Chapter 373 I, Baiqi, shall repay this with the courtesy of a nation (4000 words)
Xiao Mo's words landed in the tent.
Everyone looked at the young man named Bai Qi.
Both Zhao Guang and Li Jing were familiar with Baiqi.
They had witnessed Baiqi's bravery on the battlefield over the past year.
Like the former Frost King, Baiqi has made great achievements in beheading generals, capturing flags, and being the first to scale the walls.
At that time, the Prince of Zhenbei pointed at Baiqi and said to himself and others, "This child will surely become a great man and will definitely be an asset to my son."
Afterwards, the Prince of Zhenbei appointed Bai Qi as his deputy general and tried to let him lead troops.
Bai Qi's military tactics pleased the Prince of Zhenbei even more.
Otherwise, Bai Qi wouldn't have been sent here now to deal with the State of Chu.
But.
Is it really okay to appoint Bai Qi as the commander-in-chief?
It wasn't that Zhao Guang and Li Jing were jealous of Bai Qi, but rather that they genuinely felt Bai Qi was too young.
Although the Frost King also started leading troops at this age and even destroyed the State of Wei.
After all, logically speaking, it's extremely rare for a country to have two powerful generals of the Frost King caliber in a row.
"Bai Qi, I'm sending you to lead the army to defeat Wu Qi. Do you dare?" Xiao Mo asked again.
Bai Qi stepped forward, clasped his hands in a deep bow, and said, "General, you have placed your trust in me. How could I dare to betray you! If I fail to defeat Wu Qi, I will offer my head to you!"
"good."
Xiao Mo nodded.
"You will lead the troops there today, Bai Qi. If your decision is opposed by both General Li and General Zhao, then you must not proceed. Do you understand?"
"Yes, General!" Bai Qi replied earnestly.
"General Li, General Zhao, Bai Qi is too young. If he is too impetuous and has too much bloodlust, you can try to stop him. As for other matters, just let him make his own decisions," Xiao Mo instructed.
"Your subordinate obeys!"
Li Jing and Zhao Guang bowed simultaneously.
On that day, Bai Qi and his two companions led 60,000 Snow-Treading Dragon Riders and 240,000 infantry, a total of 300,000 elite troops, to Tiansi City.
Within two days, Bai Qi and his troops arrived and took complete control of Tiansi City.
The city lord of Tiansi City thought that the famous general Xiahou Nan would be the one to defend the city, but it turned out that the general was a young man whom he had never even heard of.
For a moment, the city lord of Tiansi City began to panic again.
However, considering that the other party was sent by the Frost King and that Generals Li Jing and Zhao Guang were appointed as his deputies, the city lord of Tiansi City decided to believe them first and then question them.
Two days later, a scout reported that Wu Qi's army was approaching.
Because Tiansi City is not protected by natural defenses, it is merely a barrier, not to mention that Baiqi's hundreds of thousands of troops are only in the town to defend it, making them even more vulnerable.
Furthermore, the number of troops on both sides is not much different, not to mention the 60,000 Snow-Treading Dragon Riders.
Therefore, after planning together, Bai Qi, Zhao Guang, and Li Jing decided to lead their troops to meet the enemy head-on.
The most accepted method among the nations was to defeat the enemy head-on.
If Baiqi wins a direct confrontation, it can completely shatter the enemy's morale and determine the outcome of the battle.
On the fourth day after arriving in Tiansi City, the Chu army besieged the city.
Bai Qi and his two companions led a large army to meet the enemy.
There were no underhanded schemes or tricks; everything was a head-on confrontation.
The generals on both sides engaged in a life-or-death battle, relying on their understanding of military formations and tactics.
Baiqi stood at the forefront, like a black stone monument.
His gaze fell upon the silent, heavily fortified military formation not far away.
It was autumn, and the wind from beyond the Great Wall was already quite biting.
The dust and sand swirled up and hit the cold armor, making a soft rustling sound.
Looking at the well-disciplined and menacing Chu army opposite him, Zhao Guang exclaimed, "They truly are valiant generals of Chu! This army is no less formidable than those of the Northern Wilderness!"
