At the end of the Han Dynasty: a stingy husband from his hometown

Chapter 392: In a desperate situation, he draws his sword and kills himself

Zhang He couldn't help but frown slightly after hearing Zhang Liao's request, and said to Gao Lan, "This must be because Zhang Wenyuan doesn't believe us, so he did this deliberately."

Gao Lan looked troubled and said: "We have killed the generals who opposed surrender. If we are not accepted by the Chu State, won't we have no place to live?"

Zhang He pondered for a long time, then gritted his teeth and said: "The matter has come to this, we have no way out. Since Zhang Wenyuan asks so, you and I simply take off our armor and go to the Chu army for a fight!"

Gao Lan was shocked when he heard this and said: "If the King of Chu still doesn't accept us at that time, won't you and I die without a burial place?"

Zhang He's eyes flashed brightly and he said: "As far as I know, when Zhang Wenyuan followed Lu Fengxian, he led an army to surprise Lujiang County under the rule of the King of Chu, and killed Huang Shao, a close confidant of the King of Chu, which eventually led to the fall of Lujiang County. Even the governor of Lujiang County, Lu Jining, was killed."

"Even so, His Highness the King of Chu still exempted Zhang Wenyuan from his guilt after capturing him and entrusted him with important tasks."

"You and I are quite prestigious in the Zhao army. If we can be accepted by the King of Chu, a steady stream of generals from Hebei will come to join us in the future."

“I believe that with His Majesty’s talent and strategy, His Highness the King of Chu, he will definitely accept us!”

After hearing Zhang He's remarks, Gao Lan immediately stopped hesitating and said: "In that case, you and I will go to the Chu army camp. But before leaving, we should arrange military affairs first. Lest some people who are forced to surrender take the opportunity to cause trouble!”

Therefore, Zhang Liao also quite recognized Zhang He's ability.

But not long after Zhang Liao sent the messenger away, he suddenly heard someone coming to report: "General, Zhang He and Gao Lan are asking for an audience outside the camp!"

"Shut up!"

The man replied: "Only a dozen riders."

Zhang Liao's eyes widened, his face full of disbelief, and then he did not dare to neglect, so he hurried out of the stronghold to greet him.

Zhang He nodded and said: "As it is, I will arrange for my trusted generals to take charge of the important affairs of the army!"

After speaking, he pointed to another person beside him and said, "This is General Gao Lan."

It is no exaggeration to say that if Zhang He, a famous general from Hebei, had not been guarding Runan, Zhang Liao and Xu Huang might have turned Runan upside down, and Yuan Shao would not have been able to concentrate on using troops against Chu.

Zhang Liao led his army to Zhang He and Gao Lan. After reining in the reins, he turned over and dismounted. He saluted Zhang He and said, "I never thought that General Zhang is here in person!"

At this time, Zhang Liao had already believed most of the two men's surrender, but he still did not relax his vigilance.

Previously, Zhang He led troops to guard Runan, and Zhang Liao guarded Lujiang. The two sides had fought several times, but neither side could win.

Zhang Liao is no stranger to Zhang He.

After the two parties finished the ceremony, Zhang Liao immediately invited the two of them to the military camp.

After the two arranged their military affairs, they immediately headed towards Zhang Liao's army with a dozen cavalry and their own tiger charms and seals.

Zhang Liao cupped his fists again and said: "Long time admiration! Long time admiration!"

Zhang He also hurriedly returned the gift and said to Zhang He: "General invites you, how dare you not come?"

Zhang Liao was surprised when he heard this and asked hurriedly: "How many troops and horses did they bring?"

Zhang He and Gao Lan dismounted their horses and stayed in the cold wind. They didn't wait long before they saw the door of the Chu army's camp open, and a general hurried in with a dozen cavalry.

But as long as the two of them enter the camp, no matter how capable they are, they won't be able to cause any trouble, so there is nothing to worry about.

Outside the camp.

The leader is Zhang Liao.

After everyone entered the camp, Zhang Liao asked: "It's not that Zhang is suspicious, it's just that both of them are famous generals in Hebei and Zhao Guozhu, and are highly valued by Yuan Benchu. Why did they switch to Chu?"

