In the first year of Zhongping, on September 18th, Zhang Yan surrendered to Cao Cao, and his subordinates, the Ant Thieves, also surrendered to the imperial court.
In the following days, Cao Cao continuously inspected Zhaojun, Zhongshan, Shangdang and other places, and the scattered Yellow Turban forces in the north of Guangzong were defeated one after another.
The good news was sent back to Guangzong's camp. After seeing it, Huangfu Song and Zhu Kui felt both happy and worried.
"Yizhen, this Mengde is quite skilled in battle formations. The only ones left in Jizhou are Zhang Jiao from Guangzong and Zhang Bao from Naquyang." Zhu Jun threw the battle report in his hand on the case and said to Huangfu Song.
"It's a pity, but after being a eunuch, no matter how great his achievements are, he is still the eunuch's minion. What do you think? It's better to call him back."
"Then let's do it." Zhu Jun nodded, then pointed to a place on the map on the case, and said: "Mengde will only have three days to return to the army. We will use this time to defeat Zhang Yan's thieves and bring it to an end with the generals in the city." Shouting to dampen his military morale, isn’t that old thief Zhangjiao sick? How about promoting his early death?”
"Great kindness!"
"Come here, send an envoy to deliver a foot of white silk to Zhang Yan and tell him about Zhang Yan's surrender. Also, if he commits suicide, his tribe will be saved from death."
"No, I will give you the order to do it right now."
In Guangzong City, there were rattling sounds on the streets, but Zhang Jiao knew the military strategy well and did not forget to send troops to patrol the city at all times for spies.
In the back hall of the government office, under the bed, several very nervous yellow turban soldiers were kneeling. He said in a panic: "To report to the great sage, ten days ago, Cao Cao, the imperial cavalry captain, even defeated Zhending, Zhongshan and other northern Jizhou. Zhang Yan, the commander-in-chief of Qu, was defeated and surrendered. The others were promoted to high positions. The two commanders of Qu, Deng Mao, were killed one by one by the imperial court. A few of the villains vowed to die to break through, and then they went to the city to report."
The nervous thief spent a lot of effort to express these few sentences. The guards present were shocked, and many people did not even believe it.
"What?" When Zhang Jiao, who was lying on the bed, heard this, he straightened his body and shouted: "Quickly tell me, what's going on?"
The bandit narrated the story intermittently. Zhang Jiao's face became paler as he listened, and he looked like he was already a corpse.
After the traitor soldier finished narrating, the blood from Zhang Jiao's chest rushed straight to his forehead, and he was so high that Deng Mao and Deng Mao were only worried about the fact that Zhang Yan was defeated and surrendered, which made him feel sad. Zhang Niujiao was his. His adopted son, Zhang Yan, was also regarded as his adopted grandson, so he had always shown kindness and righteousness before, but he didn't expect to lead his troops to surrender at the critical moment.
This gave him a feeling of a deep stranger. After a while of random thoughts, Zhang Jiao realized his gaffe and thought: "Northern Hebei is lost. Now only my third brother and I still occupy the city. The current uprising is over. , my body can't last much longer, I have to find a way to lead people to break out, turn to the third brother, and let him lead these people to escape into the mountains and forests, and make a comeback one day!"
It's just that if this news were leaked today! The consequences would be unimaginable. In an instant, Zhang Jiao's heart started to spin, and his eyes gradually turned cold when he looked at the people in the hall.
"Tens of thousands of officers and soldiers are outside the city. Both sides have equal strength. Huangfu, Song, and Zhujun are trying to prevent us from breaking through. How dare we split up our troops? Moreover, the water around the city is so tight that even a bird can't get in or out. Where did you come from? He must be a spy sent by the officers and soldiers. He came here to confuse the public with his lies and disturb the morale of our army!"
Having made up his mind to kill people and silence them, Zhang Jiao pretended to be calm and said: "How dare Shuzi bully me? Push them all down and kill them!"
When the thieves heard this, they suddenly collapsed to the ground and died before they could be killed.
Zhang Jiao was right about this; it was Zhu Jun and others who deliberately opened a road for these defeated troops to enter the city.
Zhang Jiao took a deep breath and told the guards around him: "What happened just now is not allowed to be publicized. You go and call the generals to come and discuss the matter."
With so many people entering the city, those under my command must have received military reports and need to be alert and appeased...
After a while, the generals headed by Cheng Zhiyuan and Pei Yuanshao stepped in. They also heard that brothers outside the city had broken into the encirclement just now, and they were ready to come to inquire. They had been trapped in the city for several months and had no contact with the outside world. The relationship has been severed, and I am very worried about how much momentum Taipingdao will have now.
