When the Qi Ji brothers were plotting against Xiang Kang behind their backs, the main force of the Young Marshal's Army, under the leadership of Xiang Kang, took the initiative to give up Ye County and head south to Yangcheng City. However, on the issue of whether to attack Yangcheng, two completely different voices appeared within the Young Marshal's Army.

Including Uncle Zhou, who reassured Xiang Kang the most in military affairs, all the important generals of the Young Marshal Army advocated attacking Yangcheng. The reason was very simple. Yangcheng had not been affected by the war. The city had sufficient money and food and materials. After taking it down, it would definitely be a big harvest. Moreover, Nanyang was vast and sparsely populated, and it was difficult to raise and replenish supplies. Of course, the precious grain in Yangcheng City could not be easily given up. Li Shiqi, who was familiar with military affairs among the Young Marshal Army's civil servants, also agreed with this move.

Logically speaking, since the important generals of the Young Marshal's Army unanimously agreed to attack Yangcheng, even if Chen Ping opposed it, it would definitely not play any role. However, one person stood opposite to the Young Marshal's Army generals and firmly opposed the attack Yangcheng. None of the Young Marshal's Army generals and Xiang Kang dared to ignore his opinions! Because this person is not someone else, he is Zhou Zeng, the oldest accomplice around Xiang Kang, and is also the old boss of the Young Marshal's Army generals, so naturally no one will easily refute his words.

"The Right General, the lower officials do not know much about military affairs. Logically speaking, it should not be randomly interfering at this time to wipe out everyone's excitement, but the lower officials still want to say that we should not attack Yangcheng, we should bypass Yangcheng and go south to Wancheng."

Zhou once opposed this and said: "Although Nanyang County was once a land of Chu, after being ruled by the tyrannical Qin for nearly a hundred years, the people of Nanyang have regarded themselves as Qin people and are full of hostility towards the Chu people. Therefore, when we attacked Guan County and Ye County, we were all stubbornly resisted by the soldiers and civilians in the city. Although we eventually took down the city, our casualties were quite large. If we continue to attack Yang City, it will definitely be the only result. Even if we break the city, we will have to pay a certain price."

"Since that's the case, we should no longer waste our troops and time to attack Yangcheng. We should go directly to attack Wancheng, because Wancheng is the capital of Nanyang County. Taking Wancheng is equivalent to controlling the command center of Nanyang County. Then we will provide benevolent policies in Wancheng, win the hearts of the people, and then use the surrendered Wancheng officials to contact the counties of Nanyang to let all parts of Nanyang know our strict military discipline and not violate the common people. This will definitely alleviate the hostility of the Nanyang military and civilians towards us. It will not only help us seize the remaining Nanyang City, but may even directly surrender and allow some Nanyang City to take the initiative to open the city to surrender."

Speaking of this, Zhou Zeng added, saying: "But if we forcefully seize the Nanyang city one by one, the situation will definitely be completely different. If we attack the city one by one, it will definitely be a heavy casualty. Naturally, not to mention that they have killed too many Nanyang soldiers and civilians in the war, their parents, wives and children will definitely hate us to the core, which is extremely unfavorable for us to buy the hearts of the people, and may also affect our strategic plan to enter Guanzhong from Wuguan, resulting in more tenacious resistance when we attacked the cities in Guanzhong."

Zhou Zeng, who is good at civil affairs, rarely made a statement in the military. It makes sense. Xiang Kang naturally had to consider his views carefully. After considering a lot of time, Xiang Kang said to the young generals: "Dear generals, you have heard what Uncle Ya said. I think he said it very well. You should shoot the horse first when shooting people, and capture the king first when capturing the thief. Although we have been strictly restraining the soldiers along the way and strictly prohibiting burning, killing and looting, the effect is not very good. The Nanyang military and civilians who think they are Qin people are still very resistant to us. As for the reason, I think it should be related to the benevolent government we donate. If we take down Wancheng first, take advantage of Wancheng as the central advantage of Nanyang County, and publicize our benevolent government to various places in Nanyang, I think the situation will definitely change. What do you think?"