After Zhang He and Gao Lan heard this, they looked at each other and saw bitterness in each other's eyes.

Zhang He did not hide anything, and immediately told all about what happened to him and others in the Zhao Kingdom. When Zhang Liao learned that Ju Shou, Zhang He, and Gao Lan who had made great contributions were being squeezed out in this way, it was Xin Pi and others who had not made any achievements and made Yuan Shao make mistakes in judgment. After being entrusted with important tasks, the person couldn't help but open his mouth in surprise.

He had previously thought that Yuan Shao could dominate Hebei and establish the Zhao Kingdom. Even though he was not as good as His Highness the King of Chu, he was still a heroic leader.

Looking at it today, he is nothing more than a traitor. How can he be compared with the King of Chu?
After learning about what happened to the two men, and combining it with the information he had heard before, Zhang Liao already believed that the two men were sincerely in love with each other, and immediately said: "If the Lord learns that the two generals are coming to surrender, he will definitely be extremely happy. I wonder if you two would lead the army to follow us to Shouchun to pay homage to our lord?"

The two of them said in unison: "It's my wish, but I dare not invite you!"

But it was said that Zhou Qi was based in Shouchun and commanded the army to constantly harass Yuan's army.

Originally, Ju Shou was in command, and Zhang He and Gao Lan led the army to break up the rear. Although Yuan's army had low morale, it was still highly disciplined and orderly.

However, as Ju Shou was dismissed from his post and imprisoned, Zhang He and Gao Lan were sent to attack Liyang, which immediately caused an uproar in the army and caused a lot of chaos.

Although the newly appointed Feng Ji, Xin Pi, and Gao Gan took over the army, most of the Zhao Guojun lieutenants were from Hebei, and they obviously did not like these people very much. In addition, the three of them were far inferior to Ju Shuo, Zhang He, and Gao Lan. Yuan Jun became more and more confused.

Zhuge Liang, who was on the front line, keenly grasped the opportunity and sent Ma Chao, Huang Zhong, Xu Huang and others to launch large-scale battles repeatedly. In five days, he fought three battles and three victories in Guangling County, killing Yuan's army and retreating steadily. Yuan Jun's troops were in panic and morale was low. Just as Zhou Qi was overjoyed to see the good news coming from the front one after another, the messenger sent by Zhang Liao also arrived in Shouchun and reported that Zhang He and Gao Lan wanted to lead troops to surrender to Chu.

After reading the content of the letter, Zhou Qi, who knew that Zhang Liao was still worried that the two men might fake a surrender, immediately burst into laughter and said to the messenger: "He who knows the current affairs is a hero. Zhang He and Gao Lan are famous generals in Hebei. If they can lead the army first If the news of surrendering to Chu reaches Yuan's army, Yuan's army will inevitably fall into pieces."

"Let Wen Yuan not be suspicious, just be careful, and be sure to bring the two of them to Shouchun as soon as possible!"

As a time traveler, Zhou Qi naturally knew that after Wuchao's grain and grass were burned in history, Zhang He and Gao Lan chose to surrender to Cao Cao because of internal strife among Yuan Shao's subordinates.

The surrender of the two men officially announced that the Battle of Guandu ended with Yuan Shao's complete defeat.

Otherwise, Yuan Shao would not have suffered such a huge loss.

A few days later, Zhang Liao indeed led Zhang He and Gao Lan to visit Zhou Qi. Zhou Qi was overjoyed and stepped forward to help them up. He took their hands and said, "The two generals surrendered to Chu, just like a thief." Yin, Han Xin returned to the Han Dynasty."

"Both of them are the pillars of Hebei Province. It's a pity that Yuan Benchu ​​can't employ people. It's fitting that the Yuan family suffered such a defeat!"

Zhou Qi immediately appointed the two as partial generals, and granted them the title of Marquis of Tingdu. He ordered them to still command their own troops and horses, follow him to the front line to attack Yuan's army, and recruit the generals and soldiers of Hebei to surrender.

as predicted.

