Chapter 117: Siege of the City

The revolutionary army that had captured Keyi Gate soon arrived at Xixia's capital, Take Xingqing Fu; it must be said that the revolutionary army's ability to conduct long-range raids relied mainly on Mongol horses.

These horses can adapt to various harsh climates and feeding conditions, including extreme cold, intense heat, and arid environments. They can survive without water sources or fodder, thanks to their ability to find grass roots and water beneath snow and ice. Moreover, they possess outstanding endurance and speed, capable of sustained long-distance running, maintaining a long-distance pace of 50–100 kilometers per day for over ten days. This characteristic gives them extremely high mobility in military operations, allowing them to shift positions rapidly or launch sudden attacks on the enemy.

Although small in stature, they are rugged and sturdy, with short, thick limbs and solid hooves, which help them walk steadily over rough terrain. At the same time, their thick skin and coarse hair can withstand extreme cold and blizzards, protecting them from harsh weather.

More importantly, they can reduce the army's supply requirements. Furthermore, Mongol horses breed strongly; mares can provide mare's milk as rations for warriors, and when necessary, even mare's blood. These traits endowed the Mongols with unparalleled strategic mobility.

More importantly, the existence of the System Red Packet allows him to receive supplies sent by Zhang Chu'an and Nie Huaishang without any transportation costs.

In military terms, this is simply a BUG.

"Commander, I just don't understand. Clearly we have come to liberate them, so why are they resisting us alongside the Xixia slave owners?"

Looking at the Xixia city where soldiers and civilians were united in their determination to resist to the death, the guard Ye Jichi's face was already flushed with confusion and frustration.

"Hahaha, that is a very good question. Because in the past, armies have harmed the common people countless times; even their generals encouraged them to do so—killing, robbing money, and raping women. If you think a group like that bursts into your home, wouldn't you pick up your saber and fight them?"

Guo Jing's question made Ye Jichi hesitate; if such a band of robbers rushed to his own home, he would fight to the death to keep them out.

"But we…" Ye Jichi was about to speak when Guo Jing interrupted him: "I know you might want to say we are doing good deeds, that we have come to liberate them and free them from the oppression of the masters, but our kind of army is unprecedented."

"Whereas armies that harm the common people have always existed; from slave society until now, thousands of years have passed. How many years can a person live from birth to death? How many generations have witnessed only such armies? How can the common people believe the slogans we shout without any basis?"

After hearing Guo Jing's detailed explanation, the frustration in the guard's heart instantly vanished. He straightened his chest, a blazing light flickering in his eyes, and spoke with a ringing, powerful tone: "I understand, Commander! I will always hold my post, striving tirelessly for the noble and great cause of the people ruling themselves, until the moment of victory!"

"Excellent." Guo Jing nodded slightly, his face full of approval, his tone revealing sincere recognition: "People like us must harbor this fearless, unyielding resilience in the face of hardship. No matter how rough and rugged the road ahead, we must press forward courageously, never slackening."

"Nowadays, the three million people of Xixia are still oppressed by Xixia monks, nobles, and scholar-officials. Not only are they oppressed by these people, but when war breaks out, they are tricked into serving as cannon fodder to defend the city, while those nobles hide in large mansions within the city, indulging in luxury and debauchery. Comrades, it is time to tell those people that their days of tyranny are over; from now on, the people will stand up."

"Capture Take Xingqing Fu, liberate all of Xixia!"

"Capture Take Xingqing Fu, liberate all of Xixia!"

Tens of thousands of troops were in high spirits; their morale burned like a raging flame in the hearts of every warrior. They waved their arms, shouting slogans loudly; that resounding voice exploded like thunder, instantly echoing throughout Take Xingqing Fu.

The soldiers defending the city, hearing this unfamiliar slogan, could not help but look at one another in confusion; this was somewhat different from the army they had imagined, one that killed savagely and indiscriminately.

Seeing the soldiers' puzzled expressions, the non-commissioned officer lashed his back with a whip and shouted angrily: "You idiot, what are you thinking? The people outside clearly want to say something nice to make you idiots stop resisting. Once they enter the city, they will not only kill in your home and rape your sisters, but they might even capture you to be a slave!"

Being ruthlessly whipped on the back, he felt a burning pain spreading from his spine, as if fire were searing his skin; that piercing pain was like a sharp knife stabbing deeply into every nerve ending, while he silently cursed his own stupidity for believing such an obvious lie.

Guo Jing waved his hand lightly; a bright, dazzling signal flare shot across the sky, rushing forth like a meteor. Instantly, hundreds of shells poured down like a rainstorm, roaring out from distant hilltops, twisting in the air like angry fire dragons. Finally, these shells struck the walls of Take Xingqing Fu with the force of thunder, emitting a deafening roar that made the walls seem to tremble.

Under this fierce, storm-like baptism of firepower, the defenders on the walls of Take Xingqing Fu suffered heavy casualties. Blood stained the walls, and wails rose one after another, heartbreaking. However, what frightened them even more was that they did not even know where the enemy's cannons were positioned. This unknown threat hung over their heads like an invisible sharp sword, keeping them in constant fear and unease.

But they had no time to think about the position of the revolutionary army's cannons, because the revolutionary army had already begun the assault on the city.

The range of their muskets far exceeded that of the bows in their hands; their accuracy far surpassed that of archers aiming; and their rate of fire was even beyond the reach of bows. Standing on the city walls, those archers who had once proudly drawn their bows now stood like helpless live targets, exposed to the enemy musket fire.

Facing such fierce and precise firepower suppression, the defenders were forced to lower their heads, unable to return fire. They seemed bound by an invisible heavy pressure, unable to straighten their backs, let alone launch an effective counterattack. The power of the muskets filled them with unprecedented fear and helplessness; they could only watch helplessly as the enemy drew closer step by step, their hearts filled with helplessness and despair.

This was far from the most desperate situation; what truly disheartened them was the wave after wave, the sky-covering artillery fire, which swept down ruthlessly like a violent storm, occasionally leaving scars of devastation on the walls of Take Xingqing Fu.