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Bamboo is cut and then continued. Soil is thrown, and flesh is pursued. This comes from the "Ballad of the Pluck" recorded in Volume Nine of "Wu-Yue Spring and Autumn." In simple terms, it describes people cutting bamboo and then using it to craft Y-shaped slingshots. "Flying soil" refers to using specially made rubber bands to launch stones or metal projectiles, while "pursuing flesh" means hitting birds or beasts with the projectiles.
When Luzi had not yet arrived at the collapsed city wall, he saw Ji Xi's subordinates using such slingshots to launch a large number of Thunderbolts. However, compared to the toys he played with as a child, these were much larger and had a greater range.
The power and range of slingshots are generally limited, so they are mostly used for hunting and play. Even for hunting, they can only target small animals like sparrows and rabbits. Compared to weapons like bows and crossbows that can be used in combat, they are not comparable. However, due to their small size and portability, they are still favored by many shooting enthusiasts. It is said that Yang Jian, known as Erlang Shen, always carried one with him.
This short-range weapon, referred to as a toy by the Qin people, was prohibited in Qin territory. The justification was that "Toys Distract from Seriousness," punishable by twenty strokes of the rod. Instead of wasting time on the parabolic trajectory of a slingshot, one should practice how to hit targets over two hundred meters away with a Crossbow.
This is war! When facing the enemy, wouldn't it be better to use a Long Spear or throw a Short Spear instead of relying on a slingshot?
Luzi could also use a slingshot, but looking back now, those were just childhood memories. Although his master did not allow him to play with such things at the time, their simple construction made it impossible to completely eliminate them. Besides, he was just a child; having some beautiful childhood memories... sigh! That’s acceptable too!
Seeing the slingshot used in military action gave Luzi a particularly nostalgic impulse. Back then, his friends would split into two groups for their "two-army battles," using this extremely simple projectile weapon. At that time, his little arms only hoped to grow up quickly to serve the country. Those who could wield military bows like Wang Jian were generally considered exceptional.
Using slingshots to launch Thunderbolts can be seen as making full use of resources. These projectiles without tail fins cannot be launched using military bows or crossbows. The flying projectiles explode with considerable force, producing bright flashes that can temporarily blind anyone looking directly at them.
Although the shockwave from the explosion does not cause fatal injuries, it can still knock people off balance. But this was enough; the temporarily blinded Zhao Army soldiers were immediately slaughtered by the advancing Ji Family Army.
The sudden appearance of fresh troops allowed the nearly breached city wall to be temporarily sealed again. However, this was only temporary; soon after, soldiers surged forward using bows and crossbows to retaliate, launching Short Spears toward their targets.
The collapsed city wall was indeed substantial, measuring over a hundred paces. The less than one hundred Ji Family Army soldiers only managed to momentarily stall the advancing Zhao Army before becoming locked in a stalemate once more.
What fools! They have such good weapons but do not know how to use them! Lu Ziran and Li Xin stayed behind to protect Ji Xi, reaching for their swords and plunging into the melee to find the encircled Ji Family Army. The stalemate between enemies had its advantages; at least there was no worry about being ambushed from afar.
Hiding behind the wall, Li Xin did not have to worry about this issue, as the soldiers pouring out from the highest point of the collapsed city wall were definitely not from the Qin Army. His quick shooting movements flowed like water, but he was soon discovered and heavily suppressed.
With three arrows nocked, Li Xin leaned against the wall corner, waiting for the right moment while reminding Ji Xi not to expose himself. Just as he was speaking, he heard no response and turned around to find no one there.
Huh? Where did everyone go!?
Ji Xi had come over intending to join in the fun, but when he saw Luzi charging into the crowd, he couldn't hold back. While Li Xin was amusing himself, Ji Xi quietly circled around from another side of the house. He knocked down an incoming arrow with a flick of his hand and leaped into the crowd. With one swift strike, he knocked down a soldier attempting to ambush Luzi and jumped behind Luzi to block a thrust from a short spear.
"General! What are you doing here!?"
Hearing the question from behind, Luzi became even angrier. The old man's words were indeed true; you get the kind of soldiers that match your leadership! His original intention was to have Ji Family Army, who could fire Thunderbolts, withdraw from the stalemate and then use Fireballs to seal off the Zhao Army continuously pouring in through the breach in the city wall.
Luzi had managed to find four members of the Ji Family Army amidst the chaos, but before he could explain anything, three of them were killed on the spot. Whether they could block the breach depended on them; losing even one was painful! Just as he was fuming over this, Young Master Ji charged in again!
"Idiot! This is not how you fight!"
The sounds of battle were deafeningly chaotic, and Ji Xi, fighting behind Luzi, didn't understand this statement at all. He grabbed a spear that was thrusting toward him and made its owner drop it with a single strike. Throwing it to the ground, he turned back and asked, "What do you mean by 'not how you fight'!?"
When the Ji Family Army had just fired Thunderbolts earlier, it had already proven effective in cutting off Zhao Army's reinforcements. As long as they could seal off the breach in the city wall with flames and eliminate the Zhao Army that had already entered, they would be fine. If this continued, soon all of these dozens of brave men from Ji Family Army would be wiped out. The fall of Dawn City would be imminent!
These non-Central Plains people clearly only knew how to fight and not strategize! If they were going to act so recklessly, they should have been told how to fight before setting out! Fuming with anger, Luzi swung his sword to deflect a thrusting spear and bent down to check on a fallen member of Ji Family Army to see if he was still alive. Just as he grabbed him halfway, he saw intestines spilling out beneath him and quickly let go while shouting, "Ji Da Ye! If we keep losing men like this, we won't make it to Xianyang City!"
If he said anything else at that moment, Ji Xi might still not understand. But if he said they couldn't go to Xianyang, that was definitely unacceptable! However, with the situation so chaotic now, there seemed to be no answer on how to break through. Turning to Luzi, he asked, "General Lu! What do you think we should do now?"
Lu Zizheng wanted to tell Ji Xi to exit first before discussing anything further when he suddenly saw a Short Spear being thrust toward Ji Xi's left shoulder. This type of weapon was not like a spear that only had a pointed tip; the Ge had a horizontal blade beneath the tip. Once the tip of the Ge lost its target angle, the user could pull back using the horizontal blade. The sharp outer edge could easily slice through soft tissues like the neck of a target.
At that moment, it was too late to remind Ji Xi to dodge, as the entire battlefield was crowded like a bustling market. Just at this Critical Moment, Luzi flicked his wrist and positioned his sword in front of Ji Xi's chest. With his left hand gripping the sword's body, he pulled back just in time to block the already extending horizontal blade.
Hearing the screeching sound of metal scraping, Luzi yanked hard and pulled the owner of the Ge closer. Ji Xi flipped his wrist and thrust his sword backward from under his left rib, instantly piercing through the Ambushers behind him.
"It's too chaotic! Let's retreat first!"
Ji Xi, who hadn't even had time to express his gratitude, immediately acknowledged and turned to fight alongside Luzi as they charged out of the crowd.
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