Preamble:
Sun Tzu said in the Art of War: "Siege is the bottom", which means that siege is the least cost-effective, once the siege is started, it means that the besieging side needs to pay a great price.
Since they knew that attacking the city would pay a heavy price, why didn't the ancients bypass the city?
There is no doubt about the wisdom of the ancients, and the act of wasting money and labor was a last resort, because the cost of bypassing the city was greater than that of a siege.
Why is that?
The city has always been a battleground for soldiers
The great wars in history basically revolved around the city.
Take Xuzhou as an example, this place is not simple, it is located at the junction of Jiangsu, Shandong, Henan, Anhui and Hebei provinces, and is close to the Yellow River and Huai River, which can be described as the hub of water and land transportation.
From ancient times to the present, many heroes and heroes want to occupy this treasure land.
Like in the late Eastern Han Dynasty, Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Lu Bu all fought here.
Let's talk about Xiangyang, in Jin Yong's novel, Guo Jing and Huang Rong guard Xiangyang.
This place is not only in Central China, but also a transportation fortress, and has always been a battleground for soldiers.
It seems that the generals of ancient times knew that in order to control the overall situation, they had to first control the traffic arteries.
The strategic significance of the city
Since the siege is so difficult, why not take a detour?
We know why most of the cities are built on the mountain, or simply the entrance to the city is built at a narrow pass, which can be called a one-man pass.
The significance of building a towering city wall is to give the defenders an environmental advantage.
Getting around sounds simple, but if you leave an unconquered city behind, the soldiers and horses of this city may "sneak attack" your rear at any time, which is called "entrapment" in military terms.
It's like a time bomb at your doorstep, do you dare to go out with peace of mind?
Moreover, the transmission of information in ancient times was slow, and once it was surrounded, it may not be possible to contact reinforcements for several months.
It's not modern times where a phone call and a message can be done.
In ancient times, communication basically relied on roars, or fireworks signals, and once surrounded by the enemy, it was really "a wolf in front and a tiger in the back".
Take the city, advance and retreat, and defend
Conquering a city is not only to win battles, but also to show the military talents of the generals.
Chen Qingzhi, who is famous in history, is a master of attacking cities and villages, and he led the troops through 47 battles and pacified 32 cities, including the famous pass Xingyang and Tiger Prison.
His military prowess was unattainable, but the limitations of the times made him less famous than those great generals.
In ancient times, wars were ostensibly fought to expand the territory, but in fact they were more for survival.
To control a city is to control local resources, including food, water, and strategic location.
That means that subsequent attacks can be more convenient, which is why the army will take cities at any cost.
Only with the city can the combat effectiveness continue to expand, just like the Maginot Line in France back then, there was not enough strategic depth, and the Germans made it impossible for the French to deal with it as soon as they made a detour.
Therefore, taking the city is indispensable for maintaining and expanding strategic advantages.
Although the siege suffered heavy losses, if successful, it meant that it could quickly replenish resources and provide the army with the necessary rest and restart.
This is also the reason why siege battles were extremely fierce and frequent in that era when gunpowder was not yet widespread.
Siege is the art of strategy
Siege is not just a part of warfare, it is a strategic art.
In the eyes of those veterans, every city is not just a wall, but a living strategic point.
Together, these points form a larger strategic map.
Ancient military commanders knew that controlling a city was equivalent to controlling the lifeblood of a piece of land.
This is why historical figures like Xiang Yu and Cao Cao, their war stories always revolve around the siege and defense of the city.
Every battle is a contest of strategic wisdom, and every victory is a certification of the general's ability.
We often hear stories of war, but rarely look at them from the perspective of the ordinary people who lived in these ancient cities.
For them, the city is not only a home, but also a protection.
When the banner of the enemy army appears on the horizon, the walls are their shelter. The city's daily life supply, water and transportation are all part of their daily lives.
When the city is besieged, life enters a state of tension.
Men, women and children in the city have to bear the effects of war, food shortages, water sources can be contaminated, and the inconveniences and fears of life affect everyone at all times.
Conquer the city and secure the future
Siege warfare in ancient times was not only for today's victory, but also to ensure security and development in the future.
This kind of long-term thinking can be seen in the strategic deployment before every siege. Whether through direct military action or through the construction of stronger fortifications, every decision is made to ensure that the people of the city can survive in the future.
Therefore, despite the huge cost of siege warfare, generals throughout history have chosen this method.
They know that only through direct conflict can they truly control and protect these cities, and ensure that their sphere of influence can be expanded and consolidated in the future.
Looking back at today, although modern warfare is very different from ancient siege warfare in form, the strategic thinking, resource control and geopolitical importance behind it remain the same.
In the various conflicts and wars in the world today, we can still see the shadow of conquering cities, although it is no longer a direct attack and defense of the city wall, but a geopolitical competition through more complex political and economic means.
In the end, the essence of war, both in the past and in the present, is still a struggle for resources, security, and influence.
The wars of every historical period have a profound impact on the structure of human society and the direction of future development.
Understanding these historical stories not only gives us a better understanding of the past, but also provides us with insight into the present and future conflicts.
Epilogue:
We can learn a lot by delving into ancient siege warfare and the strategic significance behind it.
Siege warfare throughout history tells us that every decision is not just a simple military choice, but also the result of a combination of cultural, political, and economic factors.
These historical experiences provide us with valuable knowledge to solve today's problems.
Whether it's in business decisions, international relations, or everyday life, we can learn from the wisdom of ancient people and learn to make smarter choices in the complex real world.
History is the best teacher, reminding us that no matter how technological progress may be, the basic driving force of human society, the struggle for survival and development, remains unchanged.
We're not just looking to the past, we're preparing for the future.
Just as those ancient generals looked for a way to win in every battle, we should also find a way forward in the complex environment of modern society, and keep moving forward without stopping.