Zhang Liang wasn't bothered by the destruction of a reconnaissance aircraft. With so many enemy soldiers and such a long front line, it was impossible for them to destroy all the reconnaissance planes.
Through the reconnaissance planes, Zhang Liang carefully observed the enemy's army.
This time, the enemy's army came from many lords, and they also had a supreme commander, a man sitting on a three-meter-tall mount.
This person was extraordinary, and his strength was evident at first glance.
The enemy had deployed many troop types this time, including common infantry, shield bearers, archers, spearmen, and several different types of cavalry. In addition to these, the enemy had a flying troop of several thousand.
These flying troops were magical beasts resembling eagles, about the size of a warhorse.
Besides the flying troops, the enemy also had a ten-thousand-strong mage corps and a modern firearm-shooting corps, along with various other soldiers.
With two hundred thousand soldiers, at least dozens of troop types, and commanded by a leader, this battle did not look easy.
But Zhang Liang would absolutely not be afraid. No matter how strong the enemy was, he would deal them the most severe blow.
The enemy also had many means. They dispatched numerous flying eagles, and soon learned of the news of Bai Qi and the others gathering their armies.
Bai Qi looked at the flying eagles circling in the sky and ordered, "Shoot them down!"
"Alright!"
Dozens of generals, powerful in strength, drew their formidable bows and unleashed waves of spiritual energy. With arrows like shooting stars piercing the flying eagles, the eagles dared not approach and could only soar in the distance.
For this battle, Zhang Liang felt it necessary to go to the battlefield himself. He used a Teleportation Stone to travel to Bai Qi's side and then summoned an ordinary warhorse.
"Minister Zhang has also come to personally command the battle," the legion commanders of the various armies said, cupping their fists to Zhang Liang.
"The enemy this time is not simple. Although their quality is lower than ours, their cultivation realm is above that of all our soldiers. We won a battle yesterday, but that doesn't mean the opponent is weak."
"They are prepared this time, and I believe the commander leading them is of no lower quality than us. They will certainly not give us opportunities like yesterday."
"We must go all out this time, exert our full strength, and not disappoint our lord."
Zhang Liang shared the information he had gathered with everyone, not overly optimistic. The enemy's strength was formidable, and their entire army's marching route was exceptionally organized and orderly.
They had been very successful in the past, eliminating many enemies. They had even destroyed many territories on the Mid-Autumn Festival. However, they were not invincible; they had simply not encountered truly powerful enemies yet.
"What does Minister Zhang think we should do?" Bai Qi wanted to hear Zhang Liang's opinion.
"Small-scale ambushes and traps, I believe, are no longer significant. After all, this is a dense forest, and the enemy's army is substantial. This battle will be a test of the true strength of both armies."
Zhang Liang considered many strategies but felt that the opposing commander would not fall for them. After all, they were top-tier commanders, and they would absolutely not make such basic mistakes.
Bai Qi also nodded and said, "I also feel that we must defeat the enemy head-on this time. However, we still need to make arrangements for the changes on the battlefield."
"We also have many troop types. As long as we reasonably utilize the abilities and skills of each troop type, I believe we can achieve unexpected results."
"I think so too. This battle is entirely an open confrontation. Yesterday, the enemy had no idea we would attack them, which is why it was a perfect surprise attack."
Zhang Liang nodded. Even in a head-on engagement, there were many things that could be planned.
Thus, the twelve legion commanders, along with Bai Qi and Zhang Liang, were diligently deploying their strategies for how to attack, adapt, and respond in this great battle.
The battlefield was full of changes. Their advantage was the abundance of generals under their command and many talented commanders who could lead their own forces. In many situations, as long as they seized the opportune moment, they could completely win the battle.
On a real battlefield, the quality of soldiers and who could seize the opportune moment determined who would have a greater chance of victory.
Zhang Liang and the others discussed for a long time, and they were still quite confident.
"Although the enemy has two hundred thousand troops, they are, after all, formed from multiple territories. Their coordination and movement will definitely not match ours."
"Moreover, the strength of the enemy soldiers will inevitably vary, and their coordination will certainly be uncoordinated. These are all things we can exploit to defeat them one by one."
Zhang Liang listed many of the enemy's flaws, causing the legion commanders to nod in agreement. Zhang Liang also outlined their respective attack directions for each legion.
Both armies had a large number of troops, and their marching speed was not fast. It was not easy for a battle to occur on the same day.
Zhou Yan also arrived at the territory in the afternoon and observed the situation on both sides. Both armies were still advancing towards each other.
However, they would be able to see each other by evening. Zhou Yan looked at the comparison of strength between the two sides and found the outcome difficult to predict.
After all, they had not truly clashed face-to-face, and no one could guarantee victory.
Zhou Yan was not overly concerned about the outcome. Even if they lost, with this force, their attempt to attack his territory would be nothing more than a pipe dream.
Moreover, if his territory's five hundred thousand Wyverns were all released, a single charge would likely annihilate the enemy.
If Zhou Yan truly wanted to win, he had plenty of means. However, this would not serve the purpose of training his troops.
Zhou Yan had naturally arranged for Zhang Liang, Bai Qi, and others to lead the troops in this battle to test the soldiers' combat effectiveness on the battlefield.
Only by facing a real battlefield could true training effects be achieved.
The two sides were separated by only a little over three hundred kilometers, which meant they could have encountered each other on the first day. However, both sides had deliberately slowed their march. Coupled with the fact that the terrain was not conducive to travel, their speeds were maintained at a constant rate.
By evening, the two sides were only fifty kilometers apart.
Upon reaching this point, Zhang Liang found a suitable location, had the surrounding forest cleared, and began to set up camp.
The enemy did much the same. Both sides, with tacit understanding, did not engage in battle immediately. Firstly, neither side was entirely confident about the outcome of the battle, and secondly, they did not know the true combat capabilities of each other's soldiers.