Gao Shun.
During the days of besieging Pingyuan, Yuan Tan had come to realize the prowess of this unknown figure.
Leaving aside everything else, just today.
His army had charged the city walls multiple times, seemingly on the verge of breaching the city, yet each time they were driven back by Gao Shun and his men.
"Kill!"
Gao Shun's cold voice echoed on the city wall, like a emotionless killing machine.
The movements of this troop were incredibly uniform, acting as one with every action.
Under the leadership of this troop, the surrounding Qingzhou Soldiers rallied their remaining courage, once again driving back the Yuan Army.
"Assault! Assault!"
The shouts of the Qingzhou Soldiers continuously echoed on the city wall.
"Attack again."
Yuan Tan looked at his retreating soldiers and turned to the messenger beside him, saying, "Order Yan Liang and Wen Chou to personally lead the troops!"
"Yes."
The messenger nodded and waved the command flag.
Upon seeing Yuan Tan's military order, Yan Liang and Wen Chou immediately began to organize their forces.
Pingyuan's city walls were high and deep, making it easy to defend but difficult to attack, but at the same time, it meant its walls were very wide, and the few hundred elite soldiers under Gao Shun's command simply could not cover them completely.
Now Pingyuan was on the verge of collapse; as long as they launched a full-scale attack, they would eventually find an opportunity.
Yan Liang and Wen Chou arranged their formation and attacked the city again.
"Kill!"
Gao Shun's cold voice gradually became hoarse.
After a day of battle, Gao Shun came to the back residence of the State Prefecture to see Zhang Ning, providing his routine report.
A moment later, Zhang Ning came to the main hall.
Gao Shun quickly saluted.
"Madam."
"General Gao Shun, there's no need for such formality."
Zhang Ning showed a slight smile on her face, "How is the situation in the city today?"
"I'm afraid it's not optimistic."
Gao Shun's eyes showed a hint of solemnity, "The Yuan Army's offensive is very fierce, and our soldiers are affected by the Lord's death, lacking the will to fight..."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Ning asked calmly, "How are the other two gates?"
It wasn't just Yuan Shao's army attacking Pingyuan.
Yuan Shao was in the east, Yuan Yi in the west, and Han Fu in the north; the other two factions were also attacking the city.
"According to Ziyi and Uncle Niujiao, they are still holding their ground," Gao Shun said.
"But they don't have any spare capacity to support the East Gate."
"As for the East Gate..."
Zhang Ning pondered, "General Gao Shun, how many more days do you think our army can hold out?"
Gao Shun silently calculated in his mind.
"Given the current morale of the army, we can probably only hold on for about seven to ten more days."
Zhang Ning asked again, "How much longer do our forces need to hold out before Yuan Shao's supplies run out and he retreats?"
When a large army moves, it costs a fortune daily.
Although she didn't know how to fight, having been with Zhang Xin for so long, she had somewhat absorbed some knowledge.
People need to eat.
Even tho Liu Dai had already withdrawn his troops at this time, there were still nearly a hundred thousand troops outside Pingyuan.
Such a large number of people consumed an astronomical amount of food every day.
Last year, Ji Province had just supplied food and fodder for over a hundred thousand allied troops, so it was likely that this year's provisions would not be abundant.
Gao Shun smiled bitterly upon hearing this.
Qing Province was managed by Zhang Xin to be extremely prosperous.
At this time, all the great clans in Qing Province had rebelled, and so many people were plundering the people's wealth and providing food and fodder for Yuan Shao's allied army; how could their supplies run out?
Looking at the hope in Zhang Ning's eyes, Gao Shun couldn't bear to tell her the truth and could only say, "Perhaps it will take another three months..."
He wasn't speaking nonsense.
The allied Lords had been besieging Pingyuan for nearly three months; the defending army inside the city was exhausted, and they were also very tired.
If they could hold on for another three months, they would most likely withdraw to rest and reorganize.
At that time, Pingyuan could finally catch its breath.
Even so, ten days and three months—the time difference was too great.
"Ten days, three months..."
Zhang Ning frowned slightly, "General Gao Shun, can you think of a way to hold out for another three months?"
"If the Lord were still alive, let alone three months, even three years, I would be confident in holding it, but..."
Gao Shun explained.
Under normal circumstances, a strong city like Pingyuan, with complete supplies and sufficient troops, could hold out for over a year even if there were a hundred thousand enemy troops outside.
But the problem was that all sixty-three other cities in Qing Province had asaluted.
"Mother."
"Polu."
Zhang Ning looked at him and explained the situation.
"Since you have inherited your father's Marquis Xuanwei title, are you willing to take on the responsibility of Marquis Xuanwei?"