Chapter 124: A Gift of Horses from Emei (Part I)

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Yao Shuode truly lived up to his reputation as a famous general of the Yao Qin dynasty. Most of the troops in Chengdu had been taken by Zhang Chi to confront the enemy. As Yao Shuode predicted, the attack on Chengdu targeted its weak points. Chengdu was the heart of Shu, and it was precisely the place Zhang Chi had to defend.

Yao Shuode’s plan was flawless. If Zhang Chi didn’t come to engage, Yao Shuode could lead his troops straight to Chengdu. With the governor of Liangzhou acting as an internal ally, once Chengdu fell, the abundant provisions there would sustain the Hu forces. The loss from the disrupted supply lines would be minimal.

Moreover, many Shu officials, including the Prince of Chengdu, were stationed there. If they were captured, the conquest of Shu would be halfway complete.

If Zhang Chi did lead his army to relieve Chengdu, Yao Shuode was not afraid. In that case, the Jin forces would have to abandon their strong fortifications and fight on the plains against Yao Shuode’s tens of thousands of cavalry. With his experience and numerical superiority—nearly 300,000 cavalry against fewer than 100,000 infantry—Yao Shuode was confident of a decisive victory.

Yet, the tides of war shift swiftly. Even the most skilled generals cannot fully grasp the ever-changing pulse of the battlefield. Neither Yao Shuode nor Zhang Chi could predict the outcome with certainty.

The siege of Pingwu had just been lifted. The city’s soldiers and civilians rejoiced but remained vigilant. They hastened to build towering ramparts and dig deep moats, preparing tirelessly for the advancing Yao Qin army.

Fresh from repelling their formidable foes, the morale in Pingwu was high. Under Zhang Chi’s command, soldiers and civilians worked hand in hand. Within just two days, the city’s defenses had transformed dramatically.

Sun Rubai arrived briskly, reporting respectfully, “Commander, the scouts have returned with urgent military intelligence.”

At the word “urgent,” Zhang Chi immediately inquired.

Sun Rubai said, “The scouts report a large force moving along the Bashan mountain range from the southeast. Their banners identify them as troops from Jingzhou. It seems they intend to cut off the Hu army’s supply lines.”

Upon hearing that Jingzhou reinforcements had arrived, Santong’s eyes sparkled. With this strong aid severing the Hu’s supplies, the chances of driving the invaders back increased significantly. He said eagerly, “Brother Zhang, with Jingzhou troops cutting the Hu supply, if we hold out two more days, their army will falter. Then we can charge and annihilate them!”

“Looking at a great victory in sight, these Jingzhou soldiers come now to claim credit?” General Fang, commander of the Yizhou forces, remarked.

It was strange how people behaved. When facing the Hu, Fang once suggested avoiding direct confrontation. Had he been on the battlefield, facing tens of thousands alone, he would have likely been scared out of his wits. Yet, when help arrived, he feared losing credit. Such selfishness was common among men.

All the Yizhou commanders knew that without supplies, even an army of hundreds of thousands was powerless. Hearing Jingzhou troops had cut the Hu supply lines, they eagerly supported Fang’s worries. They said in unison, “General Fang is right. We fought desperately against the Hu. Now that they are weakened, how can we let Jingzhou steal our glory?”

Then, reconsidering, they answered themselves: “Indeed, Jingzhou only comes now because the Hu are at their weakest. We should strike first, while the enemy lacks supplies and morale, to claim the glory ourselves.”

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These words left Zhang Chi speechless. When it came to charging headlong into battle, these men were the most fearful. Yet when it came to taking credit, they fought fiercely.

Sun Rubai shared a wry smile and added, “Also, the scouts brought another report…”

“Oh?” Zhang Chi asked. “What news?”

“The Hu have learned their supply lines are cut but show no sign of retreat. Judging by their routes, they seem intent on marching straight for Chengdu.”

The room fell silent in shock.

Everyone knew Chengdu was poorly defended. Even the Prince of Chengdu’s ten thousand elite troops had been incorporated into Zhang Chi’s units. What forces remained to resist the Hu?

Zhang Chi drew a sharp breath.

“It seems Yao Qin’s commander is a master of strategy, versed in the art of attacking where least expected,” Ding Yizhi murmured thoughtfully.

