Richest Man: Divine-Grade Reconstruct System Chapter 987 - 947: Do You Understand the Art of Encirclement?

Regarding Leng Yu, no significant consideration was given by me. It was believed that such minor obstacles, these verbal victories, held no weight for Leng Yu.

Furthermore, Leng Yu’s actual combat prowess is exceptionally formidable.

Just as Minister Wu had suggested, Lin Yi felt a reassignment for Leng Yu might be more appropriate.

After all, despite Leng Yu's youth, she had been stationed at the frontier since childhood, participating in numerous campaigns. Thus, it could be asserted that her understanding of leading troops into war surpassed that of anyone else present.

Moreover, having been steeped in various military strategies from a young age, Leng Yu stood unmatched by anyone in the vicinity.

Not only the individuals present, but even within the Imperial Court, aside from the veteran generals, no one could measure up to Leng Yu.

And at this moment, it was evident that Lin Yi had no intention of interjecting.

His desire was to permit Leng Yu to personally refute these detractors, to personally make them feel convinced and utterly silenced.

As anticipated, upon hearing these pronouncements, Leng Yu offered a slight smile before turning the questioning back to Minister Wu:

"Ha, my understanding of siege and defensive warfare is naturally clear, particularly the tactics for besieging a city. Whether it spans a year or two, or even three to five years, it presents nothing novel.

However, to lay siege to a location, a prerequisite exists. Does Minister Wu comprehend what that is?"

Faced with this counter-inquiry from Leng Yu, Minister Wu was suddenly caught off guard.

Simultaneously, he studied Leng Yu, attempting to decipher the implication behind her question: was there truly a prerequisite for laying siege?

This exchange clearly exposed his lack of proficiency in military affairs, or perhaps, his complete absence from any battlefield.

His knowledge of siege techniques was, in essence, derived from hearsay or from the pages of books.

Consequently, he found himself uncertain how to formulate a response to Leng Yu's probing question.

Leng Yu, it seemed, was not inclined to grant him ample time for contemplation. Observing his inability to respond, she swiftly continued:

"The prerequisite for besieging a location is this: one must possess the capability to completely encircle it.

Alternatively, all avenues of retreat and supply lines must be severed. Another crucial factor is the scarcity of provisions within the city, the absence of granaries to sustain its populace.

Or, if one successfully raids the city's granary and sets it ablaze, then such a strategy becomes viable.

Absent these conditions, such a scenario would prove unattainable for the attacking force.

After all, no attacking general would foolishly opt to besiege a granary.

Indeed, to garrison a granary, whether for three or five years, or even an entire lifetime, offers no discernible path to eroding the enemy's resolve.

And let us not forget, offensive operations often entail deep penetrations into enemy territory, necessitating stringent management of supply lines.

Should your own provisions dwindle, the enemy could seize the opportune moment to launch a counteroffensive.

In reality, when your supply chain is compromised, the opposing force might initiate a breakout, counterattack, and potentially decimate your entire contingent.

This is precisely why Minister Wu earlier referenced those specific cities, known for their extensive granaries and abundant food supplies.

Might I inquire of Minister Wu, with adequate personnel, fortified cities, and ample sustenance, would the enemy choose a siege rather than direct engagement?

Would they elect to besiege us as their primary tactic?"

These pointed questions rendered Minister Wu utterly speechless, leaving him standing with his mouth agape, at a loss for words.

As Leng Yu had articulated, within those cities, provisions were plentiful, with a significant portion of the Capital City's sustenance originating from them.

Consequently, nearly half of the nation's food reserves were located there, leading to the question: who would realistically choose to lay siege?

If a siege were to be initiated, the roles of besieger and besieged would likely become indistinguishable.

Without exaggeration, after the passage of two years, the hypothetical enemy force might find themselves facing dire shortages, leading to widespread demoralization and a complete incapacitation of their fighting capability.

Meanwhile, our own forces, capitalizing on the favorable circumstances, could launch a decisive counterattack and achieve a complete annihilation of the enemy.

For a moment, Minister Wu found himself in an embarrassing predicament, entirely unsure how to proceed.

He desperately wished to counter Leng Yu's arguments but found no solid ground upon which to stand.

This was because every assertion Leng Yu had made was, in fact, indisputably true.

As a result, nearly every individual present felt a flush of embarrassment spread across their faces, recognizing the validity of Leng Yu's correct statements; those cities would not be subjected to a siege.

Although Minister Wu acknowledged the correctness of Leng Yu's points, he was unwilling to outwardly concede.

He felt compelled to continue the debate, fearing that any hasty retreat would inevitably diminish his standing.

He had no desire for the Crown Prince to harbor doubts regarding his competence.

Therefore, he obstinately persisted, stiff-necked, in his rebuttal of Leng Yu's position:

"While General Leng speaks with accuracy, we cannot definitively assert that all such maneuvers are mere feints.

Is it conceivable that they would undertake extensive travel solely for the purpose of a feigned attack?

How could such a thing be plausible? And the notion of assaulting our Capital City, is that not entirely nonsensical? What is General Leng's response to this assertion?"

His words, delivered with a distinct lack of conviction, seemed to undermine his own previous claims, presenting as a forced and contrived argument.

Lin Yi's smile widened, keenly anticipating witnessing how Leng Yu would dismantle these seasoned officials.

Despite having elevated them to their current positions, he harbored doubts regarding their ultimate loyalty.

Furthermore, their inherent capabilities were found wanting, prompting Lin Yi's resolve to cultivate his own cadre, with the ultimate aim of supplanting them.

For the current moment, Lin Yi had only employed them as a provisional measure to uphold the stability of the court.

Consequently, regarding Lin Yi

[To be continued...]