The crimson hues of the setting sun painted the skyline，casting a blood-like glow over the seemingly endless ranks of the Black Mountain Army as they advanced slowly towards Puyang City.Among the dark swarm of soldiers,the majority were gaunt and haggard,their faces sallow with hunger.Interspersed among them were the elderly,women,and children,most armed with only the crudest of weapons,and only a few boasting fine armor.
Yu Du,astride a tall and imposing steed,fixed his gaze upon the nearby Puyang City.Beside him were several of his generals-Bai Rao and Sui Gu among them.Bai Rao furrowed his brow and muttered,"Puyang City stands so tall and sturdy.I fear it will be a nigh-impossible task to seize it."
Huang Silang let out a derisive laugh."General Bai,you worry too much.According to the reports from the spies I had planted within the city,Cao Cao has led the main force out.Only three thousand new recruits remain.How could they possibly withstand our hundred-thousand-strong army?"In his eyes,a blend of fury and hatred burned brightly.True,though Cao Cao had executed the entire Huang family,the Huang family had held sway in Puyang City for many years,and there were still quite a number of their kin left.As soon as Cao Cao had set out on his expedition,Huang Silang had received word and promptly informed Yu Du.
"Your information had better be reliable,or you'll be in dire straits!"Sui Gu shot a cold glare at Huang Silang.
Originally,they had intended to return and reinforce their lair first,defeat Cao Cao's main force,and then continue their assault on Dongjun.However,under the vehement persuasion of Huang Silang,Yu Du had ultimately decided to attack Puyang County first.
"Chief Yu,how should we commence our attack?"Bai Rao's question drew the attention of all,and every eye turned to Yu Du.Yu Du stroked his chin,deep in thought.The Black Mountain Army boasted of over a hundred thousand men,yet at least thirty to forty thousand of them were old,weak,sick,or disabled,scarcely fit for battle.The remaining soldiers were also ill-equipped in terms of weapons and armor.Breaking through a well-fortified county seat was indeed a daunting challenge.
But now,there was no turning back.With this in mind,Yu Du pointed towards the county town."Let us concentrate our superior forces and focus on attacking just one of the gates.First,send men to blockade the other three city gates with sandbags and dig deep trenches to prevent any sorties from the city that might harass us.We shall begin our assault tomorrow!"A chorus of affirmation rang out,"Yes!"
Upon the city wall,Xun Yu watched the Black Mountain Army's maneuvers,his brow deeply furrowed."It seems that Yu Du,the leader of these Black Mountain bandits,is no simpleton."
"So what?If they dare to come today,I'll ensure they never return!"Dian Wei bellowed with laughter,his voice booming.The new recruits,who had been on the verge of panic,immediately felt a sense of calm wash over them.
"Nevertheless,General Dian,we mustn't be complacent,"Xun Yu cautioned.
"Fear not,County Magistrate.I'm well-prepared,"Dian Wei replied with a dismissive wave of his hand."It appears the Black Mountain Army won't attack today.You may go down and rest."Xun Yu,too,had noticed that the Black Mountain Army was only making preparatory arrangements for the day.With a heavy heart,he nodded and left the city wall.
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Dian Wei looked down upon the Black Mountain bandits as they transported sandbags and dug trenches under the rain of arrows from the city wall,a sneer upon his lips."Just as Big Brother predicted.These Black Mountain bandits are short on military equipment and can only concentrate their strength to attack one point ferociously.This saves us some trouble."
After completing the preparatory work,early the next morning,the Black Mountain bandits launched their assault on Puyang City.Yu Du,determined to capture the city,did not hesitate and immediately dispatched his main force to attack.The soldiers of the Black Mountain bandits carried hastily constructed ladders,raised their crude shields,and advanced towards the city wall under a hail of arrows.They propped the ladders against the wall and attempted to scale it.On the western side of the Puyang City wall,soldiers clung to it like ants on a mound.
The three thousand new recruits left to defend Puyang,though somewhat lacking in combat prowess,had the advantage of the high ground.They simply raised their bows,arrows,and stones and ceaselessly rained them down upon the enemy,numbly attempting to repel the assault.As a result,despite their numerical superiority,the Black Mountain bandits found it no easy feat to break through.For a time,the battle reached a stalemate.
Outside the battlefield,Yu Du watched as his soldiers fell one by one at the foot of the city wall,and it felt as if his heart was being rent asunder.He turned to Bai Rao,Sui Gu,and the others,his expression vicious."If we continue like this,this battle will drag on indefinitely!Why don't we all send out our elite troops and take Puyang in one fell swoop?"Bai Rao and Sui Gu exchanged glances,hesitated for a moment,and then said,"Very well."Among the leaders of the Black Mountain bandits,there was usually much intrigue,and none wished to see their own forces depleted.But at this critical moment,with the war situation so dire,only by swiftly capturing Puyang could they hope to turn the tide.Thus,they had no choice but to accede to Yu Du's proposal.
"Excellent!"Yu Du nodded and signaled to the soldiers beside him.Soon,the deep,resonant sound of a horn echoed across the field.The Black Mountain bandit soldiers who had been attacking the city retreated like a receding tide...
Within the city,Lin Yu reclined leisurely,basking in the sun.Zhao Yun stood nearby,unable to contain himself."Big Brother,are we truly not going to make an appearance?"
"Have no fear,Zi Long.I've already informed your Second Brother.With his capabilities,the Black Mountain bandits won't be able to breach the city so easily,"Lin Yu said in a measured tone.Dian Wei was a renowned general in history.If he couldn't withstand the first wave of the Black Mountain bandits'attack,then Lin Yu would have to lament his misjudgment of the man.
Just then,Zhao Yun perked up his ears and exclaimed with excitement,"Big Brother,listen!It seems the Black Mountain bandits are retreating!"Lin Yu listened intently and indeed recognized the sound of the retreating horn.However,he was not as elated as Zhao Yun and shook his head."This is no cause for celebration."
"Doesn't this mean that Second Brother has repelled their attack?Why isn't it good news?"Zhao Yun asked,confusion written all over his face.
"It's quite simple.In general,during a battle between two armies,the first wave of attack is often a probing one.The next assault by the Black Mountain bandits will surely be even more ferocious!"Lin Yu gazed towards the city wall not far away and murmured,"Zi Long,go and assist your Second Brother."
"Yes,Big Brother!"Zhao Yun,who had been itching to join the fray,seized his long spear and hastened off to convey the order.
...
Upon the city wall,Dian Wei was slightly taken aback when he saw Zhao Yun running towards him."Zi Long,what brings you here?"
"Second Brother,Big Brother sent me to help you,"Zhao Yun replied.
"Good!With your help,defending the city will surely be within our grasp,"Dian Wei laughed.However,at that very moment,a soldier beside them suddenly cried out,"General,look!"Dian Wei and Zhao Yun turned in unison and stared towards the Black Mountain bandit army.Several squads of men charged out from the enemy ranks and were hurtling towards the city wall.Compared to the previous Black Mountain bandit soldiers,these new squads were clearly far more elite.Each man was not only robust but also clad in visible armor.