Aware of the fatigue and wear that a prolonged siege could cause his troops, Li Wei devised a rotation defense system to keep the units guarding the walls fresh and alert at all times.
The infantry, with a total of 2,000 men assigned to the direct defense of the walls, was organized into four groups of 500 soldiers each. Each group would cover an 8-hour shift, ensuring the defense remained active 24 hours a day, without breaks that could give the enemy an advantage.
To prevent inexperience from creating weak points, Li Wei strategically mixed recruits and less experienced soldiers with battle-hardened veterans. This integration ensured the formation would not break under pressure and that the less experienced could learn and maintain high morale under the direct guidance of their more skilled comrades.
The unit of colossi, made up of 90 elite men with imposing stature and immense strength, was divided into three groups of 30 men each. Each group was assigned to one of the three guard shifts on the walls, guaranteeing that a brutally powerful force was always ready to repel any attempt at scaling or breaching.
The remaining 10 colossi formed a special unit of Li Wei's personal bodyguards, whose main mission was to defend and protect critical and potentially unstable points during the siege, such as secondary structures or urgent repairs on the walls. This unit operated with mobility and rapid response, moving wherever the defense might falter or where Li Wei required immediate support.
Meanwhile, the mounted units — elite heavy cavalry and mounted archers — were carefully reserved for subsequent actions, such as decisive counterattacks or ambushes in the enemy's field, preserving their strength for the moment when they could cause the greatest impact.
With this rotation system, a mix of experience, and specialized deployment, Li Wei ensured that the fortress defenses would not only withstand enemy pressure but also maintain high morale and optimal performance during the long and dangerous siege.