Chapter 8: Encountering the Enemy in Zhongshan

Liu Zhan's army was trapped in Changshan by a rare heavy snowfall. The snow was so deep that marching was impossible, so they had no choice but to camp where they were. By February, the weather improved and the road conditions started to get better. Finally, they were able to move, and the army prepared to set out.

The soldiers were quite frustrated. Such a rare and massive snowfall hadn't been seen in many years. Who didn't want to go home for the New Year? But seeing that the snow made travel almost impossible, their hopes of celebrating the New Year at home were dashed.

The only consolation was that everyone had a place to stay and wasn't suffering on the road. Moreover, since the soldiers lived and ate together, their morale was good. More importantly, after several months of training, the army had reached a level where orders were followed strictly, and military discipline was in place. At the sound of a command, more than a hundred men moved as one, and the army's formation was completely different from a few months ago.

Gao Shun and Zhang Liao had achieved some results with their "Three Talents Formation." The Small Three Talents Formation was already quite proficient, while the Medium Three Talents Formation was still being practiced. Gao Shun had developed the Medium and Large Three Talents Formations based on Liu Zhan's teachings.

According to Gao Shun's training method, two to five Small Three Talents Formations would work together to form a Medium Three Talents Formation, with adjustments made based on the battlefield conditions. Several small formations working together created the Large Three Talents Formation.

In Gao Shun's vision, the Large Three Talents Formation could evolve into dozens of different formations. For example: advancing as a square formation; transforming into a triangle to form a wedge for breaching enemy lines; or creating a Tai Chi circular formation to delay time and await reinforcements when surrounded by the enemy…

Of course, mastering these complex formations would take a long time and couldn't be achieved in such a short period.

Liu Zhan, accompanied by Gao Shun and Zhang Liao, went to bid farewell to Tong Yuan.

Meanwhile, Zhao Yun had officially completed his training and graduated after a simplified ceremony. During this period, Zhao Yun had learned a lot about leading troops from Gao Shun and Zhang Liao. He also participated in the training of the Three Talents Formation and even received some guidance from Old Master Tong.

It should be noted that soldiers in the Three Talents Formation practiced only one or two techniques, which had to be lethal. With Old Master Tong's expertise, some shortcomings were corrected, enhancing the formation's combat effectiveness.

Although the snow on the mountain was still thick, the roads were now passable. After the troops were organized, they finally set out with a command and moved out in orderly steps.

Leaving Changshan, the army headed north towards Zhongshan.

During the march, Gao Shun was responsible for the troop movements and conducted some drills along the way. In the wilderness, wherever there were no people, the army trained boldly, with the sounds of combat reverberating, the clashing of weapons echoing loudly.

Zhang Liao was in charge of reconnaissance. According to Liu Zhan's requirements, these activities had to be standardized. Thus, Zhang Liao's task was heavy; he needed to summarize and improve old methods, introduce new techniques, and gradually form a complete set of procedures.

Zhao Yun was still in the learning phase, sometimes working with Zhang Liao, sometimes following Gao Shun, and most of the time traveling with Liu Zhan. Over this period of learning, Zhao Yun had grasped the basics of leading an army and was familiar with the situation of the troops.

As they traveled day and night, one day, the army entered Zhongshan territory. During the march, a scout on a fast horse came galloping towards them.

This was the only scout with a warhorse in the army, having gone ten or so miles ahead to scout. Was there military intelligence ahead?

"Report, Sima Sir, Zhongshan City, ten miles away, is being besieged by nearly ten thousand men. It's only a matter of time before the city falls."