Chapter 232 Doubt
In the sixth year of Guanghe, July has passed like this, and in a blink of an eye, the refreshing air of autumn and August has arrived.
In the battle of Yingyang, the Han army was defeated, and Ru Ying Huangjin was also severely weakened. The Runan Yellow Turbans, which had an estimated 150,000 troops before the war, only had more than 60,000 left after this battle. There may not be so many who died in the battle, and most of them disappeared in the countryside. But with such a loss rate, Ru Yinghuang Jin actually has no intention of making any further progress.
Now Huang Shao from Runan is obsessed with going south back to Runan, and Ma Yuanyi, the divine envoy, also wants to go to Nanyang to join Zhang Mancheng's troops after annexing Bo Cai's remaining troops.
But a few days ago, the situation of Nanyang Yellow Turban was sent to Yingyang, and Ma Yuanyi hesitated.
It turned out that the Nanyang Yellow Turbans had been stationed in Wancheng for nearly a hundred days, but they failed to break the city. Instead, because of their laziness, they were attacked at night by the newly appointed Nanyang Governor Qin Jie a few days ago.
This was originally a small accident, but no one expected that Zhang Mancheng, the commander of Nanyang Yellow Turban, would die in this night attack.
Later, the person who succeeded Nanyang Huangjinqu Commandery was Zhao Hong. But the old brother Ma Yuanyi had brought out before, Sun Xia, was also the Nanyang Yellow Turban commander second only to Zhao Hong and Han Zhong. When he sent someone to contact Ma Yuanyi, he vaguely mentioned his doubts about the death of the old commander Qu.
Then from the narration of Sun Xia's confidant, Ma Yuanyi learned about the situation that night.
It happened on July 26, the sixth year of Guanghe. At that time, the Nanyang Yellow Turbans had been besieging Wancheng for nearly a hundred days. However, because the Yellow Turbans in Nanyang could not cut off the Wei River, the materials in the Jingxiang area could be concentrated in Xiangyang, and then continuously transferred from Xiangyang to Wancheng through the Wei River.
Jishui River is the main waterway from Xiangyang to Wancheng in Nanyang. The river is wide and the water is big enough for boats.
Therefore, the Yellow Turbans of Nanyang were besieged for only three months and still could not capture Wancheng. But fortunately, Nanyang is rich. It can be said that "the rich soil of Zhou and Chu was cut off, and the territory was built across Jing and Henan." Its wealth is second only to Luoyang. At the same time, Nanyang is also the most populous county in the world, with 520,000 households and 2.5 million people, which is comparable to the entire population of Xuzhou.
It was precisely because of Nanyang's wealth and population that the Nanyang Yellow Turbans were able to establish a long-term siege against the Han army in Wancheng.
During the day on July 26, Laoqu Commander Zhang Mancheng led various Nanyang Commanders and Xuanfeng Rui soldiers to hunt in the wilderness of Wancheng. Although July is hot, it is autumn and it is hunting time. Because the Han army has been huddled in the city, the Nanyang Yellow Turbans are slacking off from top to bottom.
Since July, the old commander Zhang Mancheng has been hunting in the fields no less than several times. He also called all the young commanders who were supposed to guard the camps to hunt. It can be said that he was extremely slack. Not everyone in the army advised the old commander Zhang Mancheng. One of the soldiers who defected to the Nanyang Yellow Turban Army once advised:
"Commander Qu, his achievements have not yet been accomplished, and his reputation is not yet known. But Commander Qu hunts and kills rabbits and foxes every day. Wouldn't it hurt the hearts of heroes in the army?"
At first, Zhang Mancheng smiled and wanted to explain when he heard this, but suddenly another person said:
"Today, Qu Shuai does not hunt fierce enemies but hunts pigs in the field. He does not fight Chinese thieves but hunts rabbits. He plays small entertainment without seeking big trouble. I am afraid that we don't know where we will die!"
The person who said this was none other than Zhao Hong, the number two figure in Nanyang Yellow Turban. He was originally a son of a wealthy family and the leader of a powerful faction in the army. As soon as he said this, his whole temperature suddenly dropped.
