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墨書 Inktalez
This manpower can sometimes be exhausted, but one must do their best and await fate. Even the Jingzhe Thunder is not an endlessly expendable resource. After repelling two waves of attacks, the Jingzhe Thunder ultimately ran out.
The Xu Zhen was well aware of the reserves of Jingzhe Thunder. Although this miraculous item possessed immense power, its production was extremely resource-intensive. In a small place like Tuyang City, it was naturally impossible to replenish it in a short time. With the deterrent of Jingzhe Thunder gone, Gao Yanshou's forces began a frenzied assault on Tuyang City!
Relying on the unmatched might of Jingzhe Thunder, Xu Zhenbu's troops had already annihilated hundreds of enemies. However, for Gao Yanshou's army of twenty thousand, these hundreds were hardly a threat to his foundation.
Under the relentless urging of the Commander and fueled by deep-seated hatred for their fallen comrades, the Goguryeo soldiers charged forward with fierce momentum!
The Xu Zhen's forces formed a shield wall to withstand the enemy's rain of arrows. The archers behind them seized any opportunity to counterattack. Although they shot down many enemy soldiers, it was ultimately insufficient; Tuyang City resembled an ant nest before a flood, at risk of being swept away at any moment!
Taking advantage of the cover provided by the arrow rain, the Goguryeo soldiers finally managed to set up several siege ladders against the city wall. The Xu Zhen was not to be outdone; her auxiliary troops had already transported boulders, timber, and boiling oil to the city wall. As white feathers rained down like arrows, the attacking enemies were swept off like ants on chopsticks!
However, these soldiers were now in a desperate situation; seizing any opportunity, they charged recklessly. The Xu Zhen wielded her long sword, creating a flash of silver as she deflected all feathered arrows, covering Zhou Cang. Zhou Cang, with his great strength, kicked over one of the siege ladders. The enemies on the ladder struggled desperately and ended up entangled with another ladder nearby, causing both to topple and creating two gaps in the enemy lines!
Taking advantage of the chaos, the defenders on the city wall thrust their spears through the gaps in the shield wall, stabbing down all enemies attempting to ascend. The siege ladders were kicked over one after another, and Gao Yanshou's siege plans once again ended in failure!
Without the ladders, these soldiers were subjected to a barrage from the archers on the city wall, suffering countless casualties as bodies piled up at the foot of the wall!
The Goguryeo army lacked much strategy for siege warfare; however, after Sui Yangdi's three campaigns against Liao, these Goguryeo people had learned from experience and absorbed siege tactics from Sui Dynasty forces. Now that their ladders were ineffective, they resorted to brute force by cutting down bamboo and wood for makeshift ramps and ordering many local laborers and auxiliary troops to transport sand and stones in an attempt to build a fish-leaping path!
This fish-leaping path was used during Sui Yangdi's campaigns against Liao; it involved wrapping sand and stones in cloth bags to create a sloped road leading up to the city wall for charging during sieges. Given the vast difference in numbers between both sides, if Gao Yanshou succeeded in constructing this path, breaching Tuolang would only be a matter of moments!
Zhang Jiunian understood this well; Gao Renwu and Xue Rengui were also talented commanders who would not allow their enemies to succeed easily. They quickly ordered prepared stones to be loaded onto throwing carts for aerial bombardment on the enemy's rear!
The enemy's laborers and auxiliary troops had no defenses; not even vine armor was worn. They were crushed by falling boulders from above. Although not as powerful as Jingzhe Thunder, it still resulted in carnage on site, causing Gao Yanshou to erupt in fury!
In his eagerness for achievement and underestimating Tuolang's garrison strength, he led his troops from Gaimu City with light equipment and minimal supplies. However, he still had some siege machinery like crossbows at hand. At this moment, he immediately ordered them pushed forward to launch attacks against the city wall!
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
The walls of Tuyang City were not tall and had fallen into disrepair, making them weak. After being bombarded by the enemy's crossbows and catapults, the battlements were reduced by half!
