I summon all the famous generals in history in another world

Chapter 1503 The Mongol Feigned Attack on Zhao Dayi

Si Hanfei's lips curled into a faint smile, the black aura at the tip of the spear appearing and disappearing in the morning light.

"A feint attack must look like a feint attack. We didn't get enough of that old devil Huang Shang yesterday, so we can play with him again today and also probe the strength of the city walls."

As they spoke, the 10,000 Mongol cavalry below the walls of Fengzhou had formed a loose siege formation. Unlike the dense charging formations of the past, today's formation was extremely spread out, with thousands of prisoners being driven by scimitars behind the front cavalry.

These prisoners were still a mix of the elderly, women, children, and young men, their faces filled with numbness and fear. The weapons in their hands were still rusty knives and spears, and some even held broken wooden sticks, looking as if they had been driven to the brink of despair.

"Beat the drums! Attack the city!"

At Tolui's command, the war drums of the Mongol camp thundered. Although the drums were loud, they lacked the indomitable spirit of the Mongol army and instead sounded like a deliberate clamor.

The Mongol cavalry below the city spurred their horses and slowly approached the city wall, while the prisoners were caught in the middle, crying and groaning as they moved forward.

On the city wall, Zhao Kuangyin was already standing beside the parapet. The frost on his black armor had not yet melted. He squinted his hawk-like eyes and stared intently at the movements below the city.

"General, the Mongols' formation today is rather strange."

“In the past, when they attacked a city, their cavalry would charge in dense formations, but today they are spread out like this, which doesn’t seem like they are going to launch a full-scale attack.”

Pan Mei, holding a horn bow, walked to Zhao Kuangyin's side, his brows furrowed.

"I noticed it too. They withdrew their troops very quickly yesterday, and they came back so hastily today. This siege seems more like a formality."

Zhao Kuangyin nodded slowly, his fingertips tracing the arrow holes on the battlements.

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the prisoners being driven away.

"And look at those prisoners, the Mongols aren't driving them away in a hurry, it's as if they're deliberately letting them stall for time."

The defenders on the city wall were already in full battle array, with arrows nocked and logs and stones piled up like mountains.

Although the soldiers guarding the prefectures and counties were still tired after yesterday's bloody battle, they had gained more courage and their hands holding weapons no longer trembled. Not long ago, Zhao Kuangyin's decisive order to shoot prisoners made them understand that in chaotic times, mercy cannot buy life, and only fighting to the death can protect them.

"Fire arrows!"

With shouts from the guards, arrows rained down from the city walls, striking the Mongol cavalry and the prisoners.

The Mongol cavalry were prepared and raised their shields to block the arrows. Most of the arrows landed on the shields, making a crisp "clanging" sound.

The prisoners became easy targets, falling to the ground screaming as they were struck by arrows. Their cries and screams mingled together, making one's heart clench.

"Advance the battering rams! Set up the ladders! Make a big show of force!"

Tolui remained expressionless, ignoring the casualties among the prisoners, and loudly issued orders.

More than ten battering rams, propelled by infantry, slowly moved toward the city gate. The wooden planks of the battering rams were covered with thick, wet cowhide, which ordinary arrows could not penetrate.

Ladders were erected one after another on the city wall. Mongol soldiers climbed up the ladders, but they were knocked down by the defenders on the city wall after only climbing halfway. There was no sign of them fighting a desperate attack.

The battle raged on the city wall when a silver-white figure suddenly leaped up from the Mongol army ranks and shot towards the city wall like an arrow. It was Si Hanfei!
As usual, he carried his fine steel spear, the spear shaft shrouded in black mist, his inner strength surging around him. He completely ignored the arrows shot from the city wall and landed steadily on the city wall.

"Old Daoist Huang Shang, we didn't get enough of our sparring yesterday, so let's have another match today!"

Si Hanfei's voice was loud and clear, echoing throughout the entire city wall. He swung his steel spear with a sudden movement, and black energy condensed into a sharp force that swept towards the defenders on the city wall.

