Chapter 1,236 The Battle of Xuzehausen Cavalry

The furious Count Adalbert of Metz saw his eldest son assassinated in front of him by a despicable enemy.

The murdered Freibach was the first heir to the title, and the second son Odobach was too young.

He valued his eldest son very highly. It was obvious that even the Roman Emperor Lothair also took a fancy to this noble man who was in his prime and was content to have this man guard Kaiserslautern.

However, Freibach was murdered in an extremely humiliating manner.

The soldiers had never seen the earl so angry before. They saw the earl's flushed face still stained with tears, and he seemed to be crying when he raised his sword and shouted slogans.

The soldiers of the Metz Army all saw a great nobleman being murdered. As for whether they really want to sympathize with the count himself? At least the lower-level nobles who accompanied the army, such as knights and accompanying retinues, could sympathize with the earl.

The larger number of armed militiamen was simply a change in people's hearts. The fact that the Earl's eldest son was killed only exacerbated the already existing cowardice. Just because they haven't fought yet, they are still standing here with all kinds of weapons.

Now the Earl is finally taking the initiative to launch an attack!

Even everyone can see that the alliance composed of Metz and many nobles is weak in all aspects.

Adalbert, who was carried away by the rage, didn't care about anything. All the horses in the army were gathered up. Even the bad horses pulling the supply carriages were required to be ridden by warriors with a little bit of riding skills to fight.

As for Lothair's standing army cavalry who retreated after defeat, as long as their horses were healthy, they would still ride on them and fight again.

The Earl cobbled together a cavalry force of more than a thousand cavalry, and the quality was really hard to describe.

The sudden movement of Metz's army really disrupted Ludwig's arrangements on the other side of the battlefield.

Ludwig, who returned to the military formation, was surrounded by the Bavarian cavalry he had brought with him, and this cavalry team was also his last trump card.

"Oh my god! Is Adalbert really mad at my actions? Why do I see that he seems to be taking the initiative to attack me?" He said to himself in amazement at the strange movement.

The personal attendant beside him couldn't help but interjected: "Sir, they may be seeking death."

"Yes. You..." He looked around again and asked loudly: "Soldiers! Do you dare to confront their cavalry?"

The soldiers responded decisively in the affirmative with shouts.

Such words are really a kind of provocation.

After all, in the eyes of these heavy cavalry, they had trampled all the unyielding Slavic tribes in the east with their iron hooves, and they had not yet failed.

As for the Duke's failed expedition two years ago and a large number of brothers died in the battle, it is true. As for the specific situation, who knows? Based on the principle of seeing is believing, the elite soldiers stationed in the east dismissed all kinds of news as rumors because they had never seen it.

It was not until this year's war that they noticed that the Saxons, who were enemies at the time, had won as friendly forces, and for the first time they realized that the rumors about the "Spear Wall" two years ago were not false.

However, this part of the cavalry behind Ludwig was indeed undefeated.

Using cavalry to counter cavalry was a tactic that Charlemagne had used during his expedition against the Avars. The Frankish heavy cavalry proved its strength. This battle must be repeated, even if the enemy is also of the same race.

Although they are of the same race, the Bavarians do not regard the Metz people as real relatives.

The menacing Ludwig watched with cold eyes. He slowly pulled out his iron sword and gave a serious order: "Every flag team is ready! The trumpeter blows the trumpet!"

The sharp and piercing sound from the copper horn quickly attracted the attention of all the soldiers. The extremely large infantry was asked to stand by collectively. Next was the battlefield that belonged to the cavalry alone.

On one side were the 2,500 cavalry of the Bavaria-Saxony-Thuringia coalition.

On one side were 1,300 cavalry led by Metz.

The total amount of Metz's cavalry was obviously inferior, but a single cavalry was already an extremely obvious giant on the battlefield. Thousands of cavalry gathered and began to advance, and the sense of coercion that followed was still very obvious.

Look! The cavalry of the Metz Army has begun to advance slowly under the leadership of the Count himself! And this is what leads to the final sprint fight.

Although the plan was completely disrupted, the battle turned into a large-scale cavalry fight, which actually became a shortcut to quickly resolve today's war.

The "peeling the onion" tactic was completely suspended, and the Saxon and Thuringian cavalry remained as reserves on the battlefield.

Ludwig has arranged a new strategy for the assault, and he has made the most resolute response to the enemy.

Bavaria's last heavy cavalry regiment begins to attack!

The war horses began to canter, the ground began to tremble, and the barren grassland trampled by the dense horse hooves left a patch of black mud.

This little plain in the hills, fed by the river, was fertile land indeed, and soon it would be even more fertile, albeit tragically fertile, with the loss of so many warriors.

No one has thought carefully about the meaning of this war. Both sides have started to kill and annihilate the other side.

The difference was that Lothair himself was still in his palace in Strasbourg. As the supreme ruler of his own camp, he did not behave like a general who knew his troops well.

On the battlefield of Xuzehausen's small plain, Ludwig was indeed fighting with his cavalry regiment. It's just that he himself didn't charge to the forefront.

