The infantry retreat was too slow, essentially doomed to be eliminated systematically, but because of the high mobility of the cavalry, and the fact that Turkic cavalry each had more than three horses, they were able to break through in a dispersed manner and then gradually regroup.

Yet the problem was, if the enemy had set an ambush, how could they not think of this possibility?

It was likely not only around Chang'an where the ambush had been set.

Along the way back to the steppes from Chang'an, at every pass and every city, it seemed the Liang Army awaited.

Even if they could break out of the encirclement here once, reaching the steppes was far and uncertain...

As the saying goes, defeat is as rapid as a collapsing mountain; once the order to retreat was issued, the Turkic soldiers would surely be in a state of panic, and the chieftains of each tribe would harbor their own deceitful intentions…

Once that occurred, the situation would become completely unmanageable.

Jie Li Khan indeed proved himself a hero of the steppes in this moment, making what he believed was the correct decision.

"Stay calm! Stay calm!

"Charge across the Wei River, just kill the Emperor of Liang, and we can turn the tide of battle!"

Since both sides had already shown their hands, this was certainly no time to show weakness.

Moreover, it was unclear whether it was neglect on Liang's part, but they seemed not to have anticipated the Turkic people's desperate measures, appearing somewhat unprepared on the other side of the Wei River.

If they could cross the river with the speed and force of a gust of wind, capturing these forces in one sweep, wouldn't this battle be won without combat?

If Liang hadn't made a move, there might still have been a chance to negotiate, but since they had, the only outcome left was a fight to the death.

At Jie Li Khan's command, Turkic cavalry immediately charged forward toward the pontoon bridge across the Wei River!

However, the pontoon bridge clearly couldn't accommodate so many cavalry at once, but many more cavalry dismounted and attempted to cross the Wei River with their horses!

Using horses to ford rivers was a basic skill mastered by cavalry throughout history.

Horses can swim, and they generally enjoy it, swimming with movements similar to a dog's paddle, only their heads above water.

However, the anatomy of horses allows them to float easily in water, but they are not fast swimmers and tire more easily than when on land.

Experienced cavalry could take advantage of this, holding onto the horse's bridle and swimming across rivers together with their horses.

They would swim together with their horses rather than ride them, as the latter would overly exhaust the horses, potentially drowning both in mid-river.

Historical records mention this practice, such as those from Jin Country that state, "Customarily brave and fierce, fond of battle, enduring hunger, thirst, and hardship, riding horses up and down steep riverbanks as if flying, crossing rivers without boats, fording with horses."

Of course, fording with horses was less feasible across great rivers, given the limited endurance of horses.

Moreover, even if they managed to cross, the horses would be greatly weakened. If the enemy awaited in readiness across the river, the situation could become very perilous.

Thus, this method was generally used only under two circumstances: when the river was narrow and calm with no enemies present, allowing an easy crossing, or in dire emergencies where risking everything was necessary.

The current situation was the latter.

For a more secure crossing, ferries or pontoon bridges would be needed, but the Turkic people clearly lacked such provisions at this time.

Hence, they focused their main attack on the pontoon bridge.

Liang's failure to destroy the pontoon bridge in advance was seen by Jie Li Khan as a significant oversight.

The vanguard of the Turkic cavalry quickly charged across the pontoon bridge, rushing directly toward the Liang forces!

At this moment, including Emperor Gaozu of Liang, the Crown Prince, Prince Qi, Lord Wei, and other high-ranking officials of Liang were all present. If anything went wrong, they would all be captured in one swoop.

Watching the Turkic hardened cavalry charging toward them, these men remained indifferent.

Suddenly, Lord Wei dismounted, ditched his armor, and armed with a large saber, he stepped forward.

He stood proudly at one end of the pontoon bridge, facing the oncoming Turkic cavalry.

The Turkic cavalry couldn't help but laugh heartily, seeing this as courting death.

Their horses thundered across, charging while simultaneously drawing bows and shooting arrows toward Lord Wei.

But Lord Wei dodged left and right, incredibly avoiding the arrows of the vanguard cavalry!

The cavalry were stunned.

What was going on?

