Before reaching the North Gate, we could hear a tumultuous noise from that direction, as if the ground was being overturned. Golden Thousand Stones exclaimed, "Commander, this is bad. It seems they are already engaged in combat."
I listened intently and said, "Hurry, it seems the rear forces are struggling."
I spurred my horse forward. My left arm still ached, but it was no longer a severe pain, so I assumed it was not a significant issue.
We had reached the North Gate, but it was a chaotic scene. Soldiers crowded the entrance, pushing and shoving, turning it into a mess. Some soldiers were knocked to the ground, but the people behind them paid no heed, continuing to push forward. People on the ground cried out in pain as they were trampled, yet the crowd behind them seemed deaf to their suffering. Amidst the soldiers, a few ragged civilians were caught in the chaos. The sky had darkened, and the torchlight flickered in the dimly lit area, casting shifting shadows on the faces of those present.
What had occurred outside?
At that moment, a junior officer pushed his way out of the crowd and ran towards me. I shouted, "Halt."
He came to a stop and looked up at me. I asked, "Who are you?"
The young officer instinctively stood at attention and said, "I'm Junior Officer Wu Wanling from the rear forces, reporting to the General."
I inquired, "What's happening outside? Where is General Luo Jingwei?"
Wu Wanling responded, "General Luo has set up camp outside the city and was arranging the supply troops to depart when suddenly countless Snake People emerged from all directions. We retreated back into the city. However, many of the city's residents who had previously left returned, causing a commotion and competing with our troops..."
I interjected, "Regardless of the situation, maintain discipline. Do not let chaos ensue. Who among the commanders at the city gate holds the highest rank?"
Wu Wanling replied, "We are the 5th Battalion of the rear forces, both Wanchiefs are with General Luo and have not entered the city."
I instructed, "Give the order for the soldiers at the city gate to maintain order. Allow the civilians to enter first, and then have our troops follow in an orderly manner. Anyone who disobeys the orders should be executed."
I said it, but inside, I felt a bit uneasy. The rear forces were not my jurisdiction, and if the soldiers continued to disobey, I had no real authority to carry out executions to enforce my commands. However, Wu Wanling remained composed and turned to shout, "Soldiers at the city gate, pay attention. Enter in an orderly fashion. Anyone who disobeys will be executed without mercy."
His voice was no less powerful than a thunderous drum. After his shout, the commotion at the gate instantly calmed down. Wu Wanling ordered, "Halt! After the civilians enter the city, each unit will proceed in order."
The soldiers at the gate, who had initially been disorganized, now quickly fell into formation under Wu Wanling's command. There was no need to execute anyone to assert authority.
Once there was order, the entry into the city proceeded much faster. There were about two to three thousand routed soldiers and several hundred civilians at the gate. Those several hundred civilians had likely left the city from the East Gate, hoping to go north, but the Snake People had blocked their way. Realizing it was a false hope, they had to flee back to the city. Once inside the city, soldiers ushered them to the side, where they were temporarily settled in a dilapidated watchtower on the city wall. Fortunately, there were only a few hundred of them, and once crammed into a watchtower, it was guarded by about ten people to ensure their security. They seemed somewhat numbed by their experiences and walked quietly. Among these civilians, most were women, children, and the elderly; there were hardly any young people. They mostly carried bundles, presumably containing food and clothing, as there was little chance to take valuable items out of the city. An elderly man even cradled a wooden lute.
Seeing that lute, my vision dimmed momentarily.
I wondered how she was doing now. Did she know that a junior officer she had barely met had such feelings for her?
At that moment, Wu Wanling shouted loudly, "Hurry, don't dawdle, enter in an orderly fashion." I glanced at the city gate, and all the civilians had already entered, and now it was the turn for the troops to come in.
As soon as the civilians entered, the remaining military units followed suit, taking just a moment.
Frontline Battalion had arrived by now. Lu Gongxing asked, "General Chu, where is General Luo?"
The city gate was clear, and I replied, "General Luo is still in combat. What should we do?"
At this point, I felt a bit lost. The Dragon Scale Army, combined with the Frontline Battalion, was only a little over two thousand people, while the rear forces alone still had twenty thousand. Although the rear forces were not known for their combat prowess, their numbers were significantly larger than ours. In a pitched battle, even with our two thousand troops, we wouldn't make a significant difference.
Lu Gongxing responded, "You stabilize the troops at the gate, and I'll go get General Luo back."
Before I could react, he had already led the battalions of the Frontline out of the gate. I asked, "General Lu, is this a good idea?" He didn't answer me and had already ridden out of the city gate like a gust of wind. Several of my former colleagues had also left the city, nodding or saluting as they passed me. The men quickly charged out of the city.
Golden Thousand Stones asked, "General Chu, what should we do now?"
I looked around and said, "We'll go up to the city walls."
The city gate was now filled with several thousand people. Outside the gate, General Luo Jingwei commanded roughly less than 15,000 troops. It was unclear how many of the attacking snake people were, but they had to protect the supply convoy while engaging in battle, making their victory challenging.
We had just climbed up to the city walls when we saw a convoy of troops retreating from the outside. I looked over and noticed that this unit was mixed with a large number of supply carts, presumably from the supply convoy. I said, "General Jin, please have a few men guard the drawbridge, and be very vigilant."
