Tiger Owl

Chapter 146 The Battle of Xiling (Part 2)

Chen received the report that Su Fei had led two thousand soldiers to the East City, where six thousand soldiers had also gathered. The three generals leading the troops were all friends of Su Fei.

Chen immediately understood and hurriedly went to report to Huang Zu. At this time, Huang Zu had just retreated from the city wall, his eyebrows were burned off, and he was in a sorry state.

Upon hearing Chen Jiu's report, Huang Zu flew into a rage. "I didn't hold him accountable for losing Zhu County, yet he dares to betray me?"

Huang Zu immediately ordered the leader of his personal guards, "Take five hundred axemen to the east city. Don't listen to Su Fei's explanation. Behead him and bring his head to me!"

Chen quickly stopped him, saying, "Su Fei has two thousand soldiers under his command. He won't just offer his neck to be slaughtered. We can use a plan to take him down!"

"What's a good idea?"

Chen then offered a suggestion: "My lord, you can send someone to summon him and say that you want to hand over the city's defenses to him. I know him well; he is very greedy. He will definitely want more troops to ensure that he gains more benefits after surrendering. He will surely come."

Huang Zu nodded and immediately ordered the leader of his personal guards to invite Su Fei over to discuss military matters, intending to entrust the city's defense to him.

With half an hour to go before the agreed time, Su Fei was still uneasy, not knowing why the Yuzhang Army had suddenly attacked the city.

At this moment, the leader of Huang Zu's personal guards ran over and said, "General Su, does the lord request your presence?"

Su Fei was taken aback. "What does the lord want with me?"

"Our lord has been burned and is no longer able to command the battle. He wants General Su to take command of the overall battle."

Su Fei was overjoyed. Huang Zu was actually going to hand over military power to him. He was leading 30,000 troops to surrender. This was a great achievement. He might even be promoted to Lieutenant General.

He immediately led several of his men to meet Huang Zu, following the leader of his personal guards. Upon seeing Huang Zu from afar, Su Fei spurred his horse forward. When he was still a dozen steps away from Huang Zu, Su Fei suddenly sensed Huang Zu's murderous intent and saw Huang Zu's icy gaze.

"Oh no, we've been tricked!"

Su Fei cried out that something was wrong, turned his horse around and fled. Huang Zu coldly ordered, "Fire arrows!"

Thousands of soldiers fired arrows at him from all sides. Even though Su Fei was wearing armor, he could not withstand the dense arrows. He was shot like a hedgehog in an instant, fell from his horse, and died.

Su Fei's dream ultimately turned to ashes.

But killing Su Fei was useless. The Yuzhang Army soldiers had already rushed onto the city wall. Although the city wall was engulfed in flames and thick smoke, the Yuzhang Army soldiers were covered with wet blankets and their heads and faces were wrapped in wet cloth.

They had all been trained and knew how to avoid the smoke and fire. After climbing the city wall, each person stayed close to the battlements, covered their mouth and nose with a wet cloth, and ran with their head down. This was the only passage.

They rushed out of the smoke and fire zone in a short while and immediately engaged in fierce fighting with the enemy soldiers who had not yet retreated from the city walls.

More and more soldiers of the Yuzhang Army climbed onto the city wall. Zhao Yun and Taishi Ci also went up the wall and fought the enemy army into a series of defeats.

Just then, the east gate opened and the drawbridge was lowered. One of Su Fei's personal guards fled back to report the news. Several generals were terrified and, fearing they would be killed, immediately opened the city gates and surrendered.

Huang Zhong led 5,000 troops to ambush outside the east gate. When he discovered that the city gate was open and the enemy troops came out to surrender, he immediately led his troops to charge in.

Xiling County has fallen. In the main hall of the mansion, Huang Zu sat blankly in front of the hall, holding a sword in his hand, while several guards watched his every move warily.

After a long while, Huang Zu looked up to the sky and sighed, "Heaven has forsaken me!"

He drew his sword, intending to commit suicide by throwing it across his face, but several guards rushed forward, grabbed his arms, and shouted, "My lord, you can't do this!"

"Let me go! Let me go!" Huang Zu struggled desperately.

At this moment, Huang She rushed over and saw that his father was about to commit suicide. He was so frightened that his soul almost flew away. He ran forward, hugged his father, and cried loudly. Huang Zu's heart softened, and the sword in his hand was taken away by his personal guards.

