The Three Kingdoms: Hindsight is 20/20, and the Three Revivals of the Han Dynasty

Ma Yan and Zhang Yi were both shocked and furious. "You are Shen Pei's nephew. You said you surrendered to Cao Cao?"

Subconsciously, Ma Yan and Zhang Yi broke out in a cold sweat again: even Shen Pei's nephew had surrendered, so why was Shen Pei ordering us to leave the city to raid his camp tonight? Could it be that we have all been tricked by Shen Pei?
Just as the two generals were filled with doubt and suspicion, Shen Pei also rode up from behind. Upon learning that Shen Rong had surrendered to Cao Cao and refused to open the gate, Shen Pei was furious: "Shen Rong, do you know what you are doing?"

In the past, Shen Rong would not have dared to utter a sound under Shen Pei's tyranny. However, today, Shen Rong stood atop the city wall, looking down at Shen Pei, and shouted, "Uncle, a wise man knows when to yield! You have made the entire Shen clan pay for your own selfish desires, and I do not understand what you are doing! Now that you have been defeated, I am only trying to protect myself. Cao Sikong has promised me a marquisate, and I will take control of the Shen clan from now on. I will definitely protect the entire Shen clan and ensure their safety. If you do not wish to surrender, you may leave in peace."

Beside Shen Rong were Meng Dai and Jiang Qi, who had already surrendered to Cao Cao.

As soon as the battle began tonight, Meng Dai and Jiang Qi asked Cao Cao for permission to go to Ye City to persuade the enemy to surrender. Cao Cao then ordered the two to promise the general who was left to defend Ye City that he would be made a marquis if he surrendered.

Just then, Shen Rong was dissatisfied with Shen Pei's tyranny and was unwilling to let the Shen clan and their families go north with Yuan Shang. So, under the persuasion of Meng Dai and Jiang Qi, Shen Rong readily opened the city gate.

In Shen Rong's view, Shen Pei had completely disregarded the safety of his clan and family for his own selfish reasons. If it were a matter of bloodlust, Shen Rong would also be willing to die in battle with Shen Pei, but if it were a matter of family affection, Shen Rong was unwilling to let his family members be buried with him.

Since Cao Cao had promised him the title of Marquis, Shen Rong naturally had no desire to perish alongside Shen Pei and Cao Cao.

Retorted to by his usually humble nephew, Shen Pei felt his blood rush to his throat, and he spat out a mouthful of blood, angrily shouting, "This brat is not worth discussing things with!"

Seeing Shen Pei spitting blood, Shen Rong felt a pang of pity, but quickly suppressed it and sneered, "Nephew is not very learned and has disappointed his uncle."

He then turned to Ma Yan and Zhang Yi: "Minister Cao has ordered that those who surrender will be spared death. Why must you fight to the death? Even ants try to survive, how can you not cherish your lives?"

Ma Yan and Zhang Yi hesitated for a moment.

Upon seeing this, Shen Pei ordered his men: "Anyone who speaks of surrender will be executed without mercy!"

If Ju Shou were here, he might be able to intimidate Ma Yan and Zhang Yi. However, Shen Pei's prestige was not as high as Ju Shou's, and tonight he forced everyone to leave the city to raid the camp.

Now that the raid on the camp had failed, Shen Pei's prestige was damaged once again. Ma Yan and Zhang Yi no longer wanted to obey Shen Pei's military orders, and they both bowed to Shen Rong, saying, "We are willing to surrender!"

Shen Pei turned around angrily and swung his spear at Ma Yan, who was closest to him, but Ma Yan blocked it with his own spear.

"Shen Pei, how dare you do this!" Ma Yan was both shocked and furious. If he had reacted any slower, he would have been killed by Shen Pei by now.

Enraged, Shen Pei brandished his spear and stabbed again: "Traitorous ministers and villains, everyone has the right to kill them!"

Although Shen Pei came from a prominent family and had practiced martial arts, he was still slightly inferior to Ma Yan. In addition, Zhang Yi also wielded his spear to assist Ma Yan. After a few exchanges, Shen Pei was unable to defend himself and was swept away by Ma Yan's spear. Zhang Yi then cut the reins of his warhorse and bound Shen Pei.

With Yuan Tan's defection, Shen Rong's surrender of the city, and Shen Pei's capture, Ye City was left without any force capable of resisting Cao Cao.

