Chapter Sixteen

  Zeng Qing's second battalion had entered the Mubutou mountain area an hour ago, conducting a large-scale search of the mountains. Everywhere, soldiers were using machetes to cut through the dense undergrowth in the jungle.

  Zeng Qing walked while stopping to look around, adjusting the handgun that had been hung askew by a branch. With his hands on his hips, he cursed: "Damn it, this godforsaken place is definitely not suitable for hiding people. What's the point of even trying? A stronghold with several thousand people can't possibly be hidden in a thicket of this size. It must be located in some valley or mountain peak."

  Zeng Qing said to his deputy team leader Deng Zhijiang, "Old Deng, we can't search like this anymore. If we continue, our movements will be too big and we'll scare the enemy away. They might take advantage of our unfamiliarity with the mountainous area and launch a surprise attack on us, which would be bad. I think it's better to send two reconnaissance troops to scout ahead or go back and interrogate them. With over 100 people, I don't believe they're all made of iron."

  Deng Zhijiang looked at Zeng Qing, thought for a moment and said: "I think so too. Captain, my intention is that we should rest in place first. Then send a few more soldiers back to bring those people over. What do you think?"

  Zeng Qing stood up, thought for a moment, shook his head and said: "No way, don't mention it for now. Otherwise, the next two battalions will be waiting to see us make fools of ourselves. I've made a promise to the regiment commander about this matter."

  Deng Zhijiang also smiled helplessly and agreed: "Team leader, then let's do it your way."

  As he spoke, he turned around and said to the warrior beside him: "Little Wu Zi, go and get Liu Li Jie from the reconnaissance camp for me."

  Liu Lijie almost ran over and said: "Captain, you're looking for me, is there something going on?"

  Deng Zhijiang nodded and said, "Liu Lijie, you immediately lead two companies of your reconnaissance battalion to flank the mountain ridge, scout out the enemy's trail, but remember not to let the enemy discover our target."

  "Yes, I guarantee to complete the task."

  Looking at the task that had been assigned, Deng Zhijiang looked at Zeng Qing and said: "Captain, I think the soldiers are also tired. Let's rest here first and wait for Liu Lijie's news."

  Zeng Qing nodded as he gazed at the sunlight filtering through the forest: "Alright, pass down the order to rest in place for a while."

  His head suddenly shifted away from the tree, and Zeng Qing had already been startled awake. He stood up, stretched his waist, looked at the weather, and called out to Deng Zhijiang beside him: "Old Deng, why hasn't Liu Lijie come back yet?"

  Deng Zhijiang also cleared his blurry eyes and woke up, saying: "Captain, it's already past three in the afternoon now, I think we should head back."

  Just as they were talking, a rustling sound came from the woods, and Liu Lijie had already walked over, saluting: "Commander, we found a small path more than four miles ahead. We cleared out quite a few ambushes on the road, which is why it took us so long to get here. The mountain roadsides have not been explored yet. I observed from a high point and can basically see the bandits' camp. I estimate that several cannons will be needed to take it down."

  Zeng Qing suddenly woke up from his daze, jumped up and said: "Good, good, worthy of being my Zeng Qing's soldiers, able to complete the task. We set off immediately to deal with those little rascals, what do we need cannons for? Immediately bring Jiang Zu's sniper team over, send Old Yuan's artillery battalion back to the barracks. Haha, now our second regiment is showing its face. Hurry up and assemble the troops, lead the way."

  All the way sneaking and under the cover of scouts, the small mountain road on both sides was cleared, making Zeng Qing all the way to praise the scout camp soldiers with Deng Zhi Jiang, saying they were not easy to deal with. The high mountains on both sides left only this small mountain road in the middle.

  Deng Zhijiang looked at the steep cliffs on both sides and said seriously: "Captain, this place is really not a good choice. With only one narrow path like this, if the enemy wants to get us, I think they would have come earlier today. Our second battalion might not be able to return." He gestured with his hand: "As long as we set up some troops and prepare a large number of stones in these few places, we won't be able to pass through."

  Zeng Qing also nodded in agreement, saying: "Old Deng, we can't delay any longer. Since you've already figured it out, our troops must quickly get past this place. If not, the enemy's army will come down and our people will be squeezed to defeat."

