Chapter 775: 772: Unknown_1

Chapter 775: Chapter 772: Unknown_1

The heavy shield soldiers changed their formation, moving in groups of twenty, interlocking their heavy shields to protect the front and above, shielding the siege soldiers beneath. They shouted out, “Hoo-ha!” as they advanced steadily under the drumming battle rhythm, braving the rain of arrows.

Behind the heavy shield formation, a large number of trebuchets followed closely, densely packed, appearing endless in the darkness. Zhao Sheng’s deputy could not help but shiver with cold sweat; it must indeed be the Princess of Zhen herself. This time, Liu Hong of the Jin Army had deployed such a large scale of trebuchets, as if he was using his last reserves.

Arrows embedded themselves into the shields or into the muddy ground. When a shield soldier was struck down, a new soldier immediately took his place, each step paid with their lives to keep the trebuchets advancing closer, ensuring that the Qingxi Mountain Pass remained within their range.

On the city walls of the Qingxi Mountain Pass, the winches of the three-bed crossbows turned, the taut strings creaking. At the command, the hammer-wielding soldiers released the triggers, sending giant crossbow bolts, like silver spears, flying out. They pierced straight into the Jin heavy shield formation, followed by screams. Still, the Jin soldiers did not retreat and continued their advance.

New heavy shield soldiers braved the rain of arrows to cover the fallen, pulling them back swiftly under the shields. It was unclear how long this went on before a trebuchet commander rode up and shouted, “General, the city walls of the Qingxi Mountain Pass are within our range!”

Wang Xiping hurriedly turned his horse and rushed to Liu Hong’s war chariot. “General, we are within range!”

Liu Hong stood on his chariot, gripping the sword at his waist tightly, and shouted, “Fire!”

Wang Xiping echoed the order, turning and shouting in the rain, “Fire!”

At Wang Xiping’s command, an even louder whistling sound than the rain and wind rushed towards the Qingxi Mountain Pass. Boulders and stones fell like rain. The three-bed crossbows were smashed down from the city walls. Blood and flesh splattered everywhere atop the city walls.

As soon as the first wave of trebuchets paused, before the Liang Army could react, more boulders came crashing down through the torrential rain.

“General, watch out!” A guard beside Zhao Sheng’s deputy pushed him aside, taking the falling boulder himself, instantly losing his breath and life.

Zhao Sheng’s deputy’s helmet fell to the ground as he got up and saw his guard, then at the continuous boulders flying in, his heart shook. Liu Hong truly was using everything he had. Being helped up, Zhao Sheng’s deputy’s blood boiled as he threw down his sword, stood in front of the three-bed crossbows, turned the winch, and shouted, “Fire! Don’t let the Jin Army advance another step! Defend the Qingxi Mountain Pass to the death!”

In this heavy rain, fire was of no use. They couldn’t burn the Jin’s trebuchets, so the Liang soldiers on the walls could only take the hits passively.

Liu Hong, sensing the time was right, shouted, “Battering ram! Advance!”

The heavy shield formation orderly moved aside. The battering rams, heavily armored, rushed toward the city gates, followed closely by infantry pushing assault ladders. They advanced like a newly awakened giant beast, heading straight for the Qingxi Mountain Pass, making hearts pound in the night.

Among Daliang’s two great pass defenses, the Yushan Pass had already fallen into the Jin Kingdom’s hands. The Qingxi Mountain Pass, called the most impregnable pass, saw many famous generals but none could cross it.

This was because Qingxi Mountain Pass was built on natural defenses; the walls were made of stone and nearly impossible to climb.

Liu Hong spent significant manpower and resources from the Jin Kingdom to capture Qingxi Mountain Pass, drawing criticism from the Jin royal court. If he failed to hold onto the pass, not only would his position be in jeopardy, but it would also be an affront to the soldiers who died capturing it.

Bai Weiting once said, to conquer Daliang’s world, one must first take Yushan Pass and then the impregnable Qingxi Mountain Pass.

Militarily, Liu Hong had unwavering faith in the King of Zhen, Bai Weiting. Losing other cities was tolerable, but not Qingxi Mountain Pass. He had to retake it.

In the heavy rain, Bai Qingyan, leading her troops, suddenly reined in her horse, raising her hand,

“Halt!”

Twenty-eight thousand soldiers, including the Anping Army, halted in the drenching rain slicking their armor, awaiting orders silently.

Bai Qingyan gazed into the distant Qingxi Mountain Gorge, vaguely hearing the thunderous sounds of battle. Her steed snorted out white mist, shaking its rain-soaked mane. She grasped the reins firmly, patting the horse’s neck in comfort, and called out, “Has the scout returned?”

Shen Yanzong immediately stepped forward with a tug of his reins. “Reporting to the Princess of Zhen, not yet!”

Bai Qingyan guessed; at this moment, either Liu Hong was fighting Zhao Sheng coming to Daliang’s aid or he retreated to preserve his strength, planning a night surprise.

“Report…”

Her dispatched scout galloped back, dismounted, knelt on one knee, and clasped his fists before her. “Reporting to Princess of Zhen, General Liu Hong is leading troops to take Qingxi Mountain Pass. He wants me to relay that Commandery Princess Gaoyi has led troops around to the rear of Liang Army, drawing away significant forces. The gates should soon be breached. Rest assured, Princess.”

Liu Hong did not want Bai Qingyan to interfere in this battle; he was close to victory and wished not for the reputation of needing her help.

Clenching the reins tightly, Bai Qingyan asked, “How many did Commandery Princess Gaoyi take to the rear of Liang Army?”

“I do not know!” replied the scout.

“Shen Yanzong, Liu Pinggao, take command!” Bai Qingyan called loudly.

“Present!”

“Present!”

Liu Pinggao and Shen Yanzong stepped forward to answer.

“Stay with the Shuoyang Army and Anping Army on standby. The rest, no banners. Follow me!” Bai Qingyan finished and spurred her horse forward.

Cai Ziyuan, worried, though weak and exhausted, bit his lip and urged his horse to keep up with Bai Qingyan.

Bai Qingyan didn’t bring the Shuoyang or Anping Armies, only bringing Ji Tingyu’s trained recruits to let them witness war firsthand and to prevent any unexpected events.

If Liu Hong failed to breach Qingxi Mountain Pass, Bai Jinzhi would be in danger.

Liu Hong dared to let Bai Jinzhi risk danger, but Bai Qingyan wouldn’t let Bai Jinzhi’s life be in jeopardy.

The three thousand elite soldiers she led were not on the register. If not absolutely necessary, she didn’t want Liu Hong to discover their abilities. Otherwise, with Liu Hong’s loyalty to the Emperor, he might report it, arousing suspicion from the Emperor and Crown Prince, leading them to grasp Shuoyang in their control, forcing an irreversible path prematurely.