Liu Xun defeated Liu Qi repeatedly and laid siege to Fucheng. When the news reached Chengdu, Liu Zhang couldn't help being happy and laughed: "Liu Biao has golden scales, and I also have Qilin. Yizhou has no worries!"
Zhang Song said: "Although the eldest son has won a great victory, Zhang Ren has repeatedly remonstrated in the army, disrupting the morale of the army. There are also rumors that he is secretly colluding with Liu Qi. If not stopped in time, morale may be affected."
Liu Zhang said angrily: "Zhang Ren failed to do his best in the battle. I will not hold him accountable. I will transfer him back to Chengdu for his past merits and I will personally interrogate him."
Zhang Song said: "Zhang Ren has always had great prestige in the army. If he is transferred from the front line, it may also affect the morale of the army. It is better to demote him first to correct military law and then give him a chance to make meritorious deeds. This will not only show the lord's generosity and clear rewards and punishments, but also It can avoid future troubles.”
"This is a very good statement!" Liu Zhang praised: "I have other plans, so why worry about not succeeding?"
Liu Zhang was most afraid of others talking about his unclear rewards and punishments, and his inability to employ people. Especially the forces of Honzhou soldiers and Dongzhou soldiers were complex. He had to be careful when punishing Zhang Ren. This compromise strategy was the best.
In the twelfth lunar month of winter, the Shu army was unable to attack Fucheng for a long time. Coupled with the severe cold, morale was gradually declining, and Liu Xun became a little anxious.
Huang Quan and Wu Yi were summoned to discuss countermeasures, and they had the intention of retreating. Zhang Ren was demoted three levels in a row and was demoted to General Pi. He was no longer qualified to enter the tent to discuss matters.
Wu Yi said: "Liu Qi is holding firm. He must be waiting for news about Liu Pan's troops. If he retreats at this time, all his previous achievements will be wasted."
Huang Quan also said: "Capture the thief first and capture the king first. Letting Liu Qi go now is like letting the tiger return to the mountain! I have seen that his army is short of food and grass, and Fucheng does not have much savings. As long as he is not allowed to transport food into the city , exhausting the food and grass in the city, the Jingzhou army will be defeated without a fight!"
Liu Xun suddenly caught a glimpse of Zhang Ren who was passing by on patrol. Wouldn't it be true to his words to retreat at this time?
So he made up his mind and ordered Wu Yi to continue the attack on the city. Huang Quan sent people to investigate the surroundings and report immediately if there was news about food and grass.
A few days later, he suddenly came to report that a batch of grain and grass had been transported to Fushui Pass and was on the way to Fucheng. Huang Quan immediately discussed with Liu Xun the matter of robbing the grain.
Liu Xun was overjoyed and said: "As expected, Fucheng has run out of food. As long as this batch of food and grass is burned, Liu Qi will sit back and wait for death."
Huang Quan said: "Now that the city is surrounded on all sides, Liu Qi doesn't know the news about the grain and grass. He can send elite troops to rob the grain overnight. He will bluff outside the city tomorrow and attack the city sooner or later."
Liu Xun followed his plan and ordered Wu Yi to rob the grain, and he and the governors Huang Quan and Zhang Ren attacked the city. At this time, it was no longer trustworthy, and he did not dare to tell him such confidential information.
Wu Yi took his men and horses out of the city overnight, and scouted the horses to report that the grain carts were about to pass Muyang Ridge. He set up an ambush in the mountains, waited for the carts and horses to pass halfway, and then rushed out and burned the grains and grass.
At three o'clock in the morning, as expected, there was the rumble of cars in the distance, and a large group of people and horses came. Because they had traveled all night, they were very tired. Many soldiers were yawning. There was foam at the corners of the mules and horses' mouths, and thick breath came out of their nostrils, like swallowing. Clouds spit out mist.
When the vehicles in front were halfway through, Wu Yi gave an order, drums sounded, and Wu Ban from the opposite side led his troops out at the same time, rushing straight towards the vehicles.
The ambush troops on both sides came out, and the Jingzhou soldiers who were transporting grain were in chaos. They did not resist at all, abandoned their vehicles and ran away.
The Shu army was busy setting fires and did not chase the deserters. They allowed them to escape and let them report the news to the city. Naturally, the defenders were in disarray and would be defeated without a fight.
Wu Yizheng was directing the soldiers to set fire, and suddenly Wu Ban came in a hurry: "Brother, something seems wrong. This car is full of firewood."
"Forage counts..." Wu Yi was about to explain, but his expression suddenly changed: "What did you say?"
