Chapter 10, Defending the City (Part 2)

Xiao Bailang walked at the front of the line, followed by seventy inspection soldiers. The scales of his armor gleamed as if brand new, and the cloak behind him was neat and flowing. His waist was as straight as the long spear in his hand, and he walked with a steady pace. However, the sharpness that had been evident on his face earlier was now absent

Note 3: Di Qing was promoted to the position of Chief Military Commissioner due to the rebellion of Ping Nong Zhigao, and was subsequently attacked by a group of civil officials. The phrases "dog's head growing horns" and "the family residence emitting light" imply that he was "highly suspicious" (Qin Hui's "baseless accusations" actually stem from this sentiment). Consequently, he was exiled to Chen Prefecture, and died six months later, overwhelmed by fear and anxiety, at the age of forty-nine

Note 1: The so-called beating of drums to advance and the sounding of gongs to retreat. On the battlefield, drums and gongs are essential tools. Without these two items, one cannot naturally engage in battle as an irregular force.

The terrifying sight caused the surrounding government troops to hesitate. At that moment, the sound of gongs echoed from below the city, and the remaining dozen or so local soldiers on the city wall felt a sense of relief. They hurriedly slid down the bamboo ladder set up on the city wall, escaping back to their formation, and did not forget to take the siege ladder with them—if left behind, the pirates would not hesitate to toss a torch up.

This battle was won just like that

Xiao Bailang's upper body hung upside down over the city wall, a carved feathered arrow swaying at his chest. Although he had not yet breathed his last, the long spear that had pierced his lower body and pinned him to the city wall was the fatal wound given to him by Zhao Yu.

Swallowing the fresh blood in his mouth, Zhao Wen let out a whistle. Around him, a dozen pirates lined up, drawing small axes from their waists—tools they usually used for repairing ships and during gambling. Listening to the signal, they all hurled their axes toward the breach. More than ten flying axes struck their targets, instantly killing or wounding seven or eight of the incoming soldiers, causing the advance of the imperial troops to falter.

During the previous siege, the number of imperial troops deployed for the attack was more than double that of the defenders on the city walls. However, after several assaults, the bandits only suffered a loss of one-third, while the imperial troops incurred nearly sixty casualties and ultimately had to retreat in a disheveled manner.

The defeat was so devastating that if the commander of the attack, Dou Tou, had not already died on the city walls, Xiao Bailang would certainly have killed him with his own hands, using his head to silence Wang Qinian.

The blood-dripping triangular steel tip was directly aimed at Zhao Wen's eyes. He was so shocked that his face turned pale, hurriedly supporting the corpse to prevent it from falling. Hiding behind the corpse, Zhao Wen didn't even dare to peek out to see the officer with extraordinary archery skills. Most of the pirates had died from this bow and arrow, and the only person who could contend with this marksman was not present here.

As the obstacles of wwwhetushucomcom were cleared away, the soldiers surged in like flies drawn to rotten meat, desperately squeezing through the two-zhang-wide opening. Long spears and sharp axes advanced in unison, while the pirates retreated step by step. Occasionally, a henchman would muster all his strength, charging forward with a roar to slay a soldier, but in the next moment, he would either be pierced in the abdomen by a spear or have his collarbone cleaved by an axe. If he were fortunate enough to evade these two attacks, a thunderous arrow would then pierce his heart.

Ximen City Tower

Note 2: Lord Zhongxian refers to Han Qi. He served as a chancellor during three dynasties and established two emperors. As a key figure entrusted with important decisions during two dynasties, he was posthumously honored with the title Zhongxian.

A line of heads emerged from the top of the city wall, and all eyes were focused on Xiao Bailang. His scale armor was so conspicuous that anyone who saw him could immediately recognize his identity. Several hands on the city wall pointed at him, and Xiao Bailang even heard someone mention his name. Having served in the Changguo Inspection Office for seven or eight years, Inspector Xiao's reputation as a marksman was somewhat well-known in the coastal areas of the two Zhejiang provinces.

Zhao Wen cursed in his heart about his brother, who had disappeared after shooting only a few arrows: "Where on earth has that monkey gone?!"

Watching the remaining official army of just over thirty people gradually fall into chaos, and seeing that marksman shoot several individuals yet still unable to stabilize the formation, Zhao Wu knew the opportunity had arrived. Just as he stood up, Chen Wu behind him had already charged ahead.

