Chapter 744: Chapter 576 Just for This Moment
To avoid enemy pursuit, they first stopped to rest for a while, before turning towards the southwest, as there was a mountain forest there—the same forest where the Kerelie Tribe’s White Jade Mine was located.
Of course, they weren’t heading for the Kerelie Tribe’s White Jade Mine; they simply wanted to find a place to recuperate for a day.
At this time, they were not short of food, forage, or supplies; all they needed was rest.
Men needed rest, as did horses, and the wounded soldiers even more so.
They found a valley to serve as a temporary resting place.
At the same time, they buried the fallen soldiers in the valley.
They would not abandon the severely injured soldiers; as long as they were still breathing, they would take them along, even though they might die from being jostled on the galloping horses’ backs, they would still be carried.
As long as there was a glimmer of hope, they would not give up on these soldiers.
While Yang Mingzhen and Yang Chengze were approaching Bayandelei City, Yang Zhenshan also led his troops into the territory of the Wuliang Tribe.
After trekking four thousand li and a nearly month-long forced march, it was only now that the soldiers led by Yang Zhenshan were truly exhausted.
Of the original twenty-four thousand soldiers, they had already left four thousand behind along the way, most of whom were auxiliaries of the Iron Armor Heavy Cavalry and heavy infantry—forces that could be considered elites in other armies but were only auxiliaries in Camp of Chongshan Town.
Among them were also many Martial Artists, but mostly they were robust commoners, yet even they could not withstand a month-long arduous journey.
In order to achieve his strategic objective, Yang Zhenshan had no choice but to temporarily leave them on the edge of the snow plains, though they were not without purpose.
Yang Zhenshan had captured several clan settlements along the way. Although these settlements did not have much in the way of supplies, there were many livestock. They could stay there temporarily to look after the livestock, which might serve as military provisions after Yang Zhenshan had completed his strategic objective.
Now, Yang Zhenshan was leading the remaining soldiers, spurring on their horses towards Yemi City for a final charge.
The sun shone brightly, a gentle breeze blew, and twenty thousand Cavalry moved mightily along the southern foot of Mulu Ridge.
They had already entered the estate of the Wuliang Tribe, nearing Yemi City—King Wuliang’s King City.
No longer was there the boundless grassland around them, but rather connected hills and flat farmlands.
Nearby were many small settlements of the Wuliang Tribe, each nestled amidst fields, like villages.
The army galloped, the rumbling sound of horse hooves echoed, and the tribal people of the surrounding Wuliang Tribe, witnessing the imposing Cavalry, all showed looks of terror.
Unfortunately, Yang Zhenshan had no time to attend to these people as he had to reach Yemi City before it received any news.
Even a brief delay here might alert Yemi City and give them time to prepare defenses.
Horses galloped swiftly, Yang Zhenshan narrowed his eyes, staring intently ahead.
He could already see the contours of Yemi City.
With the Xuan Tie Spear hanging on the saddle, Yang Zhenshan reached behind to take out two Short Spears, one in each hand, holding them tightly.
The outline of Yemi City was becoming clearer and clearer; he could even make out the city gates.
"Prepare to attack the city!"
Yang Zhenshan roared loudly.
The next moment, Song Dashan, closely following behind him, began waving the commander’s flag.
The yellow banner with the Yang character rapidly swung, and immediately the sound of horns followed in waves.
The deep horns blared intermittently, flags quickly fluttered, and short, sharp whistles sounded.
The gathered soldiers began to disperse, with many slowing down and stopping—they were the heavy infantry and Iron Armor Heavy Cavalry, stopping to don their heavy armor.
Two groups, each consisting of about a thousand light cavalry, broke away from the main force, spreading out to the north and south sides; they were the Scouts, serving as sentinels around the attacking force during the siege to prevent sudden enemy attacks.
The remaining soldiers still followed Yang Zhenshan, frantically whipping their horses, sparing no mercy on the steeds’ hindquarters.
In pain, the warhorses neighed sharply, but their speed accelerated ever faster.
Meanwhile, inside Yemi City, the Hu Clan soldiers also noticed unusual movements in the west. Although Yang Zhenshan and his troops were still three or four li away from Yemi City, the thunderous momentum of the charging horses was so vast that anyone who wasn’t blind could see it.
"What’s that?"
On the city walls, a group of Hu Clan soldiers looked at the approaching enemy from the west, initially stunned, but quickly someone realized what was happening.
"Enemy attack! Enemy attack! Close the city gates! Quick—"
A bearded general, wearing scale armor, shouted desperately.
Clang clang clang—
Instantly, the Hu Clan soldiers on the walls were thrown into chaos, and the gong sounds merged into one.
The Hu Clan soldiers responsible for guarding the gates panicked and ran inside, striving to close the city gates.
Yang Zhenshan squinted, watching the slowly closing gates, but he let out a breath.
Because he noticed that the King City did not have Vessel City fortifications.
If Yemi City had Vessel City, it would take considerable effort today to break into the city.
Without Vessel City, much effort could be spared.
As the tall city gates slowly closed, Yang Zhenshan, while spurring his horse forward, raised the Short Spears in his hands and hurled them forcefully.
The Short Spears flew, whistling through the air with a piercing scream.