The defending soldiers were shocked and raised their shields to defend themselves, but they were instantly blasted away by the force of the energy, spitting blood and falling to the ground.

"You Mongol traitors, you have repeatedly invaded; today I will make you die on the walls of Fengzhou!"

Just then, a figure dressed in a Taoist robe flashed by, appearing before Si Hanfei like a ghost, a cold claw aimed straight at Si Hanfei's heart. "Well done!"

A fighting spirit flashed in Si Hanfei's eyes, and he swept his steel spear horizontally, colliding with Huang Chang's claw shadow.

Huang Shang's "Nine Yin Manual" is subtle and unpredictable, and the Nine Yin Divine Claw is agile and elusive, with each move aimed directly at Si Hanfei's vital points. On the other hand, Si Hanfei's spear technique is fierce and domineering, and he wields the steel spear with unparalleled skill, each swing accompanied by a whistling sound.

"Old Taoist Huang Shang, your martial arts are indeed extraordinary, but they are not enough to defeat me!"

Si Hanfei laughed loudly, unleashing his full inner energy. The black aura on the steel spear grew even denser, and he leaped forward, the spear tip pointing directly at Huang Chang's chest.

A ruthless glint flashed in Huang Shang's eyes, and his internal energy reversed its flow, as if he intended to exchange injury for injury.

At this critical moment, Si Hanfei suddenly twisted his wrist, and the steel spear grazed Huang Chang's shoulder. Then, he flashed and leaped down from the city wall.

"That's enough for today's sparring. I'll come back tomorrow to take your dog's life!"

Si Hanfei's voice came from the air, and his figure landed steadily on his warhorse, retreating towards the Mongol army formation.

"Mr. Huang Shang, are you alright?"

Zhao Kuangyin quickly stepped forward and asked with concern.

"It's nothing serious, just some superficial injuries. But Si Hanfei is acting strangely today. His moves seem fierce, but he always leaves room for maneuver. He doesn't seem like he's going to fight to the death."

Huang Shang shook his head and touched the faint bloodstains on his shoulder.

“I also feel something is wrong. The Mongols’ siege today was too perfunctory, and Sihanfei’s fight with you was like he was just completing a task. There must be a trap here.”

Zhao Kuangyin frowned even more deeply.

That afternoon, the Mongol army's feint attack gradually subsided, and Tolui led his army back to camp in an orderly manner. The whole process was smooth and without any panic.

Inside Fengzhou City, Zhao Kuangyin summoned advisors such as Shi Jingtang, Lü Yuqing, and Fan Zhi, as well as generals such as Pan Mei, Huyan Zan, Huyan Ping, and Shi Shouxin, to gather in the central command tent for a meeting.

"Gentlemen, what do you think of the Mongol siege today?"

Zhao Kuangyin spoke first, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.

“General, the Mongols’ attack on the city today is too strange. In the past, they attacked cities with fearlessness, but today they are just bluffing. Their formation is loose, and the soldiers show no signs of fighting to the death. Si Hanfei and Mr. Huang Shang’s fight was only to the point of exhaustion. This is definitely not their style.”

Shi Jingtang spoke first.

"General, General Shi is absolutely right. The Mongols are known for their cunning. Their actions today are probably part of a larger scheme."

"In my opinion, they are most likely stalling for time or trying to mislead us, hoping to launch a surprise attack when we are off guard."

Lu Yuqing stroked his beard and said in a deep voice.

“Mr. Lü is right. Now that the reinforcements from Qianzhou are about to arrive, the Mongols must know about it. If they cannot break through Fengzhou City as soon as possible, they will be attacked from both sides when the reinforcements arrive.”

"So their feigned attack today is likely intended to mislead us into thinking that they will not launch a full-scale attack on the city in the short term, thus making us lower our guard, and then launch a surprise attack at night."

Fan Zhi nodded in agreement.

Zhao Kuangyin nodded slowly. He had the same guess in his heart, but he wasn't entirely sure.

(End of this chapter)