novelSusiti Chapter 36 Defending the Besieged City to the Death, Han and Barbarians United
Chapter 36 Defending the Besieged City to the Death, Han and Barbarians United
The battering ram slammed into the city gate with a deafening roar.
The tremor caused bricks and stones to fall from the city tower, and dust filled the air.
Wood chips mixed with dust flew around.
The cracks on the city gate became increasingly grotesque and shocking to behold.
Each impact felt like a blow to the hearts of the Shu soldiers.
As soon as Li Hui jumped off the city wall, he was spotted by two Cao Wei soldiers.
The long swords, one on the left and one on the right, came slashing straight down with a strong wind.
He was in excruciating pain from the wound in his chest, but he was not afraid at all.
In the instant he ducked to avoid it, he picked up a long spear left behind by the Shu army from the ground.
With a backhand flick, he pierced the throat of a Wei soldier.
Blood splattered on his pale face made him appear even more resolute.
[Li Hui silently thought to himself]: Guarding the city gate is guarding the south.
That would be to live up to the trust placed in him by His Majesty and the Prime Minister.
Today, we would rather die than retreat!
On the other side, Ma Zhong had already led the Shu army soldiers to guard the east gate.
He wielded his spear with impenetrable skill.
Wherever the spear tip passed, Wei soldiers fell to the ground.
The bloodstains on the armor kept congealing, only to be covered by fresh blood.
The wound on my shoulder was repeatedly aggravated.
He was in so much pain that cold sweat beaded on his forehead, but he never stopped wielding the spear.
"Soldiers, defend the city gates to the death! Do not retreat an inch!"
Ma Zhong shouted loudly, his voice piercing through the battle cries and inspiring the people.
The Shu soldiers responded in unison.
Despite suffering heavy casualties, they still stubbornly blocked the inside of the city gate.
They used their bodies to build an indestructible barrier.
[Ma Zhong was resolute]: The east gate of the city is a vital passage.
It must not be breached.
Even if it costs us our last breath, we must hold on!
At the west gate, Meng Huo was leading his tribal soldiers in a fierce resistance.
Although the tribal soldiers did not have the superior armor of the Shu army.
Yet each of them was brave and fearless, their scimitars flashing as they displayed the ferocity of the barbarians.
Meng Huo took the lead and cleaved a Wei soldier's spear in two with his curved blade.
With a backhand slash, he killed him, roaring furiously.
"You treacherous dog! How dare you invade my southern lands! Kill without mercy!"
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw several Wei soldiers attempting to climb into the city through a breach in the wall.
He immediately leaped into the air and swept his curved blade horizontally.
He cut down those Wei soldiers and sent them crashing to their deaths.
[Meng Huo was certain in his heart]: I have already surrendered to Your Majesty.
Today, I will use the blood of Wei soldiers to prove my loyalty, Meng Huo!
I will fight to the death to protect the honor of my tribe and the territory of Shu Han!
Outside the city, Sima Yi reined in his horse.
He gazed at the fighting on the city wall, his expression remaining solemn.
The general beside him bowed and reported in a low voice, "Sir."
"The Shu army fought desperately, and that scoundrel Meng Huo even went out of his way to help them."
"Our army has been unable to capture the city after a prolonged siege, and casualties are mounting. Should we postpone the attack?"
Sima Yi slowly shook his head, his fingertips stroking the riding whip.
A sinister glint flashed in his eyes, and his tone was icy.
"Postponed?"
"Nanzhong is the gateway to Shu; today we will surely break through Yuexi."
"If we don't seize this opportunity now, we'll never have another chance like this."
[Sima Yi's inner thoughts]: Li Hui is seriously injured, and the Shu army has suffered heavy casualties.
Although Meng Huo was brave, he had just surrendered, and the morale of his tribal soldiers was not yet stable.
With just a little more effort, the city gate will surely be breached.
"Pass on my order: move the siege engines forward."
Sima Yi gave the order in a loud voice, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"Concentrate your forces and launch a fierce attack on the west gate!"
"Whoever breaches the city gates first will be rewarded with a thousand pieces of gold and granted the title of Marquis of Ten Thousand Households!"
Upon hearing this, the morale of the Wei soldiers was instantly boosted.
It roared and charged toward the west gate.
The siege engine slowly advanced, crashing towards the city gate.
The sound was even louder than before, causing the earth to tremble slightly.
In the shadows at the corner of the city, there was a figure holding the golden-patterned Wei token.
They remained standing quietly, their eyes fixed on the battle.
He watched the fighting at the west city gate, a calculating glint in his eyes.
He raised his hand and made a subtle gesture towards another figure in the shadows.
[The masked man sneers inwardly]: Sima Yi is impatient for quick success and instant benefits.
Meng Huo fought with all his might, which resulted in both sides suffering heavy losses.
I can simply sit back and reap the benefits, thus fulfilling the adults' true entrustment.
At the west gate, Meng Huo's tribal soldiers gradually became exhausted.
Several soldiers were slashed by Wei soldiers, fell into pools of blood, and died.
A tribal soldier staggered to Meng Huo's side.
His voice was hoarse, filled with despair: "Chief, the Wei soldiers are too many, we can't hold out!"
Meng Huo gripped his curved sword tightly, looking at his exhausted tribesmen beside him.
He glanced at the Wei soldiers charging towards him, a hint of guilt flashing in his eyes.
Yet he remained steadfast, shouting encouragement: "Brothers, hold on a little longer!"
"General Li and General Ma will definitely come to our aid."
"By guarding the city gates, our tribe can be preserved!"
No sooner had the words left his mouth than the sound of horses' hooves approached.
Ma Zhong led a group of Shu soldiers and rushed over.
"Chief Meng, I've come to your aid!"