"This General Wu Qi is indeed remarkable. If it weren't for General Wu Qi, the Chu Kingdom would be so squandered by the King of Chu, and other countries would have taken advantage of the situation long ago."
Bai Qi's voice was calm and emotionless.
"However, no matter what, the Chu Kingdom of today is no longer the Chu Kingdom of the past, and it is just like the Wei Kingdom, which is now in decline."
"I have long admired the names of General Li and General Zhao." Wu Qi rode forward and greeted the two men. "I heard that General Li has finally been ennobled. Congratulations!"
"Thank you, General Wu." Li Jing returned the salute with clasped hands. "General Wu is a renowned general of our time, while my commander, King Shuang, has the ambition to pacify the world. King Chu is extravagant and incompetent. Rather than risk your life for him, you would be better off joining my Qin state and achieving unparalleled merit!"
"Hehehe, thank you for your kindness, General Li, but the late emperor was kind to my Wu family. The Xiao family held both the Northern Wilderness and the Wei Kingdom without rebelling, so how can my Wu family be ashamed of our ancestors?"
Wu Qi smiled and politely declined.
"Speaking of which, judging from this young man's attire, he is a commander, but not the legendary Frost King. May I ask his name?"
"Bai Qi, under the command of the Frost King, has come to Tiansi City to welcome the General on the Frost King's orders!" Bai Qi clasped his hands in a salute.
“Bai Qi.” Wu Qi murmured the name, his gaze sweeping across the opposing army. “I haven’t heard of you, but to have gained the Frost King’s favor shows you have some ability. You dare to confront me head-on, which shows you have some courage. I hope you won’t disappoint me.”
"I hope this junior can satisfy the general's desires." Bai Qi's gaze sharpened, showing no fear whatsoever.
Wu Qi nodded: "Now that the Zhou rites have collapsed, most people have forgotten that there are also rules of etiquette in warfare. It has been a long time since I have had such a direct confrontation. Come! Beat the drums! Break through the army! Take the city! Let me see if Qin really has so many young prodigies!"
At Wu Qi's command, thunderous drumbeats resounded across the plains.
The two armies, which had been prepared in advance, clashed and killed each other!
The shouts of battle shook the heavens!
The heavy infantry phalanxes on both flanks of the Chu army's vanguard began to advance, their steps precise and their shields like walls, while the central phalanx remained in place.
"The Chu army will move its flanks first, while the center will remain still," Bai Qi said with a frown. "Wu Qi wants to test the strength of our flanks. The Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry, first squad on the left flank, attack. The first squad on the right flank, stand by."
The bugle call sounded.
On the left flank of the Northern Wilderness Army, ten thousand Snow-Treading Dragon Riders began their charge, a white torrent bursting out of their main formation, their hooves thundering as they pounded the ground.
During the charge, they automatically split into three groups, each with over three thousand riders, arranged in an arrowhead shape.
On the opposite side, the Chu army's left wing cavalry, numbering 35,000, also accelerated their charge upon seeing the enemy's formation.
The two cavalry units clashed in the center-left of the battlefield.
The arrow formation of the Snow Dragon Riders was incredibly sharp, and the first cavalrymen pierced into the Chu army's cavalry formation like a cone.
The second and third stocks followed closely, widening the gap.
The white-armored cavalrymen brandished their long spears on horseback, and wherever the spears flashed, Chu soldiers fell and their horses tumbled.
However, the Chu cavalry had a numerical advantage and quickly flanked the enemy from both sides, attempting to encircle them.
"Second squad on the left flank, attack!" Bai Qi ordered.
Another 10,000 Snow-Treading Dragon Riders charged out, this time in a straight line, directly attacking the flank of the Chu army cavalry.
"The Northern Wilderness Snow-Treading Dragon Riders truly live up to their reputation," Wu Qi remarked. "Order the left-wing cavalry to fight and retreat, luring the enemy deeper into their territory. The right-wing cavalry shall prepare to charge the enemy's right wing as soon as the enemy's left wing launches a full-scale attack."
Commands are communicated via flags.
