Chapter 722
You've rested, and the Han army has rested too. How do we break through the city?
Gan Ning stepped forward first, bowed, and said:
"I believe that our army can first feign defeat and abandon the city to retreat, luring the Liao army into the city before they can establish a firm foothold. Then we can use the original method of attacking the city to launch a surprise attack and surely be able to take back Huyang in one fell swoop."
Xiao He pondered for a moment, then shook his head and said:
"Although this plan can annihilate the enemy, it takes too long and is likely to damage the morale of our troops. It is not the best strategy to defeat the enemy."
After speaking, he raised his eyes and swept his gaze over the generals below the tent:
"Among you, is there a better plan?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Ma Su and Fei Yi exchanged a glance and both smiled. Ma Su then replied:
"Since we know that the Liao army will attack soon, we might as well abandon defense and launch an offensive, and directly confront them to give them a taste of their power as a greeting gift."
A hint of surprise flashed in Xiao He's eyes, then he smiled and said:
"It seems you two are already confident. Why don't you elaborate?"
Ma Su bowed slightly, his expression humble, and said:
"These are just minor tactics for defending against enemies, not worth the Grand Marshal's concern."
"It's alright, just tell me."
Xiao He could not hide his curiosity, and the generals in the tent also turned their heads to look.
"According to intelligence reports, the main force of the Liao army consists of light cavalry from Liaodong. They are good at raids but are not familiar with the terrain. Our army can lay traps overnight on the key road outside the east city of Huyang."
"At that time, we only need to send a small number of soldiers to lure the enemy, and then we can wait for them to walk into our trap."
Upon hearing this, Xiao He slowly nodded:
"Good plan. This matter will be entirely entrusted to the two of you. Be sure to act in secrecy."
"Your subordinate obeys!"
Ma Su and Fei Yi accepted the order in unison.
With the strategy decided, Xiao He waved his hand:
"All generals, return to your camps and begin preparations immediately. Make sure everything is in place before the Liao army arrives."
The generals responded in unison.
...
The next day, as dawn broke and the night was still lingering, Xiao He, already dressed in armor, climbed the walls of Huyang City to patrol.
On a key road a mile outside the city wall, Ma Su and Fei Yi were personally directing soldiers to dig traps, and pits about ten feet deep were quickly formed.
Then, the soldiers laid the bottom of the pit with sharpened spikes, and then the soldiers covered it with soil and sprinkled with dry grass to carefully disguise it so that it was indistinguishable from the surrounding ground and would be difficult to detect without close inspection.
Xiao He stood atop the city wall, a slight smile playing on his lips, and slowly nodded.
Several hours passed in the blink of an eye, and the sun had risen high in the sky. All the traps outside the city had been set up. After Ma Su and Fei Yi had checked them, they immediately led their troops back into the city and went straight to the city wall to meet Xiao He.
"Grand Marshal, all the traps outside the city have been set up, ensuring absolute safety."
Ma Su bowed and reported.
Xiao He patted him on the shoulder and sincerely praised him:
"Well done, thank you for your hard work."
"Thank you for your kind words, Grand Marshal. While these traps can slow down the Liao army and severely damage their light cavalry, they are not enough to completely defeat the enemy. We still need to make arrangements inside the city."
Ma Su bowed and replied.
Xiao He nodded in agreement, and the two of them immediately took their orders and left.
Before long, the sounds of soldiers carrying weapons could be heard throughout the city's main thoroughfares.
Catapults were set up one by one, and projectiles such as boulders and fireballs were neatly piled up. Archers stood in formation, ready to fight...
The entire city of Huyang was filled with a chilling atmosphere of impending battle.
When Ma Su and Fei Yi arrived to report that everything was ready within the city, Xiao He nodded in satisfaction and turned to face the generals waiting in his tent:
"Everything is ready. The Liao army will arrive soon. Which general is willing to lead troops into battle and blunt their momentum?"
"This humble general is willing to go!"
