My father Liu Xuande

Chapter 614 Attacking Chengdu
Most importantly, attacking Zitong and Fucheng would also provide the advantage of waterways, allowing for direct supply of military equipment and provisions from Jiangzhou via waterways, which would be quite time-saving and labor-saving. Furthermore, Guanghan County could serve as a forward base, so even if the army suffered setbacks, it could safely retreat to Guanghan.

However, even Sima Yi did not expect the Left Army to arrive so quickly and so fiercely.

According to intelligence gathered by Cao Cao's army, Liu Feng's main forces, the Vanguard Army and the Rescue Army, were located along the Yuzhou border to guard against Yuan Shao's large-scale southward advance. Meanwhile, the positions of the main forces under Jia Kui, Gao Shun, and Zhou Yu, which were second only to these two elite armies, had also been revealed.

Jia Kui was in Xiangyang, Gao Shun was in Shangyong, and Zhou Yu was in Xiakou.

Of these three armies, only Zhou Yu's entry into Shu was relatively convenient. Jia Kui was unlikely to leave, while Gao Shun was in a rather awkward and isolated position in Shangyong.

The only people Liu Feng could use were some newly formed battalions, and the generals he employed were all young newcomers.

One important reason why Cao Ang still held the idea of ​​peace was that he judged that Liu Feng's military strength in Shu would not increase further.

The sudden appearance of 20,000 new elite troops was a huge surprise to Cao Ang, Cao Ren, Sima Yi, and others, and they were even unsure of He Qi's organizational structure for the time being.

However, Cao Ang, Cao Ren, and Sima Yi were also aware of Li Zheng and Li Dian's personalities and knew that they would never lie about military intelligence or exaggerate the enemy's situation.

The enemy troop numbers reported by Li Zheng, Li Dian, and Yan Pu were generally conservative, not exaggerated. Since the reported number was 20,000, the Left Guard Army would likely have been even larger, not smaller.

"Uncle, what do you think we should do now?"

Suppressing his anxiety, Cao Ang asked Cao Ren for his opinion.

Cao Ren stroked his beard and pondered for a moment before replying, "The brothers Li Zheng and Li Dian command over ten thousand elite troops from Yuzhou, and are also supported by troops from Hanzhong Commandery. They should be safe for the time being, but they are not capable of repelling the enemy."

Li Zheng's Yuzhou army numbered 10,000, while Yan Pu's Hanzhong County troops numbered 10,000, totaling 20,000 men. In terms of troop strength, they were in no way inferior to the Left Guard Army. Although their combat power was somewhat inferior, they had strong fortified cities to rely on, so they were safe in the short term.

In fact, if it weren't for the Left Guard Army besieging the city, Cao Ren was confident that Li Zheng could handle it alone.

Cao Ang understood somewhat the unspoken meaning in Cao Ren's words.

Cao Ren clearly believed that with only the troops of Li Zheng, Li Dian, Yan Pu, and others, they could only hold out for a period of time, and that a prolonged defense would inevitably lead to defeat.

Cao Ang also agreed with this point, after all, the Left Guard Army's siege tactics were unmatched in the world.

It wasn't just Cao Cao who wanted to obtain the secret of the counterweight catapult; Yuan Shao did the same.

Both families infiltrated Liu Feng's territory in various ways, with the counterweight catapult being the top priority of their secrets, for which Cao Cao and Yuan Shao offered a reward of 10,000 gold coins.

Therefore, no matter how much confidence Cao Ren had in Li Zheng and Li Dian, he did not believe that the two of them could hold out against such a divine weapon for long.

Cao Ren indicated that there was no need to worry about survival in the short term, but he also frankly admitted that Li Dian would definitely not be able to hold Zitong, and Li Zheng would not be able to defeat the Left Army on his own. It is clear that Cao Ren's true intention was to secure his own safety first.

Cao Ang then looked at Sima Yi, but the latter was still deep in thought.

Sima Yi was a man of extreme military tactics, which can be described as polarized.

He is swift as the wind and fierce as fire when it comes to the weak, fighting no matter how dangerous the situation, pursuing only high returns and showing no fear of risk.

When Sima Yi campaigned against Liaodong, he defied public opinion and gambled that Gongsun Kang would make a mistake, choosing the most aggressive strategy. Under the circumstances, if Gongsun Kang hadn't made a mistake, Sima Yi would have been in a dilemma, but he still dared to gamble.

But when Sima Yi faced a strong opponent, he could completely back down. Even when insulted by his generals as being terrified of Shu, he remained unmoved. His strategy was simply to outlive Zhuge Liang until he died of old age.

This was not because Sima Yi was kind-hearted, but because he was truly no match for him.

If he could defeat Zhuge Liang, would he have had to put up with this?
He even deliberately wrote a letter to his younger brother, in which he wantonly belittled Zhuge Liang.

The letter was nominally addressed to Sima Fu, but it was actually addressed to Cao Rui.

