My father Liu Xuande

Chapter 309 Kill the villain and destroy his spirit

Outside the city, in Liu Feng's army camp, the generals were fully armed and the soldiers were ready to go, showing no signs of having come from afar to set up camp and rest.

Liu Feng had already arranged the specific actions the day before yesterday.

"Is it almost time?"

Pan Zhang was somewhat anxious, pacing around in the tent, his armor making a clattering sound as if blades were striking each other.

Xu Sheng comforted him, "Wen Gui, don't worry. With Zhong Kang and Gang Yi by your side, everything will be fine."

Pan Zhang, however, remained unsettled: "Wenxiang, how can I not be anxious? That damned Zuo Rong has a criminal record. Didn't Prefect Zhao get... ptooey ptooey ptooey!"

Halfway through his speech, Pan Zhang suddenly spat out the words and then slapped himself hard across the face.

"I told you not to talk nonsense."

Xu Sheng and the others were not surprised; Pan Zhang had always been like that. However, it surprised the newcomers like Zhuge Liang, Xu Ding, and Jia Kui.

After slapping himself, Pan Zhang sat down to the side and sulked.

"If you ask me, young master shouldn't have taken the risk. He should have just laid out the carriages and horses and killed those two thieves directly."

As Pan Zhang spoke, he actually started blaming Liu Feng. However, only someone with his personality could say such a thing. Everyone knew that he was loyal and was one of Liu Feng's earliest confidants. He was also a general whom Liu Feng had personally promoted. Even if he went a little too far, Liu Feng wouldn't hold it against him.

There have been many such people in history, such as Fan Kuai in relation to Emperor Gaozu of Han.

Zhuge Liang then explained, "General Pan, there is another reason behind this."

Although Zuo Rong and Xue Li are scoundrels, they are currently united on the side of the imperial court against Sun Ce.

If Liu Feng were to attack and kill them first, the entire Jiangdong region would become suspicious, and some of the middle forces might even be pushed to Sun Ce's side.

This would undoubtedly increase the difficulty of suppressing Sun Ce, resulting in more casualties, increased costs, and more time.

But if Liu Feng were to leave these two people alone and treat them as allies, he knew without a second thought that it wouldn't end well.

If they betray us on the battlefield, that's one thing, but if they betray us and assassinate our trusted scholars and generals, then it will be too late to regret it.

Moreover, Liu Feng's current plan, though seemingly dangerous, is actually as stable as Mount Tai.

With Xu Chu, Zhao Fan, and eight hundred armored soldiers guarding the city from the inside, and a large army approaching from the outside, Zuo Rong, despite his desperate efforts, could not harm Liu Feng in the slightest.

To put it bluntly, those eight hundred armored soldiers alone would have been enough to smash through the county government office where Zuo Rong was located.

After listening to Zhuge Liang's explanation, Pan Zhang mumbled a few words and then quieted down.

Pan Zhang's personality is quite complex. He has the unruly spirit of a warrior, but is also good at reading people. He is impulsive and reckless, but deep down he also has the shrewdness and cunning of someone from the lower class.

The reason why Pan Zhang in history became the way he was was entirely due to Sun Quan's indulgence.

Pan Zhang was always a dagger hanging over the heads of the other minor military leaders, but the handle of that dagger was always in Sun Quan's hand.

He argued with Xu Sheng because they had a good relationship, and Xu Sheng wouldn't hold it against him.

But Zhuge Liang was different. He came from the Langya Zhuge clan and was a fellow townsman of Xu Sheng. Pan Zhang knew very well how much Xu Sheng admired the Zhuge family. In addition, Liu Feng kept Zhuge Liang by his side every day, often giving him guidance. Even if Pan Zhang was foolish, he would understand how much Liu Feng valued Zhuge Liang.

Therefore, he would never dare to clash with Zhuge Liang.

Soon, when the appointed time arrived, the generals immediately sprang into action, each performing their assigned duties.

Pan Zhang, Xu Ding, and Jia Bin were tasked with capturing the city gate.

Pan Zhang was hidden in the middle of the column to command, Xu Ding was at the head of the column, and Jia Bin led the cavalry to hide, ready to rush to reinforce the city gate as soon as the attack was launched.

Xu Sheng remained in the main camp to oversee the overall situation, while Fan Neng was ordered to suppress the six thousand Xue Li troops outside the city.

Soon, the gates of Liu Fengjun's camp opened, and a convoy of carriages and horses emerged, heading towards the city gate.

Zuo Rong's troops were very puzzled. After discussing it, they sent a few people over to investigate.

