Late Han Zhao Tang

Chapter 220 An unexpected start but a tail end
May 24, Peicheng

The morning has passed, and the sun is rising in the east, shining brightly.

At the gate of the village, Zhang Yu paced with his hands behind his back, sometimes looking around, sometimes stopping, as if waiting for someone.

Seeing that no one had come for a long time, Zhang Yu asked, "Any news about Gongming?"

Shi Yi shook his head and said, "Since yesterday's letter, there has been no news of Commander Xu. I have ordered people to spread out to search, and perhaps there will be news from Commander Xu later."

“No good thing is too late!”

Xin Pi comforted him, "Commander Xu sent a letter yesterday saying that he had persuaded Generals Yang Feng and Han Xian to surrender. If nothing unexpected happens, Commander Xu and the two generals will arrive at the camp."

"It's just that Guanzhong is in danger!"

Zhang Yu said: "Hu Zhen and Yang Zheng rebelled, causing Xu Rong's defeat and death. Now the generals from Guanxi are approaching Chang'an, and the people in Chang'an are in a complicated situation. If they are surrounded by the rebels, the emperor and the prime minister may be in danger!"

Zhang Yu did not expect that events would develop so quickly. Wang Yun executed Dong Zhuo on April 23. It was already early May when he received the news and hurried back to Jinyang. He sent troops to attack Niu Fu in mid-to-late May, thinking that he could catch up with the changes in Guanzhong.

Unexpectedly, Li Jue, Guo Si, Fan Chou and Zhang Ji acted unexpectedly decisively. They launched their army in mid-May and encountered almost no obstacles along the way.

The general Xu Rong sent by Wang Yun originally intended to stop the rebels in Guanxi, but unexpectedly Hu Zhen and Yang Zheng rebelled, and the internal and external forces joined forces to defeat Xu Rong, and Xu Rong was even killed.

Seeing Zhang Yu's concern for the situation in Chang'an, Guo Tu stroked his beard and remained silent. Since the conversation with Li Song that day, he felt that a dead Wang Yun was more beneficial to Zhang Yu than a living Wang Yun. After all, if Wang Yun existed, it would likely cause a split in Zhang Yu's internal group.

While Zhang Yu was waiting, a waiting rider came up on a fast horse and said happily, "Sir, Commandant Xu and the two generals are already twenty miles away."

Hearing this, Zhang Yu showed a look of joy on his face, and said to everyone around him, "Gongming went into the enemy camp alone and persuaded the two generals to surrender on my behalf. His courage is extraordinary and rare in ancient and modern times."

"Follow me to meet Gongming and see his demeanor!"

"promise!"

To welcome Xu Huang, Zhang Yu ordered the camp gate to be opened, and the armored soldiers acted as the guard of honor, standing on both sides with spears in their hands, while drummers beat gongs and drums and flags fluttered.

Zhang Yu had almost no habit of going out of the camp to greet his generals during his command of the army. But now he went out to greet Xu Huang, not only because he valued Xu Huang, but also because Xu Huang's military achievements were worth it. He went into the enemy camp alone and persuaded two officers to surrender to him. This achievement is unmatched by others.

Of course, considering the need to appease Yang Feng and Han Xian, it was also necessary for Zhang Yu to go out to greet them, so as to avoid any suspicion in the minds of the two.

When Zhang Yu led the others to walk a mile, they saw Xu Huang spurring his horse towards them, with two other riders on his left and right.

Seeing Zhang Yu coming to greet him, Xu Huang was very excited. He dismounted without waiting for his horse to stop, walked quickly to Zhang Yu, bowed and said, "I have fulfilled my mission. I have persuaded Generals Yang and Han to surrender for you."

"Generals Yang Feng and Han Xian pay their respects to you, Your Excellency!"

Zhang Yu first helped Xu Huang up, then held Xu Huang's hand, and then helped Yang and Han up, saying with a smile: "Since Gongming surrendered, he has repeatedly recommended you two to me, saying that you two are brave and good at fighting, so I have admired you for a long time. Now that you two have surrendered, it will be easy to conquer Niu Fu."

Although Yang Feng and Han Xian were not well-known, their bravery and ability in fighting were beyond doubt. After all, they fought against Guo and Li several times, and also followed Lu Bu to defeat Yuan Shu. In Xu Huang's words, Yang and Han were brave but lacked strategy. Therefore, although they were not great generals, they had no problem charging into battle.

"Thank you for your kindness!"

Yang Feng said ashamedly: "If I knew that you valued us so much, I would have led my troops to surrender and General Xu wouldn't have to make such a fuss."

"Ha ha!"

