Zhao Tong led his troops through the mountains and made a surprise attack to the capital Fangxian.

After the attempt to surrender failed!

In the following days, in addition to cutting off the connection between the inside and outside of the city, and directly besieging the city with a large army, they did not launch a forceful attack without sacrificing military strength.

Just because Fengling County is now in the bag!

Zhao Tong does not need to spend military power on conquest.

After all, once a war breaks out, the people in the city and the surrounding villagers will be dragged into the flames of war.

The Art of War says: The so-called attacking the city is from the bottom, and attacking the heart is from the top.

Zhao Tong has been on his own for more than half a year and has gone through dozens of battles, large and small, so he naturally knows this.

If you can't move without weapons, try not to move as much as possible.

And now, he is competing in psychological warfare with the prefect Kuai Qi.

Let's see if Kuai Qi can withstand the pressure without surrendering until Cao Jun's reinforcements arrive.

Zhao Tong would not choose to attack Fangling unless he had no choice.

besides.

He also has another more important factor to consider.

That is to test the reaction from Shangyong and Xicheng in advance.

Look at how Fangling is trapped.

Will the county chiefs of the two parties lead the rescue with the same mindset of advancing and retreating?

For several days.

Kuai Qi was gradually feeling anxious at this moment.

Probably because all the crossings outside the city have been occupied by the Jingzhou army.

They live in the city and have no access to the outside world.

Naturally, there is no way to know about Cao Jun's reinforcements.

"Cao Ren has received my urgent letter asking for help. Will he send reinforcements?"

Kuai Qi stood tightly outside the mansion, his face gloomy, and he was thinking about various things uneasily.

Although he also sent people to inform Shangyong and other places.

But they don't have much confidence that the Shen family and other local wealthy families can lead their troops to come.

Kuai Qi comes from the Kuai family, a prominent family in Jingxiang at that time. Naturally, he knows very well that people like Shen Dan are typical outsiders. Whenever there is a crisis, they will most likely choose to sit on the sidelines!

He would not take the initiative to offend Liu Beijun.

In order to cut off the possibility of surrender due to lack of strength behind.

After thinking about this, Kuai Qi also knew very well at this time that only the elite of Cao's army rushed here to save Fangling from the urgent need.

However, there are many mountains in the three eastern counties, and the roads are rugged and difficult to navigate.

Even if Cao Ren is willing to lead his troops here, it will still take a lot of time.

Whether he can sustain it until then is still unclear!

Moreover, in the fight for the three eastern counties, the logistics support is more conducive to the Jingzhou Army. It is inconvenient to come from Nanyang, Fancheng and other places.

Just think of these.

Kuai Qi couldn't help but feel a splitting headache.

"Could it be said that it is really a foregone conclusion that the three eastern counties will be captured by Liu Bei?"

He unconsciously became a little pessimistic.

And just when he was feeling depressed and thinking wildly.

Outside the house, I saw a noble lady with her hair tied up and a delicate-looking middle-aged woman slowly walking out.

"Husband, are you worried about the war?"

Slowly walking to Kuai Qi's side, the woman asked him softly.

"lady!"

This woman is naturally Kuai Qi's wife and Zhuge Liang's eldest sister Zhuge Yue.

"Husband, you have been worried since the Jingzhou army besieged the city outside the city and the communication between inside and outside the city was cut off."

"I really can't bear to see my husband so entangled, but there are some things I don't want to say. If there is anything inappropriate, please bear with me!"

As soon as these words fell.

Zhuge Yue also looked like everyone else and spoke frankly.

"Madam, you and I have a very close relationship. If you have anything to say, just say it. How can I blame you as a husband?"

Although Kuai Qi showed a stubborn expression in front of Zhao Tong, at this moment, he also spoke with full warmth in front of his wife.

"Husband, I understand why you are so upset."

"You have always been a distinguished figure. You admire Mr. Lu Zhi, a great scholar of Confucian classics, and Mr. Lu Kang from Jiangdong. You take the awe-inspiring righteousness in their bodies as examples."

