Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 466 Destiny (Part Four)

Half a day had passed, and the fierce cavalry battles were a sight to behold. The Imperial Guards were defeated, and the Pei family's cavalry had gained the upper hand, but their casualties were also extremely staggering and terrifying.

Pei Qinghe remained calm and composed, issuing military orders to direct the battle, but her heart was bleeding with pain.

After this battle, it's uncertain how many of the elite cavalry units cultivated over the past few years will remain.

However, this was a critical moment in the war. She couldn't show any weakness and had to remain calm.

"The Imperial Guard's cavalry have all retreated, and infantry has been dispatched. The exact number is unknown, but there are at least thirty to forty thousand infantrymen," the messenger reported with a somber expression.

Pei Qinghe nodded slightly and issued a military order, commanding the Pei family cavalry to retreat, while simultaneously ordering Generals Gu Lian, Sun Cheng, Pei Feng, and Song to each lead their infantry to attack. The three allied forces of Generals Pei Yun, Lu, and Ge, who had previously suffered heavy losses while holding off the Imperial Guards, were to be used as reserves in this battle.

The most elite Pei family infantry have not yet been deployed.

War is like chess; you need to have cards up your sleeve.

Infantry combat is no less intense than cavalry combat. Cavalry relies on horseback charges, resulting in swift victories and defeats, but also heavy casualties. Infantry battles, however, are primarily characterized by clashes between formations and battles between different troop types.

The Imperial Guard and the Jiangnan rebels had fought each other for many years, and their battlefield experience was extremely rich. Their troop types were also incredibly diverse, including all the common longsword soldiers, spearmen, and shieldmen.

The Pei family army had an even greater variety of troops. Unlike the Imperial Guard, the Pei family army consisted of different types of soldiers forming square formations. This gave them a greater advantage in coordination compared to single-type longsword, long-armor, and shield soldiers.

After initial probing, the two sides' infantry quickly engaged in battle.

Cavalrymen mostly wore soft armor or full armor, while among the infantry, very few wore complete soft armor; most wore leather armor. In terms of combat readiness, the Pei family army was clearly superior to the Imperial Guard. Forty to fifty percent of the soldiers wore leather armor, and their weapons were mostly brand new. In contrast, less than thirty percent of the Imperial Guard wore soft or leather armor, and their weapons were mostly old.

In terms of morale, the Pei family army, whose cavalry had won a great victory, was clearly superior. After the battle, the Pei family army became even more valiant, each soldier fighting like they had no regard for their lives, their eyes bloodshot from the very beginning.

The Imperial Guards, forming a single line, resembled a long serpent. Viewed from above, this serpent swayed left and right, as if bitten in half by the gray torrent. The serpent was severed into several pieces, its head and tail in disarray.

"General, General Yang has sent a messenger to request reinforcements." An hour later, the guard came to report, trembling with fear.

General Situ's face was ashen, and he decisively dispatched 10,000 infantrymen to provide support.

“The Imperial Guard has reinforced its infantry,” a middle-aged man of about forty years old knelt down and volunteered for battle: “This humble general is willing to lead troops to the battlefield, please grant the Emperor’s permission!”

This man was none other than Feng Chang.

For the past few years, Feng Chang has remained in Pei's army. Given his status and experience, he is indeed qualified to lead troops.

Pei Qinghe gazed at Feng Chang, whose temples had turned a few gray, and slowly said, "Alright, Feng Chang, you lead ten thousand soldiers forward."

Gu Lian, Sun Cheng, and others could each command around ten thousand troops. This was also the maximum number of troops that any general in the Pei family army could command.

In fact, apart from Pei Qinghe, only Pei Yun could command more than 10,000 troops.

At this moment, Pei Qinghe entrusted ten thousand elite troops to Feng Chang, signifying a trust of paramount importance. Feng Chang clearly understood this, and his eyes suddenly welled up with tears. He cupped his hands and replied, "This humble general will immediately go and behead the general in the Imperial Guard."

Pei Qinghe nodded: "Go! Don't disappoint me!"

Feng Chang solemnly kowtowed and performed a grand salute, then rose to muster his troops. Once he had mustered ten thousand soldiers, they plunged into the battlefield like a sharp blade.

The combat effectiveness of an army is determined by many factors, including chance and luck. Take the Pei family army, for example. They enjoy ample food and clothing, sufficient pay, and generous compensation for those killed or seriously wounded in battle. Furthermore, their rigorous daily training, the pride and confidence fostered by the commanders living and eating with their soldiers, the strict discipline instilled in them, and the availability of sharp, brand-new weapons on the battlefield—each of these factors makes them superior to the Imperial Guard. Combined, these factors create an undeniable and absolute advantage.

Now, back to the present, both sides are fiercely battling on the battlefield. The difference lies in their positions: the Imperial Guard's generals are mostly positioned at the rear, while the Pei family's generals are almost all charging at the forefront. Naturally, this difference in fighting spirit results in a disparity in skill. The Imperial Guard's elite infantry continuously reinforces, barely managing to hold off the Pei family's army. However, under Feng Chang's fearless and relentless charge, they are once again firmly suppressed and fall into a disadvantageous position.

"Follow me!" Feng Chang brandished his longsword with all his might, his eyes bloodshot like a mad tiger, his voice already hoarse: "Kill!"

A thunderous voice boomed from behind: "Kill!"

The Imperial Guard soldiers were so terrified that their hands and feet went weak, their spirits were broken, and they suffered repeated defeats.

The general at the rear of the army formation was also taken aback. Seeing the soldiers surging forward like a tide, the general suddenly snapped to attention and shouted sharply, "Hold on! Don't retreat!"

He casually cut down two of the fastest-escaping soldiers.

However, the army collapsed like a house of cards. Even if two were killed, it wouldn't amount to more than a few hundred or a thousand defeated soldiers.

Feng Chang had already aimed at the location, and with a cold smile, he charged forward with his sword.

Over the years, he has not been sidelined; he remains one of the most trusted generals in the Pei family army. Pei Qinghe did not appoint him to any external command post, but instead gave him a high position within the Pei family army. The ten thousand soldiers behind him are almost all of whom he personally trained over the past few years.

He had countless times regretted his momentary lapse in judgment. Today, he would use his blood and military achievements to completely wash away this shame and remorse.

Feng Chang, wielding a long sword, charged toward the banner of the Imperial Guard.

The imperial guards were driven to the brink of death, and disregarding their fear, they charged forward and fought Feng Chang.

With a whoosh, the general stabbed Feng Chang in the left shoulder. Before he could even grin, Feng Chang's long sword had already plunged deep into his chest.

This madman!

The general's eyes widened, and he fell straight down.

Feng Chang's left shoulder was covered in blood, completely unbandaged. He grinned maliciously and continued to wield his sword to kill the enemy.

With the death of this military commander, the infantry, which had been barely holding on, completely collapsed.

The war turned in favor of Pei's army.

Feng Chang couldn't remember how many times he had been stabbed, didn't know he was covered in blood, and couldn't even feel any pain.

He didn't know exactly how many enemy soldiers he had killed.

He kept charging forward, constantly swinging his knife.

When the flag of the Imperial Guard came into view, the two characters "Situ" on the flag fluttered in the wind.

General Situ is just ahead.

Feng Chang's eyes lit up, and his previously sluggish steps suddenly quickened. His heavy right arm, with strength seemingly coming from nowhere, once again raised the long sword.

He was going to kill General Situ and take Situ Xi's head to Emperor Zhaoyuan.

(End of this chapter)