Xu Ding went to meet the group. After they met, Xu Ding explained, "The cart is loaded with valuables and silks, which are gifts from General Zheng Nan to Lord Zuo."

Upon hearing this, the sergeants exchanged bewildered glances and could only take the news back with them.

A group of people at the city gate discussed the matter and ultimately decided that they still needed to conduct an inspection.

Xu Ding was quite easy to talk to and readily agreed to the other party's request for an inspection.

Xu Ding's straightforwardness and agreement also made the other party lower their guard.

Subsequently, Liu Fengjun actually allowed them to inspect the items. As the cover was lifted, the money, cloth, and various rare treasures and delicacies were revealed.

When Zuo Rong's troops inspected the seventh cart, Liu Fengjun started to make a fuss.

"You people are so unreasonable! Are you really planning to inspect each cartload? Are you trying to humiliate our general? Zheng Nan kindly sent gifts to your Zuo Gong, not for you to shame him. If you don't want them, then we won't send them."

Niu Erleng shouted loudly among the armored soldiers. He was one of the earliest recipients of the award for setting up a wooden pole and hanging gold when Liu Feng established his army.

Later, due to his bravery in battle and his numerous meritorious deeds, he received several iron and bronze medals, was promoted to captain of a fifty-man unit, and was given a new name by Pan Zhang, changing his name to Niu Mang.

This time, he was also arranged to make a public statement, and coupled with his extreme respect for Liu Feng and Pan Zhang, he was emotionally charged, naturally filled with resentment.

Under his influence, the surrounding soldiers were already quite dissatisfied, and for a moment they were agitated and began to shout and curse.

However, the soldiers were used to the strict discipline of Liu Feng's army, so they only cursed and swore, but no one stepped forward to fight.

The guard's expression changed repeatedly. Remembering the murderous intent in Zuo Rong's eyes just now, he dared not cause Zuo Rong any more trouble, otherwise he might have to spend the night on the city wall.

So Sima directly ordered, "No need for further investigation, let the brothers of the Southern Expeditionary Army enter the city."

The Zuo Rong tribesmen were already somewhat hesitant, but when the city gate commander gave another order, everyone dispersed and made way for Xu Ding to lead the carriages and horses onward.

A total of thirty cartloads of money and grain, accompanied by over a hundred armored soldiers, approached the city defenses.

Of these thirty carts, the first ten were filled with money and treasures, while the last twenty concealed armored soldiers and crossbowmen.

Knights were waiting in the distance, ready to be deployed.

Without inspections, the convoy's speed of entering the city increased rapidly.

Pan Zhang walked up to the city gate magistrate and complained, feigning dissatisfaction, "Your general is so ignorant! This is a full thirty cartloads of goods. You should all get a good share, right?"

The city gate magistrate was already feeling resentful, and when he heard Pan Zhang say this, he smiled bitterly: "Sharing profits my ass! The general is only generous when it comes to Buddhist ceremonies; at other times, we never get any benefits."

The city gate magistrate was so preoccupied with complaining that he didn't notice Pan Zhang had quietly approached him.

Just as he sensed someone approaching and looked up to check the situation, Pan Zhang suddenly lunged forward, grabbed the man's neck with one hand, and then drew his sword with his right hand, slicing down all four guards of the city gate commander as easily as chopping vegetables.

"Disarm without killing!"

Pan Zhang roared, waking up the soldiers of the Zuo Rong army at the city gate.

Just as the soldiers were about to resist, they saw the cloth on the upper part of the cart being lifted, and rows of archers holding bows and crossbows and armored soldiers in iron armor standing up from underneath.

"Disarm without killing!"

The soldiers of the Southern Expeditionary Army shouted and aimed their bows and crossbows at the Zuo Rong troops at various points around the city gate.

No wonder the ruts on these carts are so deep; so many soldiers were hidden on them.

The armored soldiers who were originally guarding the wagons formed ranks and poured into the city gate, then fought their way up the city wall and completely occupied the city gate.

In the distance came the rumble of hooves, and a cavalry force quickly rushed to the city gate, passed through the city gate, and headed into the city, followed by a large number of armored soldiers.

At the same time, a force of men broke out from the Southern Expeditionary Army camp and headed towards Xue Li's camp. This force was Fan Neng's troops, who had been ordered to take control of Xue Li's men.

When the cavalry charged all the way to the county government office, the eight hundred armored soldiers inside immediately mobilized. Four hundred men went to seize the main gate of the county government office, while the other four hundred men rushed towards the hall where Liu Feng was located.

The commotion outside also aroused doubt and unease among those in the hall.

Zuo Rong opened his mouth as if to say something.

