The Duke of Shu Han began guarding Jingzhou in place of Guan Yu.

Chapter 26 Observing the Battle and Discussing Military Strategy (Part 1)

Black clouds are threatening to destroy the city.

However, the sun is located further south during this season.

So even in the afternoon.

There was no such spectacular sight as the armor gleaming in the sun and the golden scales unfolding in the south of the city.

It did, however, disrupt the defenders' field of vision to some extent.

The people had to rely on the eaves of the building to block out the sunlight in order to see the densely packed warships on the river.

At the same time, it was also clear that the enemy had formed a thick palisade around Jiangjin Garrison, and that it was heavily guarded.

Thus, Jiangjin Garrison was first surrounded by a layer of wooden barriers, and then by a layer of warships.

Completely isolated and helpless.

It also completely lost its tactical function of blocking the enemy from crossing the river on the island.

Although it was expected, the fact remains that the enemy outnumbered us.

But those on the city wall couldn't help but feel a sense of shared sorrow, like the fox mourning the death of its kin.

From a broader perspective, Jiangling is essentially a larger "Jiangjin Garrison"!
If reinforcements are slow to arrive.

The next city to be besieged will be Jiangling City.

"The key lies in the two garrisons of Mamu and Lingxi."

Seeing that the atmosphere was somewhat oppressive, Guan Xing couldn't help but speak up.

"As long as those two points are held, it will be difficult for Lü Meng to gain a foothold on the north bank."

Regardless of whether they knew about warfare or not, the people inside the watchtower could only nod in agreement.

Only Pan Jun let out a low snort, clearly showing his disdain.

However, at this time, the city walls were filled with the sounds of drums and gongs, and no one noticed.

Except for Miwei, who always stood beside him.

Mi Wei thought to himself, "Old Deng, if you have a different opinion, just say it! What time is it and you're still whining like this?"

However, he could understand Poon Chun's mindset.

Although he had to step forward to help Guan Xing defend the city because of his incompetent teammates at home.

But I'm definitely still bothered by it.

And no matter what.

He was an elder, a renowned scholar, and a high-ranking official in the prefecture.

He wouldn't lower his pride unless Guan Xing took the initiative to ask for advice.

Unfortunately, Guan Xing disliked Lao Deng because of his father's influence and couldn't let go of his pride.

How wonderful it would be if the two sides could cooperate sincerely.

Mi Wei was quite helpless, but he was also used to it.

It doesn't matter, I will take action!

"Sir, I have a question!"

"The two garrisons of Ma Mu and Ling Xi together have only four or five garrisons, while the enemy army right now has no less than ten battalions just by looking at the number of their banners."

"Can these four or five hundred garrison soldiers, relying on two small fortified positions, really withstand tens of thousands of enemy troops?"

As soon as Mi Wei spoke, Guan Xing immediately looked over.

When the city's commander turned around, the others naturally followed suit.

So Pan Jun had no choice but to speak, even if he didn't want to:

"Ha, you managed to ask that question. I've taught you these past two days without any wasted effort!"

Teachers should still maintain their proper demeanor.

But Miwei didn't care.

Pan Jundao:
"The art of war says: Those who are good at defense hide themselves deep underground."

"This means that a person who is good at defense knows how to conceal their true strength and weaknesses so that the enemy cannot easily see through them."

"The size and layout of those two fortresses are there for all to see. How many soldiers, how much food, how much armor and weapons they can hold is obvious to a veteran like Lü Meng."

"If the city dares not send troops to support them, do you believe that Lü Meng will immediately launch a strong attack on the two garrisons and take them in a matter of days?"

"Conversely, if he can coordinate with his troops from both inside and outside, he will not only be facing four or five hundred soldiers, but the entire city of Jiangling... His command and control will naturally be constrained, and he will have to spend more time and energy."

“I understand what you mean, sir,” Miwei said.

"Defending a city is like playing chess; the city is static, but the people are dynamic. If people can't play dynamic moves, no matter how many castles you have, they're all just static pieces!"

Pan Jun raised an eyebrow upon hearing this: "That's a good summary."

Upon hearing this, everyone showed expressions of sudden realization and admiration.

Guan Xing looked conflicted, as if he wanted to ask but was too embarrassed to.

Seeing this, Miwei continued to attack:

"But if Lord Guan launches an attack, who will be responsible for defending the city?"

Pan Jun was a shrewd man; he simply turned around with his hands behind his back, looking like a hands-off manager.

