Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3888 Knowing When to Stop Prevents Danger

The sounds of horses' hooves, shouts of battle, clashing weapons, and dying cries mingled together into a deafening cacophony of death.

Thick smoke and raging fire were the dominant colors along the official road.

To the south and west of the official road, Cao Cao's army, like giant hands closing in, closed in and surrounded them!

The entire cavalry formation has now been stretched into a loose array.

The beginning and end are several miles apart, with many gaps in between.

If it were merely a matter of pursuing a fleeing, scattered army, then even a disorganized formation wouldn't matter much. However, with Cao Cao's army arriving as reinforcements for the second time, the long-standing, fragmented formation of the Flying Cavalry naturally resulted in problems of troop dispersion and poor command.

Cao Zhen and Cao Zhang, two well-organized and fresh forces, launched a fierce attack on the Flying Cavalry from two directions, compressing the Flying Cavalry's space for maneuver.

Cao Zhang's cavalry kept trying to break through and divide the enemy lines.

Cao Zhen's infantry formed rows of spears and swords, pressing forward relentlessly and compressing the cavalry's operational space.

Cao Shuo also rallied some of his defeated troops in time. Encouraged by the overwhelming force of Cao Zhen and Cao Zhang's armies, he regained his courage and turned back to fight. Although he dared not confront Wei Yan and Gan Feng head-on, he constantly harassed them with arrows from the outside and intercepted and killed those who were alone, thus creating pressure from the third direction.

Wei Yan and Gan Feng joined forces, but the entire cavalry force had been stretched into a disorganized formation. Furthermore, Cao Zhen's two fresh forces from the south and Cao Zhang's from the east had firmly pinned down their flanks and rear, leading to a bitter battle.

"General! This won't work! We'll be worn down here!" Gan Feng, his face covered in blood, his helmet nowhere to be seen, his hair disheveled, roared at Wei Yan, who was also surrounded nearby, after he had just parried a spear.

Wei Yan knew this all too well.

Wei Yan looked around. Although his cavalry was brave, they had lost the space to charge and the depth of their formation. Under the pressure of the enemy's coordinated infantry and cavalry, their individual bravery could not be used to its fullest extent. Instead, they became better targets because of their concentration!

We must change tactics immediately!

Wei Yan swiftly swung his blade, cutting down a Cao army cavalryman who tried to approach. He roared, "All troops, listen to my command! Break into smaller units! Disperse and break out in squads and platoons!"

This is one of the standard tactics for dealing with being surrounded in the cavalry manual...

To distract the enemy, the cavalry squads, with their high mobility, broke through from multiple directions and regrouped at the designated location.

However, the key to the success or failure of this tactic lies in the command of the junior officers, the soldiers' resolute execution of orders, and the tacit cooperation between the squads.

The order gradually spread across the battlefield through the bugles and whistles of Wei Yan's personal guards, as well as the desperate shouts of officers of all ranks around him...

Unlike real-time strategy games where you can simply move forward and retreat, the transmission of orders on the battlefield requires timeliness, whether it's an attack or a retreat.

Even though the Flying Cavalry had immediately relayed Wei Yan's orders, the message still spread like ripples from the core to the periphery.

Fortunately, the training level and execution of the manuals by the cavalry were fully demonstrated at this moment.

The originally scattered cavalry, which was trying to regroup, burst forth like water splashing in the north, amidst the sounds of horns and whistles, after receiving the order!

"White dog, white dog, follow me! Go west, through that ditch!"

"Blackbirds! Over here! Follow me, archers clear the way!"

"Keep up! Don't fall behind! Protect the flanks!"

"..."

The extremely rigorous training they usually undergo proves its worth at this moment.

Even in such a chaotic and dangerous situation, the basic structure of the Flying Cavalry did not collapse or become ineffective.

Those squad leaders, platoon leaders, and sergeants who were usually responsible for supervising military discipline and leading training became the core of the battlefield. Each captain shouted the name of his squad and began to lead his cavalry to turn and retreat.

