Chapter 394: First Encounter with Xiliang

Luo Feng rode ahead, charging to a point about two hundred paces below the city gate, and abruptly halted his warhorse.

"Bow, now!"

Luo Feng let out a low growl, and a nearby bodyguard instantly handed him a specially made strong bow.

After drawing a deep breath, Luo Feng nocked an arrow, aiming the tip straight at the large banner bearing the character "Qian" atop the city tower.

"Whoosh!"

The arrow split the banner's rope with pinpoint accuracy, and the flag then fell to the ground below the city.

"Da Qian has fallen! I am Luo Feng, a great general under the Beijiang Ming King!"

Luo Feng shouted with full vigor, "By the Ming King's command I will retake Chang'an and pacify Guanzhong! Those who obey shall live, those who defy shall die! Open the city and you shall be spared; resist and you shall be slain!"

Almost as Luo Feng finished speaking, the cavalry behind him surged forward.

A portion dismounted, erected makeshift ladders at astonishing speed, and shouted as they rushed toward the wall!

Another group of riders nocked bows and arrows, sending shafts straight toward the ramparts to suppress the sparse counterattack.

Several squads also raced along the wall to both sides, seizing and securing the other gates.

The defending troops of Chang'an were already demoralized; caught off guard, they could hardly mount any proper resistance against such ferocious and relentless assault.

Do not underestimate Luo Feng's reputation now; since Beijiang was drawn onto the board, everyone can hear which mighty generals each faction fields.

And as the "madman" Luo Feng who stormed into Xiongnu territory alone with eight hundred men, his fame has long been unrivaled!

Seeing the Ming Army below and the trembling soldiers beside him who might flee at any moment, the defending commander gritted his teeth, drew his sword abruptly—not toward the city below, but slashing at a bewildered Vice General standing beside him!

"Open the city! Welcome the Lord's Heavenly Soldiers!"

He roared, and with his own hands threw open the gate.

As soon as the gate swung open, Ming Army cavalry surged in.

Luo Feng did not enter the city immediately; he swiftly issued orders: "First Battalion, Second Battalion, secure the east, south, and north gates and the tower!"

Third Battalion, charge straight to Huang Gong, seal the palace gates; no one may enter or exit, but hold off on attacking for now!

Fourth Battalion, take over the city armory, granaries, and treasury!

All other units, follow me to control the main streets, suppress looters taking advantage of the chaos, and maintain order!

Remember the Lord's command! Do not disturb the populace, do not loot, but anyone who disobeys shall be beheaded on the spot! Dispatch swift horses to report to the Lord that Chang'an has fallen!

After entering the city, the Ming Army's objectives were clear; they moved swiftly, using overwhelming force to seize the defensive strongpoints and key facilities.

The surrendered defenders and officials were merely placed under watch.

Those who dared to resist or loot amid the fire were cut down without mercy.

Soon, the unrest within Chang'an was suppressed.

Under his bodyguards, Luo Feng rode his horse slowly into Chang'an, stepping onto the city's broad Zhuque Avenue.

Along both sides of the street, doors and windows were shut, and the townsfolk peered fearfully through the cracks at the suddenly appearing, impeccably uniformed foreign troops.

Luo Feng looked up toward the towering palace complex in the distance, the heart of the Da Qian dynasty, now under his spearhead.

"General, Huang Gong is surrounded; there appear to be a few guards and palace staff inside, but no organized resistance," a subordinate reported.

"Surround but not assault; just keep watch. When the Lord's main force arrives we will decide," Luo Feng said gravely, then asked, "Any abnormality on the west or south? Any news from the Tongguan direction?"

"No trace of Xiliang forces yet! As for Tongguan, fleeing townsfolk say the interior is in chaos, but the gates remain tightly shut," came the reply.

Luo Feng nodded, his mind steadied.

He seized the initiative, captured Chang'an, but this is only the first step.

Xiliang will not be satisfied; the next clash will surely be with Xiliang, and the first battle between the Beijiang Ming Army and Xiliang forces will likely begin right here in Chang'an.

Two days after Luo Feng secured Chang'an, while the Ming Army hurried to repair the defenses, inventory the treasury, and soothe the anxious populace, another contingent appeared on the western horizon!

"Xiliang troops! Xiliang cavalry!" a Ming Army sentry on the tower sounded the alarm.

Upon hearing the news, Luo Feng rushed to the western city, climbed the tower and looked out to see Xiliang cavalry already arrayed in formation a few miles below.

Tu Fa Yan, realizing the Ming Army had seized Chang'an before him, slammed his massive axe onto the ground and roared toward the tower.

"People on the city walls, listen! I am Tu Fa Yan, a great general under the Xiliang King! By the Prince's command I come to claim Chang'an!"

"Who are you, daring to seize the imperial capital?"

"Open the city and surrender, hand over the citadel, and I may spare your lives! If not, when my Xiliang divine troops breach the walls, none of you will be left alive; blood will flow like rivers!"

Tu Fa Yan's tone was filled with arrogance and confidence.

The Xiliang cavalry behind him brandished their weapons to the ground, letting out fierce roars, aiming to overwhelm the defenders on the wall with sheer momentum.

Luo Feng stood behind the tower, his presence no less imposing.

"Tu Fa Yan! Listen! This is Chang'an, our ancient Huaxia capital! I am Luo Feng, the vanguard general under the Beijiang Ming King!"

"By the Ming King's command, I have restored this city and pacified the region! Xiliang has no cause to raise arms, violating our borders; you are the thieves of the nation!"

"Want Chang'an? Fine! Trade the heads of your Xiliang Qianghu for it! If you have the guts, bring your horses to assault the city! Watch how us Beijiang lads teach you barbarians the might of the Celestial Empire's army!"

Luo Feng deliberately called Xiliang "Qianghu," implying they are not part of the legitimate Huaxia.

"Luo Feng?"

Tu Fa Yan's eyes widened; clearly he had heard the name, "So it's you, that Beijiang wild dog! Excellent! I've long wanted to test the strength of you Beijiang folk! Today I'll use your banner as a sacrifice, letting Jiang Jinshi and his rebels see who truly should rule this world!"

He raised his massive axe abruptly and bellowed, "Boys! Assault the city! The first to breach will earn a thousand gold and a promotion of three ranks! Break Chang'an, seize the money, the grain, and the women for me!"

"Kill!!!"

Tens of thousands of Xiliang cavalry let out terrifying roars, sending the city's inhabitants into panic!

Arrows instantly rose from the cavalry formation, soaring toward the tower.

Countless Xiliang foot soldiers, bearing crude ladders and pushing hastily‑made battering carts, howled as they launched the first wave of charge under the cavalry's arrow rain.

Without further words, the moment they met they fought; having received Jiang Jinshi's order, Luo Feng did not retreat a single step.

Since Tu Fa Yan joined Xiliang he has achieved no merit; this battle is his first chance, and he would never cowardly flee!

Both sides have reasons they cannot afford to lose, but there has always been only one winner.

Luo Feng gazed at the enemy forces that outnumbered the Ming Army and was not afraid—twenty thousand versus forty thousand, the advantage is ours!!

"Archers to the battlements! Molten gold and fire oil, ready! Tell the brothers, the lord's great army is on the way! As long as we hold Chang'an, it will be a first-class merit! Let these Xiliang barbarians see just how hard the bones of our Ming Army are!"

"Defend Chang'an to the death!!" On the city wall, the Ming Army soldiers roared in unison, their morale not yielding to Xiliang.