Mythical Three Kingdoms

”Although mounted infantry may seem capable of performing a series of actions on horseback, they are still just infantry. When they mount a horse, their mobility is enhanced, not their combat power,” Ma Chao said helplessly. ”Among the miscellaneous Hu, ninety percent are like this.”

Sun Ce looked at Ma Chao with a puzzled expression. What does this mean?

”The training and formation of cavalry are very costly, and thus cavalry requires soldiers of high quality. It’s not just anyone who can execute a few moves on horseback that qualifies as cavalry,” Ma Chao said with resignation. ”Currently, most of the cavalry can only be called mounted infantry. They are fundamentally incapable of high-intensity combat.”

Sun Ce still seemed ignorant, and Ma Chao didn’t know how to explain further. Finally, he said with some frustration, ”Just remember that there is a significant combat power gap between true cavalry and mounted infantry. It’s not just about the quality of the soldiers, but also a difference in willpower and belief.”

”Why didn’t you say so earlier? In simple terms, it’s the difference between cavalry of miscellaneous soldier rank and elite cavalry,” Sun Ce looked at Ma Chao with exasperation.

”You’re right in saying that,” Ma Chao, a bit choked, replied, ”So if you want elite cavalry, I only have a bit over two thousand. If you need miscellaneous cavalry, that’s easy. Just grab three to five thousand horses and I’ll get you three to five thousand people from the Qiang; mount them and you’re good to go.”

Now Sun Ce felt a bit choked up himself. Could such a patched-up thing have any combat power?

”Don’t look at me like that. There are only so many cavalry that can be called elite in all the land. My two thousand elite cavalry have been hardened through a series of battles, they are awakened Qiang people,” Ma Chao explained, seeing Sun Ce’s expression.

”So they can be trained! You should have said so earlier,” Sun Ce was much more satisfied upon hearing this.

”The vast majority of cavalry remain just mounted infantry all their lives. Only a few can become elite cavalry. Currently, the remaining elite cavalry in the world consists of roughly two thousand under my command, three thousand under Zhang Xiu, seven thousand under Lord Cao, four thousand left behind by Lyu Bu after his ascent, maybe another three thousand under the Yuan Family, two thousand Xiliang Iron Cavalry under Grand Commandant Liu, and just over ten thousand other elite cavalry,” Ma Chao calculated for Sun Ce, counting on his fingers.

”That seems to make about fifty thousand elite cavalry,” Ma Chao concluded his count to Sun Ce.

”Uh, why are there so many Xiliang Iron Cavalry?” Sun Ce asked curiously upon hearing Ma Chao’s calculations.

”There’s no other way. Dong Zhuo had a powerful army strong enough to dominate the world,” Ma Chao said sentimentally. Although Dong Zhuo was dead, Ma Chao still respected this powerful figure from Xiliang, despite the many despicable things he did.

”Indeed,” Sun Ce agreed, after considering. The true strength of Dong Zhuo was only revealed after his death.

Dong Zhuo didn’t fail because he wasn’t strong enough. On the contrary, his remaining strength after his death was enough to crush most feudal lords in the Central Plains. Dong Zhuo’s downfall was due to his own inner turmoil.

”These cavalry are true elite cavalry. Ordinary mounted infantry serve to support these cavalry in battle. It’s like Gongsun Zan’s White Horse Soldiers. The core consisted of only three thousand, but during the Battle of Jieqiao, he brought out over ten thousand White Horse. In essence, those were just mounted infantry supporting the core elite cavalry,” Ma Chao explained with an example.

”Mmm, I understand. It’s like infantry battles where elites lead ordinary soldiers in combat. After the elites break through, the ordinary soldiers, boosted by morale, can also display impressive combat power,” Sun Ce quickly grasped the concept, being someone knowledgeable in military affairs.

”That’s exactly it,” Ma Chao nodded. ”And if there are no leading elites, and the battle consists solely of miscellaneous soldiers, those soldiers could become elite through battle, but it’s more likely that...”

Sun Ce understood what Ma Chao meant; without elites, only ordinary miscellaneous soldiers, a mishap could lead to complete collapse.

”So you get it,” Ma Chao added no further.

”So if I bring cavalry of miscellaneous rank, I’ll inevitably have to bring infantry. But if I bring infantry, how am I supposed to chase down the Hu people?” Sun Ce asked Ma Chao, feeling exasperated.

”If you don’t bring infantry, your troops won’t be elite enough, and without cooperation, there’s a possibility of being completely routed in one blow,” Ma Chao said, rolling his eyes.

”Cavalry is such a headache!” Sun Ce said, clutching his head. ”The navy is so much easier to handle. Oh, don’t you have two thousand elite cavalry? Why not head north with me?”

”Although I’d like to, if Cao Sikong doesn’t agree, I have to stay in Chang’an,” Ma Chao sighed. To be honest, he was also interested in fighting the Huns — both as a general of the Han Dynasty and as King of the Qiang, he had a vested interest in confronting the Huns.

”I’m just asking if you want to go. If you do, I’ll tell you a way. Although I’m not Cao Mengde, as a monarch, he surely needs to have the same kind of courage,” Sun Ce said proudly, displaying the commanding presence of a feudal lord.

”You’re a fool, Cao Sikong is not!” Ma Chao said reflexively, then as if taken aback by Sun Ce’s aura, paused before saying, ”Spit it out.”

”Just leave a letter and then lead your troops north. Anyway, we don’t need to prepare provisions. After crossing the pass, the Hu people can kill, burn, and loot, and so can we. It’s simple,” Sun Ce said callously. Frankly, leaving behind a letter and taking off was something Sun Ce had done before.

”What kind of courage is that!” Ma Chao exclaimed in outrage.

”You’re an idiot! Why panic? Once you’re in the north, as long as you do it right, what’s Cao Cao going to do to you? In the war between the Han and Huns, everyone’s a soldier. I march to war with pride. Could Cao Cao stop that?” Sun Ce rolled his eyes, knowing that fighting the Huns was something even he understood was necessary.

”Uh, when you put it that way, it doesn’t seem wrong. But if we set off with our troops like that, isn’t that too disrespectful?” Ma Chao, lacking the same confidence as Sun Ce, knew of Cao Cao’s influence in Chang’an. However, after voicing this thought, he envied Sun Ce even more.

”Are you afraid?” Sun Ce retorted, then slowly rose and looked at Ma Chao. ”We Han people lead our own troops and bring our own provisions to strike north against the Huns. Is there anything wrong with that?”

Then Sun Ce dramatically swept his cloak, ”If Cao Cao dares claim there’s anything wrong with this, then come south and join me, Sun Ce. I stand firm in Jiangnan, yet I’m willing to brave danger and march thousands of miles north to fight the Hu. If Cao Cao dares say a mistaken word, then even if it means losing my foundation, I will make him swallow that word!”

Sun Ce, in that moment, exuded such an imposing presence that it overwhelmed the five people present. Ma Xiu, Ma Tie, and the others all looked at Ma Chao.