The Chu army's left-wing cavalry began to retreat in an orderly manner, fighting as they retreated, gradually drawing the Northern Wilderness Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry away from their main force.
Bai Qi saw this change and smiled: "Trying to lure my left flank deep into your territory? Order the left flank cavalry to cease pursuit, the third squadron to move forward to provide support, and the first and second squadrons to retreat alternately."
"Right-wing cavalry, all troops on alert; central heavy infantry, the first and second waves, move forward fifty paces."
The left-wing cavalry of the Northern Wilderness Army suddenly stopped their pursuit and began to retreat while providing cover.
At the same time, the first two tiers of the central heavy infantry formation moved forward, like a giant beast extending its two front claws.
"Baiqi, huh? Interesting." Wu Qi no longer dared to underestimate this young man. "Order the left-wing cavalry to halt their retreat and regroup. Right-wing cavalry, attack!"
The right flank of the Chu army, with 35,000 iron cavalry, began its charge. This time it was a full-speed charge, with its target being the right flank of the Northern Wilderness army.
Almost simultaneously, Bai Qi ordered: "Right-wing Snow-Treading Dragon Riders, all troops attack! Central Heavy Infantry, third wave, move thirty paces to the right."
On the right flank of the Northern Wilderness Army, all 30,000 Snow-Treading Dragon Riders charged out.
Instead of splitting their forces, they formed a huge wedge formation and charged towards the Chu cavalry.
Two cavalry forces crashed together on the right side of the battlefield with a deafening roar.
The heavy infantry formations on both flanks of the Chu army's vanguard had advanced to a position one hundred paces in front of the Northern Wilderness army's formation.
The archers of the Northern Wilderness Army began to fire, and a rain of arrows poured down, instantly filling the Chu army's shields with arrows.
However, the Chu army maintained its formation and continued its advance.
Fifty steps.
Thirty steps.
"Spears!" came the command from the Chu army ranks.
The first three ranks of heavy infantry simultaneously laid their spears flat, the spear tips forming a forest.
Ten steps.
"kill!"
The Chu army's heavy infantry clashed with the first wave of the Northern Wilderness army.
The sounds of shields clashing, spears piercing armor, and battle cries mingled together.
The front line instantly turned into a blood-red meat grinder.
Bai Qi gathered his spiritual power in his eyes, observing every change on the battlefield from behind the formation.
"The Chu army's heavy infantry is well-trained, and the first wave can only hold out for a maximum of two quarters of an hour."
"Order that the first wave fights to the death and must not retreat, while the second wave prepares to take over."
"Archers concentrated their fire on the central formation of the Chu army, halting their advance."
Bai Qi's orders were quickly conveyed to each centurion through horns, battle flags, magical artifacts, and messengers.
The archers of the Northern Wilderness Army changed direction, and a rain of arrows covered the Chu army's heavy infantry square formation that had not moved in the center.
Arrows rained down like a storm, forcing the central Chu army formation to raise their shields in defense, slowing their advance.
But soon, the Chu army's central force of 80,000 archers moved forward, entered firing range, and began to retaliate.
However, on the battlefield, the outcome of the battle between the left-wing cavalry was already clear.
On the right flank, 30,000 Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry and 35,000 Chu Iron Cavalry were locked in a fierce and evenly matched battle.
The Snow-Treading Dragon Riders' wedge formation cut into the Chu army's formation like a sharp blade.
However, the Chu cavalry pressed in from both sides, attempting to encircle the wedge formation.
The Northern Wilderness Army's formation began to change.
The fourth and fifth echelons of the central heavy infantry square moved to the sides, making the central formation thinner, but strengthening the flanks.
The next moment, the Chu army's central heavy infantry formation suddenly accelerated, and the shield formation pressed down on the center of the Northern Wilderness army like a moving city wall.
The Chu cavalry on both flanks also intensified their offensive, attempting to break through the Northern Wilderness army's cavalry defenses.
At noon, the battle had been going on for three hours.
The two sides' formations changed constantly, and arrows inscribed with battle formations rained down, causing explosion after explosion on the battlefield.
At that very moment, in the center of the Northern Wilderness Army, five waves of heavy infantry suddenly advanced simultaneously.
