Chapter 234: A traitor who killed his father and betrayed his master, how dare you ask us to be loyal to him? Persuading people to surrender is also an art, Zhang Liao has realized it!

Zhang Liao was confused.

The moment before, Lei Bo was fighting side by side with him, defending Yangquan City, but the next second he turned against him and surrendered to Liu Bei?

Moreover, when his entire army was wiped out and he was fleeing back to the city in defeat, he was suddenly stabbed in the back, giving him a fatal blow!
Guan Yu's pursuers were approaching from behind, but the gate of Yangquan City in front was not open. Was he stuck here and could only wait to die?

The more Zhang Liao thought about it, the more angry he became. He pointed his knife at Lei Bo and shouted:

"Lei Bo, you are such a disloyal and unrighteous person, how dare you betray Marquis Wen?"

On top of the city.

Lei Bo showed no shame on his face, and said coldly:

"I was originally a general under Yuan Shu. After Yuan Shu was killed, I was forced to join Lu Bu's army."

"Since I am not Lu Bu's subject, how can I be loyal to him?"

Zhang Liao was speechless.

Lei Bo then snorted with sarcasm:

"Besides, Lu Bu was fickle and had killed his father and betrayed his master several times. He was a well-known slave of four surnames."

"If he himself is disloyal and unrighteous, why should he make us loyal to him?"

"What I did today was just to follow his example."

Zhang Liao was speechless, his face turned red and he couldn't even curse back.

There's nothing we can do about it, since every word Lei Bo said was true.

He first killed Ding Feng, then Dong Zhuo, was taken in by Liu Bei but stabbed Liu Bei in the back, recognized Yuan Shu as his adoptive father and plotted against Yuan Shu's foundation...

It might be a bit of an exaggeration to describe Lu Bu's dark history as heinous to both humans and gods, but it is most appropriate to describe it as despicable and shameless.

Just as Lei Bo said, you, Lu Bu, regard loyalty and righteousness as dirt, so how can you have the nerve to ask us to be loyal to you?
"Brother Wenyuan, a man like Lu Bu is not worth it for you and me to sacrifice our lives for him!"

"Now that General Zuo has led his troops north, Lu Bu's fate has come to an end, and we don't need to pay for his funeral."

"Just listen to my advice, put down the knife in your hand, and surrender to General Zuo with me."

Lei Bo's tone softened and he tried to persuade Zhang Liao to switch sides again.

Zhang Liao sighed, clasped his hands and said:
"Brother Lei, since you are an old general of Yuan Shu, I have nothing to say if you want to betray Marquis Wen."

"You can surrender Liu Xuande, but I, Zhang Liao, cannot."

"Let's just say goodbye."

Zhang Liao was also a magnanimous person. He understood Lei Bo's difficulties at this moment, so he did not say anything bad to him and immediately bowed and said goodbye.

So he took three hundred personal guards and headed towards the north of the city.

Zhang Liao guessed that Guan Yu had only about 10,000 soldiers and horses, and in order to ambush him, he must have transferred heavy troops to the East Camp, and there could not be many soldiers and horses left in the other three camps surrounding the camp.

If they could break through the encirclement in the north, they would be able to rush to the Huai River, build a few bamboo rafts and float downstream, and escape to Shouchun by water.

The sounds of killing rang out from all directions, dust and fog were rolling everywhere, and the figures of Liu’s soldiers were everywhere.

Zhang Liao ran all the way, and when the sun rose in the east, he finally saw the outline of Liu's camp in the north.

A group of Liu's soldiers stood in front of the camp, blocking their way.

A fierce warrior stood on his horse with his sword drawn and shouted:

"I am Xu Chu. I have been waiting here for a long time under the order of Military Advisor Xiao. Zhang Liao, don't even think about escaping from the clutches of Military Advisor Xiao!"

Zhang Liao's heart trembled suddenly.

Did Xiao Fang actually anticipate that he might break out from the Beiwei Camp and send a team of soldiers to intercept him in advance?
"This man is so smart and cunning that Chen Gongtai is definitely no match for him. How could Wen Hou not be defeated..."

A feeling of sadness welled up in Zhang Liao's heart, but he gritted his teeth, squeezed his horse's belly hard, spurred the horse and rushed forward with his sword.

With pursuers all behind him, he had no choice but to risk his life and break through Xu Chu's blockade in front of him to have a chance of survival.

Even if you know there is an iron wall ahead, you have no choice but to give it a try.

Three hundred men followed Zhang Liao, determined to fight to the death, and charged forward.

"Unbelievable!"

Xu Chu snorted coldly and raised his sword.

The tiger soldiers of Liu's army on both sides broke through the formation and rushed forward to pounce on the hundreds of remaining soldiers.

Xu Chu stood still, staring at the direction where Zhang Liao was.

