My father Liu Xuande

Chapter 342 The Wu Surname Bows Down
Liu Feng, who was under the city of Wu, received a letter from the south. Taishi Ci had not only recovered Yuhang, but also captured Wu Jing alive, and had already sent him to the city of Wu.

This is fantastic news.

Liu Feng glanced at the distant Wuxian city wall, thinking that perhaps this sturdy city didn't need him to sacrifice his own lives to build it.

Xu Kun's army in the city was clearly in a state of panic. On the fifth night after the siege began, they gathered several thousand elite troops to launch a surprise attack, attempting to defeat Jia Kui's forces deployed in the south of the city.

However, Jia Kui was calm and composed, and skilled in military command. He did not underestimate the enemy despite having the advantage. He not only built a strong and perfect camp in the limited time, but also laid many traps.

Faced with Jia Kui's heavily guarded camp, Xu Kun's troops not only failed to achieve their objective but also suffered a minor loss, losing more than two hundred men.

Although this battle was not large in scale and far from intense, it had a significant impact on the morale of both sides.

Liu Feng's forces not only boosted morale but also dispelled any doubts Zhao Yun and Yu Mi had about leaving with over ten thousand men. However, for Xu Kun's troops in Wu County, it was a heavy blow.

They waited five days on purpose, knowing full well that waiting five days would allow Jia Kui's fortifications to be completed better. So why did Xu Kun and the others wait?
Wasn't it because he was worried that Liu Feng would guess that his side would be unstable in defeating the enemy, and thus deliberately used Jia Kui's troops in the south of the city as bait to set a trap to plot against his main force?
In fact, Xu Kun and his men were right to worry. Xu Sheng's troops in the east of the city were indeed prepared to come to the rescue of the south of the city and launch a joint attack on Xu Kun's troops who had left the city.

Meanwhile, the naval forces led by Dong Xi and Gan Ning were also lying in ambush west of Wu County, ready to land at any time and attack Xu Kun's troops from the west.

It was only because Xu Kun was defeated too quickly and was too timid that he retreated directly back into the city after the minor defeat. Otherwise, the three-pronged attack would have really given Xu Kun's troops a hard time.

"Young Master, Prime Minister Zhu is here again."

Xu Chu quietly walked up behind Liu Feng and said in a deep voice, "I brought a little fellow with me this time. I've temporarily arranged for them to stay in the tent. Would you like to see them?"

Liu Feng awoke with a start, then chuckled softly, "Let's meet him. Meeting him once can save hundreds of thousands of bushels of grain. Why not?"

Xu Chu did not answer, but instead moved behind Liu Feng.

Soon, Liu Feng returned to the main tent, where two people were sitting. One was Zhu Xiang, an old acquaintance, and the other was a handsome but somewhat simple-minded young man, who was naturally Lu Yi, Lu Boyan.

Liu Feng was somewhat puzzled; he really couldn't guess who this young man was.

Seeing Liu Feng's gaze lingering on Lu Yi, Zhu Xiang smiled obsequiously and said, "General, the young man beside me is the grand-nephew of Lu Kang, the former Prefect of Lujiang, and now the head of the Lu family, Lu Yi, also known as Lu Boyan."

So it was Lu Xun.

Liu Feng suddenly realized, and a sense of goodwill arose in his heart.

To be fair, among the major families in Jiangdong, the Lu family was the most loyal to the Han Dynasty.

Lu Kang's performance in Lujiang was entirely worthy of the appointment and trust placed in him by the Eastern Han court.

Lu Kang's duties in Lujiang included pacifying the people, encouraging mulberry farmers, harboring and dividing the barbarian tribes, and suppressing rebellions. As the prefect of Lujiang, he was an extremely conscientious official. Despite having a very high reputation and influence in Yangzhou, he never made any move to expand outwards.

When faced with Yuan Shu's threats and attempts to recruit him, Lu Kangyi righteously and firmly refused, remaining loyal only to the Han Dynasty.

This loyalty deserves not only recognition but also reward.

"Lu Kang Gong relied on his accumulated good deeds to comfort the people and pacify the populace in Lujiang. However, he was attacked by the traitors Yuan and Sun. Lu Kang Gong resisted with all his might, but the isolated city could not be defended. In the end, the city fell and he died. More than half of his clan perished. He was truly a loyal minister of the emperor and the court."

After Liu Feng sat down, he immediately praised Lu Kang and affirmed Lu Kang's achievements and loyalty.

Lu Yi was deeply moved and immediately rose from his seat to bow down. Although he appeared humble, he did not refuse in the slightest and accepted Liu Feng's affirmation without question.

Because Lu Kang was Lu Yi's elder and also his guardian, Lu Yi could not show the slightest humility when Liu Feng praised Lu Kang, otherwise he would be considered unfilial.

The Eastern Han Dynasty highly revered filial piety, to the point that simply being filial could lead to a high-ranking official position. Although the country was not ruled solely on filial piety, everyone knew that in that dynasty that claimed to rule solely on filial piety, if one's birth was not good, even if one died for filial piety, one could not become a high-ranking official.

