Once the direction of surrender was determined, everything that followed became a matter of course.
Although Xu Rong led this forbidden army for a short time, it was extremely prestigious in the army. Coupled with the current situation, these forbidden troops seemed to have no other choice, so they had no choice but to obey the order, lay down their weapons and surrender.
Liu Bei was very excited to be able to surrender thousands of elite soldiers without losing any blood. His previous regret of not being able to recruit Xu Rong disappeared naturally, and he and his two brothers were busy gathering troops.
As for Xu Rong himself, he was handed over to Zhang Heng to receive him.
"General, are you leaving now, or will you rest for a few days before leaving?" Zhang Heng asked with a smile.
Xu Rong sighed and said with a wry smile: "The defeated general, I thank you for not killing me. I am grateful in my heart. How can I have the dignity to stay in your army?"
Hearing this, Zhang Heng nodded.
If you don’t want to stay, don’t stay. Your heart is not here anyway.
"In that case, I'll see off the general."
Zhang Heng waved his hand, and then some soldiers brought Zhang Heng's mount - a maroon and inconspicuous little mare.
"Thank you sir."
Xu Rong cupped his hands, then got on his horse, and the two of them moved forward slowly along the official road of the gutter water.
After walking for about two or three miles, seeing that the army at the rear was almost out of sight, Zhang Heng still had no intention of stopping. Xu Rong couldn't help but smile bitterly and reined in the reins.
"Sir, if you have something to say, you can just say it. I am all ears."
Hearing this, Zhang Heng smiled.
It's comforting to communicate with someone who understands, without having to speak first.
After a moment of silence, Zhang Heng slowly spoke: "Speaking of which, I still hope that the general can stay and assist Mr. Xuande, but the general's wife, children, and children are all in Luoyang, and it is difficult for me to force him to stay. It's just that the general has destroyed all the troops and horses under his command. Thief Dong will definitely blame him when he returns, so how will the general respond?"
Speaking of this, Xu Rong's face didn't look good, with a hint of worry in his eyes.
Zhang Heng continued: "The Dong thief has always been cruel. When he learns that the general has been defeated, he will be severely punished. The lighter case may be imprisonment and dismissal, or the more serious case... even direct execution is possible. I really can't bear the general to go back and die, so I offered to persuade him to stay." "
These words were so sincere that Xu Rong couldn't help but be moved by them.
But he still handed over his hand and said: "Thank you sir for your kindness. I don't know that I will be punished if I go back this time. But my parents, wife and children are all in Luoyang. If I don't go back, they will be implicated. A true man should do something and be worthy of his actions. No. Even if I die, I can’t harm Gaotang!”
In the Han Dynasty, filial piety was the greatest political correctness. When Xu Rong said this, Zhang Heng could not say anything more and could only give it away.
"The general is extremely affectionate and filial, I admire you!"
"Sir, this is a ridiculous compliment. I am so ashamed of myself."
"That being the case, I have something to say that may save the general from censure."
Hearing this, Xu Rong couldn't help but his eyes lit up, and he quickly dismounted his horse and saluted: "Please give me some advice, sir!"
"Those Dong thief is worried about are only the princes of Guandong. The reason why he sent heavy troops to guard the Eight Passes of Luoyang and went to great lengths to move the capital to Chang'an is simply to protect himself by separatist rule."
"That's right." Xu Rong nodded and said, "What Mr. said is absolutely true."
"In this case, the general might as well reveal some of the weaknesses of the Guandong princes to Thief Dong."
As Zhang Heng spoke, he recounted what he had seen and heard in Suanzao, and at the same time gave an overview of the city where the Guandong princes were currently stationed. Xu Rong was surprised when he heard this.
The importance of intelligence in war is self-evident.
"What you just said is true!" Xu Rong said with shock on his face.
"Why, the general doesn't believe it?" Zhang Heng said with a half-smile.
Xu Rong quickly handed over his hand, "I don't dare, it's just..."
In his opinion, Liu Bei behind Zhang Heng was one of the princes of Guandong. In this case, why should he expose his shortcomings to himself, and it was important information such as city garrison.
What he didn't know was that Zhang Heng had never regarded these Guandong princes as allies, and even dreamed of cheating them.
"I have said what needs to be said. Whether you believe it or not is entirely up to the general." Zhang Heng did not explain the reason and just said with a smile.
"This... I naturally believe it. Thank you sir for informing me!"
