Sweep Yuan

Chapter 294 Battle of Xuzhou: Tuotuo's Fate

In the winter months, the Huaihe Plain is already swept by strong north winds, and the grass and trees are withered and yellow.

On the walls of Xuzhou, the battlements, weathered by war, lay broken and dilapidated, like an old man's missing teeth. A large red banner embroidered with the character "Han" fluttered in the cold wind, and the soldiers standing guard beneath it, though weary, still vigilantly scanned the distant horizon.

As the forefront of the Han state's resistance against the Yuan dynasty, Xuzhou had been locked in a tug-of-war with the Yuan army along the Yellow River defense line for the past year. The morale of the defenders was not high, after all, they had been under pressure for a long time, but they were by no means cowardly—they were already used to war and death.

However, when the news that the Mongol Left Chancellor, Toqto'a, was personally leading a large army south spread rapidly, along with the arrows shot onto the city walls by the Yuan army and the loud-voiced Yuan soldiers below reading the surrender document in unison, the solemn atmosphere of impending battle inevitably permeated the city walls.

The soldiers exchanged glances and whispered among themselves, a hint of panic flashing across their faces.

The name Toqto'a Temur represents the highest power and prestige of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty. His personal arrival with his army signifies that the scale and determination of the Yuan Dynasty's attack on the Han state will far exceed any previous one.

Yin Congdao, the actual commander of Xuzhou, quickly arrived at the east city wall, but did not order a news blackout—under such a high-profile psychological warfare tactic, a blackout would be meaningless and would only cause greater suspicion and panic.

He looked at the Yuan army below the city walls, still chanting the surrender document in unison, and at the two thousand Tatar cavalry not far away, and simply gave a deep order to his men:

"Beat the drums! Beat them loudly to drown out the Tartars' clamor!"

Under these circumstances, Yin Congdao could not leave the city wall for even a moment, and then whispered instructions to his personal guards:
"Go quickly and invite Marshal Li to the city wall for a meeting."

The war drums pounded loudly, trying to dispel the panic and unease that filled the air with their powerful rhythm.

Sesame Li, a resident of the city, also felt the oppressive atmosphere of the impending battle. He jogged up the city wall, a fine layer of sweat beading on his forehead. Before he could catch his breath, he asked urgently:
"General Yin, I heard that the Tartars shot a letter with arrows. What exactly happened?"

Marshal Li

Yin Congdao handed over the letter of surrender, his gaze still fixed on the Yuan army outside the city. Seeing that the defenders were well-prepared and there was no obvious unrest on the city walls, the Yuan army stopped reading the surrender letter after the Han army's war drums sounded and began to retreat in an orderly manner.

"Yuan Gou just sent cavalry to shoot arrows into the city. Take a look at this!"

Sesame Li suspiciously took the silk cloth with the letter of surrender written on it, unfolded it, and after just one glance, his expression changed drastically. His hand holding the silk cloth trembled slightly, and he opened his mouth to speak.

Immediately, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the soldiers around him watching him nervously. He quickly suppressed the turmoil in his heart, slowly closed the arrow-letter, stuffed it into his robes, and deliberately raised his voice, sneering in a disdainful tone:
"Hmph! Bluster and bluff, only to be laughed at! I, Old Li, have heard that the Tartars have not received any grain tribute these past few years, and many people are starving to death in the capital every year. Where did that old man Tuotuo conjure up this million-strong army from? Could it be that he drove away ghost soldiers and demons?!"

Yin Congdao secretly praised him. This Sesame Li was only so-so in commanding troops, but he was clear-headed at the critical moment and knew that the priority was to stabilize the morale of the army and expose the Yuan army's exaggeration.

He picked up where Sesame Li left off, raising his voice to ensure it could be heard throughout the section of the city wall, and said:
"Marshal Li has sharp eyes! The Yuan dogs have been emptied of their coffers by us over the past few years, and now they can only rely on such outrageous boasts to scare people! Brothers, don't doubt it, this is just a common trick of the Tartars!"

Yin Congdao knew that lies could not truly boost morale, especially in the face of the harsh reality that was about to unfold. The truth would eventually come out; the Mongol Yuan dynasty certainly could not mobilize a million troops, but a vast country with a territory of thousands of miles, no matter how dire its situation, could not easily mobilize around 100,000 soldiers.

