gnovel Chapter 50 War Begins
Chapter 50 War Begins
Let's turn to two different parts of the story.
Five miles south of Zezhou City lies a valley with open terrain.
The camps of the Song Dynasty's imperial guards stretched out along the northern side of the valley, with banners like a forest. The black banners bearing the character "Song" fluttered in the wind, echoing the banners bearing the character "Zhao" on either side, creating an imposing and majestic sight.
Inside the central command tent, Zhao Kuangyin, who had just led his troops across the Taihang Mountains, was still covered in dust, but his eyes were sharp.
He leaned over and stared at the map on the table, his finger slowly tracing the terrain south of Zezhou City, his expression solemn but not anxious.
Zhao Dezhao stood beside his father, his eyes following his father's finger intently as he listened attentively to the military reports from the generals beside him.
Real combat is the best opportunity to understand the art of war.
"Your Majesty, scouts report that Li Jun has personally led 30,000 main forces out of the city and has already formed ranks at Luoma Slope, ten miles south of the city. His generals Dan Gui and Fan Shoutu command the left and right flanks respectively, with cavalry in the center. It seems he intends to engage our army in a head-on battle."
Li Chuyun knelt on one knee and reported in a deep voice.
Zhao Dezhao had heard of Dan Gui.
This man was skilled with a gun and possessed considerable strength. He was one of Li Jun's top generals and had even once competed in martial arts with his father.
Upon hearing the name of an old friend, Zhao Kuangyin smiled and said, "Li Jun abandoned the city in order to fight a decisive battle, hoping to achieve complete victory in one battle. Little did he know that this also gave our army a good opportunity to defeat the enemy in one fell swoop."
Having said that, he stood up, pointed to the location of Luoma Slope on the map behind him, glanced at Shi Shouxin and the other generals, and said in a deep voice:
"Shi Shouxin, you will lead 10,000 troops on the left flank and set up an ambush on the east side of Luoma Slope. Once Li Jun's left flank advances to the valley entrance, you will launch a surprise attack from the flank and rear to cut off their retreat."
"Gao Huaide, you will lead 10,000 troops on the right flank to contain their right flank and prevent them from rushing to reinforce the central army."
"I will personally lead the central army of 20,000 to meet the enemy head-on. Once your left and right wings have succeeded, we will launch a full-scale attack and storm their main camp!"
"Yes, sir!" the generals responded in unison, their voices so loud that the candlelight inside the tent flickered slightly.
After the generals left to make arrangements, only Zhao Kuangyin and his son remained in the tent.
Seeing his father's stern demeanor soften, Zhao Dezhao looked at him with curiosity and quickly asked humbly, "Father, Li Jun's Zhaoyi Army is quite powerful, and they also have elite cavalry from the Northern Han reinforcements. Why is your arrangement so simple?"
In his view, war is a constant battle of wits and schemes, where both sides must carefully plan their moves in a fierce struggle of intelligence and courage before a victor can be determined.
But he didn't see anything particularly brilliant about his father's arrangement; it was quite ordinary.
That's why this question came about.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuangyin smiled faintly, but did not answer his son's question. He simply patted his son's shoulder lightly, then casually uttered a sentence before leaving the central command tent.
"You will understand after this battle."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Dezhao was slightly taken aback.
He knew that his father had given him another challenge.
……
"Knock knock knock—!"
Before long, the sound of drums came from outside the tent. After three drumbeats, it was the signal for the whole army to set out.
Zhao Dezhao stood beside Zhao Kuangyin on the command platform, curiously looking down at the training ground below.
As a modern person, he was also curious to know what ancient wars, which were often only briefly mentioned in history books, were really like.
In the training ground, the 40,000 Imperial Guards quickly returned to their positions and marched in formation with a light front and heavy rear, and infantry and cavalry working together.
At this time, the Imperial Guards of the Song Dynasty followed the old system of the Later Zhou Dynasty, with distinct numbers. They were divided into the Iron Cavalry and Crane Control Infantry under the Palace Guard Division, and the Dragon Swift Cavalry and Tiger Swift Infantry under the Imperial Guard Division.
Each army consisted of 100 men as a "du" (都), five "du" as a "hui" (指挥), five "hui" as a "jun" (军), and ten "jun" as a "xiang" (厢). The xiang were divided into left and right sections, and the xiang were assigned to numbered armies, which were subordinate to the three military commands.