Xiang Kang said this, of course, the young generals of the young generals nodded one after another. Ding Ji, who had previously shouted that he would be the vanguard of the siege, also said: "Right General, since you and Uncle Ya think that you should bypass Yangcheng and attack Wancheng first, then let's go and attack Wancheng first. Anyway, the tyrant Qin army in Nanyang has retreated to Wancheng, and it will be easier for us to attack other cities, at least we don't have to worry about the threat of the tyrant Qin army behind it."

Xiang Kang nodded with satisfaction and immediately ordered the Young Marshal's Army, who had not yet established a battalion, to continue moving forward and go south by bypassing Yangcheng. At the same time, he reiterated the military discipline again and strictly prohibited the Young Marshal's Army from plundering people's wealth and infringing on the people. The result is not bad. Seeing the Young Marshal's Army passing by and not even touching ordinary houses outside the city, the Yangcheng army and the people were relieved, and were also amazed at the Young Marshal's Army's strict military discipline, and were no longer full of fear and hatred for the Young Marshal's Army.

On the way south, Qi Feng, the envoy sent by Qi Ji, also contacted the Young Marshal's army. In view of being both anti-Qin Yishi, Xiang Kang also gave up his identity and personally met Qi Feng, a brother of Qi Ji, who was the same clan. However, when Qi Feng, a representative of Qi Ji, made a shameless request to join forces with the Young Marshal's army to attack Nanyang City, Xiang Kang flatly rejected Qi Ji's request and said directly: "This general led his army to Nanyang to rescue the thousands of Nanyang civil servants who were poisoned by the tyrant Qin, not to rob the house and loot the city. If your army is willing to join our Chu army and accept our incorporation, we will welcome you with both hands. This general can also guarantee that he will not treat Qi Duwei unfairly, but if he joins the army to attack the city, I am not the kind of bandit who share the spoils with others."

"The Right General is indeed very kind and righteous, but his brother hopes to join forces with you to attack the city, and he does not want to poison Nanyang's fellow villagers. He really wants to help you kill the tyrant Qin and revive the Chu State."

Qi Feng was quite good at speaking. He first followed Xiang Kang's meaning and said with a striking remark: "You are strong in your army, maybe you don't need the army of your younger brother to help you attack the city, but since ancient times, those who have gained power have many help. Our Qi family is a wealthy family in Nanyang. They have deep roots in Nanyang, have deep connections, and are familiar with the customs, folk customs, and geographical paths. If the Right General can agree to join forces with us, our army will definitely be able to help you. You are from afar, don't you want a local volunteer army from Nanyang to serve as a guide for you to persuade the soldiers and civilians in various parts of Nanyang to surrender voluntarily?"

If he could get the support of a local big family like Qi Ji, it would be much easier for the young commander army to bribe the people of Nanyang again. However, Xiang Kang had already suffered enough of joining forces with others, and he was even more reluctant to see the two sects in his army again. Therefore, Xiang Kang still flatly rejected Qi Feng's persuasion and emphasized again that he only wanted to recruit Qi Ji's troops, but not join forces with Qi Ji's army. Qi Feng repeatedly persuaded him was useless, so he had to return to Li County in shame to report to Qi Ji.

A few days later, the Young Commander's army, carrying a large amount of food and grass, arrived at the city of Nanyang successfully. What made Xiang Kang frown was that the Nanyang County Magistrate Lu Qi learned from the previous field lessons and actually gave up the Baihe Ferry Crossing and retreated all the troops back to the city to station. He did not establish any camp outside the city and used all his strength to defend the city. At the same time, the Young Commander's army also sent a detailed report, saying that the number of Qin troops in Wancheng City was at least 16,000, and the troops were quite strong, so it was definitely more than enough to defend the city.

No matter how much he frowned, it was useless. Although it was extremely difficult to attack the city, Xiang Kang still asked the young commander's army to cross the Baihe River that day and arranged the camp on the bank of the Baihe River eight miles outside the north gate of Wancheng. During this period, he led the important civil and military officials such as Zhou and Chen Ping to personally come to the city under the protection of a team of cavalry to investigate the defense of Nanyang City on site and think about strategies to break the city.

