Chapter 162

Xiang Province is abundant with water.

The Yangtze River connects Hagu and Yukou. To the west lies the vast Yunmeng Marsh, and to the east, numerous large and small lakes are scattered.

Compared to Yunmeng Marsh, the ground here is firmer, so moving a large army isn’t a problem. However, the lakes scattered around limit the available routes.

With already few paths to choose from, adding the condition of the shortest distance to Hagu? Their route was obvious.

And they walked right into the tiger’s mouth.

“Enemy forces spotted.”

Ma Su, who had taken my right side after Kang Yu left, reported.

I cleared my emotions before the battle and said, “Switch from straight to curved formation. Surround and annihilate them. Kill them all here.”

The order was relayed to the entire army through flags and drumbeats. In an instant, the formation changed from a ‘三’ shape to an ‘八’ shape.

The Yuhua Formation’s seven units. With Kang Yu and his troops drafted, this Yuhua Formation was divided into six units.

Two units in the center, two on the left flank, and two on the right flank.

Now, the left and right rear units and the right and right rear units were properly established. Accordingly, each flank had 6,500 troops, and the center had 7,000.

The center’s numbers seemed weak, but we bolstered its defense by concentrating sword chariots and shield carts there.

And most importantly, I was in the center. I was the morale-boosting totem and a tactical weapon.

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.

The successors to their legacy.

I was walking that path.

Even a numerical disadvantage could be overturned. Surrounding just 10,000 with 7,000 troops was more than enough.

As we deployed a curved formation with clear intent to surround, the enemy reacted.

They chose to break through rather than retreat. The Eastern Wu army, which had been moving in a long snake formation suitable for marching, began to change its formation.

‘Sharpening the front and forming a defensive square on the remaining three sides. A sharp formation. They intend to break through.’

A formation that balances defense against encirclement while using the vanguard to pierce the enemy line.

But conversely, it was a formation ambiguous in both attack and defense.

For this formation to work as intended, the vanguard’s role was crucial.

The key was whether their somewhat lacking breakthrough power could pierce our lines.

‘Most likely, Sesheng will lead the vanguard.’

Such confidence. Or perhaps the determination to save Sun Ding was that strong.

Or maybe they realized their only way out was a frontal breakthrough.

‘If they retreat, annihilation is certain.’

Kang Yu’s suicide squad would hold their rear.

Though few in number, the suicide squad had Yuan Rong crossbows. They must have some awareness of the suicide squad closing in from behind and being caught between us.

The path we faced was flanked by the Yangtze River and lakes.

They had no choice but to break through.

If they retreated clumsily, they’d be blocked by Kang Yu’s troops and annihilated by our rear attack.

Some might escape Kang Yu’s troops, but that would be a meaningless death.

Better to break through. Success could promise a future. That must have been their judgment.

Breaking through could block the path, or they could place a suicide squad at the path and rush the rest to Hagu Fortress to join forces inside.

A sound judgment. If successful.

“Tell the left and right flanks. If the enemy attacks the center, surround them immediately.”

They built a defensive formation fearing our cavalry, but a defensive formation without chariots has its limits.

If they truly prepared for land combat, they should have dismantled ships to make temporary combat carts.

Such half-hearted preparations couldn’t withstand my Lanling Army.

“The enemy is attacking!”

“Wait. When the enemy is 50 paces from the center, deploy the flanks.”

They’re coming into view.

The faces of the approaching enemy.

At the forefront, there he was.

A stern expression and a sturdy build similar to Wei Yan.

The tiger minister who deceived Cao Biao and amazed Cao Cao with his valor.

Sesheng.

With only a few hundred troops, he fought thousands outside the city. His face showed no fear.

As our eyes met, Ma Su’s voice struck my eardrums.

“50 paces!”

I raised my spear and shouted, “Flanks, advance!”

With my cry, soldiers from both sides charged.

Ma Dai led the left flank, Bu Chuan the right.

Under their command, four units began to encircle the Wu army.

Though Kang Yu wasn’t visible yet, he must be steadily closing the distance. The iron chains blocking the Yangtze were more for crossing than blocking ships.

Scouts reported Kang Yu was pursuing the enemy’s rear.

Time was on our side.

“The enemy is surrounded! Soon, Vice General Kang’s special unit will join! Victory is within our grasp!”

And then.

Collision.

Clang!

Sword chariots with blades mowed down enemy soldiers.

Thud!

Armored enemies pushed back shield carts with all their might.

Thwack!

An arrow pierced the neck of one pushing the cart.

A melee ensued. Those trying to hold the line and those trying to break through clashed at the cost of their lives.

The Yuhua Formation, specialized against cavalry, still showed its might against infantry.

But unlike cavalry, infantry melees made it harder to distinguish friend from foe, and the closer distance hindered archers behind the carts.

Sesheng’s private troops also showed remarkable bravery. But the Lanling Army’s defense wasn’t so easily breached.

Yet, victory wasn’t assured because of Sesheng at the enemy’s forefront.

Would our flanks break their formation faster?

Or would their vanguard pierce our center first?

In a classic encirclement versus breakthrough clash, that would decide the outcome.

But there’s another way to determine victory.

Breaking the enemy’s vanguard.

“General Ma, you take command of the center. Work with So-seon; it won’t be hard.”

“Huh? Commander Wei, no! You’re the supreme commander! If anything happens to you…”

It was the first time Ma Su called me ‘supreme commander,’ and I laughed despite the situation.

Only madness could make one laugh here.

Perhaps it’s from being on the battlefield too long.

But the laughter vanished instantly as I saw my soldier fall to Sesheng.

“Look there. My soldiers are dying by his hand.”

Sesheng’s valor was dazzling. If he were an ally, I’d praise his feats.

But he was an enemy. His brilliance was despair for my troops and sorrow for me.

“War has no virtue. But if I had to name one.”

He’s a harmful general.

To my troops now and to the future.

My Gold-Spirit Phoenix pawed the ground, eager to charge.

Yes, you don’t want to wait either.

“Swift end to the war.”

As I pulled the reins, the Gold-Spirit Phoenix shot forward like an arrow.

“Lanling Army! Make way!!”

The Lanling Army, proud of being the most elite, swiftly opened a path at my command.

Ignoring Ma Su’s calls from behind, I charged forward. Following the path my soldiers made.

At the end was the enemy general, Sesheng.

Seeing me charge, Sesheng glared at me.

“So! You’re Chang-ran!”

Just as I aimed to kill Sesheng to end the battle quickly.

Sesheng too wanted to kill me to open a path.

Our interests aligned as we charged at each other.

Sesheng’s confidence to face me on horseback was worthy of a tiger minister.

The Gold-Spirit Phoenix left a golden trail as it passed Sesheng.

As we crossed, a sharp metallic sound tore through the air.

No feeling of a cut. Sesheng had blocked my attack.

Incredible reflexes. Or battle-honed instincts.

I stroked the Gold-Spirit Phoenix’s neck, and it slowed, turning.

At the boundary where the Wu and Lanling armies clashed, only Sesheng and I faced each other.

“Not bad.”

At my casual remark, veins bulged on Sesheng’s forehead.

“Woman…”