“Silence!”
Hearing the nervous chatter among the soldiers under his command, Wang Lang, who was responsible for the eastern gate, shouted sternly:
“Even if the Yellow Turban rebels outside possess trebuchets, what of it?”
“No one knows trebuchets better than I do.”
“Those things have no accuracy whatsoever.”
“Their only purpose is to undermine morale. As long as we keep our eyes open and stay alert, those stones won’t hit us.”
With Wang Lang speaking from personal experience, his words were logical and convincing.
“General Wang truly is knowledgeable.”
“So those trebuchets are all show and no substance. I worried for nothing.”
“Just as General Wang said. I’ve heard that trebuchets only look frightening, but in reality they can’t hit anyone.”
“…”
As the Han soldiers at the eastern gate repeated these sentiments among themselves, the trebuchets outside the city quickly became little more than impressive-looking but useless contraptions in their minds.
Some soldiers even began thinking that when the stones eventually came flying, they would show the Yellow Turbans exactly what true agility looked like.
“Wang Lang is impressive. A fine general indeed.”
Cao Cao observed Wang Lang’s actions and stroked his beard with admiration.
But when he turned his gaze back toward the Yellow Turbans outside the city, the appreciation on his face gradually faded, replaced by a deep, lingering concern.
Once again, the enemy had exceeded his expectations.
Cao Cao hated that feeling.
Ever since Zhang Jing had become a Yellow Turban Commander, the situation in Yan Province seemed to have slipped further and further from his control through a series of unforeseen developments.
“Wenze.”
Meanwhile, Wang Lang called a young officer to his side and spoke solemnly:
“You’ve seen the Yellow Turbans outside. They now possess trebuchets, and there’s no need to discuss how inaccurate such machines are.”
“However, this weapon has always been used throughout history to break cities and capture strongholds.”
“You have not served under me as long as some others, but I know that your abilities far surpass my own.”
“General…”
Hearing this praise, Yu Jin was deeply moved and was about to humbly protest.
“You need not say anything.”
Wang Lang interrupted him and continued:
“I lacked the ability to protect my former lord, but I am not yet so old that my judgment has failed me.”
“I had originally planned to find an opportunity to recommend you to Governor Cao.”
“But it seems that will have to wait until after this battle.”
“The trebuchets must not be underestimated. Once the fighting begins, be extremely careful.”
“Even if we are defeated today, Wenze, you must preserve your life and continue serving the court in the future.”
Yu Jin’s eyes reddened as he looked at his old superior’s earnest expression.
He respectfully cupped his fists and said:
“If we achieve victory in this battle, I ask not for high office nor great rewards. Merely being able to remain by your side and continue learning from you would leave me with no regrets in this life.”
“Good lad!”
Wang Lang patted Yu Jin on the shoulder, his face filled with satisfaction.
“I have not served Governor Cao for long, but I can sense the aura of a true hero in him.”
“If you enter his service, your talents will certainly not be wasted.”
“And if I am credited with recommending such talent, do you really think Governor Cao would treat me poorly?”
“Now go. Remember what I’ve told you.”
With that, Wang Lang continued his inspections elsewhere.
“Your words, General, shall remain with me for the rest of my life.”
Yu Jin clenched his fist.
Born into a humble family, he understood better than anyone how important it was to have a powerful superior recognize one’s worth.
…………….
The time soon reached the third quarter of the Wei Hour (around 2:45 p.m.).
Outside Wuyan City, a bitter wind swept across the battlefield.
Nearly one hundred thousand Qihuo soldiers stood in massive square formations.
Yellow banners stretched from earth to sky.
Every soldier gripped a weapon, their faces filled with fierce determination.
Their Commander had not hidden the truth from them.
They all knew that they had run out of food.
If they wished to survive, they had to capture Wuyan.
Only then could they reclaim the grain that belonged to them.
They wanted nothing more than to live.
The Han court and Cao Cao wanted them dead.
Therefore, they could only gamble their lives for a chance at survival.
“My lord!”
