chapter 49

Throughout the Zhao army, it collectively collapsed in light of this news, but no one expressed anger or fury, suppressing it within .

All the commanders spread Zhao Kuo’s declaration, dispelling the anger and leaving no one to speak another word of reinforcements .

Some men began bawling on the ground, and other men took out various keepsakes of all sorts . Perhaps a token of safe return from an elderly mother, perhaps lover’s handkerchief, or perhaps children’s toys from home .

They are all aware . They have all been marked for death .

They are also aware, with their death will be the assured defeat of the army . In this impossible situation, the only hope is for their sacrifice to preserve the peace of Zhao and their families .

Then, they can only fight, even if they cannot reunite with those who bid them farewell many years ago .

For a man born to this world to abandon his wife and children, he is anything but a man!

This was no longer about one’s loyalty to the nation, but the responsibilities of family .

Towards those Qin dogs, if one comes, I will kill one . If two comes, then I will kill two . I, a man of Zhao, can still kill you!

The Zhao army was thinned to four hundred thousand men and entering the seventh day of the siege . Wavering morale would be a normal sight, but within this army, their thoughts were steady and coordinated .

Even so, knowing that this war must be won, it added more determination into their hearts .

When the situation is most dire, man can rebel against fate .

This was Zhao Kuo’s plan, to incite these four hundred thousand men to fight with him against the encroaching Qin army .

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“Ka, laaa . ” The thick, broad doors were pushed open with two rows of soldiers .

Through the open gates, a group of heavy cavalry rode out in a precise manner . Their faces were all covered with the signature bronze helmets of the Iron Cavalry . The fanged decorations radiated a chilling ferocity, the same as the long halberds in their hands .

“Ta ta . ”

The sounds of horse hoofs striking the dirt may seem disorganized, but it thundered loud enough to make a person feel tremors inside .

Gu Nan rode out on Blackie . The bronze surfaces turned cold and spread a chill through her, yet her bare hand felt a scalding numbness as it gripped her spear .

It’s possible this battle would be the climax of the entire campaign, but Gu Nan’s brows furrowed at the thought . At the Battle of Changping, the Zhao army should’ve been besieged for much longer, about forty-five days . Whereas now, it’s not even been ten .

According to the battlefield reports, the Zhao army’s morale has been falling day by day . Now was the time for Qin’s final attack . The cavalry was tasked with punching an opening through the Zhao defensive lines, followed closely by the Qin infantry, which will continue the push forward through the enemy camp .

Under the pressure of six hundred thousand soldiers, the Zhao army has no chance of winning .

Gu Nan’s shoulder also still felt sore from the arrow wound, indicating its half-healed state .

But this alone was extraordinary . Her recovery speed was enough to have others exclaim in astonishment . If any ordinary person was struck with an arrow, could they recover so soon? Perhaps several months would be needed .

Maybe I’m just thinking too much… Gu Nan silently thought to herself .

A starving force of four hundred thousand would struggle merely fighting together, much less against six hundred thousand elites .

Command of the cavalry was split among two generals . One was Meng Wu, atop his flashy white horse . In conjunction with him was a more seasoned commander, Wang He .

Bai Qi will not be participating in the combat . After a long discussion with Wang He, both agreed that this war wouldn’t end so quickly, and that it would better to not unveil Bai Qi’s presence as the commanding general .

“Brother Gu, I will compete with you this battle . Let’s see which one of us is the mightier warrior . ” Meng Wu boldly proclaimed, displaying his perfect white teeth .

“Quiet . ” Wang He frowned with a displeased glare at Meng Wu . “The battlefield is not merely a place to show off your strength . Learn a bit from Nan’er . A large battle is about to begin and she still remains composed . This is the how a true general should behave . ”

Wang He and Meng Wu’s father, Meng Ao, are old friends, and he didn’t dare argue with this uncle of his . He shrank his head down and looked rather pitiable .

Gu Nan nodded her head politely and smiled back . “Many thanks for your praise, General Wang . ”

“Good . Not arrogant, nor hot-headed, ideal . ” With a meaningful expression towards Gu Nan, he spoke, “After your first battle, you’ve changed a lot . Much better than this incompetent Wu . ”

“I’m really not incompetent . ” Meng Wu mumbled, but Wang He quickly shut him up with a glare .

Wang He smiled lightly, and turned back, expression sunken once more .

I hope Old Bai’s prediction was right . It’d better if this battle ended quickly .

“Attention!” Wang He’s weathered but powerful voice resounded from the heights of the camp .

“March!”

“Yes!”

With the neighing of the horses, the army lurched forward, rumbling the mountain beneath . The tens of thousands of horses stomped up clouds of dust .

A faint smoke rose up from the Zhao camp . The soldiers huddled around the fires and ate . Two or three people shared a piece of dried food, and their hands were specked with dark soot .

For two days, this was the fodder they ate . Their stomachs felt shriveled and strength halved . Even lifting swords became tedious under their weak grips .

In the center of the group was a pot of boiling water, without it, they would truly be unable to stomach these edible rocks of dried food .

Suddenly, they saw the water in their pot ripple and vibrate . Each of them turned their heads towards the horizon .

Listening carefully, it’s possible to hear the approaching rumble of pounding feet .

A few breaths later, the sounds became heavier and heavier . Then, they saw the sweeping dust and smoke near the horizon .

“The Qin army is attacking!”

“Enemy attack!”

“Everyone!”

“Quickly!”

Hungry and strengthless Zhao soldiers let out a loud roar, equipping their swords and spears at haste .

The swords still rattled in their hands like the days before, that hadn’t changed . But their eyes, they were like tigers and wolves .

Behind the worn, half-meter palisade, countless Zhao soldiers assembled, hoisting their swords and spears .

In the winter, the luster of swords shines cold .

In the near distance, the Qin Iron Cavalry straightened their lances .

The horses accelerated at the repeated urges of their riders, reaching their maximum momentum . Moving faster than the wind, the soldiers and their mounts sent gusts rollings .

The hundreds of meters that spanned the two armies was traversed in only a few seconds .

A sound that shook the skies was heard .

Within it was the cries of horses and the sound of swords clashing .

The battle cries and the screams of soldiers were drowned out by the chaos of war .