The city tower was brightly lit.

Along the city wall, there was an oil fire pit placed every two meters.

The soldiers had large swords slung across their waists and large bows slung over their shoulders, while tens of thousands of arrows were behind them.

Everything is ready, just waiting for the right opportunity.

An army of 100,000 Tatars besieged the city, and the Tatars struggled to push forward dozens of meters of ladders through the snow.

Song Yanqing stood by the city wall, looking down with a deep expression. He knew that the Tatars were definitely prepared to seize the city.

The fact that the Tartars chose the main camp as their target indicates that they had thoroughly investigated the border city's defenses. The eastern and western camps occupy a strategic advantage, making them easy to defend and difficult to attack. Although their forces are not as numerous as the main camp, the Tartars will not fare well simply because of their advantageous terrain.

He now commands 30,000 elite troops to resist the Tatar army of 100,000. It seems like a desperate attempt to fight a losing battle.

Ajitai's decision to attack the main camp suggests he's confident of victory; he won't be mobilizing troops from the eastern and western camps.

The three camps were far apart. If the eastern and western camps sent troops to provide support, their journey would be hindered, and the Tatars would take advantage of the situation.

If the 100,000 troops besieging the city are merely a feint, then the eastern and western camps will be as easy as picking candy from a baby.

However, Ajitai's plan is likely to backfire.

An Yi climbed the city wall, walked quickly to Song Yanqing's side, bowed and said, "Reporting to the young master, everything is arranged properly."

Song Yan responded in a calm voice, then raised his hand, and after a moment's understanding, immediately called out, "Archers, prepare."

The archers unloaded their large bows from their shoulders, drew arrows from their sides, coated the iron arrows with oil, and suddenly lit up the faces of the soldiers.

At the same time, the Tatars suddenly launched a fierce attack below the city gate, with tens of thousands of troops rushing forward.

Time flew by, and An Yi, seizing the opportunity, shouted, "Release the arrows!"

A volley of arrows was unleashed from the city walls, shooting straight at the Tatars.

The flames streaked across the sky, casting a bright light in the darkness, like stars falling from the sky, a truly beautiful sight.

Suddenly, flames burst forth from beneath the city walls, accompanied by cries of agony.

The first rocket launched above the city gate is all about taking the initiative.

When Ajitai led his troops on the expedition and saw the scene before him, he almost ground his teeth to powder.

He rode a tall horse and turned to ask his trusted confidant, "When will the oilstone arrive?"

This time, he personally led an army of 100,000 men, heading straight for the border city of the Great Jin Dynasty. He thought that the overwhelming force would catch the enemy general off guard and throw him into disarray.

Unexpectedly, Song Yanqing remained calm in the face of danger and used tens of thousands of rockets to attack.

His confidant had not expected things to turn out this way, but fortunately he ordered his men to send the oilstone ahead, estimating that they should arrive soon.

The confidant pondered for a moment and said, "Reporting to the Third Prince, we will arrive in the time it takes for an incense stick to burn."

It's alright, he can wait the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

Ajitai curled his lips, thinking that even if his 100,000 troops were unarmed, they could tear these two-legged sheep to shreds!

A barrage of arrows was unleashed, yet the Tatars halted their advance, making no further move to attack, and even retreated a mile—this was highly unusual.

Ajitai may not be as clever as Tadar, but he's certainly not stupid. He wouldn't be a sitting duck and let the archers turn him into a human torch.

An Yi sensed something was wrong and quickly walked up to Song Yanqing, whispering, "Your Highness, the Tartars are acting like this..."

Without needing to say everything, both men understood that the Tartars must have a backup plan.

Song Yanqing said, "Have the soldiers prepare their shields; the Tartars should prepare a fire attack."

Earlier, after Lu Qiqi reminded him, Song Yanqing noticed that the Tartar's horse was not standing steadily.

This was not only due to the heavy snow, but also because the Tatar army had to trek to this point, and both the archers and the siege equipment could only follow behind the Tatar army.

If Ajitai had waited until all the weapons arrived, he certainly wouldn't have lost so many troops.

Unfortunately, he was too impatient.

In the stillness of the night, atop the city wall, the soldiers prepared their shields and lined up in an orderly fashion to form a long shield wall, a full two meters high.

Seeing this, Song Yanqing instructed An Yi, "Have An Jiu and An Shi take men and prepare."

An Yi accepted the order and retreated from the city tower.

The winter nights were cold and particularly difficult to endure, but the enemy army was right below the city gates. This sight invigorated the soldiers guarding the border.

Behind them were the people of the Great Jin Dynasty, their own home and country; taking even half a step back meant the destruction of their country and the ruin of their home.

If we don't want to be slaves of a conquered nation, then we have no choice but to fight to the death!

A rumbling sound came from beneath the city wall.

Song Yanqing's expression hardened as he gazed out of the city.

Just as he had predicted, the Tatars' catapults were slowly approaching the border town!

Flames roared in the distance. Song Yanqing quickly darted behind the shield and shouted, "Ready!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a heavy force slammed into the shield, producing a loud bang, and at the same time, heat from the shield instantly swept over us.

Fortunately, thanks to Lu Qiqi's reminder, the shield had been specially treated so that it could not only block swords but also prevent burns from high temperatures.

Even so, the heavy impact of flints on the shields inevitably caused casualties.

Ah~

The fireball's impact was so powerful that a corner of a nearby shield wall was smashed open.

Song Yanqing counted silently in his mind, and soon, a series of loud noises came from under the city gate.

Moreover, the bizarre roars coming from below the city gate seemed to tear apart the black sky.

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the fireball attack from the city tower suddenly stopped.

Song Yanqing smiled, knowing that things had gone well.

The shadow guard beside him, shield in hand, walked to the edge of the city wall to check the situation.

At that time, beneath the snow-covered city walls, a sea of ​​fire raged.

The Shadow Guard laughed loudly, "It's done!"

"Reporting to Your Highness, the enemy's catapults have all been destroyed!"

Upon hearing this, the shields gradually closed, and the border soldiers moved closer to the city wall.

The flint was still burning, just like their current mood—warm and excited.

Thirty thousand elite soldiers held off an army of one hundred thousand pressing in!

"Very good!"

"We held on!"

"Your Highness is mighty!"

One call and a hundred responses; people on and off the city wall shouted slogans.

Song Yanqing emerged from under the shield, his face smeared with black ash. He walked to the city wall, leaned down, and saw that the Tartars' catapults below the city gate had all been shattered.

At the same time, An Yi quickly ran up the city wall and rushed towards his young master.

He abandoned his serious demeanor, ran to Song Yanqing's side, grinned, revealing a set of white teeth, and exclaimed, "Young Master, it's done! We've destroyed the enemy's catapults!"

Song Yanqing patted An Yi on the shoulder and said, "Send someone to inform the Township Head of Kang Le that the city gates have been secured tonight!"

An Yi was overjoyed and nodded quickly.

If it weren't for the fact that the Kangle Township bishop taught them about angles and mechanics, Dark Nine and Dark Ten wouldn't have been able to use catapults to crush the enemy army in such a short time!

The sea of ​​fire before my eyes resembled a magnificent, celebratory ocean.

On the city wall, the soldiers cheered and shouted as they watched the Tatars retreat!