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

Chapter 351 Filling in the Gaps
The Wei cavalry launched a full-scale attack, like a huge storm, instantly attracting everyone's attention.

Even the infantrymen on both sides seemed to pause for a moment because of this, before pushing and shoving each other even more frantically.

The war has finally entered its decisive moment.

Neither the Wei army nor the Han army had any way back; they could only go all out.

However, to Cao Hong's surprise once again...

Although the Han cavalry had long since completed their assembly.

Even when he had already charged close to the Wei infantry, the Han cavalry still did not make a move.

Cao Hong had no idea what the other party was waiting for.

But his extensive combat experience told him...

Cavalry without speed is not a deterrent.

However, the acceleration of warhorses requires both time and space.

If the Han cavalry doesn't move now, they'll never have another chance to act.

In an instant, the Wei cavalry had crossed their own infantry formation and advanced to the east side of the Han army's infantry formation.

At this moment, Cao Hong only needed to slightly turn his horse around to inflict massive casualties on the enemy infantry from this side, breaking through one corner of the pocket formation.

But Cao Hong did not do that.

Because he firmly believed that mounted combat was the key to today's battle.

The sole purpose of infantry is to draw enemy infantry away from the cavalry, creating enough battlefield space for decisive battles.

It's not too late to turn around and attack the infantry after the cavalry has determined the victor.

It's possible that the enemy infantry will retreat on their own without even launching an attack.

Soon, Cao Hong crossed the Han army's infantry formation and arrived at the northeast corner of the battlefield, where he joined up with the more than 1,000 cavalrymen led by Wang Ling.

At this time, the Han cavalry of Jufuna had already retreated eastward.

It seems they are about to join forces with Xiang Chong's knights.

In Cao Hong's view, the other party's choice was unwise.

The best way to deal with enemy knights who have already started charging is to charge head-on into them.

Instead of exposing their backs to the enemy.

Otherwise, retreating can easily turn into a rout.

Even if Ju Fu shocks him again, demonstrating extraordinary leadership skills and successfully leading his troops to escape without collapsing.

However, due to timing issues, his forces will be unable to participate in the upcoming crucial showdown.

This will weaken the Han army's slight advantage in the number of cavalry.

Therefore, Cao Hong did not hesitate at all and launched a direct attack on the Han cavalry that dared to turn their backs on him.

Wang Ling followed closely behind.

At this point, the combined Wei cavalry forces, after accounting for some losses, numbered around four thousand.

Even though a two-mile-wide "gap" has been stretched along the south side of the passageway, it still feels a bit crowded.

After all, cavalry warfare does not require, nor can it be, formed dense formations.

The requirements for battlefield space are far greater than those for infantry.

However, Cao Hong didn't care about anything else.

The battlefield situation changes rapidly, making it impossible to demand perfect conditions.

If you seize even the slightest opportunity to win, you should hold on to it tightly.

Such as right now.

After running for about half a mile, the Wei cavalry caught up with the Han cavalry and quickly inflicted casualties.

Many of the slower Han cavalrymen simply ran to the sides to save their lives.

Then their horses were shot or driven away by the Wei cavalry that followed.

They have permanently or temporarily lost the right to fight on the battlefield.

"Raise the flag to signal that Ju Xiaoxing should disengage from the battle and rest and await further orders."

On the platform, Mi Wei issued orders with a blank expression.

It was then quickly implemented.

Only after Zhuge Qiao and others had raised their banners did they speak up to remind others:
"If Ju Xiaoxing does not turn back, our cavalry will be slightly fewer than the Wei army."

“I know.” Mi Wei nodded, offering no further explanation.

Zhuge Qiao was merely fulfilling his duty by offering reminders.

Point to end.

Silence quickly returned to the stage.

Soon, Cao Hong's general's flag appeared directly south of the Han army's command post.

At this time, on the south side of the passageway, apart from the two armies' infantry formations that had completely moved away, there was nothing else.

All that remained were a large number of Wei cavalry units and Xiang Chong's relatively small cavalry force.

As for the remaining three thousand or so Han cavalry who had not yet gone into battle, they all gathered south of the Miwei General's Platform and north of the passageway.

Because of the obstruction of the tunnel construction.

So even though they were not far from the Wei cavalry, they still seemed to be watching from outside the battlefield, observing their allies either being routed or wiped out.

