RPAGF Chapter 310 Taking Down Kuren
Chapter 310 Taking Down Kuren
As the Mongol cavalry approached to within about 500 meters, Zhao Mancang revealed a wicked smile and raised his right hand.
The cavalrymen stepped aside, revealing the dark muzzles of their guns behind them. More than a dozen general-purpose machine guns that had been waiting on the carriage for some time spewed fire.
"Rat-a-tat-tat..." More than a dozen machine guns fired in a crisscross pattern, and the Mongol cavalrymen fell in rows like wheat.
Hearing that deadly rattling sound again, the Mongol cavalry were terrified. Unfortunately, it was impossible for the charging cavalry to stop. They could only be mowed down one by one by the machine guns.
"Boom boom boom..." The mortars positioned behind the lines also launched an attack on the Mongol cavalry at the same time.
"Quickly, sound the horn! Retreat!" Seeing that the enemy had once again unleashed their powerful weapons—general-purpose machine guns and mortars—Lerji knew he was about to lose again and quickly ordered a retreat.
He was terrified by the machine gun fire yesterday and couldn't muster the slightest will to resist.
The Mongol cavalry were thrown into chaos and turned to flee. Most of the three thousand cavalrymen who had launched the attack were also wiped out, and the rest began to scatter and flee.
"Chase!" Zhao Mancang spurred his warhorse and led his men in pursuit.
More than 10,000 cavalrymen risked their lives in pursuit across the grassland.
"Bang! Bang! Bang..." Sporadic gunshots rang out across the grassland. The cavalrymen pursued, firing as they went. Mongol soldiers were constantly being shot off their horses.
The Mongols had marched dozens of miles, and both men and horses were exhausted. The cavalry division, having rested and prepared, quickly caught up with the Mongol army.
Seeing no hope of escape, large numbers of Mongol soldiers began to surrender.
"Good!" Shen Lian exclaimed, slamming his fist on the table as he received the victory report from the grasslands. Jiang Shan, with just over eight thousand men, had annihilated the Manchu-Mongol allied forces of thirty thousand. They had also captured a number of enemy high-ranking officers.
Jiang Shan also submitted a plan to take advantage of Kulun's vulnerability and dispatch 5,000 cavalry to attack Kulun directly.
"Men, immediately dispatch five thousand cavalry, three horses per man, and prepare to set off! I'm going straight for Kulun!" Shen Zimeng was extremely anxious upon receiving Jiang Shan's battle report.
He's been in the grasslands for over two months and hasn't fought many battles yet. If Jiang Shan takes Kulun again, what chance will he have?
Five days later, a troop of weary cavalry arrived at the foot of Mount Kent.
Shen Zimeng dismounted, washed himself by the river, and led a group of soldiers carrying various offerings to a cliff face on the mountain.
"Men! Clean out the inscriptions on the cliff face!" Upon seeing the faint traces of writing on the cliff face, Shen Zimeng bowed respectfully and gave the order.
Soldiers quickly set up scaffolding, cleaned up the writing on the cliff face, and then repainted it with red paint.
A text for worshipping Heaven and Earth and all the gods;
The might of Heaven is awe-inspiring, the virtue of Earth is boundless. I, Qu Bing, though unworthy, have been fortunate enough to lead the elite troops of the Han Dynasty, traversing mountains and rivers, clad in armor and wielding weapons, repeatedly defeating the Xiongnu. Now, our army is at the edge of the vast sea, striking directly at the enemy's lair, achieving a great victory. All this is thanks to the protection of Heaven and Earth and the blessings of the ancestors of the Han Dynasty, as well as the bravery of countless soldiers.
I, Qu Bing, am but a humble man, yet I have been entrusted with this weighty responsibility by His Majesty's great grace. Since receiving this commission, I have worked tirelessly day and night, daring not to fail in my duty. Leading a mighty army, I departed from Chang'an, crossed the Yellow River, traversed the Yin Mountains, and pierced the vast desert. Wherever I went, the Xiongnu were utterly routed. However, the journey was fraught with peril; were it not for the protection of Heaven and Earth, how could I have achieved this feat?
