Iron Dynasty Chapter 975

A sigh of relief escaped Zhu Sansi atop the city wall. The forces of Tsarist Russia and the Golden Tent Khanate beyond the walls displayed no further intent to assault. Clearly, those two precise volleys had achieved their purpose.

His strategy served two aims: first, to stretch their scarce bullets in order to feign abundant reserves, and second, to sow discord among the foes.

Indeed, should the Great Yu Empire target solely the Golden Tent Khanate while sparing the Tsarist Russians, suspicions would surely arise. Through these tactics, Zhu Sansi sought merely to postpone the inevitable onslaught.

As anticipated, the ploy proved successful, halting the advance of the enemy troops outside.

“Division Commander, they’re truly frightened,” Gao Yingfeng remarked with astonishment.

“Let’s hope that’s the case. Our only option now is to stall for time and await aid, or Yakutsk will fall before long,” Zhu Sansi replied with a heavy sigh.

A grave expression settled on Gao Yingfeng’s features. Their dire challenge stemmed from the vast distance to Jianzhou, whereas Tsarist Russia had long entrenched itself in Siberia with solid foundations in place.

To his mind, securing Yakutsk and the nearby territories required constructing pathways and shifting populations to the frontier for protection.

Merely depending on the troops’ brief occupation and fortifications wouldn’t suffice to fully dominate the region.

“The breakout ammo is exhausted. Holding firm remains the sole path for the men to endure. Division Commander, we’re no quitters. If death comes, we’ll face it as one,” Gao Yingfeng declared with fierce resolve.

Under these circumstances, Zhu Sansi refrained from scolding Gao Yingfeng harshly. Instead, he clapped the man’s shoulder firmly and gazed deeply toward the outer city.

Yet in the ensuing month, the warriors of the Golden Tent Khanate and Tsarist Russia appeared thoroughly deceived by Zhu Sansi’s ruse.

Conserving their sparse rounds, they unleashed sporadic blasts to intimidate the Golden Tent Khanate during each probe, sending their horsemen fleeing in terror repeatedly.

Then, come the dawn of March 17th, jubilant cries from the ramparts jolted Zhu Sansi awake. Drawn by the noise, he rushed to the wall alongside Gao Yingfeng.

To the south of Yakutsk, across the waterway, riders clad in deep green attire emerged into view.

“Division Commander, that’s our cavalry! Our cavalry at last!” Gao Yingfeng cried out in thrill.

Roars of joy erupted from the defenders atop the wall. After four grueling months of resistance, relief had finally materialized.

Moisture welled in Zhu Sansi’s eyes. Without this timely arrival, their endurance would have crumbled. Sheer tenacity alone had sustained them thus far.

In stark contrast to Zhu Sansi’s elation, Gubat and Karlov wore masks of fury. This force had materialized without warning, catching them utterly off guard.

Just one conclusion fit: the forward posts under their sway had been obliterated by these riders, leaving no survivors.

“We should pull back immediately,” Gubat suggested, his eyes narrowing at the unexpected riders. He knew them well from countless clashes on the steppes.

Moreover, he recognized their commander intimately—Zhang Qinian, the fiend responsible for slaying his two kin.

Karlov slammed his fist into a nearby trunk, dislodging a cascade of snow. “Withdraw? Out of the question, Gubat. Failing to seize Yakutsk means we both answer to the Queen. Remember, you serve Tsarist Russia now. Over this past month, you’ve held back and hoarded your forces. Think I haven’t noticed?”

Heat flushed Gubat’s cheeks. He snapped back, “Oh really? Then explain why the Great Yu Empire’s fire falls only on my men and spares yours. Pure chance, is it?”

“A fluke, yes. We’ve both been duped. Truth is, their backup has come. They played on the gullibility of a simpleton like you,” Karlov snarled, his patience shattered. Now he grasped the Golden Tent Khanate’s utter rout against the Great Yu Empire—this was an alliance of nomads wholly unreliable.

Gubat glanced at the riders beyond the river, then at the jubilant Yakutsk, realization dawning. They had indeed stumbled into a snare. Why else would the garrison rejoice so?

Shame boiled within him. Eyeing his horde of ten thousand horsemen and the four thousand conscripts trailing, Gubat growled, “Zhang Qinian, today we even the ledger.”

Issuing the command, he signaled for the charge horns to blare.

Across the water, Zhang Qinian spotted Gubat as well. Lowering his spyglass, he instructed, “Avoid prolonged clashes. Rush straight into the city. Our long march has weary troops unfit for their vigor. The provisions we haul are vital to crushing them.”

“Understood, General.” The officers relayed the directive, urging the supply handlers to lash their mounts and drag the sledges toward the gates.

Concurrently, a detachment of three thousand broke off to intercept the invading horde.

“Swing the gates wide!” Zhu Sansi bellowed from the battlements. Anxiety gripped him as he watched the oncoming riders; as a seasoned leader, he recognized their fatigued state, clad merely in garb against the freeze, sans protective plating.

Gao Yingfeng caught the order and, with his unit, flung open the portals. The sled-hauling cavalry surged inside swiftly.

Within the walls, the foremost rider called to Gao Yingfeng, “These crates hold Han-style rifles and rounds. Arm up without delay!”

“Han-style rifles!” Gao Yingfeng froze briefly, then joy lit his countenance. Turning to his comrades, he urged, “Hurry, swap out your weapons now.”

As he spoke, he dispatched a runner to alert Zhu Sansi.

Soon after, Zhu Sansi descended the wall. Inspecting the crate contents, delight surged through him, prompting orders for rapid rearming.

Prior to deploying to Yakutsk, Zhu Sansi had served in the Imperial Guard, making the Han-style rifle a familiar tool. Back at camp with prototypes, they’d drilled the troops thoroughly. Thus, his men could wield them proficiently on sight.

“Faster, faster, faster!”

With crates of Han-style rifles and ammo streaming in, Zhu Sansi and Gao Yingfeng oversaw the handout personally. Armed soldiers skipped returning inside, opting instead to pour boldly through the gates.

They formed up beyond the walls in phalanxes—the bane of mounted foes—and advanced undaunted.

Six thousand troops with six thousand firearms swiftly mounted a fierce riposte.

“Bang bang bang…”

The striker hit the cap, unleashing a thunderous roar as the projectile hurtled toward the savage riders. Meanwhile, troops cycled the action, expelling empties and chambering fresh rounds to shoot anew.

Each discharge jolted the firer lightly from the kick. Precision and force felled the barbarian chargers locked in melee with Zhang Qinian’s men, toppling like stalks in a gale.