Chapter 987: Chapter 947: Do You Understand the Art of Encirclement?

As for Leng Yu, he didn’t pay much attention either. He believed that such minor setbacks, such verbal triumphs, wouldn’t matter to Leng Yu.

Moreover, Leng Yu’s strength is actually very formidable.

Just as Minister Wu said, Lin Yi felt it might be more suitable to reassign Leng Yu.

After all, although Leng Yu is young, he has been stationed at the frontier since childhood and has fought many battles, so it can be said that he understands leading troops into battle better than anyone present.

In addition, Leng Yu has been well-versed in various military strategies since childhood, so there is no one here who can match him.

Not to mention those present, even in the Imperial Court, aside from the old generals, there is no one who can compare to Leng Yu.

And now, obviously, Lin Yi had no intention to speak up.

He wanted to wait for Leng Yu to personally refute these people, to personally make them convinced and speechless.

And as expected, after hearing these words, Leng Yu smiled slightly and then counter-questioned Minister Wu:

"Ha, I am naturally clear about the siege and defensive battle, especially the method of besieging a city. It’s nothing new, be it for a year or two, or even three or five years.

But to besiege a place, there’s a prerequisite. Does Minister Wu know what it is?"

Being counter-questioned by Leng Yu, Minister Wu was suddenly taken aback.

At the same time, he looked at Leng Yu, secretly guessing what this girl meant, is there a prerequisite for besieging?

Of course, this fully shows that he is not proficient in military affairs or perhaps has never been to a battlefield.

As for his knowledge of siege techniques, it was hearsay or read from books.

Therefore, he was unsure what to say in response to Leng Yu’s inquiry.

Leng Yu obviously didn’t give him much time to think. Seeing that he couldn’t answer, she immediately said:

"To besiege a place, there’s a prerequisite: you must be able to completely surround it.

Or cut off all its retreat paths and supply lines. Another point is that the city’s food supplies are scarce, without granaries to sustain it.

Or you succeed in raiding the city’s granary and set it on fire, then such a method becomes feasible.

Otherwise, such a scene would never occur for the attacking side.

After all, no attacking general would foolishly besiege a granary. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Really, guarding a granary, whether for three or five years, or even a lifetime, offers no way to erode the enemy.

And do not forget, attacking often involves deep incursions into enemy territory, where strict food supply management is needed.

If your own supplies run low, the enemy might seize the chance to counterattack.

In fact, when your supplies are insufficient, the enemy could break out, counterattack, and rout you entirely.

That’s why earlier, Minister Wu mentioned those few cities, noted for their granaries, where food is abundant.

May I ask Minister Wu, with men, cities, and food, would the enemy opt for a siege and not attack?

Would they choose to besiege us as a means of attack?"

These questions left Minister Wu speechless, even prompting him to stand there, his mouth gaping, unsure of what to say.

Just as Leng Yu stated, within those cities, food is abundant, with much of Capital City’s supply coming from there.

Hence, nearly half the nation’s food reserves are there, so who would choose to siege it?

If a siege truly happened, who was besieging whom would become unclear.

Without exaggeration, after two years, the enemy might face insufficient supplies, leaving them demoralized and combat-ineffective.

Meanwhile, our side, taking advantage of favorable conditions, could counterattack and annihilate the enemy.

For a moment, Minister Wu was embarrassingly lost, unsure of how to respond.

He wanted to refute Leng Yu but found no grounds.

Because everything Leng Yu said was indeed true.

Consequently, almost everyone listening felt their faces blush, acknowledging the importance of Leng Yu’s correct assertions; those cities wouldn’t be sieged.

Even though Minister Wu conceded to Leng Yu’s point, he would not show it.

He had to debate, fearing any rash retreat would diminish his authority.

He did not want the Crown Prince to question his competency.

Consequently, he persisted, hardheadedly rebuffing Leng Yu:

"Though General Leng speaks truth, we can’t definitively claim they’re all feints.

Is it possible they’ve traveled far just to feign?

How could that be? And attacking our Capital City, isn’t that nonsense? What does General Leng say to that?"

His words sounded unconvincing, overturning his own claim, coming off as forced argument.

Lin Yi’s smile grew, eager to see how Leng Yu subdued these old men.

Though he had promoted them, he found their loyalty unreliable.

Moreover, their talents were lacking, prompting Lin Yi to develop his team to eventually replace them.

For now, Lin Yi merely used them temporarily to maintain court stability.

Hence, for Lin Yi

[To be continued...]