After a while.

Cao Cao led his troops into Ye City, assigning his generals to guard the four gates, and also brought Shen Pei with him.

Looking at Shen Pei, who was still unconvinced, Cao Cao couldn't help but laugh and said, "I heard that you wanted to emulate Xiang Yu's strategy of breaking the cauldrons and sinking the boats, but tonight you seem as careless as if you don't know anything about military strategy?"

Shen Pei snorted angrily: "If it weren't for my nephew Shen Rong stopping me from entering the city, how could you have defeated me?" Seeing that Shen Pei was still stubborn even when he was about to die, Guo Jia's cold mockery followed: "Yuan Shang abandoned the city and fled during the day, and Yuan Tan withdrew his troops at night. Even the Yuan brothers you serve don't believe you can defend Ye City. How dare you speak so arrogantly?"

Shen Pei was even more furious. Guo Jia's words confirmed Shen Pei's guess: "That brat Yuan Tan dared to deceive me!"

He spent his days hunting geese, only to have them peck him out of his eyes. He had always been the one scheming against Yuan Tan, but now Yuan Tan had outmaneuvered him, leaving him with no chance to turn the tables.

Seeing Shen Pei remain silent, Guo Jia's words became even sharper: "To be honest, from beginning to end, I have never considered you an opponent. Your plan to burn your boats is as childish and laughable as a child's. My only concern is Liu Bei; my only worry is Liu Bei. As for you, you are nothing but a firefly, how can you compete with the bright moon?"

Guo Jia's words pierced Shen Pei's heart like needles, making Shen Pei both angry and helpless. He had been plotting for many days and even risked his life, but in Cao Cao's eyes, it was just childish and laughable.

"Kill me quickly!" Shen Pei, unable to argue with Cao Cao, simply begged for death.

Cao Cao looked at Shen Pei, who was determined to die, and did not try to persuade him further. He ordered his men to drag Shen Pei out and behead him as a warning to others.

It was impossible to persuade him to surrender. Firstly, Cao Cao had a deep-seated hatred for Shen Pei for killing his son, making it impossible to persuade him to surrender. Secondly, Cao Cao also coveted Shen Pei's wealth.

During Yuan Shao's reign, government affairs were lax, and most officials in power amassed wealth on a large scale. The assets of people like Shen Pei amounted to tens of thousands.

Murder and confiscation of property can be used to reward the army.

This is also the core reason why Cao Cao's soldiers were willing to follow him despite his brutality: birds of a feather flock together, and as long as they can get money, what does slaughter matter?
After executing Shen Pei, Cao Cao turned his attention to the families of the generals, officials, and commoners who had followed Ju Shou north.

Cao Cao was unwilling to let Liu Bei obtain either the families of his generals and officials or the common people. What Liu Bei lacked now was a foundation, and the number of households under his rule was one of the standards for measuring that foundation.

If Liu Bei were to gain control of these tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians, the consequences would be dire.

Without any hesitation, Cao Cao immediately ordered Cao Ren and Cao Chun to lead infantry and cavalry northward in pursuit, determined to defeat the officers, officials, their families, and civilians heading north. Those who wished to return were to be spared, while those who did not were to be killed without mercy.

This wasn't the first time Cao Cao had slaughtered civilians. For Cao Cao, the motto was: "I would rather betray the world than let the world betray me."

What Cao Cao couldn't have, Liu Bei shouldn't have either!

Then Cao Cao issued another order: "Although Yuan Tan has fled, he can still be pursued. Xiahou Dun and Zhang Liao, listen to my command, you two should quickly lead your troops to pursue Yuan Tan. I will then send Yue Jin and Gao Lan to follow. There must be no mistakes."

As orders were issued, Cao Cao's soldiers quickly carried them out, either heading north to defeat Yuan Tan's troops, officers, families, and civilians, or advancing east to pursue the fleeing Yuan Tan.

Their momentum is like that of a tiger or leopard, urgent and unstoppable!

Xiahou Yuan and Zhang Liao had already marched north, and now Cao Ren and Cao Chun were leading infantry and cavalry to follow. Ju Shou, who was organizing the soldiers and civilians to march north, suddenly felt the pressure.

"Lord Ju, the situation is dire. We should temporarily abandon the people and enter Handan first," Xin Ping hurriedly advised, seeing the critical circumstances. (End of Chapter)