The supply convoy had retreated to the base of the city walls. Looking at them, they were in disarray. The supply convoy was not originally a combat unit, and although they had a duty to secure prisoners of war, they were not accustomed to the combat and slaughter on the battlefield. General Deyang, who had been in charge of the rear guard, was also dressed in soft armor, but there were already holes in his armor, and his body was covered in bloodstains.
As they entered the city, I called out, "General Deyang! General Deyang!" He looked up and saw me, saying, "General Chu, you must be careful. There are tens of thousands of snake people!"
Tens of thousands!
My heart skipped a beat. The snake people who had come to the south gate were certainly numerous in their approach, but the actual forces engaged in battle were only a few thousand. Could it be that their real goal was to encircle the city? I asked, "How is General Luo now?"
General Deyang replied, "General Luo is currently in a fierce battle. Without the support of General Lu, I'm afraid he won't be able to hold on much longer."
As if in response to my words, a thunderous explosion resonated from the front. I felt the ground tremble. About two miles to the north, a thick column of smoke rose into the sky, and I wasn't sure what had occurred.
It was another sound of gunpowder exploding. Was it General Lu using gunpowder? It's no wonder he was so confident. Back when he mentioned that Zhang Longyou might be the key to victory, perhaps he had already realized that swords and spears alone would not be enough to resist the snake people, and they needed to use these new weapons.
I couldn't help but admire General Lu for his strategic thinking. He managed to make the proud members of the Vanguard Battalion obey his command, which was no small feat.
General Jin handed me an umbrella and said, "General, please use this umbrella."
I considered for a moment and took it. With my left arm incapacitated, I could no longer fight with a weapon, so I would have to command from the city walls. However, I couldn't help but wonder why General Wuhou had sent only the Dragon Scale Army, a force of just three hundred soldiers, to the North Gate.
At this moment, General Jin said, "Commander, they're retreating."
Before I could dwell on it further, I heard someone shouting at the city gate, "All troops outside the gate, enter the city in an orderly manner. Anyone causing chaos will be executed!"
It was the voice of Wu Wanling. Just moments ago, I had ordered him to restore order, and he was still there. General Jin looked at me and said, "This person is quite capable."
Indeed, I thought. I remembered Yuan Kexiang from the Central Army, and with him around, if we could absorb and discipline this group of troops, it would undoubtedly elevate the fighting capabilities of the Dragon Scale Army to a higher level.
At this moment, there was a commotion at the gate, and I asked, "What's going on?"
General Jin leaned over the city wall to look down and said, "General Luo is back. He's seriously injured."
Luo Jingwei had returned? That's why Wu Wanling's orders were so effective. In Jin's words, there was a mix of schadenfreude and admiration. Each army had its own pride, and the Central Army was outwardly respected, but behind their backs, they were often referred to as the "Young Master's Army." The commanders of the Left and Right Armies were considered equals, and they both believed their troops were the strongest in the battle. After the departure of Lu Jingyu, the Left Army had lost its confidence, and the Right Army had a similar sense of loss, especially the Dragon Scale Army, which was the main force led by Shen Xiping, and they felt like defeated dogs. They still looked down on the Rear Army, believing they were just an auxiliary force.
When Warlord Wu set out, he had inspected both the Left and Right Armies but couldn't find any strong troops, so he reluctantly put together a group of people who barely met the criteria to form the Rear Army. Many held this view, and even some of the more scornful ones referred to Luo Jingwei as "Luo Jingwei Tail," implying that the Rear Army always came last. Now, after the Rear Army's valiant battle, even the usually proud Dragon Scale Army had to admire them.
Luo Jingwei's stretcher was carried onto the city wall. I walked over, handed the umbrella to the stretcher bearers, and knelt in front of the stretcher, saying, "Reporting to General Luo, I, Chu Xiuhong, the commander of the Dragon Scale Army, arrived late to assist in the battle. I deserve to die."
Luo Jingwei raised himself up on the stretcher and said, "General Chu, please rise. Jingwei was defeated on the battlefield, and that has brought you trouble."
His words were filled with a sense of desolation.
I didn't know what to say. Luo Jingwei was originally a brave general from the same generation as Lu Jingyu, Shen Xiping, and others. When they quelled the Hanluo pirates, he had also made significant contributions, but he was never granted a noble title. This time, during the suppression of the rebellion, he led the Rear Army, which typically had the role of cleaning up the battlefield and rarely achieved any great merit. Luo Jingwei likely felt a sense of injustice, especially with the death of Shen Xiping and the departure of Lu Jingyu, thinking that he might finally have a chance to stand out. However, in this battle, his ambitions were shattered.
I said, "General Luo, take good care of your injuries. There's no need to dwell on it."
Luo Jingwei on the stretcher replied, "Major Hu."
A middle-ranking officer nearby knelt down and said, "Major Hu, here."
Luo Jingwei said, "Major Hu, you must assist General Chu in holding the North Gate."
Hu Shi'an replied, "Understood."
As soon as he finished speaking, there was another commotion at the gate. Just moments ago, it seemed like it was two miles away, but now the noise was less than a mile away.
That must be General Lu Gongxing fighting and retreating. Leading fewer than two thousand troops, he alone was facing the Snake People. Even with the use of gunpowder, Lu Gongxing deserved to be called a renowned general. I couldn't help but admire him.
With Zhang Longyou at Warlord Wu's command, he should be able to achieve even greater success.
