Chapter 125

Takbal Yeokmi faithfully carried out the mission entrusted by Chang-ran.

As the Wei army began to move, Takbal Yeokmi spread the word among the Xianbei tribe that Chang-ran had not yet issued a retreat order, but this time would be no different.

Takbal Yeokmi’s skill was impressive, but with three precedents, the Xianbei tribe quickly fell for his words. The public opinion among the Xianbei tribe was no different for Du Bin.

Chang-ran was nowhere to be seen, and Takbal Yeokmi approached Du Bin, who was grumbling and complaining, subtly encouraging him by agreeing with his words.

Before Chang-ran issued the retreat order, if they attacked, Chang-ran would have no choice but to attack as well, thus urging the attack.

Not wanting to fall behind Takbal Yeokmi, the Xianbei tribe of Molokhuibu also urged Du Bin to issue the attack order.

“This is good! Let’s attack! Running away is for cowards, if we win, that’s all that matters!”

Sword raised high, Du Bin shouted bravely. And before Chang-ran could notice, he quickly issued the attack order.

“Let’s go! Warriors of the Xianbei tribe! Show the Han people our strength!”

“Kiyoooot!!”

With a sharp battle cry, the Xianbei cavalry broke formation. In the midst of the Xianbei tribe charging madly on their horses, Takbal Yeokmi subtly slowed down and fell to the rear of the formation.

Takbal Yeokmi knew that Chang-ran would not follow the Xianbei tribe into the attack, and that the Xianbei tribe could never win, even if they died and came back to life.

Until now, they had managed to engage in a back-and-forth battle. But that was only against local forces, a mere fraction. If Cao Wei mobilized its main army, the chances of victory were almost zero.

‘If the front collapses like this, don’t even look back, just run. That’s the answer. But why is there still no sound…?’

Even though he had fallen quite far back, Takbal Yeokmi turned his head at the sound of hooves still coming from the rear.

‘Huh?’

And there, he saw a familiar face.

It was the face of Bang Deok, leading the Qiang tribe and following at the rear.

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“It has begun.”

Bi Yi muttered as he watched the dust cloud of the galloping cavalry ahead.

The Xianbei tribe under Du Bin’s influence, Bang Deok, and the Qiang tribe led by Chimu Dae. In response, the Wei army also deployed cavalry composed of various ethnic groups.

“Takbal Yeokmi, his skills are not bad. He managed to bring in most of the tribes except for the Xianbei tribe centered around Dobbahu.”

Takbal Yeokmi, who would later grow the Takbalbu into one of the two major forces of the Xianbei tribe alongside Dobbahu. That much wouldn’t have been too difficult.

“The vanguard has collapsed. They’ll be here soon.”

The vanguard, Du Mi, fought quite well. But the rear support was lukewarm, and the enemy’s numbers were overwhelming, making it an uneven fight.

As Du Bin collapsed, the cavalry crumbled like a sandcastle. Our nomadic cavalry began to scatter in all directions, each fending for themselves.

“We should start preparing.”

“Right. Inform all units. Prepare for the enemy’s charge.”

Flutter!

The flag bearer, hearing my command, waved the flag with all his might.

The sound of commands being repeated echoed from all corners of the army as they confirmed the orders from the central command through the flags.

“Move the Pyeonsanggeo forward!”

The Pyeonsanggeo (偏箱車) was a defensive cart placed in front of the army’s front line to block the enemy.

As the Wei army, having defeated the ethnic cavalry, charged towards our main force, our army calmly formed their camp.

The retreats so far were also training for rapid movement. Under the skilled leadership of each unit’s commanders and their subordinate officers, the army’s formation quickly changed.

The scene was like a flower bud finally blooming, spreading its petals.

Of course, the formation was quite different from the Eight Array Formation I learned from Zhuge Liang.

‘The Eight Array Formation is difficult.’

Eight rows and eight columns. The Eight Array Formation, consisting of a total of 64 formations, uses various weapons and carts to create a systematic and organic movement at its core.

Without high proficiency, strict military discipline, and a commander who thoroughly understands the essence of the Eight Array Formation, it is difficult to display its might.

‘And we lacked all three.’

I was not as knowledgeable about the Eight Array Formation as Zhuge Liang, and even the Lanling Army had not reached a proficient level in the formation’s tactics. The inclusion of ethnic groups also disrupted the unity of military discipline.

A clumsy Eight Array Formation is worse than not deploying it at all.

So, when I first heard that they had bypassed Hatu and launched an attack, I abandoned the Eight Array Formation. Time was absolutely insufficient.

I needed a replacement for the Eight Array Formation. A new tactic simpler than the Eight Array Formation but with comparable effectiveness against cavalry.

Once again, history provided the answer.

“Yuhua, deploy.”

Born from the Eight Array Formation, the Yuhua Formation became the standard of the battlefield for a long time in the future.

