Chapter 75: The Horseback Nation Finds No Advantage Either

As dusk fell, Chen Mu ordered the camp to be set up and, based on the terrain, formulated his battle plan.

The next day, the entire army broke camp and marched northward in grand formation.

Soon, the Donghu army appeared. At least ten thousand cavalry charged straight toward Chen Mu. Chen Mu ordered his troops to stand their ground and meet the enemy.

The Invincible Flying Corps and the Wudang Flying Corps formed a defensive formation in the center, planting their shields into the earth and loading their repeating crossbows.

Twelve thousand cavalry were split into two groups, six thousand on each flank, guarding the sides of the infantry.

As soon as the formation was set, the Donghu army arrived, seemingly intent on charging directly through. Over ten thousand cavalry surged forward in a terrifying wave.

The new recruits among the Invincible Flying Corps and the Wudang Flying Corps were somewhat flustered, but with the encouragement of battle-hardened veterans, they steadied their ranks.

Chen Mu watched the Donghu cavalry approach, and when they entered range, he ordered the crossbows to fire.

A hail of arrows flew forth, and Donghu cavalry fell from their mounts one after another.

Yet the Donghu soldiers showed no sign of stopping, for they knew the only way to halt the enemy's archers was to charge through. Once they broke into the enemy lines, it would be a one-sided slaughter.

Indeed, the Donghu army managed to break into the Daxia formation, but it was not a unilateral massacre.

Because the Invincible Flying Corps and the Wudang Flying Corps stood in dense formation with shields anchored in the ground, the Donghu cavalry were immediately obstructed upon entry.

Following Chen Mu's instructions, the Daxia soldiers braced their shields with one hand and hacked at the enemy horses' legs with the other, sending countless Donghu cavalry tumbling, creating chaos.

Many Daxia soldiers were trampled to death, cut down by Donghu blades, or crushed by enemy horses, but the formation remained intact throughout.

Seeing the enemy halted, Chen Mu immediately ordered the cavalry on both flanks to charge forward and intercept the enemy.

The rear Donghu soldiers, seeing the vanguard obstructed, tried to circumvent from both sides, only to collide head-on with Daxia's cavalry, resulting in men and horses tumbling everywhere.

The Donghu army had no choice but to alter their strategy and engage Daxia's cavalry first.

The Donghu, famed as a people of the saddle, were adept at cavalry warfare, wielding curved sabers with long arcs, resembling half-moons, though shorter than longswords.

Such blades were ideal for slashing from horseback, less likely to get caught on enemy armor or bone, and could widen wounds.

In contrast, Daxia soldiers followed a different philosophy: "every inch shorter is more perilous, every inch longer is stronger." Daxia cavalry wielded long-handled sabers, striking Donghu riders before their shorter blades could reach.

However, the straight blades often became lodged in armor or flesh.

The Donghu possessed fine horses, but Daxia's mounts were also carefully selected, little inferior to their counterparts.

Moreover, Daxia cavalry wore iron armor, offering far better protection than the Donghu's leather armor.

The cavalry from both sides clashed repeatedly, neither gaining the upper hand, while the Invincible Flying Corps and Wudang Flying Corps tightly contained the Donghu cavalry, robbing them of their momentum.

It was true that cavalry could overpower infantry, but once trapped within an infantry formation, they were at a disadvantage—unable to turn their mounts, unable to protect their legs, facing numerous issues.

The short curved sabers of the Donghu were excellent against mounted foes and could be used to slash infantry while charging, but surrounded on all sides, bending low meant exposing themselves to attacks from other directions.

Thus, the Donghu army gained no advantage.

Chen Mu observed the battlefield, preparing for the next phase.

But at that moment, the Donghu army began to retreat, abandoning the cavalry trapped within the formation, turning from both flanks and fleeing straight away.

Daxia cavalry, ordered to intercept and slaughter, naturally gave chase.

Chen Mu sensed something amiss and quickly ordered the Daxia cavalry to halt pursuit, instead surrounding the area to guard against the enemy's return.

Soon after, the Invincible Flying Corps and Wudang Flying Corps finished off the remaining Donghu cavalry within the formation, and the first battle ended abruptly.

Chen Mu ordered the camp to be set up, summoning all officers to the central tent.

The officers were exhilarated.

"I thought the Donghu were formidable, but they're nothing special."

"Indeed, before our Invincible Flying Corps, they looked like fools!"

"Our Wudang Flying Corps were no less impressive—Donghu legs littered the field!"

Laughter erupted.

Chen Mu did not interrupt them; only after their excitement waned did he cough, drawing their attention.

"You all performed admirably this battle, but do not let your guard down—the Donghu's true strength is certainly greater than this."

"Moreover, their retreat was highly suspicious, possibly intended to lure us into a trap."

Zhang Zhong asked, "What kind of trap could it be? There's nowhere to ambush troops on this vast grassland. If the Donghu had more soldiers, they could simply overwhelm us. Why resort to tricks?"

Chen Mu shook his head. "This may indeed be their main force, but traps are still possible. Like those set for wild beasts—dig pits and cover them with turf."

Zhang Zhong questioned, "Is it possible to dig so many traps on the grassland?"

Chen Mu replied, "We are outsiders, unfamiliar with the terrain, and the enemy had ample preparation time. Perhaps they dug the traps before invading Daxia."

"We must remain vigilant. Though the Donghu suffered greatly this battle, they lost few men and horses. We should proceed as planned."

Chen Mu unfurled the map, explaining the route and marking a circle to the east.

...

Meanwhile, the Donghu army had retreated twenty li, yet the Daxia army did not pursue.

A junior officer asked, "Chief, did the Daxia see through our strategy?"

The chief replied, "Hmm... not necessarily. Perhaps they're simply cautious. Their army has both cavalry and infantry—if the cavalry pursues, the infantry lacks protection."

The junior officer pressed, "What now? If we fight head-on, casualties will be heavy. We gained much loot from Daxia, but if too many die, who will tend the sheep in the future?"

The chief frowned. "There's no other way. Even with heavy losses, we must fight. We have no cities; if we don't settle this on the grassland, our families will suffer."

The junior officer nodded. "Then give the order, chief."

The chief commanded, "Tomorrow, we attack again. This time, don't charge the infantry formation—if we eliminate Daxia's cavalry, our rear will be safe."

...

The next day, Chen Mu ordered the army to break camp and continue marching north.

Soon, they encountered the Donghu army once more.