jdhmnovel Chapter 265: Attack and Defense
Chapter 265: Attack and Defense
"Arm your troops in formation—!"
With Yelu Xiyin's loud shout, the restless hearts of the entire Liao army began to calm down.
"For the Great Liao—for His Majesty the Emperor—! Offer your loyalty and bravery—!"
"charge--!"
Yelu Xiyin swung his long sword with force, and with a "boom", the entire Liao army rushed into the icy river water, roaring fearlessly like a tiger coming down the mountain.
The Song army was not to be outdone. Zhang Qiao drew his sword and shouted, "Behind us are our country and our people. Today we must fight to the death!"
"Arm your troops in formation, meet the enemy—!"
The soldiers of the Song army shouted in unison, their voices shaking the sky, and all the formations held shields and weapons and stood ready for battle.
"Crossbowmen, prepare—!"
"Due north—three salvos—!"
"put--!"
As soon as the Liao army's vanguard stepped into the river, the Song army's rain of arrows came whistling. For a moment, the river surface was splashed with water and screams were heard.
However, the Liao army relied on their large numbers. When the front row fell, the back row immediately took their place and continued to rush forward roaring desperately.
The "natural barrier" of the Juma River only blocked the defense for about a quarter of an hour before the Liao army, which attacked with all its might, tore through the defense line.
The next second, under the order, the Song army shield soldiers squeezed forward without hesitation against the Liao army that was crossing the river and landing.
However, compared to the ease and comfort of the first battle between the two sides, the Song army at this moment felt like they were facing a pack of wolves swarming over them.
Under immense pressure, the Song army showed amazing spirit and perseverance.
The first group of shield soldiers, consisting of about 500 people, directly resisted the thousands of Liao soldiers who had come ashore, and even pushed them back into the river with a burst of force.
Then the long sword soldiers and long spear soldiers were distributed in order and followed behind. They used long swords at close range and long spears at far distance, stabbing out from the gaps in the shields one after another. For a moment, the whole scene was filled with blood splattering and limbs flying everywhere.
The moment the two sides came into close combat, the battle became intense. Amidst the flashes of swords and the shadows of sabers, blood dyed the Juma River red.
As the commander of the Liao army's advance troops, Yelu Xiyin led the charge, holding a small hammer-shaped weapon and fiercely prying open a corner of the shield formation.
In just a few seconds, the wolves arrived and frantically tore at the Song army formation from the gap, trying to break through the south bank defense line.
"woo woo woo woo--!"
A surge of trumpet sounds spread across the battlefield, signaling the Liao Kingdom's order to launch an all-out attack.
At this moment, the Liao army was like a chicken with its blood pumped up, rushing towards the south bank howling like wolves. More and more Liao soldiers stood on the river bank and began to tear apart the shield formation frantically.
Seeing that the defense line was in danger of collapse, Zhang Qiao immediately ordered the secret troops on standby in the rear to go out.
Suddenly, a general covered in heavy black armor from head to toe led a fresh force to charge out from the rear. The soldiers he led were all covered in heavy black armor like him, holding special long swords and copper hammers, and rushed over in a mighty force.
The leading general shouted loudly and rushed towards where Yelu Xiyin was like a tiger descending from the mountain.
His soldiers quickly followed suit, wielding their long swords and chopping with their copper hammers, and actually forced the advancing Liao army back.
“Heavy Infantry——!”
Someone exclaimed, and the atmosphere at the scene suddenly changed. The Liao army was in chaos for a while, while the morale of the Song army was greatly boosted.
However, there were also many brave generals in the Liao army, and Yelu Xiyin's deputy Yelu Yibujin was one such person.
"Don't panic. Follow me in the front, and the rear will form a battle array to support you—!"
Yelu Yibujin was brave and fearless. He led the vanguard army like a death squad and counterattacked the Song army again.
Seeing the Liao army charging forward without fear, the Song heavy armored infantry shouted "Kill" loudly, and then began to sweep the entire area like a bulldozer.
The soldiers on both sides were fearless and attacked the enemy camp with a ruthless fighting style.
Soon, both the Song and Liao armies stabilized their positions on the south bank of the Juma River, and the battlefield became stalemate again.
Although the Liao army crossed the first line of defense, the Juma River, they were still unable to break through the second line of defense composed of shield soldiers and heavy armored infantry.
No one on the battlefield is trying to take advantage of the situation. Both sides are trying their best and are determined to win the battle for the south bank.
The entire battlefield was filled with deafening shouts and cries of killing. People fell down every moment, and blood kept flowing and gathered into small rivers, but no one was willing to take a step back, and the brutal fight continued.
Seeing such a tragic scene, Zhang Qiao, who was born into a scholar family, looked a little heavy-faced. He held the long sword tightly in his right hand and kept adjusting his breathing.
