I will be the master of Xuande

Chapter 740: Surrender
Zhangye, in Han Sui's military camp.

During this period of time, the rebels had had internal strife more than once or twice, which made Han Sui very distressed.

After the fall of Jincheng County, Zhang Fei began to eliminate those powerful people who supported Han Sui in the local area, and at the same time confiscated their lands.

He united the local Qiang people and gave preferential treatment to those who were willing to submit to the Han Dynasty and add their people to the Han Dynasty's native place. He allocated land to these Qiang people and taught them farming methods.

At the same time, they also support the Qiang people in building large-scale horse farms locally, and will follow the court's preferential treatment policy so that the Qiang people's horses can be prioritized by the court in the shortest possible time.

At the same time, Zhang Fei, in accordance with Liu Jian's request, worked with Liu Biao to formulate major measures such as the Qiang tax exemption plan and maternity subsidies in Liangzhou, and implemented them in various counties in Liangzhou...

In short, the policies to benefit the people in various places in Liangzhou are exactly the same as those in the Central Plains, or even worse.

In fact, compared with the Central Plains, these policies that benefit the people are relatively easy to promote in Liangzhou.

Because although the big families in Liangzhou are rampant, they do not have as strong a control and influence on the local people as those in the Central Plains.

Liangzhou's folk customs are martial, and these ordinary people will arouse unlimited resistance to the oppression of the powerful once they are ignited!
Compared with the ordinary Li Shu in the Central Plains, after receiving the benefits of the New Deal, the Li Shu in Liangzhou had stronger support for the government agencies and a deeper dependence on the government offices, and their resistance to the powerful was obviously much more intense.

Ma Teng is also very helpless. The current situation cannot be reversed by relying on their personal bravery. The other party is now adopting a dual form of political and economic blockade and suppression.

How could their hearts not live when they saw that the Liangzhou government's policies towards ordinary people were so favorable, including the preferential treatment given to the sergeants who had surrendered?

Camp bombings and internal strife among rebels have become commonplace, and the root cause is the problem of supplies, but Han Sui has no way to solve supplies for his rebels now.

But what about now? The population has increased by nearly one million,
Although there is still no comparison with the big states in the Central Plains, this is an earth-shaking change for the entire Liangzhou.

Then Ma Teng and Han Sui rebelled in Liangzhou, did they want to separate themselves and become emperors?

As for Sun Ce, he had a grudge against Liu Jian for killing his father.

Of course, the most important reason was that the political situation in Liangzhou was unstable and the imperial court was unable to control Liangzhou.

What do the rebels have?
When you die, you only get a shroud at most.

The treatment of their sergeants is now very different from that of the rebels.

In this case, let's be honest. This is really the only way to go.

Ma Teng suddenly spoke up and gave Han Sui such an idea.

The situation of Han Sui, Ma Teng, Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, Sun Ce and others is different.

Yuan Shao represented the aristocratic family, while Liu Jian represented the court and the clan.

The ordinary people and Qiang people in Liangzhou support the actions of the officials so much. Just imagine what happens to the rebels under Han Sui now?

The war between the two of them was a fundamental confrontation between the Han Dynasty and the imperial power of the Liu clan.

The court even gave pensions to people who died in battle, and also gave the descendants of soldiers who died in battle the opportunity to train in state military academies.

The war is fought on the military side, but this is only superficial. In fact, the real war is fought on the integration of politics, economy and policy.

Precisely because of the support from the Qiang people and the local people in Liangzhou, the counties in the eastern part of Liangzhou have added a lot of people to their registration lists over the years!
These are the hidden population in Liangzhou who were originally unwilling to belong to the government, and there are also those who are willing to join the household registration. Together with the Qiang people, the current population of Liangzhou has greatly increased!

They don't care how deep their local roots and how powerful these local tycoons in Liangzhou are!
So what? Just do it!
At this point, the actual benefits Zhang Fei received in Liangzhou were much greater than those of the local generals and officials in the Central Plains.

In short, Liangzhou has its disadvantages, and of course it also has its advantages. Everything is relative and has two sides.