They blew sharp bronze whistles, brandished their blood-stained weapons, and called to their comrades. Following the most familiar tactical manuals, they either formed a wedge formation to force a breakthrough or covered each other while fighting and retreating, charging fiercely towards the north.

Each team is like a sturdy wedge; though small, they have a clear objective and act decisively.

They no longer tried to gather on the chaotic official road, nor did they entangle with Cao Cao's soldiers. Instead, they looked for gaps, used the cavalry's burst of speed to tear open a gap, and slipped out.

If you encounter a small group blocking your path, quickly concentrate your fire and break through their defenses...

If they encounter a large force blocking their way, they immediately change course and take a detour...

Cao Cao's army clearly hadn't anticipated that the Flying Cavalry could conduct such an organized and dispersed breakout despite being at such a disadvantage. Cao Cao's original tactical objective was to encircle the Flying Cavalry from three sides, squeeze them into the central official road, and then use the burning vehicles on the road to gradually wear down and annihilate the divided Flying Cavalry.

But now the enemy has suddenly broken up into smaller groups, slipping away like eels through our fingers, and Cao's army is in a state of chaos.

"Stop them! Don't let them get away!"

Cao Zhang, watching from horseback, was both shocked and furious. He brandished his long spear and led his cavalry in an attempt to intercept several larger breakout groups. His cavalry was fast enough to successfully engage some small cavalry squads, and a fierce chase ensued on the northern plains. Sabers clashed with spears, and men fell from their horses repeatedly.

However, the other Cao soldiers couldn't do what Cao Zhang did...

Because only Cao Zhang's troops were cavalry.

Cao Zhen had only a few cavalrymen; the majority were infantry.

Cao Shuo's side was even smaller; apart from Cao Shuo himself and a dozen or so guards who were on horseback, the rest were all foot soldiers.

Therefore, the problem of insufficient motor power for infantry units is now very obvious.

Even though everyone knew that the Flying Cavalry was going to disperse and retreat, they were willing but unable to do so!

Cao Zhen hurriedly ordered the archers to advance, attempting to cover the cavalry's escape route with a rain of arrows, and commanded the spearmen and swordsmen to form a tighter line to block their way.

However, once the cavalrymen began to disperse, the effectiveness of the arrow rain was naturally greatly reduced...

Furthermore, these small groups of cavalry were extremely agile. Upon seeing a well-organized infantry formation, they would immediately bypass it and attack only the weak points or junctions, making Cao Zhen's infantry lines feel as if they were punching cotton.

Cao Shuo was merely an add-on. He had hoped to seize the opportunity to gain some military merit, ordering his subordinates to intercept those seemingly "scattered" small groups of cavalry. However, despite his impressive appearance, he was too incompetent. He could neither personally wield a long spear and charge into battle like Cao Zhang, nor could he accurately give orders to adjust formations and deploy troops like Cao Zhen. Thus, even though Cao Shuo's troops managed to entangle some cavalry, the result was far from ideal.

If the cavalry cannot be quickly wiped out, the cavalry, once they gain an opening or receive support from other squads, can drag Cao Shuo's soldiers away, making Cao Shuo's troops the targets of their attacks, suffering losses and damaging morale.

The situation on the battlefield gradually evolved from a three-sided encirclement and annihilation battle of Cao Cao's army into a chaotic battle of breakouts and counter-breakouts with multiple points of attack.

Although the Flying Cavalry was generally at a disadvantage, and small squads that were isolated or too deeply involved were constantly being swallowed up by Cao Cao's superior forces, most of the cavalry units, under the effective command of their junior officers, were like slippery fish, breaking through Cao Cao's not-so-tight interception net.

Wei Yan and Gan Feng each led their most elite personal guards, like two sharp blades clearing the way for the troops.

They would even circle back from time to time, break through Cao's army's formation, and cover the escape of other squads on the flanks.

