Honglou: This bastard is too persuasive.

Chapter 662: Taking a City

"Xianfeng Zhao, General Chen, you are finally here." Wang Meng stepped forward and said.

"General Wang, thank you for your hard work. How is the enemy's defense outside the city?" Zhao Yunfei asked.

Wang Meng pointed to the front and said, "The enemy has set up a large number of traps and obstacles outside the city, and there are also many patrols patrolling back and forth. However, we have figured out their patrol routes and trap locations, and can provide you with assistance."

Zhao Yunfei and Chen Batian were delighted after hearing this. Under the leadership of Wang Meng, the army successfully avoided traps and patrols and arrived at the wall of Fenglin City.

Looking at the tall city wall in front of them, Zhao Yunfei and Chen Batian knew that the real challenge had just begun. They quickly organized soldiers and prepared siege equipment. A fierce siege battle was about to begin.

On the city wall, the Goguryeo defenders were already on full alert. When they saw Jia Changsheng's army approaching the city, they all picked up their weapons and prepared to fight.

"Soldiers, we have arrived at Maple Forest City. This is our goal and our glory! Let us use the weapons in our hands to fight for our country and our people!" Zhao Yunfei shouted loudly.

"Fight for the country and the people!" The soldiers' shouts resounded through the sky, and they rushed towards the walls of Maple Forest City with blood full of passion.

The siege entered a fierce stage right from the start. Soldiers pushed siege ladders, braved the enemy's rain of arrows and rolling logs and stones, and struggled to climb the city wall. The Goguryeo defenders on the city wall fought desperately, using various weapons to attack the siege soldiers and try to repel them.

In the battle, Zhao Yunfei led a team of elite soldiers to quickly climb the siege ladder. While dodging the enemy's attacks, he swung his long sword and slashed at the defenders on the wall. Under his leadership, the soldiers' morale was boosted and they all accelerated their climbing speed.

Chen Batian commanded the main force under the city, constantly firing arrows at the city walls to suppress the enemy's firepower. At the same time, he also ordered the soldiers to use catapults to launch huge stones at the city walls in an attempt to destroy the enemy's fortifications.

The battle lasted for several hours, with heavy casualties on both sides. However, Jia Changsheng's army gradually gained the upper hand with its tenacious fighting spirit and heroic fighting spirit. More and more soldiers climbed up the city wall and engaged in fierce close combat with the enemy.

At the critical moment, Zhao Yunfei led his soldiers to successfully break through the enemy's defense line and open the city gate. Seeing this, Chen Batian immediately led the main force into the city. The Goguryeo defenders in the city saw that the situation was hopeless and laid down their weapons and surrendered.

After a fierce battle, Jia Changsheng's army finally succeeded in conquering Fenglin City. Zhao Yunfei and Chen Batian stood on the city wall, looking at the scene in the city, with a lot of emotion in their hearts. This victory was hard-won, and it was exchanged for the blood and lives of countless soldiers.

"Send someone to report to the Marshal immediately, we have successfully captured Fenglin City!" Chen Batian said to the soldiers around him.

"Yes!" The soldier took the order and left.

As the news spread, the entire army cheered. Jia Changsheng was also very pleased when he heard the news. He knew that this was only a temporary victory for them on the Goguryeo battlefield, and there would be more challenges waiting for them in the future. But he believed that as long as the whole army worked together, they would be able to achieve the final victory.

On the third day after conquering Fenglin City, Jia Changsheng summoned all the generals to the big tent to discuss the next attack target. The atmosphere in the big tent was warm and the generals were in high spirits.

Jia Changsheng spoke first: "Everyone, the morale of our army has been greatly boosted by the conquest of Fenglin City, but we cannot slack off. We need to determine the next city to attack as soon as possible to expand the results of the battle. I wonder what your opinions are?"

Vanguard Zhao Yunfei stood up and said, "General, I think we can take advantage of our victory to attack Blackwater City, which is the closest to Maple Forest City. Blackwater City has a dangerous terrain and is easy to defend but difficult to attack. However, because of this, the enemy may think that we will not attack easily and their defense will be relatively lax. Moreover, once we capture Blackwater City, we will be able to control a large area around it, providing a more advantageous strategic position for subsequent attacks."

Chen Batian frowned slightly and expressed a different opinion: "Zhao Xianfeng, although Blackwater City is of strategic significance, due to its dangerous terrain, our army may suffer heavy losses in an attack. I suggest that we attack Pingyang City first. The garrison of Pingyang City is relatively weak, and the city is rich in supplies, which can replenish our military supplies and lay a solid foundation for subsequent attacks."

