Dapeng's Time Travel Life

Chapter 25: Dawn's Counterattack

The darkness before dawn was thick and inky, pressing heavily on the border city walls, standing in stark contrast to the flickering firelight in the enemy camp in the distance. Zhang Peng stood atop the city wall, the cold wind whipping his cloak, making it flutter like a burning battle flag. His gaze was fixed on the enemy camp, his brow furrowed, yet his eyes shone with unwavering determination, as if he wanted to pierce through the darkness and uncover every conceivable plot of the enemy.

"General, all units are in position and awaiting your orders." Lieutenant Li Ming strode over, his voice deliberately low, yet unable to conceal his tension and anticipation.

Zhang Peng nodded slightly and said in a deep voice, "Pass down the order: we must remain vigilant and not slacken our efforts in the slightest. The enemy is cunning and may launch an attack at any time."

The words had barely left his lips when a sudden commotion erupted in the distant enemy camp. War drums thundered, shattering the silence of the night. Immediately afterward, countless torches, like raging fiery serpents, snaked their way towards the city walls. Zhang Peng's expression hardened, and he shouted, "The enemy is here! Prepare for battle!"

In an instant, horns sounded from the city walls, and soldiers quickly took their positions, weapons in hand, their eyes fixed firmly on the city below. The enemy army soon arrived at the city walls, pushing their massive siege engines like ferocious beasts, advancing step by step.

"Loose the arrows!" Zhang Peng commanded, and a volley of arrows rained down from the city walls upon the enemy. The enemy soldiers raised their shields to defend themselves, but many were still struck by arrows and fell to the ground. Undeterred, they continued to advance their siege equipment.

The massive battering ram pounded heavily against the city gate, producing a dull thud that sent shivers down the spines of the soldiers on the walls. Seeing this, Zhang Peng immediately ordered, "Throw rolling logs and stones!"

The soldiers struggled to push logs and boulders off the city wall, hurling them at the enemy. Screams filled the enemy ranks, and many siege weapons were destroyed. However, the enemy quickly adjusted their tactics, sending elite soldiers to scale the wall using ladders.

On the city wall, a fierce hand-to-hand battle ensued. Enemy soldiers, fearless and relentless, charged forward wave after wave. Zhang Peng, wielding a long sword, personally led the charge, fighting the enemy. His swordsmanship was fierce and ruthless; each swing carried the power to split mountains and shatter rocks, and enemy soldiers fell one after another before him.

"General, be careful!" Li Ming suddenly cried out. Zhang Peng dodged to the side, avoiding a sneak attack from an enemy soldier. He then swung his sword and killed the soldier.

The battle intensified, and casualties among the soldiers on the city walls steadily increased. Zhang Peng was frantic with worry; he knew that if things continued this way, the walls would eventually be breached. Just then, he noticed a commotion at the rear of the enemy's attacking force.

It turned out that the troops responsible for harassing the enemy's supply lines had successfully cut off their food supply lines, throwing the enemy's rear into chaos. Seeing this, Zhang Peng was overjoyed and immediately seized this fleeting opportunity, loudly ordering, "Open the city gates and go out to meet them!"

The city gates slowly opened, and Zhang Peng led his elite troops forward like tigers descending a mountain, charging towards the enemy. Caught off guard by this sudden attack, the enemy was thrown into chaos.

Zhang Peng brandished his long sword, charging left and right through the enemy ranks, causing them to crumble wherever he went. His figure was like a sharp blade, piercing straight to the enemy's heart. Inspired, the soldiers' morale soared, and they fought with all their might against the enemy.

At the same time, the troops lying in ambush outside the city launched a surprise attack from the flank. They descended like divine soldiers, quickly breaking through the enemy's defenses and forming an encirclement with the troops on the city walls.

The enemy was attacked from both sides and was completely cornered. Their generals attempted to organize a counterattack, but the soldiers' morale had already collapsed, and they scattered and fled. Zhang Peng pressed his advantage, leading his soldiers to drive the enemy several miles away.

On the battlefield, smoke filled the air, and the setting sun, like blood, bathed the ravaged land. Zhang Peng gazed at the retreating enemy army, let out a long sigh of relief, and his tense nerves finally relaxed. This victory was hard-won, bought with the blood and lives of countless soldiers.

Back in the city, the soldiers cheered and celebrated their hard-won victory. Zhang Peng, however, did not slacken his efforts. He immediately organized his soldiers to clear the battlefield, treat the wounded, and reinforce the city walls.

As night fell, the city was brightly lit. Zhang Peng summoned his generals in his tent. Looking at their tired yet excited faces, he said in a deep voice, "Although we have repelled the enemy this time, they will certainly not give up easily. We must be fully prepared to meet the challenges ahead."

The generals nodded in unison, their eyes filled with determination. Li Ming said, "General, rest assured, we will hold the border firmly and not yield an inch of land!"

Zhang Peng nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over everyone: "Next, we need to redeploy our defenses, strengthen patrols, and at the same time try to contact the imperial court to request support."

After the meeting, Zhang Peng walked out of the tent alone. He gazed at the city lights, his heart filled with worry. He wondered when this war would end, and he thought of Xia Lijuan, who was far away in the capital, wondering if she was alright.

Suddenly, a soldier rushed up and handed him a letter: "General, a letter from the capital!"

Zhang Peng's heart tightened, and he quickly took the letter. He opened the envelope, and familiar handwriting came into view; it was a letter from Xia Lijuan. In the letter, Xia Lijuan expressed her longing and concern for him, while also encouraging him to stay at the border and take care of himself.

As Zhang Peng read the letter, a slight smile appeared on his lips, and a warm feeling welled up in his heart. He knew that no matter how many difficulties and obstacles lay ahead, he could not back down, for the sake of the country, for the sake of the people, and for the sake of Xia Lijuan.

He carefully put the letter away, turned around and went back to his tent, ready to face a new day and new challenges.