The videos I watched became popular in ancient times

In the winter of the third year of Jian'an, the cold wind was biting at the White Gate Tower in Xuzhou. Lü Bu was tied up in a ball, and the former "flying general" was gone. Cao Cao looked down at the people below the steps, his eyes like knives.

Chen Gong raised his head to be killed, Zhang Liao cursed loudly, but Gao Shun looked calm, as if he had already put life and death aside.

The knife flashed, and Gao Shun's head fell to the ground.

However, Zhang Liao and Zang Ba who surrendered later became famous generals under Cao Cao.

Of course, this is a plot in the novel. According to the official history, Zhang Liao led his troops to surrender later.

"Zang Ba, also known as Nukou, with the courtesy name Xuangao, was a native of Hua County, Taishan Prefecture (now Fangcheng Town, Fei County, Shandong Province), and a famous general of the Wei State during the Three Kingdoms period."

"When Zang Ba was 18 years old, his father Zang Jie was imprisoned for privately killing a prisoner, so he gathered a few people to rescue his father, and thus began his exile."

"In the fifth year of Zhongping (188 AD), Zang Ba defected to Tao Qian and became a cavalry commander under him, responsible for recruiting soldiers to resist the Yellow Turban Army. He and Sun Guan, Yin Li and others led troops to station in Kaiyang City."

"In the second year of Jian'an (197 AD), he led his troops to defeat Xiao Jian and captured Jucheng."

"In the third year of Jian'an (198 AD), when Cao Cao was attacking Lu Bu, Zang Ba led his troops to assist Lu Bu."

"After Lü Bu was defeated and captured, Zang Ba went into hiding."

"Afterwards, Zang Ba was found by Cao Cao, who appreciated his character and appointed him as the Prime Minister of Langye. He also divided Qingzhou and part of Xuzhou and entrusted him with garrisoning and governing."

"In the ninth year of Jian'an (205 AD), Cao Cao defeated Yuan Tan in Nanpi. Zang Ba took the opportunity to request to send his sons and the families of the generals' fathers and brothers to Yecheng."

"Later, riots broke out in the eastern prefectures and counties. Zang Ba led his troops in the name of justice, quelled the riots, and cleared the Haidai area. He was granted the title of Marquis, and later was further granted the title of Marquis of Duting and promoted to General Wei Lu."

"In the 207th year of Jian'an ( AD), Zang Ba and Xiahou Yuan defeated Xu He and other remnants of the Yellow Turban Army, and were promoted to the governor of Xuzhou for their merits."

"In the 217nd year of Jian'an ( AD), he followed Cao Cao to attack Sun Quan and defeated the Wu army."

"After that, he followed Cao Cao to Ruxukou to attack Sun Quan. Cao Cao appointed Zang Ba as General Yangwei and granted him a seal."

"In the 220th year of Jian'an ( AD), Cao Pi ascended the throne and Zang Ba was promoted to General Zhendong, further granted the title of Marquis of Wu'an, and appointed as the governor of Qingzhou's military affairs."

"In the same year, Cao Pi ascended the throne and conferred him the title of Marquis of Kaiyang, and later changed it to Marquis of Liangcheng."

"When Emperor Ming ascended the throne, he increased Zang Ba's fief by 500 households. After Zang Ba died, he was posthumously named "Marquis Wei."

"In 243 AD, Zang Ba was enshrined in the temple of Cao Cao, the first emperor of Wei."

"When Zang Ba was 18 years old, his father Zang Jie was a county prison official. He followed the law and refused to obey the governor's order to kill the prisoner privately."

"The governor ordered his father to be arrested and brought to the government office to prepare for his conviction. When he heard that his father was imprisoned, he gathered a dozen of his retainers and went to the West Mountain of Fei County to rescue his father."

"He killed the governor and fled to Donghai County with his father. After this, his reputation as a filial and brave man spread throughout the countryside."

"In the fifth year of Zhongping (188 AD), Zang Ba defected to Tao Qian and became a cavalry commander under him, responsible for recruiting soldiers to resist the Yellow Turban Army. He and Sun Guan, Yin Li and others led troops to station in Kaiyang, forming an independent force."

