Volume 1, Chapter 16: Taking a Head from a Thousand Meters Away!

That is right! The method Qin Feng taught Xu Qian was precisely the "creeping barrage." By adjusting the launch angle, force, and interval of the trebuchets, the stone projectiles were made to fall in a staggered, continuous sequence, creating a relentless assault that denied the enemy any chance to dodge or catch their breath.

Following Qin Feng’s command, the stones flew out like arrows released from a bow. They traced arcs through the sky, whistling sharply as they rained down upon the Xiongnu cavalry. The Xiongnu desperately whipped their horses into a frenzy, attempting to escape the bombardment. However, the creeping barrage ensured that stones were constantly falling in front of and around them, creating a lethal zone of absolute destruction. The Xiongnu cavalry dared not advance, nor could they easily maneuver to the sides; they were trapped in a confined space, waiting for death to descend.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The thunderous impacts were relentless. Each stone carried immense power, and wherever they landed, Xiongnu soldiers fell in droves, suffering horrific casualties. Within the span of a few minutes, the ten thousand Xiongnu cavalrymen were decimated, not one escaping the carnage.

"Ah! You despicable and shameless Imperial Army, I will never share the same sky as you!" Tuoba Liejun roared at the heavens, his voice echoing with boundless fury.

Before him, tens of thousands of Xiongnu cavalry lay scattered across the earth, blood spreading across the soil. Tuoba Liejun’s eye sockets seemed ready to split. He clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white, his body trembling violently with rage. He had never imagined that Suiye City—which he had viewed as a prize already in his grasp, a place he could flatten at will—would in just half a day destroy half of his left-wing army! Even his great general, Chaoketu, had fallen beneath the city walls! It was an absolute, crushing humiliation.

The surrounding Xiongnu generals stood in silence, their eyes fixed on Suiye City, a deep and uncontrollable fear flickering in their gazes. For some reason, the city seemed to have been reborn, transformed from a crumbling leaf in the wind into an indestructible fortress of steel.

"Amur!" Tuoba Liejun suppressed his anger, turned to the middle-aged man rushing toward him, and barked, "Lead the siege unit and smash the Imperial Army's shield formation!"

Amur was startled. He looked at the distant city, his thin, gaunt face pale with dread, and stammered, "Your Highness, the range of our trebuchets is at most three hundred meters. I fear..."

The Imperial Army’s trebuchets had a range of up to six hundred meters. Long before their own machines could get within three hundred meters of the city, they would likely be smashed to pieces, rendering them useless.

"Hmph!" Tuoba Liejun let out an angry snort. "I am dispatching thirty thousand cavalry to guard the siege unit. If you cannot smash their shield formation, do not bother returning!"

As long as he could break the Northern Army’s shield wall, he was confident that his mounted archers could use their range to deal a heavy blow to the Imperial Army. Although he had lost a great portion of his forces, victory was all that mattered. If he could take the city, he would at least be able to balance his failures against his gains, even if the Chanyu offered no rewards.

Amur’s small eyes darted about, his thoughts hidden, as he saluted: "As you command!" He turned to gather the siege unit, slowly moving the heavy trebuchets forward, ready to advance under the cover of the cavalry.

Meanwhile, on the walls of Suiye City, Qin Feng watched the miserable scene on the grasslands with a cold expression. He felt not a shred of pity. If the Xiongnu army were to take the city and pour into the interior of the Great Yu Empire, the bodies lying in pools of blood would be his own people. He could never allow that to happen!

"Your Highness!" Meng Jun walked onto the wall with a hearty laugh, looking exhilarated. "I have a gift for you."

"Hm?" Qin Feng pulled himself from his thoughts, momentarily confused, but he quickly realized what was happening. He caught a glimpse of Chaoketu’s remains below and recoiled, saying, "I don't need—"

Before he could finish, Meng Jun swung his arm, and a furry, round object was tossed toward him. Qin Feng scrambled backward, dodging the object while shouting, "Damn it! Meng Jun, you bastard!"

Thud!

The object hit the ground and rolled dozens of times before coming to a stop, facing Qin Feng directly. The sight of the wide, blood-streaked eyes made him almost vomit the roasted mutton he had eaten for lunch. He hadn't expected Meng Jun to actually keep his word and deliver the severed head of Chaoketu. Although he had seen many limbs and heads severed during the fighting, he had been too focused on the defense to dwell on it.

Now, however, with Chaoketu’s chilling, fearful gaze fixed directly on him, he couldn't help but feel a shiver run down his spine.

Meng Jun stepped forward, asking with a look of feigned innocence, "Your Highness, do you not like it?"

"What do you think?" Qin Feng rolled his eyes in annoyance.

Just as he was about to speak, Zhao Qiming seemed to notice something. He pointed forward and said, "Your Highness, the Xiongnu are on the move!"

Qin Feng looked over and saw the Xiongnu cavalry standing ready, with dozens of trebuchets behind them. A faint smile curled at the corners of his lips. "It seems they intend to use their trebuchets to storm the city!"

A few days ago, the soldiers of the Northern Army would have been filled with dread at such a sight, preparing for the worst. The debris and scattered stones on the streets of Suiye City were the result of the Xiongnu right-wing's trebuchets, which had caused homes to collapse and left many homeless. But now, there was no need for such fear. Standard trebuchets had a range of only three hundred meters; they would be smashed to pieces long before they could get within range of the city.

"Has Tuoba Liejun lost his mind? Isn't this just sending them to their deaths?" Meng Jun asked, puzzled.

Qin Feng scanned the field and replied, "It is indeed a death sentence, but not for the trebuchets—it is for the cavalry waiting to charge."

Meng Jun looked again and understood, exclaiming, "He wants to use the cavalry as bait to get the trebuchets into position?"

Qin Feng nodded slightly.

Meng Jun stroked his chin and said, "That doesn't make sense. Why not just ignore the cavalry and smash their trebuchets first? We have the archer battalions and the shield units; the cavalry won't be able to do anything even if they get close!" Compared to the cavalry, the dozens of trebuchets were clearly the greater threat, as the hand-held shields could not withstand a direct hit from a stone projectile.

"No need to go to such trouble," Qin Feng said with a calm smile. He waved his hand and told Xu Qian, "Xu Qian, prepare the Cloud-Piercing Crossbows. Let the Xiongnu see how the Northern Army takes a head from a thousand meters away!"

Xu Qian, having waited for this moment, did not hesitate. He gave the order, and the siege soldiers brought over several long, slender bolts, preparing to fire.

At that moment, Qin Feng’s gaze drifted to the severed head of Chaoketu, still staring intently from the corner. His brow furrowed, and he said, "Wait! Strap that thing to a bolt and send it back to the Xiongnu!"