Before the words were finished, Wei Yan stepped forward first.
"Wen Chang, please calm down,"
Deng Ai then stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said:
"It is more appropriate for you to stay in the rear. You can leave these minor tasks of charging into battle to me."
"Shi Zai is mistaken!"
Gan Ning, with his impatient nature, immediately strode forward, patted his chest, and laughed:
"The two of us worked together to capture Huyang. You have made a great contribution. Today, the credit should rightfully go to me!"
"You two, stop fighting!"
Guan Xing couldn't contain himself any longer and stepped forward, cupping his hands in greeting:
"You two have already rendered meritorious service. In this battle, why not let me go out and contribute to our army's victory?"
Zhang Liao, standing to the side, shook his head helplessly and slowly stepped forward.
"Today I will lead the charge and have a good look at the Liao army."
The generals under his command refused to yield and argued incessantly. Xiao He, both annoyed and amused, raised his hand to call a halt:
"Alright, quiet!"
The tent fell silent instantly, and all the generals bowed their heads, awaiting orders.
Xiao He said in a deep voice, "This time, let Wen Yuan lead the charge. We must blunt their momentum and not let them linger in battle."
After speaking, he looked at the other generals:
"Shizai, Xingba, you are each responsible for defending the city and cooperating in battle. Do not miss any military opportunities!"
"Here!"
The generals all accepted the order in unison.
...
It was noon, and the sun was high in the sky.
The generals were already fully dressed, and their soldiers were lined up in neat formation, bows drawn and swords unsheathed. They all held their breath and waited quietly for the Liao army to arrive.
On the city wall, Xiao He sat on the tower, with Ma Su and Fei Yi standing on either side, and the other generals lined up on the left and right.
Beneath the city walls, the soldiers stood in orderly ranks, each brimming with confidence.
In their eyes, the Liao army that was about to swarm in was nothing more than a piece of cake and not worth fearing at all.
Firstly, Huyang City is situated in a strategically important location, built against a mountain, making it an easily defensible and difficult-to-attack natural stronghold. If the Liao army were to launch a strong attack, they would inevitably pay a heavy price.
Secondly, with Ma Su and Fei Yi stationed in the city, a tight net had already been laid, making it extremely difficult for the Liao army to deceive them, even if they wanted to use some tricks.
With such favorable timing, location, and popular support, the generals naturally showed no fear and were filled with confidence in defeating the enemy.
As the sun gradually set in the west, it was nearly late afternoon, but the Liao army was still nowhere to be seen.
Gan Ning, with his impatient nature, couldn't help but grumble:
"It's almost late afternoon, why hasn't the Liao army arrived yet? Yesterday, the scouts clearly reported that they were rushing here day and night. Could it be that they're afraid of battle?"
Several people around him echoed his sentiments, and one of them whispered:
"Yes, we should have arrived by now. Could it be that we changed our route halfway?"
"So slow? Could it be that they don't want Huyang City at all?"
"We hope the Liao army arrives soon. The brothers are itching for a big battle and to achieve great merit!"
Beneath the city walls, the soldiers could no longer contain their eagerness. Their eyes were fixed on the horizon of the eastern wilderness. Although there was no commotion in the ranks, there was a restless energy that was ready to be unleashed.
Just as everyone was getting increasingly anxious, Xiao He, atop the city wall, was the first to look up. His gaze pierced through the distant mist, and suddenly his expression changed.
Following closely behind, Ma Su, Fei Yi, and other generals also turned their attention to him.
At the edge of the eastern wilderness, billowing dust gradually rose and spread with the wind. The muffled thud of horses' hooves could be faintly heard.
The Liao army has finally arrived.
Upon seeing this, the crowd on the city wall instantly lost their previous anxiety.
Xiao He slowly stood up and sneered:
"They've finally arrived! Order the entire army to hold their positions, obey orders, and do not make any mistakes!"
"Here!"
