I did it all for the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 379 There's no other way!
Zhang Ren came from a powerful family in Shu, while Fa Zheng was a refugee who came to Shu from Guanzhong.

The two men had very different identities and stances. In particular, Liu Miao led the northern refugees to Jiangdong, which enabled the successful implementation of the Three Chiefs and Equal Field System, as well as Liu Miao's magnificent feat of restoring the Han Dynasty.

When Fa Zheng was by Zhang Ren's side, he was able to perceive that Zhang Ren was meticulous and different from ordinary soldiers in Shu.

Now, suddenly being asked about his opinion on Liu Miao, Fa Zheng found himself in a difficult position to answer.

His unfocused gaze slowly refocused.

Green mountains, clear waters, and a vast sky.

Fazheng gradually took in the scenery of Baidi City.

It is a typical Sichuan landscape, with the sky trapped in the mountains and the mountains trapped in the water, creating a slightly oppressive atmosphere.

"Liu Miao was undoubtedly a hero of his time."

"However, its perverse actions, arbitrary promulgation of laws, and alteration of ancestral systems will inevitably lead to its failure sooner or later."

"Especially now that he is attacking the Shu region, which has natural defenses, he has all the advantages of timing, location, and popular support. This campaign against Shu may be the beginning of Liu Miao's downfall."

Zhang Ren turned slightly to the side, looking at Fa Zheng with curiosity: "Is this how Xiaozhi views Liu Miao?"

"Just the facts."

Fazheng gently placed his hand on the damp and sturdy city wall of Baidi City, feeling the thickness and solidity of the bricks.

"Baidi City is not something that Liu Miao can conquer at will."

"As long as we keep them here, when Northern Zhao launches its attack, that will be the time when Liu Miao is defeated."

Zhang Ren turned his gaze away from Fa Zheng's face: "That's indeed the case!"

"Liu Miao has actually led a large army here in person. It seems he already has plans for a swift victory."

"As long as Baidi City can be defended, he will be the one to lose in the end!"

However, Zhang Ren was still somewhat worried: "But Liu Miao is not the kind of person who gives up easily."

"Right now, he's probably figuring out how to break through Baidi and invade Shu!"

"Therefore, we must not be careless in this battle! I have long heard of Takanao's exceptional strategic skills, and now is the time to put them to use!"

"must!"

------

"Youping, where is our lord?"

"Fishing!"

"Fishing at this hour?"

The Han army marched in great numbers from Jingzhou and set up camp in front of Baidi City. Half a month had already passed.

However, within half a month, the Han army did not launch even a single attack. Liu Miao seemed to have forgotten that there was a war going on, and spent his days leisurely fishing.

Gan Ning came to find Liu Miao, and from afar he saw Liu Miao under a makeshift thatched hut, with his fishing rod extended long, fishing for the greedy fish in the Yangtze River.

"Medium! In the middle!"

Liu Miao was accompanied by Lü Meng and Lu Yi. When Lü Meng saw the float swaying, he quickly reminded Liu Miao, who gripped the fishing rod tightly and pulled it up with all his might!
"It's a small sturgeon!"

"Sturgeon is sturgeon! Why add 'small words'?"

Liu Miao chuckled as he placed the sturgeon in the bucket beside him. In a moment of distraction, he saw Gan Ning and quickly waved to him, saying, "Xingba! Come here! Let me ask you! Is there any special way to eat sturgeon in your Shu region?"

Gan Ning originally came to inquire about the war situation.

But upon seeing Liu Miao, his anxiety vanished inexplicably, and he replied earnestly, "The grilled fish in Shu is quite good."

"Then I'll have to trouble Xingba!"

Liu Miao, without any hesitation, handed the sturgeon to Gan Ning.

Gan Ning was both amused and exasperated, but he still helped Liu Miao grill the fish. Liu Miao generously fed Gan Ning the "dragon tendon" from the middle of the sturgeon, letting Gan Ning go back with a big belly.

Watching Gan Ning's departing figure, Lü Meng was the first to remind Liu Miao: "Your Majesty, the soldiers can't wait any longer."

After years of training, Lü Meng not only grew much taller, but also accumulated enough experience in warfare, and he immediately saw through Gan Ning's intentions.

Liu Miao played with a few fish bones, using them to construct the defensive layout of Baidi City on the ground, and then clicked his tongue!
How could he not know Gan Ning's purpose in coming?
Although Liu Miao appears to be in a stable emotional state, he is actually completely out of options.

After carefully examining the almost flawless layout of Baidi City, Liu Miao and his advisors realized that Baidi City was like a "city that will never fall," standing quietly here, just like Baidi Mountain and the Yangtze River, becoming eternal here.

"The only way to take Baidi City is through a direct assault!"

"but……"

The final conclusion reached by Lü Meng, Lu Yi, and Sima Yi was to launch a full-scale attack on Baidi City.

"However, due to the terrain of Baidi City, only a small number of soldiers could actually be sent ashore each time to fight against the Shu army!"

"Moreover, Baidi City is built against the mountain. Even if you can get ashore, you still have to climb the mountain before you can reach Baidi City... But the road in between is difficult to travel!"

When Gongsun Shu built Baidi City, he did not use city walls to enclose the entire city.

In contrast, when Gongsun Shu built his city, he only used a small section of flat land in the center for construction. This saved on construction costs, but also turned the rugged mountain paths outside into terrifying traps that would claim the lives of enemy soldiers.

Those long and complicated mountain paths will punish every enemy who tries to attack Baidi City.

