"Keep your spirits up!"
The Hundred Household Commanders responsible for defending each section of the Great Wall began urging their men to give it their all.
It had already been three days since the display of archery prowess. Though its lingering prestige remained, the excitement had long since faded.
That was also why the barbarians had finally begun their siege.
Inside the gate fortress.
Xiang Tingchun ordered, "Loose arrows!"
Messengers immediately relayed the command.
Every beacon tower had been deliberately equipped with archers and crossbowmen. Once the barbarian soldiers came within roughly two hundred paces, everyone aimed slightly above the front and loosed a chaotic volley. The arrows traced parabolic arcs, like a torrential downpour.
A siege battle.
Was nothing like the versions acted out on television.
It was absolutely not a matter of grabbing a shield and a blade, shouting war cries, and charging forward. If it were truly that simple, however many came would die.
A siege required all manner of equipment.
Take the scene before them. The first several ranks of barbarians were all Wooden Shield Carts and Armored Siege Carts.
Wooden Shield Carts.
They were siege vehicles fitted with wooden boards for cover.
Thick planks stood at the front of the carts to block the rain of arrows. The soldiers hid behind them and pushed the carts forward, never exposing themselves at all.
Armored Siege Carts.
Were similar devices, except they were forged entirely from iron plating—like groups of soldiers charging forward with iron sheds carried over their bodies.
Moreover, the barbarians had set up their own arrow formations, firing wildly at the walls.
It was impossible to stop them with arrow volleys alone. At most, they could shoot down a small portion of the soldiers. Only when the enemy attempted to climb the walls could