Xu He rode up to the command platform in the center of the army and reported respectfully:
“All eight hundred trebuchets have been fully deployed. We have also prepared twenty thousand stone projectiles. At your command, the army may begin the assault.”
“Go.”
Standing atop the platform with one hand resting on his saber, Zhang Jing replied in a deep voice:
“If the Han army dares to leave the city, others will deal with them.”
“Yes, my lord!”
Xu He saluted respectfully before turning his horse and galloping back toward the front lines.
After Xu He departed, Zhang Jing raised his voice:
“Where is the strategist?”
“I am here!”
Cheng Yu, clad in armor with a saber at his waist, immediately stepped forward from behind Zhang Jing and cupped his fists respectfully.
Shing!
Without even turning around, Zhang Jing drew his saber and shouted:
“Transmit my order!”
“Assault the city!”
“If Wuyan does not fall, Qihuo shall not return!”
“I obey!”
Cheng Yu answered in a powerful voice.
The drummers and horn-blowers who had been waiting for this moment immediately sprang into action.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Woooooo—!
At Zhang Jing’s command, war drums thundered across the battlefield like rolling thunder, followed by the mournful cry of war horns.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
“If Wuyan does not fall, Qihuo shall not return!”
Returning to the battle lines, Xu He heard the drums and immediately drew his saber, pointing it toward Wuyan City as he roared:
“Assault the city!”
“If Wuyan does not fall, Qihuo shall not return!”
“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—”
Military banners waved across the battlefield.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
“If Wuyan does not fall, Qihuo shall not return!”
The trebuchets began to operate.
One stone projectile after another soared into the sky.
Accompanied by the army’s thunderous battle cries, they hurtled toward Wuyan City.
“Quick, quick, quick! The rebels are attacking! Light the fire pots and heat the oil immediately!”
“Move!”
Gulp!
“What is that? Are those stone projectiles?”
As the Qihuo Army began its assault, the officers within the city shouted orders one after another, directing their men in the defense.
“Take cover!”
“Get down behind the battlements!”
“My lord, leave at once! This place is extremely dangerous!”
The sight of countless stone projectiles soaring overhead filled the defenders with terror, throwing the city’s garrison into momentary chaos.
“These trebuchets…?”
Protected by his bodyguards, Cao Cao raised a hand to shade his eyes and stared at the projectiles flying through the sky.
Then his expression changed dramatically.
“Not good! Those stones are coming straight at me!”
“My lord, quickly leave!”
Cold sweat broke out across Cao Cao’s forehead.
“Leave? Leave what? I need to run!”
With that, surrounded by his guards, Cao Cao hurriedly fled from the gate tower.
BOOM! CRASH!
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
“AAAH!!”
Hundreds of stone projectiles descended with overwhelming force.
Wherever they struck, ordinary structures were instantly smashed apart.
The earth-shaking impacts echoed across the battlefield.
Countless stones embedded themselves into the city walls.
Even Han soldiers crouching behind the battlements could not escape death when struck.
Some projectiles even sailed over the walls entirely.
Wherever they passed, buildings were obliterated in an instant.
Their momentum barely diminished as they slammed several feet into the ground.
“That is definitely not a trebuchet!”
Cao Cao’s heart was racing.
A trace of lingering fear remained on his face as he declared with certainty:
“No trebuchets could possibly hurl such massive objects!”
“My lord, keep moving!”
As Chen Gong fled alongside Cao Cao, he repeatedly glanced back toward the sky.
“Damn it!”
Cao Cao’s expression darkened.
“To think these Yellow Turban rebels have obtained such a divine weapon!”
While Cao Cao was desperately retreating for his life, Xu He outside the city was far from idle.
“Fire again!”
At Xu He’s command, another volley of prepared stone projectiles was launched into the air.
On the Qihuo Army’s central command platform, Cheng Yu struggled to suppress the overwhelming joy in his heart.
He respectfully bowed toward Zhang Jing and said:
“My lord!”
“Wuyan can be taken now!”
— The end of the Chapter–
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