Mi Wei had anticipated this and turned to Guan Xing and others:

"Lord Guan, you go and muster the troops to support the defenses outside the city. I will take over the defenses on the city walls!"

"You gentlemen are still unaware, aren't you?"

"I have been studying military strategy with Master Pan for the past two days and have gained quite a bit of insight. Today is the perfect time to test my learning!"

After saying that, he winked at Guan Xing.

The latter understood immediately and deliberately raised his voice towards Pan Jun's retreating figure: "Since Lord Mi has become Master Pan's outstanding disciple, then I naturally trust him!"

"I'm sure Lord Mi will protect my reputation and ensure that my honor is not tarnished!"

Then he turned to the people around him:

"Gentlemen, don't you agree?"

Everyone inside the building agreed.

if not?
They don't know how to defend a city.

In particular, the enemy general was Lü Meng, the Tiger General under Sun Quan.

Who wouldn't feel intimidated facing him?
"You two brats will drive your father to his death sooner or later!"

After Guan Xing went down to the city to review his troops, Pan Jun was so angry that he cursed loudly.

Mi Wei smiled and said:

"You flatter me, sir!"

"Although I may be implying that I am forcing you to take action, isn't it because I want to use this opportunity to let everyone in Jingzhou see clearly that Jiangling City is not only home to General Guan who can defeat ten thousand men, but also to someone like you, Sun Quan or Wu Qi!"

"In the past, you were ostracized by General Guan. Even though you possessed the wisdom of a million soldiers, you suffered because no one knew about you!"

"As a disciple, how can I let my master suffer such an injustice!"

"So even if you blame me today, sir, I still have to say this: please let these cowards of Jiangdong see what a true warrior who can defeat ten thousand men really is!"

Upon seeing this, everyone inside the building naturally agreed once again.

if not?
Even if they offended Pan Jun, Guan Yu wouldn't reward them for it.

It can only be said that flattery will never be rejected.

Although Poon Chun continued to groan, he finally didn't turn his back again.

In that short time, the enemy forces on Jiangjin Island made their move.

Several formations, lined up in a row and stretching for nearly two miles, started simultaneously.

Like rolling, turbid waves surging towards the north bank of the great river.

The reason the enemy chose to land here is because...

First one.

Of course, it's because there are already many sandbars near Jiangjin.

In addition, the water is shallow in autumn and winter.

A few boats can be used as a temporary pontoon bridge.

Secondly, it was because Guan Xing, on Liao Hua's advice, had carried out a scorched-earth policy over the past two days.

The usable ferry crossings along the river had already been burned down.

Several navigable waterways were blocked with wood, stones, and sunken ships.

Before the crossings are repaired or the waterways are dredged, the enemy cannot efficiently transport troops using large ships.

Of course, the choice was to land via the sandbar route.

This meant they had to withstand the resistance from the garrison on the shore.

Almost half an hour after the enemy started their attack, Mi Wei saw that Ma Mu and Ling Xi each sent out a team of men to block the enemy.

However, since Jiangling City is still five or six miles away from the riverbank, the battle situation is not yet clear.

But one can imagine that these two groups of men would at most slow down the enemy's landing speed.

If they can hold out for an hour or two, it would be a fair trade-off for the strategic importance of these two outposts.

If we can hold out until dark, then we've exceeded our mission expectations.

Just then, a scout entered the city to report the news.

It is said that an enemy force of about three thousand men was discovered on the east bank of the river.

It is heading north upstream along the east bank of the river, heading straight towards Jiangling.

Miwei briefly recalled the surrounding terrain.

Because the river makes a sharp bend and flows south after passing Jiangling.

Therefore, the east bank downstream and the north bank upstream are actually the same side.

Furthermore, because the eastern suburbs of Jiangling City are dotted with lakes, there are no large defensive strongholds like Mamu and Lingxi in that direction.

At least not at present.

Firstly, wetlands are inherently difficult to build cities on;

Secondly, the lake itself is a natural "moat".

Of course, even the best moat is only meaningful if it is defended.

At present, Jiangling simply cannot spare enough troops to defend that vast expanse of water.

Thinking about it this way, the enemy forces on the eastern side, though far away on the eastern bank of the lower reaches, are still a threat.

But it may not necessarily be slower than the route from the western sandbar.

Three thousand is a force number that cannot be ignored.

Then a question that follows is:

Which of the two enemy forces, one on the east and one on the west, is the main attacking force and which is the supporting force?

Or are they all primarily offensive?

The answer to this question is crucial to the subsequent deployment of troops to defend the city.

(End of this chapter)