Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator

Instantly, the Yuan army's morale soared, and under the leadership of various generals, they surged out of the hidden troop pits.

The sudden turn of events, seemingly endless streams of Yuan soldiers emerging, threw the Gongsun army into disarray, and even Gongsun Zan momentarily lost his composure.

Why would the Yuan army appear here?

However, the Gongsun army fell into temporary chaos.

The Yuan army, having conserved their energy for a long time in the hidden troop pits, now resembled tigers released from their cages, rushing towards the cavalry that were stalled by the horse-trap pits.

The bloody slaughter erupted once more.

The cavalry, having lost their speed, were no different from stationary targets.

Facing infantry, these elite cavalrymen had no advantage whatsoever and instantly found themselves at a disadvantage.

Even those quick-reacting cavalrymen who hastily dismounted to fight on foot, how could they withstand the Yuan army's formations?

While the infantry charged out first and engaged the Gongsun army in a melee, a large number of archers also emerged from the hidden troop pits and formed ranks under Yuan Shao's command.

"Release the arrows! Release the arrows!!!"

With Yuan Shao's repeated shouts, a veritable rain of arrows was unleashed!

Countless arrows rained down on the Youzhou cavalry, who were trapped in the riverbed's mud, unable to advance or retreat, causing countless splashes of blood.

The Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry and the Xiliang Iron Cavalry were often equipped with small shields for charging into formations and engaging in close combat, but the Youzhou cavalry had always been known for their speed and mounted archery; neither the White Horse义从 nor the Youzhou cavalry had shields.

This also meant that the Youzhou cavalry, trapped in the riverbed, were practically living targets, unable to avoid the arrows.

Even though some brave You and Yan men spontaneously counterattacked, the short bows carried by the cavalry could not match the range of the longbows used by the archers unless they had the added momentum of a galloping horse.

More importantly, Yuan Shao had spent an unknown amount of time researching and discussing with his strategists to position the archers in an extremely clever location.

It was precisely at a distance that the short bows in the cavalry's hands could not reach, while the longbows in the archers' hands could easily hit.

Waves of screams and wails continuously echoed from the Youzhou cavalry trapped in the riverbed, causing Gongsun Zan to's eyes to almost burst with fury.

We've been tricked!

We've fallen for Yuan Shao's scheme!!!

Although Gongsun Zan didn't understand how Yuan Shao had managed to do all this, the current situation was undoubtedly extremely unfavorable for him.

The barely fordable Qing River had trapped a large number of Youzhou cavalry within it, making it difficult to advance or retreat.

However, Gongsun Zan, a veteran of countless battles, quickly calmed down, his eyes sharply assessing the situation, deciding whether to advance or retreat.

Retreating would mean heavy losses, and he feared that Yuan Shao would forcibly leave behind half of his cavalry.

Advancing meant uncertain survival.

At this moment, the decision made in a split second would determine not only Gongsun Zan's own ambition but also the lives of sixty thousand men.

Especially since there seemed to be a continuous stream of troops emerging from the hidden troop pits behind Yuan Shao.

This undoubtedly placed immense pressure on Gongsun Zan because he couldn't accurately judge how many hidden soldiers there were.

The next moment, Gongsun Zan and Yuan Shao inadvertently met each other's gaze. Although they were quite far apart, Gongsun Zan seemed to feel Yuan Shao's triumphant expression.

Retreat?!?!?!

Gongsun Zan felt extremely unwilling in his heart and knew that if he retreated, it would mean handing over the entire Ji Province.

Moreover, even if Gongsun Zan returned to You Province, his prestige would be greatly diminished, and it would take at least three to five years to recover, let alone regroup and continue south to compete with Yuan Shao.

However, to preserve his subordinates as much as possible, so that these men, who should have been galloping like the wind, would not die so aggrievedly under the arrows of the Yuan army...

Gongsun Zan gritted his teeth tightly, and his heart gradually leaned towards a decision.

But just as Gongsun Zan waved his hand, gritting his teeth, preparing to order the entire army to retreat, his eyes, which had been watching Yuan Shao and the constantly emerging Yuan soldiers behind him, suddenly lit up.

The number of Yuan soldiers emerging was clearly decreasing.

And the Yuan army seemed to have high morale and be in high spirits, taking full advantage of the situation.

But Gongsun Zan glanced around and realized that the number of Yuan soldiers was actually only about fifty thousand.

In terms of troop strength, the Yuan army had no advantage whatsoever.

More importantly, this was flat terrain. As long as the cavalry could catch their breath, let alone sixty thousand cavalry, even one or two thousand cavalry would be enough to slowly kite these infantry to death.

In ordinary flat terrain, the Youzhou cavalry, who came and went like the wind, were not afraid of the archers' arrow rain at all.

"I almost got tricked by that Yuan dog!"

Gongsun Zan said angrily. "Don't retreat! I, today, will definitely capture Yuan Benchu alive and let him taste the bitter fruit of playing such petty tricks!"

"Where are the White Horses?!"

Gongsun Zan shouted loudly.

In the chaotic battle that had erupted on the south bank of the Qing River, more than five thousand White Horse Volunteers, having passed through the Jie Bridge, quickly responded to Gongsun Zan in loud voices.

"We are willing to follow our lord into battle!"

Unlike the Youzhou cavalry who were in chaos in the riverbed.

As one of the strongest troops in the world, the White Horse Volunteers maintained a very high morale even when encountering such an ambush.

"Where justice lies!" Gongsun Zan shouted.

"We will follow to the death!!!"

"Heaven can bear witness!" Gongsun Zan shouted again.

"The White Horse is our witness!!!"

Five thousand White Horse Volunteers responded in unison, their morale so high that they seemed completely unaffected, and even the morale of the Youzhou cavalry, who were temporarily in chaos in the riverbed, was shaken.

As long as the White Horse Volunteers are still here, what is defeat?

Gongsun Zan pointed his horse lance in Yuan Shao's direction, his eyes as sharp as knives.

Even though the Yuan army's ambush was well-prepared, the Yuan army's formation was inevitably looser than usual in the rush.

The positions of Yuan Shao and the White Horse Volunteers were not far apart.

And the Yuan army no longer had a large standard, and their morale was entirely dependent on Yuan Shao alone.

This was why Yuan Shao wore such conspicuous golden armor, so that the Yuan army could clearly see that Yuan Shao was still standing on the battlefield.

Therefore, as long as Yuan Shao was defeated or killed, the Yuan army's morale would collapse in an instant.

In Gongsun Zan's view, this was undoubtedly an opportunity to turn defeat into victory in an instant.

Perhaps the world thinks that the Youzhou cavalry is not good at charging into formations, but what does that have to do with my White Horse Volunteers?

After Zhao Yun's verification, Gongsun Zan had long realized that the White Horse Volunteers were by no means incapable of charging into formations, and even the White Horse Volunteers' ability to charge into formations was definitely not inferior to the Xiliang Iron Cavalry.

Back then, Zhao Yun was able to lead the White Horse Volunteers in and out of the Wuhuan army three times. Why can't I, Gongsun Zan, trample the Yuan army today?

'The Yuan army's formation is in disarray. Breaking it shouldn't be difficult?!'

Thinking of the exaggerated achievements of Zhao Yun, that junior, leading the White Horse Volunteers, Gongsun Zan couldn't help but feel emboldened and shouted.

"White Horse, follow me to break through the formation and slay the generals!"

The next moment, Gongsun Zan took the lead and galloped towards Yuan Shao's direction.

Behind him, five thousand White Horse Volunteers spontaneously formed a wedge formation and followed closely.