Zhang Yu laughed a few times, with a kind expression, and asked, "I wonder what your positions are under Niu Fu? How many soldiers are you leading now?"

Yang Feng said: "Feng has slightly more troops, about 2,000 men and horses; while Ziguang (Han Xian) has slightly fewer troops, only 1,000 infantry and cavalry. They were both appointed as colonels by Dong Zhuo in the past."

"good!"

Seeing the two men's anxious expressions, Zhang Yu hesitated for a moment and said, "You two can return to Gongming's command. I will serve as a lieutenant for now. When Hedong is pacified, I will reward you for your meritorious service."

"Thank you, Lord!"

As he spoke, Zhang Yu looked at Xu Huang and said, "Gongming is extremely courageous, and I admire him very much. Now my cousin is the acting General of Jianwei, and the commander-in-chief of the troops of Generals Yang and Han. I wonder if he is up to the task?"

Hearing this, Xu Huang was overjoyed and said, "I thank you, Your Excellency. I will devote all my energy to your service and repay your kindness with my life."

Zhang Yu took Xu Huang's arm and said to the people who were accompanying him, "I don't have many Lieutenant Generals under my command, only Wenyuan, Zhang Jun, Bosong and a few others. Now Gongming has surrendered two good generals and more than 3,000 soldiers to me, so I specially appointed him as the Lieutenant General. I hope you will work hard in the future."

"promise!"

Seeing Zhang Yu using him as an example, Xu Huang was very happy and felt that he had not made a mistake in his loyalty. Yang Feng and Han Xian envied Xu Huang. They were still lieutenants, while Xu Huang, who used to be at the same level as them, was now a general. It was indeed the key to follow the right person.

In order to gain Zhang Yu's respect, Yang Feng found an opportunity to say, "Sir, I came from Niu Fu's camp. I have a rough idea of the situation in Niu Fu's army. I wonder if I can report it to you?"

"Everyone around you is my trusted confidant, so you can speak as you please!" Zhang Yu said.

Yang Feng bowed and said, "Since Dong Zhuo was killed, Niu Fu has been in a state of panic and has been unable to rest. He often suspects that his men are planning to rebel. Therefore, Niu Fu regards the fortune teller as his brother. Whenever he sees someone, he asks the fortune teller to look at him and ask if he has the intention to rebel. As a result, the morale of the generals is weakened."

"I still have several friends in Niu Fu's army. You can send a letter to persuade them to surrender and ask them to lead their troops to join you, so as to disrupt the morale of Niu Fu's army."

Seeing Yang Feng providing information first, Han Xian felt extremely regretful and hated himself for being so slow. He hurriedly said, "Sir, Xian also has several friends under Niu Fu. I would like to invite them to serve you."

Zhang Yu laughed loudly and said, "Niu Fu was able to hold his own because of Dong Zhuo's power. Now that Dong Zhuo is dead, Niu Fu is unpopular. With your help, I will surely be able to defeat him. Please write letters to Niu Fu's generals to disperse the enemy."

"Tomorrow the army will march south and must quickly defeat Niu Fu!"

"promise!"

Not to mention that Zhang Yu got Yang Feng and Han Xian to join him, and then he used his troops to target Niu Fu. When Niu Fu learned that Yang and Han had joined Zhang Yu, he was terrified and furious.

"I treated Yang Feng and Han Xian well, how dare they abandon me and leave!"

Niu Fu overturned the table, put his hands behind his back, and paced angrily in the tent.

"General, please calm down. The two bandits surrendered when they were in danger, but now they are fleeing in danger. This is not difficult to predict!" Dong Cheng said.

Niu Fu frowned and said, "In your opinion, what should we do now?" Dong Cheng pondered for a moment and said carefully, "Lord Dong died in Chang'an, and our army has no one to rely on. Although Generals Guo and Li have raised an army, the city of Chang'an is strong and it may be difficult to take it quickly. Therefore, in my opinion, it is better for the general to surrender and see if he can get amnesty."

Although Dong Cheng's surname was Dong, he was not from the same clan as Dong Zhuo. He was born in the Hejian Dong family and was the nephew of Empress Dowager Dong, the mother of Emperor Ling of Han.

General Dong Zhong was Dong Cheng's cousin. When Emperor Ling of Han was still alive, Dong Zhong was given the command of a thousand soldiers. During the Luoyang Incident, Dong Zhuo relied on his friendship with Dong Cheng to seize the troops that Dong Zhong had led during his lifetime.

Therefore, the reason why Dong Zhuo became the winner of the Luoyang coup was that he controlled most of the troops in Luoyang city.

Niu Fu had some doubts and said, "I am the son-in-law of Mr. Dong, so I am afraid I will not be pardoned!"