Wang Meng also stood up and said, "General, I think we should observe the enemy's movements before making a decision. After conquering Fenglin City, the enemy will definitely be prepared and may send reinforcements from other cities. We might as well send out scouts to investigate the troop deployment and defense situation of each city, and then select a suitable target."

Jia Changsheng listened to everyone's opinions and nodded slightly: "Everyone has a point. Blackwater City is strategically important, but it is difficult to attack. Pingyang City's garrison is weak and can be used to replenish military supplies, but its strategic value is relatively small. And it is indeed necessary to send scouts to explore."

At this time, Li Yichen, the military advisor who had been silent, cleared his throat and said, "Marshal, generals, I have a plan. We can pretend to attack Blackwater City and deliberately leak military information, so that the enemy will think that our target is Blackwater City and gather heavy troops in Blackwater City. Then, we will attack Pingyang City unexpectedly. In this way, we can reduce our casualties and quickly capture the target."

Everyone nodded in praise of Li Yichen's plan. But Zhao Yunfei raised doubts: "Although the military advisor's plan is brilliant, if the enemy sees through our plan, we will be in a passive position. Moreover, although the defenders of Pingyang City are relatively weak, once the enemy reinforcements arrive, we will also face the danger of being attacked from both sides."

Chen Batian also echoed, "Zhao Xianfeng is right. I think we should proceed step by step and attack Pingyang City first to ensure that there is no risk of failure."

Li Yichen smiled slightly: "General Zhao, General Chen, our army can pretend to attack Blackwater City while sending out an elite force to ambush near Pingyang City in advance. Once the enemy reinforcements rush to Blackwater City, our elite force can take the opportunity to attack the city. Even if the enemy discovers our plan, our main force can quickly return to support, and together with the elite force, we will surely be able to capture Pingyang City from both inside and outside."

Jia Changsheng pondered for a moment and said, "The military advisor's plan is indeed feasible, but we cannot ignore the risks. We also need to consider the enemy's generals. If the garrison commander of Pingyang City is a brave and resourceful man, our plan may be discovered." Li Yichen nodded and said, "The commander has considered it carefully. As far as I know, the garrison commander of Pingyang City is a veteran of Goguryeo with rich combat experience, but he is suspicious and indecisive. We can take advantage of his character weaknesses and implement our plan."

Zhao Yunfei was moved after hearing what Li Yichen said: "Military Advisor, I am willing to lead the vanguard troops to carry out the mission of feinting an attack on Blackwater City to attract the main force of the enemy."

Chen Batian was not to be outdone: "General, I am willing to lead the main force to ambush near Pingyang City and wait for the opportunity to attack the city."

Wang Meng stood up and said, "General, I would like to lead an elite force to sneak into Pingyang City in advance and make contact with the spies in the city to prepare for the siege."

Jia Changsheng was very pleased to see the generals actively asking for battle. "Okay, since everyone is determined, let's follow the military advisor's plan. Zhao Xianfeng, you lead 3,000 vanguard troops to pretend to attack Blackwater City. Make sure it's convincing so that the enemy will believe it. General Chen, you lead the main force to ambush near Pingyang City and pay close attention to the enemy's movements. Once the time is right, attack the city immediately. General Wang, you select 500 elite troops, sneak into Pingyang City secretly, meet up with the internal response, and wait for the signal to attack the city."

All the generals responded in unison: "Yes, Marshal!"

Jia Changsheng looked at Li Yichen again: "Military Advisor, you need to pay close attention to the overall situation in this battle and provide intelligence support and strategic guidance to each unit in a timely manner."

Li Yichen clasped his fists and replied, "Don't worry, Marshal. Yichen will definitely do his best."

Jia Changsheng stood up and looked at the generals with a firm gaze: "Everyone, this battle is crucial. It is related to our army's strategic layout in Goguryeo. I hope that you will work together and fight bravely to capture Pingyang City and add glory to our army's victory!"

"We are willing to fight to the death for you, Marshal!" The shouts of the generals resounded throughout the tent, filled with determination to win.

In the next few days, Jia Changsheng's army carried out various preparations in an orderly manner according to the plan. Zhao Yunfei's vanguard troops frequently moved around Heishui City, deliberately exposing their whereabouts to attract the enemy's attention. Chen Batian's main force quietly ambushed in the valley near Pingyang City, waiting for the best time to attack the city. The elite troops led by Wang Meng also successfully sneaked into Pingyang City, contacted the insiders in the city, and began to secretly prepare for the insider work.

