My father-in-law Guan Yu, I persuaded Liu Bei to launch a surprise attack on Xiangyang at the beginn

Liang Xing's eyes revealed an undeniable resolve. He clasped his hands together and solemnly said:

"Even if we've known each other for many years and have a deep friendship, what does it matter? In this critical situation, those past friendships are not worth mentioning."

“I know your mind is made up and there is no possibility of changing it. In that case, let’s do it your way.”

"Farewell for today, I hope we will meet again!"

Having said all that, it was like an arrow already on a bowstring, ready to be released. Helpless, Jiang Xu could only clasp his hands together and turn away with a heart full of complex emotions.

The moment Jiang Xu stepped out of the camp gate, Liang Xing's expression hardened, and he shouted:
"Pass on my order: close the camp gates immediately, and the entire army must be on high alert without the slightest slackening. If any forces other than the Han army come to attack, do not hesitate to unleash a volley of arrows to repel them!"

"Furthermore, summon all officers immediately for a meeting!"

Hearing Liang Xing's command from the side, Liang Xun finally felt a great weight lifted from his heart.

His father finally abandoned his previous hesitation and was ready to turn on him and fight.

If Xu Zhi and Jiang Xu dare to come and suppress us, my father will definitely engage them in a life-or-death battle.

Thinking of this, Liang Xun quickly cupped his hands and said:

"Then Father, please make preparations here. I will go and report back to the Grand Marshal and the General of Chariots and Cavalry as soon as possible."

After saying this, Liang Xun immediately took his leave.

...

Within the county government.

Xu Zhizheng paced back and forth in the hall with his hands behind his back, his eyes filled with anxiety, quietly waiting for Jiang Xu to return.

Having learned from his previous experiences, Xu Zhi naturally remained wary of Liang Xing and dared not be careless in the slightest.

Therefore, he had already planted spies in Liang Xing's camp to keep track of Liang Xing's movements at all times.

Half an hour ago, an informant rushed in to report that Liang Xing's son, Liang Xun, had come from the Han camp and had entered the city alone to reunite with Liang Xing.

Upon hearing this news, Xu Zhi felt a pang of anxiety and immediately summoned Jiang Xu to discuss countermeasures with him.

After some discussion, the two decided that Jiang Xu would go and test Liang Xing's true intentions to see what he was planning.

Jiang Xu had been gone for a long time, but had not yet returned, and Xu Zhi felt a strong sense of unease.

His brows furrowed, and he muttered to himself:
"His Majesty once said that Liang Xing and Jiang Xu had betrayed Ma Chao. Given Liang Xing's character, he would not easily surrender to the Han."

"But His Majesty's judgment shouldn't be wrong, right..."

Xu Zhi kept encouraging himself, trying to dispel the slight doubt in his heart.

Just then, a series of footsteps sounded from afar.

Xu Zhi subconsciously looked up and saw Jiang Xu stepping into the hall with a solemn expression.

Seeing his expression, Xu Zhi's heart skipped a beat, and he knew he was in trouble!

So he hurriedly stepped forward and asked:
"What exactly is going on with Liang Xun? Tell me quickly."

Jiang Xu sighed deeply, his face full of helplessness, and said:
"General Xu, the situation is dire. You should immediately order your men to pack up and prepare to evacuate Pingxiang."

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhi was stunned. His eyes widened, and he said blankly:

"What...what do you mean? Why are you telling me to abandon the city and leave after we came back from Liang Xing's place? What exactly happened?"

Jiang Xu sighed again and began to recount everything that had happened in Liang Xing's camp:
"Our guess was right, Liang Xun really did come to persuade his father to surrender!"

"That scoundrel Liang Xing, though he is disloyal to you in the past, has been quite loyal to you and me. He promised to plead with Zhang Fei and Xiao He to let us withdraw from Pingxiang."

"I suspect that Zhang Fei will agree to this condition in order to quickly capture Pingxiang. General Xu, it seems we can survive!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhi froze instantly, a look of horror flashing in his eyes.

