"Patrons only: A look into an interesting battle account" Topic

""In the fifteenth year of Shunzi (AD 1659), my clan brother travelled to Zhenjiang, and just happened upon the pirate (i.e. Koxinga) invasion of Zhenjiang, and all government troops in the city moved out to defend against the pirates. My clan brother was assigned to guard duty on top the city wall along with the locals, so he was able to witness the battle. (He saw) the government troops move out of the city and deploy at the river mouth, and from the river the pirate's giant ships reach the shore. (My clan brother) heard the sound of horn from afar, and the pirates swarmed to the shoal. (The pirates) numbered several thousand, and formed into a round formation, rattan shields facing outwards in all directions. Thousands of shields gathered together like one shield, hiding all (pirate) troops behind. Government troops rode out and charged forward. When they approached a hundred paces from the pirates, they pulled the reins and loosed the arrows. Yet the arrows did not penetrate (the shields), and the pirates did not budge in the slightest. Government troops sounded the gong and withdrew, then beat the drum and charged again. The pirates still did not move. The same scenario repeated thrice, and the pirate formation remained silent. (Suddenly) he heard about a dozen of rapid drum beats from the pirate formation, and the pirates let out a great shout and split into five formations, while government troops could only stare in astonishment. The centre formation drummed again, and the five formations shouted together and split into twenty-five formations. Centre formation drummed again, and the formations shouted again, then split into countless formations. (My clan brother) looked closely, and noticed that each formation consists of five troops. (They) scattered like fire sparks and sprinted forward. Government troops could not hit them, (and the pirates) seeped into our formation, dashing and slashing at the horse legs. (Our) arrows were useless, the horses spooked and injured by swords, (so the government troops) rushed back into the city. The pirates followed them in, and the city fell.""
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