Today I ascend Mount Kent to proclaim to Heaven and the gods. May they bless the Han Dynasty with prosperity and the people with peace and happiness. May the borders be forever pacified, free from the flames of war. I, Qubing, will continue to serve on the battlefield, expanding the Han Dynasty's territory and enhancing our national prestige. If I break this oath, may Heaven and Earth punish me, and may the gods condemn me.
We now offer sacrifices of jade and silk to the gods of Heaven and Earth, and humbly request that you accept our offerings!
(I'm not sure if this eulogy actually exists! I'm posting it here for discussion!)
After offering sacrifices, Shen Zimeng had his men inscribe the event of their ascent of Mount Kent and the subsequent sacrifices. He then led his army toward Kulun.
Chaos reigned in Kulun City. Scattered remnants of defeated troops returned in the morning. The entire 30,000-strong Manchu-Mongol army had been annihilated, and General Yigu had committed suicide. News of Prince Lerjiden's capture spread like wildfire.
The lamas and the remaining Manchu and Mongol high-ranking officials panicked, unsure of what to do. Yigu had taken most of the elite Eight Banners troops, leaving only the elderly and weak, who offered no resistance whatsoever.
Lerji also led the elite Mongol army, but 20,000 of them were lost, and the few thousand troops remaining in the city were no match for the Han army.
Before the Manchu and Mongol leaders could come up with a good countermeasure, someone reported that Han cavalry had arrived.
Jiang Shan personally led five thousand cavalrymen to approach Kulun from the south, but he did not launch an attack immediately. Instead, he stopped about two miles away.
He then ordered his troops to surround the southwest and set up camp, before leading a group of officers eastward.
He could have arrived much earlier, but he slowed down to wait for Shen Zimeng.
Since Shen Zimeng was coming, he naturally had to wait. He had already made a significant contribution; he wanted to leave some for others as well.
Even if Shen Zimeng is his superior, he wouldn't dare offend him based on Shen Zimeng's relationship with the Emperor.
"Deputy Commander!" Jiang Shan came to Shen Zimeng's side and saluted as Shen Zimeng was riding his horse and surveying Kulun City.
"Old Jiang, not bad! Your First Division has really excelled this time. His Majesty even sent a telegram praising you personally!" Shen Zimeng casually returned the greeting.
The two had worked together in Northeast China for many years and were old acquaintances.
"It is all thanks to His Majesty's good fortune and the proper command of the headquarters that my division was able to defeat the Manchu and Mongol army!" Jiang Shan said humbly.
“Our new dynasty doesn’t need to be so modest. What’s rightfully yours is rightfully yours!” Shen Zimeng waved his hand.
"How do you suggest we fight now?" Shen Zimeng pointed his riding whip at Kulun City.
"Currently, Kulun has about 10,000 troops. With the strength of our army, taking it down will be effortless."
"However, in order to reduce the damage to the city and the casualties among the people, why don't we try to persuade them to surrender first? We happen to have captured some prisoners, so let's send them in to persuade them to surrender."
"It would be best if they surrendered! If they don't surrender, we can attack again. It's a city without even walls; I believe they will make the right choice!" Jiang Shan nodded.
"Alright! Let's try to persuade them to surrender first!" Shen Zimeng said helplessly; this was the rule of the Chinese army. He hoped these Mongols would be a little tougher, as he was already itching to take action.
I heard that during the Qianlong Emperor's reign, Uya Zhaohui pacified the grasslands and flattened the wheels of carts. He really wants to replicate that!
Soon, several Manchu and Mongol officers were allowed into the city.
The next morning, a large group of Manchu and Mongol officers laid down their weapons, raised white flags, and walked out of the city.
Last night, the officers who entered the city gave them a detailed account of the war and the strength of the Chinese army. This extinguished their will to resist, and they obediently surrendered.
"Let's go into the city!" Shen Zimeng waved his hand. The army marched into the city in orderly ranks.
This city, roughly the size of a county town in inland China, is the largest town on the grassland. It's only slightly larger than the towns we've encountered along the way, and nothing particularly special about it.
The only difference was that there were many Han Chinese here, and the roadside was lined with people of various ethnicities kneeling. Everyone cautiously observed this army, dressed in uniform and riding majestically on horseback.