The next day!
At the three gates of Wu'an City east, west, and south nearly 300,000 Qin soldiers were poised for battle.
Since the Qin army set out from the Lantian camp and invaded Zhao territory, it has been relentless in its conquest. While the campaign has claimed the lives of many Qin warriors, its losses have been minimal compared to Zhao's.
Now, 240,000 Qin soldiers surrounded Wu'an City. Of these, Zhao Feng's division was the only one at full strength, with 100,000 soldiers. However, 50,000 of them were newly recruited and integrated into the army, appearing inexperienced in actual combat to outside observers.
The other two divisions each had 70,000 soldiers.
With these forces attacking the heavily defended Wu'an City, the battle seemed evenly matched.
Moreover, the Zhao forces held a strategic advantage they were defending the city.
Faced with such a defensive stance, Zhao's forces would not venture out to engage the Qin army, leaving the Qin with no choice but to attack.
There was no doubt.
This battle would test the endurance of both nations their strength, resources, and will to fight.
Whichever side faltered first would face total defeat.
"General, the Qin army has divided into three formations, corresponding to the three divisions. They're stationed at the east, west, and south gates," a guard reported to Pang Nuan.
"Attacking three gates while leaving one open to retreat cutting off our escape routes would shatter morale if the city fell. Wang Jian is as calculating as ever," Pang Nuan remarked coldly.
"However, I, Pang Nuan, will not yield to him."
"Relay my orders!"
"Zhao Cong will defend the west gate, Yan Ju will hold the east gate, and Zhao Li will guard the south gate. Each general will command 80,000 soldiers to hold their positions."
"I will personally lead 60,000 troops at the north gate as the reserve force."
"This is a battle to the death. Without my command, no one is to retreat. Those who disobey will be executed."
"Understood!"
The guards quickly acknowledged the order.
"Wang Jian," Pang Nuan muttered, "though Lian Po is no more, I, Pang Nuan, am no lesser than him. I will defend Wu'an and stop your Qin army here."
At that moment!
"Qin soldiers!"
"Feng! Feng! Feng!"
The resounding chants of Qin soldiers echoed at the three gates of Wu'an City.
With the cries of war came a deafening roar:
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Hundreds of trebuchets hurled massive stones toward Wu'an City.
The skies were filled with projectiles resembling meteors as they crashed violently into the city.
Accompanying the falling stones was a relentless rain of arrows that poured into the city.
The Qin army's strategy was as methodical as ever:
Overwhelm the enemy with arrow fire and bombardment, weakening their forces as much as possible.
At the three gates, Qin archers positioned just outside Zhao's firing range rained arrows onto the city relentlessly.
At the west gate, Zhao Feng stood atop a chariot, calmly observing the three thousand archers raining arrows onto the city.
"Afternoon, the main assault begins," Zhao Feng announced.
"Tu Sui, Zhang Han," Zhao Feng called out.
"Present!" Both generals immediately stepped forward.
"Tu Sui, you will lead 50,000 troops to attack the city with me. Zhang Han, you will command another 50,000 to follow as reinforcements."
"Are the siege engines ready?" Zhao Feng asked.
"Rest assured, General," Tu Sui replied. "We have 300 siege ladders and 30 battering rams ready."
"Arrows are in ample supply, enough to sustain suppressive fire until noon," Zhang Han added.
"Good." Zhao Feng nodded, his gaze fixed on the distant Wu'an City. "The three divisions of the Lantian camp are attacking simultaneously. The first to breach the city will claim the greatest merit."
"This honor shall be ours."
Tu Sui and Zhang Han responded with unwavering determination: "We will follow the general to the death!"
For Zhao Feng, this battle was different from Jin Yang's. There was no need to concede anything this time.
He wanted everything:
The spoils of war, the attributes gained from slaying enemies, and the glory of victory.
The battlefield was a place to prove one's worth through strength and strategy.
If Wang Ben or Yang Duanhe managed to breach the city first, so be it would be a testament to their abilities.
But Zhao Feng was determined to seize this opportunity to solidify his credentials for promotion to Grand General.
Victory at Wu'an would be a significant step. Breaching Handan in the future and capturing the King of Zhao would secure his place.
Zhao Feng was resolute.
The skies above Wu'an City were filled with chaos.
The relentless rain of arrows and falling stones wreaked havoc on the Zhao forces.
The Qin army had yet to suffer any losses, but inside Wu'an, Zhao soldiers were falling by the dozens.
