Zhao Tuo looked at the Shouchun battlefield in the distance and frowned slightly as he watched the black-armored Qin soldiers retreating like a tide amidst the sound of golden clangs.
Beside him, the attendant Lu Wan said with a hint of regret: "It's a pity that our army has too few troops. If the general had an additional 30,000 troops, he would definitely be able to capture Shouchun City in one battle."
"Today is just a test."
Zhao Tuo spoke calmly.
His face was calm, but there was still a little regret in his heart.
Because today is indeed a good time for him to attack the capital of Chu State in one fell swoop.
When the King of Chu saw the enemy troops approaching the city, he did not think about how to improve the morale of the army and the people or how to defend the city. Instead, he held some kind of sacrificial ceremony on the top of the city and pinned his hopes on illusory ghosts and gods. It was simply ridiculous.
Zhao Tuo seized the opportunity and fired a burst of cannon fire, which frightened the Chu people's souls and reduced their morale.
Immediately afterwards, the Qin army took advantage of the situation to attack the city. Under the fierce offensive, this side of the Shouchun city wall almost fell.
It's a pity that Shouchun is an important city in Huainan after all. The city wall is thick and the number of defenders in the city is much larger than that of the Qin army.
One after another, the Chu soldiers were driven up the city wall to fight with the Qin people. Faced with the danger of subjugation and the destruction of the city, these Chu people were frightened, but they still fought bravely, preventing the Qin army from entering the city.
In addition to the desperate resistance of the Chu people, the failure was also related to Zhao Tuo's lack of troops.
The Qin army only had 20,000 available troops. The attack on the city was still a tentative attack on the first day. Naturally, it was impossible to send all the troops. Therefore, the siege intensity became slightly weaker later on.
On the contrary, the Chu troops in the city continued to come to the top of the city to provide support, making it impossible for the Qin army to gain a foothold even if they took the city wall.
Zhao Tuo's troops were smaller than the defenders in the city. It was almost impossible to defeat the city in one battle without the enemy's morale breaking down.
As Lu Wan said, if Zhao Tuo had tens of thousands more men, the situation would be different. He could launch attacks on several other city walls at the same time. At the same time, the main attack direction would be continuous, and the chance of breaking the city would be greater.
"We still have to wait for the army to arrive. It's not realistic for 20,000 of us to take down the huge Shouchun."
According to the information provided by the Chu people in the army, Shouchun City covers a vast area and has eight water gates and eight land gates.
This city not only has a tall and solid outer city wall, but also a towering palace city of the King of Chu in the city. In front of the palace wall is a moat formed by diverting Fei water. Although it is an inner city, its city defense is very strong and is not as easy to capture as the outer city.
Even if Zhao Tuo captured the Shouchun outer wall, his troops were still not enough to storm the Chu palace inside.
"So General Li's surprise attack on Shouchun last year was just out of imagination."
Zhao Tuo shook his head, thinking of Li Xin's combat strategy last year.
Only when we arrived in front of Shouchun City and faced this majestic city in Huainan did we understand the concept of a surprise attack on Shouchun by 30,000 people.
It sounds simple to say, but if you really want to attack the city, you will face the desperate resistance of tens of thousands of Chu people in the city, as well as the two strong inner and outer walls, coupled with the constant return of Chu troops for reinforcements and the lack of supplies by the Qin army.
How to win a battle?
Even if Lord Changping had not betrayed the Qin State last year, I am afraid that Li Xin could only return defeated in front of Shouchun City, and he might even be overthrown here.
Just as Zhao Tuo was sighing, Zhong Lizhen, who had been silent all this time, spoke up: "Our army is short of troops, so why doesn't the general use the strategy of attacking the heart?"
"Heart attack?"
Zhao Tuo narrowed his eyes slightly and whispered: "The priority is to attack the city, and the priority is to attack the heart. I know that. But now Shouchun is an isolated city. Once the city is broken, it will be the end of the country. King Chu of Chu knows very well.
