Chapter 143: The Ruse to Lure the Enemy

Looking at the map, Yu Qian asked in surprise, "How did you know there is a residential area here?"

The map marked the geographical layout around the capital, with mountains, rivers, towns, and mountain passes clearly visible. However, residential settlements near the outer city were not indicated. Xue Rui pointed to a blank space on the map and discussed tactics, which somewhat puzzled Yu Qian.

Xue Rui hurriedly explained, "My maternal grandfather's grain shop is located on Vegetable Market Street outside Xuanwu Gate. The location is relatively remote and close to this residential area. I've been there a few times before, which is how I know these are homes inhabited by impoverished commoners."

"If that's truly the case, this young man Xue's strategy might actually hold a glimmer of feasibility," Xing An nodded involuntarily.

Yu Qian pondered for a moment, then made up his mind, "Whether it works or not requires a personal inspection... Eunuch, will you stay here or come along to take a look?"

"This servant is commanded by His Majesty to assist Lord Yu, and naturally follows Lord Yu's lead. Without further ado, let's go have a look."

Xing An tucked the hem of his robe into his waistband and instructed the officers on the city wall to bring horses over.

Without further words, Yu Qian and Xing An mounted their horses.

Xue Rui took the reins from a soldier, expressed his gratitude, and amid the envious gazes of the officers and guards, galloped toward Xuanwu Gate alongside Yu Qian and the eunuch.

Before long, the trio arrived at Xuanwu Gate.

Seeing that Yu Qian, the commander-in-chief of military affairs, had arrived, Tang Jie, who was stationed at Xuanwu Gate, hurriedly ran down from the camp to the base of the city wall to receive instructions.

Leaning over the ramparts, Yu Qian looked down and asked, "Commander Tang, two li to the southwest, is there a cluster of residential dwellings?"

Having been ordered to defend Xuanwu Gate, Tang Jie had long since familiarized himself with the surrounding terrain. He raised his eyes to look in the direction Yu Qian pointed and immediately nodded in confirmation:

"Just as Your Lordship said, that is a cluster of dwellings for the poor. However, this subordinate has already ordered the people to be fully evacuated into the city, leaving not a single grain behind!"

Assuming Yu Qian was concerned about the safety of the commoners, Tang Jie patted his chest to offer reassurance.

"Commander Tang, the Oirat envoy was shot and killed, and they surely will not let the matter rest. It is highly likely they will send a force to raid our camp. I order you to select five hundred skilled archers from the Divine Machine Camp and lie in wait within those dwellings two li to the southwest. When the Oirat cavalry approaches the houses, immediately send a detachment of elite cavalry to meet the enemy. Of course, the objective is not to engage in a decisive battle; you need only feign defeat and lure the Oirat cavalry deep into our trap. When the timing is ripe, launch a pincer attack from front and rear to annihilate them. Can you accomplish this?"

Yu Qian immediately laid out his conception.

Listening nearby, Xue Rui nodded inwardly; Yu Qian's luring tactic was far more sophisticated than his own.

The Oirats were riding the momentum of a great victory, so they would inevitably look down upon the Ming army. Seeing the Ming forces rout without a fight, they would surely pursue in hot pursuit. Once the enemy was lured deep into isolation, a pincer attack from front and rear would secure victory.

Furthermore, this would conceal the Divine Machine Camp soldiers hiding in the houses, preventing early detection and increasing the chances of cutting off the enemy's retreat.

Upon hearing the deployment, Tang Jie's eyes lit up. He had just been fretting over how to respond to the Oirats' retaliation, and Yu Qian's brilliant plan gave him renewed confidence in repelling the Oirat offensive.

"This subordinate obeys the command!"

Yu Qian gave a few more instructions. Tang Jie cupped his hands in salute and immediately set off to select soldiers and prepare for the feigned-retreat strategy.

Meanwhile, as the Ming army made its preparations, Esen learned that his fierce general Nahachu had been struck by two arrows, and Yue Qian, who had been serving as the Oirats' translator, had also been shot dead. Enraged, Esen flew into a fury.