After seeing that all the generals had arrived, Zhang Jiao leaned back and glanced over. Seeing that no one dared to look directly at him, he felt satisfied in his heart. Although he was in failing health, these subordinates also knew that as long as he did not die, , Taiping Road is still my Zhang Jiao Taiping Road.
"You all should know that there are brothers breaking through the city outside the city. You all want to know what news they bring?"
After hearing this, all the generals looked at each other and did not dare to ask questions.
Seeing that they didn't speak, Zhang Jiao continued: "The few people just now were all spies of the army and lied about the military situation. They have all been killed by me. Don't be suspicious. I believe that my great and wise master will be able to lead you out. Long Return to the sea."
After speaking, he ordered the soldiers to remove the linen cloth and reveal the heads one by one.
Everyone looked horrified and said in unison: "Swear to the death to follow the Great Master!"
Here, Zhang Jiao just nodded with satisfaction, and at the same time, another guard from outside the mansion flew in and shouted: "Report to the great virtuous master, an envoy from the government and army has come outside the city to ask for an audience!"
"Messenger?" Zhang Jiao thought, why did he send the envoy? To persuade him to surrender? He looked at the people in the hall, but he didn't see anything good at the moment.
"Xuan."
After a while, a scribe in blue and scholarly clothes walked into the hall. He glanced at Zhang Jiao and saw Zhang Jiao sitting on the bed. He thought in his heart: "Zhang Jiao is sick, otherwise he would not be received by the bed." Generals."
"I am the Youzhonglang general who works in the Chen palace and pays homage to the great virtuous master."
Zhang Jiao waved his sleeves and asked with a calm expression: "Your general, why have you been sent here?"
"Oh, it's nothing serious. My general is here to tell the general that Zhang Yan has led four or ten thousand troops under his command to surrender. Guangzong will be here soon. Then it will be the time for our army's general attack. However, the general has a kind heart. , I couldn’t bear the people being robbed, so I specially ordered the villain to give me a gift.”
Hearing that Zhang Yan had surrendered and that all the thieves were masters, Cheng Zhiyuan couldn't help but ask, "Seriously!"
"Why don't the generals know? Didn't General Zhonglang send some defeated troops into the city?" Chen Gong said pretending to be surprised, then he saw the bloody head on the side and suddenly said: " It turns out that they were all killed by the great virtuous master!"
As soon as Chen Gong saw those heads, he guessed Zhang Jiao's intention to block the news, so I have to make you panic with this news.
The thieves and generals were in shock and doubt, and Zhang Jiao couldn't help but feel angry. He shouldn't have let this person in, but he couldn't kill him right now. He could only deny it, otherwise the generals would mutiny because of what he had just tried to cover up.
"Hahaha" Zhang Jiao laughed three times and said: "Messengers are all good strategies. Did Zhu Jun or Huangfu Song think of this strategy? It is a good strategy to first send people to lie about the military situation and then send envoys to mess up the morale of our army."
"Cough cough cough!" Zhang Jiao's smile was too fake, and his weak body coughed.
"Whether it's a plot or not, the great virtuous master knows it in his heart, so I won't advise you to take care of yourself." Chen Gong said, and asked the book boy behind him to hand over a plate, pointed at the white silk on it, and said: "Good master, if you are willing
Use this foot of white silk to cut it off on your own, and the general can report that your soldiers are unharmed and can be sent home!"
"What? Asshole!"
As soon as Bai Ling came out, the guards who were loyal to Zhang Jiao were so angry that they kicked Bai Ling away, drew their swords, and wanted to kill the master and servant of Chen Palace.
"Stop, if the two armies are fighting and don't kill the envoys, drive them out."
Zhang Jiao's face turned red under such a threat. None of his generals were motionless. Only his personal guards were furious. He saw all this and was filled with anger. But after all, he is the chief Taoist master of Taiping Tao. Whatever the situation is, he can no longer tolerate it.
He pursued the case and decided to break out of the encirclement as soon as possible even if he risked his life.
He took a deep breath, regained his composure, and said: "This is a plan based on the morale of the army. You don't have to worry. Zhang Yan is my adopted grandson and will never surrender. You all go down and be prepared. You will be ready to break out in the next two days."
"
Zhang Jiao has been deceiving people all his life, but the generals thought about it and chose to obey.
"Yes, I will obey the orders of the great virtuous teacher!"
Zhang Jiao watched his men leave, his eyes gradually becoming cold, and then he became anxious. He already believed that Zhang Yan had surrendered, so he had to prepare to break out as soon as possible. He couldn't wait for his body to recover, otherwise Zhang Yan would attack the city in a few days.
If you stand still and try to deceive the morale of the army, it will be a big disadvantage.
Now, there is nothing you can do to defend Guangzong. You can only break out and lie down, waiting for the weather to rise again.