The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 737 Zhang Miaozui?
Zhang Miaoshou's original name was Zhang Wenyao. He was also a border soldier. He killed an official and rebelled because he was dissatisfied with the oppression of his superiors. This was similar to the Shen brothers. Moreover, Zhang Miaoshou had once worked with the Shen brothers before starting his own business, so they had a certain relationship.

On this day, Zhang Miaoshou suddenly arrived outside Shen Yikui's camp, requesting to see his old friend. Shen Yikui was overjoyed upon hearing the news and immediately ordered him to be invited in. Upon seeing him, he said with emotion, "Old Zhang, you're truly a man of honor. You still dare to come here at a time like this. Our brotherhood has not been in vain. By the way, how many men did you bring to help me this time?"

In ancient times, transportation was difficult and news spread slowly. Fengxiang Prefecture was five or six hundred miles away from Qingyang Prefecture, so Shen Yikui was unaware that Zhang Miaoshou had surrendered to the government troops in Fengxiang Prefecture.

Zhang Miaoshou said awkwardly, "My goodness, I came alone this time and did not bring a single soldier with me."

Upon hearing that Zhang Miaoshou had not come to help him, Shen Yikui was greatly disappointed, and his enthusiasm immediately dropped by five points. He frowned and said, "Then what brings you here, Old Zhang? Did you come here specifically to reminisce with me? But with a formidable enemy at hand, and that evil star Jia Huan could come at any moment, it's not appropriate for us to reminisce."

Zhang Miaoshou coughed and said with a forced smile, "Old Master, you don't know this, but I was actually sent by Governor Jia to persuade him to surrender."

Shen Yikui was stunned for a moment, then his eyes widened, and he blurted out, "You son of a bitch, so you've already surrendered to the government for personal gain? Bah! I thought you were here to help us out. Men, show him out!"

Zhang Miaoshou was both ashamed and angry. He frowned and said, "Old God, a wise man knows when to yield. Now the government troops have surrounded you with heavy troops. If you resist stubbornly, you will only die. It is not too late to surrender now. Besides, didn't you accept the court's offer of amnesty in the past? Why are you still so stubborn?"

Shen Yikui sneered, "It is precisely because I once accepted the offer of amnesty that I understand the court's schemes. Before I surrendered, those officials were all talk and no action, promising me official positions and making promises. But afterwards, they were always on guard and made things difficult for me. If I hadn't been clever back then, I'd probably be buried with grass growing three feet tall by now."

Zhang Miaoshou shook his head and said, "It's not that bad. Look at me, I'm perfectly fine now. Besides, the imperial court didn't do anything to you back then. You're just being paranoid."

Shen Yikui sneered, "No matter what you say, I'm determined not to fall for it this time. I'd rather fight to the death than live that kind of precarious life, having to grovel and act like a coward again."

Zhang Miaoshou was about to persuade him again when Shen Yikui's face darkened, and he shouted menacingly, "Zhang Wenyao, shut the hell up! If it weren't for our past friendship, I would have killed you right now. Get lost! Let Jia Huan come at me if he dares. I, Shen Yikui, will take him on. The outcome is still uncertain!"

Helpless, Zhang Miaoshou could only leave Shen Yikui's camp with a gloomy face. Before leaving, he spat on the ground and cursed, "Good advice is useless to a damned ghost. Fine, since you, Shen Yikui, are courting death, I won't stop you!"

Despite his cursing, Zhang Miaoshou hesitated. Among the besieged militia leaders, he was closest to Shen Yikui and had the best relationship with him. He had thought he had a good chance of persuading Shen Yikui to surrender, but the latter turned out to be as stubborn and unyielding as a rock in a cesspool.

What to do now? Should I go back to Jia Huan empty-handed? Even if Jia Huan doesn't blame me, I'll still feel resentful.

Before setting off, Jia Huan had promised Zhang Miaoshou that if he successfully persuaded any bandit leader to surrender, he would be appointed as a military officer. Zhang Miaoshou was naturally very tempted, and the first village he chose was Shen Yikui, but unfortunately he failed!