During previous attempts to demand entry at the city gates, aside from Datong General Guo Deng, who had fired a single warning arrow at the Oirats, the rest of the Ming troops had not dared loose a single arrow, showing utter cowardice.

Little did he expect that today, out of his great mercy, he had allowed Zhu Qizhen to write a letter to the Great Ming court assuring them of his safety, only for the Ming army to show no appreciation whatsoever and directly attack the messenger.

A volley of arrows had not only gravely wounded his brave warrior Nahachu, but even spared neither Yue Qian nor anyone else. This felt like being slapped across the face in public.

"Outrageous! This matter cannot rest here. Nahachu was carried back into the camp; countless soldiers must have seen it. If we do not return blow for blow, our army's morale will inevitably suffer!"

The more Esen thought about it, the angrier he grew. He immediately summoned his younger brother Bolo, ordering him to lead three thousand elite cavalry to test the metrid of the newly recruited Ming forces, and ideally secure a resounding victory to teach the Ming army a lesson.

Bolo was also a fierce Oirat general known as the "Iron Marshal." At the Battle of Yaoling Ridge, it was he who had laid the trap that shattered the forty thousand Ming troops led by Duke of Cheng Zhu Yong and Earl of Yingshun Xue Shou, frightening Wang Zhen into a hasty retreat that ultimately resulted in the Tumu Crisis.

Now that Esen was deploying this trump card, it was clear how much importance he attached to the outcome of this initial engagement.

Afterward, Bolo donned heavy armor, selected three thousand Oirat warriors in relatively good physical condition, and marched menacingly toward Xuanwu Gate.

Due to a shortage of rations, on his way from Xiangyang to the capital, Bolo had plundered dozens of villages along the route to gather enough provisions for his army to eat their fill.

As for the thousand or so Ming captives, Bolo neither killed them nor sent them back to the main camp. Instead, he drove this thousand-plus crowd southward, calculating whether he could trade them to the Ming army for some grain.

No matter how ruthless the Ming court was, surely they wouldn't abandon their own people, right?

As long as they could trade for grain, the Oirats would have boundless strength to thoroughly crush the ignorant Ming army!

When they reached a spot several li away from the capital, Bolo ordered his men to set up camp and cook. After the soldiers had eaten their fill and the warhorses were fed, he led three thousand elite cavalry, fully armored and mounted, charging directly toward Xuanwu Gate.

The objective of this Oirat sortie was singular: riding the momentum of their great victory, to deal a heavy, painful lesson to the Ming defenders!

At this moment, Yu Qian, Xing An, and Xue Rui had ascended the watchtower to observe enemy movements, focusing their attention on the southwest.

Rumble, rumble, rumble—

Before long, the three heard the thunder of hooves.

Raising their eyes, they saw rolling clouds of dust rising in the distance, resembling a long yellow dragon.

Glancing at the rippling tea in his cup, Yu Qian said with a solemn expression, "The Oirat cavalry has arrived. I fear there are no fewer than two thousand of them!"

"Report!"

At that moment, a messenger rushed into the watchtower, bowed his head, and reported, "My Lord, the three thousand Oirat elite cavalry have reached a point two li to the southwest!"

"Who is leading the troops?" Yu Qian asked hurriedly.

"It is the Oirat general Bolo!" the messenger replied.

All three men in the watchtower fell silent.

Just moments before, they had been analyzing whom Esen might send to spearhead the attack. Bolo and another of Esen's younger brothers, Pingzhang Maonahai, were rated as the most difficult Oirat generals to deal with. With either of them leading the troops, the Ming army would likely be plunged into a bitter struggle.

Unexpectedly, shortly after that discussion, news of Bolo's personal command arrived.

"Withdraw. Report immediately if there are any further developments."

Yu Qian waved the messenger away and turned to Xing An, who wore a worried expression.

"In matters of military campaigns, one should never harbor wishful thinking. Our army has made thorough preparations. No matter who comes, as long as our soldiers fight for their cause, why should we fear not winning?"

