flstandardbreds Chapter 163 Han Dynasty Imperial Clan Members Arrive in the City? Thunderbolt Catapults Appear!
Chapter 163 Han Dynasty Imperial Clan Members Arrive in the City? Thunderbolt Catapults Appear!
Cao Cao's composure greatly encouraged the soldiers on the front lines of his camp.
Consequently, the siege power also increased several levels.
As the defender, Yuan Shu faced immense pressure.
but.
Yuan Shu followed the advice of Yang Hong and Yan Xiang this time, and made thorough preparations in advance.
He piled up countless mounds of earth near the city gate.
These mounds were crammed with archers. Combined with their location near the city walls and their advantageous terrain, they effectively became machine gun emplacements in the age of cold weapons.
Without breaching these mounds, Cao Cao's army clearly had no way to penetrate the main city of Yingchuan.
……
In Cao's army camp
Upon hearing the report of today's casualties, Cao Cao's expression visibly darkened.
Although Yuan Shu's soldiers were generally less capable than Cao Cao's army.
But having such cost-effective mounds, which made them easy targets, filled Cao Cao's soldiers with rage.
"Are our catapults completely helpless against that mound?"
Cao Cao asked Cao Hong, who was standing to the side.
Cao Hong sighed and said helplessly:
"My lord, Yuan's archers are hiding behind the mounds, which are high up and make it very difficult for our army to scale the city walls."
"Approaching rashly will result in either death or serious injury."
At this point, Cao Hong glanced at Yue Jin standing to the side.
At this moment, Le Jin's arm was wrapped in hemp cloth, a result of the arrow wound he sustained during the siege.
Fortunately, Le Jin was agile and managed to dodge in time.
Otherwise, he would probably have ended up lying on a wooden stretcher.
Cao Cao rubbed his forehead, while Xi Zhicai also tugged at his beard, racking his brains.
suddenly.
Dian Wei, carrying two iron halberds on his back, walked in from outside and reported to Cao Cao:
“My lord, there is a scholar who claims to be a member of the Han imperial family and wants to join you and serve you.”
"What!?"
"Han imperial relatives have come to surrender on their own initiative?"
The men in Cao Cao's camp looked at each other in bewilderment.
Although the prestige of Han imperial relatives varied among them.
But this is the first person to give up the title of a member of the Han imperial family and voluntarily work for Cao Cao. I wonder what kind of oddball he is.
When Cao Cao spoke of the Han imperial family, the image of Liu Bei came to mind.
I wonder where Liu Bei has gone now.
If we encounter him on the battlefield again, it won't be as simple as just taking over territory!
"Please ask him to come in."
Cao Cao used the word "please".
As a member of the Han imperial family, and the first to come and submit, he certainly deserves our utmost respect.
As long as the woman wasn't a scoundrel like Liu Bei, Cao Cao would still be willing to employ her.
A minute later, a scholar in blue robes who looked to be about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old entered, led by Dian Wei.
Upon seeing Cao Cao, the man cupped his hands in a respectful but not servile manner and said:
"My name is Liu Ye, also known as Liu Ziyang. I have just met Lord Cao."
Cao Cao sized up Liu Ye, then waved his hand and said:
"Ziyang, there's no need for such formalities."
"I wonder what the relationship is between Ziyang and the current emperor?"
Liu Ye explained:
"I am a descendant of Liu Yan, the Prince of Fuling. My father, Liu Pu, once served as the Prefect of Lujiang."
Upon hearing Liu Ye's words, Cao Cao instantly understood the difference in their relationship.
Liu Yan, the Prince of Fuling, also known as the Grand Magus, was the son of Emperor Guangwu, Liu Xiu.
But this Prince Fuling didn't fare too well.
His mother was Empress Guo, who was deposed by Liu Xiu.
As is widely known, Liu Xiu only loved Yin Lihua.
Empress Guo?
I'm sorry, but in Liu Xiu's eyes, she was an obstacle to Yin Lihua becoming empress because she was in the position of empress!
