The bodies piled up at the city gate quickly formed a wall.
Using this cover, Chu Chengji and the remaining soldiers successfully held on until the main army arrived at the city’s gates.
Boulders were constantly hurled at the city walls, producing dull, heavy thuds. Although they didn’t create a breach, sand and stones shook loose from the walls, making the entire structure tremble.
The darkness of night provided the best cover for the siege.
The city tower was brightly lit, which turned it into an easy target, allowing the besieging army to accurately adjust their trebuchets to hit the walls.
The besieging soldiers didn’t even carry torches.
The soldiers defending the tower, limited by their visibility, couldn’t see where the enemy was gathering below, and could only rely on intuition to throw rocks at long range.
When the besieging army moved within bow range, the archers on the tower divided into two groups, taking turns to shoot arrows downward, filling the sky with arrowheads.
Unfortunately, the enemy was well prepared.
The soldiers in the front row raised thick shields as tall as a person, forming a solid shield wall.
The soldiers in the rear row lifted their thick shields overhead, with two people holding each shield, creating a shield wall above them as well.
The entire army turned into a massive moving iron monster that the arrows couldn’t penetrate.
And yet, they still managed to shoot arrows through the gaps in the shield wall at the soldiers on the city walls.
When the reinforcements arrived at the city gate, there was no hope of closing Meng County’s two iron gates again.
The shield wall advanced, fully protecting Chu Chengji and his men.
The soldiers who had been fighting at the city gate earlier were able to catch their breath for a moment.
Chu Chengji ordered, “All soldiers, listen to the order. Groups of fifteen, with shield bearers protecting the archers, approach the arrow towers from the flanks and front.”
The erected shield wall bulged outward like a mother giving birth.
The small groups quickly formed their own units, while the shield wall behind them was filled by soldiers holding shields.
The arrow towers, which had previously relied on arrowheads to repel the attackers, now faced groups of fifteen soldiers, each forming a moving iron box with shields, directly protecting the archers as they approached the towers, launching a frenzied counterattack on the soldiers on the arrow towers.
After reaching the arrow tower, the soldiers of the first small unit began to climb up from the tower’s blind spots.
They launched a close-range attack while the soldiers on the arrow tower were focused on shooting at other shielded soldiers, catching them off guard.
The invading soldiers quickly scaled the three arrow towers and city walls, coordinating with the soldiers outside the city.
Together, they forced the defending soldiers to retreat step by step.
Seeing that the situation was dire, the commander guarding the city gate pulled a junior officer aside. “You stay here and hold the line; I will go inform the governor!”
With that, he hurriedly descended the tower.
The soldiers on the tower, seeing their commander hastily ride away, lost their fighting spirit even more.
They quickly collapsed under the combined assault of the two groups within the city.
Chu Chengji, upon learning that the defending commander had fled to the governor’s residence to report, did not send troops to pursue him.
Instead, he captured a junior officer, forced him to reveal the location of the granary, and dispatched a team directly to the granary.
The granary in Meng County stored the entire grain supply of the Jianghuai region.
If Meng County couldn’t be held, the governor would most likely set fire to the granary.
Going to the governor’s residence to capture him would probably be in vain.
But if they hurried to the granary, they might be able to save the grain supplies.
...
After leaving the city gate, the defending commander rode swiftly and soon encountered the governor of Meng County and Dong Da, who were rushing over.
The commander dismounted and knelt, crying bitterly, “My lord, this subordinate is guilty and deserves to die a thousand times!”
The governor of Meng County and Dong Da exchanged a glance, both seeing the shock in each other’s eyes.
The governor asked tremblingly, “The city gate... has fallen?”
The commander nodded, choking back tears, “That former prince of Chu is extremely cunning. He pretended to be part of our defeated grain escort and called to open the gate at night. This subordinate... fell for his trick!”
Before the commander could explain the details of the siege, the battle-hardened Dong Da sighed heavily from his horse.
With the gates wide open, if the enemy coordinated from inside and outside, even the most fortified city would be easy prey.
He cursed, “That young rascal, he previously tricked me in Xuzhou as well! Even if I die here today, I’ll make sure he suffers!”
Upon hearing that the gate had fallen, the governor of Meng County turned as pale as death.
