Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3720 Maintaining Stability
There were no earth-shattering drums or bugles, only a sharp, piercing sound of a bronze whistle, like tearing fabric, suddenly breaking the silence of dawn!

Almost at the same instant the whistle blew—

Boom! Boom boom!

The four six-pound cannons roared almost simultaneously!

The cannons spewed out long, bright orange flames, instantly illuminating a large area in front of the artillery position!

The scorching heatwave, carrying acrid gunpowder smoke, spread violently!
Four heavy solid projectiles, like invitations from the Grim Reaper, with precisely calculated trajectories, slammed into their intended targets!

The shot hit a corner behind the barricade of section B, where spare arrows and logs were piled up, instantly blasting the debris to pieces!

Wood chips, gravel, and broken arrows swept across the area like deadly shrapnel!
The other three shots landed precisely near several shallow pits and low walls around Section B, where Cao Cao's troops habitually took cover. The enormous impact sent mud and gravel flying high into the air, and the terrifying kinetic energy directly smashed a gap in a section of the low wall!
"ah--!"

"The cavalry have fired again! The cannons are coming!"

"Quick, hide!"

An uproar erupted behind the earthen rampart!

Just awakened by the whistle, the Cao army soldiers, still dazed, burst into terrified screams as if by conditioned reflex.

They didn't even have time to think about why the shelling came so early today. Their bodies, following the muscle memory formed over the past ten days, scrambled like startled rabbits to what they considered to be 'safe' corners or craters, burying their heads in the sand!

Within moments of the artillery barrage, the entire western frontier fell into a state of instinctive, fear-driven shuffling among Cao Cao's soldiers. This state was precisely the result of the repeated "training" the Flying Cavalry had undergone over the previous ten days!

Humans are inherently animalistic.

The lower the social class and the more soldiers there are, the more they lose their human intelligence and, under the demands of the ruling class, their animalistic nature is enhanced, which creates an opportunity for Fei Qian.

Fei Qian not only used artillery to train his own soldiers, but he was also "training" Cao Cao's soldiers.

The smoke from the shelling had not yet dissipated, and the second round of reloading had not even begun when the silence on the west bank was completely shattered!

"go ahead!"

"Build a bridge! Quickly!"

Run! Faster!

On the banks of the Sishui River, Chen Wu, the leader of the engineering corps who had been lying in wait for a long time, suddenly leaped up and roared angrily!

Dozens of elite engineers charged out like cheetahs, working in pairs, half-carrying and half-pushing, and propelled the specially made folding wooden bridge components with wheels at the bottom toward the riverbank at an astonishing speed!

The route they chose was the "hard passage" that had been repeatedly trampled and secretly reinforced under the cover of "feint attacks" over the past few days!
The heavy wooden bridge components slid rapidly across the solid, flat ground, barely feeling the resistance of the mud.

"Position! Clip! Secure!"

Chen Wu's voice remained clear even amidst the lingering echoes of the cannon fire.

The engineers moved with lightning speed, precisely pushing the heavy components into the designated hard spots on the riverbed. The tenons engaged, and the large iron nails were hammered in with heavy hammers!

In less than a quarter of an hour, three sturdy wooden bridges, each nearly ten feet wide and large enough for heavy infantry to pass side by side, appeared as if by magic, spanning the pre-determined positions!
After the rainy season, the water level drops, so the wooden bridge only needs to be built in the part of the river with the most silt.

Just as the wooden bridge was lowered and not yet fully laid out, a deafening roar erupted from behind: "Kill—!"

Chen Wu shouted, "Don't get distracted! Check! Reinforce!"

The earth-shattering roar, like a thunderclap from a clear sky, drowned out the lingering echo of the cannon fire!
Two thousand elite infantrymen, who had already been arrayed at the rear, surged forward like a flood, following the ground compacted by the artillery tracks, through the passages laid out and planned in advance by Chen Wu and others, and directly towards the wooden bridge in the water!

They were organized into units of ten, their formations so orderly they resembled a moving city wall!

The front row of swordsmen and shieldmen held high their round shields covered with cowhide, while the rear row of spearmen stood like a forest, their cold gleam flashing!
Even more surprisingly, these cavalry soldiers appeared to be charging forward in skirmish lines, but in reality, they were advancing according to several lines of white lime powder that were faintly visible in the smoke and morning light, as well as the corresponding corner flags!

