Chapter 0008: Battlefield Confrontation

While he was pondering, he saw a group of generals walking from the main camp to the front of the military formation. The leader was a burly man, fully armored and draped in a battle robe, who was none other than Dong Zhiqing, the great general of the State of Wei. He was a robust man in his late thirties, with a square face and a prominent beard, exuding an air of heroism.

Dong Zhiqi's mount gazed ahead at the Qin army, and he slightly furrowed his brow. The Qin army's foot-mounted crossbowmen and black-armored elite cavalry were the most formidable. The foot-mounted crossbow is a type of long-range crossbow with a range of up to 250 paces, approximately two and a half arrows' distance, while 100 paces is equivalent to the distance of a single arrow from a light bow. This type of crossbow requires three men to support the bow arms with their feet, and once fired, the power of the crossbow bolt is immense

The vanguard general of the Qin army was Na Wenbo, a native of the northwestern border of the Qin state. He was quite renowned among the generals of Qin, but due to the prolonged siege of the Weiguo's Hedong region without success, he was unable to approach Anyi and consume the territory of the Great Wei. As a result, various factions within the Qin court expressed their discontent towards him. King Wu of Qin dispatched General Gan Mao to lead the entire army and immediately exert pressure on the Weiguo through military action

Dong Zhiqi felt a stir in his heart and silently made a decision. He waved his hand and commanded: "Sun Feng, Liu Yu, heed my orders. Lead three hundred chariots and charge ahead. Zheng Yan and Zhang Hetu, take command of twenty thousand infantry and cavalry to follow closely behind the chariots. Once the chariots engage with the Qin army, seize the opportunity to break out!"

General Gan is wise and commands troops with divine skill

Warriors! Dong Zhiqi looked around with a fierce gaze, speaking in a deep voice that resonated powerfully among the three armies, his words exceptionally clear: "The State of Qin has repeatedly advanced eastward and has already reached the region of Hedong. If the Qin army advances another three hundred miles, it will reach our city of Anyi. We must vow to defend our territory to the death and drive those damned Qin people back across the Yellow River!"

Eighty thousand elite soldiers, each clad in shining armor, their expressions solemn, with swords, spears, and halberds glinting coldly. In the front row is a formation of archers, numbering fifteen thousand. To the left is a formation of charioteers, with bronze chariots manned by a driver, a long-weapon soldier, and an archer, followed by approximately thirty thousand infantry soldiers on foot. Each chariot is accompanied by twenty warriors in the rear. To the right is the cavalry, with warhorses in formation and knights lined up, their long spears and polearms shimmering with a chilling light, instilling fear in those who behold them.

The great army outside the main gate of the camp had long been poised for action. Just as the sound of three drums echoed, the Wei army had already assembled. Looking out, one could see the red-clad figures with flowing sleeves, their armor gleaming, long spears sharp, and a surge of killing intent in the air

After two months of training, Chen Ling appears to be somewhat sturdier than before. However, he knows that the density of his muscles and bones has significantly increased, and he has gained over 20 pounds in weight, with a remarkable improvement in his arm strength

If light cavalry were to engage in battle, they would surely be destroyed by the Qin army's ten thousand black-armored elite cavalry. Therefore, it is necessary to first break through the enemy's formation with chariots, and then coordinate with infantry and armored cavalry to launch an assault, which would provide a chance of victory

All troops, march forth and resist the Qin army! Dong Zhiqing suddenly issued the order, and the grand army moved, its momentum overwhelming

The 80,000 elite Wei troops advanced two li and soon beheld the formation of the Qin army, a uniform black legion. In the front row were shield bearers and archers, with chariots on one side and heavily armored cavalry on the other, while the center was occupied by the commanding general's main force

War has always been the main theme for men throughout history

Gan Mao gazed at the Wei army and, with a slight smile, said: "The elite troops of Wei have all been deployed, and their rear defenses must be weak. As long as our Black Armored Eagle Guards penetrate deep into the rear of the Wei army to set fire to their supplies and documents, the Wei forces on the front line will collapse. Our army will then be able to advance swiftly, reaching Anyi and swallowing up the land of Hedong, driving the people of Wei north of the Taihang Mountains and south of the Yellow River"

In a nation, there are two chancellors, one overseeing civil affairs and the other commanding military power. Currently, the State of Qin is abundant in talent, with notable figures such as the strategist Chuli Ji and the Marquis of Rang, Wei Ran, both of whom are well-versed in military strategy and adept in governance, capable of serving as generals or chancellors. To surpass these two and achieve prominence, one must secure a resounding victory in this battle.

