Inside the central command tent of the Hedong Army's Wei River camp.
Lin Feng, Huan Naxue, Murong Chunhua, Li Mao, Xi Sheng, Xu Yunlong, He Yunsheng and other key generals gathered together to discuss the next steps.
"Xijing City is high and deeply fortified, and as the former capital of the previous dynasty, its defenses are extremely strong. Although Yang Yan was defeated, there are still tens of thousands of garrison troops and ample food supplies within the city. A direct assault is definitely not the best strategy."
Lin Feng looked at the map and analyzed it calmly.
Li Mao nodded in agreement: "Although our army has come victorious, it is after all a long expedition, with limited troops, insufficient siege equipment, and tight supplies!"
"Furthermore, the pressure on Jinyang is immense, and their logistical support is too far away to meet their immediate needs. Moreover, reinforcements could arrive from the capital at any time."
“If we launch an attack on the city and get bogged down in a protracted war, it will not only be disadvantageous to us, but we also risk being counterattacked.”
Although Huan Naxue longed to capture Xijing as soon as possible to completely eliminate her husband's worries about the rear, she also understood the difficulty of the attack. She frowned and said, "Are we just going to stand on the other side of the river and watch helplessly?"
Xi Sheng said in a deep voice, "I think we don't need to attack the city, a siege will do! We can wear them down! While we besiege the city, we can send troops to take over the surrounding prefectures and counties, cutting off their external support!"
"General Xi's words are not without merit."
Lin Feng added, "But it takes too long. Even if Yang Yan doesn't ask for help, Li Jingang definitely won't sit still."
"I think he must be mobilizing troops to support Yang Yan right now."
Murong Chunhua said, "If reinforcements arrive from the capital, we'll probably have to retreat back to Linzhou, or even Xiazhou!"
"......"
Just as everyone was discussing, a guard outside the tent reported: "Reporting to Madam, Commander Lin, there is an envoy from Xijing outside the camp requesting an audience!"
The group exchanged glances, all seeing the surprise in each other's eyes.
Lin Feng said in a deep voice, "Bring him in."
Before long, a middle-aged man dressed as a civil official was brought in, looking very nervous.
He was holding a staff, clearly representing Yang Yan.
"Your humble servant... Your humble servant has come on the orders of Prime Minister Yang to discuss with your army... the matter of ceasing hostilities and restoring peace."
The messenger's voice trembled, clearly indicating that he was in enemy territory and under immense pressure.
"Cease hostilities?" Lin Feng sneered. "Prime Minister Yang previously led an army to invade Hedong and besiege Liangzhou. Now that he has suffered a defeat and is in dire straits, he wants to cease hostilities? There is no such easy thing in the world!"
The envoy, sweating profusely, hurriedly said, "Governor Lin, please calm down. The Prime Minister is well aware that there were many misunderstandings in the past... We voluntarily relinquish Longyou... Let the current line of actual control be the boundary, and let the fighting cease for now, so that we can live in peace."
This condition, while seemingly a concession, is actually vague.
Acknowledging the fait accompli would not bring any real benefit to Hedong, but would instead give Yang Yan a chance to catch his breath.
Yang Yan knew that Lin Feng and Zhao Muyun had just experienced a major battle and might not be able to launch another major battle.
After all, Yang Yan still had 30,000 to 40,000 troops in Xijing, as well as the fortified city of Xijing, and reinforcements from Li Jingang's side could arrive at any time.
His sending envoys to negotiate was nothing more than a delaying tactic.
Huan Naxue's phoenix eyes flashed with power, and she slammed her hand on the table:
"What nonsense! The battles of Xia Prefecture and Liang Prefecture were clearly decisive victories for us. What misunderstanding? What voluntary abandonment of Longyou? How dare you say such things?"
"If you truly want us to cease hostilities, then make Yang Yan hand over Xijing! Otherwise, say no more!"
Her voice was clear and melodious, carrying an undeniable air of authority and killing intent, which frightened the envoy so much that he trembled all over and almost collapsed to the ground.
Lin Feng waved his hand, signaling Huan Naxue to calm down, and coldly said to the envoy:
"The Madam's meaning is the Grand Commander's meaning, and also the meaning of our Hedong Army. Go back and tell Yang Yan that if he wants to talk, he must show sincerity. Otherwise, he should prepare to fight our army to the death!"
The messenger, feeling as if he had been granted a pardon, scrambled out of the tent.
Even after the envoy was driven away, the atmosphere inside the tent was far from relaxed.
Murong Chunhua frowned and said, "It seems that Yang Yan wants to stall for time and wait for things to change."
Lin Feng nodded: "That's right. He's waiting for news from Liangzhou, and possibly reinforcements from the capital. We absolutely cannot give him that chance."
He stood up, walked to the map, and pointed to Xijing City: "However, a direct assault is definitely not advisable, and a prolonged siege could lead to unforeseen circumstances. The only solution now is to adopt a two-pronged approach!"
"Oh? What brilliant plan does the Governor have?" Everyone perked up.
A glint of cunning shone in Lin Feng's eyes:
"First, maintain a high-pressure stance, sending troops day and night to launch feigned attacks and harass, exhausting their morale, keeping them restless, and preventing them from easily leaving the city for field battles."
"Secondly, and crucially—winning hearts and minds is paramount!"
He glanced at the crowd and said, “The city of Xijing is definitely not a monolithic entity. A large part of Yang Yan’s troops are former subordinates of Zhang Zhongfang, the former governor of Xijing under the Great Yin Dynasty, who surrendered out of necessity.”
"Furthermore, there must be many loyal and righteous people in the city who are devoted to the Great Yin Dynasty, as well as officials and generals who are dissatisfied with Yang Yan! What we need to do is find a way to turn these people against their own side and cooperate from within!"
He looked at Huan Naxue: "Madam, you are renowned, especially for your killing of Yang Fan, which shook Guanzhong and made everyone tremble with fear."
“Write a letter of surrender in your own voice, shoot arrows into the city, proclaim the might of my Hedong army and the continued existence of the Great Yin dynasty, and shake the morale of the army and the people.”
He then looked at Fan Bingbing, Xu Yunlong, and He Yunsheng:
"Commander Fan, could your night scouts find an opportunity to infiltrate the city or make contact with certain people within it?"
Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement, finding the plan brilliant.
Combining military pressure with political persuasion is the right way to break through a city.
"Just a little bit more!"
Lin Feng's finger suddenly moved eastward, pointing heavily at that crucial point between Xijing and the capital.
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