Chapter 1 Jiang Xujing’s Anxious Response

"What?" Jiang Xujing, who had just returned to Guiyi City to hold a military conference, could hardly believe his ears upon hearing this news. He rushed to the city wall and used a telescope to try his best to peer at Ye Tao's central army position in the distance. Although Ye Tao's Ye's Workshop had sold many telescopes, it had never casually sold telescopes with high magnification and a wide field of view to anyone. Even with the telescope Jiang Xujing was using at this moment, he could only see tiny figures at the heavy machinery camp's position, and couldn't see any specific details. However, soon he saw a gliding bomb whoosh up from the ballista frame, watching this slow and puzzling thing rise in a gorgeous arc and then fall.

The hit rate of gliding bombs was not so reliable. After all, they were not guided weapons, but merely a projectile weapon whose landing point could only be roughly judged after being fired, as it was greatly affected by the wind. This time, whether it was because the gliding bomb was lighter or the wooden pole was tied tighter, it consumed less energy when gliding in the air. This gliding bomb directly crossed the city wall and landed inside Guiyi City, exploding on top of a barracks near the city wall. Burning oil splashed everywhere, and a large number of soldiers who were originally resting in the camp immediately began to wail.

"What is this again?" Jiang Xujing asked through gritted teeth. But no one could answer him. The third gliding bomb then appeared in his sight. He said fiercely, "What new trick has Ye Tao come up with this time? Does he even want people to fight in peace?"

Naturally, no one would answer his question. It would be strange if Ye Tao didn't use such a thing once he had created it. Ever since Ye Tao invented the ballista, the Yunzhou army's long-range tactics had become more than twice as powerful. Now, with the birth of this gliding bomb, Dongping's long-range combat power had reached a new level… In this time and space, it was simply a strategic weapon.

The Yunzhou army didn't care about these situations. The scout cavalrymen guarding the battlefield didn't allow the Xiling cavalrymen to get close. Behind them, the soldiers belonging to various camps came out of the camps one after another, watching the gliding bombs being launched again and again. Those who were far away and couldn't see the soldiers operating and launching the heavy machinery camp erected telescopes in front of their camps, sitting in twos and threes on the grass or even on top of horse-drawn carriages, paying attention to the results of each gliding bomb launch. Some even began to bet on where the next one would hit… In the Yunzhou army, small bets did not violate military discipline, as long as the amount did not exceed a quarter of tael of silver and the odds did not exceed ten. Small bets of this amount were more about winning face than winning money, but everyone still enjoyed it. And with each gliding bomb rising and falling, cheers or regrets erupted.

The gliding bombs were too inaccurate. Old Sun himself launched three, and one fell into the moat. At least half of the others didn't cause any damage. However, this result was enough. These things made of cloth and wood made the Protectorate Army huddled in Guiyi City tremble, and many even thought it was a punishment from heaven. And those officers who witnessed what was going on gnashed their teeth: Ye Tao was really bullying people too much.

Fortunately, this day was just to try out the accuracy on Guiyi City. After launching more than fifty, everyone practiced a little and then withdrew. But Jiang Xujing still felt extremely humiliated and ordered the officers around him, "Send someone to the highway. We will respond to the challenge."

Two days later, with only three days left until the decisive battle, Jiang Xujing had returned to where his main force was located and led a large army mightily appearing on the horizon. Jiang Xujing's central army, Guiyi City, and Ye Tao's camp formed an equilateral triangle, facing each other from a distance. Then, armies came to the battlefield one after another, gathered together, and prepared earnestly. This kind of decisive battle with a set date after sending a challenge letter hadn't happened in the history of the two countries for many years, especially since it seemed to have never happened on Xiling's territory.

"Ye Tao's side should have three to four more camps." Standing next to Jiang Xujing, Ni Sigui said indifferently. Now that they were standing on the battlefield, in front of the Yunzhou army, there was nothing to care about. "General, are you really prepared to resist the Yunzhou army together with those Protectorate Army soldiers?"

Although Jiang Xujing was old, with white hair and beard, he still looked very energetic and heroic in armor. He patted Ni Sigui on the shoulder and said, "As long as you arrive on time and don't encounter any trouble, this old bone of mine can still hold on. Three shichen (Chinese hour, approximately two hours), remember not to be late. You… go now."

Ni Sigui respectfully bowed slightly and called out "General" in a low voice again. Then he turned and left. Ni Sigui and Jia Qingyun had been following Jiang Xujing for too many years, and they were wearing heavy armor, so they didn't bother with formalities.

As soon as Ni Sigui left, Jiang Xujing continued to arrange the battle affairs intensively. "Have you found out what those high towers are for?" Jiang Xujing roared at the officers around him. Ye Tao's endless stream of new ideas really made Jiang Xujing a little worried. God knows what new tricks those towering four- or five-story towers could come up with.