Zhang Mancheng's smile gradually faded from his face, and he said abruptly:
"Now I am still Qu Shuai of Nanyang Taiping Road, and I have my own reasons for what I do. After I die and you take over, you can stop worrying about this matter."
When all the handsome men heard such an exciting conversation, their hearts were shaken, and they all bowed their heads and remained silent. Sure enough, with the Nanyang Yellow Turbans attacking Wancheng, Zhang Mancheng's prestige was greatly damaged, and now those powerful factions have begun to stand up.
It turned out that the scholar who had admonished Zhang Mancheng was turning pale at this time, secretly regretting why he got involved in the internal fighting of the Nanyang Yellow Turbans.
After that, the field hunting continued.
Zhang Mancheng seemed to have left the previous unhappiness behind, and he led Zhao Hong, Han Zhong, Sun Xia and other young marshals to gallop through the wilderness of Wancheng in high spirits. Suddenly, a pair of mother and deer deer fled due to the surrounding Yellow Turban Army. In front of Zhang Mancheng and others.
Zhang Mancheng was in his prime and was very brave. He shot the doe to death with one bow. Then the deer whined and licked the doe. At this time, Zhang Mancheng pointed at Zhao Hong and said:
"Here, shoot this deer."
But who knows, Zhao Hong lowered his bow and said pitifully:
"You have killed your mother, Qu Shuai, how can I bear to kill his son?"
Zhang Mancheng's face was red, and the hand holding the bow and arrow turned white. He looked at the few handsome men who were vaguely protecting Zhao Hong in the middle. After all, he suppressed his anger, and he smiled:
"Okay, Zhao Er is a compassionate person. You speak well and teach better. In this way, I must thank you. I got a good horse recently, and knowing that you have always loved horses, I gave it to you."
After saying that, he lit one person and chose one from the accompanying horses. It was a very fat and powerful horse.
Zhao Hong subconsciously wanted to refuse, but he liked the horse after seeing it, so he took it and switched to this horse directly.
After this episode, the hunting continues.
But gradually, Zhang Mancheng and his cronies left Zhao Hong and others behind and went hunting elsewhere. On the way, Zhang Mancheng said to his confidant Han Zhong:
"These measures are so big that none of them can be believed."
Han Zhong said fiercely:
"How about I find someone to come over later and teach Zhao Er a lesson?"
Zhang Mancheng’s unpredictable smile:
"No, his lesson will come in a moment."
Everyone was confused and could only accompany Zhang Mancheng to continue hunting.
And Zhao Hong's lesson over there has indeed come true.
Zhao Hong rode on the horse sent by Zhang Mancheng and was chasing his prey with it. Suddenly, the horse fell down as soon as he sat down. If Zhao Hong hadn't been so vigorous and vigorous, he jumped off the horse and rolled to the side. The hit just now would have broken his thigh.
All the confidants were shocked and hurriedly got off their horses and helped Zhao Hong up. They breathed a sigh of relief when they saw that he was fine. Now that they are all siding with Zhao Hong, they have completely offended Zhang Mancheng. If he dies, they will be miserable.
Zhao Hong was also very angry. He looked carefully at the majestic horse. At this moment, the horse had stood up and was unscathed. Zhao Hong was not sure, so he ordered a guard and asked him to ride the horse.
The guard didn't hesitate, got on his horse, and showed off a few leaps. But before they had taken dozens of steps, the horse suddenly fell down again, and the guard was not as lucky as Zhao Hong. His head hit the ground and his neck was broken.
At this moment, Zhao Hong realized that this horse was actually a useless horse, and its steps were unsteady when galloping. He stepped forward with the ring-head knife and chopped off the horse's head with one blow, and the blood sprayed out all over Zhao Hong.
Later, after the field hunting was over, Zhao Hong and others returned to camp, and were teased by Zhang Mancheng's cronies. This was the end of the field hunt that intensified the conflict on Taiping Road in Nanyang.
At night, Zhang Mancheng, who had a great time, distributed all today's prey to the guards and went into the big tent. He sat down next to the six-knotted sword that represented his identity within the sect.
