Chapter 86
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“Very well!” Xie Yixiu nodded. Given the current situation, simply trying to escape might not get them very far. It seemed more reasonable to follow Ming Yu’s suggestion and face the enemy head-on. With a well-organized battle strategy, their side of over a thousand people might still have a chance in a fight.
Mo Jiang was getting anxious on the sidelines. If Wang Ye managed to escape, he was prepared to hold off the enemy to the death. However, Wang Ye’s intention was not to flee but to confront the enemy head-on. Facing seven to eight thousand enemy soldiers with a force of one thousand five hundred, it sounded like an impossible task.
“Wang Ye, you should go ahead and leave this to us,” Geng Shiqi said urgently. If Wang Ye stayed behind, it would be almost pointless. Their mission was to ensure Wang Ye’s safe return, they couldn’t allow any harm to come to Duan Wang.
Ming Yu smiled faintly and looked at Mo Jiang. “Do you still remember the formation you trained?”
Mo Jiang was taken aback. Did Wang Ye mean…
Ming Yu patted him on the shoulder. “After all this training, it’s time to put your skills to the test. Aren’t you eager to show everyone the results of your hard work?”
Mo Jiang felt a surge of excitement. “What is there to fear? We’ve been waiting for this moment for so long, the brothers are all prepared. I’ll order them to form up.”
Ming Yu nodded and turned to Geng Shiqi. “Since we’re staying here, you must follow my orders. Any objections?”
Geng Shiqi saluted resolutely. “We will obey Your Highness’s orders without question.”
“Good! Your one thousand troops will split into two teams. You lead one team, and General Xie will lead the other. Position yourselves on the flanks of the enemy formation, and make sure to block the horses’ ears. When the enemy’s formation is in chaos, charge in, ignite this object with a fire striker, and throw it into the enemy ranks.” Ming Yu handed a round porcelain bottle to Geng Shiqi.
Geng Shiqi examined the sealed bottle, unsure of its contents. It felt relatively heavy, and there was a thin line at the top, which should be the ignition point that Wang Ye mentioned.
Although they didn’t understand why Wang Ye ordered them to block the horses’ ears, but they still followed his orders.
Along the way, Ming Yu had prepared more than a dozen porcelain grenades filled with medicine, just in case they were needed. Now he distributed all of them; these supplies should be sufficient. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have the confidence to defeat the enemy.
After giving his orders, Ming Yu looked at General Xie Yixiu and asked, “General Xie, do you think this plan is feasible? Is there anything else that needs to be added?”
“Feasible! It’s just…” General Xie had some doubts. Could their Guard Battalion of only five hundred people withstand the cavalry charge of the enemy?
He looked at the guard Guard Battalion, which had already formed up, and his doubts vanished. He had fought alongside the Guard Battalion before, witnessing their growth from a group of reckless soldiers to the disciplined and capable warriors they had become. He shouldn’t have doubted their abilities.
No more words were needed; everyone had begun their preparations, standing firm and ready. They all held the belief that they would win. What did it matter if the enemy was strong or numerous? They would give it a try, take the risk, and fight against the odds.
Mo Jiang positioned himself at the forefront, his shield firmly planted in the ground, supported by a triangular brace. This design, specially created under Ming Yus orders, was proven to be the most stable through multiple tests, using the sturdiest materials available.
Everyone was ready, calmly waiting. This was a true test of their training.
Chacha Qi observed the small formation in front of him, Duan Wang of the Great Yan, Ming Yu, was there. He only needed one charge, and he could capture Duan Wang alive.
He burst into laughter, overestimating himself. What could a few hundred people do to stop him?
Unexpectedly, Duan Wang of the Great Yan had indeed fled to this side. What Mr. Song had said was spot on. They had tracked their movements and quickly found this place using the traces the two had left. If they had been a little later, they might have escaped back to the Great Yan.
A luxurious carriage from the enemy’s center drove forward. The curtains were lifted, revealing Tuoba Ren sitting inside.
He coughed a few times before speaking loudly, “Duan Wang of the Great Yan, who came all the way to Suixi Kingdom, why not come for a visit? Are you in a hurry to leave? Does Duan Wang find our hospitality lacking?”
Ming Yu took a few steps forward, approaching the front lines, and smiled, “Ben Wang didn’t intend to come here, but I apologize for any inconvenience I may have caused. Hunle Wang has truly held me in high regards.”
