On the grassland, the Mongol cavalry began to shift their formation. Transitioning from their previous line formation, they moved into a semi-circle, with the Ming cavalry positioned at the center of the arc. Before the Ming forces could react, the Mongol cavalry surged into motion. Circling the Ming troops, they maintained a relentless barrage of arrows. This was one of the Mongol cavalry's most common tactics.
A personal guard leaned toward Li Xingzhong and whispered, "Regional Commander, have the Mongols lost their minds? The encircling maneuver is designed to deal with infantry; it has little effect on cavalry..."
Li Xingzhong nodded noncommittally. There were many tactics for cavalry to deal with infantry formations, and the encircling tactic was one of them. By riding around the infantry and firing constantly, they sought to force them into a counterattack or a change in formation. At such moments, the infantry formation must remain absolutely still, for any movement would create openings, giving the Mongol cavalry a chance to break through. This was the origin of the saying, "A hundred riders can surround ten thousand men."
Chapter 582