Shouts, screams, and howls rang out from above and below Hanguguan City, all mixed together and pouring in from the ears, causing the eardrums to tremble and the brain to buzz.
The soldiers of Cao's army climbed up the ladder one after another like leeks after spring. The people on top were smashed or shot to death. The people behind them climbed up with shields under the orders of the war supervisor.
"put--!"
With a command, the counterweight slammed the ground into a porcelain earth pit, making a dull sound, and the flint roared out and was thrown towards the outside of Guancheng.
Ji Ling's armor was stained with blood, and his face was stained with blood. His solemn and lofty gaze made people dare not look at him. He was surrounded by his personal guards, who were always protecting him.
Three hours have passed since the war started.
Not only did Cao Cao not issue an order to retreat, he also sent more troops to the city. The number of people attacking the city had reached a terrifying 30,000 people. Everyone was crowding under the city. The commanders of each battalion led their men along the ladders. Climb up with all your might.
Looking down from above, it looks like countless black ants, which makes people's scalp numb.
Just after repelling a round of attacks, Ji Ling looked solemnly at the steady stream of Cao's troops below, without saying a word, but he could see the flesh beating under his eyelids.
"General Ji!"
The captain ran over panting heavily, with blood on his face, "We only have four thousand capable soldiers left. We...we're afraid..."
Ji Ling looked at him: "Do you have no one in your hands anymore?"
"There are more than 500 people." Seeing Ji Ling's cold gaze, the captain dwarfed his body and spoke in a vain tone.
"Then guard it!" Ji Ling said in a serious tone, "Hangu Pass is related to the safety of Chang'an. If Chang'an is damaged, your children and family will be harmed by Cao Cao. Even if we die in battle here, the lord will not treat us badly. "Children behind us," he said, looking up at the setting sun, "the sun is going to set soon, hold on, the lord's reinforcements are coming soon."
"Here!"
The captain straightened his back, said "yes", and stepped back.
Ji Ling narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at Cao Cao on the Cao Jun Supervisory Platform. He was a little far away and could not see clearly, but he dared to conclude that Cao Cao's face must be livid from this moment on.
Thirty thousand people attacked the city.
Three hours.
He was stunned but did not bite off the Hangu Pass in his hand.
Of course, the heavy armored infantry played a big role, and the trebuchets also contributed a lot, but this is also his advantage. If you use your advantages reasonably and correctly, even if you have fewer troops than the opponent, you can firmly hold it. Hangu Pass.
Withdrawing his gaze, Ji Ling turned to look at the soldiers next to him: "Go down and tell Fa Canjun that the city's defense supplies are in urgent need. Ask him to collect them as soon as possible and send them up."
In the city, Fazheng organized young and strong people to demolish houses to collect wood, bricks and stones to ensure the needs of the city.
The guard clasped his fists in agreement, and then ran down quickly.
Ji Ling took a deep breath and said coldly: "Prepare for the next round of defense, don't let the enemy take advantage of the loophole."
All the generals agree.
As Ji Ling expected, Cao Cao's face was ashen.
He looked at Hangu Pass, his face tense and livid, silent, his eyes quite complicated.
His 30,000 troops continued to attack for three hours, but failed to capture Hangu Pass. This general who defended the city made him feel cherished in his heart.
If his city is guarded by such generals, he can rest easy.
Since he was standing to the west, he could see the setting sun when he raised his head, which made him feel even more anxious.
He expected that there were not many defenders left in the city. As long as he persisted, he would surely be able to break through Guancheng, capture Hangu Pass, and advance into Chang'an.
"One more hour."
Cao Cao thought silently in his heart.
In another hour, the sun will set, which also means the end of this battle. Similarly, the result of this battle can also be obtained.
Whether Hangu Pass can be broken down depends on this hour.
"Somebody come!"
He suddenly shouted, "Move the war platform forward three hundred steps."
"Ming Gong!" The person below immediately knelt down, "Just three hundred steps further, we will enter the shooting range of the enemy's trebuchet."
