⌈Weekend Chapters: 3⌋
Twenty thousand troops, just their momentum alone was enough to astonish people. Like a ferocious, long snake, the Xiongnu army spread out before them. Because it was a face-off battle, they did not set up camp but directly formed their battle array. Bright helmets, shining armor, swords and spears drawn, and fierce warriors on horseback. Just looking from afar sent shivers down one’s spine.
Sun Jiao stood with his hands behind his back in the midst of the military formation, watching the enemy’s imposing formation. The enemy general was clearly an experienced hand. Whether it was the spacing of their formation or the arrangement of their troops, it was all well-judged. Even when faced with an approach like theirs, there was not the slightest weakness to exploit. What’s more, the enemy had arranged both a front and rear guard, obviously guarding against a flank attack, suffocating any potential dangers in their infancy.
Truly, he was a skilled general.
However, at this moment, it was not the time to retreat or be afraid.
“Open the obstruction shields! Prepare the artillery,” Sun Jiao ordered loudly.
With this command, several soldiers quickly ran to the tents standing on both sides of the camp and tore off the canvas covering them. Four wooden machines, taller than a person and more than twenty feet long, appeared before everyone.
This was the new type of Thunderbolt Cannon developed by Liu Xuan, Li Xin, and the craftsmen of the Liang family after months of work!
It was half the size of the typical siege catapult and many times more complex in structure. At the end of its long barrel, there were no ropes for pulling. Instead, in front of the machine, there was a four-foot-square wooden basket filled with stones. Below that was an intricate mechanism that made one’s head spin. There was a crossbeam that could raise and lower the cannon’s barrel, a hand crank for manual winding, and a cannon carriage large enough to hold a stone the size of a person’s head. Just looking at it, you could feel the terrifying power contained within this wooden machine.
Beside the Thunderbolt Cannon, two officers used their thumbs as reference points, quickly calculating the angle and distance to the enemy camp. In no time at all, they shouted loudly, “Raise the front cannon by one degree, range 350 paces. Lower the rear cannon by half a degree, range 200 paces. Fire both cannons with a ten-breath interval!”
Both of these individuals were originally surveyors who had graduated from the academy. After training and mastering the use of artillery, they learned just as quickly. Upon hearing this command, several gunners immediately and systematically adjusted their firing positions, while others poured prepared projectiles into the cannon carriage. After hundreds of practice drills, even when facing the enemy, no one panicked. There was only the sound of creaking echoing in their ears.
This was one of Sun Jiao’s favorite sounds now. Because of these four cannons, the battalion he led had become the second unit with a distinctive name, called the “Thunderbolt Battalion”!
Advertisement
The “Book of Stars” states: “The five stars of thunderbolts are in the north of the clouds, governing the divine power that breaks all things.” Wherever thunderbolts were, all things could be shattered with ease!
In the distance, the enemy had already completed their formation. The drums rumbled, and three thousand cavalrymen resembled a rolling, turbulent wave as they charged toward their camp.
Sun Jiao raised his voice, “Artillery formation, prepare to fire! Shoot to kill!”
※
Liu Cong had been observing the enemy camp ahead. Although they only had five thousand infantry, this group of people was nothing like the Jin army they had encountered before. Faced with a much larger enemy, there was no hint of fear in their demeanor. Their camp was well-constructed, and their formation appeared steady. It seemed to be the elite force of Shangdang.
As long as they could defeat this group, it was likely that Shangdang would have no more troops to spare. At that time, all the counties would tremble and submit to their authority.
However, even with full confidence, Liu Cong did not let his guard down. He specifically allocated a contingent of troops as the rear guard to guard against possible flank attacks.
But just as the army formation was unfolding, there was a sudden commotion in the enemy camp. Those peculiar tents standing on both sides of their camp were suddenly pulled down, revealing something hidden beneath them.
Advertisement
Liu Cong furrowed his brow and asked, “What is that?”
Beside him, a trusted aide with sharp eyes immediately responded, “It looks like Thunderbolt Cannons?”
“Such small Thunderbolt Cannons? Why are they placed in the camp?” How could Liu Cong not know the purpose of Thunderbolt Cannons? They were clearly used for siege warfare. Who would bring them for a field battle against the enemy?
When he saw several people busying themselves around those Thunderbolt Cannons, a strange sense of crisis welled up from the depths of Liu Cong’s heart. Without hesitation, he shouted loudly, “Cavalry to the forefront, beat the drums, and charge the formation!”
