Total War: Restoration of the Ming Dynasty in Luzon

Chapter 3 Repelling the Pursuers

After the carriages left, the line infantrymen had already taken cover on the slightly higher earthen slopes or sparse forest edges on both sides of the road. They were either crouching or lying down, checking the loading of their flintlock muskets.

But Zhu Jiheng then realized that the flintlock muskets of these line infantrymen were not fitted with bayonets, which meant that they would be at a disadvantage in close combat.

"Give me a gun," Zhu Jiheng said, extending his hand to his adjutant. "This is an order; I want to join the fight too."

The adjutant hesitated for a moment, then pulled a flintlock pistol from his waist and handed it to Zhu Jiheng. After thinking for a moment, he also took off his own sword and tied it to Zhu Jiheng's waist, so that he would have the means to protect himself.

Zhu Jiheng ignored his actions and began to examine the flintlock pistol in his hand. He noticed the intricate patterns engraved on the pistol's handle, and its slightly heavy, cold feel calmed his tense emotions. He clumsily checked the hammer and powder chamber, mimicking the soldiers, and then made a firing motion.

"Hopefully its accuracy is still good."

Zhu Jiheng murmured to himself.

While he was inspecting the weapons, his adjutant had already given orders to the 120 line infantrymen, dividing them into four teams to form two firing volleys.

If the enemy still tries to charge up for hand-to-hand combat after the first round of firing, then fire a second round of firing, and then fix bayonets and engage the enemy in hand-to-hand combat—he was certain that even if the enemy still had the courage to fight after two rounds of firing, his side had the numerical advantage and could defeat them.

It was at this moment that Zhu Jiheng learned that line infantry actually had bayonets, but they were insert bayonets. Once the bayonets were attached, they could no longer fire, at least in this battle, and could only be used as short spears.

"They're here!"

Not long after, a line infantryman lying on the earthen slope in front of them suddenly lowered his voice to warn them.

In the distance, billowing dust and the muffled thunderous sound of horses' hooves could be clearly heard. Although the number of pursuers was only a hundred, the movement of hundreds of cavalrymen running still made the earth seem to tremble.

The figures of the Qing cavalrymen appeared and disappeared in the dust. They did not notice the line infantry ambushed on both sides of the road. They followed the tracks on the ground and rode quickly to try to pass through the area as fast as possible.

"Hold on! Follow my orders!"

The adjutant's voice was deep and powerful as he gripped his sword tightly—Zhu Jiheng had handed over command of the battlefield to him.

Zhu Jiheng and the soldiers around him gripped their weapons tightly. The cold metallic touch made his fingertips go numb. He followed the example of the soldiers beside him, lowered his body, and tried to point the muzzle of his gun at the dusty road.

He could clearly hear his own heavy breathing, mixed with the ever-approaching roar of horses' hooves. He forced himself to recall the actions he had just taken to check the gun, his fingers clumsily checking again whether the hammer was cocked and whether the powder magazine was full.

As the dust settled closer, the outlines of the leading Qing cavalrymen became clear. They wore uniforms, brandished sabers, and wore the fierce and urgent expressions of hunters.

"Stay calm..."

Zhu Jiheng held his breath and aimed at the cavalry captain at the forefront, who was brandishing a waist knife. He could see the man's ferocious expression and feel the murderous intent emanating from him.

"Fire!"

at last!

The adjutant's order boomed like thunder!

In an instant, dense and orderly flames and roars erupted from the sparse forest edges and earthen slopes on both sides of the road!

clap clap-

Dozens of flintlock muskets simultaneously spat out deadly tongues of fire, white smoke instantly filled the air, the pungent smell of gunpowder choked the nostrils, and scorching lead bullets whistled through the air, forming a dense barrage of death, fiercely striking the unsuspecting and relatively densely packed Qing cavalry ranks.

The cavalrymen at the forefront were struck as if by an invisible hammer, their horses and men jerking violently before screaming and tumbling to the ground, their bodies and horses falling over.

"Enemy attack! Ambush! Ambush!"

"Mr. Chen is dead! Mr. Chen is dead!"

The Qing cavalry never expected to be ambushed. In the first volley, dozens of men were killed instantly. Those behind screamed and hurriedly reined in their horses, trying to turn back. The one who charged at the front was riddled with bullets, and the remaining men were leaderless and fell into chaos.

Through the dissipating smoke, Zhu Jiheng saw that a few Qing cavalrymen, after discovering that their captain had been killed, frantically turned their horses and tried to retreat, while most hesitated, unsure whether to continue advancing.

But the ambush wouldn't give them time to think. The second wave of soldiers had already raised their guns and opened fire on the enemy soldiers who were stunned in place. Gunfire rang out again, and immediately more than a dozen people screamed as they were shot and fell from their horses.

This volley of fire instantly jolted the hesitant Qing soldiers awake. They cried out and turned their horses to retreat, showing no intention of charging into enemy fire.

This gang of thieves has so many firearms, so their numbers must be considerable. We only have about a hundred men; how can we possibly deal with them? Besides, even our captain has been shot dead. It would be better to retreat and report back, and wait for a decision from above.

"Cease fire!"

Seeing the enemy flee, the adjutant was somewhat bewildered, but he still raised his hand and gave the order. The gunfire suddenly stopped, leaving only the chaotic hoofbeats of the Qing cavalry and the faint cries of the wounded.

"Your Highness, we should take advantage of the enemy's escape and immediately retreat to the coast," the adjutant said, turning to look at Zhu Jiheng and seeing that he appeared calm.

Zhu Jiheng nodded in agreement to his proposal. The adjutant immediately gathered the troops, and the entire team marched off towards the sea along the road. Zhu Jiheng was helped by the adjutant to mount the warhorse left for him, and he followed the troops on horseback.

This time, without the harassment of pursuers, they quickly reached the shore. The azure sea was right in front of them, and the soft sand shimmered with golden light under the sun.

On the distant sea, a Western-style warship with angular lines and a towering mast is quietly moored, while two small boats paddle between the shore and the warship, carrying warhorses.

The two groups reunited. Zhu Jiheng's family had already boarded the boat, and they were now slowly loading the horses onto the vessel. Zhu Jiheng, without taking a break, repeatedly ordered his adjutant:

"Immediately organize everyone to board the ships, infantry first, then transfer the horses. Be quick! Although the Qing army has been temporarily repelled, their main force could catch up at any time; we must act with every second!"

"Yes, sir!"

The adjutant quickly relayed his orders, and the line infantry formed orderly ranks. After the small boats returned to the shore, they boarded the sampans in an orderly fashion, filling them as much as possible before returning to the sea and sailing towards the sixth-class ship.

Zhu Jiheng didn't do anything like bringing up the rear. He sat with the first batch of soldiers who boarded the ship, watching the warship getting closer and closer. His emotions were rising higher and higher. Going to the South Seas was like a fish entering the sea. One day he would definitely be able to return here.