After the operational deployment was finalized, all units returned to their respective defense zones.

That afternoon, the Sixth Division of the Shenwu Army launched an attack on the Zhongshan garrison in the area on the eastern foothills of Zhongshan.

Two battalions of soldiers, located in the Louzhuang and Tangjiashan areas respectively, advanced along Zhongshan Mountain.

Meanwhile, the Lingnan Army, located on the southern slope of Zhongshan Mountain, dispatched two regiments to attack Zhongshan Mountain from Weigang, Zuosuo, Tiejianying, Weituo Lane, Zhongling Street, Wukesong and other places.

While the Shenwu Army and the Lingnan Army were attacking Zhongshan, other forces outside Jiangning City also began bombing the city.

Especially on the Yuhuatai side, rows of dark cannons aimed at the southern city wall of Jiangning and began a fierce bombardment.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Cannons roared through the air, and shells rained down on Jiangning City with piercing screams.

The deafening explosion shattered the southern city wall of Jiangning.

The defending soldiers on the city wall also suffered heavy casualties.

Some terrified soldiers buried their heads in corners to avoid the surrounding explosions.

The violent explosion also caused panic among the garrison troops in Jiangning City.

Hiding inside his residence, Li Ming listened to the rumbling cannon fire outside, his face grim.

Each explosion seemed to resonate deep within Li Ming's heart.

At this moment, Song Xianze and the others inside the room all had gloomy expressions.

At this moment, even the cunning Song Xianze had no good solutions.

After all, in the face of absolute power, all tricks are insignificant!

"Report—"

Just then, a soldier rushed in from outside, saying in a panic, "Your Majesty, news has come from Zhongshan that Prince Xin's army has already stormed the mountain, and Zhongshan is about to fall!"

"What?"

Upon hearing this news, Li Ming's expression changed drastically.

Not only him, but everyone else in the room was pale.

Each of them knew what the fall of Zhongshan meant.

It should be noted that Zhongshan is right next to Jiangning City, and its terrain is treacherous, overlooking the city.

Standing on Zhongshan Mountain, you can even overlook the entire city of Jiangning.

If Prince Xin's army captures Zhongshan and sets up cannons on it, the artillery fire will cover the entire city.

Moreover, by then, even the hiding places of Li Ming and the others will have nowhere to hide!

It’s over!

That's it, we're really done for!

Song Xianze was somewhat dazed. He went outside and glanced in the direction of Zhongshan.

Upon seeing this, Song Xianze was completely stunned.

At the summit of Zhongshan Mountain, flags were fluttering in the wind.

Those flags were none other than the banners bearing the character "信" (trust/faith)!

Zhongshan has changed hands!

Song Xianze sighed helplessly, knowing in his heart: what was bound to happen was bound to happen!

Everyone saw the news of Zhongshan's fall.

The soldiers guarding the city wall, in particular, could see it very clearly.

"Look! Zhongshan has been captured by Prince Xin's army!"

"Huh? Then how are we going to defend Jiangning City?"

"This war is unwinnable!"

For a moment, the soldiers guarding the city wall felt a sense of panic and unease.

The feeling of anxiety persisted.

Meanwhile, the thunderous artillery fire outside continued.

The relentless bombardment covered the entire southern city wall of Jiangning.

After capturing Zhongshan, all the troops of the Lingnan Army were assembled in the Dajiaochang area.

The Lingnan Army and the Shence Army, along with countless cannons, opened fire simultaneously.

Even the sturdy city walls could not withstand the relentless bombardment.

After an hour of continuous bombing, the city walls of Jiangning broke and collapsed.

Even the moat outside the city was mostly buried.

Woohoo—

As the bugle call sounded, the Shence Army and Lingnan Army troops launched their charge towards the south gate of Jiangning City in the open fields.

"Kill them!"

Fully armed soldiers roared as they charged forward.

Extremely fast!

After the southern city wall collapsed, they did not encounter any significant resistance.

Before long, soldiers from the Lingnan Army and the Shence Army arrived at the city.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The dense hail of bullets, like a torrential downpour, swept towards Jiangning City.

They relentlessly suppressed the remaining defenders on the city walls.

Meanwhile, soldiers of the Lingnan Army trampled over the broken and collapsed city walls and rushed into Jiangning City.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Gunfire continued, and one after another, the defending soldiers fell to the ground.

The already low morale completely collapsed.

Watching their comrades being killed one after another, the remaining soldiers of the garrison completely lost their courage.

Some of the defending soldiers even knelt on the ground, weeping bitterly, with tears streaming down their faces.

Some of the other garrison soldiers fled into the city without looking back.

Before long, the defenses in this area completely collapsed.

The Lingnan army soldiers quickly seized control of this section of the city wall.

The huge flag, when it flew over Jiangning City, still caused a great stir in the city.

"What?"

"Has Prince Xin's army stormed the city?"

When Li Ming learned of this news, he was completely numb.

From the time the Prince of Xin's army began its attack outside the city, to the fall of Zhongshan, and then to the time they stormed into the city, how long has it been?

It hasn't even been two hours!

Is Jiangning City about to fall?

How is that possible?

However, no matter how much Li Ming didn't believe it, the facts were right in front of him, forcing him to accept the situation.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!