Chapter 5.20 – Defending The City

Editor: DarkNaivety

Proofreader: PenguinStel

In the morning, before the sky brightened, the sound of horses’ hoofs thundered on the ground.

The four main gates of Jin Zhou had already been tightly sealed. The villagers who hadn’t managed to enter the city were going crazy and despairing as they fought to enter. Meanwhile, a good-for-nothing despot inside the city gates was demanding for the gates to be opened so that he could escape to a safer place.

Watching as the Turks got closer and the civilians below the city walls refused to leave, Xiang Han couldn’t bear to watch. He hurriedly walked away.

The city walls didn’t have barbs or pits, and thus, it didn’t take long before they all heard the pitter-patter of hooves and neighing.

The sky gradually grew brighter and the hazy night sky faded. Suddenly, a torrential rain of arrows came down from atop the city walls; no one bothered about the people who were crying to be let in or let out any longer.

Xiang Han’s footsteps paused as he heard the mournful cries. Seeing the good-for-nothing despot causing a fuss, his expression sunk and he told a retinue, “Drag them all down. If they continue to cause a fuss, just knock them out.”

The emperor couldn’t help shaking his head. In his opinion, Xiang Han was too soft-hearted. At a time like this, he should have simply executed those who incited disharmony.

Xue Qing Lin had clearly set up his plans within the city. Once the Turks began their siege, there were several soldiers who wanted to open the gates for them, but Xu Yan Ze was long prepared. The mercenaries had been stuffed into every one of these gates and once they discovered these rebels, they were immediately dealt with.

Xu Yan Ze himself personally killed off a soldier. When his cold knife slashed down, that person immediately became a bloody corpse. His expressionless gaze swept over the corpse, then glanced at the Turks who were holding onto ladders and frantically trying to invade the city. For a split second, he thought he’d return to the time when he was still in the apocalypse. However, this was different from cutting down zombies; their blood was still warm.

The third prince who’d just climbed up to the city wall was stunned, unable to believe his eyes. Was this person, who could kill another person without batting his eyelids, and remained calm in the face of countless enemy soldiers, really the Yan Xiao Ze he knew?

When Xu Yan Ze’s gaze swept over him, an invisible pressure could be felt. He said indifferently, “The sword has no eyes. If you have nothing to do, don’t get in my way.”

After saying so, he ordered the troops to bring Wei Zhao away. Wei Zhao should have been furious, but after meeting Xu Yan Ze’s eyes, there was an inexplicable fear in his heart. Now, he could no longer treat this person as a mere villager. His mind was in a mess, without any resistance, allowing himself to be dragged away.

Xu Yan Ze’s calm in the face of danger, his ability to direct soldiers with a clear head, and the action of removing those who sought to incite division among the troops, made the emperor even more impressed. When he saw the third prince being escorted back, dissatisfaction was written all over his face.

This battle lasted until mid-afternoon but still showed no sign of ceasing. Although Xiang Han had made ample preparation and the Turks weren’t in a favourable position, Jin Zhou still suffered a tremendous loss.

After noon, the Turks finally stopped their siege, and the people could now breathe in relief. At this moment, both above and beneath the city walls were filled with corpses. Many soldiers simply rested against these bodies.

Xu Yan Ze had also been injured. When Xiang Han helped him to treat his wounds, his hands couldn’t help but shake.

Xu Yan Ze grasped his hands and slowly kissed them. He laughed, “Were you frightened?”

Xiang Han glared at him and pulled his hands back. “I’ll follow you later and protect you.” With the system, he was simply a walking weapon; stopping an arrow with his bare hands wasn’t an issue.

“Don’t.” Xu Yan Ze quickly refused. How could he bear to? Thus, he began to coax, “It’s only a minor injury. Although it looks bad, it doesn’t actually hurt that much. Moreover, it’s because you are providing assistance from the backline support to supply provisions to the troops that I am able to defend the city with peace of mind.”

