Chapter 964: Liuzhou Cavalry

Under normal circumstances, it would be a fool's errand for a numerically inferior cavalry force to attempt to punch through three well-spaced and tightly connected defensive lines in one go, especially when two of those lines are also large-scale cavalry forces.

If, in addition, nearly 20,000 elite cavalry were hot on their heels, their situation could be accurately described as a "death trap."

It was under these extremely perilous circumstances that the Dragon Elephant Army, galloping south, began to change formation. The vanguard cavalry, most of whose spears and lances were already ruined, slightly tightened their lines. With Li Mofan leading the charge, everyone drew their sabers, forming a wedge formation, clearly aiming to quickly break through the 38,000 cavalry of the Yi-zi Longguan Noble Faction. Simultaneously, roughly in the middle of the Dragon Elephant Army's formation, a distinct line was stretched out. Over 10,000 young, strong cavalry, who had slowed their horses, gathered at the rear. Almost all of them still had their spears and lances, forming sharp lines with rows of spears pointing forward, adopting the standard posture for a cavalry charge.

The former formation was primarily used to tear apart the enemy formation and simultaneously impede the Northern Steppe cavalry's speed as much as possible. The latter charge, however, was a more desperate, life-or-death confrontation.

Huang Songpu's cavalry, positioned just far enough to support the Dragon Elephant Army's rear and personally led by the Northern Steppe Grand General, did not charge headlong. Instead, as the Dragon Elephant Army changed formation, their own formation subtly shifted, becoming thin in the middle and thick on the flanks. Firstly, they had suffered the greatest casualties, and having previously detoured to the north of the main camp to cut off the Dragon Elephant Army's northern retreat, both riders and horses were somewhat fatigued. After their initial surge, they needed to use this opportunity to regroup and gather strength. Secondly, to coordinate a pincer attack from north and south with the elite cavalry of the Southern Dynasty's Yi-zi Noble Faction, they knew that if they charged too quickly and encountered their allies who had already passed through the Dragon Elephant Army's formation, it would create an awkward situation of friendly fire and easily lead to mutual hindrance. Therefore, Huang Songpu's cavalry, like a flood meeting a mid-river pillar, deliberately yielded a large area directly to the north to allow allied forces to turn their horses around. At that point, the two naturally converging cavalry forces would instantly form an excellent formation, thick in both the center and on the flanks. Coupled with the abatis formation to the south, formed by infantry deployed from the camp, this would undoubtedly inflict considerable damage on the repeatedly blunted Dragon Elephant Army.

However, the Beiliang Liuzhou border army had originally shown signs of total annihilation. After Kou Jianghuai's cavalry and Wanyan Yinjiang's 20,000 cavalry engaged in mutual penetration, the situation rapidly deteriorated!

The 20,000 formidable elite border troops of the Southern Dynasty had believed it would be an easy victory, allowing them to effortlessly claim military honors. Unexpectedly, after the clash, their defeat was complete and overwhelming!

Kou Jianghuai and a young martial general in strange red armor rode side-by-side, unstoppable!

Such was the case for the two riders, and even more so for the 10,000 cavalry behind them!

Had it not been for Zhong Liang, hidden beside Wanyan Yinjiang, intervening to save him, Wanyan Yinjiang would likely have been impaled through the chest by a spear from the young man in the talismans-general red armor!

Had that young man, who earned the title "Enemy of Ten Thousand" in the Liang-Mang War, not been disinclined to prolong the fight, it would have been exceedingly difficult for even Zhong Liang to protect the second-in-command of the leading noble faction of Longguan.

But Zhong Liang, in the midst of the battle, also felt terrified.

How could the combat power of these 10,000 cavalry be that of the lowest-ranked Beiliang cavalry?!

They were more like the undisputed main force of the Dragon Elephant Army, no less!

Wanyan Yinjiang's 20,000 elite cavalry were like a piece of silk torn by a sharp weapon. Their casualties were immense; after passing each other, over 3,000 cavalry lay dead.

Such heavy damage was simply inconceivable.

A single move had far-reaching consequences.

