Although the border defenses of the Mu Kingdom were on the verge of collapse under the fierce attack of the Rong Kingdom's vanguard, the soldiers of the Mu Kingdom did not lose their fighting spirit. They showed a tenacious and indomitable spirit of resistance in the face of adversity.
On that battlefield, filled with smoke and littered with corpses, stood a young general from the Mu Kingdom named Lin Yu. His posture was upright, and although his armor was stained with blood and his face was covered in dust and sweat, his eyes remained resolute and bright, radiating a determination to die for his cause. Looking at the fleeing soldiers, Lin Yu felt a surge of grief and indignation. He drew his sword from his waist, raised it high, and shouted, "Warriors of Mu Kingdom, have you forgotten your oaths? Have you forgotten your homes and loved ones? Today we face a powerful enemy, but only by fighting to the death can we have a glimmer of hope!"
His voice resounded across the battlefield like a booming bell. The Mu soldiers, who had been in a panic, stopped in their tracks upon hearing their general's shout. They turned to look at Lin Yu, their eyes gradually igniting with fighting spirit. An old soldier gripped his spear tightly and shouted in a hoarse voice, "General, we are willing to follow you and fight the Rong traitors to the death!"
"Yes, let's fight to the death!" The other soldiers responded one after another. They began to regroup and quickly formed combat squads, with Lin Yu at the core, forming a tight defensive formation.
Seeing his soldiers regain their courage, Lin Yu felt a little relieved. He calmly directed his troops, saying, "Although the enemy is strong, they must be somewhat lax at this moment. Let's concentrate our forces to attack their central vanguard, disrupt their formation, and then look for an opportunity to break through."
Led by Lin Yu, the Mu soldiers surged towards the Rong vanguard led by Xiao Yichen like a raging tide. They shouted earth-shattering slogans, their momentum overwhelming. The Rong soldiers, caught off guard by Mu's fierce counterattack after suffering heavy losses, were momentarily unprepared.
Seeing this, Xiao Yichen secretly admired the tenacity of the Mu Kingdom's soldiers, but he also reacted swiftly. He personally led a squad of elite cavalry to charge towards the Mu Kingdom's advancing force. The two armies clashed fiercely on the battlefield, and in an instant, swords flashed and blood flew everywhere.
Lin Yu displayed extraordinary bravery in the battle. His swordsmanship was incredibly sharp, each strike carrying immense power and precise angles, causing Rong soldiers to fall one after another. As he fought, he shouted encouragement to his comrades: "Brothers, kill! Let Rong know the might of our Mu Kingdom!"
Xiao Yichen was equally impressive; his horsemanship was superb, making him move with ease on horseback. He wielded his spear with impenetrable speed, like a dragon weaving through the crowd, leaving the Mu soldiers helpless in his wake.
In this fierce battle, both sides paid a heavy price. Although Rong's vanguard had the upper hand in the previous battles, Mu's tenacious resistance greatly slowed their advance. On the other hand, despite the bravery of Mu's soldiers, their numerical disadvantage remained evident due to their heavy losses in the previous engagements.
Meanwhile, on the flank of the battlefield, Su Ran, a veteran general of the Mu Kingdom, was leading a reserve force to rush to their aid. Su Ran was over fifty years old, his face weathered, but his eyes revealed rich combat experience and calm wisdom. He knew the importance of this battle to the Mu Kingdom, and therefore, despite his advanced age and frail health, he personally donned his armor and went into battle.
When Su Ran's troops arrived at the battlefield, he quickly observed the situation and discovered that Rong's forces were mainly concentrated in the central and eastern flanks, while the western flank was relatively weak. He had an idea and decided to launch a surprise attack from the west to disrupt Rong's overall strategy.
Su Ran commanded his troops to move stealthily westward, using the smoke and chaos of the battlefield as cover to avoid being detected by the Rong soldiers. As they approached the western defense line of the Rong Kingdom, Su Ran gave the order, and the Mu soldiers emerged from the bushes like ghosts, charging towards the Rong soldiers.
