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Chapter 21: City Defense Battle (Part Two)
🕑 Added 2023-12-08 16:09:35 +0000 UTCImmortal Path Space : Table of Content/Chapter List
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The next day, as the sky began to lighten, the two armies resumed their archery duel. Below, laborers continued to brave arrows and stones, pushing unicycles to fill the trenches. After two hours, several trenches had already been leveled by the Qin Army.
At this point, the Qin Army deployed dozens of siege Cloud Ladders. These ladders, about three zhang high, had large iron hooks at the top to latch onto the city walls. They were approximately one zhang wide and could accommodate five or six soldiers side by side, charging together at a 45-degree angle. The soldiers on the Cloud Ladder walked as if on level ground. The bottom was equipped with four rows of wheels, which could be manually pushed forward. The pushers were also shielded to protect against arrows.
Dozens of Cloud Ladders formed a line, slowly approaching the city walls. The soldiers on the Cloud Ladders were ready, wielding swords and shields. Once they got close, they could charge up the walls and become the first wave of wall-climbing warriors.
Participating in the first wave of a city assault was a great honor, despite the high mortality rate. Many soldiers eagerly sought this opportunity.
If one could be the first to climb the wall, they could at least be promoted by two noble ranks. Many struggled their whole lives without achieving such a promotion.
With fame, fortune, and rank at stake, everyone was eager to be at the forefront.
Following the cloud carriages, the Qin Army advanced toward the city walls, enduring the rain of arrows, flying stones, and spears from the Chu Army. Soldiers fell, but their comrades paid them little attention, pressing forward with determination.
At this point, the main targets on the city walls were the Cloud Ladders. Arrows, spears, and stones were all directed at the ladders.
Wang Hong, defending a small section of the wall, aimed at the fierce-looking soldiers on a Cloud Ladder. A short spear with a whistling sound flew toward the front line. The soldier at the forefront, clearly experienced in battle, did not dodge. He protected his chest with a shield and held a single-edged sword horizontally.
The short spear instantly arrived, first with a "ding" sound as the sword broke in two. Then, with a "puchi" sound, the short spear pierced through the shield and into the soldier's chest, extending a foot-long spearhead from his back.
The soldier never understood who this person was or how they possessed such great strength. Seeing the soldier fall from the Cloud Ladder, Wang Hong shook his head, unsatisfied with piercing only one person. Adding more force to his arm, he threw another spear. This time, it was better—three Qin soldiers were pierced together like a candied string, falling from the Cloud Ladder. Wang Hong continued to string together this "candied string," while the Qin Army behind continuously replenished the soldiers on the Cloud Ladder.
Wang Hong showed no mercy in killing these Qin soldiers. If he didn't kill them now, once they climbed the wall, they would turn on his comrades. Moreover, the Qin Army had a habit of massacring the captured cities. If Tiger's Lair City fell, its people would either be killed or enslaved.
When the Cloud Ladder was only three zhang away from the wall, the soldiers pushing it had been shot by spear throwers for two rounds. The soldiers on the Cloud Ladder were like targets, with casualties exceeding half. Several Cloud Ladders were directly demolished by catapults, and the soldiers on them were thrown off with broken bones.
At this point, the Chu Army launched jars filled with oil onto the Cloud Ladder, spreading oil everywhere. Then, a barrage of rockets set the Cloud Ladder ablaze. Many soldiers were on fire, and even the most valiant among them cried out in pain.
In response, the Qin Army sent out a large number of soldiers. Some carried wet cotton quilts, smothering the fires. Others continued to push the Cloud Ladder, speeding up their advance. In just a few breaths, they reached a distance of less than one zhang, but a large wooden fork extended from the city wall, catching the Cloud Ladder and preventing it from moving forward.
Some soldiers on the Cloud Ladder used their knives to chop the wooden fork, while others kicked with both legs, leaping directly toward the city wall. In mid-air, they were impaled by long spears extended from the wall, falling down either dead or maimed. A few lucky ones who made it to the top were besieged and killed.
However, Qin soldiers continued to leap onto the wall, and the number of infiltrators increased. As long as one or two could establish a foothold, it would create an opening in the Chu Army's defense, allowing a steady stream of Qin soldiers to climb onto the city walls.