At this moment, there was another noise at the gate. Looking into the distance, the area outside the North Gate was already packed with people, and a cavalry unit at the front was rapidly retreating.
In the pouring rain, the sound of hooves still resembled a relentless drumbeat, unceasing. With every step closer, my heart grew heavier.
The Frontline Battalion led by Lu Gongxing had received reinforcements, but after this battle, I wondered how many more would be lost.
Although I was no longer a member of the Frontline Battalion, deep down, I still cared greatly for this unit.
Now, the retreating Frontline Battalion was approaching. Their armor had been soaked through by the rain, shimmering.
In such heavy rain, how could they still use gunpowder? I couldn't help but wonder. I said, "There's no time to think now." A knight rushed to the front and shouted, "Be careful, the Snake People are chasing us."
It was Xing Tiefeng, the Centurion of the 16th Battalion of the Frontline Battalion. He was the son of Lord Qingkuan, Xing Li, a civil official who held the position of Minister of Revenue. Xing Tiefeng was his third son but had been interested in martial arts from a young age. After graduating from military school at the age of nineteen, he joined Warlord Wu's army. He was also a follower of Pu Anli's faction and hadn't always seen eye to eye with me. However, seeing him now, I felt a wave of relief.
General Jin had arrived at the drawbridge and was waiting for the Frontline Battalion to enter the city before pulling up the drawbridge.
The Frontline Battalion rushed into the city like the wind. To my relief, it seemed that the Frontline Battalion hadn't lost too many soldiers. Just twenty to thirty yards behind them, there was a group of Snake People following closely. In the rain and darkness, it was hard to make out details, but they appeared to be well-organized and subtly different from the previous groups of Snake People.
This was the first night assault by the Snake People, and it appeared that they were far more dangerous at night than during the day.
As soon as the Frontline Battalion entered the city, I raised my hand, and General Jin and a few soldiers struggled to pull up the drawbridge.
The drawbridge was only halfway up when the vanguard of the Snake People arrived. They had formed a square formation, with the front row already reaching the edge of the moat. One of the Snake People extended its body, and its upper half was now on the drawbridge. It held a short knife and thrust it into the wooden plank of the drawbridge. With a swift movement, it crouched down, and its body was now lying on the drawbridge. This sudden addition of weight caused the bridge to slow down in its ascent.
If they managed to cut the ropes of the drawbridge, it would be troublesome. I was about to shout when suddenly an arrow flew out from the ranks of the Dragon Scale Battalion and aimed directly at the Snake Person.
This arrow was as fast as lightning, even matching the power of my Daylight-Piercing Bow. I couldn't help but be amazed that there was such talent within the Dragon Scale Battalion.
Before I could fully register this, the arrow had already reached its target. The Snake Person, balancing precariously on the drawbridge, was preparing to straighten itself up when the arrow reached it. With astonishing speed, it used its knife to block the arrow. With a resounding "clang," the arrow actually pierced the blade of the knife, its white feathers quivering.
Without giving the Snake Person a chance to react, another arrow was already on its way. This second arrow followed almost immediately after the first one, and the Snake Person, already struggling to keep its balance on the drawbridge, had no chance to defend itself. The arrow struck it in the head, and it tumbled off the bridge. As the bridge lightened due to its fall, General Jin Qianshi vigorously turned the windlass, raising the drawbridge.
The Snake People outside the city had now stopped. Looking down from the city wall, it was a sea of darkness, and it was impossible to determine their numbers. De Yang had mentioned there might be several tens of thousands, and it seemed like he wasn't exaggerating; there were at least twenty to thirty thousand, if not more.
When the Snake People attacked the South Gate previously, there were only around five to six thousand of them. Warlord Wu had fifty thousand soldiers guarding the South Gate. Now, at the North Gate, there were less than twenty thousand left, and only a fraction of those could still fight. Would they be able to hold their ground?
Fear started to creep into my heart.
At that moment, I heard Lu Gongxing shouting, "General Chu! General Chu!"
I turned around to see Lu Gongxing and the Frontline Battalion ascending the city wall. I saluted him and said, "General Lu."
He glanced at me and said, "The Snake People this time are different from before. Be careful."
He said only this sentence and didn't engage in further conversation with me. He had already assigned the various battalions of the Frontline Battalion along the city wall. With nearly two thousand soldiers now, he had reorganized this unit far more effectively than I could. I wasn't sure of his intentions, but the Dragon Scale Battalion was placed between the Fourth and Fifth battalions. Perhaps he wanted to ensure there was good coordination between my battalion and Qile's.
Once the defenses on the city wall were set, Qile came over, saluted me, and said, "General Chu."
He had been promoted to Centurion and had matured considerably. I smiled and replied, "Take care."
He responded, "You too, General."
For some reason, I felt like there was more to his words than met the eye.
Could it be that there are people in the Frontline Battalion who wish me harm? I scanned the surroundings, and everyone in the Frontline Battalion was focused on the enemy below. This section of the city gate was guarded by the Frontline Battalion and the Dragon Scale Battalion. The Rear Battalion that Luo Jingwei had brought back had also regained their military spirit, and Hu Shi'an was moving around, boosting morale.
It must have been my paranoia. I shook my head, and the Snake People had gathered below, a dark mass.