The soldiers on Rong's western defensive line were caught off guard by the sudden attack and were thrown into chaos. Mu's soldiers seized the opportunity to launch a fierce attack, brandishing their weapons and fighting bravely, and quickly broke through Rong's western defensive line.
During the battle in the central area, Xiao Yichen noticed something unusual on the west side. He was startled and realized that the Mu Kingdom might have adopted a flanking maneuver. He made a decisive decision: he left a group of soldiers to continue engaging the Mu Kingdom forces led by Lin Yu, while he led a cavalry unit to quickly rush to the west to provide reinforcements.
When Xiao Yichen arrived at the west side, Su Ran was leading the Mu Kingdom soldiers, rampaging through the Rong Kingdom's ranks as if they were nothing. Upon seeing this, Xiao Yichen roared, "You old scoundrel, stop being so arrogant!" With that, he spurred his horse and charged towards Su Ran.
Hearing Xiao Yichen's shout, Su Ran turned around, looked at him, and sneered, "Xiao Yichen, today is your death day!"
The two engaged in a breathtaking duel on the battlefield. Xiao Yichen's spear thrust towards Su Ran like lightning, but Su Ran remained calm and composed, deftly deflecting Xiao Yichen's attack with a light flick of his broadsword. Then, he swiftly swung his blade back, aiming for Xiao Yichen's waist. Xiao Yichen reacted quickly, jerking the reins, causing his warhorse to leap high into the air, avoiding Su Ran's strike.
The two fought back and forth for dozens of rounds, neither gaining the upper hand. Meanwhile, the situation on the battlefield became even more complex and chaotic. Soldiers from Rong and Mu engaged in fierce battles in every corner, the shouts of battle and screams of agony filling the air.
On the eastern battlefield, General Zhao Hu's Rong light cavalry, confident of victory, were preparing to pursue the remaining Mu forces. However, an unexpected hidden force from Mu, led by a young general named Li Ling, suddenly appeared. Li Ling, skilled in surprise attacks, led his soldiers, taking advantage of the darkness and terrain, to quietly ambush in the eastern valley. When General Zhao Hu's light cavalry passed by, he decisively ordered an attack.
The soldiers of Mu State charged out of the valley, pouncing on the light cavalry of Rong State like a pack of hungry wolves. The Rong State light cavalry were caught off guard by this sudden attack. They were unable to utilize their cavalry mobility advantage in the narrow valley and were temporarily trapped in a predicament.
General Zhao Hu was extremely anxious upon seeing this. He tried to calm himself and loudly commanded his soldiers to resist: "Brothers, don't panic! Maintain formation and fight your way out!"
Under the command of General Zhao Hu, the Rong light cavalry began to put up a fierce resistance. They brandished their long swords and engaged in close combat with the Mu soldiers. However, due to the terrain advantage held by the Mu soldiers, the casualties among the Rong light cavalry continued to rise.
At this critical moment, Qian Feng led Rong Kingdom infantry to provide support from the west. Seeing the chaotic situation on the eastern battlefield, Qian Feng quickly organized his infantry into battle formation and launched a fierce attack on the Mu Kingdom soldiers.
Qian Feng personally led a squad of elite infantry, charging towards the Mu Kingdom troops led by Li Ling. His weapon gleamed coldly, each strike carrying immense power. Seeing Qian Feng approaching, Li Ling showed no fear and personally met him in battle.
The two engaged in a fierce one-on-one duel on the battlefield. Qian Feng was highly skilled in throwing hidden weapons, frequently launching them to try and disrupt Li Ling's attacks. However, Li Ling's reaction speed was extremely fast; he always managed to skillfully dodge Qian Feng's hidden weapons while launching fierce counterattacks.
As time passed, the situation on the battlefield gradually intensified. The soldiers of Rong and Mu were exhausted, yet they continued to fight tenaciously. Both sides understood that the outcome of this battle would have a profound impact on the course of the entire war.
