Just as the people of Gao Family Village were still handling the aftermath of Gao Yingxiang's death, Chen Yuanbo, the Magistrate of Daizhou and one of Gao Family Village's most outstanding first generation middle school graduates, was facing an extremely serious situation.
"Report!"
A militia scout rushed in, clasping his fists toward Chen Yuanbo.
"The vanguard of the Manchu invaders has already drawn close to Xuanfu and Datong."
Chen Yuanbo frowned. "I am not very familiar with military affairs. Didn't the Wushen Tribe lead a large number of Mongol tribes to attack the Eastern Mongol tribes? Under these circumstances, how did the Manchu manage to reach Xuanfu and Datong?"
The scout replied, "The Mongols are no match for the Manchu. As soon as the Manchu general Ajige led his troops out, the Wushen Tribe scattered like frightened birds and beasts. They deliberately kept their distance and avoided the main Manchu army."
Chen Yuanbo was startled. "Where is Zao Ying's Cavalry Battalion? Aren't they assisting the Mongols?"
Hearing this, the scout's expression turned strange. He lowered his voice.
"Instructor Zao is currently unable to go on campaign. She has been staying at home these past few days, resting due to pregnancy."
"What?" Chen Yuanbo was shocked. "Pregnant? What happened? I did not hear that she got married."
The scout coughed lightly and whispered, "It is said that on a dark and stormy night, after getting Zheng Daniu drunk… well… that is the general situation."
Chen Yuanbo fell silent for a moment and finally understood.
"The Mongols are too weak. Without our village's Armored Cavalry Battalion, they cannot face the Manchu head on. To stop the Manchu, we still have to rely on ourselves. What is the current situation of the border army at Xuanfu and Datong?"
The scout answered, "The Xuan Da border army is currently entirely under the command of Regional Commander Wang Pu of Datong. Wang Pu is quite spirited and wants to fight, but he does not have enough troops. It is impossible for him to stop one hundred thousand Manchu soldiers."
When Chen Yuanbo first took office as Magistrate of Daizhou, the Supreme Commander of Xuan Da had been Yang Sichang. Chen Yuanbo had once exchanged letters with Yang Sichang regarding the recruitment of miners.
However, not long after Yang Sichang took office, his father Yang He passed away, and Yang Sichang resigned to observe mourning. A year later, his mother also passed away, extending his mourning period. As a result, the position of Supreme Commander of Xuan Da remained vacant.
Therefore, the Xuan Da border army was currently only overseen by Regional Commander Wang Pu of Datong.
Chen Yuanbo said, "A few days ago, Dao Xuan Tianzun already ordered all Gao Family Village generals to return to their posts and be ready to receive orders at any time. This was precisely to deal with a situation like this. Immediately send this message back."
The scout acknowledged and quickly boarded a car headed for Taiyuan.
Soon after, San Shier, who had been assisting Wu Shen with administrative affairs in Taiyuan, received the news. San Shier did not understand warfare, but he was extremely skilled at deploying supplies. He immediately sent people to notify the various Gao Family Village generals and began preparing all necessary materials for battle.
Xuanfu, also known as Xuanzhen, was one of the Great Nine Border Garrisons of the Great Ming. It was originally under the jurisdiction of Supreme Commander Yang Sichang of Xuan Da. Now, however, it was overseen by Regional Commander Wang Pu of Datong.
Days earlier, Manchu invaders had breached the pass, and their forces had reached the northern district of Changping. The capital was shaken.
Changping was only about one hundred li from Xuanfu. Imperial requests for aid had long since reached Xuanfu.
But Wang Pu did not dare to move.
He had only five thousand troops on the books. Four tenths of them were ghost soldiers who drew pay but did not exist, leaving him with a true strength of only three thousand. Meanwhile, the Manchu this time commanded a massive army of one hundred thousand.