"In the second year of Jian'an (197 AD), Zang Ba led his troops to Ju County to attack Xiao Jian, the prime minister of Langya State. He captured Ju County and obtained Xiao Jian's baggage."

"He had promised to give Lu Bu a portion, but when it was not delivered, Lu Bu went to ask for it himself."

"After Lü Bu arrived in Ju County, Zang Ba was unaware of Lü Bu's intentions and defended the city against him. Lü Bu returned empty-handed, but Zang Ba soon joined forces with Lü Bu again."

"In the third year of Jian'an (198 AD), when Cao Cao attacked Lu Bu, Zang Ba led his troops to assist Lu Bu."

"After Lü Bu was captured, he went into hiding, but was found. Cao Cao appreciated his ability and recruited him, Wu Dun, Yin Li, Sun Guan, Sun Guan's brother Sun Kang and others to surrender."

"Cao Cao appointed him as the governor of Langya, and divided Qingzhou and part of Xuzhou, entrusting him to garrison and govern."

"Later, there was civil unrest in Yanzhou, and Xu Xi and Mao Hui rebelled. After the rebellion was quelled, Xu and Mao fled and took refuge with Zang Ba."

"In 199 AD (the fourth year of Jian'an), Cao Cao ordered Liu Bei to go and give an order, demanding that Zang Ba hand over the heads of the two men."

"The reason I was able to stand on my own feet was because I didn't do that. I was saved by Cao Cao's grace and I dared not disobey his orders."

Li Bai: When Lu Bu was extravagant and indulgent, he repeatedly gave him frank advice; when Chen Gong was secretly in contact with Yuan Shu, he insisted on just doing his duty as a soldier.

Before Xia Pi City was captured, Gao Shun could have led the Xianying Camp to break out, but he chose to hold on to the end.

He was not Lu Bu's counselor, but a "death warrior" whose loyalty was engraved in his bones and blood - just like the "pawn" in chess, who would never look back once crossing the river.

How shrewd was Cao Cao? He knew that such people "are like tigers if used, but become trouble if left alone".

If Gao Shun is left alone, even if he is loyal to Lu Bu today, how could he truly submit to him tomorrow?

What was even more fatal was that the absolute obedience of the Xianzhen Camp far exceeded that of ordinary troops. Cao Cao would rather destroy this sharp blade than take any risks.

Unlike Gao Shun’s “blind loyalty”, Zhang Liao had long seen through the rules of survival in troubled times.

He was originally a general under Ding Yuan, and later followed Dong Zhuo and Lu Bu. He changed his master several times but was promoted step by step.

Zhang Liao was a man of insight and wisdom, so he led his troops to surrender to Cao Cao, who naturally accepted his offer with a smile.

Zang Ba was an even more skilled fighter. He was originally a powerful man from Mount Tai, and he and Lu Bu were actually partners.

After his surrender, Taizu appointed Ba as the governor of Langya, and Cao Cao even entrusted him with the two states of Qing and Xu.

Why was he treated so well? The tens of thousands of Taishan soldiers in Zang Ba's hands were the key bargaining chip for Cao Cao to pacify the north.

Zhang Liao is good at fighting, Zang Ba has soldiers, but Gao Shun only has the word "loyalty" - on Cao Cao's value scale, the former two are live chess pieces, but the latter is a dead end.

The fate of the surrendered generals in the Jian'an era is actually a "human nature account book" of Cao Cao:
Zhang Xiu: He killed his son and his enemy but he was able to live, because it showed Cao Wei's tolerance;
Wen Pin: He surrendered late but was given an important position because he represented the return of Jiangxia nobles;

Pang De: My old master Ma Chao is still alive, but I dared to fight to the death carrying his coffin, so I was given a grand burial.

On the other hand, Gao Shun was neither as “exploitable” as Zhang Liao nor as “united front value” as Zang Ba, nor could he fulfill Cao Cao’s reputation of “cherishing talent” like Chen Gong. His purity became a fatal flaw in the chaotic times.

A hero has great ambitions and good plans.

Zhang Liao and Zang Ba fit this pattern perfectly - they knew how to walk the line between principle and reality, preserving their integrity while leaving room for maneuver. And Gao Shun, after all, was the abandoned piece outside the chessboard.

