The revival of the Han Dynasty must start with Dong Zhuo

Chapter 248 Volume Persuading Surrender
for several days.

Yuan Shao ordered his soldiers to set up ladders to attack, and Hao Zhao and Guo Huai went up to push down the ladders in person under a hail of arrows.

Yuan Shao also ordered people to build tall towers, whose height was even higher than the walls of Jinyang, so that he could suppress the people in the city from above.

Hao Zhao also ordered his soldiers to tie strips of cloth soaked in kerosene to the arrows and shoot them all at the tower carriage, which soon burned the tall tower carriage to ashes.

Then Yuan Shao began to dig a tunnel, but it was collapsed by Guo Huai's troops, burying many enemy troops.

They tried to attack with fire, but Jinyang was adjacent to the Fen River, so the fire could be easily extinguished.

Yuan Shao was very angry as he thought that Jinyang City was within his grasp but failed to be captured after a siege of half a month.

"Where on earth did this Hao Zhao come from?"

Yuan Shao had never met such a general who was so good at defense!
At this time, the Southern Xiongnu Chanyu Luanti Huchuquan had also crossed the Yanmen Gate in the north and arrived at the city of Jinyang.

Seeing that Yuan Shao had been unable to capture the city after a long siege, the Southern Xiongnu Khan wearing a golden eagle crown became somewhat displeased.

"Mr. Yuan, if you can't take Jinyang, you can't take Taiyuan. If you can't take Taiyuan, let alone the more distant Hedong and Guanzhong!"

"Is Lord Yuan's strength limited to this level?"

Although Yuan Shao regarded the Huns as his allies, he still looked down on these barbarians.

Seeing that he was despised by the Xiongnu Chanyu, Yuan Shao also snorted coldly: "It's just a mantis trying to stop a chariot! I want to see how long they can hold out!"

But Luan Tihuchuquan was obviously unable to wait any longer.

Greed and cunning were evident in his eyes. "Prince Yuan was in a standoff with Dong Zhuo for such a long time that the livestock I brought with me were almost completely destroyed."

"If we continue to be held back by Jinyang, I'm afraid we will starve to death in this fortified city sooner or later."

……

Yuan Shao frowned: "What does the Chanyu want to do?"

"There are only a few soldiers in Jinyang City anyway. Why should Lord Yuan let these people hinder the progress of the 100,000-man army?"

"Why not send some soldiers to stay here, and let the rest of the army continue to march south to capture Hedong?"

……

Yuan Shao's style of fighting is, after all, the style of the Han princes.

Attack the city and capture the stronghold, conquer one, maintain one, and govern one.

But Luan Tihuchuquan's fighting style was like a violent storm.

Let’s plunder first, as for governance...what does that have to do with them?
Yuan Shao was unwilling to follow Luan Tihuchuquan's strategy.

It was not because he felt sorry for the people, but because Yuan Shao had long regarded Taiyuan, Hedong, and even Guanzhong as his own private property.

However, a piece of news coming from Hedong forced Yuan Shao to take it seriously.

"The emperor's dragon banner was found in Hedong?"

"Exactly."

Yuan Shao didn't believe the news at first.

In his opinion, Liu Xie should now be hiding in Chang'an City, trembling in the Weiyang Palace.

But now, we have come directly to the Hedong front line?
The corners of Yuan Shao's mouth suddenly rose!
The emperor personally visits Hedong?

Isn’t this... a great thing?
"What the Chanyu said makes sense. I really shouldn't continue to waste time under the city of Jinyang."

Compared with his own opportunity to rise to fame overnight, the lives and deaths of some ordinary people were no longer within Yuan Shao's consideration.

"Reorganize the troops, leave 5,000 men to guard Jinyang, and the rest of you go south!"

Going around the city is a big taboo in military strategy.

However, after Yuan Shao occupied Hebei, his wealth was too great. Even if he did not occupy Jinyang's supplies, he could still transport food and grass from the rear to ensure the supply of the army in the front.

Yuan Shao led his troops south from Taiyuan, passed Jiexiu, and joined forces with Yan Liang and Guo Tu, and stopped in front of a valley in the south.

Bird Tail Valley.

Or it is also called Queshu Valley.

This place was originally called "Guanjuejin", which is a homonym of "Guanque", implying that only storks, which are clever and powerful, can fly over it. Later, Guanjuejin gradually evolved into "Queshugu", which simply means that it is so rugged and steep that only birds and mice can fly over it.

Whether it is Guanjuejin, Guanquejin, Queweigu or Queshugu, these names all hint at the ruggedness of this place.

When Yuan Shao led his troops to this place, he saw a large army stationed on the road. When he learned that the army was led by Xu Rong, who was once under Dong Zhuo's command, he immediately came up with a plan.

"Xu Rong is leading a lone army here. He must be unwilling to return to the emperor's banner and ruin his future."

"In that case, I should write to him and ask him to work for me."

