Chapter 397

Jiang Jinshi finally spoke in a deep voice: "As for me, I will personally lead the central army's 100,000 main force, carrying siege equipment and the bulk of supplies and baggage, closely following the vanguard, along the passage opened by Han Xiao, crossing the river southward, straight to Chang'an!"

Wang Hou, your people must be sent out; the movements around Chang'an, the Tongguan direction, and even Xiliang and Luoyang—I need to know immediately! Wang Hou, ensure the safety of the army's march route, eliminate potential threats.

"Yes!" Wang Hou responded solemnly.

"Everyone!"

Jiang Jinshi's gaze swept over all civil and military officials in the hall: "The objective of this battle is clear—we will incorporate the heartland of Guanzhong into our Beijiang territory! All forces must coordinate closely, fight swiftly and win quickly! We will not give Xiliang another chance to mobilize troops and generals, to commit fully to contend! Action!"

"As ordered!" The generals responded in unison, their fighting spirit high.

And while Luo Feng was occupying Chang'an, Jiang Jinshi had already led his troops out; at this moment he is rapidly approaching the vicinity of Chang'an!

Along the way Jiang Jinshi did not conceal his movements, because that would greatly reduce marching speed, so the news of the Ming Army's southward advance also reached Luoyang!!

The Prince of Xiliang, far away in Luoyang, also received the battle report that Tufa Yan's fierce assault on Chang'an had been thwarted and he urgently requested aid!

"That brute Tufa Yan! With a force of forty thousand, after several days he still couldn't even take Chang'an!"

Wei Wenlie slammed the battle report onto the desk, both startled and angry.

The news of Jiang Jinshi's main force moving south made him feel an even stronger sense of urgency.

"Wu Shuang's expression remained calm," "My lord, please calm your anger! General Tufa's advance was thwarted for two reasons: first, Chang'an's high walls and deep moats; second, Luo Feng's defense is sound. Second, our army lacks heavy siege equipment, and cavalry is not suited for assaulting fortified positions."

"But General Tufa has successfully trapped Luo Feng inside the city, preventing him from maneuvering—this is a great achievement."

"Now the key lies in speed. We must strengthen our forces before Jiang Jinshi's main force reaches Chang'an and take the city in one fell swoop!"

"You mean we should immediately send reinforcements?" Wei Wenlie asked.

"Exactly."

Wu Shuang walked up to the map and said, "Jiang Jinshi's deployment of troops aims to clear the flanks and secure the rear; his main force directly assaults Chang'an, intending to coordinate with Luo Feng inside and outside to annihilate General Tufa's troops."

He paused, then continued, "You may order General Murong Ke to draw thirty thousand elite infantry from the Tongguan front line, carrying the partially completed siege towers and ladders, rush east to reinforce Tufa Yan! Tongguan can be temporarily held by the Vice General, maintaining pressure on the interior."

He paused, then continued, "At the same time, we will draw another twenty thousand cavalry from the Luoyang garrison, to be personally commanded by the Prince, as the second wave of reinforcements, following behind."

Once Murong Ke and Tufa Yan join forces, with their numerical superiority and siege equipment, the likelihood of quickly capturing Chang'an is extremely high.

Even if Jiang Jinshi's main force arrives, our army holding the fortified Chang'an can still respond calmly. If the battle turns unfavorable, the Prince's personally led cavalry can also serve as a reserve, or seek an opportunity to engage the Beijiang in open battle.

Cui Yan added, "We must also immediately increase our activities throughout Guanzhong, spreading rumors that the Beijiang army's discipline is corrupt and that they are prone to pillage, while our Xiliang army comes to preserve the borders and pacify the people."

"We should strive to keep the Guanzhong scholar-gentry and powerful clans at least neutral; if we can gain partial support or internal collaborators, that would be even better."

Wei Wenlie pondered for a moment, then slammed the armrest: "Good! Just follow the Military Advisor's plan! Issue orders to Murong Ke: leave troops to guard Tongguan, personally lead thirty thousand infantry and the siege equipment, and immediately march east to reinforce Chang'an!"

