Chapter 13: The Battle of Sanyou(9)
I woke up with a groan, my natural clock working its magic. It was about 30 minutes till we standardly began taking formation, about the same time as Wei did.
For some reason, both Generals had kept the waking hours at around the same point every day, which just made the entire war just that much easier, with a regular sleep schedule.
Something people far undervalued in wartime.
I got some clothes, before I sat down at a war-table, with the formation of our men in formation through bricks.
The 600 Heavy Infantry had survived yesterday's clash pretty easily, Tetsuji was truly a monster with his duel blades, and he led from the front. Showing real courage, which resulted in slim to none casualties.
So we had 580 Heavy Infantrymen, and 210 Heavy Cavalry, a total of 790 men, close to 800.
Now, unluckily for me. I had been placed in the centre-reserve. I was still a part of the Vanguard, and I would march at the start of the Battle. But I was at the back of the centre, meaning we stood on the last lines.
Now, some might call that a golden ticket, but it wasn't. We'd most likely end up not fighting, and if we did. We'd be the last line of defense, meaning we'd most likely face overwhelming numbers.
In addition, this entire Battle is about slaying Rin Ko, and unluckily for me. I was positioned in the middle of his strike, while he would be using his specifically designed formation.
In the shows, he´d use the wheel tactic, which was essentially the cavalry gaining momentum by running in a circle, while also pushing towards our infantry, to soften the first line up. And then break the wheel up and charge into the fray as a wedge.
Now luckily, there were 2 wheels. And although I was positioned in the middle of where they´d hit, I was more specifically put to face the right wheel.
Meaning the wheel without Rin Ko in it.
Although it was still led by a 5000 Man Wei Commander, and his elites. I was still more confident in stopping that, rather than Rin Ko himself.
But, the formation was still a difficult one to face. I´d be facing a single cavalry charge, with a twin cavalry charge beside him, and they´d be almost through our lines.
So in translation, I was facing a cavalry charge, at its maximum momentum, with maximum morale and maximum troops. Except for the like, the 200 remaining Rin Ko Elites, those 2500 men I was facing, would be the next best.
Now, luckily. None of my officers got wounded heavily, and all of them had essentially recovered, so I´d have to use those as well.
Now out of the three problems, Momentum, Morale, and Skill. Momentum and Morale could be handled in the same smack, 2 flies with one smack. Or however it is said.
Now, the best way to counter a Wedge Charge by Cavalry, was a Wedge Charge by Cavalry, but my problem was that I had non-
Oh, that might just work.
Indeed, it might just work.
An hour later, the flags of Wei´s army could be seen as they marched forward.
Today, the General had decided against using a Vanguard Force, emphasizing the defensive strategy, and seeing we had lost almost every single Vanguard offensive, he deemed it smarter to just keep our forces in a singular force.
With the; Le Hua, Gyoku Hou and Hi Shin in reserve, most likely the Commanding-General´s influence, seeing as how they had combatted Rin Kon already.
Suddenly, the cavalry charged forth. As they linked into 2 cavalry chains, which was followed up by the expected.
The Wheel Formation
The Cavalry began running in circles, 2 of them were creatures. As they kicked up dust and grovel, their thunderous hooves hitting the ground.
In addition to that, Rin Ko had sent forth a vanguard of 5000. As they mushed up our first line, softening them up for the main cavalry charge.
And the wheels then closed in on our lines, terrifying the first lines as they began harassing our lines. The spears of the cavalry stabbed through the weak-points of our first line, and the undefended troops.
Meanwhile, their vanguard split to the sides, either in-between the 2 wheels or to their sides, avoiding it entirely.
And then, suddenly. It happened, the wheel split up mid spin, they circled around, before charging straight at us, both lines in a synchronised charge, and the right wheel headed right for me.
The 5000 man commander smashed right into our lines, throwing 5 men into the air, and boosting the morale of his cavalry as they continued their charge.
They continued their charge down our lines virtually unchallenged, no proper defences had been set up, we weren't prepared for a wedge charge, or it looked more like a pillar charge, or a large chain falling upon you.
My eyes narrowed as they closed in on our formation, as I sat on my horse.
"Now!" I shouted at one of the messengers, who passed on the message by screaming as loud as he could, and my men responded. Already being aware of the plans.
My first line split, causing a rift in our formation, a passage, being 7 man wide. The enemy cavalry charge was 5 men wide.
As soon as they moved out of the way, they fortified their position by interlocking their square shields, as the cavalry passed through.
I could see the confused expression of the Commander as he passed our first line, and continued to pass undisturbed. But it was quickly replaced by amazement as his eyes locked onto our General,
"Spring the trap." I told the messenger and he nodded, ordering a man to wave the flag.
Which was immediately followed by heavy hooves hitting the ground behind us, just as the 5000-man commander passed half our troops.
I then turned around, as 210 Cavalry charged forward, having gathered some speed and momentum from behind our back-lines, and with the infantry having formed this passage, my cavalry could use it as well.
Ishiro, Kaen, Roku, Mozu and Tetsuji led from the front, the 5 men standing side by side.
I let a chuckle escape my lips, as Ishiro, Kaen, Roku, Mozu and Tetsuji, followed by 210 Cavalry crashed into Gi Ryou, the 5000 Man Commander and his elite unit.
The glaives of Gi Ryou and Roku clashed, Roku was weaker, and therefore he was being pushed slightly, but all he had to do was stop them.
Ishiro had focused on the other cavalry, and with a single slash, he stopped the first 3 lines, and killed the 5 men behind Gi Ryou.
With that completed, Ishiro rushed Gi Ryou, engaging the man in a devious duel. Both of them were somewhat equal, Ishiro was stronger and had more experience. But Gi Ryou had the advantage in men, so he just had to keep up.
However, the same men wouldn't reach him as Kael, Tetsuji, Roku and Mozu pushed past him, followed by the other cavalry as they clashed against the enemy cavalry.
We had stopped their momentum, just what we needed to.
"Spring the trap." I said, and the messenger ran around again, shouting orders as the infantry engaged.
My 300 elites pushed to the front, the horses of the wheel had already crashed into each other, many having been thrown off their horses, as they started the counter-attack, to the front of our formation. Ceasing all and any reinforcements.
But luckily, during these past 5 days of fighting, the newly promoted Commanders had gained some skill and experience, and the old one knew what to do.
So a lot of the units in front of us had already engaged the halted cavalry, and all 2500 men were in-between our formation, encircled on all sides.
The other 300 Heavy Infantry we had quickly followed, using their movement and shields to quickly overwhelm the enemy cavalry from the ground.
A halted cavalry was the same as a handicapped foot soldier.
And it was working, they were getting completely decimated.
However, Rin Ko had passed through, and taken the head of General Ei Bi. Though he had been stopped and engaged by the Hi Shin Unit.
Great, we should be able to clear these guys up, now.
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