Siege (1)

Dawn arrived with a sky tinged in deep, reddish hues, as if the very horizon itself were ominously foreshadowing the blood that would soon be spilled on the battlefield. Han Yue, confidently mounted on his powerful steed, observed intently from a nearby hilltop how his meticulously organized army was carefully deploying in precise formation in front of the rebel stronghold. Every element of the siege was in place: the massive catapults, the towering siege engines, and the heavily reinforced battering rams were all set and ready for action, while the soldiers, their gleaming armor catching the first rays of the early morning sun, stood at attention, waiting eagerly for the order to advance. The atmosphere was charged with palpable tension, and a heavy, almost suffocating silence pervaded the air, broken only by the subtle clinking of metal armor and the occasional creak of worn leather straps. Every single man present understood that this day would be one of decisive consequence; while some hid their inner fears behind stoic, impassive expressions, others could not completely conceal the slight tremor in their hands as they adjusted the grip on their weapons.

Among these dedicated soldiers, Luo Wen prepared himself for what would undoubtedly be his first major trial on the vast and unpredictable battlefield. Although he still lacked much practical experience in the art of war, his innate talent for devising effective strategies and the natural charisma he exuded had already earned him the respect and admiration of many within the ranks. Nevertheless, this engagement would mark the first time he was called upon to lead an entire contingent in a battle of such considerable magnitude. The tension in the air was not only tangible but almost overwhelming, mingling with the pervasive scents of iron and worn leather. Luo Wen's hands, although strong and determined, were damp with perspiration as he tightly gripped the hilt of his sword, all the while mentally rehearsing the orders he had been given. In that moment, he was acutely aware that he simply could not afford to fail—not solely for the sake of his personal honor, but also for the precious lives of the men who followed him into combat.

At the precise moment signaled by a firm gesture from Han Yue, the enormous catapults began to unleash their deadly projectiles. Massive rocks, as well as blazing fireballs, were hurled through the air with tremendous force, crashing violently against the sturdy walls of the fortress with thunderous roars that resonated across the battlefield. In the wake of the impact, fierce flames quickly spread across the wooden structures, while thick, dark smoke began to obscure the sky above. Although the rebel defenders were initially caught off guard by the sheer ferocity and intensity of the attack, they soon retaliated with a rapid barrage of arrows launched from the high watchtowers. The clashing sounds of the projectiles striking the sturdy shields and the anguished cries of the wounded filled the chaotic battlefield, creating an atmosphere of disarray that only the most seasoned and experienced soldiers would be able to navigate with composed efficiency.

Han Yue's orders were communicated with absolute clarity: maintain relentless pressure to serve as a distraction to the defenders while Yuan Guo and his highly trained team of elite troops stealthily maneuvered to approach the rear of the fortress. Yuan Guo moved forward with the precision and stealth of a carefully calculated predator, ensuring that every step taken by his men was measured, deliberate, and executed in near-perfect silence. His face, deeply marked by the scars of many past encounters—each scar telling a silent story of both hard-fought victories and painful defeats—revealed no trace of emotion. He fully understood that the success of the mission hinged entirely on his ability to remain composed and to enforce strict discipline among his troops at all times.

Meanwhile, Luo Wen, who was entrusted with commanding an infantry unit, advanced steadily toward the base of the formidable walls with his loyal men close behind him. His primary task was to simulate a bold frontal assault designed to keep the rebel forces preoccupied and occupied. However, due to his inexperience, he inadvertently made a critical mistake: he advanced too rapidly, thereby exposing his men to the deadly enemy fire before the siege towers had reached the optimal position to provide them with adequate cover. As a result, arrows began to rain down mercilessly upon his unit, and several men fell before Luo Wen could fully comprehend the magnitude of his error.

"Fall back! Maintain formation!" bellowed Yuan Guo from his elevated position, his voice ringing out with unmistakable authority and urgency. The command reached Luo Wen almost immediately, and he instantly recognized the seriousness of his mistake.

