Volume 1: The Wind Rises in Tumubao Chapter 22 The Final Battle Begins
In the Wala camp, Yesen couldn't help but frown when he heard the feedback from the scouts.
Seeing that the war was about to begin, the Ming army did not prepare properly but was actually carrying out construction?
You are the emperor, not the foreman, so please make sure you understand your identity!
You are still thinking about construction at this time. Do you want to build a city wall in front of my army of one hundred thousand?
"Boyan, what do you think the Ming army is doing?"
Mr. Ye was a suspicious person by nature, so when he encountered this situation, he unconsciously sought advice from Boyan.
Boyan was also confused . He hated using his brain the most in his life, but these days, the Ming army had been causing trouble in various ways every day, making it difficult to guard against.
I just want to fight a good battle, what else ?
"Why not? No matter what tricks he plays, our army will charge straight in. Even if we have to risk casualties, we will definitely capture the little emperor!"
After listening, Yesen's face looked heavy, and it was obvious that he was also very confused.
In theory, Bayan's idea was not unwise. In the current situation, as long as the Ming army could be defeated in one fell swoop, some casualties were acceptable.
Having said that, it was precisely because of his hesitation and concern about the war casualties in a good situation that the Ming army had an opportunity to take advantage of him, and the duck that was delivered to his mouth flew away.
Damn it, it’s all that damn eunuch’s fault!
Wouldn't it be better for you to serve your emperor honestly? Why do you have to come and surrender at this critical moment, only causing trouble for me!
When Yesen thought of that eunuch without balls, he became extremely angry.
"Bring that man up here!"
I saw a Han Chinese man being escorted into the big tent. He was in his early twenties, with fair skin, and was obviously the son of an official.
"My lord, please spare my life! My lord, please spare my life!"
As soon as the man came in, he knelt down, kowtowed repeatedly, and begged for mercy.
Boyan was puzzled and asked, "Brother, who is this person?"
Yesen looked at the man on the ground with disdain and said, "He was caught on the road. He is said to be the nephew of eunuch Wang Zhen, named Wang Lin."
"Wang Zhen?" Boyan scratched his head and asked, "Is he the eunuch most favored by the young emperor?"
Yesen nodded, then asked Wang Lin: "Let me ask you again, is what you just said true?"
"Your Majesty, everything I said is true. I am the deputy commander of the Jinyiwei and have checked all the logistical supply accounts. This time, I brought a total of 3,500 kilograms of gunpowder. Each soldier in the Fire Gun Battalion carried one kilogram, and the soldiers in the Artillery Battalion carried 20 kilograms for each cannon."
After listening to this, Boyan counted on his fingers, but the more he counted, the more confused he looked.
In the end, he just gave up and walked up to grab Wang Lin by the collar.
"Just tell me, how much gunpowder does the Ming army have now?"
"I...I...I don't know!"
"I don't know, what use would you have for me?"
"When I was retreating , I was ordered to go to Weizhou to do some work. I don't know how the battle situation is..."
Wang Lin was so exhausted that he wanted to cry. "I'm not in the battle line, so how can I know how much gunpowder the Ming army has left?"
Yesen patted Boyan's shoulder gently and said, "Tell him about the battle!"
Bayan calmed himself down and then roughly recounted the entire battle process starting from the Ming army's surprise attack on Ala.
Especially regarding the battle situation related to firearms, he told everything he knew.
Wang Lin's mind raced as he quickly calculated in his mind. Although he didn't know the exact number, he could guess it almost right.
"According to the general, there should be no gunpowder left in the Ming army."
Boyan didn't believe it and asked, "Are you sure?"
Wang Lin was unsure, but given the current situation, he could only grit his teeth and hold on.
"I know the Ming army's fighting style. At this rate of consumption, all of their weapons should have been used up. Even if there are some, there won't be much left."
Boyan threw him to the ground, turned to Yesen and said: "During Ala's last attack, the Ming army's artillery had indeed been silenced, but that explosion..."
Having said that, he shook his head regretfully.
By this point in the battle, the power of the Ming army's firearms had been fully demonstrated.
Whether it was muskets or cannons, they were insurmountable obstacles for the Mongolian cavalry, especially the war horses. Even trained war horses found it difficult to resist the effects of gunpowder explosions.
In addition, Ala had suffered a great loss from firearms before, which made him more cautious about this.
Yesen thought carefully. Based on Boyan's report and the abnormal behavior of the Ming army now, could it be that the gunpowder was really used up? Then he thought of other ways... to make gunpowder?
Thinking of this, he asked Wang Lin: "Tell me, how is gunpowder made?"
"ah?"
Wang Lin was a little confused and didn't know how to answer for a moment.
Boyan immediately understood Yesen's intention, and grabbed Wang Lin's collar again, angrily saying, "What? Just tell me what I ask you!"
Wang Lin didn't dare to hide it, and hurriedly said: "I only know that saltpeter, charcoal , sulfur and other materials are needed, but as for how to mix them and how to refine them, I really don't know!"
Yesen and Boyan looked at each other. It was said that the Ming army had cut down many trees and built five kilns, which were always smoking. Could it be that they were burning charcoal?
However, even if charcoal can be burned, where can one find saltpeter and sulfur in these desolate mountains and wilderness?
It's really strange...
"Brother, I think we should hurry up and attack. If we wait any longer, I don't know what the Ming army will do next!"
After thinking for a long time, Yesen finally nodded and said, "Pass the order down. In one hour, launch a general attack on the Ming army's position. This time, you will lead 20,000 cavalry to lead the charge. Get ready!"
Boyan's eyes lit up, and he clasped his fists and said, "I will definitely fulfill your mission!"
In the howling north wind, the gate of the Wala camp slowly opened, and Bayan led 20,000 cavalrymen to cross the river first.
In the central army formation, Yesen was in charge personally. The 100,000-strong army pressed towards the Ming army position like a huge black cloud.
The Ming army also began to make busy preparations. Fifty catapults were slowly pushed out of the camp and began to prepare.
However, the catapult was not filled with stones, but felt packages with a diameter of about one meter.
The rattan armor soldiers guarded the front, forming a solid line of defense to resist the bows and arrows of the Oirat people.
Boyan had already seen these catapults, but he was not moved. Instead, he became more certain that the Ming army had run out of gunpowder.
Otherwise, why would we invent these catapults?
The little emperor is really funny. How could he think of using a catapult to fight a war?
Even if we line up and let you smash us from morning to night without blinking an eye, how many people can you kill?
As Bayan continued to advance, the distance between the two sides became closer and closer.
In the Ming army formation, orders were passed down one after another, and everyone was on high alert.
The war is about to begin!
