bookrandom Chapter 2095: Capture the general alive!
Chapter 2095: Capture the general alive!
Ma Chao has arrived; we can't continue fighting!
Now is no longer the time to consider whether or not we can annihilate Ma Dai's forces, but rather how to preserve our strength as much as possible and escape this battlefield that is about to become a trap!
However, Ma Chao's advance was far too swift!
Just as the Tang army hastily adjusted its formation, the cavalry began to retreat in panic, and the infantry attempted to reform their ranks to block them—
"Boom--!"
The thunderous sound of horses' hooves, like the collapse of the heavens and the splitting of the earth, was already approaching!
Ma Chao took the lead, leading his well-rested and menacing cavalry of over ten thousand men like a destructive torrent pouring down from the heavens.
With an overwhelming force, it crashed into the Tang army's formation, which was attempting to turn and retreat, from the side and rear!
They rushed straight towards the conspicuous banner that represented Li Jing!
Smoke billowed, and the glint of blades was like snow!
Ma Chao's signature, domineering, and exhilarating laughter, like the roar of a tiger and the cry of a dragon, instantly drowned out all other sounds on the battlefield, clearly resounding throughout the surrounding area.
"Li Jing! You old fox! I've finally caught you!"
"Soldiers! Follow me and charge—capture Li Jing alive!"
Ma Chao's roar of "Capture Li Jing alive!" sounded the clarion call for the general offensive and ignited the long-suppressed anger and fighting spirit in the hearts of all the Chu soldiers!
His army of over ten thousand cavalry, having rested and recuperated and driven by a thirst for revenge, was like a mountain torrent that had been suppressed to the extreme and finally erupted.
With unstoppable force, it crashed into the Tang army, which was hastily turning and in disarray!
Leading the charge were the elite "Shuofeng Battalion" cavalry of Ma Chao's main force.
They were fully armored, armed with long-handled lances, and formed a tight wedge formation, with Ma Chao himself being the sharpest arrowhead.
Their goal was crystal clear—the "Li" banner that was still trying to keep moving amidst the chaos of battle!
"Yuchi Bo! Stop them!"
Amidst the chaos of the army, Li Jing shouted loudly, while he himself, under the desperate protection of his personal guards, accelerated his escape towards the northeast.
He knew that only Yuchi Bo's cavalry could temporarily delay Ma Chao's thunderous attack.
"Follow me! Hold off that Chu dog!"
Yuchi Bo's eyes were bloodshot with rage; he knew all too well that covering the rear at this moment was crucial to the safety of the entire army.
He didn't have time to organize all the cavalry, so he could only lead his core force of about two thousand riders, turn their horses around, and launch a tragic counter-charge in the direction of Ma Chao's charge!
He had to buy even a moment's time for Marshal Li Jing and his infantry to retreat!
Two cavalry units, one with overwhelming momentum, carrying the prestige of a great victory and the strength of a new generation.
Exhausted yet determined to cover the retreat in a desperate situation, two forces collided violently on this desolate wilderness that had just witnessed a brutal massacre!
"boom--!!!"
This collision was more intense and brutal than Ma Dai's previous defensive maneuvers!
Steel and flesh fused and shattered in an instant!
Ma Chao's Shuofeng Camp heavy cavalry, like a red-hot iron hammer, slammed heavily onto Yuchi Bo's hastily assembled cavalry ranks!
The long spear thrust easily pierced through the relatively thin leather or chainmail armor of the Tang cavalry, piercing them and their horses!
The heavy warhorses, with their immense inertia, smashed and trampled the Tang soldiers and horses blocking their way!
The cavalry of the Shuofeng Camp didn't even need to swing their swords much; they simply held their long spears level and, relying on their formation and momentum, they managed to carve a bloody gap in the Tang army's ranks!
Yuchi Bo roared, brandishing his spear and forcefully parrying several lances aimed at him. With a backhand thrust, he knocked a Shuofeng Camp cavalryman off his horse.
His personal guards were also fierce and brave, fighting desperately forward and engaging in fierce combat with the Chu army's heavy cavalry.
Blades flashed and spears flew as people screamed and fell from their horses, only to be trampled into a bloody pulp by countless iron hooves.
However, individual bravery appears so insignificant in the face of such a large-scale group charge.
Yuchi Bo's cavalry had already been exhausted from a long battle with Ma Dai's troops, and their formation was loose.
At this moment, they were caught off guard and were far inferior to Ma Chao's fresh troops in terms of impact, formation tightness, and the physical strength and morale of their soldiers.
Following the Shuofeng Camp, even more Chu light cavalry swept in from both sides like a tide.
Instead of engaging the Tang cavalry in direct combat, they used their speed advantage to outflank and harass Yuchi Bo's troops from the flanks and rear with arrows.
At the same time, a large number of troops were dispatched to cut into the gap between Yuchi Bo's cavalry and the retreating Tang infantry, attempting to completely divide the Tang army!
"Don't panic! Move closer to me! Block them!"
Yuchi Bo shouted hoarsely, trying to rally his troops, but the Chu army's offensive was like a storm, giving the Tang army no chance to catch their breath or regroup.
He witnessed several of his fierce generals being pierced by multiple long spears simultaneously under the concentrated attack of the Chu army's heavy cavalry, dying on the spot.
His defensive line was quickly shattered by the frontal onslaught of Ma Chao's main force and the flank cuts by Chu's light cavalry.
Ma Dai, leading his remaining troops, like a wounded tiger, unleashed his last strength from the inner circle, launching a desperate counterattack against the Tang infantry and some cavalry who were besieging them.
Under the combined attack from both inside and outside, the Tang army's infantry square formation, which was originally responsible for covering the rear, also began to falter.
The situation on the battlefield underwent a dramatic reversal in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn!
Wherever the Chu army's iron cavalry passed, the Tang army suffered heavy casualties and was routed.
Yuchi Bo had fewer and fewer cavalrymen by his side. They were divided and surrounded by the Chu army cavalry, and were trapped in a desperate situation where they had to fight their own battles.
Seeing that the situation was hopeless, many Tang cavalrymen disregarded military orders and began to spontaneously flee in the direction Li Jing was retreating, thus disrupting the rearguard formation of their own infantry.
"Hold on! Don't retreat!"
Yuchi Bo charged left and right, sustaining several more wounds, but he continued to fight fiercely, trying to stabilize the situation.
However, the defeat was swift and decisive; individual bravery and willpower were no longer enough to reverse the overall decline.
Amidst the chaos of battle, Ma Chao spotted Yuchi Bo, who was struggling to hold on. He sneered and pointed his long sword:
"Surround them! Capture this Tang general first!"
Immediately, dozens of fierce Chu soldiers rushed towards Yuchi Bo.
Yuchi Bo fought bravely and killed several people, but his horse was stabbed and he fell to the ground.
Before he could even get up, several spears were already pressed against his throat and chest, and more Chu soldiers swarmed forward, pinning him down.
With Yuchi Bo captured, the last organized resistance of the Tang cavalry collapsed.
The entire rearguard of the Tang army, whether cavalry or infantry, completely collapsed.
The soldiers abandoned their armor and fled in all directions, wishing they had two more legs.
The Chu cavalry were like tigers among sheep, galloping freely and indiscriminately killing and capturing fleeing soldiers.