Second-hand time travel: Liu Bei, the big-eared bandit

Chapter 414 Surrender
After entering Ren County, Tian Feng instructed Tian Zhao to quickly pack his valuables and gather his clansmen, and let his troops get some sleep. The plan was to hold the line and continue the retreat while maintaining the troops' fighting strength.

Knowing how to escape is also an art. Constantly fleeing for one's life will only cause the troops to collapse. Staying in Ren County will also lead to death sooner or later. But if one can wear down the pursuers, one might be able to turn defeat into victory.

But Tian Feng was truly unlucky. He had just lain down to take a nap when Tian Zhao came to report: "Brother, I received a military order from Zhang Wenyuan... saying that I should deliver grain to the army."

Tian Feng was taken aback: "Zhang Liao? When did the military order arrive? Where are you to deliver the grain?"

"Just a few hours ago, they said it would be sent to Xiangguo..."

Tian Zhao pulled out a rolled-up piece of paper: "Zhang Wenyuan is going north to Youzhou. He wants the counties along the way to supply him with military provisions."

Only Liu Bei's army used small bamboo tubes to carry paper rolls for communication.

At this time, Zhang Liao was unaware of the overall situation in Ji Province, and was also unaware that places such as Ren County and Xindu had already rebelled.

During the previous standoff at Jieqiao, Zhang Liao and Liu Bei were out of contact. Since they couldn't reach their boss, they naturally had to ask the county to supply them with grain.

Such military orders are usually loans, and can be used to offset tax amounts.

However, at this time, it means that Zhang Liao's troops are in Xiangguo County or about to arrive in Xiangguo (Xingtai).

Xiangguo County is located on the Jixi Highway, very close to Ren County, about forty li away.

Tian Feng's face was bitter: "Have everyone prepare for war... Never mind, let the troops get some sleep first. You go and organize the people in the city to load the grain onto the carts... Go quickly!"

After saying that, Tian Feng hurried to find Qu Yi.

Qu Yi hadn't slept all night and was dozing off on the city wall, while also feeding and resting the tired and hungry soldiers.

After being shaken awake by Tian Feng, Qu Yi was still a little confused: "Liu Bei has attacked?"

"It'll be soon... Liu Bei should be around Pingxiang, and Zhang Wenyuan is in Xiangguo to the west. We have nowhere else to go..."

Tian Feng poked Qu Yi's ear: "Make preparations for war!"

"Zhang Wenyuan?...Zhang Wenyuan is in Xiangguo?!"

Qu Yi suddenly snapped out of his daze: "Then why aren't we retreating?!"

"The troops haven't slept all night and are extremely exhausted, yet they've just fallen asleep... How do we retreat?"

Tian Feng shook his head: "Right now, we can only let the troops rest and recuperate before they can survive."

"With obstacles ahead and pursuers behind, how can we possibly survive? Does Prefect Tian have a plan?"

Qu Yi started to panic.

With low morale among his troops, Qu Yi dared not engage Liu Bei's forces in open battle. He might be able to hold out in the city for a few days, but holding out meant he was doomed.

“Zhang Liao may not be here to intercept us; he is requisitioning military supplies from Ren County… but at most tomorrow, he will receive Liu Bei’s military order and learn of the situation.”

Tian Feng seemed to have a plan: "Colonel Qu can be considered a local soldier. He can go to see Zhang Liao alone and say that the city's grain and fodder have been plundered by the Wuhuan people, and ask Zhang Liao to lead his army to rescue it... I will lead my troops to ambush in the dense forest outside the city... If we can defeat Zhang Liao, then the sky will be high and the sea will be wide."

Qu Yi turned to look at the mountains and forests outside the city and shook his head: "The forests here are mostly low shrubs and thorns, which can hinder people's steps, but are difficult to hide in... Besides, Prefect Tian, ​​it's not that I'm underestimating your troops, but they may not be able to bear the pain. If they hide in the thorns, they will probably be discovered before they can even ambush you."