The inexplicably vulnerable elite cavalry of Wanyan Yinjiang's unit directly caused morale to rot within the Northern Steppe's western infantry defense line, because as soon as the Dragon Elephant Army successfully moved south from the north, it would create a pincer attack by two cavalry forces from north and south against a single infantry force.

For that large square formation, where only the lowest-ranked men on the steppe would become infantry, this was fatal enough.

In an instant, the situation reversed, and victory changed hands!

The nearly 40,000 cavalry assembled from several Yi-zi Noble Factions of Longguan, although still stubbornly intercepting the southbound Dragon Elephant Army, were naturally willing but powerless when facing a Beiliang cavalry force that still numbered over 25,000.

Li Mofan's iron spear, having slain no fewer than thirty enemy cavalry, had long since snapped. The forty-odd short halberds in the quivers on either side of his saddle were also exhausted. Within the Northern Steppe's baggage camp, over forty corpses, without exception, had a short halberd embedded in their heads!

When Li Mofan, as the tip of the cavalry wedge, was the first to successfully break through the enemy formation, his armor was covered in blood.

Behind this Dragon Elephant Army Deputy General, there seemed to be over 25,000 Dragon Elephant cavalry. In fact, there were accurately fewer than 15,000, because they included 10,000 of Kou Jianghuai's troops, whose combat power was far inferior to that of the Dragon Elephant cavalry!

Those 10,000 young, strong cavalry, exuding outstanding physical strength and having conserved their energy from beginning to end, left behind fallen Northern Steppe cavalry wherever their long lances passed.

Kou Jianghuai's tactic of "stealing beams and changing pillars" was precisely the true key to this battle, which had felt absurd to the Northern Steppe cavalry from beginning to end.

In fact, these 10,000 men had consistently followed behind the two wings of Dragon Elephant light cavalry on the left flank, from breaking through the formation, to entering the camp, and now heading south. Their casualties were almost negligible.

In the early stages of the battle, the Dragon Elephant Army on both flanks broke through the formation too easily, and thus their true identity was not discerned by the Northern Steppe.

Consequently, on the current battlefield, the Northern Steppe army found itself in an incredibly awkward and ludicrous position.

Wanyan Yinjiang's cavalry unit, at the southernmost point, was utterly devastated, losing all spirit and morale. From their commander Wanyan Yinjiang down to the ordinary cavalrymen, everyone was in disarray and panic-stricken.

Next was the infantry square formation, whose formation had not yet fully consolidated. The elite infantry of the Northern Steppe's Southern Dynasty border army, over 20,000 strong, had already been dispatched to raid Fengxiang and Linyao towns. This hastily formed infantry force, deployed from the camp, mostly wore only light leather armor. After all, they were not the heavy armored infantry from the history of the Central Plains, specifically designed to counter steppe cavalry. Furthermore, the original purpose of this infantry unit was to attack Qingcang City in Liuzhou; how could they possibly be used to resist a direct charge from Beiliang cavalry? For such infantry-cavalry combat, the Northern Steppe infantry appeared exceptionally clumsy and inexperienced, both in equipment and training. Fighting dismounted as infantry was inherently a weakness for men of the Northern Steppe. They were naturally unfamiliar with using the cumbersome infantry bows and heavy crossbows. To suddenly expect them to stand still and face the charge of Beiliang iron cavalry, the extreme discomfort they felt was imaginable.

Further north was the Yi-zi Noble Faction cavalry unit that had already bypassed the Dragon Elephant Army. At the very north was Huang Songpu's elite iron cavalry, who had yielded the central area.

The complete defensive line that should have been united and interconnected was shattered.

The Northern Steppe still held a numerical advantage, but the morale of the Liang and Mang sides was vastly different!

Li Mofan looked out at Kou Jianghuai's cavalry unit, separated by a Northern Steppe infantry square formation. That was the true main force of the Dragon Elephant Army.

The martial general tugged at the corner of his mouth, raised his Liang saber, and gave it a gentle spin.

The over 10,000 Dragon Elephant light cavalry behind him completely ignored the large infantry formation, curved around its edge, and easily continued south.

After Li Mofan heard a voice, he suddenly turned his head in astonishment.

Among the cavalry behind him, composed of the remaining 8,000 young, strong refugees after the frontal clash, one rider actually charged directly into the Northern Steppe infantry square formation, his long spear thrust forward, and he roared: "Liuzhou Iron Cavalry! If they die, I die!"

