ATPnovel Chapter 8: After the Battle of Julu, Lord Lu survives.
Chapter 8: After the Battle of Julu, Lord Lu survives.
At this point, the Qing army no longer had the ability to attack Chongzhen's main camp on the high ground. The annihilation of their artillery battalion meant that Chongzhen was absolutely safe.
However, Emperor Chongzhen, who was firmly in a superior position, would not be complacent about this, nor would he think that the battle to relieve the siege was over.
Although the Imperial Guard cavalry broke through one side of the Qing army's encirclement and annihilated the Qing army's artillery battalion, they still managed to enter Jia Village.
However, with the explanation of Li Yuchun, the imperial guard who was close to the emperor, Chongzhen also understood that Huang Degong and Zhou Yuji had only broken through the Han army camp of this Jurchen army.
The Han army banners had been initially established at this point. Huang Taiji was a smart man who knew to use the slave army to wear down the Ming army and avoid losses to the main camp of the Manchu and Mongol Eight Banners.
From its inception, the Han army banners could not escape their nature as slave armies.
Despite Huang Taiji's various promises and attempts to win them over, the other Manchu and Mongol nobles did not consider Han Chinese military generals as their own, especially during crucial moments of battle.
This is also why Dorgon was able to stand by and watch as the Ming army launched a surprise attack and utterly defeated the Han army's artillery battalion.
His old Manchu and Mongol camp did not suffer too many losses in the surprise attack. Even when the Guan Ning army attacked later and broke through the other flank of the Qing army's formation, it was still the Aha slave soldiers who used their flesh and blood to resist the Ming army's surprise attack.
If too many Han soldiers and slave soldiers are killed or wounded, he will still be held accountable by Huang Taiji, but that will be all.
As long as the Eight Banners camp remains unharmed and the looted provisions are eventually transported back to the border, he will still be a meritorious official of the Qing Dynasty.
Therefore, he could be as firm as iron, decisively abandoning the scattered Han army camp and slowly retreating by consolidating the old camp's forces.
However, as long as this Ming army that launched the surprise attack is as prone to getting carried away as ever, and once they gain a slight advantage on the battlefield, they start to fight in a scattered and disorganized manner, he wouldn't mind turning around and defeating them!
This was Dorgon. His suspicious nature and indecisive style prevented him from becoming a great warlord, but they were enough to make him a cunning and venomous snake in a chaotic world.
They run away when they can't gain an advantage, but will come back to retaliate as soon as they have the chance. They are fickle and extremely vicious.
But the current Chongzhen Emperor will not give him a chance to retaliate.
Knowing that his forces were not superior, Chongzhen was far too cautious. He watched the Qing army's formation slowly retreat, but he did not show any panic. He understood the situation perfectly.
The Eight Banners army's rearguard was fierce, and Dodo was a reckless man. If Lu Xiangshan or the Guan Ning army were allowed to rush out rashly, they would easily be entangled and pursued by the Eight Banners cavalry, causing unnecessary heavy casualties.
If the situation becomes critical, he might have to flee in a sorry state as the armies are routed.
Therefore, he chose to hold the temporarily constructed high ground camp and decisively gave the order under the loyal protection of more than two thousand new soldiers.
"Li Yuchun!" Emperor Chongzhen issued the order in a deep voice.
Li Yuchun, the former infantry commander of the Yongwei Battalion, who had been personally transferred by Emperor Chongzhen from Zhou Yuji's command to serve as the Imperial Guard Commander, strode forward, cupped his hands, and acknowledged, "Your subject is here!"
"Immediately order the Imperial Guard's long spear formation to guard the breakout route, and have the Tiger Guard's heavy armor battalion form a defensive formation to protect the Imperial Banner on both sides. Set up camp on the spot and defend this breakout gap and the army's retreat route!"
"Send down the order: Raise the bright yellow imperial banner in the center of the high pass, let the banner fly high to clearly show the three armies that I am personally stationed here to oversee the battle, and that we will not retreat a single step!"
Li Yuchun's heart tightened, and he immediately accepted the order and turned to direct his troops.
