weaving

The situation on the battlefield has changed dramatically.

The rebel army's central position retreated, forming a depression; while the rebel army's two flanks protruded forward, gradually forming a fan-shaped semi-encirclement around the Yongyi Army that was attacking the rebel army.

The Yongyi Army is now in a wedge formation, with all its main forces concentrated in the center, launching a layered assault forward like an arrow released from a bow, using all its strength to charge forward.

On the contrary, the rebels, though their central army retreated slightly, managed to hold the line and even freed up several thousand infantrymen to launch attacks on both flanks, intending to break through the Yongyi Army's formation from the sidelines and dismantle their offensive.

…………

The Yongyi Army would naturally not allow the Chuang Army's scheme to succeed.

Their strategy, though seemingly simple, is actually quite complex and requires a high degree of coordination and cooperation between different military units.

First, let's talk about the coordination of rifles...

The infantry held off the enemy's attack on the starving civilians and continued to expand their gains, bringing the battle line within 200 paces of the enemy's lines. Only then did they quickly retreat in batches to the flanks, regrouping to protect the left and right wings of the musketeers and provide protection for their next attack.

Secondly, there's the coordinated use of firearms and cannons...

After the musketeers replaced the infantry as the main force of the offensive on the battlefield, they immediately advanced in great strides, with the artillery pieces following closely behind. When the musketeers were 150 paces away from the enemy army, they began to fire their cannons.

After three rounds of artillery fire, the musketeers advanced to within a hundred paces of the enemy's front line. Their long muskets were now fully operational, and from that moment on, the musketeers fired continuously. Meanwhile, the artillery carts took advantage of this lull to continue their stealthy advance.

As for the final coordinated infantry, artillery, and cavalry operations, they have not yet begun.

Chen Zhong was now in charge of the infantry formation on the left flank. He shouted, "Attention everyone! Advance fifteen paces, form ranks, raise shields. Prepare to defend!"

At the same time, he shouted to his personal guards, "Use flag signals to report to the commander that the enemy has launched a surprise attack on the flank."

Chen Zhong was both clear-headed and calm. He first arranged the response on his side, and then had a flag signal sent to Marquis Yongning, Zhang Cheng. This was both to report the changes on the battlefield and to hope that Marquis Yongning would arrange the defense of the other side's infantry after seeing the flag signal.

After all, with gunners, artillery, and cavalry in between, he could no longer attend to the matters of the right-wing infantry.

…………

When Li Zicheng and his entourage ascended the high platform, the battlefield was already a scene of chaotic fighting.

The main force of the Yongyi Army formed a wedge formation, which pierced the center of the Chuang Army's formation like an arrow. Meanwhile, the Chuang Army attacked the waist of the Yongyi Army's wedge formation from both flanks, enveloping the Yongyi Army like two wings.

Although it seems that the rebel army has the advantage overall, it is clear to anyone with discerning eyes.

The infantrymen of the rebel army who attacked from both flanks were firmly blocked by the Yongyi Army and were unable to break through their defenses. Although they had a great momentum, they failed to cause any substantial losses to the Yongyi Army.

However, the arrow of the Yongyi Army was unusually fierce, having already penetrated more than a hundred paces into the rebel army's defensive line, and was about to break through the infantry formation and engage the cavalry behind it.

"Grand Marshal, the government troops' target seems to be..." Song Xianze didn't finish his sentence.

But Li Zicheng, the rebel leader, was a veteran general, and he naturally saw the key point at a glance. He said with a sneer, "This is the target. Isn't Zhang Cheng here for me?"

Song Xianze nodded in agreement, but did not say anything more.

Wu Ruyi was a little anxious and said, "Grand Marshal, send the cavalry up. Once they get close, the soldiers' muskets will be useless."

Upon hearing this, Li Zicheng frowned deeply and fell into deep thought...

At this moment, standing on the high platform with a panoramic view of the battlefield, he realized that his "three walls" cavalry, which he relied on, were also in near chaos.

Under the fierce artillery bombardment of the Yongyi Army, the cavalry also suffered considerable losses, and many warhorses were frightened and ran wildly. Although most of them were calmed down by the knights, the formation was in disarray and they could not go into battle immediately.

Moreover, there are only less than 10,000 cavalrymen on the battlefield at this moment. The other cavalrymen have already removed their armor and are resting in the camp to recover their strength, and the warhorses have also been unsaddled.