As long as the city is not broken, he will still be the king of Chu. If he surrenders to the city, he will be a prisoner of our Qin State. So how can this person surrender until the city is broken?"
Zhong Lizhen shook his head and said: "If our army cannot take the outer city, Zheng Chu will not surrender. But the general can use today's events to disperse the hearts of the soldiers and civilians in the city and make the Chu people lose their fighting spirit and dare not resist.
This city should be taken easily. Now that the outer city is down, our army will enter Shouchun and surround the palace wall of the King of Chu. By then sending a lobbyist, we may be able to capture Chu without a fight."
"Take advantage of today's events?"
Zhao Tuo's eyes lit up and he said, "Are you talking about ghosts and gods?"
"Of course! The most important thing in the country is to sacrifice to the army. The Chu people believe in ghosts and gods the most. Today, they went to the top of the city to offer sacrifices and prayed for the arrival of the commander-in-chief. However, they were rejected by the gods. Not only did they fail, but they were bombarded by our army with huge cannons. This happened
It will definitely make the Chu people in the city feel terrified."
Zhong Lizhen took a deep breath and whispered: "Our army attacked the city at that time, but it stimulated the blood of the Chu people in the city. Under the threat of our army, they couldn't care about it for a while."
"In view of the general, it is better for the general to postpone the attack on the city for two days and let the Chu people in the city think carefully about what the gods have abandoned today. There will definitely be a feeling of fear filling Shouchun."
"At that time, the general will shoot a book in the city, saying that the gods have abandoned Chu and the destiny is in Qin. I think it will be effective. If we attack the city again after a few days, the resistance in the city will definitely be reduced!"
"Good Zhongli, this method of attacking the mind is really a wonderful strategy!"
Zhao Tuo praised.
He is not from Chu, or even a native resident of this era, so his understanding of ghosts and gods is naturally not as good as Zhongli Mei and others. Facing Shouchun Jiancheng, all he thinks about are various methods of war. Regarding ghosts and gods,
On the contrary, it was quite ignored.
Now, after being reminded by Zhongli Mei, I realized that this matter could indeed be used to make a big fuss.
After Zhao Tuo broadened his mind, a classic example about Chu people's belief in ghosts came to mind.
"The campfire fox roars."
"Great Chu Xing, King Chen Sheng."
"Hey hey hey."
…
"lighter!"
"My buttocks are so painful!"
Shouchun City, deep in the palace of King Chu.
The king of Chu was lying on the soft couch with his cud in his hands, howling in his mouth.
The clothes on his back had been picked up, revealing his back and buttocks that had been shot by dirt and gravel.
Two beauties with fragrant bodies were carefully applying golden sore ointment to the wound on King Chu's buttocks.
Although the hands of the two beauties were soft and they were reluctant to use even a trace of strength, each time they applied the medicine, the king of Chu made a painful sound of "wuwu" from his mouth.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! He was born with a delicate stomach, and he was born with rich clothes and food. He had never suffered such an injury. Every time he was given medicine, he felt very painful.
Not even the beauty's gentle touch could bring him the slightest comfort.
However, compared to the physical wounds, what really made King Chu feel painful was his failure to pray to the gods.
"Da Si Ming, why didn't God punish me? Has God abandoned me?"
During the sacrificial ceremony, the gods did not respond to his call. Instead, they were greeted by the terrifying flying rocks of the Qin army.
Even the great wizard who presided over the sacrifice fell down in the chaos, was trampled by a group of wizards, and was sent to see the great commander.
Such a result of praying to gods made King Chu of Chu feel more and more frightened and frightened.
The war failed, Xiang Yan fled eastward, Huaibei was lost, and the Qin army came to the city...
Now, even the gods have given up on him.
"Bu Gu still has an army!"
"Come here, call me Zuo Tu!"
The King of Chu's eyes showed the desire to survive. He would never give up until the last moment.
After the two beauties were given the medicine, the king waved them away.
After a brief silence in the room, an old man in his fifties walked in.
