Chapter 465: Attack and Defense
Inside Baidi City, the flickering candlelight stretched the figures of Wei Yan and his deputy general against the mottled walls.
Although he successfully resisted the fierce attack of Pang De's army during the day, Wei Yan did not slack off at all. His face was full of solemnity, and he was discussing the next response strategy with his deputy general.
"General, judging from the situation today, it should not be difficult for us to hold out until our lord arrives. The news has long been transmitted to Jingzhou, and our lord has sent troops here. It will take at least one month, or at most two months. We have sufficient food and grass in our city, and our defenses are solid, so we will definitely be able to hold out." The deputy general said with a little relief.
There are a lot of supplies stored in Baidi City, enough to support a long-term defense. There are also some scattered defenders around, who will come to support once they receive a signal for help. On the surface, it is not difficult to stop Pang De's attack.
However, Wei Yan was not so optimistic.
He was extremely confident during the day, but now he showed deep worry: "You saw the siege equipment used by the Qi army today. The power of the catapult is quite strong."
"The huge stones launched by the catapults hit the city wall, shaking the entire tower. If they can mass-produce and increase the number of catapults, our city wall may not be able to withstand it."
Wei Yan would not think that the enemy would be so stupid as to continue to use today's stupid method to attack the city according to their ideas.
Having suffered some losses, they will definitely improve their tactics.
The best option was undoubtedly to improve the siege equipment, but the most troublesome thing for them was undoubtedly the powerful catapult.
The things that are most abundant around Baidi City are stones and wood. If the enemy has some ideas, they can build a lot of catapults in a few days.
Although the walls of Baidi City are thick, they can't withstand the enemy's fierce attack, and a hole will be blasted in the wall sooner or later.
It has to be said that Wei Yan's vision was indeed very forward-thinking.
It was only the first time that Wei Yan encountered such a powerful catapult that he was able to realize its key threat and how to use it.
The qualitative difference between the Thunderbolt Chariot and ordinary catapults is that it can smash down city walls.
In comparison, the increase in its deterrence and lethality is nothing.
After hearing Wei Yan's words, the deputy general's relaxed expression gradually faded, replaced by a hint of nervousness and worry. He nodded and said, "General, you are right. I was negligent. So how should we deal with it?"
Wei Yan pondered for a moment, and a sharp light flashed in his eyes: "We must strengthen the city defense."
"On the one hand, organize the people and soldiers in the city to use sandbags, wood and other materials to reinforce the city walls, especially the parts hit by the catapults. Use all the cement, rice and water that can be used."
"On the other hand, we should set up more defensive fortifications on the city wall, put up chevaux de frise and the like, and we will try our best to fight the enemy on the city wall."
Baidi City is not only strong, but also has very wide and thick walls that can accommodate a large number of troops and horses. Therefore, Wei Yan chose to move the battlefield to the city wall.
The deputy general was very puzzled by Wei Yan's choice, but when he thought about what happened during the day, he quickly understood what Wei Yan meant.
Abandoning most of the defenses under the city walls may seem unwise, but it is the best option to deal with the catapults and siege towers of the Qi Dynasty.
"Also, send someone to closely monitor the Qi army's movements. If you discover any new actions by them, report to me immediately."
Wei Yan paused, then continued, "We must take the initiative to attack, and cannot just passively defend. Send a small group of troops out of the city every night to harass the Qi army camp, disrupt their deployment, and make them restless."
The relatively deep strategic depth and the existence of the Yangtze River gave Wei Yan more room to maneuver, unlike the defenders of Jiange who could only defend themselves.
The deputy general took the order and left, while Wei Yan walked out of the tent alone and climbed up the city wall.
At this time, night had fallen and the moonlight shone on the city wall, reflecting the busy figures of the soldiers.
Wei Yan looked at the flickering fire in the Qi army camp in the distance, and he couldn't help but feel a little eager to make a move. He never liked to passively counterattack, but preferred to take the initiative and take the initiative into his own hands.
However, Wei Yan knew that tonight was not the right time.
Only by knowing yourself and the enemy can you be victorious in every battle.
Wei Yan's research on the Qi army was thorough. Whenever Liu Bei and Pang Tong and others discussed how to reform the system, he would listen.
He was well aware of the strict discipline of the Qi army and their vigilance and precautions against enemy sneak attacks.
Pang De had just arrived and had just fought a great battle. It was the most suitable time for a surprise attack, but also the time to be most vigilant.
At this time, the other party must be on full alert, and may even have set an ambush. A sneak attack will definitely not have a good result, and you may even be killed by the other party.
Wait one more day!
Wei Yan murmured in his heart.
The essence of a sneak attack is that even if you know your opponent is going to attack you, you are still unable to defend yourself.
This is a subtle control of timing, rhythm and psychology, like a hunter hidden in the dark, lurking quietly, waiting for the best moment.
Wei Yan was not afraid of his enemies who were fully alert and always on guard against his sneak attacks.
As long as the enemy does not know when he is going to launch a surprise attack, he is sure that the attack will be successful.
Besides, who says that a sneak attack will definitely fail if it is discovered by the enemy?
Pang De set up camp on a flat land near the river not far from Baidi City.
Because there were too many soldiers and they were not well adapted to the hot climate in the south, and camping in the dense forest would make them vulnerable to fire attacks, Pang De chose this place.
Even though he did not have an advantage in naval forces, Pang De had a large number of defensive facilities such as chevaux de frise and a large number of archers. He was not worried that Liu Bei's navy would cause him any trouble.
The next day, Pang De and Wei Yan looked at each other from the top and bottom of the city, both with frowns slightly.
On the city wall, sandbags were piled up like mountains, and crossbow platforms and chevaux-de-frise were arranged in an orderly manner, obviously preparing for a positional battle on the city wall.
Under the city wall, more catapults were lined up than on the first day.
Both sides adopted targeted measures.
With a dull roar, a new round of siege warfare began. The Qi army's catapults were like rows of steel monsters, launching huge stones towards Baidi City.
With the large number of sandbags as a barrier, the defense of the city wall became much stronger. At least the small gaps that were created on the first day did not expand further because of the filling of sandbags, mud and water.
Pang De concentrated the fire of the catapults on a gap on the left side of the city wall, while the main force of the army rushed towards the right side of the city wall with ladders and siege towers.
Wei Yan did not allow the siege troops to enter the city wall, but ordered the archers who had been prepared and scattered everywhere to launch a covering attack. At the same time, he blocked the city wall with chevaux de frise, preparing to fight a positional battle with the Qi army.
Wei Yan and his deputy general each led a team of elite troops to patrol and repel the Qi army's offensive time and time again.
(End of this chapter)
