Chapter 27: The Dragon Banner

Chapter 27: The Dragon Banner

Yuan Jun removed the flowing sleeves of the long dress and donned a loose, masculine nomadic attire. With great patience, he transformed the delicate silk scarves into a belt, cinching it tightly around the slender waist – it was his first time realizing that a woman's waist could be so delicate.

He wasn't entirely confident that this body could exhibit the archery and horseback riding skills he had learned since childhood, but it was flexible and in good health. Although it might lack strength, agility and technique wouldn't be an issue.

Stepping out, under the watchful eyes of numerous soldiers, he chose a bow. He was never particularly skilled with a powerful bow, but as it wasn't a real battlefield today, he opted for the most suitable willow-bent bow, known for its lightness, resilience, and accuracy. After pairing it with arrows, he selected a long spear and then gracefully mounted the horse, his slender legs resembling a swallow soaring diagonally upward.

A soft murmur of admiration escaped from the surrounding soldiers.

The manner in which she mounted the horse was truly mesmerizing, especially considering her beauty. Despite having removed her elaborate hair accessories, her delicate features were still captivating, and her vibrant red sash accentuated her slender waist. Seemingly floating atop the horse, she galloped into the ranks of gray-armored soldiers, her red sash and boots standing out vividly.

Jingbei Wang sat upright, observing the beauty approaching like a gust of wind. He inwardly sighed but maintained a composed expression. He even managed to warmly address Princess Yi Yang, "Indeed, no weak woman sits beneath the princess. This maiden's horsemanship is unexpectedly proficient."

Princess Yi Yang's face remained cold, her lips still as fiery as ever.

Fixing her gaze on the once-silent and elegant maid in green, now riding toward them with a bow on her back and a spear in hand, she dismounted and knelt, her eyes as sharp as honed blades. Each word she spoke was like an icy dart, "I humbly request permission to break through the formation."

Prince Jingbei declared, "Approved!"

Yuan Jun, however, remained kneeling on one knee, unmoving, until Princess Yi Yang filled a cup with wine and handed it to a nearby eunuch. The eunuch passed the wine down to Yuan Jun, who lifted his head slightly, took the cup, raised it in a gesture of respect, and drained it in one swift motion. He then tossed the empty cup back to the eunuch, rose from his kneeling position, descended the steps, and mounted his horse in a fluid motion. Instantly, the steed darted forward like a bolt of green smoke, charging into the densely packed formation of shields and spears that was the army's array.

Prince Jingbei's brow lifted slightly. He had given the order but did not immediately comply, instead waiting for the princess to offer him a parting drink before rising to depart. This implied that she considered the princess her superior? Fascinating. He did not feel his authority was being challenged; rather, he perceived that his new bride possessed a certain skill in managing her subordinates.

In an army, there can be only one commander. This maid, it is clear, obeys solely the princess's orders. To apply military strategy within the confines of the boudoir is not a common trait. It speaks volumes of this princess's general-like demeanor, despite being confined within the depths of the palace.

The military formation had already kicked into motion. The soldiers, well-versed in their drills, moved with effortless grace. Once activated, they resembled a surging flood, an unrelenting tide, each link in the chain seamlessly connected. Each individual performed their designated task. Infantry operated in trios, one shield, one spear, one cleaver. cavalry bore lances aloft. Together, they stabbed forward in an impenetrable wall of spears, their sharp edges forming countless deadly weapons. This cohesive force appeared as a monstrous entity, jaws agape, ready to devour anything that dared enter its path.

In the heart of the unyielding military formation stood a tall pole with the commander's standard fluttering in the wind, a symbol of authority. If the flag fell or was shot by an arrow, it would signify the breach of the formation.

These were the Jingbei troops, and Yuan Jun, riding tall and straight on his horse, wore a stern expression. This was the very army that had fought through blood and fire to secure the thirteen impregnable provinces of Jingbei for their king.

The renowned Four Symbols Formation.