"Take cover! Quickly, take cover!"
"Shield troops to the front! Move under the eaves!"
"Hurry!"
Despite their efforts to dodge the unceasing barrage of arrows and stones, casualties continued to mount.
"General, the Qin forces have yet to advance. What are they planning?" a deputy asked Zhao Cong.
"Remain vigilant," Zhao Cong replied sternly. "Defend with everything we have. The Qin army could attack at any moment."
"Their strategy is clear: suppress us with arrows and then storm the city. This is the Qin army's consistent approach."
"General Pang has given his orders: This is a battle to the death. We will fight to the last man. Any retreat will be met with execution."
As time passed, Zhao Feng remained on his chariot, calmly waiting for the sun to reach its peak.
At noon, the blazing summer sun hung high in the sky.
Zhao Feng drew his Dragon Spring Sword, stepping down from the chariot to stand before his vanguard.
"Where are the warriors of Lantian's Fourth Division?" Zhao Feng raised his sword and shouted.
"Feng! Feng! Feng!"
The deafening response came from 100,000 soldiers.
Among them were veterans who had fought countless battles with Zhao Feng and recruits who had joined less than two months ago.
Yet, these recruits had already been baptized by war, standing firm and resolute.
Moreover, under the influence of Zhao Feng's luck-sealed insignia, every soldier under his command was filled with unparalleled fighting spirit.
"Veterans who have followed me know this: In every battle, I lead from the front."
"This time will be no different."
"Relay my orders!"
"My guard will form the rear guard. Anyone who dares to retreat will be executed!"
"The rest, follow me to attack!"
"Kill!"
With a thunderous roar, Zhao Feng charged toward Wu'an City, leading the charge with sword and shield in hand.
"Follow the general to the death!" Tu Sui bellowed.
The soldiers responded in unison:
"Follow the general to the death!"
"Kill! Kill! Kill!"
With Zhao Feng at the center, 100,000 soldiers surged forward like a tidal wave.
Under the cover of the frontline archers, Zhao Feng's forces advanced swiftly.
Behind them, Tu Sui led 50,000 troops, with Wei Quan commanding the vanguard shield units.
Their sights were set firmly on Wu'an City.
"The Qin forces are attacking!"
"Archers, prepare!"
"Rolling stones, release!"
"Kill them!"
Zhao Cong shouted orders as he prepared the defense at the west gate of Wu'an City.
Siege Defense Battle: A Bloodbath Unfolds
At this moment, not only was Zhao Feng leading the charge, but Wang Ben and Yang Duanhe had also ordered their forces to launch an offensive at their respective gates.
The difference was clear: Zhao Feng led his troops into battle personally, while Yang Duanhe and Wang Ben remained in the rear to command.
For a general, victory relied not on raw courage but on strategic command. If a commander rushed into the fray and fell, the entire army would collapse in disarray.
This was where Zhao Feng differed from the others he possessed absolute strength.
For him, the battlefield was not only a stage for winning glory but also an opportunity to collect attributes and grow stronger.
A Sacrificial Victory
"This battle will end with heavy losses under Pang Nuan's leadership," Wang Jian sighed as he observed the ongoing siege from the rear. "Our army will likely lose close to 100,000 men."
Yet for the Qin, every loss was justified if it contributed to unifying the world under their rule.
Turning his gaze back to the battlefield, Zhao Feng stood at the forefront. With a shield in one hand and a sword in the other, no arrow could come within a meter of him.
At his current level of skill, as long as his internal energy (true qi) remained, no ordinary weapon could threaten him.
With a swing of his sword, a wave of arrows was knocked out of the air. Zhao Feng's ferocity ignited the morale of the troops behind him.
In the face of a storm of arrows and falling stones from above, the soldiers pressed forward relentlessly, galvanized by their leader's bravery.
"A general who does not fear death inspires soldiers who will not cling to life."
This mantra echoed through Zhao Feng's army. Coupled with the morale-boosting effects of his Qi Luck Seal, his troops surged forward like an unstoppable tide.
Zhao Feng was the first to reach the city gates. Gazing at the towering structure before him, his expression remained stoic.
Breaking the Gates
"Sword Slash!" Zhao Feng roared internally.
Channeling his true qi into his longsword, he unleashed a wave of invisible energy.
The resulting sword energy crashed against the gates like a tidal wave.
With a deafening boom, the gates splintered into fragments. The destruction was instant several Zhao soldiers on the other side were struck down by the shockwave, their bodies shredded by the unleashed force.
