My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 513 General Tian Ce Arrives in Person!

The methods of siege warfare in the era of cold weapons have long been summarized and categorized by the ancient sages. The Mozi alone summarizes twelve methods.

They are: Lin, Gou, Chong, Ti, Yin, Shui, Xue, Tu, Kongdong, Yifu, Ziwen and Xuanche.

The defending forces relied on the sturdy city walls for support, while the attacking forces tried every means to overcome their disadvantage.

Unless the devastating weapon, the trebuchet, is used to directly breach the city walls, even after the trebuchet is deployed, the methods of attacking a city are essentially limited to these.

The ancients weren't stupid. In an era with limited productivity and technology, the methods they came up with were already the most effective ones.

The various siege machines they created were all used to assist in sieges.

The chariot can transport soldiers without worrying about stray arrows heading straight for the city wall, while the siege tower allows one's own side to have a higher vantage point than the defenders on the city wall, thus enabling them to suppress the enemy with arrows and seize control.

The siege ladder trucks created a 'passage' for the attacking soldiers to climb directly onto the city walls.

After all, Dou Tai led his troops to capture Shanyang City.

Even if the Shanyang defenders did not put up a fierce resistance, they would not have simply opened the city gates and surrendered. They must have used all the necessary siege equipment.

"Is the aerial ladder truck manufactured according to the latest standards?"

Dou Tai nodded repeatedly, "The cloud ladders made by the craftsmen sent by the Prime Minister are much more practical than the old ones."

"Naturally, this was the result of years of painstaking research and development by artisans."

Gao Yu had already recruited many craftsmen when he was in Shandong, and gathered them together to study and tinker with siege weapons, mainly for improvement.

Like a ladder truck.

More wheels were added to the bottom, and a 'bucket'-like device was installed on the wheels. As long as the ladder truck was pushed to the city wall, the 'bucket' could be opened manually, and the wheels of the ladder truck would be locked, which would be equivalent to fixing it firmly in place.

In addition, a spring-like device was also installed on the ladder.

In the past, the old-fashioned ladder trucks required soldiers to temporarily push the ladder up, and then use the grappling hook at the front to firmly grip the city wall for support, and then the soldiers would continue to climb upwards.

After Gao Yu had the craftsmen modify it, the ladder became foldable. It was no longer a complete ladder like the old-fashioned ladder truck, but was divided into several sections, with strong cow tendons strung together inside.

Before use, the ladder is positioned like a catapult. Once the ladder is driven to the foot of the city wall, the soldiers can cut the ropes used for securing it with a single stroke. The spring will then apply a force to propel the front of the ladder towards the city wall, greatly saving time and reducing casualties among the soldiers pushing the ladder.

Gao Yu pressed for more information.

What is the enemy's current deployment?

Dou Tai stepped forward to his side and pointed to the map, which was a temporary map of the area around Yewang.

He pointed northeast of Yewang, which is upstream along the Dan River.

“The enemy has stationed a large army fifty li outside Yewang City.”

Upon closer inspection, Gao Yu immediately noticed something amiss.

This large army was clearly positioned to support Yewang from the outside, and... continuing upstream along the Dan River would lead to Gaodu.

If Gao Yu leads his troops to attack this large army stationed outside the city...

Then Gao Du and Ye Wang can simultaneously send troops to support this army.

If Gao Yu only besieges Ye Wang, this large army outside can also harass Gao Yu's army camp at any time, or even suddenly attack Gao Yu's siege equipment while he is attacking the city.

Siege engines like ladder trucks have a long production cycle.

If the siege equipment is destroyed, the attacking side must stop and rebuild it.

This gave the city's defenders a chance to catch their breath.

obviously.

Erzhu Rong had made thorough preparations around Yewang, determined to fight Gao Yu to the death in this place and would not give Gao Yu another chance to easily take over the land and cities.

Gao Yu was also well aware of this.

In the past, he had the opportunity to annihilate the enemy's manpower on a large scale in the field, especially in the battle of Hebei.

otherwise……

If Erzhu Rong really put up a good defensive stance in Ye City, Gao Yu would have no chance of taking it without bloodshed.

