For the next half month, both sides maintained a subtle standoff. However, it was less of a standoff and more that Theodoro, for some unknown reason, was unilaterally unwilling to launch a full-scale assault.
During this period, if there was anything different from before, it was that Theodoro had twice sent siege units for probing attacks.
Of course, these two small siege units were ultimately repelled by the Crimean defenders, but the defending general, Hussein, discovered with worry that in both of Theodoro's attacks, the defenders only repelled Theodoro's troops when they were almost at the top of the city walls.
In other words, if Theodoro was determined, the defenders of Bakhchysarai alone would be completely unable to resist.
"What in the world are these Kafir up to?" Hussein, wrapped in fur, sat inside the city in the late afternoon of November, utterly perplexed.
By November, Crimea was already covered in ice and snow. Due to months of blockade, Bakhchysarai, lacking food and water, was on the verge of widespread starvation.
The shortage of supplies affected not only ordinary citizens but also the nobles within the city; Hussein, for example, could only consume three bowls of plain rice daily, and even the Girai Khan's family, who held the highest status in the city, could at most have a little extra milk with each meal.
Besides the shortage of provisions, several other issues within the city also left Hussein exasperated.
Some time after allowing the Crescent Sect civilians, who had been driven out by Theodoro, into the city, a series of criminal incidents of varying severity began to occur.
Although Hussein vaguely suspected that this might be related to the group of people who had been let in earlier, he was currently unable to stop those lawless individuals due to the severe lack of available troops.
"When the situation calms down, I must find a way to deal with all those lawless elements!" After receiving another rough report on the city from his deputy, Hussein, feeling powerless, could only slam his fist against the wall, venting his frustration.
According to the latest report, some people were already plotting to murder the mullahs who were still preaching and maintaining stability in the mosques, and among these victims, there were even highly respected individuals.
"Damn it, how can this be? If this continues, how can the city's morale be maintained?" Hussein cursed to himself in the room.
But his anger was completely useless. By early December, several more murders had occurred in the city, causing the already-collapsing morale of the military and civilians to slide further towards ruin.
And the defenders, under Theodoro's daily bombardment, had completely lost their will to fight.
This atmosphere naturally also affected the Girai Khan's family in the Khanate palace. After guessing their fate, they began to pack, preparing for a dignified end for themselves.
In stark contrast to them was Theodoro Army outside the city. Although they couldn't eat hot food directly due to the climate, thanks to excellent logistics, they not only didn't have to worry about provisions and military supplies, but some even deliberately displayed their meals in the direction of Bakhchysarai.
However, due to the distance between the two sides, the Crimean defenders, no matter how eagerly they watched, had no idea what Theodoro was showing.
Seeing that it was early December and having received information from inside the city, Tukharovsky unconsciously broke into a confident smile, "Alright, the time is almost right. It's time to take this city for Theodoro."
As soon as he finished speaking, he stood up and gave the order for a general assault.
In early December, on a snowless, sun-drenched morning, Theodoro Army finally launched its final general assault on Bakhchysarai.
On the city wall, Hussein, the defending general, facing the formidable Theodoro Army, couldn't help but gasp, "Hmph, this military might, is this the side these Christian have been hiding all along?"
But he knew he had no time for reflection. Immediately after speaking, Hussein quickly ordered the defending soldiers to raise their bows and shoot arrows at the approaching Theodoro.
But unfortunately, just like before, Theodoro responded with artillery fire. After their heavy bombardment, the walls of Bakhchysarai, already weakened by months of siege, were on the verge of collapse, and the few hastily patched-up breaches were directly torn open by the shelling.
Seeing this, Tukharovsky did not hesitate to seize this excellent opportunity. To boost morale, he, fully armed, specifically emerged from the central army and encouraged the entire army: "The enemy's city walls are broken.
Gentlemen, it's time to climb the walls and take the city. Go! The Holy Father's will!"
Seeing the imminent glory, and knowing their opponents were the Tatar infidels with a history of looting, all the soldiers were greatly encouraged by his words: "Charge! The Holy Father's will!"
Soon, a Theodoro siege unit, under the cover of artillery fire, braved the sparse arrows from the defenders and climbed onto the city wall.
Seeing that enemy troops had already scaled the wall, Hussein, who was commanding at the front line, was startled and quickly ordered the defenders to drive this vanguard unit off the wall.
It must be said that the Tatar defenders were quite good; even though they were physically exhausted due to famine and helplessness, they still cut down this brave Theodoro vanguard unit from the city wall.
However, they paid a heavier price in casualties than their opponents.
Even with the Crimean defenders' strenuous resistance, by noon, Theodoro's siege units had all climbed onto the city wall, cutting down and throwing off every Tatar they encountered.
At this rate, Theodoro should be able to breach the wall by the afternoon.
Faced with this tragic reality, Hussein Shilin finally broke down. He recklessly led a few of his personal guards and charged wildly towards the Theodoro, wanting to stop everything before him, but within three minutes, he was attacked by a mob of Theodoro soldiers and chopped into mincemeat.
This defending general of the Khanate's capital, a high-ranking Tatar nobleman, thus followed in his father's footsteps.