Chapter 520: then translation of title

Perhaps not knowing how to express it, regarding Chen Wuji's explanation, Cheng Zhiheng and the three others didn't voice any opinion, merely they all had met Qin Feng and Li Run, these two superiors.

Regarding the decision to follow the old system, which clearly carried Rebel connotations, none of them raised any objection.

Perhaps when they shouted the word 'lord', they had already decided certain things in their hearts.

The two words 'lord' have nothing to do with office; they are purely personal loyalty.

After getting to know each other in a harmonious manner, Zhang Xun again spoke first, bringing the topic back to the tactics just discussed: 'Lord, I still don't quite agree with Qin Feng's proposal for a surprise attack!'

Even though he had just cordially shouted 'Qin brother', when it comes to governmental affairs, disagreement is disagreement.

Hezhou troops are good at swift raids, even better at night raids. Qin Feng said.

What I mean is, no matter what scheme Lu Ping'an is plotting, after confirming the enemy's marching route, we strike them before the forces meet! That way, no matter what plots and schemes Lu Ping'an has, he won't get a chance to carry them out.

Zhang Xun spoke up passionately to rebut: 'We clearly have better conditions; why would Qin Feng give them up? Whether it's first gaining Lu Ping'an's trust, waiting for an opportunity to seize the Lìng, or coordinating inside and outside with the San Guan Jun, it would be easier to win and also reduce our soldiers' casualties.'

Qin Feng nodded, 'What you say is indeed reasonable, but we are not certain of Lu Ping'an's true intent; if we don't scheme, they won't have a chance to scheme.'

As long as we confirm the marching route of Lu Ping'an's Bīngmǎ, we can devise many plans, whether it's to wait at ease for their effort or set an ambush; we have already seized the initiative.

'Yes!' Zhang Xun shouted fervently, 'But my meaning is, we still have better options.'

But what if Lu Ping'an also hides another purpose? Or perhaps his true aim is San Guan Jun, not Hezhou? Don't forget, although we have no deep grudge against Lu Ping'an, in his eyes the lord is also a thorn in the flesh, a splinter in the eye.

If Lu Ping'an intends to take Hezhou, why go through all this trouble? Does he think a direct assault won't work, wanting to lure our army out to fight?

How is that not possible?

……

Qin Feng and Zhang Xun each held their own opinions, neither yielding; as they argued, they drew closer and closer, seeming about to kiss.

Chen Wuji calmly drank his tea.

He likes this atmosphere of deliberation; look, everyone's imaginations have just burst open.

Chen Wuji not only didn't try to stop the argument, he even wanted to fan the flames, letting Cheng Zhiheng and Li Run and the three others join in as well.

Seeing Qin Feng and Zhang Xun's argument grow ever more heated, Cheng Zhiheng stepped forward and separated the two: 'Gentlemen, we're here to deliberate, why spit at each other's faces? I say we first settle San Guan Jun, then discuss Lu Ping'an.'

'First settle San Guan Jun?!' Qin Feng and Zhang Xun jerked their heads around, shouting in unison as they fixed their gaze on Cheng Zhiheng.

Cheng Zhiheng hurriedly explained: 'We just need to ascertain the situation of San Guan Jun, not attack it!'

If San Guan Jun shows no abnormality, the only problem we face next is how to deal with Lu Ping'an. With our current Bīngmǎ, retaining sufficient forces, we could actually take Qingzhou; there's no need to wrangle over how to swallow Lu Ping'an's Bīngmǎ.

Qin Feng and Zhang Xun exchanged a glance, then both lowered their heads and fell into thought.

'It... seems somewhat reasonable, what do you think?' Qin Feng stroked his chin and asked Zhang Xun.

Zhang Xun nodded, 'I also think Qingzhou's Bīngmǎ is only around ten thousand or so. Our forces can handle the detachment Lu Ping'an sent out; afterwards, whether we drive a wedge between tiger and wolf, or lure Lu Ping'an to send reinforcements, annihilate his effective strength, or even worse lay siege, we can secure Qingzhou.'

Once Qingzhou is settled, Lu Ping'an's remaining lackeys will be nothing to worry about. Guangyuan State is in chaos; Dingzhou... Dingzhou probably will require some effort, the Prefect of Dingzhou is loyal to the Court; his fierce resistance to Lu Ping'an likely means he won't surrender to our forces, perhaps requiring a battle.

Chen Wuji:???

Qin Feng shouted righteously: 'Lu Ping'an has rebelled, we haven't; Dingzhou isn't that hard to resolve, this needs no further thought.'

There is hope, but Qin Feng shouldn't be overconfident; the lord truly hasn't rebelled against the Court, but others might not see it that way.' Zhang Xun said, 'However, if Qingzhou is secured, the remaining states will pose little concern; among the Eleven Provinces of Nan Jun, only Dingzhou is a hard bone, the rest are wall-sitters who will surrender at the first sign of wind.'

What you're saying, where have you placed the lord?' Qin Feng asked.

Zhang Xun asked with a blank face: 'Isn't the lord always on equal footing with Lu Ping'an? In terms of Bīngmǎ we surpass Lu Ping'an; if we truly compare strength, the lord should be the foremost in Nan Jun.'

Chen Wuji: ……

Some people!

How could he have not noticed this before?

Are you discussing something that's gone a bit off track?' Chen Wuji asked.

This deliberation has reached a point where he can't not interrupt.

If he doesn't interrupt, these people will probably start discussing how to seize all of Nan Jun in this battle.

Although Hezhou currently indeed has the most troops raised in Nan Jun, that doesn't mean its strength is number one.

In the Eleven Provinces, who can guarantee that among those wall-sitters who surrender at the wind there aren't hidden poisonous insects and fierce beasts? If someone secretly conjures a fully armored force of five thousand, their strength would instantly surpass his; sometimes you can't judge solely by troop numbers.

Zhang Xun faced Chen Wuji squarely, clasped his hands and said in a low voice: 'Reporting to my lord, this subordinate now agrees with Qin Feng's plan: feign cooperation with Lu Ping'an to attack San Guan Jun, after clarifying the marching route of Lu Ping'an's Bīngmǎ, we will swiftly strike and break his vanguard, then launch a lightning-fast surprise attack on Qingzhou.'

'Wait!' Qin Feng hurriedly stopped him, 'Qingzhou can't use a swift raid tactic; what's the point of raiding a fortified city?'

'Then we'll rout the defeated troops and feign an opening of the city gate!' Zhang Xun said.

Qin Feng suddenly gave a sinister smile: 'No, that tactic is also a bit cliché and may not succeed. I just suddenly thought of a good plan that could decide Qingzhou in one battle.'

'Please elaborate!' Zhang Xun asked politely.

The two who had just been arguing heatedly suddenly became courteous.

Qin Feng hehe laughed: 'Siege, smash with the artillery cart!'

Zhang Xun blinked: 'Qin Feng, this idea isn't new either!'

'Smash the enemy's Head Trophy with the artillery cart! Don't pickle them with lime, just throw them back at them. If there aren't enough heads, we'll add severed limbs; within three days, Qingzhou City will surely fall!'

Everyone fell silent instantly.

Cheng Zhiheng even covered his mouth with one hand; he had already imagined that scene.

What kind of people are these? Indeed, they are Chen Wuji's old subordinates; this method is truly dirty.

After this bloody storm is thrown in, wouldn't the defenders on the city walls all go mad?