Among the most important officials of the King of Chu, Songyang Jun Jingzhao went to Qi to lobby, but was stranded because the Qin soldiers cut off the road.
Yin Xiangyan was ordered to disobey the king's order and defect with his army.
Youyin Jinxia was killed by the rebel Zhaoyuan.
Nowadays, in Shouchun City, the only important minister who can hold up the throne is Sun Chang, the left disciple in front of him.
"Zuo Tu, can the Qin army retreat?"
The king of Chu said anxiously, if the Qin army broke through the city, he would have no choice but to defend the palace.
Sun Chang hurriedly cupped his hands and said, "Don't worry, my king. Our soldiers fought hard today and have driven back the Qin people."
"That's good."
The King of Chu breathed a sigh of relief and asked: "How many troops, horses and grain are there in Shouchun City now?"
Sun Chang thought for a while and replied: "Your Majesty, there are two troops on the left and right of the king in the city, with 20,000 elite soldiers. There are also about 20,000 soldiers who have returned from Xia Cai and the front line. If the king recruits the young men in the city, he can raise two more
Thirty thousand people.”
"As for food, the king previously ordered people to transport the food sent to Chen Ying to the city, plus the original food stored in Shouchun. The amount is huge enough to supply the needs of the soldiers and civilians in our city for a year!"
The King of Chu finally showed joy on his face.
"Okay! Bu Gu still has 70,000 troops, a year's worth of food, and these high walls. Not to mention that there are only 20,000 or 30,000 Zhao Tuo troops outside the city. Even if there are 100,000 or 200,000 Qin troops outside the city,
, I don’t care if I don’t have a grain of rice.”
He said to himself: "In the past, Zhao Xiangzi was trapped in Jinyang. Zhibo hooked up with the Wei and Han families to divert Fenshui to flood the city. There were three cases where the city was not flooded. The cauldron was hung in the city to cook, and the people were eating.
All the ministers have evil intentions, and the situation is many times more critical than today's situation. What is the final result?"
"In the past, when the five kingdoms invaded Qi, more than 70 cities in Qi were destroyed by the Yan people, leaving only Jimo and Ju. What was the result? Qi was not completely restored, and the Yan people fled north!"
"Although Bugu was attacked by the Qin army today, it still has a majestic city, an army of 70,000, and countless grain and grass. It is much better than that of Zhao and Qi in the past, and it is enough to be consumed by the Qin army."
"Not to mention that Huainan still has the cities of our Chu Kingdom. Bu Gu had already issued an edict before, asking all the cities in Huainan to raise the troops of King Qin, and even summoned people from Baiyue to come here."
"There are also Xiang Yan and Xiong Qi. Although they are rebels, they will not surrender to the Qin people. They will probably fight to the death with the Qin people. This will prevent the Qin army from attacking Shouchun who is not convinced."
"Looking at it this way, there is still hope!"
"As long as the unruly Tiandan appears, we may be able to drive out the Qin army and restore our land of Chu!"
"Zuo Tu, do you think so or not?"
Sun Chang saw the king staring at him with red eyes, full of expectation.
He knew that the king was seeking comfort in despair.
The reason why the king said so much was because he wanted to agree with him so that he could continue to sit in the deep palace with peace of mind, waiting for the hope that was almost impossible to appear.
Sun Chang sighed secretly in his heart, cupped his hands and said, "Good advice, Your Majesty."
A happy smile appeared on King Chu's face.
…
At night, Shouchun City Wall.
The soldiers on night watch stood facing each other on the city wall.
Occasionally, the night wind blew across the city, causing them to shiver uncontrollably, and even their crotches felt chilly.
"The king prayed to the gods to punish the people of Qin. Why didn't Da Siming respond?"
"Hush... I heard someone say that it is because the king killed his ancestors and made the gods despised, so the commander is unwilling to lower his power."
"It makes sense. It seems to be the king's problem."
The soldiers whispered about the sacrificial ceremony of the past few days. Recalling what happened on that day, it was really thrilling.
"What are you talking about! Shut up, everyone, talk nonsense, be careful and cut your tongues!"
