Three Kingdoms: I choose Xiao Qiao and Da Qiao, why are you crying, Diao Chan?

Chapter 73 Appeasement Policy (Thanks to Brother Xingchen for the two monthly tickets~)

Hearing Sun Ce's question, Lu Bu realized that he had been thinking for a long time and immediately shook his head:

"I don't know him. It's just that his temperament is a bit like someone I once knew."

As he spoke, Lu Bu patted Lu Meng on the shoulder and said jokingly:

"You and I have the same last name, maybe we were a family hundreds of years ago.

"Are you willing to work hard under me?"

Lu Meng was silent for a few seconds.

In fact, he was attracted by Sun Ce's reputation and wanted to follow Sun Ce.

It’s just that I didn’t expect that Sun Ce actually recognized Lu Bu as his lord.

But since we are all in the same camp, it doesn't matter who we follow.

After realizing this, he immediately clasped his fists and saluted:

"I am willing to follow my lord!"

Lu Bu said "hmm":
"Since you were introduced by Bofu, you should work under Bofu first.

“Besides, your temperament is not very pleasing.

“I suggest you read more books when you have time, whether it’s military books, history books, or poetry, as long as it’s a book.

“As the saying goes, a person with a wealth of knowledge is naturally elegant.

"If you want people below you to be willing to follow you, your own temperament is particularly important!"

Lu Meng looked at the man in front of him with some surprise.

It was the first time someone suggested that he read more in such troubled times.

However, he had also heard of the other party's reputation as the world's most powerful general.

Even the strongest general said so, so reading must be useful.

Reading can help you talk to fools calmly.

And practicing martial arts can make a fool talk to himself calmly...

Lu Meng immediately bowed and saluted:

"I will follow your instructions!"

Lu Bu nodded slightly, and let Sun Ce take Lu Meng away.

Not long after, Liu Ye and Zhou Yu also rushed back from Hefei and Ruxu Port respectively.

When Lu Bu saw their smiling faces, he knew that their conciliatory policies had worked.

Hefei and Ruxu Port all agreed to surrender.

After all, his reputation soared after he conquered Nanjun and destroyed Liu Biao.

Moreover, these two places are adjacent to Lujiang. Once a war breaks out, they will be the first to bear the brunt.

It would be better to surrender directly, and you can do him a favor.

Lu Bu also exclaimed in praise.

Afterwards, he pushed the troops of Lu'an and Shiting forward and took over the garrisons of the two places.

……

Shouchun City.

Deng Zhi bowed respectfully to Zheng Tai in front of the city gate:

"I am the assistant historian under Governor Lu. Following the Governor's wishes, I am giving the defenders of Zheng City 5,000 dan of grain and fodder!"

Zheng Tai's eyes suddenly lit up!

But he quickly calmed down and said to Deng Zhi with a smile:

"I know why Governor Lu sent me these grains.

"But he sent a little Sasuke to persuade me. Isn't that too much of a disrespect for me?"

"Oh!" Deng Zhi sighed heavily.

A trace of doubt flashed in Zheng Tai's eyes:
"Why do you sigh, sir?"

Deng Zhi replied with a regretful tone:
“My master thought that you were not the kind of vulgar person who only judges people by their official positions.

“Instead, we judge people by their abilities.

"But now it seems that my master thinks highly of you."

Zheng Tai's face suddenly turned dark, but he didn't know how to refute directly.

After all, he was the one who mocked the other party first.

If you get angry, you will really become a "vulgar person" in the eyes of the other party.

No wonder Lu Bu sent such a young man to persuade him. I didn't expect him to be so eloquent!

However, it is not easy to make him surrender with 10,000 soldiers just based on this. Zheng Tai continued:

“I was able to take charge of Shouchun because I had the help of Yuan Shu, the governor.

"Grand Administrator Yuan has done me a favor. If I surrender to Governor Lu just for this little grain, won't I be laughed at by others?"