Defend the homeland Defend the homeland

Gan Mao, over forty years of age, did not ride out to battle but instead sat in a carriage drawn by three horses, standing tall beneath a six-foot bronze canopy. To his left was the young Qin general Wen Bo, who stood eight feet tall, with a slightly slender build, a sharply defined face, thick eyebrows, and bright eyes, embodying seven parts heroism and three parts scholarly elegance. To his right was the strategist and advisor Qin Xuewen, a master of diplomacy who, after traveling through various states, was entrusted with important responsibilities in Qin. Flanking them were dozens of subordinate generals, and beneath these generals were the thousand-man commanders, positioned at the front of each military formation to serve as commanding officers.

The two armies faced each other, with countless soldiers and armor. The cold gleam of swords and halberds shone like a cold moon piercing through the dark room, where densely packed troops of tigers and wolves filled the air with hostile gazes directed at one another, wishing to behead the enemy's soldiers to achieve merit and seek revenge. For fifty years, the enmity between Qin and Wei has persisted, with the situation having once reversed; Wei has transitioned from strength to decline, while Qin has evolved from weakness to strength. There have been no fewer than a hundred skirmishes between the two nations, and today’s battle is already unknown as to which number it is, with no end in sight.

Gan Mao's lips curled into a hint of a satisfied smile. If this battle were to be won splendidly, it would greatly solidify his position in front of the king. Although he had been appointed as the General, his military power was limited. Moreover, he was quite renowned among the various states, priding himself on his ability to defeat enemies in warfare and govern the country through civil means. He was not confined to the battlefield; rather, he was more concerned about the position of Chancellor.

Chen Ling originally intended to join the battleship, but was intercepted by the surrounding guards. Wounded soldiers are not allowed to participate in combat during their medical treatment. Even after recovery, they must wait for military personnel to conduct an inspection and re-employment. He has not yet received any notification, and therefore cannot go to the battlefield.

The people of the Qin state are known for their fierce demeanor, and the soldiers are notably strong and valiant in stature. Their armor is distinct, glinting coldly in the light. The armor plates of the Qin soldiers are designed with the upper plates overlapping the lower ones, while the abdominal plates are arranged with the lower plates overlapping the upper ones and the additional plates for ease of movement. All armor plates overlap from the center towards the sides, and the plates around the shoulders, abdomen, and neck are connected with linking straps. Each armor plate is adorned with armor nails, numbering either two, three, or four, with a maximum of no more than six. The entire suit of armor is black, exuding an air of mystery and savagery. All armor plates overlap from the center towards the sides, and the plates around the shoulders, abdomen, and neck are connected with linking straps. Each armor plate is adorned with armor nails, numbering either two, three, or four, with a maximum of no more than six. The entire suit of armor is black, exuding an air of mystery and savagery.

The Black Armored Cavalry consists entirely of iron-clad troops, with both horses and riders equipped with the finest quality refined iron harnesses, armor, and weaponry of the time. The horses' hooves are fitted with iron shoes, allowing them to gallop over any rough terrain without fear of thorns and spikes. The horses' heads are protected by masks made of iron plates connected to leather, significantly reducing the threat posed by infantry archers to the cavalry. The harnesses are made from lightweight, high-hardness, and high-toughness refined iron, replacing the heavy, thick, soft, and brittle copper harnesses. The weapons of the riders have evolved from long spears and halberds to lightweight iron swords, forged from refined iron, typically around three feet in length, sharp and agile, facilitating large-scale charges and lethal strikes.

It is truly a pity that I am unable to attend such a grand event. If I were to be on the battlefield, with my current skills, I could at least slay dozens of enemies, which would surely elevate my rank in an instant.