Chapter 521: What the hell are these people?

Cheng Zhiheng slandered Chen Wuji as cold-hearted and merciless, his hand is cruel.

But he didn't know that the target of his slander was also a bit dazed at the moment.

When Qin Feng unleashed this poisonous scheme, Chen Wuji was stunned for half a day.

Using heads as weapons—does that even work?

Xu Zengyi's reputation as a poisonist can pretty much be handed over to Qin Feng now.

Qin Feng, upon showing his talent, proposed such a poisonous scheme; Chen Wuji genuinely felt Xu Zengyi was still somewhat conservative, and the word "poison" was no longer fitting for him.

Just as everyone remained silent, Zhang Xun suddenly exclaimed loudly, "This plan is good, truly good!"

Everyone: ……

Before anyone could recover, Zhang Xun unleashed another big move: "Lord Qin, I have a modest suggestion—we can actually place the heads at the back, first toss some grain wrapped in cloth; these thrown at the city walls will surely be snatched up, throwing them into chaos."

"Then, wrap hands, feet, heads and such in cloth; after the defenders on the wall have just snatched the grain, they will surely rush up again. When they are full of eager anticipation, only to open the bundles and find not grain but these bits, their panic will spread to the utmost."

Everyone: ……

Chen Wuji silently covered his face, suddenly feeling somewhat powerless.

He always thought he was a good person, yet why do his subordinates keep producing such exhausting individuals?

Qin Feng used to be merely frivolous and boastful, and Zhang Xun didn't seem like someone without any scruples.

But whenever they talk tactics, how does it end up like this?

Where exactly is the problem?

But having said that, Chen Wuji wholeheartedly approves of the tactic they proposed.

What mercy toward the enemy?

Naturally, use whatever move is the cruelest.

Moreover, this also helps with later reorganization of prisoners.

Make them fear from the heart, and there won't be any of those demands—if they aren't met, they won't complain.

Li Run held back for a while, then couldn't help saying, "Gentlemen, isn't this tactic a bit too insidious?"

"On the battlefield, it's all about life and death—why talk about insidiousness? Their deaths are preferable to ours." Qin Feng said.

"We are to attack Qingzhou City, the prefectural seat of Nan Jun, the largest and strongest city in all of Nan Jun. If we don't use special means and rely solely on our soldiers to storm it, do you know how many would die?"

"I speak without exaggeration: to take Qingzhou City by force, our army would need to besiege it for months, losing perhaps several thousand troops—this is a siege, not a field battle."

Li Run fell silent for a moment, nodded, and said, "In that case, I actually have a small suggestion."

"Why not mix some Shocking Heaven Thunder among the severed limbs? It's our army's best siege weapon right now—why not make use of it? When they open the bundles mixed with Shocking Heaven Thunder, boom… that scene would truly deserve to be called a river of blood."

Chen Wuji:???

Cheng Zhiheng, Xu Zhang:!!!

Li Run being able to say such a thing truly shocked Chen Wuji to the extreme.

As for Cheng Zhiheng and Xu Zhang, they were now utterly confused.

The two stared at each other, watching Qin Feng and his companions wildly unleash Dark Wisdom; their minds were like a tornado had swept through, morals and integrity reduced to dust.

Cheng Zhiheng quickly reacted, realizing he needed to keep up with their thinking, also voice his opinion, and keep the main force's pace—at this point it wouldn't do to be a lone wolf.

But……

He racked his brains, but still couldn't come up with a more advanced tactic.

These three have already taken this insidious poisonous tactic to the extreme.

"My lord, how does this plan look?" Qin Feng asked with a smile.

Chen Wuji firmly pinched his twitching eyelid, nodded, and said, "The tactic is indeed a good one; Lords Cheng and Xu, do you have any other opinions?"

Cheng Zhiheng held back for a while, still couldn't think of a better idea, so he rose and said, "Your three lords' tactic has seized heaven, earth, and harmony; as a subordinate, I have no objections."

Xu Zhang then rose, "As a subordinate, I concur."

While speaking, this scholar who had just entered Hezhou's supreme decision-making authority resolved that upon returning he would surely study those ancient crafty tactics thoroughly.

He suddenly realized that Chen Wuji seemed truly the most powerful warlord in all of Hezhou, and that Chen Wuji could also be called a good official who serves the country and people, cares for his subordinates—worthy of him shouting "my lord" and genuinely pledging allegiance.

Having pledged allegiance, he ought to devote himself to what his lord likes—doing concrete work.

Such obscure, unchivalrous tactics need more study; at the very least he must surpass those few standing before him, only then can he rank among the forefront.

Chen Wuji never expected this discussion to develop to such an extent.

Everyone's performance genuinely gave him a small startle.

"Since you have no further opinions, let's tentatively set the plan for Qingzhou's campaign like this." Chen Wuji hammered it down, then said, "Next, let's have some tea and chat casually."

"My lord, I heard that the envoy Lu Ping'an sent this time seems to be a woman?" Cheng Zhiheng suddenly asked, noting when the Qingzhou envoy arrived, he happened to see it at the front office.

Chen Wuji nodded.

"My lord, Lu Ping'an sending a woman as an envoy seems to look down on you!" Cheng Zhiheng exclaimed indignantly, "Why not use this as an excuse to demand more grain and money from Lu Ping'an? After all, he's the one begging you—getting a few extra benefits is hardly excessive."

"Lu Ping'an this fellow obviously came begging in person, yet only brought a thousand carts of supplies—rather petty, really; five hundred carts of grain and cloth—what can that even do?"

Chen Wuji suddenly noticed something.

Everyone present really isn't a good person.

The way they think about things is simply one more cunning than the next.

Compared to those old foxes, Xu Zhang the hermit who reads only sage books is purer still—no wonder they hide in troubled times.

Xu Zhang shot up, "My lord, Lord Cheng considers things thoroughly; sending envoys has always been second only to sacrifices. Lu Ping'an sending a woman truly looks down on you, even bordering on insulting your lordship!"

"As a subordinate, I beg my lord to send this envoy's head back to Lu Ping'an and demand an explanation! For someone seeking aid to dare treat their lord with such frivolity is truly bullying."

He spoke urgently and quickly.

That indignant demeanor made it seem as if he instantly empathized completely with Chen Wuji—as if the offended party weren't Chen Wuji but himself.