Chapter 458: Anxious Gongsun Zan

Night soon fell, and a day passed in the blink of an eye.

At this time, in the military tent five miles outside Shangyin City, quite a few people were sitting.

These people were Gongsun Zan's civil and military subordinates, and at this time, everyone's expressions were somewhat solemn.

"Speak up, in this situation, how should we break the deadlock?"

Gongsun Zan, sitting in the main seat, said solemnly to the civil and military officials below.

"My Lord, let this subordinate lead people to attack tonight; waiting like this is not a solution!"

At this time, Yan Gang, upon hearing Gongsun Zan's words, shouted loudly to him.

Gongsun Zan, after hearing Yan Gang's words, looked at the several strategists and asked in a deep voice:

"What do you think?"

At this time, the several strategists under Gongsun Zan looked at each other and shook their heads one after another.

Facing an enemy that refused to come out, no matter how many skills you had, it was impossible to breach Shangyin City in a short time.

"My Lord, we still have three days; if we cannot take Shangyin City within these three days, we can only retreat from Youbeiping and return to Liaoxi Commandery to defend against the imperial court's army!"

At this time, Guan Jing said to Gongsun Zan with a solemn expression.

Originally, everyone came full of confidence, thinking they could easily take Youbeiping.

They never expected Yan Rou and Shen Pei to refuse to fight head-on, and they had defended Shangyin City like an iron barrel.

And the main thing was that they could not bypass Shangyin City and could only push forward all the way.

Now, the several strategists under Gongsun Zan were also somewhat anxious.

"Yan Gang, tonight I will lead thirty thousand troops to feign an attack from the East Gate; you lead the remaining forty thousand troops to launch the main attack on the North Gate."

"I don't believe that Shen Pei and Yan Rou can truly withstand the simultaneous attack of my seventy thousand troops!"

Seeing that the several strategists had no better ideas for a time, Gongsun Zan immediately decided to launch a fierce attack first to see.

"This subordinate accepts the order!"

Yan Gang, upon hearing this, was overjoyed; in his opinion, he had long felt they should attack.

Subsequently, Gongsun Zan said to the several strategists including Guan Jing and Tian Kai in a deep voice:

"I don't care what method you use, you must breach Youbeiping within three days."

"Otherwise, when Guan Yu's Qinglong Legion arrives, we will all be finished!"

Speaking to the end, Gongsun Zan was already somewhat hysterical.

Originally, he was full of confidence, thinking of taking advantage of Liu Yu's absence to seize Youzhou and dominate the region.

He never expected that before he could even enjoy it for a while, he would feel as if he were already falling into a desperate situation!

Guan Jing and the others, upon hearing this, also felt their expressions tighten and responded in a deep voice:

"This subordinate accepts the order!"

Soon, two days passed in the blink of an eye.

And Gongsun Zan, within these two days, had already launched five attacks on Shangyin City.

However, every time, they were beaten back by Shen Pei and Yan Rou.

The seventy thousand troops Gongsun Zan brought had also suffered over ten thousand casualties; now, the number of soldiers capable of fighting was only sixty thousand.

And on Yan Rou's side, there were only about a thousand casualties; such a huge casualty ratio also made Gongsun Zan somewhat puzzled.

This Shangyin City gave him a completely different feeling from the four commanderies he had already captured, such as Liaodong Commandery and Xuantu Commandery.

From the three-day period Gongsun Zan and the others had spoken of, there was only one day left.

If they could not take Shangyin City, they would truly have to retreat to Liaoxi Commandery!

At this time, in Gongsun Zan's central army tent, the atmosphere was exceptionally heavy, and everyone did not even dare to breathe loudly.

At this time, they no longer had their previous high spirits; after two days of fierce attacks, having suffered ten thousand casualties, they had not caused the slightest damage to Shangyin City.

"Ministers, speak up, how can we breach this Shangyin City?"

Gongsun Zan, at this time, stared fixedly at the several strategists including Guan Jing and Tian Kai, and asked in a deep voice.

Guan Jing and the others did not dare to look at Gongsun Zan's eyes and shook their heads one after another, indicating that they had no better way either.

The time was too short; if the time were longer, it would be better; methods like cutting off water, besieging the city, and cutting off grain could slowly breach Shangyin City.

However, wanting to breach Shangyin City defended by fifty thousand troops within three days was undoubtedly too difficult!

Seeing this, Gongsun Zan's heart also sank.

Gongsun Zan suddenly stood up and shouted loudly to everyone:

"Ministers, we have already reached this point; this Shangyin City must be breached tomorrow regardless of the cost!"

"Otherwise, we will just wait for the imperial court's encirclement and suppression!"

"I believe you also do not wish to face such a consequence!"

"Therefore, this battle will be the decisive battle concerning our survival!"

"Do you have the courage to fight to the death with the enemy?"

Thinking of this consequence, everyone shivered in unison.

Immediately, a sense of ferocity rose, and they shouted one after another:

"Fight to the death!"

"Fight to the death!"

At this time, what Gongsun Zan and the others did not know was that Guan Yu had already led ninety thousand troops to their rear.

And Zhou Cang, at this time, had led ten thousand troops to Liaoxi Commandery.

"Military Advisor, we will be able to reach the rear of Gongsun Zan's army tonight; when do you think we should launch the attack?"

During the march, Guan Yu, seeing that they were about to reach their destination, asked Guo Jia, who was lying lazily on his horse on the side.

Because Guo Jia and the others all had cultivation, Guo Jia's lazy appearance did not affect the marching speed in the slightest.

"Let the soldiers rest tonight; after such a long journey, they need to recover some strength."

"I estimate that Gongsun Zan will launch a general offensive tomorrow."

"The news Shen Pei sent over these two days shows that Gongsun Zan has launched five fierce attacks in two days."

"With such high-intensity combat, their soldiers will also be unable to hold on."

"And tomorrow will be the best time to attack."

"Don't forget, in Gongsun Zan's intelligence, we are also about to arrive at the battlefield!"

Speaking to the end, Guo Jia could not help but laugh loudly at everyone.

"Fine, then let's do as the Military Advisor says!"

After listening to Guo Jia's words, Guan Yu also responded with a smile.

Currently, they were very clear about the situation in Shangyin City; it had not yet reached a dangerous moment.

Maintaining the best combat power was the most reliable approach.

Guan Yu and Guo Jia, at a distance of ten miles from Gongsun Zan's army, began to set up camp.

This distance could ensure they would not be discovered by the opponent.

Moreover, Gongsun Zan and the others would not have thought that Guan Yu would appear behind them.

Soon, a night passed in the blink of an eye.

Gongsun Zan, who had prepared all night, after shouting loudly to his soldiers, also successfully boosted the army's morale.

The sixty-thousand-strong army, with high spirits, arrived under the walls of Shangyin City.

"Shen Pei, Yan Rou, I give you one last chance; surrender now, and I can show mercy to you!"

Gongsun Zan, who arrived under the city walls, shouted loudly to Shen Pei and Yan Rou on the city tower. ===== CHAPTER 459 =====