xymnovel Chapter 69 The Battle Between the Hu Family Generals and the Yang Family Generals
Chapter 69 The Battle Between the Hu Family Generals and the Yang Family Generals
Hu Yanzhuo's name was not well-known in the martial arts world, and none of the leaders had ever heard of him.
As for his linked cavalry formation, no one knew anything about it, so they all looked at Wang Lun.
"The linked cavalry formation consisted of three thousand heavily armored cavalrymen. The horses wore armor and the riders wore iron armor. They were linked together in groups of thirty with iron rings, and divided into one hundred teams. There were also infantry supporting the cavalry formation."
Wang Lun then gave everyone a brief description of the chained cavalry formation from his memory.
After a moment's thought, the leaders began to offer their suggestions and advice.
"In that case, the linked cavalry formation must be good at charging and attacking on the plains, but it will be useless in the mountains. We can lure Huyan Zhuo into the mountains."
As a descendant of the Yang family generals, Yang Zhi naturally possessed extraordinary insight, and he immediately pointed out the weakness of the linked horse formation.
Upon hearing that Hu Yanzhuo had entered the mountains, Wu Yong recalled the ambush he had once encountered, where Huang An had driven him and Chao Gai into the mountains east of Jizhou City, where they had nearly been trapped to death.
"There is a small mountain to the east of Jeju City. Its terrain is steep, and there is a place with a gourd-shaped mouth. We can ambush Huyan Zhuo here."
Wu Yong began to offer his advice.
The leaders nodded in agreement.
"Since they are heavily armored cavalry, ordinary arrows and swords will be ineffective. We should lure them into the mountains and use fire to attack them." Hua Rong first thought of using his divine arrows to kill Hu Yanzhuo, but then he realized that the enemy's heavy armored cavalry would be too strong, and arrows would be useless.
"I am willing to be the vanguard and lead Huyanzhuo into the mountains."
"Thunderbolt" Qin Ming stood up again, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and asked to be at the forefront of the charge.
Wang Lun smiled slightly, beckoned him to sit down, and said, "Since everyone agrees with Yang Zhi's statement, let's do it that way."
The leaders discussed the matter enthusiastically, and everyone worked together. It felt great, and Wang Lun was very pleased.
He pondered for a moment and said, "To prevent the fall of Jizhou after our entire army leaves the city, each army will select two hundred men, for a total of six hundred, to be left in Jizhou by Lin Chong."
He knew that Lin Chong was the most steady and reliable person. Once the enemy saw through their plan, they would launch a full-scale attack on the city. Only Lin Chong could defend the city.
Lin Chong agreed without hesitation.
"Since it was Yang Zhi who made the suggestion, Yang Zhi's army will be responsible for luring Huyan Zhuo into the mountains. Remember, you cannot fight his chained cavalry directly. You must save the lives of your soldiers and reduce casualties."
The Liangshan Flying Tiger Army is currently short of soldiers, and Wang Lun is unwilling to forcibly recruit soldiers, so he can only try to minimize casualties.
Upon hearing Wang Lun's arrangement, Yang Zhi and Wu Song immediately stood up and agreed. As the left and right vanguards of the First Route Army, they were both excited to receive the mission first.
"Since Instructor Lin is guarding Jizhou, I will temporarily take over the position of the left vanguard of the second army. Zhi Shen and I will lead the second army to set up an ambush in the mountains."
Lu Zhishen was overjoyed and got up to agree. No matter how you looked at it, the troops ambushed in the mountains would gain more military merits and be able to fight among the enemy. How could he not be happy?
"Qin Ming and Hua Rong's three armies will ambush at the foot of the mountain, letting Huyan Zhuo's army enter the mountain, but they must not expose their tracks. After his entire army enters the mountain and fights with my army, you will lead your troops to attack from the rear. Be ruthless, leave no survivors, and quickly intimidate the government troops."
Wang Lun knew that Qin Ming's personality was such that he liked to take the lead in charging, so it was most suitable for him to lead the men into the infantry behind Huyan Zhuo's army.
Since we have fewer people than the enemy, we must act quickly, accurately, and ruthlessly to intimidate them as much as possible.
