Yuanling County was also a relatively remote territory within Cao Cao's sphere of influence. However, Yuanling County bordered the Yuzhou Provincial Governor, and there was a road leading to Yuzhou on the border. Therefore, Cao Cao arranged more troops in Yuanling County.
However, under Zhang Liao's surprise attack, Cao Cao's troops in Yuanling County only added some military merits to Zhang Liao's troops and didn't cause any substantial hindrance.
After the war against Cao Cao was over, Yang Rui had already discussed the idea of establishing a perfect military merit system with Cheng Yu, Guo Jia, Ren Sisi, and Chen Xiaonan. The relevant people also gave Yang Rui a lot of good suggestions. Yang Rui planned to draw up some corresponding regulations after the war against Cao Cao was over.
For a long time, Yang Rui had a saying that the officers would be rewarded based on their contributions, but strictly speaking, there wasn't a perfect military merit system. Most of the time, Yang Rui made the evaluation based on his own opinions, and at most, he would listen to other people's suggestions.
This method was not a problem in the past. The number of famous historical figures in Yang Rui's subordinates was not too high. Even if they were to be rotated, they would still be able to be rotated. Almost all the people of the same level were arranged to be placed in similar positions by Yang Rui.
However, as Yang Rui wanted to promote the integration of the forces in the three civilizations, if he could smoothly advance, the number of territories he would take over would definitely increase, and the level of the positions he would set up would be more obvious. It was very necessary to have a clear and effective military contribution system.
As Zhang Liao attacked Yuanling County, Yang Rui's central army also began to attack the city unhurriedly. After taking over Zhongmou County, Dian Wei's central army also arrived at Kaifeng County.
"Huff! Huff! Huff … "
"Bang! Bang! Bang! "
“.....”
In comparison, Dian Wei was the most obedient one. Before they reached Kaifeng County, he asked his officers to push out the heavy catapults that had been packed and set them up. Then, he began to bombard the enemy with full strength.
Unlike the other troops, Dian Wei led the most soldiers and the most siege weapons. Therefore, Dian Wei had his officers surround Kaifeng County like an iron bucket after he arrived. The heavy catapults, catapults, and crossbows of the Mohist School were also sent to the four city gates by Dian Wei and launched attacks at Kaifeng County simultaneously.
Zhang Liao's cavalry, who had left Kaifeng County with all the mobile cavalry earlier, was actually the result of his communication with Dian Wei. Dian Wei had never intended to let go of any soldiers in Kaifeng County in the first place, so there was no need for the mobile cavalry anymore.
One of the reasons for Dian Wei's decision was Zhang Liao's attack on Zhongmou County. Dian Wei didn't show anything on the surface, but Zhang Liao was the one who took Zhongmou County first. Therefore, Dian Wei felt a little frustrated.
Although he wasn't angry at Zhang Liao or anyone else, Dian Wei was still going to vent his anger on Kaifeng County, which was why he attacked the city.
"Brothers, let's work harder! Until all the four city gates of Kaifeng County are destroyed. Don't let any of the Cao bastards in the city leave …"
The attack of Dian Wei's troops had already frightened the defenders in the city. Although the power of Yang Rui's siege weapons had spread out, it was still the first time for most of the people in the city to see such a scene. It would be strange if they weren't shocked.
In particular, the siege weapons of the Mohist School were something that they had never heard of before. Although they weren't as powerful as the heavy trebuchets, one or two of them were more or less the same, especially when attacking people.
Under the supervision of Dian Wei, Guan Hai, and Suli, all kinds of siege weapons spurted out stones and arrows. Half an hour had passed, and there was still no sign of stopping.
Kaifeng County could only be considered a small county at this moment, and the defense of the whole city wasn't very high. After the continuous destruction, this small county was on the verge of collapse.
The defense force in the city was very weak to begin with, and now that it was surrounded by Dian Wei's troops who were several times or even ten times their number, and the four city gates were on the verge of collapse, the defenders in the city were having a mental breakdown.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! "
As it happened, several arrows flew out of the city over the city wall. They flew a long distance and even reached the front of Dian Wei's troops. It was obvious that they were made by rather capable generals in Cao Cao's troops. Normal level-six or level-seven long-range soldiers couldn't have reached such a long distance.
Very soon, a soldier at the front of the battle handed a few letters that were tied to the arrows to Dian Wei. They turned out to be letters of challenge from the generals in the city. Because they were too scared to enter the city for a battle, they could only shoot the letters with their bows and arrows.
After reading them, Dian Wei gave the letters to Guan Hai and Suli. In the meantime, he had already ordered the siege weapons to stop attacking the four gates of the city.
"Generals of the Cao army in the city, listen up. I can agree to your request for a one-on-one duel. However, there must be some conditions. If you lose the duel, you must lead your army and surrender. If you agree, then come out of the city and fight."
The sounds of the siege weapons, flying stones, and arrows came to an abrupt stop. Dian Wei roared at the inside of the city. The conditions were quite straightforward, which was in line with Dian Wei's straightforward personality.
"Of course, we're willing to have a duel, but it's normal for us to win or lose. If our men fail, you can deal with them however you want, general. How can we surrender?"
Faced with Dian Wei's domineering reply, the generals in the city didn't agree. They only wanted a duel and were unwilling to bet on the outcome of the whole city.
"You are a smart person, but you are also a fool. You can look around the city and see that you are surrounded by my army in all directions. Moreover, we are several times more powerful than you. When the four city gates collapse, do you still have a way out? If you don't surrender, you'll only be slaughtered.
Now, I feel sorry for you. Regardless of whether you are an enemy or a friend, you are still a son, a husband, and a father. Today, I will leave you a way out. If you are willing to surrender, I can save your lives. If you are stubborn to the end, I can also make you suffer the pain of swords and spears … "
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