Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

Chapter 156 The Decisive Battle of Liangzhou

In late spring, the sandstorms in Hexi seemed even more intense than in previous years. Outside Guzang City, the once desolate plains where the King of Xiliang once reviewed his troops were now completely shrouded in the shadow of war. Banners obscured the sky, spears and halberds stood like a forest, and a chilling atmosphere of killing intent soared to the heavens.

Chen Xing, leading the main force of Xinghuo Fortress, had marched swiftly and arrived thirty li east of Guzang, establishing a fortified camp against a hill called "Chiya." Unlike Chen Wei's surprise attack on Longyou, Chen Xing's westward advance was straightforward and forceful, heading straight for the heart of Xiliang. The army numbered over 40,000, including 30,000 infantry and 10,000 cavalry, including the most elite Trapped Camp and Divine Arm Camp, as well as some Hu Yi Cong cavalry that had been initially integrated.

In the center of the camp, inside the massive command tent, the atmosphere was both solemn and intense. Chen Xing sat in the main seat, flanked by the core generals and strategists of this western expedition: Dian Xiong, Murong Mingyue, Jia Wen, Chen Wei, and the newly arrived Zhenwei General Zhang Heng, who had formally surrendered. He had left some troops to guard the strategic Longxi region and personally led five thousand elite soldiers to assist in the battle, both to demonstrate his loyalty and to earn merit before his future lord.

"Han Sui is already at his wit's end." Jia Wen pointed to the sand table, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable force. "Yan Xing and Liang Xing are leading their main forces of about 30,000 men, one confronting General Chen Wei in the Longyou region, and the other besieging Cheng Yin in Jincheng. Inside Guzang City, Han Sui can only directly control a maximum of 25,000 troops, including those temporarily conscripted, and their morale is low, with everyone in a state of panic. Our army has 40,000 men, all battle-hardened elites, with high morale, and General Zhang is well-versed in the inside story. In this battle, the advantage is on our side."

Zhang Heng quickly cupped his hands in greeting and said in a gruff voice, "What Lord Jia says is absolutely right. That old man Han Sui is now paranoid and the only generals he can rely on are a few sycophants around him. His soldiers fear his tyranny and have long since lost their loyalty. This humble general is willing to be the vanguard, to be the first to breach the city and atone for his past mistakes!"

Chen Xing nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the generals: "Although Han Sui is a cornered beast, he will fight on. However, Guzang is a formidable fortress with high walls and deep moats. A direct assault would result in heavy casualties. Wenhe, what plan do you have?"

A cold glint flashed in Jia Wen's narrow eyes: "My lord, generals, what Han Sui fears most now is not the army outside the city, but another upheaval within the city, an 'internal threat' like Pang De. He has purged Ma Teng's old troops and distrusted generals, and resentment is accumulating in the city, but people dare not act because of his tyranny. Why don't we... add fuel to the fire and make him open the city gates himself?"

"Oh?" Chen Xing became interested.

"We can send assassins to attach letters of surrender to arrows and shoot them into the city in large numbers. The letters need not be grand in their content; just list Han Sui's crimes, especially his massacre of loyal officials like Pang De, his suspicion of his soldiers, and his role in causing the division of Xiliang. At the same time, declare that anyone who opens the city gates and presents Han Sui's head, whether soldier or civilian, will be rewarded with a thousand gold pieces and a high-ranking title! And make it clear that only the ringleader Han Sui and a few of his cronies will be executed; the rest will be spared, and those who surrender will be spared death." Jia Wen said slowly, "This is the first point."

"Secondly, since General Zhang Heng has already surrendered, his former troops can be ordered to call out to their old acquaintances in front of the battle lines, informing them that their families in the city are safe, thus undermining the morale of the defending troops."

"Thirdly," Jia Wen looked at Murong Mingyue, "Madam, you can lead Hu Yi and your elite cavalry, with many flags, hiding during the day and going out at night, patrolling around the city, making it seem as if you want to cut off the connection between Guzang and Yan Xing and Liang Xing, thus increasing Han Sui's isolation and fear."

"Finally," Jia Wen pointed to a spot south of Guzang City on the sand table, "Li Kan, the general guarding the south gate, is greedy and lustful, and has always been at odds with Cheng Yi, another trusted general of Han Sui. We can have someone from the Surveillance Bureau infiltrate him and try to contact him, offering him a large reward. Even if he cannot open the city gate immediately, we can make him fight poorly or send him false information."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xing clapped his hands and laughed, "Excellent! Winning hearts and minds is the best strategy, conquering cities is the next best. Let's follow Wenhe's plan! All generals, listen to my command!"