Prime Minister Zhu sat to the side, observing all of this with a somewhat subtle expression on his face.

This isn't really Zhu Xiang's fault, because Liu Feng's attitude towards the Zhu and Lu families was far too obvious. Considering Lu Yi's previous suggestion, Zhu Xiang even suspected that the Lu family had already established a connection with Liu Zhengnan.

But thinking about it carefully, it's probably not that bad.

The Lu family has not only lost its leader, but has also suffered a severe blow. The fact that half of the family members have been lost is a major setback, and it will take at least ten or twenty years for them to recover.

Moreover, the Lu family had been under serious surveillance by the Sun family. If it weren't for the current tense situation and the Sun family's disadvantage, and the fact that Lu Yi wasn't as conspicuous as Lu Ji, it would have been really troublesome for him to come out with Prime Minister Zhu.

"Mr. Zhu, what advice do you have for me this time?"

Liu Feng sat down and turned to ask Zhu Xiang for his opinion.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xiang quickly perked up, pulled himself out of his reverie, and solemnly replied, "Thanks to the grace of the Southern Expedition, the people of Wu County have been given the opportunity to repay the country. The families in the county are overjoyed, and therefore sent me out of the city to report to the Southern Expedition."

Liu Feng showed an interested expression: "Oh!?"

Zhu Xiang naturally dared not put on airs and quickly laid out the terms.

This time, the major clans of Wu County were quite frightened and actually raised 250,000 shi of grain. The four major clans each contributed 50,000 shi, and other large and small gentry and powerful families joined together to contribute 50,000 shi.

In addition, there were thousands of weapons, three thousand bolts of silk of various colors, three hundred pairs of cloth boots, and other supplies.

Liu Feng's expression softened considerably. Judging from the amount of grain alone, the major families of Wu County had finally come to their senses this time.

It seems the intimidation last time wasn't in vain.

But Zhu Xiang's presentation was not yet over. He continued, "...The Xu bandits in the city have extremely tight control over the three land gates, and we can only find opportunities to enter and exit through the city walls. However, we have discovered that the Xu bandits are much more lax in their control over the water gates. Apart from the five hundred detachments, the remaining force consists of only three or four hundred Zhenze river bandits."

The Zhenze River pirates in Sun Ce's army originally numbered over a thousand, but after being decisively defeated by the Southern Expeditionary Army's navy, only a few hundred remained.

After retreating to Wu County, they received little replenishment, and many bandit leaders became disheartened and secretly left, leaving only a force of three to four hundred men.

Upon hearing this, Liu Feng naturally realized the hidden meaning in the other party's words, but he simply remained silent.

Left with no other choice, Zhu Xiang could only stand up and bow deeply, saying, "We are willing to serve the general and welcome the royal army into Wu County!"

Lu Yi also paid homage beside Zhu Xiang, his expression respectful and his movements natural.

Liu Feng then revealed a satisfied expression, inwardly thinking that these were indeed the powerful clans of Wu Commandery, typical of those who respond to force but not persuasion.

If you're polite to them, they'll take advantage of you; if you're tough on them, they'll behave themselves.

"I never imagined that the people of Wu County would be so diligent. I'm sure the Emperor and the court will issue an edict to commend you all when they learn of this."

After giving him a whack, Liu Feng pulled out some candy: "I will definitely report your merits to the court and request credit for you all." Prime Minister Zhu's face showed surprise, while Lu Yi remained calm.

Liu Feng's gaze swept across Lu Yi's face. He knew very well that although Lu Yi was capable and loyal, and appeared humble, polite, and tolerant, once you cut him open, he was all black inside.

The biggest victim was his own second uncle.

Heaven knows that my second uncle even praised him, which shows how cunning this kid is and how excellent his acting skills are.

Next, Zhu Xiang surprisingly handed the speaking rights to Lu Yi, and the young man was not intimidated at all, laying out the entire plan.

It turns out that among these Zhenze River pirates were people who had received favors from the Lu family and remained loyal to the Lu family to this day.

Lu Yi was confident he could persuade the other side to open the water gates under cover of night and welcome the Southern Expeditionary Army's navy into the city.

Besides, the four major surnames alone could form a thousand well-equipped detachments.

This number of one thousand may seem small, but we must take into account the fact that the four major clans have been continuously suppressed by Sun Ce and his army over the past two years. Moreover, the Lu family suffered a major blow in Lujiang and has yet to recover.

In addition, several other families, in order to avoid using the Sun family's name, also sent many of their retainers outside the city to show their obedience.

Therefore, this number of one thousand people was the largest number that the four major surnames could mobilize in Wuxian County.

"Boyan is so outstanding that he can be called a rare gem in the Lu family."

Liu Feng exclaimed, "Lu Kang Gong has a worthy successor!"

Upon hearing Liu Feng's praise, Lu Yi naturally remained modest, while Prime Minister Zhu looked on with envy, never expecting that this young man from the Lu family would be so favored by the Southern Expedition.

Zhu Xiang could see that Liu Feng's attitude towards Lu Yi was clearly different, but Zhu Xiang attributed it all to Lu Kang, thinking that Liu Feng was just extending his affection to Lu Kang without considering anything else.

