"Exactly!"
Seeing Li Xiuning initiate the conversation, Qin Feng, who had just snapped back to reality, said with a serious expression,
"Although this city is small, it must be captured as quickly as possible."
"If we delay until nightfall... we might not even have cooking stoves!"
"We need to be quick?"
Li Xiuning's delicate brows furrowed. After a moment's thought, she smiled and said,
"That's quite simple!"
"Oh?"
Qin Feng looked at Li Xiuning in surprise, feeling an inexplicable pang of unease.
Would this woman suggest a direct assault too?
"My lord~!"
Seemingly sensing Qin Feng's worry, Li Xiuning smiled and shook her head.
"We currently hold an absolute advantage. A direct assault would be counterproductive. We should focus on winning hearts and minds first!"
"Winning hearts and minds?"
"Precisely!"
Li Xiuning nodded affirmatively and then pointed at the figures on the city walls.
"We simply need to surround the city, feign an assault, and then send envoys to persuade them to surrender."
"As long as the terms offered are not excessive, I believe they will have no other choice."
"Is that so?"
Qin Feng stroked his chin suspiciously but did not object. Instead, he beckoned to Liu Jiang by his side.
"Go!"
"Follow the strategist's orders. Surround Zhuo County and prepare for a show of force!"
"Yes~!"
Liu Jiang first replied respectfully and then asked,
"My lord, then, should we prepare some ladders or anything?"
"This..."
Qin Feng turned his questioning gaze to Li Xiuning.
"No need!"
Li Xiuning waved her hand, her tone full of confidence,
"In this situation, it doesn't matter if they know it's a bluff."
...
As it turned out, Li Xiuning was absolutely correct.
After the shield soldiers completed their formation change, even though they had no scaling ladders, panic continued to spread on the city walls.
From the Prefect Liu Qi and the Commander Wang Tie at the top, down to the ordinary soldiers defending the city, and the citizens anxiously waiting within,
Everyone's face turned pale, and their hearts clenched.
They knew very well!
Once these rebels launched their attack, the city's fall was only a matter of time.
At that point,
They, the soldiers who participated in the defense, and even all the citizens of the city, were at risk of being slaughtered.
As for the officials?
Did they even need to ask?
If the Yellow Turban rebels didn't kill officials after entering the city, would they still be called the Yellow Turban rebels?
However,
Things often develop in unexpected directions.
Just as the officials in the city were in turmoil, a rider emerged from the battle formation below.
"Brothers on the wall!"
"Listen up!"
"My lord has decreed that if you open the city gates and surrender within an hour, we will not harm you in any way once we enter."
"If our forces break through the city... surrender is death!"
"The clock starts now!"
With that, Liu Jiang turned his horse and quickly departed, disregarding everyone's reaction.
"This, this..."
As they watched Liu Jiang ride away, the reactions of the people on the city walls varied.
The common soldiers were tempted. Who would willingly seek death if they could avoid it?
But including Prefect Liu Qi, most of them did not believe the rebels' promise.
Not harm them in any way?
How could that be possible!
If rebels didn't cause chaos after entering a city, would they even be called rebels?
Huh?
Wait a moment!
Glancing at the equipment of the soldiers below, Liu Qi's thoughts stirred.
These people really didn't look like typical rebels.
Uh?
No.
It should be said that these people didn't look like rebels who plundered villages and robbed households.
Compared to the Yellow Turban rebels who looted everywhere, these people seemed more like they were...
Competing for the realm?
Thinking of this,
Liu Qi looked around. Seeing no one paying attention, he reached out and tugged at the sleeve of Commander Wang Tie.
"Brother Wang, what are your thoughts on the rebels' offer of surrender?"
"My thoughts?"
Wang Tie glanced down at the city, then sighed deeply.
"Prefect, what we think is not important!"
"Because..."
"Either surrender, or await death. We have no other choice!"
"No!"
Facing Wang Tie's analysis, a mysterious smile appeared on Liu Qi's lips.
"Brother Wang, in fact, we still have a choice!"
"Huh?"
Wang Tie's heart stirred, and his eyes fixed on Liu Qi beside him.
"Brother Liu, I'm eager to hear your explanation!"
"It's very simple!"
Meeting Wang Tie's profound gaze, Liu Qi uttered a few weighty words.
"Join them!"
"Hiss~!"
Although he had anticipated something, Wang Tie was still greatly shocked.
Join them?
That was rebellion!
It was a capital offense!
Uh?
It seemed that if they didn't join them, they were not far from losing their heads either?
But even so,
Becoming a rebel and being beheaded, versus being beheaded by a rebel, had vastly different implications for future generations.
"Hoo~!"
Exhaling a long breath, Wang Tie changed the subject.
"Brother Liu, whether we join them or not is another matter. Should we open the city gates now?"
"Of course, we must open them!"
Although he had been indirectly refused, Liu Qi did not get angry.
"If we don't open them, it's a dead end. Opening the gates at least offers a glimmer of hope."
"Of course!"
Saying this, Liu Qi paused, his eyes sweeping over the group behind him.
"If anyone is unwilling to open the city gates, I will personally permit them to leave. This can be considered my filial piety to the elders and fellow villagers!"
"Is there anyone willing to go?"
"..."
As Liu Qi's words fell, everyone behind him collectively shrank their heads.
What a joke!
Go out?
What other outcome was there besides seeking death by going out now?
"No one?"
Liu Qi sighed with slight disappointment and waved to a nearby messenger.
"Open the city gates!"
"Yes!"
The messenger, upon receiving the order, responded excitedly and hurried off to relay the command.
Who wanted to die?
If they had faced the Yellow Turban bandits, they might have fought to the death to survive.
But now, the enemy claimed they would not kill them, so why throw away their lives unnecessarily?
Loyalty to the Great Han?
Did the Great Han even know who they were?
Didn't they see that the legitimate Prefect of the Han Dynasty had already ordered surrender?
Precisely because of this,
When Liu Qi's order was issued, not a single person objected.
"Creak~!"
Under Qin Feng's somewhat astonished gaze, accompanied by a grating sound, the gates of Zhuo County were opened from the inside.
Immediately after,
The officials, led by Prefect Liu Qi, lined up in two rows by the roadside.
"Haha~!"
"Good!"
"As expected of my Xiuning, it turned out just as you predicted!"
Seeing the surprising scene before him, Qin Feng laughed heartily and mounted his warhorse.
"Someone!"
"Have the shield soldiers take over the city gates. The rest of the cavalry will follow me into the city!"
"Yes!"
As the messengers dispersed in various directions, the entire army formation shifted once more.
Squadrons of well-armored shield soldiers marched into Zhuo County with neat steps.
They confiscated weapons, counted personnel, and then occupied the city walls and gates.
Soon,
After confirming that Zhuo County was under the control of the shield soldiers,
Over a hundred cavalrymen from the Overlord Iron Cavalry swiftly advanced, escorting Qin Feng and Li Xiuning as they leisurely proceeded towards the gates of Zhuo County.