Created by the famous Tang general Li Jing by modifying the Eight Array Formation, the Yuhua Formation spread throughout the Tang dynasty and Northeast Asia, becoming the foundation of military formations.

In forming the Yuhua Formation, the central army takes the form of a reserve force, and six outer armies form a defensive formation around the central army.

Its shape resembles a flower with six petals.

Hence, it is called Yuhua (六花).

The six outer armies, acting as petals, are entrusted to Wang Ping, Kang Yu, Guo Yi, Bi Yi, Yu En, and Bu Chuan. I, commanding the central army, am responsible for coordination.

It sounds simple, but the Yuhua Formation is as complex and difficult as the Eight Array Formation.

So, why use the Yuhua Formation as a replacement for the Eight Array Formation? The Yuhua Formation I use is just one form of the Yuhua Formation.

The Yuhua Formation uses various formations based on the core seven-unit system, adapted to the situation.

The complete circular Yuhua Yuan Formation (六花圓陣), the completely square Yuhua Fang Formation (六花方陣), the overlapping Yuhua Qu Formation (六花曲陣), and the vertical Yuhua Zhi Formation (六花直陣) used when horizontal deployment is difficult.

Our army only uses the basic Yuhua Formation.

Thanks to the Yuhua Formation’s roots in the Eight Array Formation, the Yuhua Formation we deploy now can be seen as compensating for low proficiency with excellent commanders.

In that respect, the difficulty of the Yuhua Formation is significantly lower than the Eight Array Formation.

The most challenging part here is dividing the seven units of the central army and six outer armies into 49 smaller units.

The retreats so far were also intended to lure the enemy, but that was secondary. The main purpose was training to familiarize the troops with the 49-unit reorganization.

The six petals bloomed into a new flower, completing the Yuhua Formation.

The six Yuhua Fang Formations surrounding the outside and the central Yuhua Yuan Formation.

Each unit was spaced apart, but from a distance, it would look like a single flower.

‘They’ve never seen this formation before.’

I didn’t miss the unrest among the Wei cavalry as they approached.

Facing an unfamiliar formation, the Wei army was confused about how to respond, but the hesitation was brief.

Conscious of the Yuan Rong and Qiang Nu, the Wei cavalry, which seemed ready to engage in close combat, split into two and attempted to encircle us. It was a swift deployment, like the Red Sea parting.

‘Zhao Chang has the army under perfect control.’

The Wei cavalry carried round shields to counter the Yuan Rong. That alone wouldn’t completely block it, but it would reduce casualties.

Choosing shields over bows and arrows gave a rough idea of Zhao Chang’s strategy.

The top priority was a frontal breakthrough for close combat. But the presence of Pyeonsanggeo in the front and an unheard-of formation led to failure.

So, Zhao Chang chose to flank, accepting some casualties to first understand our formation.

Not knowing when the Yuan Rong’s volley would come, the Wei army raised their shields and circled around us. They must be looking for a weak point to break through.

I didn’t issue separate orders to each unit. The Yuhua Formation is still an incomplete tactic. For me, and for others.

So, rather than controlling from the center, I judged it better to give each unit’s commanders autonomy to handle the situation.

After confirming appropriate suppression through Yuan Rong and Qiang Nu, I turned my gaze far ahead.

Bang Deok and Takbal Yeokmi, seemingly trying to escape the battlefield without looking back. The Wei army’s ethnic groups closely following them also came into view.

‘It will take some time.’

Next was the interior.

The ethnic groups who did not join Du Bin were assigned to the central army under my direct command.

As the Wei army encircled us, unease spread among the ethnic groups.

For the mostly cavalry ethnic groups, they were usually the ones encircling, not being encircled. With good mobility, being encircled was rare.

Preparing a defensive formation against encirclement was always the story of settled people.

But now that they were the ones being encircled, it was natural to feel anxious.

But that unease quickly subsided.

The Yuhua Formation firmly blocked the Wei cavalry, and inside, Dobbapilgo stepped in to restore order.

‘Internal stability is secured. Now it’s a battle of time.’

After confirming everything, I looked at Zhao Chang leading the vanguard with the cavalry.

‘Spears and shields, a battle of strength.’

Zhao Chang, Jian Chao, Zhao Jin, Yan Yu, and other skilled Wei generals must have realized by now. The Yuhua Formation is not an easy formation to break.

“They can’t retreat like this.”

Their morale is currently sky-high, reaching the heavens.

The continuous retreats of the enemy have heated their morale, and defeating Du Bin decisively must have finally made it explode.

As the saying goes, the higher you climb, the harder you fall.

How much would morale shake if they charged in high spirits only to be met with arrows?

‘Zhao Chang will definitely attack.’

To compensate for the time lost in repeated retreats and standoffs.

He will press forward, using overwhelming morale and numbers to crush any difficulties.

Yes, just like now.

“Chang-ran─! Let’s settle this battle!!”

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