Chapter 4: The Sound of Drums and Gongs

On both flanks of these Mongolian archers, two thousand-strong units of Mongolian heavy cavalry were already lined up and ready. Once the Song army's formation became disordered, they would trample in. This tactic was simple yet practical, and similar principles continued to be followed into the later era of linear infantry—disordered infantry formations could not withstand the charge of cavalry, nor could they resist the assault of well-ordered infantry. Therefore, when the Song army faced their own people being driven away, they could only choose slaughter instead of rescue. This tactic was simple yet practical, and similar principles continued to be followed into the later era of linear infantry—disordered infantry formations could not withstand the charge of cavalry, nor could they resist the assault of well-ordered infantry. Therefore, when the Song army faced their own people being driven away, they could only choose slaughter instead of rescue

With the sound of drums echoing, the Mongolian and Han troops advanced in formation, resembling a moving fortress; this is truly an elite force

The military knowledge in Chen Dexing's mind clearly informed him that such tactics were not only commonly used by the Mongolian army but were also frequently seen in the civil wars of the Central Plains—using the old and weak as a vanguard, while the strong soldiers pressed from behind, crashing into the enemy formation and swarming the city! ... This is strategy, this is military doctrine ...! ... The essence of military doctrine is: to win, any means can be employed!

The three heavy infantry phalanxes of the Mongolian Han army have collided with the remaining common people of the Song Dynasty in the center of the battlefield, and the three-foot-long ring-headed broadswords fall mercilessly, raising a spray of blood! Compared to the Mongolians who had just used curved sabers and whips to drive the crowd, they are even more brutal and resolute. It seems that those being cut down and killed are not their compatriots, but rather unrelated foreigners

Tension, tension, tension, tension ... ...

The sound of crying and shouting, once again surges in like a tide

After just three rounds of volleys, there was not a single standing commoner of the Song Dynasty left on the opposite side! Even the heavily armored soldiers of the Shi family fell in droves, and the formation appeared somewhat sparse—leather armor ultimately does not provide the same protection as iron armor, and the leather armor assigned to the Han army is not as sturdy as that used by the Mongols. Furthermore, there were no silk undergarments within the leather armor to entangle the arrowheads, making it difficult to withstand the crossbows of the Song army. Nevertheless, these soldiers of the Shi family continued to charge forward, showing no signs of stopping.

The archers and crossbowmen are commanded by their respective captains and squad leaders. These junior officers are either the sons of various generals or seasoned veterans who have long served in the military, and they are indeed as hard-hearted as iron and stone, showing no hesitation on the battlefield. As for the soldiers tasked with archery, they are bound by strict military laws— even if their shooting speed is slow, they would face the death penalty! ... Later generations only know that the laws of the strong Qin army are as solid as a mountain, but they are unaware that the weak Song soldiers also had strict discipline at times, though their discipline could not be maintained for long...

However, Chen Dexing's cheap old man, Chen Daguoren Chen Huaqing, although he had passed the martial examination and became a Jinshi twenty-three years ago, has not had the opportunity to hold a position in the imperial library because he is not a civil Jinshi. In the Song Dynasty, martial Jinshi generally did not serve in the military; they would transition to civil service to become minor officials with limited prospects. To this day, he is merely a clerk in charge of the Eight Harmonies - Diagram - Book classification, ... idling away his time in the martial arts academy under the jurisdiction of the National University, while also diligently studying the Four Books and Five Classics day and night, preparing to participate in next year's civil examination ...! He has not even had the opportunity to hold a position in the imperial library - in the Song Dynasty, martial Jinshi generally did not serve in the military; they would transition to civil service to become minor officials with limited prospects. To this day, he is merely a clerk in charge of the Eight Harmonies - Diagram - Book classification, ... idling away his time in the martial arts academy under the jurisdiction of the National University, while also diligently studying the Four Books and Five Classics day and night, preparing to participate in next year's civil examination ...! ... If the Great Song Dynasty still exists next year!

Viewed from the perspective of later generations, they are considered traitorous soldiers; however, they are by no means the same as the puppet troops that scattered at the sound of gunfire during the War of Resistance against Japan. This is not an era of rising nationalism; these Han men from the northern regions, who serve the Mongols, are only aware of their families and lords, and are oblivious to the concepts of nation and ethnicity

After cursing loudly, he closed his eyes and shot a sharp feathered arrow into the dense crowd

Order from General Wu Ruijun: When the enemy approaches one hundred and twenty paces, unleash a volley of arrows!

A crisp sound of clinking echoed as a rain of arrows fell from the sky onto the heavily armored infantry of the Song army in the front row, merely sparking a few embers, seemingly causing little damage. Chen Dexing was also struck by an arrow, which lodged itself in the gap of his armor, hanging from his body, yet he felt no pain. In the confrontation of bows and crossbows, the Song army appeared to have the upper hand, but the advancing infantry of the Shi family, braving the arrows, suddenly heightened the tension in the air before the formation of the Wu Rui army.