Yin Lihua became Liu Xiu's second empress only after Empress Guo was deposed.
As the son of Empress Guo, Liu Yan was destined not to receive the favor of his father, Liu Xiu.
Later, Liu Yan was labeled as "suspected of treason" by his brother, Emperor Ming of Han, Liu Zhuang, and died in depression.
Descendants suspected of treason would naturally not enjoy the same favorable treatment as other members of the Han imperial family.
The branch of the Prince of Fuling was neither loved by his maternal uncles nor by his maternal grandmother.
It wasn't until the time of Liu Ye's father, Liu Pu, that a governor of Lujiang was finally appointed.
As a result, less than two years after he became the governor of Lujiang, the Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out.
The Yellow Turban Army doesn't care whether you, a member of the Han imperial family, are doing well or badly. Anyway, you are a member of the Han imperial family. If I kill you, I will definitely make a profit!
And so, Liu Ye's father, Liu Pu, happily received his lunchbox.
Living in such an environment, how could Liu Ye possibly have a good impression of the Liu Han imperial family?
He didn't enjoy much of the good fortune.
The suffering was borne by the Liu Han imperial family.
Therefore, Liu Ye did not have much loyalty to the Liu Han imperial family.
As a nominal member of the Han imperial family, it was no big deal for Liu Ye to defect to other warlords.
Since we're all just working anyway, why should we blindly remain loyal to the Liu Han imperial family, this broken ship?
"Ziyang, please sit down."
"I am currently troubled by the matter of attacking the city, and I apologize for not being able to greet you properly. I hope you will understand, Ziyang."
Upon learning that Liu Ye was a descendant of the Prince of Fuling, Cao Cao's attitude clearly rose to a new level.
If Liu Ye and Liu Xie were too closely related by blood, Cao Cao would not dare to give them important positions.
After all, as members of the Han imperial family, they always had a natural sense of honor and were unwilling to remain subordinate to others for long.
But the descendants of King Fuling are fine.
It's rare to find a descendant of the Prince of Fuling who doesn't hate the Liu Han imperial family.
Unexpectedly, upon hearing that Cao Cao was troubled by the matter of attacking the city, Liu Ye's eyes lit up, and he suggested to Cao Cao:
"Lord Cao, may I have the honor of seeing your catapults?"
Cao Hong, standing to the side, scratched his head awkwardly.
Those dilapidated catapults couldn't hit the earthen mounds Yuan Shu had built at all; they were now practically useless.
A glint of light flashed in Cao Cao's eyes.
He could tell that Liu Ye was a smart man and wouldn't come to Cao Cao's camp to join him without any preparation.
Liu Ye must have some special skills he hasn't revealed yet.
Now that Liu Ye has come, he immediately mentioned catapults, which has clearly piqued Cao Cao's interest.
“Since Ziyang is interested in seeing those catapults, then come with me, Cao.”
Afterwards, Cao Cao led Liu Ye and his generals to the place where the catapults were placed.
Seeing the catapults of Cao Cao's camp lying haphazardly around the camp, Liu Ye frowned slightly.
He walked up to one of the catapults, looked at the wheels, then at the beams on which the stones were placed, and seemed to be deep in thought.
Cao Cao didn't disturb him, and just stood quietly to the side.
Finally, Liu Ye finished thinking and asked Dian Wei for paper and pen, where he began to sketch.
"Lord Cao, I have an idea to improve the range and lethality of the catapults."
"If Lord Cao is willing, he could first modify one or two catapults of this appearance and try them out."
Cao Cao was a discerning man.
As he took the blueprint from Liu Ye, his eyes lit up.
If modified like Liu Ye's method, the range of the catapult would increase by at least half!
This half cannot be measured by numbers alone.
Originally, Cao Cao's catapults could not hit the earthen mounds built against the city walls.
But with the improved range, those mounds are hit every time!
As for the archers hiding behind the mounds, they were nothing but sitting ducks!
……