Li Mofan, his face impassive, slowed his horse and kept his gaze fixed to the north.

Had that fellow gone mad?

The ending of today's battle was entirely due to Kou Jianghuai's meticulous planning. Up until this point, everything had been within Kou Jianghuai's calculations. But the Liuzhou General had never intended for the young, strong refugees to willingly charge to their deaths!

One must know that such a bold act of making one's own decisions and "drawing legs on a snake" would not only nullify any military merits after the war, but according to Beiliang military law, at best it would lead to a demotion, and at worst, public execution!

In Li Mofan's sight, he saw that rider, just as he was about to collide with the Northern Steppe infantry's abatis spears, abruptly pull hard on the reins, and the top-grade warhorse from Xianli Pasture suddenly leaped high into the air!

Vaulting over the first two rows of forward-sloping abatis spears, he plunged in, man and horse together!

The warhorse's heavy iron hooves, falling to the ground, instantly trampled a Northern Steppe infantryman to death.

The overwhelmed warhorse's knees snapped. The Liuzhou cavalryman's iron spear thrust forward ferociously, and incredibly, pierced through the chests of three infantrymen one after another with a single thrust!

The Liuzhou cavalryman, landing on his feet with both hands gripping his spear, charged forward wildly.

Behind him, that line of cavalry faced the glittering Northern Steppe abatis formation directly ahead. Neither men nor horses showed the slightest hesitation; they charged straight in!

One by one, those Beiliang warhorses were impaled by sharp long spears.

For cavalry facing a well-prepared infantry square formation and wanting to break through it head-on, the vanguard cavalry in the front ranks were bound to die. This was a foregone conclusion. Only by doing so could the infantry formation be slowly broken.

There was no shortcut other than sacrificing the lives of riders and warhorses.

8,000 Liuzhou cavalry charged the formation!

In the end, not a single one followed the Dragon Elephant Army in circling around to the south.

In the first row of the Northern Steppe infantry's abatis formation, many long spears held the impaled bodies of both Liuzhou men and horses!

Some spears even held two bodies.

Under this continuous onslaught, the infantry formation was forced to retreat.

The immense inertia from the cavalry charge snapped many of the abatis spears. Even though many Liuzhou cavalrymen were shot dead by infantry bows and heavy crossbows at the front of the formation, many warhorses, propelled by inertia, still brutally slammed into the formation, and Northern Steppe infantrymen began to be directly crushed to death within the formation.

This Northern Steppe infantry square formation had never before witnessed such a reckless cavalry charge, heedless of casualties.

The previously dense and stable large formation finally neared collapse.

If this infantry formation were of the type found in the Central Plains—heavy armored infantry inherently designed to counter steppe cavalry, a heavy infantry formation with armor and tactics that had reached the pinnacle of perfection—then, with layered formations, abatis spears and multiple rows of standing shields would create overlapping defensive depth, supplemented by alternating volleys of bows and crossbows. In such a case, even if this Liuzhou cavalry disrupted the front lines with their fearless charge, the continuously falling warhorse corpses alone would be enough to form a new natural defensive line. Simultaneously, the entire large formation would orderly retreat dozens of steps, also willing to sacrifice lives to buy more time for group charges and strategic territory. Even if the large formation could not re-establish its initial solidity in a short time, its sustained killing power against subsequent cavalry charges would still be astonishing.

Unfortunately, this was not the Battle of Miyun Pass, nor was the Northern Steppe infantry commander Xie Xichui, who had mastered abatis tactics to a supernatural degree.

At this time and place, after the front abatis spear formation was shattered beyond repair, and with the Liuzhou cavalryman who first crashed into the formation desperately sowing chaos, the Northern Steppe archer-crossbowmen infantry behind were utterly bewildered. They had no idea how to respond.

Even more deadly consequences were unfolding outside this bloody battlefield.

Li Mofan's Dragon Elephant cavalry did not turn back to help the Liuzhou cavalry. Instead, they continued straight south, charging towards Wanyan Yinjiang's cavalry unit, which was attempting to support the infantry formation.

