The Korean army in Xiangcheng was unaware of the changes within the city. Even if they knew, they wouldn't care. They had received definitive intelligence that the defending force in Xiangcheng numbered only a thousand. This was precisely why they had chosen a less-traveled path, leading three thousand troops to flank the Qin army's rear. If Xiangcheng fell, and the Korean front lines could be reconnected, the Korean forces would have a chance to defeat the Qin army. Coincidentally, the main Qin forces were engaged elsewhere, and Xiangcheng's garrison was depleted – a golden opportunity.
The Korean commander personally led the charge. "Everyone, charge with me!" he roared. "Their archers are insufficient; disregard their arrows. We will break through Xiangcheng's gate!"
The vanguard's charge successfully drew Xiangcheng's defensive fire. The Korean commander, observing this, understood the true strength of Xiangcheng's defenders. He noticed the meager number of archers, a realization that victory was imminent. With that, he led a large cavalry contingent directly towards Xiangcheng's main gate. Though they faced a hail of arrows, he easily evaded them. Within moments, his cavalry was close to Xiangcheng's gate.
"Attack! Break the gate!"
"Understood!"
At this command, several burly soldiers began ramming the gate with thick battering rams.
*Thud!*
*Thud!*
*Thud!*
The heavy thuds of the battering ram made the Qin soldiers behind the gate's heart pound. Every man was tense. They weren't positioned behind the gate to withstand the impact directly, but instead, weapons in hand, they waited to charge out. On the city walls, Qin soldiers frantically rolled down logs and hurled stones, crushing many attacking Koreans. Yet, the pounding on the gate continued.
After ten solid impacts, a ray of light suddenly appeared before the Qin soldiers in the city. Cheers erupted from the Korean army outside. "It's broken! We've broken Xiangcheng's gate!"
This cry immediately spurred the Korean army into action. "Charge! Everyone, flood into Xiangcheng!"
However, the Qin forces within Xiangcheng reacted even faster. "Kill!!"
Without a word, Li Yinghao led his men out. They had long prepared for a desperate battle, and now that it had begun, they had no intention of retreating. Like a sharp arrow, they shot out from Xiangcheng, directly at the Korean forces. This sudden sortie caught the Korean army by surprise. Some Korean soldiers were beheaded before they could react. Many more found themselves in a state of panic.
But the Korean commander, observing from near the gate, saw clearly as Li Yinghao led the Qin army's charge. He immediately understood: the moment the gate fell, it was time to fight desperately. "All soldiers, listen to my command! Xiangcheng is within reach! No one retreats even an inch! Kill!!"
"Kill!"
The commander's orders provided direction for the soldiers. Before the command, the Korean soldiers had been somewhat disorganized, but with the order, they knew what to do. In the next moment, they charged towards Li Yinghao and his men like a frenzied tide. The dense ranks advanced like a human sea, making it difficult to breathe. Li Yinghao and his men felt immense pressure.
Yet, even so, they did not falter. Taking a deep breath, Li Yinghao roared, "Sons of Great Qin, we fight to the death and do not retreat!"
"Fight to the death and do not retreat!"
The gate had been breached, and Li Yinghao and his men were prepared to fight to the last. In their charge, they plunged into the enemy ranks, engaging in a fierce melee. Their swords danced rapidly, striking down any enemy they saw. In a short time, Li Yinghao had felled three opponents. But as he moved to engage a fourth, a long sword suddenly thrust from his flank, stabbing him in the abdomen. Had Li Yinghao not dodged quickly, and if not for his armor, he might have been disemboweled on the spot. Even so, the wound reduced his combat effectiveness by at least thirty percent, putting him in grave danger.
The situation for the others was not much better. Many had fallen, while numerous others, despite grievous wounds, continued to fight. Some, with severed limbs, still engaged the enemy. Blood stained every warrior. Soldiers from the city walls descended, unwilling to watch their comrades fall without joining the fight. Even the archers abandoned their bows, taking up Qin swords to fight. Their participation intensified the ferocity of the battle.
Ultimately, however, the Qin forces within Xiangcheng were too few. By the end, only about a hundred men remained alive. Those still standing were all severely wounded, bleeding profusely. Yet, even in this state, they stood with their swords held high, not a single one having retreated. Their enemies, however, still numbered close to two thousand. This overwhelming disparity placed Li Yinghao and his men in a desperate situation.
"Since ancient times, the great path calls, regardless of fortune!"
"For the eternal reign of Great Qin, my life is a small price to pay!"
"Today, Li Yinghao dedicates his loyalty to Great Qin!!"
Accompanying Li Yinghao's words was a solemn battle hymn.
"Brave Qin, together we face calamity.
Brave Qin, we reclaim our land.
Our blood will not dry, our fight will not cease!
To the west of Great Qin, rising like the sun.
A century of grievances, etched deep by time!"
...
"Our blood will not dry, our fight will not cease" – this was Li Yinghao's resolve. It was their final song. The Korean soldiers, hearing this, showed little outward reaction, merely gripping their swords tighter. They knew their next task was to eliminate the remaining Qin soldiers. Then, Xiangcheng would belong to Korea. With Xiangcheng taken, Korea's battle lines would be continuous, and their defenses strengthened. Therefore, even though Li Yinghao and his men were preparing for their final stand, the Koreans still had to fight.
The Korean commander then issued the order to kill. "Kill!!"
However, just as he gave this command, a distinct Qin dialect voice rang out from behind them.
"How can one say there are no clothes?"
"To share the same armor."
"The king leads the army, sharpen our spears and halberds."
"To share the same hatred!"
"How can one say there are no clothes?"
"To share the same dew."
"The king leads the army, sharpen our spears and lances."
"To march together!"
"How can one say there are no clothes?"
"To share the same robes."
"The king leads the army, sharpen our armored weapons."
"To march together!"
...
Qin style, "Wu Yi." Reinforcements have arrived.
...