Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator

Therefore, Ji Ling repeatedly urged the various departments to intensify their siege, intending to capture Pengcheng as soon as possible, lest prolonged delays lead to unforeseen complications.

Furthermore, although Ji Ling commanded an army of 100,000, upon entering Pengcheng Prefecture, Pengcheng itself was the first obstacle, only allowing him to establish a base camp outside the city.

Faced with the intangible pressure from Li Ji, Ji Ling increasingly felt like he was walking on thin ice, eager to seize Pengcheng as a foothold before gradually advancing towards the heart of Xuzhou.

However, despite Ji Ling's constant urging for his army to intensify the siege,

and with Zang Ba's relentless and personal defense on the front lines, Pengcheng appeared to be on the verge of collapse, yet it remained uncaptured.

Many generals, even if they managed to climb the city walls, were driven back down by Zang Ba.

Seeing that the siege had lasted for nearly a day, with only about an hour before nightfall,

Ji Ling briefly entertained the idea of leading his trusted personal guards to attack the city, but he was also somewhat wary of Zhang Fei's unit, which was lurking outside Pengcheng.

To guard against Zhang Fei, Ji Ling reserved sufficient mobile forces to be on alert for Zhang Fei's potential sneak attack on the rear, which could cause chaos.

This was why Ji Ling kept a elite force in reserve, not daring to move it lightly.

Just as Ji Ling was hesitating, a guard suddenly reported that a man claiming to be Chang Xi was seeking an audience.

Ji Ling was first stunned, then his eyes seemed to light up.

Ji Ling was naturally well-informed about the defending generals within Pengcheng.

Led by Zang Ba, his command also included Sun Guan, Chang Xi, Wu Dun, and Yin Li.

...

Outside Ji Ling's central army camp, Chang Xi, leading several hundred trusted followers, circled around before arriving. He nervously gripped the reins, his heart filled with apprehension.

However, after leaving Pengcheng, Chang Xi watched as only a few hundred trusted followers accompanied him, and his initial worry about safely leaving Pengcheng transformed into anger.

Chang Xi, Sun Guan, Yin Li, and the others had followed Zang Ba during the Yellow Turban Rebellion, and then they had become bandits, occupying Kaiyang and dominating the area.

Having served Zang Ba for seven or eight years, he was now reduced to leading a few hundred men away in a miserable state. How could Chang Xi accept this willingly?

In Chang Xi's view, Zang Ba had completely betrayed him.

Liu Bei?

A benevolent ruler?

Chang Xi never believed in such things. What benevolence was just an excuse.

What they said about benevolence and the common people, Chang Xi could determine that it was all business, all constraints.

He didn't know about other things, but Chang Xi had repeatedly heard that the discipline in Liu Bei's army was strict.

Not to mention taking food from the common people, even after capturing a city, the soldiers were not allowed to loot and enjoy themselves in the city as usual.

In Chang Xi's view, this was simply disgusting!

Restricting his subordinates in the name of "benevolence", making the soldiers suffer, wasn't it ultimately to make money from the people in other ways to fill his own pockets?

What benevolent ruler? In Chang Xi's view, he was just a hypocrite, a hypocrite who mistreated his subordinates.

Chang Xi even believed that Zang Ba wanted to sacrifice his brothers in order to gain favor with Liu Bei.

The difference in strength between the enemy and us was too great, and Pengcheng simply could not be defended.

That Zhang Fei was also arrogant, never even looking at them properly. Not to mention leading cavalry to the city walls to help defend the city, even the promised reinforcements were nowhere to be seen.

Therefore, the more Chang Xi thought about it, the more resentful he became. He originally wanted to go straight to Mount Tai Prefecture and establish himself as king, but instead, he circled around and went straight towards Ji Ling's central army camp.

Soon, Ji Ling sent someone to invite Chang Xi in alone.

At this moment, Chang Xi's heart became even more apprehensive, but he also understood that there was no turning back now.

After seeing Ji Ling riding on a black steed, Chang Xi hurriedly knelt down and gave a deep bow, saying,

"Chang Xi pays respects to General Ji."

Ji Ling looked down at Chang Xi's flattering expression, a trace of disgust flashed in his eyes, but he asked in a calm tone,

"You are not in Pengcheng assisting Zang Ba in defending the city, are you here to deliberately seek death?"

Chang Xi quickly said,

"General Ji, you misunderstand. I have long admired Yuan Gong's fame as a member of a family that has produced three dukes over four generations, and I have long had the intention to join him. I even wanted to persuade Zang Ba to join me in serving him."

"However, Zang Ba was bewitched by Liu Bei and remained unmoved no matter how I tried to persuade him."

"As the saying goes: those who walk different paths cannot make plans together. I am unwilling to be an enemy of Yuan Gong, and I cannot persuade Zang Ba to surrender to Yuan Gong."

"I had no choice but to lead my trusted followers out of Pengcheng to join General Ji, only wishing to help General Ji capture Pengcheng and present it to Yuan Gong as a stepping stone."

Upon hearing this, Ji Ling was overjoyed and quickly dismounted, saying,

"What strategies do you have to help me? If we can capture Pengcheng, I will personally recommend your talent to our lord."

What Chang Xi was waiting for was undoubtedly this sentence.

Yuan Shu had no other merits, except that he was quite tolerant and generous to his subordinates.

For example, if Yuan Shu demanded 10,000 dan of grain from a certain county, and the magistrate took the opportunity to collect 20,000 dan of grain from the county, submitting 10,000 dan and keeping 10,000 dan for himself, Yuan Shu would not pursue the magistrate's fault, but would praise the magistrate as a capable official.

In Chang Xi's view, Yuan Shu was the wise lord worthy of his service.

As one of Zang Ba's former confidants, Chang Xi was very familiar with the troop deployment within Pengcheng.

Immediately, Chang Xi began to tell Zang Ba about the situation, explaining the troop deployment within Pengcheng and pointing out several obvious loopholes that could be exploited to attack the city.

Especially the north gate of Pengcheng, which had always been left open by Ji Ling.

Logically speaking, even with a 'surround three, leave one' strategy, Zang Ba still needed to arrange some troops at the north gate as a precaution.

Initially, Zang Ba had indeed done so.

However, as the battle became more intense, Zang Ba had to withdraw the troops from the north gate, only arranging some young and strong men temporarily drawn from the city to pretend to be on the city wall.

Just knowing this one loophole was enough to be fatal!

However, perhaps Ji Ling did not have much talent as a commander, but his style of doing things was mainly based on prudence.

After learning about the many loopholes in Pengcheng, Ji Ling thought for a moment, squeezed out a three-point smile, and said,

"Since General Chang is so familiar with Pengcheng, would you be willing to personally capture the north gate of Pengcheng for my lord?"

Upon hearing this, Chang Xi was first overjoyed, and then showed a hesitant expression.

"What? Is General Chang unwilling?" Ji Ling asked with suspicion.

"Of course, I am willing to die for Yuan Gong, but I regret that only three or four hundred people are willing to follow me to serve Yuan Gong."

"Even if we take the north gate by surprise, I am afraid it will be difficult to hold it until the general enters the city."

Chang Xi quickly explained.

What glory would be greater than being the first to ascend the walls?

Chang Xi naturally wanted this merit, but he also understood that even if the defense of the north gate was empty, he would not be able to withstand Zang Ba's crazy counterattack with only three or four hundred people.

Others may not know, but how could Chang Xi not know Zang Ba's bravery?

If he were to face Zang Ba head-on, Chang Xi knew that he would probably be beheaded by Zang Ba in less than three moves.

(End of this chapter)