When the officers and soldiers of the Yuan Army learned that even Zhang He and Gao Lan had surrendered to the Chu State and had been given important positions and rewards, they had no fighting spirit and were completely defeated in the face of the Chu Army's powerful offensive.

Yuan Shao was anxious and angry, secretly hating Zhang He and Gao Lan for betraying their master. Although he felt a little regretful in his heart, nothing could be changed.

The so-called defeat was like a mountain. Hundreds of thousands of Yuan's troops fled in all directions. Only Gao Gan, Ju Yi and others, with tens of thousands of soldiers and horses, closely protected Yuan Shao's retreat.

Just when the Chu army was winning consecutive battles and was at its peak, Cao Cao and Liu Bei, who got the news, also wanted to take advantage of the opportunity and sent troops to seize Yuan Shao's territory.

At this time, Zhou Qi had ordered Gan Ning, Zhou Jin and others to defeat Yuan Jun's water stronghold and regain control of the lower reaches of the Huaihe River.

Although there are still tens of thousands of remaining soldiers under Yuan Shao's command, they have been cut off and cannot cross the Huaihe River. When the food and grass are burned, these tens of thousands of soldiers and horses will inevitably become turtles in the urn sooner or later.

Just when Zhou Qi was high-spirited and ready to capture Yuan Shao alive, Jia Xu came to visit overnight.

Seeing Jia Xu's look, Zhou Qi asked a little strangely: "Wen He has always been unchanging when Mount Tai collapsed. Now our army has won a complete victory and Yuan Benchu ​​is about to be captured alive. Why is Wen He so anxious?"

Jia Xu took a deep breath, bowed deeply to Zhou Qi, and then said: "I ask your Majesty to lift the blockade of the Huaihe River and let Yuan Benchu ​​return to Hebei!"

When Zhou Qi suddenly heard this, his expression changed slightly.

If it were other monarchs who heard Jia Xu's words under such circumstances, they might have become furious and began to doubt Jia Xu's loyalty.

However, Zhou Qi is a very human being and understands Jia Xu's personality relatively well. He knows that although the other party is cunning and good at understanding people's hearts, he is not a betrayal of his master.

He was very good at protecting himself. If the matter had not been of great importance, he would never have said this at the risk of being suspected.

In fact.

What Zhou Qi didn't know was that if it were a monarch like Cao Cao or Yuan Shao, Jia Xu might not have done this.

It's just that he had already seen Zhou Qi's character clearly and knew that his lord was tolerant, so he dared to say these words despite the disapproval of the world.

Zhou Qi tried hard to calm down, and after a while he asked, "Can Wen He give me an explanation?"

Seeing Zhou Qi's furious brows, Jia Xu couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Although he knew that Zhou Qi was tolerant, he was still a little worried. Now that he saw Zhou Qi's reaction, he was completely relieved.

On the south bank of the Huaihe River, Yuan Shao looked at the river and sighed.

Seeing that the army's food and grass had been exhausted, and even the war horses were slaughtered to satisfy their hunger, they still failed to break through the blockade of Gan Ning and others, and crossed the Huaihe River to escape to Xuzhou.

Today, Yuan Shao can be said to be in a desperate situation with a strong enemy blocking his way and an army of Chu pursuing him behind.

Seeing more and more soldiers fleeing, Yuan Shao had no choice but to look at the river and sigh: "Am I going to die here today?"

As soon as Yuan Shao finished speaking, he suddenly saw huge warships appearing on the river. The most conspicuous warship actually had a dragon flag with the word "Zhou" hanging on it.

When Yuan Shao saw this, his pupils could not help but shrink.

Throughout the entire Chu Kingdom, only King Zhou Qi of Chu was qualified to fly this kind of flag!

Yuan Shao said sadly: "I never thought that in the past, those who had to beg for mercy to my Yuan family would now destroy my Yuan family's foundation!"

"I was born in the Yuan family of Runan, and I am the fourth generation of Duke Fu. Even if I die, I will never fall into the hands of Zhou Qi's son!"

After saying this, Yuan Shao immediately pulled out the sword from his waist and wiped it towards his neck.

(End of this chapter)