Chapter 67: The Fall of Jiangxia

The situation had now become crystal clear.

The reason Huang Zu had launched a night attack on the main camp was to lure everyone out in pursuit. Once they chased him to this spot, so close to the water, the advantage would be his. He could strike at Liu Xie’s army from a distance, making use of the riverside terrain. But what he hadn’t expected was the appearance of Liu Xie’s arrow shields and the army’s swift response, which left his own forces in disarray and cost him dearly.

“Hurry, into the water!” Huang Zu shouted again.

At his command, the Jiangxia soldiers on the boats leapt into the river, using the cover of night and water to vanish without a trace.

“They’ve disappeared, my lord. What should we do?” one of the subordinates asked anxiously.

Liu Xie’s expression was grave. “No need to rush. Shield formation, spear phalanx, and crossbowmen—stay alert. If anyone surfaces, kill them at once.” He seemed to have understood Huang Zu’s intentions.

The scene grew eerily quiet. Every Jiangxia soldier was now hidden underwater, their positions unknown. Time ticked by. Eventually, there was movement on the water’s surface—less than a meter from the shield wall, thousands of Jiangxia soldiers suddenly emerged, launching a fierce assault.

“Shield wall, withdraw!” Liu Xie shouted the instant they appeared.

The shields at the water’s edge quickly pulled back, replaced by a wall of long spears, each several meters in length. Behind the spears, archers stood ready. The Jiangxia soldiers, expecting to face shields, were stunned to find themselves confronted by bristling spears and a hail of arrows the moment they surfaced.

“Attack!” Liu Xie commanded.

Spearmen and archers struck simultaneously. The soldiers who had just emerged from the water were felled before they could react. None of the first wave survived; those behind them were driven back into the river by the archers. Sensing defeat, many dove under again.

The shield wall was restored, and calm returned. Liu Xie’s army stood resolute, their eyes fixed on the water, watching for any further movement.

Far off, on a boat in the river, Huang Zu stood at the prow, his brow furrowed as he surveyed the scene.

“General, our surprise attack has failed. It seems the Nanyang army saw through our plan,” a soldier whispered.

Huang Zu pounded the boat’s side in frustration. “Curse that Liu Xie! How did he know we would try such a ploy?”

He had thought his plan foolproof—using the water and night as cover to slip close to Liu Xie’s forces and launch a sudden attack. Yet Liu Xie had anticipated his move, even lured him into it, setting the shield formation right by the river to draw him in and then springing the trap.

“What now, General?” his men asked.

Huang Zu took a deep breath and shook his head. “There’s no hope for us. Order the army to retreat.” He knew their chances of victory were gone.

On the riverbank, Liu Xie could sense the Jiangxia soldiers retreating underwater.

“Jiangxia’s navy is truly formidable,” Liu Xie murmured, unable to hide his admiration. Despite his victory tonight, he had to admit their strength. In a direct encounter on open water, he might not be their match. He respected them for it.

“They’ve withdrawn. It’s our turn to move. Prepare for an assault—tonight!” Liu Xie ordered.

He would not delay. There was no point in wasting time, for after Jiangxia, Nan Commandery awaited. He wanted to end this campaign swiftly.

News reached Jiangxia’s Prefectural Palace before Huang Zu had even rested from the retreat.

“General, it’s bad! The Nanyang army has mustered all its troops—they’re storming the city!”

Even as the soldier spoke, the roar of battle echoed outside.

“What? They’re attacking again?” Huang Zu was stunned. He had thought the night’s battle would suffice, but Liu Xie pressed the advantage, launching a full-scale assault without pause.

“Hold the defenses at all costs!” Huang Zu ordered.

At the city gates, Liu Xie led one hundred thousand men in a relentless siege. Nanyang’s new siege ladders astounded the defenders: instead of leaning against the walls, these stood upright on massive bases, equipped with controls. Soldiers climbed them, shields in hand, impervious to arrows. As the bases rolled up to the walls, the ladders tilted forward, and the men at the top leapt onto the battlements, leading the charge.

“Hold them back, hold them back!” Huang Zu urged his men, but Nanyang soldiers poured into the city in ever-greater numbers, and the defenders soon faltered.

“Open the gates quickly—we must enter!” Liu Xie, mounted and commanding, spoke calmly. They were determined to win, and he was confident they would. As expected, after hours of fierce fighting, Jiangxia’s gates finally swung open.

“Listen, everyone: once inside, accept the enemy’s surrender. No senseless slaughter. Now, enter!” At Liu Xie’s order, one hundred thousand troops surged into Jiangxia.

Yet, when Liu Xie reached the Prefectural Palace, he encountered resistance.

“My lord, Huang Zu is holding out inside with dozens of men. We can’t break through. What should we do?”

Liu Xie was surprised by Huang Zu’s stubbornness—still resisting after all this. There was something admirable in such tenacity.

“Enough. Tell the men to stand down. Leave it to me.” Liu Xie dismounted and strode to the palace.

“General Huang, at this point, it’s pointless to resist. You know you’ve lost,” Liu Xie called loudly.

“Spare me your words! If you have the guts, come in and kill me. Surrender is impossible!” came Huang Zu’s reply.

Liu Xie shook his head gently. “I truly don’t understand. What harm is there in my taking Jiangxia? I can bring a better life to its people. Isn’t that a good thing? Surely you’ve heard of Nanyang’s prosperity under my rule.”

There was silence from within.

“General Huang, come out—there’s no need for further resistance. We believe Liu Xie will bring a good life to Jiangxia.” It wasn’t Liu Xie or his men who spoke, but a group of elders and old women who had gathered nearby, calling out to Huang Zu. Liu Xie was astonished. It was clear the people of Jiangxia supported him, having heard of his reputation as a just and capable official in Nanyang.

“I am a general of Jingzhou. How can I surrender? Kill me if you must!” Huang Zu shouted again.

Liu Xie sighed—words alone would not persuade him.

“Wolf Shadows—move in!” Liu Xie commanded.

Twenty members of the Wolf Shadow unit surged forward, scaling the walls in a flash. Shouts and the clash of weapons rang out from within, then quieted. Soon, a Wolf Shadow soldier emerged.

“My lord, we have captured Huang Zu.”

Liu Xie nodded and strode into the courtyard. There, Huang Zu and his men were bound, defiant as ever.

“Since I’ve fallen into your hands, kill me if you wish!” Huang Zu spat, his head turned aside.

“I never said I would kill you,” Liu Xie replied, drawing a glare from Huang Zu.

“You want my surrender? Never. You might as well kill me now,” Huang Zu grumbled.

Liu Xie no longer wished to argue. He walked away.

“My lord, what should we do with Huang Zu?” his men asked uncertainly.

“Release them,” Liu Xie said offhandedly.

“Release him? My lord, we fought so hard to take the city. We can’t just—”

“I said, release them.” Liu Xie spoke with quiet authority and entered the palace, ignoring Huang Zu and his men.