"General, the Protectorate Army has finished gathering. Shall we begin now?" The deputy quickly came up and asked.

"Advance," Jiang Xujing said lightly. "Rest at a distance of one thousand paces, the elite cavalry of the main force in front. Tell the Protectorate Army not to bluff anymore, save some energy to run faster later. The faster you run, the greater the chance of survival."

"Yes," the deputy quickly went to give the orders.

Seeing Jiang Xujing's troops enter the battlefield one after another in the telescope, Ye Tao smiled and said, "Two uncles, everything is arranged. Two uncles, please command. I'll take the Guardian Cavalry Camp and the Guardian Infantry Camp to the front to take a look."

Dai Shijin and Dai Shihuan looked at each other. Dai Shihuan said, "Nephew, go and have fun. Leave it to us two old bones here. Haha."

Ye Tao cupped his fist to them and said, "Thank you for your hard work."

This was the first time Dai Shijin and Dai Shiheng had commanded the entire army under such favorable conditions. Under the tallest six-story tower, in a temporary rawhide tent, there was a sand table, tallow lamps, and two whole rows of staff officers handling various military situations, accurately transmitting their orders to each troop and also transmitting military intelligence in. All they had to do was think about what the most appropriate tactics were. And each branch of the military had officers in the command tent representing them, to provide the two Dai adults with reference opinions, such as which battalion was best to send which command to. Especially this time, an aviation representative was also added.

Above their heads on the high tower was where they observed military situations and transmitted military orders. Each command tower had two sets of light grid communication devices and flag soldiers, transmitting orders while verifying them. And several miles behind the main command tower, there was a series of smaller command towers that could quickly transmit orders to the airship mooring field hidden in a mountain depression. This time, they had a total of twenty airships at their disposal, including four models with simple bombing sights and slides, as well as Ye Tao's own private airship. Now there was a severe shortage of airships, so they had to use this one as well.

"Long live!" "Long live!" "Long live!"…

As Ye Tao led the Guardian Infantry Camp and the Guardian Cavalry Camp onto the battlefield, taking the lead in entering the formation, the soldiers of each camp cheered loudly, like a tsunami. Although Ye Tao was not a war general… everyone knew this, but Ye Tao was indeed a very popular officer.

They also entered the position one after another. The Guardian Infantry and Guardian Cavalry were the best in the entire Yunzhou army, but their armor and weapons were the same as the Iron Cloud Riders, the Jingyun Riders, and the Heavy Infantry Camp, except that the shoulders, arms, chest, and back, as well as the heavy tower shields of the heavy infantry, had finely crafted brass pressed decorations. They looked majestic and gorgeous. This was the first time the Guardian Cavalry Camp and the Guardian Infantry Camp had stepped onto the battlefield, or even the first time they had left Ningyuan City. This time, in order to supplement the forces, the two Guardian Camps, which were not originally planned to be deployed, were also brought to the battlefield. Compared to the strength of the two camps, it seemed that Ye Tao's personal presence on the battlefield once again made everyone feel his determination.

"The whole army enters the formation! Longbowmen and heavy machinery camps prepare. Heavy machinery camps, all of you, use Type II fire oil bombs for me, and start firing after you're ready. I want you to create a deflagration effect later." Dai Shihuan smiled and ordered.

"Order: Jingyun Riders and Iron Cloud Riders dismount and rest after deploying on the flanks."

"Order: Logistics camp, be ready to supply water and dry rations at any time."

"Order: Frost Wolves and Silverwings, dispatch groups with a minimum of two hundred people, be alert to the surroundings, and search and kill scouts and enemy escape teams. …Jiang Xujing is hiding Ni Sigui and Jia Qingyun, who knows when they will pop up." Dai Shijin added.

"The Heavy Infantry Camp is the closest to the entry position and is now in place," a staff officer reported.

Dai Shihuan ordered, "Good. Sit down and rest in place. Melee Infantry Camp, move forward."

"Is it reliable to rely entirely on ranged attacks in the first batch?" Dai Shijin reminded.

"I trust the heavy machinery camp, the longbow camp, and the short crossbows that everyone has at hand. Jiang Xujing is not planning to fight us to the death, but is just planning to exhaust us and then let Ni Sigui and Jia Qingyun's troops solve the problem. I expect that there won't be too many cavalry leading the charge in the first batch. Let's see. If there are few people, we'll do it this way. If there are many people, it's simple, a cavalry assault on both flanks." Dai Shiheng shrugged and said indifferently.

"They're coming…" Dai Shijin curled his lips. He was too lazy to ask about the military situation. Just listening to the rolling sound of horses' hooves and the sound of footsteps merging into one, he knew that Jiang Xujing had launched an attack.

Jiang Xujing's courage was not small. He did not rest or adjust his formation, but directly launched an attack. Jiang Xujing had heard something about the heavy machinery camp playing with fire, especially deflagrations.