No matter what trick the enemy was playing, they couldn’t afford to delay any longer. They needed to break through the enemy’s camp quickly and cut down their generals!
With the command issued, three thousand elite riders formed up in their ranks and charged toward the enemy. The two armies were only about two li apart, and the cavalry’s charge would reach them in an instant. Following behind were foot soldiers ready to tear apart the enemy formation and crush the opposition. Liu Cong didn’t hesitate to deploy three thousand cavalry and ten thousand infantry. With such overwhelming superiority, they should be able to defeat the enemy in one fell swoop. Even if someone attacked from the side, they wouldn’t be able to breach his main camp.
His sharp eyes locked onto the approaching enemy cavalry like an eagle. Just another two hundred paces forward, and these archery-savvy riders could unleash a volley. Although the enemy had large shields as a wall, not many of their soldiers were armored. With three rounds of rapid shooting, they could open up a gap…
But at that moment, a buzzing sound suddenly echoed.
Liu Cong widened his eyes. The enemy’s catapults had been activated!
Like thunder, a dark cloud rose into the sky. Countless iron balls, numbering in the thousands, shot towards the cavalry formation with the force of thunder. These cavalrymen were all lightly armored and couldn’t withstand such a fearsome rapid-fire attack. In an instant, blood splattered, and riders and horses fell. With just one volley, nearly half of the three thousand cavalrymen were gone!
Advertisement
How could this be so accurate? Liu Cong almost shouted in anger! What kind of catapult was this? Why could it directly hit his cavalry vanguard? If there were a few more of these machines, how could they ever break into the enemy’s camp?
However, Liu Cong didn’t hesitate for a moment and roared, “Charge! Infantry, follow suit!”
Yes, there were only four catapults, and with such massive machines, it would likely take quite some time to reload. They had to seize this opportunity and have the infantry follow suit!
Before the words had even fallen, another barrage of projectiles shot into the sky. Visibly, the cavalry formation thinned out, with fewer than one and a half thousand cavalrymen surviving the terrifying continuous barrage. They were only two hundred paces away from the enemy formation, and every soldier was on edge. They had grown up on horseback and considered themselves unmatched in equestrian archery, but who could have anticipated that there were such terrifying weapons in the world? Powerless to resist, unable to evade, they could only be slaughtered without a fighting chance!
No one could accept such a fate. Just fifty more paces, within fifty paces! They would have the strength to fight back!
However, crossing these fifty paces was not as simple as it seemed.
Sun Jiao issued a cold command, “Crossbowmen! Shoot!”
Four hundred crossbows were raised, and the distinctive crossbow bolts resembled long spears as they were launched toward the enemies preparing to draw their bows.
Four hundred bolts, four hundred lives.
One hundred and fifty paces!
“Archers! Fire!”
Another command resounded. Six hundred archers raised their powerful bows.
One round, two rounds, three rounds! Over a thousand arrows crisscrossed, raining down upon the cavalry formation from both flanks, like an unyielding boundary between life and death that could never be crossed!
Angry roars, desperate cries, and the long neighs of horses filled the air! Only a little over ten riders broke through the final curtain of arrow rain, but they were met with long spears thrust out from behind wooden shields.
Five hundred paces, and all three thousand cavalrymen were gone! At this moment, the infantry had just covered a little over half the distance and entered the range of three hundred and fifty paces. This was the firing range of the Thunderbolt Cannons!
Advertisement
Another round of slaughter began.
Watching the battlefield before him, Liu Cong clenched his horsewhip tightly! How could they possibly have so many archers and crossbowmen? But this was just a region of Shangdang, how could they field such a formidable army?!
Since there was such a powerful army, why bother with fortifications and scorched earth tactics? Why use beacon fires to disrupt their morale? No, they couldn’t stop!
“Beat the drums! Beat the drums to urge the battle!”
Following the cavalry were ten thousand soldiers. Even if half of them were lost, there would still be five thousand approaching the enemy formation! Meanwhile, the enemy had at least a thousand archers and crossbowmen, who were virtually powerless in close combat. As long as they could break through the archer and crossbow formation, he would have a chance to defeat the enemy!
The war drums thundered, and under the hail of deadly arrows, the Xiongnu infantry launched a fierce assault. They had endured countless battles and already possessed a fierce determination not to fear death. More than half were killed? Countless casualties? Their mission was to overcome the enemy!
