In this battle during the day, both sides suffered equal damage, so Wang Zheng's siege side had the upper hand.
But their original purpose was to defeat them with one blow. Once the outer city was conquered, they should march straight in and capture Pengcheng immediately.
From the point of view of strategic setback, Pengcheng's army defeated the Tian army again.
In this way, it is you who suffer the loss, and I have no favors. For the time being, it is a tie and a stalemate.
Not only did the heart attack strategy not work, but it also caused a wave of ridicule from the Pengcheng defenders. Wang Zheng was so annoyed that he had no choice but to pay the money and withdraw his troops first, and then make plans.
Within the big tent.
Wang Zheng first warmly praised Zhang Rao and Chen Jiao, who were attacking the city today. He originally ordered the two men to take the ground troops to retreat to the rear camp to rest, but Zhang Rao was unexpected again. Not only did he plead for a fight, he actually fought all night long, with an unshakable expression on his face.
The city looks like it will never give up.
Seeing the fierce fighting spirit on his face, Wang Zheng was startled for a moment. He was about to refuse, but then his thoughts changed and he thought that this was the first time since he joined his army that this Yellow Turban Commander had been so desperate to serve him?
If you refuse...
It will inevitably hurt his loyalty and make his blood cold.
After thinking for a moment, even though he was not optimistic about his head-on idea, Wang Zhengqie still nodded in agreement and asked him to make preparations first.
Watching Zhang Rao go away, Wang Zheng looked around at everyone and said with a smile: "Speaking of which, it is surprising that an inner city is so stable."
"Pengcheng, Xuzhou, is known as a great gateway all over the world. It's a well-deserved reputation."
Hearing his coach's emotion, Wu Sheng was the first to refuse to accept it. He was about to shout that he would be able to break it, but Xu Fang knew he was going to mess up again as soon as he stuck out his butt, and quickly spoke first: "Xiongguan"
Even though it’s good, it still depends on who comes to control it.”
"General, it seems to me that this Pengcheng County captain is also a capable person." Xu Fang reminded: "His command is measured, he is calm in the face of danger, and his strategy is no less than that of the former Linzi captain named Li."
"Indeed." Wang Zheng was also itching with hatred when he thought that just when he wanted to attack someone's heart, his opponent would decisively kill people to establish his authority.
"The more capable this person is, the more serious the problem will be!"
You must know that in the troubled times of the Eastern Han Dynasty, when the feudal lords were now divided, the truly brave generals and powerful armies basically gathered around them, occupying the capital, and became the central army, which was more offensive than defensive.
In comparison, the garrison officers and soldiers in ordinary counties are far inferior, and it is difficult to find talents.
This is also the reason why most battles have been won extremely easily since the Wangzheng Rebellion.
Li Jiayuan was also a captain of the Yanzhou Army, and it was only by chance that he participated in the Battle of Linzi.
In contrast, the performance of the Pengcheng guard was indeed beyond his expectation.
"The enemy generals are capable." Xu Fang thought and sighed: "Unless our army spares casualties, I am afraid it will be difficult to capture it quickly."
Although General Tiangong did not say it clearly, he showed hesitation several times today, and even refused Wu Sheng's invitation to fight and did not send the Tianjun and Tianzhu battalions into battle. Xu Fang, who was thoughtful, had vaguely guessed his concerns.
He mentioned the key points and even more implicit meanings, but Wang Zheng understood it immediately.
This was also the source of anxiety in his heart.
If it cannot be obtained quickly, the counties surrounding Pengcheng may react, and even Donghai may receive the news!
Once reinforcements from all sides arrive in a hurry and can arrive within a state within a few days, then one's own country may fall into a dangerous situation of being attacked from both sides and attacked from the front and back.
At that time, he did not talk about victory or defeat, but now he is unwilling to worry about casualties and hesitate, but it has become an extremely stupid and indecisive act.
However, if we use the heavenly army now... we will suffer too many losses. How will we deal with other enemies?
With distracting thoughts, he began to pace slowly in the tent and fell into a long examination.
Speaking of time, it was actually because of Ni Heng's advice to follow the overlord's plan and create a large circle to attack Pengcheng that it took more than ten days.
But from a strategic perspective, this choice is absolutely correct.
The cost is also worth it. As the saying goes, sharpening the knife will not waste time chopping wood.
If we had not bypassed the counties in front of Pengcheng, entered from Yuzhou, and raided the outer city by night...
Moreover, the inner city was so difficult to deal with that Wang Zheng could not even imagine that if he followed his original plan to attack the city all the way from Kaiyang and gradually encroach on Pengcheng, the situation might be great in the early stage, but once he arrived at the capital city, he was afraid that
The price to pay...
Perhaps it was even heavier than when we attacked Linzi.
As for giving up the East China Sea and taking Pengcheng first, he had thought about it since his time in Qingzhou.