The bloodstains on the White Gate Tower have long dried up, but Gao Shun’s death still asks every troubled times: When integrity conflicts with survival, which one is more important?
Zhang Liao and Zang Ba gave a realistic answer - one of them later dominated Xiaoyaojin, and the other guarded Qingxu for more than ten years, proving with their achievements that "surrender" does not mean "betrayal."

In troubled times, political scheming may be a way to survive, but the price paid is often heavy. Zang Ba's life is a tragedy of constant compromise and sacrifice. In order to preserve his own survival and that of his clan, he had to surrender to the authorities and even betray his fellow soldiers.

From taking refuge in the East China Sea to making a living in Xuzhou, Zang Ba climbed up the ladder step by step, but the road he took was a bloody one of no return.

Zang Ba was born in Hua County, Taishan Prefecture. His family was originally a well-known and powerful family in the area. However, due to a feud with the prefect of the prefect, the Zang family suffered a devastating disaster.

In order to rescue his father who was imprisoned, the 18-year-old Zang Ba led his private soldiers to rob the law on the way. This was the first bloodshed in his life. After that, the father and son fled to the East China Sea and lost their roots.

It was in the place where Zang Ba took refuge that he encountered the second catastrophe of his clan. At that time, Zang Ba followed Tao Qian to suppress the Yellow Turban Army and was appointed as the Cavalry Commandant and stationed in Kaiyang County, where he had taken refuge.

Who would have thought that a few years later, Tao Qian led his troops to attack Zang Ba's hometown, Hua County. Zang Ba watched his hometown turn into a sea of ​​fire and his clan members being slaughtered, but he had to pretend to be indifferent. Because he was being married off in a foreign land, Zang Ba had no choice.

"The king and hegemon can tell me with morality, and I hope the general will speak well of me."

"After Liu Bei returned, he told Cao Cao what he had said. Cao Cao gave up and appointed Xu and Mao as county governors."

"Afterwards, when Cao Cao and Yuan Shao were confronting each other, Zang Ba led elite troops to aid Qingzhou many times."

"In the tenth year of Jian'an (205 AD), Cao Cao defeated Yuan Tan in Nanpi. Zang Ba went to congratulate him and took the opportunity to ask for permission for his sons and the fathers, brothers and families of the generals to go to Yecheng."

"Later, riots broke out in the eastern provinces and counties. Zang Ba led his troops in the name of justice, quelled the riots, and cleared the Haidai area. He was granted the title of Marquis, and later was promoted to Marquis of Duting and promoted to General Wei Lu."

"In the 207th year of Jian'an ( AD), Zang Ba and Xiahou Yuan defeated Xu He and other remnants of the Yellow Turban Army, and were promoted to the governor of Xuzhou for their merits."

"In the 217nd year of Jian'an ( AD), Zang Ba followed Cao Cao in his campaign against Sun Quan, serving as a vanguard. He attacked Chaohu twice and attacked Juchao, capturing the city."

"Afterwards, Zang Ba led an army to attack Wancheng and attack Han Dang, a general of the Wu army, so that the Wu army could not rescue Chen Lan."

"Han Dang sent the Wu army to fight against Zang Ba. Zang Ba and the Wu army fought a fierce battle at Fenglong, and the two sides were in a stalemate."

"Han Dang sent troops again to fight Zang Ba at Jiashi. Zang Ba fought a great battle with the Wu army and defeated it. After the victory, he stationed in Shucheng."

"Afterwards, when Sun Quan withdrew his troops and fled, Zang Ba pursued them at night until dawn, having traveled more than a hundred miles before finally catching up with the Wu army. He attacked them from both sides and defeated them severely, preventing them from rescuing Chen Lan. As a result, Zhang Liao also defeated Chen Lan severely."

"Afterwards, Zang Ba followed Cao Cao to attack Sun Quan at Ruxukou, and he and Zhang Liao served as the vanguard. During the march, they encountered heavy rain."

"The main force of Cao's army had already arrived. The river was swollen due to heavy rain. The Wu army's ships advanced slightly, and Cao's soldiers were panicked."

"Zhang Liao wanted to withdraw his troops upon seeing this, but Zang Ba stopped him and said: The next day, Cao Cao indeed issued an order."

