398. Siege Of Shangdang

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At Zhao Ang's residence, Wang Yi who was drowning in sadness was crying without tears, as the pain in her heart had turned numb and become hatred and thirst for vengeance, after giving a kiss on the forehead of Zhao Ang's lifeless head she stood up and leave the room with her dress full of blood, and as she leaves the room she meets with the officials and generals that wanted to inform the two of them of their winning.

The faces of the officials and generals initially filled with triumph and happiness, turned to shock and fear at the sight of her bloodied dress, not exoectungtpsee this kind of scenery.

One of the generals, his voice trembling, asked Wang Yi, "Madam Wang, what has happened? Are you injured? Where's your Lord Zhao Ang? Is he with you? Is he okay? "

Wang Yi's eyes, once filled with sorrow, now burned with a cold fire for vengeance. "My Husband is dead," she said, her voice steady but laced with a chilling resolve. "Ma Chao has beheaded him, you can find My Husbands' cold body inside."

Gasps of horror and disbelief rippled through the group of officials and generals. One of the officials, stepping forward cautiously, stammered, "What... what should we do then, Madam Wang? How do we proceed now?"

Wang Yi took a deep breath, gathering her composure. "We continue as planned," she declared. "Tianshui is ours, and we must secure it fully. Ma Teng and Ma Chao had retreated, but they will return. We must fortify our defenses and prepare for their inevitable counterattack."

The generals and officials, though shaken, nodded in agreement. Wang Yi's presence, even in her grief, commanded respect and authority. Never expect that they would listen to a woman's command, which showed the kind of aura and abilities she had.

One of the senior generals spoke up, his voice firm. "We will ensure that Tianshui remains secure, Madam Wang. Lord Zhao Ang's sacrifice will not be in vain, we will have vengeance for Lord Zhao Ang."

Wang Yi nodded, her expression hardening with determination. "See to it that our defenses are strengthened, and inform Cao Ren and his generals that wanted to meet them at the main hall."

As the officials and generals hurried to carry out her orders, Wang Yi took a moment to compose herself taking deep breaths. The loss of Zhao Ang was a heavy blow, but her desire for vengeance drove her forward.

She would ensure that Tianshui remained strong and that Ma Teng and Ma Chao paid for their brutality in killing her husband, which she hadn't even consummated their marriage yet due to her punishing him for delaying their wedding.

In the quiet hall, surrounded by the echoes of hurried footsteps and hushed whispers, Wang Yi felt a pang of regret. The memories of her reprimanding Zhao Ang for postponing their marriage resurfaced.

She had wanted to teach him a lesson, to ensure he understood the importance of their bond. Now, that bond lay shattered, and her heart ached with the realization that she could never mend it.

Tears once again welled up in her eyes, but she blinked them back. She couldn't afford to show weakness now. She had to be strong for Zhao Ang, for Tianshui, and for the future, they had dreamed of together.

Wang Yi clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. The pain was a reminder of her resolve. "Ma Teng and Ma Chao couldn't see the reason why Zhao Ang tried to rebel against them," she whispered to herself. "What he had done for them is forgotten just like that."

Her thoughts drifted to Zhao Ang's sacrifices. He had always been loyal, always striving to do what was best for Tianshui and its people. His rebellion wasn't born of ambition, but of necessity, a desire to create a future for the two of them to ensure Tianshui's prosperity.

Yet, Ma Teng and Ma Chao had dismissed everything he had done to support the two of them, choosing to kill him just like that, now allowing him a moment to explain to them why he rebelled against them.

As Wang Yi steeled herself to stay strong, far to the west of Tianshui, in the town of Shangdang, Zhang Yan and his forces were preparing for an impending siege by Yuan Shao's army. The air was tense with anticipation as final preparations were made.

Zhang Yan stood atop the wall, surveying his men. His face was stern, but his presence exuded confidence and determination. His men, fortified by increased rations, moved with renewed spirit, as their morale recovered somewhat after their loss.

He turned to one of his generals, Li Ju, who had just returned from a scouting mission he ordered. "What news of Yuan Shao's Army movements?" Zhang Yan asked, his voice calm but filled with intensity.

Li Ju saluted and reported, "My lord, Yuan Shao's Army is advancing steadily. They are well-equipped and their numbers are formidable, I'm positive that they would arrive in 3 to 4 days if they are going at the same pace."

Zhang Yan nodded thoughtfully. "Good Work. We will use this information to our advantage, and make sure our archers and infantries are positioned accordingly. We must be ready for Yuan Shao's Army attack."

Li Ju cupped his hand to Zhang Yan. "As you command, my lord. The men are ready and will follow your orders without hesitation."

Zhang Yan's gaze shifted to the horizon as accepted Li Ju's word, envisioning what scene he would see from Shangdang when Yuan Shao's Army arrived. He knew the battle ahead would be challenging, but he also knew his men were prepared well.

