Military morale is an invisible force, yet it often determines the outcome of a war. Even a weakling will dare to follow his comrades in pursuit of a fleeing enemy; even a brave general will become discouraged when surrounded by fleeing soldiers.
The military force in Youtunwei City was still relatively sufficient, but they were put together and most of them were afraid of the Later Jin army, so it was not easy to defend the city.
Therefore, this first battle of attack and defense was crucial. If they lost, the city would be lost and men would die; if they won, their morale would be greatly boosted, and they could rely on the city to defeat the enemy with fewer troops.
The Later Jin army that came to attack the city was not large. The three banners were not much different from the defenders in the city. They did not have many siege weapons. They also planned to surround the city from three sides and leave one side open. Daishan and Amin did not attack from all sides.
This gave Zu Dashou and others the opportunity to concentrate their weapons and elite troops to focus on resisting one side.
In addition, with the supervision team and the Jinyiwei watching closely, the defenders relied on internal mobilization and troop advantages to defeat the fierce attack of the Later Jin army.
Now the army's morale is basically stable and the morale is high. The next battle will not be as chaotic as it is today!
Looking at the corpses scattered all over the city and the destroyed siege equipment, who wouldn’t think, “The Jiannu are nothing but this” and “The Jiannu are good at cavalry and archery, so their siege is a piece of cake”?
Well, when it gets dark, send some suicide squads down the city wall, cut off some heads and hang them on the city wall. That will boost morale and inspire the troops.
Zu Dashou was thinking in his mind when he saw the garrison commander He Kegang and Jinyiwei captain Gou Zhenhuai coming over.
He Kegang had a forced smile on his face, nodding his head in agreement from time to time. Gou Zhenhuai spoke with great energy, gesturing with his hands.
"This Five Tigers Door-Breaking Knife has the ability to slash, chop, wipe, stomp, split, collapse, hook, and hang, as well as pierce, cut, twist, block, and sweep. Combined with wrist flowers, back flowers, head wrapping, and brain wrapping, it's so fierce and powerful..."
"Great, really great." He Kegang nodded in praise, but he groaned in his heart, feeling that he was short of words and didn't know how to praise him any more.
Seeing Zu Dashou, He Kegang hurried forward and saluted, "General, I am honored to meet you."
Gou Zhenhuai also bowed and said with a smile, "Greetings, General Zu."
Zu Dashou returned the greeting with a smile, saying, "You have both worked hard in repelling the powerful enemy and defending the city."
He Kegang said a few humble words and then left on the pretext of something. Without Gou Zhenhuai's Five Tigers Gate-Breaking Blade, he felt even more relaxed than when he had fought off the Jiannu, and he breathed a sigh of relief.
"The defeat of the Jiannu has greatly boosted the morale of our army. We can easily resist the next attack on the city." Zu Dashou stretched out his hand and pointed, and several tall poles were erected not far away, with the heads of the Jiannu killed on the city hanging on the poles.
Gou Zhenhuai smiled and said, "From what I have seen, after this setback, the Jiannu will probably not attack the city again when they see the banner of the governor again."
Zu Dashou was stunned for a moment and asked, "Why did Captain Gou say that?"
Gou Zhenhuai, still smiling, said, "If there's no food or supplies in the city, what's the point of the Jiannu conquering it? Knowing that General Xiong is in charge, they must know that conquering the city will yield little. Given that, would the Jiannu waste countless casualties just to capture the city, or even chop off General Xiong's head to vent their anger?"
This was said in a somewhat disrespectful manner, but it was also directed at Xiong Tingbi. However, when Zu Dashou heard it, he felt as if he suddenly understood everything.
The nickname "Bear Barbarian" wasn't given for nothing. How could the Later Jin army not know that if this brute force came to the fort, not only would they face desperate resistance when attacking the city, but after it was breached, smoke would probably rise and fire would soar into the sky.
Others don’t know, but Zu Dashou is not clear about the layout of the city?
Xiong Tingbi sent 300 men to guard the warehouse, and Du Zhenyu, a captain of the Imperial Guard, was also in charge. They had all the incendiary materials ready, just in case the city fell and the warehouse supplies were set on fire.
This guy is not simple!
Zu Dashou couldn't help but look at this smiling guy with admiration. After thinking about it carefully, could such a good-for-nothing be sent by the emperor?
Even if His Majesty doesn't understand, the Pacification Office must send out elite troops to avoid messing up the mission.
"Gou Baihu is able to see the big picture from the small details, and his words are profound and profound." Zu Dashou bowed and said, "I have benefited a lot from your advice!"
Gou Zhenhuai smiled and waved his hand, saying, "General Zu, you are too polite. This is all due to the instructions and strategies that His Majesty personally gave me before I left."
"It is really enviable that the emperor personally teaches strategies." Zu Dashou was surprised, but when he thought of the emperor's "craftsmanship", he felt relieved.
Gou Zhenhuai bowed towards the capital and said, "Your Majesty, these Jiannu are nothing but a gang of bandits. They are so ferocious because they are driven crazy by poverty. But if they don't plunder, they can't survive. They are so pitiful."
Gou Zhenhuai clicked his lips and had a look of sympathy on his face, but it was only a fleeting expression.
The smile returned to his face, but it was a bit sinister and cruel. "As long as we don't let them rob us of their food and clothing, and we don't have to fight them, they will collapse in a few years. This is called an economic crisis. Your Majesty, I don't quite understand what you are talking about."
"Your Majesty is wise and insightful, with a sharp eye. He immediately saw through the Jiannu's weakness." Zu Dashou bowed and said, "They are just a bunch of savages who don't farm or weave. They will die of hardship if they are trapped."
Gou Zhenhuai chuckled and said, "That's true, but the city defenses need to be strengthened. Who knows if those barbarians will go crazy and attack us recklessly?"
Zu Dashou nodded in agreement and said, "Being prepared is a sure thing. This is truly a foolproof strategy."
Gou Zhenhuai touched the knife at his waist, looked around for a while, and asked, "Where is Guard He?"
Without waiting for Zu Dashou's reply, Gou Zhenhuai shook his head and said, "I haven't yet explained to him the essence of swordsmanship. The body shape, steps, eyesight, and expression are all essential. Guard He's aura is okay, but he's only listening to the basics. You can't practice blindly on your own."
"General Zu..." Gou Zhenhuai bowed to Zu Dashou.
Zu Dashou quickly said with a smile, "Captain Gou, please do as you please. Guard He is truly lucky to have inherited Captain Gou's true sword technique."
"Hahahaha, General Zu, remember this, what I practiced was the Five Tigers Breaking Door Sword." Gou Zhenhuai smiled and bowed goodbye, then left the city. I don't know if he really went to find He Kegang.
Zu Dashou watched Gou Zhenhuai leave, frowned slightly and fell into deep thought.
Prevent the Jiannu from looting supplies and trap them to death.
It seems that the emperor agrees with Xiong Tingbi's three-party arrangement strategy, which means that Xiong Tingbi will be of great use, and the emperor does not seem to be prepared to continue to fight with the Jiannu in Liaodong.
Otherwise, it would be unreasonable to abandon countless forts and relocate all the Liao people. His Majesty is so resolute and decisive. Although he is young, his courage is truly impressive!
Should he retreat to Shanhaiguan, or Jinzhou, Dalinghhe, or Ningyuan? Zu Dashou patted the frozen city wall thoughtfully, as if saying goodbye before leaving.
……………..
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
