The reason why the Ming army was strong was not their cavalry and archery, but their firearms!
Today, the number of rifled flintlock muskets in the Southern Allied Forces alone has reached about 50,000 with the support of the Northern Allied Forces. In other words, this can almost compete with the Ming Army. In addition, the old-fashioned flintlock muskets
, there are 150,000 more people, which is definitely an advantage!
There is no denying that according to the information provided by Abbas II and others, the Ming army also had a hand-thrown weapon that would explode and have a lot of lethality. However, that was only at close range. The number of firearms
With the advantage, these firearm-throwing ones can be shot directly.
There is also a type of artillery that can also fire an explosive firearm, but the distance is also very close.
Taken together, the Ming army's advantage in firearms can be fully compensated for in terms of military strength.
All these things made the morale of the Southern Allied Forces good. Especially when the news of the Northern Allied Forces regaining lost ground and attacking steadily spread to the South, the morale of the Allied Forces was even higher.
Therefore, even the Persian Emperor Abbas II and the Mughal Empire's eldest prince Dara Shuko, who were desperate and fled, also accompanied the army on the expedition. They wanted to see with their own eyes that the coalition forces beat the Ming Dynasty army to the ground!
They want to take advantage of this opportunity to win a great victory and kill several Ming soldiers with their own hands to release the anger they have been holding in their hearts!
The army went out for battle, and the Mediterranean Sea was almost covered with ships, which was very spectacular.
At this time, the coalition commander was most worried that the Ming army would sniper when the army landed.
At this time, all the coalition soldiers were on the ship and were about to rush to the beach. In the process, they would definitely be targets. Even if they were covered by the battleship's artillery, there would probably be many casualties.
However, the commander-in-chief of the coalition forces is actually not too worried. Although there are not many places suitable for large-scale troops to land, if the Ming army finds the most suitable place to land, and the Ming army is heavily guarded, then it can completely separate a few partial divisions from other places.
Land at the landing site, and then outflank the Ming army's flanks or retreat.
Regarding the possible sniper attack by the Ming army, the Allied Forces Headquarters had already discussed in detail. Based on the suggestions of Li Zicheng and others, they had even made plans for the cavalry to bypass the Ming army's retreat, and the candidates had been decided.
Generally speaking, the coalition's hope of defeating the Ming army is still very high.
The weather on this day was also chosen well. The wind was sunny and the waves were not big, making it a very suitable day for landing.
By noon, the forward fleet of the army arrived at the preferred landing place. I originally thought that the Ming army would definitely be heavily guarded.
What surprised them was that there were only Ming cavalry on the beach. When they saw the coalition fleet arriving, they just waited and watched. Other than that, there were no other Ming troops.
At this time, Cromwell, as the forward commander, was confused.
When did the Ming army not set up defenses along the coastline? Could it be that they knew that the army was coming to attack, and even if they could stop it here, they couldn't stop it elsewhere, so they didn't stop it?
However, if we don't use the advantageous terrain here to stop them, when all the coalition forces land, the terrain in the Middle East will be even more impossible for the Ming army to stop them?
Once the superior forces of the coalition forces are deployed, how can the Ming army fight?
Cromwell immediately thought of the possibility that the Ming army knew that no matter what tactics they used, they could not defeat the coalition forces here, so they retreated to the Red Sea.
The advantages of this are that, firstly, it can lengthen the logistics supply line of the coalition forces; secondly, the Ming army can rely on the fleet on the Red Sea to protect their Su Yinshi City from being besieged by superior forces, and even if they cannot defeat it, they can still take a boat from the sea.
Back away!
Cromwell saw that his men had landed and quickly occupied the beachhead, while the Ming army's cavalry in the distance was indifferent, and no other Ming army appeared. He thought that he had probably guessed the Ming army's response strategy.
Already.
I have to say that this response is relatively safe.
However, in this way, the Ming army's canal was dug in vain. Before the coalition navy could defeat the Ming navy, it would inevitably destroy the canal.
He was thinking about it when suddenly he saw the Ming Dynasty knights in the distance coming towards him.
So his men immediately formed a formation, and the cavalry that came ashore immediately began to assemble.
However, before Cromwell's men were ready to counterattack, they saw a Ming army soldier suddenly unfurled his bow and arrow, shot an arrow in Cromwell's direction, and then retreated.
Cromwell's men immediately stepped forward, picked up the arrow, and sent it to Cromwell along with a letter tied to the arrow.
In order to prevent any problems with the letter, Cromwell's personal guards checked it first and found nothing harmful before giving the letter to his commander-in-chief.
Cromwell took it and looked at it, a little dumbfounded. Because it was written in Chinese characters, he couldn't understand it.
He knew that the Ming army was so abnormal, and he was afraid that this letter could get some answers. But the key point was that none of his subordinates could understand Chinese characters!
