Late Han Zhao Tang

Chapter 487 Who Can Defend the Tang King?
When Zhang Yu was stationed in Chenliu, his main task was to settle 60,000 surrendered soldiers. He first had Wen Ping and Qiao Rui select 10,000 soldiers skilled in swimming to prepare for the later formation of a navy. Then, Zhang Yu promoted Linghu Yan and Huyan Le to the position of generals with miscellaneous titles, and each of them selected 5,000 men from the 50,000 surrendered soldiers.

Linghu Yan was a member of the Linghu clan of Taiyuan. He was skilled in archery and horsemanship and had military strategy. He was a relative of Linghu Shao. When Zhang Yu conquered Taiyuan, Linghu Yan was defeated and surrendered. He served Zhang Yu for nearly ten years. Although he did not make any great contributions, he was diligent. However, he was frivolous and could not be trusted.

Huyanle was a member of the Huyan tribe of the Xiongnu and the elder brother of Huyanyu, a concubine of Zhang Yu. When Zhang Yu controlled Yanmen Pass, he married Huyanhe, and Huyanle followed Zhang Yu to serve him. Because he was brave but lacked strategy, and was also a Xiongnu, Zhang Yu often put him in charge of cavalry out of caution.

The personality flaws of these two men made it impossible for Zhang Yu to entrust them with important responsibilities during the early and middle stages of his career. However, now that his only major enemy, Yuan Shu, has been captured, a large number of surrendered soldiers need to be absorbed into the army. Therefore, considering their seniority and merits, it is inevitable to appoint them to lead an army.

After more than half a month of reorganization and expansion, Zhang Yu quickly added 20,000 infantry and cavalry, bringing the total strength of his southern expedition to 130,000. The remaining 40,000 surrendered soldiers, except for those from Yanzhou who were released, were incorporated into the supply train to fill the manpower shortage in the Central Plains.

On October 11, in order to completely subdue the Chen-Yuan group, Zhang Yu led a large army south to Yingchuan while sending Guo Tu and Xun Chen as envoys to Wancheng.

While marching south to Yingchuan, Zhang Yu left Zhao Yun to garrison Chenliu County to maintain the smooth flow of grain supplies, and ordered Meng Ningzhi and Zhang He to each lead troops to conquer Runan and Pei County.

On the 14th, Zhang Yu led his army on a special journey through the State of Chen. Hua Xin, the prime minister of Chen, led his officials to Yangxia and presented Zhang Yu with household registers, books, and provisions.

The State of Chen was originally the fiefdom of Liu Chong, and its former prime minister was Luo Jun. During the late Han Dynasty, Liu Chong and Luo Jun worked together to protect the people of Chen and ensure their safety for a period of time. Therefore, although there was a period of war, it did not have a significant impact.

When Yuan Shu annexed Yu Province, he requested permission from Liu Chong to pass through Chen State in order to annex it, but Liu Chong refused. Yuan Shu then accepted Zhang Kai, who had killed Cao Song, and ordered him to kill Luo Jun and Liu Chong. After their deaths, Chen State was without a ruler, and Yuan Shu appointed the renowned Hua Xin as Chancellor.

Since Hua Xin became prime minister, he first took Luo Jun's wife as a concubine. Due to the frequent wars in Jiangzuo, and considering that Luo Tong had nowhere to go, he adopted him as his son. Afterwards, Hua Xin continued Luo Jun's old policies, and although the State of Chen experienced turmoil, it did not suffer major destruction.

When Shi Huaxin presented the household register, Chen State had nine counties with 30,000 households and a population of approximately 120,000 to 150,000, more than Chenliu Commandery. At its peak, Chen State had 110,000 households, but considering the population hidden by powerful families or those who fled to the mountains, the current population of Chen State is still about half of its peak.

Upon seeing that Hua Xin had surrendered the entire prefecture, Zhang Yu comforted Hua Xin and, on the grounds that he had rendered meritorious service in surrendering, ordered him to remain as Chancellor of Chen State before heading to Yingchuan Prefecture.

As Zhang Yu was about to lead his troops into Yingchuan County, the ministers of Chen were arguing endlessly about whether to fight or surrender.

In Wancheng, in the imperial court.

Crown Prince Yuan Yao sat temporarily on the imperial couch, while the officials below the steps argued heatedly, each expressing their own opinions.

"His Majesty was defeated and captured, and his army was almost wiped out. Zhang Yu has brought a strong army, while our country only has tens of thousands of old and weak soldiers. How can we defend against the enemy?"

Yan Xiang looked worried and said, "In my opinion, the only solution now is for the whole country to surrender. Only in this way can His Majesty and the Crown Prince be preserved and the country enriched, and can they also be granted land and territory."

