Chapter 122: Psychological Warfare, the Terrified Ladies!

At this moment, Chu Feng spurred his horse forward.

With his halberd pointed from afar, he shouted loudly, “Defenders on the city wall, hear me! I am Chu Feng. Your lord has been tricked and attacked me at Biling, where he set an ambush and was utterly defeated. I have already slain his head!”

“If you do not wish for the people of Wu County to suffer, nor be separated from your loved ones by death, then surrender now. Otherwise, once the city falls, all of you will be exterminated!”

His voice was thunderous and resolute, not to be taken as a jest.

As he spoke, Chu Feng threw a military banner from his saddle. The banner bore the character “Sun,” the commander’s standard, while the severed head was stained with blood, making it impossible to tell if it truly was Sun Ce.

Yet, to Chu Feng, sometimes a counterfeit was more effective than the truth.

His sudden appearance here was proof enough.

Especially since just days before, rumors had spread wildly within the army that Sun Ce had been defeated by Chu Feng in a single encounter, with several generals slain—facts that were indisputable.

As the head was cast out, the city walls erupted in uproar.

“The lord, our commander is dead?”

“This is over. What do we do now?”

“This man is fierce. Can Wu County still be held?”

Whispers of doubt and fear filled the air.

Zhu Zhi’s expression darkened with pessimism. He couldn’t tell if the head was truly Sun Ce’s, and he angrily shouted in rebuttal, “Chu Feng, you dare to use a fake head and claim it is our lord’s?”

“Heh, so you are Zhu Zhi, are you? At this point, you still think you can bluff your soldiers into fighting for you? Do you really believe that?”

“My very presence here is proof enough.”

“If you have any sense, open the gates and surrender. The Governor of Wu County will remain your position, and I can even recommend you for promotion and nobility. If you don’t, then on the day the city falls, I will slaughter your entire clan!”

Chu Feng laid down his threat plainly and boldly.

“Hmph, what arrogance!” Zhu Zhi retorted angrily, his heart chilled as he realized he must act swiftly, or Wu County would inevitably fall.

“Soldiers within the city, Sun Ce is dead. Why continue to fight for him?”

“I, Chu Feng, am a descendant of the Yuan family, renowned throughout the land for four generations of loyal ministers. I swear here and now.”

“Those who open the gates and surrender will be rewarded with a thousand taels of silver, a hundred acres of good land, a hundred beautiful maidservants, and the title of county governor or general.”

“Those who bring me the heads of Zhu Zhi or any remaining members of the Sun family will receive the same reward. I swear this by the name of the Yuan family—I will not break my word!”

Raising his halberd, Chu Feng shouted these words.

This combination of threats and promises struck directly at the morale of the city’s defenders. Zhu Zhi felt a wave of dread; Chu Feng was attacking their hearts and minds.

—

What ruthless tactics!

First, Chu Feng swore before the entire army, lending credibility to his words. Second, with Sun Ce dead, there was no reason to keep sacrificing lives. The gamble was worth it—once was enough in a lifetime.

Many began to harbor hope.

“Hmph, don’t be fooled by his smooth words. The lord is not dead, and he will not reward you. He merely wants to sow discord in our ranks!” Zhu Zhi shouted, glancing around angrily.

Yet his words had little effect. Zhu Zhi grew fearful and dared not linger long on the ramparts, afraid that his own men might betray him.

As the saying goes, “Great rewards breed brave men!”

“You have three days. Those who bring me heads within three days will find I do not break my word.” Chu Feng added a deadline, needing a swift victory.

“Hmph,” Zhu Zhi scoffed and coldly ordered, “Guard the city gates well. Without my command, no one is to open them!”

With that, he led his personal guards away, needing to inform the Wu family.

Given the turmoil inside the city, only the Wu family’s influence could deter further unrest. Without that, how could Wu County hold against threats from within and without?

—

Soon after, in the rear courtyard of the Sun mansion.

Lady Wu had somewhat recovered from her recent sorrow. Beside her were Chen and Xie, both beautiful women.

Chen was Sun Ce’s lawful wife, and Xie was Sun Quan’s.

Both had been spending much time with Lady Wu lately, which helped her somewhat.

“I wonder how Bofu is doing!” Lady Wu sighed again. With Sun Quan’s fate unknown, she could only place her hopes on Sun Ce.

“Mother, don’t worry. Chu Feng has already retreated, and my husband is leading the army in battle. Soon, Wu County will be secure,” Chen forced a gentle smile.

“Ah, I hope that’s true,” Lady Wu murmured. The chaos in Wu County these past months had left her heart in turmoil—she longed for peace.

“Mother, my husband is unmatched in valor. Chu Feng, even if not retreating like a beaten dog, is no match for him,” Chen added.

Beside them, Xie lowered her head in sadness. As a noble-born, she had only recently married when Sun Quan’s life was cast into uncertainty, leaving her to weep alone.

“The matriarch, General Zhu Zhi requests an urgent audience!” the steward entered to report.

“Let him in,” Lady Wu said with a frown, suspicion flickering in her eyes.

Not long after, Zhu Zhi strode in. “Your servant greets you, madam!”

“General Zhu, no need for formalities. What urgent matter brings you here?” Lady Wu asked with curiosity.

“Madam, Chu—Chu Feng has arrived and is outside the city.” Zhu Zhi bowed his head in shame; his defenses had been inadequate, only realizing Chu Feng’s presence upon his arrival.

No one had expected Chu Feng to return to Wu County. Everyone thought he had gone to reinforce Shouchun!

“What? Chu Feng in Wu County?” Lady Wu’s pupils constricted in shock.

“Madam, Chu Feng is cunning; he deliberately exploited our normal thinking to act contrary, much like Han Xin’s strategy of feigning roadwork to secretly cross at Chencang,” Zhu Zhi sighed, lamenting their oversight.

This man was deceptive to a fault, impossible to guard against.

“Where is Bofu? Has he been informed?” Lady Wu asked urgently.

“I dispatched a fast rider out of the city, but I’m unsure if he will arrive in time,” Zhu Zhi replied, withholding the truth about Chu Feng’s claim to have slain Sun Ce. He needed Lady Wu to maintain order for now.

“Madam, the Yuan family has served loyally for four generations, and our lord holds grudges with many clans in Wu County. With Chu Feng’s arrival, I fear these clans may act up. I request you, madam, to use your authority to stabilize them,” Zhu Zhi said solemnly.

“Of course,” Lady Wu nodded.

Only moments ago, they had spoken of Chu Feng as a beaten dog in retreat, no match for Sun Ce. Yet now, Chu Feng’s army was at the city gates.

But this was no time for doubts.

“General Zhu, I entrust all matters in Wu County to you,” Lady Wu declared solemnly, fearing Zhu Zhi might falter.

After all, the name Yuan carried great weight.

In later times, when Cao Cao marched south, local clans had to submit. Without Zhou Yu and Lu Su’s challenge, the Three Kingdoms might never have formed. And Cao Cao was but a eunuch’s descendant.

Chu Feng could predict easily what those clans might do.

“Madam, you honor me. This is my duty,” Zhu Zhi nodded, determined not to betray her trust.

With that, Zhu Zhi withdrew.

Lady Wu turned to her two daughters-in-law and sighed, “Go, bring me my armor. Arm me. Wu County must not fall—not now!”

She knew well that Wu County was the foundation.

If it were lost, Sun Ce’s troops would collapse entirely, making any hope of conquering the realm impossible.

As news of Chu Feng’s army at the gates spread, elsewhere, the clans had already begun to meet and discuss countermeasures.