Fortunately, behind him, the main force of the coalition forces has arrived. On the French army side, there are people from the Ming Dynasty. They must understand what this messenger says.
Cromwell did not just wait, but immediately mobilized his troops and generals. After occupying the beachhead, he immediately sent out scouts to explore the surrounding military situation.
On the main side of the coalition forces, when they saw the flag sent back by the forward and knew that the forward had landed safely, they rushed over and seized the time to land.
The other Allied commanders on the Chinese side were also surprised that the forwards had gained the beachhead so easily.
After Grand Condai landed ashore, before he could ask about the situation, Cromwell came to the door, explained the situation, and then handed over the letter.
Da Kongdai also didn't know Chinese characters, but Li Zicheng and others were around, so the letter came into Li Zicheng's hands.
Li Zicheng was also a little curious, so he unfolded it and read it out: "Our Ming Empire is the kingdom of heaven. If you wait for the invasion of foreign countries, be prepared to wait for it!"
After reading it, he was still confused, but he could faintly feel that there was a strong sense of pride in this letter.
Everyone else was waiting for Li Zicheng to explain, because they didn't understand it at all.
Fortunately, there were two juren beside Li Zicheng, and Niu Jinxing stepped forward first and said: "The meaning of Ming Dynasty is that Ming Dynasty is the kingdom of heaven, and it looks down on you, so it allows you to go ashore and form an array. You are ready to start again."
Niu Venus usually doesn't have many opportunities to show off, but when he saw it now, he immediately started showing off.
Listen to him explain to these foreign devils: "In our Chinese history, during the Spring and Autumn Period, there was an overlord named Song Xianggong. When he fought with the enemy, he waited for the enemy to cross the river first and formed a formation before he started to attack. This
This is the source of what he said so highly!"
Having said this, he immediately added: "Also, it is recorded in "Zuo Zhuan" that the hostile Gongzicheng and Huabao met unexpectedly. Among them, Gongzicheng, a man with quick hands and eyes, immediately shot an arrow and was killed by Huabao.
After dodging it, he immediately prepared to shoot the second arrow. At this time, Huabao immediately shouted that it would be a shame if he didn't shoot more. He meant that the rules of engagement were one person, one arrow. You had already shot one arrow, why were you embarrassed to shoot the second one?
Arrow? When Gongzi Cheng heard this, he put down his bow and arrow and let Hua Bao shoot, but Hua Bao shot him to death with one arrow!"
After Niu Jinxing said this, the scene became very quiet for a while.
After hearing this, Song Xiance added with a smile: "The "Zuo Zhuan" also records that in the Battle of Jin and Chu, the Jin army was defeated. When the Jin army was defeated and fled, misfortune never came singly.
The chariot was stuck in the mud and could not move. However, the chasing Chu army not only did not take the opportunity to attack, but helped the Jin army drag the chariot out of the mud and asked them to go back quickly. After the Jin army was out of danger, they did not rush away.
, but turned around and bowed deeply to the Chu army who extended a helping hand, saying that I am not as good as a big country in running away! It means that you are not even experienced in escaping."
After listening, the expressions of Li Zicheng and Liu Zongmin were very contemptuous. Is this because they have a flaw in their brains and do this?
But the two of them didn't know that in the early history of China, this kind of war rule was actually mostly praised. For example, "Historical Records: The Weizi Family of the Song Dynasty" said, "Since Duke Xiang was defeated by Hong, the gentleman may think that he has more, and he will be injured."
China's etiquette and righteousness are commendable, and Song Xiang's is also polite."
In fact, the criticism of Song Xianggong as a mentally ill person actually started with Su Dongpo. From then on, Song Xianggong was regarded as a typical example of a mentally ill person and was nailed to the pillar of shame in history.
Because this tradition of Easterners reminds them of the traditional European chivalry.
European knights' decisive battles are also about appointments, at what time, at what place, and in what way. Don't fight unprepared people, don't engage in sneak attacks, etc.
Da Kongdai and others did not expect that the Orientals had this trick before?
However, Dara Shuko of the Mughal Empire did not believe it, and immediately retorted that during the war with the Mughal Empire, the Ming army had sneak attacks on the rear of the Mughal Empire and captured the capital.
At this time, Song Xiance also said: "In our Chinese history, we also have "Sun Tzu's Art of War" that emphasizes the non-deception of soldiers! Perhaps, this is not necessarily a strategy of the Ming army."
Just as he was finishing his words, the scouts sent by Cromwell earlier paid off, indicating that the main force of the Chinese army was concentrated in formation about five miles away from the beach.
At this moment, everyone couldn't help but look at each other.
Do you think the people of the Ming Dynasty are really going to do it without encouragement?
Li Zicheng knew Li Yan and thought he was not so pedantic!