flstandardbreds Chapter 207 The Rapid Expansion of the Li Family Army
Chapter 207 The Rapid Expansion of the Li Family Army
The three company commanders, tall and straight, stood at the forefront of their respective ranks, like three impregnable bulwarks. Their eyes, cold as frost, pierced through the swirling dust, fixed intently on the Jin soldiers galloping forward with overwhelming momentum. As the thunderous sound of hooves drew closer, they spoke in unison, their voices booming like bells, echoing across the battlefield:
"Remember every key point of your rigorous daily training! Now, we must stand closely together, invincible. The tips of our rifles represent our indomitable will. Point them straight to the sky, raise them at a forty-five-degree angle, and let the enemy witness our unbreakable line and fearless courage!"
The heavy clatter of hooves echoed like thunder through the deep valley, each sound shaking the earth and resonating deep within the hearts of the new recruits on their first battlefield. For these young men, who had never experienced the baptism of war, to say they felt no fear would be nothing but self-deception.
Just as the Jin cavalry were less than fifty paces from the iron spear formation deployed by the new recruits, fear spread like a plague among them. Some recruits, unable to bear the tension and fear that seemed to tear their souls apart, found their weapons suddenly heavier than mountains. They helplessly released their grip, letting the cold weapons fall to the dust, then turned and fled desperately towards the safety of the rear.
The company commander in charge glanced at it and then shouted, "Second team, fill the gap! Hold them off!"
Fifty meters, forty meters, thirty meters... The Jin cavalry were like a whirlwind, unstoppable, but at the crucial moment when they were only twenty meters away, they suddenly turned their horses around like nimble cheetahs, passing through the edge of the massive army formation, leaving behind a series of agile and resolute figures.
Hundreds of arrows pierced the sky like dark clouds, raining down on the Li family army's new recruits. However, these recruits were clad in heavy armor, as if they were wearing an indestructible iron wall. The ordinary arrows, upon contact with them, only sparked insignificantly, unable to penetrate the protective barrier and cause them the slightest harm.
Seeing the cavalrymen running around them, the new recruits standing in the first row immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
On this battlefield ravaged by war, the Jin soldiers, though their iron hooves were firm, also harbored a desire to break through the encirclement. However, facing the nimble, wind-like light cavalry before them, they couldn't help but feel a sense of helplessness. These light cavalry, like cheetahs on the grasslands, were swift and elusive, yet they lacked the decisive weapon to shake the very foundations of the battlefield.
A mere three hundred or so cavalrymen, so small before the vast battle formation, yet they possessed a courage and determination not to be underestimated. They knew that with their current equipment, trying to penetrate the dense, forest-like array of spears would be tantamount to throwing eggs against rocks. The first line of spears, like an impregnable fortress, awaited the test of their prowess and will.
The Jin soldiers could foresee that once the bugle call to charge sounded, these three hundred light cavalry would be like moths to a flame, brave and fearless, yet unable to escape their fate of destruction. A forest of spears, each gleaming with the light of death, stood silently, as if proclaiming: any creature attempting to cross this boundary will pay a heavy price.
Seeing that the Jin cavalry were not eager to fight and wanted to use their horses to pass through the gaps between the three spear formations, the third battalion commander sneered: "Send the order to change formation and surround the Jin soldiers."
"Boom boom boom..."
As the war drums sounded, the three separate military formations instantly sprang into action, surrounding most of the Jin cavalry who had already penetrated deep into their midst.
The centurion, who had led the charge, saw the situation rapidly deteriorating and, with a start, spurred his horse on, hoping to find a glimmer of hope and lead his men in a breakout before the enemy's net tightened completely. However, things rarely go as planned. Despite their best efforts, they could not escape the shackles of fate and were ultimately trapped firmly in the heart of the battlefield.
The officers of the recruit regiment shouted, "Put down your weapons, or you will be spared!"
The centurion took out a bow and arrows from the bag beside his horse, intending to shoot at the officer who had shouted.
"Bah!"
A puff of smoke rose from the muzzle of the rifle in the company commander's hand, and a bullet struck the Jin army centurion precisely in the forehead.
Seeing their generals fall one by one and all escape routes cut off, the Jin soldiers finally gave up their weapons in despair, dismounted, knelt down, and chose to surrender.
Witnessing the Jin soldiers' astute assessment of the situation, the Third Battalion Commander couldn't help but smile. When the war drums first sounded, Wang Changdao had asserted that these mere few hundred cavalrymen were the only formidable enemy to be wary of. Now, this once fearsome cavalry had surrendered entirely, and they had even incorporated over three hundred magnificent warhorses into their ranks. This achievement was undoubtedly a weighty honor and a substantial reward.
The two thousand-plus new recruits under Wang Changdao's command shone like the rising sun, displaying remarkable talent in their first battle. With an almost miraculous and minimal cost, they secured Shahe Town. From that moment on, this small town transformed into a crucial outpost between Handan and Xingzhou.
Imagine the future: if Li Zhen intends to march north and seize Xingzhou, Shahe Town would be the most convenient bridgehead, allowing his army to advance with overwhelming force. Conversely, for the Jin troops on the Xingzhou side, if they wish to covet Handan and conquer the Central Plains, they must first overcome the formidable Shahe Town. Though small, this place is a vital strategic pass, impregnable by a single man, its strategic importance unparalleled.
Upon hearing of the resounding victory of Wang Changdao's new recruits in their first battle, Li Zhen's face lit up with genuine joy. He turned to the guard beside him and whispered, "Old Wang has truly set a fine example for them this time, displaying extraordinary skill. Issue my order: all new recruits must immediately launch a swift attack on the surrounding Jin territories. We must seize as much territory as possible to expand our influence. Otherwise, by the time the Jin emperor realizes what's happening, we'll have missed our chance."
Upon hearing Li Zhen's words, a hint of excitement flashed in the villain's eyes, and he eagerly asked, "My lord, are you about to ascend the throne as king?"
Li Zhen glanced at him lightly, his tone tinged with reproach: "Have you forgotten my advice from before? I said that we must first strengthen our foundation and build high walls to defend against foreign enemies, and stockpile grain and fodder to prepare for unforeseen circumstances. As for the matter of becoming king, we must proceed slowly and not be too hasty."
Almost overnight, Li's army changed its usual tactics and launched a frenzied attack on the surrounding areas controlled by the Jin army. In less than two days, Li's army's territory expanded more than twice its original size.