Free Web NovelChapter 1628: Chapter 1628: Waiting
"What? How could this happen." As expected, when he heard the news, Shangguan Jian panicked at once. If their "lair" was about to be stolen, how were they supposed to fight the battles to come? frёewebηovel.cѳm
"I’ve already ordered Man Cang to lead twenty thousand men back to defend. I hope they can make it in time, otherwise Wan City will be in danger." Ye Shikai’s face was grim, his heart burning with anxiety. The safety of Wan City concerned the entire situation; he really couldn’t set his mind at ease, yet he had no choice but to calm down, direct the deployment, and deal with Wang Li’s incursion. freёwebnoѵel.com
"Report, scout riders relay that Wang Li’s forces have been reinforced by twenty thousand. They’ve already arrived, looks like they’re here to assist in storming the camp." At this moment, a guard came in to report.
"Truly, when it rains it pours." Hearing this, Ye Shikai and Shangguan Jian grew even more flustered. With this, just the Qin Army in front of the camp already numbered fifty thousand, and Man Cang had just redeployed his troops away. Now there were only twenty to thirty thousand left inside the camp, and not many were main force; most were not Ye Shikai’s direct lineage, their combat strength was not high.
"Wang Li must have learned that I shifted the main army back to defend, so he’s reinforcing at this moment, wanting to take us in one blow. That way, both the forward camp and Wan City will fall; the remaining troops won’t even need to fight, all that’s left for them is to lay down arms and surrender." Shangguan Jian said loudly.
"The more it comes to a time like this, the less we can panic. Gather all the men we have left. If the Qin Army wants to launch a general assault, it won’t be that easy."
"But... Man Cang has pulled out so many troops, there’s no way to keep this from the men at the front. Morale is already beginning to waver." What Shangguan Jian worried about even more was whether the remaining soldiers would have the resolve to block the Qin Army’s fierce assault. After all, most of them weren’t direct lineage, and the generals under his banner wouldn’t necessarily fight with all their strength.
"Pass my order to the whole army: if soldiers flee, behead the squad leader; if the squad leader flees, behead the centurion, and so on up the chain. I myself will stay in the main camp. If any general deserts, then anyone may come in here and take my life." Ye Shikai ordered.
"Yes."
Chu Army, forward camp.
"The Main General has commanded: if soldiers retreat, behead the squad leader; if the squad leader retreats, behead the centurion, and so on up the chain. Brothers, General Ye has already decided to live and die with this camp. Brothers, follow me, charge!" Shangguan Jian personally raised his sword and led the charge. All the deputy generals surged forward; naturally the others were unwilling to lag behind. By sheer force they beat back the Qin Army that had climbed onto the ramparts. After one wave of countercharge, the Chu Army once again stabilized its footing.
Wang Li ordered the Qin Army vanguard to rush up. With Man Cang’s Iron Armor Army gone, Shangguan Jian personally led the guard unit into battle. Two hours later, inside and outside the camp corpses lay everywhere, but the walls were still in the hands of the Chu Army.
Buzz, buzz, buzz.
Shangguan Jian leaned wearily against the wall, waiting for the Qin Army’s next assault. Just then, heavy gong signals drifted in from outside the camp.
"The Qin Army is pulling back." Shangguan Jian scratched his ear hard; for a moment he truly thought he was hallucinating. Listening closely, the gong signals were indeed coming from the Qin Army’s encampment.
"The Qin Army... really withdrew."
"The Qin Army has retreated."
The soldiers, hearing the sounds, shouted excitedly. They had held the camp; at the very least it had bought them a breathing space. On the edge between life and death, every minute, every second was wrested by force; to live even one more hour stirred excitement in their hearts.
"Quick, carry the wounded brothers down."
As the killing outside faded, Ye Shikai walked out of the command tent. A faint smell of blood hung in the air. Countless wounded were being sent to the rear by soldiers in an unbroken stream. The Wounded Soldier Camp could no longer hold them; the injured were being settled in empty tents.
Suddenly, Ye Shikai felt a coolness on his face. He reached up and touched it; his cheek had actually been dampened. Looking up, he saw raindrops falling from the sky.
Before long the rain grew heavier. The soldiers put on their straw rain capes. Fortunately the Qin Army had withdrawn; otherwise it would be blood mixed with rainwater, a sight to stir lament.
"Old Ye, what are you doing out here." Shangguan Jian asked.
"How’s the battle?"
"Several thousand brothers have died in battle. The troops still capable of fighting now number just over ten thousand. But at least the Qin Army has pulled back. Now it’s pouring; we can’t even light torches, you can’t see your hand in front of your face. I reckon the Qin Army won’t attack the camp again tonight." Shangguan Jian let out a sigh. So many brothers had died again; naturally he felt miserable.
"That’s right. With not even firelight left, Wang Li won’t attack again. Now both we and he are waiting."
"Waiting for what?"
"News from Wan City." Ye Shikai murmured, "If Wan City remains unharmed tonight, then at dawn Wang Li will withdraw his troops. Conversely, if Wan City changes hands, once it’s light tomorrow, Wang Li will lead his entire army to storm the camp. Given the disparity in numbers, we’ll be doomed without a doubt." Ye Shikai said in an even tone.
"Don’t worry, Man Cang will definitely arrive in time."
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Wan City.
"Courier riders from the forward camp report: tens of thousands have already crossed the river and are preparing to launch a surprise attack on the city from the rear." At the same time, Huo Ziqing, who was guarding Wan City, also received Ye Shikai’s urgent report. Hearing that the Qin Army was about to launch a sneak attack, he did not dare delay and immediately ordered the whole army up onto the walls to defend.
"General Huo, there are only twenty thousand garrison troops in Wan City, and they’re not main force, their combat strength is limited. Can we really hold off the Qin Army?"
"General Ye has already dispatched twenty thousand main force troops to reinforce us. As long as we hold out until the reinforcements arrive, the Qin Army is bound to lose." Huo Ziqing said coldly.
"This subordinate understands. Our army paid an enormous price to take Wan City; no matter what, we cannot lose it. I am willing to live and die with Wan City."
"Good. All forces, hear my command: make ready to receive the enemy."
"Yes."
"Yes."
"Report to General: a large force has appeared south of the city. Judging from their banners and armor... they’re Qin troops. They’re double-timing straight toward the city. They come with ill intent."
"So they’ve finally come. Prepare to receive the enemy." Shangguan Jian had the soldiers set up their bows and crossbows, though his heart still felt somewhat flustered. In the last assault on Wan City, the walls and gates had been badly damaged. They’d only just been repaired, and likely wouldn’t hold for long.
Before long, a large Qin force arrived below the walls, a black mass, impossible to see how many they were. The night was the Qin Army’s best cover; seen from afar, every blade of grass, every tree was like a Qin banner.
"The heavens send heavy rain; the Qin Army can’t use fire attack. We strike first—archers and crossbowmen, loose!"
"Yes, loose!"
In the blink of an eye, arrows streaked across the sky, falling in front of the Qin Army, finally forcing them back. In the darkness arrows could not be seen clearly; only the sound of feathers cutting through the air could be heard.
"Brothers, Wan City is right before us. As soon as we take it, the Chu Army at the front will collapse like earth. Brothers, the hour to make your name and build your merit is now—assault the city!"
