Southern Ming Rebel Army

Chapter 292: Scouting First Battle

After conquering the Jiangbei camp, Zhao Yongping did not stop there. He sent a team of 1,000 soldiers to quickly capture the empty city of Yangzhou.

After two days of rest in the Jiangbei camp, Zhao Yongping's army set out again, marching northward along the canal. Along the way, they passed Gaoyou and Baoying, where there were few garrisons. Except for Huai'an City, all the garrisons in other cities were withdrawn by Baiyintu.

During the army's march, every time they arrived at a place, Zhao Yongping would communicate with local officials, gentry and common people. The faces of the local officials and gentry were all filled with warm smiles. No matter what they thought in their hearts, on the surface, these people expressed that they were looking forward to it day and night, hoping that the royal army would be able to send troops to the north to recover the lost territory.

One of the gentry present even recited a poem on the spot: "The tears of the loyalists have dried up in the dust of the barbarians, and they have been looking forward to the king's army to the south for another year." He said with great emotion, "The loyalists of the Song Dynasty in the past have been looking forward to the king's army to the south for more than a year. How lucky we are. The loyalists of that time looked forward to the king's army's northern expedition year after year, but their wish never came true. We have only waited for less than five years, and the king's army has already marched north and recovered the lost territory."

Just as Zhao Yongping led his troops northward and was making great progress, the first confrontation between the Qing army and Zhou army occurred in Daye County, Huguang.

More than ten miles south of Daye County, the mountains on both sides clamped a plain of about forty miles like a pair of pliers.

Li He, the Zhou army scout, had three other subordinates, namely Zhao Mingzuo, and the two brothers Chen Shan and Chen Lin. At this time, the four of them were leading their horses and slowly exploring towards Daye County.

Lin Shiqi's vanguard had already entered Yangxin County. News came that the Qing army seemed to be making moves in Daye County, so Lin Shiqi immediately ordered the scout battalion commander Zhang Chengsheng to carefully investigate the situation in Daye County.

Li He and his three companions set out from Yangxin County early in the morning. They asked dozens of passers-by along the way about the situation in Daye County. However, most of them knew nothing about Lin County.

Only a man who looked like a traveling merchant told Li He some things that were not sure whether they were true or not. This man said that there were Eight Banners soldiers in Daye County, the real Eight Banners, not the Eight Banners disguised as Han soldiers. As for how many people there were, the merchant could not say clearly, only that there were at least thirty or forty.

By noon, Li He and his companions were already very close to Daye County, but the closer they got, the more cautious they became. Although there was only a team of four, Li He still sent Zhao Mingzuo to explore the way ahead.

Just as they passed a small hill, Zhao Mingzuo ran over in a panic. He quickly came to Li He's side and said in a low voice, "There are five Tartar cavalrymen ahead."

Li He said quickly: "Equipment, height, whether he is strong or not, tell me everything in detail."

Zhao Mingzuo took a deep breath and then quickly said, "There are five cavalrymen. Judging from the appearance of the leader, they seem to be soldiers of the Eight Banners. Their armor is different from the usual Green Camp Han Army. One of the five should be wearing chain mail, and four are wearing cotton armor. The one wearing chain mail has a cavalry bow, and only one of the other four has a bow. Two of them hold spears, and two hold swords."

After taking a breath, Zhao Mingzuo continued, "He is of normal height, about the same as us. As for whether he is strong or not, we are a little far away, but he looks a little bloated, so he must be strong. These four people are sitting on the side of the road eating dry food, so they must not have noticed me."

Li He was a little conflicted at this time. If all five of them were from the Eight Banners, then they might not be able to win. However, if they retreated in disgrace and were known to others, even if they were not punished, it would be a disgrace. Li He confirmed the equipment of the Qing army again and again. After receiving a firm answer from Zhao Mingzuo, Li He slapped his thigh and said with gritted teeth, "Let's do it. Four against five. Let's launch a surprise attack and defeat these Tartars."

The other three looked at each other without saying anything, but just silently clenched their weapons.

Li He carefully observed the nearby terrain and estimated that these Tartar scouts would take this road. If they wanted to ambush them, the only way was the small hillside nearby. There were two or three abandoned thatched huts at the foot of the hillside not far away.

Li He placed the horses behind the house. Li He and Chen Shan climbed onto the roof and covered themselves with thatch. Chen Lin and Zhao Mingzuo were on their war horses, ready to charge at any time.

Chen Shan asked in a low voice: "Will the Tartars come? What if they come galloping by on horseback?"

Li He said nervously, "Cover your mouth when you speak. It's cold and foggy. No, these Tartars must be scouts. They will only gallop their horses when they have military intelligence. Otherwise, they will definitely not be able to run when the horses are tired."

After a while, Chen Shan, with sharp eyes, lowered his voice and said, "The Tartars are coming soon."

The five Qing soldiers were unaware of anything. Two of them were riding their war horses slowly, while three were leading the horses. At this time, the two sides were only thirty steps apart. At this moment, two bows and arrows flew out from the roof and went straight towards the two people on horseback.

Li He and Chen Shan were the best archers in the four-man team. When the Qing army was getting closer, at Li He's signal, Li He and Chen Shan pulled their bows to full height almost at the same time. The two arrows were shot with great force and went straight towards the Qing army on horseback like lightning.

Two men from the Qing army were riding on their war horses and they did not notice the danger coming.

However, just when they were caught off guard, one of the arrows pierced one of them's neck like the god of death's scythe. The man immediately fell off his horse and landed heavily on the ground, splashing a cloud of dust. He looked dead, but in his eyes, there was still fear of life and death, and astonishment at the enemy's sudden attack.

The other person was luckier as the arrow only pierced his shoulder armor. This person was the Eight Banners soldier wearing chain mail. He drew his sword in anger, pointing in the direction of Li He and others and yelling.

At the same time as they were shooting arrows, Chen Lin and Zhao Mingzuo, riding on their war horses, galloped towards the remaining four Qing troops like tigers descending from the mountains.

Li He and Chen Shan shot two more arrows. With preparation, the arrows were so fast that the Eight Banners soldier could only narrowly avoid the vital parts. However, one arrow still hit the abdomen and the other hit the chest. Although they were protected by chain mail, the arrows still broke through the armor and penetrated two inches into the flesh at a distance of thirty steps.

After shooting this round of arrows, the two men quickly jumped off the roof, mounted their horses, and rushed forward like a gust of wind, rushing towards the Qing army.

It happened so quickly that all these actions actually happened in just a moment. Li He and his three companions acted deliberately and launched a surprise attack. The three Qing soldiers who were leading horses only had time to mount their horses, and had no time to make them run. However, the distance of thirty steps could be covered in an instant at the speed of the horses.

Li He and four others formed two rows, one in front and one behind. Their swords and spears were like lightning, stabbing or slashing at the terrified Qing army with a whistling sound that broke through the air and a breath of death. The faces of the Qing soldiers on the opposite side were already clearly visible, their faces were filled with despair and fear.