The results of on-site exploration made Xiang Kang even more frown. As the capital of Nanyang County, Wancheng's wall was taller and thicker than ordinary county towns. Not to mention, the moat also introduced the living water of the Baihe River, which was extremely difficult to pass. In addition, the Qin army also repaired a sheep and horse wall between the moat and the city wall, which could cover the soldiers and soldiers to shoot arrows out of the city, so that the young generals' soldiers had to pay a heavy price to fill the moat and open the road to advance. So Xiang Kang also quickly concluded and said: "It will definitely be difficult to attack south by force. It can only be to find a way to get out of the city. At least we have to lure the tyrannical Qin army out of the city first and hurt them outside the city. Then we have the hope of succeeding the strong attack."

Uncle Zhou and Chen Ping nodded together, and racked their brains with Xiang Kang to figure out how to use despicable means to take advantage of tricks to capture Wancheng. At this time, Han Situ Zhang Liang, who lived in the Young Marshal's military camp as a guest, also brought two entourages to the city of Nanyang to explore the enemy situation. After seeing Xiang Kang being outside the city, Zhang Liang took the initiative to salute and greet him. Xiang Kang waved his hand to stop and smiled: "Uncle, don't have to be too polite. You are not my subordinate, and you are a friend of life and death with my third uncle, so there is no need to make so many false rites."

"The Right General has not changed at all, and he still doesn't like red tape." Zhang Liang smiled gently and asked, "The Right General is here in person, I wonder if he can find any city defense flaws?"

"It would be great if it was so easy to find the city defense flaws." Xiang Kang smiled and asked back, "Uncle, I wonder what you have to do with your superiority about our army's attack on Wancheng?"

"The right general is like a god and has a great wisdom. How dare the foreign minister show off in front of you?" Zhang Liang said modestly, then said: "However, the foreign minister has a little immature foolish opinion about this battle, but he doesn't know if the right general is willing to listen."

"Please give me advice, my nephew listen carefully." Xiang Kang, who knew how powerful Zhang Liang was, said hurriedly.

"In this battle in Wancheng, foreign ministers believed that the attack should be the best, and the attacking heart should be the best." Zhang Liang, who finally got the opportunity to show in front of Xiang Kang, was no longer polite and said: "All the tyrant Qin troops retreated to the city to defend the city. If you just attack with force, it will definitely be very difficult to break the city. Even if you barely succeed, your army will definitely suffer casualties. But since the tyrant Qin army does not dare to set up camps outside the city, this also shows that the tyrant Qin army is already afraid of the tiger and wolf army under your command, and you are completely brave and dare not hope to defeat your army. You only dare to dream of closing the city to protect yourself. If you attack this point, attack the enemy's heart and courage, you may be able to achieve twice the result with half the effort."

"It is of course a good idea to attack the heart first, but what should we do specifically?" Xiang Kang asked.

"Why don't the Right General try to send envoys to surrender?" Zhang Liang suggested: "The one who can make the decision to let the tyrant Qin army give up the vital points outside the city and retreat to the city to defend the city is definitely the Nanyang County Governor Lu Qi. The reason why he made this decision also shows that he is completely afraid of your army. Since that is the case, why don't you try to surrender Lu Qi directly, know the benefits and interests of him, and persuade him to open the city to surrender. If this move is successful, wouldn't you be able to take Wancheng without bloodshed?"

"Is it that easy to directly surrender Lu Qi? "Xiang Kang said with a wry smile: "If I remember correctly, it seems that since I and King Zhang Chu raised their troops one after another, no tyrannical Qin County Magistrate has chosen to surrender. I still remember that in Yangdi, Gao Jing, the governor of Yingchuan County, has reached that point, and has not been shaken at all. What's more, Lu Qi still has enough troops to defend the city."

"Since you, the Right General, and King Zhang Chu, launched a series of troops, there has indeed been no tyrannical Qin County Magistrate surrendered voluntarily, but Lu Qi may not have failed to break the convention and become the first tyrannical Qin County Magistrate to surrender voluntarily."

