Chapter 8: The Blood Battle of Ningyuan
The person directly in front was not only dark-skinned, but also had numerous blisters on his face caused by burns. His robe was completely gone, leaving him entirely naked. What surprised Emperor Taiji and the others the most was that this person had even cut off the braid at the back of his head
Tang Feng and several elite team members hid in the shadows, secretly observing the legendary Later Jin Eight Banners cavalry. However, upon seeing them, they felt a slight sense of disappointment. The cavalrymen all had their heads bowed, seemingly lacking in morale, and the leader had a particularly gloomy expression. Is this what one would consider the Eight Banners Iron Cavalry?
Dai Shan hurriedly tore off his robe, casually tossing it to the ground. He then drew his waist knife, using his left hand to grasp the braid at the back of his head, and with one swift stroke, he severed his own braid. He also threw it down from the horse and continued riding forward, searching for the way out of the village
After passing through several intersections, all that could be seen was thick smoke billowing, with flames wildly devouring everything in their path. The Eight Banners cavalry under his command were now in a state of panic, galloping in all directions in search of an escape route. However, just as they found a way out, they were met with yet another wall of fire blocking their path.
However, Da Shan should also feel fortunate that Tang Feng has no means to procure gunpowder in this small mountain village; otherwise, if he were to create a few tripwires, the casualties would surely be greater than they are now
After pursuing for a full forty miles, he finally saw a winding fire dragon on the dirt road ahead, slowly advancing. Tang Feng urged his horse forward, searching among the crowd for his mother in this world, as well as Wan'er. At the same time, he felt an intense anxiety, knowing that this time he had indeed grasped the tiger by its whiskers, and he would surely infuriate Nurhaci. Moreover, he would soon personally lead his troops in pursuit. At that time, if these people could not quickly reach Ningyuan Xingcheng, their lives would be difficult to predict.
The remaining surviving cavalrymen quickly retreated back into the ranks of Dai Shan's cavalry and the books. At this moment, Dai Shan was truly taken aback, unable to comprehend who on earth had set up so many traps to ambush him. As a result, he had lost dozens of cavalrymen this time, which counted as non-combat losses. He had no idea when they would be replaced. What excuse could he possibly give to return to his father? It was clear that his father would see him as nothing but a useless person. This counted as non-combat losses, and he had no idea when they would be replaced. What excuse could he possibly give to return to his father? It was clear that his father would see him as nothing but a useless person.
Dai Shan glanced at the cavalry behind him. Unfortunately, these Eight Banners warriors could have galloped freely on the battlefield, engaging the enemy in open combat with swords and guns. Even if they died in battle, it would have held some meaning. Yet, to die in such a muddled manner, without even knowing who set the ambush, is truly a most unjust death.
After Nurhaci received the report from Huang Taiji, he pondered carefully for a long time. Suddenly, he slammed the table and, addressing Huang Taiji and all the civil and military officials present, declared loudly, "Daisan has fallen into the enemy's trap; it is likely that his life is in grave danger at this moment. Huang Taiji, you must quickly take an elite force of 10,000 troops to Fuzhacun to rescue Daisan. I will personally command the entire army to support you and your brothers from behind." After saying this, he waved his hand, instructing Huang Taiji to withdraw and assemble the troops for immediate departure. Huang Taiji had initially intended to enjoy the spectacle of Daisan's misfortune, but upon seeing that his father had already issued the order, he did not dare to delay. He hurriedly gathered the troops and swiftly headed to Fuzhacun.
The generals and the cavalry behind were all taken aback upon seeing Dai Shan personally take such risks. It is important to note that the death or injury of a few cavalrymen was not a significant concern; however, if a prince were to be killed or injured, it would necessitate the entire army accompanying him to the grave. Each of them hurriedly tightened their reins, closely following behind Dai Shan.
