Chapter 855: Attacking the Tiger's Lagoon with Wisdom
Chapter 855: Smart Attack on Tiger Prison
Although Hulao Pass has been destroyed twice, it still does not hinder its status as the "No. 1 Pass in the World". After all, this pass is so legendary.
After the third reconstruction of Hulao Pass, the defensive power is completely different from before.
Yang Jian, who presided over the reconstruction of Hulao Pass, not only heightened and thickened the city wall this time, but also built many new archery towers. There were even many catapults on the towers. In addition, the defensive materials and military rations in the pass were also very abundant, which was enough. Supported the garrison in the pass for half a year.
After Qin Hao led the princes around the perimeter of Hulao, almost all the princes showed a solemn expression, because they found that there were almost no flaws in Hulao Pass, and the only way to go was to attack by force, and this How many casualties will it cost?
Looking at the iron wall-like Hulao Pass, Cao Cao pondered for a long time and then said: "Alliance leader, Hulao Pass is not without flaws. There may be sufficient other defensive materials in the pass, but the number of flying stones must be limited."
Qin Hao preferred to call the flying stones Cao Cao called stone bullets, and what Cao Cao said was correct.
Although stones are not valuable in this era, there are not many natural stone projectiles suitable for catapults, and most of them are difficult to transport and store. To use them, they must be polished, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive.
Therefore, the storage capacity of stone bombs is generally not too large, and they are basically used while searching. This also makes the defenders often encounter situations where there are not enough stone bombs.
Of course, this does not exist in the Qin Army. After all, the Qin Army has mastered the cement technology and can make stone bullets by itself, and can make as many as they want. However, the Liang Army has not yet mastered this technology.
"Alliance leader, our coalition forces can use a feint attack, first consume the flying rocks in Hulao Pass, and then attack with all their strength when they are almost consumed.
The morale of the defenders in the pass has been greatly reduced due to the defeat. If there are not enough flying stones, the defense will be greatly reduced. Such a strong attack on Yue Yu will surely break the pass."
Cao Cao didn't have enough confidence to say this, but it was indeed a good way to reduce casualties. After all, even if he tried to break his head, it would be nothing more than a strong attack.
Qin Hao stared at the layout on the tower and said calmly after a while: "Although this method is good, our army has just arrived. If we don't take advantage of the situation to attack to build up our prestige, but instead deliberately feint to attack, I am afraid it will increase the momentum of the coalition forces. In this way, Do you have to pay for your losses?"
Cao Cao obviously didn't consider taking you here. He was silent for a moment and then sighed: "What the leader said makes sense. At this time, our army's morale is at its strongest due to the victory. If we do not attack by force but feign an attack, it will indeed fall."
"But Wei Hou's method can still be implemented."
After Qin Hao glanced at Cao Cao, he smiled lightly and said: "Our army can attack hard for three days first to weaken the enemy's momentum, then use feint attacks to consume the enemy's stone bullets, and then attack with all our strength when the stone bullets are insufficient. This is the decision. It can work wonders.”
"The leader of the alliance is still far-sighted, and Meng De is convinced."
Qin Hao clasped his hands behind his back, slowly turned around and looked at the princes, and asked with a smile: "I wonder who among you is willing to take on the important task of attacking the city in this first round?"
As soon as Qin Hao finished speaking, Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Song Jiang were the first to stand up and said in unison: "I am willing to take on this important task."
Many princes showed surprised looks. The casualties in this first round of siege must be the heaviest, but why are these three people rushing to attack?
Soon they figured out the reason: to gain a good reputation.
Qin Hao looked at the three people who took the initiative to ask for help, and after thinking for a while, he said: "In this case, the three of you will attack by force for one day each. After three days, it will be a feint attack, and the major princes will take turns attacking the city."
The three of them looked at each other and said in unison: "No."
"Before attacking the city, please send someone to challenge it. If my prediction is correct, Liang's army will not dare to go out of the city to fight after a major defeat. However, it doesn't hurt to challenge. If you really don't dare to fight, you can also use this to attack Liang.
Military morale.”
"promise."
One day later, Cao Cao took charge of the first siege.
After Cao Cao prepared enough siege equipment and commanded the army to set up the siege array, he immediately sent his most powerful general Yin Zhou to criticize the battle, while the other princes watched the battle from behind.
Inside Hulao Pass.
"Report... General, the Kwantung Allied Forces are coming to attack the city. Cao Cao's general Yin Zhou is cursing the battle below the city."
When the generals of the Liang Army heard this, they immediately became excited. Wu Yunzhao was the first to stand up and gritted his teeth and said: "A mere unknown person dares to show his authority. I will go and kill him right now."
Before Wu Yunzhao could reach the door, he heard Li Shimin's slow but unmistakable voice.
"Wait a minute."
Wu Yunzhao immediately stopped, and Li Shimin, who had most of his body wrapped in gauze, put down the teacup in his hand and said calmly: "Our army is sitting on a fortified city and a natural barrier. If the enemy is slightly provoked, they will come out."
If Guan is fighting, what's the use of attacking Xiongguan?
Send an order to the entire army that no one is allowed to go into battle without authorization. If the Kwantung Allied Forces want to scold him, let him scold him as much as he wants. Anyway, he will not scold a single soldier of our army to death."
"No." All the Liang army generals responded unwillingly.
Li Shimin also sighed inwardly when he saw this. It was not that he could not guess the intentions of the coalition forces, but that the Liang army had just experienced a major defeat. The generals were obviously not rational at this time. Moreover, even he himself was seriously injured, and some of the generals were seriously injured.
They haven't recovered yet, which shows that this is really not a good time to go out of the city to fight.
Of course, the most important point is that Li Shimin caused the Liang Army to lose 50,000 elite cavalry. It was impossible for Dong Zhuo to not react at all to such a heavy casualty. And before Chang'an's punishment order was conveyed, Li Shimin would not dare to do so under any circumstances.
Going into battle without permission.
Outside Hulao Pass, Yin Zhou cursed for an hour, but Hulao Pass did not respond at all and could only return to Cao Cao with a depressed look.
"My lord, it seems that Li Shimin is determined to be a coward."
"Not expected."
Cao Cao showed a look that was indeed the case, and then said in a deep voice: "Let's attack the city with all our strength."
"promise."
Cao Cao's army was only responsible for the attack for one day, and even if there were casualties, they would definitely be within the tolerance. It was better to use this opportunity to make a name for himself among the princes, so Cao Cao spent a lot of money this time, and the 10,000 troops responsible for the attack were all elite soldiers.
Cao Cao looked at the heroic pass in front of him, slowly pulled out the green sword from his waist, and then pointed to the sky and shouted: "The whole army attacks."
"Kill...kill...kill..."
The 10,000-strong siege army marched in neat steps, united as one, and their momentum was like a rainbow, soaring into the sky.
The princes who were watching the battle from behind were all shocked when they saw Cao Jun making such a shocking noise.
Except for Kong Rong, Tao Qian and other literati present, most of the princes were knowledgeable about military matters. Therefore, just from the momentum and formation of Cao's army, it can be seen that the combat power of this army definitely exceeds that of most princes.