Rise of a Lonely City: From Exiled Prince to Ruler of the Nine Provinces

The reform of the new military is in full swing, with various organizational structures, equipment, and training measures being implemented step by step.

In order to test the results of the reform, improve the coordination among various departments, demonstrate military might, deter all sides, and warm up for the upcoming completion ceremony of Zhenbei City, Xiao Chen decided to hold the largest, most comprehensive, and most complex "Three Armies Grand Military Exercise" since the founding of Hanyuan Army on a vast wasteland on the banks of the Baishui River in the northeast of Zhenbei New City.

This exercise was not a simple formation display or martial arts competition, but a comprehensive combat exercise involving live troops, equipment, and real-world scenarios.

The participating troops include infantry, cavalry, archers, engineers, and supply troops, with a total strength of 15,000 people. They are divided into "Red" and "Blue" armies and will conduct a three-day offensive and defensive confrontation on pre-designed complex terrain.

The "Red Team," commanded by Wang Dashan, consisted mainly of troops from the Panshi Battalion, Heishanwei, Qinghe Town, and some newly formed infantry and engineers. Their mission was to defend themselves using pre-designed simple fortifications and a simulated "border town," and to launch a counterattack when the opportunity arose.

The "Blue Team," commanded by Zhang Meng, consists of the main force of the Cangyun Cavalry, newly formed heavy cavalry, scout cavalry, and some elite infantry and crossbowmen. Their mission is to leverage their mobility to break through the Red Team's defenses and capture the "Border Town."

Xiao Chen personally served as the chief instructor of the martial arts exercise, Zhao Tie served as the chief referee, and the attendees included instructors from the military academy, senior generals from various armies, and even invited representatives from grassland tribes and envoys from Northern Yan.

Night Owl was responsible for intelligence surveillance and battlefield communications. The Institute of Physics and the Industrial Engineering Department provided a large number of new equipment and simulation devices.

Early morning on the first day of the martial arts competition.

On the desolate plains, before the morning mist had dissipated, the sounds of war drums and horns were already deafening.

The 15,000-strong army, organized according to the new structure, was arranged in neat square formations.

The new military uniforms, in black and gray, appeared solemn and uniform under the morning sun.

The steel armor reflected a cold light, swords and spears stood like a forest, and flags fluttered in the wind.

On the high platform, Xiao Chen, dressed in military uniform, swept his gaze over the transformed army below, his heart filled with heroic spirit.

"Martial arts demonstration, begin!"

With Xiao Chen's command, the huge command flag was waved.

The Blue Team cavalry took the lead, and thousands of iron cavalrymen, like a flood breaking through a dam, split into several groups under Zhang Meng's command, using the terrain as cover to outflank the Red Team's defensive line.

The thunderous sound of hooves and the dust that blotted out the sun demonstrated astonishing impact and maneuverability.

Within the red formation, Wang Dashan calmly responded. The infantry formation swiftly changed formation, with spears forming a forest and shields forming a mountain.

The crossbowmen lined up behind the fortifications, and as the officer waved his command flag, a simulated "rain of arrows" whistled out, covering the path of the blue team's cavalry charge.

Although it was just a simulation, the dense "strike" range and precise coverage caused everyone on the viewing platform to change color. The Blue Team's cavalry charge was halted, and they had to scatter to avoid it.

Instead of launching a direct assault, the Blue forces used their cavalry's speed to constantly harass the Red forces' flanks and rear, attempting to find weaknesses. The Red forces, relying on their tight formations and simple obstacles constructed by engineers, advanced steadily and cautiously. Scouts from both sides engaged in fierce combat across the vast battlefield, vying for line of sight.

In the afternoon, the battle situation suddenly changed. A Blue Force elite heavy cavalry unit, under the cover of several light cavalry units, suddenly launched a fierce attack on the central section of the Red Force's defensive line.

The Red team's defensive line wavered at one point, but the reserve team quickly joined in and, with the help of long spears and crossbows, managed to withstand the attack.