If the government and the court treat them well, they will swarm to support the court and support the government without any reservation.

The two sides have a life-or-death relationship.

To be honest, not really.

No.

"Shoucheng, you said everything was fine, why did it end up like this?"

No matter how good Ma Teng and Han Sui are in fighting, what's the use of fighting if the fundamental problem of direction is not solved?

However, Ma Teng and Han Sui were lame in this aspect, and they simply could not make up for it.

Having received good treatment, how can the rebels under Han Sui and Ma Teng not feel jealous now?
In addition, Han Sui now had less and less food to supply the army. They could no longer go to Guanzhong to plunder, so the treatment of the rebels under Han Sui gradually declined.

However, now, with the strength shown by Zhang Fei and others, as well as the current development trend of the Han Dynasty, anyone can see that the imperial court has enough strength to control Liangzhou.

Han Sui looked at Ma Teng beside him with a painful expression.

Do Ma Teng and Han Sui have any deep personal hatred against Liu Jian?

His relationship with Yuan Shao and Liu Jian is different. Yuan Shao and Liu Jian are the sons of class.

"Wen Yue, if it doesn't work, let's ask the court to surrender..."

Han Sui didn't show any surprise on his face. On the contrary, he calmly accepted Ma Teng's proposal.

As for Cao Cao, he is also the overlord of one side now, and he is said to be a loner in the south. If he can, he naturally does not want to give up his foundation easily and switch to the imperial court. It depends on the look of others, and he may be found out for his previous crimes. He came to ask questions.

They knew very well that the reason why Han Sui became a traitor to the imperial court was just due to the current situation and some coincidences.

It has become a certainty that Zhang Fei will take root in Liangzhou, and it is impossible to expel him.

Especially Li Kan, Cheng Yin and others had surrendered to the court before.

Most of those rebels were ordinary people.

The original total population of Liangzhou may not have exceeded 500,000 in household registration.

From the perspective of Han Sui and Ma Teng, what is the point of them still fighting to the death with the imperial court?

In this case, what is the future path for the rebels to survive or to get ahead?
Can it be said that the rebels can really overthrow the imperial court and establish a new dynasty?

It's all nonsense when you think about it.

As for the separatist rule of Liangzhou, it is no longer practical.

Judging from the current situation, the only way to survive is to surrender to the imperial court and not be completely annihilated.

Ma Teng let out a long sigh: "Wen Yue, actually I've wanted to tell you this for a long time, but I just don't know how to tell you that Ma Teng is someone who is greedy for life and afraid of death, but... right now This situation, if we resist to the end, we may be destroyed soon."

"Even if it is not destroyed, now that the imperial court has reached here, where is our retreat? We have lost Jincheng County. When the imperial army continues to advance westward, where can we retreat to?"

"Does it mean that we still have to withdraw to the countries in the Western Region?"

"Then by that time, we will really become people who have left our homeland!"

"Besides, are the countries in the Western Region really that safe?"

"With the current power of the imperial court, who can guarantee that Liu Jian will not continue to expand to the countries in the Western Regions in the future?"

"Wen Yue, you and I are also Han people after all. Do we really have to end up surrendering to foreigners?"

Facing Ma Teng's repeated inquiries, Han Sui couldn't help but be speechless. After a long moment of silence, Han Sui sighed helplessly.

"Oh, I'm so ashamed. To be honest, I have actually thought about the idea of ​​surrendering to the imperial court several times, but I have always been embarrassed to say it."

Speaking of this, Han Sui said: "Shou Cheng, you and I have been rebels for several years, but to be honest, I have never thought clearly about the final destination of our troops and brothers..."

"But now, I have it figured out."

"Liu Jian's power is so strong, and the court is now very different from before. After the New Deal reforms, the entire Han Dynasty is completely different from before. The people's livelihood is prosperous, and everyone has hope for life. Under such a situation “Excuse me, if we still forcefully rebel, wouldn’t we forcefully disobey the way of heaven?”