Unexpectedly, Liu Feng stood up abruptly, kicked over the table in front of him, and shouted angrily, "I've long heard of your Hongmen Banquet, and you even lured and killed the Prefect of Guangling. It seems that today you intend to take the lives of me and Lord Xue?"

Upon hearing this, Xue Li was both shocked and furious. He angrily rebuked Zuo Rong, "We cooperated with you out of kindness, yet you harbor malicious intentions and want to kill us?" Zuo Rong finally showed a look of panic on his face and hurriedly explained, "I had no such intention. I did not arrange the affairs outside. Please give me some time, and I will give you an explanation."

After Zuo Rong finished speaking, Xue Li was still somewhat tempted, after all, his anger stemmed from fear, worrying that Zuo Rong really wanted to annex him.

But Liu Feng was different; he was the mastermind behind all of this, and he wouldn't give Zuo Rong a chance to explain.

All that could be heard was Liu Feng's cold laugh: "Zuo Rong, you've got a good idea. If you leave now, I'm afraid the only ones who will come back are executioners."

Liu Feng shouted loudly, "Where is Zhongkang!"

"The general is here!"

Xu Chu stepped forward, bowed to Liu Feng, and then instructed Zhao Fan, "Gangyi, you stay here and protect our lord."

Having said that, Xu Chu stepped over the delicacies scattered on the floor and pressed towards Zuo Rong.

Behind Zuo Rong were eight armored soldiers, all of whom were warriors he had carefully selected.

He had committed numerous evil deeds throughout his life, and countless people wanted to take his life, so he naturally paid extra attention to his own safety.

Seeing Xu Chu closing in, Zuo Rong quickly retreated, his eyes icy as he said, "Go! Kill him!"

The eight armored soldiers immediately drew their long swords and charged towards Xu Chu.

Xu Chu sneered, and instead of retreating, he advanced towards the eight men, his pace quickening suddenly. The two armored soldiers directly opposite him showed expressions of fear in their eyes.

Xu Chu rushed into the enemy's arms, grabbed their throats and squeezed hard. With two crisp sounds, the two armored soldiers went limp and their throat bones shattered.

Immediately afterwards, Xu Chu threw two more armored soldiers out, which crashed into the four men behind them, rolling around on the ground like gourds.

Xu Chu leisurely picked up the longswords that the two armored soldiers had dropped and swung them out, killing the last two soldiers with two strikes each.

In just two breaths, half of the enemy's eight armored soldiers had been killed, and the remaining four were still struggling on the ground trying to get up.

But then Xu Chu stepped forward, his iron boots striking a soldier squarely in the cheek, twisting his head into a pretzel.

Only then did the last three armored soldiers struggle to their feet, their eyes filled with disbelief as they looked at their fallen comrades.

But Xu Chu was still the same Xu Chu, walking towards them step by step.

"Stop him! Stop him!"

Zuo Rong's eyes were filled with fear and despair. He shouted and turned to run away.

Zhao Fan immediately wanted to step forward and stop them.

Liu Feng raised his hand to stop him: "Gangyi, listen to Zhongkang's words!"

Seeing that Zuo Rong was about to run away, Xu Chu remained calm and confident.

The remaining three armored soldiers let out a desperate cry and charged towards Xu Chu.

The first man, wielding a sharp longsword, slashed directly at Xu Chu.

Xu Chu smiled calmly, shrank his body, tilted his head, and used his shoulder armor to meet the blade. He exerted force from the side and instantly deflected the fierce attacking longsword. Then, he slashed with his left hand, hitting the opponent's neck, and then snatched the longsword from the armored soldier's hand.

Two dazzling flashes of light passed by, and the last two armored soldiers fell dead to the ground.

At this moment, Zuo Rong had only run a few steps.

Xu Chu's long sword flew from his hand and struck Zuo Rong's right leg. The latter screamed and fell to the ground.

This scene, from beginning to end, lasted less than ten breaths.

The name "Tiger Fool" is truly well-deserved!
Not to mention Xue Li and Zuo Rong, even Zhao Fan was stunned.

Zhao Fan prided himself on his exceptional martial prowess, but lacked a discerning patron and was thus frustrated and unfulfilled.

But after witnessing Xu Chu's martial prowess today, I realized that there are always people more skilled than you.

Liu Feng glanced at Zhao Fan. This kid was quite talented, and he thought highly of him. He hoped that Zhao Fan wouldn't be discouraged by Xu Chu.

Fortunately, Zhao Fan did not become discouraged. Instead, he was filled with fighting spirit. He had been narrow-minded before, but now he knew the heroes of the world. How could he not strive to improve himself?