Seeing that Xiang Han still wanted to continue, he hurriedly changed the topic. “Right, how long more can those supplies last?”

Xiang Han hesitated. “Rations aren’t a problem, but the bows and arrows… if they continue another round of attacks in the afternoon, we’ll only be able to hold out till tonight even if we include the reinforcements that will be able to make it.”

Xu Yan Ze frowned. “Zhang Yong Ming will only arrive tomorrow. We need to be able to last until then.”

Xiang Han’s voice was grim, “That’ll be difficult.”

Xu Yan Ze said, “Gather the civilians together. The men will go up to the city walls while the women and children will put together some more weapons. Also, let Governor Zhao do a dance to boost morale.”

“Him?” Xiang Han couldn’t help shaking his head and fuming, “This fool tried to escape earlier and was dragged back by the mercenaries and beaten.”

“We still need him to…”

Before he could finish, the Turks had begun another round of attacks. Xu Yan Ze didn’t have time to continue and only instructed, “Even if you have to tie him up, you need to drag him here. You must also be careful. If the city defence is broken through, you must hurry and escape towards the mountains.”

Xiang Han watched him leave with a complicated feeling.

As twilight approached, the Turks’ offence showed no sign of ceasing. They adopted a fight to the death approach which was completely unlike their usual style of retreating if they were unsuccessful and leaving after they plundered.

The emperor must have sensed something. He slammed the table heavily and fumed, “This Xue Qing Ling is really daring.”

At this time, Xu Yan Ze was nursing a new wound, too busy to care about him. The troops at the front lines had long been exhausted, their expressions dull. Xu Yan Ze’s body was also rather weak, enduring through sheer willpower.

Seeing that the enemy showed no signs of backing off, his heart sank. When the stones were used up, the number of arrows left was also depressing; they weren’t able to hold out much longer.

The soldiers have begun to pour hot oil, light fire, and slash at enemies. The east gate was nearly forced open, but thankfully, Xiang Han brought reinforcements and arrived just in time.

Xu Yan Ze had just killed another Turk who had scaled the wall and paused to catch his breath. After a moment, he turned around and headed back.

At this time, Xiang Han was also exhausted but seeing him appear, he immediately opened his eyes.

Xu Yan Ze pulled him to a quieter place and asked, “How much hot oil is left?”

Xiang Han was in a dilemma. “There’s not much left…”

Xu Yan Ze gritted his teeth. “Let those people boil the golden juice.”

“Golden juice?” Xiang Han hadn’t yet understood.

From beside them, a wounded soldier heard this and replied, “Daren, I’ve prepared it.”

Xiang Han quickly nodded. “Alright, leave it to me.”

After sending Xu Yan Ze away, Xiang Han walked towards the wounded soldier and asked, “How do you make it?”

The soldier stuttered, “Daren, I don’t want to die. I want to see a physician.”

Xiang Han was stunned but quickly said, “Alright, I’ll arrange it immediately.”

There were too many wounded soldiers but not enough physicians and medicines. There were many soldiers awaiting treatment and some who even had to endure their injuries and continue fighting.

After being granted his request, the wounded soldier immediately told him. “Actually, this matter is simple. You just have to boil some urine and excrement together and pour it down like hot oil. This is not only dirty but makes it difficult to treat after burning them. If you want to, you can even add some **¹redacted to make it better.”

Seeing Xiang Han’s expression that seemed to have been scared, he continued to explain. “This is actually a common method of defending the city. But the Turks rarely besiege the city, so Jin Wu doesn’t use it as much.”

Xiang Han’s expression was colourful; he was deeply impressed by the ancient people’s way of thinking.

It must be said that after using the golden juice, not only did the enemies’ attack weaken but their troops’ morale was recovering. Each and every one of them had scrunched expressions, and no longer had an exhausted appearance.

After enduring another wave, daybreak was coming. The enemies began another round of attack, their momentum stronger than before and it seemed as if the city walls were nearly collapsing with Jin Zhou about to be invaded.