"Damn it, utterly damn it," Wang Pu paced back and forth. "If I go to help, it is a dead end. If I do not go, it is morally indefensible, and His Majesty will punish me. That is also a dead end. What should I do?"
Just as he was pacing anxiously, a soldier rushed in, clasping his fists.
"General, the Governor of Shanxi, Wu Shen, has sent imperial aid forces."
Wang Pu was overjoyed. "The Shanxi army is here? Quickly, I will go out to welcome them."
He ran to the city gate and saw an army standing outside Xuanfu's south gate. Their formations were neat and disciplined. A large banner with the character Wang was clearly displayed.
Wang Pu was somewhat familiar with Shanxi generals surnamed Wang. This should be Wang Xiaohua, the Garrison Commander of Pingyang. Standing beside him was a burly, full bearded general who looked extremely imposing. He was Wang Xiaohua's deputy.
This combination was quite well known, so Wang Pu did not think much of it at first.
However, he soon noticed that behind the troops led by Wang Xiaohua, there was another cavalry battalion.
More than two thousand cavalrymen, all heavily armored and mounted on iron steeds, stood in neat ranks. Their military bearing was impeccable. They were clearly an elite force. Yet the general leading them did not fly any banner.
Wang Pu asked curiously, "Who is that?"
Bai Mao smiled and introduced him. "This gentleman's surname is Ma. His name is Ma Shouying. He is a military officer recently promoted by the Governor. His current rank is quite low and not worth mentioning."
Wang Pu lowered his voice. "General Wang, this Ma Shouying clearly looks extraordinary. I think he will rise very quickly. Should I prepare a calling card and try to befriend him?"
Bai Mao replied, "That is up to you."
Wang Pu hurried over to Ma Shouying.
"Greetings, brother. I can tell at a glance that you are a dragon among men. If you do not mind…"
Ma Shouying rolled his eyes. "I do mind."
Wang Pu froze on the spot.
A dignified Regional Commander was publicly snubbed. Wang Pu was furious inside.
However, when he saw the two thousand plus armored cavalry behind Ma Shouying, he swallowed his anger. These men did not look easy to provoke. Every one of them carried a fierce, bandit like aura. If he caused trouble, they would likely draw their blades without giving him any respect. He could even be accused of inciting a mutiny. If it were investigated afterward, he might lose his head.
Better to forget it.
Wang Pu returned to Bai Mao and whispered, "This man does not understand social conduct."
Bai Mao whispered back, "Never mind him. As long as he can fight, that is enough. Since we are here, let us move out and relieve Changping."
Wang Pu calculated the forces.
His own three thousand, nominally five thousand.
Bai Mao's three thousand, nominally five thousand.
Ma Shouying's two thousand plus, nominally four thousand.
Altogether, they nominally formed an army of twenty thousand.
This should be enough to harass and restrain the Manchu from the periphery.
Wang Pu was not someone who feared battle. He waved his hand.
"Move out. Attack."
The so called twenty thousand strong army immediately set off for Changping.
When they arrived, they discovered that Changping city had already fallen.
A Manchu army was roaming the outskirts, chasing and slaughtering villagers everywhere.
Wang Pu hesitated for a full ten seconds, trying to devise a battle plan.
At that moment, he saw Bai Mao issue an order. The Shanxi army under his command surged forward directly toward the enemy.
Wang Pu was shocked. "General Wang, the Manchu are fierce. We should not underestimate them. We should first consider our strategy carefully…"
Before he could finish, the battlefield was already filled with the sound of flintlock volleys and the explosions of hand grenades.
The Manchu soldiers were thrown into complete confusion in a very short time.
Then, Ma Shouying led his iron cavalry in a sudden charge.
The armored cavalry smashed into the Manchu ranks like a steel tide, instantly scattering them in disarray.
Wang Pu's mind went blank.
By the time he came back to his senses, the battlefield results were already clear.
They had cut down 1,104 Manchu soldiers.
They had captured 143 alive.