The Duke of Shu Han began guarding Jingzhou in place of Guan Yu.

Chapter 345 Observing the Battle Reveals the Generals, and Furthermore, It Reveals the Nation

Earthen walls were built on both sides of the drained canal to serve as passageways.

It must be said that the Han army's ingenious little design was extremely treacherous.

From the outside, it is just a three-foot-high obstacle.

Skilled knights can easily cross it.

But once you factor in the depth of the canal, it becomes a different story.

With a drop of nearly six feet and no water to cushion the fall, one could easily break a horse's leg and cause it to tumble over.

Not to mention that the Han army had clearly deployed a large number of defensive weapons and troops behind the wall on the other side of the canal.

They were just waiting for the Wei cavalry to fall off so they could hunt them down.

As he had guessed, that wall was indeed very perfunctory, only a little over a foot and a half long.

It wasn't even made of rammed earth; it was just a temporary structure made of sandbags, crossbeams, and gravel, and it looked loose and crumbling.

Regardless, if you connect the channel, which is more than three feet deep, then it's nearly five feet high.

Not too low.

This means that the Wei army could not rely on the classic combination of cavalry charge and lances to launch a head-on assault on the Han infantry.

Instead, they are more likely to be trapped in this dry ditch and easily killed by the Han infantry.

Truly insidious!

Niu Jin cursed under his breath, immediately turned his horse around and flipped it over, while simultaneously slashing his sword to cut through the heavy horse armor to lighten the horse's load.

A six-foot obstacle is already considered quite high.

If we don't reduce the burden first, we're likely to run into obstacles.

Other knights followed suit.

As it turned out, Niu Jin was experienced and had superb riding skills.

It successfully flipped back to shore on its first try.

Only then did he have time to take stock of the losses.

Of the more than a thousand knights, about a hundred fell on the way of the raid.

Nearly a hundred more people were ambushed by this damned ditch, either killed or injured.

In other words, in this single charge, he lost nearly 20% of the knights.

Although the actual number is not serious for a large army.

This also shows that the Han army's defensive line was more difficult to deal with than expected.

Niu Jin, after all, was there to scout out enemy positions.

Having confirmed that this location was unsuitable for a cavalry assault, they naturally had to detour to another spot and try again.

Next, Niu Jin continued to lead his remaining troops, moving between various battlefields.

They even went so far as to detour to the western outskirts of Weishi City, which can be considered as crossing the southern defense line.

Unfortunately, they were soon besieged by Han cavalry who came upon hearing the news, and lost nearly two hundred men before they were forced to retreat in disarray.

However, this time, the Wei army finally figured out the Han army's defensive arrangements.

"It is said that Miwei is good at defensive warfare, and seeing it today, it is indeed true."

On the Wei army's platform, Xin Pi looked solemnly at the long passageway and earthen mounds that stretched out before him like a reclining dragon.

He then turned to look at the commander-in-chief, Cao Hong, and found that the other man's expression remained calm as ever, which made him secretly admire him.

Although Cao Zilian's understanding of the power struggles within the imperial court was indeed superficial.

But on the battlefield, the opponent truly possessed the stature of a pillar.

He then asked, "Has the general already devised a way to defeat the enemy?"

Cao Hong did not answer, but instead analyzed Xin Pi's earlier lament:
"A general who is good at defense may not be good at offense."

"But looking at it today, Miwei is not among them."

"Although I still can't understand why he chose to fight me in Weishi."

"But it is clear that he knew that in large-scale cavalry battles, Han was not as good as Wei, so he hid his cavalry behind the tunnels, first relying on the tunnels, earthen ramparts and infantry formations to wear down the morale of my cavalry, and then launching a cavalry battle when the time was right to secure victory."

Xinpi was suddenly filled with admiration.

Something suddenly came to mind, and he said:
"I heard that Wen Ping fought Mi Wei in Jiangxia years ago and originally had the advantage in cavalry combat."

"However, he was repeatedly manipulated and toyed with by Miwei, and was exhausted from running around. In the end, he had no choice but to get stuck in the quagmire and couldn't get out. Then he had to risk his life to attack Miwei's magnificent formation and finally suffered a complete defeat."

"From this perspective, Miwei is not only good at defense, but also at using defense as offense."

"By taking the enemy by surprise, whether it be mobile infiltration, attacking where the enemy must defend, or strategic planning, we can force the opponent to launch an attack from an unfavorable position."

"General, be careful, there may be treacherous traps in this battle!"

Cao Hong smiled faintly upon hearing this and said:
"Rest assured, Lord Xin, I have not underestimated my enemy."

