Zhang Shen’s assessment of Kalovte City was only a preliminary judgment. On the surface, the western defenses appeared weaker, but in reality, a second assessment would be required once the siege actually commenced, based on the strength of the enemy’s final defensive stance.
At five o’clock in the afternoon, Zhang Shen led twenty thousand troops to form a siege formation outside the west gate of Kalovte City. Although Zhang Shen had decided to commit to an all-out assault, his force of twenty thousand—even with the advantage of artillery—was slightly undermanned.
Consequently, Zhang Shen decided to concentrate the majority of his manpower on the western gate. Since ancient times, sieges were conducted either by encircling all four sides or by "besieging three sides and leaving one open" to demoralize the defenders, encouraging them to abandon the city rather than fight to the death.
Chapter 180