Rise of a Lonely City: From Exiled Prince to Ruler of the Nine Provinces

The third day of the seventh month in the second year of Xuanji.

When news reached Han Lie that Xia Jun's elite "Wave-Treading Battalion," led by Zhou Meng, had successfully landed in the thick fog of Wild Duck Pond, driving a fatal thorn into the flank of Yingcheng, Han Lie knew that the long-awaited opportunity had finally ripened.

That nail was more than just a bridgehead.

It was a wedge, driven deep into the weakest and most unexpected point of the rebels' supposedly impregnable river defense system; it was a signal, announcing that the Xia army could not only break through the natural barrier of the Yangtze River, but also carry out precise and deadly flanking maneuvers through its most complex network of tributaries; it was also a key, about to unlock the seemingly impenetrable defensive shell of Yingcheng, this water fortress.

"Order the entire army to launch a full-scale attack immediately!"

Han Lie stood on the makeshift platform, his voice not loud, yet carrying a metallic clang that pierced the still-damp morning air of Jiangnan: "Zhou Meng's troops have already occupied Yeyadang, blocking the western throat of Yingcheng. All armies should bravely advance, attacking from both inside and outside, and wipe out the rebels in one fell swoop!"

The war machine, suppressed for too long, roared into action, unleashing a deafening roar.

The first to launch an attack was the navy led by Chen Dao.

The Xia army's warships, which had been lying in wait for many days, were no longer merely feigning an attack and blockading the area, but instead launched a full-scale attack.

The enormous ships, like mobile castles, lined up on the river, their masts raised high like the fangs of a giant beast.

The Mengchong, Doujian, and Zouge ships, like wasps leaving their nest, swarmed densely and launched a desperate attack on the several water fortresses and docks on the front of Yingcheng's river defenses.

Arrows rained down like a torrential downpour, obscuring the sky and the river. This time, it was no longer a feint, but a real, fierce attack.

The massive "Huihui Cannons" were placed on specially reinforced large ships, braving the interception of the rebels' coastal defense crossbows, and hurled huge stones, each weighing over a hundred pounds and coated with kerosene, at the water gates of Yingcheng and the riverside fortifications, setting off towering flames.

Almost simultaneously with the navy's frontal assault, the main force of Xia infantry, which had already secretly assembled in the east and south of Yingcheng, relying on the complex terrain and water network, also launched an overwhelming offensive amidst the deafening sound of war drums.

No longer caring about the mud and water, the soldiers of the Wave-Treading Battalion led the main force, using the paths and shallows they had scouted beforehand, and even swimming directly across narrow river branches, to launch a fierce attack on the defensive strongholds outside Yingcheng from multiple directions.

Heavy shield carts, makeshift pontoon bridges, and even door panels and bamboo rafts were used to overcome the water network obstacles. The archers of the Shenji Battalion suppressed the rebel counterattacks with a dense rain of arrows from high places on the shore or from makeshift watchtowers.

The most devastating blow came from the west of Yingcheng.

After the initial panic and probing counterattacks were repelled, Zhou Meng's Yeyadang Bridgehead was quickly reinforced by subsequent troops crossing the river, increasing his strength to eight thousand. A batch of light crossbows and a sufficient supply of arrows were also transported to the bridge.

Instead of launching a strong attack on the seemingly impregnable west gate of Yingcheng, they, like the most cunning wolf pack, used the bridgehead as a fulcrum to expand rapidly to both sides. Along the narrow paths where the rebels' defenses were weak, such as the "Wild Duck Path," they launched a frenzied attack on the land routes connecting Yingcheng to the rear, as well as the connecting lines between Yingcheng and several important water fortresses and grain storage points in the surrounding area.

The rebels' defensive system was based on the premise that "they were backed by the Yangtze River and surrounded by water on three sides, making it difficult for the Xia army to cross."

They concentrated their forces and attention on the river defenses in front and the key waterways and land routes to the east and south.

The western Wild Duck Pond area has a more fragmented water network and complex terrain, making it difficult for large forces to deploy. Therefore, only a small number of guard troops were deployed, relying mainly on natural barriers.