Yuan Shao wrote a letter in his own handwriting and ordered Guo Tu to enter Xu Rong's camp with his seal.

When Guo Tu met Xu Rong, he directly presented Yuan Shao's letter to Xu Rong and informed him of Yuan Shao's conditions:

"If the general surrenders, he can be granted the title of Marquis of Wanhu and Governor of Hedong!"

Xu Rong was nine feet tall and had a dignified appearance.

The unique heroism of the people of Yan and Zhao between his brows made Xu Rong look angry without any authority, so much so that when Xu Rong asked the question, Guo Tu could not help but retreat.

"Is this the only sincerity that Lord Yuan has?"

Xu Rong's imposing manner caused Guo Tu to take a step back, with cold sweat running down his forehead.

Xu Rong's achievements are actually very few, only about two -

1. Defeat Sun Jian.

2. Defeat Cao Cao.

After Sun Jian was defeated by Xu Rong, he fled and was forced to ask Zu Mao to wear his red headscarf to divert his pursuers.

After Cao Cao was ambushed by Xu Rong, if Cao Hong had not said, "The world can do without Hong, but it cannot do without you," and generously offered his horse, Cao Cao would have been captured alive by Xu Rong on the spot.

Faced with Xu Rong's such great military achievements, Guo Tu really didn't dare to be arrogant.

However, when he thought of Yuan Shao behind him and the 100,000 troops under Yuan Shao's command, Guo Tu became more courageous.

"General Xu, you were just a general under Dong Zhuo, but Lord Yuan gave you the position of governor with a salary of 2,000 stones. Do you think Lord Yuan treated you unfairly?"

General of miscellaneous title?

When Xu Rong heard this, his teeth showed under his beard.

Under the background of the military system, the generals of the state were the cornerstone of the imperial court.

In the past, Dong Min refused the title of General of the State in the imperial court because of his title of Left General, and was considered stupid by the world.

Now Yuan Shao actually wants him to defect just for the position of Hedong Governor?
Yuan Benchu...you are really underestimating people!

"General Xu."

As if seeing Xu Rong's contempt, Guo Tu decided to reveal his cards.

"Now that Dong Zhuo is dead, the court no longer has any hope of defeating Lord Yuan!"

"And even if you return to the court now, those officials eager to fight for power will deprive you of your military power and try to kill you."

"It would be better to surrender to Lord Yuan and become his guest! Then when Lord Yuan obeys the will of heaven and inherits the throne, I can have the merit of following the dragon!"

Hearing this, Xu Rong sneered, "Is Yuan Shao not even pretending now? Are you going to depose Liu He and make Yuan Shao the emperor as soon as you return?"

Guo Tu was not ashamed, but proud of it.

"Does General Xu think that there is anyone in the world who can stop Lord Yuan?"

"Mr. Yuan inherited the Mandate of Heaven, and he was just following the trend! I am trying to persuade him now because General Xu was also a general who served the court in the past and had made great contributions and worked hard! If General Xu refuses... Mr. Yuan's 100,000 troops are waiting in the north! Does General Xu have the confidence to stop Mr. Yuan's troops?"

Xu Rong's face twitched, but he felt helpless.

Because what Guo Tu said was true. Yuan Shao's army was now stationed less than ten miles away from Quewei Valley.

If Yuan Shao really wanted to launch an offensive, Xu Rong would find it difficult to resist just by relying on the geographical advantage.

What’s more, what Guo Tu just said was indeed what Xu Rong had always been worried about.

Xu Rong looked away, as if hesitating.

"I hope the messenger can give me some time."

When Guo Tu saw this, he knew what was going on.

"General Xu, are you worried about your family members who are still in Chang'an?"

"Why should a man worry about not having a wife? Even if it means having children, he can always have another one later..."

As Guo Tu was speaking, he saw a dangerous look in Xu Rong's eyes, so he shut his mouth.

"That's all I have to say. I hope General Xu will consider this carefully!"

Xu Rong watched Guo Tu leave his tent and sighed, "Angel, come out."

Yang Xiu walked out slowly from behind the screen in Xu Rong’s military tent, looking at Guo Tu’s departing back with some amusement.

Yang Xiu arrived at Xu Rong's tent earlier than Guo Tu.

However, upon hearing that Guo Tu was coming to visit, Xu Rong did not want the two to meet, so he asked Yang Xiu to hide behind his tent.

After listening to the entire conversation between Guo Tu and Xu Rong, Yang Xiu also had a clear idea of ​​what was going on.

It’s different from facing Guo Tu.

When facing Yang Xiu, the genuine angel, Xu Rong was relatively courteous and not too aggressive.

"The angel must have heard what Guo Tu said."

Xu Rong crossed his hands, looking meditative.

"I was promoted by the Grand Tutor when I was young, and now I am honored by the court and given the title of Pillar of the State. I am definitely not a mean person who forgets his principles for the sake of profit."