Cao Zhang led his troops in pursuit for a while, but seeing more and more cavalry breaking through the blockade, he had no choice but to gradually halt his advance. "Order! Retreat!"

After weighing the pros and cons, Cao Zhen decisively ordered, "Gather the troops, tally the casualties, and treat the wounded! Do not pursue a desperate enemy!"

Cao Shuo had long since given up on fighting. Upon hearing the sound of the gong, he felt as if he had been granted a pardon and hastily withdrew his troops.

……

……

"Woo-woo-woo-woo"

A long, drawn-out bugle call, signifying a gathering, echoed across the Black Rock Hillside.

That was the signal given by the cavalry officers who had arrived earlier to assemble.

Upon hearing the bugle call, the scattered cavalry soldiers began to converge in the direction from which the bugle sounded.

On Black Stone Slope, the cold wind whips the tattered banners.

After Wei Yan finished counting the casualties, a surge of anger welled up inside him.

The successful breakout did not bring Wei Yan joy; on the contrary, it felt like a great humiliation!
Wei Yan, Wei Wenchang, since he marched into Ji Province, had never suffered such a great loss!

With so many soldiers and generals lost, especially many veterans who had followed him for years and were buried here, if he were to retreat north in disgrace, how could Wei Wenchang still have the face to call himself the Vanguard of the Flying Cavalry?
"General, the brothers have rested for a while, and their horses have recovered somewhat, but they've used up a lot of arrows, and their rations are running low." Gan Feng, bandaging his arm wound, said with a resentful glint in his eyes, "Cao Cao's army is also regrouping; it seems they're about to retreat."

"Retreat?" Wei Yan's eyes flashed with a fierce light. He abruptly stood up, looking towards the dust cloud in the south. "They can attack whenever they want, surround whenever they want, and now they want to retreat? There's no such thing as a free lunch! I'll make them know that those who scheme against me, Wei Yan, will pay a bloody price!"

This stalemate, where neither side could win or lose, made Wei Yan feel as if he had lost face and was already defeated!
How could Wei Erha possibly swallow this insult?
Wei Yan quickly began to calculate in his mind...

Although Cao's army was numerous, they had just engaged in a chaotic battle, and Cao Zhang's main cavalry force had been entangled with them the longest, so they must have suffered losses...

Cao Zhen's forces were mainly infantry, and their movement was slow... Cao Shuo's troops were even more vulnerable...

and so……

At this moment, Cao Cao's army was about to regroup and retreat, and their morale might have been relaxed. This was the perfect opportunity to launch a counterattack!

He wanted to use a fierce counter-charge to tear a piece of flesh from Cao Cao's army, show the might of the Flying Cavalry, and save face!

"General Gan!" Wei Yan shouted sternly, "You will lead five hundred cavalry straight to the banners of that incompetent bastard to the east of Cao Cao's army! His troops are the weakest! I want you to rout their formation and drive their defeated soldiers to attack Cao Cao's central line!"

"Understood!" Gan Feng licked his chapped lips, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit.

"The rest of you, follow me!"

Wei Yan mounted his horse, looking around with a weary expression, but his eyes still burned with the fire of battle for the soldiers. "Brothers! Only the enemy's blood can wash away this shame! Follow me back and let Cao Cao's army know that the cavalry's blade has never dulled!"

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

The commander's resolute decision reignited the fighting spirit of these cavalrymen.

Although everyone knew that a counter-charge under these circumstances was highly risky, the soldiers' sense of honor and trust in their commander made them mount their horses without hesitation...

……

……

Cao Jun's side.

Cao's army, having only just begun to clean up the battlefield, was slowly retreating to the southeast.

Cao Shuo, eager to return home and already extremely impatient, hurriedly shouted, "Let's go! Let's go!" after receiving the order to withdraw his troops.

But at that very moment, from the north, the urgent and fierce bugle call of the Flying Cavalry once again rang out!
The sound of hooves thundered, and dust rose again!
"What?! They dare to come back?!"

