sweeping the world

Chapter 417 Newborn calves are not afraid of tigers
Xie Shi is like many young men who have never suffered any setbacks since childhood and have an excellent quality of life. Whether he says he is a newborn calf and is not afraid of tigers, or he does not know how high the sky is and how high the earth is, he really is not afraid of the Han army at all.

Having successfully predicted that the Han army would come to land, and even guessed the location of the Han army's landing, Xie Shi should be in a stage of bursting with confidence.

Xie Shi's self-confidence was not dampened when he failed to stop the Han army from landing during the day. That was because he found that there were only [-] Han troops who landed, but the total number of regular troops and family private soldiers he brought was nearly [-]. Sixth, although nearly a thousand combat forces were lost, the Jin army still had five thousand more people than the Han army.

"We still have the advantage of location and harmony!" Xie Shi had a sneering attitude when facing his lieutenant general Xie Ping Rang retreating back to Xinxi City: "Retreating before fighting, not to mention hurting our own morale, it is a waste of general Han army It's more than a pity to have the opportunity to be driven down the river!"

The Han army led by Huan Wen landed from the Yangtze River. Because there was no ferry, the landing method was to exchange big ships for small boats.

After the Han army landed, they were building a ferry. If there is no transition, it will definitely not be something that can be built overnight, especially if more than one ferry is needed, so it must take at least three or four days, right?

Xie Ping is not a blood relative of the Xie family. Just like many noble families and aristocratic families have their own sons who have served for generations, he is the kind of son who has the best luck among the Xie family.

After landing, the Han army did not build camps, but set up some wooden fences at the front, kept horses away, and deployed defensive troops. Most of the Han army stayed on the edge of the soft river beach.

The Jin army had established a camp about five miles inland from the river bank early, and they had deployed fortifications in advance. Xie Shi thought that he could drive the Han army that landed down the river to feed the fish.

The Han army naturally needed to find trees to cut down if they wanted to build a ferry, but they found that the slightly thicker trees near the river beach had been cleared long ago, and they needed to go deep inland to cut down trees.

"It's interesting." With a smile on his face, Huan Wen said to Yuan Qiao: "The Xie family inheritance has a lot about military affairs. The lineage of Xie An and Xie Shi was cultivated as generals. It seems that Xie Shi also Got some true biography."

The Yangtze River is a very long water system. It can be said that except for some places with mountains on both sides, the rest can basically be used as landing points. The difference is that large ships can directly land on the shore or need to use small boats to land in batches.

"Xie Shi guessed correctly that the landing point of the Han army can still be traced. After all, there are only a few cities along the Yangtze River in the three counties, and the number of cities attacked by the Han army is even less." Yuan Qiao was also right. Xie Shi praised a little, and said: "Guess the landing point correctly and arrange it in advance, it is indeed a bit of a general."

Yuan Qiao and Huan Wen also didn't feel any pressure.War is about hard power, so what if you get it right most of the time, it’s just to create some trouble for the attacking side, and the real battle is the actual combat power of the two armies.Both of them were born in the Jin army system, and they knew how much combat power the Jin army had, and they also knew whether they had any expectations for the combat power of the family's private soldiers.

There are only four clans in the south of the Yangtze River, and there are countless aristocratic families, but there are not many who can really fight and win battles.The family private soldiers of the Yu clan should be in the first rank, even much stronger than the regular Jin army. For example, the Xie family and the Huan family can only be said to be in the second rank. The Wang family and the regular Jin army are not far behind. It is the third sequence, and the remaining private soldiers of each family are at the end.

"War horses can swim, don't cross the boat and get a batch of them ashore directly." Huan Wen felt that he needed to teach that little guy a good lesson: "After the number reaches [-], directly attack the weak spots of the enemy army and attract the Jin army out of the stronghold. battle, and the infantry advances."

Yuan Qiao just nodded. He had wanted to make a similar suggestion just now.

There was plenty of light in broad daylight, and the place where the Jin army camped also had geographical advantages. They soon discovered the movement on the river.

The cavalry has always been the shortcoming of the Jin army, and that is not due to the geographical location. After all, the Chu State in the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods was also a southern country, but why did the Chu State become the country of ten thousand chariots?Facts have proved that the south is not unable to breed war horses, the difference is that the subsequent dynasties based on the south did not find the right way.

