The Sun and the Lion

Before the official battle between the two armies, Selim took advantage of the opportunity of consolidating the new camp to send a messenger to the city. He insulted "heretic dog", followed by a series of provocative words, and finally left a message: " If you have the courage, come out and fight me, or else surrender the city!"

"This is provoking us." Ustaji Khan saw the opponent's intention. Obviously, he wanted to fight in the field, and Selim also wanted to fight in the field. Both sides wanted to determine the outcome in this battle.

The governor calmly made pre-war arrangements with the commanders present, and everyone was very confident in their own strength. Comparing according to the estimates of the scouts, the Safavid army has a slight advantage in numbers and is considered well-equipped.

Then he asked the messenger to send a reply: "Of course I have the courage to punish you on behalf of my monarch. If I withdraw my troops now and apologize, I may be able to avoid the fate of destruction."

Soon, the Ottoman scout responsible for monitoring the city gate quickly returned to the camp and reported: "Your Highness, the Persians have left the city."

Selim immediately summoned the officers, and then ordered his troops and horses to prepare for the battle. Under the guidance of several outpost battles, the Safavid army who left the city came to the flat land in front of the Ottoman army camp, where both sides lined up their troops.

Although the troops on both sides have not yet fully deployed, several red-headed officers suggested at this time: "General, the Roma army is still in chaos. If our cavalry attacks with all its strength at this moment, it can break the enemy's formation."

Ustaji Khan, who had been observing the enemy's formation, saw the enemy's army that had formed its formation and rejected the proposal: "It is not possible to attack with the entire army at the moment. Just send the rangers to receive the enemy's attack first."

Several groups of Kurdish light cavalry quickly ran out of the formation and galloped towards the Ottoman army, intending to detour to the side of the enemy's formation.

The Akinki cavalry deployed in front of the military formation immediately stepped forward to intercept. These irregular light cavalry, called "raiders", were an important part of the Ottoman army. They had no salary or fief, and their only income was loot. Therefore, in peacetime, they can plunder the borders of other countries without being bound by any armistice agreement.

The two groups of cavalry facing each other did not collide. Once they were close enough, they both turned their horses' heads and took the initiative to distance themselves.

The two teams of men and horses, both equipped with bows and arrows, tacitly used long-range weapons to attack each other. Due to their numerical disadvantage, the Kurdish light cavalry failed to gain the upper hand in the exchange of fire. Fortunately, they were protected by armor and there were no casualties due to the arrows. too much. But at the same time, the Ottoman army did not sit still. Selim ordered the Azab infantry deployed at the forefront to use bows and arrows to provide support for the cavalry on the flanks.

"Ah!" The centurion who was responsible for commanding these Kurdish light cavalry failed to dodge the arrows fired by the Ottoman infantry. Although his torso was protected by armor, the horse under his crotch was hit by several arrows and fell to the ground. He was pinned down by the injured horse and could not escape. .

Several horsemen around wanted to rescue the commander, but the Ottomans, who were getting closer and closer, failed to let them do so. More than a dozen people fell to the ground after being hit by arrows. Without the guidance and coordination of the centurion, each team of ten could only go their own way on the battlefield. Continue the activity.

After two blows, the tribal light cavalry, which was at a comprehensive disadvantage, could only retreat. The Ajinki cavalry immediately chased them and killed some Kurdish riders under their horses until they fled back to their own formation.

Ustaji Khan, who witnessed the entire battle, immediately ordered: "Let Daoud lead his troops to expel these Roma cavalry."

After receiving the order, the commander attacked from the Chinese army, preparing to use the numerical advantage to outflank the overly aggressive Ottoman army. However, the Akinki cavalry had no intention of engaging in a head-on battle with the enemy. Under the fierce offensive of the Safavid cavalry, they immediately retreated and Turn around and keep shooting.