Before Wu Ban could reply, suddenly there was a loud sound of gongs and drums in front of and behind the mountain. Two teams of men and horses surrounded him. The leader with a white robe and a white horse said loudly: "Changshan Zhao Yun is here. Those who surrender will not be killed!"
"Hurry out!" Wu Yi was frightened and urged his horse to rush towards the intersection where Zhao Yun was.
There was a raging fire in the valley and black smoke filled the air. Wu Ban shouted loudly and gathered his soldiers to form a formation to block the Jingzhou soldiers coming from behind and retreat while fighting.
Wu Yi and Zhao Yun fought for twenty rounds, but he couldn't resist. He was shot by the opponent and was in a panic. The danger was everywhere. He hurriedly retreated his horse and shouted: "Wait a minute, do it!"
Zhao Yun immediately raised his spear and said in a deep voice: "Are you willing to surrender?"
"At this point, I am willing to admit defeat!"
Wu Yi saw that this was Liu Qi's plan and was unable to defeat him again and again. He threw down his weapons and ordered the soldiers to surrender.
"Brother?!" Wu Ban exclaimed from behind.
"Hahaha, General Wu, you know very well what Liu Zhang and his son have done to your Wu family, so why bother working for them anymore? Those who know the current affairs are heroes. It's time to choose another wise master!"
Wu Ban looked back and saw Meng Da leading his troops. The Jingzhou army raised their bows and crossbows, ready to attack.
Wu Yi dismounted and advised: "Liu Zhang doesn't know how to employ people, Liu Xun doesn't know the art of war, everything is within Liu Qi's expectation, give up!"
Wu Ban sighed helplessly and put down his weapons. The rest of the Shu army also knelt down and surrendered.
When the two came to Zhao Yun, Wu Yi was still unwilling to give up. He clasped his fists and asked, "Is this all Liu Boxei's plan?"
Zhao Yun nodded and said: "Everything is as expected by General Liu. Since you are willing to surrender, you have accomplished a great feat. Are you willing to follow me to get it?"
Wu Yi nodded and said: "Since I am willing to surrender, I naturally want to capture Chengdu as soon as possible so as not to worry my family. Please do as you please, general."
Zhao Yun selected 500 elite soldiers, put on Shu army uniforms, and led Wu Yi and two men along the north bank of Mianshui to Mianzhu Pass. Meng Da escorted the prisoners back to Fushui Pass for resettlement.
Liu Xun and Huang Quan waited in the camp until evening, but they still saw no news from Wu Yi. They gradually became impatient. According to the distance, one day was enough to reach Fushui Pass. The team transporting grain should not be so slow.
When it got dark, Zhang Ren finally couldn't help but asked to see Liu Xun, and persuaded him: "General Wu led his troops out. Although I don't know what his purpose is, but he has not returned yet. It must be Liu Qi's plan. Now that the army is far away, the soldiers If you are tired for days, you should retreat overnight, otherwise it will be too late!"
Liu Xun said coldly: "Could it be that Liu Qi sent someone to contact you again and asked you to persuade me to withdraw my troops and relieve the siege?"
Zhang Renhu's eyes turned slightly red, he took a deep breath and clasped his fists and said: "Loyal words are offensive to the ears. I hope the general will think twice."
"I am withdrawing my troops at this time and abandoning General Wu. What do the officers and men of the three armies think of me? What is the intention of your loyal advice?"
Liu Xun was impatient and drove Zhang Ren out of the tent. He invited Huang Quan to discuss the matter and sent someone to contact Wu Yi overnight.
Zhang Ren was driven out of the tent, and Liu Zhang was demoted and estranged. He felt very sad. He stood alone outside the tent in the wind, looked up at the sky, and couldn't help but have the idea of returning to his old mountains and forests.
I don't know how long it took, but suddenly the sound of night owls sounded from the south gate, one after another. Zhang Ren was shocked and hurriedly ordered the defenders to search everywhere.
But at this time, he was just a subordinate general and could not command the soldiers who were hiding in the tents to keep warm. He ran to several tents and the defenders cursed.
Zhang Ren was so angry that he drew his sword and pointed it at a captain: "If you dare to disobey me again, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
"Stop! Zhang Ren, you are so brave!" At this moment, Liu Xun also came with his troops.
Zhang Ren hurriedly put away the knife, clasped his fists and said: "The military situation is urgent, we just had to do it..."
Before he finished speaking, he heard shouts of killing from the north, and then an ambush came out from the west. Suddenly, torches were lit on the city and drums were beating loudly.
Liu Xun was furious, pointed at Zhang Ren and shouted: "Did you lead the enemy troops here?"
