Chapter 402 Cao Cao VS Xiliang Cavalry (2/2)
Cataphracts' unique armors and horse armors attracted Cao Cao's attention. He watched the formation of his enemy on a watchtower with interest.
”That's a good armor design. I need one of those to stand against Zhang Tong's knight armors.”
Cheng Yu revealed a wry smile, ”We'll need a lot of resources for that. Iron and bronze ores are limited.”
”Most of those ore mines are close to mountains. We'll get more if we can take Luoyang.”
.
*BWOO*
A signal horn could be heard from the right flank of Li Ru Army. A Xiliang cavalry platoon, which numbered 5,000 men, rushed forward.
*BWOOO*
Another sound came from the left as 5,000 cataphracts made their move.
Both unique heavy horsemen armies tried to test Cao Cao's array of fifty cannons and spike barricades.
Although Cao Cao had 50 field cannons, they concentrated on the center front, which limited their maneuverability and targeting. As such, cannon crews could not shoot.
Cao Xiu and Li Dian went to the flanks. Cao Xiu led his 5,000 light horsemen against the Xiliang riders while Li Dian's 5,000-rider platoon faced the cataphracts.
The cataphracts charged at Li Dian's unit head-on. The front 2,000 men lined their long spears, getting ready to impale their enemies. As for the other 3,000, which were on the back, they took out their bows and aimed forward.
Meanwhile, Li Dian's unit turned 90 degrees and avoided crashing with the heavy riders. Using their speed and lightweight, they baited the 5,000 heavy horsemen and avoided the cataphracts unit's arrow rain.
After they dodged the arrows, Li Dian and his men took out their repeating crossbows and counter-attacked.
Endless arrow volleys rained upon the cataphracts.
However, none of them were harmed!
Similar to knight armors, this unit's armors for riders and horses were designed to protect against light projectiles.
Li Dian's face paled as he did not know what he could do to take down these tankers.
Cao Xiu was not as lucky as Li Dian. As Xiliang cavalry was a disguise heavy armor unit in the form of light cavalry, their charge attack was fast and fierce, which they out-maneuvered Cao Xiu's light cavalry unit.
Both 5,000 Xiliang and Cao Xiu's 5,000 collided before this young general could relay his order or pilot the troops. Once both forces passed each other, the first round of combat revealed their strength.
Cao Xiu lost half of his horsemen with a single charge from the Xiliang raiders. Some of the men were knocked off their horses, while the others died on their horseback.
However, none of the Xiliang riders fell from their horses. All of their dead riders stuck glue to their partner, dying as they were still riding. The comrades of their fallen friends also controlled the living horses with them, so they could use as spare horses.
As such, Cao Xiu could not see the corpses of the Xiliang and could not tell how many they had killed. The soldiers were also frightened and thought that they had not killed a single enemy with that charge.
”What the hell!?”
*BWOOO*
The nightmare continued as Li Ru launched the second wave. Two units of 5,000 horsemen charged forward.
The first Xiliang unit, which had 3,500 riders and over 4,500 horses, turned around, trying to flank Cao Xiu from behind.
”Damn you!”
With fewer troops, Cao Xiu's unit was easier to maneuver. He avoided the chasing group from the front and the pincer troop from behind as Cao Xiu's 2,500 turned 90 degrees and fled to the sides.
.
Cao Cao raised his eyebrows as the enemies were more formidable than he had expected.
”One is a fierce charger, while the other is similar to Zhang Tong's knights.”
Cao Cao grinned, ”I want them.”
Cheng Yu shook his head, ”This might be hard. Xiliang soldiers are from Liang Province, and those heavy riders are foreigners.”
”Can we bribe them? Fake Zhang Tong's edict if you have to. I need them as my soldiers.”
”I'll try. But for now, we have to survive this battle.”
”That's simple. Tell the cannon units to load long-range cannonballs. Shoot them at the center army!”