A two-man army officer came over.
"Everyone stand up, don't sit on the ground. Cheer up. Although the Qin army has not attacked the city in the past two days, we must not take it lightly. We must be extremely careful during the night vigil. Did you hear me?"
The two commanders scolded the guards with a straight face. Under his stern words, the soldiers got up from the ground one by one.
The wind is cool at night, and it is much colder to stand up than to sit on the ground.
"Sima, I want to pee."
A Chu soldier shouted.
The two commanders rolled their eyes and cursed: "You have to tell Naigong when you urinate. Just pee on this city wall. Maybe when the Qin army attacks the city, some of them will be fainted by the smell of urine under the city."
.”
"Hahaha……"
The other soldiers laughed.
The soldier who was peeing did not smile. He was standing next to the wall that was shattered by the Qin army's flying rocks a few days ago. His hands that picked up the corners of his clothes were trembling, and his eyes were staring into the distance.
Then, he let out a piercing scream.
"ah!"
All the Chu soldiers trembled in fright, and the two commanders were about to turn around and scold them, when they turned around and saw the urinating soldier pointing at a certain place under the city.
He instinctively looked in the direction of the soldier's finger.
A few dozen steps outside the city, under the dim moonlight, you could barely see something moving.
"what is that?"
Chu soldiers asked in shock.
A strange car drove slowly past the city.
The Chu people on the top of the city saw that the drivers were four strange beasts.
These strange creatures are about the same shape and size as horses, but they have a single horn like a cow on their head, and tentacles dancing in the wind on their necks. Their bodies are red, and when viewed under the moonlight, they look like blood.
Horrible.
The driver driving the car was even more of a monster. He looked roughly like a human, but he also had horns on his head and huge bird-like wings on his back.
Behind the driver is a carriage made of Xinyi wood, surrounded by vines, and a blood-red flag is placed on the carriage, making a hunting sound in the wind.
Of course, what really caught the attention of these Chu people was the man standing on the carriage facing the wind.
That's a woman.
She was dressed in white, with a graceful figure and a strange garland on her body. Her black hair was dancing in the night wind, making it impossible for people to see her face clearly.
Only bursts of desolate and distant female voices reached the top of the city.
If someone comes to the mountains, he will be surrounded by flowers and flowers.
It's easy to smile at the same time, and I admire you for being so graceful and graceful.
…
Soon, under the horrified gazes of dozens of Chu soldiers at the top of the city, the strange beast pulled the vehicle and slowly drove into the night and disappeared.
Only the figure of the woman in white still filled their minds.
"Who is that?"
Someone asked with trembling teeth and chattering.
"I don't know, maybe it's not a human being?"
Just when the soldiers were asking each other, it was the two commanders with higher backgrounds who reacted.
He opened his eyes wide and said with horror on his face: "Mountain ghost!"
"What I just passed must be a mountain ghost!"
As soon as this statement came out, all the Chu soldiers were in an uproar.
Mountain ghost!
It turns out to be a mountain ghost among the gods of Chu!
No wonder it appears at night, with carts pulled by strange animals, driven by strange people, and even women in white singing in the wind.
That sad and desolate song is now echoing in the minds of all Chu people, making people tremble and feel cold in their hands and feet.
The legendary mountain ghost appears outside Shouchun City. What does this mean?
Just when everyone was stunned and speechless, something even more bizarre happened.
In the night, there were rounds of fox-like cries.
The sound gradually changes from far to near, from the voice of a fox to the sad and sharp voice of a human being.
"Is that a fox barking?"
"Did you hear that clearly?"
A Chu soldier shouted and looked up outside the city, but saw no trace of the fox.
But those weird screams still blew to the city wall with the wind.
"I heard clearly, the voices of those foxes were saying 'Big Pig King, assist Xiang'."
"Big Pig King, assist Xiang?"
All the Chu soldiers looked at each other, not knowing what this meant.
It was the two well-educated Sima who understood it first.
His face was pale, his lips were trembling, and he was muttering.