Zhang He set the tone: defense first. The other lieutenant generals knew they lacked the ability to challenge Huang Zhong and Zhao Yun, so they could only let the enemy below the city curse and taunt them.
As the sky gradually darkened, Huang Zhong and Zhao Yun saw that Zhang He truly would not take the bait, and led their horses back to the newly erected Weinan Camp.
"Why is Zhang He such a coward? Chencang has three times as many defenders as we do, yet he will not even talk back. With the deep ditches and high ramparts around Chencang, it seems we can only wait for the King's main force. I wonder how long a frontal assault will take to uproot this impregnable city." Huang Zhong had hoped for a swift victory, but Zhang He gave him no opportunity at all. It was like punching a fist into cotton.
Zhao Yun frowned as he analyzed the situation. "If we are to seize Guanzhong, we must take the fortress of Chencang. Only then can we ensure the grain route remains open, block Wei's river transport on the Wei River, and cut off the waterborne supply line of Cao Zhen's Longyou garrison. Even if we cannot take Chang'an in the end, we will still have a chance to coordinate with Yide and occupy Longyou. Then Deng Shizai can establish farming colonies on Long Mountain, shifting the entire front northward. After that, controlling the Yong-Liang Region will only be a matter of time."
"Zilong's analysis is sound enough, but this old man hopes we will not drag things out. Wei is presently being tied down by Sun Quan and General Guan in Huainan, Nanyang, and other places. We may never get an opportunity like this again. Ideally, just as the Chancellor