The most significant difference in this group of Snake People compared to the past was their strict discipline. The previous Snake People often acted individually, and their guerrilla warfare tactics were unstoppable in open combat. However, they were less coordinated during sieges. But the Snake People before us appeared to be a well-trained, disciplined force. How powerful would their attack on the city be?
The rain fell, soaking my hair and face. I brushed my hair back and said, "General Jin."
Jin Qianshi approached and asked, "What is it, Commander?"
I said, "Who was the person who shot the arrows just now? Please bring him over."
Jin Qianshi replied, "His name is Jiang Zaixuan. He's the Dragon Scale Battalion's top archer and probably the best in the entire army."
The best in the entire army? I couldn't help but smile. They didn't know Tan Qing, but Tan Qing undoubtedly had archery skills comparable to Jiang Zaixuan's. He told me he once competed in archery against a junior officer under Duke Wen's command, shooting at a target from five hundred paces. Tan Qing typically scored around 85-90 out of 100 shots, while the other person consistently scored over 90. Such accuracy could be called "a hundred shots, a hundred hits." Perhaps the Dragon Scale Battalion might not be the most potent force, but they were certainly the most self-assured. I didn't say anything and said, "Please bring him over."
Jin Qianshi called out, "Jiang Zaix
I said, "General Jiang, your archery skills are impressive. Are there others in the Dragon Scale Battalion who can match your skill?"
Jiang Zaixuan replied, "There are about five or six."
I said, "Gather them together and guard the rear. If the Snake People breach the city walls, use your arrows to suppress them."
Jiang Zaixuan lifted his head, showing a hint of excitement on his face, and said, "Under the Commander's orders, Jiang Zaixuan is willing to fight to the death."
I smiled and said, "It's better not to die if you can help it."
The Dragon Scale Battalion was accustomed to charging into battle. Archers like him couldn't fully utilize their skills during a charge. Thus, a remarkable archer like him was relegated to being an ordinary soldier. I watched him and his six companions ascend the arrow tower, feeling a sense of sorrow.
As soldiers like us, apart from killing, what other skills do we possess?
At that moment, the Snake People below let out a mighty roar. Snakes didn't seem capable of making such sounds, but these Snake People bellowed loudly. Although not as thunderous as drums, their shouts were certainly louder than my voice.
The Snake People were about to launch an attack.
I shouted, "Be vigilant, we mustn't let the Snake People climb onto the city walls!"
The Rear Battalion hadn't faced the Snake People in direct combat yet, and the retreating broken troops had shaken morale. If it weren't for the Frontline and Dragon Scale Battalions taking the initial brunt of the attack, I feared the Rear Battalion would have collapsed instantly, and Hu Shi'an would have been unable to control them.
The Dragon Scale Battalion soldiers had lined up along the city wall, and I stood by the edge, watching intently.
The Snake People below were lined up in perfect formation, with the first row holding large shields. Their shields weren't like the wooden planks used by the Mountain Battalion during the siege of the South Gate. These were genuine shields, each nearly twice the size of the ones we typically used. The first row of Snake People crouched securely behind the shields, protected from wind and rain. There was no way we could use arrows to hit them. If they continued advancing step by step, it would be challenging to resist.
To my right was the Frontline Fifth Battalion led by Qi Lie. The Fifth Battalion now had over seventy soldiers. Qi Lie stood at the far left of the Fifth Battalion, only a step away from me. When he had been my personal bodyguard, he was like a big child, but now he stood tall and composed, exuding the aura of a great general. His face remained stoic. I asked cautiously, "Lie, are you confident?"
Qi Lie turned his head, smiled, and said, "Commander, don't worry. We have the fire-thunder bombs made by Mr. Zhang. I'm afraid they won't even get
At this moment, the first group of snake people suddenly spread out from the middle, and a team of snake people swiftly inserted from behind, pushing a very long vehicle. In reality, this vehicle was just a collection of small carts with a long wooden board resting on top.
What are they trying to do?
I immediately realized it was a bridge-building vehicle!
Bridge-building vehicles are also used in the Imperial Army for crossing rivers and ditches, but the ones used by the Imperial Army look somewhat different, designed to be lightweight. The snake people's vehicles, on the other hand, were extremely crude, and if people were to push them, it would probably take dozens of them to move a single one. Even though the snake people were strong, it would still require over a dozen of them working together.
As this line of bridge-building vehicles arrived at the edge of the moat, I heard General Lu Gongxing shout, "Fire all the arrows!"
From the city walls, arrows rained down. While the arrows were rarely fatal to the snake people with a single shot, the snake people weren't daring to take their time. Thankfully, the snake people seemed incapable of shooting arrows, and their defenses remained vulnerable.
The group of snake people holding shields in front closed up like two doors, protecting the snake people pushing the cart. Their movements were uniform and disciplined, resembling well-trained soldiers. Although the arrows were as numerous as a heavy rain, they struck the shields like porcupine quills, rarely piercing through to hit the snake people. The soldiers of the Dragon Scale Army were getting a bit anxious, but I looked at General Lu Gongxing, who was positioned higher up, and he remained composed.
There must be a countermeasure, otherwise, Warlord Wu wouldn't have only sent our two armies, totaling just over two thousand men, to reinforce the North Gate. I had left the Vanguard Camp for only a few days, and during this time, perhaps Zhang Longyou had developed new weaponry. The "fire thunder grenade" that Qi Lie mentioned might be one of them.
