Three Kingdoms: My Cute Girl Team

After seeing Liu Xun off, Xu Huang summoned his subordinates and told them about his surrender.

Her soldiers both respected and feared her, and the prospect of joining the imperial guards was far more appealing than following Yang Feng as a rebel.

Therefore, no one objected.

Xu Huang then made proper arrangements for the next day, and only then did he feel at ease.

Night had fallen, but she was still unable to contain her excitement, pacing back and forth in the tent, repeatedly pondering Liu Xun's words.

But then another personal guard came to report, his face strange, "My lord, the imperial court has sent another envoy."

Xu Huang was slightly taken aback, and hurriedly went to greet him personally.

The visitor turned out to be a scholar in blue robes.

"My name is Man Chong, courtesy name Boning, and I currently serve under General Cao Cao." She looked around as soon as she entered the tent, then cupped her hands and said, "I have come to pay my respects to Commander Xu on the orders of my lord."

"Please have a seat, Mr. Man." Xu Huang calmly offered him a seat. "What brings you here so late at night?"

Man Chong didn't stand on ceremony, lifted his robe and sat down before slowly speaking:

"My lord has long admired Xu Qidu for his exceptional bravery and military prowess, as well as his strict discipline in leading his troops. He holds him in high esteem."

"I dare not accept such praise."

Man Chong continued, "Now that Yang Feng is about to be defeated, although Xu Qidu is doing his best to hold on, he cannot save Yang Feng from destruction, nor can he protect himself. I am really worried about you."

This statement is straightforward, yet it hits the nail on the head.

Xu Huang nodded: "What insightful opinion does Chief Clerk Man have?"

Seeing that she didn't immediately turn hostile, Man Chong felt even more confident and leaned forward slightly: "My lord is eager for talent. If even Xu Qi is willing to abandon his evil ways and submit to Lord Cao—"

"Lord Cao wishes to appoint you as a lieutenant general."

A subordinate general.

The rank was equivalent to two thousand shi, ranking below a lieutenant general, but it was still a proper general's title, far more substantial than Xu Huang's current honorary title of "Marquis of Duting".

After Man Chong finished speaking, he stared intently at Xu Huang, waiting to see her tearful expression of gratitude.

According to her prior research, Xu Huang, though a talented general, came from a humble background and was constantly ostracized in the White Wave Army. Such a person yearns most for recognition and to be given important responsibilities.

Having navigated the officialdom for so many years, Man Chong boasted of knowing countless people, and this tactic had never failed her.

Sure enough, Xu Huang's expression changed. However, he didn't speak immediately.

Man Chong frowned slightly, deciding to apply pressure further: "Yang Feng's defeat is inevitable; resisting will only increase casualties. Xu's cavalry are all reasonable men; they should know that surrendering now is the best course of action. Do not make a mistake."

"Thank you for your kindness, General Cao, and for your good intentions! I have made up my mind not to follow Yang Feng any longer," Xu Huang finally said.

"Excellent!" Man Chong was overjoyed. "Please, General Xu, cooperate with the imperial army to jointly attack the rebels tomorrow."

But then Xu Huang continued, "Just now, Her Highness Princess Wannian came here in person and appointed me as the Imperial Guard General on behalf of the Emperor."

"What?"

Man Chong's eyes widened instantly.

Xu Huang nodded seriously: "Her Highness the Princess has ordered me to remain stationary on the battlefield tomorrow and not to disobey Yang Feng's orders."

As she said this, she felt a warmth in her heart once again.

Cao Cao's envoy persuaded him to surrender, requesting that he cooperate with the imperial army to attack Yang Feng.

However, the princess could not bear to see her suffer the pain of betraying her master, and instructed her to remain still.

When the two are placed side by side, the difference in quality becomes immediately apparent.

Man Chong opened his mouth, but felt his face burning and couldn't say a word for a moment.

Xu Huang, unable to bear seeing her embarrassed, cupped his hands and said:

"We will both be serving in the court from now on, and we will be colleagues. I hope you will take good care of me."

