Chapter 121: Encounter with the Mongol Cavalry

Zhang Zhimu's caravan camped overnight outside Datong City, and the next morning, everyone got up early to cook and feed the horses, and then greeted the sunrise and walked towards Zhangjiakou.

But this past night, there was chaos in the palace of the acting king. The ruler of the palace went out with his guards, and did not return all night. Ask anyone, and no one knows where they have gone. When it was dawn, he sent people everywhere to look for him, but he was nowhere to be found. I had no choice but to tell Mr. Jiang about this and ask him to send someone to help find it. When Jiang Zongbing heard the situation, he felt that it was probably Zhang Zhimu and them who did it. went to ask the door army, and the door army said that the guards were indeed chasing Zhang Zhimu and they went. When General Jiang sent people to Zhang Zhimu's camp to see, it was determined that Zhang Zhimu's caravan had left in the morning. Jiang Zongbing admired Zhang Zhimu very much, thinking that this person was bold and careful, and he was very disciplined. If they're done with this, they'll be gone last night. So whether they did it or not, they are also suspicious. But they went on business as usual, exactly as planned. It's so seamless.

Now he can basically be sure that not only is this matter related to Zhang Zhimu and them by the royal palace guards, but they must also have done the grain robbery. What a job it did. Jiang Zongbing praised again and again.

The palace tossed and turned, and began to suspect that the disappearance of this guard was related to Zhang Zhimu's caravan. The prince asked Jiang Zongbing to send troops to chase Zhang Zhimu's caravan. Jiang Zongbing asked: "That Zhang Zhimu has the bronze medal given by the emperor in his hand, what reason should we chase them." Let's just say that the royal guards are missing, please come back? If they ask us to come up with evidence, what do we say. He is now collecting food for us, and our officers and men have been eating two meals a day for a few days. ”

The prince also felt that it was a little unsafe to do so. Because Zhang Zhimu is not an ordinary person now. This time, if it weren't for his favorite little prince, if he had to have the glass carriage, he would have summoned this hero of the court, but he didn't expect things to turn out like this. But this time, he really couldn't come up with evidence that Zhang Zhimu was ineffective against his own guards. Especially now that there is a shortage of food at the border, this Zhang Zhimu is helping to get food. So let's wait until we figure out what's going on with our guards!

Zhang Zhimu didn't care about how the palace tossed, his caravan went all the way, except for the road was not very good, the first day was basically safe. Although this section of the road is also an official road, it is much more difficult to walk than the section where Hukou was killed. The road in front had to be blasted in some places, because some of the big stones rolling down the mountain could not be pushed, and some of the raised stones in the middle of the road were blistered with pickaxes, and Zhang Zhimu also let the blasting be solved, so that the road construction would be slower. By the time we got out of the valley the next day, the road was a little better. However, Zhang Zhimumu found that there were few pedestrians on this road. I finally met a pedestrian, and I found out when I asked. It turned out that not long ago, a group of Mongol cavalry plundered this area, burning, killing, looting and doing all kinds of evil, so that many people here fled, and no one dared to come out. Further on, they came across a village that had been robbed. When Zhang Zhimu and the others entered the village, they were really miserable. All the houses had been burned down, and the slain had apparently been hastily cleaned and buried, but occasionally the remains of wild beasts could be seen in a few corners of the village. The village was dark and terrifying. This is a very large village, Lu Chengxiang said that there used to be a big inn here, and guests were willing to stay here for one night. But I didn't expect this to be like this. It was noon, and the caravan rested in a spacious place outside the village. Gathering the soldiers and employees of the kiln gang, Zhang Zhimu stood on the top of the carriage and said to everyone: "Brothers, old and young masters! You all have a good look at this village today. It used to be a very lively and bustling village, but you can see what it has become now. This is all the evil done by the evil wolves on the grassland. Therefore, we must be self-reliant, otherwise, today here may be our kiln tomorrow. Now that we are out to do business, we must accumulate a little more funds for the future construction and development of our kiln. So that we can really be strong ourselves, so that no one dares to bully us. I also ask you to remember what we have seen today, and all the men of blood do not forget that they owe us a blood debt. When we have the opportunity, we will definitely make them pay back double. ”

Zhang Zhimu's speech, coupled with witnessing the tragic situation in front of him, made these bloody men in the kiln gang indignant one by one, and they couldn't wait to fight immediately. Doing a good job of ideological work at all times is summed up from the experience of previous lives. And the people of this era are very simple-minded, and they are easily led to the Tao by Zhang Zhimu.

