Although the current Taiyuan City still possessed strategic terrain and unusually strong city walls, it could not compare to its original state in terms of scale or defensive capabilities.
The makeshift ladders hastily constructed under pressure could still be mounted on Taiyuan's walls now. In the past, the sheer height of the walls alone would have rendered all such ladders useless.
Even during the Song army's most formidable period, with an emperor as powerful as Zhao Kuangyin, they suffered two consecutive defeats at the foot of Taiyuan City against the Northern Han, which was then a weakened state.
After Emperor Taizong conquered Taiyuan and completely extinguished the Northern Han, for over 70 years, Song court documents consistently referred to Taiyuan as an "urgent strategic location" rather than using the names Taiyuan or Jinyang. This illustrates how formidable that ancient city once was…
Despite suffering minor setbacks at the outset, Wanyan Zonghan paid them no mind, calmly observing the Han soldiers attacking the city.
His observations were largely in line with his expectations. Although the attacking force had a numerical advantage, the combat effectiveness of these surrendered soldiers was extremely limited. Even with rear-echelon soldiers providing archery support to suppress the defenders on the city walls, their progress remained sluggish.
After a full half an hour, not a single person had managed to ascend the city walls.
"Are these good-for-nothings this useless? If it were our men, I would have dragged their leader out and beheaded him by now!"
Watching the attackers fall like dumplings, either impaled by the soldiers on the walls or crushed by rolling logs and stones, Wanyan Yin Shu Ke, who was observing the spectacle, could barely contain his impatience.
"Don't rush, isn't someone climbing up now?"
Just as Wanyan Yin Shu Ke finished speaking, Wanyan Zonghan suddenly pointed towards the city walls, his voice filled with excitement.
"They've really climbed up, many of them have!"
Upon witnessing this, all the Jin generals' spirits were instantly lifted.
However, although men had reached the walls, it wasn't long before their bodies were unceremoniously thrown back down, used like stones.
"What a waste, such a good opportunity, squandered like this!"
Seeing this, Wanyan Yin Shu Ke couldn't help but beat his chest in frustration.
"Indeed, if those who climbed up had been our men, I suspect a section of the city walls would have been taken by now!"
"Enough talk, let's wait and see!"
Although Wanyan Zonghan also felt a sense of regret, he did not dwell on it. After all, time was still ample, and the two sides were locked in a tug-of-war.
He himself did not place much value on these surrendered soldiers they had gathered along the way. Their combat effectiveness was simply too ordinary. Rather than feeding them and wasting resources, it was better to use them to probe the enemy's strength and deplete their resources!
"This fellow still isn't taking the bait?"
Watching the Jin soldiers below the walls continuously drive their defeated troops to attack, Wang Bing sneered and waved his hand again.
With the sound of a wooden clapper, another group of Yisheng Army soldiers was sent towards the walls.
However, after a brief moment of elation, the soldiers who had just reached the walls realized that it wasn't their good fortune, but rather that the defenders had laid a trap specifically for them.
At almost every battlement, two to three soldiers stood ready.
This so-called Yisheng Army was originally established by Tan Zhen to counter Guo Yaoshi's Changsheng Army. The majority of these soldiers were Han people from the northern regions controlled by the Liao Dynasty.
The remaining portion consisted of Liao people who had defected to Tan Zhen and a small number of deserters from the original Changsheng Army.
Although they had surrendered to the Jin, Wanyan Zonghan had no reason to fully trust such a perfidious force.
After confiscating their superior equipment and replacing it with inferior gear, he directly threw them into battle.
Their combat power was already limited, and now with their equipment degraded, how could they possibly stand against an enemy in a situation where they were outnumbered?
In less than two rounds, the vast majority of them were annihilated.
As for the few lucky survivors, under the围攻 of numerous enemies, they could only die with lingering resentment in the northwest.
Of course, Wanyan Zonghan and his men were unaware of all this.
"Time's about up, throw the bodies down!"
As Wang Bing spoke, he again ordered his soldiers to toss the bodies over the city wall.
The Song army awarded military merit based on decapitations, so the soldiers whose bodies were thrown from the walls were naturally headless.
On this blood-soaked battlefield, the sight of these grotesquely mangled headless corpses falling to the ground immediately caused panic among the surrendered troops below the walls.
"These cowards, they could only hold out for less than thirty breaths!"
Seeing the bodies of those who had managed to reach the walls being thrown down again, Wanyan Yin Shu Ke was filled with regret.
"Marshal, allow me to lead my men!"
Upon witnessing this scene, Wanyan Yin Shu Ke could no longer restrain himself.
If even these insignificant surrendered soldiers could climb the city walls, then surely his elite Imperial Guards would be no less capable.
They had been on a forced march, conquering towns and cities along the way, and their morale was currently at its peak. If they could take Taiyuan City in one go, perhaps they could then march relentlessly towards Bianliang City.
"Very well! I order you to lead three thousand of your own men, and an additional three hundred Iron Cavalry, to join the assault! Remember this, you are only permitted to win, not to lose!"
After giving Wanyan Yin Shu Ke a profound look, Wanyan Zonghan finally spoke.
Moreover, to ensure victory, he immediately granted him 300 Iron Cavalry.
"Understood!"
Upon hearing this, Wanyan Yin Shu Ke's face lit up with excitement.
With these 300 Iron Cavalry, as long as they could reach the city walls, what worry would there be about taking Taiyuan City?
"Charge—"
With an excited flourish, Wanyan Yin Shu Ke quickly assembled his troops and eagerly joined the attacking army.
"General! Iron Cavalry!"
Seeing the 300 soldiers, like iron towers, joining the assault, the personal guard beside Wang Bing couldn't help but exclaim in alarm.
"So what if they're Iron Cavalry? Distribute the supplies I've prepared! These are the Jin's prized possessions; I've heard they only have three thousand of these Iron Cavalry in total!"
The moment these soldiers appeared, Wang Bing showed no signs of panic. Instead, a hint of joy appeared on his face.