Yang Yan led the main force of 90,000 Fengtian troops, which marched in a mighty army to the gates of Youzhou.
The continuous camps resembled a giant mushroom cluster suddenly sprouting on a white snowfield, stretching as far as the eye could see.
Banners obscured the sky, swords and spears were like a forest, and the chilling atmosphere made the air above Youzhou city seem to freeze.
Wuzhu adopted a strategy of feigning weakness, voluntarily abandoning several obstacles and small fortresses outside the city, and withdrawing his troops back into the high walls of Youzhou.
This made the Fengtian Army's initial advance exceptionally smooth, adding to their arrogance.
Inside the central command tent, Yang Yan looked at the majestic model of Youzhou City on the sand table and listened to his generals clamoring for battle, demanding an immediate and forceful attack to take Youzhou in one fell swoop.
"General, our army's morale is high. We should seize this opportunity and launch a full-scale attack on the city! This humble general is willing to be the vanguard!" A fierce general clasped his hands and volunteered.
"Yes, Commander! Wuzhu is cowardly and hiding in the city, which is the perfect opportunity for our army to break through!"
Yang Yan remained calm, not letting the current success or his subordinates' requests for battle cloud his judgment.
He knew that Wuzhu was no easy opponent, and that his decisive abandonment of the outer perimeter must be part of a scheme.
The defenses of Youzhou were far superior to those of Changzhou.
"Order each battalion to set up camp in the predetermined locations, with deep trenches and high walls to prevent the enemy from raiding the camp."
"Send out more scouts to investigate the terrain around Youzhou and the details of the enemy's deployment."
"The engineering battalion shall begin immediately to build all siege equipment: ladders, battering rams, catapults, siege towers, the more the better!" Yang Yan issued a series of prudent orders.
He chose to first use overwhelming military force to encircle Youzhou, and then gradually wear down the defenders' strength and will with overwhelming force.
This is a seemingly clumsy, yet most reliable, and most time-consuming and resource-intensive approach. But he can afford to wait, at least on the surface.
A few days later, the massive Fengtian Army engineering battalion, like efficient worker ants, produced hundreds of siege weapons of various kinds.
The massive catapults were slowly pushed forward, like ferocious beasts, aimed at the towering city walls of Youzhou.
"Attack!" With Yang Yan's command, war drums thundered and horns blared.
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