Chapter 64: Wancheng Falls, Zhang Xiu Surrenders (fixed)

Yuan Shu now hated Yuan Shao to his very core.

Not only had this bastard son broken off relations with him, he even rallied all the other lords of the nation to join forces against him—clearly aiming to drive him straight into the ground!

It was true that aside from Liu Bei’s forces, which could be ignored, the remaining three armies were incredibly formidable, especially Sun Ce, once one of Yuan Shu’s most valiant generals who had become his enemy and seized Danyang and Lujiang two prefectures.

He absolutely must kill these traitorous rebels!

“Your Majesty, please think again!” Upon hearing Yuan Shu’s plans to face the four great armies head-on, Yang Hong immediately spoke up in alarm and implored him, “Sun Ce has turned traitor, and the six prefectures of Jiangdong have fallen. Fighting them now would be a foolish endeavor!”

“We should avoid their initial onslaught and take refuge in Yangzhou instead. At the same time, we can attempt to contact Sun Ce and offer lucrative incentives to persuade him to return to our side, thereby driving back the enemy from without!”

The Sun family had always been the ones keeping foreign enemies at bay.

Without Sun family support and without Sun Ce, Yuan Shu’s chances of defeating Yuan Shao, Lu Bu, and Liu Bei head-on were too great.

Yuan Shu was enraged by this suggestion. “We are the Emperor! Are you telling us to bow down to that little rascal, Sun Ce?”

“So what if he rebels against us? Without the Sun family, we still have several hundred thousand soldiers and countless fierce generals at our command! Do we really think we cannot survive without him?

“Besides, we have the Mandate of Heaven upon us—how could we possibly lose?”

Yuan Shu’s pride would never allow him to yield to Sun Ce, nor did he believe for a moment that he would lose.

Yang Hong tried to offer more counsel, but Yuan Shu had already given his next order. “Where are Ji Ling, Qiao Rui, Li Feng, Liang Gang, and Yue Jue?”

“This humble general is present!”

Five great generals stepped forward at his call.

“We command you to lead your armies to meet the enemy,” Yuan Shu said, “and ensure every invader is repelled so as to restore the might of Great Cheng!”

“This humble general accepts orders!”

The five generals resolutely accepted their commands.

Upon witnessing this scene, Yang Hong let out a long sigh and closed his eyes. His heart sank all the way to the bottom of the pit.

Nanyang County, beyond Wancheng.

The forty-thousand-strong army was divided into eight square formations standing solemnly on the banks of the Yushui River, forming a sea of black that exerted immense pressure with their silence and stillness.

Each banner embroidered with the character “C” whipped fiercely in the wind, adding to the ominous air of slaughter that hung over the army.

This formidable force was none other than the army sent by Cao Cao to punish Zhang Xiu!

A path was carved through the center of the army as Cao Cao rode his white horse out before them, accompanied by his eldest son, Cao Ang, his nephew, Cao Anmin, and Dian Wei, to stand before the great army formation and gaze upon the tightly closed gates of Wancheng across from them.

“Cai Wei, go forth and challenge them,” Cao Cao ordered Dian Wei beside him, his expression cold. “Give them one last chance; if they refuse to surrender, we will storm the city at once!”

“And when the time comes, every man, woman, and child within shall be slaughtered without mercy—neither chickens nor dogs shall escape!”

His words were laced with killing intent.

Having personally led this army against Zhang Xiu already cost him many valuable lives, but if he continued attacking Wancheng, casualties would only increase further. He had already tried sending envoy after envoy to persuade Zhang Xiu to surrender multiple times, and his patience was now exhausted. If Zhang Xiu did not surrender, he would breach Wancheng by force, then utterly destroy the entire city as a warning!

“Yes, my lord!” Dian Wei replied hoarsely, placing both halberds in his hands onto the back of his horse, then galloped alone down to the base of Wancheng’s walls.

“Zhang Xiu, listen carefully! My lord has received imperial decree to punish traitors; your defeat is inevitable. Why not quickly surrender and save yourself from further suffering?”