Thousands of light infantrymen, armed with short spears and swords, rushed out of the passage and charged straight into the flank of the Chu army's central formation.
The Chu army's central formation was advancing when its flank was suddenly attacked, causing chaos in its formation.
"Hold on! Move the two flanks toward the center!" Wu Qi ordered urgently.
But it was too late.
The remaining 15,000 Snow-Treading Dragon Riders on the left flank of the Northern Wilderness Army assembled into a sharp charging formation, heading straight for the junction of the left flank and the center of the Chu Army's lines.
That was precisely the weakest point in the Chu army's formation.
The Snow-Treading Dragon Rider cut in like a white spear.
The Chu army's left-wing cavalry attempted to intercept them, but were overwhelmed by a frontal assault.
After breaking through the cavalry defenses, the Snow-Treading Dragon Riders did not stop and continued charging towards the flank and rear of the Chu army's central formation.
"Central square formation, change to circular formation!" Wu Qi roared.
The Chu army's central formation began to change formation, with heavy infantry retreating towards the center, shields facing outwards, and spears raised like hedgehogs.
But changing tactics takes time.
The Snow-Treading Dragon Riders have arrived, charging into the central formation of the Chu army from the flank and rear.
Chaos spread like ripples.
At 1-3 PM, the central formation of the Chu army was in disarray.
The Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry charged left and right through the formation, dividing the Chu heavy infantry into several pieces.
The Northern Wilderness Army's central heavy infantry pressed forward across the entire front, engaging the Chu army in direct combat.
Although Wu Qi was reluctant to admit it, the facts told him that the battle was beyond saving.
In this direct confrontation, we lost.
"Order the entire army to retreat." Wu Qi sighed and slowly said, "Heavy infantry will cover the rear, and cavalry will protect the flanks."
"General!" Several of Wu Qi's lieutenants were unwilling to admit defeat.
"Let's retreat." Wu Qi stared intently at the man in the formation. "Remember his name. You will fight him again in the future."
The sound of the retreat rang out.
The Chu army began to retreat.
The heavy infantry formed dense squares and fought while retreating.
The cavalry provided cover on both flanks, resisting the pursuit of the Northern Wilderness Army.
Bai Qi looked at the retreating Chu army and ordered: "Send the order for the Snow-Treading Dragon Riders to pursue them for twenty miles and then return. The heavy infantry should clear the battlefield and treat the wounded."
Both Li Jing and Zhao Guang agreed.
Wu Qi did not panic after his defeat; pursuing him would result in heavy casualties, so we should simply drive him out of the battlefield.
The objective of this battle has been achieved.
He rode his horse toward the battlefield.
On the plains, corpses lay strewn everywhere. The Chu army left behind more than 70,000 dead, while the Northern Wilderness army also suffered losses of nearly 50,000.
However, the Chu army lost more than half of its most elite cavalry and suffered heavy losses in its heavy infantry.
As the sun sets, it stains the battlefield crimson.
Bai Qi stood on a small hill, watching the soldiers clean up the battlefield, carry away the wounded, collect weapons, and pile up the corpses in preparation for burning.
Zhao Guang came to his side: "This battle was a great victory. Should we return to the main force and join up with the Frost King?"
Baiqi did not answer.
He looked in the distance in the direction where the Chu army had retreated, where dust was gradually settling.
“Not enough.” Bai Qi pondered for a long time before finally speaking.
"Not enough?" Zhao Guang asked, puzzled.
Bai Qi nodded, his tone sharp and assertive.
"This one battle alone is not enough to fulfill my promise to the Frost King."
I will continue until I have driven Wu Qi and his army into a corner and breached the Nanshan Kingdom!
His voice was calm, so calm that it sent chills down the spines of Zhao Guang and Li Jing.
"I, Baiqi, am just a commoner."
In the past, the Frost King did not reject me and treated me with the courtesy of "a cup of tea".
Today! I, Baiqi, will repay this kindness with the honor of having a whole nation as my tribute!
[I'm experiencing some writer's block, so I'll just write a short piece and work on the outline tonight.]
(End of this chapter)
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