The Shenji Battalion's composite bows once again proved their worth, accurately suppressing the defenders on the city walls and covering the infantry as they filled in the trenches and set up siege ladders.
Nianbahu was still in shock. Seeing the Hedong army's offensive surging down from below the city and the defenders on the city walls being unable to raise their heads due to the enemy's arrows, he was terrified and no longer had any thought of fighting in the open. He could only desperately urge the defenders to put up a stubborn resistance.
However, the fall of Yizhou City was only a matter of time.
The news quickly reached Nianmohe in Baoding Prefecture.
"What?! That idiot Nianbahu! He dared to leave the city and fight in the open field without permission, and his entire army was almost wiped out?!"
Zhan Meihe flew into a rage and kicked over the table in front of him.
He was tall and strong, with a full beard and eyes like copper bells. When he got angry, he was like a Vajra descending to earth.
"General, the Hedong army is formidable, especially its crossbows, which are far superior to the Feng army. Yizhou is in imminent danger, and we must send troops to its rescue immediately!"
The defeated soldiers who escaped cried out.
"Rescue? Of course we must rescue!" Zhan Meihe roared. "Gather ten thousand soldiers, I'm going to personally meet that Zhao Muyun and see if he has three heads and six arms!"
At this moment, one of the more composed captains under Zhan Meihe spoke up:
"General, please calm down! Since Zhao Muyun dared to divide his forces to attack Yizhou, he must have made preparations. If our army goes out in full force, we may fall into his trap of luring the tiger away from the mountain. It would be better to hold Baoding and report to His Majesty at the same time."
Although Zhan Meihe was angry, he wasn't completely mindless, and he calmed down a bit after hearing this.
He stared at the map and said in a deep voice, "If Yizhou falls, Baoding's flank will be exposed and in danger as well. Zhao Muyun's main force is still at the Xutuo River. I will lead 10,000 elite troops ahead, while you lead the remaining troops to hold Baoding and at the same time, send a fast horse to inform the King!"
He ultimately decided to send troops.
On the one hand, he was unwilling to lose Yizhou so easily; on the other hand, his inherent pride made him not believe that the Southern army could truly defeat the elite Northern Di in open battle.
Nian Meihe personally led 10,000 elite infantry and cavalry troops away from Baoding and rushed towards Yizhou to provide reinforcements.
Unbeknownst to him, his every move had already been clearly observed by Huan Wu's light cavalry and night watchmen, and the news was immediately relayed back to Zhao Muyun's central army.
On the south bank of the Xutuo River, the Hedong Army Camp.
Looking at the latest battle report, Zhao Muyun smiled slightly: "As expected, Zhan Meihe has arrived. Order Wu Shangzhi and Xi Sheng to intensify the attack on Yizhou, but there's no need to rush to take the city."
"Order Murong Chunhua to act according to the plan, keep harassing him, and lure Nian Meihe to the pre-arranged battlefield."
He stood up, walked outside the tent, looked northeast, and said to Guo Luo, who was standing solemnly beside him, "Guo Luo, it's time for your heavy cavalry battalion to show its strength. Let this fierce general from the Northern Barbarians witness what a true iron torrent looks like."
Guo Luo's eyes burned with fighting spirit as he clasped his hands and said in a deep voice, "This humble general will not fail in his mission!"
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