When the Han army suddenly appeared from all directions, the Qin Army patrols within the city panicked, but thanks to their strong military discipline, they immediately formed ranks to meet the enemy.
In an instant.
Yang City, which had been free of conflict for two days, was once again engulfed in chaotic battle.
The Daqin Elite Soldiers patrolling inside the city numbered over five thousand, yet faced with the sudden onslaught of Han troops and arrows shooting in from all sides, the Qin Army in the city suffered heavy casualties, especially since the number of these ambushing Han soldiers appeared far greater than the patrolling Qin force.
Inside the Prefect's Mansion.
"What's going on?"
Wang Yan's expression changed; she too heard the sudden cries and shouts of slaughter.
At that moment—
Hurried footsteps sounded from outside the hall.
"Report!"
"To report to the Army Marquis."
"A large force of Han soldiers has suddenly appeared inside Yang City, attacking our patrols; the enemy numbers are substantial."
"And they are not routed stragglers, but organized Han troops."
"Right now, they are heading for the Prefect's Mansion."
Wang Yan's deputy general rushed in with the news.
"What?"
Wang Yan shot up from her seat, her expression changing dramatically in an instant.
"Han soldiers hiding in the city?"
"I have a hundred thousand strong occupying Yang City—how could they have concealed themselves?" Wang Yan exclaimed in shock.
"Army Marquis."
"Yang City is a major Han military post—perhaps they had long since dug shelters underground. And with tens of thousands of households in the city, even though our army searched it thoroughly, these Han soldiers must have had this planned in advance," the subordinate Army Marquis answered immediately.
"They must intend to retake Yang City, or even to sever our supply lines and cut off General Li Teng's retreat."
"Quickly mobilize all Elite Soldiers in the city to repel the enemy."
"Send orders to the Logistics Army stationed outside the city, commanding them to enter at once and engage the enemy."
Wang Yan spoke with a grave face.
Then she immediately grasped the sword at her side and strode out swiftly.
At this moment—
Yang City was filled with the sounds of killing; in the darkness of night, the two armies clashed in desperate combat.
The entire city was shrouded in murderous tension, especially as the Han soldiers struck as if from nowhere and had flawless knowledge of Yang City's terrain.
The five thousand Elite Soldiers in the city were thrown into confusion, suffering heavy losses.
Meanwhile, inside a residential house—
Bao Yuan, whom Li Teng had long been searching for, sat calmly, surrounded by several Han generals.
Just then—
The door opened.
"To report to the Shangjiangjun."
"All eight thousand brothers have struck out; the Qin Army inside the city was caught completely off guard. We have begun purging Yang City of Qin troops; if we wish to take the city, by dawn Yang City will return to Han hands."
A Han general, soaked in blood, reported to Bao Yuan.
"After months of scheming, we finally reap the results of war."
"King Zheng of Qin."
"If you wish to destroy my Han, it will not be so easy."
"Wang Jian, you think so highly of yourself—this time I will let you taste the true deception of warfare."
Bao Yuan's lips curled with a faint smile.
Then—
He rose slowly to his feet.
"Pass down my command: Do not linger in battle. Break out of the city. Head straight for the Qin Army logistics."
"That is the key to the survival of our Han."
"As long as Qin's supplies are burned, and their grain route lost, no matter how strong they are, they will be powerless; with this, we can hold until the armies of Zhao and Wei come to Han's aid." Bao Yuan sneered coldly.
From the very start—
Bao Yuan had no intention of just retaking Yang City.
Instead, he created a false impression of reclaiming Yang City; in truth, it was to amass troops and break out, thus creating further chaos and striking directly at the Qin Army's supply lines.
"Yes, sir!"
The Han generals replied in unison.
Then—
Bao Yuan too rose, picked up his sword, and gazed through the night toward Xinzheng: "Great King, Han will never perish. Await the news of your minister's triumphant return."
Outside Yang City, where the Logistics Army was stationed close to the walls—
The Logistics Army, after a day's labor, had mostly retired to their tents to rest.
Only a few sentries remained on patrol.
Inside one tent—
Zhao Feng, who had been sound asleep, suddenly started awake, quickly put on his shoes, and walked out of the tent.
"Something's not right."
"Something must have happened in the city."
Standing outside the tent, facing Yang City in the distance, Zhao Feng sensed that something was amiss.
Now, his All Attributes had already exceeded four hundred—his senses were extraordinarily keen. Although his tent was deep in the Logistics Army's encampment, several hundred zhang from Yang City, and the sounds of shouting and killing should not be heard at such distance, Zhao Feng distinctly caught faint sounds from afar.
Without hesitation—
Zhao Feng did not dare delay.
He went back into the camp, took up his battle armor and sword.
"Brothers, get up—all of you!"
"Something's happened!"
Zhao Feng shouted loudly, lighting the candles within the tent as he went.
It was the middle of the night.
The hour of deepest exhaustion—when Zhao Feng's voice rang out, the soldiers in the tent groggily opened their eyes.
"Leader, what's going on?"
"What could happen at this time of night?"
"Yeah."
"Didn't we finish all our duties today?"
The Logistics soldiers looked at Zhao Feng in confusion.
As Logistics troops, they were naturally not held to the same standards as Elite Soldiers.
"Everyone get dressed and bring your swords."
"I'm going to wake the others," Zhao Feng commanded at once.
"Yes!"
Seeing Zhao Feng's grim face, the exhausted soldiers in the tent all got up.
Before long—
All the Hundred Generals under Wei Quan had mustered their camps.
"Mr. Zhao, what's wrong?"
Wei Quan, looking weary, got up and turned to Zhao Feng in confusion.
"Something's probably happened in the city." Zhao Feng said sternly.
"Trouble in the city?"
Wei Quan stared blankly at Yang City, then looked back: "But the city's already been captured—what could happen?"
"I can't say for sure."
"But it's best if we're prepared."
"And it would be wise to wake everyone," Zhao Feng said.
Wei Quan was still bewildered.
"Mr. Zhao—"
"It must be Pingdan by now. Waking everyone at this hour could get us in trouble," Wei Quan said helplessly.
Pingdan—
One of the time periods of this era—meaning it was between three and five in the morning.
"Not waking them will bring even greater trouble," Zhao Feng said resolutely.
And just as he finished speaking—
The previously silent city walls of Yang City suddenly erupted with shouts and cries of battle.
"Kill!"
"Kill…"
Cacophonous cries of slaughter resounded on the walls; before long, the tightly closed city gates were thrown open as well.
"All forces, hear my command!"
"People of Qin—kill without mercy!"
"Kill!!"
The shout rang out—
Thousands upon thousands of Han soldiers surged out of the city toward the encampment outside.
The vanguard Han soldiers raised their bows and crossbows, loosing arrows at the Logistics Army tents outside the city.
Sudden arrows, sudden murderous intent—
Instantly, the Logistics Army camp was engulfed in deadly chaos.
Many soldiers had no time to react; pierced by arrows in their sleep.
"This is bad!"
"Enemy attack!"
"Quick, get up! Enemy raid!"
"To arms!"
Panic spread through the Logistics Army's camp.
But by then it was already too late—
Countless Han soldiers stormed out from the city…