Zhang Liang answered confidently and said: "In the Battle of Qing County, the tyrannical Qin army under Lu Qi was not only defeated, but also almost lost all the Guanzhong reinforcements sent by the tyrannical Qin court. In addition, the right general's army directly entered the hinterland of Nanyang, threatening the security of Wuguan. If these situations were known by the tyrannical Qin court, the tyrannical Qin court would never give up. Even if they did not put Lu Qi in jail and questioned, they would definitely scold him and ordered Lu Qi to make meritorious service. They would never give the right general's chance to threaten the hinterland of Guanzhong."

"But the current situation is that if Lu Qiong is not to mention obstructing the Right General, you will enter Guanzhong, it is difficult to protect yourself. There is no possibility of meritorious service and atonement. Sooner or later, you will be held accountable by the tyrannical court. At the very least, you will be dismissed from office, or even beheaded and confiscated, or even executed by the car. If the envoy sent by you, the Right General, explains this truth to Lu Qiong, and is promising a high official and a generous salary, or even a fief, Lu Qiong may not be able to make a wise choice."

Xiang Kang calculated that Zhang Liang's proposal could indeed be tried. Even if it was not successful, it would be a great loss to a messenger. Moreover, there were few cases of killing the messenger in this era. After the surrender failed, he might not even lose any envoy. So Xiang Kang quickly made up his mind and said, "Then let's give it a try. When I go back, I will arrange an envoy to go into the city to persuade Lu Qi to open the city and surrender."

With a try-and-see attitude, after returning to the young commander's army camp that was still under construction, Xiang Kang really started to arrange an envoy to enter the city to recruit surrender. As a result, Li Shiqi, who was the best at recruiting surrender in the late Qin Dynasty, naturally stood up immediately and volunteered to go to the city to recruit Lu Qi for Xiang Kang. Unfortunately, Xiang Kang was reluctant to take risks with a talent like Li Shiqi. He shook his head and refused, saying, "Mr. Li is courageous, but entering the city to recruit surrender is too dangerous after all. Lu Qi still has the power to fight. If the dog is anxious and attacks you, I will lose an arm to help you."

"I am not afraid." Li Shiqi insisted and said, "I am willing to take risks and use my three-inch tongue to persuade Lu Qi to open the city and surrender for you, General Right."

Xiang Kang, who didn't like to be in danger, refused. During the dispute, Xiang Kang suddenly remembered Shusun Tong, who had made a brilliant achievements in Yangdi last time. He hurriedly sent someone to call Shusun Tong in front of him, ordered him to serve as his envoy, and brought letters to the city to persuade Lu Qi to lead his army to surrender.

It is completely different from Old Man Li who is brave. After hearing Xiang Kang's arrangement, Shu Sun Tong, of course, was sweating coldly on his forehead and did not dare to say anything for a long time. However, Xiang Kang did not say anything. He forced someone to send the letter of surrender and the gifts given to Lu Qi, forcing him to go into the city immediately to contact Lu Qi, and said with a smile: "Mr. Shu Sun, whether our army can take Wancheng without bloodshed depends on your superb eloquence. It doesn't matter if you really can't persuade Lu Qi to surrender. As last time, I can help me trick the tyrannical Qin army out of the city to fight. I will also remember you a great achievement."

"Right General, is that easy? Last time it was just a coincidence. How could the lower official have such good luck every time?"

Shusun Tong almost cried, but he was soft-hearted and took Xiang Kang's salary, money and food, and had no courage to give up his post and escape. Mr. Shusun had to take a carriage to the city of Wancheng under the "escort" of the young army soldiers, and called the door. For the second time, he tied his head to the belt to serve as a surrender envoy for Xiang Kang.

