Chapter 368: Taking Yecheng, Yingbu’s admiration!

Chapter 368: Taking Yecheng, Yingbu’s admiration!

When Ying Bu realized that the difference in the strength of the two sides was so huge, he could not help but question Gao Yao's decision to insist on attacking Yecheng. Is Gao Yao a fool? The answer seems obvious. If he was really a very stupid person, Ying Bu would have taken the opportunity to escape long ago.

Because Ying Bu saw Gao Yao's attention and appreciation for him, and also knew Gao Yao's strong strength and wisdom, he finally chose to follow Gao Yao. Although he found it difficult to understand the order issued by Gao Yao, out of trust in Gao Yao, Ying Bu still decided to strictly implement Gao Yao's military order.

However, Ying Bu could not help but feel some doubts and uneasiness deep in his heart. This emotion was reflected in his offensive performance along the way - he always seemed timid and hesitant, and did not have the posture of leading the vanguard to defeat the larger force with a smaller one.

As the army gradually approached Yecheng, combined with the actual situation of the imperial army in Yecheng, Ying Bu began to gradually understand the clues. From the initial expedition in Longxian to the arrival in Yecheng, combined with the situation of the Yecheng garrison, Gao Yao's shrewdness and strategy, I am afraid that he has already used some unknown means in secret to create the current situation that seems to be favorable to him. It's a pity that Gao Yao did not reveal these plans and strategies to him, and the purpose behind them is naturally self-evident. This is undoubtedly a severe test of Gao Yao's loyalty to Ying Bu! ,

Ying Bu couldn't help but feel a complex surge of emotions in his heart. He was amazed at Gao Yao's courage, but also puzzled and amazed at his methods.

He originally thought that he was a brave man, but compared with Gao Yao, he was far inferior. Gao Yao dared to test others' loyalty to him in actual combat, which was really astonishing. What made Ying Bu even more puzzled was what strategy or measures Gao Yao implemented to put the imperial army into such a situation?

Although he was full of doubts, Ying Bu did not impulsively launch a large-scale attack at this moment. Instead, he calmly issued orders, dividing his soldiers into several small groups and instructing them to launch a tentative attack on Yecheng.

After one, two, four or five consecutive exploratory attacks, Ying Bu was finally convinced that Yecheng must have experienced a major change at this moment! Judging from the disorganized and absent-minded defense of the defenders in the city, this imperial army seemed to have lost its fighting spirit and had no intention of defending the city.

With this key point as a guarantee, Ying Bu's heart finally settled down completely. He let out a long sigh and gave the order without hesitation. He waved his hand and shouted loudly: "All soldiers, listen to my order! From now on, the whole army will officially attack the city!"

With Ying Bu's majestic and powerful command, the archers who had been ready for action quickly took action. They bent their bows and aimed at the imperial guards on the top of the city. They shot arrows like rain, forming a dense arrow net in an instant, covering the entire top of the city. This powerful firepower suppression made the imperial guards unable to raise their heads, and they could only look for cover to hide in embarrassment.

Then, a large number of infantrymen holding shields and spears marched forward in neat steps. Their shouts and cries resounded through the sky, and their momentum was like a surging torrent rushing towards the city. Faced with such a fierce offensive by the Southern Border Army, the low-spirited imperial defenders did not wake up until they saw various siege equipment, but it was obviously too late.

As they were caught off guard, the imperial guards were not only in low morale, but also short of generals and in disarray. In this situation, they responded hastily and were at a loss. When the Southern Border Army launched a second round of fierce attacks, the imperial guards could no longer resist and their defense line collapsed in an instant. The soldiers of the Southern Border Army bravely climbed the ladders and climbed onto the city wall in the blink of an eye, and engaged in a fierce close combat with the imperial guards.

Seeing his army successfully climbed the city wall, Ying Bu was immediately inspired. He knew that the opportunity for war was fleeting and he must not give the imperial army any chance to breathe. So he decisively ordered a simultaneous attack on the four gates of Yecheng. For a while, the shouts and collisions were intertwined and deafening. Ying Bu himself personally commanded the battle at the East Gate. He led the charge and inspired his soldiers to move forward courageously.

Seeing his own soldiers rushing towards the city wall again like a tide and climbing up desperately, Ying Bu jumped out on his horse without hesitation and galloped to the front. He was agile and nimble, like a cheetah, and rushed straight towards the towering siege ladder.

After reaching the bottom of the siege ladder, Ying Bu used his hands and feet to flexibly climb the ladder. He cleverly seized every tiny gap and quickly climbed up. At this time, the imperial army on the wall seemed a little panicked due to the lack of effective command. In addition, their morale was already low, and they had no power to fight back against Ying Bu's fierce charge. What's worse, no one could stop Ying Bu's advance.

