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

Chapter 415 Feigned Surrender, Real Surrender
Qu Yi's head is buzzing a little right now.

He knew Liu Bei was not easily fooled, and he had expected Liu Bei to ask him to pledge his loyalty, but he never expected Liu Bei to send him alone to kill Tian Feng.

But this is the way bandits pledge their loyalty... If someone leads their troops to join them, shouldn't they usually be allowed to lead the troops to defeat the enemy or serve as the vanguard?
Indeed, if Qu Yi was truly "deceived by Tian Feng" as he claimed, then it would have been easy for Qu Yi to succeed in getting what he wanted from Tian Feng.

But what can we do now?

Is someone running away?

What about the rest of the series?
"General Wei, I obey your command."

Qu Yi pretended to turn around, but then turned back and bowed, saying, "But I have a bad relationship with Tian Feng. Tian Feng has many members. If I go alone, even if I kill Tian Feng, I'm afraid I won't be able to come back alive... I beg General Wei to give me a way out and let my troops rest for a day. Tomorrow, I will lead my troops into Ren County and bring back Tian Feng's head."

Qu Yi is quite quick-witted and has a lot to say.

"Commander Qu, if we wait until tomorrow, will Tian Feng still be in Ren County? You've traveled through the night and rested during the day; Tian Feng will probably leave the city tonight, won't he?"

Liu Bei smiled at Qu Yi: "Your troops are hungry and exhausted, so rest where you are. I will take them to Ren County tomorrow. Since you are worried that you won't be able to come back alive, I will give you some help..."

As he spoke, Liu Bei waved his hand behind him: "Zu Mao, take the Imperial Guards and change their clothes, and go with Colonel Qu."

Zu Mao led a group of burly men out from behind Liu Bei, walked to Qu Yi's side, and looked at the retainers behind Qu Yi, starting to pick out men of similar build to change into.

Qu Yi's mind was completely blocked.

Now even running away alone is impossible...

No wonder Tian Feng said we shouldn't join Liu Bei; Liu Bei is a gangster!
But there's nothing we can do; we've blocked our own path.

Qu Yi had no choice but to take Zu Mao's guards to Ren County.

As soon as Qu Yi left, Guo Jia whispered to Liu Bei, "Qu Yi's words are inconsistent and untrue. Tian Feng probably won't believe him. We probably won't be able to take Tian Feng's head this time."

“That’s fine. If Tian Feng doesn’t trust him, then he’ll have no choice but to surrender. Fengxiao, go and supervise his troops first. No matter what Qu Yi does, his troops can be used by me.”

Liu Bei shook his head slightly: "Although Qu Yi cannot be trusted, his men can be used as laborers, no matter what."

Guo Jia cupped his hands and said, "Why bother with hard labor... If Tian Feng doesn't trust Qu Yi, then Qu Yi will have nowhere to go. He killed countless of Yan Liang's men at Jieqiao, but he is not trusted by Tian Feng. So he can only try to kill Tian Feng and surrender to the lord."

"Whether Qu Yi is credible or not, the lord can use him."

……

……

Night falls in Ren County.

Tian Feng was preparing to lead his troops out of the city.

Last night we were active at night and rested during the day, and tonight we will be active at night and rested during the day as well.

Most of those leaving the city were servants, each pushing a cart.

Tian Feng's troops were also outside the city, and had just intercepted two messengers, who were sent by Liu Bei to the west to communicate with Zhang Liao.

"Someone is approaching from more than ten miles to the east; it seems to be Colonel Qu."

A scout came to report to Tian Feng.

Tian Feng frowned and instructed Tian Zhao, "Go and deliver grain to Zhang Liao. I'll stay here and check the situation."

Tian Zhao led more than two thousand people away, pushing grain carts, leaving only Tian Feng and a thousand or so private soldiers in the city.

Soon after, Qu Yi arrived at the city gate and called for the gate. He was accompanied by only a few people, while about two hundred people were behind him, several dozen feet away.