"Damn it, fortune favors the bold, I'll take the risk!" Zhang Miaoshou thought it over and over, but in the end he was still unwilling to give up. He gritted his teeth and turned to head towards Zhang Xianzhong's camp.

Although Zhang Miaoshou and Zhang Xianzhong shared the same surname, they were not related and their relationship was superficial. However, Zhang Miaoshou knew Zhang Xianzhong's character well; he was cunning and selfish, and such people were mostly self-serving and relatively easy to persuade to surrender. Zhang Miaoshou arrived outside Zhang Xianzhong's camp, revealed his name, and requested an audience. Sure enough, he was quickly received by Zhang Xianzhong himself.

"Hey, what brings Brother Wenyao here?" Zhang Xianzhong said, while subtly scrutinizing Zhang Miaoshou.

Like Shen Yikui, Zhang Xianzhong was unaware that Zhang Miaoshou had already surrendered to Jia Huan. However, as the saying goes, no one visits the temple without a reason, and Zhang Miaoshou's appearance at this critical juncture was clearly unusual.

Zhang Miaoshou first exchanged pleasantries before revealing his purpose. Upon hearing this, Zhang Xianzhong burst into laughter and said, "Does Jia Huan really intend to offer me amnesty?"

Zhang Miaoshou said somewhat displeasedly, "Of course, otherwise why would I be here? Am I just bored and looking for trouble?"

Zhang Xianzhong shook his head and sneered, "Brother Wenyao, it's not that I don't want to believe you, but can the court really tolerate a rebel like me who has dug up imperial tombs? Or is the offer of amnesty just Jia Huan's own idea?"

Zhang Miaoshou's expression stiffened slightly. Jia Huan had only sent him to offer amnesty, without clarifying whether it was permitted by the court or his own idea. Just as he was struggling with this, a sudden inspiration struck him. He lowered his voice and said, "The one who ordered the destruction of the imperial tombs was Gao Yingxiang. What does that have to do with you, Brother Bingwu? If you, Brother Bingwu, were to abandon your evil ways and offer Gao Yingxiang's head, the court would not only not pursue the matter but would also reward you handsomely. You would no longer have to live a life of danger, and you could become a high-ranking official and ride a fine horse. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

Zhang Xianzhong's eyes flashed, and he remained silent, seemingly tempted. Zhang Miaoshou was secretly pleased to see this and immediately pressed his advantage, saying, "Brother Bingwu, if I may be so bold as to say something unpleasant, although you have the numbers and the strength, you are absolutely no match for Jia Huan in a fight. In the end, you will only face certain death. If you don't make plans now, it will be too late when Jia Huan attacks."

Tsk tsk, do you know how Tuo Yangkun died? He was on the city wall when he was bombarded to death by hundreds of cannons, and his army of seventy or eighty thousand was wiped out in an instant.

"Well, let me be frank with you, Brother Bingwu, before coming here, I had already visited Shen Yi Kui's camp. You know my relationship with the old god, hehe. Besides, the old god didn't participate in the destruction of the imperial tomb, so he didn't have many reservations."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xianzhong's expression shifted, as if he had been weighing the matter for a long time, before he said in a deep voice, "This is a matter of great importance, so please allow me to consider it further. Moreover, to put it bluntly, Brother Wenyao, you have no proof whatsoever. How can I believe you?"

Upon hearing that there was hope, Zhang Miaoshou was overjoyed and hurriedly asked, "Brother Bingwu, how can I convince you to believe me?"

Zhang Xianzhong's eyes darted around as he said, "Unless you can produce Jia Huan's handwritten letter of surrender."

Zhang Miaoshou said happily, "No problem, I'll come to visit again another day. Goodbye!"

After seeing Zhang Miaoshou off, Zhang Xianzhong finally revealed a meaningful, cold smile.

(End of this chapter)