  "After finishing speaking, he said to the soldiers marching behind him: 'Comrades, follow me and hurry up.'"

  The long and narrow path squeezed the troops like a small snake, quickly passing through. Fortunately, during peacetime training, they had not neglected to practice rapid marches and mountain warfare, so the soldiers' self-protection awareness was still very strong. At any moment, there were soldiers taking turns keeping watch on both sides of the mountain cliffs.

  At this time, Zeng Qing also changed his usual carefree attitude and became serious. From time to time, he urged the soldiers in a low voice to speed up their pace. After all, if the enemy were to launch a surprise attack at this moment, our troops would suffer heavy losses. There was even a risk of total annihilation, and the huge risk made Zeng Qing extremely cautious.

  I remember that when the 56th (1656) short-term first class of the Military Academy opened, the instructor said: "War is an art. Winning a battle is not about how many people you kill to win, such a general is not a good general. It's about winning with the least number of casualties. If you can do that, then you're not only a soldier, but also an artist of war. You are a god of war. I hope all the students here will consider the lives of their soldiers carefully, otherwise, you don't deserve to be a general. A general who doesn't cherish the lives of his own soldiers is not a good general."

  Zeng Qing thought of this and couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. He turned around to face the soldiers rushing into battle and said, "After exiting the mountain pass, pay attention to setting up good cover and trenches. Protect yourselves within the shortest time possible. If you lose even one hair, don't come see me."

  Listening to the captain's words, the soldiers were all protecting themselves from death. Those former Ming soldiers who had surrendered saw that their superiors here loved and protected their own soldiers so much, which was a world of difference from when they followed Wu Sangui before. They felt a surge of emotion in their hearts, and their psychology began to change gradually. The soldiers quickly passed through this small path, but at this time, large and small stones and logs had already rolled down on both sides.

  Zeng Qing's worst fear had finally come true, Zeng Qing quickly raised his gun and fired at the mountain ridge, dodging enemy attacks while watching the soldiers start to panic.

  Zeng Qing yelled at the soldiers: "Damn it, hurry up and pay attention to hiding, protect yourself, all retreat to the edge. Go into the recessed place against the cliff. Shoot towards the opposite mountain cliff."

  "After saying that, he looked around and shouted again: "Where is the sniper team? Where is the reconnaissance battalion? Where have they gone? Get me up there at all costs. Give me a submachine gun."

  He took the submachine gun handed over by the warrior and shouted: "Comrades, follow me to fight hard. As long as someone comes out, I will hit them. All the warriors in the first row stay here, and other warriors continue to move forward along the cliff. Old Deng, you lead the charge forward. If we break through, we'll show them a good look." Seeing Deng Zhijiang wanting to say something, he continued: "Don't say anything, I'm holding on here, you go quickly."

  Deng Zhijiang also nodded and waved his hand, leading the other warriors to move forward slowly.

  Zeng Qing looked at Deng Zhijiang, who had already led most of the soldiers away. The submachine gun in his hand fired again. As he fought, he said: "Comrades, take aim and don't let them get away!" The dense sound of gunfire erupted, and from time to time, the Dashun Army on the mountain ridge was hit and fell down. The rocks and logs rolling down from the mountain ridge also decreased.

  A communications soldier ran over and said, "Commander, Deputy Commander Deng's side is under intense attack. Because there are no good shelters, casualties are relatively high. Moreover, the large army of Da Shun also has cannons, but they don't have much accuracy."

  Zeng Qing cursed towards the mountain ridge: "Damn it, Wu Sangui's ruthless faction was destroyed by us, but this small Great Shun Army is so stubborn."

  "After finishing, he said to Tang Zhi beside him: 'You take the gun and stay with Comrade Lian to keep watch here. The other comrades will speed up their pace and quickly bring the light machine gun to the front.' He himself also ran up."

  Zeng Qing looked at the warriors who were shot dead by arrows and other projectiles in front of him, his heart aching. He suppressed his grief and asked Deng Zhijiang: "Old Deng, how is the enemy's firepower ahead? The casualties of our soldiers are not too heavy, are they?"

