Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chen Gong observed from a high slope last night and finally confirmed a situation: whether it was Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, or Zhang Liao, they all had some issues, and the cavalry they led had very apparent shortcomings.

Zhang Fei’s tugi cavalry had ample attack power and fierce momentum, but they were not enduring. Zhang Fei’s legion talent and his subordinate tugi cavalry all shared this characteristic: they charge with a burst of energy, but once blocked, their momentum and combat power would decline.

As for Zhao Yun, the disadvantages of the White Horse Soldiers are known to everyone: they are fast and agile, but even with an attack formation boost, their attack power is somewhat weak. It’s fine for dealing with Miscellaneous Hun, but achieving significant results against truly elite cavalry is challenging.

Zhang Liao’s Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry goes without saying; they are considered the best cavalry for fighting the Hu People. However, when facing the main force of the Northern Huns, which is on the same level as the elite Central Plains cavalry, the performance of the Wolf Cavalry with balanced attributes is just average.

Chen Gong relayed everything he saw to the three of them; they were all somewhat silent. During last night’s confrontation with the Huns’ main force, the troops led by these three were evidently somewhat powerless. Even the arrogant Zhang Fei had to admit that the Northern Huns’ cavalry was truly formidable.

”Do we have any way to compensate, Gongtai? Since you brought it up, you must have some guidance,” Zhao Yun asked. The advantages and disadvantages of the White Horse are too obvious.

”I wouldn’t call it guidance—more like suggestions. Your three types of cavalry should cooperate. The agility and speed of the White Horse allow it to charge and shoot in the midst of a rebel army, which is most suitable for dealing with forces scattered by the Wolf Cavalry.” Chen Gong said to Zhao Yun.

Zhao Yun nodded. Last night, when he joined forces with Zhang Liao to deal with the Northern Huns, he noticed that once Zhang Liao’s Wolf Cavalry scattered a formation, his White Horse could easily rush into the disbanded Northern Huns and slaughter them.

”As for Wen Yuan, you should actually follow behind General Zhang. General Zhang’s tugi cavalry can break through the opponent’s formation with their attack, but they are unlikely to have the strength to disperse them afterwards. It can be said that General Zhang’s struggle last night was largely due to being trapped in the enemy formation,” Chen Gong said, looking at Zhang Liao and Zhang Fei.

Although Zhang Fei hadn’t seen Chen Gong many times, he always had great respect for capable civil officials.

Recalling last night’s situation, it was indeed as Chen Gong said: Zhang Fei was trapped in the formation, surrounded and attacked on all sides by the Northern Huns. If it weren’t for Chengg Lian and others leading the Wolf Cavalry to harass from outside, Zhang Fei’s army might have been entirely trapped in the Northern Huns’ formation, unable to move.

”Pure cavalry combat is not reasonable; originally, with infantry to support General Zhang, it wouldn’t be necessary to do so.” Chen Gong sighed and said.

The reason the White Horse can venture out alone is that it can run away if it can’t win—there’s no worry of total annihilation. The reason why Wolf Cavalry can go without infantry is because they won’t actively engage large armies, typically peeling them layer by layer like an onion, preventing encirclement and annihilation.

But for cavalry like the Xiliang Iron Cavalry or Zhang Fei’s tugi cavalry, whose main goal is to break formations, their existence is to create flaws, seize them, and penetrate past. Such cavalry demands high attack power.

Although breaking formations is the fastest way to disrupt the enemy, it also carries considerable risk. Of course, for the Xiliang Iron Cavalry, who wholeheartedly believe they can pierce through the enemy, pure cavalry warfare is feasible.

However, formally speaking, tugi cavalry must have infantry or another type of cavalry to secure the retreat. Otherwise, if the charge fails and there’s no retreat, cavalry trapped within will soon lose speed, and without speed, they are inferior to infantry.

Of course, the Xiliang Iron Cavalry aren’t factored into this—they either pierce through or die. They survived, so evidently, they successfully pierced through every time.

This is also why infantry is assigned with the cavalry of Zhang Fei and Guan Yu. To be honest, even warriors as exceptional as Zhang Fei and Guan Yu, trapped amid tens of thousands of troops, could potentially be finished off, so precautions must be taken.

Chen Gong’s narrative prompted the three to reflect on their own and the enemy’s performance last night. The more they thought about it, the more they felt Chen Gong was correct.

Thus, the three soon found common ground. Zhang Liao no longer felt uneasy upon encountering Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun, and the three quickly became acquainted.

Chen Gong smiled, saying no more. For him, the earlier narration wasn’t meant to guide Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun, but rather to harmonize their relations.

”Earlier, I seemed to have seen Qiling on the battlefield,” Zhang Liao suddenly recalled seeing a glimpse during last night’s night battle.

”If Wen Yuan hadn’t mentioned it, I would’ve forgotten that Marquis Wen’s daughter is still with my army.” Zhao Yun said with a smile, quickly summoning Lyu Qiling, not noticing Zhang Liao’s twitching expression. Soon, Lyu Qiling was brought over by a messenger.

”Uncle…” Lyu Qiling, carrying the Sky Piercer, came over and seemed awkward upon seeing Zhang Liao. After encountering Zhang Liao and others last night, Lyu Qiling felt uneasy. When Zhao Yun summoned her, she had a headache but came anyway, biting the bullet.

”Qiling, you…” Zhang Liao refrained from speaking harsh words in front of Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun, took a deep breath, and turned to Zhao Yun, ”General Zhao, could you entrust Qiling to me?”

”That wouldn’t do. Qiling is our army’s Cavalry Supervisor.” Seeing Lyu Qiling signaling repeatedly, Zhao Yun didn’t know what to say.

Of course, Zhao Yun had no intention of driving Lyu Qiling away. In the army, his own Ma Yunlu only had Qiling as a sister to talk to, and if Lyu Qiling was driven away, Ma Yunlu would have no one to converse with.

Seeing Zhang Fei and Zhang Liao puzzled, Zhao Yun immediately explained, causing Zhang Liao’s mouth to twitch. Although he knew about the imperial examination situation, he had no idea Lyu Qiling almost clinched the top position. Still, given her meritorious position, Zhang Liao couldn’t say much.

Ultimately, Zhang Liao decided, as Chen Gong anticipated, to ignore what he couldn’t change, motioning Lyu Qiling to quickly leave his sight. Lyu Qiling, understanding, hurried off, fearing Zhang Liao might influence Zhao Yun to expel her from the camp.

”Will General Gao be alright chasing the Northern Huns alone?” After Lyu Qiling left, Zhang Fei asked. Although the combat power of the Trap Formation was evident before, the Northern Huns aren’t fools either.

”Don’t worry, Gongzheng wouldn’t undertake anything without assurance, and even if there’s a big problem, the Trap Formation’s strength could forcibly resolve it.” Chen Gong said with a faint smile. The Trap Formation gave him much more peace of mind than Lyu Bu ever did. Zhang Fei thought for a moment and nodded in agreement.