02.War at the boarder

It was King Lian this time, starting riots around the southwest border of the empire. That border was under the surveillance of General Huang Song. He has an army of 5000 guarding the southwest border with him. But news from the spies confirmed that King Lian had about 25000 in his army. Although his troops are less than King Lian’s about 1/5^th, after estimating all his strengths and considering all the information he got from the spies, General Huang was confident that he would be able to defeat King Lian if he fights according to a well-planned strategy.

Therefore with much confidence, General Huang started leading his troops next day. Cavalry troops were to attack as two entities from two sides while archers were to surround the entire battle field and guard against the long range attacks. Specially, Archers had to play an important role as a backup for cavalry and other troops because they were fighting against an army with very high manpower. Every soldier was aware of the risks and advantages they have but they believed in their General’s leadership.

Blowing wind made the war flags waved which were placed in-front of relevant regiments of each fronts. War drums were being played in the background signaling the commencing of war was near. Spear heads were shining in the morning sunlight showing off their sharpness. All the soldiers were in great spirit, enthusiastically lined up affront, patiently waiting for their respective leaders’ command to charge forward.

 Few moments were passed without any reaction from both sides. The patience of all the soldiers were slowly wearing off. Instead both they and the surrounding started to tense up. The sound of war drums which were playing intensively were going down slowly too. With speeded up heart beat and tensed up mind, they still kept waiting.

At that moment…, they got the command they were eagerly waiting for.

 “…Attack…” General Huang Song’s voice echoed throughout his army. All of his troops charged in fiercely at once as they were advised previously. Their war cry was reverberating intensively throughout the battlefield. General Huang’s Infantry battalions were charging into the King Lian’s troops, attacking fiercely like wild beasts while cavalry troops were following them, backing them up. They faced fierce long range attacks from King Lian’s side but their archers’ attacks were tit for tat. Like this, they carried their united attacking style with General Huang’s guidance. Before long General Huang Song’s troops were able to break through King Lian’s front defense line, gradually they reached middle, and finally the last back defense line, breaking off King Lian’s initial defense formation.

It seemed, King’s army was bewildered by the fierce and intense attacks of General’s army. The fighting spirit and confidence of General’s army was at a very high level due to initial success. They carried on fighting victoriously.

 At the same time, king’s army’s confidence seemed to be decreasing. They were falling ten by hundreds by on the battlefield. Instead of rearranging their formation to fight back, they seemed fighting desperately to escape. Although orders for retreat were not issued, they seemed trying to escape by dividing into the groups and scattering far around the battlefield, even to the forest side around the battlefield.

Although their enemies didn’t retreat yet, the army of General Huang was feeling victorious. With that, they started chasing the scattering enemies, dissolving their own attack and defense formations.

That was the chance King was looking for. He knew that although his armies are more than General Huang’s army in numbers, General Huang would still come to battle with him. Using his high man power as a cover, king Lian was observing for this long to check whether his guesses are correct. As he expected, General had planned his strategy depending on the unity of his troops. Until General’s original tactics are ongoing, his chance of winning was slim because he knew how powerful General’s army was. That’s why King planned to break the unity of the General’s army. Because they were less in number, unity of their troops were important for them to win.

 Now, after scattering their squads and dividing their entity of power, King issued orders to his army to rearrange their formations surrounding the scattered small squads of General’s army. It was easy and successful because of their high man power.

 When General discovered the king’s intention, it was a little bit late. Now it was their chance to be surprised. The scattered small squads of soldiers had to fight individually with the high man power of the king. They were at disadvantage but they kept fighting fiercely like wounded beasts. Now they had started to fall down in the battle field by hundreds and thousands.

 Now General’s army was at the brink of losing. General had no other option but to retreat. He issued orders for retreating. Around 2000-2500 lives were lost in General’s side. About 1000 were severely wounded or disabled. Around 1500-2000 were suitable to go to war again. Because they had enough supplies, treatment for wounded soldiers started immediately.

 In his tent, after reading the casualty report, General Huang was frustrated. He felt humiliated too because, after all he failed because of such a simple trick. “Divide and rule” was a very basic strategy in war tactics and politics yet he was defeated by King Lian by applying it accordingly. He felt slightly guilty too because this happened because he overestimated himself and his army and put all his eggs in one basket. He should have prepared a backup plan too but he hadn’t.At least he should have asked for reinforcement but he hadn’t.

When thinking about other party’s lose, they might have loss around 6000, but because of their high man power, king’s side has the upper hand now.

General Huang sighed. He had no other option but to ask for reinforcement from nearest military post. Capital was far away and he was sure that he could not hang on until reinforcement from capital to come.

Therefore he sent messages to General of western border, General Jiang Lin and General of southeast border, General Feng Tang asking for help. The nearest military post was in the western border but it also would take at least one and half day to get help. Southeast border was at least two days far away. Although he didn't want to ask General Jiang 's help due to some personal grudges, he could not help. And he hoped he would be able to hold on until reinforcement comes.

Even though it would be advantageous for king Lian to attack his enemies before reinforcement come, they didn't seem to attack directly except for creating some small commotions.

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On the next day...

  As the dusk was coming, General Huang received a message saying that reinforcement forces are within ten miles.

 After receiving General Huang 's message, General Jiang had left 10 000 of his troops at western border to ensure western border's safety and headed towards southwest border himself with his remaining 10 000 troops. They had come in their maximum speed. General Huang didn't think that reinforcement would be received that soon. With this favourable news he received an unfavourable news too. King's army also had received reinforcement of 5 000.

 After General Jiang reached to the southwest camp, he was welcomed by general Huang. After resting for some time, they held discussion regarding war tactics to be followed tomorrow. After deciding their strategies, they went their own places for resting.

Next day, early in the morning from the other side, the sound of war drums, to announce the starting of war could be heard. Soldiers of both sides were not enthusiastic as much as before with all the casualties they received previously. But king Lian’s side has won the first day fight and General’s side has received reinforcement from “The Black Dragon” the famous, valiant General Jiang ling. Both sides had some hope of their own to get the victory of the war.

  As planned, two generals from this side headed from two fronts and led the troops. Still king Lian was above in manpower but Generals were not ready to give up easily.

 The war carried on fiercely, ears were filled with the sound of clashing swords, spears, armors...etc. Blood drops were dipping from edges of swords and spears, blood was woozing from the wounded soldiers. War cries as well as cries from wounded soldiers were everywhere until suddenly ‘orders for holding the fight’ from King's side were issued. General Jiang had managed to capture the king himself alive.  So, finally...is  it going to be over for good?

There was a short discussion among them and finally king came into a negotiation with General Jiang. Then he retreated totally, withdrawing all his remaining troops and left for his own land.

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After finishing today's battle without severe harm, remaining troops were resting, treating wounds...etc. Both Generals were resting too while discussing.

Although battle was finished successfully, General Huang was not satisfied. It was not him but General Jiang who captured the king. And why did he left the king Lian unharmed? Without even discussing with him, why did he agree to negotiate with king Lian ? What are the negotiation conditions anyway? And finally, following the discussed strategies exactly without violating any step, why did it have to be him who captured the enemy king as always happened? General Huang's mind was not in peace. His past grudges with General Jiang was renewed. He was burning with jealousy inside himself unbearably.