Zhang Liao, standing to the side, was also looking down carefully, while Dian Wei sat upright with his arms crossed, staring blankly at the firelight.
Just then, the tent flap was lifted, and a gust of wind blew into the tent, causing the candlelight to flicker slightly. Dian Wei turned his head and saw Zhi Xiong's smiling face.
"So happy? What's the good news? Let me share in your joy," Dian Wei said, peeking out.
Zhi Xiong nodded slightly to Dian Wei, then looked at Qin Ze and smiled:
"My lord, Zhang Lu and Liu Bao, who went to investigate, have reported that Zhucheng fell without a fight, and Commander Li Hai fled with his troops early this morning!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Qin Ze looked away from the geomantic map, while Zhang Liao began to put it away.
Dian Wei scratched his head, then burst into laughter:
"That scoundrel! He ran away before we even fought?! Haha!"
"Seriously... these past few days of fighting have been filled with battles, not a single one of them has been pleasant!"
"They either crumble at the first blow or abandon their armor and weapons. Now look what's happened, they've already run away before the fight even started, abandoning the city!"
"It wasn't this easy when we fought Huma and Tuyuan back then."
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Liao walked over, patted Dian Wei on the shoulder, and said with a smile, "Isn't this a good thing?"
“Who would want things to get harder and harder to fight? That means there’s something wrong here, right?” Zhang Liao smiled and pointed to his head.
Dian Wei smiled and nodded, but soon he was stunned, and his face turned red.
"Are you mocking me?!" Dian Wei glared at Zhang Liao.
Zhang Liao laughed and took a step back, spreading his hands and saying, "How could that be? You're overthinking things again."
"Although I didn't experience the battle between Huma and Tuyuan, attacking those cities these past few days was indeed a piece of cake, and that's no exaggeration."
“You have been incredibly brave these past few days. Even the generals would run away when they see you. The commander of Zhucheng is a coward, which is why he took precautions and fled with his men early on.”
Upon hearing this, Dian Wei's expression softened, and the corners of his mouth turned up on his raised face.
Just then, Qin Ze stroked his chin and said in a deep voice:
"Don't be too happy yet."
“I know this place very well. The more barren the land, the more lax the city defenses and the fewer troops there are.”
"And the closer the cities are to the capital, the tighter their defenses and the more troops they have."
"Back then, Huang Long had a million Panlong Army soldiers under his command, but after his death, those troops were all put under the command of Jin Jianren, not to mention the original military strength of the Jin family."
"We have captured several cities, but to be honest, they are just some small cities."
After he finished speaking, the three people in the tent all composed themselves.
Qin Ze continued, "But since the Zhucheng garrison has withdrawn, that's a good thing, as it saves us some time."
"Tomorrow morning, we will go to Zhucheng, and then head south to Anyang County."
At this point, Qin Ze narrowed his eyes and said coldly:
"When I first came to Beiliang, I passed through Anyang County. It was different from other places; it could be said to be the first major town outside Beiliang."
"The city was divided into an inner city and an outer city. Behind the outer city was a moat more than ten meters wide. Outside the moat were barbicans, watchtowers, and multiple checkpoints, making the defenses quite tight."
"It will take some effort to take this place."
Upon hearing Qin Ze's words, Zhang Liao frowned and said, "That would require a considerable number of troops, as well as siege equipment."
Qin Ze nodded. "That's right, but there is another way besides that."
"What method?" Dian Wei hurriedly stood up and asked, leaning forward.
Qin Ze's gaze was calm, his eyes deep and unfathomable.
"Persuade them to surrender."
"If they surrender voluntarily, allowing us to enter the city directly, we can do so without losing a single soldier."
After saying this, Zhang Liao raised an eyebrow and said with a wry smile, "Is that possible?"
Qin Ze smiled and shook his head. "I recognize Lian Xiaoru. This man... hehe, he won't surrender."
Dian Wei clapped his hands: "If they won't surrender, then let's fight!"
Qin Ze nodded, "That's natural, but we still need to send in a letter of surrender."
The three of them looked at Qin Ze simultaneously, their faces full of doubt.
Dian Wei scratched his head, looking at Qin Ze in surprise, and said:
"Then wouldn't this attempt to persuade them to surrender be completely pointless?"
Qin Ze smiled and said calmly:
"How could it be meaningless?"
“I want him to bear the lives of all the people in the city on his shoulders. If he doesn’t open the city gates, he will be plunging all the people into the flames of war.”
"Then I will launch a strong attack and kill all of Lian Xiaoru's men! After taking Nanyang County, I will not disturb the people. The people of Nanyang County will naturally submit, at least knowing that I am not a tyrannical person and that I have given them a chance."
"And what about Lian Xiaoru? He refused to surrender, leaving the people to suffer, and he couldn't even hold the city."
"He was naturally disgraced and ruined."
As soon as the words were spoken, the three of them suddenly realized.
But soon, Zhang Liao added, "If he opens the city gates, that would be for the best."
Upon hearing this, Qin Ze shook his head, his face expressionless, and calmly said:
"He won't."
“Eight years ago, my father expelled him from the Chiyan Army, and I already knew what kind of person he was.”
"It would be best if this hypocrite were to be utterly disgraced and then die."
Zhang Liao nodded and added, "We must not only kill people, but also destroy their spirit!"
Qin Ze hummed in agreement, then continued:
"And once Anyang County is captured, the Jin family will probably be unable to sit still any longer."
"Putting everything else aside, this massive drain on the national treasury is likely to empty it."
Dian Wei's eyes lit up. "Anyang County is extremely wealthy?"
Qin Ze nodded slightly, stroking his chin, and said, "Rich as oil."
“That’s Jin Fengluan’s treasury outside.”
"When I left Beiliang, I heard that she was repairing the palace. This time, I'm afraid she'll have to take it slow."
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Liao couldn't help but laugh.
Dian Wei's expression changed, his brows furrowed, and he looked at him with a serious expression, saying:
"Arrogance leads to defeat; it's best to tone it down."
"It's not too late to laugh heartily after we win."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Liao's laughter abruptly stopped, and he stared at Dian Wei in astonishment.
Dian Wei, hands on his hips, said, "That's exactly what Bai Qi told me!"
Zhang Liao chuckled to himself.
Qin Ze nodded and gave him an approving look.
After a while, Qin Ze rubbed his eyelids.
Let's leave early tomorrow.
"Let's call it a day and get some rest."
After everyone left, Qin Ze extinguished the candle and lay down on the mattress to quietly ponder:
“Anyang County is heavily fortified. A cavalry charge would be unwise. We need to exchange for a strong infantry force and equipment.”
"We'll have to decide which branch of the military to choose..."
"Hmm, I have quite a few points."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