The duel between Xiao Yichen and Su Ran continued, both giving their all. Xiao Yichen knew that if he couldn't defeat Su Ran quickly, Rong Kingdom's vanguard would be in even greater trouble. He gradually changed his tactics, using his speed and agility to constantly circle around Su Ran, trying to find an opening.
Su Ran also realized Xiao Yichen's intentions. He began to defend more cautiously, while looking for an opportunity to deliver a fatal blow to Xiao Yichen.
In this fierce battle, the soldiers of both Rong and Mu displayed extraordinary courage and tenacious fighting spirit. Whether it was the Rong vanguard's initial valiant attack or Mu's tenacious counterattack after suffering heavy losses, the battle became a breathtaking life-or-death struggle. The final outcome remained uncertain, the entire battlefield shrouded in a thick fog, making it impossible to discern the course of the war.
On the battlefield, smoke filled the air, and shouts of battle shook the heavens. Soldiers from Rong and Mu fought fiercely amidst the baptism of blood and fire, resulting in a stalemate. Although Rong's vanguard achieved an initial victory, successfully probing Mu's strengths and weaknesses and inflicting heavy damage on its border defenses, Mu's subsequent tenacious resistance, especially the surprise attacks from its flanks and hidden forces, presented Rong with new challenges and difficulties.
At this critical juncture, the atmosphere inside Rong Kingdom's command tent was heavy and tense. Xiao Yichen frowned, his gaze intently scrutinizing the massive sand table within the tent, which simulated the current battlefield situation. He knew that he had to make swift and effective tactical adjustments at this moment, otherwise all previous efforts might be in vain, and Rong Kingdom would be plunged into an extremely unfavorable battle situation.
Xiao Yichen raised his head and said to the generals beside him with a firm look in his eyes, "Gentlemen, the resistance of the Mu Kingdom has far exceeded our expectations, and their tactics are quite flexible. Our army can no longer proceed according to plan and must change its strategy immediately."
The generals gathered around, their expressions serious, listening intently to Xiao Yichen's plans.
"General Zhao Hu, your light cavalry has been ambushed by a surprise attack from the Mu Kingdom's elite troops in the eastern valley and is in dire straits. For now, leave some troops behind to continue holding the enemy back and do not linger in battle. Lead the main force to break through to the west and rendezvous with me in the center of the battlefield. I will send General Qian Feng with infantry to meet you from the west. Make sure the breakout is successful," Xiao Yichen calmly commanded.
General Zhao Hu clasped his hands in obeisance and accepted the order: "This humble general obeys! I will fight to the death to break through the encirclement and reunite with the young master."
"General Qian Feng, lead the infantry to advance westward at full speed to support General Zhao Hu. At the same time, be wary of a possible counterattack from the troops of Mu Guo's veteran general Su Ran. Once we meet up, we must rebuild a solid defensive line in the center of the battlefield, forming a pincer movement to support each other."
“Yes, young master!” Qian Feng replied without hesitation.
After arranging the troop deployment on the east and west flanks, Xiao Yichen turned his attention to the central battlefield. He knew that the central area was the key to the entire battle; if a breakthrough could be achieved there, the current stalemate could be reversed.
"General Li, you will lead a thousand spearmen to reinforce the central attack. Utilize the length advantage of our spears to launch a powerful assault on the Mu Kingdom's defensive formation. Don't give them a chance to breathe; disrupt their rhythm," Xiao Yichen said to General Li.
General Li nodded in agreement: "This humble general will certainly do his utmost to break through the central defense line of the Mu Kingdom!"
"General Zhang, you will lead five hundred shield bearers to follow closely behind and provide cover for the spearmen. Ensure that the spearmen are not excessively injured by Mu Kingdom arrows and hidden weapons during the attack, and maintain the continuity of the offensive."
"Understood, sir!" General Zhang accepted the order and departed.
