Chapter 008: The First Battle of the Breaker
Lu Shishen and Chen Qing, you are ordered to each lead two regiments. After taking your positions, you must break through from the left flank and ensure that his left wing is torn apart
The soldiers, having finished their drinks, cast their empty bowls aside and shouted in unison.
The subordinate is
The purpose of their journey is the new city of Fuyu Road. According to the scouts' reports, there are nearly 20,000 Goguryeo soldiers stationed there. However, although the number is considerable, they are not the most elite frontline troops of Goguryeo; they are merely some garrisoned soldiers. In a real battle, the outcome remains uncertain.
"Chief, oh, I misspoke. General, I have sent people to investigate the situation in the new city. The commander of the Goguryeo new city is already aware of our intentions. However, they have not chosen to defend the city to the death; instead, they have dispatched ten thousand troops out of the city to prepare for battle. Currently, they have set up their formation in the valley about ten miles from the city. I estimate there are approximately ten thousand infantry and around one thousand cavalry."
It is akin to making knife-cut noodles; as the relentless assaults of the Broken Army continue, one by one, the warriors of Goguryeo fall like the dough being sliced away.
I command both of you to each lead two groups of troops, and when the time comes, charge directly at the enemy's left flank, making every effort to avoid getting trapped.
It was like a gust of wind, howling in, and in the next moment, the Goguryeo people suddenly realized that the cavalry of the Sui army had retreated. Before they could comprehend what was happening, the Sui army quickly reformed a line in the distance, howling as they readied their bows and arrows once again. The rain of arrows that descended from the sky once more deeply pierced the bodies of those soldiers without shields. Amidst the cries, the infantry formation of Goguryeo was continuously shrinking and descending into chaos
The shock troops only had time to shoot three rounds of arrows, and they were already getting closer to the formation of the Goguryeo people. Just as they were about to charge to the front of the formation, the army of the Sui Dynasty suddenly split into two teams from the left and right, attacking the Goguryeo cavalry on the flanks
The remaining five regiments will advance with me from the front. Remember, maintain distance until the enemy formation is broken, and engage with bows and crossbows.
Like a tiger released from its cage, and even more so like a pack of wolves in the forest, as soon as Chen Kefu's words fell, accompanied by the thunderous sound of hooves like arrows released from a bow, they charged out of the main camp, unstoppable.
The three thousand cavalrymen had long since left their home addresses as per Chen Kefu's orders. With the master's decree, regardless of who perishes, the remaining broken army camp will assist in caring for the orphans, widows, and the elderly. With this concern alleviated, the cavalrymen, who had been cooped up in the camp for so many days, were also eager to go into battle, earn military merits, and receive rewards
Chen Kefu took the lead, his silver armor gleaming brilliantly. In the distance, the army of Goguryeo was clearly visible, with over 10,000 infantrymen arranged in a massive square formation, surrounded by a phalanx of soldiers wielding long spears. Outside the three formations, there were approximately 1,000 cavalrymen guarding the flanks.
The Minister of War proposed a strategy to encircle the Liaodong city with a large army, while dispatching several troops to launch surprise attacks on the nearby cities of Liaodong. This would serve two purposes: first, to cut off the enemy's retreat, and second, to capture the cities of Goguryeo in order to obtain food and supplies, thereby alleviating the difficulties of transporting grain from the Central Plains.
At this moment, the entire army of the Breaking Army Camp is fully equipped and ready to depart. This marks the first battle since the Breaking Army Camp was established as an independent force, and everyone is somewhat anxious. Chen Kefu is equally nervous; he has had these cavalry troops for less than half a month, and he is still not familiar with this unit. Now, he must lead them on their journey. However, Chen Kefu has no choice; to have an elite force, it can only be forged through blood and fire. Moreover, he can only gain more leverage in his journey through war.
Kill! The sound of the Breaking Army Camp echoed thunderously, and the hooves of the horses were like the roar of thunder. After days of formation training, the three thousand cavalry charged towards the Goguryeo formation in a well-organized line, resembling a surging tide.
Emperor Yang Guang, after deliberating with his ministers, appointed Yu Wenshu and General Yang Yichen to lead an army eastward towards Pyongyang. He also ordered Chen Kefu to command the Broken Army Camp to advance via the Fuyu route in search of opportunities for battle
The cavalry of the Sui army launched another charge, resembling a nightmare. Their pre-prepared spear formations proved utterly ineffective. They could only watch as the enemy cavalry continuously maneuvered outside their ranks, taking away one life after another.
As they approached New City, when they were merely a few dozen miles away, several riders could be seen coming straight towards them in the distance. The riders were none other than Mao Yi, who had just been dispatched to scout the enemy situation in New City.
However, the Sui army did not recklessly charge forward against such a phalanx of spears. Instead, they suddenly split apart like small waves, with skilled cavalrymen drawing their bows along the outer edge of the formation. The less skilled archers held long spears and charged at the front line, using their spears to stab into the bodies of the soldiers on the outer edge of the infantry formation, with some even managing to pierce through two men with a single thrust. Following them were curved sabers and long spears that continuously reinforced the attack. The entire Sui army thus rapidly circled around the infantry formation of Goguryeo on horseback.