Upon hearing the sound, Cao Shuo looked over and his expression changed drastically.

Gan Feng led eight hundred cavalrymen like hungry wolves pouncing on their prey, without making any roundabout attempts or probing, and directly rammed into Cao Shuo's loose rear guard with the most fierce arrowhead formation!
Cao Shuo's soldiers were preparing to retreat. Their ranks were already scattered, and when they were suddenly attacked, they offered almost no decent resistance and were instantly routed!
Gan Feng took the lead, thrusting left and right, heading straight for Cao Shuo's location.

"Stop it! Stop it right now!"

Cao Shuo was so frightened that he dared not engage in battle. He turned his horse and fled desperately toward Cao Zhen's main formation, abandoning even his own banner.

With their commander fleeing, the already chaotic army completely collapsed, scattering in all directions, crying and screaming, and was about to crash into Cao Zhen's ranks...

"Useless!" Cao Zhang roared in anger and anxiety upon seeing this, "Cavalry, follow me! Stop that cavalry general!"

Upon seeing this, Cao Zhang led his cavalry to charge towards Gan Feng's forces, attempting to stabilize the situation.

However, this was precisely the opportunity Wei Yan had been waiting for!
Just as Cao Zhang's cavalry's attention was drawn to Gan Feng and their flanks were exposed, Wei Yan personally led the main force of cavalry, suddenly charging out from behind a mound and fiercely striking the waist of Cao Zhang's cavalry formation!
Cut them off!

Wei Yan roared, and his thick-backed ring-pommel sword transformed into a dazzling flash of light, causing Cao Cao's cavalry to fall to their deaths wherever it passed.

The cavalry followed closely behind, thrusting with their spears and slashing with their sabers, instantly cutting Cao Zhang's cavalry into two sections!
Hearing the commotion behind him, Cao Zhang knew something was wrong. He didn't bother to save Cao Shuo anymore and hurriedly turned back, only to find himself facing Wei Yan!

"The thief is about to die!"

Cao Zhang was both surprised and furious, and raised his spear to fight Wei Yan.

The two men and their horses circled and fought in one place.

Cao Zhang was exceptionally brave and skilled in spear fighting. Compared to other generals, he was quite good, and could be considered one of the top warriors in the Cao family. In terms of pure martial prowess, he was actually about the same as Wei Yan.

If it were a duel, the two might be able to fight for a hundred rounds without a clear winner, but Cao Zhang's only weakness compared to Wei Yan was his lack of combat experience...

Wei Yan fought his way through the north and south, and battled in the east and west. His battlefield experience far surpassed that of Cao Zhang. Seeing that he could not overpower Cao Zhang in terms of strength, he immediately changed his tactics!
Before ten rounds were over, Wei Yan found an opening and saw that Cao Zhang's moves were getting old. He suddenly changed his swordsmanship and used a seemingly slow feint to draw away Cao Zhang's long spear. Then, his sword speed increased dramatically and, like lightning, he slashed back, hitting Cao Zhang's left arm!

Fortunately, Cao Zhang was wearing the fine fish-scale armor given to him by Cao Cao. The armor plates were thick and heavy. With a sharp crack, the armor plates shattered and rolled over, tearing the flesh inside and spurting blood!

The armor plate blocked the attack, and Wei Yan countered with a backhand strike, so Cao Zhang was only injured and not severed.

Even so, the excruciating pain caused Cao Zhang to scream, almost dropping his spear and nearly falling off his horse.

"Young Master!" The guards risked their lives to save Cao Zhang and protect him.

With his arm covered in blood, Cao Zhang dared not linger in battle and fled in defeat.

With their commander seriously wounded and forced to retreat, Cao Cao's cavalry naturally suffered a collapse in morale and were routed by Wei Yan's forces, scattering and fleeing in all directions.