With this fearless determination, the Xiongnu infantry pressed forward. Although there were many archers and crossbowmen, their numbers were limited, and in the final round of shooting, Sun Jiao loudly shouted, “Beat the drums!”
In the ranks of the Shangdang army, the drums resounded. The shield-bearing men stepped back, revealing the army formation behind them. These were the two thousand five hundred spear-wielding soldiers, whom their commander referred to as the “fighting force”!
“Kill! Kill! Kill!” Roaring voices erupted from the men wielding long spears! The previously motionless spear formation began to move. Each row, each individual, performed the same actions: step forward, raise the spear, thrust!
After one row came another, endlessly, like surging waves crashing up!
Breaking through the hail of projectiles, evading deadly feathers, the Xiongnu warriors fought desperately to reach the front lines but were stopped by this mountainous, tsunami-like army formation. How could individual valor withstand the force of a thousand soldiers? And the hand-to-hand combat with bladed weapons was even more terrifying than the unseen, untouchable arrows and crossbows.
When two opposing forces meet on a narrow path, the brave prevail!
The cries of battle that soared to the heavens finally shattered the remnants of courage within the Xiongnu ranks. Some began to turn and run back towards their own camp. Once the first turned, there would be a second, a third… By the time the Shangdang army had taken fifteen steps forward, the Xiongnu formation had collapsed! The remaining soldiers and officers turned and retreated at a faster pace than when they had advanced.
Sitting on his horse, Liu Cong felt like his eyes were about to burst from their sockets! In just a quarter of an hour, the thirteen thousand soldiers who had charged into the battle had been scattered. Even when facing the Xianbei, they had never suffered such a disastrous defeat. How could this happen in a mere Shangdang?
Should they continue to fight?
This question was not just on Liu Cong’s mind but also churning in the hearts of the remaining seven thousand soldiers. How could they win against such a formidable army formation?
At this moment, the drumming from the opposing side ceased. The tumultuous army formation, like a sudden calm after a storm, lost its sharp edge and deadly intent. It reverted to its initial, silent state, as if the tens of thousands of corpses lying in front of them had nothing to do with them.
Liu Cong felt a shiver run down his spine. He couldn’t win! No one could overcome such a terrifying formation restrained by such commands! Against this kind of arrangement, the only chance of victory would be a larger-scale cavalry encirclement. However, those five thousand light cavalry were in Liu Yao’s hands.
“Maintain formation and begin the retreat,” Liu Cong ordered after taking a deep breath.
Yes, they had to retreat first. With their morale completely dissipated and no way to break through the enemy formation, there was no other choice but to withdraw. Whether they retreated to Nie County or joined forces with Liu Yao to face the enemy, it was better than staying here and wasting their forces.
Liu Cong was a seasoned reader of military strategy and a capable general who could lead large armies. Therefore, he knew how to win and, more importantly, how to deal with defeat. However, the troops his father had entrusted to him couldn’t afford any more losses!
Upon hearing the commander’s orders, many soldiers breathed a sigh of relief. No one wanted to stay and engage in a direct confrontation with such a formidable enemy. Retreat was the wisest choice, pulling back to a safe distance and regrouping the army.
The Xiongnu army began to break camp and retreat, and even their withdrawal was well-organized, leaving no gaps. Liu Cong kept a close watch on the enemy formation, wondering if they would pursue. However, to his surprise, the soldiers seemed as motionless as stone statues, showing no signs of pursuit.
They probably wouldn’t chase, would they? Without the cumbersome catapults, how could this group defend against an attack?
As the last group of soldiers turned away and slowly left West Zhangpo, Liu Cong finally let out a sigh of relief. Alright, as long as they could withdraw smoothly…
Little did he know, before he could fully exhale that sigh of relief, the sound of hooves suddenly echoed in the distance, like raindrops pounding on the ground. In the distance, glints of swords flashed, and dust billowed like a cloud.
Oh no! Liu Cong abruptly pulled on the reins of his horse. “Form up! We’re ambushed!”
Author’s note:
Using catapults to launch shrapnel1 was a tactic used in ancient times, but no one was as precise and specialized in making ammunition as Liang Feng.
refers to small, sharp metal fragments or pieces that are dispersed when an explosive device, such as a shell or bomb, detonates.
