Kingdom: Hyou Ren

The next morning, I called a meeting with my officers, a few minutes before we headed off towards our formation, whom were already organising themselves. 

"Ishiro, Tetusji, Kaen, Roku and Hozu. Today is the day, it's do or die. If we do not succeed, chances are we´ll be punished. I´d be demoted, perhaps court-martialed. Today, we´ll disobey direct orders, for our goal. Is Rin Ko´s head, and we will not stop until we get it." I said, forcing the attention out of all of them.

"The plan is simple, the Le Hua Force will charge first, their goal being to hamper and lock Rin Ko´s Elite Unit down. Then we´ll charge alongside the Hi Shin and Gyoku Hou, only our cavalry will be used. And we´ll form a protective wedge in front of both units, our task will be to escort them, to the enemy main camp." I said, moving the pieces. 

"Tetsuji will command our 650 Infantry, they'll remain behind with the main unit. Avoid casualties, but remain in the Battle. We might need an opening to retreat. Kaen, Roku, Hozu and Ishiro will join me in the charge. The Rin Ko unit is stronger, more experienced and disciplined than our own. As we´ll be using the new cavalry, not our original 300 heavy infantry." I said, and they caught on.

"Which means, we´ll need to cause a wave. Which they can ride to victory." Kaen said, and I nodded.

"Indeed, Kaen, Roku and Hozu. You'll each take 100 men, and we´ll form a wedge. Me, Ishiro, and Roku will be at the tip, for morale and pure strength. Hozu and Kaen will be on either side of the wedge, in the middle of the wing, and assist there." I said, and they all nodded. 

"We'd be better off if we kept our momentum. Commander. If we can avoid being locked down, we officers can be utilised to the maximum." Rozu said, and I nodded.

"Aye, we´ll avoid being locked down at all cost, even splitting up into the units will be acceptable." I finished off. 

"Alrighty, good luck all of you. And do not die, the Ginryu Tai is still in its infant stage, we cannot permit any of you to die." I said, and all 5 officers roared

"Good, let's head out." I said, as we all left the tent. Heading towards the frontlines. 

....

The next that happened was the charge of the Le Hua Force, led by their Commanders. As they formed a wedge on him, charging straight towards the Main Camp.

Their wedge, and its outstanding discipline, cut through the Vanguard of the Wei Forces, forcing an opening with minimal casualties, as they fell upon the main camp. Guarded by 5000 or so men, 1000 elites from Zhao, and 4000 from Wei. 

They then fell upon the gaps within the Main Camp, the openings guarded by the fewest. But there were no gaps, for they were guarded by the best.

A unit which could be considered amongst the best within the entire Wei Army, their skill and discipline stood out amongst others, even Ren Pa´s own unit. Known for their sheer strength and dedication to him.

But Ren Pa often stayed back, until the end. Whereas he did a suicidal push on the enemy general, aiming for his head, and it often led to casualties.

By Rin Ko´s unit often survived, they fought against smaller, less elite units on the flanks or centre, with a dead commander, a new one having stepped up.

Meaning they often fought against foes weaker than the average unit, leading to fewer casualties. And therefore more time to become elites. 

However, the Le Hua Force was no slouch, they split into 5 units. Falling upon the gaps in their formations, breaking them up and forcing a brawl.

Which, anyone with half a brain was for their disadvantage, and they would not win. But that was not Mou Ten's goal.

I watched as his men split in between their ranks, subtly making a long line of engagements. And walls were used to split or keep someone away. 

And at the right time, the yellow flag was waved by one of Mou Ten's men.

"That´s the signal. CAVALRY!" I shouted, drawing my sword and raising it high as I kicked my horse into gear, as it rushed forward.

The 285 men of the Ginryu Tai formed up behind me, with Kaen and Ishiro forming up behind me.

I would lead the charge now, while it was relatively easy. But once we reached the main camp, I´d fall behind Roku and Ishiro, for I was no frontline fighter, I was a strategist and an archer. 

We rode first, pushing through the still advancing Vanguard of the Wei Forces, my sword sliced through the enemy infantry.

Although my sword skills weren't my primary focus, I was proficient in it. And I would put myself on about Mou Ten's level at it. 

The Hi Shin and Gyoku Hou Forces formed up behind us, their 500 or so riders together forming inside our wedge.

I had extended each wing to about 50 men wide, meaning they´d be about 3 men deep at the front, while the Hi Shin and Gyoku Hou formed up in the middle. 

It didn´t take us long before we pierced through that as well, Mou Ten had weakened the point we charged at severely, so it wasn't difficult for us to do the same. As we charged upon the Main Camp, unhindered. 

Rin Ko had about 20,000 men in his main formation, the Vanguard of the Main Army. 

He had 5000 in reserves, alongside his Main Camp, while his main force of 15 000 fought.

Further down the line, was the actual main force. Consisting of 40 000 troops, none of whom had fought at all during these last days, and Mou Gou had similar numbers, but an additional 10 000 men, due to leaving his left flank weaker, 30 000 Qin against 40 000 Wei. 

In addition, the right flank. Which was led by the criminal turned general, Kan Ki, had swiftly killed the right flank strategist, who was not Gen Pou, the old man. As he had already been killed by me.

However, he had lost half his army, and therefore had gone into hiding. Regrouping his scattered army, but his presence with still 20 000 men forced the Wei right flank to remain stationary, without being able to strike our Headquarters. 

Meanwhile, on our left flank. Ou Sen had been losing, being on the retreat. But if my memory served me correctly, he´d fight a decisive battle here today. Which would end up with him retreating again, but he´d force a lot of casualties and immobilise the left flank. 

However, I turned my attention back to the Battlefield, as we neared the frontlines of the Vanguard´s Main Camp, whereas Mou Ten had formed 2 walls on either side, leaving a shallow space for us to pass through, which is what everyone expected us to do. 

"Roku, take half our troops and go left, Ishiro, do the same but right. Ride into the Rin Ko´s Elites, we´ll take them by surprise." I said, as the two men were put off guard slightly, but nodded. Rushing to the sides, taking 150 men each. 

I continued ahead, as Shin and Ou Hon came up beside me. 

"After this, we´ll be past the first obstacle. What remains is for you to kill Rin Ko." I told the pair, and Hon remained silent, but Shin spoke up.

"Of course, we´ll take him. So long you deliver on your part." He said, and I smiled. And with that, I turned towards the 2 units I had just split off.

Ishiro and Roku crashed into the Rin Ko elites, their individual skill took out the first 5 or so men, the only ones who had managed to react. The rest couldn´t see or predict us coming, and therefore we took them off guard.

Most of their elites were facing the Le Hua Forces, meaning they were sideways. And therefore had no capability of gathering any momentum, they were essentially sitting ducks.

And they were quickly dealt with by the Ginryu Tai Cavalry. 

I slowed down the main forces' advance, but only slightly, and so. We passed the wall created for us by Mou Ten.

Ishiro and Roku had done so as well, and their men regrouped with us. 

Out of the 700 originally facing the Le Hua. Approximately 200 had been killed by the Le Hua, and 200 had been killed by our charge. Meaning that the remaining 400 Le Hua men, now outnumbered the elites by 100.

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