Seeing this, Gao Yanshou was overjoyed, realizing victory was within reach, a surge of heroism welled up within him!
Princess Jinyang furrowed her brow and ordered the Throwing Cart to change direction to specifically attack the enemy's catapults and crossbows. However, there were not many large stones left in the city. In a moment of desperation, Zhang Jiunian commanded the auxiliary troops to transport all the grinding stones from the city to use as ammunition!
This tactic proved effective, immediately destroying three of the enemy's catapults. However, the enemy's numbers were overwhelming; Tuolang and Garrison could hardly hold them back. Taking advantage of the cover provided by the catapults and crossbows, Gao Yanshou's forces began laying down a path toward the city.
The enemy suffered heavy casualties as well, but Gao Yanshou was determined to completely take Tuyang City and never ceased his assault on the fortifications. Meanwhile, Princess Jinyang's side was severely depleted; their reserves had long been exhausted, and the situation was extremely critical!
As the enemy's path continued to rise and extend toward the City Wall, the soldiers' arrows became increasingly scarce. Under attacks from the enemy's archers and stone-throwing machines, Brothers also suffered significant losses.
At that moment, however, a cavalry force emerged from behind Gao Yanshou's troops, all clad in armor with gleaming spears—clearly an elite unit. The leader wielded a specially made broad-bladed saber, his impressive beard catching attention; it was none other than Han Fuqi from Yingzhou Prefecture, who had previously clashed with Princess Jinyang!
Han Fuqi hailed from Liaoxi and was known for his bravery in battle. After receiving intelligence about the situation, he set aside past grievances and followed Zhang Jian's orders to mobilize two hundred Guards from the Governor's Office. He galloped here upon realizing Princess Jinyang’s forces were struggling while Tuolang was on the brink of collapse!
Though these two hundred Guards did not have a numerical advantage, they were exceptionally well-equipped. Leading the charge, Han Fuqi and his cavalry surged forward like a torrent of steel, breaking through the enemy formation like a plow cutting through calm waters. They carved out a bloody path straight toward the greatest threat to Tuolang—the crossbows and stone-throwing machines!
With a single swing of his saber, Han Fuqi sent an opposing commander flying off his weapon as their horses brushed past each other. Turning back with another strike, he knocked the enemy off their mount. He charged ahead unimpeded; no one could stop him. The archers hesitated to shoot for fear of hitting their comrades, while some skilled marksmen attempted to risk firing Cold Arrows but were thrown off by the advancing cavalry.
The crossbows and stone-throwing machines were at the heart of their formation. Although Han Fuqi’s cavalry was fierce, they faced constant obstacles once they entered the military formation, becoming mired as if trapped in quicksand; their momentum quickly diminished.
Fortunately, there were not many Guards around the crossbows and stone-throwing machines. After Han Fuqi’s relentless assault, these weapons finally ceased operation.
Princess Jinyang watched clearly from the City Wall; seeing Han Fuqi daringly lead just two hundred Guards into battle made her previous disdain for him vanish instantly!
Now that chaos reigned among the enemy forces, it was an excellent opportunity for a countercharge. If she hesitated even for a moment, Han Fuqi’s two hundred cavalry would be swallowed up by the enemy!
With Han Fuqi risking his life to save them, how could Princess Jinyang stand idly by while he fell in battle? She immediately raised her sword and commanded: "Open the gates! Charge!"
Gao Renwu couldn't help but frown. Han Fuqi's willingness to risk his life for the rescue was indeed moving. Xu Zhen, being grateful and unwilling to watch Han Fuqi and the two hundred Cavalry sacrifice themselves in vain, was understandable. However, Xu Zhen failed to consider one crucial issue: if they rushed out recklessly and were unable to successfully repel the enemy, Tuyang City would be doomed!
Once the city was breached, countless soldiers and civilians within would surely suffer. To save two hundred Cavalry while disregarding the lives of all the city's inhabitants was incredibly foolish of Xu Zhen!
