The first battle was a great success, and morale was boosted.
A few days later, a cloud of yellow sand rose from the horizon, and the sound of horses' hooves made the earth tremble slightly. The Xiongnu army pressed down on the city like a dark cloud, its banners fluttering in the wind. Tens of thousands of iron cavalry surrounded siege equipment, stretching as far as the eye could see, their ferocious aura overwhelming.
Shen Qingci, clad in silver armor, stood atop the city wall, his piercing gaze sweeping over the enemy ranks. The sword at his waist gleamed coldly, and though his palms were white from gripping the battlements, his voice was as steady as a mountain: "Archers, form ranks behind the parapets! Fire only on my command! Infantry, guard the city gates strictly; do not venture out to fight without authorization! Cavalry, follow General Zhao and ambush in the dense forest on the east side. Once the enemy's main attacking force is bogged down, immediately outflank and flank their rear!"
As the military order was given, the soldiers took their respective duties. Arrows were nocked and swords were drawn from the city walls, and a tense atmosphere filled the air. Su Yunqing, dressed in plain clothes, busied herself at the makeshift medical station behind the city walls, neatly arranging medicines and gauze. She would occasionally glance at Shen Qingci's retreating figure, her eyes filled with worry but also with determination—she would protect this rear area so that he could focus on his work without worry.
"Attack the city!" At the command of the Xiongnu general, hundreds of siege ladders were rapidly erected on the city walls, and soldiers swarmed up like ants, shouting harshly. Below the city walls, battering rams pounded against the gates, making loud "thump-thump" sounds and causing bricks to fall from the walls.
"Release the arrows!" Shen Qingci commanded, and a rain of arrows erupted from the city walls, swarming towards the enemy like locusts. Xiongnu soldiers fell one after another, struck by arrows, their screams echoing across the battlefield. But the soldiers who followed remained fearless, stepping over the corpses of their comrades to continue climbing. Several valiant warriors had already scaled the top of the city wall, brandishing their swords at the defending soldiers.
"Hold the city walls!" Shen Qingci drew his sword, his movements as swift as lightning, piercing the chest of a Xiongnu soldier. Seeing this, the soldiers behind him were greatly encouraged, brandishing their blades to meet the enemy in close combat on the city walls. The crisp sound of clashing blades, the dull thud of weapons entering flesh, and the screams of the dying mingled together, staining the city bricks with blood.
Su Yunqing's medical station quickly filled with wounded soldiers. Some had severed arms, others had been struck by arrows, their clothes soaked in blood. She suppressed her trembling, washing the wounds with boiled strong liquor and applying hemostatic medicine, her movements swift and steady. When she saw a young soldier convulsing in pain after an arrow pierced his thigh, she softly comforted him, "Bear with it, you'll be fine soon. You still have to live to kill more Xiongnu bandits."
The battle raged from dawn till dusk, the stars and moon obscured, only the torches atop the city walls illuminating weary yet resolute faces. Shen Qingci remained steadfast at the front lines, his silver armor stained with blood, a deep, bone-revealing wound on his arm, which he hastily bandaged with a strip of cloth, continuing to command the battle. He knew that if they retreated even a single step, the thousands of people below would be doomed.
At dawn, the Xiongnu offensive gradually weakened. A day and a night of relentless attacks had inflicted heavy casualties, dwindling supplies and leaving the soldiers utterly exhausted. The Xiongnu general, gazing at the still-standing Great Jing army banner atop the city wall, was filled with resentment, but could only grit his teeth and order: "Withdraw!"
As the Xiongnu army slowly retreated, a deafening cheer erupted from the city walls. Soldiers embraced and wept, some collapsing to the ground, others raising their weapons and shouting. Shen Qingci watched the enemy's departing figures, let out a long sigh of relief, and his tense body finally relaxed. A wave of dizziness washed over him, and he was promptly supported by his adjutant beside him.
Su Yunqing rushed over with her medicine kit. When she saw the bleeding wound on his arm, her eyes instantly reddened. "Brother Qingci, how could you be so careless!" she scolded gently as she carefully unwrapped the bandage and began to treat his wound again.
Shen Qingci looked at her reddened eyes, smiled, and said in a slightly hoarse voice, "It's nothing, just a minor injury." He looked at the ravaged battlefield below the city and the gradually calming yellow sand in the distance, his expression becoming serious. "This is only the first battle. The Xiongnu will not give up easily. Send down the order to speed up the repair of the city walls, count the casualties, and replenish food and weapons—the real battle is yet to come."
In the dim light of dawn, the military flags on the city walls still fluttered in the wind. After this battle, the Zhenbei Army had shaken off its previous slump and its morale was greatly boosted. The soldiers all understood that with a general like Shen Qingci in command and Su Yunqing providing support from the rear, they would surely be able to defend this border and protect their homeland and its people.
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