After hearing this, Ma Teng nodded in agreement and said, "Wen Yue, what you said is true! Since we both have this intention, we might as well settle the matter for the time being!"

Han Sui let out a long sigh and said, "The question is, who should we send as envoy to the court?"

"Since Yan Zhong died of illness, we can no longer find a resourceful person on our side. To communicate with the imperial court, we still need talented people!"

Speaking of this, Han Sui showed a look of regret on his face.

"And now, we can surrender to the imperial court, but it is hard to say how sincere the imperial court will treat us... Shoucheng, don't let us surrender to the imperial court, and the imperial court will kill us instead. By that time, it will be too late for us to regret."

Ma Teng also nodded solemnly and said: "After surrendering to the imperial court, how can the imperial court treat us? Alas, it is really difficult to make a choice!"

While Ma Teng and Han Sui were discussing, a guard hurriedly came outside their tent.

"Commander, Zhang Fei sent someone to send a letter of challenge to the two commanders."

When Ma Teng and Han Sui heard that Zhang Fei sent someone to send a letter of challenge, they immediately looked at each other depressedly.

Immediately afterwards, they stretched out their hands to the guard: "Ask him to send the letter of challenge!"

Han Sui opened the letter of challenge first, and after reading it carefully, he said: "Although Zhang Fei issued a letter of challenge to you and me, his words were quite polite, showing the style of a general."

"This man is good at using troops, has strategies, and understands politics. He is truly a talented general, beyond the reach of famous generals in ancient times!"

"It's really difficult for you and me to defeat him."

Ma Teng immediately asked: "Wen Yue, where is Zhang Fei stationing his troops now? How can he want to fight with us?"

Han Sui said: "According to the last report from the scouts, Zhang Fei's troops are still stationed in Jincheng County, but I don't know where they are now."

When Ma Teng heard this, he couldn't help feeling nervous: "When was this information obtained?"

Han Sui said: "It was probably five days ago."

Ma Teng said hurriedly: "Since Zhang Fei wants to fight with me, he can no longer be in Jincheng County. Since the situation was only discovered five days ago, his troops should be very close to us now." , it would be better to quickly send out scouts to investigate carefully to avoid being attacked by him!"

Han Sui nodded and was about to make an appointment, but he saw a guard hurriedly came outside the commander's tent again, raised his hands to them and said: "Two commanders, something serious has happened! Song Jian's side sent People came asking for help.”

Upon hearing that Song Jian came to ask for help, Ma Teng and Han Sui's hearts beat violently.

In order to be able to fight against Zhang Fei, Han Sui, Ma Teng and others made an appointment with the traitor Liu Xiongming and Song Jian who claimed to be the king of Han at the head of the river in Fanhan.

Later, although rebels from these borders came to support them, they were unable to repel Zhang Fei. Instead, Zhang Fei continued to encroach on their land and population, and gradually took over Jincheng County.

Liu Xiongming had already surrendered to the imperial army, but unfortunately he was killed by Lu Bu before he could accept the surrender.

As for Song Jian, King of Ping Han at Heshou, because he acted rebelliously and claimed to be King of Ping Han, it was impossible for the court to accept him. He knew this in his heart, so he fought against the court to the end.

Unfortunately, Song Jian united Han Sui and Ma Teng, but he never gained the upper hand.

As time went by, Song Jian became more and more worried about the future of this war, so he made an appointment to say goodbye to Ma Teng and Han Sui some time ago, and led his troops back to Panhan, intending to stay away from the center of the imperial court and stay on the border. The land is cut off and the king becomes king.

But he didn't expect that Song Jian had just led his troops back to Panhan, and before they arrived, he was surprised by Zhang Fei's troops.

"Bring me the battle report quickly!"

Han Sui hurriedly ordered someone to take Song Jian's letter for help, read it briefly, and then sighed and said: "Zhang Fei's troops are indeed unpredictable! He wrote a letter of war against me, but he actually attacked me. Song Jian has gone, and now most of Song Jian's soldiers and horses have been lost. They are besieged by Lu Bu and Zhang He. I'm afraid they won't be able to hold on for much longer. Shoucheng, do you think we should save them now or not?"

