svetikya Page 216
Page 216
If it weren't for Li Chang'an's prior planning in the Western Qin Kingdom, Ye Wan's plan would have had a success rate of about 60%.
However, launching a surprise attack from afar, especially with a lone force deep in enemy territory, was indeed a risky move.
But that's how opportunities are on the battlefield; they're fleeting. If you seize them, you'll be remembered for eternity; if you miss them, your army will collapse like a house of cards.
Ye Zhong, Gong Dian, Qin Yi, and the others were all right. They dared not bear the risk of a crushing defeat, so they chose to be more conservative.
But in fact, the Western Qin Kingdom was a long-term scheme by Li Chang'an, so the effect of this battle will be much better than Ye Wan expected.
Li Chang'an issued the military order, and even Ye Wan was somewhat worried. "This humble general is willing to fight to the death, why must Your Highness take such a risk?"
Other generals also advised Li Chang'an against such rash actions.
Ye Zhong, in particular, was extremely anxious. It was bad enough that his son was so audacious, but his son-in-law was also a madman!
Although it was Li Chang'an's first time on the battlefield, he acted like a veteran, making quick decisions and displaying unwavering resolve.
My poor daughter Ye Ling'er, she's only been married for a little over two months, I hope she doesn't end up a widow.
Moreover, of the 50,000 cavalry, 30,000 were the Ye family's accumulated wealth over many years. If they were all lost, Ye Zhong would be heartbroken.
Li Chang'an ignored them and strictly ordered his generals to act according to military orders.
Half a day later, all the allocations were in place.
Ye Wan patted Ye Zhong on the shoulder and said, "Father, there is no need to worry. With His Highness's Shadow Guards leading the battle, I am 70% confident of a great victory over Northern Qi!"
Ye Zhong said with a bitter face, "Son, if you lose, these 30,000 elite cavalry will be gone, and my Ye family will fall into ruin!"
Ye Wan offered a reverse suggestion, "If we win, my Ye family will be firmly above the Qin family, and the position of Privy Councilor will undoubtedly belong to Father."
"From now on, Father can sit and take a nap while attending court!"
At this moment, Ye Zhong suddenly felt old and no longer had the same drive as Ye Wan.
"That's enough, let's tie our son and son-in-law together and leave it to fate."
……
Three days later, in the evening.
The Northern Qi army of 100,000 men has already set up camp outside Langya City.
Inside the central command tent, the commander-in-chief was listening to intelligence reports from various parties.
"General, Gao Yao has replied. Tomorrow morning, the Western Qin emperor Rou Tan will surrender, and 60,000 Western Qin troops will surrender to the Great Qi!"
The commander nodded and said, "Very well. He has 60,000 elite troops at his disposal, so I dare not enter the city rashly tonight."
"We should accept their surrender first tomorrow, and then take over the Western Qin army. That should put our minds at ease."
"Is there any movement from the Nanqing border army?"
One of the generals replied, "Li Chang'an and Ye Wan left Yangguan three days ago, and then their troops split into several groups and headed north."
"Judging from the direction they're heading, they're probably trying to seize several cities in the south of Western Qin. It's too late for us to send reinforcements."
The commander waved his hand and said, "It's alright, taking Langya City and 60,000 elite Western Qin troops is the priority."
"The Qi army has suffered heavy losses in the past two years. A few cities are nothing. Restoring military strength is the right thing to do."
"Everyone, get some rest tonight. We'll move into Langya City tomorrow, and then we'll have Gao hand over their weapons workshops."
"In this way, the military strength of our Great Qi will be even greater than before!"
late at night.
The Northern Qi general was suddenly awakened by a whistling arrow, followed by a deafening battle cry.
"Reporting to the General! The gates of Langya City are wide open, and tens of thousands of troops are charging towards the camp!"
As the commander put on his armor, he cursed, "Is Gao Yao an idiot?!"
"He thinks his 60,000 men can devour my 100,000? He's asking for death!"
Although he didn't take it seriously, he could clearly hear the shouts of battle outside the camp.
When he stepped out of the tent with his sword, he found that the military camp was on fire everywhere, and in the blink of an eye, flames soared into the sky, and the camp was in chaos.
The army has just arrived today, and they are here to accept surrender, so the fences and trenches are not yet fully prepared.
