Chapter 447: Chapter 228: Heroes Bow Down_3
Translator: 549690339
With such flattery going back and forth, the atmosphere instantly became more harmonious and intense.
Even the awe of the people towards Lu Yuan gradually diminished in this round of compliments and toasts.
At least, the attitude of Yan Wangqiu and others slowly returned to their usual rapport with Lu Yuan.
There was no longer the previous estrangement.
Well, at least on the surface.
As the internal unity gradually stabilized, Lu Yuan took the opportunity to toast and began to inquire about Bai Mengyang’s future strategy: “Wuan Marquis, now that the enemy in Dangyang has been broken, the Zhou People in Xiangyang have lost more than 100,000 soldiers and two Pillar States.
Now we have gathered hundreds of thousands of troops under Xiangyang City.
What should be the next step? I wonder if the Marquis of Wu’an has any plans?”
Upon hearing this, everyone put down their wine glasses and curiously looked over.
Nowadays, Xiangyang City is not easy to fight.
First of all, Xiangyang City is located on the Han River, and both the east and north of the city are close to the big river, with piers and water gates connecting the river.
So even if they were at the foot of the city, they could only blockade the south and west at most, without completely cutting off Xiangyang’s contact with the outside world.
The defenders in the city, after gathering for these days, according to reliable information, there are 50,000 civilian workers, 30,000 Zhou soldiers who fled from the front line, and 20,000 county soldiers gathered from Xiangyang and Nanyang prefectures.
A total of 100,000 soldiers.
In addition, Li Yanjing, and Qi Yuanyi, the Grand General of the Eastern Pillar State of Zhou People who rushed from Nanyang Prefecture, are also guarded by two Inborn Grandmasters.
Moreover, more reinforcements have begun to respond after Zhou received the news of the big defeat on the Danyang front line and is urgently withdrawing a large number of troops to reinforce the front line.
Facing this defensive force and the endless support, although their allied forces from the four countries also have 130,000 troops outside Xiangyang City.
When the subsequent troops from Ninghai Country arrive, they may be able to increase to 170,000 to 180,000.
And five Inborn Grandmasters are with them.
Overall, it is indeed much stronger than Xiangyang City.
However, even so, if they want to break Xiangyang City in a short time, with the defensive power of this city, even if they were personally led by these Inborn Grandmasters, it wouldn’t be easy.
After all, even if the Inborn Grandmasters have the martial arts external body, they can slaughter low-level soldiers like cutting grass.
But the use of martial arts external body is also very consuming, and one time can’t last long, at most killing 4,000 to 5,000 people is the limit.
Once the true pneuma is exhausted, it takes a day to recover,
It would take them at least five or six days to kill the 100,000 Zhou defenders, even if the five Inborn Grandmasters went all out.
Not to mention, in reality, things will not go so smoothly. Those Zhou People will not stand idly by and let them kill at will. They will fight back and resist.
Top experts cooperating with the army can also hurt the Inborn Grandmasters if they find opportunities.
Not to mention, with Li Yanjing and Qi Yuanyi in the city, it is not very realistic for Lu Yuan and his companions to slaughter Zhou soldiers on a large scale.
Moreover, with the constant support from outside the city, the strength of the Zhou people inside the city can be replenished at any time.
In other words, it is not impossible for their united army to break Xiangyang City, but the success rate is low, as pitiful as two or three percent, or even one or two percent.
If they cannot break Xiangyang City, when the Zhou people react, they will be able to deploy one or two more Inborn Grandmasters in a mere ten days. And after a month, they may be able to deploy another 100,000 troops to help.
By that time, it would no longer be about breaking Xiangyang City, but how to resist these Zhou people’s troops.
So despite the current great victory, if they cannot further expand their current advantage, the fruits of victory they have eaten now will still have to be slowly vomited out later.
In that case, things would return to their original starting point.
Both sides continued to confront each other along the line from Xiangyang to Tianmen Prefecture, constantly consuming each other’s resources and comparing their respective depths. This led to a sustained loss of blood for both.
