Ji Han Grand Commander

Chapter 574 568. Interrogation
As early as when the Han army began to besiege Hefei, Xu Shu had already informed Li Yan of the possible consequences of such a siege. So after communication between Li Yan, the governor of Yangzhou, and Li Hui, the governor of Jiaozhou, a large amount of food was provided, with Jiaozhou contributing the majority and Yangzhou contributing the minority, and a large amount of food was stored in Yangzhou, which could be sent to Hefei in time to help the people once Hefei was captured.

Although the Han army was people-oriented, the Yangzhou army had no other options for dealing with Hefei City, where Cao Xiu was stationed, except to besiege the city.

The Yangzhou Army is not as good as the Sichuan Army and the Jingzhou Army. The Sichuan Army has Zhuge Liang in command, assisted by the three Five Tiger Generals Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and Ma Chao, as well as countless other talented generals. Although its equipment is not as good as that of the Jingzhou Army, it should not be underestimated. Moreover, most of the Sichuan Army are veterans with rich combat experience, and many of them have followed Liu Bei since he entered Sichuan and even during the battle of Jingzhou. Their combat effectiveness is unquestionable.

There is no need to say more about the Jingzhou army. The Grand Commander Feng Xi is personally in charge of the generals. Although there are not as many generals as in Sichuan, there are also many talented people. In addition, Feng Xi himself is talented and has all kinds of brilliant ideas. The weapons are also the best among the three armies. They have rattan armor, various gunpowder weapons, and the entire army is equipped with Shenbi crossbows and Kedi crossbows. In terms of troops, the Jingzhou army also has the Shenwu Camp as its foundation, and the generals at all levels are also veterans of the Eastern Expedition. Overall, the combat effectiveness is the strongest among the three armies.

Only the Yangzhou Army was unloved. In terms of weapons, apart from sufficient armor, the forging capability was on par with that of Jingzhou. However, the Yangzhou Army could not even fully cover the Shenbi crossbow, and some of the Yangzhou Army were still using traditional bows and crossbows.

Although the Yangzhou Army had undergone a complete transformation through training, it was still the weakest of the three armies overall. Therefore, Feng Xi appointed Deng Ai and Xu Shu to assist the Yangzhou Army.

The army led by Zhu Yi, Hu Ji and Ding Feng was a small force, and being able to besiege Cao Xiu in Hefei with a small force had already achieved the strategic goal of the Han army, because at this time the main force of the Yangzhou army led by Deng Ai had already reached Yanzhou and threatened the old capital of Xuchang.

Therefore, besieging Hefei was a helpless measure. In addition, Cao Xiu was unwilling to let the people and soldiers in the city leave, which eventually led to such a hellish situation on earth.

Fortunately, Shen De and his two surrendered generals from the Eastern Wu contacted the Han army outside the city in advance and instigated the soldiers inside the city to start a rebellion, allowing the Han army to enter the city in advance. Otherwise, in ten days or half a month, the city of Hefei would probably be reduced to a Shura scene of cannibalism.

Now that the Han army has entered the city, they will naturally distribute food, while at the same time continue to ask Yangzhou Governor Li Yan to transport supplies.

In Hefei, the Han army had more important things to do, which was to appease the people in the city and interrogate the Wei army prisoners. When Hefei was captured, even Cao Xiu was captured alive by the Han army.

At the critical moment, he was unable to ask for death like Hao Zhao, commit suicide like Wei Ping, or be as cruel as Man Chong. In the end, Cao Xiu was knocked to the ground by Zhu Yi and Ding Feng when he was resisting in the prefectural mansion, and then was directly tied up by the Han army that rushed in. He had no time to commit suicide and die for his country.

After that time and atmosphere passed, he no longer felt the need to ask Cao Xiu to commit suicide, so he was simply imprisoned by the Han army until he was brought to trial.

Although Xu Shu was old, he had the energy of a middle-aged man. He came to Hefei City along with the supplies shipped from Yangzhou, and was in charge of comforting the military and civilians in Hefei City.

Now that the Han army has taken Hefei, merchants and materials have begun to circulate normally, and the lives of most people have returned to normal. The city has slowly regained its vitality, and the previous hunger seems like a dream, and is slowly forgotten by everyone. Those who have lost their loved ones wiped away their tears, forced themselves to smile again, and started a new life.

This time, Xu Shu came in accordance with the plan that Feng Xi had already planned, and announced the preferential policies for Hefei. All taxes in Hefei would be exempted for one year, and after one year, all taxes would be reduced by half for two years, for a total of three years of preferential treatment, allowing Hefei, which had just experienced a disaster, enough time to recuperate.

"Chang Diao, Zhuge Qian, now that you two have been captured, are you willing to return to the Han Dynasty?"

Xu Shu sat in the governor's mansion, in the position of Cao Xiu in the past, and began to communicate with the Wei army generals who were wearing single clothes and chains. Xu Shu did not have any specific questions, and also asked Chang Diao and Zhuge Qian, the two former defenders of Hefei.

"Excuse me, sir, what is the current situation in Luoyang? How are Lord Man Chong and the general?" Chang Diao still looked dazed. He still couldn't accept the fact that he became a prisoner. Zhuge Qian, on the other hand, asked Xu Shu calmly.

Le Chen, Cao Xiu and others beside him also pricked up their ears, ready to listen to the current situation. Before the siege of Hefei City, they only knew that the Han army defeated the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry and was besieging Wancheng. Now that they were captured by the Han army, they had no psychological burden and simply wanted to learn about the situation outside.

"Haha, I'm not afraid to tell you. A few days after Hefei was besieged, our Han army commander-in-chief Feng Xi broke through Wancheng. The commander-in-chief Man Chong you're worried about burned himself to death in the Wancheng prefect's mansion. In the battle of Wancheng, all the main generals of your Cao Wei Nanyang were killed, and 30,000 elite Tiger and Leopard Cavalry were wiped out.

Now the Grand Commander has already arrived at the gates of Luoyang, and your Wei is about to be destroyed."

Xu Shu deliberately exaggerated the advantage of the Han army and quietly put aside the matter of Cao Zhen's return to defend the city. The Wei generals were all shocked by the news they had just heard and had no time to figure out the tricks involved.

"Impossible! Where is Zidan? Zidan still has an army of 100,000 in Guanzhong. How could he let you guys reach Luoyang?"

Cao Xiu couldn't accept it and started shouting hysterically.

"be honest!"

The Han soldiers who were holding Cao Xiu on the side pulled him back, preventing him from leaving where he was standing.

"Haha, when the Guanzhong governor and general Cao Zhen heard that Liangzhou was recovered by our great Han Prime Minister Zhuge, he chose to attack Jieting to the west for some reason. As a result, he was blocked by Prime Minister Zhuge himself at Jieting for several days and could not make any progress. Later, he repented and went east to support Luoyang. Unfortunately, the round trip took countless time, allowing the governor to attack Luoyang directly."

Xu Shu was not afraid to tell them the truth. In fact, this truth might hurt them even more now.

"How confused! Chi-tan is confused!"

Cao Xiu was still howling there, being pulled by the guards on his left and right, but anyone with a discerning eye knew that he was just showing off his ability after the event. After all, if Cao Xiu was so powerful, he would not be staying here at this moment.

"Okay, now you know the situation in Wei. We treat everyone equally. As long as you are willing to join us sincerely and have no criminal record, we will forgive you and continue to employ you. If you want to take a break, I welcome you. Jiangling has accommodation specially prepared for people like you.

As for those who want to die for the Wei Dynasty, I will not stop them. "

Xu Shu said this and glanced at Cao Xiu who was still struggling.

(End of this chapter)