This man was indeed unarmored, and his body seemed lean and agile, but dodging all those arrows seemed a bit too improbable.

Luo Ying, disguised as Lord Wei, just chuckled.

How is this even an event?

Back then, I fought bare-chested at Xiangji Temple, weaving in and out seven times on the battlefield between the world's most elite armies a hundred years later, without blinking an eye.

What kind of caliber are you, to challenge me?

Thinking a few arrows would kill me, you're really dreaming.

The Turkic Cavalry hadn't even realized what was happening when they charged right up to Lord Wei.

And as Lord Wei got surrounded, the rear cavalry feared injuring him and dared not shoot any more arrows.

Luo Ying wielded his broadsword vigorously, slaughtering in every direction!

The bridge over the Wei River wasn't exactly spacious, but it could accommodate three or four horses abreast.

Such a battlefield was restrictive for cavalry, but for Luo Ying with a broadsword, it was just perfect.

Meanwhile, towards Chang'an, the sound of galloping hooves thundered.

The elite forces of the Liang Army had arrived!

Players wouldn't naively use all their elite troops to block the Turkic people's retreat; they also kept a large army at the front to prevent the Turkic people from making a desperate move.

The prior performances by the Crown Prince and Prince Qi had almost rallied all the main forces of the Liang.

Some were ambushed on the path the Turkic people had to take when retreating, others were around Chang'an, ready for tough combat.

And these Liang forces quickly reached the banks of the Wei River, mounted on their warhorses, drew their great bows, and aimed at the Turkic cavalry swimming with their horses in the river.

"Fire!"

At that command, a barrage of arrows flew!

The Turkic people in the water couldn't fight back or escape, and within moments, a torrent of blood gushed forth, dyeing the river red!

Unlike bullets, arrows didn't lose much kinetic energy upon entering the water; they still maintained significant lethality. Moreover, the Turkic cavalry and their horses were floating on the surface, visible and broad targets, making it difficult to miss.

On the other side, the Turkic cavalry tried several times to charge the pontoon bridge, but completely failed to break through.

Instead, Luo Ying, playing Lord Wei, spurred with high spirit, charged along the pontoon bridge, reaching its center, darting and weaving through the mass of Turkic cavalry, throwing them into chaos.

The catapults also kept throwing huge stones at the Turkic group, causing few fatalities but continually increasing the psychological pressure on the Turkic people.

On ancient battlefields where cold weapons prevailed, morale was the key to victory; once morale collapsed, even vast numbers of troops were merely lambs to the slaughter.

Jie Li Khan gripped his horse's reins tightly, knowing that his fate had now reached a crucial crossroads.

In real history, Lord Qin's renowned power made him cautious in every step, and Lord Qin's continuous extreme pressure led him to make numerous wrong decisions, ultimately delaying until the Liang Dynasty became powerful enough to annihilate them in one battle.

In this realm, without Lord Qin, Jie Li Khan naturally grew overly ambitious.

This time he hadn't been pressured to the limit, nor did he hesitate, instead he recklessly attacked.

And the decisive result was a complete blunder.

Who could have imagined that these men of the Liang Dynasty, fighting for so long, were merely performing a play for him, Jie Li Khan?

Ultimately, Jie Li Khan found himself without any other choice.

"Retreat!"

Jie Li Khan looked towards distant Chang'an, where he had once dreamed of entering and becoming the supreme ruler of the world, but now, this might well be his last free gaze upon Chang'an.

…

Seeing the Turkic people beginning to retreat, Zhao Haiping, disguised as Prince Qi, donned his armor, grabbed his spear, and mounted his horse.

"Signal the entire army, pursue!

"This battle, no unarming for three days! The Turkic pride in their cavalry, shall we show them that the Liang cavalry is faster!

"If we cannot capture Jie Li alive, if we let the Turkic forces escape unscathed, we swear not to return!"

Zhao Haiping led the charge over the bridge, followed by a tsunami-like roar of the Liang forces close behind.

Under the players' strategizing, they aimed to decide the fate in one battle, to obliterate the threat of the Turkic people here and now, without waiting for the heavy snow years later on the plains!

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