The area south of Renxian County is a gentle slope, mostly covered with low shrubs, which can indeed hide people, but they are easy to spot because there are many thorny bushes.

Several years ago, the trees in this area had their bark eaten off by refugees. Regardless of size, the trees were all growing new branches and leaves from the bottom. They hadn't grown tall yet, so to hide, they had to lie in the thickets of thorns and couldn't damage the overall appearance.

Ordinary soldiers can't do this job.

Tian Feng hesitated for a moment. He had never been in a thorn bush before. After thinking about it, he felt that Qu Yi was right: "What are your plans, Colonel Qu?"

"I think we should ally with Liu Bei..."

Qu Yi looked at Tian Feng: "Prefect Tian, ​​I, Qu, am not willing to die here." Tian Feng coldly stared at Qu Yi: "You want to surrender to Liu Bei? How will Liu Bei treat us, men of high standing? Are you willing to be ranked among common slaves?"

"I only said surrender, I didn't say give up..."

Qu Yi shook his head and said, "We have already released Liu Yuanqi and his son. Liu Bei wouldn't kill us. If he wants to pacify Youzhou and attack the Wuhuan, he also needs troops... Let's surrender to Liu Bei first, and then find an opportunity to kill him..."

"Those who surrender will inevitably hand over hostages and will also be the first to fight... You may surrender and then rebel again, but my troops are all my people! How can I abandon my family?"

Tian Feng frowned: "It's better to fight to the death; perhaps there's still a chance of victory!"

Qu Yi sighed: "Minister Tian, ​​I won't stop you from fighting to the death in Ji Province, but I also want to go back to my hometown... Given the current situation, we know we can't win, so how can we fight a battle where we're certain to die?"

"Then you go and feign surrender, while I hold this place and wait for Liu Bei to come and attack the city. We'll then coordinate an attack from within and without, how about that?!"

Tian Feng stared at Qu Yi, his tone becoming somewhat harsh.

"...Okay, let's do it this way."

Qu Yi frowned, hesitated for a moment, and then immediately woke up his troops and led them out of the city.

As Tian Feng watched Qu Yi's retreating figure, his expression grew increasingly grim.

Is Qu Yi reliable?

Will I sell myself?

Would people from Liangzhou really take such a risk?

Tian Feng hesitated, watching Qu Yi's troops walk away into the distance to the east, then turned and called out, "Bring out all the flammable materials..."

……

Half a day later, Liu Bei encountered Qu Yi in Pingxiang.

Moreover, Qu Yi ordered his troops to abandon all weapons and armor and surrendered directly: "I am indignant that the bandits Feng Xun and Liu Hui colluded with foreign tribes. Therefore, I guarded the border bridge the other day to block their henchmen Yan Liang and Wen Chou's troops... I also escorted back General Wei's relative, Lord Liu. I have not committed any great evil. I beg General Wei to allow me to join the army to kill the Hu!"

"Why didn't you surrender at the boundary bridge, but are now willing to surrender?"

Liu Bei didn't get close to Qu Yi because he genuinely didn't trust him.

"I was misled by Tian Feng and didn't understand for a moment..."

Qu Yi knelt down and bowed: "But after thinking about it for two days, I suddenly realized that we should never use the barbarians' chaos against our Han Dynasty as a bargaining chip..."

These were Tian Feng's words, but Qu Yi used them.

"In that case, how about Lieutenant Qu takes Tian Feng's head first?"

Qu Yi was indeed quite shrewd, and this was the only way Liu Bei could let him go, but Liu Bei made a request.

This is an inevitable requirement.

"only!"

Qu Yi readily agreed, but then pleaded with Liu Bei, "My troops are all exhausted and need rest..."

"I sent you to take Tian Feng's head, not to bring your troops..."

Liu Bei shook his head and said, "You and Tian Feng have been colleagues for many years. Killing him only requires one person and one sword. Did Tian Feng know that you were coming to join me?"

Sweat beaded on Qu Yi's forehead. He glanced at his troops behind him, but still bowed his head and said, "Yes..."

(End of this chapter)