The Rebellious Officials and Traitors of the Late Han Dynasty

Chapter 487 Zhou Yu Surrenders

The night in Jiangxia City was particularly dark, with dark clouds blocking the moonlight and only sporadic lights flickering on the city walls.

However, this night was filled with bloodshed. The streets were in chaos, with the cries of the people, the clatter of horses’ hooves, and the clash of weapons all intertwined.

"Ba County Governor Fei Guan respectfully welcomes the general."

Fei Guan was wearing light armor and leading many nobles to stand at the city gate. Everyone had a happy look on their faces.

"Governor, you should be credited with the first achievement in capturing Jiangxia today."

Wei Yan held up a broadsword and said solemnly: "Next, it is my general's job. Please restrain your servants and do not harass the people. Those who disobey my order will be executed."

"promise!"

Everyone felt the murderous aura from Wei Yan and their faces suddenly changed.

"Go in and capture Zhou Yu alive."

Wei Yan looked at Jiangxia City in front of him, his eyes flickering. It was not easy to break into Jiangxia City, and he must capture Zhou Yu alive.

"Capture Zhou Yu alive!"

The soldiers behind him shouted.

In Zhou Yu's mansion, he was wearing a white robe and his face looked particularly pale under the candlelight.

Zhou Tai led his personal soldiers to guard the courtyard, his face unable to hide his anxiety.

"Zhou Tai!" Zhou Yu shouted loudly.

"I am here!" a deep voice came from behind. Zhou Tai rode over, a burly man holding two halberds, his eyes gleaming with fighting spirit.

"You lead the cavalry to stop Wei Yan, I will go to organize the city defense!" Zhou Yu quickly ordered, "Remember, you must hold them back!"

"Yes, sir!" Zhou Tai responded loudly.

"Gongjin."

Cao Jie looked flustered.

"Don't worry. The Cavalry has strict discipline. You are the daughter of Marquis Wu, and the Cavalry will not harm you."

Zhou Yu comforted.

"The commander-in-chief must be careful. If he dies on the battlefield, I will follow him." Cao Ji said solemnly.

Zhou Yu nodded, with a little more tenderness in his eyes. If Zhou Yu had felt a little dissatisfied with Cao Jie before, he was now attracted by his tenderness.

At this time, Zhou Tai and Wei Yan were already in direct confrontation on the street. The cavalry of the two armies fought in the narrow street, the horses neighed, the swords flashed and the swords shone. Zhou Tai swung his sword, and each blow seemed to carry a thousand pounds of force, knocking the oncoming cavalry off their horses.

"Wei Yan!" Zhou Tai shouted and rode his horse towards Wei Yan in the center of the enemy formation.

Wei Yan sneered, and swung his sword across, beheading a soldier: "Zhou Tai, today is the day you die!"

The two warriors clashed in the middle of the street, their weapons clashing and sparks flying. Zhou Tai's sword was powerful and heavy, and every blow made Wei Yan's long sword tremble; while Wei Yan's sword skills were sharp and tricky, focusing on Zhou Tai's weak defenses.

The battle around them became more and more intense. The cavalry continued to pour in from the west gate, while Cao's army relied on the street terrain to block the enemy. The narrow streets restricted the mobility of the cavalry, and both sides had to dismount and fight on foot. Zhou Tai chopped Wei Yan's long sword with one blow and went straight for the opponent's throat. Wei Yan hurriedly leaned back, and the sword grazed his chin, almost taking his life.

He took advantage of the situation and retreated, shouting, "Shoot!"

Suddenly, arrows rained down from the cavalry. Zhou Tai swung his sword to block, but several arrows still hit his armor. He groaned, and instead of retreating, he advanced, swinging his sword like the wind, and killed all the cavalry soldiers in front of him.

"Zhou Tai! Retreat!" Zhou Yu's voice came from a distance.

Zhou Tai then realized that the Cavalry had already occupied the commanding heights on both sides of the street, and that continuing to fight would only result in more casualties. He immediately retreated with the remaining troops.

"Mr. Zhou, the army has entered the city. There are only two choices before you: surrender or die." Wei Yan looked at Zhou Yu in the distance, with a hint of jealousy in his eyes.

Everyone in the Central Plains knew that Qin Shou particularly admired Zhou Yu and had invited Zhou Yu several times to be in charge of the navy. Unfortunately, because of his relationship with Sun Ce, Zhou Yu rejected Qin Shou several times. Finally, by accident, he embarked on the road of fighting against Qin Shou.

"Gongjin, now that we have entered the city, you are powerless. The king appreciates you and will not destroy your life. If you don't think about yourself, you should also think about the soldiers around you, as well as your lovely wife in the city. If you die, even though she is Cao Cao's daughter, she will be betrothed to someone else."

Xun You came galloping over on his warhorse and tried to persuade them to surrender.

Zhou Yu's face tightened when he heard this, and he looked at the soldiers around him with a complicated expression. The situation was hopeless now, and even if he fought to the death, he could not change the overall situation, and would also implicate the soldiers around him.

"Gongjin, Sun Ce and Sun Quan have both died in battle, but Sun Ce still has his old mother, younger sister, and son alive. They are now in Yizhou. As Sun Ce's friend, shouldn't you take care of them?"

Xun You was indeed a powerful figure, and he grasped the key point immediately. Why did Zhou Yu reject Qin Shou? It was because of Sun Ce. Now, with Sun Ce's family as a threat, he was not afraid that Zhou Yu would not surrender.

Sure enough, Zhou Yu's face changed when he heard this. At this moment, he thought of the dead Sun Ce and Cao Jie who had just said goodbye.

Zhou Yu's face looked even paler in the firelight, his eyes wandering between Xun You and Wei Yan, his inner struggle was obvious. The soldiers around him also held their breath, waiting for his decision.

He took a deep breath and slowly closed his eyes, as if weighing the consequences of every choice. After a moment, he opened his eyes, his gaze firm and calm.

"Xun You, Wei Yan. You are right. The situation is hopeless. Continuing to resist will only result in more casualties. I can surrender, but I have three conditions."

Wei Yan raised his eyebrows and sneered, "Zhou Gongjin, what qualifications do you have to negotiate terms now?"

However, Xun You raised his hand to stop Wei Yan and signaled Zhou Yu to continue speaking.

"First, I require you not to harm the people in Jiangxia City, and not to burn, kill, or loot. Violators will be executed." Zhou Yu's voice was sonorous and powerful, and his eyes were as sharp as torches.

Xun You nodded: "Of course, Your Majesty has always ruled the country with benevolence and will never allow his subordinates to harm the people."

Zhou Yu paused, glanced at the soldiers around him, and said, "Resisting the king's army is my intention, Zhou Yu, and has nothing to do with these brothers. I ask you to treat my soldiers well and not hold them accountable. Those who are willing to stay can continue to serve in the army, and those who are unwilling to stay can return to their hometowns."

Xun You smiled slightly: "Mr. Zhou is indeed kind and righteous. I can also agree to this on behalf of the king."

"Third, please forgive the Sun family's crime and take care of the Sun family's old and young."

Xun You laughed loudly and said, "Gongjin, as long as the Sun family enjoys wealth and prosperity, why would the king not have an heir? As for taking care of the Sun family's old and young, that is your business, Gongjin Zhou, and has nothing to do with the king. But you said so much for others, why don't you make some conditions for yourself or your wife?"

Zhou Yu threw away his sword and said with a wry smile, "My wife and I, our lives and deaths are in the hands of the king."

Xun You nodded and had Zhou Yu sent back to his residence to be recuperated.

(End of this chapter)