Note 4: The third class of officials: the penultimate rank of junior envoy, starting from the ninth grade

Originally, due to the heavy casualties and unfavorable battle situation, the government troops were already on the brink of collapse. Now, being attacked from both sides, the morale of the government troops instantly shattered. The disheartened local soldiers found themselves trapped with no way to escape, and could only desperately flee into the bamboo stakes on either side of the mountain path. In an instant, the ten-zhang-wide bamboo stake field was filled with the cries of local soldiers whose feet had been pierced. These soldiers either fell to the ground with foot injuries, their bodies riddled with countless holes, or crawled back up the mountain path, only to be caught and killed. In an instant, the ten-zhang-wide bamboo stake field was filled with the cries of local soldiers whose feet had been pierced. These soldiers either fell to the ground with foot injuries, their bodies riddled with countless holes, or crawled back up the mountain path, only to be caught and killed. A few local soldiers who harbored a glimmer of hope abandoned their weapons, knelt down and begged for mercy, but were met with the heavy resentment of the pirates, who cleaved their skulls with an axe.

Unfortunately, in order to prevent the arrows shot into the city from being shot back, the soldiers left their bows and arrows behind. As for the crossbows, although the short bolts fired from them are not feared to be reused, all the military crossbows in the San Gu Village have not been heard from since they were borrowed by the county magistrate Zhang Yu.

When Chen Wuyi and his companions arrived to provide support, the battle at the South Gate was nearing its conclusion

"Damn bureaucrat," he muttered, being the first to step onto the bamboo floating bridge

This cannot continue! Zhao Wen gritted his teeth and tore a piece of flesh from his lower lip with his teeth.

Zhao Wu closely followed Chen Wu, charging forward at a rapid pace, and in the blink of an eye, the distance of several dozen steps was reduced by half. The few local soldiers at the back were only then startled into turning their heads, alerted by the cheers of the pirates from the city. Seeing the terror-stricken faces of the soldiers, Zhao Wu triumphantly raised his axe

7:45 AM

Zhao Wen was filled with bitterness; they had long exhausted the arrows in their possession, even picking up and shooting back the arrows fired by the imperial troops. Yet, despite this, they still could not prevent the imperial forces from destroying the antlers. The few pirates at the front still attempted to use the door panels, originally meant to block arrows, to seal the breach again. However, the imperial troops' marksmen simply thrust their long guns forward, piercing both the door and the men behind it.

It is finally quiet

In just a quarter of an hour, the imperial troops had already attacked the city three times. Although the pirates had left them with twice as many corpses and twice as many wounded, more than half of the thirty or so subordinates remaining by Zhao Yu's side were also injured. He understood clearly that if the imperial troops launched two more attacks of equal intensity, he would certainly not be able to hold on any longer

6:30 AM

In the previous moment, the inspector Xiao Bailang led the charge into the city, wielding a spear that left the pirates either dead or injured. Although Zhao Yu was still barely able to maintain the front line, he was nearing the end of his resources; however, in the following moment, the appearance of Chen Wu and others completely turned the tide of the situation

Waving his hand to signal his subordinates to set up the ladder, Xiao Bailang cursed again, this time his voice a bit louder: "Damn bureaucrat!"

A dozen or so pirates lay in ambush on both sides of the official road, stealthily advancing step by step under the cover of the bushes. The thorny brambles left red marks on Zhao Wu's face, but he seemed oblivious to it. His eyes were fixed intently on the somewhat familiar officer of the imperial army. The figure holding the bow was only fifty paces away from him; if the Divine Arm Bow were still by his side, a single arrow could take him down.

The distance of fifty paces can be crossed in just two or three breaths, but Zhao Wu felt it would be better to get a little closer. The attention of the imperial troops was focused in front. The sudden addition of two fresh forces of pirates in the city left them with no time to spare.

Two bamboo rafts were simultaneously set up on the moat, and over a hundred local soldiers stepped onto the rafts and rushed to the foot of the city wall. Without bows and arrows, the pirates could only watch helplessly as they erected more than a dozen ladders and leaned them against the city wall. This makeshift ladder, made of thick hemp rope strung between two bamboo poles to serve as a crossbar, was sufficient for a person to steadily climb up the two zhang high city wall

The intestines spilling from the gaping wound in the abdomen scattered in the air, just catching on the crenellations of the city wall. As the body fell, the bluish-purple entrails were stretched taut yet remained unbroken, their resilience beyond imagination. The soldier, like a salted fish hanging from a beam, was suspended in mid-air, with more than half of his internal organs pulled out of his body. Despite this, he was still alive, his piercing screams echoing up and down the city wall.