Man Chong took a deep breath and forced a smile: "Same to you!"

"In that case," she stood up, her voice a little hoarse, "Congratulations on General Xu's promotion. I will now return to report."

……

When Man Chong returned to Cao Cao's main tent, Cao Cao rose to greet him:

"Boning, you've worked hard."

Man Chong bowed deeply, his face showing shame: "I have failed in my lord's trust, and have not been able to..."

"Bo Ning, there's no need to blame yourself." Cao Cao shook his head helplessly. "Liu Xun already came to see me just now."

"This prince has excellent judgment, and he's bold and quick. It's truly unexpected."

-----------------

The outcome of the second day's battle was entirely predictable.

Xiahou Yuan, who rushed from Xu County overnight, arrived at the battlefield before dawn, greatly boosting the morale of Cao Cao's army.

Meanwhile, Xu Huang's troops, the most combat-effective in Yang Feng's army, remained stationary on the south bank of the Ying River, watching helplessly as Yang Feng's army on the north bank was besieged.

Xiahou Dun led his iron cavalry to break in from the flank, Cao Ren and Cao Hong launched a frontal assault, while Yue Jin, Li Dian, and Xiahou Yuan outflanked them from the side.

Seeing that the situation was hopeless, Yang Fengjun and his men fled in disarray.

Looking at the deserters scattered across the mountains and fields, Liu Xun felt as if his eyes were filled with walking experience points. He was itching to play.

However, due to his duty to protect the emperor and his officials, he could only secretly swallow his saliva.

"Xu Huang ruined my life!"

Yang Feng, under the protection of his personal guards, barely managed to break through the encirclement. Looking back, he saw that his army was in disarray, with banners fallen and soldiers fleeing in all directions.

She gritted her teeth, but was helpless. She could only lead her remaining troops in a sorry state to flee eastward and retreat back to her stronghold in Liang County.

……

The rest of the trip was uneventful.

Under the protection of Cao Cao's army, the emperor and his officials traveled southeast along the official road. After several days of trekking, they finally entered the territory of Xu County in Yingchuan Commandery.

As Liu Xun rode on his horse, looking at the scene before him, he was momentarily dazed.

The fields are crisscrossed with paths, and the millet and sorghum grow in abundance. Mulberry and hemp trees line the roads, creating a scene of plentiful harvest.

Since his journey through time, all he had seen were broken walls and ruins, starving corpses in the fields, and a desolate landscape for miles around. From Guanzhong to Luoyang, the entire route was littered with exposed bones, and even the tree bark had been gnawed away.

"So this is... the place under Cao Cao's rule." Liu Xun looked at the girl with newfound respect.

She, the "Princess of the Great Han Dynasty," was finally free from hardship!

In the distance, the outline of Xuxian city wall came into view.

Unlike the ruins of Chang'an and Luoyang, Xuxian's city walls remained intact, and its gate towers stood majestically. Outside the city gates, people had already lined up to welcome them in an orderly fashion.

What concerned Liu Xun even more was the vivid expressions on the faces of these people, and the fact that many of them were dressed neatly, indicating that they were able to make a living.

"Cao Mengde certainly has a knack for governing local areas," Liu Xun thought to himself.

While they were pondering this, the group had already reached the outskirts of the city.

Suddenly, the sound of orderly footsteps echoed from both sides of the road. Squads of Cao soldiers emerged from the city, their armor gleaming, their swords and spears like a forest, forming neat ranks on both sides of the road.

The overwhelming sense of impending doom caused the officials in the carriage to change color, and they unconsciously lowered their breathing.

This is hardly a welcome!

This is clearly a show of force.

Liu Xun's gaze unconsciously drifted toward the red figure at the front of the group.

Cao Cao rode at the very front, his red robes blazing like fire, his posture ramrod straight. She held her head slightly higher, a faint smile playing on her lips, her phoenix eyes no longer displaying the respect and humility she had shown in Luoyang.

Like a sharp sword drawn from its sheath, its edge is fully revealed.