Chapter 250

At Dorgon’s command, over ten thousand Eight Banners soldiers immediately sprang into action. Dorgon moved first, personally leading three thousand of his elite troops to charge at Liu Wenyao, who was not far away, and engaging him in a fierce struggle. Meanwhile, Ajige led two thousand Eight Banners soldiers to the riverbank, where they removed their helmets and drank their fill. Under the scorching sun, the cooling river water seemed to instantly revitalize their spirits, easing their exhaustion. As they drank and washed their faces, the infantry and logistics troops traded places with Ajige’s men, swapping horses and refilling their empty quivers with arrows. Under Fan Wencheng’s direction, they then began gathering materials on the spot to construct a floating bridge. The remaining soldiers and horses, unable to resist the lure of the river, swarmed the banks. Many soldiers, suffering from the extreme heat while wearing heavy armor, had begun showing signs of heatstroke from the continuous fighting. They stumbled toward the water, drinking greedily.