Among them, the Tiger Swift and Crane Control Armies were infantry units, located in the center of the army. Each soldier held a shield in his left hand and a gun in his right, and some of them were heavy crossbows such as bed crossbows. They were responsible for frontal assault operations.
On the left and right flanks of the central army were the Iron Cavalry and the Dragon Chariot Cavalry, each holding a long spear and carrying a powerful bow, poised to strike and ready to provide support at any moment.
At the rear of the three armies were the heavily armored infantry responsible for transporting siege supplies. They did not fight alongside the three armies, but would remain about two miles behind them, responsible for the transportation arrangements along the route.
Surrounded by his generals and soldiers, Zhao Kuangyin mounted his horse and slowly rode to the rear of the central army. The most elite cavalry unit was already in position. They would join the emperor's personal guards to protect the emperor's safety, provide support, and relay orders.
In ancient times, battlefields were chaotic, and it was difficult to convey a general's command intentions by shouting. Therefore, flags and drums were the only means of communicating tactics.
If the central army remains still, the other armies will naturally be safe!
In a very short time, the three armies lined up in battle formation, exuding a fierce aura and ready to strike!
This scene instantly got Zhao Dezhao excited!
Who hasn't dreamed of the battlefield?
Compared to modern warfare, warfare in the era of cold weapons is undoubtedly more thrilling!
"The entire army!"
"Attack!!"
With the steady, continuous beat of drums, this massive army began to advance steadily and methodically toward the south of Zezhou City!
The earth trembled slightly, accompanied by the scraping sound of armor, like a heart-stirring prelude to war!
At this moment, Luomapo was filled with banners obscuring the sun and an atmosphere of murderous intent.
Li Jun was dressed in golden armor and rode a magnificent black horse, his prized prized steed.
He stood beneath the central army banner, his sharp gaze fixed on the slowly approaching Song army, his face filled with arrogance.
"You traitor Zhao! You usurped the throne from the Zhou dynasty, committing a heinous crime! Today, I will lead the royal army to act on behalf of Heaven and take your dog's life!"
Li Jun reined in his horse and charged into battle, his long spear pointing directly at Zhao Kuangyin in front of the Song army. His voice was loud and clear, echoing across the battlefields of both armies.
Zhao Kuangyin was too lazy to argue with him. He suddenly straightened up, reached for the powerful bow behind him, nocked an arrow, drew the bow like a full moon, and shot an arrow through the air!
"call out--!"
The arrow pierced the air and instantly magnified in Li Jun's vision, startling him so much that he quickly pulled on the reins and raised his spear to block.
"when--!"
It must be said that Li Jun is quite skilled; he managed to block such a swift arrow with almost instinctive reflexes.
He looked disdainful and was about to make another sarcastic remark when suddenly the sky darkened.
"Whoosh whoosh whoosh—!"
It wasn't just darkness; it was a rain of arrows that obscured the sun!
In an instant, as if it were a military order, the archers in the central army formation did not hesitate and drew their bows and arrows. A dense rain of arrows poured down on Li Jun's location!
"You son of a bitch, Zhao, you have no martial ethics!"
Li Jun cursed loudly, no longer caring about the mockery, and quickly turned his horse around to hide back in the formation, relying on the shield formation of the central army to block the volley of arrows.
This scene almost made Zhao Dezhao burst out laughing.
Martial virtue?
Did this thing exist during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period?
At the same time, dense and rapid drumbeats emanated from both sides' battle formations.
The drums beat rapidly and quickly; this is an attack!
Taking advantage of a lull in the rain of arrows, Li Jun spurred his horse and thrust his spear forward, charging ahead towards the Song army's front lines.
"Soldiers, follow me and kill! Capture the traitor Zhao, and the reward will be a thousand pieces of gold!"
Behind him, 30,000 Zhaoyi soldiers shouted in unison and charged forward with Li Jun. In an instant, the sound of horses' hooves thundered, dust flew, and the killing intent soared into the sky.
In particular, the cavalry in the central army was extremely fast, like a sharp knife, rushing towards the front of the Song army.
"Zhao'er, look carefully."
Zhao Kuangyin remained firmly seated on his horse, a faint smile playing on his lips, his eyes radiating an air of unparalleled composure and confidence.
He turned his head to look at the enthusiastic Zhao Dezhao beside him and smiled:
"Today, I will show you what the world's number one elite army truly is!"