The strongest devouring system in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 117 Not to be underestimated

At the same time, Gongsun Zan dispatched a large number of cavalry to scout and guard the area west and north of Tianshui. According to intelligence from his scouts, Han Sui of Jincheng had already sent troops and it was unknown when they would arrive at the Tianshui battlefield. Gongsun Zan had to make preparations in advance.

"It's starting now," Chen Er said to Xi Zhicai, gazing westward.

Xi Zhicai replied, "According to intelligence, Gongsun Zan is about to attack the city."

Chen Er asked, "Zhi Cai, what price do you think Gongsun Zan would have to pay to take Tianshui City?" Xi Zhi Cai thought for a moment and replied, "My lord, I think it would have to be at least 20,000."

"Twenty thousand casualties is quite a lot. Gongsun Zan only sent a total of over sixty thousand troops," Chen Er said.

"This is still a relatively optimistic estimate. Although Gongsun Zan has a large number of elite veterans from the former Bingzhou army, this is, after all, a siege. The Xiliang army is not without its own strength. As early as Ding Yuan's time, the Xiliang army had a considerable number of Western and Han musketeers. Even though the Xiliang army does not have a unified force now, it is still a force to be reckoned with, relying on its past strength. Moreover, I believe that Guo Si, Li Jue, and Niu Fu are not to be feared. Li Jue is quite capable. If the Xiliang army uses its tactics properly, it may be able to launch a counterattack."

"The biggest problems for the Xiliang army are actually internal conflicts and the issue of food supplies. If Gongsun Zan is willing to keep besieging the enemy without attacking, his chances of winning are greater. If Gongsun Zan chooses to attack too early, he is likely to get bogged down in a quagmire."

Xi Zhicai's analysis was very insightful, directly pinpointing the strengths and weaknesses of both sides in the battle at Tianshui. Xi Zhicai seemed to have a less optimistic view of Gongsun Zan. Judging from his words...

Chen Er glanced at Xi Zhicai but said nothing more. Yuyang was too far from Liangzhou, and they couldn't get more specific information. They could only analyze the situation based on what they already knew. However, the battlefield situation was constantly changing, and no one could say for sure. Chen Er said to Xi Zhicai, "We can only wait for the latest intelligence."

While Chen Er and Xi Zhicai were analyzing the Tianshui battlefield, Gongsun Zan had already launched a probing attack on Tianshui. His three consecutive attacks were repelled. The Xiliang soldiers in Tianshui were very optimistic about the upcoming battle. However, Guo Si and his two comrades became increasingly frustrated. Those below them saw that the Chang'an army's repeated failures were merely due to Gongsun Zan's probing attacks. But they couldn't tell their subordinates this directly. After all, if a probing attack had caused such heavy casualties, what would happen if it were a formal attack? Warfare is all about morale; a highly motivated new recruit has a great chance of defeating a demoralized elite force.

Guo Si and his men cannot tell the truth, otherwise it will definitely affect the overall morale.

"What should we do?" Niu Fu asked Li Jue.

Li Jue: "I'll say it again, keep going, but the plan has to be postponed by a day. Tomorrow, don't open the city walls yet, just give the Chang'an army some hope of breaking through the city. We'll slowly give up the southern city the day after tomorrow. At that time, Brother Niu Fu, you and your soldiers must act convincingly."

Niu Fu nodded. Although the fighting strength of the Chang'an army was somewhat unexpected, Niu Fu was still willing to trust Li Jue. He felt that Li Jue's suggestions were feasible and could help them achieve victory in the battle.

Night slowly fell, and the Xiliang army inside Tianshui City had no intention of launching a night attack. Gongsun Zan was not worried that Guo Si and his two companions would launch a night attack. He wanted Guo Si and his companions to open the city gates and launch a night attack, which suited his wishes perfectly.

Night slowly passed, and dawn soon arrived. The Chang'an army, which had moved its camp twenty miles towards Tianshui, got up at daybreak to cook and prepare for battle.

Some veteran soldiers didn't eat until they were too full. They knew the battle was going to be extremely fierce, and eating too much would affect their movement. Also, if the battle got too intense, they might vomit. So eating until they were about 70% full was the best option.

These veteran soldiers each grabbed a few rice balls or a pancake and put them in their pockets. Lunch wasn't guaranteed for today, and the cooks in charge of distributing the food knew this. They prepared a little extra and didn't interfere with the soldiers taking extra food. After all, nobody knew if they'd come back alive. This might be their last breakfast, so let them go. Anyway, supplies were plentiful, and there was no need to worry about running out of food.

"Get ready." At a little after 7:50 in the morning, Gongsun Zan stood outside his tent and said to Gongsun Pu.

"Beat the drums! Gather the troops!" Gongsun Pu shouted to the messenger and drummer on one side.

Boom!Boom!Boom!

Immediately, the tranquil morning was shattered by thunderous drumbeats. Even as far away as Tianshui City, thirty miles away, the sound of the Chang'an army gathering its troops could be heard. Five minutes after the drumbeats were heard, the more than 40,000 troops were ready for battle. Apart from 3,000 men and 10,000 supply troops who were stationed at the main camp, the rest of the troops marched to Tianshui City to engage in today's battle.

Meanwhile, the troops on the north bank also began crossing the river, and they would launch an attack from the north of Tianshui City.

Gongsun Zan personally supervised the battle.

An hour later, the army arrived five miles east of Tianshui City. According to the battle plan formulated yesterday, the army immediately split into two parts to attack the east and south cities respectively. The north city was attacked by a detachment of 10,000 troops from the north bank, while the west city was the hope that Gongsun Zan left for the Liang army in Tianshui City.

This is a typical three-man-one-man tactic, a tactic frequently used in siege warfare, and one of the most effective tactics.

Meanwhile, Gongsun Zan also mobilized 5,000 laborers to secretly begin digging tunnels around the eastern city. This is one of the most commonly used tactics in siege warfare. However, Tianshui City, located on the south bank of the Wei River, has a moat, so the tunnels are not easy to dig. They must be dug deep, otherwise they will be useless. Not only will they fail to play their due role, but they will also cause their own side to lose strength due to water seepage.

"My lord?" The army was ready. Chen Yong walked up to Gongsun Zan and asked for his orders.

Gongsun Zan shouted, "Begin the attack! The first to scale the walls will be rewarded with one hundred taels of gold!"

"attack!"

Today's theme is a formal offensive. The Chang'an army immediately launched a fierce artillery barrage, with tens of thousands of musketeers firing in shifts. Yesterday's battle was child's play compared to this.

The intense firepower suppressed the Xiliang army so much that they couldn't even raise their heads. On each city wall, there were only two or three thousand musketeers fighting back, and the sparse bullets had negligible effect on the resistance of the Chang'an army outside the city.