Defeated by Zhang Yu in one fell swoop, with even the monarch captured, Yan Xiang was thoroughly defeated and forced to submit, seeing no future. Therefore, between fighting and surrendering, Si Hua leaned towards surrender. After all, the capture of the founding monarch on the battlefield was bound to instill despair in his followers.

Take the Tumu Crisis, for example. At that time, the Ming Dynasty had been established for a century. Even with its well-developed systems, the news of Zhu Qizhen's capture by the Oirats caused widespread panic among the officials in Beijing. Some, even the corrupt official Xu Youzhen, called for the capital to be moved. If it weren't for figures like Yu Qian and Wang Zhi stepping forward to take charge and install Zhu Qiyu as emperor, who knows what chaos the Ming Dynasty would have descended into?

Since the current state system of Chen and Yuan is not yet complete, and Yuan Shu has not even unified the country, it is normal for people to have various thoughts when he is captured.

Cai Mao shook his head and said, "The country has stored up grain, and Huang Yi is leading troops back to reinforce. Changsha also has 10,000 to 20,000 troops. General Huang Zu is in Jiangxia and still has elite troops under his command. According to the statistics of all the troops, our country still has 60,000 troops. If we hold our ground and do not fight, why can't we defeat Zhang Yu?"

"Even with an army of 100,000, His Majesty is no match for Zhang Yu. How dare Lord Cai boast that he can repel Zhang Yu with 60,000 old and weak men?"

Thanks to his swimming skills, Cai Mao escaped from the battlefield. Upon returning to Wancheng, Cai Mao considered surrendering to Zhang Yu. However, considering his past relationship with Cao Cao, he hoped to contact Cao Cao to preserve his wealth and status.

Yan Xiang sneered and said, "Moreover, if we withdraw our troops from the siege, wouldn't we be opening our own gates? Even if we defeat Zhang Yu, Cao Cao and Liu Bei will still control the counties and their power will be unstoppable. Our army will only be able to prolong its life."

Cai Mao ignored Yan Xiang and instead bowed to Yuan Yao, saying, "Your Highness, Yuan Shao has died and his sons have split apart. There is no longer a strong enemy like Zhang Yu in Hebei. Among all the people in the world, none can rival Zhang Yu but our Chen dynasty. If our army is annexed by Zhang Yu, then Zhang Yu will rule the world."

"In my opinion, Your Highness should seek help from Cao Cao. Cao Cao will surely send troops to our aid when he sees that our army is in danger."

"That's ridiculous! Our army has been fighting Cao Cao for years. Why would Cao Cao send troops?" Ji Ling couldn't help but mock.

"General, have you not heard the saying 'If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold'?" Cai Mao explained, "Cao Cao is determined to become a hegemon. If Zhang Yu destroys Chen and Yuan, he will then attack Cao Cao. At that time, Cao Cao will be unable to defend the city alone and will surely be defeated by Zhang Yu. With Cao Cao's wisdom, how could he not know this principle? Therefore, according to the principle of 'If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold,' our army should ask Cao Cao for help, and Cao Cao will surely send troops to relieve the siege."

"I'm afraid that if we drive away a tiger, we'll invite a wolf into the house!" Deng Xi said hesitantly. "Cao Cao has been eyeing our country for a long time, but he has hesitated to launch a western expedition because he fears Your Majesty and our army. Now that our army has been defeated and Your Majesty has been captured, our country is vulnerable. Cao Cao will probably take advantage of our weakness and use this as a pretext to attack us."

As he spoke, Deng Xi, unwilling to offend Cai Mao, vaguely added, "Lord Cai's strategy also has its merits. If we can have Cao Cao as an external ally, and our army can hold out until next spring, when the spring floods rise, Zhang Yu will lead his troops to withdraw due to the unfamiliar climate."

Seeing that everyone had different opinions, Yuan Yao was unable to make a decision. He looked at Yuan Mi, the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, and Yuan Yin, the Commandant of the Capital Region, and asked, "Now that His Majesty has been captured by Zhang Yu, you gentlemen all have different opinions. You two are the pillars of the country. I wonder what your insightful views are?"

Yuan Mi was an old friend of Zhang Yu. At the end of the Han Dynasty, he served as the Chancellor of Pei. When Yuan Shu annexed Yu Province, Yuan Mi not only offered up the prefecture but also helped Yuan Shu in his campaigns. After Yuan Shu conquered Yu Province, Yuan Mi was appointed as the Governor of Yu Province. When Yuan Shu declared himself emperor and established his own dynasty, Yuan Mi was summoned to Wancheng and appointed as the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat.