Even a fool could imagine how many people would lose their lives if the soldiers launched an attack on Baidi City.

Moreover, losing one's life is one thing, but the most crucial point is that this doesn't necessarily guarantee military achievements or progress.

Therefore, Liu Miao has been fishing every day these days, not paying attention to the war.

Just thinking about Baidi City gave Liu Miao a headache! "The road to Shu is difficult, more difficult than ascending to heaven!"

Even so, Liu Miao still attacked Shu from the east by waterway.

I can't imagine how we would cope with the natural barrier of Jianmen Pass if we attacked Shu from the direction of Hanzhong.

Liu Miao stared at the fish bones on the ground.

"We really can't wait any longer."

Just a few days ago, Han scouts discovered a small path that could lead directly to the flank of Baidi City.

Although it was unknown whether the garrison commander of Baidi City knew about this road, both Lu Yi and Sima Yi felt it was worth a try!
"Go and invite General Huang!"

This narrow path is rugged and only the Changsha soldiers, skilled in mountain warfare, can navigate it.

Huang Zhong rushed over upon hearing the news.

Although he wasn't as eager to conquer Shu as Gan Ning, he was still getting impatient after waiting for so many days.

Upon hearing Liu Miao's plan, Huang Zhong readily agreed!
"General Huang, please be careful."

"When the time comes, I will attack Baidi City from the front. You will lead your soldiers to the flank of Baidi City via a side path and catch the defenders off guard."

"If it succeeds, that would be best; if it fails, retreat as soon as possible and don't let the defenders cut off your retreat."

This was originally a desperate measure to try something out, so Liu Miao did not put too much pressure on Huang Zhong.

"I have inquired and found that the current commander of Baidi City is Zhang Ren."

"This man is known as a famous general in Shu. Be extra careful when fighting him, and remember not to capsize in a ditch."

"Your Majesty, don't worry!"

Huang Zhong led a thousand soldiers across the Yangtze River under cover of night and arrived at the north bank. After that, they concealed their whereabouts, did not take the main road, but instead made a big detour in the forest and made their way towards Baidi City.

After half a month of silence, the main battlefield has finally begun to stir.

Lü Meng led his navy, placing war drums, gongs, and other musical instruments on the ships. Upon arriving at Baidi City, they began to beat the drums and play music.

It was done every half hour, without the slightest error.

At first, the defending troops were extremely nervous, but when they saw that the Han army was all talk and no action, they immediately relaxed and even got used to only focusing their attention every half hour to prepare for battle.

Zhang Ren and Fa Zheng naturally heard the drumbeats outside the city.

Zhang Ren asked Fa Zheng, "What do you think Liu Miao is trying to do?"

"It's just a small trick."

Fa Zheng responded calmly.

"The gongs and drums that are played every half hour are simply a way to take advantage of our soldiers' relaxed vigilance after they have gotten used to it."

"Such tactics are not unusual. Did Liu Miao spend half a month coming up with this one move?"

Zhang Ren remained noncommittal.

"Perhaps Liu Miao wanted us to think that way."

If Liu Miao had used this tactic five or three years ago, Zhang Ren might have believed it.

But the Liu Miao of today is the emperor Liu Miao who swept through Jing and Yang, defeated Yuan Shao, and established his own dynasty!

If we underestimate Liu Miao at this point, it's not Liu Miao's fault, but rather that the defending general is incredibly stupid!

But Zhang Ren was clearly not that kind of stupid person.

“During my patrols these past few days, I learned that there are several small paths outside the city that lead directly to the walls of Baidi City. Some of these paths could even be considered weak points in the defenses. Xiaozhi, do you think it's possible that Liu Miao might attack from those paths?”

Fa Zheng lowered his face, his eyes unfathomable.

"Liu Miao once crossed the Xiaoshan Mountains to cut off Yuan Tan's retreat, causing Yuan Tan to suffer a crushing defeat in Guanzhong. This shows that Liu Miao did indeed have a force of soldiers capable of crossing mountains and valleys, which should have been troops from Jingnan or the Yue tribes."

"Therefore, it is not impossible that Liu Miao took a mountain path to launch a surprise attack on the rear."

Zhang Ren looked at Fa Zheng with some satisfaction.

Based on his performance over the past few days, Zhang Ren can be certain that Fa Zheng is talented and has indeed not been holding back.

Fa Zheng would make judgments about Liu Miao's possible attack routes, and each time these judgments were proven correct by the facts.

"It's a waste of talent that Xiaozhi has only been a military officer for so long."

In Zhang Ren's mind, the test of Fa Zheng was over.

After all, in the past two weeks, Zhang Ren had deliberately given Fa Zheng several opportunities to contact Liu Miao's army outside the city.

But Fa Zheng was always very clever. On one occasion, he even took the opportunity to suggest to Zhang Ren whether they needed to send spies into Liu Miao's camp to find out the Han army's movements, which put Zhang Ren in a passive position.

Therefore, this time, Zhang Ren gave Fa Zheng his full trust.

"Let Xiaozhi lead the troops to inspect several small paths."

"If we discover any trace of the enemy, we should annihilate them all! We should cut off their hopes. After all, it would be too much of a waste to divide our forces to guard those few small paths."

The gloom in Fa Zheng's lowered eyes finally disappeared.

He bowed deeply to Zhang Ren and said, "Yes, sir!"

"This humble general will ensure that the enemy does not set foot in Baidi City!"

(End of this chapter)