Within moments, Zhao Feng began collecting the fruits of his efforts:
"Killed a Zhao soldier, gained +1 Strength."
"Killed a Zhao soldier, gained +1 Speed."
"Killed a Zhao soldier, gained +1 day of Lifespan."
And so on.
This was a familiar pattern: killing to harvest attributes.
Entering the City
With his shield raised and his sword ready, Zhao Feng stormed into the city.
The Zhao soldiers nearby surrounded him, but Zhao Feng didn't hold back.
Unleashing his true qi, he sent waves of sword energy slicing through the air. Each strike decimated groups of Zhao soldiers, leaving trails of blood in its wake.
The battlefield turned chaotic as Zhao soldiers screamed in terror.
"He's a monster! A demon!"
"He can kill from a distance with his sword!"
"This isn't human it's supernatural!"
But their cries were cut short as Zhao Feng's sword energy ended their lives.
In the chaos, Zhao Feng's secret his mastery of martial arts and true qi remained protected. Anyone who witnessed this power died on the spot.
The Army Surges Forward
"General has breached the gates! Charge!"
Unfazed, Tu Sui ordered a full assault. Under his command, hundreds of siege ladders were placed against the walls, and battering rams moved into position.
Tu Sui himself led the shield-bearers, rushing into the city to support Zhao Feng.
The gates had fallen, and the Qin army poured into the city like a flood. The massacre began in earnest.
Panic in the Zhao Ranks
"General Zhao!"
A trembling Zhao officer ran to report to Zhao Cong, his face pale with fear.
"The Qin army has breached the gates and entered the city!"
"What?!" Zhao Cong exclaimed in disbelief. "That's impossible! Even if the Qin are skilled, how could they breach the gates so quickly?"
His disbelief quickly turned to dread as the sound of battle grew closer, signaling that the Qin army had indeed infiltrated the city.
This reaction was much like that of Gongsun Xin that day he simply couldn't believe it.
After all, in a siege, the defenders had the advantage. Under the relentless pressure of a human wave assault, how could the city gate fall so easily?
"General!"
"It's true!"
"The Qin army has breached the gate and is now battling our soldiers at the city gate. The Qin forces are unstoppable, charging in madly!"
"Please give your orders," the officer reported helplessly.
"I have failed General Pang and our king."
"The Qin forces are attacking three gates, yet it is the western gate under my command that fell first." A look of guilt appeared on Zhao Cong's face.
"General!"
"The Qin army may have broken through the gate, but all is not yet lost."
"You mustn't lose heart now!" urged the deputy general.
Hearing this, Zhao Cong gradually regained his composure, his gaze firming once more. "You're right."
"It's just the city gate. Nothing is decided yet."
"Relay my command."
"Mobilize the troops in units of ten thousand, starting with the first unit. One unit fights until the end; when it falls, the next steps in. If the second falls, the third follows."
"We must drive the Qin forces out of the city."
"If it comes down to the final unit, I will personally lead the charge."
"Go now!" Zhao Cong ordered coldly.
"Understood!"
The deputy general immediately took his leave to carry out the orders.
"Qin forces..."
"I will not allow them to hold this city," Zhao Cong said coldly.
Meanwhile.
Zhao Feng fought his way forward, his shield and sword stained red with blood. His entire body was drenched in crimson, soaked in the gore of the battlefield.
Behind Zhao Feng, Tu Sui led the elite troops in a coordinated assault.
Zhao Feng's ferocious assault tore a gaping hole in the enemy's defensive line. With this breach, more Qin soldiers poured into the city, engaging in bloody combat.
In the Qin rear ranks.
"Grand General,"
"The first merit has been claimed by General Zhao Feng."
"The western gate has been breached by General Zhao Feng's elite forces. They've already entered the city and are fiercely battling Zhao troops."
The commander of the personal guard reported to Wang Jian.
"What?"
"They breached the city gate so quickly?" Wang Jian was visibly stunned.
"It's true."
"General Zhao Feng led the charge, being the first to storm into the city."
"He's already secured most of the city walls," the guard captain added with delight.
"He charged in again?" Wang Jian frowned deeply.
"Yes," the guard captain confirmed with a nod.
"That kid never listens!"
"I've told him before that being a general is not about reckless bravery. A general carries the weight of the entire army. How can he not understand?" Wang Jian said, clearly frustrated.
Wang Jian had long heard of Zhao Feng's pattern of personally leading charges in every major battle.
