Three Kingdoms: Daily settlement helps Liu Bei revive the Shu Han dynasty.

Chapter 116 Persuading Wang Lang to Surrender

"Five sons passed the imperial examination, it's a success!" Lu Yong's lips curled up slightly.

Lu Yong gathered his thoughts and ordered the entire army to advance at a faster pace.

The army marched swiftly south along the official road.

By this time, the sky was gradually darkening.

The soldiers raised their torches and walked for about half an hour when a group of soldiers suddenly appeared ahead, led by Xu Sheng.

Xu Sheng, still smelling of smoke and fire, quickly stepped forward and saluted upon seeing Lu Yong's army: "Strategist, this humble general has burned all the grain and fodder stored at Gaoqian. We also captured the local clerk Yu Fan along the way."

Lu Yong nodded and asked, "Where is Yu Fan?"

"Right behind, guarded by a squad of personal guards."

"Bring him up; I have some questions for him."

Xu Sheng turned around and shouted, "Bring Yu Fan up here!"

Before long, two guards led a scholar who looked to be about thirty years old forward.

Yu Fan was slender and dressed in a blue robe and plain belt. Although his hands were bound, his back was straight and his gaze was calm, showing no sign of panic.

In official history, Sun Ce swept across Jiangdong, his army reaching as far as Kuaiji.

Wang Lang was just like he is now, hot-blooded and unwilling to back down, insisting on taking a stand and fighting Sun Ce.

Upon learning this, Yu Fan hurriedly stopped him, saying: "Sun Ce is brave and fierce; we cannot confront him head-on. It would be better to avoid his sharp edge, wait until his army is exhausted, and then launch a counterattack."

Unfortunately, Wang Lang did not listen at all, and as a result, he was defeated by Sun Ce and fled south all the way to Jiaozhou.

It was at this time that Yu Fan, in order to serve his elderly mother, left Wang Lang and returned to Jiangdong.

Upon hearing that Yu Fan had returned, Sun Ce immediately went to visit him in person.

After a conversation, Yu Fan concluded that Sun Ce was a remarkable person and chose to follow him.

From then on, he became an important strategist under Sun Ce.

Later, when Sun Ce occupied Jiangdong, Yu Fan repeatedly reminded him: "My lord is no longer the same as before. He is responsible for the safety of Jiangdong. He should not travel lightly, lest he encounter unforeseen danger."

Sun Ce didn't take it seriously.

Sure enough, he was assassinated by Xu Gong's disciples not long after, and died from his injuries.

After Sun Ce's death, "the Han court summoned him to serve as Imperial Censor, and Cao Cao appointed him as Minister of Works, but he declined both offers."

This means that Cao Cao, having heard of Yu Fan's exceptional talent and reputation, used the name of Emperor Xian of Han to declare: "Yu Zhongxiang, Sun Ce is dead, Jiangdong is no place to stay for long. Come to Xuchang, and I will guarantee you wealth and honor."

However, Yu Fan resolutely refused and chose to stay in Jiangdong to assist Sun Quan.

However, Sun Quan was suspicious by nature.

Yu Fan was an upright man who spoke frankly and directly, which repeatedly angered Sun Quan. Coupled with the exclusion by his colleagues, he gradually lost power and was eventually exiled to Jiaozhou.

He lectured and wrote books in Jiaozhou for more than ten years, and eventually died there.

A remarkable man of his generation, yet he met a tragic end.

Yu Fan was also a rare talent, but he was not given the opportunity to use his abilities under Sun Quan.

Furthermore, because "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" used him as a stepping stone for Zhuge Liang's "Debate with the Confucian Scholars," people tend to underestimate him.

Lu Yong would naturally not do that.

They are already severely short-handed, so having another talented person would give Lao Liu an extra helper and reduce some of his own pressure.

Lu Yong dismounted, walked up to Yu Fan, and personally untied his ropes before bowing and saying, "Yu Gongcao, I've heard so much about you."

""

Yu Fan carefully examined Lu Yong, and while he was shocked by how "young" this person was, he remained silent.

Lu Yong didn't mind and said frankly, "Mr. Yu's talent is known to all. If he is willing to submit to my lord, I am willing to introduce him."

Before Yu Fan could reply, Lu Yong added, "If you are unwilling, I will not force you."

I will escort you to Wanling. My lord will surely treat you with courtesy. You are free to leave or stay as you see fit.

Yu Fan remained silent for a long time.

Under the moonlight, his expression shifted between light and shadow.

After a long silence, he slowly said, "I am paid by the Han dynasty; how can I betray my lord for personal gain?"

"Our lord, Liu Bei, is a member of the Han imperial family and has always considered it his duty to support the Han dynasty. Isn't assisting him also serving the Han dynasty?"

Yu Fan neither agreed nor rejected the proposal.

Lu Yong knew that haste makes waste, so he said, "Please, Officer Yu, mount your horse and accompany our army."

The guards brought Yu Fan a horse, and Yu Fan silently climbed onto its back.

The procession continued forward.

After another hour of walking, a large area of ​​firelight appeared ahead.

Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun have gathered the surrendered soldiers and are setting up camp on the spot, waiting for Lu Yong's army.

Upon learning that Lu Yong's army was about to arrive, Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun rode up to greet them.

Even from a distance, Zhang Fei's booming voice rang out, "Huai'an! Wang Lang has been captured by Zilong! Kuaiji is pacified!"

Zhao Yun followed behind Zhang Fei.

Upon arriving near Lu Yong, he dismounted, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Strategist, I have fortunately fulfilled my mission."

Lu Yong dismounted and gave Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun a bear hug each, saying, "Well done, you two!"

At this moment, Xu Sheng suddenly spoke up: "Strategist, you seem to have forgotten someone—"

Lu Yong chuckled, then turned and gave Xu Sheng a bear hug, patting his back so hard it throbbed, and said:

Wenxiang, well done!

Xu Sheng grinned after receiving the praise.

Zhang Fei pulled Lu Yong toward the camp.

Entering the camp, Zhang Fei pointed to a pile of firewood not far away and said, "Wang Lang is just ahead!"

Lu Yong was startled and asked, "You're not going to roast him, are you?"

Zhang Fei was taken aback upon hearing this, then laughed and scolded, "What are you thinking, kid? I meant Wang Lang is behind the fire!"

Thank goodness!

Lu Yong calmed himself down and approached. He saw that Wang Lang was sitting under a big tree with his hands tied, resting with his eyes closed.

Zhang Fei walked up to Lu Yong and muttered, "This guy's got some guts; he'd rather die than surrender."

Lu Yong walked over, cupped his hands, and said, "Lord Wang, please forgive me."

Wang Lang opened his eyes, glanced at Lu Yong, and said nothing.

Lu Yong ordered his men to untie the ropes and said, "The situation in Kuaiji is settled. Your Excellency is a wise man, and I hope you will not do anything foolish."

""

Wang Lang snorted coldly and turned his head away, not wanting to pay any attention to Lu Yong.

But as he turned his head, he seemed to catch a glimpse of a familiar figure out of the corner of his eye.

He quickly turned his head, his gaze fixed on the man, and then squeezed out a name through gritted teeth: "Yu Zhongxiang!!"

Yu Fan smiled wryly, stepped forward, and bowed, saying, "My lord."

"I am now just a prisoner, not some magistrate!" Wang Lang retorted angrily.

When Wang Lang first saw Yu Fan standing behind Lu Yong, he assumed that Yu Fan had already surrendered to Lu Yong.

Therefore, a surge of anger immediately rose in his heart.

But then he remembered Yu Fan's advice to him, as well as the subsequent fire at Gaoqiantun and the defeat at Guling. His anger subsided like the tide, leaving only a self-deprecating look of defeat.

Lu Yong ordered his men to untie Wang Lang's ropes. He didn't rush to speak, but simply sat down opposite Wang Lang and handed him a bowl of water.

Wang Lang reached out and took it, saying in a hoarse voice, "The Army Division Commander's strategy was brilliant; I, Wang, am utterly defeated. Kill me or torture me, it's all up to you."

Lu Yong shook his head and said, "If the magistrate dies, what will happen to the people of Kuaiji?"

With the autumn harvest approaching, the Yue people will surely take the opportunity to come down the mountain and rob the grain.

"I'm afraid we still can't do without you here."

Upon hearing this, Wang Lang fell silent.

Lu Yong continued, "Your Excellency's defense of the territory is not a fault of the war."

Now that the emperor has returned east, the court is too busy to care for itself. Even if the magistrate were to die for his country, the emperor might not know.

Liu Yuzhou was a member of the Han imperial family and was appointed governor of Yuzhou by imperial decree.

"If you return to Han, you are returning to Han, not surrendering to the enemy."

Wang Lang's eyelids twitched slightly.

Lu Yong pressed on, adding, "When the Chongwen Academy was first established, the Chief Scholar Xu was in charge, and he looked forward to having great Confucian scholars lecture on the classics every day."

"The magistrate's learning should be passed on to scholars throughout the land; how can it be buried in this desolate wilderness?"

These words struck a nerve with Wang Lang.

He studied under Grand Commandant Yang Ci and was well-versed in the Book of Changes, the Spring and Autumn Annals, and the Classic of Filial Piety, making him one of the top classical scholars of the late Han Dynasty.

Historically, after entering the Wei state, he rose to the position of Minister of Works, in charge of rites and education, and was known as one of the "Three Dukes of the Early Wei Dynasty" along with Hua Xin and Zhong Yao.

His grandson, Wang Su, was a great Confucian scholar of the Wei and Jin dynasties, and founded the "Wang School".

What he valued most in his life was nothing more than the transmission of classical studies.

Upon hearing Lu Yong's words, he pondered for a moment, then sighed deeply, rose, and bowed respectfully to the north.

As he straightened up, Wang Lang said in an extremely tired voice, "Take me to see Liu Yuzhou."

"

Lu Yong smiled knowingly and replied, "If the lord knew that you were willing to come, he would be overjoyed and personally welcome you in the suburbs."

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