Chapter 8, The Pillars of the Great Qin

The sound of footsteps grew louder, and even Fu Ge could clearly see the expressions on the faces of the rebel soldiers. It was a mix of excitement, agitation, desire, and a stirring sense of compassion.

The cavalry merely opened the prelude to the great battle

The swift arrows, carrying the breath of death, rushed towards us, their sharp triangular blades gleaming with a deadly cold light. The elite crossbow cavalry of the Qin Dynasty underwent rigorous training, displaying a high level of coordination and uniformity in their movements, making it impossible for just one or two rebel soldiers to impede their advance

In the face of the sudden upheaval, the rebel commander Li Gui hardly organized any effective resistance. His attention was completely drawn to the vanguard led by Fu Ge, leaving him unaware of the enemy approaching from behind. After a night of turmoil, the rebel soldiers were nearly exhausted, and their heavy footsteps could not impede the thunderous advance of the Qin army

Quickly spread out to the left and right wings, do not let the cavalry trample you

There have now been a total of twenty rebel soldiers who have perished under his sword

"Brother Fu, look, Xiao Zhi has transformed into a star, she is watching me from the sky!" Sima Liang gazed up at the horizon, his expression entranced, his gaze gentle

However, at this moment, Fu Ge preferred to call it 'Xiao Zhi'.

The rebel ranks issued completely different commands, and the lack of practical combat experience from top to bottom was their greatest problem. The mixed soldiers did not know whom to obey. Some retreated to the side, while others foolishly charged forward, resulting in a barrage from the cavalry, with not a single one surviving

However, Fu Ge is only one less than him

Indeed, in their eyes, Fu Ge and Si Ma Liang, along with a few others, are like pigs and sheep bound for slaughter, while they are the butchers sharpening their knives.

The enemy leader Li Gui has fled! In just half an hour, the rebel camp has been reduced to chaos. The soldiers who were once arrogant and proud are now scattering in panic, being shot down one by one.

Sima Liang's sturdy back leaned tightly against Fu Ge, his eyes bloodshot and red. He moistened his dry lips and murmured, "The nineteenth one!"

Fu Ge turned his head, searching for his gaze, and indeed, among the books, there was a star twinkling brightly. He remembered that his father had once told him that this star was called "Tai Bai".

The outcome of war is determined by the judgment of the commander, the adaptability of the officers, and the bravery of the soldiers; in these three aspects, the rebels hold no advantage whatsoever

Before him lay a vast expanse of charred thickets, barren grass, and countless corpses of rebel soldiers along with their garments. Fu Ge roughly estimated that there were approximately over 5,000 bodies scattered across this battlefield alone. Some of the corpses bore expressions of agony, clearly having endured extreme suffering before their demise.

"Sima, lie down quickly!" Fu Ge shouted, pulling Sima Liang with all his strength using his left hand, and the two of them immediately tumbled into a low pit.

Reinforcements, the long-awaited reinforcements have finally arrived

During his time in Lintao, Fu Ge witnessed the formidable power of the elite and orthodox cavalry of the Great Qin during their charge. The rapid-fire crossbows unleashed a dense barrage of bolts, leaving almost no gaps. Even the most valiant warriors of the Di people could not evade the relentless rain of arrows. The only way to preserve one's life was to lie down, preferably rolling into a shallow pit. Horses, while galloping at high speed, would prioritize safe ground, avoiding uncertain dark areas. This strategy could help one evade the hooves of most warhorses. However, if luck were exceedingly poor, there remained the possibility of being trampled by a misstepping horse.

Ultimately, it was the massive confrontation of infantry that determined the outcome

Some were pierced through the chest by sharp arrows, some had half their heads severed by battle blades, with red and white brain matter flowing down along the corpses, some were burned by great flames, resembling a twisted piece of wood, and others were pierced by swords, writhing on the ground as if in the throes of death's convulsions. This is a heart-stirring scene

As the dawn's light arrived, on the vast plains by the city of Xingyang, two armies quickly became entangled with one another, their formations completely disrupted. The sounds of close combat and the cries of the dying echoed throughout. There was no distinction between vanguard, center, and rear; nor any difference between frontline soldiers and reserves, and not a single tactic could be employed in such chaotic circumstances

General Zhang Han issued an order: the infantry shall remain to sweep the battlefield, while the cavalry swiftly intercepts the fleeing enemy! The resounding command echoed from afar, brief yet concise, powerful and vigorous, imbued with an irresistible authority

As dawn breaks, in the east, a very bright star rises

Fu Ge shook his body and slowly propped himself up from the shallow pit. The morning mist drifted away in the morning breeze like torn cotton, while a strong smell of blood still lingered in the atmosphere. The remnants of tents and weapons were scattered everywhere, and the ground was covered with charred clumps of earth.

For the rebel soldiers who are completely unprepared and lack even the thinnest armor, cavalry is their nightmare

Such a result did not disappoint Fu Ge. Although he lost in this contest, it was a loss he willingly accepted, for being able to fight alongside a passionate man like Sima Liang was already enough for Fu Ge.

Seeing such a situation, anyone with a brain knows how to choose. Numerous rebel soldiers hurriedly avoided the onslaught of the cavalry, but at the same time, this caused their own camp to become fragmented.

Fu Ge was not mistaken; the long-awaited reinforcements finally arrived. Behind the cavalry vanguard, a large number of infantry were rushing towards Xingyang. The rampant rebels repeatedly lost opportunities in battle, and now they awaited the arrival of their doom

"Come on, Grandpa Fu will be a good man again in eighteen years!" Fu Ge took a deep breath, gathering the last bit of his strength in his hand, waiting for the unfortunate soul who would come to him.

Zhang Han—if Fu Ge remembers correctly, he is the minister in charge of the imperial garments, treasures, and delicacies of the Great Qin. How could he be in command of this army? Have all the generals of the state perished in battle?

A volley of arrows was shot forth, and after the smoke cleared, a series of splattered bloodstains remained. The rebel soldiers were struck down one by one, blood raining down upon them. Corpses fell, while the wounded crawled on the ground, dragging their bodies that flowed with blood, emitting beast-like howls

Roar, roar—kill! The war drums thundered, and a piercing horn suddenly sounded from the rear of the rebel forces. The continuous sound of hooves accompanied by shouts reached the ears, as a torrent of iron cavalry, clad in heavy armor, surged forward. Countless black-clad cavalrymen charged into the ranks of the rebels, their heavy hooves trampling recklessly, and their gleaming swords raised high, causing the enemy to lose their fighting spirit before even engaging in battle

Hold on! Charge forward!

This is the cavalry of the Great Qin