Two Armies Clash, Scouts Engage First

"Military regulations, military regulations—why do you keep harping on about military regulations?"

"Once he is selected according to the regulations, who knows whose hands he'll end up in? Could that possibly be as good as my own personal care and cultivation?"

"Besides, the invasion of Han is imminent; it is the perfect time to build a reputation and establish a career. If he joins your nephew's unit, wouldn't it be wonderful for the two of them to achieve glory together?"

Meng Wei felt a secret thrill, yet he still muttered stubbornly, "You were the one who brought up the military regulations..."

Meng Wu was instantly put on the spot and made a show of preparing to kick him again.

Meng Wei burst into laughter, "Go and call Zhao Cheng here!"

Meng Wu snorted, losing face, but he felt a sense of relief in his heart. To find such a young divine warrior—he had truly struck gold this time!

Before long, Zhao Cheng arrived.

"Uncle Meng."

Looking at the tall, heroic youth before him, Meng Wei grew more satisfied the longer he stared. Thinking that he would soon have to hand him over to his elder brother, he felt an inexplicable reluctance.

"Good lad, you performed well, though you were a bit low-key. There was really no need to hold back your strength."

Meng Wu and Meng Tian were both startled. That was him holding back his strength??

Meng Wei continued, "Let me introduce you two. This is Zhao Cheng."

"Zhao Cheng, this is my elder brother, Meng Wu, the General of the Central Army sent by the King to invade Han. And this is my nephew, Meng Tian, who has deeply inherited our Meng family's military strategy. He is here to gain experience with the army. You two may address each other as brothers."

Before Meng Wu could even speak, Meng Tian had already stepped forward in excitement, cupping his hands in a salute to Zhao Cheng. "Having just seen you, brother, you are truly a peerless warrior. Meng Tian is in awe. I am a few years your senior, and I happen to have a younger brother of similar age to you. If you do not mind, I would be honored to treat you as a brother."

Zhao Cheng looked at the young man before him, who still appeared somewhat green. With his bronze skin, thick brows, tiger-like eyes, open expression, and tall stature, he exuded a sense of honesty and reliability.

This was a future famous general!

He was even a trusted confidant of the First Emperor!

If not for Hu Hai conspiring with Zhao Gao to alter the imperial edict, and if not for Meng Tian's loyalty leading him to choose suicide over rebellion—with such a pillar to shield Great Qin from the wind and rain, how could the dynasty have fallen in the second generation?

With a thousand thoughts swirling in his mind, Zhao Cheng also cupped his hands in a bow. "I would be more than willing, brother."

Meng Tian was overjoyed. He had yet to make a name for himself and still possessed the spirit of a youth; how could he not be delighted to call such a fierce warrior his brother?

"Come quickly, Father said he wants you to join the Assault Cavalry Battalion!"

Meng Wu couldn't help but lose his composure. "I haven't decided that yet!"

"Hehe," Meng Tian laughed. "Ah Cheng has such astonishing skill in mounted archery and the strength to lift a cauldron; it would be a terrible waste if he didn't join the Assault Cavalry Battalion."

Zhao Cheng had no concept of what the Assault Cavalry Battalion was, so he looked toward Meng Wei.

Meng Wei, in turn, looked at Meng Wu.

Meng Wu's stern face softened slightly. "Are you willing to join the Central Army as an Assault Cavalry Elite?"

Zhao Cheng asked, "I only wish to charge into battle and kill the enemy. Wherever there is war, there I shall be! May I ask, General, can the Assault Cavalry Elite be the first to charge the formation? Is there an opportunity to kill the enemy and earn merit?"

A look of appreciation appeared in Meng Wu's eyes, though he also found it somewhat amusing. "Being the first to charge the formation is the job of the Light Infantry Vanguard Battalion. When a great battle begins, the Vanguard Battalion uses crossbows and bows for fire suppression to harass and break the formation. Then, the heavy-armored elites of the Central Army advance in phalanxes to dismantle the enemy's defensive lines."

"If you speak of engaging and killing the enemy in a head-on charge, the Central Elite is naturally the first."

Zhao Cheng felt this was perfect for him. "Then I want to join the Central Elite!"