Under the restraint of Ustaji Khan, the Safavid cavalry showed a lot of restraint and did not pursue and escape. After the first test back and forth, the battlefield became strangely calm.

"The enemy's army has deployed a large amount of infantry. It seems that the cavalry on both wings of the Roma army is much less than our army."

Based on this judgment, Ustaji Khan decided to let the strengthened two wings take the initiative to attack and defeat the Ottoman cavalry troops. The remaining Chinese cavalry and firearms at the rear of the military formation served as reserves to watch the changes on the battlefield.

The low sound of the trumpet conveyed the attack signal to the troops, and the smoke and dust raised by the galloping horses heralded the arrival of danger. This time, the Safavid cavalry no longer used bows and arrows to shoot at the enemy formation. They all used lances and scimitars to fight with all their strength to overwhelm the enemy.

Ustaji Khan's judgment was not wrong. The Ottoman flanks, which were smaller than the attackers, were indeed difficult to withstand the impact. Even the well-equipped Sipahi in the back row was overwhelmed by the sea of ​​people after joining the battle and was at a loss. .

Selim saw the current pressure on both wings, but he did not deploy the troops of the central army to support the two wings. Instead, he ordered the defense to be consolidated in place and the cavalry to retreat in time.

In this way, the battle situation was as Ustaji Khan expected. The Safavid cavalry easily repulsed the Ottoman wings. Currently, the only infantry units of the Chinese army remaining on the battlefield were unable to successfully withdraw from the battlefield while being entangled by the cavalry. , can only stay and fight to the death.

"The defeat of the Roma has been determined. I ordered all troops to attack them and encircle them." Ustaji Khan immediately ordered a general offensive.

The troops that had originally repelled the Ottoman flank no longer paid attention to the enemy troops who were "exiting" the battlefield or escaping into the center, and instead attacked the flank of the Ottoman center. The dense arrows fired by the Azab infantry failed to stop the Iranian war horses from trampling the military formation. The lances pierced the human body and the short spears penetrated the horses' belly. Find the book www.zhaoshuyuan. ｃcom After the impact, there is cruel mincing.

The Safavid cavalry leaned forward and used machetes to hack at the infantry on the ground. However, both the living people and the corpses lying around severely restricted the cavalry's maneuverability. As long as the warriors on horseback were not careful, they would be pulled down, whether they were Kurds or not. Even red heads are not immune.

These Ottoman infantrymen were more resilient than anyone present. Even Azab, who was regarded as cannon fodder, was not immediately dispersed. In the cruel mincing of meat, he was able to retreat behind him with the help of Jenicheli. In field fortifications.

The sound of gunpowder explosions sounded, and Yenicheri, who was deployed in the vehicle formation, operated a matchlock gun and a rear-mounted swivel gun to resist the Safavid cavalry offensive.

The attackers were helpless against the vehicle formation defense, even if fresh troops from the reserves joined in. It is difficult for arrows to kill the shooters behind the wooden planks. The reserve firearms unit only has "little hornets" carried on camels. Lead bullets and small iron bullets are difficult to destroy the field fortifications built by the Ottoman army.

The nearly 1,000 elite infantrymen stationed at these fortifications are the real trouble. In addition to the firearms that are already in effect, Yenicheri in the back row is also armed with cold weapons such as halberds, swords, and axes, ready to kill anyone who tries to break into the vehicle. As for the attackers, no one can doubt their professionalism.

The sound of trumpets conveying the order to retreat reached the battlefield, and the Safavid army, which had repeatedly attacked to no avail, had to retreat. Ustaji Khan did not want to waste his soldiers on useless efforts. At the same time, this just-in-time order saved his troops - after a while, the repelled Ottoman cavalry would serve as a powerful hammer and hit the Safavid army who was still troubled by the car formation.

Selim did not order the infantry and the prepared cavalry to pursue the Safavid army, which was retreating in an orderly manner. The development of the battle did not exceed his expectations. The only regret was that the artillery had not yet arrived.