The strongest devouring system in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 158 Endless Learning

However, before everything was fully prepared, Yuan Shu's army arrived, but this did not affect the army's overall combat effectiveness or Pengcheng's defensive firepower.

With ample ammunition reserves, the cannons on Pengcheng City Wall fired shells as long as the barrels could withstand the load. As a result, during the afternoon battle, Gao Shun had to order all artillerymen to fire sparingly, with each cannon firing at intervals of more than thirty seconds to ensure the stability of the cannons.

"General, Yuan Shu's army is far too weak."

On the city wall, Xiahou Dun, who hadn't yet had time to return to Yuyang to assemble a new army, said to Gao Shun, "Even during the last great battle, Yuan Shu's army, led by Ji Ling, wasn't this pathetic."

Since Xiahou Dun had already received the order for promotion and had become a lieutenant general, he served as the deputy commander of this southward campaign. After all, he did not yet have a directly subordinate legion, so he could only temporarily accept this position.

However, Xiahou Dun didn't take it seriously. He believed that with this command experience, his position would be more secure. As long as he performed well in this battle, his colleagues would not regard him as someone who only relied on nepotism when he formed a new legion.

"Don't just look at the surface. Although the enemy performed poorly in today's battle, we can also see that these soldiers are all soldiers with considerable combat experience. Otherwise, they wouldn't have performed so well."

Gao Shun said, "A typical company would withdraw from the battle when it loses more than two-fifths of its troops. But look at the enemy in front of us. Their losses are far more than two-fifths. Some companies will only retreat when they have suffered more than three-fifths of their troops. Such tenacity is hard to find even in our army."

"Although this is also related to our army's operational principles, it also shows that the enemy we are facing is not an army that can be slaughtered at will."

"General, you have a more detailed eye," Xiahou Dun said to Gao Shun with admiration. He had to admire the general in front of him, who was not very tall and did not seem to have any outstanding features.

He wouldn't stand out in a crowd, but this unremarkable person was actually the one with the highest level of tactical and operational skills in the entire autonomous region's army.

Xiahou Dun told himself that he still had a lot to learn.

Seeing Xiahou Dun's performance, Gao Shun nodded calmly. He was quite satisfied with Xiahou Dun's performance. Xiahou Dun was one of the autonomous region's young talents, and Gao Shun cared a lot about their training. After all, the military needed a constant stream of new and capable talents.

"General, according to the previous plan and the lord's request, the Second Legion and the Fifth Legion will make their way to their positions in two days. The cavalry of our three legions together number nearly 10,000."

"I believe we can focus on these 10,000 cavalrymen and deliver a major blow to Chen's army and Yuan Shu. If used properly, we might be able to decide the outcome in one battle, without needing a prolonged siege. After all, the longer it drags on, the greater the potential for unforeseen changes in the south," Xiahou Dun said to Gao Shun.

“Yuan Rang, I’m glad you can think so far ahead. Indeed, a general cannot be limited to things on the battlefield, especially since you are already a legion commander. Although your legion is not yet fully formed, you have already graduated as a senior general,” Gao Shun said to Xiahou Dun.

Yuanrang was the pseudonym of Gao Shun.

Xiahou Dun quickly cupped his hands to Gao Shun and said, "General, there are still many things I need to learn from you. It is too early for me to begin my campaign."

“Learning is endless. As long as you have a heart that never stops learning, that’s enough. This is what our lord often teaches us,” Gao Shun said.

While the two were talking, the battle continued. Chen Jun, wearing an earth-yellow battle robe, gradually withdrew from the battlefield, which meant that the day's battle was basically over.

Gao Shun addressed the messenger behind him: "Signal with flags that our army allows them to move corpses and treat the wounded, but only before sunset. Furthermore, no more than two thousand men are allowed in each direction, and they are not permitted to carry weapons."

"Yes, General."

It was already the height of summer, and with so many corpses on the battlefield, if they weren't dealt with quickly, it could easily lead to a plague. This was something both sides understood, so when Yuan Shu received the report from the front lines...

There was no dissatisfaction whatsoever. Not only did no one want their people to contract the plague, but he also waved to a junior officer to handle the matter. It was a trivial matter that he didn't need to personally intervene.

"Grand Preceptor, what are your thoughts on today's battle?"

Yuan Shu asked Yang Hong, who was standing beside him, about how today's attack had gone quite poorly, which was a significant blow to Yuan Shu, who was personally leading the campaign. However, Yang Hong showed no concern whatsoever.

He said to Yuan Shu, “Your Majesty, this siege is a long process and will not be easy. Although our army suffered heavy casualties in today’s battle, we must have also inflicted great damage on the enemy. Moreover, most of the troops we sent out today were ordinary regiments to test the enemy’s firepower. As long as we can maintain a strong offensive in the next few days, we will be able to capture Pengcheng soon.”

Yang Hong's words seemed to reassure Yuan Shu. He addressed the crowd in the main tent, saying, "Thank you all for your hard work today. When we return to our camps, tell the soldiers that we have captured Pengcheng, and the entire army will celebrate for three days!"

These men were seasoned warriors, and they naturally understood the meaning behind Yuan Shu's three-day celebration. They excitedly addressed Yuan Shu, saying, "We will certainly not disappoint His Majesty's expectations, and we will fight to the death to take Pengcheng!"

"Good!" Yuan Shu roared with joy, "Starting tomorrow, all generals will take turns attacking the city. Whoever breaches the city first will be rewarded with a thousand taels of gold!"

In order to take Pengcheng as soon as possible, Yuan Shu went all out and spared no expense.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Under Yuan Shu's financial offensive, the Chen army's attack on the second day was much fiercer than the first day's attack, and the generals no longer hesitated to say, "This is my cannon, you can have yours."

The Chen army amassed all its powerful cannons and launched a fierce bombardment of Pengcheng, even interspersed with attacks from counterweight catapults. It's unclear where the Chen army found this weaponry in some old warehouse. It looks outdated, but these catapults are quite powerful.