The Vermilion Bird represented the artillery formation, with cannons roaring like thunder, shattering everything in their path. Behind them were trebuchets and other heavy machinery. The Azure Dragon Formation consisted of cavalry armed with lances, charging like dragons into the sea. The Black Tortoise Formation was the vine armor unit, layer upon layer of soldiers wielding vine shields and swords, protecting the White Tiger Formation. The White Tiger soldiers were elite warriors, chosen from thousands, each brave and skilled in hand-to-hand combat, able to fight ten enemies single-handedly.

Though the Four Symbols appeared as separate units, they merged into an indestructible fortress when trained in disciplined drills.

Yet, the operation of such a massive formation relied solely on constant drills, so that every soldier would instinctively follow the formation's movements, creating a wave capable of devouring and obliterating everything in its path.

In other words, each soldier lacked initiative; they simply executed orders passively and had grown accustomed to strictly adhering to pre-planned procedures, never deviating from them.

Of course, true battles required adaptability... But the Northern Pacification Army hadn't engaged in any major campaigns for over a decade. The first generation of soldiers might still know how to fill gaps when comrades fell, while the four generals commanding thequad formations needed exceptional skills to assess gains and losses within the formation, conveying their orders efficiently. Thus, this Four Symbols Formation was designed as a highly effective, minimally commanded combat formation.

Yuan Jun had been tutored in poetry, literature, and military tactics by Princess Yi Yang since childhood. She had even demonstrated the Four Symbols Formation to him during his military training.

In actual combat, this formation would be challenging to break through. Coincidentally, today's drill was for the nobles' entertainment, prioritizing spectacle over practicality – an opportunity for him.

The Vermilion Bird Formation was slow and positioned last, serving only as eye candy in the drill and posing no threat. He only needed to find an opening among the remaining three formations: the Azure Dragon Formation consisted of cavalry, which, in this confined space, seemed limited, merely circling repetitively.

Their speed, however, exceeded that of the Black Tortoise's shield-bearing infantry and the White Tiger's foot soldiers, creating an imbalance.

This was the weakness he could exploit.

But... his body was too weak, leaving him with limited time to engage the massive formation. A smile tugged at his lips – not much time was needed.

A fire raged in his chest, ignited when he learned of his elder sister's distant marriage, followed by his confinement in the Hanguang Palace, oppression, imprisonment, silence, and suppression. That volcano of pent-up emotions finally found an outlet, bursting forth unchecked.

That was his defiant struggle against his predetermined fate.

The cavalry formations rode back and forth in the ranks, the training ground too small to accommodate their swift steeds, which were carefully chosen for their endurance in battle. They were far from satisfied with such a short journey.

Yuan Jun, of course, had some understanding of horse breeding as well.

With a smile on his lips and his gaze fixed on the interconnected formation of the Azure Dragon array, he appeared to the soldiers as an enchanting beauty with a charming smile and a light, graceful figure. They all held a condescending attitude, waiting to see how the maid-in-waiting beneath the princess would handle the situation.

In the thunderous gallop of hooves, the slender woman rode effortlessly into the midst of the formation, merging smoothly into it like a drop of water into the ocean.

Dust billowed as the sound of hoofbeats resembled the rhythmic beat of drums. The entire military formation continued to function with precision, the red-clad woman blending seamlessly with her steed, as if she had always been a part of the formation.

Everyone present was bewildered.

Even Prince Jingbei couldn't help but chuckle, turning his gaze to Princess Yi Yang. "Indeed, you seem to have some knowledge of formations. Being able to ride so effortlessly into the military array indicates a deep understanding of its focal points. However, the cavalry within the formation won't be easy to deal with."

Princess Yi Yang's face remained cold as she stared at the formation.

Sure enough, the cavalry behind the red-robed maid-in-waiting hesitated for a moment. Reacting first, the soldier brandished his spear and swept it forward, seemingly holding back just enough to knock her off her horse without directly piercing her, clearly not wishing to harm her life.

Yet, the maid seemed to have eyes on her back or had anticipated the attack, as she nimbly crouched low and evaded the sweeping spear. She continued to ride amidst the formation, then swiftly shifted her position to the side of the horse, out of reach of those behind her. Those in front, engrossed in the forward momentum of the formation, didn't notice the change in their ranks.

