Regarding the recruitment of Xu Rong, Zhang Heng had expressed his thoughts to Liu Bei before, but when the matter came to pass, Liu Bei was still a little worried.
"Ziyi, Xu Rong's wife, children, and children are all in the hands of the Dong thief in Luoyang. Will he surrender?"
Zhang Heng shrugged his shoulders and said with a smile: "I don't know, but it depends on the human condition, so I might as well give it a try. Even if Xu Rong refuses to surrender, these Luoyang Forbidden Army are already in our possession."
"Okay, let's give it a try. I wonder what Ziyi needs?"
"I've brought what you need."
Zhang Heng smiled and took off a water bag from his horse, which was filled with fine wine.
Seeing this, Zhang Fei couldn't help but widen his eyes.
"Ziyi, where did you get the wine?"
"Of course they were brought from the city."
Zhang Heng replied with a smile and waved his hand at the same time. The soldiers next to him understood and quickly rode out and ran towards Xu Rong's formation.
When Xu Rong was wondering why Guan Yu retreated, he suddenly saw Liu Bei sending a cavalry over. When they were out of the range of the bow and arrow, the cavalry reined in the reins and shouted loudly to Xu Rong:
"My chief secretary asks General Xu to answer in front of the battle array!"
It turned out that I wanted to negotiate with myself, but was it still necessary to negotiate at this time?
If he were to kill him directly, he might not be able to resist at all.
Xu Rong frowned and thought hard for a moment, but suddenly understood Zhang Heng's intention.
Is it possible to recruit yourself?
Seeing that there was no movement from Xu Rong's side, the cavalryman couldn't help but smile contemptuously.
"Why, the Luoyang Forbidden Army is just a bunch of cowards?"
Hearing this, Xu Rong shouted with an angry face: "Don't be crazy, Xu Rong is here!"
After saying this, Xu Rong ignored the dissuasion of his soldiers and rode out alone.
When Zhang Heng saw Xu Rong appear, he turned to Zhang Fei and said with a smile: "Yide, will you come with me?"
Xu Rong is a real battlefield veteran. Although he doesn't know how much force is worth, Zhang Heng is sure that he will never be his opponent in a real fight, so he wants to find a bodyguard to accompany him.
"No, no." Zhang Fei shook his head like a rattle.
It's not a war, what should I do?
Zhang Heng raised the wine bag in his hand, "If you come with me, the remaining wine in it will be yours."
"Is this true?" Zhang Fei's eyes lit up.
Zhang Heng said solemnly: "A man keeps his promise and will never go back on his words."
"Okay, then let's go quickly!"
After receiving the benefits promised by Zhang Heng, Zhang Fei was extremely positive. Before he finished speaking, he galloped forward on his horse, making Liu Bei and Guan Yu smile bitterly and shake their heads.
Zhang Heng went into battle accompanied by Zhang Fei, and Xu Rong only brought a few soldiers on the opposite side.
The two sides came to the most central area in front of the two armies' formation. In order to let Xu Rong lower his guard and for his own safety, Zhang Heng deliberately chose a place that was out of the range of the bows and arrows of both sides.
Xu Rong originally thought that the person coming was one of the heroes of Guandong. After meeting him, he found that the person was actually a young man of about twenty years old. He was not wearing armor, but was dressed like a scholar.
Is he such a famous person among the princes of Guandong?
Zhang Heng ignored Xu Rong's surprised look, got off the horse first, and made an inviting gesture towards Xu Rong from a distance.
Let’s see what this person’s intentions are!
Seeing that Zhang Heng was the only one beside Zhang Fei, Xu Rong ordered his soldiers not to follow him. After dismounting from his horse, he stepped forward alone to meet him.
Zhang Heng straightened his clothes, with an impeccable smile on his face, and bowed to Xu Rong.
"I have heard about General Xu for a long time, and it is a great pleasure to meet him today!"
He stretched out his hand to avoid hitting the smiling person. Although Xu Rong couldn't tell whether his words were mocking him, he had no choice but to return the favor.
"Sir, you've received the award. It's just a humble name, not worth mentioning!"
While the two were talking, Zhang Fei took out a straw mat from his horse and spread it on the ground.
Zhang Heng stretched out his hand again and made an invitation gesture, "I invited the general in a hurry. The front of the battle is simple. Please forgive me!"
What the hell is this guy doing!
Xu Rong frowned slightly, glanced at Zhang Heng who was smiling, and felt a little guilty in his heart.
"Why, the general has been on the battlefield for a long time, is he afraid of me as a scholar?" Zhang Heng said with a smile.
Hearing this, Xu Rong snorted coldly, then walked over expressionlessly and sat opposite Zhang Heng.