“If you do not surrender within half an incense stick’s time, our army will immediately storm the city!”

“The day Wancheng falls shall be its own day of slaughter!”

Dian Wei’s voice was loud, booming like thunder, and his words were clear enough for every soldier on the wall to hear. Their faces couldn’t help but change with shock.

Listening to Dian Wei’s shouts, Cao Cao turned to smile at two juniors beside him. “Zixiu, Anmin, do you think Zhang Xiu will surrender?”

Cao Anmin responded, “With our great army surrounding the city, Zhang Xiu is merely a trapped fish. He has no choice but to surrender.”

Cao Ang also agreed, saying, “Anmin speaks truthfully. Zhang Xiu is not a fool. He knows he cannot win, so he won’t choose to defend the city until death. He will certainly turn himself in to Father.”

In that brief span between their conversation, the gates of Wancheng suddenly opened. A middle-aged man dressed in brocade robes tied up with rope walked out, followed by a group of civil and military officials, all bound hand and foot, expressions crestfallen.

To be bound before leaving the city—this was a gesture of surrender!

Upon witnessing this scene, Cao Cao laughed heartily, pointing at Cao Ang and Cao Anmin with his horse whip. “Looks like you both guessed right. We’ll reward you handsomely upon entering the city!”

With that, he squeezed his legs around his horse’s belly and spurred it forward.

The man in the brocade robe, who led this procession, saw Cao Cao and his expression grew somber. He lowered his head and said, “Rebel Zhang Xiu requests surrender to Grand Secretary of Works.”

This man was none other than Zhang Xiu, who had been holding out at Wancheng!

As Cao Ang and Cao Anmin had predicted, the city would fall sooner or later; with Cao Cao threatening to massacre the entire population if they refused to surrender, Zhang Xiu had no choice but to lead his subordinates and advisors outside the city walls to offer their surrender.

But when faced with Zhang Xiu’s request, Cao Cao only squinted slightly, unmoved by the gesture.

Zhang Xiu hesitated for a moment before slowly kneeling under all eyes, lowering his head as he spoke. “Rebel Zhang Xiu requests Grand Secretary of Works enter the city!”

At these words, the corner of Cao Cao’s mouth curled up slightly, and he finally gave instructions: Guards, release General Zhang from his bonds.”

Upon hearing this, the guards immediately stepped forward and untied Zhang Xiu from where he stood.

Before Zhang Xiu could react, however, Cao Cao tossed the reins in his hand toward Zhang Xiu and commanded loftily, “General Zhang, lead my horse into the city.”

Hearing Cao Cao’s mocking tone, Zhang Xiu felt immense humiliation—but dared not show even the slightest hint of it. He silently accepted the reins, forcing himself to smile. “Yes, Grand Secretary.”

But at this moment, a burly man tied up among the crowd stepped forward and angrily berated Cao Cao, “Thou traitor, how dare you insult our general!”

This man’s figure was no less impressive than Dian Wei’s; he was clearly a fierce warrior who had seen much battle.

“Insolent!” Hearing these words, Dian Wei flew into a rage, kicked the man to the ground, and drew his double-axe, intending to behead him on the spot—but at that moment, Cao Cao called out to stop him.

“Hold it!”

Cao Cao turned toward the soldier, praising him, “Fearlessly risking death to protect one’s master—this is truly a brave warrior. May I inquire after the brave warrior’s name?”

“Hu Che’er!”

“Excellent! Guards, untie the brave warrior and reward him with a hundred gold pieces!” Cao Cao commanded, expressing his approval without reservation. Then he added, “If the brave warrior wishes it, he may come serve under my command.”

Hu Che’er stood frozen in place, unsure what to say or do. He had expected to defend his general by jumping forward, but never thought that not only would Cao Cao not kill him, he’d even reward him—and furthermore, invite him to enlist.

Before Hu Che’er could respond, Cao Cao looked away from him and turned back to Zhang Xiu. “General Zhang, why have you not yet led your horse inside?”

Zhang Xiu sighed quietly, accepting the reins, then slowly walked toward Wancheng.