Nine dragons fight for the throne, I don't want to sit on this throne

Chu Ning's plan, which was interconnected, bold, yet highly feasible, made all the generals in the tent feel excited and suddenly enlightened!

"Brilliant! Your Majesty, this is a brilliant plan!"

Ran Ming was the first one to clap his hands excitedly and exclaim in praise, his huge hands slamming the table loudly.

"That's it! I, Old Ran, will definitely destroy Hongdu City!"

"Your Majesty is wise! If this plan succeeds, the Han army will undoubtedly be defeated!"

The other generals also showed joy on their faces and echoed each other. The anxiety and disagreements just now were swept away, replaced by a strong desire and confidence for victory.

Zhao Yu also completely understood Chu Ning's overall plan, and all his doubts were gone. He bowed and said:

"I understand! I will do my best to complete the mission!"

Chu Ning looked at his generals with satisfaction as they rekindled their fighting spirit. He waved his hand and said, "Since there is no doubt, go down and prepare immediately!"

"Ran Ming, urge all units to gather at the main camp as soon as possible!"

"Zhao Yu, go select the cavalry immediately and prepare to set off!"

"This battle is related to the fate of the Great Chu. I hope that all the generals will fight bravely and work with me to achieve this unprecedented feat!"

"Your Majesty, I obey your command! We are willing to die for you!"

The generals responded with a roar, their voices shaking the tent. Then they turned around, with high morale and clear instructions, and strode out of the tent and plunged into the intense pre-war preparations.

Chu Ning stood alone in front of the sand table, looking at the situation between the enemy and us, his eyes became cold and deep again.

An unprecedented and carefully planned double hunt is about to begin in the land of Hongdu.

The next two days passed quickly in a tense and depressing atmosphere.

Chu Ning's orders were carried out without fail. The Chu troops scattered around Hongdu converged on the main camp day and night, just like rivers flowing into the sea.

Finally, at dusk on the second day, the total strength of the Chu army outside Hongdu City recovered and exceeded 100,000 people!

The continuous camps were brightly lit, horses and soldiers were neighing, and the murderous atmosphere reached the sky.

Without any delay, on the very night when the troops were assembled, Zhao Yu personally led 30,000 carefully selected elite cavalry.

With their mouths sealed and their horses' hooves wrapped, they took advantage of the cover of night and cleverly avoided the sight of Hongdu City like a silent black python, galloping towards the northeast.

Their goal was clear - the only way for Huo Guang's vanguard army to come to support, a dangerous valley called "Luoyingjian".

The next day, early in the morning.

The deafening sound of war drums, like violent thunder, suddenly broke the tranquility outside Hongdu City, and also announced that the Chu army's long-awaited attack had officially begun!

Ran Ming, with his shiny bald head and wearing heavy armor, stood in front of the formation like a moving iron tower.

He pointed the huge mace in his hand at the top of Hongdu City and let out a deafening roar:

"My men! His Majesty has ordered the capture of Hongdu, today! Charge! The first one to reach the city wall will be rewarded with a thousand gold coins and promoted three ranks! Kill!"

"kill!!!"

Following his order, tens of thousands of Chu army infantrymen, like a black tide, carried countless ladders, pushed heavy siege vehicles, and held thick shields, and launched a fierce attack on the towering walls of Hongdu!

Arrows flew up from the Chu army formation like locusts, whistling shrilly, and shot towards the top of the city wall in an attempt to suppress the defenders' counterattack.

On the city wall of Hongdu, facing the sudden fierce and crazy attack of the Chu army, the defending soldiers were nervous but not panicked.

Because their backbone, the defending general Geng Hui, stood like a rock at the most dangerous position on the city wall.

Geng Hui, a general in his forties with a resolute face and many battle-hardened experience.

He was wearing general's armor, standing with his sword in hand, calmly observing the attack of the Chu army.

Looking at the Chu army swarming like ants outside the city and the dense rain of arrows, a confident arc even appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"Hmph, have you, the Chu thief, run out of tricks? You're actually thinking of relying on your numbers to take over Hongdu?"

Geng Hui's voice was loud and clear, deliberately intended for the surrounding soldiers to hear: "Order! Crossbowmen, shoot freely, aim at the ladders and the charging enemy!"

"Hit me hard, rocks and rolling logs! Let them taste the power of Hongdu!"

"Understood!" The messenger ran away.

Geng Hui's confidence is not without reason.

As an important military town, Hongdu City has high and thick walls, complete defense facilities, and sufficient food and grass. Most of the 50,000 defenders under his command are veterans who have experienced war and their morale is still relatively solid.

More importantly, he knew that the emperor's reinforcements were on the way, and General Huo Guang's 30,000 vanguards would arrive soon!

As long as we hold on for these few days, the situation will be reversed!

Under his command, the Han army's defense was orderly, efficient and deadly.

On the city wall, the Han army archers hid behind the battlements, calmly drew their bows and arrows, and accurately shot down the Chu army who tried to climb the ladders.

The strong men shouted slogans and pushed the huge rolling logs and heavy stones down the city wall with all their strength. With terrifying kinetic energy, they smashed into the dense charging team of the Chu army, immediately causing a terrible sound of howling and broken bones.

The burning kerosene was poured down, instantly forming a sea of ​​fire at the foot of the city wall, engulfing the Chu army's siege equipment and soldiers, and the air was filled with the stench of burnt flesh.

Every time the Chu army charged, they suffered heavy losses, leaving behind large numbers of corpses and wailing wounded soldiers under the city wall, but they were never able to truly threaten the city walls.

Ladders were pushed down, siege vehicles were burned, and the offensive was repelled again and again.

Ran Ming was furious watching from below the city wall. He personally supervised the battle and even rushed to the foot of the city wall. However, his personal bravery had limited effect in a siege of such a scale.

Geng Hui patrolled the city walls, constantly and loudly encouraging morale: "Brothers! Did you see that? The Chu bandits are nothing but this!"

"General Huo Guang's reinforcements will arrive soon! Then, it will be time for our counterattack! Hold this city for me! Let the Chu bandits bleed to death beneath the city walls!"

"Hold on!"

"The general is mighty!"

The defending soldiers were encouraged, and responded one after another, defending more tenaciously.

The fierce offensive and defensive battle lasted from early morning to afternoon. The Chu army suffered heavy casualties but failed to make any breakthrough.

The city walls were still firmly in the hands of the Han army.

Geng Hui looked at the Chu army being beaten back once again, wiped the blood off his face, and smiled at the deputy general beside him:

"It seems Chu Ning's skills have reached their limit. Pass the order down and let the brothers take turns to rest and eat and drink enough."

"The Chu army's morale has been dampened today, and they will not dare to attack again tonight. When General Huo arrives tomorrow, I'll see how arrogant Chu Ning can be!"

His tone was full of confidence, as if he had seen the dawn of victory.

However, he didn't know that just as he was confident that he could defend Hongdu, a deadly ambush targeting the reinforcements outside the city had quietly opened its pocket.

Chu Ning's real killer move was not this seemingly fierce siege, but the vanguard army that was rushing towards them from dozens of miles away.

The attack and defense of Hongdu City is only part of this huge trap.