The Three Kingdoms: I, Yuan Tan, intercepted Guo Jia's...

Chapter 60 Show

After the envoy was led away, Yuan Tan showed the silk scroll to everyone, and the tent fell into a brief silence.

Xinpi was the first to speak, his brows furrowed:

"My lord, this matter is too suspicious! Yuan Huan is Yuan Shu's confidant and an important general in the defense of the city. How could he betray us so easily? Could this be a trap set by the garrison of Shouchun to lure us in?"

They will feign surrender to lure our elite troops into the city, then unleash their ambush and annihilate them! Our elite forces will be wiped out, and we may face utter destruction! Do not be fooled!

His concerns were understandable; if the enemy's surrender was genuine or feigned, it would be a devastating blow to the Qingzhou army.

Generals such as Yan Liang and Zhang He nodded in agreement, believing the risk was too great.

However, Guo Jia toyed with the silk scroll in his hand, pondered for a moment, and then slowly shook his head:

"Zuozhi's concerns are certainly those of a seasoned strategist. However, Jia believes that at this moment, it is not very meaningful to dwell on whether Yuan Huan has truly surrendered."

All eyes were on him.

Guo Jia stood up, walked to the map, and lightly tapped the city of Shouchun with his finger:

"Even if Yuan Huan's surrender was genuine, could our army accept, or dare to accept, this 'first merit in capturing the city'?"

He surveyed the crowd with a sharp gaze:

"If our army enters the city first, we will face the desperate resistance of Yuan Shu's remaining forces. Even if we succeed, it will be a Pyrrhic victory, and our strength will be greatly diminished. What will Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Ce's armies outside the city think then?"

Would they just sit idly by and watch our army seize the wealth of Shouchun and capture Yuan Shu? I'm afraid they'll be like the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind; our Qingzhou army will instantly transform from heroes into the target of everyone's wrath!

His words left everyone speechless.

Yes, even if we take the East Gate, can we withstand the counterattack of Yuan Shu's army?

Could they withstand the pressure from Cao Cao and others?

Guo Jia changed the subject and continued:

"However, if we use this method properly, it might be able to significantly reduce our casualties."

Yuan Tan slapped his forehead and said:

"Fengxiao sees things clearly. Taking the East Gate now would be like pulling chestnuts out of the fire for Cao Cao, which would do us no good whatsoever."

He immediately summoned the messenger, dismissed his attendants, and spoke to the messenger in a gentle and reassuring tone:

"Go back and inform Lord Yao that Tan is deeply moved by his profound understanding of righteousness. However, Shouchun is a fortified city, surrounded by Cao Cao, and it may be difficult to achieve results in a hurry."

To ensure absolute safety, meticulous coordination between internal and external forces is necessary. Please, Lord Yaoqing, secretly prepare within the city; it will only require this and this…”

He then slowly explained his plan, which left the messenger completely bewildered, but he still nodded in agreement and secretly returned to the city.

As soon as the messenger left, Yuan Tan immediately took his seat in his tent and quickly gave orders to his subordinates:

"Yan Liang and Zhang He, listen to my command!"

"Your subordinate is here!"

"I hereby appoint the two of you to oversee the battle at the East Gate. Within these ten days, work day and night to build siege ladders and battering rams. After ten days, immediately launch an attack on the city."

However, you must be prepared for both a real battle and a feigned one. If Yuan Huan intends to cooperate with us, we only need to feign an attack. If it is a real battle, then the first battle must be fought with great momentum.

"This subordinate obeys!"

Although Yan Liang and Zhang He found the order somewhat complicated, they did not hesitate at all.

"Building crew, listen up!"

"exist!"

"You will lead your cavalry unit to train day and night outside our camp. You must ensure that scouts from other forces do not detect our movements."

"promise!"

Where is Zilong?

"Your subordinate is here!"

"You shall select soldiers skilled in earthwork to dig tunnels in a secluded spot behind the main camp, leading directly to the city wall of Shouchun."

This matter requires utmost secrecy; we must work under the cover of darkness, and the excavated soil must be disposed of properly. Remember, this matter must not be leaked; it can serve as our escape route in a critical moment.

