The Blood Crown - Chapter 220

To prevent or delay Luo Ruoxin from sending troops to support Yan State, the Feng family army decided once again to launch a night assault on the city.

Yan Sikong ordered the collection of all the army’s excrement, both human and animal, which was then dumped onto the two roads from Taiyuan to Yan State. The stench was unbearable, and the soldiers carrying out the orders complained bitterly.

Previously, they had scattered horse manure in the camp to mask the smell of sulfur and lure Luo Ruoxin into the camp. Now, he wanted Luo Ruoxin to associate that smell with the hellish fire and fear, creating a psychological barrier. With the same dark night and horse manure, Luo Ruoxin would certainly be on high alert and hesitant to strike.

Feng Ye divided his cavalry into two groups, each with 5,000 men, and stationed them in the mountains and forests. Each group was equipped with two Feng Shen cannons, and every soldier carried a torch. As soon as the Taiyuan army appeared, they would be met with cannon fire and a barrage of torches.

When night fell, Feng Ye led his army toward the brightly lit Yan State city, knowing that Feng Ye would strike while the iron was hot, so preparations were already in place.

The main force consisted of 50,000 infantry, with 15,000 cavalry on each wing, carrying cannons, muskets, siege engines, battering rams, and ladders—a total of 70,000 troops arrayed beneath the walls of Yan State. Their long pikes formed a dense forest of iron.

A piercing horn cut through the pitch-black night sky, and the army roared in unison. They chanted the battle cry from Shu, “Surrender and you will not be killed,” which was both a declaration of war and a pledge to the soldiers and civilians within the city. The Feng family army had always practiced “surrender and you will not be killed,” crushing the morale of many wavering foes, leading to quick defeats and rarely encountering desperate resistance.

Feng Ye stood among the troops, the blood-red wolf banner fluttering in the southwest wind. The huge “Feng” character seemed like a talisman of power, instilling fear in those who saw it. He had spent five years transforming from a desperate fugitive into the Wolf King of the Central Plains.

He gazed at Yan State in the distance. In his eyes, there were no bows drawn or dark cannon muzzles. Through the not-so-imposing city, he saw the Forbidden City, and his eyes were filled with ambitions that soared above the heavens.

The sound of the horn abruptly ceased, and the army fell silent.

Feng Ye looked down at Feng Hun, who shook the golden-red armor on his body, exhaled deeply, and howled at the full moon hanging high, sending a wolfish howl that echoed through the heavens.

The enemy troops were terrified.

Wang Shen drew his sword and shouted, “Fire arrows!”

The war drums thundered, and arrows rained down like locusts, crisscrossing the night sky. After the archers released the first volley, they swiftly crouched to reload, while the infantry held up their shields to form layers of bronze walls, blocking most of the arrows. Despite this, many soldiers fell, and the city walls of Yan State echoed with screams.

“Fire arrows!”

The shields broke, and the archers stood, drew, and released arrows in one fluid motion.

Initially, the arrows had a predictable pattern, but after three rounds, there was no discernible order. Soldiers continued to fall in waves, and enemies on the city walls dropped like rain.

The horn sounded three long and one short blast, signaling Feng Ye to begin the assault.

The infantry lines parted to make way for the cannons and siege engines, which were rolled out to launch a fierce attack on Yan State.

In an instant, cannons and giant stones bombarded the city walls, and the eight gates of Yan State roared in response, the explosive sounds shaking the earth.

Yan Sikong watched as the soldiers, torn apart by cannon fire, had their faces lit and shadowed by the flames. His expression was inscrutable.

The saying “One general’s success comes at the cost of countless bones” was apparent.

Cannons and giant stones battered the walls, leaving them in ruins. The enemy’s corpses filled the city walls, but fresh ones kept appearing.

Taiyuan was a true modern fortress, but Yan State was not. Its height and thickness were not remarkable, which is why, despite having ample troops and supplies, Feng Ye dared to attack with only a slight numerical advantage. The Feng Shen cannons, bought at a high price and shipped across the seas, would smash the earthen city walls like tofu.

If the formidable cannons of more than twenty years ago had been in the hands of Zhuo Letai, Guangning would have fallen in the first assault.

However, the red-clad cannons defending Yan State were not to be underestimated. The Feng family army suffered heavy losses, and if they couldn’t suppress Yan State’s firepower soon, even if they stripped the walls bare, they would find it difficult to approach.

Yan Sikong said, “Wolf King, we’ve drawn the main forces to the east gate. We might send troops to attack the south gate.”

Feng Ye nodded and ordered Zhang Rong to lead 10,000 men and ladders to assault the south gate. If Zhang Rong could break through the south gate, they would enter the city for street fighting. Even if they couldn’t, it would at least divert the forces at the east gate.

“Report—” A messenger galloped in from the army and ran up to Feng Ye. “Wolf King, Taiyuan has dispatched troops!”

Feng Ye narrowed his eyes. “Redouble the assault!”

Zhang Rong led his troops toward the south gate.

The cannons continued to roar, and the giant stones and wooden blocks from the siege engines battered the city walls, which were now severely damaged.

Feng Ye ordered the ladders to be raised.

Yan Sikong stopped him. “Wait a moment.”

At this time, the counterattack from the city walls was still quite fierce, and climbing the ladders would result in heavy casualties.

Feng Ye said gravely, “I’m worried that the ambush troops won’t be able to hold off Luo Ruoxin.”

“Luo Ruoxin has a high opinion of himself. A major defeat will make him more cautious than ever. Given the distance from Taiyuan to Yan State, even if he breaks through the ambush, it will be fast if he arrives before dawn.”

Feng Ye took a deep breath, his eyes fixed on the battlefield, where the ground was scorched and the rivers ran red with blood.