Behind the elite historians, there were Mongolian archers whose formation appeared somewhat scattered. Dismounting to shoot arrows and mounting to charge were the fundamental tactics of the Mongolian cavalry that dominated Eurasia. Formed infantry combat was never the strong suit of the Mongolians, and they scorned to engage in it. For the enemy's infantry would always be in a passive position, enduring blows before them

Lu Youwu refers to Lu Zhaolin, whose official rank is Youwu Dafu, abbreviated as Youwu. Li Baowen refers to Li Tingzhi, who at this time holds the positions of Fengzhi Dafu, Zhi Baowen Ge, and is a member of the Zhizhou and Lianghuai Anfu Si. Among these, Fengzhi Dafu is a discretionary official rank (determining the level of the official position), while Zhi Baowen Ge is a position in the imperial library, theoretically responsible for managing the various documents and books left by Emperors Renzong and Yingzong (Baowen Ge was established for the two emperors). In practice, however, it serves as an honorary title for a civil official, indicating the potential for significant reemployment. Therefore, the senior civil officials of the Song Dynasty often held similar 'library positions.' For instance, Jia Sidao currently holds the position of Duanming Dian Xueshi. The renowned Bao Zheng, known as Bao Qingtian, also held the position of Zhi Longtu Ge, which is why he is respectfully referred to as Bao Longtu

The Song Dynasty implemented a separation of civil and military affairs. Although the military force was recruited by Li Tingzhi, he was a civil official and could not directly lead troops—military generals were to be guarded against, and civil officials leading troops were also subjects of the emperor's scrutiny. Therefore, Jia Sidao and Li Tingzhi selected an experienced general from the various armies along the Huai River to serve as the commanding officer, and chose skilled sons of generals or seasoned soldiers from the armies as junior officers. This was also the origin of Chen Dexing's training officer.

Chen Dexing looked at the old, weak, women, and children who had been driven over, his face pale with anger. Gritting his teeth, he raised his bow and arrow, saying, "Damn you, Genghis Khan, one day I will dig up your grave!"

The rain-like arrows once again fell upon the old, weak, women, and children who were only covered by tattered clothes! After Chen Dexing shot an arrow, he did not participate further in this inhumane massacre, but remained silent, gazing ahead with his head held high

"Er Lang, we will soon arrive at the one hundred and twenty steps!" The urging voice of Monk Liu came through. Last time, he had shot an arrow on behalf of Chen Dexing. ... And this time, it was Chen Dexing's turn to shoot himself ...! ... Since ancient times, mercy does not govern soldiers! Chen Dexing is a military general and must not harbor any feelings of compassion! Otherwise, it would harm both others and oneself, and could jeopardize the family and the nation!

They still want to drive the people to the front lines

The sound of bowstrings being released resonated throughout the battlefield, as thousands of arrows were shot simultaneously, enveloping the Mongolian cavalry and the people of Song Dynasty in a rain of arrows. The Song army was renowned for its strong bows and crossbows, with archers making up as much as 60% of the Southern Song forces. The remaining soldiers, armed with long spears, shields, and axes, served as auxiliary troops to protect the archers.

Send

Behind the elderly, weak, women, and children stood the heavily armored infantry of the Mongolian Han army, advancing in formation, bearing a military flag emblazoned with the character "Shi". Chen Dexing knew that this was the banner of Shi Tianze, the commander of the five routes of the Mongolian Han army! If it was not Shi Tianze himself, it was certainly one of his brothers. The historian of Daxing Yongqing, Shi, was one of the three great commanders of the Mongolian Han army, governing five routes, with a population of one million under his control, and commanding tens of thousands of elite troops

"Er Lang, shoot quickly... Lu Youwu and Li Baowen are watching!" Liu Heshang urged again.

At this moment, the Mongolian archers also began to shoot their feathered arrows! They wielded the Mongolian horn bow, a composite bow made from various materials, which had a power similar to that of the Song army's foot bow (the Song army's bow is also a composite bow). The maximum shooting range exceeds 200 paces, but this range can only be achieved with light arrows that lack armor-piercing capability. When shooting heavy arrows in battle formations, they are only effective within 120 paces, yet it remains very difficult to penetrate the armor of the Song army's infantry. However, this range can only be achieved with light arrows that lack armor-piercing capability. When shooting heavy arrows in battle formations, they are only effective within 120 paces, yet it remains very difficult to penetrate the armor of the Song army's infantry.

At this moment, the tactic of the Song army was to conduct a calibration shot, which meant that thousands of arrows would be shot simultaneously! The purpose of the calibration shot was to measure the distance; hitting the target indicated that the enemy had entered the effective range. With thousands of arrows being shot simultaneously, the density of firepower could cover the enemy!

The order conveyed by the messenger this time was from Lu Zhaolin, the Right Martial Minister and Commander of the Wushui Army. In Chen Dexing's mind, an image of an older military man emerged, his beard already somewhat grizzled, his face tanned and shining, with a pair of leopard-like eyes radiating fierce light, clearly a seasoned veteran of many battles. He was the Lu Zhaolin whom Chen Dexing referred to as "Lu Shiweng," also a native of Anfeng Army (near Shouzhou), and a fellow townsman of Chen Dexing. Thirty years ago, he had enlisted in the army alongside Lü Wende, Chen Hushan, and others, and now he had risen to the rank of a military commander.