Zhao Wu!" Fei Liguo shouted loudly, discarding his bow and drawing his sword, "It was indeed you who killed my brother!"

Zhao Yu forced a bitter smile; this place, devoid of drums and cymbals, was merely a makeshift brand that could only chase after the thieves, yet it had driven him into such a dire predicament. He could not tell whether it was the opponent's strength that was too formidable or his own incompetence that was too pronounced

Zhao Wu was on Zhen Ao Mountain. After leaving the small hut of the gatekeeper soldiers, he took a detour, exited through the back door of the Guanyin Temple, and joined Chen Wu and his group. Staying by Zhao Wen's side would only make him a target; it was far more satisfying to strike from behind.

Zhao Yu said this and thought the same, but the government troops on the opposite side of the Hao River had no intention of cooperating with his hopes

The hand-held axe was swung upward in a reverse motion, and the sharp blade effortlessly disemboweled the enemy in front. Zhao Yu stepped forward, raised his right foot, and kicked the screaming soldier off the city wall.

At that moment, he heard Xiao Bailang utter his last words before gasping: "Damn the civil officials..."

It should be the latter, right! Zhao Yu thought to herself in self-torture

He and Chen Wu stealthily approached the back of the government troops with a team, and although a few crows and sparrows were startled during the process, they fortunately did not attract the attention of the government forces

Fei Liguo forcefully pushed Zhao Wuge away, dodging two axes that were swung at him from the surrounding area. "My brother has treated you, this beast, with kindness, yet unexpectedly, you have turned out to be a wolf!" He wanted to charge forward with his knife again, but was struck from behind by a sharp axe that cleaved through his paper armor and ribs.

Zhao Yu casually sat on the ground, allowing his subordinates to clean and bandage the wound on his leg. The injury on the outer side of his left leg was nearly one foot long and half an inch deep, merely grazed by Xiao Bailang's gun blade. The supernatural marksmanship still left Zhao Yu feeling apprehensive.

"It must belong to a cockroach; its life is indeed long," Zhao Yu thought. He was being disturbed incessantly, so he bent down to pick up a long spear that had fallen to the ground. He walked to the edge of the city wall and thrust it down forcefully, putting an end to the suffering of that soldier.

Grasping the hair bun, Zhao Wu lifted the head and stared into the pair of eyes that refused to close, "What you see as care, I see as humiliation"

Taking advantage of the situation, Zhao Wen led the charge forward, wildly swinging his axe and forcing the imperial troops back outside the palisade. A pirate, caught up in the frenzy, leaped over Zhao Wen and pursued the fleeing soldiers beyond the palisade. He laughed maniacally as he swung his large axe, cleaving a shield-bearer in half along with his shield. Raising his blood-dripping axe, he let out a triumphant roar at the fleeing soldiers. At that moment, a sharp arrow shot into his open mouth like a venomous snake, emerging from the back of his neck.

Zhao Yu gazed towards the east, uncertain whether the troops sent to the East Gate and North Gate had arrived. Given the unfavorable situation in battle, allowing two teams of fresh troops to idly guard the city gates would undoubtedly be tantamount to suicide. Zhao Yu issued orders to the guards at those two gates, commanding them to immediately proceed to support Zhao Wen in the battle at Zhen Ao Mountain Pass. Concentrating forces to resolve one of the enemy positions first is the correct strategy in military tactics. In comparison, rather than adding fuel to the fire by engaging the enemy's main force at the South Gate, it would be wiser to first eliminate the smaller contingent of enemy troops.

The thin-soled boots pressed into the soil on the opposite bank of the river, while the two-zhang high city wall obscured all of Xiao Bailang's view. He stopped in his tracks, exerted a slight force with his right hand, and firmly drove the tail of his spear into the ground. He raised his head and looked up at the city.

Watching the soldiers flee, the pirates found themselves unable to pursue. Their arrows had long been exhausted, and when the imperial troops began to collect the arrows that had just been shot onto the city walls to return fire, they wisely ceased supplying ammunition to the pirates and instead directly stormed the city.

After bandaging a few severely injured henchmen, Zhao Yu straightened up and took a breath. The unfortunate souls hanging below the city were still screaming, and despite the passage of time, the volume showed no signs of diminishing. The pirates were preoccupied with sending the remaining injured soldiers from the official army in the city one by one, yet it was still not his turn to receive care.