"Archers, prepare to unleash a dense barrage of arrows to suppress the Mu Kingdom's rear forces after our central offensive begins, preventing them from supporting and reinforcing the front lines. At the same time, closely observe the movements of the Mu Kingdom's army. If you discover any signs that they are gathering forces for a counterattack, adjust the direction and intensity of your fire accordingly." Xiao Yichen issued the orders to General Wang, who was in charge of commanding the archers.
"Yes, sir!" General Wang immediately began organizing the archers to prepare for battle.
While Xiao Yichen was methodically adjusting his tactics, the generals of the Mu Kingdom were also closely observing the movements of the Rong Kingdom on the battlefield, trying to predict its next move in order to formulate corresponding countermeasures.
Amidst the fierce battle with Rong soldiers, the young Mu general Lin Yu observed the Rong army's movements and felt a growing unease. He realized Rong was regrouping for a more intense offensive, so he quickly sent messengers to other Mu generals and rallied his men: "Brothers, the Rong traitors are about to launch a more ferocious attack! We must hold our ground! For Mu, for our homeland, we must fight to the death!"
"Fight to the death!" The soldiers of the Mu Kingdom shouted in unison. Although their morale had been somewhat damaged by the previous battle, they still gripped their weapons tightly under the encouragement of their general.
After successfully launching a surprise attack on Rong's western defenses, the veteran general Su Ran of Mu State intended to press his advantage and expand his gains. However, when he saw Xiao Yichen react swiftly, dispatching troops to provide support and adjusting tactics, he secretly admired Xiao Yichen's military talent, while also knowing that the battle to come would be even more difficult.
"Pass down the order: all units must remain vigilant and pay attention to the movements of the Rong Kingdom's army. We must hold our current positions while also being prepared to respond to any new tactics the Rong Kingdom might employ. We cannot underestimate them; today's battle concerns the very survival of the Mu Kingdom," Su Ran solemnly addressed the soldiers around him.
With the Rong Kingdom army having completed its tactical adjustments, a new round of battle is about to break out.
General Zhao Hu led his light cavalry in a desperate breakout through the eastern valley. Like a pack of fierce cheetahs, they charged left and right through the enemy's encirclement. Despite the desperate resistance of Li Ling's troops from the Mu Kingdom, the Rong Kingdom's light cavalry, relying on their superior horsemanship and tenacious fighting spirit, gradually broke through to the west. General Qian Feng's infantry arrived just in time, launching an attack on the Mu Kingdom's forces from the west, relieving the pressure on General Zhao Hu. With the two Rong Kingdom forces attacking from both inside and outside, they finally broke through the Mu Kingdom's blockade on the east and sped towards the center of the battlefield.
On the central battlefield, General Li's spearmen, under the cover of General Zhang's shield bearers, pierced the Mu Kingdom's defensive formation like a sharp spear. The spearmen advanced with synchronized and powerful steps, shouting thunderous slogans. The Mu Kingdom soldiers fought back fiercely, engaging the Rong Kingdom's spearmen in a fierce battle. For a moment, the sounds of clashing metal and shouts of battle mingled together, deafeningly loud.
Following Xiao Yichen's orders, Rong's archers unleashed a dense rain of arrows from their rear. The arrows, like a swarm of black reapers, whistled towards the rear of Mu's troops. Mu soldiers raised their shields to defend, but many were still struck by the arrows and fell screaming in agony. This barrage of arrows effectively suppressed Mu's reinforcements, creating favorable conditions for a central attack.
Xiao Yichen, mounted on his warhorse, closely observed the development of the battle from the rear. His eyes were calm and profound, constantly adjusting his command strategy according to the changes on the battlefield. When he saw that the central attack had made some progress, but the resistance of the Mu Kingdom remained stubborn, he decided to personally join the battle to boost the morale of his soldiers and at the same time search for weaknesses in the Mu Kingdom's defenses.