Xie Shi is a son of a dignified family. The private soldiers of his family who are sent out to serve as generals, let alone whether they are elite or not, are definitely equipped with the best equipment.The vast majority of the 5000 men under his command are infantry, but there are close to [-] cavalry, which can be regarded as shock cavalry according to the equipment classification.

"The ground on the river beach is soft and not suitable for cavalry battles." Xie Shi found that there were a large number of horses on the river and immediately knew what the Han army wanted to do. The general's other plan has been reached."

The small court of the Eastern Jin Dynasty lost the Central Plains, and some inheritances did not disappear because of the loss of land, such as the existence of the strong crossbow, and even a bed crossbow called the eight-horse crossbow.Xie Shi held sixty eight-horse crossbows in his hand, while the number on the country's patriarch Chu Po's side was actually more than three hundred, but Li Mai's side didn't have a single one.

The Eight Horse Crossbow refers to a bed crossbow that requires eight horses (oxen) to pull the string tension. It is an absolutely sharp weapon for the Jin army. It is generally used as a fixed city defense or to load warships. During field battles Because the Eight Horse Crossbow is too large to be transported.

The Han army is setting up cavalry. A small number of men and horses are equipped with armored cavalry, and more are light cavalry with only knights wearing leather armor.

The Jin army began to fiddle with the eight-horse crossbow after Xie Shi ordered it. Each eight-horse crossbow was operated by twelve soldiers of the Jin army. They were pushed or pulled by animal power to the position Xie Shi thought the Han army would attack. hidden behind.

In addition to arranging eight horse crossbows, Xie Shi also gathered all the cavalry on hand, and even mobilized [-] armed heavy infantry, [-] crossbowmen and some necessary light infantry, intending to give the Han army a blow. .

While both sides are preparing for war, as the first scouts of the two armies to play, they have already engaged in fierce and frequent fighting.Of course, the scouts of the Han army wanted to find out the details of the Jin army, and the scouts of the Jin army acted as the blocking party, and the blood of both sides was spilled everywhere.

The real start of the battle was after the Han army organized [-] cavalry, they were divided into three teams to form a trident formation, followed by [-] various infantry.

Xie Shi was disappointed to find that the Han army did not concentrate on one breakthrough point, and said to Xie Ping: "It seems that the weak area that was intended to be deliberately exposed has not become the main breakthrough point of the Han army, and the Eight Horse Crossbows can only target a part of the Han army. "

The soil on the river beach is indeed soft, and every step of the horse's hoof will sink in about half a foot or even deeper. If you want to move quickly, you can only reach the relatively hard soil, which makes the movement of the three thousand Han troops a little slow. The Jin army had enough time to dispatch troops and generals.

"That kid is still inexperienced." Huan Wen looked in the direction of the Jin army, and there were some very abrupt bushes in some areas: "It's just that he is not lacking in courage, and he actually used the eight-horse crossbow in field battles."

Seriously, whether it is Huan Wen or Yuan Qiao, how could they forget the existence of the sharp crossbow, the Eight Horse Crossbow, in the Jin army.

Xie Shi was already standing on the towering chariot. Seeing the slow speed of the advancing Han cavalry, a cheerful smile appeared on his face.He was wondering whether he should prepare the rest of the troops to attack, wait for the Han cavalry to be defeated, then rush out from the barracks in large numbers, and directly drive the unsteady Han army down the river.

Xie Ping, who was also standing on the nest cart, couldn't hide his worry on his face. Unlike Xie Shi, who was not afraid of tigers as a newborn calf, he had more experience in age, and he also had more combat experience when he joined the army. It is clear that the famous Han army may not be easy to deal with, and it is unrealistic to drive or force them into the river in one fell swoop.

"My young master, the Han army's fleet is still by the river." Xie Ping reminded him more than once. Seeing that the war was about to start, he persuaded again: "Even if we can defeat the Han army trying to break into the inland, our troops will pursue the Han army until they reach the river." Military warships can reach long-range attacks, I’m afraid..."

"Stop messing with our army's morale." Of course, Xie Shi did not forget the powerful long-range attack capability of the Han fleet. He said with determination on his face: "Once we are defeated and attack the Han army, our army's morale will definitely be boosted, and the soldiers will be full of courage at that time." , is the time to fight with all your might.”

As a trap arranged by Xie Shi, the Han cavalry along the way will soon reach the range of the Eight Horse Crossbows. When they approached three hundred steps, desolate horn sounds sounded, followed by two The cavalry on the side dispersed to the outside, while the leading cavalry kicked the horse's belly or slapped the horse's butt.

