That's annoyingly clever, considering it was the AI's doing. To bad it can't be that clever in all aspects of the game.

I think I'd also divide and conquer here. Since you have no real use for 10000 troops in that province, just use your 16 best assault units for the castle storming, then send some harrassment forces to tackle the surrounding provinces. This also works well when you wish to take a province that can be reinforced immediately by many units. Just send some distractions to the surrounding threats as you take the main province. It always seems to shave off a few units, that would otherwise be defending against you.

p.s. can ninjas be used to unlock the gates in a castle seige? I just remembered that I've heard this from somewhere before, but haven't tested it since I rarely have need it.


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March swiftly to where you are least expected, and attack where your enemy must hasten to defend.