Once Toqto'a personally leads his army to the city gates, the truth will be revealed, and the lies will only cause greater panic. He needs to give his soldiers a clear understanding, and at the same time let them know his next plan.

Yin Congdao changed the subject, his tone becoming calmer, and said:

"Marshal Li is right, Yuan is indeed bluffing. But even a starved camel is bigger than a horse. Tuotuo holds immense power, and if he personally leads the army south, no matter how difficult it is, it's still possible for him to muster tens of thousands of troops. Our soldiers are brave and fierce, and we are not afraid of him, however..."

He paused, turned around, and glanced at the soldiers whose faces were filled with surprise and doubt, then said:
"As you all know, the defenses of Xuzhou were severely damaged in last year's battle and have not yet been fully repaired. The city's reserves of grain, arrows, logs, and stones are also not plentiful. If the Yuan army launches a fierce attack at any cost, I'm afraid this city will not be able to hold out for long."

Xuzhou was one of the best fortified cities in Huaibei, but its defenses were severely damaged by the Yuan army's relentless bombardment of Xiangyang Cannons day and night last year. After the war, due to a lack of manpower and resources, only simple repairs were carried out. Coupled with insufficient food supplies, it was indeed difficult to rely on this city to resist a strong enemy.

Sesame Li felt the same way. If Shi Shan hadn't led his troops to the rescue in time, he probably would have been killed when the city fell last year.

At this moment, upon hearing Yin Congdao mention the difficulties of defending the city, a hint of struggle flashed across his face.

On the one hand, he really didn't want to go through that kind of desperate situation again, where he could only wait for the city to fall and die; on the other hand, his life was given to him by Shishan, and his family had been properly settled in Jiangning. He felt he should repay them in some way.

After a moment's hesitation, Sesame Li steeled his resolve, a look of determination on his face, and clasped his hands in a fist salute, saying:

"General Yin! If it weren't for the King of Han last year, my bones would have been buried under the walls of Xuzhou long ago! I was given a second chance at life, every extra day is a bonus! Before the Yuan army arrives, let me stay and defend the city. General, you take the families of the soldiers and the elderly and weak in the city and retreat quickly!"

Since defeating the Yuan army last year, Shishan has been relocating some civilians and elite troops southward under the pretext that "Xuzhou Road is damaged and cannot support a long-term war." This was in preparation for temporarily abandoning Xuzhou and shrinking the defensive line should the war situation turn unfavorable.

Previously, anticipating that the Yuan army might launch a large-scale southward offensive, Shi Shan ordered Yin Congdao and others to pay attention to the Yuan army's movements, allowing them to rely on cities and fortresses to block them layer by layer. If things did not go well, they could gradually retreat to Haozhou to preserve their strength and wait for an opportunity.

Now that they know that Toqto'a is personally leading the army and that the Mongol Yuan army is pressing in, given the current situation in Xuzhou, they cannot hold out even if they grit their teeth. Retreat is the only option. However, retreating in the face of the enemy is an art, and a risky move. If not properly organized, it could lead to the collapse of the entire army.

Someone must stay behind to cover the rear, and this must be a general of sufficient stature leading a sufficiently loyal and reliable force, in order to stabilize the situation and buy precious time for evacuation.

Yin Congdao summoned Sesame Li to explain this difficult decision and subsequent arrangements in front of all the soldiers, aiming to both solidify the resolve of those who chose to leave and ensure that those who were to evacuate first could do so with peace of mind.

Seeing that Sesame Li had misunderstood his intentions and volunteered to cover the rear, he was quite moved and a relieved smile appeared on his face. He said:
"Marshal Li is righteous, and I admire him! But His Majesty has already given us clear orders that if we cannot fight him, we may retreat as appropriate to save our lives from the loss of territory. This time, we are staying behind to cover the rear, not to defend Xuzhou to the death and perish with the city."

Yin Congdao raised his voice again to ensure that all the officers and soldiers around him could hear him clearly, and said:

"Although the Yuan army is bluffing, with Toqto'a personally present, their forces must be formidable. Xuzhou is neither defensible nor worth defending! Marshal Li, I urge you to immediately organize the elderly, women, children, and the families of the soldiers to evacuate first! The action must be swift!"
I will personally lead my elite troops to cover your retreat, but we will only hold out for five days! After five days, regardless of the situation, our army will withdraw.