The bridge-building vehicles were pushed to the edge of the moat, and the snake people suddenly gave it a mighty shove. Their bridge-building vehicles consisted of a long wooden board resting on two small carts. With that push, the front cart was now suspended over the moat, and over a dozen snake people pressed down on the back while the front was raised like a lever. The wooden board was about half a foot thick, two feet wide, with a groove carved into it, its purpose unclear. This design was quite sophisticated, and it was hard to believe that creatures with the appearance of cannibals could come up with such machinery.
At this moment, I recalled the pulley I had seen atop the flagpole at that time. The pulley was also crafted with great precision, beyond what an ordinary person could create.
To which side did the snake people belong? If there was someone controlling them from behind, who was that person? Moreover, the snake people's reinforcements were growing stronger. If it was just the snake people alone, it was hard to believe they would have such a significant advantage in such a short time.
Could it be that the army from Shandu was merely the vanguard sent by the snake people for reconnaissance? But when Shandu's troops arrived, they had a tremendous presence. If a hundred thousand troops belonged to only the vanguard, how many more would the follow-up forces have? When Shandu launched an attack, he had only deployed five or six thousand troops, which needed an explanation.
The snake people had placed two wooden planks over the moat. Suddenly, a cry came from the snake people's formation, and a massive flag waved continuously. Behind it, another vehicle was approaching slowly.
Someone with keen eyes shouted, "A siege tower!"
Indeed, it was a gigantic siege tower. This siege tower had the same design as those used by the Imperial Army, consisting of a massive wooden structure with large wheels and a pointed front covered with iron plates. However, this siege tower was about a third larger than the Imperial Army's largest siege tower, the "Invincible." The "Invincible" required the strength of two or three hundred people to move it, and although the snake people were stronger, this siege tower was also densely surrounded by snake people pushing it.
A siege tower of this size could likely breach the city gates with just a few strikes, and it could even be used to attack the city walls. The snake people had moved the bridge-building vehicle forward first, explaining the grooves on the wooden planks, which were intended for this siege tower. Almost everyone felt a chill in their hearts, including me as I looked at General Lu Gongxing, who also seemed bewildered.
Previous snake people had relied solely on brute force to attack the city, and while the Imperial Army couldn't match them in individual combat, with enough people, defending against them wasn't too difficult. However, this time the snake people were highly disciplined, their armor was well-organized, they possessed complete siege equipment, and their tactics were precise and regulated. Even the Empire's strongest forces might struggle against them. At first, despite our concerns, we weren't too frightened because we had defended against the snake people many times before. But now, no matter who you were, your confidence had already taken a severe blow.
It was as if we were all in shock, and the city walls suddenly fell into an eerie silence.
Then, two piercing notes of a pipa sounded from the city walls. Following that, a series of melodies began. Despite the heavy rain, the sound was incredibly clear, as if it was right in our ears.
It felt like a sudden rush of cold water had been poured over me, clearing my mind entirely. In the midst of the pouring rain, this music was clear as day, almost as if it was playing right beside us.
In an instant, I felt renewed and refreshed. General Lu Gongxing's voice rang out, "Who will go and destroy that snake people's bridge?"
The pipa music continued, growing more urgent, yet each note remained precise, sounding like thousands of iron hooves thundering towards us.
Lu Gongxing had fully regained his earlier composure and was directing with determination. At this moment, a resounding and spirited song suddenly rang out from the pipa music:
"Boldly soaring to the skies, Gazing from the heights, A boundless land stretches before our eyes, Brave men, shall we fear the burial of green hills?"
This song was filled with passionate and intense emotions, and the old man's voice, although aged, seemed to carry tremendous power, stirring the blood of everyone who heard it.
Amidst the song, someone shouted, "Anyone brave enough to fight, follow me!" Following this cry, a person descended from the city walls using a rope and shouted, "Those with courage, come quickly!"
It was Lao Guoji!
His troops from the Thirteenth Battalion were originally stationed at the main city gate, and now they followed him as he charged down from the city. Even though his battalion had suffered significant casualties and had received reinforcements, they still numbered only a little over fifty. However, these fifty-odd soldiers were considered the elite of the central army, each of them strong and agile. With Lao Guoji leading them, they charged down to the bank of the moat. At this moment, the battering ram was nearly at the other side of the moat.
From the snake people on the opposite bank, over a dozen jumped into the water and began swimming over. The snake people were naturally proficient swimmers, and without waiting for my order, Jiang Zaixuan and the others on the arrow tower had already begun shooting arrows. From the elevated vantage point of the arrow tower, they were all expert archers, and a volley of arrows from the tower killed half of those snake people. At this critical moment, Lao Guoji had already reached the two wooden planks. Several of them tried to move the planks, but they were incredibly heavy, and they couldn't budge them in the slightest. Lao Guoji shouted, "Use the fire bombs!"
I could finally see the fire bombs!
Lao Guoji and a few soldiers beside him simultaneously took out small fist-sized containers from their pockets and struck them with flints. However, it was raining heavily, and no matter how hard they struck, they couldn't get the fire bombs to ignite. Lu Gongxing shouted from the city walls, "General Lao, place the fire bombs on top of the wooden planks!"
Lao Guoji still tried to light his fire bomb with a flint. At this moment, Qilie shouted, "General Lao, be careful! The siege tower is coming!"