They never expected that Xia Jun would actually dare to, and be able to, fight his way out of this "dead zone"!

When the Xia army launched a thunderous attack from land and water simultaneously, the rebel army's defenses were instantly subjected to pressure far exceeding their design specifications.

On the front, Chen Dao's navy launched a fierce attack regardless of casualties, which tied down the remnants of the Yingcheng navy and a large number of coastal defense forces.

From the east and south, Xia's infantry surged like a tidal wave against the outer defenses. From the west, Zhou Meng's forces, like a red-hot dagger, plunged deep into the weakest point of the rebel defenses.

"Report! The West Gate is under attack! Wild Duck Pond has fallen, and the Xia army has advanced out of Wild Duck Path and is fiercely attacking Wangxiangdun outside the West Gate! The defending troops are about to be overwhelmed!"

"Report! The Xia army has broken through Feiyudu on the eastern front, and Captain Wang has been killed in battle!"

"Report! Urgent report from the navy: Xia army's heavy cannons have breached the arrow tower at the East Water Gate, and warships are attempting to break in!"

Bad news poured into the Yingcheng military headquarters like snowflakes.

Xiao Rong, Xiao Min, Zhao Ben, and the others turned pale.

Their "geographical advantage," which they relied on to resist, is rapidly crumbling under the Xia army's multi-pronged, multi-pronged offensive.

The Xia army not only had superior numbers and fierce soldiers, but what was even more terrifying was that they seemed to have completely adapted to naval warfare in Jiangnan. They were skilled in land and water coordination and their tactics were flexible and varied. They were no longer the "landlubbers" who struggled to move in the mud.

"Hold on! Hold on for me!"

Xiao Rong's eyes were bloodshot as he roared hoarsely, "General Zhao, take your elite troops to the west gate and drive Zhou Meng back! Second brother, you go to the east city to oversee the battle! I will personally guard the water gate!"

However, a collapse often begins at one point, followed by an avalanche-like chain reaction.

As the Xia army's relentless attack continued for a full day, as one outpost after another fell outside Yingcheng, as rumors began to circulate in the city that "the Xia army has entered the city," as they witnessed their own navy's remaining ships being sunk and burned one by one on the river, and as the shouts of battle coming from the west gate grew ever closer...

The morale of the rebels finally collapsed.

The first to flee were the conscripted militia and local strongmen's private soldiers who had no will to fight.

They threw down their weapons, took off their uniforms, and cried out as they rushed toward the north gate and water gate, which were not yet completely sealed off, in an attempt to seize a boat and escape.

The rout spread like a plague. Even Xiao Rong and Zhao Ben's core troops, surrounded by enemies and with no way to retreat, began to waver and fall into chaos.

"Your Highness! The west gate has fallen! Zhou Meng has stormed in!"

"The eastern city has fallen! The Xia army has breached the city walls!"

"The water gate has been breached! The Xia army's warships have entered the harbor!"

Desperate cries echoed throughout the city.

Yingcheng, the fortress on which Xiao Rong and others had placed high hopes, was breached in less than three days under the Xia army's relentless and multi-dimensional attacks.

"The tide has turned...the tide has turned!"

Xiao Min's face was ashen. He grabbed Xiao Rong's sleeve. "Brother, as long as we're alive, let's go! There are still small boats if we go through the North Water Gate!"

As Xiao Rong gazed at the flames rising across the city, his ears filled with the shouts of battle and the cries of routed soldiers, his eyes were filled with resentment and bitterness, which eventually turned into a deathly silence of despair.

He knew it was over.

The unfinished "great cause" of their father Xiao Han, the brothers' long-suppressed "revenge," and Zhao Ben's deep-seated hatred all vanished in the face of this overwhelming offensive.

"Walk!"

Xiao Rong squeezed out the word through gritted teeth, and surrounded by his personal guards, he and a few trusted confidants, including Xiao Min and Zhao Ben, hurriedly headed towards the North Water Gate, which had not yet been completely lost.

There are also several speedboats hidden there.