Ma Teng hesitated and said: "We have no intention of fighting with the imperial court now. If we rescue Song Jian, I'm afraid the imperial court will think that we are determined to fight Zhang Fei to win or lose, and they may not agree to our submission in the future. But Song Jian is the ally we invited after all... If we don’t save him now, if the court insists on refusing to surrender us in the future, it will be difficult for us to form an alliance with Song Jian again."

When Han Sui heard this, he couldn't help but stretched out his hand to rub his temples, and then knocked his head hard: "Why did things become like this? We and other men from the border counties of Liangzhou are all good at fighting, so why did Zhang Fei just let Zhang Fei do it?" Was it beaten like this?"

"Is it really God's will to destroy us?"

……

……

Han Sui and Ma Teng were wavering between left and right, not knowing what to do.

But Zhang Fei did one thing after another, with both direction and goal, without any pause.

He sent people to declare war on Ma Teng and Han Sui in order to confuse them, and his primary goal was to wipe out Song Jian's troops before he returned to Panhan.

Lu Bu and Zhang He followed Zhang Fei's orders to pursue Song Jian's troops and defeated them. Now they are besieging the remaining troops, waiting to harvest Song Jian's heads.

After Zhang Fei got the news about Lu Bu and Zhang He, he immediately ordered the two of them to quickly exterminate Song Jian. The head of the anti-king of the Han Dynasty must be brought back to boost the morale of the three armies.

Later, Zhang Fei ordered his people to invite Xu Rong to his garrison to discuss the next steps with Xu Rong.

"General Xu, now that Song Jian is about to be wiped out, Han Sui and Ma Teng's remaining troops are stationed in Zhangye, and we have established a foothold in Jincheng, what should be the next step?"

Xu Rongnai is a veteran, mature and prudent.

He stroked his beard and said with a smile: "Don't be anxious, Protector General. I think Han Sui and Ma Teng's hearts are completely messed up now. From our standpoint, why can't we give them a chance?"

Zhang Fei said: "Surrender?"

Xu Rong said: "It is better than continuing to fight like this. Although our army can eventually wipe out the Mahan rebels, after all, they have rebelled in Liangzhou for so many years and their foundation is still very deep."

"Moreover, Liangzhou's territory is too vast. Even if they cannot defeat us, if they adopt a deep retreat to the west, or if they lead their troops to flee to the countries in the Western Regions, it will always be a future trouble for the imperial court. .”

"Besides, as a plan, the imperial court will send troops to the Western Regions in the future. Ma Han has been fighting with us for a long time and knows the strength of our army. It is not the best idea to let them go to the Western Regions! I think at this time, should we send people to deal with it? How about recruiting Ma Teng and Han Sui to surrender? This will be of great benefit in the future!"

After listening to Xu Rong's words, Zhang Fei nodded solemnly and said: "General Xu is indeed very experienced, and what he said is true. For Ma Han, their best way back now is to surrender to the imperial court... …But who should I send as the envoy here to recruit them to surrender?”

Xu Rong said: "The Protector General thinks that Ma Teng and Han Sui are hesitant now. They don't know whether the imperial court will hold them accountable after they surrender, and they don't know what kind of treatment the imperial court will give them. .”

"If you want to appease the hearts of these two people, you must have the Great Protector personally make a comfort promise to them."

Zhang Fei smiled when he heard this: "Then I won't be asked to personally act as a messenger to persuade them to surrender, right?"

Xu Rong shook his head and said: "That's not necessary! However, Daduhu can find a way to arrange for Ma Teng and Han Sui to meet in front of the two armies' formations, and talk to them about their interests and appease them."

"The current Prime Minister is a benevolent and righteous person, and his faith is widespread throughout the world."

"As the sworn brother of the Prime Minister, the promise made by Da Duhu will definitely convince Ma Teng and Han Sui. This is also the fastest way to solve the problem."

(End of this chapter)