Chapter 48: There's Politics Even in the Army!

Time passed.

After more than two hours of fierce fighting, the battle was deadlocked, turning into a protracted tug-of-war.

Many Qin soldiers managed to climb onto the walls of the city, only to be fiercely repelled and killed by the defending Han forces.

The rain of arrows from both sides continued unabated.

Inside the city.

Outside the city.

Everywhere was stained blood-red, with corpses scattered across the battlefield. The ground outside the city had turned into a vast, gruesome blood swamp.

The pile of bodies near the city gates was especially staggering.

Dozens of soldiers had pushed battering rams forward countless times, striking the gates with tremendous force, yet they remained unbroken.

"Pour the spirits!"

"Drench with oil!"

"Kill!"

On the city walls, Han soldiers poured liquor and oil, igniting flames that engulfed countless Qin soldiers, turning them into screaming human torches.

The horrific scene seemed to defy the solution.

"Charge!"

"Breakthrough with all your might!"

"Follow me into battle!"

Wu Hua roared, leading his soldiers toward the city gates.

But even with a general like Wu Hua commanding, the outcome did not change.

The Han army's defenses were airtight.

The gates remained sealed, and Wu Hua found himself helpless.

At that moment, a volley of arrows descended.

Wu Hua was pierced through by countless arrows, collapsing into a pool of blood.

But the Qin forces at the gates pressed on.

Without an order to retreat, any soldier who fled would be executed by the rear guard.

At the Qin army's rear lines, General Li Teng watched the failing assault and furrowed his brows.

Despite meticulous preparations for the siege, nearly half a day had passed without breaking through.

"Report!"

"General Li, the vanguard force has suffered heavy casualties, and General Wu Hua has fallen in battle. Morale among the vanguard is collapsing. Shall we order their retreat?"

Upon hearing this, Li Teng's frown deepened further.

"It seems I underestimated Zhang Ping and the Han soldiers in the city," he muttered gravely.

Then, he spoke decisively:

"In war, you must seize the momentum. If we retreat now, it will affect the morale of the entire army and give the Han soldiers time to regroup."

"If the vanguard's morale has collapsed, then replace them with fresh troops."

"Send word: order the vanguard to retreat. Have Chen Tao lead his unit into the attack. After Chen Tao's force, the remaining units will advance in turn."

"I swear we will take Han Du in this battle!"

Li Teng's voice was firm, reflecting his years of experience as a seasoned general. He understood the critical importance of maintaining morale and seizing the initiative in war.

"Understood!"

His attendants immediately moved to carry out his orders.

Soon after, a resounding horn echoed across the battlefield.

It was the signal for the vanguard to retreat.

The sight of the Qin soldiers pulling back brought cheers from the Han soldiers.

"Han warriors!"

"We've won!"

"The Qin army is retreating!"

"We can hold the capital and save our nation!"

Han General Cao Yi's triumphant shout boosted the morale of his soldiers.

But not all were convinced.

"General, something's wrong," one of Cao Yi's officers cautioned. "One Qin force has retreated, but another is moving forward. The Qin archers haven't withdrawn either."

Cao Yi's expression changed at the realization.

At the frontlines of the Qin forces, Chen Tao stood tall with his sword.

"Zhao Feng, Liu Wu, where are you?" Chen Tao shouted.

"Here!"

Zhao Feng and another officer, Liu Wu, stepped forward in response.

"General Li has ordered the vanguard to retreat. Our unit will now attack," Chen Tao announced.

"Whoever breaks through the city will earn the greatest merit. Whoever captures the King of Han will achieve everlasting glory!"

"The city has not fallen yet, so we are still treated as the vanguard. Set aside your bows, take up your shields, and follow me to victory!"

"Any who dare retreat will be executed on the spot!"

"I will personally oversee the battle!"

Then, Chen Tao looked at the two officers.

"Zhao Feng, Liu Wu, which of you will lead the charge?"

Both officers responded in unison: "I am willing!"

After a brief consideration, Chen Tao made his choice.

"Zhao Feng, you've only just joined the main force and still lack experience commanding troops. Liu Wu, you'll lead the vanguard. Zhao Feng, if Liu Wu falters, you will immediately take over."

Chen Tao's decision favored Liu Wu, his preferred subordinate, while subtly dismissing Zhao Feng.

Liu Wu, overjoyed, saluted and exclaimed, "Understood, General!"

Turning to Zhao Feng, he smirked.

"Zhao, I won't hold back on this one. Once the gates are breached, you can follow my lead."

His confidence and smugness were evident.

Zhao Feng merely cast him a calm glance, seeing through his arrogance instantly.

"Even in the Qin army, there are politics and personal favors at play," Zhao Feng thought with a cold smirk.

It was clear to him that his rapid rise had made some jealous.

Among the officers, alliances and personal connections mattered as much as battlefield merit.

Despite this, Zhao Feng remained unfazed.

"Brothers!" Liu Wu shouted, rallying his men. "The General has spoken until we break through the city, we are still the vanguard! Follow me, and let's take Han Du!"

With boundless confidence, Liu Wu led his 5,000 troops into the fray, charging toward the city.

Zhao Feng watched quietly.

"He's overconfident," Zhao Feng murmured to himself, a faint smile playing on his lips.

With the gates still sealed and the Han soldiers firmly entrenched, he doubted Liu Wu could accomplish much.

Turning to his men, Zhao Feng issued a calm yet firm command.

"Liu Wu's unit will lead. We'll follow behind. Be cautious. Spread out to avoid the arrows. The Han soldiers are relentless."

His words were steady, earning nods from his officers, including Zhang Han and Wei Quan.

"Yes, sir!"

Zhao Feng's force moved forward with measured precision, keeping their distance from Liu Wu's unit.

At the city walls, Cao Yi saw the Qin reinforcements advancing and immediately barked orders.

"Once the city falls, the Qin soldiers will show no mercy!"

"Archers, aim at the Qin forces below! Catapults target their archers! Attack!"

Under Cao Yi's command, the Han forces launched another wave of fierce resistance.

Liu Wu, shield in hand, led his troops toward the walls. Despite the relentless rain of arrows, his men pressed on.

But even as they reached the base of the walls, they faced fierce resistance.

Fresh siege ladders and battering rams were brought forward, but the Han forces held firm.

Though Liu Wu's assault was ferocious, it made little progress. His unit suffered mounting casualties as the battle wore on.