"We must capture Zhang Liao alive!"

This was what Xiao Fang repeatedly reminded him.

At this moment, looking at Zhang Liao rushing towards him, Xu Chu was a little troubled.

He was proud of his bravery and had absolute confidence in killing Zhang Liao, but it would be a bit difficult to capture him alive.

The opponent is not a weakling. If he insists on fighting to the death, how can I capture him alive?

We have to knock him off his horse first, but what if we don't get the timing right and kill him with one blow?
Ten steps!

Just when Xu Chu was in trouble, Zhang Liao had already galloped to within ten steps of him.

The fight is inevitable.

Xu Chu's eyes darted around, and suddenly an idea flashed through his mind. He rolled up his sleeves, thrust his long sword into the ground, and jumped off his horse.

Zhang Liao, who was running wildly, was stunned.

What was going on? He suddenly dismounted when the battle was about to begin, and even his weapon was stuck on the ground?
Are we going to fight with bare hands?

You're underestimating him.

Zhang Liao felt humiliated instantly, his eyes widened in anger, and he used all his strength to chop Xu Chu's head with the long sword in his hand.

The moment the blade slashed across, Xu Chu's tiger-bear-like body dodged to the side as fast as lightning and barely avoided Zhang Liao's blade.

Then the tiger's paw like an iron clamp stretched out and fiercely grabbed the warhorse's tail, and its two feet were firmly fixed on the ground like iron stakes.

With a miserable scream, the galloping warhorse was dragged to the ground.

Zhang Liao on the horse never expected Xu Chu to use this trick, and he never expected Xu Chu's extraordinary strength to be able to drag down a galloping warhorse weighing hundreds of pounds with his bare hands.

The warhorse fell to the ground, but Zhang Liao lost control of his body. He suddenly fell forward and fell heavily to the ground.

Just when he was dizzy from the collision and finally regained consciousness, Xu Chu was already standing in front of him with a knife at his neck.

"I think I can finally report to the military advisor this time..."

Xu Chu's mouth opened wide, a smug sneer flashing across his face.

...

In the morning, flags with the word "guan" (pass) were raised at all four gates of Yangquan, symbolizing that the last barrier upstream of Shouchun had changed hands.

The 10,000 victorious Liu Jun soldiers marched into the city in a mighty force, completing the occupation of Yangquan City.

Guan Yu and Xiao Fang sat side by side on the high seats, while Guan Ping, Zhou Cang, Liao Hua and other generals stood on both sides with swords in their hands.

Heavy footsteps were heard, and Zhang Liao, who was tied up, was escorted into the hall by Xu Chu.

When Guan Yu saw Zhang Liao's miserable state, he stood up and wanted to go forward to untie Zhang Liao.

"General Yun Chang!"

However, Xiao Fang shook his head slightly, and gave a hint of warning with his eyes.

Earlier, when Guan Yu learned that Xu Chu had captured Zhang Liao alive, he felt relieved but was also worried about how to persuade Zhang Liao to surrender.

Xiao Fang said that he would subdue Zhang Liao, and Guan Yu had to cooperate with him.

Now seeing Xiao Fang's eyes trying to stop him, Guan Yu had no choice but to sit down again and did not stand up to untie Zhang Liao.

"General Guan, since Zhang Liao is stubborn and determined to be buried with Lü Bu's four slaves, we should not force him."

"Come here, take Zhang Liao to the execution ground and behead him on the spot!"

Xiao Fang raised his feather fan and gave the cold order to kill.

Guan Yu was startled and looked suddenly at Xiao Fang.

What's the situation?
Didn't we agree to recruit Zhang Liao? Why did you suddenly change your mind at the critical moment and want to kill Zhang Liao?
"military adviser--"

Guan Yu opened his mouth to plead for Zhang Liao, but Xiao Fang raised his hand to stop Guan Yu, with a hint in his eyes.

Of course he had to try to persuade Zhang Liao to surrender. How could he really bear to kill such a famous general who could be inducted into the Temple of Martial Arts?

But Zhang Liao was not a coward. He couldn't even convince Guan Yu, so how could he convince him to surrender just by talking?

To deal with a tough guy like Zhang Liao, you have to use some tricks, both soft and hard methods.

Now he plays the villain role to pave the way for Guan Yu to play the hero role later.

Although Guan Yu could not guess Xiao Fang's deep intention, he thought that his own military advisor had always been very wise and foresighted, so since he did this, there must be a deep meaning behind it.

Guan Yu immediately swallowed the advice.

Xu Chu waved his hand, and the Tiger Guards rushed forward, ready to drag Zhang Liao away and execute him.

"With Liu Xuande having such a godly man assisting him, how can you, Wen Hou, not be defeated!"