Tuoba Ren sighed and said, “I sincerely invited Duan Wang here as a guest, but it seems that Duan Wang doesn’t value this goodwill at all. Perhaps Duan Wang should reconsider and changing your mind is still not too late.”
Ming Yu laughed heartily and, tilting his head in thought for a moment, replied, “Hunle Wang, I appreciate your kind offer, but my health doesn’t agree with this place. If you genuinely wish to establish a friendship with me, why not visit my territory in the GReat Yan? We have plenty of delicious food and entertainment there. I will certainly extend my utmost hospitality to make you feel right at home. How about that?”
“Refusing a toast only means drinking a forfeit! Your Highness, if you remain obstinate, don’t blame me for not being polite,” said Tuoba Ren, suppressing a hint of anger in his voice.
“No need to be so courteous,” replied Ming Yu, waving his hand repeatedly. If a battle was what they wanted, he was ready, there was no need for insincere pleasantries.
As the enemy’s carriage began to turn and retreat, Ming Yu clicked his tongue twice, preparing to ride back. However, as if suddenly remembering something, he loudly asked, “Hunle Wang, there’s something I don’t understand. May I trouble you to clarify?”
Tuoba Ren extended a hand from his carriage, indicating that Ming Yu should speak freely.
Ming Yu wasn’t holding back either. He smiled and asked, “I took a detour northward, used diversions to mislead, and even thought I covered my tracks well. Yet, you still managed to uncover my whereabouts. I wonder if there was a lapse in my approach?”
He found it incredibly strange that despite their elaborate efforts, including strategic communications with Great General Wei to divert the enemy’s forces southward, they had still been discovered. Although they were mentally prepared for the possibility of the enemy catching up, he couldn’t help but wonder which part of their plan had failed.
Tuoba Ren, who now saw fame and fortune within his grasp, couldn’t let Ming Yu escape. He was in high spirits as he nodded toward Song Lian, who was riding beside him. In a seemingly casual tone, he said, “Duan Wang, your strategies were nearly flawless and deceived nearly everyone. However, you seem unaware of the person by my side.”
Ming Yu glanced at Song Lian. This man was distinguished, exuding an air of elegance and charm with every casual movement. Although Ming Yu was certain he had never seen this person before, he couldn’t shake the feeling of familiarity.
“May I inquire about this gentleman’s identity?” Ming Yu asked politely.
“I am but a humble individual, not worthy of attention. However, since Duan Wang inquired, I dare not conceal my identity. I am Song Lian,” said Song Lian before falling silent, standing off to the side.
Tuoba Ren leaned out of his carriage, casting a meaningful glance at Ming Yu. “To be able to invite Duan Wang to visit Suixi and know of his arrival here, this Mr. Song has made invaluable contributions.”
Ming Yu was on the verge of swearing. It was him, the same person who had once advised Song Qingfu. After Song Qingfu’s demise, Song Lian had remained hidden. No wonder he felt so familiar; he had even seen wanted posters of him.
So, Song Lian had defected to the enemy. Regretfully, they hadn’t captured him earlier; otherwise, they wouldn’t be in this predicament. It seemed he owed a debt of gratitude to Song Lian.
Tuoba Ren’s carriage had already returned to the formation, and Ming Yu rode back as well. As he looked at the familiar faces of his guards and soldiers, he noticed that although they were nervous, their determination was unwavering. Their eyes were filled with strong determination and a fierce will to fight.
At this moment, Ming Yu didn’t want to say anything more. These men had followed him to Liangzhou, transforming from idle troublemakers into courageous and passionate warriors. He was proud of every one of them.
Tuoba Ren’s eyes gleamed with icy determination. “Capture Duan Wang alive! Eliminate the rest!”
“Understood!” Chacha Qi acknowledged the order and raised his long blade. “Charge! Capture Duan Wang alive!”
The thunderous sound of hooves approached, resembling a surging tidal wave, charging headlong toward the formation of five hundred soldiers in the center.
Everyone was focused, facing the oncoming torrent of cavalry without flinching in fear. Those in the front rows tightly gripped their long halberds, their eyes locked onto the enemy. They knew that the enemy needed to come closer, just a bit closer.