Nevertheless, Xu Zhen had her own concerns. If she stood by and watched Han Fuqi's team perish, the morale of the troops would undoubtedly plummet. If Gao Yanshou's forces attacked again, how could Tuyang City possibly hold without any long-range support?
Given this situation, it would be better to leverage this morale and take the initiative to strike back amidst the chaos!
Xu Zhen took the lead, closely followed by Zhou Cang. Five thousand Tang Soldiers mounted their horses and charged out of the city, launching a suicidal assault against Gao Yanshou's forces!
The enemy was already caught off guard by Han Fuqi's sudden attack and did not expect Xu Zhen to abandon defense for an offensive maneuver!
Attack is the best form of defense. Although it seemed somewhat reckless, it proved that Xu Zhen's decisiveness was indeed correct!
The thunderous hooves of five thousand Tang Cavalry pounded against the earth, and just this momentum alone frightened most of the enemy into retreat.
These Tang Soldiers were Imperial Guards trained over the winter; their combat skills were unquestionable. Now that they had burned their boats with no way back, each one fought with a sense of duty as if facing death. They were equipped with superior gear far surpassing that of their enemies, resulting in a significant impact during their charge as they trampled through the enemy ranks, creating a terrifying path of blood!
Seeing Xu Zhen personally risking herself to lead a rescue made Han Fuqi's heart warm. He thought it was worth his life to assist her. His Guards fought fiercely like wolves among the enemy ranks, cutting through them as if chopping vegetables!
Gao Yanshou was greatly alarmed and issued several commands in quick succession; however, his troops were in disarray. Even his supervisory team was slaughtered by Han Fuqi's Cavalry, making it impossible to organize any fighting order!
"Hold your ground! Hold on!" Gao Yanshou shouted as he brandished his spear and charged toward Xu Zhen. She showed no fear and swung her long knife to engage him in battle!
Gao Yanshou was an experienced veteran from Goguryeo, ruthless and cunning. Relying on the advantage of his long weapon, he managed to fight evenly with Xu Zhen!
Zhou Cang saw that his Lord was at a disadvantage and swung his broad knife around like a door panel, blood spraying everywhere. He didn't know how many heads he had severed; arrows were lodged in his thigh and back, clearly having been hit by hidden arrows more than once. However, with Zhou Cang's brave and reckless nature, what did those hidden arrows matter?
Gao Yanshou had the upper hand and felt pleased; as long as he could bring down Xu Zhen from her horse, Tuyang City would surely fall into chaos without leadership, bringing this battle to an early conclusion!
However, at that moment, a tall Tang army soldier rode in on a rare Dragon-Blooded Steed like a black whirlwind, cutting through the ranks of soldiers who fell to the ground, unable to withstand his might. It was none other than Zhou Cang, who had come to protect his master!
"Clang!"
Zhou Cang's broadsword struck down with earth-shattering force, and Gao Yanshou felt a sharp pain in his hands as his spear was knocked away. Zhou Cang's blade came slicing down again, causing Gao Yanshou to panic and hurriedly duck to avoid it. The Dragon-Blooded Steed beneath Zhou Cang was accustomed to battle; it neighed loudly and reared up, kicking Gao Yanshou off his horse!
Gao Yanshou's guard fought desperately, sacrificing over ten lives just to drag their commander out and protect him heavily as they retreated to the rear!
With their commander defeated and the enemy fierce as wolves and tigers, the official troops of Gaimu City were filled with despair and had no courage left to fight back, fleeing in all directions!
But at that moment, a large group surged from behind. Leading them was a young and valiant warrior riding a chestnut purebred horse. Surprisingly, he was accompanied by a massive silver wolf that stood half the height of a horse!
This young general was flanked by an exceptionally tall foreign commander wielding a heavy Iron Thorn, exuding an aura of killing intent that instilled fearlessness in those around him.
These two were none other than Yin Zong and Gao He Shu!
Behind them followed nearly twenty thousand cavalry from the Khitan, Xianbei, Mohe, and other tribes!
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