I rode and slashed unparalleled in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 565: Hua Xiong is ready to fight, Dian Wei dismounts and attacks

The night was as dark as ink, but the lights at Luopu Ferry were as bright as day.

Soldiers of the Xiliang Army were getting off the boat in batches and gathering in the open space in front of the ferry.

At this moment, when the twinkling torches in the distance in the night came straight towards him like meteors, Hua Xiong could hardly believe his eyes.

Although he had just arrived, he was clearly not completely in the dark about the battle situation here.

The messenger sent to contact Niu Fu had informed him that the Nanyang army had rebelled and joined the bandits at Yique Pass.

Therefore, Hua Xiong's top priority after crossing the river was to stabilize the ferry camp and ensure the stability of the connection between the two armies north and south of the Luo River.

For a mission like this, Hua Xiong originally thought that he would not join the battle so soon.

But he didn't expect that the Champion Marquis was so bold that he charged forward with light cavalry, bypassed Niu Fu's troops, and directly attacked his ferry.

Indeed, he had just crossed the river and had no time to arrange any strict camp defenses.

But, didn’t they see the bright and flaming formation?

I have more than 2,000 Xiliang warriors standing by for battle. How can you, a few hundred light cavalry, challenge us?

"A madman!"

"Don't these rebels have eyes? They actually came to our doorstep."

"Everyone - prepare to fight, teach them a lesson!"

At Hua Xiong's command, the elite troops of Xiliang immediately put down their tasks, adjusted their formation, and lined up before Su Yao's cavalry arrived.

They stood with their backs to the ferry and formed three large formations on the left, right and center.

In the light of the fire, their armor shone with a cold light. Although the warriors looked a little nervous, there was no trace of fear on their faces.

Seeing his team so well-organized, Hua Xiong's face showed a hint of complacency.

I am the governor!

He brought with him Dong Gong's elite soldiers.

These people were wearing sophisticated armor, holding sharp spears, and had strong bows and crossbows.

Not to mention the hundreds of light cavalry who attacked at night, even if the Northern Army's armored cavalry came in person, he had the confidence that he could deal with them and stop them outside the formation.

The battle is about to break out.

Led by Hua Xiong, the Xiliang warriors held their breath, waiting for Su Yao and others to charge.

However, Su Yao's cavalry did not charge directly as Hua Xiong had expected. Instead, they slowly slowed down and stopped not far from the front of the Xiliang army, gradually extinguished their torches, and hid in the shadows.

"Humph, you're just being mysterious."

"After all, you are afraid of death."

Hua Xiong saw through it at a glance.

These bandits certainly don't dare to charge into the battle formation. They want to use the mobility of their cavalry to find an opportunity and launch a sneak attack!

However, he had his back to the Luo River ferry, and the three formations on the left, right and center supported each other, leaving him no chance to take advantage.

"These rebels are nothing special. Do you think a few hundred of them can shake our Xiliang Iron Army?"

"Everyone hold the line and do not move without permission."

"After General Niu arrives, if these enemies still don't know how to get away, we will send them to hell."

Huaxiong's arrangement is very robust.

If he was dealing with an ordinary enemy, he would have already rushed back with a roar.

But the champion Su Yao had a bad reputation after all, and this time he had the momentum of a great victory. The Guanxi warrior did not want to take any risks this time, for fear of adding another achievement to the champion's list of merits.

So he ordered the scouts to move forward and place fire pots within the range of the arrow's target to increase the field of vision, and then he stopped taking any action.

Just like that, the two armies just stared at each other, and no one could do anything to the other. They could only wait for the arrival of a third-party force to break the balance of confrontation.

Generally speaking, this should be the case.

Hua Xiong was ready to take another look, but when he saw nothing was happening, he closed his eyes for a while. Unexpectedly, at this moment, something strange happened. Su Yao's knights actually...
"They're dismounting?!"

Hua Xiong was shocked.

Just in front of their central army, at the edge of the field of vision illuminated by the brazier, they saw armored warriors walking towards them one after another.

They also formed a standard square formation of big men, holding shields and moving forward step by step.

"infantry?"

Hua Xiong widened his eyes and looked at the scene in disbelief.

He never expected that Su Yao would actually dismount his precious cavalry and fight on foot during this late night raid!
Although it is said that when the Han Dynasty was powerful in the past, all its infantry were equipped with war horses.

It was common for them to maneuver quickly and dismount and form a battle line after arriving on the battlefield.

However, those people were all infantrymen who were not good at cavalry warfare.

Their greatest use is to quickly fill the line, form a local troop advantage, and suppress the opponent.

However, judging from the swift attack of the army in front of Su Yao tonight, it was obvious that they were all experts in cavalry warfare.

It was really unexpected that this Su guy actually asked these people to dismount and line up to fight a head-on infantry battle with his elite warriors.

His Xiliang Iron Cavalry was there to defend the ferry, and they didn't even have time to transport horses over before they formed up their infantry.

You, Su Yao's knights from Bingzhou and Youzhou, why didn't you just ride your horses to charge into battle instead of dismounting and fighting me on foot?
It was simply too frustrating. The three most elite knights from the border counties of the Han Dynasty had now all given up their horses due to various reasons.

Therefore, Hua Xiong's expression of surprise immediately turned into a look of contempt.

After all, when two armies fight on foot, it's a head-on clash with no uncertainties.

The number of people, equipment and quality of troops determine the success or failure of a battle.

They were all from the same Han border army, wearing almost the same armor and holding weapons of equal strength. However, his numbers were several times greater than the rebels in front of him, and he was well-rested, so how could he lose?

"The center army stands still, the two wings move forward, ready to encircle the enemy!"

Facing the Han army phalanx in front of the formation, Hua Xiong calmly gave orders, preparing to wipe out this ignorant army in one fell swoop after the battle.

However, Hua Xiong's advisers soon discovered that things might not be that simple:
"Governor Hua, don't be careless."

Chief Clerk Zhang Cheng said anxiously:

"The number of this group of bandits is not right. Su Yao might have some cavalry hidden in his possession."

Hua Xiong was stunned when he heard this. He took another closer look and finally found something wrong.

I saw that the square formation in front of me was not led by the handsome red-robed boy who looked a bit like a girl in the legend.

Instead, it was a dark and sturdy man as strong as an iron tower, holding two halberds. Among the infantry, there was no figure like the legendary Red Cloud Knight.

"Humph, trying to be clever."

Hua Xiong felt that he had seen through Su Yao again.

That guy must want to take advantage of the battle between the two armies and lead his cavalry to attack and take advantage of the situation.

There's really no new way of playing.

"It doesn't matter. You want to be bait with just these few people?"

"No need to attack with all your strength. Order the central army to retreat and attract them. Then send a team from each wing to attack their flanks. The others should be on guard and not give the bandit knights a chance to take advantage."

"If this Su guy doesn't come out, we'll surround him and slowly eat their bait first!"

Hua Xiong's arrangement was very steady, a change from his previous bold and reckless style.

However, he soon discovered something was wrong.

Because the strength displayed by this mere bait in front of him was a bit too strong.

Just when Su Yao's infantry phalanx was about to engage in battle with Hua Xiong's central army, Dian Wei shouted angrily and launched a destructive charge.

Amidst the overwhelming shouts of killing, Dian Wei swung his double halberds and charged into his formation like a mad tiger, setting off a bloody storm.
(End of this chapter)