Dong Cheng said: "Now Generals Guo and Li are besieging Chang'an. If you surrender now, Zhang Yu can lead his troops to the west to support Chang'an. Therefore, Zhang Yu will surely pardon your crime."

Niu Fu shook his head. Although he was timid, he was not a fool. Zhang Yu could pardon him now because of the situation, but it did not mean that he would not be held accountable later.

While Niu Fu was thinking, the servant brought the fortune teller into the tent and reported.

"General, Master Xu has been brought here!"

Niu Fu squinted at Master Xu and asked, "You read the faces of Yang Feng and Han Xian and said they would not rebel. Now they have led their troops to join Zhang Yu. How do you explain this?"

Master Xu looked terrified and said, "General, I am not a god, and it is difficult for me to know what people think, so my face reading is bound to have some mistakes. Yang Feng and Han Xian's departure may be God's will."

Niu Fu looked gloomy and asked, "Now Zhang Yu is approaching with his troops. What do you think will happen?"

Master Xu broke out in a cold sweat and said nervously, "Although I only know how to read faces, I see from your face that you are blessed. In my opinion, you will be able to defeat Zhang Yu and ascend to a high position."

Niu Fu looked at him for a long time, signaled his attendants to let Master Xu go, and said, "If I lose this battle, you will be held responsible!"

"promise!"

Master Xu secretly groaned in his heart. How could he decide the outcome? Now that Dong Zhuo was dead and his subordinates were scattered, Niu Fu was probably going to lose to Zhang Yu.

"what!"

Thinking of this, Master Xu suddenly felt a stomachache and said, "General, I have a stomachache and I need to go to the toilet!"

"Step back first!" Niu Fu said with a look of disgust.

"promise!"

Not long after Master Xu left, an attendant came in a panic and reported, "General, Master Xu used the excuse of going to the toilet to escape with gold and silver."

"what?"

Upon hearing this, Niu Fu was shocked and furious. Master Xu had just sworn that good fortune was about to come to him, but now he ran away with all the gold and silver. Perhaps he saw that his luck was bad and he would be defeated by Zhang Yu.

"Hu Chier!"

"exist!"

"Lead the cavalry out of the village and pursue the villain. Make sure to capture him. I want to interrogate him personally!" said Niu Fu.

Hu Chi'er had a stubbled beard. He cupped his hands and turned to leave.

After Hu Chi'er led his troops in pursuit, Niu Fu fell into deep panic. He hid in the big tent and refused to see his generals, fearing that their generals would chop him up with knives. Then he surrendered to Zhang Yu.

It was unknown how long it had been, until night fell, when Hu Chier led his cavalry back.

"How is it?" Niu Fu jumped up from his chair in shock and asked about Hu Chier's condition.

Hu Chier shook his head and said, "There is no trace of Master Xu. He has already escaped through a shortcut."

"It's over!"

Niu Fu sighed and said, "Master Xu has seen that my luck is bad and that my army will be defeated, so he fled with the gold and silver."

Hu Chier hesitated for a moment and said, "When I led the army back to the camp, I saw many soldiers packing their bags. I'm afraid they are planning to flee. The general needs to come forward to appease the soldiers."

"The situation is hopeless now. It is useless to appease the troops!"

Niu Fu was dejected, thinking to himself: "People are demoralized now, and my generals cannot trust me, so it is better to abandon the army, take the money and return home, hide my identity, and live out the rest of my life."

After a pause, Niu Fu looked up at Hu Chier and said, "Now that Mr. Dong is dead, the situation is hopeless. You and I should lead our trusted followers back home. I have a box of jewels. After we return home, you and I can divide the money equally."

As he spoke, Niu Fu opened the fur-covered box and saw all kinds of jewels, gold and silver, such as gold cakes, large white pearl necklaces, jadeite, white jade and other expensive items in the box.

A glimmer of greed flashed in Hu Chier's eyes. Although he had followed Dong Zhuo for a long time, he had never seen so much money. If he could take it, wouldn't he be able to live a happy life?

As for Niu Fu...

"How is it?"

Seeing that Hu Chier was obsessed with money, Niu Fu closed the box and asked.

"I am willing to serve the general!" Hu Chier said with a smile.

"it is good!"

Niu Fu was overjoyed and said, "Thank you for gathering trustworthy people!"

"promise!"

At the critical juncture of his escape, Niu Fu chose to trust the Hu people. In his eyes, the Hu people were unfamiliar with the Central Plains, and only by choosing to cooperate with him could they have a way out.

As for the Han people, Niu Fu was afraid of meeting a confidant as "loyal" as Lu Bu.

(End of this chapter)