In an instant, thousands of spearmen from the Imperial Guard lined up, their spears forming a steel jungle at the pass between the high ground and the battlefield below. The spears pointed diagonally to the sky, their cold light chilling, creating an impregnable spear formation!
The four hundred Tiger Guards, heavily armored warriors, wore double or triple layers of armor, wielded large spears and long swords, and stood around the imperial banner. The warriors in the front row also held up large iron shields, protecting the emperor's safety like steel war gods.
A colossal bright yellow imperial banner with a coiled dragon stands tall in the center of the high pass, fluttering wildly in the wind, clearly visible from miles away!
Emperor Chongzhen was stationed on the northern high ground, where both armies could clearly see the battlefield!
He not only wanted to show the Jurchens his "confidence" and determination to persevere, but also wanted all his generals to focus their minds and quickly move towards his side after completing their respective combat missions!
On the high ground, Emperor Chongzhen stood beside his imperial banner, surrounded by layers of armored soldiers. His expression remained calm and dignified as he surveyed the entire battlefield, quietly observing the unfolding of the battle.
The long spear formation at the pass stood like an iron wall, the heavily armored guards exuded a chilling aura, and the bright yellow banners stood firm against the wind, like a stabilizing force, firmly locking in this gap in the battlefield and the Ming army's safe retreat route.
From the south gate of Jia Village, Lu Xiang-sheng also had a clear view of the high ground that Emperor Chongzhen and his troops were defending.
Driven by his desire to protect his home, he fought with even greater ferocity, leading his guards and soldiers in a fierce battle. More than ten Jurchen Eight Banner soldiers had already perished under his broadsword!
After another round of fighting, the Qing army's left wing, which had been slowly retreating, finally wavered and its rear was thrown into chaos!
Looking at the unwavering bright yellow banner in the north, Dorgon knew there was no chance of a counterattack and could only bitterly order the entire army to accelerate their retreat.
Dodo led the elite Bayara guards in a sudden turn and charged for a while before decisively withdrawing from the chaotic battlefield.
At this point, the Qing army's encirclement formation had been broken, leaving gaps in all directions and a wide escape route right before the defenders' eyes.
The time has come!
Lu Xiang-sheng suddenly raised the broadsword in his hand above his head, the blade reflecting the bright sunlight, its cold gleam dazzling.
His voice was like thunder, his military orders rolling across the open fields, boosting morale and inspiring the troops:
"All soldiers, heed my command! His Majesty has personally taken up position on the high ground, and reinforcements have broken through the enemy's encirclement! The Jurchen army's morale is in chaos! Follow me out of Jia Village, break through the enemy's encirclement, and head to the high ground to join forces with His Majesty! Kill—!!!!!!"
"kill!
kill!
kill!!!"
At this moment, the remaining 10,000 Ming soldiers in Jiazhuang unleashed all their pent-up anger and fighting spirit to survive in this desperate situation!
Their deafening roars soared into the sky, their eyes bloodshot, wielding knives and guns, as they charged desperately outwards under the command of their generals!
Lu Xiang-sheng took the lead, with the elite Tianxiong Army guarding his left and right. Like tigers released from their cages, they charged wildly towards the gap!
Yang Guozhu and Hu Dawei each led their troops to the left and right flanks, protecting the infantry, wounded soldiers, and civilians in the central army as they broke out of the encirclement in an orderly manner.
The soldiers, who had been trapped for several days, were now free from all restraints. They charged forward with all their might, thrusting with spears and slashing with broadswords, fiercely attacking the Qing army's rear guard!
This army was originally an elite force personally trained by Lu Xiang-sheng. Now, with the Emperor's presence and a path to survival ahead, they were even more formidable, capable of fighting ten men at once.
Although the Qing army's rearguard soldiers were fierce fighters, they had already been tied up by the cavalry forces of Huang Degong and Gao Qiqian and were now caught in a fierce attack from the inside by Lu Xiangshan's more than 10,000 soldiers. They were attacked from both sides and could not hold on.
Amidst the clash of swords and spears, flesh and blood flew everywhere; the brutal slaughter on the open field was incredibly fierce.