  Deng Zhijiang ducked back and replied, "The enemy's main weapons are bows and arrows. They fired a few cannons but then fell silent. The sniper team comrades took out some of the archers, so the pressure has temporarily eased up a bit. As for the casualties among our soldiers, we haven't had time to count them yet. I roughly estimated that including those who died at the cliff, there are over 200 dead."

  Zeng Qing nodded and said angrily, "Damn it, the instructor asked me to be more elegant when fighting them, now how can I be elegant? Humph, let me fight properly and avenge our fallen comrades."

  The gunfire grew denser again. The snipers were even more precise, one shot at a time. The Dashun army had already begun to retreat step by step after seeing that they couldn't gain any advantage. In the distant and vast mountain valley, the outline of a stronghold could be vaguely seen.

  Seeing the enemy has retreated, Zeng Qing let out a sigh of relief. He said to the soldier passing orders beside him: "Pass down the order. Dig in well and set up camp tonight. Wait until nightfall to launch a surprise attack on them. Also, seal off the paths leading up the mountain cliffs on both sides. It's best to dispatch two platoons to guard both sides. Tell the deputy battalion commander of the first battalion to go back and request artillery support from the division."

  The little warrior next to him quickly ran down to pass on the order.

  Zeng Qing held up the telescope and looked at the distant mountain stronghold, saying: "Old Deng, look. The people who built this stronghold seem to have some skills after all. The layout of the stronghold is very good, it can effectively prevent fires, and at the same time, they are not afraid of being surrounded, their back is against the mountains. This way, we can attack and defend, what a pity that they want to lure us in and eat us, it's a big mistake. If they guard this narrow road, even if we attack and take it down, it will be a waste of effort."

  While wondering why Lao Deng didn't respond to his words, and just as he was about to turn around and ask, Yi Tianxing's voice came from behind: "Zeng Dayu, what have you done? You've lost hundreds of soldiers and are still engaging in a fierce battle with the enemy. It seems that your true profession is fishing on Dongting Lake."

  Zeng Qing glared at Yi Tianxing and replied, "Yi Mengfu, don't laugh at me. On this narrow mountain path, even if your third battalion comes, I don't know how many people will die. This is great, our second battalion just finished dealing with yours and now the third battalion arrives. How come that little brat didn't come? Let's all come and share a meal with old Zeng. You shouldn't say that. If I weren't a soldier, I would be back at Dongting Lake fishing. Why don't you come together?"

  Yi Tianxing also ignored his words and picked up the telescope to observe the camp opposite, saying: "You have to guard in the military camp. The instructor has brought several cannons with Yuan Yongzhi and doesn't know the casualties yet. When the instructor comes later, you'll be writing a self-criticism for your impulsive and reckless advance, which is a serious mistake in military tactics."

  Zeng Qing was already very angry, and upon hearing Yi Tianxing's words, he said in a low voice: "Old Yi, to be honest, don't I care about my own soldiers? But who would have thought that Wu Sangui's strong opponent would let us take him down so easily, and now this tiny pest is causing us such great losses?"

  Yi Tianxing looked at Zeng Qing, who was about to get angry, and said seriously: "Old Zeng, aren't there many examples in history of the weak defeating the strong and the few defeating the many? Now that we're strong, you can't be careless. Go talk to the commander later. What's the use of getting angry now?" At this time, the sound of cannons had already started, and shells were falling in front of the trenches.

  Zeng Qing protected Yi Tianxing, who was lying on the ground, and shook off the dust from his body. "Damn it, these rabbits really have a bandit-like appearance. I didn't hit them before, but now they're hitting me."

  "Be on the lookout for any enemy soldiers who might be charging over. Take cover and wait for our artillery to arrive, then we'll show them what's what."

  The cannons fired in succession, and most of the shells fell on the front position, but a few accurate ones landed here, yet the soldiers were still well-protected and nothing happened. The soldiers under the bunker in front gazed at the enemy's every move. The soldiers behind had already sent over cheers.

  I walked over with a dark face, the corpses of the soldiers along the way made me feel some heartache. I looked at Zeng Qing with a calm face and said: "Zeng Qing, after you've finished fighting, give me a good explanation. What's going on this time?"

  "Alright, Old Yuan, take aim and give them a few rounds. Don't overdo it, just blast the gate open. Also, fire a few rounds inside the fort to let these bandits see what artillery is all about."

