Tiger Owl

Chapter 230 Head-on attack
The capital of Cangwu Commandery, Guangxin County, was not far from the capital of Yulin Commandery, Bushan County, about 400 li away. Both were located on the north bank of the Yu River. Bu Zhi immediately ordered Zhao Yun to lead 10,000 troops to guard Guangxin County, and at the same time to reorganize 20,000 surrendered troops. He and Taishi Ci led 20,000 troops straight to Bushan County of Yulin Commandery.

At this time, Wu Ju, the prefect of Yulin County, had already learned of the carrier pigeon message that Zhang Jin had passed away. Unfortunately, the message was sent a day too early; if it had been sent a day later, the situation would have been completely different.

On the night Zhang Jin died, Wu Ju led 8,000 troops and 2,000 Southern Barbarian troops to Guangxin County. He wanted to seize Cangwu County and Guangxin County's 20,000 troops before Shi Xie could send out his troops.

Wu Ju did the math: after Shi Xie received the news and sent troops to Yulin County, it would take his army at least twenty days to march to his stronghold, Bushan County.

Twenty days is enough time for me to take over Guangxin County and then return to support Bushan County.

This time difference is the key to Wu Ju's capture of Jiaozhou. This was a plan Wu Ju had made long ago. The idea itself was not wrong. When brothers quarrel and the army is in turmoil, morale will inevitably be low. Wu Ju will act as a peacemaker, mediate the conflict between the two brothers, and then take the opportunity to swallow up Zhang Jin's army.

Wu Ju never dreamed that Gan Ning's army had already captured Guangxin County and was now marching towards him along the same official road.

The following day at noon, when the two armies were about 20 miles apart, they spotted each other almost simultaneously.

Upon receiving a scout's report that an army of nearly ten thousand men had been spotted twenty miles ahead, Bu Zhi immediately realized that it must be Wu Ju's army, who had come to Cangwu County to reap the rewards.

Bu Zhi immediately ordered, "Order the entire army to advance at full speed!"

Wu Ju received the news a little late. His scouts discovered an army of nearly 20,000 men ten miles ahead, flying the banner of Chu.

Wu Ju was a little confused. The 20,000-strong army should be Zhang Jin's army! Didn't Guangxin County have exactly 20,000 troops stationed there?

But what does the banner of Chu mean?
Wu County was located in a remote area and was isolated from news, so he did not know that the Yuzhang Army had been renamed the Chu Army.

Despite not knowing the origins of the enemy, Wu Ju still ordered the entire army to prepare for battle. Wu Ju was very experienced; the two sides were too close, and retreating at this time would allow the enemy to pursue them, inevitably leading to a great defeat.

Eight thousand troops quickly formed ranks in an open area. At this time, twenty thousand Chu troops also began to assemble and marched rapidly during the assembly.

Soon the two armies drew closer and closer, coming to within three miles of each other, and formed two large formations in the open field.

Wu Ju could tell at a glance that the enemy was not Zhang Jin's army. Their morale was completely different. Zhang Jin's army lacked momentum and was rather weak, like 20,000 people arbitrarily lining up.

The army before them was well-organized and exuded a murderous aura. Although it numbered only 20,000, it gave the impression of an army of 50,000 or 60,000. Every soldier was filled with killing intent, and their equipment was excellent, with uniform armor, uniform weapons, and battle flags covering the sky.

"Prefect, look!"

One soldier actually pointed at the flag and shouted, "It's Gan Ning's army!"

Wu Ju also saw it; a large banner with a huge character "Gan" written on it. He was immediately shocked. He had actually encountered Gan Ning's army, which meant that Zhang Jin's army was finished and Guangxin County had fallen.

The enemy has 20,000 troops, while we only have 8,000 troops and 2,000 Southern Barbarian troops. The enemy has high morale and is well-equipped, while our morale is low. Can we win this battle?

At this moment, Wu Ju was a little scared, but he dared not retreat now. He had no choice but to bite the bullet and shout, "All troops, prepare for battle!"

"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!" The Chu army sounded the thunderous war drums. Bu Zhi waved his hand, "Heavy shield troops, attack! Cavalry, follow!"

Three thousand heavy shield and straight sword soldiers appeared, followed by two cavalry units of one thousand men each on the left and right.

Although according to the intelligence currently available, oil-based weapons have not yet been introduced to Jiaozhou, and none of the three major powers in Jiaozhou are equipped with firearms, Bu Zhi will not underestimate the enemy and will still use heavy shield troops to deal with the enemy's crossbow troops.

The enemy actually had cavalry, and even deployed a large shield and sword army.

Wu Ju changed his plan; he originally intended to use two thousand crossbowmen to deal with the enemy's charge.

However, if the enemy has shield-bearing troops, then your own crossbowmen will be ineffective. Instead, if the enemy cavalry charges into your crossbowmen, it will be a one-sided massacre.

Wu Ju immediately shouted, "Form a spear formation!"

Five thousand spearmen quickly formed a large square formation, which was the only way for infantry to deal with enemy cavalry.

Wu Ju led his three thousand troops to form another small spear formation behind the large spear formation.

Seeing the enemy change formation, Bu Zhi coldly ordered, "Cavalry, attack!"

"Woo-woo-woo" the horn sounded.

The cavalry, which was three hundred paces away from the enemy's main formation, suddenly launched an attack. Led by Taishi Ci, they were like two sharp swords, one on the left and one on the right, rushing straight towards the enemy's spear formation.

The five thousand soldiers were extremely nervous. It was their first time facing cavalry in actual combat. Everyone's heart was in their throat, their legs were weak, and their hands were covered in sweat.

Wu Ju watched helplessly as the enemy cavalry drew ever closer, two hundred paces... one hundred and fifty paces... fifty paces...
Just then, a flash of light appeared in the wilderness, seemingly a cluster of fire. Wu Ju straightened up immediately, his eyes fixed on the fire. He saw another cluster of fire appear not far away, followed by three, four... more and more, the fire growing brighter and wider. Terrified screams began to come from within the spear formation.

At this moment, the two thousand cavalrymen were extremely excited. Instead of charging into the spear formation, they surrounded it and kept throwing oil bottles at it.

The flames rising within the spear formation ignited their courage, and every soldier was impatient. Their warhorses galloped at full speed, snorting loudly. The cavalrymen held their spears and reined in their horses tightly, their eyes excitedly watching the chaos of the enemy formation.

At this moment, the spear formation was engulfed in flames and thick smoke. It started from the southeast corner and, swept by the southeast wind, the fire and smoke quickly spread to most of the army formation. The flames were so intense that all the soldiers could not open their eyes.

Fire dragons spewed raging flames within the formation. Enveloped in flames and thick smoke, the five thousand spearmen quickly collapsed. The soldiers cried out for their parents and scattered in all directions. Many of them were on fire, screaming and running for their lives, abandoning their armor and fleeing for their lives.

Driven by instinct, they all fled westward toward their commander. The entire eastern and northern wilderness was engulfed by the fire, which spread rapidly through the bushes. Two thousand cavalrymen charged through the smoke and fire toward the three thousand soldiers.

Thousands of soldiers swarmed in, each scrambling to escape, pushing and trampling each other, their screams, cries, and pleas echoing through the sky...

The remaining three thousand troops were also thrown into disarray and began to rout.
The fighter planes finally arrived, and Taishi Ci roared, "Those who do not surrender will be killed without mercy!"

(End of this chapter)