Meanwhile, the main force of the Dragon Elephant cavalry, personally led by Kou Jianghuai and Xu Longxiang, galloped north without hesitation, charging towards the rear of the infantry formation.

Li Mofan no longer turned to look at the battlefield piled with corpses.

He was not unfamiliar with that young Liuzhou cavalry general, named Qifu Longguan. He seemed to be a fortunate individual personally brought by the young Prince from Northern Steppe to Beiliang. He had initially served as a corporal in the Dragon Elephant Army. Later, he went to Fuling Military Town and was promoted to Captain. In the Battle of Yazhipo during the first Liang-Mang war, it was precisely this Captain who disrupted the meticulous plans of both the Liang and Mang sides, who had intended to lure the enemy deep in and then annihilate them. This left Beiliang Protector-General Chu Lushan and the then Southern Court Great King Dong Zhuo utterly bewildered and amused afterwards. Thus, the young man suddenly became famous beyond Liangzhou Pass. After the war, because the Dragon Elephant Army suffered heavy casualties on the Liuzhou battlefield, and Kou Jianghuai, as the nominal Liuzhou General, also needed his own direct forces, Qifu Longguan was transferred from Fuling Military Town to Liuzhou, becoming one of Kou Jianghuai's three cavalry colonels.

Li Mofan couldn't help but think, this young man was indeed a troublemaker.

He even considered that if this fellow managed to survive by some fluke, he would likely be unable to serve as an official. Otherwise, he would shamelessly plead with the young Prince on his behalf to at least save the fellow's life, and then quietly put him under his command as a commander of his personal guard?

With the swift reinforcement of the main Dragon Elephant Army force, the already faltering Northern Steppe infantry formation, which had originally numbered nearly 20,000, was reduced to less than one-tenth of its original strength!

This is what happens once an infantry formation is broken by cavalry.

However, only 3,000 of the 8,000 Liuzhou cavalry remained.

That young cavalry general, Qifu Longguan, his body covered in mud, was bent down and picked up from a pile of corpses by the god of slaughter, Xu Longxiang. The two rode south together on a single horse.

The heavily wounded 3,000 Liuzhou cavalry retreated under the cover of the main Dragon Elephant cavalry force personally directed by Kou Jianghuai.

Wanyan Yinjiang's cavalry, under the fierce assault of Li Mofan's Dragon Elephant Army, had their formation utterly shattered and dispersed. Ultimately, they failed to form a pincer movement with Huang Songpu's main army from the north.

They could only watch helplessly as this Liuzhou border army broke through and escaped.

On their way back south, after the White Horse skirmishers reported that the Northern Steppe main force had no intention of pursuing, this Liuzhou army halted their horses for a temporary rest.

Xu Longxiang, Kou Jianghuai, and Li Mofan met up. They stood together, each feeding their respective warhorses.

Li Mofan glanced at the group of young, strong refugee cavalry gathered in the distance. After retracting his gaze, he looked at the solemn Kou Jianghuai. "This campaign, would you call it a great victory? The Northern Steppe barbarians' supply camp we targeted has been wiped out. As for the cavalry exchange, it was roughly one for two, which is acceptable. And finally, we also completely routed old Huang's siege infantry. By any calculation, this was a profitable endeavor."

Kou Jianghuai nodded impassively.

Li Mofan sighed. "You previously admitted that in this campaign, the Dragon Elephant Army would die first, followed by the refugee cavalry. Besides hindering Huang Songpu's southward advance, it would also serve as training for the troops, killing two birds with one stone. This was to prevent those Liuzhou greenhorns from holding back the Dragon Elephant Army in the final phase of the battle. But that fellow's antics did lead to their deaths, though too many of them died. In the end, we lost a full 7,000 cavalry. Kou Jianghuai, what will you do now? With so few troops, will you be able to manage?"

Xu Longxiang suddenly said, "Allocate 7,000 Dragon Elephant cavalry to General Kou."

Kou Jianghuai waved his hand, saying, "No need."

Xu Longxiang said gravely, "Once the 7,000 cavalry are transferred to you, you don't have to return them."

Kou Jianghuai smiled and uttered a puzzling remark. "If this were Guanglingdao, let alone transferring 7,000 men to me, I'd take 70,000 and never give them back. But here, forget it."