—

This was undoubtedly the most brutal battle they had fought. From Shu to the Central Plains, Feng Ye had encountered enemies that were either not as strong as Yan State or had been dealt with through political means. A siege was the last resort, but it was unavoidable.

Both sides had lost several cannons, and the battlefield was littered with bodies killed by cannon fire. The acrid smell of gunpowder mixed with the strong scent of blood, making it nauseating.

Seeing that the time had come, Feng Ye ordered the ladders to be raised and promised heavy rewards for those who were the first to reach the top of the city wall, with death for anyone who retreated without permission.

Four ladder carts, with arrows and stones flying towards them, rushed towards the damaged city walls. Soldiers kept falling, only to be replaced by new ones. The tracks left by the ladder carts were covered with corpses as they desperately pushed the carts to the base of the wall. One batch of soldiers after another climbed the ladders, reaching for the city walls, only to be met with arrows, swords, stones, boiling water, and burning oil. Thus, one batch of soldiers after another fell from the ladders, creating mountains of corpses and rivers of blood at the base of the wall.

With the promise of promotion and the threat of execution, the soldiers surged up the city walls like madmen. The first soldier to leap onto the city tower was quickly pierced by swords. Then came the second, third, and as more soldiers reached the top, the momentum was unstoppable.

Yan State fell!

Feng Ye’s hand holding the reins cracked with the sound of tension as he drew his sword and shouted, “All troops, attack and capture Yan State!”

At dawn, the army, like starving wolves, surged into Yan State, their battle cries shaking the mountains and rivers, startling countless birds in the forest.

With their unstoppable force, the Feng family army captured Yan State in a single night. After entering the city, there was a brief but fierce street battle. Seeing the dire situation, the soldiers of Yan State gradually surrendered.

The strife among the feudal lords was not as fierce as foreign invasions. The soldiers had no deep-seated hatred, and Feng Ye had always adhered to “surrender and you will not be killed,” so there was no fear of a country’s destruction or family ruin. Especially with the unpopularity of the royal family, most were unwilling to die in vain, so defeat meant surrender.

After sunrise, the battered and blood-soaked city of Yan State was exposed to the light of day. Corpses covered the city walls and the surrounding area, and the scene was like hell on earth.

The Yan State defenders committed suicide, and over ten thousand soldiers surrendered.

A messenger reported that Luo Ruoxin had sent troops to assist but had encountered ambushes and engaged in fierce combat. Our forces were defeated and retreated, but Luo Ruoxin, learning of Yan State’s fall, had no choice but to withdraw.

After taking control of Yan State, there was much to be done: clearing the battlefield, assessing losses, caring for the wounded, and repairing the walls.

Feng Ye and Yan Sikong had not slept for two days and nights. Despite their exhaustion, their excitement was greater.

Taking Yan State meant they had the opportunity to attack Taiyuan. The successful outcome of both battles was truly exhilarating.

Finally, finding a moment to rest, Feng Ye and Yan Sikong quickly had a meal while continuously discussing military matters.

After eating, Feng Ye ordered Yan Sikong to rest in the tent.

“Rest?” Yan Sikong countered, “There’s no time to rest. I haven’t even checked Yan State’s granaries.”

Feng Ye ordered, “Everything in Yan State won’t run away. No need to rush. Your face looks terrible. Go and sleep.”

“How can I sleep now?” Yan Sikong’s face showed joy. “With Yan State fallen, Taiyuan is just around the corner.”

“If you can’t sleep, just lie down with your eyes closed.” Feng Ye pressed his shoulder and pushed him into the inner tent, laying him down.

“And you?” Yan Sikong looked at Feng Ye. “You also look exhausted.”

“I’m fine. I still need to…”

Yan Sikong grasped Feng Ye’s hand. “As the commander of the army, taking care of your health is crucial.”

“I’m in great shape.” Feng Ye pinched Yan Sikong’s face and smirked. “You should know that best.”

Yan Sikong smiled lightly. “Being in good health doesn’t mean you should rely solely on your youth. Do you know why, in the end, the world fell to Jin during the Three Kingdoms period? It’s because Sima Yi lived the longest.”

Feng Ye sat beside him and raised an eyebrow. “You always have a point.”

“Reason is reason because it is correct.”

Feng Ye pulled Yan Sikong to lie down on the couch with him. “Then I’ll stay with you for a while.”

Yan Sikong snorted. “Stay with me…”

“I really won.” Feng Ye suddenly murmured.

Yan Sikong turned to look at him.

“Do you know… sometimes I feel like I’m dreaming. Did I really lead 2,000 Feng family troops and build an army of 200,000, capturing dozens of cities?”

Yan Sikong said firmly, “Yes.”

Feng Ye closed his eyes. “The more I win, the more afraid I am of losing. Recently, I often dream of my father. He seems to want to tell me something, but I can never hear clearly.”

“You’re now a commander in your own right, the greatest general of the age. There’s probably nothing left for Prince Jingyuan to teach you.”

Feng Ye shook his head. “Father’s eyes always looked so worried.” Perhaps he knew that those eyes in the dream were concerned about his own inner demons. Only he knew what ambitions he harbored, and he wouldn’t tell anyone, especially Yan Sikong.

Yan Sikong tightened his grip on Feng Ye’s hand. “When you break into the capital and personally end Xie Zhongren’s life, you will no longer be lost in your dreams.” After imprisoning Xie Zhongren, he rarely dreamed of that guillotine from the past. Revenge was both a trap and a release.

Feng Ye softly responded, “Mm,” and held Yan Sikong’s hand tightly.

AN – Everyone should wake up during the day from now on. Let me fall… (End of Chapter)