"exist!"

"Dian Xiong! The Vanguard Camp is preparing for a surprise attack!"

"Chen Wei! The Divine Arm Battalion has taken up the high ground outside the city to monitor the entire situation. On my command, they will conduct covering fire!"

"Murong Mingyue! Following Lord Jia's strategy, lead the cavalry to patrol and exert pressure!"

"Zhang Heng! The task of rallying the enemy and demoralizing them is yours!"

"Jia Wen! You are fully responsible for liaison and instigation efforts within the city!"

"All battalions, coordinate closely. Three days later, at dawn, the entire army will advance to the city walls, applying pressure to persuade Han Sui to surrender! If Han Sui remains obstinate..." A cold glint flashed in Chen Xing's eyes, "At noon, launch a full-scale attack!"

"Yes, sir!" the generals roared in response, their fighting spirit surging.

For the next three days, Guzang City felt as if it were being slowly roasted over a low flame. Every day, hundreds and thousands of arrows with scrolls tied to them were shot into the city. The contents, as Jia Wen had planned, directly accused Han Sui of his crimes and proclaimed a policy of surrender. Zhang Heng's former troops shouted loudly in the local dialect of Xiliang on the front lines, naming names and recounting how the Xinghuo Army treated surrendered soldiers well and how their families were safe and sound, stirring up the homesickness and will to live of countless soldiers defending the city.

Murong Mingyue's cavalry came and went like the wind, raising clouds of dust and waving banners, making it impossible for the defenders on the city walls to figure out their strength. They were constantly on edge and exhausted.

Inside the city, undercurrents were swirling even more fiercely. Li Shu, personally commanding the elite troops of the Censorate, delivered gold, silver, and promises to Li Kan through pre-established channels. Li Kan, already dissatisfied with Han Sui, was further swayed by the overwhelming force of the army outside the city and the rampant rumors circulating within. Although he dared not immediately agree to open the city gates, he secretly restrained his subordinates from being overly "enthusiastic" in clearing the arrows that had entered the city and tacitly allowed certain "rumors" to spread within his own territory.

Han Sui felt the suffocating pressure emanating from him. Like a wounded beast trapped in a cage, he was irritable and easily angered, frequently beating and killing his close attendants. He dared not carry out large-scale purges again, and could only rely more on the few remaining confidants and his direct "wolf guards." His monitoring of the commanders guarding each section of the city wall reached an abnormal level, frequently changing their defense zones and even issuing several orders a day, leaving the garrison commanders bewildered and full of complaints.

On the third day, at dawn, the Starfire Army's main camp resounded with drums and horns as 40,000 troops poured out, forming an impenetrable battle array on the vast plains outside the east gate of Guzang. Banners fluttered, armor gleamed, and swords and spears stood like a forest, gleaming menacingly in the rising sun. Especially striking were the thousands of silent, heavily armored soldiers in the Trapped Camp, wielding massive longswords and thick shields, and the array of crossbowmen on the high ground behind them, their cold metallic sheen creating an unparalleled sense of oppression for the defenders on the city walls.

Chen Xing, clad in golden armor and a red robe, rode his magnificent "Snow-Treading Black Steed" to the front lines, surrounded by his generals. He gazed at the city walls, channeling his inner energy, his voice, amplified by his true qi, booming like thunder across the battlefield:

"Soldiers of Xiliang! Han Sui is tyrannical, persecuting loyal officials and distrusting meritorious ministers, causing Liangzhou to split, leading to endless wars and the displacement of the people! Today, our Xinghuo Army comes to mourn the people and punish this tyrant, solely to eliminate him and restore peace to Xiliang! You are all sons of China, why do you become accomplices to this tyrant, risking mutual destruction? Now abandon darkness and embrace light, open the city gates, and we will forgive your past transgressions and reward you according to your merits! If you remain obstinate, when the city falls at noon, it will be too late for regrets!"

As soon as the words fell, tens of thousands of Xinghuo soldiers roared in unison: "Those who surrender will be spared! Those who resist will be executed!" The sound wave was like a tsunami, crashing against the walls of Guzang City and also impacting the morale of every defender.

On the city wall, the defenders were pale-faced, their hands trembling slightly as they gripped their weapons. Many of them looked away, glancing at their comrades, as well as at the "Wolf Guards" and Han Sui's elite officers who were overseeing the battle.