Just when he was about to drink the honey water, someone sent a secret letter from outside, saying it was from Wancheng. Zhang Mancheng accepted the letter without paying attention and threw it on the table casually.
The city's detailed internal response team would send out a letter every once in a while. At first, Zhang Mancheng took it attentively, but afterward it was filled with information that was of little use, and Zhang Mancheng gradually became uneasy.
Of course, one of the most important reasons why Zhang Mancheng didn't read the letter was that he didn't know how to read. To read these, he needed to read them to him in military Chinese.
Zhang Mancheng pinched the letter and thought for a while before asking the guards outside the account to call Mr. Zong.
Mr. Zong was the scholar who advised him not to play nonsense. He comes from the Anzhong clan, but is only the last descendant of the clan. There are thirty-four officials in the Zong family, and there are not many in a land of meritorious deeds like Nanyang.
Previously, Hebei Taiping Road gave Zhang Mancheng a letter to strangle members of the Zong clan, just because Beizhonglang General Lu Zhi's auxiliary commander Wu Huanzhonglang General Zongzong was a member of this family. Zong Yuan led Youzhou Tuqi in Hebei and killed countless people on Taiping Road in Hebei. Now Zhang Mancheng is about to take revenge there. Zhang Mancheng still listened to the orders of his master Zhang Jiao. So he personally ordered troops to massacre the clan members of the clan, but unfortunately the success failed. In the end, most of the clan members were rescued by powerful in-laws nearby. And because Mr. Zong had served as an internal agent for the Yellow Turban Army, he could only follow Zhang Mancheng.
Mr. Zong had a separate tent, and it was right next to Zhang Mancheng's big tent. He came immediately after being summoned. As soon as he heard that he was asked to read the letter, he took it and started to read it. But when he saw the content, his heart was turned upside down. Suddenly he thought of something, so he remained calm on his face and just made some corrections in some places.
Zhang Mancheng had no doubts and asked Mr. Zong to stay and eat together.
The main dish for dinner is the day's prey, grilled by the chef and already golden and attractive. After the two of them had eaten, Zhang Mancheng sent Mr. Zong away.
After leaving Zhang Mancheng's tent, Mr. Zong returned to his own tent. Then seeing that no one was paying attention to him, he slipped out of the tent and went to Zhao Hong's location.
At this time, Zhang Mancheng, who had finished eating the meat, was enjoying a massage from two handsome men, one loosening his bones and the other rubbing his shoulders. Patrolling outside Zhang Mancheng's tent was his most trusted Yamen general Deng Xiu. He was meticulously guarding Zhang Mancheng's military gate with three hundred soldiers, and the security was tight.
The night gradually deepened, and suddenly the sky outside the Yellow Turban camp in Nanyang was filled with roaring sounds, fire, fighting, and angry shouting, breaking the silence of the night.
Then the Yellow Turban soldiers who were still sleeping in the camp woke up from the scoldings of their respective Taoist envoys, and quickly organized their troops to support the Qianzhai that was attacked by the Han army.
At this time, Zhao Hong, Zheng Qiu, Han Xian, Wu Pei and other powerful young commanders in the army all came over wearing helmets, but they were all stopped outside the tent by the Yamen general Deng Xiu.
Zhao Hong shouted outside the tent:
"Commander Qu, the front camp was attacked by Han troops at night. Please convene a military meeting as soon as possible."
Zheng Qiu, Han Xian, Wu Pei and others behind him all echoed Zhao Hong's words and started making noises.
Deng Xiutingge angrily rebuked:
"Those who make noise outside the Thorny Gate will die!"
Seeing Deng Xiu's posture, Zhao Hong softened and said warmly:
"Go in and talk to Commander Qu. Just tell him that we want to see him. The military situation is urgent and there is no room for delay."
Deng Xiu knew it was serious, so he asked his men to continue to protect the tent, and then entered the tent.
But after waiting for a long time, Deng Xiu still didn't come out. Just when the handsome guys outside were getting impatient, he came out biting his lips and looking pale.
Deng Xiu came out and kept staring at Zhao Hong, but didn't speak.