Hearing Dong Da’s words, he clutched at this last hope and said, “In my opinion, the former prince of Chu only dares to launch repeated sneak attacks.
In a direct confrontation, he is no match for you, Brother Yuanda. You should fight him in the city, and I will guard the granary. If there is any mishap, I will burn the granary, ensuring that the young prince gains nothing!”
Meng County was already the governor’s territory, so it seemed natural for him to guard the granary.
Dong Da saw no issue with this and immediately agreed with a clasped fist.
The two parted ways, with the governor of Meng County taking the defending commander to guard the granary, while Dong Da went towards the city gate to confront Chu Chengji.
...
As Chu Chengji led his 3,000 elite cavalry through a narrow street, the surroundings were dark and eerily quiet.
He pulled the reins, raised his hand to signal the soldiers behind him to stop, and thousands of fine horses halted at the street’s entrance.
Receiving a silent signal from Chu Chengji, the deputy general ordered a cavalryman to dismount.
The soldier then whipped the horse hard, sending it running ahead without a rider.
Suddenly, from the houses on both sides of the street, arrows rained down like a sudden downpour, turning the horse into a bloody pincushion.
The street had been ambushed long ago!
But now that it was discovered, the ambush was rendered useless.
Torches flared up all around, revealing Dong Da riding a Ferghana horse at the front.
Behind him, the streets were densely packed with tens of thousands of soldiers.
Dong Da shouted, “Chu scion, you deceived this old man and stole Xuzhou from me. Today, I will make you pay in blood!”
Chu Chengji had just come from a fierce battle.
Though he wore only an ordinary soldier’s armor, his commanding presence on horseback made him easily recognizable.
However, with dried blood staining his armor and face, his gentle expression appeared particularly sinister.
“General Dong, you served as an official of Chu for over twenty years. Even if you now serve the Li family’s dogs, addressing me as ‘Your Highness’ is still more appropriate when you see me.”
Dong Da, a man of integrity, had his greatest blemish in betraying his post in late Chu Empire.
He scowled with hatred, “The Chu dynasty was tyrannical, causing untold suffering to the people.
During Emperor Yang’s reign, he listened to slander, emptied the treasury to build Taoist temples, and did the disaster relief funds ever reach the people during floods and droughts?
The court was filled with self-serving scoundrels, lining their pockets and protecting each other, with no regard for the lives of the common folk.”
Dong Da’s face turned red with rage as he spoke, “I am merely a soldier, not a scholar, and I cannot perform acts of self-sacrifice.
I only know that as the governor of Xuzhou, my duty is to protect the people of Xuzhou.
What does it matter to me whether the one on the throne is surnamed Chu or Li?”
Chu Chengji’s deputy was about to retort, but Chu Chengji raised his hand to stop him.
He said, “General Dong, you betrayed the Chu dynasty to protect the people of Xuzhou.
But do you know how many provinces have been plundered by the Li army? The people of Xuzhou are human, but are the people of other provinces not?”
This remark made Dong Da’s face flush with shame.
Li Xin fought from Qixian to Bianjing without a strong backing.
He would conquer a city and plunder it, with his soldiers—ranging from generals to common troops—aware that every new city captured promised boundless riches and women.
Consequently, his army’s assaults were always as fierce as a pack of ravenous wolves.
Dong Da had chosen to surrender because he knew that Xuzhou alone could not withstand Li Xin’s onslaught.
Rather than waiting for the city to fall and the people to be slaughtered and plundered, he chose to surrender to ensure the safety of Xuzhou’s citizens.
Taking Xuzhou without a fight and merely promising not to disturb its people was an offer Li Xin readily accepted, as it was a win-win situation for him.
However, unable to resupply his army in Xuzhou, Li Xin’s forces had to plunder elsewhere, sparing Xuzhou at the expense of other regions.
The former and current rulers of this land were no better than each other.
Seeing Dong Da remain silent, Chu Chengji continued, “After I took Xuzhou, I did not harm a single citizen.”
These words brought a flicker of emotion to Dong Da’s face.
Chu Chengji swung his long spear single-handedly while on horseback. “I know General Dong cherishes his soldiers.
If your troops fight mine, even if a victor emerges, both sides will suffer heavy casualties.
