Chapter 121: Standoff at the City Gate

A troop of men arrived with great momentum before the North Gate. He Renlong had been leading his forces to slaughter the rebels, intending to charge into the town, but unexpectedly, the gates were slammed shut, barring them from entry. Hearing the sounds of battle echoing from within, He Renlong felt as if his heart were being sliced by a blade. These were, after all, military merits slipping through his fingers.

"Find a way to climb over," He Renlong commanded.

Several frontier soldiers formed a human ladder, nimbly scaling the city wall. Yet, the moment they jumped inside, they were apprehended by the Suijin Army stationed atop the ramparts. Seeing this, He Renlong shouted with a face full of fury, "Li Yi, what is the meaning of this?"

Li Yi stood atop the gate tower, looking down at He Renlong, and said, "Commander He, why did you break our agreement? Why did you delay sending your troops and sit idly by while my men fought the rebels alone?"

He Renlong’s expression darkened as he prevaricated, "I heard no cannon fire."

Li Yi gave a cold, mocking laugh. "Three cannon blasts—even a deaf man would have heard them. Do you take me for a fool, Commander He?"

He Renlong was left speechless, so he simply resorted to churlishness. "I said I didn't hear them. Open the gate at once; I am going in."

Having just been played by He Renlong, Li Yi had no intention of trusting him again. "There is a water fortress to the east of Longmen Town. I ask that you station your troops there to form a pincer with my forces."

"Go to hell! I am the lead commander; it is not your place to point fingers at me. Open the gate!" He Renlong cursed.

"If you had attacked according to our agreement, I would naturally follow your orders. As it stands, I must decline."

"Damn you! Pass my orders: attack the city!" He Renlong bellowed.

The frontier soldiers surged forward, using human ladders and ropes to scramble up the walls. But under the stout defense of the Suijin Army, they were one after another struck down, falling to the ground with constant cries of agony.

"Tear down the nearby civilian houses! Build ladders and get over there!"

He Renlong gave the order, and his soldiers began tearing down the beams of nearby homes to construct ladders. Some civilians hiding within were discovered by the soldiers and instantly decapitated, their heads piled alongside those of the slain rebels.

Half an hour later, just as He Renlong was about to lead his men over the walls, he was interrupted by a scout. "Sir, a rebel force is approaching from the west; it appears to be three thousand strong."

He Renlong glared hatefully at the battlements and gritted his teeth. "The entire army, retreat to the water fortress."

Longmen Town held much of the wealth amassed by Wang Zuogua and his subordinates. Upon hearing that government troops were attacking, Wang had hastily dispatched his chief lieutenant, Miao Mei, to provide support.

The thin, tall Miao Mei arrived at Longmen Town with his troops, only to be struck with shock and rage upon seeing the banners on the walls. The government forces had taken the town far too quickly. If they could capture a garrison of two thousand, his own three thousand men were likely no match. Not daring to be careless, Miao Mei immediately sent word to Wang Zuogua.

On the other side, seeing the rebel reinforcements arrive and He Renlong retreat, Li Yi immediately ordered the gates closed. The local militia drove their carts into the town and began helping to treat the wounded. The Suijin soldiers were trained not only in formation and martial arts but also in basic first aid. They helped bandage one another, and for those with severe injuries, the accompanying military physicians stitched their wounds.

"Commander, the count is in: thirteen dead, twenty severely wounded, and eighty with light injuries," Liu Zongmin reported.

Li Yi nodded. Because of He Renlong’s treacherous maneuvering, the Suijin Army had suffered one-third casualties.

"Store the bodies of the fallen in a cool place, register them, and prepare to issue pensions once we return to Mizhi County."

Liu Zongmin hesitated, asking, "Commander, we only have two hundred men left. How can we possibly hold a town this large?"

"We might be able to hold it. But if we do not, that is insubordination." Li Yi turned to look at Liu Zongmin. "Hong Chengchou wants to use us to draw out Wang Zuogua and buy time to complete his strategic layout. Whoever disrupts his plans will find only one end: death."

"But if we cannot hold it, the entire army will be wiped out."

"Do you think Hong Chengchou does not realize that? Total annihilation is, to him, merely a failed engagement." Li Yi gazed deeply at the blood-stained gate tower and sighed. "To him, our lives are of no consequence."

As they spoke, Li Goudan suddenly dragged a brawny man over. Relying on his own bulk and strength, he shoved the man to the ground and growled, "Commander, this bastard wasn't dead after all; he was just knocked unconscious."

Feishanhu struggled to rise, but Li Goudan pressed him down. He decided to sit cross-legged instead, looking defiant. "If you want to kill me, do it. I won't even blink."

Li Goudan kicked him. "Damn you, you’re on the brink of death and still won't repent."

Li Yi waved his hand to stop him. "Bandage his wounds."

Liu Zongmin stepped forward, produced strong spirits and linen, and stripped off Feishanhu’s iron armor. After his fierce battle with Li Yi, Feishanhu had multiple fractures, and his back in particular bore a three-inch-long gash that was bleeding profusely—a gruesome sight. Yet, Feishanhu merely furrowed his brow, seemingly unbothered.

Liu Zongmin stanched the blood and applied a simple dressing. Feishanhu looked at Li Yi, full of confusion. "If you intend to take my head to claim a reward, why bother with this?"

"For now, keep your head stored on your own shoulders."