42. The Siege

The air was thick with tension as Jing Family soldiers moved into position, the beginning of a full siege against Golden Prosperity City. The early morning light cut through the haze of smoke rising from the makeshift camp in the slums, casting long shadows across the weathered streets.

At the center of it all, Jing Wen, the newly ascended head of the Jing Family, stood at the highest point of their encampment, gazing out toward the looming walls of the city. His face was hard, determined. He had waited for this moment, prepared for months, and now his patience was about to pay off. The Zheng Family had no idea the storm that was about to hit them.

His generals, hardened men and women who had fought in countless battles, gave their final orders to their subordinates. The army was moving like clockwork. They were positioned along the perimeter of the slums, their forces scattered but ready to converge. In the narrow streets, the sounds of soldiers marching, hammers building siege engines, and the shrill commands of officers echoed through the air.

Jing Wen turned to his most trusted commander, a tall, muscular woman with sharp eyes, known for her ruthless efficiency.

"Are the siege weapons in place?" he asked, his voice cold, his tone betraying no hint of nervousness.

"Yes, my lord," the commander replied, bowing slightly. "The battering rams are ready. We have catapults and ballistae lined up along the eastern wall. We'll begin firing as soon as the sun is high enough."

"Good." Jing Wen nodded, his eyes narrowing as he looked again toward the city. "They think their walls will protect them. They think their gates are enough. They are wrong."

Turning, he moved toward a large tent at the center of the camp, where his war council had gathered. The room inside was dimly lit by lanterns, with a large map of the city spread across a table in the center. His generals were already seated, discussing their strategy for the final push.

"Lord Jing," one of the generals greeted him, "we've confirmed the Zheng forces have sealed themselves within the city's walls. The gates are locked, and they seem to be preparing for a long siege."

Jing Wen smiled coldly. "They have nowhere to go. We have cut off their supplies. In a matter of days, they will be desperate."

Another general spoke up. "Our scouts report movement inside the city—patrols around the gates, but little activity otherwise. The Zheng Family is waiting for us to make the first move. They don't know we've already surrounded them."

"Let them wait," Jing Wen said, a dark glint in his eyes. "Let them waste their strength watching us. We have the advantage now. Our numbers are greater, and their walls are nothing but stone and mortar. It's their spirit that is crumbling, not their walls."

The generals exchanged a glance but said nothing. They all knew the truth. The Jing Family was no longer fighting a mere battle; they were setting the stage for a war of attrition, one that would tear down the Zheng Family's will to fight.

"Prepare the rams," Jing Wen ordered, rising from his seat. "We strike at dawn tomorrow. We will break their walls and force them to surrender. There will be no mercy for those who resist."

…

The following morning, the siege began in earnest. The Jing Family forces spread out under the cover of early morning mist. The siege weapons, massive and imposing, were rolled into position, their large wheels creaking as they moved across the rubble-strewn streets. The sound of wood being positioned into place filled the air as the heavy artillery was locked and loaded.

The battering rams, thick logs bound with iron, were dragged toward the massive gates of Golden Prosperity City. The Jing soldiers behind them adjusted the large ropes, ready to charge once the signal was given. Meanwhile, high above, catapults were loaded with flaming projectiles, while the ballistae stood ready to fire their massive bolts.

The ground shook with the force of the first strike. The battering ram slammed into the gate with a deafening roar, causing a shudder to ripple through the city's defenses. A second and third blow followed, sending cracks running through the thick wooden door. Above, the catapults began launching their flaming projectiles, which soared high into the air, then rained down onto the walls and towers of the city, bursting into showers of fire.

From within the city walls, the Zheng Family soldiers scrambled into action. Shouts and the clash of weapons filled the air as the first few arrows were fired back from the battlements. However, they were outnumbered, and the siege weapons pressed on with relentless precision.

The Jing soldiers worked in synchronized waves, bringing the battering rams against the gates once more, with each impact bringing the walls of the city closer to breaking. In the streets below, more Jing troops set fire to the outer district, forcing the Zheng Family soldiers to split their attention between defending their walls and combating the spread of flames.

As the day wore on, the once-impregnable walls of Golden Prosperity City began to show signs of strain. The siege had only just begun, but the outcome was becoming increasingly inevitable. The gates of the city were slowly crumbling under the pressure of the Jing Family's relentless assault, and with each strike, their victory felt closer.

Jing Wen watched from his vantage point, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his lips. The Zheng Family had underestimated the power of the Jing Family's resolve, and now, they would pay the price for their arrogance.

