Nine dragons fight for the throne, I don't want to sit on this throne

Zhao Yu's eyes flickered as he rapidly deduced the events in his mind.

He now has two options: one is to continue the offensive against Li Guangbi, capture these 40,000 men, and then cross the river to reinforce them.

Second, retreat immediately, bypass this trap area, and cross the river from another location to return and provide reinforcements.

But the first option comes at too high a price.

Li Guangbi was clearly well-prepared; who knows how many traps were hidden in this wasteland.

Even if they manage to win by charging into the enemy lines, the White Horse Cavalry will suffer heavy losses.

The second route... Zhao Yu looked towards the upper and lower reaches of the Huai River.

On the water, their Chu army's warships were patrolling, blocking the river.

Even if he could bypass Li Guangbi, he would still need to break through the naval defenses to cross the river, and after crossing, he would have to face the chaotic battle within the city.

At that time, the White Horse Cavalry's mobility advantage will be completely lost.

There is no escape route.

Zhao Yu took a deep breath, his eyes flashing with a cold light.

As a soldier and a famous general of the Chu state, he knew very well that sometimes, even knowing it was a dead end, one had to charge in.

Because on the battlefield, taking a step back could mean total defeat.

“Li Guangbi’s 40,000 men must be nailed here.”

Zhao Yu spoke slowly, each word carrying immense weight: "Otherwise, once they are free to act, whether it's crossing the river to reinforce the city or attacking Han Xing's troops from behind, it will become the final straw that breaks the camel's back in the battle."

The lieutenant said urgently, "But General, if we force our way through the enemy lines..."

"Then let's go for it."

Zhao Yu suddenly raised his silver spear, the tip pointing directly at Li Guangbi's banner: "Even if I cannot capture these 40,000 men today, I absolutely—must not let them return to the battlefield!"

He turned his horse around to face the 30,000 white horse cavalrymen who had already regrouped.

Although they lost two thousand men, the remaining cavalrymen were still well-disciplined, their snow-white warhorses resembling a moving snowfield in the morning light.

"Soldiers of the White Horse Cavalry!"

Zhao Yu's voice, amplified by his inner strength, resounded throughout the army: "You all saw it—those 40,000 men on the other side are Guo Ziyi's last killing move!"

"If they move, my comrades in Jianghuai City will be attacked from both sides! If they live, the battle that our Great Chu fought today will be in vain!"

He paused, the silver spear drawing a sharp arc in the air:

"Therefore, there is no turning back today! There is only one way—charge forward! Flatten their positions! Let our horses' hooves turn this wasteland into their graveyard!"

"Roar—!" Thirty thousand cavalrymen roared in unison, their voices shaking the heavens.

Zhao Yu took one last look at the city on the south bank, where smoke and fire were rising, at the faintly visible scenes of fighting within the city, and at the black dragon banner on the distant high slope—that was where His Majesty's imperial carriage was located.

Then, he withdrew his gaze, his eyes filled with only resolute determination.

"The whole army obeys the order——"

Zhao Yu pointed his silver spear forward, his voice booming like thunder: "Change formation! Spread out the two flanks of the wedge formation, feign an attack in the center, and flank from both sides! Objective—tear apart the enemy formation and divide and encircle them!"

"Order!"

The White Horse Cavalry began to rapidly change formation. This elite force displayed astonishing discipline, transforming from a dense charging formation into a crane-wing formation with its flanks spread out within just a few dozen breaths.

Clearly, Zhao Yu changed his tactics—no longer charging head-on into the trap zone, but instead attempting to flank from both sides to find a weak point in the defense.

On the opposite side, Li Guangbi frowned slightly upon seeing this.

"Zhao Yu, truly a renowned general," he murmured. "He adjusted his tactics so quickly."

But a cold smile immediately appeared on his lips: "Unfortunately, the commander-in-chief had already anticipated this."