Tang Feng smiled and shook his head, then rode his horse back to the front of the group. He found his mother, Wan'er, and his father, and the family was chatting and laughing, as if they were on a leisurely outing, heading towards Ningyuan Xingcheng, completely unconcerned about the pursuing soldiers behind them
However, Huang Taiji did not respond to Dai Shan's words; he merely furrowed his brows and, with a serious expression, inquired of Dai Shan, "Second Beile, if I remember correctly, when you led the troops out, you brought along a full two thousand cavalry from the two red banners. Those brothers, surely they haven't all..." After finishing, he glanced at the Fu family village behind Dai Shan and turned back, waiting for Dai Shan's response
"Is that the Second Prince Daisan coming?" Huang Taiji urged his horse forward, taking a few steps to meet the approaching figure, and asked loudly. "Eighth Brother, this time I have suffered a great loss, and I hope you can shield me a bit in front of Father King." Daisan, rarely so polite to Huang Taiji, spoke while sitting on his horse, cupping his hands in the Han manner towards Huang Taiji. "Eighth Brother, this time I have suffered a great loss, and I hope you can shield me a bit in front of Father King." Daisan, rarely so polite to Huang Taiji, spoke while sitting on his horse, cupping his hands in the Han manner towards Huang Taiji.
At the moment when Emperor Huang Taiji dispatched troops and was busy with various tasks, several hundred cavalrymen emerged from Fujia Village, each one tattered and worn, their faces and horses covered in a layer of black, resembling the Kitchen God to a tee
The order from Grand Prince Jin is clear; everyone may go and seek their own amusement. However, do remember, on this day, we shall gather here at dawn. After the commander finished speaking, he took a portion of his men and began searching door to door for the villagers.
A cavalryman let out a shout, leading over three hundred of his men as they urged their horses to gallop forward. However, just as they burst out of the forest and their steeds touched the dirt path leading to the village, a sudden sound erupted from the grass by the roadside. Immediately, dozens of feathered arrows shot out from both sides of the path. Before the three hundred cavalrymen could react, several of them had already been struck by arrows and fell from their horses.
"Rest assured, Brother Feng, I will definitely lead the cavalry of the Later Jin away, ensuring they won't even find their way back home." After saying this, Er Lai Zi smiled foolishly, bid farewell to Tang Feng, and headed down towards the back of the troop with his men
Geshihai behind him never expected that Daisan would actually cut off his own braid with his own hands. What does this braid represent? It represents our identity as the Later Jin people. This prince, however, just cut it off without hesitation. But looking at that braid on the ground, originally smooth and shiny, it is now already twisted and charred from the fire, with hair in disarray and a large section of the braid's end burned. Even if it were not cut, it would be in a dire state.
However, Tang Feng overlooked one thing: the reason this group of people had become like this, with low morale, was entirely due to him. Along the way, he had set a trap every few steps, causing these individuals to walk in constant trepidation. Especially towards the end, they thought that once they reached the dirt path, there would be no more ambushes. Yet, unexpectedly, this final ambush resulted in significant losses once again.
Tang Feng crouched behind the earthen wall and gestured to the few people behind him. They immediately climbed over the wall and began to prepare incendiary devices in different directions. Each person was thinking that today, they would ensure that this group of cavalry from the Later Jin would have no return.
Dai Shan thought of this and urged his horse, riding alone towards Fu Family Village. He realized that returning would mean facing his father's inquiries and enduring the ridicule of his brothers. It was better to be brave and go ahead, paving the way for his subordinates. In this way, if he survived, he could gain some reputation and also make his men more devoted to him.
Hong Taiji could not help but gasp, and hurriedly dispatched someone to investigate carefully whether Daisan had escaped from danger. At the same time, he ordered others to search for a nearby water source. Hong Taiji thought to himself, no matter what, he had to rescue Daisan; otherwise, he would have no way to explain to Nurhaci upon returning.
"Erlaizi, where are you?" Tang Feng shouted loudly to the team. "Brother Feng, I am here," Erlaizi replied, leading a horse out of the group and stopping in front of Tang Feng's horse.
At this moment, Daisan was truly taken aback, realizing that he had fallen into someone else's elaborate scheme. He hurriedly instructed Geshaha, who was following behind him, "Quickly relay my orders to the troops, instructing everyone to withdraw from this village as soon as possible and not to be greedy for the valuables in their possession." After saying this, he first turned his horse to find a way out of the village, hoping to escape from the overwhelming sea of flames.
