"My lord, our army has 50,000 men. Why not press on with one decisive blow..." Han Fang said somewhat anxiously.
Han Zhong interrupted him: "War isn't about who has more men. Li Sheng is Li Jingang's cousin, quite knowledgeable in military affairs, and skilled in defense. A direct attack would play right into his hands."
He walked outside the tent and looked at the Youzhou city wall that was faintly visible in the distance: "The General once said something when he was at the Yanqingdun beacon tower: 'To attack a city is inferior; to attack a mind is superior.'"
"We must let Li Sheng know that he is now an isolated city, and that resistance will only lead to his death."
Han Fang seemed to understand: "Does the master intend to surround him without attacking, so that he will surrender without resistance?"
"Not only that." A glint of light flashed in Han Zhong's eyes. "We also want him to know that Li Bao can't save him, Li Jingang can't save him, and the Tartars... certainly can't save him either."
He turned back to his tent and said, "Send orders to build more siege equipment, especially ladders and battering rams. Build them on a large scale."
“Tie a note to it and shoot it into the city to spread the news: that Xiong Dayong has taken all of Hebei, Li Bao has been defeated and retreated, and Li Jingang is in dire straits in the capital.”
"yes!"
"Also," Han Zhong called to Tong Gu, "have those ten Divine Machine Cannons sent from Xia Prefecture arrived?"
Tong Gu's eyes lit up: "It just arrived yesterday and is being assembled in the rear camp. The craftsmen sent by the Ministry of Works said that this is the latest improved model, with a range of up to 300 paces and the ability to fire 5-pound iron bullets."
"Alright." Han Zhong nodded. "Tomorrow, bring two of them to the front lines and let Li Sheng see what's what."
......
At the same time, inside Youzhou City.
In the main hall of the military governor's mansion, Li Sheng was in a fit of rage.
This cousin of Li Jingang, a burly man with a face as black as iron, now had bloodshot eyes and bristling hair.
"Useless! All of you are useless!" He slammed a battle report to the ground. "Li Bao's 50,000 troops were held up in Ye City by Xiong Da using a traitor? Is he just sitting around doing nothing?"
The generals below the hall hung their heads in silence. Military advisor Liu Yu forced a smile and said, "General, please calm down. General Li has no choice. Xiong Dayong occupies a key position in Xiangzhou, fortifying his defenses against the mountains; a direct assault would result in too many casualties..."
"So we're not going to attack?" Li Sheng roared. "If Li Bao keeps his troops stationary in Ye City, does he expect my 30,000 men from Youzhou to fight against Han Zhong's 50,000-strong army all by myself?"
He walked to the map, his fingers trembling: "Look at this! To the north, Tian Qing has blocked Wuzhu at Feihu Ridge; to the south, Xiong Dayong has cut off their retreat; to the east is the sea; to the west... Han Zhong's army is already at the city gates!"
The hall was deathly silent.
After a long silence, Vice General Wang Sheng said in a low voice, "General, the only option now is to hold our ground and wait for reinforcements. Youzhou is a high-walled city with deep moats and ample supplies; holding out for three months should not be a problem."
"Within three months, as long as His Majesty defeats Zhao Muyun in the capital, or General Li Bao breaks through Ye City..."
"Three months?" Li Sheng gave a bitter laugh. "Do you think Han Zhong would give us three months?"
He walked to the window and gazed at the continuous military camps of the Yin army outside the city:
"I know something about Han Zhong. He seems cautious in his military tactics, but he is actually ruthless. He is Zhao Muyun's number one general!"
Before the words were finished, a loud bang suddenly came from outside the city.
"boom--!"
The deafening roar shook the very ground.
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