After lunch, the caravan went out and had just come to a mountain bag. Liu Chenghuang sent a team of cavalry to explore the road in front, and ran over with a few disheveled men on horseback. The person who came back muttered a few words to Liu Chenghuang, and Liu Yun came to Zhang Zhimu's car and pulled the car door up. Under normal circumstances, Liu Yun said something in front of the car window, but this time Liu Yun came up. Chen Yufeng and Ouyang He sat down next to each other and gave Liu Yun a little space. Liu Yun sat down and said, "The situation is not good. The explorer in front brought back a few men who had come running on horseback, and these people said that they were a caravan, and that their caravan had been robbed by a detachment of Mongol cavalry in front. There were about 1,000 Mongolian cavalry in this force, and it is said that they were surrounded by an overwhelming number of people, and more than a dozen dart masters were escorted, and some of them were men who were carrying goods from shops, and they ran out of the chaos. The Mongols were completely attracted by the caravan caravanserais, and no one pursued them, so they escaped. The shopkeeper of their owner didn't run out, and he didn't know if he was alive or dead now. It happened just an hour ago, and they had been riding horses. I thought of Datong to report the news, and the report to the general army said that the Mongols had come in again. ”

Zhang Zhimu thought to himself, "This is the case." He said, "Let Li Jing send someone to investigate." There's an open field ahead, so let's not go any further, let's camp in front of this hill. It was too wide to go forward, which was more conducive to their cavalry charge. ”

Liu Yun got out of the car and went to arrange for Li Jing to investigate. Chen Yufeng said: "We also got off the bus and set up a stockade on this hill before the Mongols found out about us." ”

Zhang Zhimu, Chen Yufeng, Ouyang He, and Yang Yulin all got out of the car, and the guys who ran out said that they would not stay here, and they would go to Datong to report the news. Zhang Zhimu asked them to give them something to eat, and let them go.

Li Jing and Chen Yufeng muttered for a while, and Li Jing put his more than 50 people into groups of ten, divided into several directions, and ran out. Before these people got on the horses, they all took out their bags and put the grass camouflage camouflage clothes that Zhang Zhimu taught them to make, put them on themselves, and also put them on the horses. These grass camouflage uniforms are made of strips of grass green flower cloth

Zhang Zhimu looked at this small hill bag and felt that this was an ideal place to settle down. It has a cliff on one side, and there are many trees on the top of the mountain, and the slope is relatively gentle. Chen Yufeng and Ouyang He looked around, and asked people to connect the carriage end to end, but this was not enough to completely block the front of the hillside.

Zhang Zhimu said: "Distance between cars. The cars were then connected with ropes, and each car was secured with wooden stakes. Our aim was to slow down the cavalry's impact, and as soon as they slowed down, our muskets would work. There should be several more ropes between the cars. Where there is no gear, that's the trip. In addition, although the bows and arrows of the Mongol cavalry were not well made, they used the speed of their horses to shoot, and they could often catch three arrows at a time and shoot continuously. In this way, when the group charges, the density of arrows can be increased. Moreover, their tactic was often that the cavalry in front would suddenly divide their forces to the two sides and flank them during a frontal attack. In a hurry, Zhang Zhimu said so many suggestions and his understanding of the Mongolian cavalry at once, which shocked both Chen Yufeng and Ouyang He. I didn't expect Zhang Zhimu to know so much about the Mongolian cavalry.

The two also adjusted the formation according to Zhang Zhimu's opinion and strengthened the strength on both sides. Zhang Zhimu saw that he was ready. He also suggested that three hundred meters before the defensive ring formed by the carriage should be dug in rows of pits one foot in diameter and one foot deep. Shovel down the turf first, and then cover the turf after digging the hole. Almost all the personnel went out and dug the pit from 300 meters all the way to the front of the carriage. The passage that was set aside was marked with a mark, so that the horses would not come back and step into it.

Chen Yufeng told the coachmen, who did not have muskets, that when the fight started, each person was responsible for holding a shield to provide cover for the musketeers. This defensive tactic is a tactic that has been tested in the south. There weren't so many shields, so I took out everything that could block the arrows and used them as shields.

The sentinels released outside picked up the team sent by Li Jing one by one. The situation is basically clear.

The reconnaissance found two Mongol cavalry, the nearest one was the Mongol cavalry who had robbed the caravan, more than 1,000 people, lighting fires and cooking and counting the captured booty. In addition to the booty, they also captured many people. Which personnel, because of the fear of the Mongol cavalry, none of them dared to run out. Because they know that two legs can't outrun a four-legged horse.

In the other place, farther away, there were about four or five thousand Mongol cavalry, camped in one village, and they could be seen to have captured a lot of people. For fear of exposing the target, the reconnaissance detachment did not dare to get too close.

However, the last reconnaissance of the cavalry of the Mongolian brigade also brought back unfavorable news. As they retreated, they met a group of Mongol scouts and let one go.

