Southern Ming Rebel Army

Chapter 660: The Battle of Moxi (5)

Huang Cheng had been a soldier for half his life. He knew that the tactics of cavalry were completely different from those of infantry, and that the way cavalry fought on the grassland was also different from that in the Central Plains.

Historically, when the Central Plains dynasties entered the grasslands to fight, the biggest challenge was not the battle itself, but finding the enemy. After all, there were no familiar people on the vast grasslands, and it was extremely difficult to find a tribe living by the water.

Huang Cheng did not respond immediately after hearing Tulu's words. Instead, he turned to look at the other generals and asked, "What do you think?"

The tent fell into a brief silence again. At this time, Liu Kun retorted: "General Tulu's words make sense, but the opportunity for war is fleeting. If we hesitate, once the Junggars realize our intention, it will be difficult for us to launch a surprise attack. Moreover, if the Junggars are determined to avoid fighting and move westward, the war will be delayed for a long time and food and money will be difficult to continue. By then, tens of thousands of troops may be in vain. Therefore, I think we should make a decisive move and not miss the opportunity to fight!"

Tulantai also nodded and agreed: "General Liu is right. Our army's morale is high. When the opportunity comes, we must seize it. Therefore, I agree with the decision to march forward."

Huang Cheng listened, pondered for a moment, then slowly stood up, and looked at everyone with a firm gaze: "What you said is reasonable, but the opportunity for battle cannot be lost. I have decided to march as planned tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, all the generals responded in unison: "As you command!"

Huang Cheng nodded, his eyes fell on the map again, he tapped the location of the Dzungar Khanate with his fingers, and said in a deep voice: "This battle is of great importance, everyone must go all out. If we can break through the Khanate in one fell swoop, Dzungar can be pacified!"

All the generals stood up and bowed to take their leave. Only Huang Cheng was left in the tent. He stared at the map. After a moment, he sighed softly and whispered to himself: "I wonder if I will win this time..."

The next morning, more than 20,000 elite cavalrymen were selected and ready. However, after breakfast, while waiting to set off, Huang Cheng caught a cold, his forehead became hot, and he was bedridden.

All the generals gathered in the tent, looking at Huang Cheng with worry. Everyone was ready, but the commander was sick, which made everyone feel inexplicably gloomy.

Huang Cheng was also somewhat helpless. He really wanted to lead the army personally and crush the Dzungar Khanate in one fell swoop, but his current condition obviously did not allow him to fight in person, and the opportunity to fight could not be delayed. Therefore, he had to change generals at the last minute of this battle.

Huang Cheng's head was groggy, but he still held on and looked around at the generals, and his final gaze was fixed on Liu Kun.

Huang Cheng pointed at Liu Kun and said, "Liu Kun, I order you to be the vanguard commander and lead 20,000 elite cavalry to attack the Dzungar Khanate day and night! This mission is a heavy responsibility and it will determine the success or failure of our army. You must not take it lightly."

Liu Kun was shocked and a little surprised, but he also felt that he had a heavy responsibility. He immediately knelt on one knee, clasped his fists and said loudly: "Don't worry, Marshal! I will live up to your trust!"

Huang Cheng nodded slightly, a trace of relief appeared on his pale face, and he continued with difficulty: "There is nothing much to say about this battle, the only thing is that it has to be fast!"

"I understand. I will not delay even a moment!" Liu Kun responded firmly.

Huang Cheng took a breath, forced himself to cheer up, and looked at the other generals: "Everyone, you must go all out in this expedition and not slack off in the slightest."

All the generals responded in unison: "We will follow the commander's orders!"

Huang Cheng leaned back on the couch and waved his hand tiredly: "Okay, let's go. I'm waiting for news of your triumphant return. I've already prepared the documents to report your victory!"

Upon hearing this, all the generals smiled knowingly. At this time, Liu Kun stood up, turned to face the generals, waved his hand and said, "Let's go!" After that, he turned around and saluted Huang Cheng again, then strode out of the tent.

Soon, 20,000 elite cavalrymen galloped out of the camp one after another, their horses' hooves paddling the ground, raising dust, and rushing towards the direction of the Dzungar Khanate like a black torrent.

This elite raiding force consisted of three men on three horses, carrying enough water and dry food for three days. Liu Kun was on his horse, looking back at the mighty cavalry team.

After the troops had galloped for a while, he turned around and shouted to the messenger beside him: "Pass the order, the army will rest for the horses but not the men! Eat and defecate on horseback, advance at full speed, charge day and night, and drive straight to the Dzungar Khanate! Those who disobey the order will be punished by military law!"

Several messengers received the order and immediately clamped their legs on their horses' bellies. They turned around like arrows and galloped towards the rear column while shouting Liu Kun's order: "The general has ordered that the army rests the horses but not the men! Eat and poop on the horses, and march day and night to the Dzungar Khanate! Those who disobey the order will be punished by military law!"

When the cavalrymen heard the order, their expressions became even more resolute and no one complained. They were selected because they knew the urgency and importance of this battle.

When they were hungry, they simply ate some dry food on horseback and quickly swallowed it with the water in their leather bags. When the horses were tired, they changed horses and continued to gallop. Their clothes and armor were soaked with sweat. After galloping for so long, even their thighs seemed to be numb. But even so, they always looked firmly into the distance, holding the reins tightly in their hands, urging the horses to speed up.

Until night fell, the grassland night was slightly chilly, but this did not affect the speed of the army. The Mongolian cavalrymen dozed off on horseback, relying on years of habit, they always maintained a riding posture. However, the cavalry of the Central Plains Han Army did not have such superb riding skills as the grassland coalition forces. Many people tied themselves to their horses in order to avoid falling off their horses in order to avoid being too tired.

Along the way, the sound of horse hooves was like thunder, rolling in continuously. The 20,000 elite cavalry seemed to have merged into one, turning into an unstoppable torrent, and rapidly advancing towards the Dzungar Khanate. Wherever they passed, they left behind only flying dust and the shocking sound of horse hooves.

On March 19th of the tenth year of Zhaowu, at the time of yin, Liu Kun's troops had arrived more than thirty miles southeast of the Dzungar Khanate.

After such a rapid march, Muhara was half dead, but he still saw the mountains in the distance by the moonlight. He knew that they were almost at the Dzungar Khanate.

So, Muhalla shouted to the interpreter beside him: "Almost...almost there! Almost there!"

After hearing what Muhala said, the interpreter quickly translated it. The Qian cavalry beside him quickly galloped on their horses and shouted to Liu Kun in front of them: "General! General! The guide said we are almost there!!"

Liu Kun heard the sound and quickly gave orders to slow down the horses and prepare to stop temporarily.

After a while, the galloping cavalry began to slowly slow down their speed. After a long time, more than 20,000 cavalrymen stopped temporarily.