Xue Rui chimed in, "Indeed. Once the luring strategy succeeds, these three thousand elite cavalry will be a grand gift delivered by Esen. We need only wait and see."

Reassured by the two men, Xing An relaxed considerably and nodded.

"If we win this battle, it will undoubtedly boost military morale. As long as internal stability within the capital holds, sooner or later we will drive the Oirats back!"

Despite these words, the three of them instinctively crowded around the window, staring intently into the distance without blinking.

From this vantage point, the cluster of residential dwellings two li to the southwest was clearly visible. If the Oirats passed through there, they could not escape the eyes of the three observers.

Half a cup of tea later, the Oirat cavalry finally charged into the vicinity. The leader rode a tall steed, wore modified Ming heavy armor, and brandished a thirty-to-forty-jin spiked mace, looking exceedingly fierce and martial.

This man was undoubtedly the Oirat general, the "Iron Marshal" Bolo!

"This Bolo truly lives up to his reputation!"

Seeing Bolo, even Xue Rui had to admit that he had never witnessed such a ferocious warrior among the Ming ranks.

The three held their breath, quietly watching the three-thousand-strong Oirat cavalry advance toward the capital.

As they drew close to the residential area, Bolo raised a hand, and the cavalry behind him slowed their pace.

"Oh no, Bolo has grown suspicious of the houses!"

Seeing this, Xing An couldn't help crying out in alarm.

Yu Qian hurried to another window to check the situation in Tang Jie's camp.

Fortunately, Tang Jie possessed some military talent and was no mere fool. Seeing the Oirat cavalry slow down, he realized the enemy was about to send scouts to inspect the dwellings.

If the enemy discovered the five hundred Divine Machine Camp soldiers, they would surely abandon the assault on Xuanwu Gate and turn to attack another city gate, robbing him of his impending merit.

"Open the camp gates and charge out!"

Seeing several Oirat dismount from their horses, Tang Jie confirmed his judgment and immediately gave the order to the prepared cavalry within the camp.

The camp gates flew open, and a cavalry detachment of over a hundred men burst forth instantly.

At this time, the Oirats were less than two li away from the Ming camp and spotted the emerging Ming cavalry almost immediately.

Seeing the Ming army dare to take the initiative and sally forth, Bolo let out a cold snort and ordered all his men to mount, forming a pin-shaped battle array to meet the enemy.

"It worked!"

As the Oirat cavalry bypassed the residential area, the three men on the watchtower looked elated and cheered repeatedly.

In the blink of an eye, the distance between the two cavalry forces closed to less than fifty meters.

"Braves, the chance to win merit is here!"

Bolo shouted aloud, gripping his spiked mace tightly as he prepared for a massacre.

Unexpectedly, before they even closed the distance, the Ming cavalry slowed down.

Immediately following that, the cavalry reined in their horses and suddenly spun their mounts around, fleeing wildly back toward their camp.

This scene left Bolo momentarily dazed.

"The Ming army has routed!"

He immediately assumed that this detachment of fewer than a hundred Ming cavalry, terrified by the might of his three thousand elite troops, had broken before even fighting.

"Hahaha, the Ming army is nothing more than this!"

Bolo grew excited.

He had long heard that the Ming capital garrison had been completely wiped out, and that these current soldiers had only been recruited over the past month or two. It was already remarkable that they had the courage to charge out of the camp gates; expecting them to fight ten against one to stop his three thousand elite cavalry was sheer wishfulization.

Seeing the Ming army casting aside their armor and weapons—with some soldiers even tumbling from their saddles and rolling into distant muddy fields to escape slaughter—Bolo hesitated no longer. He dug his heels into his horse's flanks and shouted loudly,

"Lads, intercept these hundred-odd men and let us taste the first blood!"

With the order given, the speed of the three thousand elite cavalry increased significantly as they charged toward the fleeing Ming forces.

At that moment, flags were suddenly waved twice within the opposite Ming camp.