These guide lines and markers were the attack routes that Pang Tong and his officers had drawn up the night before after countless calculations, plans, and based on the actual situation!
This section of the route not only cleverly avoids the pitfalls, barbed wire areas, and the most densely armed crenellations set up by Cao Cao's army, but also minimizes the mutual obstruction and delay between troops, allowing each unit to reach the battle site as quickly as possible!

The target is marked: the junction of earthen ramparts B and C, and the pre-set assembly point for Cao Cao's reinforcements!

Swordsmen and shieldmen, wearing heavy armor and carrying round shields, are relatively slow, while cavalry are obviously the fastest. Therefore, to maximize the combat effectiveness of various troop types, a simple command of "Charge!" is not enough...

The responsibility for on-site coordination at the front line fell on Zhang Liao's shoulders.

Zhang Liao couldn't help but feel a little nervous, a feeling he had never experienced before. It was as if he had returned to his youth, standing on the battlefield for the first time, feeling both bewildered and excited.

He keenly realized that this was a completely new mode of warfare, a huge change in the local tactical scope, or what could be called the combat mode within the telescope's range!
The history of warfare in China is indeed a magnificent epic of continuous adaptation to the needs of the times, reform, and progress. From the three armies of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, to the general system of the Qin and Han dynasties, and then to the Fubing system, China has always been progressing and reforming in its history of warfare.

Every major reform of the military system profoundly reflects the social structure, economic foundation, technological level, and challenges faced by the rulers at that time.

In ancient China, the "three armies" were largely symbolic military formations governed by ritualistic norms, their size and organization closely tied to the aristocratic feudal system. The soldiers were primarily of Chinese descent. The West continued to employ a similar model until the Middle Ages, taking pride in it.

During the Warring States period, the wars of conquest and annexation led to a dramatic increase in the size of armies, with the source of soldiers expanding from the local population to include commoners and even early forms of recruitment. This resulted in the collapse of aristocratic military rule, with more and more commoner military officers entering the command ranks, while nobles who only knew how to throw white gloves were knocked to the ground with a groin kick.

From then on, China began to develop multi-service coordinated operations, cavalry began to emerge, and the coordinated operations of chariots, infantry, and cavalry became increasingly complex.

The widespread use of advanced weapons such as crossbows improved combat effectiveness, and the emergence of military books such as "The Art of War" marked the high maturity of military thought, emphasizing a systematic view of war that included strategy, intelligence, logistics, and military administration.

After unifying China, Qin Shi Huang established a highly centralized military system. He completely abolished the system of enfeoffing nobles with private armies, placing the army under unified state control. He implemented universal conscription, established a comprehensive military command system, and the model of the emperor appointing generals for military operations became common.

However, Han Xin's death represented the complete failure of absolute trust.

Therefore, the Han Dynasty began to separate the central army, local army, and border defense army, forming a more systematic military officer system and implementing the principle of separating generals from soldiers. This progress in military reform brought about victory in the war against the Xiongnu, but it also led to corruption in the army. The Western Qiang Rebellion, which led to the decline of the Eastern Han Dynasty, was a manifestation of the corruption of the general system and also led to the struggle for hegemony among the powerful clans of the Three Kingdoms period.

During the Tang Dynasty, in response to the problems of local strongmen privately raising armies and warlord separatism since the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, the Tang Dynasty adopted the Fubing system established during the Western Wei and Northern Zhou Dynasties. This system relieved the state of the burden of huge military expenses for a standing army, weakened local separatism, effectively prevented local generals from becoming too powerful, and strengthened central authority.

However, the Fubing system also had fatal weaknesses...

Later systems, such as the Song Dynasty's Imperial Guard system and the Ming Dynasty's Garrison system, were actually efforts to coordinate military adaptability and innovation under changes in land system and warfare, and were all working to solve the core problems exposed by the military systems of the previous dynasties.

Except for the braided hairstyle.

The so-called Eight Banners were actually following the old path of aristocratic military, taking advantage of the resources of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. To ensure that no one would steal the resources, they also carried out racial segregation, division, colonization, and domestication. It was a system designed specifically to enslave the Han people, that is, a slave-owning military system.

Fei Qian's considerations regarding military affairs leaned towards later modern military theories.

Soldiers, especially professional soldiers, are fundamentally different from ordinary citizens.

