Lu Xiangsheng led his pursuing force to the edge of Jianchang.
Ahead of them stretched open grassland.
On paper, this land still belonged to the Ming. In reality, it was a Mongol pasture, something Lu Xiangsheng understood very clearly.
He frowned slightly as he studied the horizon.
"Dorgon has already entered the Jianchang pasture. This is Mongol territory. If we continue the pursuit, we must be prepared to deal with them at any moment."
Truthfully, he did not consider the Mongols a major threat anymore.
Since taking office as Governor-General of Xuanda, he had opened horse markets at Hukou and maintained steady trade with the Mongols. He had even formed a personal friendship with a tribal leader named Qitan.
But Lu Xiangsheng also knew one thing very well.
The Mongols were not a unified state.
They were a collection of tribes, each with its own will, its own interests, and its own decisions. Being friends with Qitan did not mean the Mongols of Jianchang would treat him the same way.
They might welcome him.
Or they might shoot arrows first and ask questions later.
Just as he was weighing the risks, a massive cloud of dust rose ahead.
A cavalry force appeared.
The sheer scale of it made Lu Xiangsheng's heart tighten for a moment. He was just about to issue orders for battle when a familiar voice rang out from the front.
"Lord Lu, long time no see!"
Lu Xiangsheng focused his gaze and then blinked in surprise.
"Qitan?"
The Mongol leader rode forward, grinning.
Lu Xiangsheng could not hide his astonishment.
"Weren't you north of Xuanfu? Why are you here?"
Qitan laughed.
"Our Great Khan Eje issued a call to arms against the Qing. All tribes were summoned. I have been operating in this region recently. Yesterday, we heard that Dorgon passed through here. Then we received word that you would be pursuing him through this route, so the Khan's envoy Zhebu sent me to assist you."
Lu Xiangsheng froze for a brief moment.
His route… was known to the Mongols?
His movements had been predicted this accurately?
For a man used to controlling information, this realization was unsettling.
Qitan did not care about his confusion. He waved his hand.
"I brought horses."
Behind him, Mongol riders led forward spare mounts.
The Mongols always traveled with multiple horses per rider, so Lu Xiangsheng had not paid it much attention earlier. Now he realized the intention.
They had come to supply his army.
A strange feeling rose in his chest.
Not quite gratitude, not quite disbelief, but something close to both.
His nine thousand troops quickly began mounting up. Within a short time, seven to eight thousand men were on horseback.
But they still lacked over a thousand mounts.
The formation stalled for a moment.
Then, from the northern grasslands, a deep rumbling sound rolled in.
Everyone turned.
A fleet of iron beasts approached.
Steam transport trucks.
They came in formation, stopping neatly in front of Lu Xiangsheng's army.
Qitan grinned.
"Transport vehicles are here. The rest of your men can ride those."
Lu Xiangsheng stared.
For the first time in a long while, the composed commander looked completely shaken.
What kind of weapon… was this?
Not just him. The Tianxiong Army soldiers, Yang Guozhu, and the rest of the officers all stood there in stunned silence.
Only Wang Pu remained calm.
He had long since been in quiet contact with Gaocun's people, drinking, exchanging favors, and watching Dao Xuan Tianzun operas like a regular patron.
He knew exactly what these machines were.
The remaining thousand soldiers climbed into the cargo beds.
They looked around with disbelief.
"This thing can carry us?"
"There are twenty people here. How does it even move?"
Before anyone could answer, the engine roared to life.
Black smoke burst out.
The soldiers coughed violently.
The driver laughed, tossing coal into the boiler.
"Hold onto the rails, brothers. We're moving."
The trucks lurched forward.
The grassland was far from smooth, and these early machines had no comfort to speak of. The faster they went, the more violently they bounced.
The soldiers in the back howled.
"Ahhh!"
"Whoa!"
"Hey this is actually fun!"
It felt like riding a chaotic amusement ride. Instead of fear, excitement took over.
Soon, the mounted soldiers grew jealous.
"Why do they get to ride that thing while we're stuck on horses?"
"I want a turn too!"
Even Lu Xiangsheng felt tempted.
He sat on his horse, watching the bouncing trucks with a strange longing.
But he was the Minister of War.
He could not lose face like that.
He endured.
At least for a moment.
Then one of the trucks pulled up beside him.
The driver leaned out with a grin.
"Lord Lu, the cab has room for one more. My gunner got locked up for breaking regulations, so the seat is empty. Want to try?"
Lu Xiangsheng did not hesitate.
He dismounted instantly and leapt onto the truck with surprising agility.
The position was meant for a heavy firearm operator. There was no machine gun yet, only a large-caliber musket mounted in place.
Lu Xiangsheng grabbed it, turning it left and right, aiming at imaginary targets.
A grin crept onto his face.
This… felt good.
The mixed force of Mongol cavalry and steam transports surged forward, cutting across Jianchang at high speed, heading straight for Jinzhou.
---
The sun dipped low, painting the sky blood red.
Dorgon and his remaining five hundred riders moved slowly eastward.
The mad sprint across Jianchang had drained them completely. Both men and horses were on the verge of collapse.
They could not run anymore.
If they did, they would die without the enemy even lifting a weapon.
Dorgon rode in silence.
Behind him, hooves thundered.
A scout rushed up, face pale.
"Commander, bad news. Lu Xiangsheng has caught up again."
Dorgon's eyes widened.
"What? He has infantry. How could he possibly catch us?"
The scout swallowed.
"The Mongols gave them horses. And… those iron vehicles. They crossed Jianchang at full speed. They are already inside Jinzhou now, advancing on foot behind us."
Dorgon cursed under his breath.
"Damn it. Damn it all."
He tightened his grip on the reins.
"Everyone, gather your strength. We move faster again."
The chase was not over.
Not even close.