Chapter 286: Disintegration
Time went back to the evening, and many middle and high-ranking officers in Shouchun City came to Zhou Yu’s camp.
The highest-ranking among them were Lei Bo's younger brother Lei Xu, Chen Lan's nephew Chen Kang, Mei Yu's son Mei Qian, Zhang Xun's deputy general Zhang Qian, Ji Ling's deputy general Quan Zheng and others were all present. .
Being able to invite these people to the banquet shows the status of the Zhou family and the Sun family in the Yuan Shu Group.
Zhang Xun and Qiao Rui have always been Sun Ce's little enigmatic brothers. These two are much older than Sun Ce, but they are both Sun Ce's fans. They highly respect Sun Ce and recommend them to Yuan Shu more than once. Sun Ce.
When they besieged Lu Kang, Qiao Rui fought for more than a year but failed to defeat him, so Yuan Shu asked Sun Ce to help.
As a result, when Sun Ce arrived at the front line, he directly turned against Tiangang and became the commander-in-chief. On the contrary, the original commander-in-chief Qiao Rui actually willingly served as Sun Ce's assistant.
In official history, Qiao Rui died in the Battle of Qiyang, while Zhang Xun resolutely led his team to cross the river and defect to Sun Ce after Yuan Shu died of illness.
When Yuan Shu died, his men were divided into two factions. His son-in-law Huang Yi and his younger brother Yuan Yin wanted to defect to Liu Xun in Lujiang out of selfish motives. Zhang Xun, Yang Hong and others wanted to defect to Sun Ce in Jiangdong.
At that time, most of the military power in Shouchun City was in the hands of Zhang Xun, and Yang Hong could represent political appeal. Therefore, in the end, Yuan Shu’s son-in-law Huang Yi and his younger brother Yuan Yin only took Yuan Shu with them. The coffin, Yuan Shu's wife and daughter, and their two personal tribes went to join Liu Xun.
But here's the problem. The road from Shouchun to Lujiang is obviously closer and more convenient. In addition, Zhang Xun, Yang Hong and others walk slower because of their large population.
After Huang Yi and Yuan Yin arrived in Lujiang, they leaked the information of Zhang Xun, Yang Hong and others to Liu Xun.
Liu Xun refused to do anything, and simply set up an ambush in the middle of the road, directly annihilating Zhang Xun and Yang Hong's troops, and successfully robbed tens of thousands of people and countless gold and silver goods.
Therefore, the relationship between Zhang Xun and the Sun family has always been very good. As soon as Sun Xiang's deputy and clan brother Sun Lu invited him, Zhang Xun's deputy Zhang Qian brought his mid-level and senior officers in the army. Attended the banquet.
Similarly, the face of the powerful Zhou family, the largest gentry in Jianghuai, is also quite valuable in the eyes of Jianghuai people. The Lei family, Chen family, Mei family and Ji Ling's deputy general Quan Zheng were invited by Zhou Dao. They all showed up, which gave Zhou Yu and Zhou Dao a lot of face.
Zhou Yu's brother Zhou Dao and his son, as well as Sun Xiang's nephew Sun Lu, served as hosts. They prepared fine wine and delicacies for them, and purchased a large amount of meat and fresh fish. It could be said that the guests of honor were enjoying themselves.
Just when everyone was full of wine and food, Zhou Dao suddenly said: "Everyone, now someone has obtained a way to get promoted and make a fortune. I dare not enjoy it alone. I want to share it with you. I don't know. What do you think? "
These people here are all from powerful backgrounds, and they have been fighting with each other since childhood to compete for the power of the village.
When I grew up, I encountered troubled times, and wars continued everywhere. Almost everyone present came from the battlefield, and there were almost no fools.
What Zhou Dao said was sudden and strange, and the atmosphere in the big tent suddenly became stiff.
Everyone present looked at me and I looked at you, their eyes full of suspicion and wariness. Finally, their eyes focused on Zhou Dao.
“Brother Zhou, what do you mean by this?”
Finally, Mei Gan, who has a closer relationship with the Zhou family, asked: “I don’t know that Brother Zhou wants to take care of me. What good things are you waiting for? "
The Mei family is a powerful person in Lujiang. Mei Qian's father Mei Yu also has a relationship with Zhou Yu's father and is currently serving under Yuan Shu.
At this time, Mei Yu was having a banquet with Yuan Shu in the palace, so he asked his son Mei Qian to come and attend the Zhou family's banquet on his behalf.
Originally, I just thought that the Zhou family wanted to connect emotionally. After all, everyone might face a tough battle next. But now it seems that the Zhou family has another deep meaning.
Zhou Dao smiled and said: "I want to ask you to meet someone."
At this time, there were rapid footsteps outside the big tent, and it was obvious that the entire big tent had been surrounded.