Xu Longxiang couldn't understand, and simply stopped trying to.

Li Mofan gave a knowing smile.

The Liuzhou General squinted his eyes. "I, Kou Jianghuai, have those 3,000 cavalry from refugee origins; that's enough."

Li Mofan asked, "What about that fellow? I reckon if we report the facts to the Protectorate General's Office, he's in deep trouble!"

Kou Jianghuai said calmly, "The truth cannot be concealed. If we truly want Qifu Longguan to live, we can only report the facts as they are."

Xu Longxiang hesitated. "Should I tell my brother?"

Kou Jianghuai waved his hand, saying, "It's meaningless."

Xu Longxiang fell silent.

Among the 3,000 Liuzhou cavalry, there was a young martial general sitting alone beside a warhorse's hooves, his head bowed, not daring to let anyone see his tear-streaked face.

8,000 Liuzhou cavalry; 8,000 willing to die.

Because of him, 5,000 comrades died in battle!

After the Liuzhou border army returned to their station, the atmosphere in all the tents was solemn.

Two urgent military dispatches, traveling at 800 li a day, arrived one after another in Qingcang City, Liuzhou, from the Huaiyang Pass Protectorate General's Office and General Fan Chu of Jubei City.

Kou Jianghuai, holding the two military dispatches, each stamped with "Beiliang Protector-General" and "King of Beiliang," arrived at the station of the 3,000 Liuzhou cavalry. On the parade ground, Kou Jianghuai strode onto the high platform. He announced loudly, "Qifu Longguan, Captain of the Liuzhou Cavalry, step forward!"

The young martial general stepped forward and stood at attention, his face calm.

Just like on the battlefield, he faced death with equanimity.

Kou Jianghuai impassively unfolded one military dispatch and slowly read aloud: "Qifu Longguan, Colonel of Liuzhou, for greedily seeking merit and rashly advancing, causing the deaths of 5,000 Liuzhou cavalry, is to be immediately executed! Beiliang Protector-General, Chu Lushan!"

All 3,000 Liuzhou cavalrymen showed expressions of unbearable sadness, their faces filled with grief and indignation.

Kou Jianghuai remained motionless, his gaze cold, as he overlooked the entire parade ground.

The young martial general, sentenced to immediate execution, however, seemed relieved. With red eyes, he bowed and clasped his hands, saying, "Qifu Longguan accepts the order!"

Kou Jianghuai's lips twitched, then he suddenly asked with a smile: "The Beiliang Protector-General, in our Beiliang, isn't that a big enough official position? It's greater than the commander of cavalry and the commander of infantry. The two Vice-Governors of Beiliang are far inferior, aren't they?"

All the cavalrymen of refugee origin on the parade ground were confused, especially Qifu Longguan.

Kou Jianghuai stepped forward and began to read the second military dispatch from Jubei City: "My Xu family's cavalry, since its early days, even if a camp lacked armor, lacked sabers, lacked horses, was still iron cavalry!"

Reading to this point, Kou Jianghuai paused briefly. "Now, Liuzhou also has iron cavalry forming a camp! I permit them to fight under the camp's banner!"

Kou Jianghuai clutched the military dispatch, took another step forward. After exhaling heavily, he said in a deep voice: "A new camp of Liuzhou cavalry has been established: the 'Direct Charge' Camp, Qifu Longguan. He is demoted from Captain of the Liuzhou Cavalry to Corporal of the Direct Charge Camp!"

"As a corporal, he is to command this camp! King of Beiliang, Xu Fengnian!"

Kou Jianghuai looked at the young martial general and roared: "Qifu Longguan! Accept the order!"

Qifu Longguan straightened his back, his voice slightly trembling. He cried out with all his might: "Qifu Longguan! How dare I not accept?!"

According to Beiliang military law, Beiliang Iron Cavalry, as long as they wore their armor, never had to kneel, even when encountering a Grand General!

Kou Jianghuai put away the two military dispatches. He inexplicably recalled the young martial general's unintended remark during that battle.

The Liuzhou General gritted his teeth and said, word by word: "Liuzhou Iron Cavalry! If they die, die with me!"

On the parade ground, 3,000 voices shouted, "Willing to die!"