The Cold Door Hero

Summary

Wan Yan Xie, observing the city of Taiyuan from a high slope, reflects on the fierce battles fought there. He questions his generals about the number of Song troops inside the city, receiving vague estimates. Wan Yan Chang suggests there are 50,000 to 60,000 soldiers, but they struggle to assess the Song army's remaining Thunder Bombs. Wan Yan Xie expresses frustration over the lack of intelligence, particularly about a recent supply convoy that the Song army hijacked. Despite his fear of Li Yan Qing, the Song commander, Wan Yan Xie decides to attack Taiyuan with a well-prepared plan. He mobilizes 40,000 troops, consisting of Jurchen, Khitan, and Xianbei soldiers, with a focus on a single assault on the North City. The Jin army rolls out giant catapults to breach the walls, avoiding the ineffective Thunder Bombs. Meanwhile, Li Yan Qing anticipates the Jin strategy and prepares his defenses, correctly predicting that the Jin army would use boulders instead of more advanced weaponry. As the catapults are set up, Wan Yan Xie commands the attack to begin.

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