Zongwu: Aspiring to be the mastermind behind the scenes

Chapter 411 The Predicament of Xiangyang: Defensive Strategies

"I had thought the situation in Xiangyang would be bad, but I didn't expect it to be this bad."

Guo Juxia finally frowned, feeling a headache coming on from the problem at hand.

Xiangyang City had fallen into disrepair over the years, had few troops, and lacked logistical supplies. Its only advantage was the large number of skilled warriors.

Even with Guo Jing's call to action, how could the experts gathered in a mere city possibly stand against the entire Yuan Kingdom?

Without being able to utilize this sole advantage, and facing the fierce offensive of the Yuan army, there was naturally no chance of victory.

“Brother, as far as I know, there are still many masters in the Song Dynasty. Putting aside everything else, why wouldn’t Hong Qigong, the Northern Beggar, who is on very good terms with you, and Huang Yaoshi, the Eastern Heretic, your sister-in-law’s father, be in this city?”

Huang Rong sighed and said, "Right now, four countries are attacking the Song Dynasty. Besides our Xiangyang, there are also three armies from Jin, Liao, and Western Xia."

At that time, the Mongol Yuan army had not yet set its sights on Xiangyang. Many people thought they would attack the Ming Dynasty. Therefore, in order to relieve the pressure on the other three defensive points, the old man Qi Gong led a group of experts to support other places.

But no one expected that the Mongol Yuan army would ultimately not attack the Ming Dynasty, but instead head towards Xiangyang!

The Yuan Kingdom was quite shrewd. Although they already knew that the Ming Kingdom's northern defenses were impenetrable and impossible to breach, they had already decided to attack Xiangyang.

But they first led their army to the northern defense line, and then suddenly moved to Xiangyang.

Because Xiangyang was located in the northwesternmost corner of the Song Dynasty and was very close to the northern defense line of the Ming Dynasty, the Yuan army arrived at the city in just one day.

At this time, Hong Qigong had already led a group of experts to other places and had even started a war with the alien races.

Even if they received the news, there wouldn't be enough time to get back.

This has led to the current situation in Xiangyang.

"As for my father... he would never help the Song Kingdom."

Huang Rong sighed.

Their ancestors, the Huang family, were actually a powerful official family in the Song Dynasty, and they had followed Emperor Taizu of Song in conquering the country.

However, the later rulers of the State of Song were all weak and incompetent.

The Huang family ancestors couldn't stand by and watch, so they urged the emperor to take a tough stance. However, this angered the emperor, and the entire clan was ordered to be exiled to the border of Dali.

Huang Yaoshi witnessed firsthand the disastrous consequences his family suffered because of their loyalty to the emperor and their love for the country, and therefore deeply hated the Song royal family.

He grew up on the border, was a prodigy, and learned a great deal of skills. In addition, due to a fortuitous encounter, he obtained some of the inheritance of a secret sect and mastered martial arts.

But he never intended to sell his literary and martial talents to the Zhao Song imperial family.

Later, he preferred to find an island at sea rather than settle on the territory of the Zhao Song dynasty.

Guo Jing settled in Xiangyang with Huang Rong and their family. For many years, he was stationed in Xiangyang to guard against foreign tribes and protect the territory of the Song Dynasty. He once said, "The greatest heroes are those who serve their country and its people."

People all admire his character and willingly call him a great hero.

But Huang Yaoshi alone disliked him.

The reason for this is precisely because of this.

So even though Huang Rong is Huang Yaoshi's daughter, expecting Huang Yaoshi to come and rescue Xiangyang City is practically a pipe dream.

At most, Huang Yaoshi might come and rescue Huang Rong and the others when Xiangyang City falls.

Guo Juxia crossed his arms, his brows furrowed in a frown: "I've come to a conclusion. While Xiangyang certainly doesn't have an advantage in terms of top experts, it's definitely not a disadvantage either, right?"

Huang Rong nodded: "Although there are no top-level masters of the Three Flowers level in the city, there are definitely many martial arts masters."

This is precisely where Guo Jing's charm lies.

Guo Juxia continued, "From this perspective, although Xiangyang City cannot develop the high-level strategies it used to excel at, such as launching surprise attacks at night, it can still withstand the Yuan Kingdom's high-level attacks, right?"

"good."

"In that case, Xiangyang City is not actually in particularly short of experts. What is truly important is the repair of this city!"