When Hong Taiji was still over a mile away from Fujia Village, he saw that the sky above the village was ablaze. The fire illuminated half the sky in a bright red, as if it had already set the night sky on fire.
Tang Feng watched the Jin cavalrymen, who were anxiously darting around in Fu Family Village, and a faint smile involuntarily appeared at the corner of his mouth. He no longer cared whether Dai Shan lived or died, and hurriedly circumvented the fire wall to reunite with his four subordinates. They found a tunnel that he had previously dug, leading out of the village. The group quickly entered the tunnel and made their way out of Fu Family Village, heading to catch up with the villagers heading towards Ningyuan and Xingcheng.
At this moment, he relaxed the bowstring, and with a snap, a sound echoed. A spark shot straight towards a rooftop. Dai Shan heard the noise and quickly turned his head to look, only to see several fire arrows being launched simultaneously, each heading towards the stacks of firewood on various rooftops and corners of the walls.
After watching for a long time, Emperor Huang Taiji finally recognized the person who had approached him; it was none other than the Grand Prince Daisan. This revelation left Huang Taiji greatly astonished. Daisan, after all, had experienced countless battles, so how had he become so wretched now? Moreover, Huang Taiji distinctly remembered that Daisan had brought along two thousand elite Eight Banner cavalry. How could it be that overnight, only three or four hundred Eight Banner cavalry remained? Could it be that the rest had all perished in battle?
"Your braid is on fire, and the bottom of your robe is also burning," a panicked Geshaha, following behind Daisan's horse, urgently reminded the equally flustered Daisan ahead.
As the rocket landed above, a burst of flames shot up high. In an instant, wherever the eye could see, flames soared everywhere, illuminating the night with an extraordinary brightness. The blazing fire scorched the faces of everyone present.
Tang Feng took out the fire stick from his arms, waved it in the wind, and the tip of the fire stick gradually became bright. In front of Tang Feng, on the ground and on the map, a dozen feathered arrows were inserted side by side, each arrow shaft tied with oil-soaked cotton cloth. Tang Feng bent down and ignited them one by one, then drew his longbow, waiting for Dai Shan's large troop to enter Fu Family Village, so he could set the village on fire.
Tang Feng boarded a rocket, aiming at Daisan's throat, truly wishing to shoot this fellow dead right there. However, Tang Feng also understood deeply that Daisan was not his primary target at the moment. What he needed to do now was to inflict significant casualties on the cavalry of the Later Jin, rather than carry out a beheading mission. Consider it Daisan's good fortune; today, I will roast some human flesh to give it a try
Secondly, you must quickly gather the team and follow closely behind us, maintaining a distance of twenty li. However, there is one thing you must remember: each person must prepare a pair of torches. As soon as you see the cavalry of the Later Jin approaching, you must quickly detach from the front team, light the torches, and lead the Later Jin cavalry away. Do you understand?" After Tang Feng finished speaking, he stared intently at the sturdy-looking Erlaizi in front of him. However, there is one thing you must remember: each person must prepare a pair of torches. As soon as you see the cavalry of the Later Jin approaching, you must quickly detach from the front team, light the torches, and lead the Later Jin cavalry away. Do you understand?" After Tang Feng finished speaking, he stared intently at the sturdy-looking Erlaizi in front of him.
The cavalry of the brigade also followed in a rush from behind. Daisan kept his eyes tightly shut, simply allowing his warhorse to gallop forward on its own, having already prepared himself to be shot down from his horse by the cold arrows from the roadside at any moment. However, Daisan arrived at Fujia Village safe and sound.
Dai Shan, feeling dejected, finally led a large group into the village. After surveying the surroundings and finding no unusual circumstances, he spoke softly to the gathered commanders and Niu Lu, saying, "Let the men disperse. Tonight, everyone can enjoy themselves as they wish. However, I will only give them one night. At dawn, they must assemble in formation. Is that clear to everyone?" After speaking, he looked around at the officers.
Without waiting for further words, a Ba Yala rode up on a swift horse to the two brothers. He spoke loudly to them, saying, "The Great Khan is about to arrive, please, esteemed princes, come with me to greet him." After finishing his words, he turned his horse around and galloped back the way he came.