Lord Zhang He will lead two troops as a reserve force. Once the enemy's formation is broken, I request that you immediately maneuver around to the enemy's rear to cut off their retreat.
Chen Kefu held a bowl of wine in his hand and loudly proclaimed: "Brave soldiers, today let us drink this wine heartily, as we, good sons, together slay the dogs of Goguryeo. On this journey, some may fall, and some may never return. But for the hundreds of thousands of comrades who have already fallen in Liaodong, all of this is worth it. Everyone, drink this wine to the fullest. You have all left your home addresses with Sima; if you are unfortunate enough not to return, our Broken Army Camp will still take care of your elderly parents and wives at home. If I am unfortunate enough to fall facing the barbarians of Goguryeo, I only ask that you burn a few sheets of yellow paper for me each year! Everyone, drink this wine to the fullest. You have all left your home addresses with Sima; if you are unfortunate enough not to return, our Broken Army Camp will still take care of your elderly parents and wives at home. If I am unfortunate enough to fall facing the barbarians of Goguryeo, I only ask that you burn a few sheets of yellow paper for me each year! The Great Sui will surely win, and the Broken Army Camp is mighty!"
In a narrow path, the brave shall prevail! Kill!" Chen Kefu raised the spear in his hand high and commanded loudly
One hundred paces, fifty paces, thirty paces, the distance growing ever closer, forced the Goguryeo soldiers to hurriedly reorganize their formation. Layers of spear-wielding soldiers were rearranged at the front of the line. This was the best method to counter the cavalry charge; the spears, angled forward, had their tips deeply embedded in the ground. As soon as the cavalry charged, the horses would be mercilessly impaled on this spear formation.
Chen Kefu, adorned in the magnificent bright silver qilin armor, rode the purebred steed Qingchui, gifted by Yang Guang, which bore not a single stray hair. He stood out prominently among the ranks of the entire army, making it easy for all the soldiers to spot their commander ahead.
The Great Sui will surely prevail, breaking the military might of the enemy!
Dispatch the order, the entire army is to mobilize
With a volley of arrows, the scene is truly spectacular. Not far from the formation of the Goguryeo people, all the Sui troops begin to draw their bows and nock their arrows, shooting directly at a 45-degree angle into the sky. This type of shooting is comprehensive; it does not require precise archery skills. The key factor is how quickly you can shoot.
These Goguryeo people are truly cooperative, it is indeed a blessing from heaven for me to break the military camp. If they were to hold the city and not come out, I would still be troubled with how to deal with them. Since they are so graciously coming out for a field battle, let us accommodate them.
Rowling, accompanied by fifty soldiers, steadfastly guarded Chen Kefu's side. He did not agree with Chen Kefu leading the charge at the front of the ranks. In his view, as the commander of the army, Chen Kefu should remain in the center. However, Chen Kefu was unwilling to heed his advice.
After hearing Chen Kefu's orders, Li Benlei had no objections; such arrangements were already a very standard approach. Following a brief and temporary reorganization, the sound of hooves echoed once more as three thousand cavalrymen galloped away with a thunderous roar
The Goguryeo warriors, originally poised with spears and fully prepared to defend against the cavalry charge of the Sui army, did not anticipate that the Sui cavalry would suddenly employ such a tactic. As a rain of arrows, accompanied by strange sounds, fell from the sky, the unprepared Goguryeo soldiers, lacking sufficient shields, fell to the ground in confusion, struggling amidst the persistent cries of pain.
Hu Hai, Mao Yi, obey the orders
The Goguryeo people did not expect that this Sui army would be so formidable. Sitting on his warhorse, the Goguryeo commander Gao Qi looked somewhat panicked at everything before him. When he heard that three thousand cavalry from the Sui army were coming to battle, he thought it was an opportunity, a chance to eliminate this cavalry. But now it seems that if this continues, it will be they who are eliminated.
At your command
Chen Kefu turned his head and exchanged a glance with General Li Benlei, and in each other's eyes, they both saw a distinct glimmer of amusement
The Sui army besieged Liaodong City for many days, yet they were utterly helpless against the reclusive Goguryeo people who refused to emerge. Each day they launched fierce assaults, resulting in countless casualties. If this continued, the Sui army would surely be able to breach Liaodong City in the end, but the number of lives that would be sacrificed remained an unknown.
During this frenzied battle, cavalry from the Broken Army were occasionally unseated by the enemy's spears, after which several infantrymen would rush forward to kill them
He tilted his head back and drank the wine in the bowl, then Chen Kefu directly smashed the bowl at his feet
Three thousand cavalrymen galloped swiftly along the way, passing through fields and villages devoid of any signs of life. It was the month of July, yet the fields lay barren. Chen Kefu rode his horse at a brisk pace, sighing as he observed that the war in Liaodong was not only depleting the resources of the Sui Dynasty but also harming the foundation of Goguryeo. One was the lord of the Central Plains, and the other was the king of the Far East; now they had finally engaged in a life-and-death struggle. Chen Kefu knew their fate: the Sui Dynasty, battered and bruised, would ultimately be unable to suppress the rebellions of its common people and nobles, leading to its early demise. Similarly, Goguryeo would not be the last to laugh; having overextended itself, the Goguryeo people could not survive long after their opponent fell, and they too were eventually replaced by the Tang Dynasty, the successor of the Sui.