Xu Chu stepped forward, pulled back Zuo Rong, who was limping and still trying to crawl, and threw him in front of Liu Feng.

Zuo Rong looked at Liu Feng with a look of fear on his face, but forced himself to look at him: "I treated you with kindness, but you attacked and injured people. What a young general who conquers the south, what a son of the General of Chariots and Cavalry!"

"You treated me kindly?"

Liu Feng looked utterly astonished and replied earnestly, "I kindly gave you the opportunity to serve the court, but you beast, instead of repaying the emperor, you set a trap to harm me."

"you!?"

Zuo Rong panicked, his face contorted with fear, and then pleaded desperately, "Zheng Nan, I truly had no intention of harming you. Please spare my life! I am willing to donate all my wealth and grain, just to save my life!"

Xue Li, standing to the side, was dumbfounded, completely unable to understand what this scene meant.

"Spare you? Then who will spare the innocent people you harmed?"

Liu Feng suddenly seemed a bit disinterested and waved his hand at Xu Chu, saying, "Zhong Kang, take them away."

"Yes!"

Xu Chu responded in a muffled voice, then bent down and grabbed the hair of Zuo Rong, who was kowtowing to Liu Feng and begging for mercy, before walking towards Xue Li opposite him.

Xue Li stared blankly as Xu Chu approached, while the guards behind him knelt on the ground, not daring to even glance at Xu Chu.

Xu Chu kicked the bewildered Xue Li to the ground, and then, in the same manner, dragged the two of them down the steps, one in each hand.

Although Xu Chu did not show it on the surface, he was inwardly enraged by Zuo Rong.

Although Liu Feng's answer pleased him, it did not mean that Zuo Rong would have a good ending.

"Zheng Nan, Zheng Nan! I am not with Zuo Rong! I beg you, Zheng Nan, to see the truth!"

Xue Li also cried out in surprise. He still felt that he had been implicated by Zuo Rong and wanted to explain to Liu Feng.

As soon as Xu Chu pulled the two men out of the hall, they ran into a group of armored soldiers.

Upon seeing Xu Chu, these armored soldiers immediately knelt down on one knee.

It turned out that the eight hundred armored soldiers who had been brought into the city earlier had already stormed into the inner hall and wiped out all the Zuo Rong troops along the way.

Xu Chu threw the two scoundrels in his hand away and ordered, "Zuo Rong colluded with Xue Li to defy the court and the emperor. He has gone mad and set up an ambush to try to kill the general. The lord has ordered that these two traitors be beheaded and their heads sent to Xuzhou as a warning to others!"

"Here!"

The armored soldiers responded in unison.

After Liu Fengjun entered the city, there were some who put up a stubborn resistance, but the leaders such as Zuo Rong had already been wiped out. In addition, Liu Fengjun's cavalry and armored soldiers cooperated well, with the cavalry responsible for cutting off communications and the armored soldiers responsible for attacking and capturing the stronghold.

The limited resistance was insignificant, especially after Zuo Rong was apprehended and persuaded to surrender; Jurong City quickly returned to normal.

As for Xue Li's six thousand followers outside the arena, they were trembling with fear and had no will to fight whatsoever.

Xu Shengjun's troops then entered the city, sealed the treasury, confiscated the weapons of Zuo Rong's troops, and then herded them all to the main camp outside the city for safekeeping.

Zuo Rong gathered more than 30,000 people, all of whom were young men and women. Once these people were registered as households, they would form a settlement of 10,000 households, which was already the size of a county.

Adding Xue Li's more than 20,000 people, it was equivalent to Liu Feng seizing the population of two upper counties at once.

It just so happens that Jiangbei is currently repairing water conservancy projects and expanding its army, which is exactly the time when a large number of young and strong men are needed. These people can be sent to Jiangbei, either to register as ordinary citizens, to be incorporated into the army, or to be organized as strongmen to participate in the repair project.

There are always plenty of places where they can make a difference, instead of spending their days worshipping Buddha, not engaging in production, and plundering the money and grain of the people of Jiangdong for their own use.

After stabilizing Jurong City and disrupting the forces of Ze Rong, Ze Rong and Xue Li were immediately beheaded. Their heads were preserved with lime and then sent to Guangling.

Poor Zuo Rong died with his eyes open. He genuinely wanted to entertain Liu Feng in order to earn a reward of two thousand shi of grain, but he didn't understand why Liu Feng hated him so much and was determined to kill him.

As for Xue Li, he was even more of a clown. Even on his deathbed, he still believed that Liu Feng had misunderstood him and that he had not conspired with Zuo Rong. He even wanted to explain things to Liu Feng.

(End of this chapter)