This situation was undesirable for not only the court, but also Changsha, Ninghai and Southsea- the three nations.
Therefore, how to break this deadlock had become a matter of urgency.
And to do this, the Marquis of Wu’an in front of him would be required to come up with a strategic layout.
All eyes turned towards Bai Mengyang, looking to the commander of the united army, hoping that he could once again devise a plan, as he did previously with the surprise attack on Guining Prefecture, that could lead everyone to victory.
Facing everyone’s expectant and worried gazes, Bai Mengyang put down his wine cup and looked around, smiling, “I know what you are all thinking. Indeed, Xiangyang City has high walls and deep moats, a large garrison of soldiers, and can continuously receive external assistance through river connections.
Breaking the city would be extremely difficult.
So initially, I didn’t plan on launching a strong attack on the city or even attacking the city at all.
In the art of war, attacking the heart is of the highest priority, while attacking cities is a secondary priority.
Previously, I had Changsha Wang launch a surprise attack on Xiangyang City to shake the morale of Zhou’s army in Dangyang, making them fearful and unwilling to fight.
As a result, we achieved a great victory in Dangyang.
Now, in using my troops, I naturally can’t just focus on attacking the city; I must focus on attacking their hearts.”
With that said, Bai Mengyang asked someone to bring a map of Yue and Zhou countries. He pointed to the mountains and rivers marked on the map, and his finger eventually landed on the location of Hanzhong Prefecture in Zhou Country, saying, “Please look here, everyone. This is Hanzhong Prefecture, which, like Xiangyang Prefecture, is also a major southwestern stronghold for Zhou Country.
Initially, Zhou Country stationed 50,000 soldiers in this prefecture, but after the rebellion of the Qiang bandits, they increased this number to 100,000 troops.
Now, these 100,000 troops have arrived in Wushan Prefecture in my Xichuan Prefecture, confronting and engaging Wucheng Marquis.
Therefore, there are no Zhou soldiers left to guard Hanzhong Prefecture, and only about 10,000 local county soldiers remain.
So, I plan to dispatch an army to directly strike Hanzhong Prefecture, occupy several of its southern prefectures, and then proceed south through the mountainous roads to infiltrate the Xichuan Prefecture’s hinterland.
Currently, both Zhou people and Xi Shu bandits have secretly gathered in Wushan Prefecture of Xichuan Prefecture, and there is no one guarding their rear.
Zhou people and Xi Shu bandits have been tyrannical, and they have been persecuting the people of Xichuan for years. However, Xichuan has enjoyed imperial favor for a long time and always had a natural inclination towards the court.
So, as long as there is a single imperial army marching under the court’s banner into Xichuan Prefecture, it will surely trigger a massive response from the long-oppressed local people who have been loyal to the court.
This imperial army doesn’t need many troops, just 20,000 or 30,000 soldiers would suffice. The key is to serve as a banner in rallying support.
In a matter of ten days, the territory of Xichuan would be completely under our control.
Afterward, the court’s army will gather with the local righteous forces, and we can assemble 100,000 soldiers who will march towards Wushan Prefecture.
In this way, both the Zhou and Shu forces in Wushan Prefecture will be attacked from front and rear, and they will be unable to hold on for long.
Once these bandits are defeated, the court can reclaim Xichuan Prefecture, and then either gather a large army to fight Zhou forces in Xiangyang Prefecture or start a new campaign to attack Hanzhong Prefecture from Xichuan territory, making Zhou people feel fearful and exhausted.
The strategic initiative would be in our hands.
Whether to fight or to negotiate peace will no longer be up to the Zhou people, but will be determined by us.”
Bai Mengyang looked at everyone and elaborated on his next strategic move.
Just like last time, his gaze fell upon Lu Yuan. The others also looked at him the same way.
Clearly,
In the face of such a task that required crossing mountains and ridges, and even traversing thousands of miles, ordinary people would be unable to handle it.
Only Changsha Wang, who had already successfully completed a similar mission and achieved great victory, would be able to carry it out.
Everyone’s eyes turned to Lu Yuan, expressing their expectations.