Red Mountain Prefecture stood on the Helan Plateau, the highest of the prefectures whose positions formed mutually supporting horns.
Its high elevation made transporting grain, medicinal herbs, and supplies difficult to begin with. The defenders had held out for two months under constant shortages, suffering heavy casualties.
Not only had no reinforcements arrived, but twenty thousand unscathed elite troops had now been withdrawn.
Morale within the city sank to its lowest point, while the Yan army outside launched another fierce assault under Xu Shan's command.
At last, once the first hardened Great Yan soldier scaled the walls, the battle began to turn into a rout.
Yan troops surged onto the battlements like a tide and stormed into the city.
The defending commander, Kliebu, died in battle. His elite soldiers were either killed or fled.
With Red Mountain Prefecture captured, Xu Shan's forces could now strike down from the heights and attack the two remaining prefectures, Longcheng Prefecture and Rising River Prefecture, from behind while other forces attacked from the front.
Previously, the two prefectures had needed only to exploit their terrain and mountain passes to block the Yan troops before them. Now, attacked from both front and rear, they teetered on the brink. Their fall was only a matter of time.
Once the remaining two prefectures fell, not only would the heartland of You Province lie open, but the armies of Bing Province, Liang Province, and Ji Province could unite. Then, not even an immortal could save the barbarians.
Inside You Province City.
Hu Hamu's face was deathly pale. Broken tables and chairs, wine jugs, and documents littered the floor at his feet.
He had never imagined that Red Mountain Prefecture would fall mere days after he withdrew troops, leaving the other two prefectures in imminent danger as well.
"Marshal,