Inside the city tower, Han Sui heard Chen Xing's shouts and the deafening cheers. He trembled with rage, yet felt a chill run down his spine. He knew the final moment had arrived.

"Fire arrows! Fire arrows for me! Shoot that arrogant brat to death!" Han Sui roared the order.

Sparse arrows rained down from the city walls, most of them weak and feeble, falling to the ground before even reaching the Starfire Army's lines. Clearly, the defenders' morale was on the verge of collapse.

Time ticked by, the atmosphere thick with oppressive tension. There was no sign of surrender on the city walls, nor had any semblance of a proper defense been established.

Noon is approaching.

Chen Xing looked up at the sky, the last vestige of patience in his eyes vanishing. He slowly raised his right hand.

Behind him, command flags waved.

"Divine Arm Battalion! Target: the densest enemy troops on the city wall and the arrow tower! Three volleys! Fire!" Chen Wei's cold voice rang out.

"Buzz—!"

In an instant, it was as if a huge dark cloud rose from the rear of the Starfire Army, accompanied by a chilling whistling sound, cutting through the air in a deadly arc and covering the top of the east city wall of Guzang! Those were no ordinary arrows, but specially made armor-piercing heavy crossbow bolts!

"Raise your shields—!" The officer's desperate cry from the city wall was drowned out by the terrifying sound of arrows striking each other.

"Tap tap tap tap!", "Snap!", "Pfft!"

Wooden shields were easily pierced, leather armor was like paper, and brick crenellations were blasted into fragments. The city wall instantly became a living hell, filled with screams, cries of terror, and the thud of heavy objects falling to the ground. In just one volley, the conspicuous defensive structures and exposed defenders on the east city wall suffered a devastating blow, and their morale completely collapsed.

"Trap Camp! Attack!" Dian Xiong, who could no longer contain himself, roared like a tiger released from its cage upon receiving the order. He took the lead, wielding a specially made, thickened and lengthened longsword, and charged towards the city wall like an iron-cast Vajra! Behind him, three thousand Trapped Camp heavy infantry moved like a mountain, their heavy footsteps shaking the earth.

At the same time, siege weapons such as ladders, battering rams, and siege towers began to advance under the cover of infantry.

"Hold on! Hold on for me!" Han Sui shouted hoarsely, protected by his personal guards, his voice filled with despair. He saw the defenders on the city walls nearly collapsing, saw the heavy infantry, like steel monsters, advancing unstoppably, saw the terrifying crossbow bolts still raining down...

Just then, something unexpected happened!

Suddenly, a huge commotion and shouts of battle erupted from the south gate of Guzang! Immediately afterward, the flag that originally belonged to Han Sui on the south gate tower was cut down, and a white flag was frantically raised. Amidst the fierce fighting inside, the city gate was slowly opened a crack!

"South Gate! The South Gate is open!" A deafening cheer erupted from the Starfire Army ranks.

In the end, Li Kan chose to defect at the last moment. Although the process was messy, the result was already decided.

"Heaven has forsaken me! Li Kan, you treacherous dog!" Han Sui's vision went black, and he almost fainted. With the south gate open, the entire army was annihilated in an instant!

"Protect the King! Go through the North Gate!" The trusted generals helped the limp Han Sui up, and under the desperate protection of the elite wolf guards, they hurriedly left the city, attempting to break out in the chaos.

However, Dian Xiong, like a war god, braved the stray arrows and rolling logs and was the first to scale the eastern city wall! With a swing of his longsword, blood and flesh flew everywhere, and no one could stop him! The elite soldiers of the Trapped Camp followed closely behind, quickly gaining a foothold on the city wall and widening the breach.

Murong Mingyue's cavalry, like a pack of wolves smelling blood, immediately switched from a patrolling state to a charge upon seeing the chaos at the south gate and the signal that Dian Xiong was climbing the city walls at the east gate. They swept towards the south gate like a whirlwind and stormed into the city through the opened passage!

Seeing this, Chen Xing knew the situation was hopeless. He drew his sword and pointed forward: "All troops! Attack! Capture the city!"

"kill--!"

The main force of the Xinghuo Army surged towards Guzang like a flood bursting its banks.

With the city gates falling one after another, the street fighting quickly turned into a one-sided pursuit and mopping-up operation. Han Sui's will to resist completely collapsed, and the remaining troops either surrendered or fled. Han Sui himself escaped through the north gate under the desperate cover of his personal guards, but Murong Mingyue's cavalry pursued him relentlessly.