Chapter 257: Attacking the heart first, Lu Chengqing can’t resist the bait
“I have long heard of your name, and today I am honored to see your face in person!”

Lu Chengqing stood far away, a hundred steps away, with a respectful look on his face, looking at the people in front of him from a distance.

Li Chengqian heard this, but smiled slightly and said slowly:
“I’m afraid that’s not what you think in your heart?”

He just looked at the other person straight, as if he wanted to see through his appearance to his true thoughts deep in his heart.

Li Chengqian knew very well that anyone who could leave a mark in history was a leader of a dynasty.

Regardless of whether they ultimately leave a good or evil reputation, it can influence the course of history to a considerable extent.

The Lu Chengqing in front of him seems to be just a weak scholar, exuding a faint elegance from head to toe. But who can know what kind of strategy for governing the world is hidden under that calm appearance?

“Indeed, meeting Your Highness in this situation is not what I wish to do. I’m sure it’s not what Your Highness wants to see either.”

Lu Chengqing responded calmly and neither humbly nor arrogantly.

He looked calm, as if the battle array of a hundred thousand soldiers before him did not bring him any sense of oppression.

“This is indeed not the situation I hope to see. The Lu family is a prestigious family in the world, with a great reputation and many talented people. Why do you have to get involved in such turbid waters?”

Li Chengqian frowned slightly, stared at Lu Chengqing, and persuaded him earnestly.

“The two armies are now engaged in a fierce battle, and the soldiers on both sides are fighting bravely. If the stalemate continues, I’m afraid the people of the Lu family will suffer the most losses! In my opinion, it would be better for the entire Fanyang Lu family to follow the trend and surrender to me. In this way, we can avoid the disaster of war from befalling all the members of the family.”

Li Chengqian spoke earnestly, with a hint of regret in his eyes. After all, it was not a wise move to kill all of the famous and prominent families like the Lu family, which had a population of hundreds of thousands.

When dealing with these aristocratic families, it is not necessary to resort to annihilation.

Moreover, there have indeed been many talented people in the Lu family who are capable of governing the country.

We cannot deny all of it just because they are a large clan.

“My Lu family has been blessed by the late emperor and the present emperor, and we have been loyal for generations. How could we bow down to a traitor like you? The reason why the Duke of this county ventured out of the city to come here to see you is entirely because of the late emperor and the new emperor!”

Lu Chengqing spoke righteously, he straightened his back, looked directly at the person in front of him with sharp eyes, without any stage fright.

“Your Highness, in my opinion, you should put down your weapons! Now that the new emperor has ascended the throne and announced a general amnesty, as long as you can turn back from your mistakes, the emperor will certainly be lenient with you.”

Lu Chengqing also persuaded.

However, Li Chengqian remained unmoved. He knew clearly that his governing philosophy was in fundamental conflict with those huge clan forces.

As the saying goes, people with different ideals cannot work together. The conflict between the two sides has long been irreconcilable. This fight is destined to have a difficult time ending peacefully.

“Humph, in this case, it seems that a fierce battle is inevitable.”

Li Chengqian snorted coldly, his voice was icy and chilling, making people shudder.

“If Your Highness insists on fighting, then come on! The walls of Youzhou City are strong and easy to defend but difficult to attack. Moreover, this is the root of our Lu family, with the best time, location, and people. I’m afraid that in the end, Your Highness will only be asking for trouble!”

Lu Chengqing did not show any weakness and responded tit for tat. At this moment, he was also aggressive and fearless.

“I’m sure Lord Lu has heard of my methods. Last year, I conquered Japan and slaughtered millions of people. If you, Lu, are really stubborn and unrepentant.”

“Then once the city is breached, what a miserable end the Lu family will suffer. I don’t think I need to waste my words on this, right?”

Li Chengqian said coldly with an expressionless face, his eyes revealing a chilling murderous intent.

Hearing this, Lu Chengqing’s face turned pale as paper in an instant. Although he had heard some rumors about Li Chengqian’s expedition to Japan before.

But it has always been believed that those were just rumors, most likely fabricated deliberately to slander the prince.

However, at this moment, when he witnessed Li Chengqian’s cold and ruthless face and the bloody words that came out of his mouth, he couldn’t help but begin to believe that those rumors might not be groundless.

Millions, that’s lives. How cruel and ruthless one must be to issue such an order.

