Lu Bu, God of War of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 425 The Death of Zhang Yan
"What about the Yellow Turban Army in front of Duke Cao?" After hearing what Cao Cao, Guo Jia and others said, Xia Houyuan didn't quite understand, but Xia Houyuan was more interested in the war in front of him.

"Since they can't go back to Qingzhou, I'll be more lenient and take them under my tent." Cao Cao said after seeing a smile on his face.

"My lord, the Yellow Turban general came before the battle and said he wanted to see the lord." At this moment, a soldier came to report to Cao Cao.

"Hehe, they're finally here." Hearing the report from the soldiers, Cao Cao showed a clear smile on his face. Although Cao Cao wanted to recruit these Yellow Turbans, he couldn't be too accommodating to them. Now the Yellow Turbans asked to see him Cao Cao just paved the way for Cao Cao to subdue them.

"May I ask if this is Mr. Cao?" Cao Cao asked as soon as he came to the front of the formation, he saw a burly man clasping his fists at him.This person is none other than Zhang Yan, the general of the Qingzhou Yellow Turban Army. Originally, Zhang Yan was born as a general with hundreds of thousands of subordinates. Even if he saw Cao Cao, he would not be so humble. However, the heavy loss within a month made Zhang Yan have to consider surrendering to Cao Cao, but even so Zhang Yan remained reserved. Once he failed to agree with Cao Cao, Zhang Yan would swear to defend his belief and dignity.

"Hehe, yes, I am Cao Cao. I don't know what to call this person?" As the winner, Cao Cao naturally looked complacent, but he still had something to ask Zhang Yan.

"I'm wearing the yellow scarf Zhang Yan." Zhang Yan cupped his hands and told Cao Cao his name.

"It turned out to be General Zhang Yan. I don't know what General Zhang Yan has to say when he comes out to me." Cao Cao showed a faint smile on his face, nodded slowly to Zhang Yan, and asked knowingly.

"First of all, I would like to thank Master Cao for his gift on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of Yellow Turban soldiers, because Master Cao's magnanimity allows them to have the opportunity to live a normal life. Secondly, Zhang Yan has a question and wants to ask Master Cao." Zhang Yan watched Cao Cao said solemnly.

"General Zhang has something to say, just say it straight, don't be so hesitant." Seeing that Zhang Yan had something to say, Cao Cao said directly.

"If my brothers and I are willing to surrender, I wonder if Mr. Cao will let us keep our faith?" Zhang Yan looked at Cao Cao and finally said what was in his heart. Jumping, his eyebrows were slightly wrinkled and he felt a little bad. Everyone knew that one of the important reasons why Zhang Jiao had so many followers and caused such a big disturbance in the Han Dynasty was because of the belief in the Yellow Turban. Zhang Yan in front of him actually wanted to maintain the belief of the Yellow Turban after surrendering himself, then it might shake the foundation of Cao Cao's rule in Yanzhou, Cao Cao knew this very well.

"What if I can't agree?" Cao Cao asked after a long silence.

"If Master Cao refuses to allow it, then please fight us. We will use our lives to prove our loyalty to the faith." Hearing Cao Cao's question, Zhang Yan asked without hesitation.

"Okay, I promise you, but I also have a condition." Seeing Zhang Yan's unflinching appearance, Cao Cao frowned, and said suddenly.

"Oh?" Apparently Zhang Yan didn't expect Cao Cao to say this, and was startled, but then said: "I don't know what conditions Master Cao has?"

"I can keep the belief of the Yellow Turban warriors in Puyang City, but you must disappear." Seeing Cao Cao's complexion changed, he said coldly.

"Is that so?" Hearing Cao Cao's words, Zhang Yan raised her head and let out a long sigh, then turned her head to look at Cao Cao and said, "Okay, I promise Cao Gong, but please remember what I said." Zhang Yan turned around after speaking. The horse head turned and walked away, and at the same time Cao Cao also turned and left.

In the early morning of the next day, as soon as the sky was bright, we heard the sound of weeping suddenly coming from Puyang City, and immediately after that, white curtains were erected on the top of the city, apparently to hold a funeral.At the same time, the gate of Puyang City suddenly opened, and a soldier in filial piety came out from the city on horseback, and there was obviously an exquisite box tied around the soldier's waist. The soldier rode away but galloped straight towards Cao Jun's camp come.

"Report to Cao Cao, there is a yellow scarf soldier outside, saying that Zhang Yan's cronies have brought important things to see Cao Cao." When a soldier came to Cao Cao's camp, a soldier immediately reported to Cao Cao.

"Cao Gong, be careful, beware of fraud." Hearing the report from the soldiers and seeing the strange scene in front of him, Xia Houyuan hurriedly fought out to stand in front of Cao Cao, and said with concern.

