The Prodigal Son

At this moment, Qin Yu finally understood why the old man had asked him to investigate the depth of the moat and to build simple bridge piers.

The city gates are sealed!

Attacking through the barbican would be utterly foolish!

The most reliable option is to simply cross the city walls and storm into the city!

Knowing the depth of the moat was crucial for them to build simple bridges for their army to cross.

Only with bridge piers could a simple wooden bridge be built over the moat.

Indeed, experience is the best teacher!

These things, unless you wage a serious, decisive battle, are almost never noticed by anyone.

"Haven't I experienced Zongbi's methods of defending the city yet?"

Qin Fumeng smiled casually, "I also know that there are still many unarmored young men on the city walls!"

Upon hearing this, Qin Yu immediately used his clairvoyance to observe carefully.

Upon closer inspection, they indeed discovered quite a few unarmored young men.

Although those people were hiding behind the wall, he could still see some of them from his vantage point.

Qin Yu lowered his telescope and said in a deep voice, "Is Zong Bi trying to use these able-bodied men to wear down our forces?"

"right!"

Qin Fumeng nodded and said, "In Zong Bi's eyes, it's a win for him to exchange five able-bodied men for one of our soldiers! As long as he can hold Wangzhou Prefecture and exhaust our forces, all the able-bodied men in Wangzhou Prefecture can be wiped out!"

Hearing his words, Qin Yu and Nan Que'er couldn't help but gasp at the same time.

So cruel!

Qin Fumeng smiled calmly, his gaze fixed intently on Qin Yu. "Do you still think your so-called clever tactics will work?"

"Maybe it will work!"

Qin Yu chuckled awkwardly, but his confidence had waned.

I seem to have underestimated Zong Bi.

Qin Fumeng smiled calmly and asked, "Do you know what the most important characteristic of a general skilled in defense is?"

Qin Yu gently shook his head.

The most prominent characteristic of a general who excels at defense is, of course, his ability to defend!

But that's nonsense!

If he were to say it out loud, he'd definitely get a slap on the forehead from that old man.

"All generals skilled in defense share one common characteristic!"

Qin Fumeng said with a deep gaze, "Their goal is very clear. They won't be distracted by schemes. They know perfectly well that their most important task is to defend the city! Your so-called strategy of outsmarting the enemy is often just a joke in their eyes!"

Qin Yu was surprised, and smiled bitterly to himself.

Ok!

When faced with someone determined to retreat and defend their city, many clever tactics are indeed of little use.

Zong Bi even sealed off the city gates, which meant he was determined not to come out!

Even if their soldiers stripped naked and went down to the city to dance, Zong Bi would not come out.

"Generals skilled in defense share another common characteristic: they are ruthless!"

Qin Fumeng continued, "I can also tell you that if we fail to capture Wangzhou Prefecture today, Zong Bi will order men to collect the arrows shot out by lowering them down the city walls tonight!"

"Moreover, those who come out must be a group of elderly, weak, women, and children who are of little use in defending the city!"

"If a group of seven- or eight-year-old children came down to collect arrows, would you kill them or not?"

Faced with Qin Fumeng's question, Qin Yu's heart trembled.

That's a question that really got him asked.

But this is a problem he must face!

Killing someone always carries some psychological burden.

If he doesn't kill them, the arrows that the enemy sent out will return to the enemy's hands and threaten the lives of his soldiers again.

A difficult choice!

But we have no choice!

Qin Yu took a deep breath and ordered in a deep voice, "Sound the retreat!"

Qin Fumeng did not stop him.

Qin Yu's reaction was exactly what he had expected.

He had already ordered Monk Dong to launch the attack half an hour later than Qin Yu's side!

The last half hour was for Qin Yu to readjust his offensive strategy and mindset!

That's how he shattered all of Qin Yu's illusions.

It could even mean erasing a part of Qin Yu's humanity!

He knew it was cruel, but he couldn't give Qin Yu much more time.

"Clang clang clang..."

Soon, the sound of retreat rang out.

Qin Yu glanced at Wangzhou Prefecture from afar, then turned and walked down the hillside.

As he turned around, Qin Yu couldn't help but look at Qin Fumeng, and said helplessly, "Old man, aren't you afraid of causing your grandson to develop a mental disorder?"

Now that things have come to this, how could he not understand Qin Fumeng's purpose?

That old guy really went to great lengths!

"This is a hurdle you must overcome!"

Qin Fumeng's smile faded, and he said seriously, "Only if you don't overcome this hurdle will you develop inner demons!"

Who hasn't been young?

That's how we all got here.

Qin Yu was speechless, only managing a bitter smile.

I fucking miss the capital!

For the first time, he felt that life in the capital was so comfortable.

"Think about it carefully!"

Qin Fu patted Qin Yu on the shoulder. "You've already wasted more than a quarter of an hour. You have about two quarters of an hour left to reorganize the attack and adjust your mindset! If you can't give this order, I will take over military command and give the order myself!"

Qin Yu opened his mouth slightly, but hesitated to speak.

After a moment, Qin Yu gently shook his head, his gaze firm, and said, "Forget it! We'll have to get through this sooner or later anyway, so I'll give the order!"

Qin Yu didn't have much time to adjust his mindset.

Two quarters of an hour.

Only enough to reorganize the attack!

However, once he made up his mind, it was no longer important whether he could adjust his mindset in time.

What kind of bullshit mentality is that? We'll talk about it after this battle is over!

Qin Yu summoned Qin Xiong and ordered, "Immediately organize men to move the dozens of logs cut last night and those makeshift bridge piers to the front lines as quickly as possible!"

"yes!"

Qin Xiong quickly accepted the order and left.

"Big Hammer, you personally go and invite the two seniors who assisted Pei Xiao in the feigned attack on the East Gate over!"

Qi Dachui nodded and quickly rode away.

Watching Qi Dachui leave, Qin Yu approached Qin Fumeng. "Wait a moment, I will lead my personal guards as the vanguard in the siege! As for command matters..."

"Believe it or not, I'll slap you!"

Qin Fumeng's face suddenly darkened. "You remember this, you're a commander, not a general! A commander should do what a commander is supposed to do!"

This has nothing to do with whether Qin Yu is his grandson or not.

He would still stop it if it were anyone else.

Qin Yu's primary task was to command the army to attack the city, not to show off his personal bravery and lead the charge!

"Isn't it you who's here?"

Qin Yu chuckled and said in a conciliatory tone, "Just this once!"

"There's no room for discussion on this!"

Qin Fumeng's attitude was firm: "If it were a surprise attack, and you led the attack, I wouldn't have a problem with it! But this is a siege!"

Qin Yu looked at Qin Fumeng with a wry smile, "My previous sieges were either catching the enemy off guard or relying on Senior Ning or the experts around him. I have no experience in this kind of head-on siege warfare! Besides, you are the commander now, and I am just a general!"

Flattery will get you everywhere.

This time, however, Qin Yu's flattery had no effect whatsoever.

"I've said it before, there's no room for discussion!"

Qin Fu, puffing out his beard, glared at Qin Yu. "I'm here to oversee the overall situation, not to direct your army to attack the city!"

The old man's attitude was extremely firm, leaving no room for negotiation.

Got it!

Qin Yu smiled helplessly, forced to abandon his idea of ​​leading the attack on the city...