Bolo realized the Ming army was about to make a new move.

Sure enough, the fleeing Ming cavalry ahead split into two groups, instantly galloping off toward the left and right flanks.

Consequently, the Oirat cavalry in pursuit was exposed.

"Could the Ming army be using firearms?"

Bolo was no stranger to such devices. During the Tumu Crisis, they had captured countless Ming firearms, though unfortunately, gunpowder weapons were ill-suited for mounted combat and ultimately ended up as mere fire-pokers for the Oirats.

Estimating the distance, they were currently less than five hundred meters from the Ming camp. At a full gallop, it would take twenty breaths at most to crash into the Ming encampment.

In such a short time, the Ming forces would only have time to fire once. Without continuous-fire capability, it wouldn't inflict heavy casualties on the Oirat cavalry.

"Lads, keep charging, do not stop!"

Seeing that the Ming army hadn't even had time to close their camp gates, Bolo decided to take a calculated risk and plunge straight into the Ming encampment. This would shatter the garrisoned Ming forces and secure a resounding victory.

As they drew closer and closer, the encampment still failed to deploy musketeers. Bolo grew increasingly uneasy: not only did the Ming forces neglect to close their gates, but they weren't even sending out troops to block them—could there be a trap?

"Boom!"

Before he could figure it out, a thunderous roar erupted from the Ming city walls, and a powerful gust of wind whipped past his ear, stinging his face fiercely.

Thud, thud, thud—

The gale swept past Bolo, plunging directly into the cavalry formation behind him, producing a series of muffled impacts.

"Aah! Aah! Aah!"

Following that, heart-wrenching screams rang out from within the cavalry ranks.

Turning his head to look, Bolo turned pale with fright. The tight formation of cavalry behind him had been thrown into utter chaos, and the faces of the surrounding troopers were filled with sheer terror.

Bolo whipped his head back to look at the battlements of the city wall. There, rows of dark, heavy cannon were lined up side by side, pointing directly at their group of cavalry.

"Damn it, the Ming army has artillery!"

Bolo had witnessed the terrifying power of these weapons. However, from intelligence gathered from Ming captives earlier, he knew the elevated range of the Divine Machine Camp's artillery was around two li. Now that they had penetrated within one li of the Ming camp, the internal camp artillery—due to elevation angles—should have been unable to threaten them at close range.

Thus, he hadn't worried about artillery bombardment at all.

To his surprise, the Ming camp inside didn't use artillery, but the cannons atop the city wall had found their mark, and his three thousand men happened to be squarely within the zone of fire.

Things having reached this point, Bolo had no alternative other than to press forward blindly. He drove his warhorse with all his might, eager to plunge into the Ming camp as quickly as possible.

Once inside, to avoid friendly fire, the Ming army would certainly halt their artillery, and at that point, the battlefield would belong to the Oirat cavalry.

In truth, Bolo's imagination was far too optimistic.

The previous cannon shot had killed three or four soldiers and finally came to a halt only after felling a single warhorse.

And that fallen horse, along with several soldiers, tripped seven or eight horses following closely behind, disrupting the entire Oirat cavalry formation and abruptly checking the momentum of their full charge.

After galloping a short distance, Bolo looked back and felt his heart turn half cold.

Aside from a dozen or so riders following closely behind him, the rest of the cavalry had fallen a considerable distance behind!

Cavalry stripped of their speed were like tigers without teeth, completely devoid of lethality, and reduced instead to targets for slaughter.

At this moment, the Oirat cavalry were like lambs waiting for the butcher's knife.

Rumble, rumble, rumble—

Just as Bolo was feeling anxious, the cannons atop the city wall roared once more. This time, the sound was several times louder than before, clearly a simultaneous volley.

Bolo looked up and saw a dozen tiny black spots hurtling toward the Oirat cavalry formation.

"Spread out—"

Before Bolo could finish shouting, his torso was struck by a cannonball. His body seemed to tear apart instantly, spraying fragments everywhere and splattering gore across the faces of the surrounding soldiers.