Hassan was actually such a warrior who valued honor? Ran Min was astonished.
Because after he said that, he left the city wall without attacking any of the Xia soldiers.
It seems that he only went to the battlefield for Ran Min.
"He is indeed a formidable opponent!" Ran Min remarked.
But the fighting continues.
Hassan's departure, coupled with Zhao Zhen's arrival, greatly reduced the defensive pressure on the west.
A long spear and a longsword, like two unyielding dragons, mercilessly reaped the lives of their enemies. The enemy on the city wall was instantly routed.
Although the enemy outnumbered the defenders, the city walls restricted their forces, and the battle turned into a war of attrition. They launched a fierce attack for an hour but still could not break through the city walls.
During this time, Ran Min asked while slashing at the enemies surging onto the city wall.
"Zhao Zhen, weren't you supposed to be guarding the south wall? Why are you here?"
"General Ran, I haven't seen a single enemy to the south. So, I've come to your aid!"
As he spoke, Zhao Zhen used his spear to tear apart an Arab soldier's intestines, then with a sudden burst of strength, he lifted him off the city wall.
"What?" Ran Min slit the throat of a Qiuzi soldier with his longsword. "You...you're stupid!"
“Foolish?” Zhao Zhen asked, puzzled.
"Quickly, turn south!" Ran Min shouted. "The enemy's target is to the south!"
Hassan did not leave without a reason, nor was it for any honor.
The south side of Xichuan City is close to the forest, and the area under the city walls was originally a temporary settlement for refugees, which was quite chaotic.
Therefore, this place is perfect for an ambush!
Ran Min appointed Zhao Zhen to lead troops to guard the south, fearing that the enemy might launch a feint attack on the south.
But unexpectedly, this Zhao Zhen...
"General Ran?" Zhao Zhen frowned. "Alright, this subordinate will go right away!"
"Take another five thousand men, and remember, they must not leave the south!" Ran Min ordered.
"Yes, sir!"
So Zhao Zhen led five thousand garrison troops to the south.
About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a bugle suddenly sounded, and the enemy troops in the west inexplicably withdrew.
Seeing the fleeing enemy army, Ran Min was caught in a dilemma.
"The enemy's target is to the south!"
"But the west side cannot be left undefended!"
"Should I lead my troops to reinforce them, or stay here?"
Because the enemy might also turn around and launch a major attack on the west side.
The enemy's numbers were too great, while our forces were severely outnumbered; this was the fundamental reason.
Just as I was hesitating, a soldier rushed over, shouting, "Report!"
"Reporting to General Ran, the southern city wall... is about to be breached by the enemy!"
Upon hearing this, Ran Min's face turned ashen.
The changing situation forced him to make a decision: "On my orders, leave three thousand soldiers to guard this place, the rest of you, follow me!"
Then, dragging his weary body, he staggered down the steps. His attendants were already waiting below with their horses.
After mounting his horse, he galloped along the riverbank without saying a word, and his men followed with all their might.
Every household had its doors tightly shut, and the houses were shrouded in an aura of death. There were no people or horses on the streets. Ran Min had already ordered the streets cleared so that the garrison could quickly move between the city gates.
Even so, when they arrived at the west side, they could already hear the booming sound of the wood being struck, undoubtedly indicating that the battering ram had been deployed in the battle.
The massive hinges creaked and groaned, like the groans of a dying giant.
The square in front of the gate was filled with wounded soldiers, but there were several rows of horses, many of which were not injured. The surviving soldiers looked terrified.
"All troops, form ranks!" he shouted as he jumped off his horse. The city gate shook under yet another wave of impact.
"Where's Zhao Zhen? Tell him to come out here and die!"
"General Ran!" Zhao Zhen quickly emerged from the shadows of the city wall.
His gray armor was already badly damaged. When he saw Ran Min, he tore off his helmet with both hands and held it in his hands.
The helmet was deformed. At the same time, Zhao Zhen's right ear appeared to have been cut off, and blood was flowing from above one of his eyes down his cheek.
"I was wrong!" Zhao Zhen apologized. "It was my negligence that allowed the enemy to breach the moat!"
"This is not the time to assign blame!" Ran Min looked directly into the other man's eyes. "Now, I need you to pull yourself together, organize all the cavalry, and follow me to break out and clear out the enemy forces at the city gate!"
“We’ve launched attacks, sir. We fought three times, and suffered half our casualties. The enemy is everywhere!” Zhao Zhen said. “Why don’t we just open the city gates, let the enemy in, and then surround and kill them?”
As he spoke, Zhao Zhen plunged his longsword into the ground, leaned against the hilt, and swayed unsteadily. "I've already lost half my men, and I don't have many horses left. I can't muster many cavalry!"
"No!" Ran Min refused. "There are too many enemies. If the city gates are opened, the consequences will be unimaginable!"
As they spoke, another tremendous crash echoed from outside the city gate. How long could the city gate hold out?
"But..." Zhao Zhen hesitated, "In this situation, perhaps..."
"Shut up!" Ran Min roared.
He knew what Zhao Zhen wanted to say.
Zhao Zhen leaned against the longsword, which was full of nicks and bloodstains, and stared at him with wide, pale eyes.
Ran Min straightened up and shouted, "Everyone, line up!"
His large red horse was adorned with a neck guard and a face shield, with a cloak covering its hindquarters and a suit of chainmail underneath.
He rode his horse in circles, observing the men and horses in the arena.
“I will not shout anything about the Great Xia,” Ran Min said, “nor will I shout anything about the Regent. Once the Qiuzi allied forces breach the city walls, they will plunder your cities, your homes, and your wives and daughters!”
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