Chapter 477: Attacking the Heart, Exhausting the Enemy

"How badly are you hurt? Is it serious?" In front of all the generals, Liu Chengyou asked.

Facing the Son of Heaven's concern, Sun Li could not fail to acknowledge the courtesy, and replied respectfully: "Thank you for Your Majesty's concern. I was struck by a stray arrow—a minor wound, nothing serious!"

Nodding, Liu Chengyou sat calmly behind the great table and waved a hand: "Speak, then. A day of assaulting the walls—what have we gained?"

Sun Li was not accustomed to making such reports, so it was Gao Huaide who rose to report instead. This was, in fact, Gao Huaide's first time speaking at an imperial council of this scale.

Facing the gazes of the senior commanders of the imperial army, Gao Huaide showed not a trace of nervousness, and said with great composure: "Your Majesty, generals. In today's assault, our army lost three hundred and thirty-six men dead, one hundred and three severely wounded, and five hundred and thirty-two lightly wounded. The Tang army's casualties are estimated at around two thousand men!"

"With the advantage of the thunderclap cannons and the suppression of the strong crossbows, and still such casualties—it seems that even after a winter of being besieged, the Tang army still has a certain fighting capacity!" Liu Chengyou said.

Gao Huaide then said: "With the thunderclap cannons and bows and crossbows, our army can completely suppress the defenders, greatly reducing our losses while paving roads, building bridges, and approaching the walls. Our casualties were all suffered while scaling the walls in combat. The defenders were well prepared; though their morale has been dealt a blow, seeing our main assault on the south wall, they have concentrated heavy troops in the south. That old scoundrel He Jingzhu personally encouraged the soldiers atop the walls, directing and dispatching, continuously replenishing his men—that is how they managed to hold against our offensive in the subsequent fighting!

"The Tang army, long trapped in an isolated city, has clearly seen its morale and fighting strength diminished. And our own soldiers, having not fought for a long time, have grown somewhat lax. But after this city battle, the soldiers' blood-and-courage spirit has been fully roused. If we rest and then fight again, once we climb atop those walls, we are certain to take the city!"

After hearing Gao Huaide's report, Liu Chengyou looked to the others: "And the feints at the west and north gates—how did they go?"

Murong Yanzhao, who had commanded the northern assault and defense, answered: "The defenders at the north gate remained quite vigilant and did not slacken in the least due to the fighting at the south wall!"

The Fengguo Army and the Husheng Army were in the west, commanded by Wang Quanbin, whose words were equally terse: "We attempted an attack; their defense was orderly, but their will to fight was lacking. They are like chickens and sheep, not tigers and wolves!"

Wang Yansheng then said eagerly: "Your Majesty, I dare to sign a military pledge—if we commit our full strength to the assault, we will surely break the city!"

Weighing the situation from all three sides, Liu Chengyou considered for a moment before saying: "This has tested the depth of Shouchun's defenses! If we were willing to spare no casualties and assault with full force, I naturally have confidence we could break it. But with He Jingzhu's stubbornness and his skill at commanding troops, how many sons of the Great Han would have to fall before those walls for us to succeed? Even at a trade of one for two, I would not do it!"

"Your Majesty's compassion for the soldiers shows the benevolence of a sovereign, but in war—especially in siege warfare—how can casualties be avoided? If you wish to take the city and break the deadlock, I beg Your Majesty to set aside your mercy for the time being!" Rarely, Wang Jun spoke up on his own initiative.

Startled by this, Liu Chengyou gave him a slightly surprised look, pondered his words for a moment, then said flatly: "Do I not understand the principle that mercy cannot command an army? But there is still room to maneuver. If there are strategies to reduce soldier casualties, how could I stubbornly rely on brute force alone?"

His fingers tapped habitually on the commander's table. After another moment of consideration, he made up his mind: "From now on, either we do not move at all—or when we do, we strike with one fatal blow and take the city in a single stroke!"

Seeing the Son of Heaven's attitude, the generals all answered in unison: "Yes!"

The neat chorus of assent rang through the tent, full of momentum.

"Return to your camps for now, rest the soldiers, rouse their morale, and replenish supplies!" Liu Chengyou looked at the generals who still seemed to have words to say, and gave the order directly: "I am determined to break Shouchun. You must be patient for now..."

"Your Majesty, the Duke of Shouyang requests an audience!" Just as Liu Chengyou finished his instructions, Zhang Yongde, who was on duty, entered the tent to announce.

"Summon him!"

Li Shaoyou strode quickly into the tent, an obvious smile on his face. Noticing the sheet of bark paper he held in his hands, Liu Chengyou asked: "Where does this news come from?"

At the question, Li Shaoyou dared not be slow, and answered: "Your Majesty, it is from our agents inside Shouchun. According to the agreed method, they sent a letter detailing the true state of affairs within the city. Please, Your Majesty, take a look!"

