Breaking through the Gate

As dawn approached, the faint light sprinkled on the towering walls of Taiyuan City, and the city defense was still tight. The patrolling soldiers walked along the city wall in an orderly manner, and their armor and weapons flashed coldly in the morning light. On the city wall, the sentry soldiers looked into the distance, their steps were steady, and they seemed to have not relaxed at all. The city defense fortifications were extremely solid, the heavy door of the south gate was closed, and the defenders on the arrow towers on both sides held bows and arrows, their eyes were sharp, and they were on high alert. On the entire city wall, there were fortifications everywhere, arrow towers, trenches, and heavily armored soldiers, forming a tight barrier.

 

Gao Changgong stood on a high slope not far away, looking at Taiyuan City from a distance, his eyes revealing calmness and determination. He knew well that the defenders were elite and well-prepared, but he also knew that this battle must be won in order to win a glimmer of life for himself and his soldiers. His plan has been arranged, and all he has to do now is to wait patiently for the opportunity.

Gao Changgong's army is ready. They hid in the woods not far from the South Gate, all of them wearing armor and ready for battle. They will launch a massive attack at the South Gate to attract the attention of the defenders in the city. At the same time, the "Black Sand" gang arranged by Bai Lian will act at the West Gate. This mysterious underworld organization has long been hidden in the dark, specializing in serving different forces in troubled times. This time, it was because of Bai Lian's many years of friendship that they agreed to assist Gao Changgong. They will light a fire at the West Gate, open the city gate in the chaos, and give Gao Changgong's cavalry troops the opportunity to enter the city.

Time passed little by little, and the air gradually became filled with the coolness before dawn. Suddenly, a signal fire rose from a distance. This was a signal from Bai Lian's internal response, which meant that the plan at the West Gate had begun. Gao Changgong's eyes flashed, and he immediately ordered: "Attack the South Gate!"

As soon as the order came out, the army ambushed in the woods rushed to the South Gate like a tide. The earth shook, and the neighing of war horses and the sound of armor colliding resounded through the sky. The defenders at the South Gate were caught off guard. Seeing the sudden arrival of the troops led by Gao Changgong, they immediately assembled for defense. A rain of arrows poured down from the city wall and hit Gao Changgong's team. The horses screamed and fell down, but the soldiers did not retreat. Instead, they rushed to the city gate more bravely. "Archers, get ready!" Gao Changgong ordered loudly, and a group of archers under his command quickly formed a formation and shot at the defenders on the city wall. At the same time, the engineers had pushed the battering ram to the front of the city gate. The huge crash echoed in the morning light. The defenders on the South Gate immediately became nervous and kept shouting for reinforcements. The defenders in the city quickly gathered at the South Gate. Just as the South Gate was in a tense confrontation, the situation at the West Gate was completely different. Heisha's internal response had successfully ignited several houses near the city gate, and thick smoke quickly filled the air and flames soared into the sky. The defenders panicked and tried to put out the fire, but Bai Lian had already anticipated this. The members of the Black Sand Sect took advantage of the chaos and quietly sneaked into the gate control area and quietly eliminated the guards.

"Quick, open the gate!" A member of the Black Sand whispered, and the others immediately took action and quickly opened the lock of the west gate. The heavy wooden door slowly opened, like a door to victory. Gao Changgong's cavalry outside the city had been waiting for orders. At a command, hundreds of elite cavalry rushed into Taiyuan City like thunder. The sound of horse hooves hitting the ground and the clanging of iron armor sounded with the rhythm of the cavalry's charge. The defenders of the west gate were caught off guard and were torn apart by this sudden force.

"It's Prince of Lanling!" Suddenly, a defender recognized Gao Changgong's figure. After seeing this legendary figure on the battlefield, many soldiers turned pale and began to waver. Gao Changgong stood on his horse majestically, his eyes were like torches, and he shouted in a deep voice: "Those who are willing to surrender will be forgiven!"

His words shook the hearts of many soldiers like thunder. Some soldiers who had long been dissatisfied with the court immediately knelt down and surrendered. Although the remaining soldiers hesitated, they also began to retreat gradually. A leading lieutenant knelt down on the ground: "Prince of Lanling, we are willing to follow you!"

"Okay!" Gao Changgong nodded, waved his hand, and continued to march into the city. He knew that he had to seize the time and quickly control the situation before the defenders could fully react.

The cavalry swept through the streets of Taiyuan City like a torrent. Seeing this, the defenders along the way abandoned their weapons and fled. Many people hid in the house in fear and dared not make a sound. Only a few brave ones occasionally looked through the windows and secretly watched this sudden battle.

After passing through several streets and alleys, Gao Changgong stopped his horse, looked around the surrounding terrain, and suddenly thought: "How is the offensive at the South Gate?" He knew that the attack at the South Gate was just a feint, and the real breakthrough was at the West Gate. However, if the South Gate was not controlled in time and the city gate was opened to welcome the large army into the city, the entire plan would fail.

"Soldiers, follow me to the South Gate!" Gao Changgong gave an order and led a team of elite cavalry to the South Gate and rushed quickly.

At this time, the chaos in the city had spread, with fire and shouting mixed together, and the defenders gradually lost their organization. However, Gao Changgong knew in his heart that although they had temporarily gained an advantage, the situation was still full of variables. The enemy was likely to launch a counterattack at any time, especially the emperor's elite troops, who would never easily give up Taiyuan City.

Galloping all the way, the sound of war horses' hooves echoed on the stone road, and the South Gate was not far ahead. At this time, the defenders of the South Gate had been attracted by the feint attack, and almost all the troops were concentrated on the city wall. However, as Gao Changgong and his elite cavalry approached, the defenders in the city began to panic. After seeing Gao Changgong's flag and armor, some soldiers immediately changed sides: "It's Prince of Lanling!"

"Prince of Lanling is here! The South Gate can't be defended!"