The massive siege tower had already rolled onto the track on the wooden planks. Many snake people were desperately pushing it forward. Arrows rained down from the city walls, and the snake people holding shields tightly protected the siege tower. Occasionally, an arrow pierced through the cracks, but the snake people continued to advance without concern for casualties.
When the siege tower pressed down on the wooden planks, both planks vibrated and creaked. Due to the rain, the tower, despite its bulkiness, was pushed forward even faster. Lao Guoji shouted, "Quick, place the fire bombs on top!"
He charged onto one of the planks without caring about the approaching siege tower. Another soldier climbed onto the other plank, and the soldiers on the shore threw the fire bombs into their hands. Lao Guoji quickly placed these fire bombs in the grooves on top, some accidentally falling into the water, which he disregarded.
In the blink of an eye, there were already more than a dozen fire bombs piled on that wooden plank.
Despite its grandiose name, the fire bomb looked unremarkable on the plank, resembling two stacks of small liquor jars. It was likely that Zhang Longyou had repurposed small liquor jars. I don't know why, but I felt like laughing. At this moment, Lao Guoji had jumped back to the shore and tried to ignite another fire bomb vigorously. However, there was no cover beneath the city walls, making it impossible for him to strike the flint. Fire bombs were thrown from the city walls, but the wooden plank was two feet wide, and hitting it accurately was challenging. A few hit the mark but didn't explode, with most of them falling directly into the water, producing no sound.
Lu Gongxing shouted from the city walls, "Don't waste fire bombs; quick, use fire arrows!"
He had attached an arrowhead with a torch to the bowstring. The torches were burning brightly, and he pulled the bowstring and released the arrow.
This arrow was precise and struck right in the pile of fire bombs. However, the rain was too heavy, and the flames were extinguished in an instant.
Soldiers on the city walls awakened as if from a dream and began attaching torches to their arrowheads and shooting them down. There were many torches placed on the city walls before because they knew that the snake people feared fire. However, the heavy rain caused many of these arrows to hit the wooden plank, only to be extinguished immediately.
I still had one hand holding onto a bandage, making it impossible for me to shoot arrows. At this moment, the siege tower had arrived at the pile of fire bombs, and it seemed that the large wheel would roll over them shortly. Lao Guoji shouted, "Someone from above, toss me a torch!"
Someone from the city walls threw down a torch. These torches were placed everywhere on the city walls ever since they learned that the snake people were afraid of fire. Lao Guoji caught it and shouted, "Does anyone else have fire bombs?"
A nearby soldier handed one over, and Lao Guoji took it. He then jumped onto the wooden plank and rushed toward the rolling siege tower.
He intended to sacrifice himself to detonate the wooden plank!
On the city walls, almost everyone was dumbfounded. Lao Guoji seemed to care little for his own life, paying no attention to the approaching siege tower, and set a fire bomb ablaze. He hurled it at the pile of fire bombs.
He was only one or two steps away from the rolling siege tower. If he couldn't ignite the fire bombs, he would have no chance to jump clear, and it was certain that he would be crushed in half by the wheel. Even though warriors are supposed to face death with courage, this way of dying was likely too terrifying for anyone.
At this moment, the siege tower had already rolled over the fire bombs, and I could hear the sound of the container breaking. Almost simultaneously, there was a massive explosion from underneath. The entire city wall shook for a moment. There was a thunderous "boom," and a thick plume of smoke rose. The left section of the wooden plank was shattered into two pieces, the enormous siege tower tilted and toppled, sprawling across the moat with a deafening sound.
This time, no matter how strong the snake people were, they probably wouldn't be able to push the siege tower any further.
As soon as the siege tower toppled over, there was a burst of cheering from the city walls, and a sharp roar emanated from the snake people's ranks. The group of snake people holding shields climbed onto the fallen siege tower, using it as a makeshift bridge, and charged across. From the arrow tower, feathered arrows flew down intermittently as the snake people advanced, shields raised, and disregarding everything.
Lu Gongxing shouted, "Quick! Pull General Lao up!" People had rushed to the edge of the city, extending their hands to grab the dangling rope. It was only then that I saw Lao Guoji, who had collapsed to the side, covered in blood.
Was he injured?
I didn't know the extent of the power of those fire bombs, but from the sound, it didn't seem minor. I also rushed to the edge of the city wall and used one hand to pull on the rope. Dozens of people who had descended from the city were vigorously climbing up.
If they were to face the snake people on the ground, no one would claim to be a match for them. Fortunately, the snake people on the siege tower were not climbing quickly, and the arrows from the arrow tower further slowed their ascent.
After the vanguard 13th battalion had all returned to the city, Lu Gongxing said, "Quickly take General Lao to the medical tent for treatment. The rest of you prepare more fire bombs; we cannot allow the snake people to climb the walls."
However, the snake people did not launch another attack. The snake people who had already climbed the siege tower saw that the Imperial Army had returned to the city, and with the resounding sound of a gong from their camp, they quickly retreated.
Their movements were well-coordinated; this group of snake people truly appeared to be well-trained and formidable soldiers.
I glanced at Lu Gongxing, who had a worried look on his face. Perhaps he was also pondering the same question. When the first snake person appeared in the city, he had these concerns, but at that time, Warlord Wu didn't take it seriously at all. Now in hindsight, those snake people must have played a role similar to scouts, notifying them as soon as we breached the city, which is why the snake people attacked at this moment.