This is something Cao Hong doesn't quite understand.

But that didn't stop him from seeing the dawn of victory.

Now, unless a miracle happens.

Otherwise, even if Guan Yu and Zhang Fei personally took over command, they would not have been able to snatch the victory that was about to be in his grasp.

Then, the Han army sounded the drums to signal the cavalry to attack.

On the battlefield, where ten thousand horses were already galloping like thunder.

This added encouragement seems rather weak.

However, the drumbeats were coming from the direction of the Han army's command post.

In addition, the burly Han general, clad in armor, personally beat the drum.

Therefore, it still attracted considerable attention from both sides' knights.

The Han cavalry were in high spirits and, following the pre-arranged strategy, spurred their horses forward, charging straight at the enemy cavalry south of the passageway.

The Wei cavalrymen, however, displayed a variety of expressions and showed no signs of panic despite the enemy cavalry approaching from the flank.

Cao Hong, who was already in the heat of battle, burst into hearty laughter in the wind.

Since he dared to expose his flank to the enemy's mounted spears, he must have something to rely on.

That was the tunnel fortification that the Han army used to block the Wei cavalry.

His subordinate, Niu Jin, had already thoroughly investigated how dangerous that dry ditch was for horses.

If the Han cavalry wanted to launch a charge, they had to cross the passageway before they could begin to accelerate.

But as his men poured into the "gap" on the south side of the passage, where was there any space left for the Han cavalry to run?
Forcibly crossing the obstacles to enter the battlefield would either result in being hunted down by the high-speed Wei cavalry.

Either we get caught up in a chaotic battle, which defeats the purpose of the attack.

In fact, Cao Hong originally thought that Mi Wei would choose to attack from the areas on both sides of the passage that had already been filled in.

That way, the warhorses could accelerate as needed before reaching the passageway.

If Mi Wei attacks in this manner, Cao Hong will have a more difficult time dealing with it.

But only a little.

Because in this battle, it was his cavalry that was the first to accelerate.

Furthermore, this section of the passageway in the middle still provides the best cover for his flank (to the north).

When he personally led the cavalry to this "gap" on the south side of the passageway.

No matter how the Han cavalry attacked, they were destined to be a step slower.

One step at a time, one step at a time.

The outcome of this war will be decided by this.

Just as Cao Hong was laughing heartily.

The more than three thousand Han cavalrymen had already arrived at the north side of the passageway.

The speed has noticeably slowed down.

But it was only a slight slowdown.

As expected, the warhorse did not lose speed due to falling into the pit and overturning the obstacle.

On the contrary, the Han army only paused slightly before quickly climbing up the ditch as if climbing a slope, then easily leaping down the three-foot-high earthen wall, and continuing their rapid advance on the flat ground.

Their speed hasn't dropped to a point where they can't directly participate in combat!
This scene immediately wiped the smile off Cao Hong's face.

How did Miwei manage to do that?
Did they fill in this dry ditch in advance?
definitely.

How should the question be filled out?
Water is drawn into the canal, and then it freezes when it gets cold?
Cao Hong had indeed considered this point.

He wouldn't be so careless as to forget even the most basic battlefield reconnaissance.

Even before Niu Jin and Wang Ling launched their attacks from both flanks, he had already dispatched scouts to inspect the rivers and canals upstream and downstream.

They learned that the Han army was still blocking the water outlet with earthen ramps and had not reopened the canal.

Otherwise, today's battle might have been fought in a completely different way.

So, if it's not water, then what is it?

Cao Hong suddenly recalled a detail of the intelligence that Niu Jin had sent back from the last battle.

At that time, Niu Jin crossed the three-foot wall on the south side of the passageway and then fell off his horse into the dry ditch.

I saw the other side of the passageway wall, which was built very perfunctorily.

There were only some loose sandbags, wood, and stones.

Those things were far less solid than rammed earth walls and were easily destroyed by infantry.

It can only be used temporarily to stop a cavalry charge.

It is similar in nature to deer antlers and barricades.

Later, Cao Hong's infantry was damaged, but was quickly repaired by the enemy overnight, which further proved this point.

It's easy to disassemble and easy to repair.

So, Miwei used those things to quickly fill in the dry ditch?!

(End of this chapter)