Yin Congdao was already fifty years old and knew that human nature could not withstand the test in chaotic times. He specifically emphasized "only five days" to give the soldiers covering the rear a clear hope and to prevent them from feeling abandoned and despairing, thus avoiding passive resistance or even mutiny.

The military and political power in Xuzhou was already effectively controlled by Yin Congdao. Seeing how meticulously Yin had arranged things and how determined he was, Sesame Li no longer insisted. He clasped his hands in a deep fist salute and said:

"I'll go prepare right away! General Yin, take care, we'll meet again in Suzhou!"

Although Suzhou was not attacked by the main force of the Yuan army last year, Zhao Junyong, Peng Erlang and others blindly expanded without regard for people's livelihood, which almost exhausted the local manpower. In addition, the subsequent immigration policy in Shishan made the situation not much better than that in Xuzhou, and it was also unable to support the army to fight for a long time.

Xu and Su were originally one state. Once Tuotuo took Xu, Su would inevitably be difficult to defend. Sesame Li's actual retreat destination was not Su, but Haozhou further south.

However, at this moment, atop the city wall, in front of all the soldiers, it was inappropriate to directly address the matter, lest it affect morale. Yin Congdao and Sesame Li had spent a long time together and had developed a tacit understanding; they both understood each other implicitly. They returned the salute with clasped hands and said in a deep voice:
"Goodbye!"

Yin Congdao insisted on personally covering the rear because the strongest and most organized new army in Xuzhou City was trained by him.

If he abandons the main force and retreats first, the morale of the army will inevitably be shaken. Whoever is in charge of the rearguard may be unable to control the situation or even cause premature collapse.

Moreover, no matter how impoverished the people of Xuzhou may be, it is still a strategic location that controls the north and south. The main force of the Han army has penetrated deep into the south of the Yangtze River, and it is only out of necessity to temporarily abandon it. If the Han army wants to move north to the Central Plains in the future, it must first recover this place.

He was deeply trusted by Shi Shan and entrusted with the important task of guarding the northern frontier. He must not hand over the cities of Huaibei to others without even firing a single arrow or understanding the true strength and combat power of the Yuan army.

Leading the army to cover the rear is not only the responsibility of a commander-in-chief, but also an opportunity to scout the enemy's situation and train the troops under his command.

This battle is extremely dangerous, and we must go all out. Moving the elderly, the weak, and the families of the soldiers back to the rear is the best way to eliminate any worries about the rear.

Once the decision was made, the two immediately went their separate ways.

Once down from the city wall, Sesame Li immediately gathered his men and began organizing the evacuation with swift and decisive action. He ordered that key supplies of food and weapons be moved first, that the evacuees be organized into units according to their village-level administrative divisions, that leaders be appointed, and that capable subordinates be dispatched to maintain order and prevent chaos.

Yin Congdao was extremely busy, as he had to complete a series of urgent deployments before the main Yuan army could encircle them:
First, he dispatched a fast messenger to Hefei to report to Li Wu, the Wing Marshal of the General Administration of the Jiangbei Circuit, on Tuotuo's personal expedition and the plan to retreat from Xuzhou, requesting that the rear prepare provisions for support and coordinate the defense of Haozhou.

Shishan had made arrangements for this matter in advance, but the Xuzhou troops had previously been quite independent. In order to prevent conflicts and frictions from arising after the two armies joined forces, Li Wu had to be informed in advance, both for public and private reasons.

Secondly, open the treasury and generously reward the soldiers left to cover the rear, preparing wine and meat to boost morale. At the same time, readjust the city's defense deployment, shrink the outer strongholds, concentrate forces to defend several key city gates and areas, and plan the retreat routes and order in advance.
Thirdly, orders were issued to the garrison troops of Xiaoxian, Yongcheng, Suining, Suqian and other cities, requiring them to hold their positions for three to five days depending on their distance from Suzhou, to delay the Yuan army's flank advance, and then move towards Suzhou in turn.

They were also clearly informed that the main force in Xuzhou would cover their rear.

It is worth mentioning that the most powerful military leader in the Xuzhou system is actually Peng Erlang, who is stationed in Sizhou and controls the four cities of Lingbi, Hongxian, Sizhou, and Tianchang.

However, because Peng Erlang had previously joined forces with Zhang Shicheng to attack Huai'an without authorization, showing signs of breaking away from the Han army system and acting independently, Yin Congdao was quite dissatisfied and wary of him.

At this critical moment, he actually "neglected" to inform Sizhou of the news of Tuotuo's army marching south.

