Chapter 653: A Proper Showdown with Those Qi Thieves Bred by a Dog Mother!

The orange‑red afterglow of the setting sun is being gradually swallowed by the dark gray on the horizon, the north wind whips up dust from the city walls, carrying the dry scent of the wasteland, biting people's cheeks.

Hong Xi stands beside the pheasant battlement of the North Gate tower, his right hand gripping the handle of his Horizontal Blade at his waist, his knuckles white, the wooden hilt beneath his fingertips already damp with cold sweat.

His gaze is fixed on the northern skyline, where a black, oppressive torrent surges forward with a force that can fell trees.

The clatter of horse hooves crushing the wasteland's dull sound reaches the ears clearly even from several miles away.

Like thunder rolling across the ground, it makes people's hearts pound wildly.

The black mass draws nearer, the ferocious wolf head on the banner glints coldly in the dying sun, and the formation of dark Leather Armor moves like a drifting black cloud.

Where it passes, dust blocks the sky and sun, even swallowing most of the sunset's afterglow.

Hong Xi's pupils suddenly contract, his brows knit into a knot, his lips moving as if repeatedly confirming the scene before him.

He has followed Wang Xiong to the Northern Border for over a year, and knows the frontier defenses and terrain like the back of his hand.

The vast fertile plain to the north was originally a key agricultural garrison of Great Zhou, housing thousands of elite troops, serving as Gancao City's northern shield.

Normally, any enemy force wishing to approach Gancao City must first pass the defenses of Woye Town.

But now, the iron hooves of the Qi army have appeared directly within Gancao City's sight, a continuous marching formation stretching for miles, its momentum overwhelming.

Clearly it is an elite force, far from a small band of marauders or scouts.

"That's not right!" a startled exclamation burst from Hong Xi, shattering the brief stillness atop the city walls.

He whirled his head, looking at Wang Xiong and Huang Shizhang beside him, his eyes filled with incredulous doubt, his voice trembling from shock, "Isn't the north supposed to be Woye Town?!"

"Woye Town is only a hundred li away, with thousands of troops and solid fortifications; how could there be no sign at all?!"

"With the Qi army making such a huge movement, why hasn't Woye Town sent any warning? Could it be..."

He dared not utter the rest, but the unfinished speculation weighed on everyone's hearts like a massive stone.

Wang Xiong heard the words but did not reply immediately; his eyes narrowed, his sharp gaze piercing the dust ahead like a hawk, fixed on the cavalry formation sweeping in from afar.

His brows furrowed tightly, a hint of gravity and worry gathering between them, his fingers rubbing the hilt of the sword at his waist.

Years of military campaigns and court experience have given him a calm composure in crisis, yet now his heart roiled with turbulent waves.

"Woye is probably under a surprise attack!"

After a long pause, Wang Xiong finally spoke slowly, his voice calm yet undeniably certain, each word striking the crowd like a thousand‑pound boulder.

His gaze remained fixed on the Qi army's direction, his expression deepening, "Look at the Qi army's marching speed and formation; this is no ad‑hoc gathering, it must have been pre‑planned..."

"They bypassed Yubi's main battlefield, detouring through the Northern Border; their target is likely the grain and forage depot at Woye Town!"

Finishing his words, Wang Xiong let out a long sigh, filled with helplessness and weight, "The thing I feared most has indeed happened..."

His words carried an unmistakable trace of frustration.

Had he arrived to inspect earlier, perhaps the breach could have been avoided...

Huang Shizhang stood nearby, his whole body trembling at the news, his face full of disbelief.

He clenched his fist, the blue veins on his arm pulsing.

He has guarded Gancao City for years; though not famed for great deeds, he knows the basics of frontier warfare, yet the Qi army's maneuver completely exceeds his understanding.

"How could this happen?!" Huang Shizhang cried out, his tone full of astonishment and confusion, "Why would the Qi army make such a choice?!"

"Woye Town may have provisions, but it lies deep in the Northern Border; they are deep in enemy territory, with supply lines stretched so long—how can the grain routes be maintained?!"

"If our forces cut off their rear, wouldn't they be trapped to death in the Northern Border?!"

"This defies the principles of warfare!"

He truly could not fathom why the Qi army would abandon the standoff at Yubi and instead opt to strike Woye Town.

Such a seemingly reckless move is nothing short of courting death.

Wang Xiong inhaled deeply, the turmoil in his chest gradually calming.

He knows that dwelling on the Qi army's strategy now is meaningless; the urgent task is to respond and hold Gancao City.