"Don't worry, Puyang City is already under siege by our army, and Zhang Yan can't do anything." Cao Cao patted Xia Houyuan on the shoulder and said indifferently.Then I saw Cao Cao waved his hand, and the soldiers brought Zhang Yan's cronies up in a short time.

"Young one has seen Mr. Cao. The little one has something that my General Zhang told him to bring to Mr. Cao. Please check it." When the soldier spoke, tears could not be held back. When he got down, he untied the box from his waist and handed it to Cao Cao's soldiers.

After everyone heard this, they quickly turned their heads to the side of the box, only to see that the soldier handed over the box, and immediately a soldier went over and brought the box to Cao Cao. Cao Cao took a look at the person, but he still came to the box. He stretched out his hand and opened the box. As soon as the box was opened, there was a smell of blood coming out of the box. Immediately afterwards, Cao Cao saw clearly what was in the box. It was not someone else but a human head. After a careful look, Cao Cao finally realized that this head was none other than Zhang Yan whom Cao Cao had seen yesterday.

"Bold little thief, what should I do for that head?" Seeing the head in the box, Xia Houyuan, who was beside Cao Cao, quickly dodged to protect Cao Cao, and sternly shouted at the person who came.

"My marshal said that when he saw this thing, Mr. Cao naturally understood what my lord meant. My lord has already fulfilled the agreement, so I ask Mr. Cao to follow the agreement and live up to the general under Huang Quan." At this moment, The person who came suddenly stood up and said, as soon as the words fell away, the person didn't want to say more, but immediately pulled out the saber from his waist, and then swiped the knife across his neck, committing suicide in front of everyone.

"Cao Gong, what's going on?" Everyone around Cao Cao was shocked when they saw this scene, and asked without knowing it.

So Cao Cao sighed and told what happened after meeting Zhang Yan yesterday.

"I wanted to see what kind of person Zhang Yan was, but I didn't expect General Zhang Yan to be full of blood. It was just a joke, but he just went like this." Cao Cao sighed, although Cao Cao was quite suspicious. , but he is also a person who loves talents. If Cao Cao knew that Zhang Yan was such a character, he would not have forced Zhang Yan to commit suicide.

"Mr. Cao need not sigh. It doesn't matter if Zhang Yan dies. Zhang Yan's 10 people must have joined our army. In the future, whether these people are serving the people or serving as soldiers, they will be a huge force. Zhang Yan's death, we will It happens to be safe to use the men and horses he left behind, whether as civilians or as soldiers." Seeing Cao Cao's remorse, Cheng Yu cupped his hands and said, but these words spoke to Cao Cao's heart, if Zhang Yan is alive in this world, so Cao Cao really can't use the hundreds of thousands of surrendered soldiers of the Yellow Turban Army casually. He needs to be careful and be on guard at any time.

"People cannot be resurrected after death, so this is the only way to do this." Hearing Cheng Yu's words, Cao Cao's eyes flashed. He obviously understood the benefits of Zhang Yan's death. Said with a regretful look.

"It's just that Mr. Cao promised Zhang Yan, but it's not easy to do." Seeing that Cao Cao was relieved of Zhang Yan's death, Cheng Yu said with a hint of hesitation on his face.

"Yes, the power of this kind of belief is really difficult to deal with. If the existence of the Yellow Turban belief cannot be tolerated, then the people in Puyang City cannot stay." Hearing Cheng Yu's words, Cao Cao showed a trace of cruelty on his face. Se said, obviously he would never soften his heart for killing Cao Cao, the important thing is whether it is worth it.

"Mr. Cao, don't be in such a hurry. You must know that those who can stay in Puyang City at this time are those who are truly unyielding in their belief in the Yellow Turban. Since these people can be so loyal to the Yellow Turban, why can't we take advantage of this? They have transformed into a sense of identity with our army, as long as they can do this, I believe these soldiers and horses will become another powerful army under Duke Cao." Just as Cao Cao was considering whether to kill all the remaining Yellow Turbans in Puyang City When killing them, Guo Jia at the side said something that surprised everyone.

"Is there really such a method in the world?" Before Cao Cao came and said something, Cheng Yu was the first to ask Guo Jia, looking like he really wanted to understand.

"Feng Xiao's words are serious?" Cao Cao couldn't help asking at this time.The Yellow Turban Army has always been loosely organized. Even the elite of the Yellow Turban Army are actually comparable in strength to ordinary officers and soldiers. However, such soldiers were able to stay and sacrifice for their own beliefs when they were defeated. Cao Cao I really want to know what kind of combat power such soldiers will display if they undergo long-term and arduous training.

"I can't guarantee it, but I'm willing to try my best." Guo Jia smiled and said unhurriedly when he came to Cao Cao. Although he just said to try, everyone could see that, Guo Jia really has confidence, otherwise it wouldn't be so easy.

"Is there anything Feng Xiao needs me to do, just tell me." Seeing Feng Xiao's expression, Cao Cao nodded and asked Guo Jia generously.

(End of this chapter)