Deng Zhi shook his head slightly:

"No, no. Haven't you heard about Yuan Shu's betrayal of his allies and invasion of other people's territories recently?
“My master is a meritorious official who protects the country. Even if he attacks Liu Biao, he has submitted a petition to the emperor and has a legitimate reason for sending troops.

"Yuan Shu betrayed his ally, causing Kong Jun to lose Runan and be forced to surrender to Zhang Chao.

"If you rely on such a person, you will be laughed at by the world, right?"

"..." Zheng Tai was speechless again.

Originally, he wanted to express that he had a closer relationship with Yuan Shu.

But now this kind of closeness has become a bad thing in the other party's mouth.

It has to be said that Yuan Shu's backstabbing of Kong Jui and his capture of Runan did have a huge negative impact.

Although everyone understands the principle that all is fair in war.

But once you put yourself in the victim's perspective, no one would really accept Yuan Shu's approach.

If the other party can backstab Kong Rong today, will he not backstab Zheng Tai tomorrow?

Originally, Zheng Tai was planning to persuade Deng Zhi to withdraw.

Because Yuan Shu had contacted him some time ago and would take Jiujiang soon.

But now he was shaken by Deng Zhi's words.

But soon, Zheng Tai thought of something and sneered:
"But when Governor Lu borrowed 5,000 soldiers from Governor Yuan, he said he would return 10,000, but in the end he didn't, didn't he?"

Deng Zhi answered without thinking:

"First of all, you have to know that most of the soldiers Yuan Shu lent to my master were old, weak and disabled.

“Secondly, he demanded it back by force soon after my lord conquered Jiangxia, and even sent troops directly to Jiangxia.

"My master never said he would not return it, but Yuan Shu sent troops recklessly.

"How can such a treacherous and despicable person be compared with my master?"

Seeing Zheng Tai remained silent, Deng Zhi continued to add fuel to the fire:
"Now, Your Excellency has finally managed to amass tens of thousands of troops in Shouchun.

"If Yuan Shu attacks Jiujiang, will your 10,000 troops still be yours?

"But if you submit to my master, these 10,000 soldiers and horses will still be yours.

"If you can help my master take over the entire Jiujiang, he will directly recommend you to be the governor of Jiujiang!

"Which one should you believe, my lord or Yuan Shu? I don't need to tell you, right?"

Hearing these promised benefits, Zheng Tai's eyes became excited:

"Is what you say true?"

Deng Zhi curled his lips:
"I think that as a mere assistant, I am not qualified to make these decisions for my lord, right?"

Hearing these sarcastic words, Zheng Tai laughed:
“Although your Excellency holds a low official position and is young, he is eloquent and has an extraordinary bearing.

“Sooner or later, he will be promoted to a high position and become a capable official under Governor Lu!
"Please go back and tell Governor Lu that I, Zheng Tai, am willing to surrender!

"I hope that the benefits he promised can be fulfilled by then."

Deng Zhi smiled and bowed:

"I will definitely convey your words."

Having said that, Deng Zhi rejected Zheng Tai's invitation to enter the city and returned to Lujiang with his men.

……

The seat of Runan is Pingyu County.

Yuan Shu was discussing the specific details of attacking Jiujiang with Yan Xiang in the military camp.

At this time, his subordinates suddenly reported:
"My lord, there's news from Shouchun's spies!
"It is said that Lu Bu sent Deng Zhi to persuade Zheng Tai to surrender, and Zheng Tai accepted Lu Bu's invitation!"

"what?!"

Yuan Shu's face darkened and he could not help but curse:
"Zheng Tai is a traitor!

"If I hadn't taken him in, he would have been killed by Dong Zhuo.

"How dare you betray me now?"

Yan Xiang looked at the irritable Yuan Shu and was already accustomed to his master's temper.

He immediately stepped forward to comfort her:

"My lord, please don't worry. I have a plan that can make Lu Bu's army fail!"

(End of this chapter)