Immediately afterwards, he suddenly burst into a tirade:
"He's not showing any loyalty; he's clearly afraid I'll kill him, so he wants to send us out of the city!"

"This traitor actually wants to surrender? He's dreaming! Men, muster the troops! I want to personally kill Liang Xing, this faithless and treacherous villain!"

After saying this, Xu Zhi picked up his knife and was about to rush out of the hall.

Seeing this, Jiang Xu rushed forward and grabbed him, earnestly advising, "General Xu, things have come to this point, why are you still acting like a child and acting so impulsively?"

"Liang Xing's troops in Longyou far outnumber your troops in Guanzhong. If we rashly engage them in battle, wouldn't that be like throwing an egg against a rock, courting our own death?"

"Furthermore, if you engage in battle with Liang Xing, he will immediately open the city gates and let the Han army into the city. At that time, we will both perish here!"

Xu Zhi was stunned and stopped in his tracks.

Seeing that Xu Zhi was wavering, Jiang Xu continued to persuade him:

"General Xu, it's not that we didn't want to defend Pingxiang, but we simply didn't expect Liang Xing to betray his country and surrender to the enemy so easily, committing such a heinous act!"

"The tide has turned, and Pingxiang City will inevitably fall. This is an unchangeable fact. If you perish here, His Majesty will lose his right-hand man, and Great Wei will lose a pillar of strength!"

"General Xu, you must live! Only if you live can our Great Wei have hope."

"Besides, by withdrawing from Pingxiang, we can still save several thousand soldiers!"

As Jiang Xu spoke, he carefully analyzed the pros and cons involved.

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhi's anger gradually subsided, and he fell silent.

After a long while, Xu Zhi slowly planted the knife in the ground, sighed deeply, and said:

"So be it. For the sake of Great Wei and His Majesty, I must live. Let Liang Xing, that scoundrel, go ahead and surrender to the false Han."

"If I ever have the chance, I will personally cut off that traitor's dog head to vent my hatred!"

...

Outside Pingxiang City, within the Han camp.

Inside the large tent, Zhang Fei stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes fixed on the sand table.

The generals were eager to fight, their expressions fervent, ready to attack the city at any moment.

The situation is now clear: if Liang Xing does not surrender, the army will immediately launch an attack on the city.

If Liang Xing is willing to surrender, the army can smoothly enter the city.

"Reporting to the Grand Marshal and General of Chariots and Cavalry, Liang Xun has arrived!"

Just then, Zhou Cang rushed into the main tent.

Zhang Fei and Xiao He exchanged a glance, a hint of anticipation flashing in their eyes.

Zhang Fei waved his hand and said, "Send it quickly!"

In a short while, Liang Xun, his face beaming with joy, strode into the main tent and knelt on the ground:

"Reporting to the General of Chariots and Cavalry, my father wishes to return to the Han Dynasty and to His Majesty!"

"This is a decision made after careful consideration by my father, and I hope the general will accept it."

A smile immediately appeared on Zhang Fei's face.

Seeing this, the generals all breathed a sigh of relief, and the weight on their hearts was finally lifted.

Liang Xing's surrender means that Pingxiang City will fall without a fight.

"Get up quickly."

Zhang Fei quickly stepped forward, helped Liang Xun up, and praised him:
“Your father is a man of great wisdom and righteousness, and he was able to make the right choice at this critical moment. I am very pleased. I will never go back on my word and will make proper arrangements for you and your son.”

Liang Xun felt at ease.

After expressing his gratitude, Liang Xun bowed again.

"General of the Flying Cavalry, my father has a request for your permission. I hope you will grant it."

Zhang Fei waved his hand and said:
"Speak freely, as long as it is reasonable, I will definitely agree."

Liang Xun recounted Liang Xing's request for Xiao He and Zhang Fei to release Xu Zhi and Jiang Xu, as well as the withdrawal of his troops from Pingxiang.

Upon hearing this, everyone's expression subtly shifted. (End of Chapter)