Looking at the Bavarian Army, the cavalry at the front of the battle formation all wear the hardest armor, and they are the only ones who even wear two pieces of plate armor on their thighs when they step on the stirrups. There is a layer of hard cowhide hanging on the chest of the war horse, and a large number of iron pieces are riveted on this leather.

Frank did not establish Eastern Roman-style heavy cavalry with both men and horses. It was not impossible, but in fact it was unnecessary.

Such equipment is enough to deal with the barbarians around the kingdom. Only this time, in order to ensure that the frontal impact can defeat the enemy with one blow, Ludwig temporarily strengthened the frontal cavalry defense, but in exchange, the cavalry at the end of the battle formation was left. A hard leather jacket protects the body.

The strongest cavalry are right in front of the formation, and they completely cover up the overall disadvantage of the cavalry at the rear.

The Metz army on the other side of the battlefield did not know this inside story. As they continued to advance, when they saw clearly that the enemy cavalry was like indestructible steel, it was natural for them to be timid.

Timid, frightened, excited, or just a blank mind, everything is meaningless.

Count Adalbert still held his sword level, but at this moment he was furious and gradually became calmer.

Metz's corps entered their final phase, and the cavalry group began its final charge.

Similarly, a larger number of Bavarian cavalry also began their charge.

Finally, the cavalry on both sides inevitably clashed head-on.

Even though the war horses instinctively avoided, a large number of horses still collided with each other. The powerful force directly cracked the skulls, broke the necks, and even exposed the red and white leg bones of the broken horse legs.

The soldier was thrown out directly, and then trampled to death by the hooves of the enemy and his own horses.

Even if they were not killed in the chaos, the cavalry soldiers who staggered over immediately pulled out the axes from their waists and began to look for enemies to fight on the spot.

The initial collision was the largest collision since the war began. The morale of the Metz army, which had been built up by the Count himself taking the lead in the charge, had been knocked down in this chaotic collision.

A large number of people and horses were lying on the grass in an instant. The horses twisted and squirmed trying to stand up, but their broken legs made all efforts in vain.

Most of the cavalrymen who fell off their horses were because the fertile grassland soaked by rivers and streams was extremely soft. After gnawing at the mud, they suddenly stood up and went into the fight with mud and grass leaves all over their bodies.

Who to attack? Whoever attacks me will fight back with all my strength.

Even if it might lead to an own mistake, no one would care anymore if they were completely involved in a cavalry battle.

While riding their horses, the cavalry wielded swords, spears, and even frequently used the traditional Frankish trick of throwing hand axes.

The cavalry who were forced to dismount would use their weapons to chop off the horse's legs, or pull the rider off in depth.

The battlefield seemed to have turned into a pot of oatmeal stew. Ludwig himself was still on the outside. The battle turned into this, which was beyond his expectation. Fortunately for him, he was still on the periphery. How could he organize his troops to take further action if he got into a chaotic war?

The thickest armor had an effect. The Metz army's iron sword couldn't break the armor when it was slashed, and the sword made of wrought iron was bending rapidly. The hand ax finally became the most practical weapon, and the gradually chaotic battlefield turned into a blunt weapon attack between the two sides.

The shoulders were smashed, the wrist holding the sword was smashed, and there were many people who had their skulls cracked.

The Metz army, which was gradually outnumbered, was in decline. What was even worse was that the soldiers could no longer see their lord count!

Could it be that your Excellency has been killed in the rebellion?

Adalbert was just a mortal, and even if he was given a noble status, he might still have his head chopped off by an ordinary warrior. His human existence itself has little meaning. Ludwig himself, outside the cavalry chaos, just wants to end the chaos victoriously as soon as possible.

He immediately gave orders to the Saxon Army and Thuringian Army on standby, so the more than 400 cavalry prepared joined the battle as a tactical reserve with extremely strong physical strength.

Using axes and swords to kill the panting enemy, it was obviously a smooth battle. Thuringian Marquis Thakurf, who planned to keep fishing until the end, seized the opportunity and suddenly showed off, "I am also a brave and loyal minister."

Look at this man! Takulf stood on the saddle with a high profile, waving the iron sword in his hand wildly, and shouted "thiuringen". His men were extremely excited by the power of the Marquis.

"Thuringia! Think I can't see you?! Takulf, are you a bard (referring to an actor)?" Ludwig couldn't ignore the sudden arrogance of the guy, even if Takulf bared his teeth. Like a clown, the Marquis of Thuringia himself indeed fulfilled his vassal obligations and participated in the war personally.

Compared with Takulv's flamboyance, Liudov's Saxon "Black Cavalry" is extremely low-key.

Liudov personally brought his own personal guards and half of the guards obtained from his son-in-law, which was enough for three hundred cavalry. They are by no means ordinary warriors. They have extensive living experience in Denmark or are Danes themselves. Not only can they maintain the bravery of the Norman pirates, but more importantly, this part of the army was built by Liudov with considerable resources.