At this point, taking advantage of a gap in the defense, a small group of soldiers jumped onto the wall, helping a Cloud Ladder approach the wall. The Qin Army swarmed like a disturbed hornet's nest, brandishing their weapons and madly rushing toward the city wall.
Wang Hong's defense of the sixth battalion against a Cloud Ladder was not easy. It required some soldiers to hold the Cloud Ladder at bay, preventing it from approaching. They also had to engage in combat with Qin Army warriors leaping onto the wall and find time to shoot down laborers continuously transporting soil and stones to the wall. Meanwhile, the rain of arrows from the Qin Army below never ceased to suppress the defenders.
Wang Hong lifted a massive stone, weighing five to six hundred jin, high above his head and smashed it towards the Cloud Ladder. With a loud "bang," blood splattered from the impact, and cries of agony echoed.
He continued to hurl several more stones, but Wang Hong frowned; the effect was not significant. His goal was to smash the Cloud Ladder completely, but these stones only broke a few beams, having little impact on the entire structure.
Wang Hong then targeted a massive rock from the side, and with a "crack," one of the supporting pillars snapped.
"It's working!"
Wang Hong continued to smash more than ten giant rocks.
"Boom, boom, boom!"
The Cloud Ladder finally disintegrated. The Qin soldiers on top followed the collapsing ladder down.
"Mighty!"
"Mighty!"
With the fall of the Cloud Ladder, cheers erupted from the city wall.
Single-handedly destroying a Cloud Ladder with personal strength was exceptionally rare on the battlefield. After all, it wasn't something just anyone could accomplish with several hundred catties of giant stones.
With the Cloud Ladder down, the defense of the sixth battalion became much easier. At times, they could even support the friendly forces on the left and right.
The battle continued until nightfall before the Qin Army retreated. During this time, the Qin Army attempted several assaults on the city walls, but the Chu Army resisted fiercely, mobilizing rapid-response units and paying a considerable price to eliminate them.
Underneath the city walls, the Qin Army had piled up a mound of bodies and soil over ten zhang high. With an additional two zhang, they could directly charge up the city walls.
The Chu Army on the walls suffered substantial casualties. Wang Hong's battalion added a few more wounded soldiers, and now there were only around sixty combat-ready soldiers.
The sixth battalion fared relatively well; some other battalions were reduced to only thirty or forty men.
Starved the entire day, the Chu Army leaned against the battlements, feasting on meat and devouring white steamed buns. Each person received a large bowl of braised pork, and there was plenty of steamed buns and rice. They also got a small bowl of wine each—although alcohol was prohibited in the military, exceptions were made during war to relieve fatigue and boost morale.
Wang Hong took out a silver bottle from his pocket, poured himself a bowl of wine, and did the same for Li Xiao Ya and Lu Jin Gou.
"Have some of this; it's effective in relieving fatigue. Tomorrow's battle will likely be even more intense," Wang Hong said, then turned to Li Xiao Ya, asking, "How is Zhang Tie Mao's recovery progressing?"
"He can walk already. It should take another ten days for a complete recovery," Li Xiao Ya replied, her face blushing, whether from the wine or some other reason.
Li Xiao Ya and Lu Jin Gou raised their wine bowls, took a sip, and instantly felt a warm flow down their throats, spreading quickly throughout their bodies. They felt warm all over, as if every pore had expanded, and the fatigue from a day of battle dissipated. Their bodies were filled with renewed strength.
Their eyes lit up, showing surprise and joy. This wine was indeed miraculous; they had never heard of such a wonder. It could quickly eliminate fatigue and restore vitality.
Just as they were about to speak, Wang Hong waved his hand to stop them from revealing the secret. Disclosing such a thing wouldn't benefit him and might even bring disaster. He handed each of them a piece of dried meat.
After finishing their meal, not only did the fatigue accumulated over the past two days completely disappear, but their own martial arts skills had also improved. They expressed their gratitude to Wang Hong with a grateful smile and a bow.
Wang Hong smiled and waved it off; these things were not a big deal to him. The cost was low, and he had plenty in his space.
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Next Chapter >>Chapter 22: Great Victory