He snapped his head up, his eyes instantly sharp and resolute, the previous heaviness and frustration swept away, replaced by battle‑ready determination.

"Stop wasting time on these meaningless questions!" Wang Xiong shouted suddenly, his voice booming like thunder across the ramparts, instantly drowning out the distant hoofbeats and the murmurs of the wall guards, "If the Qi army dares to advance alone, they must have a backup!"

"Perhaps they have already struck a pact with the Rouran, dividing forces for a surprise attack, or perhaps they never intended to stay long, merely aiming to burn Woye Town's granaries and cut off our Northern Border supplies!"

"It's too late to discuss this now; the urgent matter is to defend Gancao City!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Xiong turned to Huang Shizhang, his gaze blazing, his tone decisive, commanding loudly, "General Huang, issue orders at once! Close all city gates and raise the suspension bridge!"

"All guards, immediately mount the walls, draw your bows, unsheathe your blades, and prepare to meet the enemy!"

"Notify every civilian: no one may leave, stay hidden at home, and keep silent!"

"Anyone who dares to leave the city without permission or spread rumors will be dealt with by military law!"

His voice is steady and powerful, bearing undeniable authority.

It instantly steadied the previously flustered Huang Shizhang.

Huang Shizhang felt a chill, quickly suppressing his surprise and confusion, clasping his fists and bowing, he replied loudly, "At once, sir! Subordinate General will attend to it immediately!"

At this moment, his earlier confidence has vanished; Wang Xiong's composure and authority have influenced him, making him realize the gravity of the situation.

If Gancao City falls, not only his life is at risk, but the entire Northern Border defense of Xiazhou will collapse, with unthinkable consequences.

"Go quickly!" Wang Xiong waved his hand, his tone urgent, "Remember, you must soothe the troops' morale, have each soldier fulfill his duty, and allow no slack at all!"

"The North Gate is the enemy's main thrust; dispatch more elite troops to hold it, ensure Bow and Arrow, rolling stones, and battering wood are all ready, and make sure you hold the first line of defense!"

"Subordinate General understands!" Huang Shizhang clasped his fists again, turned, and sprinted down toward the city.

"Relay my General's Order! Close all city gates! Raise the suspension bridge!" Huang Shizhang shouted while running, his voice hoarse from exertion yet filled with decisive resolve, "All soldiers, immediately ascend the city and prepare for battle!"

"Draw the bows, unsheathe the blades! Strengthen the North Gate defenses; get Bow and Arrow, rolling stones, and battering wood up to the walls swiftly!"

"Disobeyers will be dealt with by military law!"

His voice echoed over the walls, cutting through the tense air, reaching the barracks and alleys below the city.

The guards, hearing the order, jolted as if pricked by needles, rushed out of the barracks toward their posts.

Some lifted Long Spears and sprinted toward the city wall.

Some pushed carts loaded with rolling stones and timber, hurrying.

Others rushed to the gate, turned the winch, and slowly raised the heavy hanging bridge.

The previously gloomy Gancao City was instantly shrouded in a tense war‑preparation atmosphere; the clashing of weapons, shouts, and footfalls intertwined, forming a tragic pre‑battle overture.

Hong Xi glanced at the enemy army drawing nearer; the dark formation was clearly visible, even the cavalry's horse‑swords flashing cold light could be seen, and the oppressive murderous aura was felt on his face.

He inhaled deeply, suppressed his alarm, hurried to Wang Xiong's side, bowed slightly, lowered his voice, and, with urgency and worry, proposed, "Sima, the Qi army advances fiercely, while Gancao City has only about 1,700 garrison troops; the disparity is too great, we may not be able to hold."

"How about we immediately send a detachment to break out, head to Tongwan City for aid, and let over a hundred Private Soldiers from our main force escort you out through the South Gate?"

"As long as the green hills remain, we need not fear lacking firewood; escaping danger is the priority!"

Hong Xi's suggestion was not without reason; Wang Xiong, as Xiazhou Sima, if he were to meet an untimely end or be captured, would deal a heavy blow to the Northern Border's morale.

He had no other choice but to report to the old Lord Hou.

Moreover, with Gancao City's forces, trying to stop Qi's fierce assault is like an egg striking stone; better to preserve ourselves here than waste lives and plan later.

Yet Wang Xiong, upon hearing this, snapped his head around, gave Hong Xi a sidelong glance, his eyes flashing anger and disappointment.

"Hong Xi, what nonsense are you spouting!"

