When the 3,000 soldiers of the Ye clan arrived to take the fortress, they found an unexpectedly fierce defense. Li Wei, aware of the invaluable strength of his elite mounted archers and heavy cavalry, made a clear strategic decision: the infantry would be the main and exclusive line of defense during the siege. The mounted archers would remain undeployed in this battle, reserved for another moment.
Day 1: The Wall Formation
The medium infantry, five units totaling 500 men, took position on the fortress wall, forming a compact and resilient shield wall. The rectangular shields locked together, creating an almost impenetrable barrier.
Above the wall, a three-meter-high sloped roof protected the defenders from enemy fire. The Ye launched arrows and stones, but none reached the soldiers sheltered beneath the cover. The "Lion Colossi" unit, the select group of elite soldiers clad in heavy armor, stood ready to intervene at critical points.
Throughout the day, the attackers tried to scale the wall with ladders and hooks but were knocked down one by one by the solid infantry. The fight became a constant, exhausting duel: every enemy who managed to climb was neutralized by the defenders who never yielded their ground.
Day 2: The Fortress Holds
The Ye persisted with frontal assaults and numerous attempts to break the defense. Though the battle was grueling, the unit suffered few casualties: 50 soldiers from the Blue Lion unit fell, mostly in hand-to-hand combat defending vulnerable points. The Colossi unit suffered only one casualty: a warrior fell defending the main gate, proving the valor and toughness of these armored giants.
The third day of the siege dawned just as tense, but with noticeable wear on the enemy ranks. The Ye soldiers, though still persistently attacking, began to show visible signs of fatigue and low morale. The constant failures to scale the wall and the losses suffered started to undermine their fighting spirit.
Li Wei, with his gaze fixed on the enemy camp stretching at the fortress's feet, saw the opportunity his commander had taught him to seize: attack when the enemy is vulnerable. In a firm, low voice to avoid alerting his men, he summoned his two elite units: 200 heavy cavalry riders and 200 mounted archers. It was time to break the assault.
Preparation for the Charge
In complete silence and under the darkness of night, the cavalry and mounted archers prepared for the offensive. Their helmets and armor reflected the moonlight, but the discipline of the men and the composure of their mounts — including the legendary Grey Wind — kept them utterly calm.
Li Wei organized a small group of 50 mounted archers to lead the advance. Their mission was clear: eliminate enemy sentries and open a path for the feared unit to break in without alerting the entire camp.
The Silent Charge
As the moon climbed in the sky, the 50 archers advanced in tight formation, galloping stealthily through the shadows. Grey Wind, Li Wei's legendary horse, led with steady steps, its hooves barely making a sound on the ground.
The enemy sentries, confident in the darkness and fatigue of the night, did not detect the approach until it was too late. In seconds, the mounted archers struck with lethal precision. A volley of arrows silenced alarms and took out guards before they could raise any alert.
With the sentries neutralized, the bulk of the heavy cavalry and the remaining 150 archers charged in a coordinated assault, storming the enemy camp. The cavalry's heavy lances shattered tents, and the sleeping soldiers could not mount an effective defense.
Chaos in the Camp
The Ye camp descended into total chaos. Soldiers awoke stunned, facing a fierce and organized onslaught. The mounted archers fired with precision while the heavy cavalry cut down any counterattack attempts.
The impact was devastating. In less than an hour, Li Wei's unit inflicted significant casualties, burned supplies, and shattered enemy formations. The morale of the Ye sank further as their forces scattered and lost cohesion.
The Ye clan officers commanding the siege forces became priority targets. Amidst the turmoil, Li Wei's elite unit struck directly at their positions: command tents, main pavilions, and strategic points were razed.
No mercy or escape was granted. The total elimination of the officers left the Ye troops leaderless, sinking their already battered morale even further.
Casualty Report
The nighttime attack, combined with the previous days' fighting, left the Ye with a devastating toll: approximately 1,800 total casualties. Among them were all the officers and captains, delivering a critical blow to the command chain.
Li Wei's unit suffered minimal losses: only one soldier died within the fearsome Colossi unit, while infantry losses remained low thanks to the steadfast defense during the siege.
Strategic Consequences
The loss of their officers and the alarm among the troops forced the Ye to suspend the siege and begin a tactical retreat. Control over the fortress remained firmly in Li Wei's hands, who consolidated his prestige among his men and superiors.