Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
As the main force of the Qin Army launched an overwhelming offensive, the Zhao Army's defenses were instantly shattered into countless fragments. This was largely thanks to General Lian Po's prior arrangements, which strictly prohibited the Zhao Army from engaging in fortification battles. If it weren't for the reliance on sturdy city defenses, the Qin State's Crossbow Arrow Formation could have easily breached the city with just a few rapid volleys. Even so, the locations under attack were barely holding on.
Each stronghold on the Battle Map was taken down, and the Qin Army Camp advanced nearly twenty miles forward. Wang He, standing in the command tent, felt no joy amidst the chaos of the Warring States; instead, he was deeply worried. He continuously ordered various attacking units to launch fierce assaults, ensuring that the Zhao Army was given no chance to catch their breath. As for the fortifications that could not be captured temporarily, he instructed the attacking units to simply bypass them. The remaining forces would be responsible for taking down the city later. The fierce attacks had already allowed the Qin Army to glimpse victory, prompting a change in their battle cry.
"Cross the Dan River! Liberate all of Shangdang!"
Upon learning that the hard-built defenses had not even lasted a day, Lian Po, who was in charge of commanding the Zhao Army's defense, was furious. He immediately ordered support troops to rush in and plug the gaps, hoping to reconnect the various defensive structures surrounded by the Qin Army's vanguard. The reasoning was simple: as long as these points were held, they could later form a continuous line. Reports from the front lines indicated heavy losses for their side; attempts to break through were met with immediate collapse against the Qin Army.
Lian Po stared at the Military Map, where markers were being removed one by one, feeling as if his heart was being fried in oil. Each small flag on the map represented at least hundreds or even thousands of soldiers; removing them signified that most of these soldiers had either perished or surrendered.
What Old General did not expect was that this time, the Qin Army's attack seemed utterly chaotic. Helplessly watching as red circles appeared behind blue arrows on the map left him speechless.
Is Wang He going mad!?
Just as Lian Po was about to call for a doctor to attend to Commander Wang He, he saw Zhao Yan rush in with his injured left arm hanging limply. Noticing that this man had lost his helmet in his haste, Lian Po's expression darkened immediately.
Zhao Yan had hurried back without noticing Old General's grim demeanor and shouted, "General! The Qin Army's offensive is unstoppable; we should retreat!"
Lian Po did not respond but instead scrutinized this panicked soldier. "Where are your Five Thousand Troops? Why didn't you go support West Rampart? Why are you back here?!"
Hearing Old General's harsh tone, Zhao Yan fell to his knees with a thud and began to weep uncontrollably. "General! This battle cannot be fought anymore! I received orders to provide support but encountered the Qin Army's Cavalry Unit on my way there. According to past experiences, I should have formed a Defensive Formation to avoid their cavalry charge. But! But!"
There were still over ten generals present in the command tent who knew that Zhao Yan was considered a fierce warrior himself. It was hard to believe that even in a typical confrontation between two Cavalry Units, he would suffer such a disastrous defeat. What exactly had happened?
Lian Po clearly wanted to know the answer, and the implication from the other side seemed to be total annihilation. That was our army's five thousand elite troops! How could they be so helpless!? Seeing this person stammering on the ground only fueled his anger. "But what!?"
Zhao Yan swallowed hard, and just recalling the terror made him tremble all over. He took a large bowl handed to him by a Soldier and gulped it down. The cool, sweet water helped calm him slightly. "But the Qin Army's Cavalry did not charge; instead, they all stopped and formed a Defensive Formation!"
Upon hearing this, the generals in the command tent exchanged glances. How could this be possible!? The purpose of the Cavalry was primarily for charging; forming a line should be the role of infantry using shields and spears for defense. How could Cavalry form a Defensive Formation! Was this person struck dumb by a charge from the Qin Army!?
Lian Po slammed the table and shouted angrily, "This is utter nonsense! Are you seeing things!? What punishment should you face for abandoning your troops and escaping alone!?"
Zhao Yan's survival depended entirely on his personal guards who vowed to protect him at all costs. Otherwise, there might not even be anyone left to return with news! Thinking of his fallen brothers made his eyes turn red instantly. "General! I am not one to fear death; there are no cowards among the Zhao generals! If it weren't for my brothers sacrificing themselves, I would have died on the front lines long ago. I returned not to seek my own survival but to report the truth!"
There are no cowards among the Zhao generals! Well said!
Lian Po understood that the best battle reports came from those at the forefront facing the enemy, as only they could provide the most accurate information. He finally nodded and said, "You may rise! Sit down and speak."
Zhao Yan complied but did not sit down. "At that time, my brothers and I were also puzzled; how could Cavalry form a line for battle!? Just as we were wondering what the enemy was up to, we saw the Qin Army's Cavalry, two hundred meters away, start firing Crossbows..."
At this point, Zhao Yan found it hard to continue. He remembered the situation clearly. It was a rain of arrows falling like raindrops; the shields used by the Soldiers were less sturdy than dough. The infantry's Defensive Formation didn't even understand what was happening before they were struck down by arrows. It was no longer a confrontation between two armies but a one-sided massacre!
One general in the command tent saw that the Old General was deep in thought and rashly asked, "The Qin Army used Crossbows at a distance of two hundred meters? How is that possible!?"
The disadvantage stemmed from that very distance! If it weren't for preconceived notions, they should have charged before the Qin Army's Cavalry formed their line! Perhaps then there would have been some chance of victory. But... war never allows for assumptions!
Thinking of this, Zhao Yan couldn't help but sigh deeply. He continued, "I realized something was wrong and immediately organized a Cavalry Unit to charge from both flanks in hopes of flanking this unit of the Qin Army. But it was too late; that damned two hundred meters! It led to my entire Cavalry Unit being annihilated on their charge!"
The finally confirmed answer caused chaos within the handsome general's tent. The Qin Army was clearly equipped with new long-range weaponry, and sending support troops to the besieged fortifications would be tantamount to suicide. The outcome would be no different from that of Zhao Yan's forces, which would inevitably lead to total annihilation! What should be done!?
Zhao Yan bowed respectfully, his tone unusually calm. "General! Forgive me for undermining your authority, but the reality is likely as such. If our army wishes to engage with the current Qin Army, we must rely on the advantages of the terrain to hold our ground. We need to quickly devise the best strategy against the enemy before we can confront them in battle. If you believe this reflects my incompetence, it will only lead to more brothers dying in vain. The only course of action now is to retreat to the banks of Danyang, hoping to delay the Qin Army's sharp offensive. If you hesitate any longer, we may not even be able to maintain this defensive line!"
Comment 0 Comment Count