If Cao Rui hadn't defied public opinion and resolutely refused to replace the general, supporting Sima Yi's strategy of staying put like a tortoise, Zhuge Liang, though powerless to reverse the situation, wouldn't have achieved nothing.

Sima Yi's immediate concern is not returning to reinforce, but rather engaging in a decisive battle. If he could defeat Liu Feng with superior forces, even a minor victory, rather than a major defeat, might give him a chance to force a peace treaty.

After careful consideration, Sima Yi rejected the idea.

Putting aside whether he could achieve a minor victory, Liu Feng's character was such that he would become more courageous and unyielding in the face of setbacks.

This led Sima Yi to consider another option: not only should he return to reinforce, but he should also send his main force to reinforce, first eliminating the Left Guard Army that was attacking his rear.

When Sima Yi shared his thoughts, Cao Ang, Cao Ren, and Yang Xiu were all stunned and then fell into deep thought.

It must be said that Sima Yi's suggestion was quite bold, and upon closer examination, it was actually quite feasible.

The key lies in Chengdu.

Now that Cao Cao's main force is concentrated in Luocheng, if they want to attack Luocheng, they will not only have to conquer or bypass Chengdu and Xindu, but also take one or two days to reach the city of Luocheng.

Although this is the Chengdu Plain, a flat expanse, it would be quite simple to detour if one wanted to. But even if your main force managed to bypass it, you can't rely on a detour for your supply lines, can you?

Even if Liu Zhang's army in Chengdu was not strong, if the Left Army dared to march like that, it would be like lighting a lamp in a toilet—courting death.

Leaving aside Xindu, the Left Guard Army would never have attacked Luocheng before taking Chengdu.

Furthermore, Sima Yi's plan had another advantage: it effectively pushed Liu Zhang's army in Chengdu to the front line, while Cao Cao's main force, which was resisting the left flank, was relegated to the second line, thus giving Sima Yi the initiative. Since Liu Zhang was preventing Cao Cao's army from entering Chengdu, he naturally had to take on the responsibility of defending Chengdu independently.

At that time, Cao Cao's army would only need to leave behind 10,000 to 20,000 soldiers, plus Huang Quan's 7,000 and Zhang Wei's 5,000. They could advance to support Chengdu, attack the left flank of the Left Army, and hinder its all-out attack on the city. They could retreat and rely on Luo City to protect themselves. Meanwhile, the corresponding 20,000 troops would have ample time to repel the Left Army at Zitong.

Cao Ren was the first to speak in agreement: "Zhongda's plan is excellent, and I think it is feasible."

Cao Ang looked at Yang Xiu, who, though somewhat resentful, admitted that Sima Yi's strategy was quite feasible.

Seeing that Yang Xiu also nodded in agreement, Cao Ang immediately made up his mind: "Let's follow Zhongda's opinion, but this time the reinforcements..."

Cao Ren immediately stood up and volunteered, saying, "I am willing to go personally. If I am defeated, I will accept military punishment!"

Cao Ang feigned great joy: "With my uncle leading the charge, I have nothing to worry about." Subsequently, the group decided that Cao Ren would organize his troops the next day, set off from the rear, and head to Zitong to repel the enemy.

But just as everyone finished their discussion, new military intelligence arrived from outside the hall.

"Reporting to the general, this morning the Left Army launched a major offensive and besieged Chengdu. My lord has sent messengers to report the emergency and earnestly requests that the general immediately send troops to provide support."

"What!?"

Cao Ang, Cao Ren, Sima Yi, Yang Xiu and others all had drastic changes in expression.

The newcomer appeared nervous but was quite calm; he was none other than Huang Quan, the city garrison commander of Luocheng.

After being received by Cao Ang, Huang Quan quickly recounted in detail the military report he had received.

It turned out that at 1:15 a.m. this morning, the Left Army marched out of the camp and formed ranks. By the beginning of 9:00 a.m., the entire army was deployed, fully equipped, and began a fierce attack on Chengdu.

In just one morning, under the cover of various siege weapons, they filled in the newly dug moat and launched a fierce attack on the city walls.

More than thirty counterweight catapults rose and fell in succession, their artillery crews mostly composed of seasoned veterans. They suppressed the catapults within Chengdu while simultaneously covering their own catapults as they advanced into firing range.

In an instant, rocks rained down on Chengdu.

The southern city gate tower, which had survived Zhao Wei's siege, was no exception and collapsed into ruins. If it weren't for the quick thinking of Leng Bao, the southern city's garrison commander, who evacuated in time, he and his men would have been buried under the rubble a moment later.

In just two hours, the Zuo Mu army's long-range firepower swept away the defensive fortifications built by the Chengdu defenders on the city walls, leaving the defenders suffocating. It was only because the Zuo Mu army did not launch an attack that they were able to take advantage of the situation that they were able to scale the walls of Chengdu long ago.

The reason for such excellent results was twofold: firstly, the emergence of the counterweight catapult, a weapon of mass destruction ahead of its time; and secondly, the defensive fortifications of that era were far less robust than those of later periods.

This creates a generational gap between high and low, and the defending side naturally suffers a great loss.