⌈Weekend Chapters: 3⌋
Twenty thousand troops, just their momentum alone was enough to astonish people. Like a ferocious, long snake, the Xiongnu army spread out before them. Because it was a face-off battle, they did not set up camp but directly formed their battle array. Bright helmets, shining armor, swords and spears drawn, and fierce warriors on horseback. Just looking from afar sent shivers down one’s spine.
Sun Jiao stood with his hands behind his back in the midst of the military formation, watching the enemy’s imposing formation. The enemy general was clearly an experienced hand. Whether it was the spacing of their formation or the arrangement of their troops, it was all well-judged. Even when faced with an approach like theirs, there was not the slightest weakness to exploit. What’s more, the enemy had arranged both a front and rear guard, obviously guarding against a flank attack, suffocating any potential dangers in their infancy.
Truly, he was a skilled general.
However, at this moment, it was not the time to retreat or be afraid.
“Open the obstruction shields! Prepare the artillery,” Sun Jiao ordered loudly.
With this command, several soldiers quickly ran to the tents standing on both sides of the camp and tore off the canvas covering them. Four wooden machines, taller than a person and more than twenty feet long, appeared before everyone.
This was the new type of Thunderbolt Cannon developed by Liu Xuan, Li Xin, and the craftsmen of the Liang family after months of work!
It was half the size of the typical siege catapult and many times more complex in structure. At the end of its long barrel, there were no ropes for pulling. Instead, in front of the machine, there was a four-foot-square wooden basket filled with stones. Below that was an intricate mechanism that made one’s head spin. There was a crossbeam that could raise and lower the cannon’s barrel, a hand crank for manual winding, and a cannon carriage large enough to hold a stone the size of a person’s head. Just looking at it, you could feel the terrifying power contained within this wooden machine.
Beside the Thunderbolt Cannon, two officers used their thumbs as reference points, quickly calculating the angle and distance to the enemy camp. In no time at all, they shouted loudly, “Raise the front cannon by one degree, range 350 paces. Lower the rear cannon by half a degree, range 200 paces. Fire both cannons with a ten-breath interval!”
Both of these individuals were originally surveyors who had graduated from the academy. After training and mastering the use of artillery, they learned just as quickly. Upon hearing this command, several gunners immediately and systematically adjusted their firing positions, while others poured prepared projectiles into the cannon carriage. After hundreds of practice drills, even when facing the enemy, no one panicked. There was only the sound of creaking echoing in their ears.
This was one of Sun Jiao’s favorite sounds now. Because of these four cannons, the battalion he led had become the second unit with a distinctive name, called the “Thunderbolt Battalion”!
Advertisement
The “Book of Stars” states: “The five stars of thunderbolts are in the north of the clouds, governing the divine power that breaks all things.” Wherever thunderbolts were, all things could be shattered with ease!
In the distance, the enemy had already completed their formation. The drums rumbled, and three thousand cavalrymen resembled a rolling, turbulent wave as they charged toward their camp.
Sun Jiao raised his voice, “Artillery formation, prepare to fire! Shoot to kill!”
※
Liu Cong had been observing the enemy camp ahead. Although they only had five thousand infantry, this group of people was nothing like the Jin army they had encountered before. Faced with a much larger enemy, there was no hint of fear in their demeanor. Their camp was well-constructed, and their formation appeared steady. It seemed to be the elite force of Shangdang.
As long as they could defeat this group, it was likely that Shangdang would have no more troops to spare. At that time, all the counties would tremble and submit to their authority.
However, even with full confidence, Liu Cong did not let his guard down. He specifically allocated a contingent of troops as the rear guard to guard against possible flank attacks.
But just as the army formation was unfolding, there was a sudden commotion in the enemy camp. Those peculiar tents standing on both sides of their camp were suddenly pulled down, revealing something hidden beneath them.
Advertisement
Liu Cong furrowed his brow and asked, “What is that?”
Beside him, a trusted aide with sharp eyes immediately responded, “It looks like Thunderbolt Cannons?”
“Such small Thunderbolt Cannons? Why are they placed in the camp?” How could Liu Cong not know the purpose of Thunderbolt Cannons? They were clearly used for siege warfare. Who would bring them for a field battle against the enemy?
When he saw several people busying themselves around those Thunderbolt Cannons, a strange sense of crisis welled up from the depths of Liu Cong’s heart. Without hesitation, he shouted loudly, “Cavalry to the forefront, beat the drums, and charge the formation!”
