Chapter 417: All troops, forward!

"Archers, ready!"

As the Colonel of the Cangzhou Army gave an order, the archers quickly formed ranks, nocked arrows, drew bows, and aimed at the enemy ahead.

Only hearing a few "swish" sounds, a dense arrow rain spread across the sky, bypassing the Halberdiers' formation and shooting into the Elite Yellow Turban Army units ahead of the Halberdiers tasked with assaulting the Iron Wall Guard.

For a moment, miserable cries echoed continuously within the Elite Yellow Turban Army ranks.

The eldest and second brothers were fighting, and the third brother suffered terribly.

Those Halberdiers and Iron Wall Guard troops were both burly men clad in heavy armor.

What do you mean, a common infantryman getting involved?

Then, following the archers' performance, large numbers of Cangzhou Army infantry in the rear also held their spears, marched with swift steps, and gradually approached.

The spear tips in their hands flashed with cold light, as if they could pierce through any obstacle.

Meanwhile, the Cangzhou Cavalry attached to the Cangzhou Army spurred their horses and whipped them, flanking from the sides to disrupt the enemy's formation.

At the same time, the Iron Wall Guard and Xuanbiao Cavalry also noticed the movement behind them.

They turned back and saw only a cloud of dust rising; the Cangzhou Army surged forward like waves, its momentum so vast it was awe-inspiring.

"Watch the rear! The Cangzhou Army is coming!"

The Colonel of the Iron Wall Guard flashed a hint of surprise in his eyes and shouted loudly.

His voice echoed across the battlefield, reminding every warrior of the impending challenge.

Meanwhile, the leader of the Xuanbiao Cavalry watched the Cangzhou Army's movements with a solemn expression.

This battle had already escalated; it was no longer a mere contest between the Halberdiers, Iron Wall Guard, and Xuanbiao Cavalry, but had developed into a larger-scale campaign.

As the distance between the two forces narrowed, the atmosphere on the battlefield grew increasingly tense.

The Cangzhou Army surged onto the battlefield like a flood, their iron armor clanking, spears and halberds standing thick as a forest.

Their arrival was like an injection of a strong stimulant, instantly breaking the previously stalemated situation.

At this moment, the Cangzhou Army's archers had also come within full range.

They could strike all of the Iron Wall Guard, Xuanbiao Cavalry, and those Elite Yellow Turban troops.

With Lián Páo's order, ten thousand arrows were released together; the dense arrows flew toward the enemy like a swarm of locusts.

Although the Iron Wall Guard and Xuanbiao Cavalry raised their shields to block, many soldiers were still hit by arrows and fell into pools of blood.

However, this was only the first wave of the Cangzhou Army's attack.

Immediately afterward, the infantry launched a charge, bursting out from both flanks of the Halberdier Corps.

The spears in their hands thrust at the enemy like lightning.

The Iron Wall Guard and Xuanbiao Cavalry had originally driven the Halberdiers to their limit.

But now, facing the Cangzhou Army like wolves and tigers, they too had to readjust their tactics.

"Iron Wall Guard, form ranks! Resist the enemy!"

The Colonel of the Iron Wall Guard raised his huge shield high and shouted hoarsely.

The leader of the Xuanbiao Cavalry brandished his long spear, directing the cavalry to swiftly shuttle across the battlefield, attempting to cope with this sudden change using flexible, mobile tactics.

The two armies faced off, war drums beating, their momentum like a rainbow.

The Cangzhou Army's infantry held their spears, formed ranks and advanced, progressing steadily like an iron wall, their steps heavy and powerful, each step as if they would shatter the earth.

The Iron Wall Guard, not to be outdone, firmly relied on their huge shields to form an impregnable line, resisting the Cangzhou Army's assault.

The Xuanbiao Cavalry fully exploited their mobility, galloping across the battlefield like the wind, their spears like dragons emerging from the sea, thrusting straight at the Cangzhou Army's heart.

Those cavalry attached to the Cangzhou Army were not even taken seriously by them.

However, the Cangzhou Army's archers had long been ready, aiming at the Xuanbiao Cavalry's movements; a dense rain of arrows poured down from all sides, forcing the Xuanbiao Cavalry to temporarily retreat three li.

At the same time, the Halberdiers led by Zhang He also regained their vigor.

They formed a encircling momentum with the Cangzhou Army, surrounding the enemy troops completely.

As the halberds danced, cold light scattered, intertwining with the spears to form a dense killing net.

When the two forces met, weapons clashed, producing a metallic ringing, with sparks flying everywhere.

The soldiers' shouts, the clashing of weapons, and the neighing of warhorses intertwined, forming a stirring symphony.

"Kill!"

A furious roar erupted from within the Cangzhou Army; a Cangzhou infantryman brandished his spear and charged at the Iron Wall Guard's defense like a tiger descending from the mountain.

The spear tip in his hand flashed with cold light, pointing directly at the Iron Wall Guard Colonel's chest.

The Iron Wall Guard Colonel snorted coldly, swung his huge shield sideways, and blocked this deadly blow.

Yet he did not retreat; he turned with the momentum, sliding his spear along the edge of the shield in an arc, aiming straight for the Colonel's neck.

The Colonel turned pale with fright, hastily dodged sideways, but it was already too late; the spear left a deep bloodstain on his neck.

At the same time, the Xuanbiao Cavalry launched another round of charge.

Their spears like dragons, thrust straight into the Cangzhou Army's formation.

However, the Cangzhou Army's archers again displayed their power; a dense arrow rain inflicted heavy losses on the Xuanbiao Cavalry.

Even if some cavalry broke through the arrow rain, they were firmly blocked by the Cangzhou Army's infantry standing in formation, using spears and shields.

Meanwhile, the commanders of the Taiping Sect positioned before the Iron Wall Guard and Xuanbiao Cavalry's rear lines observed the battlefield ahead, their expressions varied.

Under the Cangzhou Army's full suppression, the Iron Wall Guard and Xuanbiao Cavalry on the battlefield had already shown fatigue; the situation was quite unfavorable for the Taiping Sect allied forces.

However, these Taiping Sect commanders each had their own motives; their mutual scheming and infighting were fully revealed at this moment.

"Gentlemen, the battle situation is now urgent; we must unite and cooperate to turn the tide."

A commander clad in a brocade robe, with a sinister visage, broke the silence.

Although he said that, his eyes kept darting to his fellow officers beside him, as if seeking some tacit understanding or an excuse to shift blame.

"General Li said correctly."

I just don't know when the elite troops under General Li's command will be able to go into battle and kill the enemy, to boost our army's morale.

Another commander said, his tone carrying a hint of barely detectable mockery.

Our army has been fighting for days, exhausted, and now needs rest and reorganization.

On the other hand, General Zhang's troops have been resting and building strength for a long time; why not take this opportunity to achieve merit and establish themselves?

General Li's face sank; he naturally heard the provocation in the other's words.

General Li, your words are mistaken. Although my unit has not directly engaged in battle, we have been supplying provisions and caring for the wounded in the rear, which is also indispensable. If we are to go into battle, we must wait until the frontline troops withdraw to rest.

Upon hearing this, General Zhang snorted coldly and continued to speak sharply.

The exchange between the two generals was thick with the smell of gunpowder, while the surrounding commanders each harbored their own thoughts: some secretly gloated, hoping others would go into battle first to wear down the enemy's vigor; others worried, fearing their own troops would be used as cannon fodder.

Gentlemen generals, now is not the time for argument; we should jointly discuss strategies, rather than shirk responsibility here.

A middle-aged person in a Daoist robe tried to quell this dispute.

(End of chapter)