In this way, in just half a quarter of an hour, Ying Bu successfully climbed up the city wall. He stood majestically on the top of the city wall like a god of war. Then, he wielded his weapon mercilessly and chopped at the enemy who had not yet reacted. For a moment, blood splattered everywhere and screams rang out one after another.

Ying Bu led the southern border army and charged all the way. Soon they successfully opened the city gate and welcomed the army outside the city to pour into the city. When the east gate was breached, the resistance of the imperial army instantly became weak. Seeing that the situation was hopeless, many soldiers laid down their weapons and chose to surrender.

Unlike the last time, Ying Bu did not massacre the prisoners as he did in the past. The reason was simple. Although Gao Yao did not condemn his previous killing of prisoners, he had reminded him that those who should be killed could be killed, but those who should not be killed could be kept for use. Ying Bu was not stupid. He knew that Gao Yao was reminding him. If he listened, it was a reminder. If he did not listen, it might be an order.

In addition, Yecheng was easily conquered without any reason. Although Ying Bu was still unclear about how Gao Yao did it, he was certain that it was Gao Yao's work.

These surrendered people will indeed be put to use soon. Although Yecheng has been captured, it is somewhat similar to Longxian County in that both are isolated cities. The problem now is how to defend Yecheng. These surrendered soldiers can also be used to help defend the city or serve as strong labor to carry supplies for defending the city.

On the other side, in Liu County, Guilin Prefecture, Gao Yao and Zhang Liang were playing Go in the county government office. It was a different story in different eras, and Go was a popular entertainment activity for countless people in ancient times. From students to kings and generals, almost everyone was obsessed with the art of Go.

Gao Yao had no interest in Go at first. It was not until he had secured his position in the southern border and gained some confidence that he began to play Go with Xiao He, Cao Shen and others. Only then did he truly understand the charm of Go, the true self-cultivation. Through a simple chessboard, one can not only depict the general situation of the world, but also contain countless life philosophies.

"My Lord, I'm grateful for your concession!" As Zhang Liang calmly made his move, a faint smile appeared on his face, and he bowed to Gao Yao. This action made Gao Yao feel unhappy.

Gao Yao frowned slightly and said with a little dissatisfaction: "Sir, you must know that I am the master and you are the minister. According to common sense, shouldn't you give me a little leniency? Since I started playing chess with you, I have almost never tasted victory!" After saying that, Gao Yao sighed deeply, as if he felt helpless that he was always at a disadvantage.

Facing Gao Yao's complaint, Zhang Liang smiled and responded, "Haha, my lord, you are wrong. With your intelligence and wisdom, there is no need for me to give way to you. If I really give way to you on purpose, I am afraid that it will make you unhappy."

Hearing this, Gao Yao couldn't help but roll his eyes and retorted unhappily: "Sir, what on earth do you mean? Please let me win a game quickly. I really want to win now!"

Just when the two were in a stalemate, Zhang Liang suddenly changed the subject and said slowly: "Haha, my lord, it's getting late now. In my opinion, if General Ying Bu had really acted according to the orders given by my lord before, then at this moment, Yecheng might have already suffered a fierce attack from our army." After saying that, Zhang Liang raised his head and looked into the distance, as if he had already seen the fierce scene of smoke-filled battlefield and iron horses.

At this time, Zhang Liang changed the topic in time. There was no need to continue this topic. Although he had not been in contact with Gao Yao for too long, he had a certain understanding of Gao Yao. Gao Yao seemed to be noncompetitive, but in fact he was a very competitive person. He seemed to say that a stable transition was the best, but in fact he was very ambitious.

Even in playing chess, Gao Yao showed many of his habits. It was just that Zhang Liang could win, because Gao Yao was happier when he won, because Zhang Liang showed his ability. Gao Yao was tolerant, but could not accept those mediocre people. If Zhang Liang really kept losing, Gao Yao would look down on him.

But there are some things Zhang Liang can say, but there are some things he cannot say. Zhang Liang absolutely cannot say how well he knows Gao Yao. This is the thing that superiors hate the most. This is similar in every era. No superior likes to have his thoughts and ideas completely guessed by those below him.

After hearing Zhang Liang's words, Gao Yao nodded slightly. He was somewhat expectant and a little worried. That is, whether he could send the mysterious Yi Xiaochuan away in one go was very important to Gao Yao. As long as the mysterious Yi Xiaochuan died, it would be like solving a major problem for Gao Yao.