"Marquis Wen, I, Zhang Liao, will leave first. I will wait for you on the Yellow Springs Road!"

Not only did Zhang Liao have no resentment towards Xiao Fang, but he looked at him with admiration. After a helpless sigh, he turned around and walked out of the hall by himself.

He was ready to die.

When Guan Yu saw Zhang Liao going away, his brows furrowed in anxiety and he looked anxiously towards Xiao Fang.

Xiao Fang remained calm and watched Zhang Liao being taken away quietly. Only when he was escorted out of the hall did he give Guan Yu a slight nod as a hint.

Guan Yu was waiting for his hint, and hurriedly bowed and said:

"Military advisor, Wenyuan and Yu are from the same hometown and are as close as brothers."

"Military Advisor, can you please give Wenyuan a chance to live for Yu's sake?"

Xiao Fang frowned and said unhappily:
"As the saying goes, military orders are as heavy as a mountain. I have already issued an order, how can I easily take it back? Otherwise, how can I convince the people?"

Guan Yu had no choice but to stand up and bow to Xiao Fang:
"Wenyuan is a talented general. He will surely help my brother to eliminate the Han thieves and support the Han Dynasty!"

"Military Advisor Yu, please take back your decision for the sake of my brother's cause and give Wen Yuan a chance."

Zhang Liao was moved to hear that Guan Yu thought so highly of him and, despite his proud personality, was willing to lower himself to plead for him.

The murderous intent on Xiao Fang's face disappeared, and he raised his feather fan reluctantly:
"Forget it. Since General Guan is begging for mercy, how can I not give him this face? Let's just spare his life for now."

Guan Yu felt relieved and hurriedly stepped forward to personally untie the rope on Zhang Liao.

"Liao is able to meet a close friend like Brother Yunchang, even if he dies, he will have no regrets!"

"However, as a general under Marquis Wen, how could Liao betray his lord?"

"Brother Yunchang is sincere, but I'm afraid Liao still can't obey your orders!"

Zhang Liao bowed to Guan Yu. Although there was guilt on his face, his attitude remained firm.

Looking at Zhang Liao's resolute words, Guan Yu was at a loss and could only glance at Xiao Fang for help again.

Xiao Fang stood up and slowly walked to Zhang Liao.

"Zhang Wenyuan, if I remember correctly, you were recruiting soldiers for Ding Yuan. If we really want to talk about the master, Ding Yuan is your former master."

"Lü Bu is Ding Yuan's adopted son. He is an officer in the Bingzhou army with you. His relationship with you is at best that of a colleague."

"Back then, you were ordered by Ding Yuan to go to Yanzhou to recruit soldiers. When you returned, Lü Bu killed his father and master, killed Ding Yuan, and seized the power of Bingzhou Army. You had nowhere to go, so you had no choice but to lead your troops and serve under Lü Bu."

"In my opinion, your relationship with Lu Bu is at most an alliance."

"Lü Bu has never been your lord, and you have never been his subordinate!"

"Lü Bu is not your lord, so how can you say that you are betraying him?"

Xiao Fang analyzed the relationship between Zhang Liao and Lu Bu clearly.

Guan Yu, who was standing by, suddenly realized that Xiao Fang was paving the way for Zhang Liao to defect.

Xiao Fang also had a clue about this.

Strictly speaking, Lu Bu and Zhang Liao were not in a master-servant relationship.

In history, Zhang Liao, after Lu Bu was killed and he was defeated and captured, finally chose to surrender to Cao Cao.

This is enough to prove that Zhang Liao has no intention of dying for Lu Bu.

Therefore, Xiao Fang had to use Guan Yu's friendship for him, and explain the reason to Zhang Liao, to help him overcome the hurdle in his heart.

really.

When Xiao Fang revealed his relationship with Lu Bu, Zhang Liao was shocked and fell into silence.

"Wenyuan, Military Advisor Xiao is right. You are not a loyal subject to Lu Bu. There is no need to die for him."

"Besides, you are a good man. If you pay for the funeral of a disloyal and shameless person like Lu Bu, wouldn't you be laughed at by the whole world?"

"Wenyuan, listen to my advice and submit to me."

Guan Yu added fuel to the fire and patted Zhang Liao on the shoulder to persuade him again and again.

The hesitation and worry in Zhang Liao's eyes finally disappeared, and became as bright as the moon appearing after the clouds have been cleared.

After taking a deep breath, Zhang Liao bowed deeply to Xiao Fang:
"Thank you, Military Advisor Xiao, for your words of enlightenment. It really enlightened me, Zhang Liao!"

"Please ask Military Advisor Xiao and Brother Yunchang to tell General Zuo that I, Zhang Liao, am willing to surrender to him and spend the rest of my life helping him to support the country and restore the Han Dynasty!"

(End of this chapter)