With him leading the way, the remaining men immediately gained spirits.
Though outnumbered, they still charged towards the city gates, unmindful of life and death.
"This man is fated not to die!"
Watching the men around Zhang Xiaochun still fighting fiercely at this point, even Wanyan Zonghan couldn't help but praise them.
A normal army, with casualties exceeding thirty percent and not yet breaking, was already considered a strong force.
But these men around Zhang Xiaochun, knowing they were doomed yet fighting on, were beyond comparison with mere "strong troops."
"Beat the gongs to retreat!"
After a deep breath, Wanyan Zonghan once again let out a long sigh.
"Marshal! We have the overwhelming advantage now, and we can surely take them all!"
Hearing Wanyan Zonghan's words, even Wanyan Loushi couldn't help but speak up.
"We can defeat these men, but what then? Since he dared to come, everything in the city must be in place. I don't have a second Tie Futu for you to waste. Since you cannot break the city, why needlessly endanger his life!"
Wanyan Zonghan spoke, his gaze once again filled with admiration as he looked at Zhang Xiaochun.
"He is our enemy!"
"He can become one of us! An army is easily found, but a general is rare!"
As soon as Wanyan Loushi finished speaking, Wanyan Zonghan cut him off.
From beginning to end, he had made no secret of his appreciation for Zhang Xiaochun.
"Yes!"
Though unwilling, Wanyan Loushi ultimately said nothing more.
"Dang—dang—dang—"
Just as Wanyan Yinsukuo's lips curved into a sneer, impatiently anticipating Zhang Xiaochun's death, a gong signal for retreat suddenly sounded from behind.
"What is happening? Why are we retreating?"
Hearing the gong, Wanyan Yinsukuo's eyes instantly reddened.
His soldiers had already suffered nearly seventy percent casualties, and along with the three hundred Tie Futu, not a single one had retreated.
If they withdrew now, he would have lost face entirely.
"It seems the Grand Marshal has given the order!"
Glancing back in the direction of the rear, his副将 (fùjiàng - deputy general) standing beside him quickly whispered.
"Retreat!"
Taking a deep breath, Wanyan Yinsukuo finally gritted his teeth and spat out the words.
At his command, the督战队 (dūzhànduì - supervising troops) who had been relentlessly forcing the surrendered soldiers to attack finally lowered their sabers.
Instantly, all the surrendered soldiers gathered beneath the city walls withdrew.
Only beneath the city ramparts remained the wounded soldiers, unable to move, and the corpses trampled into mud.
"They just left like that?"
Watching the enemy forces, which had been like a surging tide, suddenly retreat, even Zhang Xiaochun was stunned.
They had clearly reached their limit, and had the enemy persisted for just a little longer, not a single one of them would have made it back.
Yet at this moment, they had retreated?
"Sir, can we retreat into the city first?"
Although the situation was full of doubts, seeing the corpses strewn with blood, Zhang Ruhui said with a bitter smile.
"Back to the city!"
Clearing his throat somewhat awkwardly, Zhang Xiaochun also shouted the order to return.
As the city gate reopened, Zhang Xiaochun, leading the hundred-plus surviving soldiers, re-entered Taiyuan City.
"Long live Sir! Long live Great Song!"
"Long live Sir! Long live Great Song!"
"Long live Sir! Long live Great Song!" kanδん
The moment the city gates closed, the entire Taiyuan City erupted into a sea of joy.
Although no one knew how this victory had come about, victory was victory.
Zhang Xiaochun, covered in blood, was carried by the celebrating soldiers all the way back to the Grand Parade Ground.
"Father!"
Seeing Zhang Xiaochun return, Zhang Ji instantly burst into tears.
"It's alright, I'm back, aren't I?"
Looking at the tear stains on his son's face, Zhang Xiaochun was also deeply moved.
Having faced death, he himself now felt a chill of lingering fear.
"Sir, look!"
After the jubilant crowd dispersed, Wang Bing, his face beaming with joy, led dozens of large carts to Zhang Xiaochun.
"These are the Tie Futu?"
Looking at the heavy armor worn by the corpses, a hint of excitement flashed in Zhang Xiaochun's eyes.
These were the elite of the elite!
"That's right, a full three hundred Tie Futu, and nearly two thousand true Jin soldiers!"
As Wang Bing spoke, the wrinkles on his face crinkled with laughter.
The most elite troops of the entire Jin army, they had used the nation's strength to forge three thousand men. On the very first day, they had taken down three hundred, along with over two thousand true Jin soldiers. If they could ultimately defend Taiyuan City, this achievement alone would be enough to propel them to great heights.
"Although they retreated today, today's events have exposed many weaknesses in our city defenses. You will need to arrange the specific matters! Tell me whatever you need, and I will tear down Taiyuan City itself to get it for you!"
After a burst of euphoria, Zhang Xiaochun finally regained his composure.
This was only the first day. Given the current troop deployment of the imperial court, reinforcements would likely take at least half a month to arrive.
If they couldn't hold on until the reinforcements arrived, what would be the point of even the most brilliant current achievements?
"Rest assured, Sir, I have already arranged for preparations on the city walls. The Jin forces were merely making a probing attack today. What we lack most now is manpower!"
Despite the brilliant results, Wang Bing understood in his heart that these glorious achievements had come at a heavy cost in casualties. In less than a day since the Jin began their attack, they had already lost over a thousand men. Although, on the surface, they had the advantage in the casualty ratio, they were defending the city. If Zhang Xiaochun had not risked his life to break out today, their casualties would likely have been even greater.
"Manpower shortages can be supplemented, but the combat strength of these men..."
Zhang Xiaochun fell silent at this point. The Tie Army in Taiyuan had all been taken away by Tong Guan. They could only rely on the common people within the city. Although Taiyuan was located in the northwest, its people were known for their ferocity and martial spirit, yet they both understood that under these circumstances, sending untrained militia to the city walls would be nothing short of murder...
"I believe the elders and folks of Taiyuan will understand. However, the matters within the city still require your oversight. We may have to prepare for a long siege. You must also consider the grain and water within the city."