The dry north wind, carrying sand and dust, made it impossible for people to open their eyes.
The wind also caused the banners on the city walls to flutter loudly, as if playing a war song for the impending battle.
"Release the arrows!"
At Liu An's command, arrows rained down from the city wall, pelting the enemy troops.
Arrows rained down, slicing through the air with a sharp whistling sound.
They swarmed like locusts under the dim sky.
However, the enemy was prepared and raised their shields, forming an impenetrable shield wall.
The shield struck, producing a dull thud.
The rain of arrows struck the shields with a crackling sound, but caused few casualties.
Occasionally, a few arrows would pierce through the gaps in the shields and strike enemy soldiers.
It was only a minor injury, and he was quickly helped down by his companions.
As Liu An watched this scene, his face grew increasingly grim.
This was just a probing attack by the enemy; the real battle was yet to come.
He took a deep breath, trying to remain calm, and gave the order loudly:
"Prepare rolling logs and stones, prepare hot oil! When they get close to the city walls, smash them hard!"
The soldiers on the city wall immediately sprang into action, pushing the logs and stones to the edge of the wall.
Large pots were placed on the fire.
The oil in the pan sizzled and emitted pungent fumes.
Beneath the city walls, the enemy's vanguard had already approached the moat.
Although the moat has dried up, the riverbed is still muddy.
The warhorses struggled through the mud, their speed noticeably slowing down.
"Charge! Break through the city gates, and you'll enjoy endless riches and glory!"
The Javanese general brandished his sword and shouted at the top of his lungs, trying to boost morale.
Javanese soldiers roared battle cries and surged toward the city walls.
"Release!" Liu An roared.
Huge logs and boulders rolled down the city wall and crashed into the enemy ranks.
Instantly, people and horses fell over, and screams filled the air.
Boiling hot oil poured down.
Like fiery dragons, they scalded the enemy soldiers, causing their skin to split open and their cries of agony to continue.
Some soldiers were hit by rolling logs and rocks and died on the spot.
The corpses lay scattered across the riverbed of the moat, their blood staining the mud red.
However, the enemy forces were numerous, advancing wave after wave, fearless and undaunted.
They continued their charge, stepping over the corpses of their comrades.
Some soldiers carried makeshift ladders and tried to climb the city wall.
The defenders on the city walls fought desperately, using spears, arrows, stones, and any other weapons they could find.
"Kill them all! Leave no one alive!"
Liu An brandished his long sword and personally went into battle to kill the enemy.
Although he was old and frail, he was a veteran of countless battles, and his swordsmanship remained sharp.
He slashed down an enemy soldier who was trying to climb the city wall with a single sword stroke.
Blood splattered all over his face, but he was completely unaware.
The battle lasted for a full hour, with both sides fighting with bloodlust.
Beneath the city walls, corpses piled up like mountains, and blood flowed into streams on the dried-up moat.
The imperial guards in the capital also suffered heavy casualties, with many soldiers bearing wounds.
But they persevered, and not one of them backed down.
Looking at the horrific scene before him, Liu An was filled with anxiety.
If this continues, the southeast pass will be breached sooner or later.
We must find a way to turn the tide of the battle.
"Li Zhun!"
Liu An shouted behind him.
"My lord, I'm here!"
Li Zhun, holding a large, blood-stained knife, strode up to Liu An.
Liu An pointed to the enemy troops outside the city and said:
"Take five hundred Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, exit the city through the west gate, circle around to the enemy's rear, and harass their supplies and provisions!"
"Remember, you must be fast! You must be ruthless!"
"yes!"
Without the slightest hesitation, Li Zhun immediately turned around, mustered his men, and headed towards the west gate.
Liu An watched Li Kui's departing figure and silently prayed:
Hopefully this raid will succeed, otherwise Southeast Pass will truly be doomed...
"kill!"
Li Zhun led five hundred elite cavalrymen and galloped towards the west gate.
The broadsword in his hand was still dripping blood, and his eyes were filled with murderous intent.
Upon seeing this, the garrison commander at the west gate quickly opened the city gate and let them out.
As soon as Li Zhun and his party left the city, they immediately headed towards the enemy's rear.
Dust billowed, the sound of horses' hooves was deafening, and five hundred elite soldiers surged across the wilderness like a black torrent.
On the city wall, Liu An watched Li Zhun depart into the distance, took a deep breath, and turned to look at his deputy general beside him.
"Pass down the order to have all soldiers prepare to meet the enemy's next wave of attack!"
The lieutenant immediately took the order and ran along the city wall.
Liu An's orders were relayed to every soldier.
Liu An stood on the city wall, gazing into the distance with a furrowed brow.
He knew that Li Zhun's surprise attack was only a temporary measure, and it was hard to say whether it would succeed.
Even if successful, it would only temporarily alleviate the pressure on the capital and would not completely reverse the course of the war.
The shouts of battle from below the city walls once again resounded through the sky.
The enemy launched another attack, with countless soldiers swarming towards the city walls like ants.
"Release the arrows!" Liu An ordered again.
Arrows rained down again from the city wall, but their effect remained limited.
An enemy soldier carrying a siege ladder rushed to the city wall and placed the ladder on the wall.
The other soldiers immediately climbed up the ladder.
"Push them down! Push them down!" Liu An shouted.
The soldiers defending the city used all their strength to push down the siege ladder.
The enemy soldiers above screamed as they fell, crashing heavily to the ground.
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