Everything is ready, waiting for Jia Changsheng's order, and a fierce siege is about to begin.

The night was as dark as ink, so thick that it could not be dissolved. In Jia Changsheng's tent, the candlelight flickered in the wind, and the light and shadows swayed on the wall, like a ferocious beast, or like hidden hope. Wang Meng knelt on one knee, his armor flashing a cold and hard light in the dim light.

"The strength of Pingyang City is related to the survival of our army. We must act carefully and bring back the most accurate intelligence." Jia Changsheng's eyes seemed to be able to penetrate the darkness and locked onto Wang Meng tightly. His voice was low but powerful, revealing unquestionable majesty.

Wang Meng nodded heavily, without saying anything more, and stood up to leave. He knew very well that this mission was arduous, and every step was related to life and death, and the fate of the army.

After leaving the camp, Wang Meng quickly gathered 500 elite soldiers. These soldiers were all agile and sharp-eyed, and were known for their agility and courage in the army. Wang Meng scanned the team in front of him and whispered, "Brothers, this mission is dangerous, but of great significance. We must go deep into the enemy's territory and explore everything in Pingyang City. Remember, we represent the hope of the entire army. Let's go!"

Taking advantage of the night, they quietly left the camp like ghosts. The moonlight sprinkled on the ground, covering them with a layer of silver gauze. The team moved forward silently in the darkness, avoiding the main road and taking the deserted paths. Wang Meng walked in the front of the team. His figure looked particularly tall in the moonlight, and his vigilant eyes scanned the surroundings from time to time.

When the dawn broke and the sky was turning pale, Wang Meng and his companions arrived at a dense forest several miles outside Pingyang City. The dense branches and leaves were like a natural barrier, hiding them inside. From afar, the tall and thick walls of Pingyang City stood before them, like a sleeping beast, and the soldiers patrolling on the walls kept shuttling back and forth, like fleas on the beast.

Wang Meng whispered, "Divide into five teams, act according to the plan, and meet here before sunset." His brief words were as powerful as a military order. Everyone followed his orders and quickly dispersed, their figures quickly disappearing in the haze of the woods and the morning light.

The first team, dressed as ordinary merchants, pushed a carriage full of goods and slowly approached the city gate. The leader, Li Qiang, was smiling with trepidation and determination. He handed the prepared documents and property to the soldiers guarding the city. "Military officers, we are doing a small business and giving us food. Please give us some convenience." The soldiers guarding the city took the property, flipped through the documents casually, waved their hands and let them pass. After entering the city, they shuttled through the city market. They seemed to be buying goods and bargaining with the stall owners, but in fact their eyes kept moving, paying attention to the layout of the streets and the distribution of troops. Every corner and every barracks were carefully examined by their seemingly casual eyes.

The second team put on ragged clothes, pretended to be beggars, and wandered around the city gate. They were unkempt, but their eyes were shrewd. They noticed that every hour, a team of about 20 patrolmen would walk out of the city gate, patrol along the base of the city wall, and then return. The patrolmen's footsteps and the clash of armor were all silently memorized in their minds, calculating the time and route.

The third team sneaked into the farmland outside the city and chatted with the working farmers. An old farmer looked at them warily, holding the hoe in his hand slightly tightly, as if ready to resist unknown dangers at any time. Wang Meng personally stepped forward and whispered: "Fellow villagers, we are the people who have had enough of Goguryeo's oppression and want to do our part to overthrow them." The old farmer hesitated for a moment, looked at them, and finally whispered: "There is enough food and grass in the city, but recently a lot of strong men have been recruited, and the people are panicked, and the soldiers are also complaining." Wang Meng was delighted and thanked him softly. More details were dug out during the conversation with the old farmer.

The fourth team was observing from the hills around the city. They lay motionless in the grass like lurking cheetahs. They quickly recorded with pen and paper in their hands, drawing a rough sketch of the city defense layout. The positions of the watchtowers and arrow towers were accurately marked, and every defensive fortification was reproduced in their pens.

The fifth team set up an ambush in the woods outside the city to prevent any unexpected situation. They hid behind the dense bushes, with bows and arrows on the strings and swords unsheathed, ready to deal with any possible danger at any time.

At sunset, the setting sun was like blood, dyeing half the sky red. The teams returned to the dense forest one after another. Just as everyone was preparing to meet up, suddenly, a burst of hurried horse hooves sounded in the distance.

(End of this chapter)