Three days later, the 35,000 troops led by Li Ye personally encountered Cai Xide's 30,000 troops in the southern part of Shahe County.
Cai Xide's 30,000-strong army was an elite veteran army, most of which were Khitan and Xi people. They raped and massacred millions of people in Hebei and Hedong. It was a heavy debt of blood. Yan Gaoqing died in their hands.
This army has been following Shi Siming without being liquidated. This time they finally met a strong enemy.
The two sides were still twenty miles apart. The Helong army did not advance to fight, but stopped in front of the Shahe River. They marched for a day and a night, and the soldiers and horses were very tired. It would be disadvantageous for them to go into battle immediately. The soldiers of the Helong army
Taking advantage of this moment of rest, they all got off their horses and gave their horses water and fodder. They also hurriedly took a few mouthfuls of dry food to fill their stomachs.
At this time, the sound of drums could be heard faintly from the position of Shi Siming's army in the distance. A soldier on the high platform holding a clairvoyant shouted loudly: "The enemy cavalry is coming towards us quickly!"
Li Ye stared into the distance. It was the morning, and thousands of rays of sunlight were shining through the dark clouds, illuminating the harvested wheat fields in the distance. He saw Shi Siming's cavalry heading this way in overwhelming numbers, and they also saw the Helong River.
The army was tired and began to take the initiative.
Li Ye immediately ordered coldly: "The army will prepare for battle immediately!"
"Woo——"
The low horn sounded over the Helong Army, and the rumble of battle drums sounded. The soldiers of the Helong Army mounted their horses one after another, tightened their reins, unfurled their bows and nocked arrows, and slowly raised their spears.
The biggest advantage of the Helong Army lies in their war horses. They have hundreds of thousands of war horses in the vast Hexi Corridor, as well as Dawan horses and Arabian horses brought back from the far western regions. These excellent war horses give them an advantage that is difficult to match by the Central Plains army.
Mobility ability.
In addition, the Hezhong Army and the Anxi Army have experienced hundreds of battles and fought against different countries and races. Their strength has surpassed any army in the Tang Dynasty.
The dark clouds closed again, and the sun disappeared. Under the dark clouds, strong winds howled, and the Helong army formed a triangular formation, with flags fluttering, their armor black, and their spears forming a sharp forest. The gloomy sky and earth were filled with murderous intent.
It's enough to make any opponent tremble.
Shi Siming's army stopped three miles away and began to form a rapid formation. The Yan army stretched for ten miles in width, and six thousand crossbowmen lined up in three rows. They were waiting for the Helong army to attack first, so that their bows and arrows could exert their power.
The Helong Army's 35,000 men were composed of 5,000 heavy infantry, 20,000 cavalry and 10,000 spear infantry.
However, the Helong Army did not launch an attack. Both sides were waiting. Lieutenant General Tian Qianzhen felt quite uneasy and whispered to the general Cai Xide beside him: "General, the Helong Army has no intention of attacking at all. Is it possible?"
Waiting for reinforcements?"
Cai Xide shook his head and said: "The Helong Army is the Tang Army. As long as it is the Tang Army, there must be the sharpest Modao Army hidden in their ranks. This is worthy of our vigilance!"
Time passed little by little, and the two sides faced off. No one took the initiative to launch an attack. It was as if they were testing perseverance and endurance to see who could not hold on first.
At this time, a Yan Army general suddenly pointed at the opponent's camp and shouted: "General Cai, there seems to be movement on the other side!"
Cai Xide looked intently into the distance and saw that the formation of the Helong Army began to change. Anxi cavalry of about 10,000 people left the main formation and ran diagonally to the left side two miles away from the Yan Army. It was obvious that they wanted to attack the Yan army's flank.
This is a flanking attack advantage created out of thin air, and the target is the opponent's crossbow infantry.
If Cai Xide continues to maintain his formation, the crossbowmen will suffer a fatal blow.
"Woo——" A deep horn sound came from the Tang Army's formation.
Cai Xide turned around and looked at the main formation of the Helong Army. He saw a group of cavalry galloping in front of the formation, led by a general in gold helmet and iron armor.
"Ah! It's Li Ye."
Cai Xide suddenly recognized him. Although he had never met Li Ye, he knew that there was only one general who could wear a golden helmet, King Qi Li Ye.