Prince Jingbei commented, "Her horsemanship is quite commendable." However, it wasn't particularly exceptional since polo was popular in the capital, and skilled equestrians were not uncommon among the nobility. As a maid by the princess's side, she would naturally have ample opportunity to learn such skills, so it was no surprise.

At this moment, he still viewed this breach of the formation as a mere game.

The maid clearly had some understanding of formations, allowing her to quickly find the rhythm and swiftly infiltrate the cavalry formation. Nonetheless, the soldiers surrounding the flags were infantry and shield bearers. Even if she could slip into the Green Dragon Formation, there was no way for her to approach the command platform that represented the general's flag, let alone have a chance to shoot an arrow within the formation. She could only hide behind the horse's flank to temporarily avoid the charge of the cavalry.

Perhaps this would indeed allow her to approach the flagpole within range, but—range was a two-way affair. As the general's flag entered her shooting range, it also meant that she was within the range of the infantry formation. Once she neared the center of the formation, the infantry there would be the first to launch arrows at her. The White Tiger Formation's infantry would rain arrows from behind the shields of the Black Tortoise Formation. Accuracy might not be perfect, but with their numbers, it was unlikely she could escape unscathed. Moreover, he doubted that a maid could wield a stronger longbow than the well-trained soldiers, capable of shooting arrows over greater distances.

He looked down with a faint smile, only to see that the horse had galloped past in the blink of an eye and arrived in front of the Vermilion Bird formation at the back. There were several tall and heavy artillery stands there, which had just fired ceremonial cannons. The thick and long barrels were raised high, pointing diagonally at the sky. Today's display was mainly for the sake of grandeur and elegance... No, wait!

His expression subtly shifted as he witnessed the lady official abruptly rise from her horse, standing tall on the saddle. The cavalry behind her swiftly encircled her, their lances pointing downward, threatening to sweep her off her feet.

Yet, in full view of everyone, the female official nimbly hooked her hand onto the cannon carriage and vaulted onto it. With a few strides, she climbed to the top of the towering cannon barrel. Then, using the cannon carriage as a stepping stone, she leaped onto the adjacent siege ladder.

Amidst the uproar, every face in the crowd paled. Countless eyes witnessed that slender figure ascend to the highest point, then slowly draw back the bow in her hands. Her arm was indeed too delicate compared to the soldiers present. At that moment, against the high-altitude wind, the young girl's skirt fluttered wildly, and skilled archers with keen eyes could see the tense muscles beneath her thin sleeves and the distinct veins protruding on the back of her hand from the exertion.

It was a profoundly impressive beauty, filled with a stark contrast between ultimate strength and delicate grace. The girl's slender, fair fingers were tightly gripping the bowstring, so much so that blood had been drawn from the force of her grip. Yet, the bow remained steady, its arrow aimed at the imposing banner fluttering in the wind. The dragon flag, with its fierce and menacing design, swayed and danced in the breeze.

The general of the White Tiger Formation reacted swiftly, giving an order that sent all his archers loosing their arrows towards the female official on the ladder.

Soldiers also began climbing up the ladder beneath her, attempting to capture or hinder her.

"Their arrows won't reach her. She's calculated it precisely – she's positioned herself beyond the range of the White Tiger Formation but well within the range of the King's standard."

Princess Yi Yang suddenly smiled and spoke slowly.

"In warfare, there are no set rules. Breaking through a formation has always relied on timing, location, and unity among soldiers..."

Prince Jingbei's face was expressionless as he gazed at the slender woman atop the tall ladder. He drew his bow to a full moon shape, aiming directly at the royal banner that symbolized his leadership.

Whizz!

The arrow sliced through the air, swift and fierce, piercing the dragon's eye on the flag.

A second arrow followed closely, severing the rope at the top of the dragon flag.

And then came the third, aimed at the flagpole itself.

The flagpole, made of sturdy bamboo, was as thick as a bowl's rim. The lady official, being just a woman, held a regular bow; naturally, her arrow, though precisely shot, only impaled itself on the pole, causing it to sway slightly without toppling.

But a relentless stream of arrows followed, each striking the same spot. The flagpole swayed back and forth, until with a crisp crack on the ninth arrow, it broke under the cumulative force.

In full view of the awaiting, battle-ready army, it snapped in two.