Huang Zu stroked his son's head and said with a heavy heart, "Since we're all going to die anyway, let your father die with dignity!"

Huang She cried, "Father, order us to surrender! Perhaps there is still a chance to survive!"

"Hmph! Do you think Gan Ning will let me off the hook?"

“Father and Gan Ning have never had any enmity. He’s not from Jiangdong. How will Father know if he doesn’t try?”

Huang Zu sighed deeply, "I've given up hope, but I'll fight for you a chance!"

Huang Zu immediately ordered his entire army to surrender and cease resistance. The impending street fighting was averted, and Huang Zu's troops, who had been assembled throughout the city, laid down their weapons and surrendered. The Yuzhang Army quickly took control of the entire city and escorted the surrendered soldiers out of the city in droves.

Grandfather Huang and his son were temporarily placed under house arrest in the mansion.

Gan Ning was having some trouble figuring out what to do with Huang Zu. According to the alliance agreement he signed with Jiangdong, he had to hand over Huang Zu's entire family or Huang Zu's body to Jiangdong.

However, Huang Zu had been operating in Jiangxia County for more than 20 years and had a very deep network of connections. All the major families in Jiangxia County recognized him, and handing Huang Zu over to Jiangdong would undoubtedly offend the Jiangxia families.

In particular, almost all the salt mines in Anlu County are in the hands of the Huang family. Unless he wipes out the entire Huang family, he will become their sworn enemy. What will happen to Huang Zhong? Moreover, his reputation will be completely ruined.

Xu Shu understood what his lord was struggling with, and he advised from the side, "My lord, please explain this to Jiangdong!"

"You also think I can't kill Huang Zu?"

Xu Shu nodded. "Jiangdong has a reason to kill Huang Zu, but our lord does not. If our lord kills Huang Zu, it will be difficult to pacify the entire Jiangxia County. Moreover, Huang Zu surrendered voluntarily. If he surrenders voluntarily and is killed, it will greatly affect our lord's reputation. No one will surrender to us in the future."

Gan Ning sighed softly, "You're right. If Jiangdong turns against us over this matter, then we're better off without this ally."

Xu Shu smiled slightly and said, "If Jiangdong takes the initiative to turn against us, wouldn't that clear the moral obstacles for us to take over Lujiang County in the next step?"

Gan Ning gave a thumbs up, saying that Xu Shu saw through things best.

Gan Ning immediately met with Huang She.

Huang She was nervously led before Gan Ning, and bowed deeply, saying, "Greetings, General Gan!"

"Please have a seat, Master Huang!"

Huang She was over forty years old. Seeing Gan Ning's gentle attitude, his unease subsided somewhat, and he slowly sat down.

"I've considered the matter of what to do with your father a lot. After all, he surrendered voluntarily, and killing him would damage my reputation. Besides, I have no grudge against your father."

"Does the general intend to send my father to Jiangdong?" Huang She asked nervously.

"Don't rush, let me tell you slowly. How old is your father?"

"Almost seventy."

Gan Ning nodded. "It's rare for someone to live to seventy. Your father doesn't have many years left either. I can let him go and retire to his hometown."

Huang She was overjoyed and was about to speak when Gan Ning waved his hand to stop him. "Let me finish. I have conditions for letting your father retire to his hometown."

Huang She nodded. "General, please speak!"

"First, your father should retire quietly from now on and not have any more thoughts of making a comeback. If I find that he is not honest, I will send him directly to Jiangdong."

"Don't worry, General, I will keep a close eye on him and make sure he doesn't cause any more trouble."

"Secondly, I want to mine salt in Anlu County on a large scale, and the Huang family is not allowed to obstruct me."

"Please rest assured, General. I am the head of the family, and I can make the decision on this matter. I can donate all the salt mines to the Yuzhang Army."

"Is this really true?" Gan Ning was a little surprised.

Huang She sighed and said, "General, you spared my father and did not send him to Jiangdong, thus breaking the alliance with Jiangdong. How could I not know this? Consider it my way of repaying the General's kindness."

Gan Ning nodded. "It seems you are still quite clear-headed. You will be appointed as the Prefect of Jiangxia County!"

Huang She was overjoyed and stood up, saying, "Thank you for your trust, General. I will do my utmost to serve you."

Gan Ning said slowly, "Your father has caused great harm to the people of Jiangxia County. It is up to you to clean up this mess and appease the people."

Huang She nodded silently; this was also what he most wanted to do.

(End of this chapter)