At the same time, the Mo Dao Battalion also rushed into the edge of the oasis, cutting down a few cavalrymen who tried to resist by using the bushes.

The battle ended in less than half an hour.

Of the more than 1,000 Northern Di cavalrymen, over 700 were killed and more than 100 were captured. Only a very few managed to escape thanks to their fast horses and familiarity with the terrain.

In a battle where cannons were used to kill mosquitoes, the Yin army seized control of the Sweetwater Well, gaining a valuable water supply and boosting morale.

The cost was only minor injuries to a few dozen people.

Wu Shangzhi stood by the oasis pool, watching the soldiers drink from the clear spring and feed their warhorses, but his face showed little joy.

This is just an appetizer.

The real battle will be fought in Loulan.

He summoned a prisoner who appeared to be a minor leader and interrogated him through translator Andehai.

The petty leader was initially defiant, but after being whipped a few times, he finally confessed:

"...Your Majesty...King Wuhan's main force passed through here three days ago...leaving us here, saying that the Yin army is pursuing us, and we're just holding them off..."

"His Majesty said that Loulan is rich, but its walls are not high, and the garrison is all show and no substance. He'll be able to break through in five days at most... break through Loulan, loot its money, grain, and women, and then... then return to deal with you ignorant and foolish Yin dogs..."

Wu Shangzhi's eyes were icy: "Where is Wuhan now?"

"We should...we should be almost at Loulan...maybe...the fighting has already broken out..."

Wu Shangzhi waved his hand and ordered his men to take the prisoners away.

He looked westward, his gaze seemingly piercing through the endless sea of ​​sand.

"Order the entire army to eat and drink their fill, inspect their weapons and horses, and continue their march in one hour! Destination—Loulan!"

......

The ancient city of Loulan stands at a crucial point on the Silk Road, its brownish-yellow walls reflecting a dry sheen under the blazing sun.

This once prosperous oasis city-state is now shrouded in the shadow of war.

Outside the city, a dense swarm of Northern Di cavalry, like locusts, surrounded Loulan completely.

Simple siege equipment—nothing more than crude battering rams tied with huge logs and a few catapults—was being slowly pushed toward the city walls.

The air was filled with the stench of horses, dust, and a subtle air of impending battle.

Ughhan, riding a magnificent black horse, stood beneath the central army banner.

He gazed at the Loulan city wall before him, which was not particularly tall but exceptionally sturdy, and a cruel smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

"The King of Loulan still refuses to open the city gates and surrender?" His voice was hoarse, roughened by the winds and frosts of the grasslands.

The centurion beside him bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the King of Loulan sent an envoy saying that he is willing to offer wealth and women in exchange for Your Majesty withdrawing his troops. But he refuses to open the city gates."

"Foolish!" Wuhan sneered. "Once the city falls, won't all the wealth and women be mine? Order all tribes to begin the siege this afternoon! First, send those captured Yin slaves and vassal tribes to fill the moats!"

"Tell my men, after the city falls, swords will not be sheathed for three days! Take any gold and silver you want, and rob any women you wish!"

Bloodthirsty cheers rang out among the Northern Di army, like the howling of wolves.

On the city wall, the King of Loulan clung tightly to the edge of the parapet, his face deathly pale.

Surrounding him were hastily assembled guards, including Loulan natives and conscripted young men, their equipment uneven and their faces filled with fear.

The oppressive feeling brought by the tens of thousands of fierce soldiers outside the city was almost suffocating.

"Reinforcements...reinforcements from the Yin Dynasty...is there still no news?" The King of Loulan asked his ministers, trembling.

The minister shook his head in despair: "Your Majesty, the envoy sent to Yumen Pass for help... I'm afraid he's in grave danger. Even if the Yin Dynasty were willing to send troops, how could they possibly arrive in time, given the distance of thousands of miles?"

The King of Loulan looked eastward, towards the direction of Yumen Pass, the last glimmer of hope in his eyes being swallowed by despair.

However, just as the Northern Di army began driving slaves and vassal soldiers forward, preparing to launch the first wave of attack—

Suddenly, billowing dust rose on the eastern horizon!

At first it was just a faint line, but it quickly expanded and approached, like a storm suddenly rising in the desert!

"What is that?" A surprised exclamation rang out from the Northern Di army.

Wuhan squinted and looked, and saw at the front of the smoke and dust was a large banner with the character "Yin" fluttering!

A disciplined and heavily armored cavalry unit is charging toward the flank of the battlefield at an astonishing speed!

Although their numbers appeared to be only a few thousand, their unstoppable, earth-shattering momentum made even the battle-hardened Wuhan's heart skip a beat.

"Yin Army? How could it be so fast!" Wuhan was both shocked and furious.

What happened to the troops he left behind in Blackwind Valley and along the way? Were they all breached?

It was Murong Chunhua who arrived! He led the cavalry force, with the Murong and Wuhuan tribes as the vanguard, on a forced march, and finally arrived at the most critical moment for Loulan City!

Instead of approaching from the rear safely, he took a wide arc and, taking advantage of his speed, went straight to the flank and rear of the Northern Di army's relatively weak siege force, which was not yet fully deployed!

"Target—the enemy's left flank archers and supply battalion! Rush them down!" Murong Chunhua's voice remained clear and cold even as they galloped.

He was well aware of his own numerical disadvantage and knew that he had to strike at the heart of the enemy's weakness, creating the greatest chaos to give the Loulan defenders an opportunity and buy himself time to form ranks.

"Follow me to defeat the enemy!"

Two thousand iron cavalrymen, like red-hot knives cutting into butter, crashed into the left flank of the Northern Di army!

The light cavalry, along with some auxiliary troops and pack horses, were mainly responsible for providing cover and launching projectiles. Faced with this sudden and incredibly swift charge, they had no time to organize an effective resistance.

In an instant, men and horses fell over, and blood splattered everywhere!

The Yin army cavalry were well-trained, working in groups of three, cooperating with each other, wielding sabers, and specializing in cutting off horses' legs and heads, leaving chaos in their wake.

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