Is he a deserter? Zhao Yu pondered

The sound of horns echoed, and yet another squad of imperial troops charged forward, carrying scaling ladders

Zhao Wuhui swung his axe, but was blocked by Fei Liguo wielding a knife. The clash of metal produced a sharp sound. "Who is the captain referring to? My grandfather has killed many, but I can't remember them all," he said deliberately.

However, Zhao Yu has begun to doubt the correctness of his orders, as the attacks from the imperial army are so fierce that he is uncertain whether he can hold out until Chen Wu, Zhao Wen, and the others arrive to provide support

Zhao Yu walked over, supporting the shoulder of the subordinate. He wanted to hear what final words the opponent, who had nearly driven him to the brink of despair, had to say.

Five quarters past the hour of Shen

Xiao Bailang is now thoroughly annoyed with that tuberculosis patient who knows nothing and only gestures around. The little respect he had has long been thrown away. Yet he must endure, endure Wang Qinian pointing at his nose, endure Wang Qinian spitting everywhere while talking. After all, he is a civil official, a newly minted Jinshi, a good man as described in the words of the loyal and devoted minister. Di Wuxiang, the martial saint of the age, was similarly killed by civil officials. As for Xiao Bailang, merely a third-class official, with the tattooed marks of a convict on his face, how could he dare to confront those from the Qionglin Banquet.

At the opening of the wooden fence beneath Zhen'ao Mountain, a pirate is taking his last breath in the cold winter wind. The wounds on his limbs are still oozing the last remnants of blood, but the heartbeat in his chest, pierced by a long arrow, has ceased. His pale face reflects a sense of unwillingness and fear, with his unfocused eyes bulging like those of a fish, yet he can no longer see the footsteps that continue to cross over his body

As they reached the edge of the city wall, they saw Xiao Bailang's eyes fixed intently on the distance. Zhao Yu followed his gaze and could only see a small cart gradually moving farther away, along the official road, heading straight towards the Zhoushan ferry in the south

Only a few soldiers were guarding their leader, who was still fighting valiantly, but these resistances were utterly meaningless. The pirates surged forward, with Zhao Wu at the forefront. After swiftly dispatching two minor soldiers, he came face to face with the military commander. As their eyes met, he finally recalled the man's identity: "So it is the commander Fei."

"Truly deserving of the reputation as a renowned hero of the East Sea," Zhao Yu looked at Xiao Bailang, who was lying on the rampart with his face to the sky, and sighed, "What a pity."

Several pirates lay on the city wall, gazing out. One of them spat downwards, while the others hurled their spears with force, attempting to cause some trouble for the government troops crossing the river. Xiao Bailang swung his spear, and the incoming spear fell into the river with a splash. The soldiers behind him cheered in unison, but Xiao Xunqian did not even lift his eyelids. The center of gravity of the spear was too far back; if used as a javelin, it would have no power at all. The soldiers behind him cheered in unison, but Xiao Xunqian did not even lift his eyelids. The center of gravity of the spear was too far back; if used as a javelin, it would have no power at all

When Han Qi was in charge of Dingzhou, Di Qing served as the chief officer. One day, Han Qi, for some reason, wanted to execute Jiao Yong, a former subordinate of Di Qing. Di Qing interceded on his behalf, saying, "Jiao Yong has military achievements; he is a true man." However, Han Qi retorted, "Only those who are hailed as top scholars outside the Donghua Gate are true men; Jiao Yong is merely a brute!" In front of Di Qing, he then executed Jiao Yong

Standing in front of the fallen Fei Liguo, Zhao Wu laughed heartily: "Cleaning the toilet is called care, doing laundry and cooking is called care. Rather than being cared for while doing such filthy tasks, I would prefer to patrol the mountains and keep watch at night!" With a swift swing of the axe, he severed Fei Liguo's head.

Seeing the head of Fei Liguo on the tip of the gun, the morale of the soldiers was greatly diminished. Zhao Wu, despite the injury to his left hand, shot an arrow that pierced through Xiao Bailang's scale armor, causing the government troops on the city to hastily flee the city walls.

Xiao Bailang, dressed in bright armor, became the target of public ire, with most of the objects thrown from the city wall aimed at him. Drawing his long spear, he swept away all the threatening throwing axes and spears, while Xiao Xunji fixed his gaze on the pirates who were half-leaning out from the city wall. If there were bows and arrows here, he could shoot down these fellows, who were like wild chickens sleeping in trees at night, one by one from a distance of five or six zhang.