Chapter 107

Seeing this, Yuan Zongdi immediately shouted orders: "All officers and men, heed my command! Follow me, kill the enemy, and serve the country!" His personal guard raised their weapons and charged toward the Ming Army without hesitation. Led by these loyal troops, the Shun Army infantry finally staved off total collapse, waving their weapons as they rushed to meet the Ming forces. The two sides clashed. The pikemen struck first, their long spears piercing through armor and burying themselves in the bodies of the enemy. The sword-and-shield infantry following behind, however, found their lethality limited; no matter how sharp their waist swords were, they could not kill with a single strike. At this moment, it was a test of raw strength, killing technique, and the timing of one's parries. The vast majority of attacks were blocked by armor and shields.