"I will personally select twenty thousand elite cavalry from Luoyang; we depart tomorrow! Tell Tufa Yan that reinforcements are already on the road—let him nail them down outside Chang'an's walls, absolutely not allowing Luo Feng to escape, and certainly not letting Jiang Jinshi pass through easily!"

"Yes!" The officials below responded in unison.

Xiliang's response was extremely swift; now both sides are racing to seize the initiative!

After receiving the order, Murong Ke, although still concerned about the situation at Tongguan, obeyed the military command without hesitation and immediately mustered thirty thousand of the most reliable infantry.

Carrying dozens of hastily built battering rams, over a hundred extended ladders, and a large quantity of arrows, they left the Tongguan camp, took the official road, and rushed rapidly toward Chang'an.

Just as Luo Feng was locked in a stalemate with the enemy, the Xiliang reinforcements arrived first, for they were ultimately closer to the capital.

Although Tufa Yan has a violent temper and may lack the talent to command, the one thing he did right was to promptly send word back to the rear, requesting reinforcements!

And upon seeing Murong Ke's large army arrive in support, Tufa Yan burst out laughing: "Luo the madman? It looks like in the end, my Xiliang will win after all!"

Murong Ke stepped forward without many words and directly asked about the situation: "What is the current situation, and how many troops does the Beijiang enemy have?"

"About sixteen or seventeen thousand, I've been harassing them these days, not letting them rest properly; now I suppose they must be exhausted!"

"Good!"

Murong Ke did not blame Tufa Yan for losing the initiative; instead, he turned his gaze toward Chang'an, the city that everyone longs for, and shouted to his troops:

"Everyone!! Chang'an is right before our eyes—launch the general attack!!"

Without the slightest hesitation and giving the Ming Army no time to rest, Murong Ke decisively launched an attack on Chang'an.

"Soak the hides on the battering rams and push them forward!"

"Take the sturdy ladders; today I will breach Chang'an!"

As the orders were issued one after another, the Xiliang army also began to launch a fierce general assault on Chang'an.

Luo Feng naturally saw the scene of the western reinforcements arriving on the city walls, but he did not panic.

"Brothers, hold Chang'an to the death!"

Even though Jiang Jinshi had once told him that if something is impossible, one must not force it, he still chose to garrison the city rather than retreat!

"Hold Chang'an to the death!"

The Ming Army soldiers raised their weapons and shouted loudly; even though their siege equipment and arrows were few, their spirit remained like a rainbow!

Soon the Xiliang troops surged forward, the battering rams wrapped in soaked thick hides continually striking the east and south gates of Chang'an; Murong Ke actually planned a divided assault, forcing Luo Feng to split his forces to defend.

Moreover, without the support of numerous arrows, the Xiliang army's ladders were more easily erected on the city tops, far sturdier than the previous makeshift ladders, and the Xiliang infantry climbing them became even more elite and valiant.

The Xiliang army had received supplies; their long-range firepower far surpassed that of Luo Feng and his men, arrows flying as if costless, pressing the defenders on the city walls so they could barely lift their heads.

Throwing down the limited rolling logs and stones only temporarily delayed the assault; soon new enemies filled the gaps.

What's more, Murong Ke also brought catapults, hurling huge stones weighing over a hundred catties onto the battlements, smashing many crenellations.

"Hold fast! Hold fast for me! Reinforce the gates! Spearmen, block the breaches!" Luo Feng still had no intention of retreating; if arrows ran out, he would use spears, and if spears broke, he would use great swords.

When the rolling logs and stones were exhausted, he would kill the enemy and throw them down—after all, Luo Feng could not retreat a single step!

At the same time, he was fully aware that his lord, Jiang Jinshiyi, would surely come; this conviction was stronger than anyone else's.

The surviving Ming Army soldiers gritted their teeth and held on; the only hope left in their hearts was that their reinforcements would arrive as soon as possible.

If it were on the plains or grasslands where guerrilla warfare could be waged, Luo Feng would dare to pit a thousand men against ten thousand—but unfortunately, that is not the case.