Meanwhile, Tianbao, with Zhang Dabiao's arrangements, had two people escape the city that very night. They hid and ran all the way, finally reaching Ningyuan City on the third day.
Soon, soldiers led them to the City Lord's Mansion.
The Qing army general, sitting in the main seat, looked at the two and asked, "Who are you?"
"Reporting to Master. Your servant escaped from Huludao Island. The slaves there colluded with a group of bandits and rebelled. All the masters were killed. This humble one risked his life to come and report the news from there."
"What? You said the warriors of my Great Qing were all killed by those Han dogs? How is that possible? You group of slaves, plus my Great Qing warriors, numbered over two thousand. How could they be easily killed? Speak the truth immediately!"
"Yes, Master. It happened like this." He then truthfully reported what had happened over the past few days. However, he had not witnessed the massacre at the city gate. He still thought that others had taken the city through cunning schemes. Therefore, after hearing his description, the Great Qing general did not take it seriously.
He immediately arranged for men to gather his subordinates, preparing to take Huludao Island, which would allow him to recruit the slaves from Huludao Island for his own use.
These days, Tianbao continuously had the System help him purchase supplies.
Thinking of the War of National Foundation in later generations, Tianbao believed that instead of pursuing an elite troop strategy, it would be better to use a human wave tactic.
Now the times had changed; they were using flintlock guns as weapons. As long as they were over twelve or thirteen years old and not disabled, regardless of gender or age, they could become soldiers.
Compared to the enemy, whether it was the Qing or Ming, he still had a significant advantage. That was, they only needed two things now: one was weapons, and the other was food, with no need to consider anything else.
Compared to the Great Ming Dynasty, it was precisely because of its immense size and complex internal structure that it had too many things to consider, making it less efficient than him.
If Tianbao could seize a million taels of silver now, he could recruit hundreds of thousands of displaced people, then equip them with weapons and food.
Meanwhile, the Great Ming Dynasty's annual military expenditure of several million taels sent to the border would not even make a ripple.
There was no need to think about anything else now; as long as he quickly seized enough wealth from the Qing army, he could rapidly expand his forces. As for future development, that could wait until he had stabilized his territory.
On Huludao Island, gunshots could be heard every day; it was either gun practice or boxing.
Although guns were powerful, it was difficult to defeat the enemy without a strong body.
"Leader, you told me to send men to monitor Ningyuan City. My subordinates have sent word that the enemy has left the city and is heading our way."
"Good, immediately arrange for men to prepare an ambush. At the same time, tell Cao Bianbiao to bring his men to take Ningyuan City. It's a good chance to see what he's capable of!"
Outside the city, the Qing army from Ningyuan City rode their horses, galloping towards the city gate of Huludao Island. Over a thousand Han Army Banner soldiers ran behind, keeping pace with the Qing army.
Zhang Dabiao's men watched as the Qing army launched a massive attack. He also led a hundred or so men, riding horses, out of the city gate.
"Are you the leader who led that group of slaves in rebellion? My Great Qing Emperor's benevolent grace provided you Han slaves with food and drink. You, ungrateful for the Emperor's kindness, dared to rebel. Why do you not immediately dismount and surrender?"
"Bah, you damned Tartars! You seized our Han land and reduced us Han people to slaves. I, Zhang Dabiao, will surely slaughter all of you Tartars!"
As he spoke, the two rode their horses and charged at each other. After less than a dozen moves, Zhang Dabiao's strength began to fail. After all, he was just a farmer before.
Even though he had learned martial arts from Tianbao for over a year, he had never truly fought in a life-or-death battle. The opposing Qing army general was clearly a seasoned veteran of many battles.
While the two fought, the others also engaged in mutual slaughter. In that brief moment, several brothers had already been cut down from their horses.
"Retreat! Everyone, fight as you retreat!"
Just as they reached the city gate, the machine guns and flintlock guns on the city wall opened fire.
With a barrage of crackling sounds, a swath of the Qing army was immediately mowed down. Zhang Dabiao and the others also took this opportunity to quickly escape into the city.
