"Throw the rolling logs!""Drop the stones!""Where's the boiling oil? Hurry!"
As Han soldiers surged up the siege ladders, the assault began in full force.
Logs and stones crashed down from the walls, smashing the climbers and sending them tumbling. But the attackers showed no fear—those who fell were immediately replaced by fresh troops climbing up behind them. Above, commoners rushed supplies to the defenders without pause.
It became a brutal contest: whether the Han forces could replace their fallen faster, or the defenders could keep their weapons supplied.
"Swordsmen! Axemen! Cut down the ladders!"
Zhang Xin moved along the wall, spear in one hand, short axe in the other, eyes sharp for any opening. When he spotted one, he stepped forward and hacked at the ladders, splintering wood with a few precise strikes. If a soldier managed to climb onto the wall, Zhang Xin was already there—his spear flashing as he cut the man down.
The battle raged until noon.
At last, with every siege ladder destroyed, the Han army was forced to withdraw.
"Victory!"
Standing atop the wall, Zhang Xin raised his voice."The Azure Heaven is dead—the Yellow Heaven shall rise!"
"The Azure Heaven is dead! The Yellow Heaven shall rise!"
The defenders echoed him, their cries rolling across the battlements.
"Victory! Victory! Victory!"
Below, commoners quickly brought up food while others carried the corpses down from the walls with practiced efficiency.
Zhang Xin sat on the battlement, a bowl of noodle soup in hand, staring at the enemy camp in the distance, his brows tightly furrowed.
He had just spoken with the head of the laborers. Supplies were nearly gone.
If the Han army attacked again, it would come down to close combat.
And once that happened…
At most, three days.
Given the Yellow Turbans' fighting strength, the city would not last longer than that.
"…It's time to leave."
He let out a long breath.
He had joined the Yellow Turbans for one reason only—Zhang Bao had saved his life when he was at his lowest, curing his illness and giving him food. For that kindness, Zhang Xin had once believed he could help change their fate.
But the tide of history could not be reversed.
Before the rebellion began, he had warned Zhang Jiao that Tang Zhou was untrustworthy. Instead of listening, Zhang Jiao had flown into a rage and nearly had him executed as a sacrifice. If not for Zhang Bao's intervention, he would have died then.
Later, when choosing a stronghold, Zhang Bao selected Lower Quyang.
Zhang Xin had advised against it.
"Surrounded by water on three sides—it's easy to defend, but just as easy to trap ourselves. If the Han army blocks the river, we'll be turtles in a jar."
Zhang Bao ignored him.
Instead, he was sent to guard the walls.
Lower Quyang… Zhang Jiao's homeland.
After Tang Zhou's betrayal, the imperial court had exterminated Zhang Jiao's entire clan. Zhang Bao was determined to reclaim the place for revenge.
After that, Zhang Xin gave up all hope.
He would repay his debt—and then leave.
"I held off Dong Zhuo and Guo Dian for you.""I've held this city for over ten days against Huangfu Song."
His gaze hardened.
"My debt is repaid. I want to live. I won't be buried with the Yellow Turbans."
He glanced at the sun. It was nearing late afternoon.
The Han army showed no signs of attacking again. Instead, their soldiers were busy cutting wood—likely preparing new ladders.
No attack today.
Zhang Xin called over a trusted soldier."Keep watch. Report immediately if the enemy moves."
"Yes!"
He descended the wall, mounted his horse, and rode into the city.
Soon, he arrived at a small courtyard and knocked.
The gate opened.
A woman stood there—around twenty-seven or twenty-eight, though her well-kept appearance made her seem younger. Her name was Liu Hua, from Hejian, born into a scholarly family.
Once, she had lived a peaceful life with her husband and two sons.
Then the plague came. Her husband died.
This year, while visiting relatives, bandits attacked. She survived only because of her beauty. Her sons… did not.
Zhang Xin had happened upon the scene and saved her.
Since then, she had lived here under his protection.
Though his body was only sixteen, his mind was that of a man past thirty. To him, her age felt… just right.
"General, you're back!" Liu Hua's face lit up. "Are you hurt?"
"I'm just a minor commander," Zhang Xin said with a chuckle, pinching her cheek as he led his horse inside. "What general?"
"In my eyes, you are," she replied with a smile.
Zhang Xin laughed. "You're better at sweet talk than anyone I know."
He waved a hand. "Boil some water. I want to bathe."
After washing away the grime of battle, he stepped out to find Liu Hua by the well, washing vegetables.
For a moment, he simply watched her.
After a day filled with blood and death, the quiet warmth of this scene felt almost unreal.
He stepped forward, lifted her into his arms.
"General! I'm cooking…" she protested softly, tapping his chest.
"Cooking what?" he grinned. "Aren't you the finest dish here?"
"It's still daytime…"
"I don't care."
…
Later, Liu Hua lay against him, her breathing soft.
"You're getting stronger and stronger," she murmured.
Zhang Xin coughed lightly, embarrassed, and quickly changed the subject.
"Sister Hua, pack the valuables. Prepare dry rations. We leave tonight."
Her eyes lit up. "We're leaving?"
"Yes."
"But the city is surrounded—how will we get out?"
"The enemy is using 'surround three, leave one open.' The west gate is unguarded."
"And the ambush?"
"There's a mountain path nearby. We'll slip into the hills."
"The guards?"
"I've arranged it. One of them will come with us."
Liu Hua nodded, reassured. She kissed his cheek.
"Once we're out, come back to my hometown with me. My father has influence—he can get you a county post."
Zhang Xin smiled. "Then I'll be in your debt again."
He pulled her close and kissed her.
"Wait… I still need to pack…"
"We'll pack later."
"A Xin! A Xin!"
A voice suddenly called from outside the courtyard.
Zhang Xin froze.
The Han army? No—that wasn't right.
His men wouldn't call him that.
Only one group used that name.
Zhang Bao's personal guards.
His eyes narrowed.
…Had his plan been discovered?