Wang Xiong raised his voice to cut him off, his tone icy and unabashedly reproachful, "As a soldier, you must take protecting the nation as your duty!"

"Now Gancao City teeters on the brink, the lives of its people rest on us; how could I flee the battlefield?!"

He paused, his tone softened slightly yet remained unshakably firm, and said gravely, "Moreover, if I were to leave, wouldn't the morale of Gancao City's troops crumble?"

"The soldiers already fear the disparity; if this commanding general withdraws, their morale will drop, they will lose the will to fight, and Gancao City will fall without a fight—no different from handing the place over!"

"If the Qi army captures Gancao City, they can surge straight into Xiazhou's interior, laying waste to the living and leaving the populace destitute!"

"How can you and I face the people of Xiazhou, how can we face the Court's trust?!"

Hong Xi flushed red and ears burning from Wang Xiong's rebuke, his face full of shame.

He lowered his head, silently regretting that his earlier consideration was flawed; he had only thought of preserving Wang Xiong's life, neglecting the troops' morale and the civilians' safety.

Wang Xiong was right; as a soldier, how could one covet life and flee the battlefield?

Guarding the city and protecting the people is precisely their duty.

"Sima, you are absolutely right!" Hong Xi thrust his head up, the hesitation and worry in his eyes vanished, replaced by resolve.

He clasped his fists, bowed to Wang Xiong, and said earnestly, "It was Shuyi's consideration that was inadequate, nearly jeopardizing the great matter!"

Wang Xiong exhaled a breath of foul air.

Days of marching and sudden combat tension had etched fatigue into his brows, yet his eyes remained as sharp as an eagle's, showing no hint of cowardice.

Then, his tone softened slightly, and he said gravely, "However, you have reminded this official..."

Before the words finished, Wang Xiong's gaze had already swept over the soldiers on the ramparts and then toward the distant dark night, his mind already formulating a full plan.

He turned, gave Hong Xi a methodical order, his voice low yet undeniably authoritative: "Immediately dispatch our main force's Private Soldiers, select three riders with the best horsemanship and swift skill, have them slip out through the East, West, and South gates, avoid Qi's cavalry scouts, and race day and night to Tongwan City to deliver the message!"

He paused, pointed his fingertip toward the dark, oppressive army formation to the north, his tone growing heavier: "Have them explain the current critical situation clearly..."

Hong Xi, hearing this, felt a chill, quickly nodded and replied, "As you command! Shuyi will now select the men and personally remind them to be careful on the way!"

Wang Xiong blinked, as if recalling something, and added, "Also have them take my Token; bearing the Token into the city will allow them to meet Tongwan City's commanding general directly, avoiding delay at the gate."

"Shuyi understands!" Hong Xi replied in a deep voice.

"Also," Wang Xiong raised his hand, pointing to the towering beacon pillar at the southeast corner of the rampart, still wrapped with half‑dry wolf dung and firewood, a crucial Northern Border signal, "ignite the beacon at once!"

"Let the surrounding fortresses and towns become alert, prepare defenses early, reinforce the walls, gather the civilians, lest Qi's detachments exploit the weakness!"

The Northern Border's beacon system has a unique set of transmission rules; different flame intensities and numbers of smoke columns convey different military information.

When Gancao City's beacon is lit, fortresses within a hundred li can see it and know an attack is occurring, allowing them to prepare thoroughly in advance.

Hong Xi responded, "Yes! Shuyi will now arrange men to light it!"

Wang Xiong looked at Hong Xi's tense profile, raised his hand and patted his shoulder; the warmth through the thin clothing conveyed a soothing meaning: "After you finish these orders, you need not rush back to the North Gate tower."

Hong Xi was startled, about to ask, when Wang Xiong continued, "Go directly to soothe the city's people, tell them that Wang Xiong is here, that the defending soldiers are present, and we will surely hold Gancao City!"

"Also organize the city's militia; gather all the strong and robust, distribute weapons to them, have them help move rolling stones, timber, and arrows—these defensive supplies—reinforce the weak sections of the walls, especially the foundations on both sides of the North Gate, and inspect them carefully!"

At this point, Wang Xiong's tone rose sharply; he drew his waist‑worn sword, its blade flashing a cold light, and declared loudly, "I, this official, will personally guard this spot!"

"The North Gate tower is my position, Wang Xiong's stronghold; we will not retreat in this battle!"

"Sima!" Hong Xi heard this, his complexion changed abruptly, he thrust his gaze at Wang Xiong, eyes full of shock and concern, stepped forward instinctively, and urged urgently, "A gentleman should not stand beneath a perilous wall!"

