knife

Chapter 507 Promise
Wu De dismounted and strode towards a formation of over a hundred carts. There stood the last few hundred guards belonging to Wei Zhengdao. These men would not surrender, for the guard consisted of only two surnames: Wei and Zhang. The Zhang surname belonged to Wei Zhengdao's wife's family.

But that's all that's left.

When countless troops suddenly appeared around the marching column, surrounding them completely, and the cavalry galloped across the battlefield, cutting the long, serpentine column into countless smaller segments, the outcome was no longer in doubt.

In fact, when Wu De and Fang Xiaomao's army appeared here, it meant that everything was over for the Wei family.

The fact that their last elite troops had gone to Hanzhong Commandery with Wei Yi, and that Wu De was here while Wei Yi was nowhere to be found, clearly explained everything.

Zhou Xuan has betrayed us.

If Zhou Xuan hadn't betrayed them, Wu De and Fang Xiaomao wouldn't have been able to silently occupy Hanzhong Commandery and then set a trap for Wei Yi.

Therefore, struggling and resisting have become meaningless.

This team, which consisted almost entirely of logistics and supply personnel, was not lacking in knowledgeable individuals. Therefore, these people did not hesitate for long and immediately laid down their weapons and surrendered.

Wu De stopped and looked at Wei Zhengdao, who was standing behind layers of guards. Wei Zhengdao was also looking at him.

However, Wu De's eyes were filled with calm.

Wei Zhengdao's eyes, however, were filled with despair.

"Minister Wei, it's over. Surrender!" Wu De shouted. "Resistance is pointless and will only increase casualties."

Wei Zhengdao looked around. Surrounding them were at least five thousand soldiers, truly elite troops, not the old and weak who now formed his own army.

Where is Wei Yi?

“General Wei wishes to leave with dignity!” Wu De said, “I agreed to his request just three days ago, the day he entered Hanzhong Commandery.”

He received the answer he expected, but this answer completely shattered Wei Zhengdao's last line of defense. He knew that the fate of the Wei family was sealed, and there was no hope left.

“Lord Hong, can you kill this man for me?” Wei Zhengdao turned to look at Hong Zhan beside him.

Hong Zhan is a master of innate skill.

While a master of innate skill might not be able to kill a general amidst a vast army, Wu De has become too arrogant, actually coming here alone. Killing Wu De, though ultimately futile, would at least vent one's anger and cause Li Dachui to lose a key general.

Hong Zhan smiled. "Minister Wei, why don't you think about why Wu Deming knew I was here, yet still dared to come alone?"

Wei Zhengdao turned his head and looked at Hong Zhan in disbelief: "You betrayed me too?"

Hong Zhan shook his head and said, "Minister Wei, it's not a matter of who betrayed whom between us. You provided the Hong family with all sorts of resources, enabling the Hong clan to grow and prosper, while I provided you with top-notch military support. Our two families have always only had a relationship of mutual exploitation. When I realized that you were going further and further down the road to failure, I naturally had to find another way out. Although you have always treated me with the courtesy due to a friend, I am not alone. I have a large family behind me, and I need to think about them."

In that instant, his once straight back hunched over, and the light in his eyes dimmed. To everyone else, he suddenly appeared as a frail, old man, seemingly detached from the earth and close to the sky.

"When did this happen?" he murmured. "It was the time you met Li Dachui at the Taoist temple!" Hong Zhan said, "I went to see him alone."

"Back then, did you already know Li Dachui's true identity?"

“I didn’t know, but I do know that he killed Li Tai,” Hong Zhan said. “I found him, and he was very frank. At that time, the Wei family’s defeat was already inevitable.”

Wu De walked slowly forward, and under his pressure, the last guards slowly parted to the sides, making way for him.

"Prime Minister Wei, surrender. Only in this way can your Wei family line continue."

“Why not kill Li Dachui completely? I am one of the main culprits who killed his parents!” Wei Zhengdao said, looking at Wu De.

"If Prime Minister Wei wishes to leave with dignity like General Wei, I will not stop him," Wu De said calmly. "I know you have your pride, and as one of your former colleagues, I am willing to grant you this wish. Rest assured, neither Protector Li nor any of us have the habit of showing off in front of losers, because it is meaningless. However, Prime Minister Wei, in order to make your Wei family live more comfortably in the future, I suggest you live as long as possible and do a few more things for Protector Li."

"Am I still of use?" Wei Zhengdao said with a wry smile.

“Of course!” Wu De nodded. “The 15,000 elite troops who entered Hanzhong earlier have all become our prisoners. And here, there are still tens of thousands of people. These people are willing to follow you, Minister Wei, all the way here, and they are loyal to you. We want them to completely submit to us, and this requires your cooperation, Minister Wei!”

"Secondly, behind you, Linghu Shili is leading a large army, marching day and night. Originally, he intended to take Hanzhong Commandery while you were still establishing your foothold. However, the news that Protector Li is the posthumous son of the former Crown Prince of Qin has likely spread throughout the land. I think Linghu Ye must also have some ideas." Wu De smiled and said, "Perfect, we also have some ideas. Since the two sides are bound to clash and fight to the death, how can we let go of such a great opportunity?"

Wei Zhengdao suddenly realized: "You want me to help you set a trap to lure Linghu Shili into it, and then annihilate this army in one fell swoop!"

“Exactly!” Wu De laughed. “What we like best is to achieve the greatest victory with the least cost. I must say, Linghu Ye’s army is quite capable. I witnessed their fighting strength when I went to the Northeast.”

"What can my cooperation bring to the Wei family?"

“In exchange for their opportunity to become commoners!” Wu De said, “They will retain some property and land, and at least they can continue to cultivate the land and study in the future. Two generations later, the Wei family will have the opportunity to enter officialdom again. Perhaps by then, the Wei family can regain its former glory.”

“Two generations!” Wei Zhengdao gave a few bitter laughs.

"Minister Wei, this is already very lenient!" Wu De said, "Only a magnanimous person like Protector Li would be so forgiving. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If you don't seize it, then we will have to find another way. Although the chances of success are smaller, it's not impossible!"

"Deal!" Wei Zhengdao turned to Hong Zhan: "Mr. Hong, we've been cooperating for nearly twenty years, so let's part ways amicably. Please also certify this final transaction for me. Wu De, do you have any objections?"

Hong Zhan hesitated for a moment, looked up at Wu De, and finally nodded: "Okay, I will supervise this cooperation between the two parties to ensure that both parties fulfill their promises!"

"Thank you, Master Hong!"

Over the years, Wei Zhengdao had thanked Hong Zhan many times, but perhaps only this last time was it truly from the bottom of his heart.

A promise made by a master of innate talent is absolutely immeasurable by money.

(End of this chapter)