Xiao Yichen charged ahead, plunging into the battle. His spear moved with the grace of a dragon emerging from the sea, and wherever he went, Mu soldiers fell. His valiant act greatly boosted the morale of the Rong soldiers, who shouted, "Long live Young Master Xiao! For Rong, kill!"
Under the fierce attack of the Rong Kingdom's army, the Mu Kingdom's defensive formation gradually began to crumble. Seeing this, Lin Yu was extremely anxious. He personally led an elite force to rush towards Xiao Yichen's location, attempting to kill Xiao Yichen and turn the tide of the battle.
Seeing Lin Yu charging towards him, Xiao Yichen felt no fear. He charged head-on at Lin Yu, and the two instantly clashed. Their martial arts were superb, and their battle was spectacular. The surrounding soldiers all stopped their own fighting to watch the duel between the two generals.
"Lin Yu, today is your death day!" Xiao Yichen shouted, his spear flashing like lightning as he thrust it towards Lin Yu.
Lin Yu was not to be outdone. He brandished his sword, skillfully blocking Xiao Yichen's attack, and countered, "Xiao Yichen, don't be arrogant. The Mu Kingdom will not be defeated by you!"
The two fought fiercely for dozens of rounds, neither gaining the upper hand. However, their battle attracted the attention of a large number of soldiers on both sides, thus subtly changing the battlefield situation.
While Xiao Yichen and Lin Yu were locked in combat, the other generals of Rong Kingdom did not cease their attacks. They continued to command their troops, launching fierce assaults on Mu Kingdom's defensive formations. Seeing the critical situation, the elderly Mu Kingdom general Su Ran, disregarding his advanced age, personally led his troops to charge towards the Rong Kingdom's army, attempting to support Lin Yu and stabilize Mu Kingdom's defenses.
The battle intensified, with both sides committing significant manpower and resources. Rong, leveraging its tactical advantages, gradually gained the upper hand; while Mu, with its tenacious resistance and the valiant fighting of its generals, held its ground, refusing to surrender easily. The entire battlefield resembled a giant meat grinder, relentlessly devouring the lives of soldiers on both sides. The outcome of the war remained uncertain amidst the fierce fighting, awaiting the final judgment of fate.
As the Rong Kingdom and the Mu Kingdom were locked in fierce battle, a scene of unity and solidarity emerged within the Rong Kingdom. The people's hearts were as firm as a rock, becoming a powerful support for this war.
The streets and alleys of the capital were filled with a strong sense of patriotism. People spontaneously organized themselves, contributing their strength to the soldiers on the front lines in various ways. Young and strong men eagerly signed up to join the army, forming long queues with unwavering determination in their eyes. A young farmer named Wang Erniu put down his hoe, bid farewell to his parents, wife, and children, and resolutely declared, "When the country is in trouble, every citizen has a responsibility. Although I am just a farmer, I understand the principle of defending my country. I will go to the front lines to fight for the victory of Rongguo!"
His words were met with enthusiastic responses from those around him, who shouted in unison, "Fight for Rong Kingdom!"
The women at home were also busy, working day and night to make cotton-padded clothes, quilts, and military shoes. In a large courtyard in Beijing, dozens of women sat together, their needles and threads moving incessantly. An older woman, while sewing military shoes, instructed the younger women beside her: "Girls, we must make these shoes sturdy so that the soldiers at the front can walk steadily and win battles." The younger women nodded, their eyes filled with respect and concern.
The children also actively participated, collecting supplies for the soldiers on the streets. A group of children, carrying donation boxes, went from shop to shop, calling out in their childish voices, "Uncles and elders, please give a little love for the heroes on the front lines!" The merchants were moved by the children's sincerity and generously donated food, medicine, money, and other supplies.
Similar scenes played out repeatedly in the towns and villages of Rong Kingdom. The people knew that this war concerned the fate of the nation and their own future. Only if Rong Kingdom was victorious could they live a peaceful life.