Meng Wu asked with a hint of a smile, "If you join the Central Elite and enter the front lines, how many people can you kill in a single battle? How much merit can you earn? Can you cut through thousands or tens of thousands of men, capture the enemy commander, and seize their banners?"

Zhao Cheng thought about it seriously. Although his Flesh Refining was now at its peak, it was still impossible to cut through an enemy formation with his own strength alone. Unless the formation was very weak, the deeper he went, the more his stamina would be depleted. No matter how good his endurance was, he could not swim against the tide and carve through an entire army.

Thus, he shook his head.

Seeing that Zhao Cheng was actually thinking about it seriously, Meng Wu was left speechless. Perhaps such fierce warriors thought differently from normal people?

"That is why, with your abilities, you should go to a more important position where you can unleash your full potential."

"The Assault Cavalry Battalion of the Central Army is extremely important; in every great battle, it is the most critical link."

Meng Wu was very patient. "I ask you, when a great battle begins, which unit makes contact with the enemy first?"

Zhao Cheng was clueless about this and guessed, "The Vanguard Battalion?"

Meng Wu shook his head. "Not so. It is the Cavalry Scout! When two armies clash, the scouts make contact first!"

"Scouts are the eyes and ears of the two armies. They concern military intelligence, and every piece of critical information is supreme merit!"

"And within the Assault Cavalry Battalion, only the finest elites and the most powerful warriors are qualified to serve as scout cavalry."

"During battle, the scouts of both sides operate and engage thirty to eighty miles ahead of the main force. Encountering the enemy, they either hide or kill; finding a gap, they strike. This is the first merit: killing the enemy!"

"Light cavalry penetrating deep behind enemy lines to scout formations, locate the main camp, intercept supplies, and obtain intelligence—this is the second merit: military intelligence!"

"When the battle begins, flanking, encircling from the rear, finding gaps to cut in, and charging to break the formation—this is the third merit: breaking the formation!"

"Beyond that, there is the most critical task, one that regular cavalry cannot achieve—that is, penetrating deep behind enemy lines, charging through dangers and obstacles, to behead the commander and seize the banners! This is extremely perilous, but it is also an unparalleled, supreme military achievement: beheading the general and seizing the flag!"

"As for chasing down fleeing remnants after the battle, such minor merits are not even worth mentioning."

Zhao Cheng's eyes grew wider and wider as he listened, as if flames were boiling within them!

Could there be any branch of service more suited to him than this!?

Individual combat or small-team operations, possessing a high degree of freedom.

And by engaging the enemy scouts at the very first opportunity, with enough distance, his archery could be described as invincible; he could easily sever the enemy's eyes and ears to penetrate deep behind their lines—who could possibly stop him?

Once deep behind enemy lines, surrounded by foes on all sides, with his combat prowess, was there any fear of running out of enemies to kill?

Beyond that, roaming the battlefield at will granted him the maximum freedom to slaughter; whether charging formations or seizing enemy banners, opportunities for military merit and tactical advantages were everywhere!

His gaze grew increasingly fervent.

Meng Wu watched him with a beaming smile, knowing full well he could not refuse.

Sure enough, Zhao Cheng bowed solemnly, "I earnestly request to join the Assault Cavalry Battalion!"

Meng Wu laughed heartily, "Granted."

"With your abilities, you may be promoted to Squad Leader as an exception upon entering the battalion!"

Zhao Cheng's heroic spirit surged, "Why the need for exceptions? As for military rank and titles, once I reach the battlefield, I shall claim them myself!"

Meng Wu looked to the side and said, "That is fine, but the Cavalry Scouts often operate in units of ten. Once you enter the ranks, military orders are supreme; you must strictly obey the commands of your team leader and squad leader, and you must not act on your own whim."

Zhao Cheng's heroic spirit vanished, "That... well, an occasional exception wouldn't hurt, and I will make up for the military merit once I reach the battlefield."

The three members of the Meng family all chuckled.

Meng Wu looked toward Meng Wei.

"Select a fine steed for him, equip him well, and in half an hour, we shall set out for the Nanyang battlefield."

Meng Wei smiled, "Everything has already been prepared."