"At this mont, by my estimation, the Zhao Jun inside Handan City should number over three hundred thousand, plus another hundred thousand from the Zhao Frontier Army."
"If it were I setting up the defense, the cavalry of the Frontier Army would all be stationed on the east side of Handan, waiting for our Qin to attack. As soon as Pang Xuan dispatches them for a surprise raid, their unrivaled equestrian archery will beco a slaughter for our infantry."
"Our only answer to cavalry is long spears and bows. We can use our superior Qin arrows against the Zhao cavalry from a distance. In close combat, the advantage shifts to our long spears, which are the bane of horsen."
"Therefore, before attacking the city, we must prepare a large force to deal with these tens of thousands of cavalry," Wang Jian said slowly.
"We can assemble thirty thousand archers and twenty thousand spearn to deal with these Zhao cavalry," Wang Ben suggested.
"Our current total military strength is just under two hundred and fifty thousand. Diverting fifty thousand to defend against their cavalry leaves us with only two hundred thousand for the siege. This still leaves us nurically inferior," Yang Duanhe stated.
"How many fully intact Stone Throwing Machines and Bed Crossbows does our army still have?" Wang Jian asked again.
The Deputy General in charge of armants, who was standing by, imdiately rose to his feet. "Reporting to the Senior General, the entire army has barely three hundred Stone Throwing Machines left. We have more Bed Crossbows, however—about five hundred."
"Starting today, collect large rocks with all your might," Wang Jian ordered imdiately. "Ensure that these three hundred Stone Throwing Machines can bombard Handan without interruption."
"Understood," the Deputy General responded at once.
"How many arrows does the army have?" Wang Jian inquired further.
"After collecting and reassembling them, the army has about a million arrows," Wang Ben replied. "The rear Logistics Army is still continuously transporting more. By the ti they all arrive, we should have one and a half million."
Qin’s arrows differed from those of other nations, as Qin possessed an arrow-making craft that surpassed all its rivals. The arrowhead, shaft, and even the fletching were all separate components. If any part was damaged, it could be replaced by the Logistics Army. The sa was true for their bows and crossbows. In this aspect, no other state could compare.
"How long will it take for them all to arrive?" Wang Jian asked.
"Within five days," Wang Ben replied.
"They must arrive within three days. There can be no delay," Wang Jian said sternly.
"I will personally supervise it," Wang Ben responded imdiately.
"Senior General, are you preparing to attack in three days?" Yang Duanhe asked respectfully.
Wang Jian looked at Yang Duanhe but did not reply. Instead, he asked, "Select fifty thousand Sharp Warriors from our army to block the Zhao Border Army’s cavalry. Which general is willing to take on this task?"
"I am willing."
Wang Ben and Yang Duanhe volunteered simultaneously.
Although this military achievent could not compare to that of breaching the city, it still counted as an accomplishnt. Faced with the task of leading the vanguard against Handan City, neither Wang Ben nor Yang Duanhe seed confident. They vividly rembered the incident from the past when a Qin Senior General from the Wang clan committed suicide before the city walls after losing two hundred thousand soldiers. The pressure on them was indeed imnse.
Seeing the two generals volunteer for this task, a faint look of disappointnt flashed in Wang Jian’s eyes. However, he understood the events of the past and did not press the issue.
Since the two did not compete for the main assault, Zhao Feng naturally seized the opportunity, stepping forward and loudly declaring, "I request to lead the vanguard!"
It did not surprise Wang Ben and Yang Duanhe that Zhao Feng stepped forward again, yet their eyes still carried a hint of persuasion.
"Senior General," Wang Ben finally spoke, "I believe we should petition the Great King to send reinforcents from the Hangu Pass Camp. After all... the walls of Handan are high and thick; they won’t be easily breached."
"Enough." Wang Jian waved his hand, his eyes filled with determination. "Although the Zhao Jun are nurous, most are retreating soldiers with broken spirits. Our Qin army may have fewer troops, but our morale is sky-high, and we are victorious in every battle."
"The Daqin Elite Soldiers have fought their way here, and the morale of the Zhao Jun has already been shattered by our army."
"Now, our Qin army has reached the capital of the Zhao state. At the doorstep of their capital, the pressure on the Zhao Jun is even greater than it is on us."
"Wang Ben, Yang Duanhe."
"I am very disappointed in you."
"So many years have passed since that incident, yet you still harbor fear."
"Originally, I thought you might volunteer for the vanguard," Wang Jian said with a tone of rebuke. "But you are not even as brave as Zhao Feng."
"Senior General, please calm your anger." Wang Ben and Yang Duanhe imdiately knelt, their faces showing a hint of panic.
"I have a piece of news for you," Wang Jian said somberly. "The Great King has already set out from Xianyang for Handan.
"Within twenty days, his imperial carriage may arrive before the walls of Handan City."
Upon hearing this, Wang Ben and Yang Duanhe’s eyes widened. Zhao Feng, who was standing to the side, was equally stunned. Emperor Qin Shi Huang is coming to Handan?
No, right now he should still be the King of Qin. He’s actually coming to Handan. Does that an I’ll also have the chance to et the legendary Emperor Qin Shi Huang?
At this mont, Zhao Feng’s feelings were very complex. For this person, who would be referred to by later generations as the emperor through the ages who united Huaxia, Zhao Feng naturally held a sense of reverence and curiosity. He was extrely curious about what this legendary emperor actually looked like. Although he possessed mories from his past life, his impression of Emperor Qin Shi Huang was based solely on what he had read on the internet, and nothing more.
I wonder what Emperor Qin Shi Huang is really like, and if he’s as domineering as history claims, Zhao Feng pondered.
anwhile, a sense of urgency washed over Wang Ben and Yang Duanhe. The impending arrival of the King of Qin placed imnse pressure on them. If they could not breach the city, it would truly be a grave offense.
"Senior General, will we be able to breach the city before the Great King arrives in Handan?" Yang Duanhe asked, his voice tinged with nervousness.
"You should be well aware that the Great King was once a hostage in the Zhao state. This very Handan City was the prison that confined him."
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