readytorunbook Chapter 235: The Final Battle (8)
Chapter 235: The Final Battle (8)
What the hell? Xiahou Ba is here?
The amount of information was overwhelming, and Zhang He was stunned for a moment before he reacted. Just as he was about to send someone to find out what was going on, he saw a general in armor push through the crowd and walk towards him.
Zhang He recognized the general as the captain he had left in the main camp to guard against attacks from the Shu army. But why was he running around here instead of staying in the camp? Had the main camp behind him been breached by the Shu army?
Amidst Zhang He's bewildered state, the captain approached him, straightening his helmet which had tilted in the chaos, and anxiously said, "General, something terrible has happened! General Xiahou has been defeated by Zhang Fei! That damned Zhang Fei didn't stop after defeating General Xiahou; instead, he herded General Xiahou's fleeing troops like sheep all the way to our side. My defenses were breached on the spot, and now the fleeing troops are charging this way! What should we do, General?"
"What, defeated soldiers?" Zhang He's face turned pale instantly. He quickly turned around to look behind him, but unfortunately, the main force was right behind him, and he couldn't see any defeated soldiers at all.
Although he couldn't see them, he could hear them. The chaotic footsteps and shouts of the fleeing soldiers were like a sudden dirge in the dark, making Zhang He tremble uncontrollably.
He knew all too well the destructive power of routed soldiers; if they were to break through the mountain pass, they could easily break through the army's formation.
What made Zhang He even more desperate was that this place was too close to the mountain pass. Tens of thousands of troops were currently crammed into the narrow space between the battle flag and the mountain pass. If the defeated soldiers came out of the mountain pass, they would be right next to his own rear. If they suddenly rushed out, his own rear would not even have time to react or have any room to maneuver.
Moreover, the fleeing soldiers were attacking the rear, while he was at the very front of the formation, separated from the mountain pass where the fleeing soldiers were by tens of thousands of troops. He couldn't even go over to command or guide the fleeing soldiers to escape elsewhere.
However, even if they went there themselves, what could they do? Their own army had the mountain pass completely blocked, and the routed soldiers had no other option but to charge into their own camp.
How to do how to do?
In despair, Zhang He suddenly had a burst of quick thinking and shouted impatiently, "Order the Yamaguchi army to immediately launch an attack on the Shu camp and make way for the routed soldiers to advance."
After saying this, he grabbed the captain who had come down to report the news and said, "Go and guide the fleeing soldiers to the Shu army's side. Don't let them wander around in the formation."
The captain dared not disobey and left immediately. At the same time, the Wei army blocking the mountain pass received the order to attack and rushed towards the Shu army camp at top speed, clearing a space at the edge of the mountain pass.
Zhang He then ordered the shield bearers to quickly move forward and set up shield walls on both sides of the open space, using the shields to create a passage for the fleeing soldiers.
Before the shield wall could be fully erected, the vanguard of the routed soldiers rushed out of the mountain pass. They saw the main force as if they had seen relatives and were about to go and join them. However, the soldiers of the main force directly swung their swords and cut down two of them. Then, they pointed their swords forward and shouted sternly, "General Zhang has ordered that everyone charge forward and assemble outside the position."
The routed soldiers were too frightened to flee to the left or right, and had no choice but to continue advancing along the passage left by the Wei army.
The Wei soldiers with swords and shields rushed forward, forming a shield wall with their shields, and leaving a five- or six-meter-long passage between the two shield walls for the fleeing soldiers to pass through.
Zhang He stood on horseback and looked out. Seeing that the defeated soldiers had been successfully led away, he breathed a sigh of relief. It had been too dangerous just now; it was a matter of life and death in an instant.
Sima Yi, also standing on horseback, saw the situation. Instead of being pleased, he became even more worried as he watched the fleeing soldiers being led away. He frowned and said, "If I'm not mistaken, Zhang Fei is behind the fleeing soldiers. What should we do if Zhang Fei suddenly attacks?"
Zhang He glanced around, pondered for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said fiercely, "Let's go all out. Order the entire western army to advance and attack the Shu army camp at all costs. We'll slowly move northeast to make room to deal with Zhang Fei."
"Zhang Fei has just come out of the mountain pass and has no time to build a blocking position. The terrain here is flat and conducive to cavalry charges. Let's create some distance first, and then order the cavalry to charge after Zhang Fei comes out and drive him back into the mountains."