“I never thought Your Highness could be so cruel! Such tyrannical behavior is not what a benevolent monarch should do. How can I be in cahoots with you?”

Lu Chengqing suppressed the shock in his heart and responded with a slightly trembling voice.

At this moment, it was really hard for him to connect the seemingly gentle man in front of him with the legendary murderer.

If the city is finally breached, the entire Lu family will probably be doomed.

Thinking of this, Lu Chengqing’s originally firm determination was shaken unconsciously. The huge pressure pressed heavily on his heart like a mountain, making him feel almost unable to breathe.

Because his decision also concerns the fate of hundreds of thousands of people in the Lu family.

“Those who obey me will prosper, those who defy me will perish! If you are still unwilling to submit to me today, then go back to the city and wait for death! When the city is captured, I will order that the swords shall not be put down for three days, and all the Lu clan members in Youzhou City shall be slaughtered without a single piece of armor left, and blood shall flow like a river!”

Li Chengqian roared with his hair standing on end, his fierce eyes burning like raging flames.

Facing Li Chengqian’s menacing threat, Lu Chengqing only raised the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing a disdainful smile, and said sarcastically:
“The people of the Lu family are waiting for your arrival in the city! But I wonder if the knife in your hand is sharp enough to break through the solid walls and gates of Youzhou City?”

However, Li Chengqian was not angered by Lu Chengqing’s words. Instead, he laughed out loud. His laughter echoed throughout the city, making people feel creepy.

After laughing, he pointed his finger at the sky and swore solemnly: “Within three days, I will break through the city. If I fail, I will die here.”

Li Chengqian’s words were powerful and decisive, and it was obvious that he was confident.

When Lu Chengqing, who was standing opposite, heard this, his heart tightened and his originally calm expression instantly became flustered.

As a local overlord, Li Chengqian was definitely not the kind of person who would talk nonsense. Since he dared to say such a cruel thing, he must have mastered some powerful siege method.

Thinking of this, beads of sweat began to appear on Lu Chengqing’s forehead, and his hands began to tremble unconsciously.

“Well, let’s see who’s the real deal.”

Lu Chengqing pretended to be strong and said this, then turned around and rode away.

Because he found that if he continued the conversation, he would only be more intimidated by Li Chengqian’s aura.

“Your Highness, let’s go back too, lest they become desperate and do something desperate.”

Pei Xingjian took a few steps forward and gave advice.

My heart was full of doubts.

He besieged Youzhou City for many days and tried every possible means, but was unable to break into the city.

Li Chengqian had only been there for one day when he came up with a foolproof plan.

“General Pei, do you have anything else to say?”

After arriving at the camp, Li Chengqian saw Pei Xingjian who was still hesitant to speak and asked.

“I am stupid, please tell me how to march so that we can capture the city within three days.”

From Pei Xingjian’s strategic perspective, no strategy could possibly capture Youzhou City within three days.

Even if they used the corpses of soldiers as a cushion every day and night, they still could not climb to the top of the city wall.

“Ha ha!”

Li Chengqian smiled heartily.

“I just lied to Lu Chengqing. Even if I have a plan, I can’t capture Youzhou City within three days.”

Several generals had strange looks on their faces.

Is this still the prince they know who always keeps his word? However, the military path is the rule.

This does not mean that Li Chengqian is untrustworthy, it is just a strategy.

“Your Highness, we are really far inferior to you in military tactics?”

Only Pei Xingjian seemed to be thinking about something, and then sighed respectfully.

“Your Highness, keep your promise. Stop keeping us in suspense. What’s going on?”

Cheng Chumo asked hurriedly, he couldn’t see any clues at all.

What does this have to do with the use of troops?

Isn’t it just a few harsh words? Who wouldn’t do that?

“In the art of warfare, attacking the heart is better than attacking the city. Psychological warfare is better than military warfare. I’m afraid Lu Chengqing is so anxious that he can’t eat now.”

Pei Xingjian explained.

It seems easy, but if you want to break down the other person from the heart, the conditions are extremely harsh.

Only Li Chengqian can do it.

Even if the rest of them said the same thing, they would probably be treated as a joke.

But Li Chengqian is indeed different. He can use his power to overwhelm others.

Li Chengqian’s military achievements are there. He had destroyed four countries and his words were law.

Can the weight of his words be the same?
Even if it is fake, others will treat it as real because of their identity.

