dognovel Chapter 240 The Li Family Army Suffers Heavy Casualties in the Defense of Tangyin City
Chapter 240 The Li Family Army Suffers Heavy Casualties in the Defense of Tangyin City
The following day, the Song army's offensive poured forth like a torrent at dawn, each strike imbued with the will to fight a decisive battle. On the city walls, Song soldiers leaped up several times, as if trying to bring the dawn into the city. Indeed, some valiant warriors broke through the defenses and entered the heart of this ancient city.
However, a cunning scheme had already laid its groundwork on this ancient stone-paved road. He cleverly deployed his brave but somewhat inexperienced militiamen throughout the city's alleyways, like a fine net. While insufficient to severely cripple the invading Song army, it miraculously halted their advance. These militiamen, with their own flesh and blood, formed a temporary barrier, buying precious time for Li's reinforcements to assemble.
As the sun slowly sank below the horizon, a soft twilight draped the sky. The Song army, after a day of fierce siege of Tangyin City, finally began their slow retreat under the cover of dusk. In this era, night blindness, like the darkness itself, silently enveloped most people, making the nighttime world blurry and dangerous. Therefore, unless forced by circumstances, they rarely launched large-scale offensives under the cover of night; after all, in the limited visibility of the night, every step required caution.
Qian Dazhuang slowly walked into the western city wall, which was guarded by scoundrels. The scene before him was chilling—lifeless bodies lay scattered everywhere, and various weapons lay strewn about, their cold light gleaming in the dim light, making the scene even more desolate.
He couldn't help but sigh deeply, his tone filled with helplessness and bewilderment: "Sir, look at this scene. Even when the Song soldiers were fighting the Jin army, we never saw such ruthless and desperate fighting. How come they can be so cruel when they are killing each other?"
The man, head bowed, was intently wrapping a bandage around the injured leg of a Li family soldier. His voice was calm and steady, devoid of any emotional fluctuation: "The root of the problem is that we haven't instilled fear in them from the bottom of their hearts. When that day comes, when they tremble from the depths of their souls and feel genuine fear towards us, they will truly understand our power. Speaking of which, can the defenses on the south side of the city hold out?"
Qian Dazhuang frowned, looking worried, and said, "Today, we have already lost more than three thousand warriors on just one corner of the south city wall. In addition, the ammunition given by the chief has been completely used up. Fortunately, last night I secretly moved all the soybean oil and lard from the grain and oil shop. In my haste, I poured them into jars, lit them, and threw them outside the city. If it weren't for this, I'm afraid the city's defenses would have been in grave danger today."
Upon hearing Qian Dazhuang's words, Bu Liang slowly rose from his seat. His eyes were deep, seemingly able to pierce through the night and shine directly at the dimly lit Song army camp outside the city. After a moment of silence, his voice was steady and powerful as he instructed Qian Dazhuang: "After dinner, go and summon all the generals in the city, regardless of rank. Tonight, we must gather together to carefully plan tomorrow's battle. If the Grand Commander has not returned by tomorrow, then we will have to engage in a desperate battle with the Song army in the streets and alleys of Tangyin City."
As night fell, the ancient city of Tangyin was gently veiled by a soft veil of moonlight. On the city walls, only the soldiers, shouldering the heavy responsibility of guarding the city, moved back and forth between the mottled stone bricks with steady steps. Their shadows were elongated in the dim glow of the torches, adding a touch of indomitable resilience to the tranquil night.
Beneath the city walls, most of the soldiers had shed the tension and fatigue of war, drifting into sweet dreams. That day, they had fought the enemy until dusk; every swing of their swords, every clash of their shields, was a test of their physical strength and willpower. Now, the tranquil night seemed like a gentle comfort to their valiant battle, allowing their weary bodies a moment of peace and recovery in their dreams.
In this ancient and resolute city, night is not merely a time for rest, but also a silent preparation for tomorrow's battle. The soldiers' dreams may still echo with the roar of war drums, but their yearning for victory and unwavering belief shine brightly in the tranquil night, like the brightest star in the sky, guiding them to greet the first rays of dawn.
Within the ancient city of Tangyin, the lights of the county government office shone like the brightest stars in the night sky, dispelling the darkness. In that dimly lit place, the corrupt official sat upright in his seat, his figure as imposing as an unshakeable mountain.
At this moment, he stood before a large group of Li family army generals, his words resounding and powerful.
The unruly man spoke slowly, his voice steady and powerful: "Fellow soldiers, today the Song army's offensive is like a violent storm, exceptionally fierce. However, we all know that although the city walls are strong, they are not an indestructible shield. Tomorrow may be the day the Song army breaches the city. But please do not panic. The city walls are merely our first line of defense against the enemy. The real battle will unfold on this very land within the city."
His gaze sharpened as he surveyed each of the generals present, and he continued, “Tomorrow, if the Song army breaches the city, we should fight individually in platoons and companies, yet support each other. Remember, do not fret over the gains or losses of a single house or courtyard. Make full use of our familiarity with the city's terrain and maximize this advantage. Let the Song army lose its way in this maze of streets and alleys, and be exhausted from their efforts.”
After speaking, Mr. Bad Guy's eyes revealed a firmness and fearlessness, as if he could already see the dawn of victory shining ahead.
Inspired by his words, the generals straightened their backs and prepared for the upcoming decisive battle.
A platoon leader belonging to Li's army stepped forward, his voice firm and resounding: "Mr. Bad Guy, please rest assured. Li's army is united as one, with one heart and one mind. Facing the enemy, we swear to fight to the death. Even if it means risking our lives, we will make those Song soldiers pay with their lives, so that they will deeply understand that the dignity of Li's army is not something they can easily violate!"
In the heart of the city, everyone was busily planning the defense for the next day, while outside the city walls, inside the Song army camp, Luo Mingjing had also summoned his generals for a crucial meeting, held under bright lights. Having personally experienced today's battle, he had keenly discerned subtle flaws in the city's garrison deployment and was secretly plotting his next move.
"Tomorrow, we will no longer be confined to one place, but will launch a simultaneous attack from all four directions, like the light of dawn, invincible." Luo Mingjing's voice was calm and firm, her eyes shining with the light of certain victory. "Tangyin City, we are determined to take it, and we will decide the fate of the world in one battle!"
These words invigorated the generals in the tent, as if they could already foresee the dawn of victory. Luo Mingjing's strategy was undoubtedly a brilliant plan born from a deep reflection on today's battle, aiming to break through the enemy's defenses with overwhelming force and capture the fortified city in one fell swoop. Night deepened, but within the camp, morale was high, and everyone was filled with the desire for victory, preparing to face the impending battle at dawn.