Though deeply frustrated with himself for the error, Luo Wen quickly regained his composure and acted without hesitation. He promptly ordered his men to regroup behind their sturdy shields and to patiently await the arrival of the siege towers that would soon offer them the necessary protection. At the same time, the imperial archers, who had been strategically positioned atop the towers, began to systematically fire upon the defenders stationed along the walls, thereby providing critical cover for the advancing troops. In that moment, the young commander took a deep, steadying breath, striving to calm the nerves that threatened to undermine his focus. He was fully aware that another mistake of such magnitude was simply not an option if he wished to earn—and ultimately retain—the respect of both his fellow soldiers and his commanding officers.

"Thank you, Yuan Guo," Luo Wen murmured softly to himself, his voice barely audible yet filled with sincere gratitude as he acknowledged that his trusted mentor had just averted what could have been a catastrophic situation.

Once the siege towers were finally positioned in their proper places, Luo Wen received the order to begin scaling the imposing walls. His men, armed with ladders and grappling hooks, advanced methodically while enduring a relentless hail of arrows and the crashing of stones. Determined to redeem himself for his earlier misstep, Luo Wen led the assault personally. With a resounding battle cry that cut through the tumultuous noise of the conflict, he began his ascent up one of the ladders, deftly dodging the deadly projectiles that the rebels hurled from above. Every step he took toward the top of the wall was, in itself, a fierce battle, yet Luo Wen pressed on with unyielding determination until he finally reached the summit, where he found himself face to face with the resolute defenders.

"Forward! Don't give them time to regroup!" he shouted with commanding fervor as he reached the very top of the wall.

Once atop, Luo Wen demonstrated his intrinsic worth as a leader. With a series of precise, well-calculated movements and a sword that seemed to flow as naturally as an extension of his very own arm, he managed to carve a path forward for his men. However, caught up in the heat of the moment and driven by his fervor, he made yet another mistake: he ventured too deeply into the enemy's lines, thereby separating himself from his unit. Seizing the opportunity, the rebel soldiers quickly surrounded him, and for a brief, harrowing moment, Luo Wen felt completely overwhelmed by the dire situation.

"Luo Wen, hold formation!" Yuan Guo's voice rang out firmly once more, as he arrived at the wall accompanied by a group of reinforcements, clearly intent on correcting the error.

Realizing the gravity of his miscalculation, Luo Wen promptly retreated and managed to rejoin his men. Together, they formed a tight defensive circle and then began to advance in a well-coordinated manner toward the main gate of the fortress. Throughout this maneuver, Yuan Guo, drawing on his extensive experience, guided the soldiers carefully to ensure that every step was secure, and he corrected Luo Wen's minor missteps without ever diminishing the young commander's evident bravery. In that crucible of battle, the young leader was rapidly learning and growing, and although there remained much for him to master, his determination and remarkable ability to adapt under pressure marked him as a promising and valuable leader.

While Luo Wen and his men continued to engage the enemy on the walls, Yuan Guo was busy directing his elite troops as they executed a daring assault on the unprotected rear wall of the stronghold. Despite the fierce and determined resistance put up by the rebel forces, the imperial soldiers managed to break through their defenses and successfully enter the interior of the fortress. Yuan Guo, embodying the cold, calculated precision of a seasoned strategist, left absolutely nothing to chance; every single movement and maneuver of his men was meticulously planned and executed with the goal of maximizing the impact of their assault while simultaneously minimizing the number of casualties.

"Now! Open the gates!" Yuan Guo ordered his second-in-command in a tone that brooked no argument.

The other group, following the instructions with exact precision, made their determined way toward the main gates. With the force of axes and crowbars, they broke through the metal bars that had kept the gates securely closed. Within mere minutes, the massive gates swung open wide, and Han Yue's formidable forces surged into the fortress with unstoppable momentum. The clashing of swords, the shouts and cries of the combatants, and the constant creaking of armor in the melee all combined to fill the air with the unmistakable sounds of a battle reaching its decisive climax. Every man fought with the fierce intensity of one who fully understood that there was no turning back from this point onward.