Guo Juxia said, "Xiangyang City is now in disrepair. Under the powerful offensive of the Yuan army, even if it can withstand the attack in other aspects, once the city falls, all its advantages will be lost."

The most important aspect of defending a city is the significant advantage of having a strong city.

Generally speaking, it takes at least three times the number of troops to conquer a city.

Although Xiangyang City had fallen into disrepair over the years, it had still survived many wars and was certainly more resilient than ordinary cities.

If it were a relatively ordinary city located in the Central Plains, it probably wouldn't even last a day against the current Yuan army.

The fact that Xiangyang City held out on the first day, and possibly even for the second, third, or even longer, already proved its fortification.

In fact, if the Yuan Kingdom had only sent 30,000 to 50,000 troops this time, Xiangyang City would have been able to hold out.

However, the Yuan Dynasty sent an army of 150,000, along with a large number of engineering machines and hundreds of skilled warriors.

This is what has led to the current precarious situation of Xiangyang City.

Therefore, repairing the city is the most crucial task at present.

As long as the city can be repaired, with the strength of the city, the many experts in the city, and even Guo Jing's own outstanding military defense capabilities, it can completely withstand even an enemy force five or seven or eight times larger.

Although it is slightly insufficient compared to the Yuan Dynasty's 150,000-strong army, it is still entirely possible to hold out for a period of time.

Moreover, although the city's military strength is still small, Ming Dynasty reinforcements are already on their way.

Guo Juxia said, "Therefore, our most important issue right now is to protect the defenses of Xiangyang. I will send a letter to His Majesty, asking him to send people to transport supplies and craftsmen. But at the same time, we must also try our best to prevent Xiangyang from suffering further massive damage from the Yuan army's siege equipment. And the best way to do this is... to destroy them!"
The Yuan army's engineering machinery can be broadly divided into two types: one is constructed temporarily using local materials, and the other is meticulously prepared and built in advance before being brought to the battlefield. The latter posed a particularly significant threat to Xiangyang!

The oil-filled boulders that caused the most damage to Xiangyang City were launched by catapults manufactured using the second method.

As for the former, since it uses local materials, it can be said that whatever materials are available are used.

Xiangyang City had been the site of numerous battles, and the old trees surrounding it had long since been cut down.

Therefore, the hastily manufactured catapults were relatively weak.

Looking at the distant military camp, Guo Juxia said, "Right now, many experts are closely protecting the Yuan army's commander in the Yuan army camp. But I'm afraid no one would think of protecting those catapults, would they?"

Huang Rong's eyes lit up, and she exclaimed excitedly, "Brother Jing, this is indeed an opportunity! If we can destroy those trebuchets, it will be much easier for us to deal with the Yuan army's offensive!"

The most formidable force in the Yuan army was undoubtedly its cavalry.

However, cavalry is practically useless in siege warfare.

Excluding siege machinery, the Yuan army's attack on Xiangyang mainly relied on archers and infantry. The city of Xiangyang was teeming with martial arts masters, so this factor didn't pose a significant threat.

A confident smile appeared on Guo Juxia's lips: "In terms of mechanical arts, these alien races may be able to learn a little bit, but the real essence will definitely still be in my Central Plains!"

Huang Rong exclaimed happily, "Yes, even now, there are plenty of experts in Xiangyang who are skilled in mechanical arts! As long as we ask them to help, we can easily find the weaknesses of the Yuan army's mechanical catapults!"

Guo Juxia said, "Not only that, I have another idea. My dear brother, shouldn't you have personally designed and directed the defensive layout of Xiangyang City?"

"Of course," Guo Jing nodded.

"In that case, why don't we have another fierce battle?"

Huang Rong was taken aback: "A fierce battle? With whom? It can't be Pang Ban, can it?"

"of course not!"

Guo Juxia said, "Soldiers against soldiers, generals against generals, the target of your fierce battle, my brother, is naturally the enemy's commander-in-chief. As long as you assassinate the enemy commander-in-chief multiple times a day, you will definitely exhaust him with military affairs. But you are a Three Flowers Grandmaster, while the enemy commander-in-chief is only a Xiantian. In a battle of stamina, you will definitely win."

Huang Rong frowned immediately: "This method is not appropriate. Even if Brother Jing is highly skilled in martial arts, I'm afraid he can't guarantee that he will be able to escape successfully every time he enters or leaves the enemy camp. Moreover, if the enemy commander is tired, we can simply replace him with someone else to command the army."

