Through countless dynasties, I can summon the heroes of Chinese history.

Seeing his old friend lying on the verge of death, his fate uncertain, he was deeply shaken.

As the saying goes, concern leads to confusion, and he couldn't care less about that now.

"General, wait a little longer!"

Just then, Han Xiujing spoke up again to stop him, his voice filled with a hint of urgent pleading.

"The night is dark, and people's hearts are unpredictable. We should send someone to confirm again. We must not act rashly!"

He had just looked in the firelight and recognized the person lying on the ground as Wang Guodong, but for some reason, the inexplicable sense of foreboding in his heart grew stronger and stronger, surging up like a tide and making it hard for him to breathe.

Even though he had confirmed Wang Guodong's identity, he still wanted to consider it for a moment longer and be more cautious, so as not to fall into the enemy's carefully set trap due to carelessness.

"Magistrate Han, things have come to this, General Wang is right here below the city walls, can't you recognize him?"

Zhao Qiao shouted angrily, his anxiety turning into rage. He shoved Han Xiujing, who was blocking his way, aside, his tone resolute and leaving no room for argument.

"If the patriarch knew that we had stood by and watched General Wang perish beneath the city walls, could we bear the responsibility?"

Having said that, he immediately picked up his sword and turned to leave the city with his personal guards to meet him.

Zhao Qiao had his reasons for doing this.

Han Xiujing is ultimately a member of the Han family and is still connected to the Han family by blood. Even if he has made a thousand mistakes, it is estimated that in the end, the matter will be minimized and the matter will be resolved peacefully.

He was merely a border general who sought refuge with Han Jun, the head of the Han family, after his army was defeated. He also had his wife, children, and elderly parents by his side, and his two eldest sons followed Han Jun closely, serving him at his beck and call.

If he were to be convicted because of Wang Guodong's case, not only would his own life be in danger, but his entire family would also be implicated.

The consequences of such a family being destroyed and losing their lives were unimaginable to him, and he would never dare to gamble with the lives of his entire family.

"Is Changyang City truly finished?"

Han Xiujing looked at Zhao Qiao's resolute departing figure, his face instantly turning ashen, and a chill ran through his body.

He knew that if the city gates were left wide open and the city fell into the trap set by the Prince of Laiyang, Changyang City would be doomed and there would be no chance of recovery.

But he was ultimately just a civil official, powerless and lacking the prestige and ability to intimidate the soldiers.

Most of the soldiers in Changyang City are border troops who have been stationed on the frontier for many years. They are brave and stubborn by nature. Even if they join a powerful family, most of them only recognize the orders of military officers. This is one of the reasons why Han Jun put the brave and skilled Wang Guodong in charge of the army.

At this moment, even if Han Xiujing wanted to stop him and tried to persuade him with all his heart, he couldn't stop Zhao Qiao, who had already made up his mind. He could only watch helplessly as the situation rapidly developed in a direction that was getting more and more out of control.

And that is indeed the case.

The moment Zhao Qiao led his troops out of the city gate, he had already begun his countdown to death; the rope of fate had already tightened.

Because he was not facing Chen Yun, who was still inexperienced and had not yet reached his peak, but Chang Yuchun, a seasoned general known as "Chang the Ten Thousand".

When Chang Yuchun saw Zhao Qiao come out, a cold glint flashed in his eyes, but he did not make a move immediately. Instead, he held back and waited for a suitable opportunity to wipe out the enemy army in one fell swoop.

Finally, he got the opportunity he had been waiting for!

"General Wang."

When Zhao Qiao led his troops out and saw Wang Guodong with several arrows stuck in his body, he was struck dumb. He felt as if his blood had frozen instantly. He rushed to Wang Guodong in three steps and reached out with trembling hands to check the other's breath.

Seeing his old friend's eyes closed and lifeless, he was heartbroken and roared urgently, "Quickly, summon the army doctor! Quickly, summon the best army doctor in the city! No matter what, protect General Wang!"

"No need."

At this moment, Chang Yuchun slowly raised his head. The sorrow on his face had vanished without a trace, replaced by a bone-chilling coldness. His voice suddenly became icy and sharp, carrying a chilling killing intent.

Zhao Qiao was startled by what he heard. Looking at the unfamiliar eyes of the person in front of him, he felt a sense of unease and subconsciously took a half step back.

"What...what did you just say? Who are you?" Zhao Qiao asked anxiously.

"The one who will kill you is Chang Yuchun."

As soon as Chang Yuchun finished speaking, the cold light in his eyes suddenly intensified, and with a sudden raise of his right hand, a dagger gleaming with a chilling light was drawn from its sheath like lightning and plunged into Zhao Qiao's chest.

Scalding blood gushed out instantly, splattering all over Chang Yuchun, accompanied by a mournful wail. At that moment, Zhao Qiao's eyes widened, filled with resentment and disbelief, before he collapsed to the ground, lifeless.

No one could have imagined that a low-level Heavenly Rank general would die so mysteriously.

Zhao Qiao is no weakling. If he were to face Chang Yuchun head-on, even if Chang Yuchun is exceptionally strong, he would have no way to kill him in a short time.

But this fierce general, who had fought on the battlefield for many years, ultimately fell victim to his own worries and impatience, and so easily perished at the hands of Chang Yuchun's ambush, without even a chance to fight back.

"kill!"

As Chang Yuchun gave the order to attack, Chen Yun, Liu Hong, Mu Xiong and other generals, who had been lying in wait all around, immediately led hundreds of elite Laiyang soldiers and tore off their Changyang army armor and disguises.

At this moment, they all drew their sharp blades and charged fiercely toward the gates of Changyang City with murderous intent. The cold glint of their drawn blades, illuminated by the torches, revealed a terrifying crimson hue.

Shouts of battle and the clash of weapons shattered the tranquility of the night in an instant.

"Oh no! We've fallen for the Prince of Laiyang's treacherous scheme!"

Han Xiujing saw it all clearly from the city wall. When he saw Zhao Qiao fall to the ground and the Laiyang army charging into battle, his face turned ashen and his body went cold. He shouted at the soldiers guarding the city, his voice filled with desperate urgency.

"Quickly! Close the city gates! Soldiers, defend the gates to the death! We cannot allow the Laiyang army to enter the city!"

But it was all too late.

Generals Chen Yun and Mu Xiong, along with their elite troops, rushed into the city gate. Each soldier fought like ten men, holding the key passage to the city gate and blocking all the garrison troops who came to stop them.

Amidst the flashing swords and clashing blades, the defending troops had no chance of getting close to the city gate, let alone closing it.

A long and powerful horn call suddenly pierced the deep night sky, echoing for a long time between heaven and earth.

In the boundless darkness outside Changyang City, countless soldiers from Laiyang swept in like a surging tide, their banners fluttering, their horses' hooves thundering, raising clouds of dust.

At the front of the central army.

Jiang Ce reined in his horse, his silver armor gleaming coldly in the night. He stared sharply at the open gates of Changyang City, watching his soldiers bravely enter the city. A satisfied smile slowly curved his lips.

A meticulously planned surprise attack was ultimately successfully completed.