If they had been adequately prepared at that time or had retreated promptly when the snake people first attacked, they might not have ended up in this situation.
Seeing the snake people retreat, the rear soldiers on the city walls cheered. They hadn't experienced the snake people's attack, and during the city's defense, we had barely suffered any casualties. Naturally, they thought we had won. However, they had not considered that if Lu Gongxing's vanguard battalion didn't have fire bombs this time, the city would have been absolutely indefensible.
It seems the snake people have become much smarter.
At this moment, Hu Shian came over joyfully and said, "Generals, General Luo is requesting your presence." His face was also brimming with excitement.
Lu Gongxing glanced at me and said, "Very well, let's go immediately. General Chu, we're going."
He had a strange look in his eyes, but I didn't mind that. I said, "General Lu, please."
General Luo Jingwei's stretcher was in an arrow tower. As we approached him, we knelt and said, "We pay our respects to General Luo."
Luo Jingwei struggled to sit up and said, "Generals, please rise." His words came out with great effort, and the effort flushed his face. We stood up, and Luo Jingwei continued, "General Lu, General Chu, this city's defense owes its success to your efforts. I express my gratitude to both of you."
He saluted us while still on the stretcher. We stood there and returned the salute. However, there was no joy in Luo Jingwei's eyes, and he seemed troubled.
Perhaps he also understood that defending the city in this manner was not a long-term solution. This battle cost us at least 5,000 soldiers, with two lieutenants from the rear guard both killed. What to do in the future was uncertain, and nobody could provide a clear answer.
Defending the city to this point was almost a miracle. Without Warlord Wu, I believe the snake people would have overwhelmed us during their first attack. Luo Jingwei was also a great general, and he must understand this. But now, with three gates under siege and uncertainty at the east gate, venturing out recklessly might result in significant losses, similar to the withdrawal of troops from the north gate. We have already missed the opportunity to withdraw, and I was unsure how to proceed.
Lu Gongxing asked, "General Luo, I'd like to know how you encountered the snake people's attack?"
Luo Jingwei was about to respond when he coughed twice. Hu Shian chimed in, "We were following Lord Junhou's orders to set up a camp outside the city while waiting for the supply train to exit the city. When the supply train was leaving the city, scouts from the defense outpost reported that a large army suddenly appeared on the northern road, their banners unclear. We didn't initially suspect it was the snake people. We had ordered our troops to be on high alert, but this snake people army advanced rapidly and attacked suddenly. Despite our strong defense, we were overpowered. If General Lu hadn't arrived in time to reinforce us, we would have suffered a complete defeat."
We all felt heavy-hearted. The snake people's offensive capabilities were growing stronger, while our morale was slowly declining. As their strength increased and ours decreased, it seemed that the day of the city's fall was not far off.
I suddenly said, "General Luo, I would like to request the transfer of one person."
Luo Jingwei asked, "Which person does General Chu want?" His words were somewhat hesitant. Asking for a transfer in this context might appear opportunistic.
I replied, "The junior officer of your army, Wu Wanling."
He breathed a sigh of relief. Wu Wanling was just a junior officer, and he probably didn't know him. Knowing that I wasn't requesting one of the key generals from the rear guard, he seemed less apprehensive. He said, "Very well, General Chu, you may take him with you."
After bidding farewell to Luo Jingwei, I returned to the city walls. There was still laughter and cheer among the troops, mostly from the rear guard. They thought they had won a victory, having suffered no casualties during the city's defense. However, I couldn't help but wonder how the snake people would behave during their second attack.
Back in my designated area, I witnessed soldiers from the rear guard chasing people out of the arrow tower. The disheveled city residents looked pale and bewildered. They didn't know if the lives they had just saved would soon be sacrificed here. Some of them stumbled in various directions, and an impatient rear guard soldier raised the butt of his spear, ready to strike. However, Lu Gongxing intervened, shouting, "Hold your hand!"
The soldier hesitated and withdrew the spear. Lu Gongxing walked over and inquired, "Who was playing the pipa a moment ago?"
A middle-aged woman pointed to an elderly man and said, "General, we asked this old man not to play, but he wouldn't listen."
At that moment, the old man emerged from the arrow tower, and the woman continued, "Old Mu, you almost got us killed!"
Lu Gongxing ordered, "Be quiet!" He approached the old man and said, "Kind sir, please leave."
A military leader from the Empire being so polite to city residents from the Republic was a rare sight. The woman was left dumbfounded, wondering if Lu Gongxing had taken the wrong medicine. The old man glanced at Lu Gongxing and sighed, "I apologize; I would feel unworthy of His Excellency. I didn't expect that you barbarians could also understand our funeral song."
His tone still carried a defiant edge. It was surprising how irritable this old man was, and the song he sang was a funeral song of the Republic's forces. When he spoke, the soldiers nearby immediately pointed their spears at him, ready to stab him through.
Lu Gongxing just smiled and said, "Old man, whether it's the Empire's forces or the Republic's forces, they're all just people. Get the people out of here through the east gate. Provide each of them with some rations, and do not hinder them."
After giving the orders, he turned and walked away.
I was left somewhat dumbfounded. I had assumed that I was the only one with a soft spot, but here was Lu Gongxing, the unyielding warrior, uttering those words. If the Empire's forces and the Republic's forces were both just people, then who was right and who was wrong in this war?
