On the third day, Cheng Mo received a message from Qiao Ziqiu, informing him that he, along with Prince Rong and the Nan Yue Navy led by his maternal grandfather, had completed the naval encirclement. As night fell, Mr. Du personally led a group to greet the convoy carrying tea seed oil back to Haifang City and escorted it directly into the inner city.
On the night of December 24th, when the tea oil, mixed with the viscous fierce fire oil, was ignited and the flames, shrouded in thick smoke, shot up towards the sky, it marked the beginning of the battle. This was the first phase of what would be known as the "Wolf Extermination Battle"—luring the wolves out.
As night descended, the phantom city of Haifang appeared even more menacing in the darkness. Huo Changlin led the vanguard of the Southern Expedition Army, lying in wait outside the city, ready for a coordinated attack from within and without. Cheng family's elite warriors moved stealthily within the city, preparing to open the gates.
Tong Biao, leading the Feng Division warriors who had long been hidden inside the city, moved silently through the well-mapped streets and alleys, eventually reaching the inner side of the city gate. They used prearranged signals to communicate with the First one of Wind, Feng Yi outside the city. A low, throaty bird call sounded, and the gate slowly creaked open, revealing a hidden passage.
Huo Mingcheng and his cavalry, leading the vanguard, surged through the gate like tigers pouncing on prey, charging straight towards the inner city. In their hands, they held torches that ignited the fierce fire oil that had been prepared in advance. The flames spread rapidly, and the night sky over the city was soon bathed in a fiery red glow.
Encirclement and Siege
Amidst the flames, the alarm bells of the inner city rang out, piercing through the night. The pirates within Haifang City were thrown into disarray, hastily gathering their forces to repel the sudden attack. The armies led by Cheng Mo and Huo Changlin quickly seized key positions in the outer city, forcing the scattered Wa pirates and rogue pirates to retreat into the inner city.
Outside the gates of the inner city, Huo Changlin personally commanded the Southern Expedition Army in forming a complete encirclement. The soldiers of the royal army lined up in the central square, while Huo Mingcheng split the cavalry into two squads, sending them galloping in crisscross patterns. The cavalrymen nocked their arrows and launched a fierce barrage at the enemies on the city walls. Arrows rained down, keeping the pirates atop the walls pinned down, unable to lift their heads.
Cheng Mo directed the local garrison troops, who took up positions on the walls, shooting arrows in coordination with the cavalry's assault. Below the walls, the Wa and rogue pirates stubbornly defended the inner city gate, desperately trying to fend off the royal army's advance. Under the fiery glow, the battlefield resounded with the din of battle.
The Siege with Ladders
Seeing the situation, Huo Changlin immediately ordered General Chu's heavy infantry to initiate a ladder assault on the city walls. They formed a shielded phalanx, protecting the soldiers as they advanced toward the walls. Under the cover of these shields, the troops quickly set up siege ladders and began their ascent.
Cheng Mo and Huo Changlin stood back, calmly assessing the unfolding battle. They knew that capturing the walls was just the first step; the real challenge was to completely dismantle the enemy's defenses. The soldiers on the ladders showed great courage, climbing steadily upward despite the rain of arrows from the defenders on the walls.
Hostages Brought Out of the City
As the siege reached its most intense phase, the city gates suddenly creaked open again. A group of over a hundred Yunmeng citizens, their hands bound, were pushed outside the gates. Their faces were filled with fear and despair. Behind them stood pirates and rōnin, brandishing swords and glaring menacingly, ready to strike at any moment.
Cheng Mo's heart tightened at the sight. His eyes scanned the group of citizens until they settled on a few familiar faces. Among them were Mr. Du and several members of prominent merchant families. The pirates had taken them hostage, hoping to use them as leverage against the allied forces.
Huo Changlin exchanged a glance with Cheng Mo, quickly adjusting their tactics. They understood that a reckless attack could lead to the deaths of innocent people, but retreating would only embolden the enemy.
Taking a deep breath, Cheng Mo called out loudly, "Pirates, do you think this will stop us? We will not abandon any of our people, but we also won't allow you to continue your rampage!"
At this point, the battle entered a deadlock. Small skirmishes and a tight siege continued to press on the inner city, where food and supplies were running dangerously low. Soon, it was the night before the Lunar New Year's Eve. Reports came in that the enemy was planning a major move, prompting Cheng Mo to join Huo Changlin on the city walls.
Looking out, they saw the inner city gates wide open again. In front were Mr. Du, the other prominent merchants, and the Yunmeng citizens who hadn't managed to escape. Behind them, a large group of Wa women and children were huddled together, crying and screaming as they were pushed forward by the original Haifang City officials and the pirates wielding long swords.
Cheng Mo quickly formulated a response. He ordered the vanguard to cease their attack and hold their positions to avoid further provoking the enemy. At this moment, the city's chief officer, dressed in Yunmeng court robes, appeared on the inner city walls, shouting, "King Mo, withdraw your troops, or we will begin executing hostages after one incense stick burns out!"
Seeing this, Huo Changlin immediately ordered his troops to lower their weapons and retreat to avoid inciting the enemy further. The Wa pirates, sensing an opportunity, used the hostages as human shields, advancing step by step, hoping to use the lives of the captives as bargaining chips. The situation became increasingly tense, with the atmosphere thick with anxiety.