aphrodisiac? Why do they all act like they're not afraid of death?" Zhao Xiaofei asked in confusion.
"Someone drugged the Jianlu soldiers!" said General Zhou.
"Did you give me drugs? What drugs?" Zhao Xiaofei asked.
"It's a traditional Chinese medicine formula that also contains poppy shells! We found that some of the Eight Banners of Jianlu had leftover poppy shells. We took them to the military medical officers for examination, and they were all transported from the south." General Zhou said.
"Damn it! Go back and see how I deal with the Jinyiwei and Xiao Si and those bastards. Did they spend all their money on dogs?" Zhao Xiaofei cursed.
"That's what I said! Our phalanx is so powerful, and we have crossbowmen serving us, but they can still reach the vicinity of my central military tent!" Zhao Xiaofei was scared just thinking about it. For those Jianlu cavalry who managed to break through the shield wall, Zhao Xiaofei prepared steel crossbows made with modern equipment and countless musketeers.
However, those Jianlu cavalrymen still rushed towards Zhao Xiaofei's central military tent fearlessly, but in the end they were shot into hedgehogs.
Zhao Xiaofei's central army tent was surrounded by a chariot convoy, equipped with small cannons that fired scattershot shells. Any hits on people or horses were a bloody mess, and even those who were close enough were directly punched with large holes.
But even so, those Jianlu cavalrymen still charged forward fearlessly. In fact, they were already crazy, only knowing how to charge forward, with basically no thoughts in their heads.
"Is there any way to directly decapitate Dorgon?" Zhao Xiaofei thought of the scenes in movies and TV series.
"It's difficult! But you can try!" Wanshan said.
I finally have time to update today after a break. Sorry! I got my first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine today and I feel so sleepy and tired!
I left Vanke and joined SF Express, which will take some time to adjust. Anyway, I'll just look at the outline and write when I have some free time!
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