Seeing the enemy escape into the city, the Qing army general immediately organized his forces to prepare for a siege.
Zhang Dabiao came to the city tower and saw Tianbao, lowering his head in shame.
Tianbao was originally in the room, fearing any accidents, and then rushed over, but an accident still happened.
"Leader, I'm sorry. Your subordinate lost and several brothers were killed."
"I trained hard for over a decade to achieve today's martial arts. You've only learned from me for a little over a year, how could you easily defeat the opposing general? Moreover, at your current age, I teach you martial arts just to make your bodies stronger and help you survive on the battlefield.
Have you forgotten what I usually tell you? This is the era of hot weapons. We have guns in our hands, why would you still engage in hand-to-hand combat with him? You should directly use the gun to greet them before the opponent can react.
Watch how I fight later; don't just think about showing off and fighting."
The Qing army below the city tower quickly organized a new round of attack. They kept the Qing army hidden behind, supervising the troops while shooting arrows at the city tower.
All those Han Eight Banners soldiers rushed towards the city wall.
"Dabiao, take our old brothers and hide well on the wall. Kill them one by one. Remember to prioritize killing the Tartars. Once all the Tartars are dead, the remaining people will have no fighting power."
Da-da-da, da-da-da, bang-bang-bang!
Gunshots rang out from all over the city wall. The Qing army had never seen so many firearms.
Soon, those surrendered Han people desperately ran back. The Qing army killed some people, but it could not stop the collapse of the battle.
What's more, they were now powerless to stop the flashes of fire constantly appearing on the city wall, which caught them off guard. These Tartars also fell one by one.
After abandoning hundreds of corpses, this group of people desperately ran towards Ningyuan City.
"Dabiao, you lead your men to follow behind. Remember not to engage in close combat with them. If the enemy attacks you, use the three-stage firing method I taught you to snipe them.
I believe Cao Bianbiao should have succeeded as well. At that time, you will surround them from front and back and annihilate them."
After arranging the remaining battle, Tianbao led his men to rescue the wounded. The Qing army's archery was still very skilled.
Aside from the initial chaotic battle below the city tower where more than a dozen people died, another dozen or so were hit by arrows during the recent siege. Fortunately, they were hidden, and most were only injured.
By evening, Cao Bianbiao and Zhang Dabiao arrived together. Cao Bianbiao was even carrying a human head. This startled Tianbao, as a modern Soul, he had never seen such a thing and quickly had someone take it away.
Zhang Dabiao, beside him, excitedly recounted the scene, expressing sincere admiration for Cao Bianbiao. After all, the opponent he couldn't defeat, Cao Bianbiao had cut off his head in less than three moves.
And so, Tianbao took Ningyuan City, and his power further expanded. Huang Taiji would likely soon learn of what had happened here.
However, even after taking Ningyuan City, all their people combined were less than ten thousand. And his position was between the Ming and Qing armies. Once the two sides engaged, his small force would quickly be annihilated.
Suddenly, Tianbao thought of a good place, which was once Great Ming territory but had now been occupied by the Manchu. If he occupied that place, he could temporarily establish a foothold even without relying on either side.
Thinking of this, Tianbao immediately asked Cao Bianbiao about the current situation in Ningyuan City, especially how much gold and silver had been found in total.
"Leader, according to your orders, all the Tartars in Ningyuan City have been executed. All their family property has been confiscated, totaling over three hundred thousand taels. There are also some jewels, calligraphy, and paintings whose value cannot yet be estimated."
"How could there be so much?"
"According to the interrogation, the leader of this Ningyuan City had an uncle who was a trusted subordinate of Haoge. Every time they entered the passes to plunder, he would follow his uncle.
Who knows how many of our Han people he killed to accumulate such a rich family fortune."
"They truly deserve to die. The richer these Tartars' assets, the deeper the sins they have committed. You will bring this money to me tomorrow. I believe the Manchu will soon know what has happened here, and we must quickly strengthen ourselves.
You go and see how many people in Ningyuan City are willing to follow us. I need to quickly use this money to expand the army and then capture that island. Once we occupy it, we will temporarily have the capital to establish ourselves."