In fact, Mr. Shusun doesn't have to be so worried, because the Nanyang County Governor Lu Qi is not only not as stubborn as the Yingchuan County Governor Gao Jing, but also hates Mr. Shusun, who betrayed the Qin Dynasty, and on the first day after the Young Marshal's army arrived in Wancheng, he received an urgent message from Zhao Gao from Xianyang, forcing him to annihilate the Young Marshal's army in Nanyang no matter what. He also threatened that if Lu Qi could not do this, he would settle the accounts together with the defeat of Feng County and beheaded Lu Qi! - Everyone knows that Lu Qi absolutely had no hope of completing this absurd task.

It is precisely because of such objective conditions that Mr. Shusun's whole body trembled and entered the city, he was not immediately taken down like last time. He was politely invited by the Qin soldiers to the Nanyang County Magistrate's Office. He met Lu Qi as a guest, and Lu Qi's absolute confidant Chen Hui. Then, Mr. Shusun gradually raised his courage. He first slapped Lu Qi's flattery, and then followed Xiang Kang's instructions and used very beautiful words to understand the interests of Lu Qi. Not only did he not get angry, but he also showed a little hesitant look.

Since ancient times, people who are good at flattering are basically good at observing words and expressions. Mr. Shusun is one of the top experts. When he found that Lu Qi was a little shaken, Mr. Shusun was surprised and said in his heart: "Is there really a way? If he can really persuade him to open the city and surrender, I can not only make great contributions, but also be famous all over the world immediately!"

Hope was ignited in his heart, and Mr. Shusun quickly said: "Lu Junzun, I promised to say frankly that you have no other choice than to open the city and surrender. The sharpness of our Chu army is, you have seen it with your own eyes. No matter how strong Wancheng is, there is no hope that it can stop our right general's army from siege. Take a step back ten thousand steps, even if Lu Junzun, you lucky enough to defend Wancheng, the tyrant Qin court and the tyrant Hu Hai will never spare you."

Speaking of this, Mr. Shusun paused and said, "The little envoy is definitely not an exaggeration. The little envoy once served as a doctor of the attendant in the tyrannical Qin court. How cruel Hu Hai is, the little envoy saw with his own eyes. Twelve of his sixteen brothers were beheaded by him on the streets of Xianyang, and three were forced to commit suicide by him. The remaining prince Ying Gao was forced to take the initiative to ask for the burial of the late emperor. Only then could he barely die decently. There are also his ten sisters, the princess of the Qin Dynasty, who did not threaten his throne, was also executed by his disheveled car crack in Du County. He was so cruel and ruthless to his brothers and sisters. How could he forgive your fault for defeat in Guan County and let our Chu army enter the heart of Nanyang?"

"Also, Li You and Li Junzun are also an example." Mr. Shusun said again: "He trapped the lonely city in Xingyang and resisted Zhang Chu's tens of thousands of troops alone. How hard work is he? But after he made great contributions, the tyrannical court not only did not give him any reward, but instead sent Wang Ming and Chen Zongzheng to Sanchuan County to investigate his faults. Li Junzun's father, Prime Minister Li Si and his brothers and sisters, were also ordered by Hu Hai to behead him in Xianyang. The lesson is not far away. Do you want to repeat the same mistakes?"

Mr. Shusun, who became serious, was indeed very capable. Every word hit the vital point of Lu Qi's heart. Thinking of the cruelty of Hu Hai and the tragic consequences of Li You, who made great contributions to the Qin court, were all tragic consequences of the whole family. Lu Qi, who was already a little shaken, couldn't help but hesitate even more and could not help but start to consider the choice to surrender to Xiang Kang. Mr. Shusun saw Lu Qi's thoughts and was even more happy, and said hurriedly: "Lu Jun Zun, don't hesitate anymore. Now, no matter whether Wancheng can be defended or not, you are already dead, only..."

"Lu Jun Zun, I will ask for a visit to Ma Dalin!"

The sudden loud shout broke Mr. Shusun's tongue. Then, before Lu Qi agreed to meet, the tall Ma Dalin strode to the lobby of the Nanyang County Magistrate's Mansion. As soon as he entered the hall, he pointed at Mr. Shusun without hesitation and asked: "Lu Jun Zun, I heard that Xiang Kang's thief army sent an envoy. Is it this old man?"
Chapter completed!