The phalanx formation that Liu Mang formed is different. The first row is for the shield troops, protecting and guarding front, behind is 700 javelin soldiers, it took 35 people in one row with total of 20 rows.
The first row of soldier generally squat and align with the first javelin soldier’s row. The second row of soldiers, place their javelin on the shoulder of the first row. This can strengthen their destructive power. But the real essence of phalanx formation tactics lies in complete synchronization of all the soldier’s movements, so if they are not in line with the formation, it will compromise the tactics severely.
Therefore Liu Mang had been very strict on that standing formation because if even one person does not obey the command, it will compromise the phalanx formation and it can be broken by enemy easily.
That’s correct, this is the famous Ancient Macedonian phalanx, the phalanx formation strikes the enemy directly, and those 100 cavalry soldiers protects the flank so as not to be besieged in all directions.
Right now it cannot be compared with the late Han elite units such as Danyang soldiers, Formation Breaker , Great Ji soldiers and skirmishers of Ji Province, or with the White Feathered Soldiers or even Qing Province's elites! Liu Mang's prowess as a general is also nowhere near Gao Shun or Zhang Liao. Also it is nowhere near Qu Yi's force need not mention Liu Guan Zhang.
TL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macedonian_phalanx
TL: Qu Yi, Yuan Shao general known for his prowess defeating Gongsun Zan and on par with Zhao Yun
TL: White-feathered soldier is a heavy infantry unit that act as Liu Bei's bodyguard and was led by General Chen Dao
He can only have this tactic to compete with them, to work as one, unity as strength. If these elite units are wolves, then the present Urban Army are the sheep. If sheep work as one to attack, even wolves must retreat. 1000 people unity and striving to excel, can be compared to that of 5000 people.
TL: Urban Management Army is too tedious to write down, so from now on Urban Management Army is written as Urban Army