The hearts of everyone in the tent were in their throats. Even though they knew that Zhou Dao would definitely not kill someone when he spoke like this, they still couldn't relax.
Soon, the curtain of the big tent was lifted. Two burly men wearing iron armor entered first, and then stood sideways to hold the curtain up.
Then, a boy of fifteen or sixteen years old walked in.
This young man is tall and wearing iron armor. He holds a sword in his left hand. His eyes are like stars and his face is like powder. He is such a heroic and beautiful young man.
"Gentlemen, it's too late to come down."
As he said this, the handsome young man walked up to the top and sat down. Zhou Dao, who was originally sitting here, had already moved out of the way.
Then, the heroic and handsome young man raised the new wine cup that Zhou Dao had put on for him. After filling it, he said to everyone: "I, Liu Zisheng, have been favored by the emperor and am now serving as the imperial general in the southern expedition. My father, Liu Xuande, was a hussar general of the Han Dynasty and a Marquis of Qiao, and was responsible for the affairs of Yu, Xu and Yang states."
It turns out that this heroic and beautiful young man is Liu Feng.
As soon as these words came out, there was suddenly silence in the big tent, and there was no sound except for the crackling sound of burning torches.
The faces of everyone on the field were stiff, and their eyes were full of shock and bewilderment.
Those who responded quickly have realized that the Zhou family and the Sun family have probably defected to Liu Bei, and they came to Shouchun this time to act as internal agents.
The person who reacted slowly also knew that he should be in danger at this moment, and his life was already in the hands of others.
Liu Feng raised the wine cup, turned it around and said to the crowd: "Gentlemen, I have something to ask of you. I wonder if you can agree to it."
Lei Xu, Mei Gan, Zhang Qian, Chen Kang, Quan Zheng and others looked at each other in confusion. Finally, Mei Gan, who had the closest relationship with the Zhou family, said: "It turns out that it was Liu Zhengnan who was in front of him. We were ignorant and asked Zhengnan to forgive us."
"Meidu Thank you for your courtesy."
Liu Feng turned around with a smile and said, "I have something to ask for. I wonder if you are willing to help?"
Liu Feng asked twice in a row. , everyone also understood that the other party had not achieved his goal and vowed not to give up.
So, Lei Xu and others nodded one after another and said: "No matter what Liu Zhengnan orders, we will obey."
"Good!"
Liu Feng praised, and then said: "I don't either I want to hide this from you, the emperor has issued an edict to remove General Zuo from all his official positions and titles, and accuses him of being an enemy of the court. This is because Yuan Gongdao disrespects the court and the emperor, and brings disaster to the place. You are the heroes of the Yangtze and Huaihe Rivers. Do you just sit back and watch your hometown be ruined by Yuan Highway? "
"Take Shouchun City as an example. At its peak, the population was over 100,000, and there were many businesses and markets. What a prosperous scene it was. Look at today, don't you feel ashamed in your hearts?"
Liu Feng held the wine cup and his voice became louder and louder: "Aren't you afraid that your fathers and fellow villagers will point at your spine and scold you? Is he someone who sells his ancestors for glory? ”
The situation was stronger than the people, and Liu Feng's words occupied the moral high ground. His condescending rebuke made most of the people here sweat.
Especially Lei Xu, Chen Kang, Mei Qian, and Zhang Qian. They are natives of Jianghuai. They are either powerful men from Jiujiang or nobles from Lujiang.
Since Yuan Shu came to Shouchun, everyone can see the decline of Jianghuai.
No one can say that what Liu Feng said is wrong.
Besides, Liu Feng also talked about what they feared most, which was to be accused by all the villagers of selling their ancestors for glory.
That would really be a bleaker end than losing one's life.
“Yuan Shu is powerful, he has famous nobles from the court, and he has a scepter in his hand. We are really forced to do so.”
Lei Xu took the lead and stood up, and bowed to Liu Feng and said: "I have admired Xuande Gong's benevolence for a long time, and I just wish I could not serve Liu Qiaoqi. Now I have to meet Zhengnan. If I meet a new man, I am willing to serve Zhengnan and restore my hometown."
Liu Feng He looked at Lei Xu with some surprise. He was really a smart man. Recalling the historical background that he neither surrendered to Cao nor Sun, Liu Feng stood up directly, put down the wine cup in his hand, and stepped forward to drink it with his own hands. He helped him up: "Captain Lei, please get up."
Historically, it was this Lei Xu who led tens of thousands of people to defect to Liu Bei, which made Liu Bei's momentum grow.
Then he visited several other people.
Mei Gan, Chen Kang and others also stood up and prostrated: "What Lieutenant Lei said is from the bottom of our hearts. Now that we have met Zhengnan, it feels like a new life. How dare you not die for Zhengnan?"