He slowly raised his long spear:

"All troops—form circular formation! Archers and crossbowmen, take your positions! Prepare...to engage the enemy!"

On the wasteland, the two armies faced off once again.

This time, it will be a true battle.

There is no way out but to fight to the death.

This battle on the north bank will directly affect the final outcome of the Jianghuai City battle on the south bank.

Guo Ziyi's chess game, Zhao Yu's solution.

Everything hinges on this one move.

The city of Jianghuai has become a sea of ​​blood.

The 70,000 Tang soldiers, like evil spirits emerging from the ground, surged out from the depths of the streets and alleys, building windows, and even sewer openings, instantly dividing and surrounding the Chu army that was sweeping around in various places.

They had planned this for a long time, knew every street and every building well, and used the terrain to their advantage to launch a perfect ambush.

East Line, Changle Street.

Guan Yun's Mo Dao troops were originally advancing along the main street, clearing out scattered Tang army resistance.

This heavily armored unit was invincible in open terrain, but in narrow streets and alleys, it became a sitting duck.

When countless archers suddenly peered out of the windows of the buildings on both sides, and arrows rained down like locusts, the Mo Dao team was caught off guard.

"Raise your shield!" Guan Yun roared hoarsely, his phoenix eyes flashing with shock and anger.

However, the shields of the Mo Dao team mainly protected the front, offering limited protection against arrows coming from higher ground on both sides.

Even more fatally, Tang heavy infantry appeared simultaneously in the streets and alleys, blocking their retreat with giant shields and spears.

"General! We're surrounded!" The lieutenant, his face covered in blood, rushed in: "At least 20,000 Tang soldiers!"

Guan Yun gritted his teeth, wielding his broadsword to cleave three incoming arrows: "Form a circular formation! Break through to the open area!"

But the Tang army was clearly prepared. They pushed down logs and stones that they had prepared beforehand from the buildings on both sides, blocking the street, pouring oil, setting the houses on fire, and creating chaos with flames and thick smoke.

Although the Mo Dao team was brave, they were powerless in this environment, and every step forward came at a heavy price.

South Line, Zhuque Avenue.

Feng Mulan's 30,000 Xuanjia Iron Cavalry encountered an even more cunning ambush.

Instead of engaging them head-on, the Tang army took advantage of the narrow streets and alleys by setting up tripwires and traps for horses at various locations.

When the cavalry charged, the horses in the front ranks fell one after another, and the following cavalrymen, unable to avoid them, trampled each other.

Even more insidious, the Tang army threw fishing nets down from the rooftops on both sides.

This is no ordinary fishing net, but a specially made iron net with barbs hanging from it. Once it traps a warhorse, the more it struggles, the tighter it gets entangled.

"Dismount! Fight on foot!"

Feng Mulan acted decisively, dismounting from her horse. Her red armor, illuminated by the firelight, resembled a blood-soaked phoenix.

She led her personal guard into the buildings along the street, attempting to eliminate the crossbowmen inside.

However, the Tang army had been operating in these buildings for a long time, and they were full of traps and mechanisms.

Chu soldiers kept falling into the cellar by stepping on the trapdoor, or being shot dead by hidden arrows after triggering the mechanism.

"Your Majesty! The casualties will be too great if we continue fighting like this!"

A general with a face covered in soot rushed over and said urgently, "The Tang army was clearly prepared. If we continue to disperse and sweep through, we will only be defeated one by one!"

"You...you should leave the city first! I'll lead the men to cover the rear!"

Feng Mulan cleaved the incoming arrow with her sword, then turned to glare at the general, her phoenix eyes flashing with a chilling light:

"Leave the city? Leaving the city now would be tantamount to handing Jianghuai City over to the Tang army!"

She looked around.

In the streets and alleys, the Chu army and the Tang army were engaged in fierce fighting, with battles taking place in every alley and every building.

Screams, the clash of weapons, and the sound of collapsing buildings blended into a symphony of hell.