"This……"

Upon reflection, Guo Juxia realized that this was indeed somewhat inappropriate, and quickly said, "I didn't think it through. Just pretend I didn't say that."

Guo Jing said, "Brother is just concerned about the battle situation in Xiangyang. The plan to sabotage with engineering machinery that you just proposed is very good. There are also experts in the city who are skilled in mechanical arts. Let's go and discuss it first."

The matter was then dropped.

In fact, he also felt that this method was very inappropriate.

It's not that Guo Jing was unwilling to take risks, but rather that even the great hero Guo had this method, which fundamentally doesn't make sense.

Just like Huang Rong said, if the commander-in-chief really collapses from exhaustion, there are plenty of people around who can take over command.

The position of head coach is indeed very crucial.

Take control of the overall situation and formulate a grand strategy.

In a complete war, the most important person is undoubtedly the commander-in-chief.

However, when the perspective narrows from an entire war to the attack on a single city, the role of the commander-in-chief becomes very minor.

What is needed here is a massive army, powerful siege equipment, brave soldiers, fierce vanguard generals, and even strategists skilled in tactics.

But the only thing they don't really need is a head coach.

It could even be said that the commander-in-chief only needed to give the order to attack the city in the morning and to withdraw the troops in the evening.

You can sleep in the tent at other times.

Guo Juxia's solution was indeed ingenious, but it was also completely incompatible with war.

It can only be said that this person's understanding of military matters is quite limited.

Every day that is delayed will make the situation in Xiangyang worse.

The group immediately descended the city wall, not even having time to welcome Guo Juxia, and went straight to the experts in the city to discuss how to more effectively destroy the siege equipment.

Although, given Guo Jing's strength, a single move of the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms would surely be enough to completely shatter a siege weapon.

But such a powerful palm strike must consume a great deal of true energy.

After all, siege equipment is not just a few pieces of wood and ropes.

Many siege weapons are very complex, such as the siege tower, but from the outside, it is actually a wooden building that is several stories high. The whole building is completely enclosed by wood, with wheels underneath, and a wooden wall at the top to block the view.

These siege weapons were designed to give archers a height advantage, so they were often built to be higher than the walls they were attacking.

In a typical small town, a city wall three to five meters high is already quite remarkable, so the corresponding well curb would only be five or six meters high.

However, Xiangyang City was different. The walls of this fortified city were over ten meters high, and the corresponding well curbs would probably be twenty meters high.

A building twenty meters high, made entirely of wood and divided into several floors, was Guo Jing's target for destruction.

Moreover, this is only one of them.

Catapults are not usually this big, but the Yuan Dynasty specially built a mechanical catapult. If a single stone hits its target, it can crack the more than ten-meter-high Xiangyang city wall.

Its size is naturally not small either.

And there were not just one or two of these catapults, but dozens, nearly a hundred, in units of ten!
As for the catapults that were hastily built using local materials, there were as many as several hundred of them.

However, those catapults had limited impact on the Xiangyang city wall and were not the primary target at the moment.

All of these catapults were located within the Yuan army's camp.

In other words, what Guo Jing was to do was to directly storm into the enemy's camp and destroy all the dozens, nearly a hundred, of mechanical catapults.

During this period, he would undoubtedly face the threat of all the experts in the enemy camp, and also have to consider the situation of being surrounded by a large army.

Only after completing all the tasks can we perhaps find a way to escape from the now fully awakened military camp.

This is undoubtedly a task of unimaginable difficulty!

Even for someone like Guo Jing, who cultivated the Nine Yin Manual and possessed an inexhaustible inner strength, such a difficult task required careful consideration of the use and distribution of his inner energy to avoid running out of it.

"Of course I can't let my brother go alone; I can go with him!"

"That's what Guo Juxia said."

"Brother, you don't need to..."

“What are you saying, my dear brother! My mission here is to help you defend Xiangyang. Besides, this idea was mine, how can I let you go alone?”

"That's what Guo Juxia said decisively."

"Brother, this mission is extremely dangerous."

"Then I should go with you!"

Guo Juxia said with a smile, "Besides, I wasn't completely unprepared. My good brother, just watch!"

As he spoke, Guo Juxia took out a medicine bottle from his robes and said, "These are five divine medicines specially bestowed by His Majesty, called the Inch-Gold Pill. I think you, my worthy brother, have heard of this name before, haven't you?"

(End of this chapter)