Cao Cao stared straight ahead at Guancheng, his voice was plain but unmistakable: "Move quickly!"
The subordinates had no choice but to order the movement of the battle supervising platform.
Cao Cao's banner moved forward, which immediately aroused exclamations from Cao's army. At the same time, the morale of Cao Cao's army skyrocketed, and everyone's fighting spirit was high, and they climbed up regardless of their own safety.
When the general of Cao's army saw that his lord was in danger, he immediately put on a desperate posture.
Cao Jun roared upward to attack.
The pressure on Ji Ling's side skyrocketed, and all the soldiers were almost exhausted defending the city. For three hours, even an ox was exhausted, let alone a human. But Ji Ling stood on the front line of the battle, and everyone defended and counterattacked without any complaints.
"Prepare the kerosene!"
Cao Jun's offensive was like fire, but Ji Ling's face was like the sea, calm and calm, and his orders were calm.
A fire had been burning on the top of the city for a long time, and a large pot was set on the fire. The fire oil in the pot was burning until it smoked, and there was a faint aroma of oil.
Cao Jun began to climb the ladder.
"Send the order, pour the oil!" Ji Ling gave the order.
The soldier lifted the iron pot and suddenly poured the red-hot oil in the pot.
"ah……!"
Immediately, there was a scream like a slaughtering pig below.
Ji Ling turned a deaf ear, with a cold face, and ordered calmly: "Set fire!"
The soldiers immediately pulled out the burning fire sticks from the fire and threw them towards the place stained with kerosene. When the kerosene met the fire, it immediately burned with thick black smoke. Countless Cao Jun's bodies were drenched in kerosene. He was rolling on the ground in pain, and when he encountered the fire again, he screamed and screamed, and his whole body was like a ball of fire.
Because Cao's army was too dense, the clothes of the people on the left and right were immediately ignited.
Cao's army, which was originally dark below, was now submerged in the bright red fire. They no longer cared about attacking the city and crawled on the ground rolling to put out the fire.
Ji Ling on the top of the city still had a cold face and gave the order without mercy: "Fire the arrow!"
"Swish swish!"
Countless arrows shot down into the densely packed Cao army, causing many casualties. The fierce offensive just now was immediately cut off by the kerosene, and Sergeant Cao's soldiers were unable to move forward.
Behind him, Cao Cao's face turned blue with coldness.
Looking at the thick black smoke filling the top of Guancheng, covering up the guards above, the golden light of the setting sun shines on Guancheng and pierces his eyes.
He slowly raised his hand and said weakly: "Ming Jin, withdraw your troops!"
The crisp and soft voice resounded throughout the battlefield, and all Cao Jun and the defenders breathed a sigh of relief.
Cao Cao's army retreated like a tide.
Standing on the top of the city, Ji Ling watched the retreat of Cao's army and the retreat of Cao Cao's battle supervising platform. The heart that had been lifted up finally settled peacefully in his chest.
"A miserable victory is as bad as a defeat!"
Fa Zheng's voice came to his ears. Ji Ling did not look back, waiting for his next words, "It seems that we have won this battle, but the losses are too great. It may be difficult tomorrow."
"How many more people are there?"
Ji Ling did not look back.
"Three thousand, including the disabled, there are a total of 3,652 people."
"Three thousand six hundred and fifty-two people."
Ji Ling's eyes darkened, it was really hard to keep tomorrow. Cao Cao must be convinced that he has insufficient troops to defend the city. Tomorrow's offensive may be even more fierce than today's. Can he hold it with just 3,000 men?
The answer is definitely not.
After a long time, Ji Ling said with relief: "My lord's pension is enough for my family to live for the rest of their lives. I don't have to worry about my death."
Fazheng did not answer the call.
At this moment, there was a sound of horse hooves coming from behind.
Ji Ling and Fazheng were stunned for a moment. The moment their eyes met, a light of surprise lit up in their eyes.
