Tiger Guards

Chapter 669 Low Morale
In Zhongtao City, snowflakes are falling from the sky.

The snowfall gradually intensified, and all the flags on the city walls and the surrounding fortifications were frozen, their surfaces drooping and folding like spearheads pointing straight to the sky.

The outer walls were spaced about a hundred paces apart. Yan Xing reined in his horse and rode slowly, observing the camp set up by Ma Teng through the snow curtain.

Ma Teng was not a military genius, so the large and small camps he set up were built according to the terrain of Zhongtao City.

Zhongtao City was also built against the mountain, and the surrounding area was an open plain formed by the erosion of the river. Although it was not enough to support a county, it could guarantee the living needs of the population of a township.

Therefore, the outer fortifications built by Ma Teng were located close to the city, so the terrain was relatively high overall.

Ma Teng abandoned the flat land on the other side of the river, only burning down the village and filling in the wells.

Its camp consisted of three layers, with the outermost layer being a simple low wall built close to the river.

The ground here was frozen, and Yan Xing could see at a glance the intention of Ma Teng's defensive line: to force the Hehuang Han-Qiang allied forces to dig wells in the winter, which was destined to be an arduous task.

The later the combined forces of the Hehuang Han and Qiang arrived, the more solid the ground would be, making it even more difficult to dig wells for the army and livestock.

If you want to get close to the river and break through the ice to get water, you will be shot at by crossbowmen behind the low wall on the opposite bank!

Ma Teng's water-cutting strategy had been effective. When Yan Xing observed Ma Teng's defense line, his army had no choice but to dig wells on the spot.

However, Zhongtao City and Zhang County have similar city layouts, and with sufficient garrison troops and war reserves, it is basically difficult to capture.

Yan Xing was well aware that the combined Han and Qiang forces of the Hehuang region lacked the determination and equipment to launch an attack.

He could not order the Han and Qiang strongmen temporarily assigned to him to launch a strong attack, nor would he accept a similar order from Han Sui.

After observing the surroundings, Yan Xing turned back and said to the Han and Qiang chieftains who were on good terms with him, “Zhongtao City is really difficult to capture. Its outer camp is well-organized. If we cannot break through it in one fell swoop, we will suffer the consequences.”

The Han and Qiang leaders who accompanied him had all participated in the Western Liang rebels back then, and the two older ones had even served as subordinates of Sanming in Liangzhou.

Yan Xing had already considered retreating, but he couldn't easily persuade the entire army to do so.

He could not retreat without authorization, as Han Sui's army was behind him.

Given the terrain of Longyou, if he retreats, he will inevitably clash with Han Sui, and at that time he will have no choice but to fight to the death.

However, he was reluctant to lead such a rabble to fight Ma Teng, and he also did not want his troops to suffer such meaningless losses.

If he doesn't take the lead, he won't be able to command his subordinate generals to launch a strong attack.

The best way out now is to sell all these powerful generals under our command for a good price.

Yan Xing held the horsewhip, stretched out his arm, and pointed diagonally to the end of his line of sight... It wasn't far, only about two hundred paces away. Due to the snowfall, their visibility was limited, and they could only see the second line of defense set up by Ma Teng.

This is a complete fortress, running east to west, perhaps several miles long.

The generals around him also turned their heads to look. The soil in Zhongtao was quite special, leaning towards an ochre color with alternating red and yellow hues. The rammed earth walls were also very noticeable when it snowed.

Everyone could see that the river was frozen over, making it easier for them to cross.

While crossing the river, they would be harassed by archers behind the low wall on the riverbank. After crossing the river and attacking the wall, the wall could provide them with some defense.

But since they are here to attack, they must launch an attack, inevitably have to storm the fortifications, and endure even more intense crossbow fire.

The biggest challenge now is that the third line of defense set up by Ma Teng is not clearly visible. According to the scouts' reconnaissance, the third line of defense consists of eight camps, two large and six small, located on the east and west sides of Zhongtao City, all built against the mountain.

When attacking, you will encounter layers of resistance. The worst part is that when you retreat, you cannot destroy the first and second lines of defense that you have already occupied, because the enemy can use these lines of defense, and they can also use them when they attack and retreat.