Cai Xide couldn't help but secretly regret in his heart. If he had known that Li Ye was also in Hebei, he would not have come to this muddy water. He secretly cursed Tian Chengsi in his heart. This old fox broke the appointment at the critical moment.
In front of the Helong Army formation, Li Ye was doing the final war mobilization. He galloped on his horse, clashed the swords in his hands with the spears of the soldiers, and shouted loudly: "Generals and soldiers of Longyou and Anxi of the Tang Dynasty, the enemy troops opposite you are They are the most ferocious beasts. They kill our parents and children and rape our sisters. They kill innocent people wantonly on the land of Hebei. Today, their death day has come. To avenge the tragic death of their parents and sisters, if they do not accept surrender, they will be killed. Absolutely!"
"Revenge! Revenge!"
The soldiers of the Helong Army raised their spears high and shouted angrily, the sound was like undulating thunder: "Kill them all!"
"The right cavalry attacks frontally, and the left cavalry attacks the enemy archers from the side!"
Li Ye gave an order, the war drums rumbled, and the red and blue flags waved on the command platform. This was the order to attack on two fronts. The Helong Army suddenly launched, and only the two bottom corners of the triangular formation were visible. Separating to both sides, 10,000 sharp cavalry came out, forming two turbulent black waves. Lei Wanchun and Nan Jiyun each led 5,000 cavalry, and attacked the Yan army's left-wing cavalry.
The spears and swords were like a dense forest, the horses were galloping, and the dust was flying in the air. The momentum was tragic and majestic, making the heaven and earth change color.
At the same time, a deep horn sounded from the left side of the Helong Army, and the 10,000 Anxi cavalry deployed one mile away from Cai Xide's right wing also launched an attack under the leadership of General Bai Xiaode. They rushed towards the flank of the crossbowmen. .
Cai Xide also saw through the Tang army's intention, and he hurriedly ordered: "The cavalry on the left wing will fight against the enemy troops on the flanks, and the crossbowmen will concentrate on the right wing to shoot the enemy troops!"
A 10,000-person Yan Army cavalry force, led by General Tian Qianzhen, fought against the Helong Army coming from the front. The two sides were getting closer and closer, with spear tips shining and momentum galloping. Lei Wanchun roared. A cry of "Kill!"
"Boom!" There was a loud bang, and two cavalrymen with ten thousand people collided like two huge waves of momentum. In an instant, people's eyes were blinded by murderous intent. Their weapons clashed with each other, and their armors collided with each other, making a clanging sound.
The two armies fought fiercely together, with shouts of killing, screams, heads falling to the ground, blood flowing in rivers, and war horses violently fighting each other like masters, biting each other, and hitting each other crazily. The war was so cruel that the lives of the soldiers were at stake here.
In one moment it has become as humble as grass.
At this time, the 10,000 Anxi Army cavalry led by Bai Xiaode rushed towards the side of the crossbow army with great speed. The excellent quality of the Anxi Army's horses was fully demonstrated at this moment. They galloped with lightning speed, and the cavalry raised their shields to meet the overwhelming arrows.
Although cavalrymen continued to fall down due to arrows, the Anxi Army cavalry still rushed into the side of the crossbow army that was gathering towards the right wing with a devastating momentum.
Hundreds of Yan Army crossbow soldiers rolled and fell to the ground under the powerful impact of the cavalry. In an instant, heads were rolling, blood was splashing, and there were wailing sounds. Knives chopped and spears stabbed, horses collided, and horses galloped wildly in the crowd, with crossbows flying.
The soldiers of the army were unable to resist this extremely sharp Anxi cavalry, and the crossbow formation on the left wing was knocked to pieces.
Cai Xide personally led 10,000 of the most elite cavalry to bypass Lei Wanchun's cavalry and attack the Tang army's flag. Cai Xide was experienced and extremely cunning. He used 10,000 ordinary cavalry against the Tang army's frontal cavalry and 6,000 crossbow troops.
As bait to attract another flanking Tang army with 10,000 cavalry.
He himself led the most elite 10,000 Luohe cavalry to attack the 10,000 garrison where the head coach of the Tang Army was located. He wanted to personally hunt down Qi King Li Ye.