  Yuan Yongzhi said with a happy heart: "Commander, don't worry, our artillery has been conserving ammunition and rarely fires live rounds. Now I'll give the soldiers a training opportunity. Wherever you tell me to fire, I won't fire anywhere else."

  The cannon behind started firing. Only saw that the village in front had already caught fire and flames were soaring into the sky.

  I pondered for a moment, then whispered to Security Guard Xiao Tang: "Send someone over and tell them to get the person in charge to come out and talk."

  In the midst of a brief silence, a warrior had already brought over someone who looked like a leader.

  "I took a look at that person and said with a gloomy face: 'Good, the army of Dashun is really good. I was overthrown by you tomorrow, now it's fine again, and come to pull our legs again. If it weren't for your Li Chuang, Wu Sangui wouldn't let the Qing soldiers enter the pass, and the mountains and rivers of my Han people were defeated by you rebels. Hmph.'"

  That leader, with a proud expression, said: "You, the Ming army, if you didn't ignore the lives and deaths of ordinary people, would we have risen up in rebellion? You say that we are the ones who will bring about the downfall of the Han dynasty, but I think it's all because of you."

  Zeng Qing and the others stood up with a look of wanting to fight. Yi Tianxing even looked at him with disdainful eyes.

  I signaled them to calm down and sit, facing the leader-like person, saying: "Even if our great Ming dynasty owes the ordinary people, now our rebel army against the Qing is preparing to go to Jiangxi to attack the Qing soldiers. Why did you send someone to spy on us? And why are you opposing us? To put it bluntly, isn't it just that you want to swallow us up and expand your own power?"

  As I said, I slapped the makeshift table and said: "Hmph, we are at least working hard to drive away the Qing dynasty now, what about you? You just know how to nest in this mountain valley, robbing ordinary people's things, what kind of heroes are you?"

  That leader-like person was asked by me and became red in the face, saying: "Hmph, you bunch of rascals, I won't engage in a war of words with you. When two countries interact, they don't kill envoys who come to them. You have the ability to send me back, tomorrow we'll have a real battle with real swords and guns, that's all. After defeating you guys, my old self will ride a horse down the mountain to fight against the Qing dynasty."

  I burst out laughing and asked in return: "A real fight with real swords?"

  That person looked at me with a puzzled expression and sneered: "Don't you dare?"

  I looked at his ridiculous appearance and said: "Okay, but I have a condition. Tomorrow whoever loses will have to listen to the winner's arrangement."

  That leader-like fellow looked at me with profound meaning and said: "Alright, it's settled then. A word once spoken cannot be taken back."

  I waved at the guard and said, "See him out."

  Inside the army's temporary big account, I said to Zeng Qing, who was standing in front of me explaining the situation: "Zeng Qing, my former deputy division commander. You are a deputy division commander after all. Why can't you give me some peace of mind? Everything you do is so hasty and selfish. Look, it's because of your poor command that we sacrificed 382 soldiers today. 167 wounded soldiers are lying in the field hospital of the division headquarters, and it's unknown whether they will be able to stand up again in the future. It was your consideration that allowed the enemy to take advantage of us. More than 500 soldiers were killed or injured from your second regiment. Tell me, how should I deal with you?"

  "Sir, you can take away my deputy commander and regimental commander positions if you want, but please don't send me back to Yuezhou to be a local commander again. I'd rather stay here as a low-ranking soldier. Please, sir."

  I looked at him and sighed, "Alright, let's decide on your punishment after this battle is over. But rest assured, even if you ask me to let you go now, I won't. However, the position of Deputy Regiment Commander will be temporarily taken over by Yi Tianxing. You will be demoted to act as the commander of the 2nd Battalion."

  Zeng Qing looked up at me and said with a smile: "Master, you really didn't drive me away. That's good. Tomorrow's battle, I'll lead the charge. If our casualties exceed 20 people again, you can behead me."

  I couldn't help but laugh and cry as I watched Zeng Qing, who had just been scolded and was about to be sent into battle again. "Alright, alright, you go back and write a self-criticism first, and read it out at tomorrow's assembly for the whole division. Be careful today in case they come to launch a sneak attack. You can go back now."