Although the order has just been given to have people put on their armor and saddle their horses, it won't be finished in a short time. Besides, once they're in armor and saddled, they still need to form ranks and battle formations. I'm afraid I can't count on them for the time being!

"Issue the order," the rebel leader shouted in a deep voice. "Ma Shiyao will lead three thousand cavalry, including one thousand armored cavalry, to circle around to the right and attack the right flank of the government troops' wedge formation."

Tell Liu Rukui to send 1,000 cavalry to assist in the battle, and the remaining cavalry to retreat 200 paces and form ranks to await further orders!

"Yes," Wu Ruyi replied loudly, then turned and stepped down from the platform to relay the order.

Song Xianze, looking on with suspicion, whispered a reminder from the side: "Grand Marshal, we haven't seen the government troops' cavalry yet. We must be on guard."

"I told Liu Rukui to retreat two hundred paces, just to guard against this."

The rebel leader seemed quite worried, and said, "I didn't expect the government army to have so many cannons. If we had them, we would have no worries about the stability of the country."

“Cannons cannot withstand prolonged firing, otherwise there is a risk of them exploding.” Song Xianze continued, “Judging from the sound of the cannons, the government troops only fired three rounds, probably because they were afraid of the cannons exploding.”

Niu Jinxing chimed in, "Don't worry, after this battle, these cannons will be ours."

Li Zicheng, the rebel leader, glanced at Niu Jinxing, his face showing a mixture of excitement and anticipation, as well as a hint of worry.

Song Xianze, however, sighed inwardly, his worries seeming to deepen...

…………

"Pass the order..."

Yongning Bo shouted loudly, "Fire a salvo from the artillery, cover the enemy's position, unleash full firepower, keep firing until the barrels are red-hot, fire as many rounds as you can!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Mingyuan, the commander of the central army, was first taken aback, then became very excited. He loudly responded "Yes, sir!" and was about to turn around to relay the order when Yongning Bo waved his hand and said, "Send the order to Hu Dayou: as soon as the artillery fire stops, his heavy cavalry should immediately attack, charging straight at the rebel's central army, targeting Li Zicheng. It would be best if you could capture him for me."

"Here!"

"While the heavy cavalry attacks, Li Changsheng and Su Laohu will attack from the left and right flanks simultaneously to cover the two wings of the heavy cavalry and make sure to crush the enemy's central cavalry in one fell swoop."

Then He Zhenxiong's standard battalion, following closely behind the heavy cavalry, marched straight into the rebel's central camp, their target the rebel's great banner. "Cut it down, my ass!"

“Yes, sir!” Zhang Mingyuan shouted the loudest he had ever uttered in his career as a lieutenant general.

…………

Zhang Mingyuan then went down to relay the order.

Then a figure, not particularly tall but exuding great authority, hurriedly ascended the platform. Before he even arrived, his voice preceded his words: "Commander, this desperate gamble has plunged the entire army into peril! It's not a good idea!"

Upon hearing his voice, Zhang Cheng shook his head repeatedly, but could only smile and say, "Commander He, why are you here instead of patrolling the camp?"

He Biao did not answer, but said, "Commander, you cannot act recklessly. I am here to advise you. You cannot launch a rash attack and gamble the life and death of the entire army with the outcome of a single battle!"

Zhang Cheng knew he meant well, but also knew he was stubborn and couldn't be reasoned with in a few words. His expression tightened, and he asked in a deep voice, "General Commander, do you know what your duties are?"

He Biao was taken aback, but had to reply: "Inspecting military discipline, verifying military merits, and in charge of military punishments, promotions and rewards, and soothing the morale of the troops... all kinds of affairs."

"Assisting in military affairs, planning ahead, and determining strategies for battle and defense—is this not your duty?"

“This…” He Biao was speechless.

After a moment, he said coldly, "Deciding on the strategy of war and defense is certainly not He Biao's job."

His expression returned to normal, he clasped his hands in a salute, and said in a cold tone, "He Biao was disrespectful in front of the army, please punish him, Commander."

Zhang Cheng looked at him, shook his head, and waved his hand, saying, "Let's record this fault for now and decide on rewards and punishments after the battle. Right now, the soldiers of each battalion are fighting a bloody battle. As the commander, shouldn't you go ahead and record the merits and demerits of the soldiers?"

"Yes. He Biao takes his leave." (End of Chapter)