Liu Feng's eyes fell on Zhang Qian and Quan Zheng. They could no longer support themselves and could only stand up and said: "We have been conquered by Zhengnan, and we only want Zhengnan to be our home." The captain left a way to survive."
Zhang Qian is Zhang Xun's younger brother, and Quan Zheng is Ji Ling's confidant.
Zhang Xun and Ji Ling are both Yuan Shu's trusted generals, and they are certainly different from peripheral generals such as Lei Bo, Chen Lan, and Mei Yu.
They said they wanted to surrender and rebel, but Liu Feng had to believe them.
"Okay!"
Liu Feng turned around and picked up the wine cup again. Tu Qiongdagger said: "Gentlemen, please go back to camp in a while. I don't ask you to help me accomplish my task. , but please stay safe and don’t go out, okay?”
“If you are willing to help me, you can drink this cup!”
Liu Feng’s eyes were like lightning, scanning everyone’s faces. : "If you don't want to help me, just leave, and we will compete on the battlefield, life or death!"
Lei Xu was the first to jump up again, raised his wine cup directly, and said to Liu Feng: "Xu is not talented, and he has two thousand troops under his command. I am willing to start from Zhengnan, conquer Jianghuai, and protect our hometown." "Zi."
Mei Gan and Chen Kang felt annoyed and realized they were half a beat too late. They also hurriedly followed up and said, "We are also willing to serve Zhengnan like Captain Lei." , Quanzheng naturally cannot leave the big tent. Even if Liu Feng is telling the truth, they also understand that Yuan Shu is doomed.
He didn't even know that Liu Feng had entered Shouchun City. He was still hosting a banquet for guests in the palace to cleanse himself of the enemies who had sneaked into the city.
No matter how optimistic Zhang Qian and Quan Zheng are, they will not think that Liu Feng will lose.
But after all, they are different from the other three. Lei Xu, Chen Kang and Mei Gan can replace their lords to a certain extent, but Zhang Qian and Quan Zheng cannot.
The two thought over and over again and made a difficult decision.
“I sincerely request you to send troops to the south and follow me into the camp to control the overall situation.”
Zhang Qian and Quan Zheng know that even with their prestige, they cannot live in the middle of the camp. If they suppress it forcefully, it will be impossible to say Instead, his own life was ruined first.
In this case, we might as well surrender directly and exchange this for the life of the palace general.
"We are willing to surrender to Zhengnan. I only hope that Zhengnan can give my captain a way to survive."
"Good!"
As for the opinions of Zhang Qian and Quan Zheng, Liu Feng naturally followed the good advice. .
Three Lei Xu surrendered, which directly reversed the strength of both sides from 17,000 to 18,000 to 23,000 to 12,000.
Now that Zhang Qian and Quan Zheng are willing to surrender, the four thousand men of Zhang Xun and Ji Ling are no longer a concern.
The last thing left is the eight thousand personal guards in Yuan Shu's palace.
It is equal to twenty-three thousand versus eight thousand, almost three times that of the enemy.
He was still prepared and unprepared. If it weren't for the fear of God playing tricks, Liu Feng would have wanted to scream about why Feilong Qilian lost.
"In that case, Lieutenant Commander Lei, the three of you will each return to camp and be responsible for the disarmament of Quanzheng's troops. Zhang Qian's troops will be disarmed by our troops personally."
See Lei Xu and the other three had a very positive attitude and were eager to make meritorious deeds. Coupled with their choices in history, Liu Feng decided to trust them for the time being and gave them a chance to make meritorious deeds.
But at the same time, Liu Feng also had a hidden backhand. If Lei Xu and the others wanted to play dirty tricks, Liu Feng would not be polite to them.
"If there are no other questions."
Liu Feng once again raised the wine cup in his hand high: "In this case, please drink and win!"
" Xie Zhengnan! "
Lei Xu and others did not have any accidents this time. They all drank the wine in the cup, but no one remembered what the wine tasted like.
After drinking the wine, everyone went their separate ways.
Xu Sheng followed Zhang Qian with his troops. Zhang Xun's troops were stationed in the south of the city, and Xiangguo City was its important stronghold. This is why Liu Feng asked Lei Xu and others to disarm Ji Ling's troops, while leaving Zhang Qian to do it himself.
At this time, all the gates to the south of Shouchun City have been opened, and bonfires are still lit on the city walls to illuminate Xu Huang who is coming from a distance.
Zhou Dao's troops stayed in the camp and were responsible for monitoring the movements of Lei Xu and others.
If Lei Xu and the others sincerely surrender, after disarming Ji Ling's troops, just let them stay in Ji Ling's camp to take care of Ji Ling's troops. If there are other arrangements, they will be sent separately. Go and deliver the order.
After Xu Sheng's troops disarmed Zhang Xun's troops, a thousand men were left to garrison Xiangguo City to guard the prisoners, while other troops were sent to reinforce the palace.