With the city's defensive fortifications completely cleared, the Left Guard Army's siege towers began to advance, extending their firing range to the area behind the city walls. At the same time, infantry archers, under the cover of shields and towers, advanced to the base of the city walls, coordinating with the catapults and siege towers behind them to further suppress any counterattacks from the city walls.

Having witnessed the overwhelming advantage in long-range firepower, the bugle call sounded again from the main camp of the Left Army. The next moment, the siege engines, including ladders, battering rams, and siege hammers, which had been observing from behind the siege towers and counterweight catapults, finally began to move.

Liu Zhang dispatched six waves of envoys in quick succession, one wave chasing the next. The first wave of envoys had barely arrived and hadn't even finished explaining the military situation when the second wave was already knocking on the gates of Luo City.

Cao Ang, Cao Ren, and the others' faces instantly turned ashen; the strategy they had devised earlier could no longer be implemented.

The ferocity of the Left Wing Army's offensive was something Cao Ang, Cao Ren, and others had never anticipated.

Chengdu is the largest city in Yizhou, with 30,000 to 40,000 garrison troops and nearly 10,000 able-bodied men. On the very first day, no, only half a day, Liu Zhang has already urgently requested reinforcements, and in such an urgent manner.

Is the Left Army really that terrifying?
If they were truly so unstoppable, Cao Ang and Cao Ren had lost confidence that the remaining 30,000 troops could effectively threaten and restrain the enemy.

**
Outside Chengdu city, in the fields to the south.

The once empty plain was now filled with the Left Army. The soldiers, dressed in various armors and holding long and short weapons, stood shoulder to shoulder, leaving no room to even put their feet down.

Looking down from the city wall, the banners of the Left Army were so dense they resembled a forest. When the wind blew, the sound of the banners clashing together drowned out the birdsong of the morning. The smoke rising from the Left Army's rear camp alone looked like a low-hanging cloud, coloring the sky.

The Left Army had now mobilized its entire force, with over 50,000 troops deployed south of Chengdu. Their morale was high, their fighting spirit was strong, and everyone was eager to make a name for themselves and earn military merit.

In the very center of the great formation, Liu Feng, protected by Lu Xun, Sun Jiao and others, ascended the high platform. Surrounded by a large number of generals and armored soldiers, even the bravest warriors would be terrified at the sight.

Liu Feng mobilized his entire force for this campaign, bringing not only his elite troops but also the soldiers of Zhao Wei's army and Du Yue's three thousand Cong soldiers.

His plan was to launch a fierce attack on Chengdu, drawing away Cao Cao's army in Luocheng while exhausting the Chengdu defenders.

Liu Feng appointed Lü Meng as general, leading the troops of Ling Tong and Wen Pin, totaling over 7,000 men (the cavalry was transferred to Sun Ce's command), and arrayed them on the east side of the main formation to shield its flanks. He also appointed Sun Ce to lead 3,000 cavalry, positioned behind Lü Meng and the main formation, allowing for maneuver and adaptation.

Then, Wei Yan was appointed as general, leading Feng Xi and Zhang Nan, with a total of more than 5,000 men (cavalry as above), and they were arrayed north of Chengdu, on the south bank of the Tuo River, five miles away from the main formation, to ambush Cao Cao's army crossing the river.

The remaining troops lined up from the east and south of Chengdu, flanking the city.

**
The morning mist in the south of Chengdu had not yet dissipated when thirty counterweight catapults were already arrayed three hundred paces away. Lu Xun reined in his horse and stood on the central command platform, looking at the outline of the city wall that was faintly visible in the mist beside Liu Feng. He then asked for instructions: "My lord, the time has come."

Liu Feng immediately nodded: "Then let's begin."

After receiving the order, Lu Xun looked at the flag bearer beside him, whose command flag suddenly swung down.

"put!"

The dull thuds of the winch coming loose joined together, and the counterweight box crashed to the ground.

More than thirty millstone-sized stone projectiles pierced the morning mist, whistling through the air with a chilling sound.

Half of the first volley hit their targets, and the south city gate collapsed with a deafening roar. The flying bricks and stones smashed the defenders who couldn't dodge in time, leaving them bloodied and mangled.

"Second round—load the flint shells!"

Lu Xun's voice echoed across the battlefield as the messengers relayed the order.

The gunners skillfully changed ammunition, and the boulders wrapped in tarpaulins were lit and placed into ammunition bags.

This volley was like a meteor shower; the burning boulders crashed into the city wall and exploded. The splattered oil flowed through the gaps in the parapet into the soldiers' hiding places, igniting their clothes and causing screams of agony.

Leng Bao escaped the south gate tower in time, narrowly escaping death. He was now huddled behind the arrow emplacements, the scorching air stinging his eyebrows and hair. The renowned general of Yizhou was deathly pale; he had never seen a catapult so precise.

Traditional human-powered catapults require half an hour to reload after each launch, while the enemy's monsters can fire three volleys within a hundred breaths, completely surpassing traditional catapults in accuracy.

(End of this chapter)