Wei Yan defeated Cao Shuo and Cao Zhang in succession, and his anger was slightly relieved, but his eyes immediately locked onto Cao Zhen's main force, which was already in full battle formation not far away.

At this moment, Cao Zhen, facing the dramatic changes on the battlefield, remained ashen-faced.

Unlike Cao Zhang, who rushed to send reinforcements upon seeing the Flying Cavalry counterattack, he used the brief time gained by Cao Shuo's routed troops and Cao Zhang's two forces engaging the Flying Cavalry to quickly adjust his formation and make deployments.

"Prepare the crossbow!"

"Strong winds! Strong winds!"

When Cao Zhen saw Wei Yan leading his victorious army, carrying the momentum of defeating Cao Zhang, attempting to charge forward in one fell swoop, Cao Zhen immediately ordered the front-line archers to fire a concentrated barrage!

The cavalry had fought several fierce battles, and their horses were exhausted, their charging speed no longer at its peak...

This gave Cao Cao's crossbowmen more time to fire.

The cavalrymen at the forefront were thrown into disarray, their momentum faltering.

Wei Yan deflected the arrows with his sword, roared, and continued to charge forward, finally breaking into the first line of spear and shield infantry of Cao Zhen.

The cavalrymen were fierce and brave, and they managed to tear open the defensive line, but their momentum was also greatly depleted.

Immediately afterwards, Wei Yan and his men encountered something that even his personal martial prowess could not overcome...

The wreckage of vehicles still burning on the official road.

Burning wood, twisted cart frames, and scorching ashes were piled haphazardly along the official road.

The charging cavalry were forced to disperse and maneuver among these obstacles, no longer able to maintain a tight charge formation. Their speed dropped drastically, and their formation became chaotic.

Cao Zhen had been waiting for this opportunity!
"Spearmen, advance! Swordsmen and shieldmen, surround and kill them! Divide them up!"

Cao Zhen calmly gave the order.

Cao's infantry used the wreckage as obstacles to besiege the small squads of cavalry that had been forced to slow down and were now fighting individually.

Wei Yan charged left and right, killing several Cao army officers, but his cavalry was gradually being separated and caught in a fierce battle. He knew things were going badly; Cao Zhen's move was extremely cunning, using his strengths to exploit Cao Zhen's weaknesses. He had to change his strategy immediately, abandoning a frontal assault and instead flanking the wreckage before launching another attack.

Just as Wei Yan was about to give the order to have his troops bypass the wreckage and launch a flanking attack on Cao Zhen, several scouts covered in dust and carrying urgent command flags rushed to Wei Yan's horse. "General! Something terrible has happened! The rear camp… the infantry left behind by Zang Ba have rebelled! They attacked the auxiliary troops left behind and burned the supplies!!"

"What?!" Wei Yan's eyes widened in anger. "Didn't I order them to keep an eye on them?!"

Wei Yan did give the order, but the problem was that he and Gan Feng took the main force with them, leaving insufficient manpower!

The grain and fodder were burned!

Wei Yan's eyes were bloodshot, and his teeth were grinding together. "How much grain is left?!"

The scout shook his head. "I don't know..."

"Aaaaaah..." Wei Yan roared furiously, but after he finished yelling and vented his emotions, the intense sense of crisis finally calmed down his husky-like frenzy.

"Blow the whistle! Alternate cover! Withdraw and regroup!"

Continuing the fight might allow us to defeat Cao Zhen and ultimately win this protracted war. However, continuing to fight recklessly also means that without logistical support, the lack of supplies such as food and medicine will lead to heavy losses, even after victory, due to wounded soldiers and horses.

Even the risk of total annihilation!

"Ahhhhh..."

Wei Yan roared to the sky, but he could only order a retreat, abandoning the last-ditch effort to fight Cao Zhen, and instead gathered his troops and retreated in shifts.

The cavalry's advantage was once again demonstrated; Wei Yan and Gan Feng retreated without fighting, and Cao Zhen could only watch helplessly...