“Shou Yue is right. I want to make Lu Chengqing think that I have a plan to break into the city. Only in this way can I make him panic and make mistakes in his arrangements.”

Li Chengqian said seriously that if he wanted to see Lu Chengqing, it definitely wasn’t just to see him alone.

“There are so many things to do here, I really can’t think of them. Your Highness, please tell me what we should do next?”

Cheng Chumo shook his head, too lazy to think about it, and asked directly.

“The whole army should spread out and create a situation of all-out attack, but privately, the troops should be concentrated in the middle. I feel that after my warning, Lu Chengqing will definitely not sit and wait for death, but will take the risk to attack.”

Li Chengqian said in a deep voice.

Even if he offers a big bait, the other party may not take it.

However, if we set a premise before this, that is, if he does not eat, he will most likely starve to death.

Even if you know there is danger, you will still take the risk.

The so-called strategy, after all, is the prediction of human hearts.

“Yes, I will go down and make arrangements right away. I have no other options but to hide in the city. Once we get out of the city, I will make them pay.”

Cheng Chumo clenched his fists, vowing to avenge his previous humiliation.

“Wu Xing, send a message to the spies in the city and arrange according to the original plan.”

Li Chengqian turned his head and said that it was time to start the secret plan that had been prepared for a long time.

Wu Xing nodded, bowed and walked away.

Gradually, every military leader took the order and left.

Only Li Chengqian and Li Zhen were left standing there, gazing at the top of Youzhou city.

On the city wall of Youzhou City, Lu Chengqing kept staring at Li Chengqian.

It was also Li Chengqian’s intentional act that kept him under the other party’s surveillance.

He just wanted to let the other party know that he, Li Chengqian, was in the front camp.

“My Lord, I just learned from a soldier who participated in the war against Japan that what Li Chengqian said was true. The people of Japan were indeed slaughtered in a bloody way. From the kings and nobles to the common people, young and old, they were all killed. The beautiful women were bought from other countries for military use.”

Lu Renqi walked behind Lu Chengqing and said heavily.

Such killing was so brutal that even Bai Qi, who was known as the butcher, would have to admit defeat.

When asked this question, Lu Chengqing’s heart began to twitch.

With Li Chengqian’s methods, he will definitely not let these big families off easily.

They were fully aware of the policies implemented in Goguryeo and Baekje, which were obviously aimed at their class.

Therefore, the city must not be breached by Li Chengqian.

“Renqi, do you think Li Chengqian really has a plan to break into the city?”

Lu Chengqing asked with a lack of confidence.

The art of war is full of truth and falsehood, and he couldn’t tell whether Li Chengqian was deliberately being mysterious.

“All the soldiers who returned regarded Li Chengqian as a military god. Looking at all his battles, he always won by surprise. In addition, his army also has a large number of thunderbolts. It is not impossible for him to break the city.”

Lu Renqi was also filled with worry, and his words were full of fear.

The more he learned, the more he discovered how terrifying Li Chengqian was.

“That person is Li Chengqian, and he is only five miles away from our city.”

Lu Chengqing did not answer Lu Renqi directly, but pointed at Li Chengqian in the afterglow.

“I have just carefully observed the layout of their military camps and the movement of soldiers. There are no more than 5,000 or 6,000 people in the front camp, and it is far away from other camps. If our cavalry charges, we will definitely be able to break through the front camp’s defenses before other camps can come to our rescue.”

From a high vantage point, one can see at a glance all the arrangements of Li Chengqian’s army.

Such an arrangement is full of loopholes.

Li Chengqian put his head under Lu Chengqing’s sword and axe.

“My Lord, Li Chengqian is an extraordinary man in using troops. He would not make such a low-level mistake. This must be a trick.”

Lu Renqi said.

Before, he tried his best to take the initiative to attack, but now, facing the open defense of Li Chengqian’s camp, he fell into indecision.

At first glance, it was clear that Li Chengqian was using himself as bait to lure them into attacking.

“I also know that Li Chengqian is setting the trap with his own body, but as soon as he stood here, he attracted all our attention. It is also possible that he is sure that we dare not attack, so he is setting an empty city strategy for me here?”

“Even if it’s not an empty city plan, he only has five or six thousand men. How can he resist our charge?”

Due to many factors, Lu Chengqing had already come up with the idea of ​​launching an attack.

Moreover, even if they did not attack, they were fully capable of engaging in a head-on confrontation with Li Chengqian’s army.

(End of this chapter)