After praising him, Liu Feng did not make a decision immediately, but fell into deep thought.

Two paths lay before Liu Feng. One was the one Zhu Xiang and Lu Yi had suggested, which carried some risk but also had a good chance of success.

The second option is to wait for Wu Jing to be delivered, and then have Wu Jing persuade Xu Kun to surrender.

Xu Kun's current behavior is completely different from when he was in Wuxi; he has clearly lost his nerve due to the Southern Expeditionary Army. Now that he sees Wu Jing, who has just marched south, captured alive, there is a possibility that he might waver and surrender.

However, the chances of success on this path are much smaller than on the first path.

High-risk strategies have a high success rate, while low-risk strategies have a low success rate.

What troubled Liu Feng even more was that both of these approaches would bring certain side effects.

The first option clearly gave the prominent families of Wu County a chance to make a name for themselves and protect themselves. If Liu Feng wanted to cause them trouble later, it would undoubtedly be quite troublesome.

The second option was to give Xu Kun the opportunity to surrender the entire Wu Commandery and nearly 10,000 troops. Logically and morally, Liu Feng should treat Xu Kun well. But how could Liu Feng feel at ease with nearly 10,000 troops in Xu Kun's hands?
For a moment, Liu Feng was truly undecided.

Just when Liu Feng was hesitating, two unexpected figures helped him make a decision.

Wang Lang and Yu Fan arrived.

Historically, Wang Lang and Yu Fan continued their southward escape, first going to Dongye County, and later intending to go to Jiaozhi. But things are different now. Liu Feng has already reached the walls of Wu Commandery, so Wang Lang and Yu Fan naturally chose to head north without hesitation.

When Liu Feng met them, he found that Wang Lang and Yu Fan were in a terrible state, with only 900 soldiers, 600 sailors, and more than 40 warships of various sizes by their side.

This is all that Wang Lang and Yu Fan have to offer.

When they fled from Jingruo Lake, they were almost detained by the Lin and Jiao families of Shangyu County.

Fortunately, Yu Fan raised the banner of the Southern Expeditionary Army, and the Lin and Jiao families, fearing Liu Feng's power, ultimately chose to let him pass.

After setting sail, the fleet headed north and anchored off the coast of Lou County, before heading towards Wu County.

Poor Yu Fan was unaware that his family's branch in Shanyin City had been completely wiped out by Sun Ce. Fortunately, they still had a branch in their hometown of Yuyao, otherwise they would have been exterminated like the Zhou family.

Wang Lang and Yu Fan brought news that Shanyin City had fallen and that Northern Kuaiji was in imminent danger. Wang Lang wept bitterly, recounting Sun Ce's treasonous actions and pleading with Liu Feng to intervene on his behalf.

This led Liu Feng to make a decision: he would no longer wait.

The previous waiting was to give Sun Ce time to conquer Shanyin and cleanse Beihui.

Now that Sun Ce has completed his mission, if I wait any longer, I will only be giving Sun Ce time to prepare his troops and gather strength to rebel against me.

Of course, there was an even more important reason, which Liu Feng would never say aloud.

That is, the greater the pressure Liu Feng puts on Sun Ce, the sharper Sun Ce's executioner's blade will be in Bei Hui, and the more ruthless he will be in plundering supplies and provisions.

After Sun Ce had thoroughly investigated and dealt with all the powerful and influential families in Kuaiji,
Immediately, Liu ordered Zhu Xiang and Lu Yi to return to Wu County to prepare, setting the date for action three days later.

Zhu Xiang and Lu Yi accepted their orders and returned to Wu County under cover of night.

Liu Feng kept Wang Lang and Yu Fan in the army and borrowed their ships to participate in the operation.

It would be fine if the Wuxian water gate wasn't opened, but if it were, then the more ships transporting troops, the better.

Once the number of ships reaches a certain level, Liu Feng can even continuously send troops to Wu County.

Wang Lang and Yu Fan, living under someone else's roof, dared not and could not refuse Liu Feng's request. They immediately handed over all forty ships of various sizes and more than six hundred sailors, and even offered up their remaining troops.

However, Liu Feng looked down on these defeated soldiers. These soldiers were now like frightened birds, and they were afraid of Sun's army. Taking these soldiers with him would be completely harmful and might even have a negative effect.

After declining Wang Lang's offer and Yu Fan's request, Liu Feng began to summon his generals and assign them tasks.

An hour later, Xu Sheng, Jia Kui, Gao Shun, Zhao Fan, Yu Zi, Dong Xi, Gan Ning and other generals all arrived and awaited Liu Feng's orders.

Liu Feng had already made up his mind, so naturally he would no longer discuss the issue of whether to send troops with them, and instead made the decision unilaterally.

When the generals heard that they were finally going to take action against Wu County, they were overjoyed. Dong Xi and Gan Ning, in particular, were so happy that they almost jumped for joy when they heard that the main force of the battle would be the navy and that they would enter the city through the water gate.

(End of this chapter)