Soon, the attack by the Northern Di cavalry began amidst the mournful sound of horns.
Instead of a well-organized formation, they relied on the mobility of their horses and their individual bravery to split into several groups and launch an attack on the Hedong army's camp from the relatively open northern ravine.
The snow limited the horses' speed, but it also made the sound of their charging hooves sound particularly dull and terrifying.
These Yanshan knights, shouting the battle cries of their respective tribes, brandished their scimitars and spears like a pack of wolves surging across the snowy plains.
"Archers! Fire!" Zhong Meng calmly stood behind the infantry battalion and gave the order.
The archers of the Hedong Army behind the camp and on the cliffs on both sides fired in unison, the arrows flying low like locusts and disappearing into the charging cavalry ranks.
People kept being hit by arrows and falling from their horses, their steeds neighing and collapsing, but the cavalrymen following behind continued to charge forward, trampling over the corpses of their comrades.
"Spearmen! Form ranks!"
A thousand spearmen let out a low roar in unison, gripped their spears, each over ten feet long, with both hands, the tips pointing diagonally forward, forming a forest of spears that gleamed with a cold light.
The heavy infantry on their sides used large shields to provide support for the spearmen.
The first wave of cavalry crashed hard into the spear formation!
"withstand!"
The pikemen roared, and their pike formation withstood the cavalry charge!
The Northern Di cavalry at the forefront, along with their horses, crashed into the spearhead.
Blood and entrails were instantly splattered on the pristine white snow, a horrifying sight.
However, the immense force of the warhorse broke the spear and sent it crashing into the enemy ranks.
The swordsmen and shieldmen beside them quickly filled in, using their flesh and blood and shields to block the cavalry charge.
However, the Northern Di cavalry had a numerical advantage and were fearless in the face of death.
As those in front fell, those behind continued to surge forward, attempting to force a breach open with their corpses and sheer force.
Some cavalrymen attempted to flank the pike formation and charge the infantry lines, but they also encountered fierce resistance.
The battle became intense from the very beginning.
The sounds of clashing swords, roars, screams, and the neighing of warhorses mingled together, echoing throughout Luoying Gorge.
Zhao Muyun calmly observed the battle situation from the central command platform.
Although the pressure from the north is great, Zhong Meng's defenses are tight, so there is no immediate danger.
His gaze was mostly directed to the west.
Li Jin's Fengtian cavalry had advanced to within two miles of the camp and stopped, seemingly waiting for the best opportunity.
This cavalry force was well-equipped and well-organized, a stark contrast to the scattered charges of the Northern Barbarians, and posed a greater threat.
"Any news from Murong Chunhua?" Zhao Muyun asked.
"General Murong reports that he has dispatched a small team to harass the Feng Army's flank and rear, killing some scouts, but Li Jin's main force remains in formation and is heavily guarded," the messenger replied.
Zhao Muyun nodded.
Li Jin was indeed more difficult to deal with than the tribal leaders of the Northern Di.
He was waiting, waiting for the Northern Di army to wear down the Hedong army's strength and arrows, waiting for the Hedong army to show a weakness.
"We can't let him keep watching like this." A cold glint flashed in Zhao Muyun's eyes. "Guo Luo!"
"Your subordinate is here!" Guo Luo could no longer contain himself.
"You will lead the heavy cavalry battalion out of the camp quietly through the reserved southern exit, and circle around to the western flank of the Fengtian Army. Once you see three rockets as a signal, immediately launch a surprise attack on Li Jin's main force!"
"Don't linger in the fight. Strike once and retreat. The goal is to disrupt his formation and prevent him from calmly observing the battle!"
"Understood!" Guo Luo excitedly accepted the order and left.
"Shenji Battalion, main passage to the north, prepare two sets of thunderbolts, ready to be deployed at my command!"
After making the arrangements, Zhao Muyun continued to observe the battle situation in the north.
Although the infantry battalion was brave, it had begun to suffer heavy casualties in the face of the continuous cavalry charges.
The Northern Di army's offensive waves came one after another, seemingly endless.
"It's time."
Zhao Muyun estimated the time and said to the flag officer beside him, "Send the signal to have the northern garrison gradually retreat, abandon the first trench, and lure the enemy deeper!"
With the order given, the Hedong Army in the north began to systematically retreat and consolidate its defensive lines.
Seeing this, the Northern Di army assumed that the defenders were exhausted and launched an even fiercer attack, howling as they charged across the abandoned first trench and got closer to the core area of the camp.
"Shenyi Battalion! Fire!"
Just as most of the Northern Di army poured into the relatively narrow passage area, Zhao Muyun decisively gave the order!
The Shenji Battalion, which was already prepared, hurled the ignited thunderbolts with all their might!
Thousands of thunderbolts rained down like a storm.
"BOOM BOOM BOOM—!!!"
Explosions a hundred times more terrifying than arrows rang out one after another in the densest part of the Northern Di army!
Flames soared into the sky, and snow mixed with mud and severed limbs flew everywhere!
A terrifying shockwave and metal fragments swept across the area, instantly clearing out a large section!
The tribal cavalry, who had never experienced such a terrifying firearm attack, were stunned. Their charge stalled, the ranks fell into chaos, and panic began to spread.
"Infantry battalion! Counterattack!" Zhong Meng seized the opportunity and led his infantry in a counter-charge!
Meanwhile, to the west!
"Whoosh—Bang! Whoosh—Bang! Whoosh—Bang!"
Three rockets, trailing red flames, shot into the night sky!
The Guo Luo heavy cavalry battalion, which had been concealed and waiting in the snow, suddenly crashed into the Fengtian army cavalry ranks that were on high alert, like a steel behemoth awakening in the darkness.
"Brothers of the Fengtian Army! Commander Zhao has ordered that only the ringleader Li Jin be executed, and his accomplices will be spared! Those who lay down their weapons will be spared!"
During the charge, Guo Luo mustered all his strength, and his voice shook the surrounding area.
Li Jin was shocked. He never expected that while the Hedong army was dealing with the fierce attack from the Northern Di, they would also dare to send troops to launch a proactive attack on him.
Moreover, it was a sudden heavy cavalry attack from the flank!
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