"No matter what happens to the court, as long as the Han Dynasty survives and this day is still here, my husband, you will serve this court."

At this point, Zhuge Yue pondered for a long time, then changed the topic and said again: "And now, husband, what you are upset about, if I am not expecting it to be true."

"Are you making a decision in your mind?"

"Today's emperor's government orders all come from the Prime Minister's Palace. The emperor is like a puppet, and the Han Dynasty is in name only!"

"Prime Minister Cao Mengde also arrogated the title of duke, added nine tins, used the emperor's ceremonial guard, forced the palace to kill the queen, and killed hundreds of civil and military officials loyal to the Han Dynasty without permission."

"But the lord Zuo General Liu Xuande, who is now being assisted by my brother Zhuge Kongming, is the emperor's uncle who I personally recognized after consulting the family tree today, and he is also the emperor of the Han Dynasty."

"With his ability, if he can revive the Han Dynasty and destroy the Han traitors."

"Even if today's emperor is killed by a traitor in the future, the Han Dynasty will still be safe!"

"Perhaps Liu Xuande can imitate the former Guangwu and restore the glory of the Han Dynasty."

After a lot of words came to an end.

Zhuge Yue's expression became more serious and solemn.

"At this time, my husband is caught in the whirlpool of his ideals and reality. He doesn't know whether he should continue to obey the imperial edict or submit to the uncle of the Han Dynasty and rebuild the prestige of the Han Dynasty together."

"Is that why your husband has been worried about this matter?"

Zhuge Yue is indeed a Zhuge family. In addition to being beautiful and dignified, her mind is also exceptionally smart and clear.

At this time, I basically had a thorough understanding of my husband's psychology.

"hehe!"

Hearing this, Kuai Qi smiled bitterly, and then couldn't help but say: "My wife Bingxue is so smart, she can see through my husband's innermost thoughts!"

One word fell.

After pondering for a long time, he seemed to be hesitating. After a long time, as if he had made a major decision, he suddenly asked: "Madam, what do you think a husband should make?"

"Husband, I cannot give you a direct answer to this matter."

"But it can help you weigh and analyze it."

"If you insist on sticking to the professional ethics in your heart and holding on to Fang Ling, the final outcome can only be destruction of the city and death!"

"Actually, my husband is very clear in his heart. Even if reinforcements can be invited, the main force of Cao's army is now concentrated on the Hanzhong line. Heavy troops will be stationed in the north and east to protect the safety of important areas."

"And the commander-in-chief of the Jingzhou army, Guan Yunchang, is well-organized and is brave and unstoppable. It is a great surprise for Cao Ren to be able to defend Jingzhou well and not lose the north."

"How easy is it to contend with the Jingzhou Army on the front line in Jingzhou?"

"Besides, after hearing that Feng Chu, who is now named after Kong Ming, Pang Shiyuan, who was hailed as the crown prince of Nanzhou by Mr. Shui Jing in his early years, has also been appointed by Liu Xuande and rushed to Jingzhou to take charge."

"This will assist Guan Yunchang in taking control of Jingzhou."

"I am not optimistic that Cao Jun on the front line in Jingbei can compete for the three eastern counties."

Zhuge Yue once again made a thorough analysis for her husband based on the existing situation.

The words fall here.

Zhuge Yue paused for a moment before continuing: "If your husband sticks to Fang Ling and refuses to surrender, then you can live up to the integrity in your heart."

"It is enough to be as noble and upright as the revered Lu Gong and Lu Gong."

"But if your husband insists on adhering to the integrity in his heart, regardless of his own family members, the overall situation and the country's justice, wouldn't he be called a sanctimonious hypocrite by future generations?"

"If your husband insists on dying, he will be able to live up to the obsession in his heart."

"But my husband abandoned my concubine and our children. From a small family perspective, do you think your husband is worthy of us?"

"An old saying goes: Cultivate one's moral character, govern the country, bring order to the family, and bring peace to the world."
To be continued...