novelhk Chapter 315 Failure
Chapter 315 Failure
The attacking side needs to deploy far more troops than the defending side.
At this moment, the vanguard of the Yan army had only more than 60,000 people, and the follow-up troops were still receiving reinforcements, but it would take at least a week to reach the front line.
But this war can no longer be delayed.
They must attack Jiankang City immediately, otherwise when Chen’s reinforcements arrive, Jiangzuo’s situation will be extremely dangerous.
All the soldiers in the Yan army understood this, so they had already begun preparing for the siege.
After several days of fierce fighting, the faces of these soldiers were obviously more tired.
Although the previous battles went smoothly, the Jiankang City in front of them was the capital of the Chen army, and it would definitely not be possible to capture it as easily as other cities.
Everything is unknown.
Soon, all the troops of the Yan army were assembled and ready to launch an offensive against Jiankang City at any time.
Jiang Zuo no longer had the patience to drag on, and as soon as all the troops were ready, he immediately ordered an attack.
As before, the firepower of the Anding Army was still used as the breakthrough point, bombing open the enemy's city wall first.
The cannon roared like thunder.
The shells streaked across the sky, and after a moment, they all fell inside and outside the city walls.
The city of Jiankang has a history of nearly a thousand years and is the ancient capital of five dynasties. The city walls are extremely strong and much more difficult to attack than cities such as Guangning City.
Even though the artillery of the Anding Army bombarded in unison, they still failed to open a gap.
The artillery bombardment continued, but with little effect.
Xue Yao, the general of the Anding Army, came to Jiang Zuo and said, "Sir, their city wall is too strong. Our Anding cannons seem unable to successfully destroy the enemy's city wall."
"Keep blowing."
Jiang Zuo looked solemn.
There were several more rounds of bombing, but the city wall was still not destroyed.
If we continue like this, we will only waste more ammunition.
This time they were heading straight for Jiankang City, and the logistics were extremely tight.
It seems that the cannons cannot create a breakthrough point, and now they can only hope to storm the city gate by force.
If they could launch a forced attack and install explosives in front of the city gates, they could blast the gates open directly, allowing the attacking forces to rush in and occupy the northern part of Jiankang City.
"Do you want to attack by force?"
Chen Xiu turned and looked at Jiang Zuo, waiting for the latter's opinion.
Jiang Zuo was a little hesitant at this moment. If he attacked by force, he would suffer heavy casualties.
After a moment, he finally made up his mind and ordered: "Provide fire support, vanguard troops, prepare to attack the city, use explosives to blow open the enemy's city gate."
After the order was given, the elite troops of the Yan army marched towards the sturdy Jiankang City with various siege equipment.
A frontal offensive battle has officially begun.
Under the cover of artillery,
When the vanguard of the Yan army gradually approached Jiankang City, the artillery fire of the Anding army subsided.
However, the situation was not going well for the Yan army approaching the city wall.
The Chen army in Jiankang City showed an amazing will to resist and launched various fierce counterattacks, making it completely difficult for the vanguard of the Yan army to resist.
"Master Jiang, our vanguard troops are having trouble getting close to the enemy's city gate!"
The battle ahead was very fierce and the Yan army was already at a disadvantage.
"No matter what, we must blast open the gates of Jiankang City!"
Jiang Zuo was already feeling a little anxious.
The development of the battle was not what he expected.
Because the previous siege was too successful, an atmosphere of underestimation of the enemy had already spread among the Yan army.
Facing Jiankang City, it was impossible to capture any stronghold on the city wall for a while.
Two hours later, the Yan army had suffered heavy casualties, but still failed to enter Jiankang City.
The situation has become somewhat stalemate.
"There are increasing casualties. Why don't we retreat first?"
Chen Xiu suggested.
Seeing this, Jiang Zuo immediately ordered: "Organize cover and stop the attack."
The Yan army was defeated in this siege.
The drums sounded loudly and the Yan army began to retreat gradually.
Fortunately, the Chen army in Jiankang did not leave the city to pursue, so the Yan army troops on the front line were able to withdraw to their positions and rest.
This defeat was completely unexpected.
A strange atmosphere permeated the entire Yan army.
But after all, Jiankang City was the enemy's capital and it was impossible to capture it so easily.
"Rest for two days, and continue the attack the day after tomorrow."
Jiang Zuo ordered.
Now there is no way out for the Yan army.
Even though this is a risky move, they have to move forward.
As long as Jiankang City is captured, this southern expedition will be considered a major victory.
The next day.
Yan army camp.
"Report!"
At this moment, suddenly a soldier came and shouted.
He rode down on a fast horse, immediately knelt on one knee in front of the generals, and reported: "Urgent news from the rear! Xinyuan City was breached by Chen's army! Our logistics line has been cut off by them!"
Upon hearing the news, all the Yan army generals present, including Chen Xiujiang Zuo, suddenly stood up with dissatisfaction on their faces.
"When was this news?"
Chen Xiu asked with a frown.
"Just three days ago."
The spy replied.
"That's bad. Xinyuan City is the only way to the rear..."
Chen Xiu said anxiously.
Xinyuan City is located right in the middle of Guangning City and Jiankang City. It is also the only way for the Yan army's logistics supply and the retreat of frontline troops.
The loss of this city means that the Chen army may threaten the rear of the Yan army at the front line at any time.
Now Jiang Zuo is faced with an extremely important question: whether to continue attacking or to cross the river and return to recapture Xinyuan City.
But if we want to cross the river again and recapture the lost cities, it will take more than half a month.
The Yan army troops in the rear were not the main force of this attack at all, and because they had to defend the city that had just been recovered, their forces were very dispersed. If more troops were withdrawn, I am afraid that the Chen army would occupy other cities again.
Time is not on the side of the Yan army, but if they continue to attack, it would be too risky.
Because the vanguard troops in Jiangzuo advanced too quickly, the logistical supplies could not keep up.
What’s even more terrible is that Xinyuan City is now in the hands of Chen Jun.
Chen Jun's counterattack came faster than Jiang Zuo had imagined.
If they retreated at this time, the Chen army in Jiankang City would suddenly attack and attack the Yan army when they were halfway across the river. By then, the Yan army would be in chaos and suffer a rout.
Yesterday’s defeat made everyone feel a little more uneasy.
The situation became extremely critical because the retreat route was cut off.
"Master Jiang, I suggest that you retreat to the north bank first and rest up, and don't attack Jiankang City by force."
Someone suggested.
This suggestion is agreed by many people.
After all, the Yan army suffered many casualties in yesterday's battle, and now there are only about 40,000 troops left who can continue the attack. In comparison, the number of enemy troops in Jiankang City may still be several times theirs.
After hesitating for a moment, Jiang Zuo said, "We cannot retreat. Order the troops in the rear to organize forces immediately and retake Xinyuan City within three days."