Shuyang Prefecture
Misty rain veiled the sky. The ancient city lay desolate. By the crumbling walls, firelight burned bright and the banners hung tattered. The moat had long been filled into a broad passage, and dozens of wooden-wheeled carts were pushed forward and set beneath the walls.
At the connecting pivots, the winches were disengaged and pulled. The main ladders, which had lain tilted and fallen, gradually rose upright and slowly leaned against the stone walls.
Then the auxiliary ladders were raised in the same fashion.
"Charge!"
Bloodwater stank as it mingled with sweat. Along the slanting siege ladders, soldiers climbed like ants, each bearing protective gear over his head.
"Loose!"
A rain of arrows shot down from the wall. Pushing poles extended outward, and from time to time great cauldrons of golden broth came crashing down like rain. Steam billowed amid shrieks of agony. Bodies fell from above, piling crosswise against one another beneath the walls into a small mound.
"Whoosh—"
The Thunder Chariots fired. A massive stone flew over the siege ladders with a shriek and plunged into the city.
Thud—
Heavy impacts rose and fell one after another.
A stretch of figures vanished from the city wall at once. An overpowering stench of blood blew in on the wind, mingled with the rain threads, carrying a faint, sickly sweetness.
Some stones landed on the wall, smashing cracks of every size into it.
Several hundred Thunder Chariots had attacked day and night without rest for half a month. No matter how sturdy the commandery city was, it was gradually unable to endure.
After another half hour of fighting, war drums sounded from the distant camp, each beat striking directly against their hearts.
This wave of the Zheng Army receded like the tide.
The defenders on the wall immediately