Instead, let’s make a pact: you and I will duel on horseback. If you win, I’ll retreat. If I win, you will hand over the military seal of Xuzhou.”
The troops under Dong Da’s command were originally Chu’s soldiers; they merely changed allegiances along with their commander.
Dong Da pressed his lips tightly and agreed, “Alright!”
The gates of Meng County had already been breached, and the enemy’s morale was high.
In contrast, since the loss of Xuzhou, Dong Da’s forces had suffered continuous defeats, and their morale was low.
If a full-scale battle ensued, his side might not fare well.
Both armies pulled back, with their commanders remaining on horseback, the tension palpable in the air.
Dong Da let out a loud cry and charged forward first.
A seasoned warrior, his tiger-head embossed spear had felled countless enemies on the battlefield.
Chu Chengji coldly watched Dong Da approach, standing firm on his horse without flinching.
Seeing this, Dong Da’s deputy was overjoyed, believing that the former Chu prince, notorious for his incompetence, was paralyzed with fear.
Chu Chengji’s deputy was worried.
On the battlefield, not only was the length of the weapon crucial, but the momentum generated by a general charging on horseback could magnify the impact several times over.
As Dong Da charged forward on his horse, Chu Chengji stood still, which seemed like a disadvantageous position.
Seeing Chu Chengji remain motionless, Dong Da did not thrust his spear immediately but instead shouted fiercely and aimed a powerful strike at Chu Chengji’s waist.
Chu Chengji raised his halberd to block the attack.
The force was indeed overwhelming, causing his hands to tingle, and even his horse was pushed back two steps.
Yet, Chu Chengji remained unmoved on his horse.
In contrast, Dong Da was jolted back, both man and horse retreating several steps.
Dong Da was astonished.
When had the once useless prince of Chu become so formidable?
The onlookers from both sides were equally stunned.
Chu Chengji’s deputy quickly raised his weapon, leading the troops in a cheer for Chu Chengji.
In the night, the Chu army’s shouts were like thunder, their weapons striking the ground resonating like an earthquake.
This demoralized Dong Da’s soldiers even further, despite their general not yet being defeated, their faces already turned ashen.
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Dong Da, perhaps agitated by the Chu army’s cheer, attacked again with great force but left several openings.
After exchanging a few blows, Chu Chengji dismounted Dong Da, his halberd pointing at Dong Da’s throat.
The soldiers behind Chu Chengji erupted in cheers.
Having fought until this point, Dong Da was not as shocked or defiant.
Kneeling on the ground, he raised the military seal, saying, “I, Dong, am not as skilled.”
Chu Chengji’s deputy dismounted and took the seal, presenting it to Chu Chengji.
Chu Chengji looked at Dong Da and said, “If General Dong is willing to continue serving the state of Chu, I can entrust Xuzhou to you.”
Xuzhou was a strategic location, and offering it to Dong Da demonstrated significant trust.
However, Dong Da shook his head.
He looked at Chu Chengji with a complex expression, a mix of relief and resignation. “I, Dong, have served two masters and am no longer fit to be a minister of Chu.”
He cast one last glance at the army he had personally built up, then turned to Chu Chengji and said, “I only hope that once Your Highness restores the country, you will be a wise ruler and not let the people suffer anymore.”
With that, he drew a dagger hidden in his boot and slit his own throat.
“General!” The former soldiers of Xuzhou were devastated, many weeping openly.
Chu Chengji looked at Dong Da’s body without visible emotion, but his grip on the reins tightened.
He ordered his deputy, “Give General Dong a proper burial and take care of his family.”
The deputy bowed in agreement.
Chu Chengji left his deputy behind to reorganize Dong Da’s troops and continued with his men towards the granary.
He had expected that during this delay, the governor of Meng County, upon hearing of Dong Da’s death, would have set fire to parts of the granary.
However, when he arrived, there was no sign of flames.
The governor of Meng County stood waiting at the granary gate.
Seeing Chu Chengji arrive with his army, he immediately knelt down, obsequiously saying, “Your Highness, you’ve finally arrived! I was worried something might happen to the granary, so I’ve been guarding it with my troops, waiting for Your Highness to personally take the grain.”