Naturally, Wang Jian had warned him repeatedly not to do this in the future. A general's role was not to act as a mere soldier.
Zhao Feng, of course, had agreed on the surface but continued to act as he pleased.
This left Wang Jian feeling both helpless and exasperated. But more than that, he was concerned.
After all, Zhao Feng was not just one of his commanders he was also his son-in-law and the father of his two grandsons.
"Grand General,"
"General Zhao Feng is still young, and it's natural for him to yearn for the glory of slaying enemies in battle."
"Moreover, his unparalleled bravery is known throughout the army. I'm sure he has his calculations," the guard captain said with a smile.
"Calculations, my foot!"
"Brave though he may be, he's just one man. How can one man's strength compare to thousands of troops?"
"Once this battle is over, I'll give him a proper dressing-down!" Wang Jian said angrily.
The guard captain chuckled but wisely chose to stay silent.
"Send word to Wang Ben and Yang Duanhe."
"Tell them Zhao Feng has breached the gate. They need to press harder." Wang Jian commanded.
"Understood."
The guard captain immediately set off to relay the orders.
At the gates where Wang Ben and Yang Duanhe were leading their assaults, the fighting was brutal.
Though the Qin archers provided suppressing fire, the Zhao soldiers defended fiercely. Qin soldiers relentlessly attacked the gates, ramming them with battering rams and scaling the walls with ladders. But the Zhao defenders were unyielding, shooting down climbers and raining death from above.
One after another, elite Qin soldiers fell, either tumbling from the ladders or pierced by a hail of arrows.
This was the harsh reality of a siege: cruel, bloody, and unforgiving.
It was like hell itself.
After all, not everyone possessed the kind of extraordinary strength that Zhao Feng had, the power to single-handedly breach a city gate.
He was the sole exception.
Xianyang.
Inside the back hall of Zhangtai Palace, Ying Zheng stood before the map, his hands clasped behind his back, a grave expression on his face as he gazed at Wu'an City.
"Pang Nuan's rapid return is beyond my expectations," Ying Zheng said slowly.
"Fatigued troops pose no threat," Wei Liao said with a smile.
"Wu'an is not a key military stronghold. The Grand General will surely take it. Once we defeat Pang Nuan, we can march straight to the Zhao capital of Handan."
"With Wu'an breached,"
"Zhao Yan has two choices flee north to Dai Commandery or pull troops from there to reinforce the city," Ying Zheng said, a confident smile on his face as if he had already seen through Zhao Yan's mind.
Wei Liao nodded. "The king is wise."
"But the best outcome for us is for Zhao Yan to pull troops from Dai. That would leave Dai defenseless, saving us time and effort in the future."
Wei Liao grinned.
"With Guo Kai as our agent, Zhao Yan won't flee to Dai," Ying Zheng sneered.
"Leaving Guo Kai alive to act as a mole was truly a brilliant move by the king."
"Guo Kai played a role in Lian Po's death, provided intel on Jin Yang, and revealed the deployment of Zhao troops. His contributions have been invaluable," Wei Liao said with a smile.
"Guo Kai is a petty man, but he's useful."
"If he were an upright man, he'd be of no use to us," Ying Zheng said with satisfaction.
At this moment.
Yan Kingdom, Ji City.
Inside the royal palace, Yan King Xi sat in fury, glaring at the man kneeling before him in the hall.
"Do you realize your mistake?" Yan King Xi roared angrily.
"Father, where did I go wrong? Please enlighten me," Crown Prince Dan said, confused.
"The Zhao troops retreated, yet you ordered the army not to pursue them, letting them leave unchallenged. Was this not a mistake?" Yan King Xi scolded sternly.
"Father,"
"The Qin army's campaign against Zhao is not purely to save Yan. Their ultimate goal is Zhao's destruction."
"If the Qin succeeds, our Yan Kingdom will have no peace. The Qin are far more dangerous than Zhao ever was."
"My decision not to pursue the Zhao forces was to prevent Qin from achieving their goal."
"Everything I did was for the sake of Yan," Crown Prince Dan said, confident in his reasoning.
Hearing this, Yan King Xi's anger flared even more.
"Fool!"
"Even now, you don't see your error?"
"Do you think the Qin King cannot see through your schemes?"
"Do you think the Qin King will not be angered by this?"
"Your actions have offended the Qin King and antagonized the Qin state!" Yan King Xi shouted, slamming his hand down in fury.
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