He knew that this was just the foreplay of this war, and even the prelude to the entire Song-Liao War.
In the future, between the Song and Liao countries, no one will voluntarily withdraw from this battle that concerns the destiny of the country until one side falls!
The battle lasted until sunset. The dim sky and the blood-soaked land created an alternative and glaring landscape.
Under the Liao army's reckless attack, the Song army's second line of defense was shaky and close to collapse. At this time, Yang Wenguang's troops on the flank quickly penetrated and dealt a heavy blow to the Liao army.
This was not the end. Next, from the direction of Baigouyi, the main force of Gu Tingye's central army followed closely behind. With a fierce push forward, the Liao army's formation that had been gathered with great difficulty was destroyed again.
Seeing that the Song army on the south bank was about to make another move, Xiao Boyu urgently ordered the Western Army, which was confronting Yang Wenguang's troops, to force a crossing of the river and attack the Song army's flank.
For a moment, this defensive battle seemed to turn into an offensive battle. After both sides deployed their full lineups and fought hard for several rounds, Gu Tingye and others immediately ordered a retreat.
Unlike their aggressive attack, the Song army's tactic of "removing the stool" caught the Liao army off guard and directly stopped the Liao army's formation.
After Gu Tingye led the central army to carry out a forward pressure tactic, he immediately evacuated the south bank of the Juma River. He didn't even want to leave the Baigouyi stronghold and ran south.
The troops of Yang Wenguang and Zhang Qiao behind him took turns to cover them, and soon they shook off the pursuers, retreated all the way, and entered the Baigouyi stronghold to garrison.
The third line of defense is deployed instantly!
When the Liao army had all crossed the Juma River and was approaching the Baigouyi stronghold, they couldn't help but gasp as they looked at the city wall and camp that had been built in just a few months.
What the hell is this? This big village is comparable to a small city. What the hell can we use to fight it?
The valley between these two hills is a natural fortress, blocking the road to the south!
"Distributed in echelons, supporting the flanks, and retaining Gu Tingye's main central army as a reserve."
"This Zhang Qiao is truly no ordinary man. His well-thought-out defensive strategy is truly that of a renowned general!"
Xiao Boyu exclaimed with some emotion, and then a raging fire and fighting spirit ignited in his heart.
"Let me see, which is stronger, your shield or my sword?"
"Someone come and deliver my military orders!"
"The advance troops will immediately join the central army under unified command. The western army will detour to the flank and seize a mountain."
"Notify the Eastern Army to launch an all-out attack on Xiongzhou City. Build momentum and lure Gu Tingye's central army south to rescue them."
"Gu Tingye's central army marched south, the western army followed in pursuit, and the eastern army abandoned Xiongzhou City and marched north, attacking from both sides!"
Yelu Xiyin and the generals of various departments who were listening to orders in front of the army all clasped their fists and said "yes", and immediately started to move and fight in different groups.
"This time, I will use the 'encircle Wei to save Zhao' method to see if you Song people can hold back!"
Xiao Boyu's face was filled with a hint of coldness, and he immediately gave the second order: "All troops, build camp. Today's attack and defense battle ends here."
When he returned to the central military tent, he was greeted by Yelu Hongji's extremely ugly face.
"Your Majesty, what's wrong? Are you still feeling unwell? I'll call a military doctor for you!"
Xiao Boyu's expression tightened, and he was about to ask his personal soldiers to call a military doctor, but was stopped by Yelu Hongji.
"Aqi, I'm fine, I'm just a little uneasy."
Yelu Hongji held Xiao Boyu's hand and sat down, and after a while he slowly let go of him.
"Your Majesty, are you worried about the war? Or about Aso..."
Xiao Boyu didn't understand what Yelu Hongji was worried about now, so he could only start from the current war and Han Ming.
"I'm relieved that you're here to fight. But I think Asu will return empty-handed this time."
Yelu Hongji, who was so confident during the day, became anxious and worried in the blink of an eye.
"Your Majesty, there's no need to worry about the Marquis of Anyang. As long as we defeat the Song Kingdom on the front lines, we can easily force them to hand over Han Ming!"
Xiao Boyu's words gave Yelu Hongji something to think about, and a hint of color gradually returned to his pale face.
"Aqi is right. As long as we can win this war, nothing else matters."
"Even if he is the reincarnation of the God of War, a soldier immortal descending to earth, he is nothing but a speck of dust in front of the Liao cavalry!"
Yelu Hongji took a deep breath and slowly leaned back in his chair to ponder.
After a long moment, he seemed to have made up his mind. He suddenly lowered his head, looked at Xiao Boyu, and said, "Summon Xiao Yi, the Southwest Road Recruiting Envoy, to lead the Xijing Road army south immediately!"
"I will expand the war, so that the Song State will be unable to take care of both ends and fall into complete defeat!"