After Xu Huang's troops enter the city, they can go directly to the palace for reinforcements.
Finally, Liu Feng will lead Pan Zhang, Zhou Tai, and Jiang Qin's troops directly into the palace, suppress Yuan Shu's personal guards, and provide support for Zhang Liao, Zhou Yu, Xu Chu and others to capture Yuan Shu.
After assigning the tasks, the generals followed the orders.
Liu Feng personally took Pan Zhang, Zhou Tai and their troops to the palace.
At this time, the gate of the palace was guarded by Jiang Qin. His task was to guard the gate of the palace and respond to Zhang Liao who entered the palace to arrest Yuan Shu, and Liu Feng who subsequently entered the palace.
Jiang Qin stood at the city gate with a solemn expression.
The five hundred troops were divided into three waves by him, and two hundred of them were placed on the city wall. Most of them held bows and crossbows, which could take care of both the inside and outside.
The remaining three hundred people were divided into two groups, of which one hundred were outside the palace and two hundred were inside. Jiang Qin himself stood at the gate of the palace city with a few personal followers. above.
When he saw Liu Feng's troops arriving, Jiang Qin immediately walked down from the top of the city and met Liu Feng.
"Gong Yi, how is the situation?"
Liu Feng watched Pan Zhang and Zhou Tai command the troops, entering the palace city one after another, while asking Jiang Qin about the situation in the palace.
Jiang Qin immediately replied: "General Zhang has been in for a quarter of an hour. There were shouts of killing just now. I don't know the specific situation."
Liu Feng nodded and said Jiang Qin then issued the task: "Okay, Gongyi, I'll leave this door to you."
Jiang Qin immediately promised: "Please rest assured, Zheng Nan, unless Qin dies, he will never call anyone." Enter through this door. ”
"Good!"
Liu Feng praised, and then warned: "In a while, Wen Xiang's subordinates will come for reinforcements, and Gong Yi can escort them into the palace."
"Here! Recruitment is required. Don’t worry, Nan, Qin will send Wen Xiang to the palace for reinforcements.”
The two were talking when suddenly, fierce shouts of killing broke out in the main hall of the banquet deep in the palace.
Liu Feng and Jiang Qin looked at each other and understood that Zhang Liao must have done it.
Liu Feng immediately ordered the entire army to gallop and quickly reinforce Zhang Liao. When encountering Yuan Shu's soldiers along the way, he only needed to kill them and disperse them without pursuing them. Reinforcing Zhang Liao was his first priority.
********
After Zhang Liao took over the city gate, he followed Zhou Yu with Xu Chu, and the group headed towards the inner hall.
The Fuling Palace is not large, only a few hundred thousand square meters.
Yuan Shu was entertaining important officials in the main hall at this time. Zhou Yu and Sun Xiang both used the excuse of changing their clothes to hide out.
There were two thousand soldiers on duty in the palace, responsible for protecting Yuan Shu's safety.
Among the two thousand soldiers, there are one thousand on guard and one thousand on patrol.
Among them, Zhou Yu introduced that among the thousand soldiers standing guard, 500 were standing inside and outside the main hall of the palace where the banquet was held, another 200 were guarding the palace gate, and the remaining 300 were Scattered on duty everywhere.
At the same time, there is a personal guard of 200 people around Yuan Shu. These two hundred people are all wearing iron armor and divided into four squads. They guard Yuan Shu at all times to protect his safety.
“In other words, there are less than two thousand enemies?”
Zhang Liao laughed, turned to Xu Chu and said, "Zhongkang, how about we try it out?"
Xu Chu in history was not only not a reckless man, but also a shrewd man. He even Strategies will also be used.
He has won the trust of three generations of the Cao family. He has been in charge of the imperial guards for decades and has continuously protected three generations of emperors of the Cao family.
The so-called Cao Cao dog’s name is Xu Chuxiao, which is simply a crazy attempt to smear Xu Chu’s intelligence and ability.
After hearing Zhang Liao's words, Xu Chu replied in a low voice: "General, we are here to do important things, not to compete."
Zhang Liao's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he praised Xu Chu: "Zhong Kang is really a loyal and honest man."
Immediately, he no longer mentioned the competition, but quietly discussed with Zhou Yu.
"Gong Jin, what good advice do you have?"
Hearing this, Zhou Yu replied: "The brave will win when we meet on a narrow road. Yuan Shu is in the palace, and we have already arrived at the city. At this time, we will meet again. There is no trick, only force can break it!”
“Goodness!”
Zhang Liao nodded and immediately issued an order: "Zhongkang, Gongjin, I will give you two hundred people, including sixty armored soldiers. You will watch the battle from behind and watch me defeat the enemy. You two only need to see me tear Yuan Jun apart." You can break out of the defense line immediately without any entanglement. You can go straight into the palace and capture Yuan Shu!"
(End of this chapter)