"Ready?"
Zhang Xin rose to his feet the moment he heard the report, a rare flash of excitement crossing his face.
After days of waiting… it was finally complete.
"Take me there."
The Birth of a New Weapon
South Mountain.
Where forests once stood, now lay a cleared expanse—raw earth carved open by war.
Dozens of towering wooden frames stood in rows.
Trebuchets.
Yan Jin stepped forward and bowed.
"My Lord."
Zhang Xin didn't answer immediately. His eyes were fixed ahead.
"…Begin."
"Load!"
Creaking wood. Straining rope.
Massive arms were dragged downward as stones—heavy, cold, lethal—were placed into their cradles.
"Fire!"
A thunderous snap—
The arms swung upward violently.
Stones screamed through the air.
BOOM!
They slammed into the earthen wall in the distance, tearing chunks free, blasting dust skyward.
Zhang Xin strode forward to inspect.
Cratered impacts. Broken edges.
Not shattered—but wounded.
And that was enough.
A slow smile spread across his face.
"Three days," he said calmly. "Train the soldiers. I want them proficient."
Yan Jin bowed deeply. "No problem."
The Calm Before the Assault
Back in camp, orders spread like wildfire.
Rest.
Reorganize.
Prepare.
The elite Xiliang troops were recalled. Supplies stockpiled. Units reassigned.
The air itself felt… tense.
Like a drawn bowstring.
A Tiger Unleashed
Sun Jian burst into the camp, eyes blazing.
"My Lord! Since your troops need rest—let me take Zheng County tomorrow!"
Zhang Xin studied him for a moment… then nodded.
"Very well."
Sun Jian's face lit up.
At last.
Battle.
"To support you," Zhang Xin added, "Cao Cao's five thousand men will be under your command."
Sun Jian's expression stiffened slightly.
Cao Cao?
"…Fine."
Better than nothing.
Clash at the Walls
The next morning—
War drums shook the earth.
Sun Jian's army advanced like a rising tide.
"Attack!"
Arrows rained from the walls.
Massive crossbow bolts tore through the air.
But Sun Jian's men had seen worse.
Shield carts rolled forward. Infantry pressed on.
Closer.
Closer.
Then—
"Climb!"
Ladders slammed against the walls.
Men surged upward.
Steel clashed. Blood spilled.
The assault was fierce—far fiercer than before.
Huangfu Song Moves
Inside Zheng County—
Huangfu Song frowned.
"…This isn't Zhang Xin's style."
He climbed the wall and looked out.
"Sun Jian…"
A pause.
Then realization dawned.
"…So you couldn't hold yourself back."
His eyes sharpened.
"Enough."
"Send the order."
The Trap Springs
Outside the city—
Wu Jing suddenly saw enemy banners moving.
"…They're coming out?"
Too late.
Huangfu Li's forces surged from their camp.
At the same time—
The city gates burst open.
Defenders charged out.
A second force struck from the flank.
Three directions.
A perfect counter.
Chaos and Retreat
Sun Jian's expression changed instantly.
"Sound the retreat!"
Gongs rang out.
His soldiers pulled back—but not in panic.
Fighting.
Bleeding.
Holding the line.
Then—
Sun Jian himself rode forward, tightening his red headscarf.
"I'll cover the rear!"
He plunged into the chaos, spear flashing.
Laughing.
"Good! GOOD!"
Even in retreat—he reveled in it.
Aftermath
The pursuit ended quickly.
Huangfu Song withdrew his troops calmly, as if nothing had happened.
Back in camp—
Sun Jian sat in silence.
Then muttered:
"…Why me?"
When Zhang Xin's generals attacked—nothing.
When he attacked—
Three-sided assault.
He couldn't help but feel targeted.
The Turning Point
News reached Zhang Xin.
He only smiled faintly.
"Let him rest two days."
Then—
he began preparing for the real battle.
The Fire is Lit
The Xiliang troops gathered.
Zhang Xin stood before them, voice echoing across the ranks.
"You were misled before."
"But now—you have a chance to reclaim your honor!"
His voice rose like thunder.
"Defeat Dong Zhuo—and you will be pardoned!"
"Earn merit—and you will be rewarded!"
"Fight—and you will return home in glory!"
A heartbeat of silence—
Then eruption.
"WE WILL DIE FOR THE LORD!"
Zhang Xin laughed.
"Good!"
The Night Before War
Under darkness—
Wang Meng arrived.
Behind him—
sixty trebuchets.
Silent.
Waiting.
Orders spread:
Eat at third watch.
Assemble at fifth.
March at dawn.
Zhang Xin stood beneath the dim sky, eyes fixed toward Zheng County.
No more probing.
No more restraint.
Only one thing remained.
Total war.
"The general offensive…"
He murmured softly.
"…begins at dawn."