No matter what trick the enemy was playing, they couldn’t afford to delay any longer. They needed to break through the enemy’s camp quickly and cut down their generals!
With the command issued, three thousand elite riders formed up in their ranks and charged toward the enemy. The two armies were only about two li apart, and the cavalry’s charge would reach them in an instant. Following behind were foot soldiers ready to tear apart the enemy formation and crush the opposition. Liu Cong didn’t hesitate to deploy three thousand cavalry and ten thousand infantry. With such overwhelming superiority, they should be able to defeat the enemy in one fell swoop. Even if someone attacked from the side, they wouldn’t be able to breach his main camp.
His sharp eyes locked onto the approaching enemy cavalry like an eagle. Just another two hundred paces forward, and these archery-savvy riders could unleash a volley. Although the enemy had large shields as a wall, not many of their soldiers were armored. With three rounds of rapid shooting, they could open up a gap…
But at that moment, a buzzing sound suddenly echoed.
Liu Cong widened his eyes. The enemy’s catapults had been activated!
Like thunder, a dark cloud rose into the sky. Countless iron balls, numbering in the thousands, shot towards the cavalry formation with the force of thunder. These cavalrymen were all lightly armored and couldn’t withstand such a fearsome rapid-fire attack. In an instant, blood splattered, and riders and horses fell. With just one volley, nearly half of the three thousand cavalrymen were gone!
Advertisement
How could this be so accurate? Liu Cong almost shouted in anger! What kind of catapult was this? Why could it directly hit his cavalry vanguard? If there were a few more of these machines, how could they ever break into the enemy’s camp?
However, Liu Cong didn’t hesitate for a moment and roared, “Charge! Infantry, follow suit!”
Yes, there were only four catapults, and with such massive machines, it would likely take quite some time to reload. They had to seize this opportunity and have the infantry follow suit!
Before the words had even fallen, another barrage of projectiles shot into the sky. Visibly, the cavalry formation thinned out, with fewer than one and a half thousand cavalrymen surviving the terrifying continuous barrage. They were only two hundred paces away from the enemy formation, and every soldier was on edge. They had grown up on horseback and considered themselves unmatched in equestrian archery, but who could have anticipated that there were such terrifying weapons in the world? Powerless to resist, unable to evade, they could only be slaughtered without a fighting chance!
No one could accept such a fate. Just fifty more paces, within fifty paces! They would have the strength to fight back!
However, crossing these fifty paces was not as simple as it seemed.
Sun Jiao issued a cold command, “Crossbowmen! Shoot!”
Four hundred crossbows were raised, and the distinctive crossbow bolts resembled long spears as they were launched toward the enemies preparing to draw their bows.
Four hundred bolts, four hundred lives.
One hundred and fifty paces!
“Archers! Fire!”
Another command resounded. Six hundred archers raised their powerful bows.
One round, two rounds, three rounds! Over a thousand arrows crisscrossed, raining down upon the cavalry formation from both flanks, like an unyielding boundary between life and death that could never be crossed!
Angry roars, desperate cries, and the long neighs of horses filled the air! Only a little over ten riders broke through the final curtain of arrow rain, but they were met with long spears thrust out from behind wooden shields.
Five hundred paces, and all three thousand cavalrymen were gone! At this moment, the infantry had just covered a little over half the distance and entered the range of three hundred and fifty paces. This was the firing range of the Thunderbolt Cannons!
Advertisement
Another round of slaughter began.
Watching the battlefield before him, Liu Cong clenched his horsewhip tightly! How could they possibly have so many archers and crossbowmen? But this was just a region of Shangdang, how could they field such a formidable army?!
Since there was such a powerful army, why bother with fortifications and scorched earth tactics? Why use beacon fires to disrupt their morale? No, they couldn’t stop!
“Beat the drums! Beat the drums to urge the battle!”
Following the cavalry were ten thousand soldiers. Even if half of them were lost, there would still be five thousand approaching the enemy formation! Meanwhile, the enemy had at least a thousand archers and crossbowmen, who were virtually powerless in close combat. As long as they could break through the archer and crossbow formation, he would have a chance to defeat the enemy!
The war drums thundered, and under the hail of deadly arrows, the Xiongnu infantry launched a fierce assault. They had endured countless battles and already possessed a fierce determination not to fear death. More than half were killed? Countless casualties? Their mission was to overcome the enemy!