"But now the situation has changed. I am beginning to worry about my life."

"If I hand over my military power, the emperor will most likely put me under house arrest or even kill me... Even though this may not be the emperor's original intention, he may indeed do such a thing."

"Therefore, I hope the angel will tell the emperor that I will stop Yuan Shao for him, but I won't stop him for too long."

Stopping Yuan Shao is a way of repaying a favor.

I won't block it for too long, because it's for my own consideration.

"The emperor cannot defeat Yuan Shao. I hope the emperor can lead Lu Bu and Niu Fu's troops back to Guanzhong as soon as possible to preserve some strength for the court."

Xu Rong would buy Liu Xie time to preserve some of the Xiliang troops.

But that was all he did.

……

"General Xu, don't worry."

After listening to Xu Rong's words, Yang Xiu understood Xu Rong's inner hesitation.

"The emperor asked me to bring a few people to General Xu, and told me to hand them over to General Xu, and then discuss other matters in detail."

Xu Rong: "Who?"

"The general will know once he sees it."

After some thought, Xu Rong finally allowed Yang Xiu to bring a few people in.

After seeing these people, Xu Rong's pupils suddenly shrank.

The people Yang Xiu was talking about were actually Xu Rong's family!
My wife and concubines are all here! My children are all here!
Liu Xie even collected some distant relatives and sent them over!

Xu Rong stuttered a little: "Heaven, what does the emperor mean?"

Yang Xiu responded calmly: "The emperor does want to win over General Xu Rong and make him gain the trust of the court."

"But the emperor also said that General Xu's family is still in the court. If General Xu is allowed to choose this way, it is still a bit unfair."

"That's why the emperor returned all his family members to General Xu, allowing him to follow his heart."

Xu Rong looked at his relatives, feeling mixed emotions.

"Isn't the emperor afraid that after I get my family, I will become even more unscrupulous and defect to Yuan Shao?"

I thought Yang Xiu would not answer this question, but unexpectedly he nodded.

"The emperor is naturally afraid of this."

"So before I came, the emperor had already ordered Generals Lu Bu and Zhang Liao to station in the south."

"Once I give the signal, the two generals will immediately lead their troops to charge into the battle line and fight to the death with General Xu!"

"So all of this ultimately depends on what decision General Xu makes."

……

The originally warm scene in the tent suddenly became tense.

Xu Rong stared at Yang Xiu, his tone full of disbelief: "How dare the emperor do this?"

"Whether the emperor dares or not, others may not know, but General Xu, don't you know?"

Yang Xiu looked relaxed.

"When Han Sui and Ma Teng invaded Guanzhong, Chang'an was short of soldiers, so the emperor went directly to Meiwu and delayed until Jia Lingjun brought in reinforcements."

"After that, whether it was the bizarre plan in the Battle of Jincheng or the divine soldiers descending from the sky in the Battle of Hanzhong, they were all planned by the emperor himself... Outsiders are completely unaware of these things, but with General Xu's intelligence, he should be able to guess them."

"Afterwards, he punished the Lintao Dong family and took the opportunity to clear the obstacles in the court, causing the Han Dynasty to abolish the system of recommendation and establish new laws... Which of these things could a cowardly emperor do?"

"Now that the Grand Master has passed away, the Emperor has immediately abandoned Chang'an and personally gone to the front line. I'm sure General Xu knows exactly what he is planning."

"It is really naive to question the Emperor's courage at this time."

Xu Rong was both annoyed and frightened.

The emperor has actually sent Lu Bu and Zhang Liao to ambush outside his camp?

If I don't agree to surrender, will you immediately lead your troops to attack the camp?
Xu Rong couldn't help feeling a little dry in the mouth.

Does the emperor know what the price is?
If Yuan Shao suddenly arrived with his troops when Lu Bu was fighting against him, wouldn't he have wiped out the Xiliang army in one fell swoop?
They are still killing each other at this time. Is the emperor crazy?
……

wrong!

Xu Rong soon realized that the emperor was not crazy.

Returning your relatives to yourself is a favor.

Letting Lu Bu and Zhang Liao lead the troops here is a great show of power.

What the emperor has to do, in the end, is to submit to the court again!
Xu Rong gritted his teeth and said, "Isn't the emperor afraid that I will gamble with him?"

Yang Xiu was confident of winning: "General Xu...will you gamble?"

As an official in the same dynasty, Xu Rong naturally knew the bravery of Lu Bu and Zhang Liao.

If Xu Rong allowed Lu Bu and Zhang Liao to attack, could he really guarantee his own safety?

Not to mention, now there is not only Xu Rong himself in the military tent, but also Xu Rong's family members.

Can Xu Rong really guarantee that he can remain unscathed from the attacks of Lu Bu and Zhang Liao and protect his family?

……

Helpless, Xu Rong smiled bitterly:
"Son of Heaven, where on earth did you learn this move of destroying everything together?"

(End of this chapter)