Everywhere were Western Qin soldiers storming into the camp. These Western Qin soldiers were just as troublesome as ever, able to cut through the weapons or armor of Northern Qi soldiers with a single slash.
"Gao Yao is attacking our camp, but his forces won't be too large. Hold the line and don't panic!"
He had just shouted one sentence when suddenly a barrage of arrows rained down from the sky!
"Whoosh whoosh!"
The arrows rained down by the Western Qin army were extremely sharp; a single arrow could pierce a flagpole and sever an arm!
"General, it's no use! The Western Qin troops came too suddenly, and our army was caught off guard!"
The 60,000 elite troops of Western Qin were far superior to the soldiers of Northern Qi in terms of weapons and armor.
Moreover, during the year-long war, they had already established a psychological advantage over the Northern Qi army and had never lost.
Moreover, the Western Qin army launched a well-organized and planned raid, deploying all 60,000 troops.
What the Northern Qi perceived as a night raid and harassment was actually a decisive battle launched by the Western Qin army.
On the mountainside a mile away, Li Chang'an and Ye Wan were observing the situation in front of Langya City.
Ye Wan looked at the military camp engulfed in flames and heard the battle cries that could be heard a mile away; he was already impatient.
The 50,000 Nanqing cavalry have rested for two hours and are now ready to charge and kill the enemy.
"Your Highness, Gao Yao has indeed sent troops as agreed!"
"The Northern Qi army is in disarray; this humble general requests permission to charge!"
Looking at the battle formation, Li Chang'an said, "No rush, wait until the Northern Qi army is routed before launching a surprise attack."
Li Chang'an said this because he believed in the fighting strength of the Western Qin soldiers, which he was certain could overwhelm the 100,000 Northern Qi soldiers.
Secondly, the strength of the Nanqing cavalry lies in their ability to charge infantry. If they were to break into the camp, they would not have much of an advantage. It would be better to wait until the enemy could not hold out and retreat before launching a surprise attack.
An hour later, the Northern Qi army began to slowly retreat, leaving all their military supplies behind outside the city.
For Northern Qi, preserving its strength and leaving Western Qin alive was of paramount importance.
In the recent battle, the Northern Qi army suffered over 30,000 casualties and surrenders.
The remaining 60,000-plus men had already fled separately, fighting their own battles.
The Western Qin soldiers did not pursue the city because they were concerned about its defenses.
The Northern Qi general, mounted on his horse, felt much relieved to see that the Western Qin soldiers were not pursuing them.
"Fortunately, they don't have many troops, so we can still retreat."
"Gao Yao, you are so treacherous. If Han Xin and Shang Shanhu were to purge the court of corrupt officials in the future, don't blame the Great Qi for not saving you!"
"Order all units to withdraw in an orderly manner. We are safe now!"
However, the Northern Qi army had only run less than a mile when they suddenly heard the sound of horses' hooves coming from the road ahead!
The deafening sound of hooves indicated a large number of cavalrymen, a dark mass under the moonlight, surging forward like a tide.
"Kill!"
"Kill Qi dogs!"
"Leave no one behind!"
Under the moonlight, the swords of the Nanqing cavalry reflected a chilling glint!
Soon, these cold glints were cast upon the Northern Qi soldiers!
The high-speed charging cavalry easily tore the bodies of the Northern Qi soldiers apart with their long swords.
One by one, the Northern Qi soldiers were cut in half or knocked away by warhorses!
Along the more than one-mile-long front, cavalrymen were charging and fighting everywhere.
Infantrymen were like lambs being pounced on by hungry wolves when faced with elite cavalry.
Upon hearing the familiar Southern Qing accent in the darkness, the Northern Qi soldiers completely broke down.
"How could there be people from Nanqing here?"
"People from Nanqing actually dare to come to the North!"
"What exactly is going on!"
The generals of the Northern Qi army were terrified!
For decades, the Nanqing army has never been seen north of Qianlong Bay!
"Three days! The Nanqing cavalry arrived in just three days! How is that possible!"
"Could it be that they conspired with Gao Yao?!"
"Did the people from Nanqing fly here?!"
The brutal massacre continued, with large numbers of soldiers throwing down their weapons and surrendering with their heads in their hands.
In the darkness, the infantry were completely powerless against the rampaging cavalry.