Indeed, Zhang Chi had anticipated the Hu might strike at Pingwu. He never expected them to disregard their cut supply lines and march directly on Chengdu. This truly was a brilliant surprise attack.

“What shall we do?” Santong pondered, having no better plan.

Qin Bo considered carefully before saying, “Chengdu must not fall. Its provisions would feed the Hu army. We have no choice but to return and defend Chengdu.”

Zhang Chi noticed the generals who had earlier argued over credit now fell silent. He asked pointedly, “Gentlemen, you said the Hu were at their last gasp and morale was broken. You said we should strike while their supplies fail. Now the opportunity is here, yet no one speaks. Why?”

The Yizhou commanders lowered their heads, unable to reply.

Only Zhao Qian from Badong Command stepped forward. “Commander, though my rank is low, I wish to ease your burden. Chengdu is the heart of Shu and must be saved. I volunteer to lead the vanguard to relieve Chengdu.”

“The Hu are numerous. You have only five thousand troops. Leading the vanguard against the Hu cavalry head-on is dangerous. Are you not afraid?” Zhang Chi tested him.

“Death in battle is a worthy sacrifice. To protect our homeland, I am willing to give my life,” Zhao Qian replied resolutely.

Though slightly versed in the petty officialdom of Shu and skilled in flattery and ambition, Zhao Qian’s zeal in the face of foreign invasion was genuine.

Zhang Chi nodded in approval but cautioned, “Zhao, do not rush. We must plan carefully before we engage.”

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Though they vowed to plan first, how could they devise a strategy against 300,000 Hu cavalry?

Ding Yizhi spoke up, “Brother, do not worry. Infantry can counter cavalry. Didn’t you once, north of the Yangtze at Jiankang, defeat eight thousand cavalry with only five thousand infantry?”

That was true, but then the enemy had been overconfident, and forces were more balanced. Now, facing a Hu horde of 300,000, the situation was quite different.

Zhang Chi knew Ding Yizhi rarely spoke without reason. “Do you have a plan?”

Ding smiled, “Cavalry’s strength is speed; infantry’s is formation. As the saying goes, ‘There is no constant form to an army, just as water has no constant shape.’ Cavalry’s impact is like a sharp spear that pierces all. Infantry, if they hold formation, are like a thick shield nothing can penetrate. Whether the spear is sharper or the shield tougher is uncertain.”

Ding’s story echoed the famous paradox from Han Feizi: a man who boasted of an impenetrable shield and an unbeatable spear was asked what would happen if he used his spear against his shield—and was left speechless.

Zhang Chi nodded knowingly, smiling. “So what should infantry pay attention to when facing cavalry?”

Ding, well-versed in military classics, explained, “Infantry must use chariots, spears, and bows. Chariots stationed outside the formation organize the cavalry charge. Though we have no chariots, we can place supplies at the front and use large shields to defend against cavalry. If the enemy charges, we shoot them with powerful crossbows; if they get closer, we meet them with spears. The entire formation advances like a wall, with supplies protecting the flanks, archers and crossbows at range, and spears up close—a copper wall and iron fortress. How can Hu cavalry possibly break through?”

Qin Bo, experienced in warfare, brightened with excitement. “This formation can defeat a formidable enemy.”

Zhang Chi agreed; at least, in theory, the tactic was sound. In fact, the famous “Moon Formation” used by Liu Yu in later northern campaigns operated on similar principles.

“But the enemy cavalry is highly mobile,” Zhang Chi asked. “Even if we hold formation and avoid defeat, how can we actually beat the Hu?”

That was the dilemma. Cavalry could not break the infantry line, but infantry could not pursue fleeing cavalry.

No one had an answer. Zhang Chi pondered long and hard in vain.

Even Ding Yizhi, a scholar of vast military knowledge, was at a loss. Qin Bo furrowed his brow but finally said, “To truly defeat the Hu, we need horses. Using Ding’s formation requires fewer cavalry, but some are indispensable. Without cavalry, we cannot effectively pursue or flank. These horses must also be trained.”

“Horses…” Zhang Chi sighed. In such haste, where could he find trained horses and cavalry equipment?

The challenge loomed large.