Capítulo 1401: Chapter 1401: Ending the Battle
“The enemy is retreating, soldiers, keep advancing,” Man Cang shouted loudly, lifting Helian’s body. This act was a deterrent to the Wolf Clan cavalry, now leaderless and unable to launch a strong, large-scale charge. As they retreated, the few archers remaining attempted to shoot arrows to slow down the Qin Army Formation’s advance, but the pitifully few arrows couldn’t penetrate the shields. Moreover, the first row of shield-bearers was composed of the newly trained “Qin army.”
The armor was finely crafted and heavy, and at most, the arrows could only scrape a white mark. However, the Wolf Clan’s spears were not long enough; once they charged towards the formation, they were quickly skewered by multiple lances.
The formation operated with such coordination that it resembled not a “bulldozer” but a moving “at grinder.”
As they slowly advanced, the Wolf Clan’s space was increasingly compressed until it was pressed against the inner side of the city walls. Lacking shields, they could only fall one after another when hit by arrows, becoming sitting targets for the archers on the walls.
“Old Ye, we’re back, open the gate!” At this mont, Shangguan Jian’s voice was heard from outside the city gates.
Ye Shikai turned to see it was indeed Han Hao and Shangguan Jian; all four thousand soldiers were gathered outside the city gates, not one missing.
“That’s excellent,” Ye Shikai thought joyfully. This was indeed part of their plan. Han Hao and Shangguan Jian had indeed set out, but not to raid the Wolf Clan’s supply camp. Their actual aim was to confuse Ma Peng and the Wolf Clan, luring them into the fortress with a false sense of security.
Now, with four thousand soldiers returned, it added another layer of assurance to the plan. Even if the Wolf Clan raised the gate, the outside was tightly sealed by four thousand soldiers.
“Your escape route has been cut off; there is no reinforcents. Surrender now.” Ye Shikai hollered loudly, as Shangguan Jian directed the soldiers to thrust their spears into small holes between the gate planks. The soldiers of the Wolf Clan retreated in haste, pressed tightly together, so even pinned against the gate, motionless, watching helplessly as spears pierced their bodies…
“This…” The Wolf Clan soldiers looked at one another. Of the initial four thousand n, less than half remained, and most of the survivors appeared injured. The key point was that they had no alternative but to surrender.
What truly drove the soldiers to despair was not the current disadvantage or the precarious situation, but fighting with no hope for survival, leading to a aningless death.
“Everyone, cease fire,” Ye Shikai commanded, and hundreds of crossbown imdiately halted their fire. Man Cang also ordered the formation to stop advancing. The faces of the Wolf Clan soldiers were filled with fear, their limbs trembling. Even though the Qin army halted their offensive, the Wolf Clan soldiers did not counterattack but simply stood there, anxiously looking around like scared birds.
One could say that the remaining Wolf Clan soldiers were on the verge of collapse.
Now was an opportune mont for coaxing surrender.
“Brothers of the Wolf Clan, resisting desperately leads to a dead end. Lay down your weapons, and I shall spare your lives in the na of the Qin Army’s honor,” continued Ye Shikai. “At this mont, if I wished to leave no survivors, within a cup of tea’s ti, you all would be corpses lying on the ground.”
Each word Ye Shikai pronounced was firm and decisive, drilling into the hearts of the Wolf Clan soldiers like a wedge. For those teetering on the edge of despair, even a re straw seed like a lifeline for them to grasp.
Bam.
Suddenly, a soldier from the Wolf Clan erged from the crowd, tossing his long sword to the ground. His face was wrapped in rough cloth, as if worried about recognition, and he slowly raised his hands, approaching Man Cang’s formation.
“Man Cang, let the soldiers give him a path,” Ye Shikai called out loudly.
“Understood.”
“Soldiers in front, make way for him,” Man Cang instructed, signaling the Qin Army to part, creating a direct path. Initially hesitant, the Wolf Clan soldier walked right through when he saw the way open.
“Let’s… surrender, too.”
“Indeed.”
With one person leading the way, the remaining Wolf Clan soldiers dropped their weapons one after another. The effect spread rapidly, and soon, nearly everyone laid down their arms, raising their hands as they lined up to walk over.
“Open the gate,” Ye Shikai said calmly. Xue San and his n pulled open the heavy gate, and Han Hao and Shangguan Jian led four thousand soldiers into the fortress to assist Man Cang in guarding the captives.
“Ma, as you can see, the Wolf Clan is not invincible. There is no unwinnable battle, only incompetent commanders,” Ye Shikai said, patting Ma Peng on the shoulder. Ma’s face was filled with fear and shock. Previously, battles with the Wolf Clan had always ended in stalemates, both sides equally battered. Yet today, the Qin Army achieved a total “crushing” victory.
“Ye, your command is masterful; I am in awe. I hope you will uphold your previous promise to release…”
“Rest assured, I will release your family. As for your punishnt, I still need to discuss it with Lord Han, but don’t worry, I will try to speak well on your behalf. If not for your efforts to redeem yourself, the Wolf Clan might not have been deceived this ti.”
…………………………
“This victory was truly remarkable,” said Han Hao, setting up a victory feast in the tent.
“This ti, we seized eight hundred warhorses, captured over a thousand prisoners, and annihilated nearly three thousand enemies, also slaying Helian the warrior of the Wolf Clan, achieving total triumph.”
“Indeed. I’ve been enlisted for so long and never felt a battle went this smoothly.”
The credit for this victory undoubtedly belonged to Ye Shikai, who managed everything from planning to commanding. The rest could be said to have basked in his glory.
“I’ve already reported this to General ng. The comndations will be issued soon, and everyone present will receive military honors,” laughed Han Hao heartily. Despite his many years in the army, he had never won such a victory, yet Ye Shikai, who had joined the Qin Army just over a month ago, had already achieved this “Divine Skill,” promising a limitless future.
“Ye, brother, you’ve really outdone yourself this ti.”
“It’s just that I wanted to wrap up the war quickly, and also, it allows more brothers to return ho,” Ye Shikai said nonchalantly, as accolades held little allure for him. His desire was to protect every comrade who traveled with him.
“With these warhorses, we can form a cavalry unit; in future battles, they can charge ahead,”
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