After giving his orders, Wang Lun stood up happily and said, "Gentlemen, with our brothers united, no matter how many enemy soldiers there are, it won't matter. If we win this battle, our Liangshan Flying Tiger Army will become famous throughout the world."
The leaders clasped their hands in unison and said, "Brothers united, our fame will spread throughout the world."
The snow fell heavily for two days and two nights, and by the third day it was a sunny day with the sun shining brightly and the sky clear.
The saying "after a long period of rain, the sun will shine again" illustrates this principle.
Zhu Gui's scouts reported that Huyan Zhuo's army had indeed been mobilized, just as Zhao Yupan had said, and had split into three routes, heading towards Jizhou, Yuncheng, and Liangshanbo respectively.
Wang Lun was overjoyed and summoned his generals to give a passionate speech, encouraging everyone to fight bravely against the enemy.
The leaders were all in high spirits, and none of them backed down.
"Brothers, the truth lies within our range. Only when our fists are strong can we stand tall and live. Now that the enemy has set out, we should also move out according to plan and strive to achieve victory in one battle."
The leaders didn't quite understand what "truth is within range" meant, but they could grasp the underlying principle: whoever has the strongest fist has the right to speak.
"Yes," the generals replied in unison.
The three armies then proceeded according to their previous plans. Wang Lun and Lu Zhishen led their men deep into the mountains to ambush, while Qin Ming and Hua Rong led their men to hide in front of the mountain.
Yang Zhi and Wu Song led their troops, marching proudly towards Huyan Zhuo's army.
About half an hour later, Huyan Zhuo's army came into view.
The leading thousands of soldiers were indeed heavily armored cavalry, divided into ten squads, each with thirty men. The thirty riders were linked together by iron rings, forming a vast and imposing line, like a wall made of iron armor.
If this chain of armored soldiers were to collide with one of their own soldiers, those soldiers would be reduced to dust.
Yang Zhi clicked his tongue in admiration. Huyan Zhuo was truly extravagant, building this 3,000-strong heavily armored iron army. He wondered how much money it must have cost.
Both were descendants of famous generals, but Huyan Zhuo was a descendant of the Hu family generals, while I was a descendant of the Yang family generals. Yet, while I had the ability to train such a large and costly army in the imperial court, I was reduced to a commoner.
In an instant, his resentment turned into fighting spirit, and he couldn't wait to settle the score with Huyan Zhuo.
Facing three thousand heavily armored cavalrymen and two thousand infantrymen following behind them.
The four hundred cavalry and four hundred infantrymen led by Yang Zhi and Wu Song were as insignificant as ants.
Yang Zhi turned around and saw that many soldiers looked fearful. He shouted, "Brothers, the government troops on the other side are all show and no substance. Don't be afraid. Just follow my orders and don't panic. I can guarantee your lives."
The soldiers all knew that Yang Zhi and Wu Song were highly skilled in martial arts, so they felt somewhat reassured after hearing him say this.
Huyan Zhuo, leading the army, was overjoyed to see that the Liangshan Flying Tiger Army numbered only seven or eight hundred. He ordered his troops to halt and shouted, "Who goes there?"
Yang Zhi roused himself, spurred his horse forward, and said, "I am Yang Zhi, the Left Vanguard of the Flying Tiger Army of Liangshan, General Huyan. I have heard that you are skilled in double whips. Do you dare to come out and fight?"
Huyan Zhuo squeezed his legs together, and his steed, Snow-Treading Black Steed, galloped out at great speed, reaching the center of the two armies in just a few breaths.
Wu Song knew Yang Zhi was skilled in horsemanship, but he still reminded him, "Brother, be careful, don't get caught up in the fight and ruin our plans."
Yang Zhi laughed and said, "Brother Wu Song, don't worry. Watch me fight him. If I can't capture him in thirty rounds, I will retreat."
He rode forward, spear in hand, and twirled it with a flourish before thrusting it like a dragon toward Huyan Zhuo's chest.
Huyan Zhuo brandished his double whips to fight, and with a clang, the two exchanged blows, their horses galloping away. They then turned their horses around and fought again.
Spears and whips clashed, dazzling the soldiers on both sides. The crisp clanging sounds filled the air as both were skilled fighters, and for a time they were evenly matched, engaging in a fierce and exhilarating battle.