Beneath the city wall, the soldiers who were waiting heard the order for the Liao army's attack and their spirits instantly lifted. Their previous fatigue and anxiety vanished, and their eyes shone as they gripped their weapons tightly.
Deng Ai, Guan Xing, and others were even more excited:
"They've finally arrived! We've been waiting for them!"
Fei Yi's expression was serious as he gave the order in a deep voice:
"Generals, return to your posts, organize your troops, and be ready to attack at any time. Remember to strictly abide by military orders and do not act without authorization."
Deng Ai and the others responded in unison, and without further delay, loudly issued orders to reorganize the soldiers.
The entire city of Huyang instantly entered a tense state of preparation for war, and the atmosphere of impending doom grew even stronger.
At this moment, five miles outside Huyang City, the Liao army had stopped, the dust gradually dissipated, and tens of thousands of Liao soldiers stood in formation.
Although the Liao army was in neat formation, they could not hide the fatigue on their faces.
They had been traveling day and night for several days and were already exhausted, both physically and mentally.
Gongsun Yuan stood at the front of the formation, his gaze fixed on the towering walls of Huyang City in the distance, and coldly gave his order:
"The entire army shall rest on the spot. We will launch an attack immediately in half an hour. We must take Huyang as soon as possible at all costs. Delay will only lead to unforeseen circumstances!"
Upon receiving the order, a commotion immediately arose among the Liao soldiers.
The days of travel had already taken their toll, and upon hearing that they needed to rest, some couldn't help but complain in hushed tones, and the formation became slightly disorganized.
"Quiet!"
Seeing this, Xu Kuan shouted sternly:
"The Crown Prince has ordered that everyone take this time to rest and conserve their energy. We will launch a full-scale attack on the city in half an hour. Anyone who dares to make a fuss or slack off will be punished according to military law!"
Upon hearing this, the Liao soldiers fell silent, no longer daring to complain. They quickly found places to sit down and took the opportunity to close their eyes and rest, and the formation soon returned to quiet.
Xu Kuan rode up to Gongsun Yuan's side and whispered his advice:
"Your Highness, I have something to say, but I don't know if I should. Our army has been on the move for several days, and the soldiers are exhausted both physically and mentally, which has greatly reduced their fighting strength. It would be better to rest for a day and attack the city again tomorrow."
"What did you say?!"
Upon hearing this, Gongsun Yuan's face instantly darkened, and his eyes blazed with fury:
"Our army has rushed here day and night to take advantage of Huyang City's unstable foothold and seize it in one fell swoop. Now you want me to postpone the attack? Are you afraid of fighting?"
Xu Kuan's heart skipped a beat, but he still braced himself and analyzed:
"Your Highness, please calm down. It is not that I am afraid of fighting, but my soldiers have been traveling for days and are exhausted. If we force an attack on the city now, it will not only be difficult to break through the city, but will also increase casualties and will not benefit our army."
"It would be better to rest for a while and wait for the soldiers to recover their strength before launching a full-scale attack on the city. That way, we can achieve twice the result with half the effort..."
Meanwhile, the Han soldiers on the walls of Huyang were closely watching the Liao army's movements. When they saw the Liao army suddenly stop and rest on the spot, they were all puzzled.
Xiao He leaned against the city wall, gazing calmly at the scene in the Liao army's formation, and said:
"No need to be anxious, continue to rest and conserve your energy, and wait for the Liao army to launch an attack."
Ma Su frowned slightly and asked in confusion:
"Has the Grand Marshal discovered something unusual? Why has the Liao army suddenly stopped to rest and regroup instead of continuing their advance?"
Xiao He smiled faintly, unconvinced, and said:
"The Liao army has been on the move for several days and the soldiers are exhausted. It is reasonable for them to rest now. You should keep a close watch on the Liao army's movements and do not be careless. I will go back to the city tower to rest for a while."
After saying this, he turned and walked into the city gate tower.
Upon receiving the order, a small commotion immediately arose among the soldiers preparing for battle within the city.
