Chapter 88: Quit While You're Ahead

  On the city wall of Tongguan, in addition to a certain number of bed crossbows, there were also many catapults of varying sizes. Originally used for throwing stones and other lethal weapons, they were now used for throwing hay and hot oil into the moat. A large amount of hay and hot oil was thrown into the moat through the catapults. Because the city wall of Tongguan was built along the moat, the soldiers could throw the hay and hot oil into the moat together, hitting the rebels' heads. Soon, a large amount of hay and hot oil accumulated in the moat, and under the effect of fire arrows, it ignited and spread quickly.

  The trench became a "fire trench", and many rebel soldiers were trapped in the sea of fire, their attacking formation instantly chaotic. Those who charged to the edge of the trench were forced to halt abruptly, turning around with instinctive movements to escape, avoiding being pushed into the sea of fire. But the dense charge was not so easily turned back; the soldiers at the front stopped in their tracks and prepared to retreat, while those behind continued to rush forward, colliding with each other as they advanced and retreated. The scene instantly descended into chaos, and many soldiers who had halted and tried to turn around to escape the sea of fire were pushed into it by their comrades who continued to charge from behind.

  Choi Kyeong-yu was shocked to discover the situation and immediately ordered a halt to the attack, commanding the entire army to retreat and escape the sea of fire. However, the front lines were already in disarray, and the orders could not be effectively conveyed, let alone in an emergency situation where the instinct for survival made many people disregard formation and commands, only wanting to get away from the increasingly fierce flames, desperately fleeing back. In this situation, even if another general took command, it would have been impossible to organize an effective retreat.

  The Tang army was almost the same during the Lingbao War, quickly collapsing under the attack of the great fire, but no one expected that a similar thing would happen to the rebel army.

  But what was even more terrifying was yet to come, the south gate of Tongguan opened, and a group of Tang army's elite cavalry, led by a fierce general, charged in quickly, and in just a moment they broke into the chaotic ranks of the rebel army.

  At the beginning of the siege, Cui Gan-yu deployed 5,000 troops in the direction of the south gate to prevent a surprise attack by the Tang army. However, after the raging fire broke out inside the moat, these 5,000 troops were also dispersed under the impact of the chaotic crowd. In the midst of panic and confusion, how could they possibly reorganize their troops to resist the enemy? The charging Tang army was like entering a land without people, rampaging and killing at will under the command of their generals.

  It was Yang Jun's arrangement, taking advantage of the rebels' chaos to launch a surprise attack and disperse the rebel army. They were the ones who charged out of the Forbidden Ditch when the city-attacking rebels were in a state of utter confusion after the great fire broke out.

  These three thousand horses and men were almost the most elite and combat-effective three thousand people in Tongguan City. Under Wang Silie's charge, everyone seemed to be desperate, regardless of everything, rushing into the rebel army formation.

  The rebel troops were already in disarray, and how could they withstand the impact of these three thousand horses? The more chaotic it became, the more military officers and soldiers wailed like mourners, regretting that their parents had not given them an extra pair of legs to run faster. Wang Silie's army was like entering a land without people, slaughtering freely, with almost no resistance encountered.

  "Brothers, the time for revenge has come! Let's take back a life for our fallen brother Lingbao!" After continuously killing five rebel soldiers who charged forward, Wang Silie waved his battle knife and loudly shouted to the soldiers beside him: "The rebels have collapsed and can no longer withstand our attack. Kill them! The time to establish military merit has arrived!"

  In the midst of the cries to kill, another unlucky rebel soldier was chopped down by him and soon trampled into a pile of flesh by the continuous horseshoes.

  Wang Silie did not fight in love, but commanded the horses and men to go straight to the east side of Jinguo, preparing to charge towards Cui Gan's command post.

  Jingou East Bank is a vast open mountain slope with a gentle drop, stretching for several miles, where nearly 100,000 people can gather. In the past two days, Cui Qianyou's vanguard of 70,000 men has been concentrated here, and Tian Qianzhen's follow-up troops of 30,000 men have also arrived one after another.

  After nearly 100,000 troops were defeated by the fire attack, they fell into chaos, especially the 50,000 troops lined up in front to prepare for the attack, which can be said to have become a mess. Wang Silie's rapid impact added to the chaos, and even where Cui Qianyou and Tian Qianzhen stood, there was chaos everywhere, with soldiers trying to escape.

  "Report to Deputy Commander, the Tang army has launched a surprise attack on our army outside the city, and there are troops in both the south gate and east gate directions. Our army is unable to resist!"

  A school lieutenant quickly ran to Cui Qianyou's side and loudly reported the situation.

  Yang Kai ordered Li Chengguang to lead 1,500 soldiers out of the east gate to attack the enemy at the same time that Wang Silie led his army in a surprise attack from the south gate.

  Due to the collapse in the south gate direction, the rebel army in the east gate direction was also affected, and the soldiers retreated after being unable to hold on.

  Li Chengguang saw this situation and led 1,500 people out of the east gate without hesitation.

  The routed rebels did not know how many Tang troops were charging out of the city, and upon hearing the battle cries, they only knew to flee desperately. They quickly scattered their own rear troops. The rebel rear troops, who had expected the Tang forces to launch a full-scale counterattack, also became disorganized after being struck by the routed front troops, and they too fled in panic. The officers at various levels were desperately ordering the soldiers not to become disorganized and to maintain formation, but the effects were not obvious.

  Without encountering any resistance, Wang Sili killed his way forward, striving to charge into the rebel army's formation and throw them into chaos, even hoping to take advantage of the situation to kill Chui Qianyou or An Qingxu.

  Unfortunately, the rebel army had gathered too many troops along the eastern bank of the river, and the terrain was also somewhat undulating. Although Wang Silie's three thousand cavalry charged forward smoothly without encountering strong resistance, they were unable to fully sweep through the camp and charge into the vicinity of Cui Qianyou's personal troops. As they clashed with the rebel army in the central area, the front was a dense mass of chaotic rebel soldiers, making it impossible for them to charge further.

  Wang Silie could only lead his men in repeated charges back and forth, killing and fighting to create greater chaos for the rebel army.

  "Unfortunately, I won't be able to avenge Lingbao's death!"

  Wang Silie led his troops to charge again near Jingou, and after a sigh, he loudly ordered the soldiers to follow him back into the city.

  Wang Silie understood why Yang Hui only let him lead 3,000 cavalry to raid the enemy. Even if he led more troops out of the city to launch a surprise attack, it would not have achieved a greater effect. In front of Tongguan City, the terrain was too narrow, and it was impossible to deploy a larger-scale battle, and the speed advantage could not be brought into play. The side with the numerical superiority would eventually turn the tide as long as the commander did not flee.

  The other troops have already caused great chaos to the rebels, and the disorganized rebel army will not have the opportunity to attack the city again. The cavalry that launched a surprise attack outside the city cannot expand its gains, and it is now best to retreat back into the city as soon as possible.

  If the rebel army formed an effective formation to meet them, it was still unknown whether these three thousand people could rush back into the city intact.