The Song army's artillery showed its power in the battle, and there was naturally a mixture of sadness and joy inside and outside the city.
In the next two days, no matter how quiet the Song army was in the city, the Jin army did not make any movement. Even Zhang Yu did not come out to carry out the routine siege.
There was no way out. After this battle, the Jin army had a big problem just making personnel adjustments before the battle. Moreover, the situation was like this, and the Jin army had to make new decisions.
The twelfth lunar month was approaching. On this day, the weather turned cloudy and a cold wind began to blow. The only two remaining Wanhu of the Jin army gathered in Wanyan Wushu's rear tent to discuss important matters.
"Fourth Prince, why don't you withdraw your troops?"
After the three of them sat down cross-legged, there was a tense silence before Balisu suddenly spoke.
"Since Taizu started the rebellion, I have never heard of withdrawing the army because of the death of a few generals!" Unexpectedly, Wanyan Wushu, with his unshaven beard and dull eyes, did not get angry, because he might have thought that Balishu would raise this question a long time ago.
"Isn't this the mud bomb on the platform the day before yesterday?" Ba Lisu, whose fractured bones had not yet healed and whose arms were still drooping, responded calmly. "We have been on the platform for half a month, and the people on the city wall have also been patient for half a month, planning and waiting for this attack, which is just like an assassination. Although it has a miraculous effect, it cannot be considered a military method... It can only be used once, not twice, and it does not affect the overall situation... I have thought it through these few days, and the key lies in the advantage of the Song army's artillery!"
Wanyan Wushu fell silent... It had been several days, and if Balisu could think of it, how could he not think of it?
Wanyan Wushu said nothing. Han Chang was warming up his wine and drinking it. Balisu continued to speak slowly:
"In fact, I have seen clearly in the army that there has been no mistakes since the Fourth Prince went south. Not only that, the previous ambush of Han Shizhong was outstanding. Even though the siege of Nanyang lasted for more than half a month, it cannot be said that there was any misstep at this point... But now, it is not that the Fourth Prince did not command properly, nor that the people and men did not fight bravely. Even Zhang Yu can be said to have done his best, but Nanyang City is indeed well defended! Ordinary equipment and extraordinary equipment have been used up in half a month, but they have not even crossed the first layer of the city wall..."
"The first city wall?" Wanyan Wushu suddenly frowned and interrupted.
"That's right!" Balisu replied solemnly. "Although I haven't been able to enter the city, after half a month, I have already understood the defense of Nanyang City. If there is no third trench and second wall in the city, I can't understand it! Even if we go deeper, the city has already been divided into fortresses and stockades, which is possible!"
Wanyan Wuzhu remained silent, as if he was unable to refute.
"But these are just some minor issues," Balisu continued. "Since our dynasty started to fight, we have fought many battles with Liao, Song, and Xixia. According to them, there have been many powerful and daring tribes that have suddenly emerged over the past hundred years, but the only one that could annex Liao and overthrow Song was our Jurchens... Why was this possible? In fact, Lou Shi and my brother had a discussion that day. After all, it was because our Jurchens' field cavalry was unparalleled; when we surrounded a city, we could set up cannons and break through the walls, and nothing could be destroyed! The artillery carts were no less important to our army than the cavalry! The key to the defeat the day before was not the death of a Wanhu or a few Meng'an, but the fact that our artillery carts had no power to fight back. Before the day was up, the hundreds of artillery carts that we had worked so hard for half a month were all turned into dust! Fourth Prince, without the artillery carts, how are you going to attack Nanyang?"
Wanyan Wushu was still speechless... How did he know how to fight without the artillery carts? In fact, it was precisely because he didn't know that this serious military meeting was held!
"Fourth Prince!" Balisu wanted to say more. "I, your humble servant..."
"Balise!" At this moment, Han Chang, who had been drinking, suddenly spoke up. "According to what you said, the Song Dynasty can no longer be defeated? And if the artillery carts are useless, I remember that your Western Army did not take advantage of the artillery carts in Taiyuan? How did you take Taiyuan in the end? What method did you use?"
"Taiyuan is different from Nanyang!" Balisu immediately refuted.
"Of course it's different!" Han Chang responded coldly. "When I first came to Nanyang, General Balisu said it himself, saying that Nanyang couldn't compare to Taiyuan! The battle of Taiyuan was so hard... Since we were able to conquer such a majestic Taiyuan back then, how can we not conquer Nanyang today?!"
"General Han, don't be angry!" Balisu was also a little angry.
"I'm not being angry, but today, since there are only three of us, I want to say something from the bottom of my heart!" Han Chang said seriously. "During the battle of Nanyang, so many generals died, so many soldiers were wasted coming from afar, and they worked hard for half a month, but they left in a moment of fear... When the time comes, General Balisu, you can return to Taiyuan and just say that you are a reinforcement, and that this matter has nothing to do with you. Instead, it was someone who was incompetent in using troops that caused you to lose your nephew! But what should I do if I, a helpless person like me, return to Yanjing? Will I have the nerve to lead the troops next time?! How will the Fourth Prince explain to the Third Prince? Will your Marshal take the opportunity to force the Fourth Prince?!"
These words almost made the confrontation between the Eastern and Western armies clear, as if pointing at Balisu and saying that he had no right to speak in the Eastern Army!
May I ask how Balisu could not be angry?
However, when Balisu looked at Han Chang with angry eyes, the latter remained unafraid.
Moreover, although both of them were commanders of ten thousand households, Han Chang was the descendant of a surrendered general (he surrendered to the Jurchens with his father), while Balisu was from a distant branch of the royal family, with a good family background, and he also had an elder brother with considerable political skills and abilities to support him. The hidden status of the two was very different.
However, Han Chang was Wanyan Wushu's confidant after all. The two young men had been in contact long before the fourth prince came to power. Later, Wanyan Wushu came out to lead the troops alone. Coincidentally, Han Chang's father passed away, and Han Chang himself was able to take charge of the troops and become a member of the Wanhu clan. The two were able to form a subordinate relationship... In the final analysis, regardless of the Jurchen military council tradition, the one who is in charge of this military tent is still the fourth prince Wanyan Wushu!
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