The guards acquired from his son-in-law are even more unique. In a sense, this team called the "King of Mercia's Guards" is essentially built according to the standing army of the Kingdom of Rus, and was funded by Rurik himself. The de facto eldest son of the legitimate King of Mercia.

They were heavily armed with real, flexible Ross steel swords, and were all clad in plate armor. Compared with the smart small shield used by Frank cavalry leg guards, their left leg is a large Viking shield with a cross mark on the inside, and the right leg is a commonly used small shield, which is more sophisticated in terms of protection.

They slashed and stabbed, and the Saxon cavalry quickly accelerated the collapse of the Metz cavalry.

The battle seemed to be just a fight between cavalry, and all the infantry became spectators.

The infantry of the two armies, who were passive spectators, had completely different feelings.

Ludwig's army was accompanied by his two important allies. When the soldiers saw their cavalry pressing down on the opponent, the soldiers' cheers turned into a low and penetrating roar. They were eager to give it a try. After all, as soon as the cavalry ended the battle, the infantry attack would begin.

Metz's cavalry could no longer continue the chaotic fighting. More and more soldiers were dying, and the enemy still had a very obvious strength advantage.

"Let's go! Back to Strasbourg! It's over here."

Obviously such a cry is not direct enough.

Until a soldier belonging to the troops directly under Lothair suddenly shouted: "The battle is defeated!"

Just a very simple word, instantly destroyed the last perseverance of the cavalry who were struggling to persist.

Let the Lord Count go to hell! The cavalry loyal to the Roman Emperor Lothair, Baron Salgau, and Baron Briscoe no longer wanted to serve Count Metz. Their remaining troops voted with their feet, turned their horses' heads, and launched a reverse charge.

How did the Metz army, which was still on standby, feel when they saw cavalry charging towards their camp? !

The cavalry unit has clearly been defeated! And this group of cavalry rushing over are Bavarians! It's the enemy!

It is a grave sin to flee or retreat without receiving clear instructions. The count's life or death is uncertain and he may already be dead. No one came to this conclusion. The infantry soldiers were nervous and trembling. However, the cavalry who rushed over had no intention of rushing into the formation. Miraculously, they rushed through the mountain pass from where they came.

"Not an enemy, but a defeated friendly force."

However, the cavalry that rushes in the next round are really enemies.

Ludwig saw that the time had come. Although the development of the battle was not what he had initially expected, the results so far were ten times better than he had expected!

The Metz infantrymen covered their heads with shields and stood as still as possible to accept the cavalry attack.

The cavalrymen from Bavaria, Saxony, and Thuringia, all covered in blood, flew in front of the formation like eagles. They poked the gaps in the shield with swords and short spears, and also tried to use the huge bodies of horses to intimidate and create openings.

The people of Metz screamed in terror, wet their pants with fear, and their grip on the ax became slack.

At least they did not retreat, because there were still people maintaining the minimum order of the army.

Although most of the vassal knights had died in the chaos, they almost brought their heirs (eldest sons) with them when they went to war. The son of a knight is born into a noble family. If the knight dies in battle, the eldest son will inherit the title directly by default, even if a succession ceremony is required and everything is put on hold on the battlefield.

Most of the time, their fathers were killed in battle, and the vigorous young people couldn't bear the bad breath. They are already fulfilling their father's duty - loyalty to the Earl's family.

Under the constant harassment and attacks of the victorious Ludwig Army cavalry like vultures circling, the Metz Army infantry was unable to make any counterattack, and even if it did, it was only a personal act. They were still struggling to hold on, but their friendly forces completely collapsed.

There were deserters everywhere. When the infantry participating in the battle in Sargao and Brisgau discovered that the cavalry fleeing towards the mountain pass actually had some of their own. The brothers have fled, why do you stay on the battlefield?

The dilapidated houses clinging to the ruins of the village of Xuzehausen could hold on for a while longer. Only Metz's army persisted. All the friendly troops began to abandon their helmets and armor and flee. In order to escape quickly enough, many people simply ran on foot with bare hands. It seemed that the only way to escape was to When we came back from the mountain pass and entered the Roman road in the narrow mountain col, everything was safe.

Ludwig was watching the battle on horseback at the front line. His mere presence gave the entire army strong morale.

He didn't care how many corpses of his own troops were lying on the battlefield, and he had no time to care about the wounded soldiers, nor did he try to find Adalbert's body among the corpses. It didn't matter whether the Count was alive or not. Ludwig was keenly aware that there were still a large number of infantrymen struggling to hold on on the enemy's surface, and there were moving figures everywhere behind their array.

"It's all over! It's time for the infantry."

He took a deep breath and ordered the accompanying flag bearers to raise and lower the Three Lions flag in succession. The flag had eye-catching red and yellow colors and was a very eye-catching presence on the overall dark green battlefield.

The infantrymen who had been watching the battle for a long time got the clearest signal!

Ludwig's more than 20,000 infantry, 3,000 Saxon infantry, and 900 Thuringian infantry began to attack...