Yin Congdao would naturally not reveal his true intentions to anyone—since you, Peng Erlang, are flirting with Zhang Shicheng, then let you "get close" to him yourselves and face Tuotuo's thunderous wrath together.

Anyway, Sizhou is located along the Huai River and is relatively far back. Even if the Yuan army marches straight in, Peng Erlang should have enough time to react and not be immediately trapped in a desperate situation, causing the Haozhou and Wuhe defense lines to collapse.

In times of chaos, preserving one's own strength and guarding against and eliminating potential rivals are sometimes just as important as fighting against external enemies.

The common people in chaotic times know best the ruthlessness of war.

Despite the reluctance to leave their homeland and the countless jars and pots they could not bear to part with, under the effective organization of the Han army, the first group of evacuees, including the elderly, women, children, and soldiers' families, managed to pack their valuables and provisions within the allotted time and gather inside the west gate, supporting the old and leading the young.

The air was filled with sorrow and anxiety about the future.

Once Sesame Li and his men were ready, Yin Congdao dispatched an elite force that suddenly opened the east gate and charged towards the Yuan scouts patrolling outside the city like tigers unleashed from their cages. The Han cavalry charged bravely, scattering the nearby Yuan scouts, while the infantry quickly formed ranks, adopting a posture as if to launch an attack on the Yuan vanguard camp. War drums thundered and battle cries shook the fields, successfully drawing all the Yuan army's attention.

The vanguard of the Yuan army outside the city numbered about 8,000 men. They arrived at the city of Xuzhou yesterday, and their camp is now taking shape. They have chosen a safe location far from the city wall, so they are not afraid of a surprise attack by the Han army.

However, his commander could not figure out the true intentions of the Han army. In addition, his main task was to guard the Yellow River crossing, receive the subsequent army to cross the river, and prepare siege equipment. Therefore, he did not rush to attack and fight the Han army. Instead, he strictly guarded the camp and strengthened his defenses.

Although this brief standoff did not escalate into a large-scale battle, it allowed both sides to gain a preliminary understanding of each other.

The Yuan generals noticed that the Han army's formation outside the city was swift and orderly, and the soldiers' sharp eyes and fierce spirit showed that they were clearly well-trained.

Yin Congdao also saw from the Yuan army's response that its commander acted steadily, the troops were well-organized, the orders were clear, and the quality of the soldiers was significantly higher than that of the salt workers and river workers temporarily recruited in the Battle of Xuzhou last year. They were regular troops who had undergone certain training.

The two sides faced off for about half an hour. Only after estimating that Sesame Li's retreating troops had gone far away did Yin Congdao order the retreat to cease fire.

The Han army slowly retreated into the city, and the city gates slammed shut.

After this probing, both sides knew they had encountered a formidable opponent, so they tacitly ceased their small-scale harassment. A seemingly calm but actually turbulent night descended upon the city of Xuzhou.

The following day, even more Yuan troops, like converging streams, continuously arrived at the walls of Xuzhou.

Perhaps alerted by the vanguard commander, the Yuan army did not rush to attack the city. Instead, they mobilized in large numbers to cut down trees, dig trenches, and fortify their camps. At the same time, they dispatched more than ten small cavalry units to sweep through the countryside surrounding Xuzhou like a comb.

Despite Shishan's efforts to organize migration, some people were reluctant to leave their homeland, harbored wishful thinking, or, like the Chen family of Jiangning who had just settled down and were unwilling to leave, hid to avoid migrating south.

At this moment, they were plundered and killed by the Yuan cavalry, their houses were burned, and the remaining able-bodied men were captured and became fish on the Yuan army's chopping board. Cries and shouts echoed in the wilderness.

These people were used as laborers by the Yuan army to help build siege equipment or to fill in moats during sieges.

After a busy day, the Yuan army captured nearly a thousand laborers. Although this was far from enough for a major battle, it was better than nothing.

On the third day, as the number of Yuan troops outside the city increased further, the probing attack on Xuzhou City finally began.

While continuing to plunder, the Yuan army began to drive laborers, carrying sacks of earth, to rush toward the moat under the cover of arrows, attempting to fill the trench and pave the way for subsequent siege equipment.

Yin Congdao knew that facing an enemy with an overwhelming numerical advantage, he could not show weakness. He had to demonstrate a resolute will to resist from the very beginning and dispel the enemy's illusion that they could easily break through the city. Otherwise, it would be difficult to retreat later.