He addressed his men, his voice carrying across the wall of Shangdang. "My Brother and Comrades! We are facing a great challenge. Yuan Shao's army marches toward Shangdang as we speak, but we will not falter. Show them the power of the Heishan Bandits, and prove to our sacrificed brothers that their sacrifice would not be in vain!"

A cheer rose from the assembled soldiers, their morale lifted by Zhang Yan's words. They knew the battle would be hard, but they also knew that they had to prove to their brothers that had sacrificed themselves for them.

As the final preparations were made, Zhang Yan took a moment to reflect on their position. He had sent scouts to continue monitoring Yuan Shao's movements and had increased the food rations to ensure his men were well nourished and ready to defend Shangdang.

Three days passed by, each day bringing reports of villages and small towns falling to Yuan Shao's advancing army. Zhang Yan could only stay resolute, believing that there was nothing he could do to defend those villages and small towns.

As the sun rose on the fourth day, Zhang Yan stood atop the walls of Shangdang, his eyes looking unto the horizon. The morning light revealed a sight of the full force of Yuan Shao's army approaching, a seemingly endless sea of soldiers marching toward Shangdang.

Zhang Yan estimated the enemy numbers to be between 300,000 and 400,000 men. It was a formidable force, and a tumultuous battle was upon him. He turned to Tao Cheng, who stood by his side.

"The time has come," Zhang Yan said, his voice steady. "Signal the men to take their positions. We must be prepared for their assault."

Tao Cheng nodded and relayed the orders. The soldiers of Shangdang moved swiftly, each man taking his designated place along the fortifications. Archers lined the walls, their bows ready with infantry reinforcing the walls.

The cavalry prepared to defend the gates repel any breaches that might happen, and hold the gate with whatever might they have to repel Yuan Shao's men.

Yuan Shao's Army led by Yan Liang and Wen Chou soon reached Shangdang, and they began to deploy their men with the siege formation they had agreed upon beforehand during their travel to Shangdang.

Yan Liang and Wen Chou conferred briefly before giving the signal for the first wave of the attack. Zhang He and Gao Lan, who were appointed as the leaders of the first attack, stepped forward to lead the initial assault.

The soldiers of Shangdang watched tensely from their positions on the walls as Zhang He and Gao Lan's forces approached, siege engines in tow. The archers readied their bows, waiting for the command to fire.

"Hold steady everyone," Sui Gu called out from his position beside Zhang Yan's right while Tao Sheng was on Zhang Yan's left. "Wait for my signal."

The air was thick with tension as the enemy drew closer. Then, with a resounding roar, Zhang He and Gao Lan's men launched their assault. The siege engines moved into position, hurling stones at the walls of Shangdang as the battering ram moved forward.

Seeing Yuan Shao's army begin their attack, "Now! Fire at will!" Sui Gu's command echoed across the battlements.

Arrows rained down on the advancing forces, striking soldiers and slowing Zhang He and Gao Lan's infantries. The infantry on the walls reinforced the defenses, pushing back against the Yuan Shao's siege ladders and siege towers.

Zhang He directed his men with precision, urging them to press forward despite the onslaught from above. Beside him, Gao Lan led a contingent of soldiers in an attempt to defend the battering rams that would breach the main gate.

Zhang Yan moved along the walls, encouraging his men and directing their efforts. His presence bolstered their morale, and they fought with renewed vigor, holding the defensive line tightly not allowing it to be broken.

Despite their best efforts, the sheer number of Yuan Shao's forces began to take its toll. Zhang He and Gao Lan's relentless assault was pushing the defenders to their limits. Stones continue hitting along the walls, causing massive casualties for Zhang Yan's men.

Tao Cheng, seeing the growing danger, shouted to Zhang Yan, "My lord, we must focus our defenses on the eastern wall! Li Ju and his men couldn't hold on for long!"

Zhang Yan nodded, his eyes scanning the battlefield. "Reinforce the eastern wall! We cannot let them break through!" Tao Sheng hearing this nodded his head and shifted some manpower to the eastern wall.

The defenders shifted their positions, bolstering the eastern wall and relieving the pressure Li Ju faced. The archers targeted the siege engines, attempting to halt their destructive progress.

Zhang He and Gao Lan seeing that Zhang Yan and his men still give a fierce resistance, were surprised that they could hold onto Shangdang's defences for so long without any weak point revealed. As the smarter and more strategic one of the two, Zhang He decides to reduce the intensity of their attack and has the catapults increase their fire rate, to neutralize Zhang Yan's archer atop the wall of Shangdang.

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Name: Lie Fan

Title: Three Heroes Who Defeat Lu Bu

Age: 31 (198 AD)

Level: 16

Next Level: 462,000

Renown: 825

Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)

SP: 1,121,700

ATTRIBUTE POINTS

STR: 936 (+20)

VIT: 598 (+20)

AGI: 583 (+10)

INT: 587

CHR: 96

WIS: 509

WILL: 397

ATR Points: 0