The gates of Golden Prosperity City finally gave way under the relentless assault of the Jing Family siege. The wooden barricades splintered with a deafening crack, followed by the sound of iron hinges being torn from their foundations. A roar went up from the Jing soldiers, echoing across the slums and through the city's streets as they surged forward, flooding into the heart of the city.

The Zheng Family defenders, battered and exhausted from days of holding back wave after wave of attacks, were stretched to their limits. Their morale had begun to waver the moment the gates were breached. Chaos erupted in the streets. Panic spread like wildfire as Zheng soldiers scrambled to organize their defenses, but they were too late. The Jing Family had already breached their strongest defenses.

Jing Wen stood at the head of his forces, his expression grim but filled with a sense of triumph. With a final signal, his generals gave the order, and Jing Family soldiers poured into the streets, striking down any Zheng Family member who dared to challenge them. The first wave of attackers had broken through the gate, and now they were setting their sights on the heart of the Zheng Family's holdings.

…

Inside the Zheng Family's main compound, Zheng Xi, the young lord, stumbled to his feet, his body bruised and bloodied from the brutal fighting. His breaths came in ragged gasps as the distant sounds of battle grew louder. He had sustained a wound to his leg during the skirmishes, a deep gash that slowed him down considerably. But his spirit was unbroken, even though his strength was fading.

"Gather the last of our forces!" Zheng Xi barked to the few remaining loyal soldiers in the room. "We cannot allow the Jing Family to claim everything. We must hold our ground!"

But even as he said the words, the sound of distant shouts and the clash of weapons drew closer. It was clear: the end was nigh.…

…

As the Jing Family's forces tore through the city, word of their victory reached City Lord Bai of White Lotus City, who had been on the move with his own elite army. For days, his forces had been preparing to assist the Zheng Family, anticipating that the Jing Family would attempt to break through. The news of the city's fall came too late for him to prevent the worst.

City Lord Bai had been too far to stop the advance in time, but he knew this battle was crucial, not just for the Zheng Family, but for the balance of power in the entire region. His forces pressed forward at full speed, determined to halt the Jing Family's momentum. Bai's army, a well-equipped and disciplined force, arrived at the southern gates, their banners fluttering in the wind.

The Jing Family, who had already begun celebrating their victory, halted in their tracks as they realized that reinforcements had arrived for their enemies. Jing Wen narrowed his eyes, his face tight with displeasure. The Zheng Family, despite being on its last legs, had one final lifeline to cling to. It was a lifeline that could drag the Jing Family into an all-out war, one they weren't entirely prepared for.

Jing Wen clenched his fist, his gaze flicking to the city in ruins. He was still determined to bring the Zheng Family to its knees, but with City Lord Bai now in play, it would take longer than anticipated. The momentum was theirs, but a head-on battle with Bai's army could turn the tide.

"Withdraw!" Jing Wen barked. "We take the victory, but we retreat to fight another day. There's no point in losing forces now."

His generals quickly passed the order, and Jing Family soldiers began to pull back, reluctantly leaving the remnants of the Zheng Family to their fate. They retreated into the slums and outlying streets, positioning themselves to regroup. The Zheng Family forces, scattered and disorganized, could not pursue them. The Jing Family had already set their sights on the next move.

City Lord Bai's army, though initially arriving late, was able to take control of the situation. They fought through pockets of Jing Family resistance, but the damage had already been done. Golden Prosperity City was in ruins. Buildings were burned, homes destroyed, and countless lives had been lost. The streets were littered with bodies, Zheng Family and Jing Family alike. The air was thick with the stench of smoke and death, mingling with the cries of the wounded.

At the heart of the city, Zheng Xi remained seated in his tent, leaning heavily on a table as he tried to bind his bleeding leg wound. His body was drained from the battle, and his head spun with the realization that his forces were nearly shattered. The Zheng Family had been struck a devastating blow, and the city they had built was left in ruins. He knew they had lost, but now the question remained: how could they rebuild?

City Lord Bai entered the camp, his expression hardened by the grim sight before him. He approached Zheng Xi and knelt beside him, offering a flask of healing elixir. "This city may still be standing, but the Zheng Family is in ruins. I will help you recover what's left, but understand this, our alliance is fragile. Do not let the Jing Family grow stronger."

Zheng Xi barely nodded, his eyes filled with both gratitude and sorrow. The Zheng Family had been dealt a blow from which it might never fully recover, and now, the Jing Family was poised to take full advantage.