Tian Feng lay on the city wall for a long time, making sure that Liu Bei's army was not nearby, before he finally poked his head out and asked, "Colonel Qu, where are your troops?"

"...all of them have been captured by Liu Bei..."

Qu Yi raised his head and shouted, "Liu Bei wants to kill me. My troops are exhausted and have all surrendered. Only my guards have fled with me... Tian Biejia, open the gate and let me into the city."

Qu Yi couldn't tell the truth. Zu Mao was right behind him, and the two hundred men behind him were all Liu Bei's personal guards led by Zu Mao.

But Tian Feng didn't open the city gates: "Your troops surrendered? More than three thousand people... all of them surrendered?!"

"...Yes, they've all surrendered! Liu Bei's army is pursuing us, open the gates quickly!"

Qu Yi looked up, his eyes bloodshot. He was actually the most exhausted, having not had a moment to rest.

"Since you have no troops, what use are you?"

On the city wall, Tian Feng's voice was icy: "You really surrendered to Liu Bei, didn't you... Hmph... Men, fire arrows, shoot the traitor!"

"Tian Feng! You'll die a horrible death!"

Qu Yi was greatly alarmed upon hearing this. Seeing that archers had indeed stood up on the city wall and drawn their bows, he immediately retreated.

"withdraw!"

Upon hearing this, Zu Mao and the others immediately raised their shields and retreated.

In fact, Tian Feng did not fire the arrow directly, but observed from the city wall.

If they are the defeated army, they will not carry shields.

They brought shields but didn't protect the general...

Seeing that Zu Mao and the others were holding shields and not protecting Qu Yi, Tian Feng gritted his teeth and waved his hand: "Fire the arrows!"

At night, the accuracy of arrows is very poor, there are no lights under the city, and the armor of the Han Dynasty army is mostly dark, so it is not easy to see them from a distance.

Zu Mao and the others were retreating rapidly with their shields raised. Only a few people were with Qu Yi near the city gate; the others were far away. No one was shot to death, except for two guards who suffered minor injuries because their shields were not properly protected.

But Qu Yi had no shield and was exhausted. He was hit by three arrows in succession and scrambled backward.

After firing a volley, Tian Feng did not order his men to open the gate and pursue the enemy, nor did he continue firing arrows. Instead, he immediately descended the city wall and led his troops away through the west gate.

Since Qu Yi has truly surrendered to Liu Bei, Tian Feng must flee as soon as possible; Tian Feng is not seeking to cause casualties now.

Before leaving the city, Tian Feng lit a fire inside the city.

The flammable materials he prepared were originally intended to ambush Liu Bei, but now they can only be used to burn down the city.

This might convince Zhang Liao on the other side that Ren County had been attacked by bandits.

……

After fleeing to the east of the city, Qu Yi glanced back at Ren County.

Fires broke out in Ren County.

His arrow wounds were not fatal, but he was filled with resentment, and he didn't know who he was resentful of.

Liu Bei? Tian Feng? Or perhaps himself?
But more than anything, it was a choice I made myself...

If you go to join Liu Bei, it's only right that Liu Bei asks you to provide a pledge of loyalty.

Tian Feng probably realized that the people around him were Liu Bei's men, so it was understandable that he refused to open the city gates and even shot them with arrows.

If Tian Feng dares to open the door, Qu Yi will indeed kill him...

no way.

This is the path I chose.

"Is Lieutenant Qu still able to walk?"

Zu Mao asked in front of him, his tone full of distrust.

Qu Yi didn't know how to answer.

He could actually walk, but it seemed like he had nowhere else to go.

Qu Yi could tell that Zu Mao intended to kill him.

Tian Feng is right. You have to be useful to people for them to allow you to live.

"...Tian Feng is plotting against Zhang Wenyuan. Commandant Zu, quickly go to Xiangguo County to report to Zhang Wenyuan..."

Qu Yi struggled to his feet: "I know about Feng Xun, Liu Hui and others' plans. I can still kill Hu and make a contribution."

(End of this chapter)