LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 441 Attack the City_1
When Lu Chen heard Du Yongyuan's response from the soldier who delivered the message, he was not surprised at all.
In ancient times, the family of a military general was no different from hostages; if the general betrayed his cause, he would certainly end up with his entire clan being implicated and punished.
Of course, there were those cold-blooded enough to choose to surrender to the enemy without any regard for their family's life or death, all for the sake of their own survival and future.
If Du Yongyuan were such a person, even if he truly surrendered, Lu Chen would not dare to use him, and might even eliminate Du Yongyuan in the end.
Instead, Du Yongyuan's initial refusal made Lu Chen feel that he still possessed some humanity, and such a person was worth persuading to defect.
If Du Yongyuan was only concerned about himself and extremely cold-blooded, such a person could not be controlled in the future.
The next morning.
After getting up, Lu Chen gathered the military generals for a brief military meeting.
When the generals heard that the Prince had summoned them, they thought that Lu Chen was ready to attack Ziyang City and were very excited. But when they arrived at Lu Chen's study, they discovered he had other plans.
At this moment, Lu Chen glanced at the generals around the sand table and then said, "Yesterday, I sent a letter urging the commander of Ziyang City to surrender. He refused."
Upon hearing this, one of the generals spoke up, "Such ignorance to defy the Prince's persuasion to surrender. Prince, why don't we deploy our troops and attack Ziyang City now?"
At this moment, everyone's gaze fell upon Lu Chen, awaiting his response.
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Lu Chen said indifferently, "We are for certain to deploy troops, but not for a real fight."
This...
Everyone was momentarily stunned.
Not for a real fight?
Is there such a thing as a feigned attack in warfare?
Lu Chen continued, "The soldiers of Ziyang City are all from Great Sum, and you are as well. As the Prince of Great Sum, I naturally do not wish to see our people slaughtering each other."
Xuanyuan Chen of course understood Lu Chen's meaning. He wanted to show his merciful side to win over the hearts of the people.
However...
Xuanyuan Chen immediately said, "My Lord, I understand your intention, but the commander of Ziyang City has already rejected the surrender. If we don't truly attack, how can we seize Ziyang City and continue southward to eliminate Qi Country?"
Lu Chen said indifferently, "That's simple."
"Later, send someone to the front of Ziyang City to remind their soldiers to stay away from the North City wall; we will attack at noon."
Hearing this, the military generals were somewhat puzzled. Warning the enemy before attacking? What kind of tactic was this?
Lu Chen continued, "At noon, have the artillery troops bombard the North City wall of Ziyang City until it collapses. After the wall falls, cease the assault immediately."
Xuanyuan Chen had an epiphany, grasping Lu Chen's plan once more; he intended to use the power of the cannons to intimidate the soldiers of Great Sum.
As long as they witnessed the might of the cannons, soldiers from the North Country would inevitably falter.
Xuanyuan Chen said, "I understand now. I will arrange for someone to remind the garrison of Ziyang City immediately."
They set into action at once.
Before long,
outside Ziyang City, a troop of the Northern Army appeared, holding some strange objects in their hands.
On seeing the Northern Army's cavalry, the soldiers of Great Sum quickly notified Du Yongyuan, who immediately climbed to the top of the city walls, ordering the soldiers to prepare for battle.
However, at that moment, Du Yongyuan noticed that only a few hundred cavalrymen from the North Country had come, which didn't seem like a setup for an assault; moreover, they were holding some strange objects in their hands.
Just then, a Northern Army soldier, using a makeshift horn, loudly exclaimed, "At noon today, the Northern Army will attack the North City. Out of respect that you are all citizens of Great Sum, our Lord has specially sent us to remind you to distance yourselves from the North City gate by noon or face the consequences!"
Hearing the proclamation of the North Country soldier, Du Yongyuan was stunned.
The North Prince was giving them a heads-up before attacking Ziyang City?
Could it really be such a display of martial integrity?
Could it be that the North Prince had not yet given up on persuading him to surrender, deliberately sending the notice in advance to exert the final pressure on him?
If he did not surrender by noon, the North Country's army might truly attack.
While Du Yongyuan was mulling over this, the Northern Army soldier shouted again, "The weapons we use are far beyond the resistance of your flesh. Retreat from the North City wall before noon, or face the consequences."
At that moment, the Northern cavalry dispersed, revealing strange, arrowless shafts to which they attached leaflets, and began shooting them incessantly at the city walls.
Seeing this scene, the soldiers of Great Sum thought that the Northern Army soldiers were already attacking.
Just then, an arrow flew straight towards Du Yongyuan, and a soldier quickly warned him, "General, be careful!"
Unflustered, Du Yongyuan raised his hand and caught the arrowless shaft, then took the leaflet attached to it and began to read carefully.
The leaflet's message was simple, much like the Northern Army soldier's shouted warning – it instructed them to stay away from the city wall by noon when the North Country would attack.
Then Du Yongyuan reassured them, "Don't panic, the North Country hasn't attacked yet."
At this time, a deputy general also caught an arrow, glanced at the leaflet, then scoffed and said, "Ridiculous, the North Country is about to attack and they tell us not to defend the city. Do they expect us to just watch them invade?"