"This rampart is the front line where the two armies clash; stray arrows are blind, rolling stones merciless, Qi's Bow and Arrowmen are all masterful—if..."

His words were cut off before finishing, as Wang Xiong abruptly interrupted.

Wang Xiong's gaze burned like a torch, landing on Hong Xi's face; his tone was unwavering, each word striking the ground: "My decision is made!"

"You need not say more!"

He sheathed his sword, patted Hong Xi's shoulder, his voice softened slightly yet retained an unchallengeable authority: "Hong Xi, soothing the people and organizing the militia are crucial; only you can handle them, and then I will be at ease!"

"Holding Gancao City relies not only on the soldiers atop the walls but also on the civilians within."

"You go, and be sure to keep the rear stable; do not let chaos arise in the city!"

Hong Xi looked at Wang Xiong's steadfast eyes, knowing that once he made a decision, he would not change it.

Though his heart was full of countless worries, he could only suppress them.

He bowed, clasped his fists, and said gravely, "Shuyi obeys!"

"I will not betray the Sima's trust!"

Having spoken, Hong Xi turned and strode away quickly, his steps hurried, soon vanishing around the rampart corner.

Wang Xiong watched him leave, then slowly turned his gaze back northward.

The Qi army's formation still lingered outside the moat, a black mass like a coiled beast, intimidating to behold.

The wind atop the rampart grew fiercer, rattling his robe, yet he remained oblivious, merely gripping his waist‑worn sword tightly.

His gaze flashed like lightning, scanning every defensive structure on the city walls and every soldier's face.

Time slipped by little by little, and the night grew ever darker.

Before long, a rapid footfall sounded from the other side of the city tower; Huang Shizhang and Hong Xi came hurrying, one after the other.

Huang Shizhang's armor was caked with dust, and fine beads of sweat still dotted his forehead, clearly having just returned from patrolling the city walls.

He stepped before Wang Xiong, clasped his fists and bowed, his voice urgent yet steady: "Sima Wang, the garrison inside Gancao City has all ascended to the city tower!"

"Three hundred men are stationed at each of the east, west, and south gates; the remaining eight hundred‑plus are all gathered on the north gate's city tower and the walls on either side!"

"Rolling stones, battering logs, and arrows have all been moved into place, and the archers and crossbowmen are each in position, ready to meet the enemy at any moment!"

Following closely, Hong Xi stepped forward, bowed and reported: "Sima, Shuyi over there has also finished!"

"Three messenger knights have already set out, each selected as a one‑in‑a‑hundred elite, surely they will break through the heavy siege and reach Tongwan City!"

He paused, then added: "The beacon fires have been lit; the columns of smoke rise skyward, standing out sharply in the night, and the surrounding forts will surely see them!"

"The townsfolk have been pacified; many able‑bodied youths have volunteered, willing to help defend the city. At present the civilians are reinforcing the walls, moving supplies, and everything is orderly!"

At this moment, Wang Xiong had already donned a heavy Mingguang armor.

The armor was brought from Tongwan City; the plates glimmered with a cold sheen under the moon, the Guardian Heart Mirror bore beast motifs, a broad jade belt cinched his waist, making his posture upright and his aura imposing.

He listened to their reports, slowly nodded, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes, and in a deep voice praised: "Very good! You have all done well!"

As his words fell, his gaze remained fixed forward, staring unblinking toward the direction of the Qi army.

In the night, the Qi cavalry seemed restless, beginning to circle back and forth not far below the city.

The dust kicked up by hooves billowed, and occasionally the neighs of warhorses and the rough shouts of the cavalry could be heard.

Strangely, they never launched an attack, merely skirting outside the moat as if waiting for something.

Hong Xi watched the circling Qi State cavalry, his doubts deepening.

He stepped half a pace forward, close to Wang Xiong, and lowered his voice: "Sima, do you think we can truly hold it?"

He had followed the old Marquis for years, seen many battles, but had never witnessed such a disparity in forces.

This was a near‑hopeless battle; had Wang Xiong not remained calm, he would have panicked long ago.

Even as he asked, his own voice trembled slightly.

Wang Xiong heard this, turned his head, looked at Hong Xi's slightly anxious eyes, his gaze unshakably firm, and said with decisive certainty: "We can! Absolutely can!"

The single word "can" seemed to carry a thousand‑pound force, instantly steadied Hong Xi's hanging heart.

And Huang Shizhang, standing beside them, remained silent.

