Vol 9 Chapter 102 (2/2)

Un, just like that.

Now is the perfect time to attack. Even if the enemy detects us and splits their forces, the cavalry will be unable to retreat after they have charged in. And the heavy infantry at the back will be unable to reach the city in time or catch up to us as we are primarily light infantry. So no matter what, the battle will only go in our favour.

Alright, time to start thinking about how to carry out a siege.

Liu Bei POV

It’s been a while since Yun Chang’s unit has left the city. Right now, we are still standing on the city tower and looking into the distance at the hills which seem to be tall enough to be called mountains.

I do not know from when it started but troops are currently pouring out of the hills and getting ready to attack.

Today’s weather seems to be better than the past few days, with spa.r.s.e fluffy, white clouds dotting the sky. When the wind blew, the sun would sometimes get obscured by the clouds. Other times, we could be subject to several dozen minutes of direct suns.h.i.+ne.

I do not know how much effect the weather has on the battle but clear days like these are usually the sort that can turn for the worse in no time at all. Be that as it may, weather like this is far better than the weather during summer. I really do not wish to experience the sort of weather I experienced in Jiangxia ever again.

“You, over there, come here!” Liao Hua’s voice came from behind Yuan Zhi and I. When I turned around, I saw that she was gathering a group of soldiers who had nothing to do and were giving them various tools of which I am unable to name.

“Liao Hua, are these the troops who will be repairing the city walls?” I went over and asked as I put on the gra.s.s hat.

Liao Hua had a calm look on as the veil on her hat waved about in the air from the gentle breeze. In her hands was a bamboo scroll that likely contains the required tasks for bolstering the city defences. Liao Hua was gone for a while before and I was wondering where she went but now it looks like she had gone to gather these troops.

“Yes, Lord Shamoke.” Liao Hua very naturally called me by my code name and continued, “But rather than repairs, I think it would be more appropriate to call it enhancement works.”

That does make sense as the city walls are indeed in rather good shape and there do not seem to be any need for repair works. But enhancement huh… I thought as I looked at the walls and checked their height.

“But how are you going to enhance them? Are you going to add more brick layers?”

“More or less. But not entirely with bricks.” Liao Hua came to where I stood and gestured toward the outside of the walls, “We’ll put more bricks here and put a wooden board above it. We’ll then make a ladder, and now we have another floor to attack from.”

I could more or less understand what she meant. Basically, we will be adding another floor like a rooftop of sorts. That’s a good idea.

“I never thought that Liao Hua was knowledgeable about city defences too.”

I always thought of her as an administrative official who happened to know martial arts. Looks like even though Luoyang fell, it was still a big city after all. And as its Registrar, she must have learnt a lot.

“I can only say that I know a little from some experience in defending cities.” She said and saluted me before pointing at where she was writing in the bamboo scrolls, “The idea for this construction was not mine, it was from Lord Huang Zu.”

“Huang Zu?”

“Yes. And it’s not just my gate. She has given very specific instructions and suggestions for every gate.”

“Oh~” I gasped in amazement. I already knew Huang Zu was very impressive but I was surprised that she went to so much effort for a tiny city standing in the way of Cao Cao’s mighty armies.

Perhaps this is partially due to what Huang Zu said to me before, about atoning for her loss. In that case, if I still have any say in Xiangyang, I should write a letter of commendation for Huang Zu later on.

I wonder if there is such a thing as an open suggestion box in this era? Probably not.

“Alright! Begin!” Liao Hua did not bother to say much else when she finished as she proceeded to turn and waved her hands before giving the order to the troops. She then nodded and bowed to Yuan Zhi and I before getting to work herself.

“Yuan Zhi, looked it was the right choice to leave Huang Zu in charge of the city defences.”

“Is that so?” Yuan Zhi replied blandly as usual as though there was nothing to be surprised about, “I was just heeding your suggestions. that’s all.”

“I just told you to give her role of some kind after all.” I smiled stiffly as I said so while continuing to look at the soldiers who were working hard, “To be honest, I thought that you would have made her the gatekeeper for 1 of the city gates.”

Huang Zu is not one of us after all and she lost a critical battle as Administrator of Jiangxia. Not many would give her an important appointment with these in mind,

“Huang Zu was the Administrator of Jiangxia after all so she has a fair bit of experience.” Yuan Zhi said and looked outside, “But on the other hand, it’s doubtful that the enemy will be able to siege the city.”

“Eh? Won’t they send troops to attack the city directly?”

“Un, they won’t.” Yuan Zhi said softly but definitively.

I did not understand at first but then remembered that Feng Xian was in charge of dealing with the frontal battle. Under a 1-to-1 scenario, Feng Xian would definitely not lose.

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