Just when the atmosphere was getting more and more uncomfortable, Han Zhong, Sun Xia and a group of Zhang Mancheng's cronies rushed to the Chinese army's tent, and then Deng Xiu breathed a sigh of relief.
When Han Zhong came, he also wanted to see Commander Qu and said he wanted to report the military situation. This time, Deng Xiu, who had no doubts about this person, hesitated again.
Finally, Deng Xiu led Zhao Hong and Han Zhong into the tent alone.
But as soon as the two people came in, they were so frightened that they pulled out their knives. They saw that their commander Zhang Mancheng was stabbed in the throat with a dagger. What was even more tragic was that his two eyes were also gouged out. The bloody hole was aimed at the two of them, full of resentment.
Zhao Hong took the knife and was about to rush out of the tent because he had already seen Han Zhong walking towards him with the knife drawn. Han Zhong's martial prowess was among the best in the army, and Zhao Hong was no match for him.
He had to go out and call for help, otherwise he would really die here.
But he didn't expect that Deng Xiu, the Yamen general, would save him. He cut off Han Zhong's ring-headed sword with one blow, and then persuaded Han Zhong to calm down.
Han Zhong held a broken blade and looked at Yamen General Deng Xiu with a dark look, feeling horrified in his heart.
Looking at the death state of his commander Zhang Mancheng and the corpses of the two disciples serving him, he guessed that the murderer must have been lurking in the tent for a long time. The guards outside were so tight that the murderer could not get in at all.
But the question arises, why the guards did not check the tent, and how did the murderer escape. It turned out that when he saw that Zhao Hong was the first to lead people to block the Thorny Gate, he subconsciously suspected him. But now looking at the goalkeeper Deng Xiu, Han Zhong realized that this person was the biggest suspect.
With the help of General Yamen, the murderer could of course sneak into the tent without anyone noticing and then come out again.
Thinking of this, Han Zhong's forehead was sweating. If Deng Xiu and Zhao Hong join forces in this big tent, he will be dead.
As his expression changed, Han Zhong knelt down to Zhao Hong. He recognized Zhao Hong as his new leader.
The next day, dozens of yellow turban commanders gathered in the Chinese army's tent. Some of them had four to five thousand men, while some had as few as two or three thousand men. They were all Taipingdao leaders in Nanyang counties.
When they were shocked to know that during the Han army's night attack last night, their commander Zhang Mancheng was assassinated by Han army assassins. Then Zhao Hong appointed himself as the new commander of Nanyang in the big tent.
This shocked the young marshals even more, especially those who came from the capital of Guizhou. They all looked at Han Zhong, but he lowered his head and said nothing, which made everyone even more confused.
But what can be done? When Zhao Hong himself came out and said this, those who agreed naturally applauded, and those who were noncommittal naturally didn't say much. As for those who wanted to object, looking at Han Zhong's performance and seeing that no one else objected, they just thought that the situation was over.
Few people who can lead thousands of people are really stupid. If he came out to oppose at this time, wouldn't he directly become the object of Zhao Hong's power?
But precisely because everyone thinks this way, no one really objects. The lack of opposition further intensified the opposition's judgment that the situation was over.
But in fact, when Zhao Hong said these words with certainty in front of everyone, he was also uneasy. But seeing that no one below him objected, they actually encouraged him.
So, he cut his finger, drew three lines on his forehead with blood, and swore to the young commanders:
"I will swear to the death to avenge Qu Shuai, to comfort the old Qu Shuai's spirit in Huangtian."
After that, Zhao Hong gathered all his troops and attacked Wancheng. In this battle, Han Zhong died, but Wancheng was still in the hands of the Han army.
……
After saying this, Sun Xia's messenger once again advised Ma Yuanyi, the divine envoy, to go to Nanyang to rectify people's hearts.
But Ma Yuanyi hesitated, and his original confidence became somewhat weaker due to this story.
This Zhao Hong is difficult to handle!
Who can guess how Zhang Mancheng died? And why did Yamen goalkeeper Deng Xiu choose to support Zhao Hong?
(End of chapter)