The Rebellious Officials and Traitors of the Late Han Dynasty

Chapter 466 Honesty
Cao Cao, who had never cooperated with foreign races, finally changed his mind at this moment. It makes sense. If he couldn't even keep his own foundation, what would the ideals he held on to mean?

Xun Yu immediately breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Cao Cao stopped insisting, he could allow Jiangdong to hold on longer.

Cao Cao looked at Xun Yu's departing figure and sighed.

"If I am defeated by Qin Shou, the lives of my descendants may be in danger." Cao Cao let out a long sigh.

He and Qin Shou have certain similarities in some aspects, or have some kind of tacit understanding, such as when it comes to alien races. He has a tough attitude towards alien races and will never join forces with them.

The same applies to the aristocratic families.

Because of these, Cao Cao believed that even if he died in battle, his son could be saved, just like he was able to save Qin Shou's descendants.

But now it is different. Xun Yu must have used gold and silk to bribe the Shanyue people and invited the heads of the Shanyue tribes to come down the mountain and harass Qin Shou's food supply.

Unlike those aristocratic families who only engaged in small-scale fighting, the Shanyue army fought very bravely in the mountains and forests. Once a battle broke out, it would definitely cause great casualties to Qin Shou.

Of course, the people of Jiangdong were also affected, and they would also be slaughtered by the Shanyue people.

This was difficult to accept for both Qin Shou and Cao Cao.

At this moment, Cao Cao seemed to have seen the continuous war in Jiangdong and the death of a large number of Han people at the hands of the Shanyue. Thinking of this, Cao Cao could not help but tremble, and his face suddenly turned ugly.

"I would rather betray the world than let the world betray me."

Cao Cao slowly stood up and looked into the distance with a sharp gaze.

In Wuhu City, Zhang Xiang walked back and forth in the hall, unable to hide the worry on his face.

He also saw Cao Cao's order and even carried it out. Although he was unwilling to do so, he had no choice because when you live under someone's roof, you have to give your all.

Wuhu is very close to Moling, and the cavalry can make the round trip in a day. The Zhang family of Wuhu is also a famous landlord with a lot of land. In this case, there is no other way except to agree to Cao Cao's request.

But now, retribution has come.

The Cavalry Army marched eastward along the Yangtze River, heading straight for Moling, and Wuhu was a place the enemy had to pass through. When he thought of the plight of the wealthy and powerful families along the way, his heart suddenly sank to the bottom.

The Wuhu garrison had only 3,000 men and was no match for the Cavalry. Unfortunately, the Zhang family had a lot of land and it was impossible for them to leave easily. Faced with this situation, he didn't know what to do.

"Master, there is someone outside who claims to be your old friend and wants to see you."

At this time, the doorman came in to report.

"Old friend? My old friend? Go, please come in." Zhang Xiang hesitated for a moment, but still invited the other party in.

After a while, a middle-aged man who looked exhausted walked in. He had an ordinary appearance. Zhang Xiang was sure that he didn't know him at all, let alone his name.

"What is your name, brother? Why has I never seen you before?" Zhang Xiang asked immediately.

"Jia Mu from Liangzhou meets Master Zhang." Jia Mu said with a smile, "Master Zhang, it doesn't matter if we haven't met before. Don't you know me now?" "Liangzhou?" Zhang Xiang was stunned when he heard this. It was obviously abnormal for someone from Liangzhou to appear in Jiangzuo at this time.

From Liangzhou to Jiangzuo, there are only people from the imperial court.

"King Tang's men?" Zhang Xiang's face turned pale, and he took several steps back, his eyes filled with fear.

"Master Zhang guessed correctly. You are indeed a famous and prestigious family in Wuhu City." Jia Mu did not hide his identity. Instead, he nodded and chuckled, saying, "Five hundred private soldiers in the family. Wow, that's a big deal!"

Zhang Xiang turned pale after hearing this. This was exactly what he was most worried about. He couldn't sleep at night in the past few days. He saw that the Cavalry Army was about to attack, and they were ready to settle the score.

In the face of powerful military force, what use is a fortune? Even your life is in the hands of others.

"I have no other choice. The Marquis of Wu has strong soldiers and horses, and no one dares to disobey. If I don't obey, there will be the danger of my property being confiscated and my clan being exterminated. So I can only reluctantly gather 500 young and strong men. But in fact, that's all. The 500 young and strong men did not leave Wuhu. I hope the general will understand this." Zhang Xiang explained hurriedly.

The five hundred men certainly did not leave Wuhu, because the Cavalry had not yet entered Wuhu, and it was impossible for Zhang Xiang to intercept and harass them. But once the Cavalry entered Wuhu, I think the other side would definitely send troops to harass them.

However, there is no point in saying this now, because nothing has happened yet, and the two sides have not yet finally torn their faces apart. Zhang Xiang also knows that once he sends troops, it is likely that the ones who come to his door will not be Jia Mu or some old friends, but a large number of cavalry.

Thinking of this, the tension in his heart slowly relaxed, and he quickly asked someone to serve drinks.

As long as his life wasn't threatened right away, Zhang Xiang would feel much more relaxed.

"Five hundred private soldiers are enough to capture the city at the critical moment. The head of the Zhang family is really courageous! The Zhang family alone in Wuhu has so many private soldiers. I wonder how many soldiers and horses other wealthy and prestigious families have?" Jia Mu couldn't help asking.

Zhang Xiang forced a smile and said, "The Zhang family passed down poetry and literature, and relied on the influence of their ancestors. Five hundred private soldiers are actually not the most. The Nian family in the city has more private soldiers, as many as eight hundred."

"The Nian family has a lot of soldiers and horses, and I also know that they are in Wuhu and they oppress the people. What good is it to have a lot of wealth and fertile land? If you don't cultivate good fortune, you will end up being wiped out." Jia Mu glanced at Zhang Xiang and chuckled, "If your Zhang family didn't have a little reputation, you might be able to treat the people well. Master Zhang, do you think it's your turn to see you today?"

Zhang Xiang was terrified and pale after hearing this. He was sweating profusely. He was a smart man and immediately understood the implication of Jia Mu's words.

If Zhang had not had a reputation for being kind, I would have been doomed. But now I still have a glimmer of hope. Of course, this glimmer of hope also comes with a price, but I don't know how much that price is.

"I, Zhang, have long admired the name of King Tang and am willing to serve His Majesty."

Zhang Xiang said quickly.

Jia Mu nodded. He was a smart man after all, much smarter than the man surnamed Nian. His face immediately looked much better. He continued, "There are too many wealthy and powerful families in Jiangdong. The people there are all very poor and don't even have land to farm. Every time Your Majesty thinks of this, he can't sleep or eat!"

Zhang Xiang burst into laughter and said, "I, the Zhang family, am willing to give 50%, no, 60% of our land to the king to appease the people of Jiangdong."

"That's very kind." Jia Mu nodded and said happily, "Your Majesty will definitely remember the benevolent act of Patriarch Zhang."

The two did not discuss private soldiers because they knew that this was the most basic thing.

(End of this chapter)