For ordinary people, killing is punishable by death, but for soldiers, killing is a meritorious act.

In later generations, most war machines were built with professional soldiers as the backbone and regular conscripts as the flesh and blood.

Therefore, if Fei Qian wanted to follow the path of the military system of later generations, he had to ensure that these "backbone" personnel would not be lost or replaced in large numbers during the war. Otherwise, experience could not be preserved, and these middle and lower-level military academy officers could not be promoted.

Just like a three-star soldier in a later real-time strategy game, if it dies as soon as it enters the field, how can it have a chance to upgrade?
To better guarantee opportunities for promotion among lower-ranking soldiers, the advent of gunpowder and artillery necessitated a more refined combat approach, making it a reform project that Fei Qian had to promote. Gongxian County was the first step in Fei Qian's multi-service refinement reform.

The earthen fortifications built by Cao Cao's army outside Gong County were a test of the results of the reforms implemented by Fei Qian, Pang Tong, and Zhang Liao!

Zhang Liao continuously issued commands, using the flag-bearing soldiers around him to remotely control the various parts of the cavalry and infantry, so that each part of the cavalrymen, when crossing the three bridges of the Sishui River, were like flowing liquid passing through smooth pipes!

As the vanguard of the Flying Cavalry crossed the wooden bridge and rushed to the other side, advancing along the guide line towards the pre-arranged passage, the Cao army, which had been huddled behind the earthen ramparts, had only just begun to recover from the shock of the first round of artillery fire and their habit of "safety"!

"The cavalry... the cavalry is coming!"

"What?! They crossed the river?! How...how did they cross the river?!"

"Damn it! Where did they come from?!"

Shock, fear, and incredulous screams instantly replaced the previous chaos of Cao's soldiers!

As the cavalry passed, the light infantry of the Flying Cavalry crossed the river. After the cavalry and light infantry crossed, the heavy infantry of the Flying Cavalry advanced like a wall, with almost no pauses or stops.

With the increase in the number of cavalry crossing the river and the unfolding of their ranks, the Cao army soldiers in the earthen fortifications surrounding Gong County realized that the cavalry's advance was truly right under their noses!
The Cao soldiers, facing the cavalrymen directly from the earthen ramparts, were so terrified that they even forgot to pick up their weapons!

They habitually assumed that there would be a long "safe period" after the shelling, never imagining that death would follow the sound of the shelling!

Arrows whistled down as the cavalry and light infantry of the Flying Cavalry began to bombard and suppress Cao Cao's lines.

Immediately, the heavily armed infantry charged into Cao Cao's defensive front line without stopping!
These heavily armored swordsmen and shieldmen smashed through the hastily organized, scattered resistance of Cao Cao's army!

As the heavily armored infantry with swords and shields advanced, the cavalry and light infantry began their next phase of division of labor and cooperation.

The cavalry surged forward like a torrent, rushing towards the junction between Cao Cao's earthen ramparts and Gongxian County. Their movements were ruthless and efficient, without the slightest hesitation. Following their pre-determined objective, ignoring the scattered arrows from both sides, they charged straight towards the walls of Gongxian!

The light infantry followed the heavily armored swordsmen and shieldmen, fighting in unison. Archers shot down any Cao soldiers who tried to resist, while spearmen followed behind the swordsmen and shieldmen, their sharp spears like venomous snakes, piercing through the gaps in the shields and pinning any Cao soldiers who tried to resist to the ground!

"Quick! Seal the breach! Fire arrows! Shoot them dead!"

Finally, some junior officers in Cao Cao's army reacted and shouted at the top of their lungs to organize a counterattack.

"Form ranks! Form ranks now!"

The war drums of Cao Cao's army thundered, and the soldiers began to assemble under the command of the military academy...

However, before they could finish assembling, the roar of cannons rang out again!
This time, the cannons were no longer aimed at the low walls and ramparts of the earthen ramparts, but rather at the place where Cao Cao's army was assembled.

On the artillery position, not just the four cannons used for deception and practice, but twelve cannons fired in succession.

The cannonballs, with a piercing whistle, slammed into the protruding earthen ramparts on both sides of the junction of sections B and C. Shattered stones and bricks rained down like hail, smashing the Cao army archers who had just emerged, causing them to bleed from the head and tumble down screaming in agony!

The artillery fire perfectly suppressed any possible support from the flanks, clearing the way for the cavalry's assault force!