In a town called Qingping, the townspeople heard that the fighting at the front was dire and that food supplies were crucial for the army. So, they spontaneously organized a large-scale grain donation drive. People from all over the town brought out their surplus grain, piling it up in the town square like a small mountain.
Standing before the grain pile, the town mayor said excitedly to the crowd, "Fellow villagers, although we cannot charge into battle like the soldiers on the front lines, we can use this grain to provide them with a solid support. Let them know that they are not fighting alone, and that all the people of Rong Kingdom are of one heart with them!"
The crowd cheered, and then, wagons loaded with grain, escorted by the people, slowly drove towards the capital, from where they were transported to the front lines.
The scholars and writers of Rong Kingdom also took up their pens, using poetry and prose as weapons to boost morale and inspire patriotism among the people. In the capital's academies, a renowned scholar named Su Wen was lecturing students about the history and culture of Rong Kingdom, as well as the justness of the current war.
He spoke with great passion: "Our Rong Kingdom has a history of thousands of years, always upholding justice and treating neighbors with kindness. Now, the Mu Kingdom has provoked a war without cause, attempting to invade our territory and harm our people. As citizens of Rong Kingdom, how can we sit idly by? Our soldiers on the front lines are fighting a bloody battle, and we in the rear must also do our part, using our wisdom and culture to cheer them on!"
The students were deeply moved and expressed their determination to study hard and contribute to the prosperity and strength of the country in the future. Some students even spontaneously organized themselves to go to the streets and alleys to promote the justness of the war and call on more people to support the front lines.
In the religious sites of Rong Kingdom, the monks in the temples also prayed for the war. They chanted scriptures day and night, praying to Heaven to bless the Rong Kingdom's army with a victorious campaign and to protect the people of Rong Kingdom. The Taoist priests in the Taoist temples performed magic to make amulets for the soldiers, hoping to bring them good luck and protection.
In the Rong Kingdom's court, the emperor deeply understood the importance of popular support. He personally issued an edict to commend and reward the people's patriotic acts. Families who enthusiastically joined the army were given generous pensions and preferential treatment; civilians and merchants who donated supplies were awarded medals and certificates of honor to encourage more people to participate in supporting the war effort.
Meanwhile, the Emperor dispatched envoys to various regions to comfort the people, understand their needs and difficulties, and promptly address their concerns. Wherever the envoys went, they were warmly welcomed by the people. The people expressed their loyalty to the country and their unwavering belief in victory in the war.
At the front lines, the soldiers were deeply moved and empowered to learn of the strong support they received from their homeland. One general, Liu Meng, wrote in a letter home: “We are fighting on the front lines, and although the hardships are immense, the thought of our family and friends back home providing unwavering support fills us with warmth and courage. I will certainly repay my country with my life and live up to their expectations.”
This letter, once it reached home, further fueled the patriotic fervor of the people. They expressed their determination to work even harder to support the front lines until Rong Kingdom achieved final victory.
Within the Kingdom of Mu, however, the situation was quite different. Due to food shortages and defeats in the war, the people were suffering greatly and filled with resentment. Their discontent with the court was growing, and small-scale protests broke out in many places.
In a city in the Kingdom of Mu, a group of people gathered in front of the palace, chanting slogans: "We want bread! We want peace!" The soldiers of Mu tried to disperse the crowd, but the people did not back down. They confronted the soldiers, and the situation became very tense.
The emperor of Mu sat in his palace, listening to the commotion outside, his heart filled with anxiety and helplessness. He knew that if he couldn't resolve the domestic problems quickly, the war would inevitably end in defeat. But now, he was caught in a dilemma: on one hand, he had to deal with Rong's military offensive, and on the other hand, he had to appease his people, yet he was at a loss for what to do.
In contrast, the popular support of the Rong Kingdom became a major advantage for it in this war. This strong cohesion and centripetal force, like a surging tide, propelled the Rong Kingdom forward on the road to war, and also strengthened the Rong Kingdom's soldiers' belief in victory. They knew that they carried not only the mission of the country, but also the expectations and trust of the people.
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