"In this battle, I was prepared to win if I could, and if I couldn't, I would at least hold off Mi Wei for Guanqiu Zhonggong."

"Whether it's the imperial court or the battlefield, the outcome of the battle is not in my hands, so why rush and act rashly?"

Xin Pi nodded upon hearing this, saying nothing more. Cao Hong, observing this, then had an idea:
"The method to defeat the enemy is not difficult."

“The knights do not move. Send the infantry forward first to destroy his walls and ramparts and wear down his infantry formation.”

"Once there is any loosening of the defenses, the knights will launch a surprise attack."

"If his cavalry comes to the rescue quickly, then we will ride against him on horseback."

"If you don't come quickly, I can take his routed troops and storm his city. By then, it will be too late for him to send cavalry to rescue him!"

This is not an area of ​​expertise for Sinpi, so he could only agree.

Before long, the Wei army's infantry, amidst the resounding beat of war drums, arrayed themselves and surged forward.

The infantry formation, stretching for nearly two miles, was not as overwhelming as the cavalry that surged forward.

But tens of thousands of people formed a wall and moved forward steadily.

The uniform and overwhelming visual effect is even more suffocating.

However, neither side in the conflict were unsophisticated barbarians who had never seen the world.

As soon as the Wei army moved, the Han army moved in response.

To Xin Pi's bewilderment, the Han infantry did not continue to hold their ground by relying on the tunnel fortifications.

Instead, they bypassed the fortifications and formed ranks on the flat ground to meet the attack.

It was a direct confrontation between infantry formations.

Xinpi did not understand at first.

But then he saw Cao Hong's solemn expression, as he flicked his riding whip repeatedly, and suddenly he understood.

The Han infantry took the initiative to attack in order to protect the passageway behind them and prevent it from being destroyed by the Wei infantry.

The intention behind it is not hard to understand.

Because on the flat plains of Weishi, the tunnel fortifications were the only effective means to restrict the rapid movement and wide-ranging flanking maneuvers of the Wei cavalry.

As long as their walls and fortifications are preserved, they can avoid falling into a relatively disadvantageous combat mode of rider versus rider.

Think about it this way.

Perhaps the earlier southward raid by Han cavalry on Ruyin was not only a way to lure the enemy deep into their territory, but also a preliminary reconnaissance of the combat capabilities of both sides' cavalry forces?
Sinpi was not very certain about this.

He was truly not skilled in the art of warfare.

His strengths lie in the imperial court and in political maneuvering.

However, as the two sides engaged in battle, they entered the traditional phase of pushing and shoving.

Xinpi gradually began to see some clues.

Infantry combat differs from that of cavalry, which move swiftly like the wind.

Maintaining a dense and orderly formation requires extensive training, strict military discipline, and a top-down, well-organized structure.

Behind this often lies a country's legal foundation.

It is also a reflection of national strength.

Without a doubt, the State of Wei dominated the north for thirty years, and its three rulers were all diligent and hardworking.

It certainly has unparalleled advantages in this regard.

As for the Han army...

Although I've heard it's very strong.

However, before the Battle of Fangcheng, Xinpi and others did not have a clear concept.

Even in the Battle of Fangcheng, the Han army mainly focused on defense and rarely engaged in such a straightforward, open-field offensive battle.

Therefore, it remains difficult for Sinpi to discern the underlying national strength through direct battlefield confrontations.

But today...

"It seems we won't be able to wear down the Han army's infantry formation today."

Cao Hong remained silent for a long time before finally letting out a heavy sigh.

"The Han army's cavalry fighting was average, but their infantry fighting was truly first-rate."

"Some people said that Zhuge Liang spent the past three years in Guanzhong governing the army, teaching military affairs, enacting laws and regulations, and Mi Wei in Hedong improving the craftsmanship and skills of the army. I thought it was just empty praise from those people, but today I know that it is true."

"The Han army, at least in infantry combat, already possesses the bearing of a mighty army from a superior nation!"

"This battle will ultimately be decided by the cavalry..."

Only a commander like Cao Hong would say something so encouraging to the enemy.

Even if Xin Pi were a military strategist, he wouldn't dare to respond casually.

I can only say it tactfully:
"Should we halt our troops for now and fight again another day?"

Whoosh!
Cao Hong lashed out with his whip, as if to curse.

But seeing Xinpi's face, he swallowed his words and mumbled:
"The two or three men fought fiercely for most of the day and were already exhausted and hungry."

"Let's return to camp for a meal."

(End of this chapter)