"Zhang Liao came to Cao Cao and told him what Zang Ba had said. Cao Cao praised Zang Ba and appointed him as General Yangwei and granted him a seal of authority."

"Finally, Sun Quan surrendered, and Cao Cao ordered his troops to withdraw, leaving Zang Ba and Xiahou Dun stationed in Juchao."

"In the first year of Huangchu (220 AD), Cao Pi ascended the throne, and Zang Ba was promoted to General Zhendong, and given the title of Marquis of Wu'an, commanding and supervising the military affairs of Xuzhou."

"After Cao Pi ascended the throne, he was promoted to Marquis of Kaiyang, and later changed to Marquis of Liangcheng."

"In the third year of Huangchu in Wei (222 AD), he and Cao Xiu attacked Wu and defeated Lü Fan at Dongpu (now south of Hexian County, Anhui Province). He was promoted to the position of Zhijinwu and granted the title of Tejin."

"In the seventh year of Huangchu (226 AD), Emperor Ming of Wei, Cao Rui, ascended the throne and granted Zang Ba an additional households, in addition to the previous households. Not long after, Zang Ba died."

"After Zang Ba died, he was posthumously named Marquis Wei. His son Zang Ai succeeded him."

"Because Zang Ba had made meritorious contributions, three of his sons were made marquises, and one was given the title of Guannei Marquis."

"In 243 AD, Zang Ba was enshrined in the temple of Cao Cao, the first emperor of Wei."

Su Shi: After Cao came to power, Zang Ba had to beg for mercy from his new master in order to keep his territory and power.

Although Cao Cao was very tolerant of him, Zang Ba still betrayed his comrade Chang Ba in order to please him.

During the Battle of Rukou, he fought for the last bit of his dignity in exchange for a high position.

From these concessions and compromises, it can be seen that Zang Ba's first half of his life was a series of blood and tears.

In order to support his clan and protect his territory, he had no choice but to submit to the powerful and was forced to sell out his fellow travelers, otherwise he would become penniless and his family would be destroyed.

In today's terms, Zang Ba was a patient with "syndrome" who was forced to do so in order to survive.

The situation that was like a living hell forced him to make a deeply depressing and sad choice at all costs.

The first half of Zang Ba's life was paved with thorns. In the situation of seeking refuge and being forced, he had to choose to bow to authority and even betray his fellow travelers in order to maintain the survival of his family and territory.

However, for this hero who was once as arrogant as Mount Tai, this was undoubtedly a heart-wrenching humiliation.

In that turbulent era, Zang Ba could be said to be lucky to have survived, but the price he paid was also bloody.

In addition to betraying Changba, he also witnessed the tragedy of his hometown being massacred by Tao Qian.

As a person who came from a family of scholars and had worked as a county prison official, one can imagine the psychological trauma that this had on Zang Ba.

He had to make a choice between following Tao Qian and saving the lives of his relatives, and ultimately chose to compromise in silence.

Under Cao Cao, Zang Ba continued to make concessions. For example, during the Battle of Ruxukou, he stood up to maintain the morale of the army in the face of heavy rain and adversity, in fact, it was also to gain Cao Pi's appreciation and reuse.

Dong Zhao once commented that Zang Ba "had no ambition, but only coveted fame and wealth." It can be said that it was this desire for fame that drove Zang Ba to act bravely and resolutely at the critical moment in order to gain a higher position for himself.

Such is the rule of the game of power: to survive you must surrender.

As a frontier official, Zang Ba did not have the power that Cao Cao and other rulers had, so he could only sell out his conscience in exchange for a chance to make a living.

All of this has led to a vicious cycle with no return: the more compromises one makes, the more treacherous one becomes, and the deeper one falls into it.

The first half of Zang Ba's life was a process of repeatedly weighing power and ideals.
In order to survive and continue the family incense, he had to make all kinds of regrettable choices.

This is a cruel reality, and also the helpless path left to people in troubled times.

We can condemn Zang Ba's bigotry and betrayal, but we should also understand his plight in prison.

As the saying goes, "poor people cannot see their poverty." In this sense, Zang Ba is actually another victim and sacrifice of the troubled times. (End of this chapter)