It was also thanks to the descendants of the Erzhu clan that, upon hearing of Erzhu Rong's great defeat and Gao Yu's arrival with a large army, they dared not even defend the city and directly abandoned Ye City, a fortified city, thus greatly easing Gao Yu's burden.

The reason why the two forces in ancient times were locked in a protracted stalemate.

It's because of those few key cities that we just can't seem to take them.

Just like Gao Huan.

If Gao Huan could capture the jade disc and lead his army south from Hedong to Guanzhong, Yuwentai might not be able to hold it.

In the era before airplanes and cannons, fortified cities and strategic passes with advantageous terrain were indeed difficult to conquer. But correspondingly...

Once they manage to take down one or two tough targets, the army can advance unimpeded. In fact, most cities will not require much effort to attack, as the vast majority of the defending troops will surrender at the mere sight of them.

and so.

The two forces may be locked in a standoff for decades, but the outcome can be decided in a single day.

A typical example is Cao Wei and Shu Han. Shu Han resisted for so long in the Bashu region, and Cao Wei, despite having such a great advantage, was helpless against Jiang Wei's army, which was firmly defending Jiange. If Deng Ai hadn't successfully crossed Yinping and bypassed Jiange, Cao Wei would most likely have returned empty-handed again.

"The commander of the army outside the city is Wei Xiaokuan, a member of the Wei clan of Jingzhao. He is quite brave and cautious..."

"The commander-in-chief of the city is Chilie Yanqing."

Gao Yu knew all this information, but Dou Tai's ability to send people to investigate thoroughly at the front line also proved that he was very meticulous.

It is indeed necessary to know who the other side's commander is, their usual personality, and their style of doing things. Only after investigating these aspects can we make targeted arrangements.

"Ning Shi, you've had a tough time these past few days."

Gao Yu had a general understanding of the situation.

"Let's rest for a while today. Tomorrow I will personally lead elite cavalry out to explore the area..."

"Here!"

Everyone under Gao Yu knows that whenever Gao Yu leads troops out, he personally oversees the reconnaissance of enemy positions and terrain.

It's not that Gao Yu doesn't trust others.

Instead, if others conduct the survey and then relay the findings to him verbally, there will inevitably be some errors.

details make a difference.

War is a matter of vital importance to the state, a matter of life and death; how can it be neglected?

........................

Wild King.

"General! Our scouts at the front have sent back urgent military intelligence."

"explain."

Chi Lieyanqing did not put down the military treatise in his hand.

After a moment's hesitation, the guards below told them the truth: "The army led by Gao has arrived in Shanyang City."

Snap!
The book in Chi Lieyanqing's hand fell to the ground. He looked up sharply at his personal guard. "What? Say that again?"

"General, the bandit Gao has personally led a large army to Shanyang, and he will be here soon... soon."

Chi Lie Yanqing's expression changed instantly.

"Damn it! How could they have arrived so quickly?"

"Having already held such a high position, why would he risk his life like this? In this freezing weather, couldn't he just stay obediently in Ye City?!"

The news that Gao Yu had dispatched a large army to Shanyang to aid Dou Tai had already spread far and wide.

But Chi Lieyanqing did not expect this.

Gao Yu actually came in person!

Look at Erzhu Rong?
After assuming the position of prime minister, he spent most of his time in the rear, except for crucial battles, sitting comfortably and doing nothing.

Nobody is like Gao Yu.

Why do people risk their lives to climb up the ladder so that they no longer have to take any risks?

Gao Yu is doing well.

In this freezing weather, instead of indulging in revelry in the palace of Ye City, you've led your army to the front lines to suffer hardships, haven't you?

"Go! Summon all the generals and tell them I have important matters to discuss with them!"

"Here!"

Chi Lieyanqing's expression was solemn.

He ultimately held firm in his city. Even if Gao Yu had exceptional skills, he couldn't possibly have destroyed his city walls out of thin air, could he?
What he feared was...

Gao Yu personally went to the front line, which greatly boosted the morale of the enemy soldiers.

This city defense battle is not easy.

(End of this chapter)