Chapter 832: Iron cavalry vertical and horizontal
Chapter 832: Iron Cavalry
Chapter 830: Iron cavalry in all directions
Four hundred years since the founding of the Han Dynasty, the most prosperous period for the development of cavalry was during the reign of Emperor Liu Che of the Han Dynasty. At its peak, there were hundreds of thousands of cavalry across the country.
The Han-Hungarian War was the longest war in Chinese history, lasting for 43 years, and it was not completely over until Liu Che's death.
During these 43 years, there were as many as 15 major and minor battles between the two countries, including three large-scale battles.
The first time was in 127 BC, when the Huns invaded the border with 20,000 cavalry. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty sent Wei Qing to attack with 30,000 cavalry. They defeated the Huns army in the Hetao area, regained the lost territory, built Shuofang City, and strengthened the defense force.
The second time was in 121 BC. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty sent young general Huo Qubing to attack with tens of thousands of cavalry. He chased the Huns for thousands of miles, defeated the main force of the Huns army, captured the Hun chieftain King Tu, the Shan Yulan clan, the prince and more than a hundred people, and annihilated them. There are more than 30,000 enemies.
The third expedition was in 119 BC, which was also the largest expedition. At that time, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty mobilized 100,000 cavalry, 140,000 accompanying horses, 100,000 infantry and transporters, commanded by Wei Qing and Huo Qubing, and headed east and west to Mobei. They marched forward and surrounded the Xiongnu Chanyu with their left and right wings. Finally, Yizhixie Chanyu led hundreds of cavalry to break through and escape. From then on, the Xiongnu were completely weakened.
In the past four hundred years, the largest cavalry battle of the Han Dynasty only mobilized 100,000 cavalry. However, in today's civil war, the total number of cavalry involved has reached 150,000.
From this, it is not difficult to imagine how powerful the military power of the princes in the world is.
This battle can be said to be the largest cavalry showdown in the history of Chinese civilization. It is a pity that this battle was a civil war, which made it less heroic.
In this battle, the 100,000 Guandong cavalry coalition faced off against the 50,000 Xiliang cavalry.
In normal times, with the bravery of Xiliang's cavalry, they might not be unable to fight even if they face twice as many enemies, but the situation is different now.
The 100,000 cavalry of the Guandong princes' coalition was divided into three groups. Qin Jian led 30,000 Bingzhou wolf cavalry to outflank the Liang army on the left, Gongsun Zan led 30,000 Youzhou fine cavalry to outflank the Liang army's right, and the remaining 40,000 princes' cavalry allied forces directly Intercept the enemy's retreat.
Even if the Xiliang cavalry is brave, it is impossible to deal with enemies from three directions at the same time when the morale of the retreat is greatly reduced. But if they want to return to Hulao Pass, they can only break through from three sides.
Li Shimin knew that it was basically impossible to bring all the cavalry back. Even if he didn't handle it well, there would be a risk of the entire army being annihilated.
In this fight, he was completely defeated, and he was convinced of the defeat. Now it was too late for Li Shimin to regret it, and since the failure was unavoidable, he could only try to reduce the losses as much as possible.
It is definitely impossible to protect the troops now. The enemy's army is twice as strong as ours, and they are surrounded on three sides. Even if we can finally break out, it will be quite good to have 10,000 cavalry left.
Now Li Shimin had given up hope in protecting his troops. This time Qin Hao used all the cavalry of the coalition forces. It was obvious that he wanted to **** the Xiliang cavalry in one battle. He just wanted the generals to return unscathed.
A thousand troops are easy to get, but a general is hard to find.
Thinking of this, Li Shimin no longer hesitated, and directly ordered to abandon the two wings, concentrate his troops and strong generals, and attack the enemy's center with all his strength. Only in this way could they have any hope of breaking out.