He ordered the defenders to fire arrows indiscriminately, while at the same time, he seized the opportunity to send out fresh troops to suddenly open the city gates and launch a counterattack, killing hundreds of Yuan soldiers filling the trenches and supervising officers.

The Han army's fierce counterattack caught the Yuan army's vanguard off guard, severely thwarting their plan to fill trenches and breach obstacles.

This close encounter further confirmed to Yin Congdao that although the Yuan army in front of him was elite, it also included many poorly equipped and obviously inexperienced local militias, resulting in uneven combat capabilities.

On the fourth day, the dust rising from the horizon blotted out the sun, and the defenders on the walls of Xuzhou witnessed a sight they would never forget:

Countless banners spread out like a forest, the sharp edges of spears reflected a cold glint in the sunlight, and the sounds of clashing armor and heavy footsteps merged into a muffled thunder.

Squads of cavalry, swordsmen, spearmen, and crossbowmen, forming an endless line, slowly advanced from the northeast.

At the heart of this massive army, a particularly tall white banner (Mongolian military flag) adorned with yak tails and nine white tassels fluttered in the wind, beneath which stood a large number of brightly armored and imposing generals and their personal guards.

Toqto'a Timur's central army has arrived!
Yin Congdao stood on the east gate tower, gazing into the distance with a solemn expression.

Based on his experience, he roughly estimated that the main force of the Yuan army that was visible in front of him numbered no less than 100,000! Moreover, their military strength was far superior to the troops that attacked Xuzhou last year.

He even spotted a familiar banner amidst the dense sea of ​​flags—"Marshal Wang of the Huainan Righteous Army"! It was none other than Wang Xuan, the leader of the River Workers' Army who had been defeated and fled under the walls of Xuzhou last year. It seemed that Tuotuo's southern expedition had indeed gathered forces from all sides.

Due to the long march, Toqto'a did not launch a general offensive on the day of his arrival. He first listened to detailed reports from the frontline generals to understand the resistance of the Xuzhou garrison and the strength of the city's defenses.

Subsequently, Tuotuo made the following arrangements: leave the main force behind to surround Xuzhou City;
At the same time, several detachments were dispatched to attack outlying cities such as Xiao County and Suining, in an attempt to replicate the tactics used last year to isolate Xuzhou and cut off its external support.

As the Grand Tutor and Left Chancellor of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty, Toqto'a's main battlefield should have been in the imperial court, where he could have been strategizing and planning, and outlining the grand strategy of governing the country. How could he have had the mind to personally lead the army?
In fact, he had recently become at odds with the powerful minister Hama over matters such as the selection of a crown prince, and was unwilling to leave the center of power at this critical moment.

However, the situation across the country was already in a state of chaos, especially with Shi Shan occupying northern Zhejiang and completely cutting off the lifeline of grain transport, causing grain prices in most cities to soar, leading to unrest and widespread rebellions. Hama's faction seized the opportunity to attack him for his ineffective suppression of bandits and for allowing the rebels to grow stronger.

Under immense pressure from public opinion at court, the emperor finally lost his patience and ordered Toqto'a to personally lead the expedition to pacify the southeast.

For Toqto'a, this battle was not just a military one, but a political one that he could not afford to lose! He had to secure his precarious position, silence his political enemies, and reverse the crumbling Yuan Dynasty with a clean and decisive victory.

To this end, Toqto'a did not hesitate to use up the already strained strategic reserves of Dadu, personally leading 20,000 imperial guards southward, while also conscripting 15,000 elite troops from Goryeo and Liaoyang provinces as his entourage.

In addition, with 40,000 troops pieced together from various parts of the interior and more than 30,000 local militia recruited from Henan and Jiangbei provinces, this army, which was said to be 400,000 (actually about 120,000), was ready to fight swiftly and decisively, to show its power and stabilize the court!

To ensure the army arrived on time, he issued a strict order that, apart from the 20,000 imperial guards of Dadu Road, all other troops should ensure their own food and supplies before setting out.

After a night's rest, the Yuan army lit fires at dawn and the entire army ate a hearty meal. Just as dawn was breaking, the deep sound of bugles pierced the cold air.

Tens of thousands of soldiers poured out from various camp gates, shouting commands and pushing all kinds of siege equipment, slowly unfolding towards the walls of Xuzhou, forming dozens of huge attack formations. Swords and spears were like a forest, banners like a sea, and the atmosphere of killing intent soared to the sky.

