Chapter 90

"Song Gong, you issue the combat orders. How should we defend the city? Should we go out to meet the enemy? You make the decision," Zhao Hao said.

At this moment, Zhao Hao would not violate Song Gong's authority.

When it was time for Zhao Hao to step forward, he would not refuse. When it was not his turn, he would not overstep.

"Your Highness, may I ask a bold question: can you ensure your own safety in the midst of the Mongol army?" Song Gong asked.

A smile curled at the corner of Zhao Hao's mouth.

Song Gong was indeed Song Gong, actually coming up with the idea to involve himself.

This was the kind of courage a military genius should have. If Zhao Hao's status as the crown prince made Song Gong hesitate, Zhao Hao would become a burden.

Zhao Hao came to Xiangyang not to be a burden or a mere observer.

He wanted victory, and a victory in which he would personally participate.

"I cannot guarantee it, but I have at least a ninety percent chance," Zhao Hao said.

On the battlefield, weapons have no eyes.

If it were a one-on-one fight, even against Guo Jing, Zhao Hao did not think his life would be in danger.

But facing thousands of troops, even Zhao Hao could not guarantee he would return unscathed.

He could only say that with his martial arts, he had more confidence than the average person.

Song Gong knelt on one knee and said to Zhao Hao, "I boldly request that Your Highness lead the Power Sect disciples out of the city to charge the enemy. There's no need to kill Kublai Khan; as long as Your Highness remains alive, it will be a victory for Xiangyang."

Song Gong was the supreme commander of Xiangyang, but everyone in the city now knew Zhao Hao's status as the crown prince.

In the midst of the perilous war, the emperor still sat safely in the palace. At this moment, the crown prince leading by example and defending Xiangyang greatly enhanced Zhao Hao's reputation among the people and soldiers of Xiangyang, beyond what outsiders could imagine.

If Zhao Hao truly entered the battlefield, cut down generals, and returned safely, the significance to the people and soldiers of Xiangyang would be self-evident.

Defeating the Mongol army was not something they had considered.

But holding Xiangyang would greatly boost their confidence.

"Lei Dong."

"Here."

"Beat the drums to boost the morale of the Power Sect disciples."

"Yes."

"Power Sect disciples."

"Here."

"I once said that I could give you nothing and guarantee nothing, except that when the battle comes, I will lead the charge. Are you ready now?"

"We swear to follow the leader to the death."

"Open the city gates, go out, and kill the enemy."

"Song Gong, everything else is up to you."

The gates of Xiangyang slowly opened, and Zhao Hao, dressed in armor, led the charge on horseback.

This was a straightforward battle, both in terms of attack and defense.

In such a clear-cut war, there was no room for intrigue.

Everyone could only passively defend or attack the city.

The outcome of this war would be determined by the disparity in numbers, equipment, morale, and the combat strength of the soldiers.

Many things were predetermined from the start, but many things could be changed.

For example, morale.

Seeing Zhao Hao leading the charge, even the most fearful soldiers tightened their grips on their weapons.

The crown prince himself had entered the battlefield; what reason did they have not to fight to the death?

In Zhao Hao's eyes, he was no more noble than the soldiers defending the city.

But in the eyes of the soldiers, the life of the crown prince was far more important than all of theirs combined.

Otherwise, Song Gong would not have taken such a great risk by asking Zhao Hao to fight.

If Zhao Hao were to make a mistake, Song Gong would be unable to escape the blame, and Emperor Zhao Yun would make him understand the emperor's wrath.

But Song Gong decided to take the risk.

He had confidence in Zhao Hao. Last night, they had a long talk, and Zhao Hao had revealed almost all his cards to Song Gong, except for a few limited matters.

Zhao Hao needed Song Gong to do his best under the current conditions.

Song Gong had a heavy responsibility, but he did not shirk it.

If the lord treats me as a noble, I will repay him as a noble.

"Great Hero Guo, how is your archery?" Song Gong asked.

"In the Mongol army, the only one who can match me in archery is Jebe, but he is no longer here," Guo Jing said.

Guo Jing was usually a very humble person, but this statement was not at all modest.

Because Guo Jing understood that one's abilities determined one's role.

He wanted to do more for Xiangyang.

Moreover, he did not exaggerate his abilities; if anything, he was being modest.

Jebe was known as a divine archer, but only Zhao Hao truly understood how extraordinary Guo Jing's archery was.

One arrow to kill Jinlun, one arrow to shoot down the Mongol army's main flag.

Even if Jebe were to come back to life, he would be ashamed.

"Very good, Great Hero Guo. I have prepared a powerful bow for you. Use this bow to shoot Kublai Khan, Jinlun, and the Mongol flag. But that's not the most important thing. I entrust you, Great Hero Guo, to protect the crown prince with this bow. The crown prince must not be harmed, or it will be a devastating blow to Xiangyang."

Song Gong bowed deeply to Guo Jing.

"Commander, you are too kind. I will do my utmost to protect the crown prince," Guo Jing said solemnly, supporting Song Gong.

In essence, Song Gong was assigning Guo Jing the role of Zhao Hao's bodyguard and sniper, but Guo Jing had no complaints.

Because he also understood Zhao Hao's importance.

Moreover, this arrangement would better utilize Guo Jing's abilities.

Using people to their full potential, Song Gong's every arrangement was well-considered.

Compared to releasing his combat power on the battlefield, Song Gong was far superior to Guo Jing.

Sometimes, charging recklessly into battle and killing a hundred Mongol soldiers might be insignificant in the grand scheme of things.

Guo Jing had always been mistaken in this regard, while Yang Guo later directly attacked the Mongol emperor, achieving a temporary relief, but with much better results than Guo Jing's efforts.

Effort is worthy of respect, but the results of that effort are even more important.

...

Zhao Hao fought with blood and fury, killing more people today than in his entire life combined.

On the battlefield, if you don't kill others, they will kill you.

There was no room for mercy.

Initially, Zhao Hao did not use weapons; his punches and palm strikes killed ordinary Mongol soldiers with a single touch.

However, while Zhao Hao had divine protection, his mount was just an ordinary black horse.

When the horse fell under the collective attack of the Mongol soldiers, Zhao Hao inevitably found himself surrounded by thousands of troops.

With a sudden movement, Zhao Hao appeared before a group of Mongol soldiers. Before their spears could reach him, he leaped up, and with him, ten spears and ten heads.

The ten spears hung in the air, and Zhao Hao, with his hands level with his shoulders, let out a wild roar.

In the next moment, the ten spears, like ten venomous dragons, plunged into the Mongol army.

Soldiers and horses fell, and bodies littered the ground.

PS: On Monday, I'm asking for votes to boost the rankings. Also, I'm hoping for a total of 50,000 votes.