Xu Rong understood that the Mr. Zhang Ziyi in front of him was not something he could guess, and the reason why he told himself this must have an ulterior motive.
Furthermore, since he chose to let himself go, there was no reason to lie to himself again.
Therefore, Xu Rong chose to trust Zhang Heng.
"General, there is no need to say thank you. Thief Dong is suspicious by nature. Based on this information alone, he may not be able to escape guilt. But the general has the ability to attack Cao Mengde on the bank of Bian River. Combined with the two, Thief Dong should not blame the general heavily. It's just how to describe these things. , it’s up to the general to think about it himself.”
"I understand!" Xu Rong nodded solemnly and said solemnly, "I dare not forget the grace of my life. If we meet again next year, I will definitely repay you!"
I swear here that I will never be my enemy again in this life! If you violate this oath, you will be punished by heaven and earth! "
"General, you don't have to be polite. It's getting late. Let's set off quickly."
Zhang Heng smiled nonchalantly, and at the same time stretched out his hand to make a gesture of invitation.
"Take care, sir, I'll excuse you!"
Xu Rong held up his hand again, and then galloped away under Zhang Heng's gaze.
It wasn't until Xu Rong's figure disappeared at the end of the road that Zhang Heng turned his horse around.
By the time they arrived at the formation, the three Liu Bei brothers had already collected Xu Rong's imperial troops. Seeing Zhang Heng's arrival, Liu Bei hurried over.
"Ziyi, Xu Rong is gone?" Liu Bei asked with a smile.
Zhang Heng nodded, and at the same time roughly narrated the conversation between the two of them just now. Liu Bei frowned and even looked at Zhang Heng with a strange look.
Ziyi, I have seen traitors, but I have never seen a traitor like you.
What good will it do us to betray the princes of Guandong!
"Mr. Xuande seems to be confused?" Zhang Heng smiled calmly.
"Ziyi, you..."
Halfway through his words, Liu Bei seemed to not know how to evaluate Zhang Heng's behavior just now, so he could only wave his hands and sigh.
Zhang Heng said earnestly: "Xuande Gong Rongzhen, the reason why I told Xu Rong this is actually for the benefit of the princes of Guandong."
Hearing this, Liu Bei's eyes widened, as if he couldn't believe what he heard.
You betray others and say you're doing them good, your face is thicker than Yide's.
"Today's Guandong princes can be said to be unable to work together, like a pile of scattered sand. With only our strength, when can we enter Luoyang and kill the Dong thief?"
So, this is why you betrayed them?
Zhang Heng continued to smile and said: "I was thinking that after Thief Dong knew this information, he might have changed his original defensive strategy in a moment of excitement and took the initiative to lead the army to kill him. By then, even if these Kwantung princes don't want to send troops , I have to be forced to fight."
Don’t you want to fight? Then I will force you to fight Dong Zhuo!
Of course, there is another thing Zhang Heng did not say, that is, if things develop as he expected, Liu Bei's group can take advantage of the Kwantung princes to fight Mr. Dong behind his back.
Even if the plan failed, Zhang Heng had no loss, it was just a nail buried casually.
There are never any clever strategies in this world. The so-called big strategies that can change the pattern of the world are all based on the superposition of small calculations. In the end, quantitative changes lead to qualitative changes, thus reversing the general trend of the world!
After hearing Zhang Heng's reasons, Liu Bei was so shocked that he couldn't help but give a thumbs up.
"Ziyi is so calculating!"
Regardless of whether you are a human being or not, it has to be you!
Liu Bei marveled at Zhang Heng's betrayal of his teammates' strength, but he didn't feel much disgust in his heart.
He had long disliked the Kanto princes who only knew how to trade with each other, and it was really satisfying to be able to plot against them.
Ziyi is so bad...but I like it!
"Thank you, Mr. Xuande." Zhang Heng replied with a smile, his eyes full of pride.
The two immediately looked at each other and laughed, their expressions full of tacit understanding.
…
Volume County.
Cao Cao looked at the dilapidated city walls and the traces of the battle below, and the corners of his mouth twitched violently.
In order to participate in this wave of team battles, I rushed as fast as I could, but I was still late?
But……
The building was now deserted. Not only was the enemy army missing, but even Liu Bei didn't know where he had gone.
The result of this battle, will it be victory or defeat?
Who can give me some clear explanation?
