Chapter 871: Tit-for-Tat

Miancheng.

Ashuer, Aersiji, Tiemuta, Dou Wei, and Fan Xinglun were gathered around a blueprint.

A Northern Di Cavalry general pointed at the blueprint, describing the situation of the Yan King Army they had observed.

Compared to the detailed maps drawn by Zhao Xu, their map appeared very crude, consisting of nothing more than a few ink lines depicting rivers, mountains, and the outlines of cities.

But even so, this was the most detailed map they could produce.

"Yan Wang has penetrated deep into Yizhou, and the provisions he carries are not abundant; it is impossible for him to confront us for a long time. He will certainly seek a quick victory. Thus, they can only attack our trench positions," Aersiji analyzed the current war situation based on the actual circumstances.

After pondering for a moment, he continued, "Therefore, as long as we can hold out for over a month, they will certainly run out of provisions. At that time, supplemented by cavalry to cut off their retreat, we can crush the Yan King Army."

Ashuer and the others nodded one after another.

Aersiji's expression suddenly darkened, and he added, "Of course, this is the most ideal situation. We can think of it, and I fear Yan Wang has thought of it too. Yet they still decided to penetrate deep into Yizhou; they must have something to rely on, and this reliance is his firm belief that he can defeat us."

"War Chariots." Tiemuta spoke up at this moment, "It must be the War Chariots that gave Yan Wang confidence. Back then, it was precisely by relying on War Chariots that Yan Wang's army defeated our Northern Di Cavalry head-on for the first time outside Yanshan. This time is nothing but an old trick."

Aersiji learned from the intelligence gathered by the cavalry that this army had brought a large number of War Chariots.

These War Chariots were indeed sharp weapons for restraining cavalry.

"That is why what I just said is the most ideal situation. In fact, I fear this battle cannot be won by cleverness; it depends on who can still have strength left after holding out for over a month," Aersiji said with a serious expression.

Looking toward Tiemuta, he said, "Now, your cavalry can move from the flanks of Yan Wang's troops, detour to their rear, and completely cut off their connection with Jiameng Pass."

Turning to Ashuer, he said, "Your Infantry will join the Southern Liang and Nanping Army to intercept the Yan King Army on the front line. Your cavalry will roam the sides of the battlefield, looking for opportunities to launch surprise attacks. Our Ross army will coordinate with your surprise attacks."

"..."

Pointing at the map, Aersiji issued one order after another.

Ashuer, Dou Wei, and the others had no objections to Aersiji's decisions and went back to prepare.

The life-and-death battle of the powerful clans was finally about to begin.

Whether they live or die depends on this battle!

Before long, the "rumbling" sound of horse hooves arose.

Tiemuta led the three royal tents under his command, 150,000 Cavalry, and 150,000 Infantry to march north.

The horse hooves kicked up, raising dust that filled the sky, with great momentum.

They avoided the main road where Yan Wang was located, detoured from the side, and would cut off Yan Wang's supply route.

The Northern Di, Southern Liang, and Nanping Infantry entered the trench fortifications in front of Miancheng.

They also placed Field Artillery on the fortifications, aiming forward.

In order to resist Yan Wang, Aersiji set up a trench position with a depth of 15 li.

Looking from Miancheng, the trenches extended to a very distant place.

Even if the Yan King Army could fight, it would not be an easy task to break through a cluster of trench fortifications with such great depth.

This was merely the fortifications of the Miancheng battlefield; from Miancheng to Yiyang, there were many other fortifications.

The purpose was to drag down the Yan King Army until they ran out of ammunition and food.

At this moment, the Prince's Personal Army Scouts were already roaming around Miancheng.

Tiemuta's movements were immediately detected.

The Scout, who had a Telescope hanging at his waist for reconnaissance, immediately turned his horse's head and sent the intelligence back.

"Your Highness, this Northern Di main force is intending to detour behind us."

On the main road, the Yan King Army was still marching.

After analyzing the intelligence, Chang Wei frowned.

Being cut off from one's retreat on the battlefield is very dangerous.

If it were an army of equal strength, I fear the commanding general would already be so frightened that they had lost their wits.

"Order the rear guard to be on alert to prevent surprise attacks by cavalry; just continue forward." Zhao Xu completely ignored this Northern Di army.

According to the intelligence provided by the cavalry, the configuration of half cavalry and half infantry was basically the troops Tiemuta had brought.

On the Yizhou Pingyuan, the mobility of cavalry was something they could not match.

If they turned the army around to chase and fight them, they would only be played like a kite.

Therefore, they must never be affected by Tiemuta's actions; they must firmly attack the fixed targets in Yizhou and eliminate their effective strength.

"Yes, Your Highness." Chang Wei responded.

Each army of the Prince's Personal Army was only equipped with 3,000 Cavalry.

This time, four armies participated in the Yizhou battle, with no more than 12,000 Cavalry.

Even counting the Qin Army's, there were fewer than 20,000 Cavalry.

These 20,000 Cavalry should be used to pursue and wipe out routed troops.

If they were to duel with the Northern Di Cavalry, they would be at an absolute disadvantage.

Therefore, even if the Northern Di Cavalry cut off their retreat, there was nothing they could do.

Yan Wang's decision was correct.

The main force continued to advance, and after another day, they arrived at the outskirts of Miancheng.

At this time, Zhao Xu ordered the main force to camp five li outside Miancheng, relying on the War Chariots.

Each army was stationed in one place, leaving a gap of 200 meters between the camps.

Upon receiving his order, the Zhenwu General of each army ordered the War Chariots to circle into a ring.

They then took tents out from the War Chariots to set up camp.

Before evening.

The War Chariots had circled into six large rings on the ground.

Inside the large rings, white tents stood in great numbers.

The soldiers positioned the Rifled Cannon and Howitzer between the iron chains connecting the War Chariots, aiming the muzzles forward.

While setting up camp, Zhao Xu and Chang Wei observed the enemy's Trench fortifications.

"Other than being deep, wide, and long, there is nothing new; let the soldiers rest for the night and launch the attack tomorrow morning," Zhao Xu said after observing for a while.

To him, not only were the tactics of the powerful clans outdated, but even the armies of the Western Lands in this era were outdated.

After all, under normal trajectories, they were merely in the era of standing in lines to be shot.

Although they knew how to utilize Trench fortifications, their understanding of Trench fortifications was not deep.

If they could have strung several layers of barbed wire within a hundred meters in front of the trenches, it would certainly have caused great trouble for their attack.

But they clearly did not have barbed wire.

Chang Wei nodded and looked toward the two sides of the encampment.

There were many Northern Di Cavalry wandering there.

He said, "I am only afraid that they want to use their Cavalry to launch a flank attack on our Cavalry when our soldiers charge; that would still be very dangerous."

Zhao Xu chuckled lightly, "Are Landmines just for show? Over the next few nights, have the soldiers take advantage of the darkness to bury Landmines on both sides of the battlefield; as long as we hold out until our soldiers break into the enemy's trenches, they will be helpless."

The most important part of tomorrow's attack is the artillery battle.

While the Howitzer clears the powerful clan soldiers in the trenches, the Rifled Cannon will destroy the Field Artillery on the enemy's trench positions to avoid causing heavy casualties to the charging soldiers.

Chang Wei chuckled twice, "That is exactly what this general meant; as long as their Cavalry dares to come over, we will blow them to smithereens."

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