Chapter 128: The First Battle (VI)

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In every era, the choice of tactics is deeply rooted in its historical context. After the decline of classical militarism, cavalry in both the East and West became a noble class of troops. They would disperse their formations to control as much of the battlefield as possible, suppressing as many enemy infantry as they could. Their role was to shield their own infantry formations, enabling advantageous attacks against the enemy.

When cavalry clashed, they too would spread out their ranks, deciding the outcome through individual valor. Following the late Han period, the aristocratic clan system reached its peak, alongside the rise of private armies. Cavalry units became the elite forces directly under prominent families, supplemented by conscripted infantry used as expendable troops. This formed the characteristic warfare of the chaotic centuries after the Han dynasty.

The elite core of many non-Han regimes was essentially these aristocratic cavalry forces. The remaining Han noble clans imitated this model, even in the southern dynasties of Eastern Jin, Song, Qi, Liang, and Chen, where this was unavoidable.

The Murong family rose from a minor clan in Liaodong, surrounded by enemies on all sides. In their early days, lacking adequate equipment and unable to raise large infantry legions, they had no choice but to rely on their own kin as cavalry. The legendary duo Murong Ke and Murong Chui developed cavalry tactics centered on dense, wall-like formations. Their successive victories paved the way for the establishment of the Yan state.

Yet, in an era dominated by aristocratic clans, relying on these kin-based elite cavalry and attritional tactics was unsustainable. After Yan was founded, such tactics were soon abandoned, leaving only a legacy that later northern Xianbei clans in the Six Garrisons learned from, passed down through Xu Gan, and finally taught to Xu Le.

At its core, this approach reduced cavalry to an expendable level, resolving battles through brute force. Only with the collapse of aristocratic rule and the effective mobilization of national strength could the classical militaristic tactics and systems be restored.

In the West, by the Napoleonic era, the old nobility was almost wiped out. The ranks of the army swelled with eager commoners who formed new cavalry units employing similar tactics. For a time, they were unbeatable across the continent, earning a formidable reputation.

Today, beneath Pingbing Mountain, this cavalry’s wall-like charge has once again revealed its sharp fangs.

From an aerial vantage, one could see the loose formation of the Mayi cavalry nearly encircling dozens of Xu family militia from Lvzhuang. Yet these militia relentlessly pierced through the enemy line. Amid the clash, men and horses were thrown to the ground, but nearly all the fallen were Mayi cavalry fighting alone.

Led by Xu Le as the spearhead, the Xu militia surged forward like an unstoppable torrent, leaving a trail of corpses, blood, abandoned horses running wild, and wounded Mayi cavalry writhing in agony on the ground.

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Xu Le charged ahead, his eyes bloodshot with rage.

The Xu militia, trained by Xu Gan, possessed courage and skill sufficient to maintain the dense, wall-like charge. But lacking battle formation experience, they needed a figure like Xu Le—a spearhead who could lead the charge, inspire courage, and turn the assault into an irresistible force.

Before Xu Le’s arrival, Xu Gan could not break the Mayi cavalry with such tactics. But with Xu Le—a leader invincible in the forefront—driving the militia forward, the dense assault transformed into a terrifying weapon on the battlefield.

One by one, the faces of Mayi cavalry appeared before him. Xu Le’s twin spears spun and danced with ruthless precision, unseating them all. Blood rained down, splattering across his black armor and iron mask, making his already fearsome guise even more terrifying.

Two more Mayi cavalry appeared, but unlike their predecessors, they hesitated. One slowed his horse, the other yanked the reins hard, both readying to retreat.

Before Xu Le could urge his mount, Tunlong let out a long neigh, thrusting off with powerful hind hooves. As a Mayi rider screamed in terror, Xu Le thrust a spear straight through his open mouth, the spear’s tip emerging from the back of his head. Pulling it free brought forth a spray of blood and shattered teeth.

Another Mayi rider was already turning to flee. In his frenzy, Xu Le threw his horse spear without hesitation. The spear flew overhead, piercing the rider’s back and cutting through armor, plunging deep into the horse’s neck. The mount screamed and collapsed, bringing rider and horse down together. Despite struggling, the rider’s chest wound was fatal.

Xu Le scanned his surroundings; no enemies remained before him.

Four rows of Mayi cavalry had been slaughtered in a single stroke!

Behind, the thunder of hooves announced Han Yue’s arrival. This tall man wielded two iron shields, their edges stained with blood. The Wolf Fang on his smaller shield protruded menacingly. Through the enemy lines, no one knew how many Mayi cavalry had fallen beneath his defense.

Next came the equally bloodied Xu militia, surging forward. Without waiting for orders, they wheeled about, turning to face the pursuing Mayi cavalry, reforming a dense formation.

Though nearly twenty of the militia had fallen, leaving fewer than forty, their wall-like formation showed no sign of weakening.

The Mayi cavalry, despite maintaining numerical superiority, had suffered casualties at more than twice the militia’s rate during the charge. Now disorganized and tangled, they no longer formed cohesive ranks, nervously eyeing the regrouped Xu militia.

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Each Mayi cavalryman could hardly believe his eyes.

This force of warhorses, painstakingly forged by Governor Wang, was decisively defeated in direct combat by a band of militia?

Their officers were nearly wiped out, including their commander Shizhao Zhi, who fell on the spot. Though still outnumbering the enemy, these once proud Mayi cavalry—never afraid of close combat—had lost all will to fight. They had no idea how to face the Xu militia now, and no leader remained to rally their ranks for another charge.

Xu Le bore Xu Gan on his back, advancing slowly. His bloodstained horse spear was raised high, then tilted downward once more.

Behind him, dozens of militia breathed heavily but urged their mounts forward without hesitation. Their bloodied warhorses moved in unison, surging ahead.

Xu Le angled his spear more steeply. The speed of the cavalry behind him quickened. In moments, they would crash again into the chaotic Mayi cavalry ranks!

A Mayi rider cried out in agony, yanking his reins and turning to flee!

That anguished shout seemed to signal the end. The remaining Mayi cavalry, still superior in number and fully equipped, all pulled their reins and fled.

No matter which direction they fled, the farther they escaped from the armored killing god, the better.

Beneath Pingbing Mountain, the Mayi cavalry had broken and fled!