Beckoning with his hand, Liu Chengyou took the bark paper, scanned it twice, and the expression on his face visibly relaxed.

"May I ask Your Majesty, what does the letter say?" Murong Yanzhao, seeing this, took the initiative to ask.

At Liu Chengyou's gesture, Li Shaoyou recounted it with delight: "According to the agent's report, after two months of siege with the grain routes cut off, there is much freezing and starvation within Shouchun. Food supplies are already insufficient. He Jingzhu long ago requisitioned grain and clothing from the city's households. The people's hearts and the soldiers' morale have long been unstable. The scholars and commoners of the city already harbor much resentment toward He Jingzhu..."

"Good! Good!" Liu Chengyou's tone was calm, yet he said "good" twice in succession: "No wonder He Jingzhu has held Shouchun airtight—behind those iron walls and bronze ramparts is a mess of tangled floss. Now that we know the true state of the city, what is there for me to worry about?"

"Congratulations, Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty, you can make your decision now! The moment the order is given, we will lead the troops to break the city and capture that old scoundrel!" Sun Li again begged for battle.

"Patience!" Liu Chengyou appeared all the more composed, saying: "A commander must keep a steady hand. Rashness and recklessness are not to be commended! All of you, withdraw. Prepare for battle according to the arrangements I just made!"

"Yes!"

After the generals had dispersed, Liu Chengyou sat alone at the table, picked up his brush, and swiftly wrote a letter. He affixed his seal, called for Zhang Yongde, and instructed: "Send someone to deliver my handwritten letter to He Jingzhu again—just shoot it over the walls!"

Without a single superfluous word, Zhang Yongde accepted the order and left.

"Your Majesty still intends to persuade He Jingzhu to surrender?" Li Shaoyou asked.

Liu Chengyou rose and walked to stand before the map of Huainan, saying casually: "Since the Three Dynasties, loyal old generals like He Jingzhu have been rare indeed—truly hard to come by. Though he has caused me no small trouble, his heart is worthy of pity and his loyalty worthy of praise. I cannot bear to harm him. Let me make one more attempt!"

The words Liu Chengyou spoke clearly lacked sincerity. Li Shaoyou then said: "Your Majesty, that He Jingzhu is like a stubborn mountain—unafraid of the blade, unyielding to the fire. His obstinacy, you have seen with your own eyes. In my view, this old man still will not appreciate Your Majesty's benevolence..."

Liu Chengyou had indeed attempted to persuade him to surrender—more than once—but each time He Jingzhu had torn the letters up in public and sent men atop the walls to curse Liu Chengyou, showing his utter resolve.

"If that is the case, then I shall only grant him his wish of dying wrapped in horsehide, his bones buried beneath the green hills!" Liu Chengyou said slowly. "Besides, is this letter of mine meant only for He Jingzhu's eyes alone?"

"Your Majesty intends to employ the strategy of attacking the heart!" Li Fang, the top scholar, spoke up.

"What siege does not attack the heart?" Liu Chengyou smiled faintly: "He Jingzhu may have a heart of iron and stone, unwavering in his resolve—but what of the officers beneath him? What of the soldiers and civilians in the city?"

"One letter is not enough!" After thinking it over, Liu Chengyou gave another order: "Li Fang, you will write a proclamation to the soldiers and people of Shouchun. Have the military clerks copy out two thousand copies and shoot them into the city!"

Then, looking at Murong Yanzhao, who had been kept behind, Liu Chengyou said: "Yanzhao, select some soldiers with loud, clear voices from the ranks. Starting tomorrow, have them urge surrender at all four gates!"

"As ordered!"

"Your Majesty, I believe we might also try the strategy of exhausting the enemy!" Murong Yanzhao, cupping his hands, offered a suggestion.

"Oh? Let's hear it!" Liu Chengyou said.

Murong Yanzhao: "I suggest that the northern, western, and southern camps each dispatch troops, and in the night, take turns raising a clamor..."

Before he could finish, Liu Chengyou understood his intent and immediately made the decision: "Carry it out according to your plan. You will handle the arrangements!"

"Yes!"

"However, our camps are pitched very close to the city. Don't exhaust our own troops while exhausting the enemy!" Liu Chengyou added with some concern.

Murong Yanzhao then said: "Our soldiers have always slept with their weapons at their pillows. As long as they feel secure, even the glint of blades and swords will not disturb their dreams. In comparison, the Tang army in the city is the one trembling with anxiety!"

Nodding, Liu Chengyou waved his hand without a word—but it was consent.

"Oh, right!" Just as Murong Yanzhao was about to take his leave, Liu Chengyou suddenly added: "Keep an eye on the Tang army at Hefei—guard against any sudden movement!"

"And also, the news from Jinling must not be cut off!" This was said to Li Shaoyou.

Both acknowledged the order in unison.