The Prodigal Son

The wind whipped up dust as the warhorses galloped past, and the thunderous sound of their hooves crushed the last panicked roars of the Yan army.

Yuan Dingguo took the lead, his iron spear hanging obliquely.

Behind him, tens of thousands of Ning cavalrymen formed a fierce charging formation, rushing towards the still chaotic Yan army ranks like arrows released from a bow.

"Loose the arrows! Loose the arrows now!"

"Spearmen, advance! Quickly!"

Sima Jin was covered in sweat, still shouting hoarsely.

But when he gave his order, all he received in response were scattered arrows.

The Yan soldiers are still in disarray, and his orders cannot be effectively conveyed.

Even if the message is delivered, few soldiers will strictly follow military orders.

The morale of the troops has collapsed!

The defeat is inevitable!

Filled with grief and indignation, Sima Jin snatched the broadsword from his personal guard and roared murderously, "All troops, listen to my command! Follow the general's banner and charge with me!"

Since things are already in chaos, let's just fight randomly!

Now, only by taking the lead himself can he stabilize the morale of the troops.

In a short while, Ning's iron cavalry had already rushed to the front of the battle.

Yuan Dingguo's gaze sharpened, and he pointed his spear forward sharply, shouting, "Charge through the enemy lines! Divide and annihilate them!"

Before he finished speaking, he spurred his horse's flanks with both legs, and the warhorse neighed loudly before leaping into the chaotic ranks of the Yan army.

He swept his iron spear out, instantly knocking down several panicked Yan soldiers in front of him.

Amidst the flying blood and flesh, the front-line soldiers of the Yan army screamed and fell to the ground, instantly tearing a huge gap in their already loose formation.

The Ning army cavalry followed closely behind and surged in, their lances gleaming with a deadly cold light.

The exhausted Yan soldiers were already demoralized and unable to mount an effective counterattack in the face of such a thunderous offensive. Everyone was just fighting back on instinct.

Some people hastily parried, but due to weakness in their limbs, their weapons were instantly knocked away, and their bodies were directly pierced by the lance.

Even more so, when faced with oncoming cavalry, they instinctively pulled the people next to them to shield themselves.

The entire army was in disarray, not at all like well-trained soldiers.

"Charge! Charge with me!"

Sima Jin continued to lead his troops forward, shouting as he charged.

"Those who retreat will die!"

Sima Jin then personally beheaded two soldiers who had abandoned their weapons and fled. "Hold on, hold on! Prince Su's reinforcements will arrive soon!"

Sima Jin kept shouting as he charged forward, trying to quell the morale of his troops.

Sima Jin's roar did have some effect.

Seeing Sima Jin charge forward at the forefront, some soldiers instinctively followed suit.

There was no reason; it was just an instinct to follow the flag fluttering in the wind and rush forward.

Yuan Dingguo, amidst the charge, also saw the banner rushing straight towards them, and his fighting spirit surged instantly.

"Charge! Take down the enemy general!"

Yuan Dingguo roared and immediately led his troops to change direction, heading straight for that flag.

We cannot give the enemy a chance to rebuild their morale!

"kill!"

The cavalry behind them roared excitedly in unison.

Sima Jin continued to lead his soldiers forward, and more and more soldiers joined the charge.

In the end, only a few soldiers followed the charge, while most of the soldiers were in disarray.

Soon, Yuan Dingguo led his troops all the way to Sima Jin.

Sima Jin was filled with murderous intent. He swung his broadsword, cut down a Ning army cavalryman, and headed straight for Yuan Dingguo.

Good timing!

Yuan Dingguo roared inwardly and immediately thrust his spear forward.

"clang!"

Their weapons clashed heavily, and both were thrown backward by the force of the other's blow.

After a brief moment of surprise, the two resumed their fierce battle.

Around them, Ning's cavalry also engaged in fierce fighting with the Yan army behind Sima Jin.

Sima Jin's Imperial Guard Battalion were also elite troops, and even though they knew they were at a disadvantage, they still launched an attack without fear of death.

But soon, they were scattered by the Ning army cavalry, and Sima Jin and his personal guards were also scattered.

Meanwhile, more Ning cavalry had already advanced behind Sima Jin and his men.

The Yan soldiers fought independently and without any order, and were divided into dozens of small, scattered groups by the Ning army cavalry, who then surrounded and slaughtered them one by one.

Across the wilderness, the sounds of fighting, screams, and the mournful neighing of warhorses mingled together...

……

Ten miles northwest of Xiaxing City, Yan Wujiu led the Flying Tiger Cavalry to surround and intercept Dong Heshang's troops.

Prior to this, he had already received a message from Akagi-san.

The Ning army was not escorting grain or fodder at all!

No, it's grass but no grain!

Those sacks were filled with grass mixed with mud!

As soon as they charged forward, the Ning army cavalry escorting the grain immediately started their wagons and fled, turning to join the Ning army they were pursuing. On the way, they were intercepted and killed by Hu Damou's troops, and both sides suffered casualties.

Although Yan Wujiu achieved his goal in a bizarre way, being repeatedly tricked by Ning Jun still filled him with rage.

Now, both Chi Mu Ge and Hu Da Mao have joined the battle to contain this Ning army.

He has only one thought in mind right now!

Even if we can't annihilate this Ning army, we must inflict heavy damage on them!

Consider it revenge for Zongbi!

"Your Highness! Your Highness..."

During the pursuit, a messenger from the Yan army came running at breakneck speed.

Seeing the panicked messenger, Yan Wujiu felt a bad premonition.

Upon reaching Yan Wujiu, the messenger quickly dismounted, knelt on one knee, and wailed, "Your Highness, my troops have been ambushed by Ning army cavalry! General Sima has sent me to request your aid..."

Yan Wujiu's blood pressure spiked, and he roared, "Where did these cavalry come from?"

Upon hearing the messenger's words, Yan Wujiu's breathing suddenly became rapid.

They're back!

That damned cavalry has actually returned?

Deceiving too much!

Yan Wujiu was utterly enraged, roaring murderously at Cheng Lin, "Chase after them! I will make the Ning people pay for their crimes in blood!"

Cheng Lin's heart skipped a beat, and he frowned as he asked, "Your Highness, aren't we going back to provide reinforcements?"

"What do you mean by 'return to support'?"

Yan Wujiu roared, "It's pointless to go back now! We'll just be letting this Ning army, which we're about to corner, escape!"

They were at least thirty miles away from Sima Jin's troops!

If they return to reinforce the area, the Ning army will inevitably retreat!

Rather than ending up with nothing, it's better to vent all your anger on this Ning army.

"Your Highness, let's go back and provide reinforcements!"

Cheng Lin looked at Yan Wujiu with a pleading expression: "General Sima's troops have been marching at breakneck speed, and the soldiers are already exhausted! If we don't go back to reinforce them, those 30,000-plus men will all die..."

Their return to reinforce will at least make the Ning army somewhat hesitant.

If they don't send reinforcements, the fate of those 30,000-plus troops will basically be total annihilation.

"No reinforcements!"

Yan Wujiu suddenly drew his sword, his face frosty as he glared at Cheng Lin: "If you dare utter another word, I'll be the first to cut you down!"

"Even if Your Highness executes me, I will still speak out!"

Cheng Lin suddenly raised his head, exposing his neck, his face filled with sorrow. "Having Brother Chi Mu and General Hu leading their troops to intercept that Ning army is enough!"

"Even if we block their advance and completely shut down this Ning army, they might still break through!"

"But General Sima has over 30,000 troops!"

"If Your Highness stands by and watches us die, our morale will collapse..."