vstars Chapter 1986 Let them do it!
Chapter 1986 Let them do it!
"The Xue family truly lives up to the saying, 'Like father, like son.'"
Wang Zhongsi's words expressed both admiration for the courage of the enemy general and a clear understanding of the current predicament.
Xue Dingshan's move was undoubtedly a sacrifice, aimed at delaying the inevitable at all costs.
"General, what should we do now?" the adjutant beside him asked anxiously.
Wang Zhongsi suppressed his emotions, his eyes regaining their sharpness and determination. He knew that he could not linger here any longer.
"Enough with the lamenting. Rescuing Chief Helian is of utmost urgency!"
He gave the order decisively, his voice regaining its usual calm and resolute tone, "General Wang Jun!"
"Your subordinate is here!" A burly, resolute-faced Tang general stepped forward in response.
"I hereby command you to immediately lead all the archers of the central army, a total of five thousand men, to advance rapidly, seize advantageous terrain on both sides of the valley, and suppress the Chu army's crossbowmen!"
"Cover our infantry's advance, support the Tuowu Jin leader, and defeat the Chu army in front of us as quickly as possible to clear the road!"
"I will obey your orders!"
Without hesitation, Wang Jun clasped his hands in acceptance of the order and immediately turned around to muster his troops.
Five thousand Tang archers quickly broke away from their main force, like a nimble stream, rushing along the edge of the riverbed towards the heart of the battlefield where shouts of battle filled the air.
Wang Zhongsi stared at the dust-filled valley ahead. He knew that Xue Dingshan, this tough nut to crack, had to be cracked as soon as possible.
Otherwise, every moment of delay would increase the risk of Helian Wujiu's annihilation.
Because of Xue Dingshan's resolute will to the death, this battle in the Blackwater Valley is destined to be exceptionally fierce.
The battle in the Blackwater Valley suddenly became more brutal and complex after the Tang army's fresh reinforcements joined the fray.
Xue Dingshan slashed down a Scorpion Clan centurion who was trying to approach with a single spear thrust; his silver-white armor was already splattered with mottled blood.
He keenly sensed the change in the battlefield situation—his own archers, who had previously held an absolute advantage on the earthen slopes on both sides, were now being strongly countered by the Tang army's elite archers.
The Tang archers were well-trained, and their arrows were accurate and powerful. With their superior numbers and equipment, they gradually suppressed the Chu army's volley fire, greatly reducing the Chu army's fire coverage below the valley.
Meanwhile, having gained a respite, Tuojin managed to gather some of the scattered cavalry and began to organize wave after wave of fierce counterattacks.
Even more worrying is that the Tang army's heavily armored infantry phalanx, like a moving steel forest, is advancing steadily along the riverbed with heavy steps, attempting to join forces with the Scorpion Clan cavalry and completely crush the Chu army's defenses.
The pressure came in like a tidal wave from all directions!
However, faced with this extremely unfavorable situation, Xue Dingshan, who was only twenty years old, showed composure and outstanding command ability far beyond his age.
He did not panic despite the enemy's overwhelming strength, nor did he rashly order his troops to engage in a suicidal charge against the enemy.
He quickly determined that his advantage lay in mobility and the favorable terrain he had pre-occupied, while his disadvantage was an absolute lack of manpower and a lack of heavy infantry.
We must never engage in a direct confrontation with the enemy!
"Send the order!"
Xue Dingshan's voice remained clear amidst the clamor of the battlefield, carrying an undeniable calmness.
"Archers on the eastern slope, divide into three teams and fire alternately to maintain continuous firepower, focusing on sniping enemy officers and archers!"
"The ambush troops on the west side, in units of a hundred men, will use the bushes and rocks as cover to constantly harass the flanks of the Tang infantry, slowing their advance. They will shoot the horses first and disrupt their formation!"
"All cavalry units, heed my command! Provide alternating cover and retreat in stages to the second pre-established defensive line! Utilize river bends and narrow sections to launch layered attacks, and never engage the enemy in prolonged combat!"
His commands were precise and efficient. Under his command, the Chu cavalry moved as if they were extensions of their own limbs.
When the Scorpion Clan cavalry charged madly at Tuwu Jin's roar, the Chu army did not fight them head-on, but instead used the agility of their warhorses to quickly retreat a distance.
Then, at the new ambush point, take advantage of the terrain to suddenly turn around and launch a counterattack, or cover the enemy with a dense rain of arrows, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy before retreating again.
This tactic, combining "dragging the knife" and "sparrow warfare," rendered the overwhelmingly superior Tuwu Jin forces powerless.
Each fierce attack seemed to hit cotton, and instead, they suffered continuous losses during the pursuit.
The Chu army was like a persistent, intractable disease, holding them back so tightly that their advance was frustratingly slow.
Xue Dingshan himself always led from the front, his gleaming silver spear like an invitation from the Grim Reaper, always appearing in the most critical places on the front lines.
He would occasionally lead his personal guard cavalry in a fierce counter-charge, driving back the Scorpion Clan cavalry that were about to break through.
Sometimes he would ride his horse up a high slope and personally adjust the archers' firing positions.
His young face was covered in blood and dust, but his eyes remained bright and determined, as if they contained boundless energy and fighting spirit.
Under his command, the 20,000 Chu troops were engaged in a fierce battle, and casualties continued to rise.
However, their formation remained intact, their morale remained high, and they continued to carry out their blocking mission in an orderly manner, keeping 50,000 enemy troops bogged down in the Blackwater Valley. Every step forward came at a heavy cost.
Just as Xue Dingshan was fighting a bloody battle in the Blackwater Valley, the carrier pigeons he sent out crossed mountains and rivers to deliver the message to the commanders of all sides.
Zhennanguan.
Chu Ning was discussing military matters with Feng Anguo when a commander of the Imperial Guards strode in and presented a secret letter:
"Your Majesty, a message has been sent by General Xue Dingshan via carrier pigeon from the direction of Luoxia Mountain!"
Chu Ning unfolded it and took a look. A hint of surprise flashed across his cold and stern face, which then turned into deep emotion.
He slowly handed the letter to Feng Anguo, his tone filled with undisguised admiration: "Xue Huaide has raised a fine son!"
"At only twenty years old, he dared to use 20,000 cavalry to block Wang Zhongsi's 50,000 reinforcements in the Blackwater River Valley... Such courage and decisiveness make him a pillar of the nation!"
After reading it, Feng Anguo was also filled with respect: "General Xue is commendable for his loyalty and bravery! However... the enemy outnumbers us and the situation is perilous."
Chu Ning turned his gaze eastward, as if he could pierce through countless mountains and passes to see the valley where a bloody battle was raging. He said in a deep voice:
"Issue my decree to commend Xue Dingshan and his troops! Tell Xue Huaide and Feng Mulan that Xue Dingshan is buying them time, so let them go ahead and do their work!"
He paused, his gaze shifting towards the outside of the city, a fierce glint flashing across his face.
"Li Jing, since your surprise attack was encountered by the Vermilion Bird Legion, there is absolutely no reason to send them to Sunset Mountain!"
"This time, even if it costs me 20,000 men, I must devour Helian Wujiu and Zhang Xun's 40,000 men!"
As the emperor, he naturally wouldn't be soft-hearted at this crucial moment!
"Send the order to immediately attack the Tang army camp!"
He wanted to take advantage of Li Jing's current small number of troops and launch a full-scale attack!