I shook my head in a little confusion. Gold Qianshi then said, "Commander, shall we go back to hand over our orders?"
I replied, "Alright. I'll bid farewell to General Lu."
I walked up behind him and softly called, "General Lu."
He was looking at the retreating vanguard unit. When he heard my voice, he turned and said, "General Chu."
I said, "I need to go back and report to the rear. Farewell."
He nodded and said, "Yes, I should go as well." I was about to leave when he suddenly added, "General Chu, be very cautious these days."
"What do you mean?"
I didn't quite grasp his meaning at first, but he had already turned away and returned to his own camp. I patted my head and said, "General Jin, let's go and report back."
During the city defense, the vanguard unit had played a significant role, but getting the fleeing troops orderly into the city was also an achievement for our Dragon Scale Army. We managed to prevent the snake people from seizing the drawbridge, which was a significant accomplishment.
Jin Qianshi called the roll and reported, "Reporting to the Commander, the Dragon Scale Army should have 306 men, but we have 305 men. Scout Wukqing is missing."
Wukqing was likely killed in battle, right? There were always some troops who went missing, only to be discovered as decomposing corpses not long afterward. Losing just one soldier might seem insignificant, but it still meant one life had come to an end.
I couldn't help but feel a bit somber. Just then, I heard someone say, "Reporting to General Chu, General Wu Wanling has come to report."
I looked up, and Wu Wanling was standing to the side. I smiled and said, "General Wu, you're here? Please join the formation."
As we retreated, General Luo Jingwei was carried out to greet us. When we mounted our horses, we all paid our respects to him. This once proud and mighty general had now become a humble, ordinary old man, despite not being very old.
Back at the West Gate, it was in a state of chaos. Fortunately, the Right Army, formerly led by General Shen Xiping, was a formidable fighting force. Although the snake people attacking the West Gate were numerous, they were not as well-equipped as those at the North Gate. Right Army had fought valiantly, suffered 2,000 casualties, but ultimately defended the city gate, leaving several hundred snake people corpses on the battlefield. General Chai Shengxiang might be a bit arrogant, but his combat prowess was unquestionable.
I instructed Jin Qianshi to arrange the Dragon Scale Army while I went to deliver my report. The Dragon Scale Army had reorganized into three companies, and I had appointed Wu Wanling as the Left Camp Officer. He was in charge of selecting troops and horses for the Dragon Scale Army. As a camp officer in the Dragon Scale Army, he was essentially equivalent to a Company Commander in the vanguard unit. It was a significant promotion for him in a short time.
I rode to General Wu Hou's central army tent to deliver my report. Along the way, I still saw the burnt and destroyed buildings. I wondered how Bai Wei and Zi Liao were doing. There was no word from the East Gate yet, so they probably managed to reach Wuyang City safely. I hoped they had arrived without incident.
For some reason, the more people I killed, the softer my heart became. My father was just an ordinary low-ranking military officer who dreamed of his son becoming a great general. So, he sent me to a military academy from a young age. Now, I am already considered a mid-level officer, barely worthy of being called a "general." Yet, in my heart, I detest war even more.
As I continued walking, I suddenly heard someone whisper, "General."
It was Qilie's voice. I looked to the side and saw Qilie sneaking up, followed by a few sergeants who were also saluting me. I scolded, "Xiaolie, what are you doing?"
However, he didn't seem pleased and said, "General, do you know if there's someone named Wukeqing in your camp?"
My heart stirred. That was the name Jin Qianshi had told me about, the one who went missing. Otherwise, I wouldn't have known. I asked, "What happened to him?"
"He was one of the staff officers in General Wuhou's command."
He only spoke a single sentence and then returned to the group of sergeants.
A staff officer in General Wuhou's command? This single sentence sent shockwaves through my heart. There were over ten staff officers in General Wuhou's command, including top-tier strategists like Gao Tiechong and individuals like Zhang Longyou, who had gained great fame due to their significant contributions. But many of them were relatively unknown. Anyone who joined General Wuhou's command had real talent and ability, regardless of their level of fame. So why did Wukeqing transfer to the Dragon Scale Army? Suddenly, my heart felt like it had been pricked by a needle.
General Wuhou is suspecting me!
That time when Laoguoji's kite flew into the snake people's camp, and the subsequent failed fire attack, which had been a foolproof plan, ended in disaster. At the time, I had considered the possibility of a spy leaking our secrets. But who in the army would betray us to the snake people? I couldn't fathom who might join the snake people. This strategy was only known to high-ranking officers in the vanguard and central armies. General Wuhou must have been thinking along the same lines. He was eager to withdraw his troops, likely to force the traitor to reveal themselves. My safe return from the snake people's camp was incredible, and I kept asking people about Laoguoji's plan at that time. Someone must have reported this to General Wuhou, and it's no wonder he would suspect me.
But as they say, man plans, and God laughs. Even with his capabilities, General Wuhou couldn't have foreseen that snake people would appear at both the West and North Gates. This strategy still failed. He had Wukeqing join the Dragon Scale Army to monitor my actions, right? It's no wonder why even Lu Gongxing had spoken to me in such a strange manner; he must have wanted to give me a hint. It's also no wonder that I was kept in the dark about advanced weapons like the fireball. It left me a bit indifferent. After countless battles, General Wuhou still suspects me. Does being a great general always come with such paranoia?
I rode my horse, letting it move at a leisurely pace.