The Cold Door Hero

Summary

The chapter describes a fierce battle in a northern city, where Jin soldiers attack relentlessly using siege ladders and catapults. Li Yan Qing, commanding 6,000 soldiers in the southern city, prepares for a counterattack while Xu Ning leads another 5,000 in the eastern city. Anticipating a breach in the outer city due to poor preparations, Li Yan Qing orders a retreat to the inner city after realizing the Jin troops are using a clever strategy to blow open the western city gate. Amidst chaos, He Li, a scholar-turned-commander, refuses to retreat and ultimately takes his own life when faced with defeat. As the outer city falls, the remaining Song soldiers set fire to civilian houses to hinder the Jin advance. The Cao Gate is closed, preventing some soldiers from entering the inner city, leading to anger and confusion. Zhang Qing arrives too late to stop the closing gates but eventually leads his soldiers back into the city after they are reopened.

Full content