With this fearless determination, the Xiongnu infantry pressed forward. Although there were many archers and crossbowmen, their numbers were limited, and in the final round of shooting, Sun Jiao loudly shouted, “Beat the drums!”
In the ranks of the Shangdang army, the drums resounded. The shield-bearing men stepped back, revealing the army formation behind them. These were the two thousand five hundred spear-wielding soldiers, whom their commander referred to as the “fighting force”!
“Kill! Kill! Kill!” Roaring voices erupted from the men wielding long spears! The previously motionless spear formation began to move. Each row, each individual, performed the same actions: step forward, raise the spear, thrust!
After one row came another, endlessly, like surging waves crashing up!
Breaking through the hail of projectiles, evading deadly feathers, the Xiongnu warriors fought desperately to reach the front lines but were stopped by this mountainous, tsunami-like army formation. How could individual valor withstand the force of a thousand soldiers? And the hand-to-hand combat with bladed weapons was even more terrifying than the unseen, untouchable arrows and crossbows.
When two opposing forces meet on a narrow path, the brave prevail!
The cries of battle that soared to the heavens finally shattered the remnants of courage within the Xiongnu ranks. Some began to turn and run back towards their own camp. Once the first turned, there would be a second, a third… By the time the Shangdang army had taken fifteen steps forward, the Xiongnu formation had collapsed! The remaining soldiers and officers turned and retreated at a faster pace than when they had advanced.
Sitting on his horse, Liu Cong felt like his eyes were about to burst from their sockets! In just a quarter of an hour, the thirteen thousand soldiers who had charged into the battle had been scattered. Even when facing the Xianbei, they had never suffered such a disastrous defeat. How could this happen in a mere Shangdang?
Should they continue to fight?
This question was not just on Liu Cong’s mind but also churning in the hearts of the remaining seven thousand soldiers. How could they win against such a formidable army formation?
At this moment, the drumming from the opposing side ceased. The tumultuous army formation, like a sudden calm after a storm, lost its sharp edge and deadly intent. It reverted to its initial, silent state, as if the tens of thousands of corpses lying in front of them had nothing to do with them.
Liu Cong felt a shiver run down his spine. He couldn’t win! No one could overcome such a terrifying formation restrained by such commands! Against this kind of arrangement, the only chance of victory would be a larger-scale cavalry encirclement. However, those five thousand light cavalry were in Liu Yao’s hands.
“Maintain formation and begin the retreat,” Liu Cong ordered after taking a deep breath.
Yes, they had to retreat first. With their morale completely dissipated and no way to break through the enemy formation, there was no other choice but to withdraw. Whether they retreated to Nie County or joined forces with Liu Yao to face the enemy, it was better than staying here and wasting their forces.
Liu Cong was a seasoned reader of military strategy and a capable general who could lead large armies. Therefore, he knew how to win and, more importantly, how to deal with defeat. However, the troops his father had entrusted to him couldn’t afford any more losses!
Upon hearing the commander’s orders, many soldiers breathed a sigh of relief. No one wanted to stay and engage in a direct confrontation with such a formidable enemy. Retreat was the wisest choice, pulling back to a safe distance and regrouping the army.
The Xiongnu army began to break camp and retreat, and even their withdrawal was well-organized, leaving no gaps. Liu Cong kept a close watch on the enemy formation, wondering if they would pursue. However, to his surprise, the soldiers seemed as motionless as stone statues, showing no signs of pursuit.
They probably wouldn’t chase, would they? Without the cumbersome catapults, how could this group defend against an attack?
As the last group of soldiers turned away and slowly left West Zhangpo, Liu Cong finally let out a sigh of relief. Alright, as long as they could withdraw smoothly…
Little did he know, before he could fully exhale that sigh of relief, the sound of hooves suddenly echoed in the distance, like raindrops pounding on the ground. In the distance, glints of swords flashed, and dust billowed like a cloud.
Oh no! Liu Cong abruptly pulled on the reins of his horse. “Form up! We’re ambushed!”
Author’s note:
Using catapults to launch shrapnel1 was a tactic used in ancient times, but no one was as precise and specialized in making ammunition as Liang Feng.
refers to small, sharp metal fragments or pieces that are dispersed when an explosive device, such as a shell or bomb, detonates.
