Lu Zhi shook his head: "The losses from the siege were too great, and I fear I cannot explain them to His Majesty. I intend to lure the enemy out!"

"Luring the snake out of its hole?"

The generals were taken aback and looked at Lu Zhi with some confusion.

Lu Zhi did not explain, but instead looked at one of the Imperial Guards in charge of the Hejian Army.

"You may lead the Hejian army, cover your armor with plain clothes, display the rebel flag, set up camp thirty miles south of Xindu, and spread out many flags to make it appear as if you have a large force!"

"promise!!"

Although he didn't understand the meaning behind this, the imperial guard didn't ask any further questions and simply accepted the order and left.

Lu Zhi then looked at the scout captain and said, "Immediately withdraw our scouts and let the rebel scouts come over!"

"promise!!"

"The rest of the generals shall each lead their own troops, break camp and set up camp, and retreat ten miles!"

"Furthermore, except for Liu Kui and Lu Qing, all the families of the other scholars and powerful clans shall be expelled from the camp!!"

"promise!!"

As Lu Zhi issued one military order after another, the entire army began to move quickly.

Not long after Lu Zhi's army withdrew its scouts, a messenger arrived south of Xindu City.

The rebel soldiers guarding the south side of the city immediately shouted, "Who comes down from the city?"

The messenger shouted, "I am a messenger under Chief Zheng Hun, and I have a message for the King of Bohai: let me into the city immediately!"

"Lower the basket! Pull him up!"

Upon hearing that it was Zheng Hun's messenger, the rebels dared not neglect him and subsequently used a basket to pull him up to the top of the city wall.

A minor leader of the rebels looked at the messenger: "Since you claim to be Zheng Hun's subordinate, what proof do you have?"

"A letter from the chieftain is here!"

As they spoke, the messenger handed a letter to the recipient.

Upon seeing the signature and seal on the letter, the rebel leader had no doubts and immediately led the messenger down from the city wall.

Liu Kui, Lu Qing, and others sat in the government office with worried expressions.

Liu Kui looked at everyone and asked, "Has there been any news from Yanzhou and Qingzhou yet?"

The imposter Lu Qing shook his head: "Your Majesty, Lu Zhi's scouts are truly formidable. Not only have they lost contact with Yanzhou and Qingzhou, but they've even cut off communication with Wei Commandery and Julu!"

"Report!! Your Majesty, a message has arrived from Zheng Hun, the leader of Qingzhou!"