The Yuan family of Runan produced three high-ranking officials across four generations, with numerous distant relatives and descendants. Because Yuan Shu made his fortune in Nanyang, Yuan family members such as Yuan Mi, Yuan Si, and Yuan Yin served Yuan Shu and contributed significantly to the founding of the dynasty.

Yuan Mi pondered for a moment, then said with concern, “Your Highness, His Majesty is still in Zhang Yu’s hands. If our army does not surrender, His Majesty’s life may be in danger. When Zhang Yu marches into the Central Plains, he will surely resent our Yuan family for not surrendering… His Majesty has pacified the Han and Huai regions, and his soldiers and horses are strong and well-trained, yet he was still captured by Zhang Yu. Tell me, who can stop Zhang Yu?”

Compared to officials from other clans, Yuan Mi was more worried about the future of the Yuan clan of Runan. While Yuan Shu's ascension to the throne brought the Yuan clan to its peak, if Yuan Shu were to be defeated and the country destroyed, the Yuan clan would inevitably decline.

Zhang Yu's momentum to unify the world is undeniable, and Yuan Mi and Zhang Yu are old acquaintances. The current Tang general Man Chong was recommended by Yuan Mi to Zhang Yu. Considering their past relationship, Yuan Mi is more inclined to side with Zhang Yu. With Yuan Mi's efforts to make connections, if Zhang Yu is mindful of the past, he might leave room for the Yuan family to survive.

Yuan Yin frowned and pondered deeply, then said, "We still do not know Zhang Yu's attitude. In my opinion, it would be better to prepare for war first, station troops in the border city to hold the line, and slowly negotiate with Zhang Yu to preserve His Majesty's life. We should see what Zhang Yu thinks, and also observe the strength of our army."

Seeing that everyone had differing opinions, Yuan Yao sighed and said, "His Majesty has been captured, and I am temporarily in charge of the overall situation. Now Zhang Yu's army is advancing ahead, and our army still needs to make a decision. However, you all have different opinions. How can I make a decision?"

Yuan Yao's indecisive appearance made Yuan Mi, Yan Xiang and others shake their heads repeatedly. He didn't even have the courage to make a decision now, so how could he fight against Zhang Yu?

After hesitating for a moment, Yuan Yao looked at Ji Ling and asked, "General, you are a great general of the country. If you were to lead troops to fight against him, would you be confident of victory, or even be able to hold the city and repel Zhang Yu?"

Ji Ling looked troubled and said, "Your Highness, Zhang Yu's military tactics are like those of Han and Bai, and he has been undefeated in Hebei. I dare not say that I can win, but if Your Highness entrusts me with this important task, I will do my best to be loyal."

Yuan Yao sighed and said, "According to your words, we will lose to Zhang Yu!"

Ji Ling was stunned. He just didn't dare to guarantee that he could defeat Zhang Yu, but now Yuan Yao said that he would definitely lose to Zhang Yu.

Although she was frustrated, Ji Ling endured it because of Yuan Yao's status as the crown prince.

With a worried expression, Yuan Yao said, "Now that His Majesty has been captured, he will have no will to win. What should we do?"

Seeing Yuan Yao sighing and lamenting in front of everyone, the crowd couldn't help but sigh as well. With a formidable enemy at hand and his father captured, if he wished to resist, he should consider military action. If he intended to surrender, he should make a decision sooner rather than later. Judging from this, the Crown Prince has long been inferior to His Majesty, and he has no manners whatsoever as a ruler.

At the same time, a servant rushed in to report.

"Your Highness, the Tang King has sent Guo Tu and Xun Chen as envoys. They have arrived in Wuyang County and are about to pay their respects to His Majesty in Wancheng with a letter from His Majesty," the attendant said.

Upon hearing the news, Yuan Mi said, "Your Highness, Guo Tu is a confidant of the Tang King. He has come to our court to persuade us to surrender. Your Highness may wish to receive Guo Tu and first examine the Tang King's terms for surrender. If the Tang King treats you with great courtesy, then surrendering is not out of the question."

"The Minister of the Imperial Secretariat is right!"

Yan Xiang promptly said, "The Tang Emperor sent an envoy to pay homage to our dynasty, presumably to persuade us to surrender. Now that we have His Majesty's letter, it would be better to see Guo Tu first and then discuss the matter of surrender."

Yuan Yin said, "Huang Yi has led his troops back. Your Highness should listen to Guo Tu's words, consult Huang Yi's opinion, and then decide on a general strategy."

"Let us follow your advice!"

P.S.: In the previous chapter, Yuan Hu was mistakenly written as the eldest son; it should be the second son. (Corrected)
(End of this chapter)