Just as the two sides were locked in a stalemate, a long-lurking mountain infantry unit of the Red Team suddenly appeared on the Blue Team's flank and rear, taking advantage of the terrain, and launched a surprise attack on the Blue Team's command center and supply train. The Blue Team was caught off guard and their formation was thrown into chaos.

Zhang Meng remained calm in the face of danger and personally led his personal guard cavalry in a counterattack, stabilizing the situation.

The two sides were locked in a chaotic battle. At this moment, several columns of colored smoke suddenly rose from the red formation, and the red cavalry reserve, which had been waiting in the wings, charged out from the other side and rushed straight towards the blue formation.

The martial arts competition reached its climax, with both sides exchanging blows and rapidly shifting between offense and defense.

The new command system, signal communication, and inter-service coordination were fully demonstrated in the fierce confrontation, but also exposed many problems.

The infantry and cavalry lacked coordination, the logistics supply line was vulnerable to enemy harassment, and some new recruits were not good at responding to complex battle situations... But overall, the discipline, organization, tactical skills and equipment level shown by the Hanyuan Army were far superior to those of the ragtag group of the past.

On the second day of the training exercise, the subjects changed to siege and defense drills. The red team relied on a temporary simulated "earthen city" for defense.

The Blue forces, employing improved catapults, battering rams, and siege ladders, launched a fierce attack under the cover of crossbows. Engineers dug tunnels beneath the city walls and blasted them open.

The defenders counterattacked with rolling logs, stones, molten gold, and crossbows. The battle was extremely fierce, and the city walls changed hands several times.

On the third day, the exercise entered the comprehensive testing phase.

Xiao Chen issued an emergency order simulating "a large-scale enemy invasion, requiring our army to move quickly, seize key passes, and implement a counter-encirclement."

The red and blue forces quickly disengaged and, in accordance with new instructions, conducted large-scale maneuvers over a wide area.

Cavalry served as the vanguard and provided cover, infantry marched at full speed, and supply trains followed closely behind. Engineers cleared paths through mountains and built bridges over rivers. Ultimately, the two armies completed their encirclement at the designated location.

The three-day martial arts competition has come to a successful conclusion.

On the high platform, Xiao Chen summarized the martial arts exercise.

He highly praised the high morale, strict discipline, and tactical skills demonstrated by the entire army, and affirmed the command abilities of generals such as Wang Dashan and Zhang Meng, as well as the performance of the new equipment.

At the same time, he also pointed out the problems that had been exposed: infantry-cavalry coordination still needs to be strengthened, the logistics support system is somewhat lagging behind in rapid maneuvers, the on-the-spot decision-making ability of junior officers needs to be improved, and the use of special operations forces is not bold enough...

"This martial arts demonstration is not for showing off, but for honing our skills!"

Xiao Chen's voice boomed, echoing throughout the entire arena: "Today's drill is tomorrow's real combat! Weaknesses must be addressed; shortcomings must be corrected. What I need is an iron army that can be summoned at a moment's notice, that can fight effectively, and that will win every battle! A kingly army that strikes fear into the hearts of the enemy and that the people can entrust with their lives with complete peace of mind!"

"Victory! Victory! Victory!" Tens of thousands of soldiers shouted in unison, their voices shaking the surrounding fields and their killing intent soaring into the sky.

The grassland tribes and Northern Yan envoys who were observing the ceremony had solemn expressions, and their eyes could not hide their shock.

What they saw was not just a well-equipped army, but also a well-organized, efficient command system, advanced tactics, and terrifying war potential.

The strength of the Hanyuan Army has far exceeded their expectations.

The joint military exercises are not only a comprehensive test of the new military reforms, but also a grand military parade to flex military muscle in the eyes of the outside world.

Han Yuan's sword has been drawn, its sharpness fully revealed.

The chill of the northern sky, and even further afield, will be felt.