si-mexico Chapter 2080 Feigned Attack Turns into Main Attack
Chapter 2080 Feigned Attack Turns into Main Attack
Ma Chao led 10,000 elite Chu cavalry, like two silent storms sweeping in the dark night.
They left the side gate of the Chu army camp without a sound, splitting into two groups and quickly disappearing into the deep night and rolling hills.
They moved swiftly, with men gagged and horses hoofs wrapped, striving to conceal their whereabouts as much as possible.
However, on this battlefield where scouts from both sides were intertwined and infiltrating each other, it would be almost impossible to completely conceal such a large-scale cavalry movement from the enemy.
Almost half an hour after Ma Chao left the camp, several agile Tang scouts emerged like ghosts from the shadows near the Chu army camp.
They lay prone on their horses and rushed back to the Tang army camp at top speed, delivering this crucial intelligence directly to Guo Ziyi, the commander-in-chief of the central army.
"Report——!"
The scout's voice was urgent and panting: "General! Urgent military intelligence!"
"About half an hour ago, Chu general Ma Chao personally led about 10,000 cavalrymen, splitting into two groups from the side gate of his camp. One group headed northwest and the other northeast, moving extremely swiftly!"
Guo Ziyi, sitting behind his desk, was still concentrating on rehearsing the details of receiving Li Jing and the subsequent retreat route.
Upon hearing the news, he abruptly raised his head, and a sharp, hawk-like light suddenly shot out from his deep and calm eyes!
The color drained from his thin, resolute face, replaced by a look of shock and anger at his plan being exposed, and a sudden surge of worry.
"More than 10,000 cavalrymen were divided into two routes, one to the northwest and one to the northeast!"
Guo Ziyi's fingers tapped unconsciously on the command table, making a rapid "tap-tap" sound.
His mind raced, instantly linking the intelligence to the movements of Qin Hong and Yuchi Bo's support units.
"not good!"
He cried out in a low voice, a slight tremor in his voice: "The Chu army must have realized our intention to support Commander Li!"
"They may have even discovered traces of Qin Hong and Yuchi Bo!"
"Otherwise, Ma Chao would never have so decisively dispatched a full ten thousand elite cavalrymen to attack when Xue Kehu was fiercely attacking his camp!"
He knew Ma Chao and Han Xing's military styles all too well. Ma Chao was brave and skilled in battle, a sharp blade charging into the fray.
Han Xing was mature and prudent, a solid shield for defense.
The blade is now drawn from its sheath; the target is not unfounded!
Their objective was most likely to intercept and kill Marshal Li Jing, who was on his way back, or at least to destroy his support troops and prevent him from reaching this place smoothly!
A chill ran down Guo Ziyi's spine.
Marshal Li Jing's forces were weak and morale was low at the moment. If he were to be intercepted by Ma Chao's well-rested and fresh troops, the consequences would be unimaginable!
That would not only be a military defeat, but also a devastating blow to the morale of the Tang Dynasty!
We absolutely cannot stand idly by and let this happen!
We must find a way to force Ma Chao back, or at least greatly alleviate the pressure on Li Shuai's side!
In a flash, a resolute glint appeared in Guo Ziyi's eyes.
He stood up abruptly, his initial shock and anger replaced by a desperate, resolute determination.
He looked at the messenger officers waiting in his tent, his voice like the clash of cold iron, carrying an undeniable air of killing intent:
"Hmph! What a Ma Chao! What a Han Xing!"
"Since you have seen through my intentions and still dare to divide your forces to attack, then don't blame me for being ruthless!"
He took a deep breath, as if to squeeze out all the hesitation in his chest, and ordered in a stern voice: "Order the entire army! Abandon all reserves. Except for necessary personnel to guard the camp, all troops shall immediately assemble and form ranks outside the camp!"
"From feigned attack to main attack! Target—the Chu army camp! Encircle them from all sides and launch a full-scale assault!"
"I will make sure that old man Han Xing never has a moment's peace! I will make sure his camps are ablaze with war and his urgent reports are constantly being sent out!"
"I want to see if Ma Chao, knowing that his own camp is in grave danger, will still dare to linger outside and not go back to reinforce it!"
"Beat the drums! March!"
"Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump—!"
The war drums, more intense and heavier than those used during Xue Kehu's previous attack, seemed to carry the will to crush everything. Like thunder from the heavens, they suddenly exploded from the Tang army camp and instantly spread throughout the surrounding area!
The drumbeats were filled with a sense of desperation, signifying the start of the all-out offensive!
With the deafening sound of drums, all the gates of the Tang army camp opened!
The main force of the Tang army, which was already prepared, surged out of the camp like a flood bursting its banks!
The infantry formation marched with heavy but orderly steps, their spears like a forest and their shields like a wall, pressing towards the east, west, and south of the Chu army camp!
With cavalry flanking the flanks and archers following closely behind the infantry, the atmosphere on the battlefield was instantly raised to its peak!
The Chu army camp, which had only been enduring a fierce attack from Xue Kehu's troops, was suddenly surrounded by enemies on all sides!
Deafening battle cries came from all directions, as if countless Tang soldiers were pouring out of the darkness to completely devour the camp!
On the main battlefield, Xue Kehu, who was getting impatient due to the prolonged siege, also heard the drumbeats that signaled the general offensive of the entire army, as well as the earth-shaking battle shouts coming from other directions.
He was slightly taken aback at first, and then a messenger rode up on horseback, bringing Guo Ziyi's latest orders:
"The general has given orders! The feigned attack will become the main offensive! At all costs, launch a fierce attack on the Chu army's camp and force Ma Chao to return to reinforce it!"
Xue Kehu instantly understood the commander's intention, and the anxiety and frustration on his face vanished.
Instead, a wildly excited and cruel smile appeared on his face. He threw his head back and laughed maniacally, his voice echoing across the land: "Hahaha! Good! Good! Good! That scoundrel Ma Chao isn't in the camp? This is truly heaven's help!"
He brandished his machete, pointing it at the nearby yet impregnable Chu army camp, and roared at his weary soldiers, "Men! Did you hear me? The all-out attack has begun! Ma Chao has fled! Now only that old bastard Han Xing is left in the camp! No one in the Chu army is a match for me, Xue Kehu!"
"Follow me and kill! Raze the Chu camp to the ground and capture Han Xing alive! Let Ma Chao return to collect the body of his old partner!"
"kill--!"
Spurred by Xue Kehu's bloodthirsty roar and the order to launch a general offensive, the morale of the Tang army, which had been somewhat low, was forcibly reignited.
As if injected with a potent drug, their eyes turned red, and they let out beast-like howls as they launched the most frenzied and reckless attack on the Chu army camp since the start of the war!
Arrows rained down on the stockade walls, battering rams and battering rams pounded the gates and fences even more violently, and countless siege ladders were erected again, with Tang soldiers climbing them like ants!
In an instant, fires broke out on all sides of the Chu army camp, and the sounds of battle shook the heavens!
The originally relatively solid defensive line was suddenly under tremendous pressure under the Tang army's all-out attack, which spared no effort, and was like a small boat tossed about in a storm!