Under the cover of artillery fire, the cavalry infantry followed in like a tide, crossing the wooden bridge and attacking the earthen ramparts along the pre-designated passages!

They had a clear division of labor: one elite force went straight to the core, dividing and encircling it; the other quickly controlled both sides of the passage, cleared out the remaining enemy, and established a solid foothold.

The entire offensive process fully demonstrated the professionalism and teamwork of the soldiers.

The artillery's suppression and cover, the engineers' bridging and passage protection, and the infantry's assault and mopping-up operations were all interconnected and seamlessly integrated!
Time, space, and troop coordination are precisely calculated and perfectly executed.

The traditional combat model of the cold weapon era, which relied on individual bravery and battlefield adaptability, has been replaced here by a completely new war model based on precise data, meticulous planning, and efficient execution!

Although still somewhat immature, the power displayed by the God of War, and the seamless coordination, were also becoming increasingly formidable under the training of the cavalry.

When Cao Hong, protected by his personal guards, rushed to the high ground behind the western fortress in a mixture of shock and rage, what he saw was a scene like hell...

The wooden bridge, like an iron arm, firmly held the Si River shut. The cavalry surged forward, and the deep ditches originally intended to block their advance were ineffective in hindering their progress without Cao Cao's troops stationed there.

Many of the pre-planned passages on the earthen ramparts have been breached, and the black flags of the Flying Cavalry Army flutter in the smoke of battle!
Cao Hong's proud earthen fortifications are being rapidly torn apart and devoured from within!
The cavalry soldiers, clad in black tube-sleeved armor, surged like an iron torrent, precisely guided to divide and surround the panicked and disorganized Cao army.

Screams, the clash of weapons, and the dying wails mingled together!
Those deep defensive and counter-offensive points that Cao Hong had originally placed high hopes on, which were expected to inflict heavy casualties on the Flying Cavalry, were destroyed or occupied before they could even be organized, due to the enemy's precise artillery suppression and rapid infantry assault!

"Hold on! Hold on!"

Cao Hong's eyes were bloodshot, and he couldn't help but roar out the famous battlefield saying that had been passed down for thousands of years, but his voice was drowned out by the deafening noise of the battlefield, sounding pale and powerless.

He saw the white markings guiding the infantry forward, the enemy soldiers' precise and efficient killing movements like machines, and the enemy engineers rapidly reinforcing the breach...

All of this exuded a chilling, incomprehensible, and even somewhat frightening tactical display...

Finished!

The outer earthen rampart is complete!

Cao Hong felt a chill in his heart.

The barriers surrounding Gong County, which were meant to impede the advance of the Flying Cavalry, were breached like paper by Fei Qian's meticulously woven tactical network and thunderous strike. The Cao army troops stationed at the outer fortifications and earthen ramparts were scattered and routed like chess pieces being mercilessly crushed.

"General! Run! We can't hold this place!"

The captain of the personal guards held Cao Hong's arm tightly.

Cao Hong took one last look at the hellish earthen ramparts, and at the black banner of the Flying Cavalry Army that was becoming increasingly dazzling in the morning light. He stomped his foot and, surrounded by his personal guards, retreated in a disheveled state towards the main city of Gong County.

The rising sun finally leaped above the horizon, casting its golden rays across the earth.

The smoke of battle slowly dissipated in the morning light, and the banner of the Flying Cavalry was firmly planted on the highest point of the earthen mound, fluttering in the wind.

Under the command of their officers, the soldiers efficiently cleared the battlefield and consolidated their positions, while the engineers began to repair and expand the passageways in preparation for the next attack on the main city of Gongxian.

Under the central command flag, Fei Qian gazed at the earthen rampart area that had been rapidly taken over, his face showing little emotion.

This is just the first step.

What he brought was not just artillery, but a revolution in warfare that shifted it from crude struggle to precise calculation.

Accurate intelligence, meticulous planning, efficient execution, and cross-service coordination...

These forward-thinking concepts are beginning to be etched into the very marrow of this army through victory after victory.

The collapse of the earthen ramparts surrounding Gongxian County was not only a geographical breakthrough, but also a crushing declaration of the new era's dominance over the old era following the clash of two different war ideologies.

If you want to wear down the cavalry, you must have the ability to do so!

If you fail to keep up with the times, you will inevitably be vulnerable to attack!