It turned out that this team, after discovering a large group of Mongolian cavalry, was not discovered by the Mongols when they slowly approached. These Mongols, after breaking into the Great Wall, did not encounter the Ming army, went to various villages and towns to loot, and did not encounter resistance. These Mongols felt that the southern part of the Great Wall was much richer than the grassland, and it was too unfair to give possession to these cowardly Han Chinese, so they plundered without fear, never expecting that anyone would threaten them. The scouts they let out also look for where there is a place to rob. This Mongol camp was also the place where the wealth they had looted was concentrated.

Unfortunately, on the way back, the team happened to meet a group of Mongolian scouts who had gone out. Originally, when she went out, Li Jing repeatedly instructed her not to expose her whereabouts as much as possible, not to fall in love with the enemy when she encountered it, and not to use firearms unless she had to. The squad wanted to bypass the Mongol cavalry. Those Mongol cavalrymen, more than twenty people, also spotted the detachment. In particular, it was found that there were not many people in this small detachment, and there was a intention to hide from them, and at this time, this was the time when this Mongolian reconnaissance team was frustrated that it had not found new prey, how could it be spared. So they chased after him. Li Jing's team members are all masters who are proficient in everything from 10,000 miles to 10,000 miles, and they really don't pay attention to these Mongolian cavalry. The squad leader of the detachment decided to destroy the cavalry and go back. Otherwise, bring these Mongol cavalry back to the camp.

The detachment suddenly stopped while running, returned to the horse and faced the cavalry that had caught up, drew its swords, formed a horizontal formation, and hit the horses to meet them. After a face-to-face pass, the numerical advantage of the Mongols became a disadvantage. The Mongol cavalry was also enraged and red-eyed, and many of his own Anda were no longer on the horse. The two sides met again when they returned to their horses, and as a result, there were only three of the Mongol cavalry left on horseback. At this time, the remaining three Mongol cavalrymen, no matter how stupid they were, knew that they had encountered an unusual opponent, and knew that their danger was coming, and they should go back and inform the brigade. So they ran away without regard to the face of the warriors. The squad caught up and cut down two more. Afraid of exposing the target, he didn't dare to use the musket, so he let the other one run away.

Li Jing was so angry when she heard that she scolded them for being stupid, and felt that she was embarrassed to follow. So that the captain of this squad didn't dare to raise his head. Zhang Zhimu hurriedly stopped Li Jing and said, this squad leader did the right thing. It is right that the musket was not exposed, and credit should be given to the fact that the camp of the Mongol cavalry was found. At this time, the face of the squad leader looked a little better.

Zhang Zhimu asked them to go back and rest first. Then several leaders of the kiln gang studied the situation in front of them together.

The consensus was that the caravan would not move forward until the immediate threat was resolved; As for the drawdown, it is not in consideration.

Chen Yufeng said: "As long as the four or five thousand cavalry do not hedge against them on the plains and choose favorable terrain, we are not afraid of them. ”

Zhang Zhimu said: "My opinion is that they have a scattered cavalry, and if we take advantage of their arrogance, we will suddenly rush forward with musket cavalry. You can destroy them all at once. Don't let them join forces with the brigade, it's much better to deal with them again. ”

Liu Yun said: "I also want to make this suggestion. ”

As a result, everyone agreed. Chen Yufeng said: "I personally led the team. Leaving three hundred infantry, Li Jing's squad went to one, and the others guarded the camp with the infantry. ”

Zhang Zhimu also wanted to go with him, but everyone has been opposed. Zhang Zhimu had no choice but to give up. Ouyang He was also denied a visit.

When Chen Yufeng, Liu Yun, Liu Chenghuang and the three of them set off with 800 cavalry, the sun was a little westerly, and when they arrived at the Mongol camp where they had robbed the caravan, those Mongols were drinking, and some of them were already drunk and lying on the ground.

This group of Mongol cavalry was led by a thousand households to come out and plunder, they were a thousand households.

The army established after the rise of the Mongols was also organized according to the 10-base system, with 10 people as the team, with a captain or "brand head"; The 10 teams formed one "hundred households," the 10 hundred households formed one thousand households, and the 10,000 households formed one 10,000 households, and the 10,000 households were the highest organizational units of the Mongolian army. 100 households, 1,000 households, and 10,000 households are not only the units that make up the system, but also the names of the chiefs. For example, there are more than 7,000 people for "tens of thousands of households", more than 5,000 people for "tens of thousands of households", and less than 3,000 people for "tens of thousands of households". In the same way, 1,000 households and 100 households are also divided into upper, middle, and lower households according to this ratio.

