On the Zhao state battlefield, Quyang City had become a scene of scorched earth and the flames of war. Countless arrows had rained down within its walls, and an unknown number of rolling stones had been hurled from its battlements. But under Lian Po’s defense, Quyang City had withstood days of relentless attacks from the main army personally led by Wang Jian, showing no signs of being breached.
Atop the city walls, Lian Po, clad in Battle Armor, quietly watched the retreating Qin Army.
"Which assault was this?" Lian Po asked calmly.
"Reporting to the Senior General, this was the tenth assault," his Deputy General replied respectfully. "But with each assault, Wang Jian has paid a minimal price. He simply exploits the Qin Army’s advantage by bombarding our city with arrows. From the looks of it, he has no intention of forcing a breach."
"Wang Jian is no longer just a deputy under Bai Qi; he is a renowned Senior General of Qin in his own right," Lian Po began. "He knows this old man excels at defense, and he knows a direct assault would result in heavy losses. Therefore, he continuously attacks with arrows to weaken our morale and kill our men. Although we haven’t suffered the losses of a frontal clash in these past few days, a great number of our soldiers have still been killed by the random volleys."
"If Wang Jian gathers his forces before the city but doesn’t attack, what exactly does he intend to do?" the Deputy General asked, utterly perplexed. "Right now, Zhao is at its weakest, giving Qin an opportunity. We have only 100,000 soldiers on guard. Once the Great King withdraws the 300,000-strong army from Yan, Qin will lose its chance."
"It’s obvious," Lian Po sighed. "Wang Jian’s target isn’t to breach Quyang, but to take Lower Quyang."
"They plan to attack Lower Quyang?" The Deputy General’s brow furrowed.
"Quyang and Lower Quyang are connected. If the latter falls, Quyang’s supply lines will be severed. Eventually, the 60,000 troops inside this city will be trapped like turtles in a jar, with no choice but to retreat. This is the purpose of Wang Jian’s siege without attack," Lian Po explained.
"Senior General, what should we do then? Can we only watch helplessly? Lower Quyang has fewer than 40,000 soldiers. How can they possibly hold out?" the Deputy General asked, his voice laced with worry.
"From the very beginning, this old man knew we couldn’t hold it," Lian Po’s tone was filled with helplessness. "But for the sake of Zhao, we have to defend. To resolve this crisis for Zhao, the only way is for the Great King to issue an edict recalling the main army from Yan. As long as I am here, I will defend for as long as I possibly can."
He was already at a disadvantage in terms of troop strength compared to Qin; defending on two fronts was impossible.
Hearing Lian Po’s words, a bitter expression crossed the Deputy General’s face. "The Great King has always been too suspicious of you, Senior General. Even now, he remains far too wary. Yet your heart is filled with nothing but loyalty toward Zhao," the Deputy General complained on his behalf.
"This old man is deeply indebted to the grace of Zhao. The very reason I still live is to protect it," Lian Po said with a faint, unconcerned smile. "The Great King’s suspicions are his own affair. This old man can only do his utmost."
Seeing Lian Po speak this way, the Deputy General could only suppress his dissatisfaction with Zhao Yan and dared not say more.
At that moment, Lian Po asked, "Has the next batch of provisions arrived yet?"
"Reporting to the Senior General," the Deputy General said helplessly. "Guo Kai is responsible for allocating provisions. Each shipment is only enough to supply our 100,000 troops for half a month. We only have a few days’ worth left, but the next shipment still hasn’t arrived."
"Guo Kai," Lian Po rebuked angrily. "A cunning villain indeed. To think he dares to delay the transport of provisions at such a critical juncture."
He had never held Guo Kai in high regard and had always been at odds with him, which in turn fueled Guo Kai’s resentment toward Lian Po.
"Senior General, he is only delaying, not cutting them off completely," the Deputy General said worriedly. "Clearly, he is also concerned that a lack of provisions would affect the defense, for which the Great King would hold him severely accountable. Because of this, we have no grounds to impeach him." Dıscover more novels at novelꜰire.net
"Enough," Lian Po said sternly. "Continue to press them. The provision supply must not be cut off. Of course, you must also issue a strict warning. If our defense is affected by this matter, I will personally seek an audience with the Great King and impeach Guo Kai myself."
"Your subordinate understands," the Deputy General immediately responded.
I wonder what the situation is in Han Land right now. If only Lord Xinling could lead his army to break through their defenses. That would surely cause a stir in the Qin Army and buy this old man more time. Lian Po thought with a flicker of hope.
"Both Lord Xinling and you, Senior General, are War Generals famous throughout the land. Breaching a minor Border City held by a Qin general should be an easy task," the Deputy General said with confident flattery.
"Let’s hope so," Lian Po nodded, his gaze turning pensive. The Qin General, Zhao Feng... he came from the Qin Logistics Army, yet has been undefeated since joining the main combat divisions. I wonder what his true capabilities are?
「Meanwhile, in the Qin camp at Lantian.」
"Senior General," Yang Duanhe reverently reported to Wang Jian. "We have just received a military report from General Wang Ben. The time is right. The attack on Lower Quyang will begin tomorrow."
"Tell Wang Ben to attack with full force," Wang Jian ordered gravely. "The moment Lower Quyang falls, you will immediately move your troops to assault Quyang. Wait for Lian Po to retreat, and then pursue him relentlessly. We must not allow him to establish another defensive position."
"Your subordinate obeys!" Yang Duanhe replied instantly.
Wang Jian thought to himself. Lian Po excels at defense, but his forces are ultimately insufficient. A frontal assault would be a senseless waste of our Sharp Warriors. My role is to pin Lian Po down here, allowing Wang Ben to take Lower Quyang.