Zhang He and Gao Lan were originally two of the Four Court Pillars of Hebei, generals in Yuan Shao's army. During the Battle of Guandu, they were plotted by Guo Tu and had to surrender to Cao Cao.
Later generations also spoke highly of Zhang He: He knew variables, was good at setting up positions, and knew the battle situation and terrain. He was always able to plan, and everyone since Zhuge Liang was afraid of it.
It can be seen that Zhang He is a hero who is very aware of current affairs. If Zhang Xiu had not appeared, Cao Cao would have unified the north and become the northern overlord. Zhang He is very good at recognizing people, which is why he was able to surrender to Zhang Xiu after Cao Cao was defeated.
Today, Zhang Xiu controls most of the world, and is famous for loving the people like a son. He is as wise as Cao Cao or even more wise and powerful than Cao Cao. With such a wise master, how can he not be loyal to him?
So I had the idea of surrender.
After the battle, it was already late winter.
The north is covered with snow, and the icy wind is as sharp as a sharp knife. Riding on horseback and galloping, your limbs will be numb from the cold, and the bumps on your nose will be frozen.
The war horses galloped on the cold ground, making crisp sounds of horse hooves, which sounded like sweet drum beats.
"How long until we arrive?"
Looking at the endless white snow, the peaks in the distance are covered with snow. Zhang Xiu exhaled hot breath and rubbed his hands: "Hebei is much colder than Guanzhong."
"Your Majesty, why don't you make a carriage?" Qin Zhen said, "It's too cold today."
Zhang Xiu shook his head: "The carriage is too slow, how far is it?"
Turichen: "There is still a hundred miles of land."
Zhang Xiu raised his whip: "We must reach Lebat's camp before tonight."
Immediately, the clear and melodious sound of horse hooves sounded.
…
Zhang He's camp.
Zhang He and Gao Lan waited impatiently. Their intention has been conveyed to Lebat, who just replied and asked them to wait, but they didn't know when they would have to wait. More than twenty days had passed, and the two of them were getting more and more anxious as they waited.
Gao Lan looked anxious: "What the hell is Lebat doing? If you want to accept us, just give us a pleasant reply. If you don't accept, then just continue to fight. Why are you delaying like this?"
Zhang He smiled reassuringly: "Uncle Yuan (Gao Lan's nickname), don't be impatient. Since we are asked to wait, then just wait with peace of mind. I believe there will be results within a few days."
Gao Lan smiled cheerfully: "Junyi, your heart is quite at ease. Aren't you afraid that this is Jingjun's plan to delay the attack?"
Zhang He said firmly: "No, Jing's army doesn't want to go to war with us at all. Although Emperor Wei is newly defeated, who is Cao Cao? He is a great hero in this world, and he will not let go of any chance he has."
Gao Lan stared at Zhang He: "Did the Emperor send another letter?"
Zhang He nodded: "I advise us to stick to Youzhou. After next summer's harvest, we can attack from the north and south to retake Jizhou."
"What do Junyi think?"
"Haha! With Sun Ce and Zhou Yu here in Xuzhou, he should first consider retaking the Central Plains."
Gao Lan nodded.
At this moment, the guard at the door came in and reported: Emperor Jing Zhang Xiu arrived at Camp Lebat tonight. He will set up a tent and hold a banquet in front of the two army formations tonight, and invite the two generals to go.
Zhang He and Gao Lan looked at each other.
Gao Lan asked confirmingly: "Are you sure it was Zhang Xiu who came in person?"
Guard: "Yes."
Zhang He said: "It seems that Lebat asked us to wait just to wait for Emperor Jing to come!"
Gao Lan nodded.
That night, in front of the two armies, an isolated tent stood in the open space. The lights were bright inside, and the situation inside could be vaguely seen from the outside. There were not many soldiers and horses around the tent, only eight or nine personal guards guarding the surroundings vigilantly.
Zhang He and Gao Lan rode there.
They passed unimpeded and were not intercepted by the surrounding guards. As soon as they reached the entrance of the tent, the curtain was opened. Zhang Xiu looked at them with a smile on his face and said: "General Zhang! General Gao! I have been waiting here for a long time."
Zhang He and Gao Lan were surprised and happy.
After the two looked at each other, they hurriedly knelt down and said, "General Zhang He (Gao Lan) is here to bow to the Emperor!"
Zhang Xiu was overjoyed and took two steps forward to help them up: "No need to be polite, please get up quickly! Please get up quickly! When I was in Nanyang, I knew about the famous Hebei Four Court Pillars. It's a pity that I didn't have the opportunity to see them. Today It is such a joy in life to meet two generals! I have prepared a banquet and invite the two generals to the table!"
The two of them bowed: "Your Majesty, please!"
After sitting at the table, Zhang Xiu invited the wine and said straight to the point: "I invite the two generals tonight for two reasons. The first is that I value the abilities of the two generals. If they can serve for Dajing, they will have a bright future; second, The two generals hold an army of 100,000 men and occupy Youzhou, which is my rear area in Dajing, so I have to come."
The two of them didn't expect Zhang Xiu to be so direct, but they didn't know what to say.
Zhang Xiu smiled and said: "You two generals don't have to be restrained. If you have any ideas, you can speak out."
Gao Lan thought for a while and said: "Your Majesty, the two of us will first carry Yuan Shao on our backs and surrender to Cao Cao, and then we will carry Wei on our backs and surrender to Jing. Isn't the Emperor worried that we two will rebel in the future?"
"Hahaha!"
Zhang Xiu laughed loudly, "As the saying goes, those who know the current affairs are heroes. If Cao Wei has not been defeated now and still persists in Duyang City, the two generals will not surrender easily. Now that Cao Wei has been defeated and his vitality is seriously injured, it is already sunset. The sunset, the two generals are heroes who know the current affairs, why should they be worried?"
With Zhang Xiu's words, the two of them felt a lot relieved.
After the two of them looked at each other, they stood up and knelt down and said, "Your Majesty's mind is as broad as the sea. I admire you! I am willing to use the land of Youzhou and one hundred thousand soldiers to surrender to Your Majesty!"
"well!"
Zhang Xiu was overjoyed and stood up to help the two of them up. "I am fortunate to have two generals. The two generals treat me with sincerity. Naturally, I will not treat you badly. From now on, I will establish the commander-in-chief of Jizhou and Youzhou, and make Zhang He the capital of Jizhou." The commander, Gao Lan, is the commander of the capital of Youzhou, with full power to dispatch all the troops and horses in the state."
The two were overjoyed and hurriedly thanked him.
Zhang Xiu said: "I have only one policy in employing people: do not trust those who employ them, and do not trust those who doubt you. Since I have given you the right, I will never doubt you. Jizhou is the new territory of Dajing, and the nobles are powerful." There are many intricate connections, and I need your full cooperation to implement the national policy of Dajing."
Youzhou is a bitter and cold place, and the nobles are not so exaggerated. Jizhou is indeed a grain-producing country, and the noble families are naturally numerous and mixed. If you want to implement national policies in Jizhou, it will definitely not go smoothly. But we don’t dare to cause too much repercussions, we must implement it step by step.
Before coming, Zhang Xiu had already thought of a way to deal with the Jizhou gentry, that is: collect some, beat some, and release some. First, win over those who are willing to accept the national policy and offer generous rewards. Those hard-headed nobles will confiscate their homes and kill those who should be killed, and suppress a group of them. The remaining nobles slowly waited and watched, waiting for the overall situation to be determined, and they would be unstoppable.
After careful consideration, Zhang Xiu decided to let Tian Jing be the governor of Ji and Youzhou.