In fact, more than 800 people were brought out from these thousands of households. The Mongol cavalry usually rode more than one person, and this time, since they considered that the mobility of the raid was more important, they came out with light cavalry, each of whom rode twice. Today they met the caravan that was most willing to rob. Because the caravan is a good thing all gathered together, just pull it away. The Mongols and the Manchus also had a common trait, in addition to robbing property, they were also willing to rob people. Because the northern grasslands are vast and sparsely populated, they are particularly willing to use the particularly obedient Han slaves they have robbed to work for them. Because these efforts are very cheap and easy to use, you can get them again when you die. In their eyes, the Han people can't finish it. Therefore, everywhere they went, all the old and weak were killed, and all the young and middle-aged women and children were plundered. If children can be raised, they are also slaves, and women can give them new slaves.

Today's harvest is just too great. Needless to say, there are several large boxes of gold and silver. There are also a lot of good wines, they don't want to take them all back, and they share them with the ten thousand households who lead the team. Treat yourself first, so they didn't go straight back to their camp just to celebrate here. Although Chinohe repeatedly warned his soldiers not to drink too much, he soon drank too much himself. He thought that the Han people here were more docile than the sheep on the grassland anyway, and he didn't dare to run away if they were there. He had no idea that someone would come and attack them.

Chen Yufeng and his horse team dismounted when they were far away from the Mongol camp, and Li Jing led his small detachment, dressed in camouflage uniforms, and slowly approached the camp.

The Mongol sentries were still complaining. I thought to myself that today was really unlucky, and it was my turn to stand guard when it was time to drink. The other one is even more cowardly, he shouldn't have stood guard, but the head of the brand is eccentric, so he has to stand guard for Anda of that brand. Usually the people in the camp are too strict and are not allowed to drink, but today Qianhu finally found an opportunity to leave the camp and grabbed so many goods and allowed them to drink. But they can only watch others drinking there, and they suffer here, and this is a hole in their hearts. I thought to myself, the few women I robbed today are not bad, and I have to have a good time when I am laid off at night, those Han men are as honest as sheep, which is really not good; But these Han women, all with fine skin and tender flesh, are much stronger than those women on the grassland. Therefore, those Mongolian Andas were very happy when they heard that the Great Wall was going south.

A sentry was thinking about something beautiful, he heard movement behind him, and when he looked back, a thing with a face painted and covered with flowers and a body that was also covered with flowers and green, and he didn't know whether it was a person or a ghost, and before he could shout, a sharp knife slashed through his neck. At this time, he understood that it was a person, but he wanted to shout but couldn't shout, so he could only cover his neck with his hand and slowly fall down with his neck that kept spurting blood. It didn't take long for Li Jing's team to solve the dozen or so sentinels around the camp.

Chen Yufeng, Liu Yun and Liu Chenghuang came to the place where Li Jing was lying on her stomach, which was very hidden and just enough to see the camp clearly. Chen Yufeng said to Liu Yun after reading it: "Great, today is just the time to open meat for the soldiers, and it is useless for soldiers who have never seen blood to practice." I don't have to worry about that. You and Yoo Chenghuang will watch it. I'm here to see the excitement. ”

Chen Yufeng wanted to exercise Liu Yun and Liu Chenghuang.

Liu Yun and Liu Chenghuang had a brief discussion, and decided to divide a hundred cavalry and hand them over to Li Jing, scatter them to the periphery, and don't let go of any of them if they slip through the net. Li Jing led the people to go first, Liu Yun and Liu Chenghuang led a large group of cavalry to put the muskets on the shotgun, light the arquebus, and lead the horses not far from the camp. These Mongols all grew up in the steppe, and immediately heard the sound of a large group of cavalry rushing over. Those who had not drunk much and were able to run immediately ran to the place where the horses were tethered. But it was too late, and the cavalry rushed in front of them like a whirlwind. Then there was the sound of "bang" shotgun firing at close range. Although these Mongolian men are very strong, holding a knife in their hands to cut meat, they are also desperately gesturing. But in the face of shotguns pointed at the head door, their struggle was meaningless. There were a few Mongolian cavalrymen who were close to the horses, and they wanted to rush over when they got on their horses, and when they saw that the general situation was gone, it was better to go back and report to the battalion. But they didn't run far before they met Li Jing and them, and after Li Jing and they shot a few, the remaining two hid their bodies under the horse's belly, and the muskets couldn't hit them for a while. Li Jing was anxious and shouted, "Hit the horse, hit the horse." ”

With a few "bangs", two horses fell on the prairie. Li Jing led people over and tied up two Mongolians who were half dead.

Hearing that there was no longer gunfire in the direction of the camp, Li Jing whistled, and the more than 100 cavalry who dispersed circled the scattered horses and walked towards the camp.

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By the way, I recommend "Memories of the Southern Song Dynasty", similar to this article, it is also a "technology flow" through the novel, but it takes place in the Southern Song Dynasty, Yashan, Anti-Yuan, Restoration, and European World Wars.