After Luoyang completely ran out of food, countless people starved to death every day, and it became a mess.
In order not to starve to death, soldiers can only kill people and eat meat to survive.
Weak people can only exchange their children for food, or kill their neighbors and take their meat for food.
After only fifteen days of food shortage, 700,000 Luoyang people died in the belly of another 100,000 old and weak people.
This trend is still expanding and has completely escaped the control of the Yellow Turbans.
As for the troops on the front line, they have eaten all the corpses of their compatriots who died in the battle, and are now on the verge of collapse.
When facing life and death, all the evilness of human nature is exposed, the whole world turns black, everyone's heart is filled with despair, and there is no hope at all.
April 18, the third year of Zhongping (186).
On the third day after Zhang Sheng left Luoyang, Zhang Jiao ordered the frontline troops to lay down their weapons and surrender unconditionally to the Han army.
After receiving the order, Chen Youliang, the frontline deputy commander, hesitated for a long time and finally gave up the resistance and surrendered to Bai Qi with more than 200,000 Yellow Turbans.
Bai Qi was overjoyed after receiving the news. He led his troops to surround the Yellow Turban camp. After several confirmations, he accepted Chen Youliang's surrender after confirming that the Yellow Turbans had been disarmed.
Soon after, Zhang Shicheng, Wang Shichong and other commanders also led their troops to surrender to the Han army. Generals such as Qin Wen, Dong Zhuo, Huangfu Song also accepted the surrender of the Yellow Turbans after disarming them.
Although the main battle troops outside have surrendered, there are still more than 100,000 hungry and crazy defenders in Luoyang City. The Han army must march to Luoyang to accept the surrender.
After Liu Hong, who was far away in Chang'an, received the news of Zhang Jiao's surrender, he immediately decided to take charge of the army himself.
After Liu Hong set off, he led troops to Luoyang via Qin Wen in the west, Qin Hao in the south, Bai Qi in the east, and Huangfu Song in the north.
Jingzhou, Lumen Mountain.
Looking at Xiang Yu's leaving figure, Zhuge Liang sighed and couldn't help but persuade him: "General Xiang, your injury is only just right. What's more, the situation is now determined. What can you do even if you go?"
Hearing this, Xiang Yu stopped and after a while, he turned back to Zhuge Liang and said, "I must atone for my sins."
A trace of complexity flashed in Zhuge Liang's eyes. It wasn't until Xiang Yu's figure walked away that he said in a deep voice: "Master, is this the way of vertical and horizontal?"
Gui Guzi walked out from behind Zhuge Liang, looked at Xiang Yu's retreating back, and said lightly: "This is Zongheng."
Zhuge Liang opened his mouth, but was speechless.
The way of vertical and horizontal and vertical and horizontal, these are two concepts!
——————
April 30.
Half a million Han troops surrounded Luoyang behind the old capital division and formally accepted the surrender of Luoyang and Huangjin.
At this moment, Liu Hong from behind also arrived in time.
"Meet Your Majesty."
The generals of the Han Dynasty, headed by the Governor Qin Wen and Huangfu Song, all respectfully saluted Liu Hong on the throne.
Of course, this is all superficial respect. Except for a few people, most generals don't have much respect for Liu Hong, the notorious emperor.
"Everyone loves you."
Liu Hong was overjoyed to see this. He was a man of great ambition and talent, but he had never really held great power.
After seeing this scene, Liu Hong had the illusion that he was already in power, and felt that the Han Dynasty was about to be resurrected in his own hands.
At this thought, Liu Hong couldn't help but feel even more grateful to the old man who secretly helped him plan and defeated the Yellow Turbans step by step.
If it weren’t for Master Wang, the great man might really have perished in my hands.
Alas, Master Wang, if you are willing to assist me, the resurgence of the Han Dynasty will be just around the corner.
It's such a pity that such a great talent can't be used by me! Liu Hong thought with great regret.
"Your Majesty, the remnants of the Yellow Turbans in Luoyang City have all left the city and surrendered to our army. Our army has now completely controlled the four gates of Luoyang. Retaking Luoyang is just around the corner." Qin Wen reported to Liu Honghui respectfully.
Liu Hong patted Qin Wen's shoulder affectionately and said happily: "Okay, Aiqing and his son have made great achievements this time, and I will not hesitate to reward them."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. This victory is all due to Your Majesty's great blessing." Qin Wen complimented.
"Hahaha..."
When Qin Hao heard this, he showed disdain, feeling that Liu Hong was extremely hypocritical.
Qin Hao has already learned from Zhang Rang that Liu Hong is suspicious of him because of the "Tian Lei" incident, and has secretly made preparations to suppress his father and son.
That is to say, Zhang Rang helped Qin Hao fool him, so Liu Hong didn't know the truth of the incident. Otherwise, no matter how great Qin Hao's contribution was, Qin Hao would still be unable to escape the fate of the rabbit and the dog.
Humph, I have made such great contributions, but you want to kill me just because of a possibility?
Fortunately, I was not prepared to be loyal to you, a foolish king, from the beginning, otherwise I would not know how I would have died.
Wait a minute, Mr. Hun, sooner or later your kingdom will belong to me. Qin Hao thought with great displeasure.
On the other side, Liu Hong verbally praised the generals who had made great achievements, and after praising them one by one, he pretended to be compassionate and asked: "Luoyang has been without food for many days, and the people in the city will definitely suffer. What is happening in the city now?"
"Your Majesty is merciful. I have ordered people to go and distribute food to the people of Luoyang. I will never let anyone in Luoyang starve to death again." Qin Wen replied
"Okay, I love your work, I can rest assured."
The big man has basically no reputation among the people, but now he only needs to consume some food and grass to win over the people. Naturally, Liu Hong will not let go of such a good thing.
"By the way, since the Yellow Turbans have surrendered, why don't you see the first corner of the bandit?"
This is the real purpose of Liu Hong's trip. He came to Luoyang personally to humiliate Zhang Jiao, the old thief who scared him awake countless nights.
"Your Majesty, there is no bandit Zhang Jiao among those who surrendered. However, according to reports from the surrendering troops, Zhang Jiao is still in the palace."
After hearing Zhang Jiao's name, a trace of hatred flashed in Liu Hong's eyes, and then he sneered:
"What does this old thief mean? He ordered his men to surrender, but he has to resist stubbornly? Do you want to retain the last dignity? Please come with me to see if old thief Zhang Jiao still wants to play.
What tricks are there?"
Liu Hong, surrounded by a large group of generals, headed directly towards the palace, and the sights along the way shocked everyone.
It’s too miserable, it’s really too miserable! Qin Hao couldn’t help but say.
At the main entrance of the palace, Zhang Jiao stood alone on the tower, with only nearly a hundred loyal yellow scarf warriors left beside him.
Looking at the smoke and dust rising not far away, Zhang Jiao knew that his end was coming, and couldn't help but said to himself: "It's a pity that I didn't get to see Ning'er in the end."
An old man walked up to Zhang Jiao and said loudly: "Didn't my lord say that there are no regrets anymore? Isn't this a regret?"
After seeing the person coming, Zhang Jiao was stunned for a moment, and then said anxiously: "Brother Yan, you, why didn't you leave?"