Ma Zhong shouted loudly and thrust his spear forward.
He then killed two Wei soldiers who were besieging Meng Huo, thus relieving his siege.
When Meng Huo saw Ma Zhong arrive, a hint of gratitude flashed in his eyes.
He cupped his hands and said, "General Ma, thank you for your support!"
"Enough talk, let's fight side by side!"
Before Ma Zhong finished speaking, he charged back into the enemy ranks.
His spear swept across, forcing back the surrounding Wei soldiers, his momentum unstoppable.
Meng Huo followed closely behind, brandishing his curved sword.
He fought alongside Ma Zhong, and they worked together seamlessly.
The Han and Yi soldiers worked together and held off the Wei army's fierce attack.
On the city wall, Li Hui leaned against it, barely managing to steady himself.
Looking down at the Han and Yi soldiers fighting side by side, a look of satisfaction appeared on his face.
[Li Hui thought to himself]: Your Majesty's strategy of winning hearts and minds is indeed brilliant.
Meng Huo's heart was won over, and the Yi and Han peoples were of one mind.
With such cohesion, we will surely be able to defend Yuexi!
But his worries did not dissipate.
Sima Yi had a large army, and the masked man was still lurking nearby.
It's impossible to predict when they will strike; this life-or-death battle remains unpredictable.
Just then, a personal guard rushed over.
His expression was urgent, and his voice was panicked: "General! Something terrible has happened!"
"Remnants of an intelligence network have been discovered behind the camp, attempting to sabotage the city's food reserves!"
Li Hui's expression changed drastically, and his heart sank.
Food supplies are essential for defending a city.
If the supply lines are cut off, the soldiers will fall into disarray without a fight.
At that time, Yuexi City will surely fall!
[Li Hui's mind raced]: It must be the masked man's doing!
He deliberately drew our attention to the city gate.
They secretly sent people to sabotage our supplies, hoping to cut off our retreat!
"Quickly, send a squad of soldiers to guard the supplies at the rear of the camp!"
Li Hui gave the order in a stern voice, his tone carrying an unyielding authority.
"We must eliminate all hidden agents and secure our supplies!"
"Yes, sir!" The guards responded and hurried off.
Li Hui leaned against the city wall and looked out of the city again.
Sima Yi remained seated calmly at the front of the battle line.
It was as if they had anticipated all of this, and were completely confident.
[Li Hui suddenly realized]: Something's not right, all of this is going too smoothly.
Sima Yi was not only capable of launching a fierce attack on the city gates; he must have had other plans in store!
No sooner had he finished speaking than a mournful horn sounded from outside the city.
The bugle call was different from the Wei army's previous siege bugle calls.
Sharp and eerie, it pierced through the chaotic shouts of battle, sending chills down one's spine.
Sima Yi's lips curled into a cold smile, and he raised his hand to order again: "The entire army retreats!"
Upon hearing this, the Wei soldiers who were fiercely attacking the city gate all stopped their assault.
They retreated in an orderly fashion, and in a short time, they were back within an arrow's reach.
They stood in formation, ready to be ordered, their expressions solemn, showing no sign of panic.
Ma Zhong and Meng Huo exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with confusion.
"Why did Sima Yi suddenly retreat?" Meng Huo frowned.
His tone was full of confusion: "Is there some kind of conspiracy?"
Ma Zhong gripped his spear tightly, his expression solemn, not daring to be careless.
"There must be a trap; we must not be careless."
"Immediately reinforce the city gates, take stock of the casualties, and safeguard the grain supplies."
"Beware of a surprise attack by the Wei army!"
The two immediately ordered the soldiers to take action.
Reinforce the city gates, clear the battlefield, and count the casualties; everyone performed their duties.
Li Hui slowly walked up the city wall and looked at the Wei army lined up outside the city.
The unease in my heart grew stronger.
Sima Yi is cunning and suspicious, and will never give up easily.
His sudden retreat must be part of a larger conspiracy.
What made him even more uneasy was the sound of fighting coming from the rear of the camp.
Immediately afterwards, a soldier covered in wounds staggered over.
He knelt on one knee, his voice hoarse and filled with despair: "General!"
"The supply camp has been ambushed by a large number of hidden agents; we cannot withstand them."
"The supplies...the supplies have been set on fire!"
"What?!" Li Hui was shocked.
He was in excruciating pain from his chest wound and nearly fell again, but his bodyguards quickly caught him.
The provisions were set on fire, leaving the soldiers with no food to eat.
Within three days, Yuexi City will fall without a fight!
[Li Hui felt despair]: We've fallen into their trap after all!
The masked man, working in cahoots with Sima Yi, one in the open and one in the shadows, cut off my escape route.
This is driving us to the brink of despair!
Outside the city, Sima Yi watched the thick smoke rising from Yuexi City.
A smug smile curled at the corner of his lips, his eyes filled with calculation.
[Sima Yi sneered inwardly]: Li Hui, Meng Huo.
Do you think that just guarding the city gates will solve everything?
Today, I will cut off your supplies, causing you to fall into chaos without a fight.
Yuexi City will ultimately be in the hands of Cao Wei!
In the shadows at the corner of the city, the masked man gazed at the thick smoke.
A strange glint flashed in his eyes, and he quietly turned around.
They walked deeper into the camp, their figures disappearing into the shadows in an instant.
In his hand, besides the gold-patterned Wei token, there was nothing else.
There was also a small bronze talisman with the tiny characters "Sima" engraved on it.
Unbeknownst to anyone, in a secret room deep within the camp...
Gao Ding, who was taken away by the masked man, is now tied to a stone pillar.
His eyes were full of malice, but a strange smile played on his lips.
—A spark of fire was secretly hidden at his fingertips.
He secretly stole it from the masked man.
[End of Chapter]