Having been trapped in a desperate situation for a long time, the Ming soldiers unleashed a fighting force far exceeding their usual strength. They charged forward wave after wave, fighting bloody battles, and managed to tear a passage through the Eight Banners' rearguard, pouring continuously towards the northern highlands pass.
Dodo led his elite guards and armored cavalry in a desperate rearguard action, but he soon found himself surrounded by enemies on all sides.
In order to avoid being surrounded, Dodo led his personal guard to retreat first at the last moment, and the Han soldiers in the rear army naturally became the ones to be abandoned.
However, the Han soldiers, who were slaughtered by the bloodthirsty Tianxiong Army in the fierce hand-to-hand combat, did not receive any help from their master. They did not even receive a sigh from Dorgon.
Finally, the real end of this great battle is approaching.
Standing quietly atop the high pass, Emperor Chongzhen watched as the Ming soldiers from Jiazhuang safely withdrew through the breach and returned to their own gun formation's protective range. A hint of relief finally flashed across his eyes.
Upon seeing the towering bright yellow imperial banner, Gao Qiqian sternly urged all units of the Guan Ning Army not to linger in battle, but to prioritize the safety of Emperor Chongzhen!
The merit of saving the emperor also made the Guan Ning armies forget about their intention to strike a heavy blow against the Jurchens.
Besides, are the heads of those elite Eight Banners soldiers so easy to cut off?
In comparison, it is more important to preserve our strength and seize the readily available credit.
As Gao Qiqian and his Guan Ning cavalry got closer to the high ground where Chongzhen was, the more uneasy they became.
At this point, he naturally dared not harbor any thoughts of keeping secrets or reservations.
He knew that the emperor was right in front of him, and that he had already displeased the emperor. If he did not fight to the death now, he would surely be held accountable after the battle.
He immediately ordered the entire army to launch a fierce attack on the protective barrier.
Upon receiving the order, the eight thousand Guan Ning cavalry charged forward with all their might. Generals such as Zu Kuan and Wu Xiang took the lead and fought fiercely with the remaining small groups of Jurchen troops who had been separated, eager to make a name for themselves.
By mid-morning, the battle was completely decided.
Dorgon led the main force of the Eight Banners to retreat more than 20 li away from the Jia Zhuang battlefield, and set up camp on the hills in the wild to gather the defeated soldiers and stabilize the formation.
Judging from their posture, they had no intention of launching a counterattack or fighting again. They only sent out a few scouts to observe the battle from a distance, but remained hesitant and uncertain, and did not approach easily again.
Seeing that the main force had safely retreated and suffered considerable losses, Dodo no longer wanted to fight. He led the elite guards and armored cavalry who were covering the rear to fight and retreat, slowly leaving the battlefield and catching up with the main army.
The siege of Jiazhuang was thus completely lifted.
Lu Xiang-sheng led more than 10,000 soldiers, covered in dust and stained with blood, as they broke through the enemy lines, slowly making their way to the high pass.
Their men were all dressed in tattered clothes, their faces covered in blood, and their armor tattered, yet their eyes were bright and their fighting spirit remained.
With red eyes, Lu Xiang-sheng dismounted, threw down his spear, and knelt on the ground. Behind him, generals such as Yang Guo-zhu and Hu Da-wei also knelt down in tears. All the soldiers prostrated themselves and paid homage to the imperial flag on the high ground.
As the wind and snow gradually subsided and the sky brightened, the sound of chanting "Long live the Emperor!" echoed across the wilderness, dispelling the cold mist and reverberating throughout the heavens and earth!
Emperor Chongzhen stood under his banner, gazing at the wounded but loyal Lu Xiangshan before him, and strode forward to greet him, his heart filled with emotion.
He finally arrived on this historical timeline.
He personally led his troops to protect the loyal ministers, rescued Lu Xiang-sheng's elite force of ten thousand men, and stabilized the critical situation in southern Ji.
With the southern part of the capital region secure and the Ming army having not suffered heavy losses in field battles, it was able to use its superior forces to hold key locations and prevent the Manchu army from breaking into major canal towns and Shandong.