"The shooting range of the eight horse crossbows is not consistent, and the farthest can reach 250 steps." Huan Wen was observing the Jin army with a telescope in his hand, and he had already seen the eight horse crossbows that were originally covered with grass or branches and leaves showing their Huge body: "There should be about 4 units, each of which fires three long lances at a time, and can fire once with about [-] breaths (about [-] minutes)."

Of course, Yuan Qiao was well aware of the relevant data of the Eight Horse Crossbow. He put down the monocular telescope in his hand, turned and looked at the river beach area, and said: "This terrain is too crowded for our army. The terrain should be expanded before dark."

"Uncle Yan is too cautious." Huan Wen also put down the binoculars, rubbed his beard on his chin as if itching, and said a little grimly: "Since the war is going on, the goal is to defeat that kid's army. "

"..." Yuan Qiao was a little dazed. They had just arrived. The entire army had been on the ship for nearly a month, and the horses had not yet adapted to the land again. He couldn't help but frown: "Isn't it too risky?"

Huan Wen smiled and said nothing.He felt that Yuan Qiao was sometimes too cautious. The Jin army had bed crossbows, and the Han army had chariot crossbows. Sending cavalry up was to attract Xie Shi's full attention to cover up those chariot crossbows hidden in the advancing infantry.

Ahead, the eight horse crossbows showing their true colors are already firing, and every time they fire, there will be a loud booming sound of bowstrings. What they shoot is not a traditional giant crossbow, but a long lance.

The so-called spear is similar to a mixture of a spear and a club. The front end is a sharp and sharp flat spear head, and the back position is a round round blunt instrument with spikes.Weapons of this type were originally used by those with strong strength as weapons for infantry combat, and later appeared on cavalry commanders.It must be noted that if you dare to use the horse weapon during horseback combat, you will definitely be a powerful general. Most people cannot use this weapon.

The cavalry firing of sixty eight-oxen crossbows was like the beating of war drums. The sound came and went away quickly. The 180-rod long spear made a sharp sound in the sky. While they were flying, they were followed by The crossbow arrows fired by the eight hundred strong crossbowmen also followed.

No matter what long-range weapon it is, there will be a flying process from launch to hit. Long-range weapons in the cold weapon era can't be reached in an instant like guns.After the Jin army fired the eight-horse crossbow and the strong crossbow, the Han army had about four breaths to adjust their positions. In an instant, the cavalry was as loose as possible between the cavalry and the cavalry, but kept moving forward. situation.

Long spears and crossbow arrows fell one after another, instantly causing the groans of people and the wails of war horses, not to mention the dull sounds of weapons that missed their targets and the ground.

"The enemy's combat experience... is very sufficient!" Xie Shi felt disappointed at this moment, all because the Jin army's long-range attack resulted in much less results than expected.He turned to look at Xie Ping and ordered: "Go and command the infantry yourself, and you must firmly resist the enemy!"

Xie Ping said "Promise" and lowered his head with a more obvious look of worry on his face.What he was actually thinking: [Military tactics are one thing, actual combat is another. My little master is too trusting. 】

The Han cavalry did not attack directly as the Jin soldiers, including Xie Shi, thought. When they approached the Jin fortifications for about a hundred steps, they gave way to both sides, exposing the Han cavalry. They approached about 280 steps away. The infantry of the Han army.

Xie Shi, who was standing on the nest cart, was all focused on the Han cavalry in the trident formation. Although he noticed that the Han infantry was approaching, his mind was in a state of subconscious neglect. It wasn't until he saw dense black dots suddenly appearing from the Han army's infantry formation rising towards the sky that he heard a violent "cracking" sound in his ears the next moment.

"Raise your shield!" Xie Shi shouted subconsciously, and his next move was to continue shouting: "Cavalry is dispatched!"

The Jin army's equipment must be more than one grade better than that of the Hu people. Before Xie Shi shouted, the soldiers of the Jin army had already raised their shields to meet the rain of arrows. The big guy with iron skin is not something made out of wood or skin.

The Jin army's cavalry only dispatched after seeing the general's flag signal on the chariot. Of course, they could not have gone up against the rain of arrows, but attacked from other directions.

"What are you doing here?" Huan Wen looked confused, and asked Yuan Qiao, "They left the camp on their own initiative?"

Yuan Qiao said that he didn't understand what Xie Shi's command was, and he wanted to give up his fortification advantage.

(End of this chapter)