Xiang Han and the rest held out until the sky lit up. Suddenly, they heard that the west gates had been broken into and were immediately stunned.

When the people heard this news, the troops’ morale immediately dispersed and many of them began to escape on their own. The Turks took this opportunity to scale the walls. Although they had suspected that there might be spies planted within the city to spread rumours, seeing that the situation was beyond saving, Xu Yan Ze had no choice but to kill his way through to find Xiang Han and carefully protected him.

At this time, Zhang Yong’s troops finally arrived. The Turks who’d just charged into the city immediately became a turtle in a jar.

Both Xu Yan Ze and Xiang Han sighed in relief. Together with the mercenaries, they crushed the Turks in the city. No one knew when the emperor had snuck into the rear and hid from the attacks.

With reinforcements, the danger was quickly settled. Just when everyone had breathed a sigh of relief, a cold glint shot through from the city walls; its target was the emperor.

Unfortunately, Xiang Han and the emperor were in the same direction. Xu Yan Ze’s pupils shrunk; he abruptly grabbed him while simultaneously throwing a dagger out to block it.

The arrow was knocked off its course by the dagger and hit another person by the emperor’s side.

Realising that his attack had failed, the enemy immediately turned to flee, but Xu Yan Ze was faster. Seemingly at the same time, a dagger was thrown out and successfully sunk into his right leg. The enemy’s movement became sluggish, although he managed to climb down the wall. But with that injury, he was ultimately caught.

Xiang Han finally breathed a sigh of relief and pinched Xu Yan Ze’s fingers, speaking through his expression: Defending the city, protecting the monarch. It looks like the official’s position was in their hands.

Zhang Yong and his troops quickly rushed over. Sizing Xu Yan Ze with a glance, he asked, “Are you ‘Yan Daren’?”

Xu Yan Ze quickly replied with an ‘I dare not’ but his expression was calm.

Zhang Yong looked at him with a trace of admiration but his words were different. “Dare not? This general thinks you are really daring! Is there any difference between what you did and seizing a commander, forging military command, and rebelling?”

“Whether or not this is a rebellion, I’m afraid that General, you don’t have a say.” Xu Yan Ze didn’t buy his crap.

Zhang Yong choked from anger. Just as he wanted to continue berating him, the emperor suddenly announced his identity and stepped forward. “Not bad. In Zhen’s opinion, not only is he not at fault, he has even made significant contributions.”

Once Zhang Yong heard the word ‘Zhen’, he couldn’t help but find this tone familiar and was astonished. However, when he turned around, he saw an unfamiliar face and began to grow doubtful.

The third prince also appeared and took out his token of identification. When he did so, he subtly glanced at Xu Yan Ze and saw that there was no reaction. Instead, it was Zhang Yong who was startled and he hurriedly knelt down to beg for forgiveness.

By now, there was no need for them to hide their identity. Xue Qing Lin already knew they were in Jin Zhou and had even acted against them. In the emperor’s opinion, it would be better to reverse their positions; instead of being in the dark, they would come out into the light so that Xue Qing Lin would have no way of directly attacking them.

Furthermore, Jin Wu was not suitable for long-term accommodation. Zhang Yong had come just in time. He didn’t have Xue Qing Lin’s guts; once he identified himself, he could get some troops to send them to leave this place.

However, the emperor did not completely trust Zhang Yong either. Although he used the other person’s troops, he appointed Xu Yan Ze to lead. Before the sky was completely bright, a group of people fled Jin Zhou, evidently afraid Xue Qing Lin would concoct another heinous plot.

Stel: Okay, I died for like three seconds when they talked about that urine and excrement missile hahaha.

On another note, this phrase ‘you can even add some ** to make it better.’ made me ponder what could be more extreme than excrement to make it better??!! Hmmm?

Vivi: Other bodily fluids….?

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  redacted ↩︎