His brows knit, fists clenched, his expression fluctuating, his eyes full of doubt.

He gazed at the Qi army spreading like a mountain of riders below, then thought of the fewer than two thousand defenders inside, and felt a heavy weight pressing his chest, almost suffocating.

The Qi army before them—what a concept!

It was a force capable of flattening a medium‑sized city.

Gancao City was merely a small town on the Northern Border; its walls were low, its moat shallow, and the garrison was outnumbered. Even if every soldier fought bravely, how long could they hold?

The reinforcements from Tongwan City were not something that could simply appear at will.

Wang Xiong's gaze was razor‑sharp; Huang Shizhang's obvious change could not escape his notice.

He turned, looked at Huang Shizhang, a faint smile curling his lips, his tone both teasing and scrutinizing, and asked: "What's wrong, General Huang? Do you not trust this officer?"

"Think we can't hold Gancao City?"

Huang Shizhang heard this, his whole body shivered, he quickly raised his head and shook his head repeatedly at Wang Xiong, his voice urgent in defense: "Not at all!"

He inhaled deeply, the doubt on his face deepening, the worry in his brows nearly spilling over, and he said anxiously: "It's just… it's just that the Qi army's advance this time is fierce!"

"And our Gancao City, with fewer than two thousand defenders, many of whom are fresh recruits who have never seen a proper battle!"

Wang Xiong listened to Huang Shizhang's worried words, his face unmoved, his gaze still fixed on the dark mass of cavalry below, and calmly said: "Though numerous, those below are all cavalry!"

The remark startled both Huang Shizhang and Hong Xi; following Wang Xiong's line of sight, they indeed saw that the Qi formation consisted solely of towering warhorses.

The cavalry wore Xuan Armor, brandishing sabers and Long Spears, appearing even more fierce in the night.

Yet these elite riders could only linger outside the moat, showing no intention of approaching the walls even a step.

Wang Xiong's gaze shifted slightly, passing those circling riders, and looked toward the distant wasteland.

In the night, faint torches could be seen moving toward Gancao City, their flames linking into a serpentine fire dragon; though not swift, they carried an undeniable pressure.

He said in a deep voice: "They cannot take the city; they must wait for siege engines and infantry before they can assault and besiege…"

"And that will take a day!"

The cavalry's advantage lies in open‑field charges and flanking maneuvers.

But against walls and a moat, cavalry have nowhere to employ it.

To breach a city, infantry must be the main force, supported by siege engines such as ladders, battering rams, and catapults.

The Qi army's long‑range raid allowed its cavalry to arrive first, but infantry and siege engines move slowly; reaching Gancao City would still require at least a day.

Moreover, the number of siege engines would certainly not be many…

These words, like clearing clouds to reveal the sun, instantly enlightened Huang Shizhang.

His taut nerves relaxed a bit, his brows eased, and the doubt and fear in his eyes were replaced by a clear calm.

He pondered briefly, then thrust his head up, his face showing exhilaration, his voice regaining confidence: "The provincial capital's support will arrive in at most three days!"

"We only need to hold for two days!"

Tongwan City lies just over three hundred li from Gancao City; with fast horses, they could arrive in two days, and even a marching army would need three.

As long as Gancao City can hold those two days, when reinforcements arrive, a coordinated strike could perhaps crush the Qi elite on the Northern Border wasteland!

Wang Xiong slowly nodded, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes, turned and looked at the tense soldiers behind him, and loudly said: "Indeed!"

"The Provisions in the treasury will last half a year, and we have more than enough defensive equipment!"

His voice rang out, carried by the biting night wind, reaching every corner of the north gate's city tower.

The soldiers on the city walls, hearing this, let the tension ease from their faces, showing a hint of relaxation.

Many whispered among themselves, the fear in their eyes gradually fading, replaced by a thread of hope and resolve.

"Exactly! Our provisions are ample; what's there to fear!"

"Just hold out two days, reinforcements will arrive! Then we'll cut them down to nothing!"

"Qi bandits who want to breach Gancao City, first ask whether my Long Spear will obey!"

The alternating murmurs gathered together, forming a weak yet steadfast force that flowed slowly in the night.

Huang Shizhang watched his troops rekindle their fighting spirit, and the last doubt in his heart vanished like smoke.

He clenched his fist hard, a fierce battle aura flashing in his eyes, and declared resolutely, "Then we'll nail them here to death!"

"Let's clash with those damn Qi bandits!"