"What's the Liao army up to? Why did they suddenly stop advancing and rest on the spot?"
"Could it be that they're up to some trick again?"
"We've waited so long for them to arrive, why aren't they attacking the city?"
Just as commotion began to rise within the ranks, Fei Yi shouted sharply:
"Quiet!"
The commotion in the city subsided instantly, and the soldiers fell silent, all their eyes turning to Fei Yi.
Fei Yi, with a serious expression, loudly issued the order:
"By order of the Grand Marshal, the entire army shall rest on the spot, conserve its strength, strictly guard its positions, and await further orders. No one shall make any noise or act without authorization; violators will be punished according to military law!"
Zhang Liao was filled with doubt, and after catching up with Fei Yi, he couldn't help but ask:
"Wenwei, why did the Liao army suddenly stop marching and rest on the spot? Could they be plotting something?"
Fei Yi smiled faintly:
"General Zhang, there is no need to worry. I estimate that their soldiers are simply exhausted and unable to continue their advance, so they are resting on the spot."
"After all, they have traveled day and night, and are exhausted both physically and mentally. If they do not rest now, they will be unable to attack the city."
Zhang Liao suddenly realized what was happening, and a look of disappointment appeared on his face.
Fei Yi stopped and comforted him:
"General Zhang, don't be impatient. The best is yet to come. Now that the Liao army has come, they will not leave empty-handed. Sooner or later they will launch an attack. When that happens, will you still have the opportunity to kill the enemy and make a name for yourself?"
The disappointment in Zhang Liao's eyes gradually faded, and then a smile appeared on his face as he nodded.
"You're right. I was too impatient."
After speaking, Zhang Liao suppressed his anxiety and waited for the battle order.
...
Liao army formation.
At that moment, anger filled the air.
Gongsun Yuan's face was ashen, his eyes wide open, staring at Xu Kuan who stood bowing before him, and he roared angrily:
"Do you know what you're saying? I, the young master, have ordered the entire army to rest for half an hour before attacking the city, and you dare to repeatedly dissuade me? Are you perhaps afraid of death and cowardly in the face of battle?"
Xu Kuan trembled and his heart skipped a beat.
Although he had long intended to offer advice, he had never expected Gongsun Yuan to be so furious, and hurriedly bowed and kowtowed:
"Your Highness, please calm your anger. Your subordinate has no intention of being afraid of battle! It's just that our soldiers have been traveling day and night, marching continuously for several days, and are already exhausted both physically and mentally."
"If we forcefully order an attack now, the soldiers' fighting strength will be greatly reduced. Not only will we fail to capture Huyang City, but we will also suffer increased casualties, which would be a net loss..."
Gongsun Yuan was furious and wanted to reprimand them again, but when he thought of how hard his soldiers had been working in the past few days, his anger gradually subsided.
So he slowly closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
Seeing that Gongsun Yuan's expression softened, Xu Kuan knew that his persuasion had taken a turn for the better, and quickly continued to persuade him:
"Your Highness, I believe it would be better to let the entire army rest for a day, recuperate, and restore their fighting strength. By tomorrow morning, when the soldiers are in high spirits, we can launch an attack on the city and achieve twice the result with half the effort, taking Huyang City in one fell swoop."
Gongsun Yuan slowly opened his eyes, his brows furrowed, and said in a deep voice:
"You make it sound so easy, but if we rest well, won't the Han army in Huyang City also be able to rest properly?"
One sentence enlightened Xu Kuan.
This also reveals Gongsun Yuan's concerns.
The Han army has just captured Huyang, and after a long march, the soldiers must be exhausted. Now is the best time to attack the city, and the possibility of capturing Huyang is the greatest.
If we abandon the attack now and allow the Han army to rest for a day, they will be fully rested and in high spirits tomorrow. In addition, Huyang City is easy to defend and difficult to attack. At that time, it will be even more difficult to break through the city.
They might even miss a golden opportunity and fail at the last hurdle. (End of Chapter)