Chapter 402: 400 Well-read

Flooding the city is a strategy suited for cities near rivers. By blocking the river path and flooding the city, the defending side is defeated without a fight.

In history, there have been many classic cases of this, and most of these cases were successful.

Because most city walls, unlike those of major border towns, are not made of stone but are rammed earth constructions, and once soaked for a long time, they collapse.

While Qinyang County is considered a major town, it is not entirely made of stone, so facing a water attack, it is helpless.

Zhao Jiang hesitates because, wanting to occupy the moral high ground and win the hearts of the people to conquer the country, flooding a city would bring unpredictable damage to his reputation.

The lords, seeing Zhao Jiang hesitate, naturally understood his considerations and began to speak:

“Qinyang County’s defense is strong, and now it has reinforcements. Our allied army has suffered many setbacks, lost soldiers, and morale is low. A forced attack would only lead to greater losses and nothing else.

But besieging it could lead to delay until the Imperial Court’s reinforcements arrive. Therefore, flooding the city is the most effective, simple, and least casualty-causing method. We hope the Alliance Leader agrees.”

The lords obviously wouldn’t let Zhao Jiang achieve military success and public approval, allowing him to dominate alone.

Therefore, they wouldn’t let Zhao Jiang get a good reputation.

In Nanyang County, when the soldiers below bullied the people, the lords actually turned a blind eye and implicitly allowed it.

Otherwise, how could they, each a local overlord, be unable to restrain their subordinates?

Zhao Jiang fell into turmoil. He knew flooding the city was the most effective strategy, but it undoubtedly placed him over the fire.

Besides, he couldn’t shift the blame to anyone else, since he was the Alliance Leader.

On the day of the blood oath alliance, it was agreed that all military actions would be under his command.

This was announced, known to the entire army.

If he didn’t permit it, would anyone dare to flood the city?

“Let me think about it,” Zhao Jiang still hadn’t made up his mind, planning to deliberate thoroughly.

But the lords didn’t let go.

Governor Hu Lin said, “We hope the Alliance Leader considers the big picture.”

“We hope the Alliance Leader makes plans early.”

“Alliance Leader, I think the two governors have a point,” even Zhao Qi said.

In this way, a direct confrontation with Chen Mo could be avoided.

After the discussion, the lords had already arranged for people to extract the boulders needed to block the river.

They believed Zhao Jiang would use this plan, so they prepared in advance.

…

On the other side.

Gao Zheng, leading a team, had already reached Haiqing Lake. According to Chen Mo’s instructions, they transported the fire bottle bombs and high-explosive bombs made during this period.

However, time was tight. In these days, the production of fire bottle bombs and high-explosive bombs together did not exceed thirty, with only five high-explosive bombs.

Gao Zheng didn’t have time to wait for more to be made. He took these finished ones and hurried back immediately.

…

The enemy made no moves, and Chen Mo was happy for the peace. According to his guess, the allied army of 900,000 had been reduced to less than 500,000 after several losses.

On his side, adding the guards from Luan Mountain County, Tower Town, the reinforcements from the Imperial Court, and nearly 40,000 Yellow Turban Army, there were still approximately 150,000 troops.

Although only half of these 150,000 troops could actually fight effectively, they could launch a frontal assault on the enemy’s main force.

Because the enemy must split their forces to guard Luan Mountain County and Tower Town.

So the actual enemy forces they faced should be less than 400,000.

But without a unique strategy, the chance of victory was less than 30%.

Chen Mo’s cavalry had almost been wiped out in the last battle.

Moreover, the reinforcements sent this time also lost thousands of cavalry.

Relying on cavalry charges to turn the tide was too unrealistic.

Chen Mo didn’t want to take risks; waiting for the reinforcing army to arrive was the safest method.

Moreover, he wasn’t worried about the enemy using some trick, as he had a simulator to be one step ahead.

After considering these, Chen Mo inspected the city defenses and returned to the county government office.

Two days passed.

Aside from the usual taunts from the enemy, there was almost no other movement, and the defending army got used to it, blocking their ears and letting them shout.

Some with a bad temper shouted immediately, “You bastards, cowards who lost to us, dare bark in front of your father, come up and kill me if you have the guts!”

The two sides began shouting insults at each other.

In the courtyard of the county government office.

In the past two days, Wu Xin’Er often came to talk to Chen Mo, discussing Martial Arts with him. As they chatted, Wu Xin’Er realized Jiang Ruoqing was actually her confidante.

Unfortunately, Jiang Ruoqing didn’t get along with her.

For example, Wu Xin’Er showcased a sword technique to Chen Mo.

Jiang Ruoqing immediately recognized its origin: “Kongtong Swordsmanship, one of the three major Martial Arts of the Kongtong Sect.”

Wu Xin’Er raised an eyebrow and performed a few punches.

Jiang Ruoqing unhesitatingly said, “Vajra Fist, the Vajra Sect’s ultimate skill.”

She even recited the mantra of this fist technique.

And commented on Wu Xin’Er, “This Vajra Fist is a Profound Tier High Tier Martial Art, known for its might and grandeur, suitable for people like the master, who have powerful True Qi. What you just did was too gentle, not showing the essence of Vajra Fist.”

Wu Xin’Er quickly said, “Then does Ruoqing know how?”

Jiang Ruoqing shook her head, with a hint of sarcasm, “Martial Arts lie in mastery, not in quantity.”

“Then how did Ruoqing recognize it at a glance?”

“Seen it,” Jiang Ruoqing answered succinctly.

The Su Nv Sect not only has many treasured Dao Scriptures, but has also collected numerous sects’ Cultivation Techniques and Martial Arts, and as the sole successor and Sect Leader of the Su Nv Sect, Jiang Ruoqing.

Besides Cultivation, spends her time reading these Cultivation Techniques and Martial Arts, trying to combine the strengths of each sect to research new things, also for better teaching her disciples in the future.

Wu Xin’Er was skeptical, considering, “The Supreme says: Misfortune and blessings have no gateway; only people bring them upon themselves; what are the last two lines?”

Without thinking, Jiang Ruoqing said, “The consequences of good and evil are like shadows following the body.”

She added, “This is the opening of the ’Supreme Sensing Chapter.’ If Miss Wu wants to test me, you can ask me something difficult.”

Wu Xin’Er took the chance to ask something difficult.

Jiang Ruoqing answered it just the same.

Wu Xin’Er had a glimmer of admiration in her eyes, “I didn’t expect Ruoqing to have read this book too.”

“Read a bit of it,” Jiang Ruoqing surprisingly showed a bit of modesty.

At this point, Wu Xin’Er was becoming more interested in Jiang Ruoqing, “Ruoqing, you don’t need to harbor hostility towards me. We can actually become friends… no, best sisters.”

Wu Xin’Er felt that best sisters sounded more intimate.

Jiang Ruoqing, on the other hand, felt it was a challenge, “Impossible.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep