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Feng Quji returned, unaware of what everyone had been discussing. When he heard Xiao Yu'er calling him over, he couldn't help but grin. After figuring out the situation, he looked at the group of brothers waiting for an answer and asked, "Where did you hear this story? All Day is useless enough, but why is he just spouting nonsense?"
The younger brothers dared not admit that they had just heard it from the Governor, so they exchanged glances and urged Feng to quickly clarify the confusion. Li Xin glanced at the blushing Luzi and shushed everyone. Once the room was silent enough to hear a pin drop, he defended Lu County Magistrate.
"I said that because I read it in a book!"
Feng Quji looked at Li Xin, showing no intention of apologizing for his earlier bluntness. He nodded and said, "Actually, what Li Brother said isn't entirely wrong; there is some basis for this." After saying that, he took the Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey from Luzi's hands and pointed it out to everyone. "I have also heard this legend before, but from this, it's clear that the person who mentioned it must not be a local!"
After Feng Quji's detailed explanation as a local, everyone finally understood what was going on. It turned out that this legend originated from the Golden Snub-Nosed Monkeys living in Taihang Mountain.
Because their nostrils face upwards, people worry that rain will flood into their noses. So, some well-meaning person provided a reasonable explanation to those questioning it. These monkeys actually have a way to deal with rain leakage; their tails are forked, allowing them to block their noses with their tails when it rains.
After Feng Quji finished speaking, he looked at the enlightened crowd. "But it's just a joke! How could it be taken as truth!? Such irresponsible behavior—what do you think these monkeys feel about it?"
What was supposed to be a simple explanation ended up being criticized by Feng Quji. Luzi looked at his brothers and quickly intervened, "Alright! Alright! Everyone disperse! It's time to eat or sleep! We're in the middle of a battle! What kind of decorum is it to gather here discussing monkeys!?"
Sun Thirteen was too lazy to pay attention to certain people's expressions and urged everyone to leave this troublesome place. "Disperse! Disperse! If anyone thinks they're free, come out and help me wash my horse!"
Luzi took the Little Monkey from Feng Quji's hands and handed it to Xiao Yu'er. Watching its precious figure leave, he could only remind him, "We don't have anything to feed it here; if you see its mother coming for it, just return it!"
Feng Quji worried someone might hesitate and echoed Luzi's warning to Xiao Yu'er not to keep it against its will; such animals could hold grudges. If they took someone's Monkey Kid and didn't return it, they could forget about having peace here. There were more important matters at hand! They couldn't possibly chase after a troublesome troop of monkeys all over the mountains!
Luzi beckoned the anxious Feng Quji to sit down and then poured tea from the kettle on the fire. "Did you go inspect the position just now?"
Feng Quji was not polite, taking the tea bowl and drinking it all in one go. He set the bowl down and then lowered his head to arrange stones into a narrow model of a Fortification. After examining it again to confirm, he said:
"My lord! I just took a look around, and the engineering work is quite substantial! When Lian Po of Zhao State built the city, the defensive focus was on the south. If we are to use this stone Fortification to defend against enemies from the north, we need to add battlements on the northern side of Bastion City! However, there is also a problem: this Fortification was designed based on defending against threats from the south."
Historically, defensive stone walls have always been constructed with a design that includes battlements on one side but not on the other. This can be understood as having battlements facing outward while being solid inward. Such a construction method not only protects soldiers from fleeting arrows and flying stones but also allows them to fend off enemies using the gaps. Internally, there is clearly no need for such defenses since their own base lies behind them.
Whether building city walls or defensive walls, their functions are essentially the same. However, there is a prerequisite: both must be constructed according to reasonable terrain.
For example, if the defensive direction of this city wall is northward, then the designers must find suitable geographical locations to build the defensive wall in a precarious position. This precarious position refers specifically to the northern side of the defensive wall, which could be enhanced by hills or rivers.
At this moment, for enemies approaching from the north, this wall has significantly amplified the original terrain's dangers, and that was precisely why the original builders constructed the city based on the terrain.
Luzi looked down for a moment and soon understood what Feng Quji was trying to convey. When Lian Po built the Fortification back then, it was confirmed based on the direction of the mountains. This means that this Fortification's danger only pertains to the south. If he was correct, then the northern side of the Fortification could even be described as flat! If that were true, would it even make sense to add battlements on the northern side of the Fortification?
The purpose of Zhao Army constructing the Fortification was to defend against attacks from Qin Army coming from the south; for them, the north was their rear base! For the main force of Qin Army arriving later, their defensive focus would be on the north! A miscalculation in direction ultimately rendered the completed Fortification wall useless!
Thinking of this, Luzi clenched his fists tightly. One should always prepare for unforeseen circumstances to avoid falling into a passive position. Initially considering that there were existing defensive walls available but neglecting a critical issue proved fatal.
At this moment, rebuilding a city clearly would take too long; after all, Zhao Army would arrive here in just a few days. Not only would his small group be unable to complete such a massive project in time, but even the Tenth Legion arriving later would also find it impossible. Finding effective terrain for defending against threats from the north within just a few days would be challenging enough; let alone rebuilding an entire Fortification!
"Feng brother's appointment hasn't come through yet; let's temporarily assume you are Acting Centurion!" Luzi said before asking, "Has General Feng assessed the terrain? What are your thoughts?"
Feng Quji frowned and shook his head, indicating that it was already too late at this point. The terrain at West Rampart is lower in the south and higher in the north; defending against threats from the south is indeed a crucial stronghold. The East Wall's terrain is not much different either; it also follows a lower-south and higher-north construction pattern.
The terrain here presents an embarrassing situation for the defenders. The approaching Zhao Army only needs to stand on the mountaintop to observe the Qin Army's defenses on the fortification wall clearly. Even casually throwing down a few stones would cause casualties among the soldiers inside the fortification.
Moreover, considering that the Qin Tenth Legion, which was mobilized in haste, is marching quickly, they certainly do not have heavy siege equipment with them. Without large-scale offensive devices, the Qin Army can only be described as helpless against the Zhao Army positioned on the mountaintop.
"My lord! We should abandon this fortification and secure the mountaintop! As for dealing with the enemy, we can only resort to tactics suitable for open plains now!"
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