Reborn Lady - Chapter 356
The battle to defeat the Yu Kingdom was initiated by Emperor Yongping upon his ascension to the throne. The significance of this initial battle was paramount; victory was imperative and defeat unthinkable.
To ensure success, Emperor Yongping dedicated several months to meticulous preparation. Initially, he dispatched his own son, Prince Shu, along with three generals to the southwest border to confront the Yu Kingdom. This served not only as a response to Yu Kingdom’s provocation but also as a means to assess their military strength firsthand. This allowed the generals to familiarize themselves with the enemy’s disposition and formulate the most effective strategy.
Simultaneously, Emperor Yongping mobilized 300,000 troops from various regions south of the Yangtze River. Many of these soldiers had either been inactive in battle for years or were part of the Southern Army, which had previously been outmatched by the Northern Army led by Emperor Yongping. However, the Southern Army had been reorganized three years prior under his leadership. This time, they were instructed to intensify their training in preparation for the forthcoming conflict.
An essential aspect of warfare was the availability of both soldiers and weaponry. The Imperial Arsenal worked tirelessly day and night, producing batches of firearms. These firearms utilized highly destructive gunpowder, suitable for both siege warfare and decimating enemy forces. Rumors suggested that the Yu Kingdom also possessed a specialized unit armed with firearms. In response, Emperor Yongping commissioned the creation of a batch of sturdy shields, towering as tall as a person, designed specifically to withstand such attacks.
The Yu Kingdom was susceptible to miasma and epidemics, making the timing of troop deployment critical. Preparation of medicinal herbs was essential in addition to choosing the most suitable time for sending troops. Yin Yong presented several prescriptions, which Emperor Yongping entrusted to military doctors nationwide, instructing them to expedite the production of effective medicines.
Furthermore, provisions such as grain and forage were transported in successive batches to the southwestern border ahead of the advancing army. While the generals refined their tactics and soldiers underwent rigorous training, the Imperial Court ensured the provision of elite weapons, as well as ample food and supplies. By mid-July, a force of 300,000 well-trained soldiers had assembled outside Jinling City, where they continued to train.
Marching southward with resolute determination, the army reached Mausoleum City after a month, arriving in mid-August where Wei Luo and the others were stationed. Following a fortnight of rest and a three-day rain that cooled the weather, conditions became ideal for commencing military operations.
In mid-October, the Wei army broke Yu Kingdom’s northern defense line, forcing the Yu soldiers to retreat to their northern capital, Bangcheng. Mu Cheng compared Bangcheng to “Tongguan”, a strategic stronghold difficult to overcome. The Yu Kingdom could rely on natural dangers to contend with powerful enemies. Over time, the enemy forces may find it unsustainable and be compelled to retreat, allowing the Yu Kingdom to reclaim previously lost territories.
Recognizing the formidable challenge posed by the Yu Kingdom, the first Emperor refrained from sending troops there.
With enough warships prepared, crossing the river proved uncomplicated for the Wei forces. However, the primary obstacle lay in capturing Bangcheng—an easily defensible city challenging to assail. Surrounding and capturing the Yu Kingdom’s royal family seemed achievable but demanded a strategic approach.
In planning the attack on Bangcheng, Wei Luo, Yang Jingzhong, and Mu Cheng thought of the best course of action beforehand. Despite Feng Teng and Yang Pengju’s four unsuccessful attempts to break the city’s defenses four times in a row. On the fourth day when Feng Teng pretended to be shot by a rocket at the city gate and was seriously injured, the soldiers of the Yu Kingdom laughed loudly and triumphantly.
Under the cover of darkness, at midnight, Feng Teng and Yang Pengju each led 500 elite troops, stealthily scaling Bangcheng’s walls to seize control of the city gates and pave the way for the main army’s entry.
“I’ll go too.”
Just as he was about to set off, Wei Luo suddenly emerged from behind Yang Jingzhong and Mu Cheng. He was clad in the same black night clothes as Feng Teng and the others, eschewing battle armor to avoid the encumbrance of heavy gear and the potential for noise during the climb up the city wall.
“Does the lord look down on us?” Feng Teng was the first to object, his tiger eyes glaring angrily at Wei Luo. “If you climb the city wall, you’ll be serving the lord’s cause, but if word gets out, people will think our soldiers are nothing but weaklings!”
Though his words were harsh, Feng Teng’s true concern was for Wei Luo’s safety. Yang Jingzhong, Mu Cheng, and the other soldiers also attempted to stop Wei Luo. Moreover, they wouldn’t be able to explain to Emperor Yongpin.
Wei Luo glanced at Feng Teng and Yang Pengju, positioned behind the thousand elites, and spoke confidently, “I dare to go because I have faith in tonight’s attack. If I lacked the will to win, I wouldn’t have arranged for you to join me.”
The army’s morale was crucial, especially for the thousand soldiers slated for that night’s attack. Securing the city gate meant unhindered passage for the army.
In the face of Wei Luo’s determination, Yang Jingzhong couldn’t stop him. Doing so would imply a lack of confidence in the night attack and a reluctance to let Prince Shu take risks, undermining the soldiers’ confidence. How could they scale the city wall without it?
After such words, Yang Jingzhong could only reluctantly bow to Wei Luo.
Wei Luo didn’t utter another word, instead leading a thousand people alongside Yang Pengju and Feng Teng, quietly making their way toward the gate of Bangcheng.
The path was lined with narrow mountain roads, and the Yu soldiers had retreated early to defend the city, leaving no guards outside.
The mountain road twisted and turned, its narrowness making it impractical for the Wei soldiers to launch a large-scale attack without alerting the city gate guards. Yet, sending only a few troops wouldn’t suffice to break through the gate. This had resulted in the Wei’s failed attempts to seize the city four times in a row. That night, the guards atop the city wall were unusually lax. As the night deepened, their vigilance waned, and some even dozed off openly against the wall, or worse, fell asleep altogether.
Why should they worry? Bangcheng had withstood countless dynasties without ever falling to a Central Plains army.
Under the cover of darkness, Wei Luo and his companions advanced cautiously, their quiet footsteps drowned out by the rustling wind. They approached stealthily, with the sturdy soldiers tasked with carrying the ladder reaching the city wall first, silently propping it up.
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