Among the counties and counties in Xuzhou, Pengcheng is the only one that truly bases its development on the basis of stabilizing the rebels like him!
Kaiyang in Langya County, like Linzi, has a flat terrain and is surrounded by enemies on three sides. It can be said that its foundation is weak and unfavorable for development. It is even worse than Linzi, which at least has a moat with a moat.
But Pengcheng is very different.
Surrounded by mountains, facing a river on one side, the land is fertile and the thoroughfare between the north and the south.
You might as well think about it from someone else's perspective. It's already so troublesome for an unknown soldier to lead a group of city defense soldiers. It's also a good thing.
Once these great passes are owned by oneself, and then the powerful soldiers of the system can be used to guard such famous generals, then one will truly have no worries!
Only then can he confidently and boldly attack everywhere, attack cities and villages, encroach on surrounding counties and counties, and gain the entire Xuzhou and even...
Great mountains and rivers!
That will be a brand new world, with great potential!
As for the current difficulties we are experiencing, no one can be blamed.
Mi Heng has helped him solve the difficulty in the outer city, and he is not Zhuge Liang!
Even Zhuge Liang made mistakes like Jieting's and Ma Di's. No matter how strong a counselor is, he can't think of everything. There are always secrets and gaps. How can he think of other people's affairs thoroughly and handle them well for you?
Properly?
If this is the case, why do people need to worship you as their lord? Just go and fight for the dragon yourself.
Good advice is acceptable, but at critical moments, Wang Zheng never trusts others.
People must rely on themselves!
With this thought in his mind, his eyes instinctively glanced at the system frame inadvertently. Wang Zheng blushed and quickly added.
It also depends on the system!
In the eyes of everyone, his own coach was stunned for a while before continuing:
"Today's battle is indeed one of the few battles in which our army did not take advantage, but there are still gains."
"Do you still remember what Mr. Ni said before about Pengcheng?" Wang Zheng asked, looking at Xu Fang.
"Mr. You once estimated." Xu Fang replied without thinking: "There should be five thousand defenders in Pengcheng now."
"Everyone." Wang Zheng sneered disdainfully, stretched out his palms, and said: "The soldiers are not numerous, but they need to defend the four walls."
"If we fight day and night without any rest, how many days can we survive like this?"
This statement made sense, and the generals believed it, and their morale soared. However, Xu Fang frowned, shook his head and said, "General, even one more day is troublesome."
Xu Fang had not rested for a day and a night. At this time, Xu Fang's eyes were covered with red threads. He continued to advise: "It is not advisable to take force by force, otherwise..."
"Try fire attack?"
This is a common tactic for attacking cities in the history of military literature.
The Heavenly Army and others had rarely used it in their previous sieges. This was simply because they were too powerful and could not resist a charge, so there was no need for it.
"Fire attack?"
This word moved Wang Zheng's heart, but he did not answer immediately.
He still hesitated a little.
After all, Pengcheng has long been regarded as his own. If the damage is too great, shouldn't he be asked to repair it later?
Hesitating, he raised his head and looked outside the tent.
At this time, night completely enveloped the earth.
The military flag at the gate of the camp opposite was fluttering in the wind, and countless torches were swaying, flickering in and out, but still barely shining in all directions.
In the orange firelight, Wang Zheng suddenly burst into laughter.
As a modern person, I have thousands of years of historical lessons more than them...
How come you still don’t know that ten birds in the forest are worth less than one in the hand?
With the system in hand, why am I still so petty?
He mocked himself and muttered something silently, then raised his eyebrows and shouted loudly:
"Then please ask the sky fire to help me."
Once you have made a decision, there will be no more hesitation.
After discussing with everyone for a while and sorting out the details, Wang Zheng ordered people to recall Zhang Rao, who was preparing for the night battle, back to his tent.
Wang Zheng was quite satisfied with the performance of the former Qu coach today, so he thought of entrusting him with an important task in this battle.
"Everyone will obey orders."
He looked around at everyone and gave instructions one after another.
"Zhang Rao, Xu Fang, you two will launch a feint attack half an hour later to draw away the enemy's defense strength and attention."
"Wu Sheng, you take all the cavalry from the Tianzhu Battalion, assemble and reorganize them, build up your strength, line up in front of the battalion, and be ready to charge at any time!"
"I personally lead the infantry and archery team. Once Zhang Rao and Xu Fang attack together, I will protrude out of the camp and shoot out all the firelights!"
This is actually the most critical link. If they did not have second-level long-range arms, Wang Zheng and Xu Fang would not even mention this plan.
Because with the shooting skills and eyesight of ordinary archers, it is difficult to see clearly in the twilight, let alone shoot accurately.
Finally, Wang Zheng looked at Chen Jiao: "Chen Jiao, you are responsible for setting fire to the city gate!"
If I don't have the strength to rush into the formation, if I make another mistake in setting fire...