"This subordinate obeys!"

"My lord," Zhang He couldn't help but ask, "if Yuan Huan is indeed the real one, with the help of both inside and outside, wouldn't our elite troops be able to break through and capture the east gate in no time? Why don't we..."

Yuan Tan raised his hand to interrupt, walked to the map, and slowly said:

"Junyi, Shouchun is Yuan Shu's base, with enough grain to last for several years and tens of thousands of soldiers. Even if I can break through one gate and enter the city, I will immediately be bogged down in street fighting."

When the defending forces counterattack, they will fight like cornered beasts, and our army will suffer heavy casualties. Meanwhile, Cao Cao, Sun Ce, Liu Bei's armies are outside. Seeing us enter the city, how could they sit idly by and watch us take over the entire city?

Most likely, they'll swarm in under the guise of "aiding the battle," taking advantage of the chaos to seize wealth and people, and even... turn against us while we're exhausted! Thus, this initial victory becomes a death sentence. What we want is to profit from the chaos, not to lead the charge and do the work for others.

Guo Jia interjected, smiling slightly:

"Our lord is wise. Therefore, our army should make a show of force, letting Cao Cao see that we have 'fought hard and suffered heavy losses'; at the same time, we should preserve our strength and hold back our attack."

Upon hearing this, all the generals suddenly understood.

To put it bluntly, it's just a show for others to see.

You need to make it seem like you're working really hard to conquer the city.

It is beyond reproach.

……

Ten days later, the Qingzhou army completed the preparation of siege equipment "as scheduled".

Outside the East Gate, war drums thundered and battle cries shook the earth. Squadrons repeatedly reached the city wall, only to be pushed down by the defenders. Arrows from both sides flew like locusts, and wounded soldiers were constantly carried down. The scene looked extremely fierce and cruel.

Cao Cao's scouts observed from afar and saw that the Qingzhou army's offensive was like a tidal wave, but it was always blocked outside the towering city walls. There were many corpses left at the foot of the city walls. After half a day, the offensive gradually weakened and finally the retreat was ordered.

A scout on horseback reported to Cao Cao's camp: "Reporting to the Minister of Works, Yuan Qingzhou's troops have been fiercely attacking the East Gate for half a day. The battle is fierce, but Shouchun is heavily defended. The Qingzhou army suffered a setback and failed to capture it. They have now retreated to rest and regroup."

Upon hearing this, Cao Cao stroked his beard without saying a word, his eyes revealing an inscrutable expression.

It seems the Qingzhou army isn't anything special. If my Cao army can't conquer a city, your little Qingzhou can't either.

However, while he felt comfortable, he also became more irritable.

Shouchun has been attacked for a long time without success, and our food supplies are running out. What should we do?

……

The Puppet Imperial Palace in Shouchun.

Yuan Shu was already overwhelmed by the constant reports of battle, when he suddenly heard the sounds of fighting filling the east gate. Fearing that the east gate might fall, he immediately gave the following order:

"Quickly! Issue my decree, ordering General Qiao Rui to lead the elite Imperial Guards to the East Gate to oversee the battle! He must crush Yuan Tan's army beneath the city walls!"

Just then, a man dressed in blood-stained armor with disheveled hair stepped into the hall; it was Yuan Huan, the garrison commander of the East Gate.

He walked to the foot of the imperial steps and knelt on one knee:

"Your Majesty! The crisis at the East Gate has been averted! Your subject... has successfully repelled the fierce attack of the Qingzhou army!"

"What?"

Yuan Shu was both surprised and delighted, and leaned forward.

"Yaoqing? It was you... who repelled Yuan Tan?"

He looked Yuan Huan up and down, who was covered in blood, a hint of suspicion flashing in his eyes.

This man had repeatedly written to him, advising him that if it weren't for their shared kinship, he would have killed him long ago.

I never expected him to have such talent.

They actually have the ability to fight tough battles?

Even Yuan Tan, who has been gaining momentum recently, was defeated by him?