The sudden appearance of the fleeing soldiers cut the Wei army in two, causing nearly 10,000 Wei soldiers on the west side to temporarily lose contact with Zhang He's main force. It is feared that they will have to wait until all the fleeing soldiers have passed through.
But Zhang Fei wouldn't give them that time, so Zhang He could only retreat and create distance, thus making room for Zhang Fei's army to attack.
The problem is that retreating also takes time. Will Zhang Fei give him that time? Will Zhuge Liang give him that time?
On a distant hillside, Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun arrived at the summit and observed the Wei army under the cover of night.
They had successfully driven the fleeing Wei soldiers to the mountain pass and met up with them at the Wei army camp. After meeting up, they immediately ran to a high place to observe the enemy situation and then saw the moving shadows of the enemy.
Zhang Fei sighed with regret, "It's such a pity that the routed soldiers didn't cause any damage to Zhang He's main force."
Zhao Yun laughed easily, "How could it not have caused any damage? Didn't we successfully split the main force of the Wei army in two and disrupt Zhang He's deployment?"
"Opportunity knocks but once. I think we can’t wait any longer. We must take advantage of the Wei army’s movement to launch an attack. Otherwise, once the Wei army retreats to its destination and sets up its formation, it will be difficult for us to launch an attack."
Zhang Fei nodded and said, "I think you are right. Then you will lead the cavalry to take the lead, and I will lead the infantry to follow."
The two quickly returned to camp to prepare. A quarter of an hour later, Zhao Yun led eight hundred cavalrymen to charge up the hillside where they had been standing, brandishing his spear and shouting, "Men, follow me!"
After saying this, he spurred his horse and charged forward, followed by eight hundred cavalrymen who rushed down the hillside like tigers descending a mountain, heading towards the retreating Wei army.
Zhang Fei led over ten thousand infantrymen, who had joined forces with Cheng Ji and Feng Xi, in close pursuit.
The rapid sound of horses' hooves startled the retreating Wei army. Seeing the Shu army charging down from the mountain, the Wei soldiers' faces changed drastically, and they roared in terror, "Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"
Zhang He, as if he had anticipated the appearance of the Shu army, immediately shouted, "Cao Zhen, lead the cavalry to attack! The rest of you, maintain your formation and retreat slowly!"
Cao Zhen was also prepared. Upon hearing this, he led 5,000 cavalry to bypass the infantry and charge towards Zhao Yun. The two sides were like two mad bulls, and soon they collided mercilessly, with screams and neighing horses echoing behind the Wei army.
At the same time, Zhuge Liang, who was observing the battlefield from the arrow tower, keenly noticed the commotion. He took a half step forward, raised his hand, and slammed it against the railing of the arrow tower. He then waved his feather fan and shouted, "The general offensive begins! Order Wu Ban and Zhang Bao to launch a frontal assault and counterattack with all their might! Order Liao Chun and Fu Tong at the East Gate to immediately leave the camp and attack the Wei army's flank! Order Guan Ping to lead the cavalry out of the camp and patrol the perimeter of the battlefield as a mobile force to provide support to various locations at any time! Give me the opportunity to attack!"
Standing on the drum platform, Liu Bei, observing Zhuge Liang while beating the drum, increased the speed and intensity of his drumming, and the rapid drumbeats quickly conveyed the order to attack to the entire camp.
Upon hearing the drumbeats, Wu Ban, who was at the forefront of the battlefield, acted swiftly, knocking down all the wooden planks that had been erected as shields, and using them as stepping stones, he charged across the horse traps and towards the Wei army.
Zhang Bao, whose voice was almost hoarse from shouting, was equally decisive. He grabbed his spear and charged forward at lightning speed, even getting ahead of Wu Ban in the Wei army's ranks. With a single sweep of his spear, he sent several enemy soldiers flying.
Under his leadership, the Han army charged forward, defeating the Wei army, whose morale had clearly declined due to the shouts, and they quickly retreated past the deer antlers to the horse traps behind them.
The horse traps in front of the deer antlers had been filled in by the Wei army, so neither side needed to hold back anymore and could just hack and slash to their hearts' content.
While the bloody battle raged here, other places were also busy. Liao Chun and Fu Tong, who were guarding the east gate, received orders to immediately move the deer antlers, open the camp gate, and charge towards the Wei army with roars.
Guan Ping led his cavalry behind them, preparing to rush out of the camp to act as a fire brigade on the battlefield. The final battle had officially begun.