But if they couldn't break through and eliminate the camps outside the city in one battle, they would have to repeatedly attack the two defensive lines across the river. Almost without thinking, everyone secretly shook their heads; they didn't want to cross the river to launch an attack.

If they wait until Han Sui's army arrives, those people will be united and pressuring them, then they will have to cross the river and launch a strong attack!
Seeing that everyone was in low spirits and their eyes were wandering, Yan Xingcai said, "Let's set up camp for now and discuss things again after the General arrives."

"What else is there to discuss?"

A swarthy Qiang chieftain with a goatee said disdainfully, "We are the vanguard, and we have not yet fought a single battle. If the general comes, he will surely hold us accountable."

Another Han strongman chimed in, "Indeed, we should gather swift and agile men to harass the enemy's fortifications and intimidate them. Otherwise, Ma Shoucheng will think our army is afraid to fight and will dare to cross the river tonight to attack. The weather is freezing cold, and it is not easy to cut down trees in the mountains. Our camp will be difficult to build in a short time. If we encounter a strong attack from Ma Shoucheng tonight, it will be difficult to end well."

The only characteristic of these people is that they are good at fighting; being good at fighting is their only trait.

Yan Xing listened quietly as these Han and Qiang leaders, who were older than him, exchanged ideas and discussed their views. He did not interfere, and they could not reach a conclusion.

The nature of the Hehuang Han-Qiang allied army meant that it was difficult for this army to fight siege battles. Due to historical reasons, they also lacked the understanding and consensus of being loyal to the Han Dynasty to the death.

It is important for the army to reach a consensus that the entire Hehuang coalition is there to gain advantages, not to shed blood and die for the Han emperor in vain.

Of course, if the gold from the Xudu court could be transported to the Longyou battlefield, these people would spare no expense to force their troops and followers to fight a bloody battle and launch a strong attack.

There is definitely gold, but it is in Zhao Ji's hands and has all been left in Jinyang.

The Han and Qiang leaders of the Hehuang region did not believe they could easily obtain the gold that even the Xianbei people had failed to acquire.

As the discussion deepened, the topics became more serious.

Anyway, nobody wanted to wait for Han Sui to come.

Once Han Sui arrives, they will certainly not have a good ending.

They were all shrewd individuals who had risen from the ashes of war, and had long since lost any moral constraints.

For them, who came from the rebel army of Xiliang, integrity was a major taboo on the battlefield.

Seeing that Yan Xing remained silent and did not interrupt their increasingly outrageous remarks, these Han and Qiang leaders realized that Yan Xing had reached his bottom line.

So the Qiang chieftain with the white goatee and a relatively refined and easy-going demeanor said, "Yanming, the fact that the Ren family fled westward from Tianshui is not a secret; all the officers and soldiers in each unit have heard about it. Now that the army's morale is low and Han Sui is not a wise ruler, why not find another wise ruler?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Xing lowered his head and replied with difficulty, "The General has always treated me with kindness and affection, and it is truly difficult to betray him."

Another older Han strongman also spoke up to advise, "We are already old and no longer seek to achieve great deeds and bring glory to our families. However, Yanming's bravery is unparalleled in the Western Regions. If he could join Grand Tutor Zhao's ranks, what worries would he have about not achieving great things?"

Immediately afterward, a strongman with a scar on his face spoke up: "The fate of the Han dynasty is sealed. With the Grand Tutor's divine martial prowess, the border troubles of You and Bing can be swept away in one fell swoop. Replacing the Han dynasty with the Han dynasty might not be a bad thing."

The only response they received was Yan Xing's long sigh, which greatly increased everyone's hope. Immediately, someone suggested, "If Yanming is worried about the future, I have a past relationship with Ma Shoucheng. I will send his troops to inquire about the situation."

Another person followed up, saying, "I know Yanming is worried that Ma Shoucheng is holding a grudge. This is a matter of national importance, and I believe Ma Shoucheng will handle it properly. He will not fail the court, nor will he fail the officers and soldiers of the two armies."

"Oh~!"

Yan Xing let out another long sigh, then spurred his horse and rode off ahead.

Looking around, everyone felt that this was feasible.

If Ma Teng is willing to give up pursuing the blood feud, then Yan Xing's concerns will naturally disappear.

As for his family... with Han Sui killed here, Yan Xing's family will naturally be safe.

(End of this chapter)