However, when they stumbled and rushed to the water gate, what they saw was a dense array of Xia army warships on the river, and the large "Xia" flags and "Han" commander flags fluttering on the ships.

Just as a speedboat was about to rush out, it was set on fire by several rockets, and the people on board screamed as they fell into the river.

Chen Dao stood at the bow of a warship, coldly watching the desperate rebels, and waved his hand to order: "Fire arrows! Don't let a single one escape."

Their last escape route was also blocked.

The city fell, the army was defeated, and everything collapsed like a mountain.

Without unified command, the rebel army became lambs to the slaughter.

The Xia army advanced by land and water, and stormed into Ying City.

The street fighting quickly turned into a pursuit and mopping-up operation.

Those who resisted were killed, those who surrendered were captured, and those who looted in the chaos were executed on the spot.

Fires broke out in many parts of the city, billowing thick smoke that mingled with the lingering river mist, enveloping this once prosperous riverside town.

The brothers Xiao Rong and Xiao Min, under the desperate cover of their personal guards, attempted to disguise themselves and blend into the fleeing soldiers and refugees to escape. However, they were intercepted by the Xia army's "Treading Waves Battalion" squad, who were familiar with the terrain, shortly after leaving the city.

Zhao Ben was even more valiant. He led a small number of his remaining troops into a fortified courtyard in the city and resisted to the bitter end. In the end, he was defeated by Zhou Meng's army and hacked to death.

With the fall of Yingcheng, the core of the rebel army was destroyed in one fell swoop.

Xiao Rong and Xiao Min were captured, and Zhao Ben was beheaded.

The news spread like wildfire throughout Jiangnan.

Having lost their leader, the powerful local lords, remnants of the Chu king's old troops, and remnants of the pseudo-Zhao regime, who were originally observing or colluding with the rebels, suddenly scattered like monkeys when the tree fell.

They either surrendered the city or fled in panic to the deep mountains and lakes, making it difficult to organize effective resistance.

Emboldened by his great victory, Han Lie divided his forces into several routes, with generals such as Zhou Meng and Chen Dao leading the vanguard, and swept across Jiangnan.

Wherever the army went, it pacified the land with a single proclamation.

Those who stubbornly resisted and defended their city were quickly crushed like a mantis trying to stop a chariot in the face of the powerful offensive of the Hanyuan Army and the sharp firepower of the Shenji Battalion.

It was the end of July in the second year of Xuanji.

With the surrender of the last county that openly raised the banner of resistance, this rebellion, which was instigated by Xiao Rong and Xiao Min, remnants of the Chu king, in collusion with Zhao Ben, a member of the puppet Zhao regime, and with the help of some powerful southern clans, ended in complete failure in just three months under the fierce attack of the Xia army, which advanced by land and water and combined surprise and conventional tactics.

Several prefectures in Jiangnan were returned to the territory of the Great Xia Dynasty, and in a far more thorough and swift manner than when Xiao Han was pacified last time.

The once invincible rebel navy in the Yangtze River water fortress was reduced to ashes on the river; the rebel infantry, who once tried to resist stubbornly with the advantage of the water network, collapsed at the first touch with the Hanyuan army, which had adapted to the tactics of the Jiangnan region; the Xiao brothers, who once dreamed of secession and even a reversal of the regime, became prisoners; and Zhao Ben, who once vowed revenge, died far from home.

The raging tide has receded, and the edifice has collapsed.

The smoke of war in Jiangnan gradually dissipated, but the powerful land and water coordination capabilities, amazing adaptability and learning ability of the Xia army, as well as the strategies and decisiveness of generals such as Han Lie, Zhou Meng, and Chen Dao, demonstrated in this battle to quell the rebellion, deeply shocked all the onlookers.

From then on, no one dared to easily challenge the authority of the young emperor who was stationed in the capital, relying on the "natural barrier of the Yangtze River" or the "watery landscape of Jiangnan".

The might of the Great Xia army has proven that it can not only conquer the northern grasslands and the formidable passes of the Central Plains, but also subdue the crisscrossing river network and the boundless marshes.

The foundation for the unification of North and South was forged even more solidly in this fierce and bloody battle in Jiangnan.