Qin Jian, who was attacking the left wing, was about to launch an attack. He didn't see Liang Jun sending troops to intercept him. Naturally, he knew that Li Shimin had given up on the left wing. He couldn't help but exclaimed: "Dear me, Li Shimin, this guy is amazing, the left wing is so good." It’s important, he gave up when he said he would, he’s really brave.”
Qin Qiong on the other side frowned slightly and said in a deep voice: "Not only the left wing, Li Shimin may have also given up on the right wing. He wants to concentrate his forces to break through the central army."
“This guy is so courageous. No wonder Haoer values him so much.”
A flash of light flashed in Qin Jian's eyes, and he laughed and said: "Li Shimin's arrangement is tantamount to giving credit to us and Gongsun Zan. Then I, Old Qin, have to give it up. I ordered the whole army to attack immediately and defeat the enemy's left flank. , surrounded Liang Jun as quickly as possible. "No." Qin Qiong and Yuchi Gong shouted in unison.
Following Qin Jian’s order, thirty thousand Bingzhou wolf cavalry launched the most violent charge towards the left flank of the Liang army.
On the right wing, Gongsun Zan, who commanded the Youzhou cavalry, also encountered the same situation as Qin Jian. He couldn't help but sigh: "After all, he has also been the leader of the alliance. He is very courageous. Tens of thousands of cavalry gave up at the drop of a hat. This If it were me, Gongsun Zan, I would have to struggle no matter what."
Gongsun Xuanyuan urged his horse forward and said in a deep voice: "Brother, Li Shimin actually gave up his left and right wings. It is easy to fight between us and General Qin Jian now, but I am afraid it will be difficult to fight the Chinese army. After all, the enemy is concentrated there." All the great generals in the army.”
“What does the Chinese army have to do with me?”
A strange look flashed in Gongsun Zan's eyes, and he chuckled: "The task assigned to us by the leader of the alliance is to defeat the right wing of the Liang army and completely surround Li Shimin. I, Gongsun Zan, can just complete my task. Even if the Chinese army is broken through, it has nothing to do with us."
Gongsun Xuanyuan was stunned, knowing in his heart that Gongsun Zan was probably trying to preserve his strength, but this was also human nature.
Qin Hao placed his cavalry in the middle army, but placed 30,000 Jin troops on the left wing. Isn't this also to preserve his strength? It’s just that people can’t find fault with it.
After Gongsun Zan carefully observed the place, he immediately ordered: "Xuanyuan, you lead the white horse Yi Cong as the vanguard."
“Nuo.” Gongsun Xuanyuan shouted.
Gongsun Zan drew his long sword from his waist, pointed it straight ahead and shouted: "Attack the whole army."
“Where justice comes, life and death follow it! The sky can tell you, and the white horse is the proof!”
Five thousand white horses roared loudly, followed by 25,000 Youzhou cavalry.
Different from the overwhelming momentum on the left and right wings, the rear army was extremely anxious.
The 40,000 cavalry responsible for intercepting Li Shimin's retreat included all the cavalry except You Bing Erzhou. Although the composition of the army was a bit messy, its combat effectiveness was the strongest among the three teams.
Because Qin Hao's Pojun Camp and Huben Camp, Cao Cao's Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, Liu Bei's White Guards, etc., the elite cavalry under the major princes were all concentrated in these 40,000 cavalry.
Qin Hao expected from the beginning that with Li Shimin's personality, he would definitely concentrate all his efforts on breaking through the Chinese army, so he arranged so many ace battalions in the Chinese army in order to kill Li Shimin in one fell swoop, although he also knew that this was not feasible. Not big.
Li Shimin has five war gods including Li Yuanba beside him. It can be said that even if all the 50,000 Xiliang cavalry are defeated, as long as these five people are there, no, as long as Li Yuanba is still there, it will still be difficult to kill Li Shimin.
But the possibility is only one in 10,000, Qin Hao still has to give it a try, what if it really succeeds?
(End of this chapter)