Toqto'a Timur did not deliver a lengthy speech before the battle. He knew that his troops came from diverse backgrounds and spoke different languages, and that empty rhetoric about "loyalty to the country" was far less motivating to these soldiers who were willing to risk their lives for money than concrete rewards.

The rewards had already been distributed, but now he wanted to use another method to boost the morale of the entire army and intimidate the defenders on the city walls.

Under the protection of three thousand guards clad in fine armor and wielding strong shields, Tuotuo boarded a tall chariot and slowly approached the east gate of Xuzhou.

Today, he was not wearing the Prime Minister's robes, but instead wore an exquisite set of silver armor, covered by a black sable cloak. Although he was nearly forty years old, he still looked heroic and imposing.

On the city wall, Yin Congdao and all the defenders stared intently at the approaching Yuan army banner and the figures on the siege tower. A suffocating tension filled the air.

"If...if there were ten or so of the cannons that the king mentioned in the city..."

Yin Congdao clenched his fists subconsciously, his nails almost digging into his flesh, a strong sense of regret and resentment welling up in his heart.

The Han army's artillery has proven its effectiveness in siege warfare, but production capacity is limited. Even the main guards have not yet been fully equipped with it. Xuzhou, a region that has been repeatedly damaged and could be abandoned at any time strategically, is not qualified to be equipped with it.

Tuotuo naturally learned through intelligence that the Han army possessed a new type of firearm called "cannon," and even ordered the artisans in Dadu to make dozens of copies, of which twenty were brought on this expedition.

However, he had witnessed the test firings firsthand and knew that these cumbersome imitations had a short range, poor accuracy, and slow loading. Apart from their terrifying sound, their actual combat effectiveness was far inferior to that of a cluster of powerful bows and crossbows, so he was not particularly wary of them.

The siege tower came to a stop beyond the effective range of ordinary crossbows and Yuan army imitation cannons. Tuotuo stood steadily on the siege tower's observation platform, his eyes like lightning, locking onto the most conspicuous red "Han" character commander's flag on the city wall.

He took a deep breath and took a huge carved bow from the hand of the guard beside him. Judging from its shape, it was strong enough to be drawn!
He slightly lowered his legs to stabilize his lower body, exerted force with his arms, and exhaled loudly. He steadily drew the strong bow, which even a strong man might not be able to draw, into a full moon!
Everyone who witnessed this scene, whether on or below the city walls, involuntarily held their breath. Time seemed to freeze at that moment.

"Duh!"

With a thunderous roar, like a thunderclap, the bowstring snapped, producing a deep, resounding thud! A specially made whistling arrow, accompanied by a piercing shriek, transformed into a black streak almost invisible to the naked eye, tearing through the air and hurtling towards the city wall at astonishing speed!

"Snapped!"

A crisp snapping sound rang out. Under the watchful eyes of countless people, the arrow struck precisely the thick hemp rope from which the banner bearing the character "Han" hung!
The rope snapped, and the huge banner symbolizing the will of the defenders froze in mid-air before tumbling and crashing down to the city walls like a giant bird with broken wings!

Silence! Deathly silence!

Everyone, whether on or below the city walls, was stunned by this incredible arrow!

The next second, the three thousand guards around Toqto'a were the first to react, erupting into a frenzied cheer like a tsunami:
"Prime Minister, your archery is superb! A resounding victory!!!"

The cheers were like a powder keg ignited, quickly spreading throughout the entire Yuan army formation.

Tens of thousands of soldiers were stunned by this highly symbolic and visually impactful scene. Their pent-up morale was instantly ignited to its peak, and everyone brandished their weapons, letting out a deafening roar with all their might:

"Victory!!!"

"Victory!!!"

The roar was like a tsunami, wave after wave crashing against the crumbling walls of Xuzhou, and also shattering the morale of every defender. The Yuan army's morale, ignited by Toqto'a's earth-shattering arrow, had soared to its peak!

Yin Congdao's face was ashen. Looking at the fallen flag and listening to the deafening cheers outside the city, he knew the most brutal moment had arrived. He slowly drew his sword, its gleaming blade pointing at the forest of enemy troops outside the city, and roared in a hoarse but unwavering voice:
"Brothers! Hold your ground! Prepare for battle!!!"

(End of this chapter)