There were no furniture such as tables, chairs or benches in this era, so people in the Han Dynasty would sit on their knees when entertaining guests. But now Zhang Heng didn't have a table or anything in his hands. The two of them just sat facing each other, and Xu Rong suddenly felt a little embarrassed.
Looking at Zhang Heng again, he was very contented. He directly reached out and picked up the water bag, and took out two large porcelain bowls. He first poured a full bowl of wine for Xu Rong, and then filled it for himself.
"General, please give me a taste of Juan County's fine wine!" Zhang Heng greeted with a smile.
When he heard the word Juan County, the corners of Xu Rong's eyes couldn't help but twitch.
I remember how high-spirited I was when I sent out troops, and I even made a plan to capture Juan County in three days.
But now, Juan County is still in the hands of others, but he has even lost his base camp of Xingyang.
Thinking of this, Xu Rong couldn't help but close his eyes in pain, picked up the wine bowl and drank it all in one gulp. It seemed that this was the only way to relieve the depression in his heart.
After drinking a bowl of wine, Xu Rong's face turned a little rosy, but he suddenly growled.
"Good wine, pour more!"
Anyway, defeat is a foregone conclusion, life and death are not controlled by oneself, Xu Rong, who has been stable all his life, suddenly feels indulgent.
Hearing this, Zhang Fei behind him couldn't help but glare at Xu Rong.
You are a dying man, why are you drinking so much? Leave some for me!
Zhang Heng was naturally not a stingy person, so he poured another bowl for Xu Rong and watched him drink it all in one gulp.
After repeated attempts, Xu Rong, who had always been a bad drinker, turned red and became drunk.
"Thank you sir for the wine!"
Xu Rong burped, raised his hands and smiled at Zhang Heng.
Zhang Heng nodded, then picked up the wine bowl in front of him and took a sip.
"What does the general think of the current situation?"
Xu Rong smiled bitterly, "This battle is indeed a defeat, and in the end it is nothing more than death. But I still have a doubt in my heart. I wonder if you, sir, would like to answer it?"
"General, please speak."
"Are you using your troops for this battle?"
Zhang Heng nodded and remained silent.
"When did that gentleman start plotting against Xingyang?"
Hearing this question, Zhang Heng laughed.
"The general and Yang Ding were guarding Xingyang together. Yang Ding was stupid and came to seek death, but he harmed the general. Therefore, the general can only avoid Dong's wrath by marching to capture Juan County. I wonder if I am right?"
Hearing this, Xu Rong's mouth showed a hint of bitterness.
It turns out that this person started plotting when Yang Ding died. How could he be invincible?
That's all, that's all, my skills are not as good as others, so there's nothing to say.
After a long sigh, Xu Rong rushed to Zhang Heng and cupped his hands and said: "I was defeated at the hands of Sir, and I am convinced. I beg Sir to show your noble hand and let those innocent soldiers go. As for me, I am willing to let Sir handle it!"
"The soldiers under the general's command are all warriors of our Han Dynasty. They were the heroes who pacified the Yellow Turbans and defeated the rebellion in the past. Although they have no choice but to become thieves now, as long as they are willing to repent, Duke Xuande will be happy to accept them. There is no need to worry, general."
It seems that this person wants to recruit my soldiers!
Think about it, after all, these soldiers were once part of the Luoyang Forbidden Army, one of the most powerful armies in the entire Han Dynasty, and no one could be unmoved.
"In that case, thank you sir."
Zhang Heng waved his hand, "Not to mention these warriors, where does the general plan to go?"
Xu Rong took a deep breath and said seriously: "As a general, I forget my home when I am ordered to do it, and I forget myself when facing the enemy. Since I have been defeated, I have to die in state affairs to show my loyalty. I have received the king's order in my lower body, and I dare not forget it. It would be a shame to live up to your kindness."
He knew that Zhang Heng wanted to recruit him, but his wife, children, and children were all in Luoyang, and he didn't want to be known as betraying his master, so he refused in advance.
However, after he said these generous words, he did not wait for Zhang Heng's praise. Instead, Zhang Heng laughed, his voice was sharp and disdainful.
"Sir, what do you mean?"
Xu Rong said displeased.
"It's not interesting. I just heard what the general said just now. It's really difficult for me. I hope Haihan will do it."
"What's so funny about what I'm saying?" Xu Rong asked.
Zhang Heng shook his head and said, "General Xu, let alone whether your passion is true or not, just saying that you just said that you were ordered by the king is extremely ridiculous. Let me ask you, are you under the order of the king or the Dong thief? fate?
Also, you said you were willing to die for national affairs, but how do I feel that you died for Thief Dong?
For those who are loyal to the rebels, even if they die, they will only remain in infamy for thousands of years. How can they be loyal and upright? "
"this……"
Xu Rong was silent, almost speechless.
