You have truly caused me great suffering!

Chapter 66 The Brilliance of a Famous General
Tong Guan acted very unfairly this time.

However, it is undeniable that Chen Shao obtained too many supplies from him.

This is where Han Shizhong's confidence comes from.

Looking at the Xia soldiers who had been driven back by the divine crossbow, Han Shizhong asked, "How many are left?"

"At this rate of shooting, we can last for another two days."

Han Shizhong nodded without speaking. He knew he would probably have to use this powerful weapon again at a crucial moment.

He stared intently at the few remaining bridge piers still standing in the moat, seemingly bobbing up and down in the pounding of the river.

These things must be burned completely, otherwise the Xia soldiers will come and build a bridge to raid the camp again.

On the stockade wall, several veterans were carrying their comrade's body down.

Han Shizhong knew he couldn't go during the day, as the Xia bandits' arrows could shoot extremely far; he had to go at night.

These Western Xia soldiers, along with Song siege weapons they somehow acquired, retreated and then used the weapons from a distance to begin throwing stones.

In order to deliver good news to Emperor Huizong in the New Year, Tong Guan forcibly ordered the five routes of Shaanxi to launch an attack, seize Shuofang, and threaten Xingqing Prefecture.

Not only did they force Liu Fa to his death, they also sent him countless machines. After the Western Xia took these machines, they were able to develop similar ones in a short time.

The Song, Western Xia, and Liao dynasties all had well-equipped workshops, unlike the barbarian tribes that relied on fishing and hunting for survival.

The Song soldiers hid in a corner of the stockade wall, resting with their weapons.

Everyone had some doubts, but no one voiced them.

Where are the reinforcements?
fifth day.

At Mugua Village, where Chen Shao was located, two of the five fortified villages had already been breached.

Xingqing Village and Mugua Village are still struggling to survive.

Most of the people in the fortress moved to the mountains and forests behind it, where various traps had already been dug, and of course, there was also a place to stay.

I never imagined that after arriving in the Northern Song Dynasty, I would have to go up the mountain to fight as a guerrilla.

The good news is that the spring rains, which had stopped for a few days, have returned.

Chen Shaoqing couldn't help but look westward, but he couldn't see anything beyond the rain and mist; all he could see was a white expanse of raindrops.

Suddenly, the sound of horses' hooves pounding in the mud rang out, and Chen Shao couldn't help but tighten his grip on the spear in his hand.

As they got closer, they discovered that it was Han Shizhong riding up on horseback. After dismounting, his tall figure walked towards them.

He was carrying the young officer from the sentry post. His red robe was long gone, he was covered in mud and water, and his trousers were torn at the bottom. He was being dragged over by Han Shizhong, looking weak and listless.

Behind them were dozens of soldiers, all dressed in tattered clothes, but the bloodstains on their bodies were washed away in the heavy rain and were not too conspicuous.

Han Shizhong laughed from afar, "This kid was trying to run away, and I just happened to run into him on the road."

His voice was still full of energy, making people's ears ring.

Although the battle became increasingly difficult, Han Shizhong's condition improved.

It was as if some talent had been activated in him; this man was growing rapidly. After all, he was a formidable figure who could go toe-to-toe with the Jurchens at their peak; the strength of the Western Xia was not enough to defeat him.

A great general is a great general. In five thousand years of history, only a handful of them have left a few traces. Those who leave a lasting mark are certainly not ordinary people.

The deserter, who had been sullen, immediately knelt in the mud when he saw Chen Shao, his voice trembling with sobs: "Commander Chen, why aren't the reinforcements here yet! You are a favorite of Commander Xuan, please lead us to retreat."

"withdraw?"

Chen Shao flew into a rage. "Our brothers risked their lives, and wealth is right before our eyes! You want us to retreat?" A soldier who had been lying weakly beside Chen Shao stood up and slapped him across the face. "I've already killed eight! The commander said that if we hold out, the commander's position is secure! You want me to retreat? I'll let you retreat! I'll let you retreat!"

This soldier was quite interesting; even at this moment, he didn't forget to remind Chen Shao not to overlook his contribution.

It can only be said that the people of this place have a deep-seated desire for military merit.

The people around him seemed to have found an outlet for their anger, and they started punching and kicking him.

Chen Shao felt a pang of pity and gave Zhao He a meaningful look. Zhao He understood immediately, and with a sudden burst of strength, he stabbed Zhao He to death with his spear.

There are bound to be deserters these days, especially since reinforcements haven't arrived yet, and some people are already panicking.

However, most people remained steadfast in their belief that at least there was plenty of food to eat here. The mess sheds were built by cutting down trees, with a layer of tarpaulin first laid on top, and then thick layers of thatch piled up, so that not a drop of rain could get in. Four large stoves were dug inside the mess sheds, and the aroma of steaming millet porridge wafted out every day.

For many, it's better to stay here and fight to the death than to escape and starve.

People who have experienced hunger have no resistance to a life where they are fed at every meal; it can even outweigh their fear of life and death on the battlefield.

Chen Shao looked at Han Shizhong and asked, "Han Wu, what brings you here?"

Because of the moat, the two fortified villages can rotate their defenses back and forth.

Han Shizhong often came over, but Chen Shao rarely went because he was too weak.

With the fighting so intense, Han Shizhong was no longer worried about having spies in his camp, as there was simply no opportunity to plant them.

He shouted, "Commander, I want to raid the camp again and dampen the spirits of these scoundrels."

Chen Shao looked up, his eyebrows furrowed, his mouth agape, his face full of question marks.

Looking at the five fortified villages built against the mountains and by the water from afar, Richard felt no less annoyed than Han Shizhong and Chen Shao.

His unease grew stronger; he didn't know why, but the Song army's reinforcements hadn't arrived yet.

But just because it didn't come doesn't mean it won't come.

Richard had considered quitting several times, but considering the situation in Western Xia, he gritted his teeth and persevered time and time again.

Like Chen Shao and the others, he was also living towards death.

After breaching this makeshift defense, they were not greeted with victory.

That's the real challenge.

In other words, they have not yet qualified to fight against the main force of the Song army.

Time is not on their side.

Every passing moment meant he was one step closer to failure.

Watching the troops retreat again, Richard suddenly laughed and said, "The Song people are cowardly, only daring to shoot crossbows. I see that their crossbows are becoming increasingly scarce, so their stockpile must be running low!"

Upon hearing this, the people around regained some morale.

At certain times, people become unwilling to think for themselves, and a single sentence from a powerful figure can make them believe it without question.
-
The night was cool and still. In the courtyard of the inn in Wujiao Town, Qingzhou, the shadows of the trees swayed in the moonlight.

From the northern joint camp, the sound of horses' hooves could be heard in the distance.

The night was quiet, yet tinged with a sense of dread.

Several guards, with their swords at their sides, patrolled the entrance to the inner courtyard, occasionally glancing back at the brightly lit side rooms in the courtyard.

Under the lamplight, Tong Guan read the battle reports from the front lines over and over again.

They held on, they actually held on again!
(End of this chapter)