The Rise of History’s Most Powerful Empire

The second division of cannon fodder took place of the first; then the third, the fourth and the fifth. Wave after wave of men found their death on those walls.

The process continued until two hours were left of daylight.

The retreated divisions were reformed. The 30,000 men from Zitong Region had gone through digging moats and assaulting the city twice now and only half remained.  Out of the Wudu Region's surviving 8,000, only 5,000 were left.

All in all that made it 20,000 men remaining. But all he needed was just 8,000.

So they were made into four new divisions and sent again while the sun was up.

Under the malcontent of the cannon fodder, they put on their armor, picked up their spears and charged with ladders as the leaders and officers watched them.

The killing field echoed once more with shouts of rage, agony and fear. The city walls were a meat grinder for both sides, taking lives without remorse.

While the cannon fodder suffered heavy losses, the guards weren't faring any better. They lost 3,000 veterans just from Zhong Yu's arrow rain. 

All they could do was draft servants from the clans and use recruits. This region had close to 400,000 people, with this regional city alone 76,000. 

Even with the many disasters and calamities, Yi State withstood it with 300,000 people; its walls were firm.

The officials had drafted 30,000 recruits of which Zhong Yu killed 10,000 in his attacks. While the defenders had the terrain advantage, Zhong Yu had better weapons.

The way the defender's losses went, they wouldn't sustain it for long.

The fact a third already lost their lives, those peasants and merchants holding weapons would be overwhelmed by dread.

They couldn't withstand the mental trauma of being next. Zhong Yu reckoned their morale would crumble after 5,000 more losses, regardless of the officials' threats. 

Pushed too hard, they would make the men turn on themselves.

The clans' control over their cannon fodder was beneath Zhong Yu's. They relied on the court and their reputation to threaten them.

This thin and false power enabled the court and the clans to draw fighters.

But now it proved to be their downfall. Those recruits would have enough of wasting their lives, abandoning these cruel oppressors and choosing life like anyone would. 

Zhong Yu's method differed though. He could make the cannon fodder give their lives for him, to die for nothing beneath those walls. Relying on his men, 14,000 of them, the old ones from Hanzhong and the system.

With these loyal veterans, the cannon fodder had no way of resisting.

They knew that any step back would be met with swift and cruel death. Their families were also in their lord's hands and suffered just the same.

An hour went by and from the 15,000 remained only 8,000. The situation on the walls was growing erratic, needing just one last push to take the city.

‘Time to take the city.'

Dusk was coming, the sun hiding behind the mountains and sinking the world in darkness.

The war drums echoed once more, yet there was no cannon fodder left on the field as they all returned to their camps to rest.

Zhong Yu called upon the Hanzhong men. Having gone through a battle already, these men knew the cruelty of war.

Having gained victories for so long along the way, their morale was high. There was also constant training while marching as well, making them elites of this era.

Having sharpened them for so many months, they would take the city and paint the perfect outcome for himself.

The tidal wave of green and red rushed the city. They hit the walls so hard they made the ten meter thick walls tremble.

Having experience on their side, these men moved with purpose and precision.

The green guards watched with horror at how the men came at them with power and speed, having gotten used to the cannon fodder throughout the day.

The veterans mowed down the guards on the walls, driving fear in the rest.

Gaps appeared in the defender's lines and the men climbed faster.

They spread out on the walls, driving the defenders back

With the death of 1,000 more guards, their morale collapsed as they threw away their weapons and ran.

The officials rushed to stop them but after killing dozens around them, they aroused the people's anger.

Their guards turned on them. Facing a mob that lost its mind was the worst that could happen to them.

Then they heard the drumming behind them and saw the red and green veterans coming at them again.

The inspectors fled as well this time, along with the rest. The city was Zhong Yu's. 

The year was 183 A.D., July. Zhong Yu captured Hanzhong, and most of the eastern regions, Fangling Region and Xicheng Region. 

August, he captured Hanzhong Region.

October, he captured Wudu Region.

November, he attacked Yi State, capturing Zitong Region, Guanghan Region, and its state city, shaking the nation.