Before the words finished, he turned toward the other side of the wall, shouting orders as he walked, "All soldiers, obey! Rotate the watch and stagger the rest!"

"Those on watch must keep their eyes wide open, lest the Qi army launch a surprise attack!"

"Those resting, use the time to recover strength; tomorrow we'll kill the thieves together with me!"

Hong Xi hurried forward, clasping his fist to Wang Xiong and saying, "Sima, Shuyi will now go urge the militia to reinforce the walls, then inventory the Rolling Stone and Battering Wood in the treasury, ensuring nothing is amiss!"

Wang Xiong nodded, watched Hong Xi's hurried retreating back, then turned his gaze northward.

The night deepened, the torches like fire dragons drew nearer, and he knew the real test lay ahead.

Yet in his heart there was no fear, only hot blood and steadfast belief.

That night, Gancao City's walls were lit brightly; soldiers took turns on watch, while the militia bustled below, reinforcing walls and hauling supplies.

The whole city was shrouded in a tense yet orderly atmosphere.

Wang Xiong remained atop the highest point of the North Gate tower, clad in Radiant Armor, sword at his waist, like a statue, his gaze blazing as he watched the north, sleepless through the night.

Dawn's pale light spread across the sky, the faint sunrise pierced the darkness, tinting the earth with a light gold hue.

As the sun rose slowly, the temperature climbed; the soldiers on the walls showed slight fatigue, yet kept their backs straight, without any slack.

Time slipped by, from early morning to noon, then from noon to dusk.

Just as Wang Xiong had said, by the next evening the northern lands finally echoed with earth‑shaking battle cries.

The main force of the Qi army, twenty thousand infantry, finally arrived at Gancao City's foot bearing siege engines.

The sunset's afterglow fell on the Qi army's lines; the twenty thousand infantry formed several Formations, bearing Shield and Long Spear, marching in step toward Gancao City.

Behind the Formations, a dozen ladders were pushed out, along with a few crude battering rams, their cold metal glinting in the sun.

The cavalry that arrived earlier positioned themselves on both sides of the Infantry Square Formation, ready to support.

"Kill! Breach Gancao City!"

"Slaughter everyone inside!"

"For Great Qi! Charge!"

The deafening battle cries surged like tide, the Qi infantry raised their weapons high and launched a fierce assault on the North Gate.

They pushed the ladders, bore Shield, ignoring arrows raining from the walls, scrambling down toward the wall base.

"Release arrows! Release arrows!" Huang Shizhang roared from the wall.

The archers on the wall instantly nocked arrows, a dense rain of bolts fell toward the Qi army below.

For a moment, wails rose and fell; many Qi infantry fell pierced by arrows, their blood staining the ground beyond the moat.

Yet the Qi assault remained relentless; they pressed on, fearless of death, surging toward the walls.

Soon, several ladders were thrust against the wall; the Qi infantry clambered up like ants.

"Rolling Stone! Battering Wood! Drop them!" Wang Xiong's voice boomed atop the wall.

The prepared soldiers immediately lifted the nearby Rolling Stone and Battering Wood, hurling them hard onto the ladders.

With a few crisp "crack!" sounds, several ladders snapped, the Qi infantry atop shrieked as they fell, bones breaking.

The battle thus erupted fiercely.

The Qi offensive came wave after wave, surging like tide and receding like tide.

The Gancao City soldiers on the wall fought to the death; when arrows ran out, they used Rolling Stone and Battering Wood.

After the stones and wood were spent, they swung Long Spears, stabbing the Qi troops that climbed onto the wall.

The militia also seized weapons, joining the fight.

Though untrained, each fought bravely, wielding hoes and machetes, battling the Qi troops that scaled the wall to the death.

Night fell again, torches on the wall were lit, illuminating the battlefield brightly.

Shouts, clashing weapons, screams, and roars intertwined, echoing through Gancao City's night sky.

The Qi siege engines were few, and after the long march they were already damaged, unable to pose a great threat to the city walls.

The Great Zhou garrison, relying on the sturdy walls and ample supplies, held the North Gate firmly.

This brutal fight lasted into the latter half of the night.

When the eastern horizon again turned pale, the Qi offensive finally began to wane.

Their casualties were severe: of the twenty thousand infantry, nearly two thousand were lost, over five thousand wounded, yet they still could not breach Gancao City's North Gate.

Seeing the battlefield strewn with corpses, Gao Xiaoyu finally ordered a retreat.

The Qi army slowly withdrew toward the northern wasteland, leaving only corpses and broken siege gear behind.