In the rear, archers had their bows ready, drawn and aimed.
Xie Yixiu watched from a distance, deeply moved by what he saw. He knew that when it came to army training, he was no match for Ming Yu. This was the indomitable iron army, standing firm like towering mountains in the face of danger.
Chacha Qi seemed to see the first glimmer of victory. He thought, with so few people, wouldn’t they be crushed into mincemeat by his cavalry?
They came closer, dangerously close. Ming Yu could clearly feel the ground shaking, and he tightly held the crossbow that Mo Jiang had brought him. After some quick mental calculations, he gently moved his fingers, releasing an arrow. At the same time, the rear troops unleashed a volley of arrows toward the approaching enemy.
These arrows provided a brief obstruction to the oncoming enemy charge, but due to their limited numbers, they couldn’t inflict significant damage.
However, this minor obstruction created a significant advantage for the front-line soldiers. Mo Jiang focused on the front, and as the hoofbeats drew near, he remained calm. Then, with a loud shout, he thrust his hooked sickle spear directly at the charging horses.
The sudden attack caught everyone off guard. Horses stumbled and fell to the ground one after another. Riders had no time to defend themselves and were thrown off their horses. Then the second horse, the third… all encountered the same fate. Some horses couldn’t stop their momentum and collided heavily with the shields, but the shields remained steady and unmoved.
The riders in the rear, unaware of what had happened ahead, saw their fellow soldiers falling one by one. They knew that something was amiss, but the charging cavalry behind them was unstoppable. They helplessly watched as their horses trampled over their comrades, and the scene was filled with the cries of horses and men in agony.
Mo Jiang and his men didn’t stop; they scattered the iron caltrops from their pouches without hesitation. The archers no longer aimed at people but instead targeted the horses. Some horses stepped on the iron caltrops, some were hit by arrows, and chaos ensued as horses and riders fell to the ground.
Chacha Qi watched this scene unfold before him, realizing that his heavy cavalry had suffered heavy losses even before breaking through the first line of defense. The charging army’s formation was disrupted, their momentum waned, and many riders slowed down out of fear of injuring their own comrades. However, cavalry warfare relied on speed, and with their pace slowed, they had lost any advantage they once had.
Xie Yixiu, on the other hand, keenly spotted an opportunity. He let out a roar and led his five hundred men to charge towards the right flank of the enemy.
In his hand, Xie Yixiu held a thunder bomb crafted by Ming Yu. He gauged the distance, ignited it, and then hurled it with all his might.
Seeing his action, everyone else followed suit, throwing all the ceramic bottles they held toward the rear of the enemy formation.
Chacha Qi and his forces had yet to comprehend what was happening. They were preparing to engage the enemy on the left and right flanks when suddenly, the enemy troops turned and fled, leaving behind several ceramic bottles. Confused, they didn’t have time to react before a deafening explosion, accompanied by flames, shattered stones, and porcelain fragments, rocked the area. People were thrown into the air, and some were wounded by the flying shrapnel. What was even more terrifying was that the horses, frightened by the explosion, went into a wild frenzy, paying no heed to friend or foe, and began galloping uncontrollably in all directions.
Even the carriage carrying Tuoba Ren was affected, but his bodyguards managed to rescue him in time, preventing him from getting injured.
The enemy fell into chaos, resembling a swarm of headless flies. Under the clear sky, the sudden explosion sounded like the wrath of the heavens, as if celestial thunderbolts were punishing them. Everyone was too preoccupied with their own survival, fervently praying for mercy from the heavens. Chacha Qi’s ears were ringing, he was almost rendered speechless. He had never witnessed such a situation before, and he struggled to adapt, becoming flustered in the process.
Tuoba Ren coughed repeatedly, exclaiming, “Maintain formation, hold steady!” However, amidst the panic, neither his own troops nor the enemy could hear his orders.
Not only the enemy but even his own troops were momentarily stunned. They had never imagined that a small ceramic bottle could unleash such tremendous power. No wonder Wang Ye had ordered them to cover their ears. The deafening sound was almost unbearable!
Mingyue seized the opportunity, striking while the iron was hot. He knew it was the perfect time to attack.
The Guard Battalion and the Jingwei Imperial Guards were not to be underestimated. They launched a fierce charge, cutting down thousands of enemy soldiers in an instant.
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