In this way, the tragedy he remembered, caused by the Manchu army's entry into the pass, which resulted in thousands of miles of weeping in northern Zhili and Shandong, and millions of innocent people being displaced and their homes destroyed, could be reversed to some extent.
Even if he couldn't achieve complete victory, saving more lives would be a good thing, and it wouldn't have been in vain for him to risk this battle...
Lu Xiang-sheng was covered in blood, his armor was tattered, and the mourning clothes that should have been plain white over his armor were now completely unrecognizable.
At this moment, he knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face, his beard and hair covered in dust, and he kowtowed repeatedly to Emperor Chongzhen.
"Your Majesty! I am already certain of my death today, trapped in a great encirclement. I have long been determined to sacrifice myself for my country and repay the nation."
Unexpectedly, His Majesty disregarded his supreme status and personally led reinforcements a thousand miles away, risking his life to break through the encirclement and rescue me from danger!
The Emperor's grace is boundless and unprecedented; even if I were to be shattered to pieces, I could not repay even a fraction of it!
He choked up, unable to speak, his heart filled with a mixture of grief and gratitude.
Emperor Chongzhen then stepped forward and personally helped Lu Xiang-sheng up. He then took off his own cloak and draped it over Lu Xiang-sheng, gently comforting him.
"Lu Qing fought to the death for the country, a pillar of the emperor's wisdom, and a loyal minister of the state."
As the Son of Heaven, it is my duty to defend the land and protect my subjects; how can I speak of favors?
Now that the nation is in turmoil, how can I remain secluded in the palace and watch loyal ministers die in battle?
At this point, seeing Gao Qiqian leading a group of Guan Ning army generals jogging over, Chongzhen raised his voice and addressed the troops before him with an imposing air.
"This victory is not due to my own merit, but to the bravery of the soldiers!"
From this day forward, I will never again leave loyal ministers isolated and helpless, nor will I let brave soldiers shed their blood in vain.
"I will reward those who have rendered meritorious service, and I will fulfill the promises I made to you before the battle. After the army has rested briefly, I will personally celebrate your victory and distribute rewards tomorrow at Julu!"
Upon hearing this, Lu Xiang-sheng was even more moved and kowtowed again. The entire army cheered excitedly, shouting "Long live the Emperor!"
The cheers shook the wilderness, startling Dodo, who had already run several miles away, into looking back anxiously.
Even though the morale of the several troops was greatly boosted after they joined forces, Emperor Chongzhen ultimately did not order the pursuit of Dorgon's remaining troops.
He knew that the main force of the Eight Banners was still strong and its fighting power was still formidable, while his own new army, the Guan Ning Army and Lu Xiang-sheng's troops had fought bloody battles and were in dire need of rest.
Therefore, the safest course of action at present is to take profits while the situation is favorable, hold the line, and retreat to Julu County to reorganize the troops.
"Order the entire army to immediately regroup, take stock of casualties, and reorganize the troops."
After seeing Huang Degong and Zhou Yuji lead their troops back to camp, Chongzhen felt a great weight lifted from his heart and gave a solemn order.
"The soldiers under Lu Qing's command followed my central army to retreat and defend Julu County."
The Imperial Guards and the elite cavalry of Guan Ning will cover the rear and guard against any enemy counterattacks. Later, they will withdraw in an orderly fashion to Julu City, where the entire army will enter and hold the city for rest and resupply. Further deployments will be made tomorrow.
The military order was relayed throughout the army, and the various Ming armies orderly withdrew and slowly marched towards Julu County.
On the open field, the smoke of battle gradually dissipated, leaving only corpses, broken swords and spears, and collapsed artillery carriages, silently telling the story of the tragedy and cruelty of this battle fought by tens of thousands of people in the snow.
Dorgon stood on a hill thirty miles away, his face still grim and filled with suspicion.
He still couldn't figure out how many troops Chongzhen had brought, and dared not advance rashly again, so he could only send out more scouts to gather intelligence.
His cautious and suspicious nature ultimately led him to choose to remain inactive and observe the situation.
Emperor Chongzhen had already won the respect and loyalty of tens of thousands of soldiers in this risky surprise attack.