Chapter 41: Refusing to Listen? Determined to Be Stubborn to the End? Let Us Activate the Hidden Pawn and Breach Wancheng!

Zhang Xiu was somewhat bewildered.

He knew his son, Zhang Quan, had been severely wounded and captured. However, he had never heard of this person named Xiao Fang who had suddenly appeared. What was more, this man was a strategist under Liu Bei, and he had actually saved his son’s life?

Had Liu Bei gotten the wrong script? Why would he save his son? The two houses were mortal enemies locked in a life-or-death struggle. Should Liu Bei not have executed his son to vent his anger upon capturing him? Even if he did not kill him, it would have been logical to simply let Zhang Quan perish on his own. Yet, Liu Bei had chosen to have this strategist, Xiao Fang, save Zhang Quan.

Countless questions flooded Zhang Xiu’s mind, leaving him standing there in a daze, looking lost and distracted.

"General, here is a personal letter from the young general. Please, take a look."

The bodyguard hurriedly retrieved a secret letter from his tunic. Zhang Xiu finally regained his composure, snatched it away, and tore it open with impatience to read it closely. It was indeed Zhang Quan’s handwriting. This proved the bodyguard had not lied; his son was truly alive. But as he read on, Zhang Xiu’s brows gradually furrowed, and the joy in his eyes turned to shock.

"Quan'er... he is actually urging me to surrender to Liu Bei?"

Zhang Xiu slowly looked up, casting a stern and gloomy gaze at the bodyguard. His expression and tone clearly carried a hint of irritation.

"The young general said that Liu Xuande is a broad-minded and benevolent lord who has always held you in high esteem. If you were to surrender, he would not only let bygones be bygones but would also entrust you with important responsibilities."

"Liu Xuande also promised that if you surrender, the core Xiliang troops who are willing to defect will remain under your command. Those who do not wish to surrender will be given travel expenses and sent home with due courtesy."

"As for the elder general, whether he wishes to assist Liu Xuande in restoring the Han Dynasty, return home to retire, or stay in Nanyang to live out his remaining years, he may do as he pleases."

The bodyguard recounted, point by point, the promises Liu Bei had made. These terms had been mentioned in Zhang Quan’s letter, but not in as much detail as the bodyguard now provided. Zhang Xiu felt a jolt, his eyes flickering. Clearly, he had not expected Liu Bei to value and appreciate him so much, to the extent that he would offer such generous terms just to win him over. He had even thought of an exit strategy for Zhang Ji.

At this moment, the irritation in Zhang Xiu’s eyes faded, replaced by a trace of hesitation.

"The young general also mentioned that Liu Xuande’s strategist, Xiao Fang, is exceptionally brilliant. The stratagem that broke our army at Biyang was devised by him for Liu Bei."

"The young general said that with such a man of extraordinary wisdom aiding him, we can never be their match. If we persist in our stubborn resistance, it will only lead our Zhang family army to total destruction!"

Zhang Xiu suddenly lifted his head, a look of intrigue flashing across his eyes. Following the defeat at Biyang, he had been guessing which of Liu Bei’s advisors had devised the plan. Now the truth was out: it was this strategist named Xiao Fang. He was the very man who had saved his son’s life!

"Xiao Fang... Xiao Fang..."

Zhang Xiu repeated the name over and over, racking his brain to scour his memory, trying to find this inconspicuous name in some corner. To his surprise, there was not a single word about this Xiao Fang in his mind. This meant that it was highly likely that Xiao Fang was merely an obscure scholar from the countryside.

A nameless scholar, with a flick of his finger and a single plan, had shattered his army of eight thousand men? Zhang Xiu drew a sharp breath.

"The young general pleads with you to consider the lives of the thousands of brothers in the Zhang family army. Please, find a path to survival for them and surrender to Liu Xuande!"

As the bodyguard spoke, his emotions overcame him, and he knelt on the ground.

Zhang Xiu felt as if he had been pierced, a stinging ache spreading through his entire body. Looking back to the past, his Zhang family army had once numbered eight thousand soldiers—all fellow countrymen from Wuwei Commandery who had followed his uncle and him since the beginning. Now, drifting in foreign lands with his uncle, only fewer than two thousand remained. If Wancheng were to fall, his uncle and he, along with these last two thousand Wuwei men, would likely perish and be buried in a strange land.

"Quan'er is right. I must find a way for these Wuwei brothers to survive."

"If we continue to follow my uncle, drifting about like stray dogs, even if we are lucky enough to survive this calamity, we will eventually be completely wiped out."

"This Liu Xuande is indeed as the rumors say—a benevolent and magnanimous lord who has offered such generous terms of surrender."

"His strategist also saved my son; I, Zhang Xiu, have no reason not to repay kindness with kindness."

"Surrendering to Liu Xuande might just be a way out..."

Zhang Xiu weighed the pros and cons, the hesitation in his eyes gradually dissipating. In the end, only resolve remained.

*Bang!*

Zhang Xiu slammed the table and stood up, shouting, "Prepare my horse!"

***

Hu Che'er startled and asked hurriedly, "General, where are you going?"

"To see my uncle!"

Zhang Xiu strode out of the tent without looking back.

A quarter of an hour later, Zhang Xiu stepped into the main hall of the commandery office. As soon as he entered, he felt the atmosphere was somewhat off. Zhang Ji sat in the seat of honor, his face gloomy, his gaze as sharp as a blade. Beside him sat his cousin, Zhang Yan, leaning on a cane, his brow furrowed, his eyes filled with suspicion as he greeted him.

"Uncle—"

"Brother!"

Zhang Yan interrupted Zhang Xiu, asking in a low voice:

"I heard just now that Quan'er sent a bodyguard back from outside the city. Is this true?"

Zhang Xiu felt a chill, looking up abruptly at Zhang Yan. The bodyguard had entered the city less than half an hour ago; he had not even mentioned it yet, so how did his cousin already know? There must be a spy reporting to him!

Zhang Xiu’s expression turned displeased as he countered:

"Second brother, what do you mean by this? Have you arranged for people to monitor me?"

Zhang Yan was taken aback; he coughed a few times and immediately denied it:

"Brother, you are overthinking. We are brothers; how could I monitor you?"

"I was just patrolling the city and passing by the South Gate when I heard the guards mention it. Since you are here, naturally I am concerned about my nephew's life and death."

Zhang Xiu let out a cold snort. His cousin, being the eldest son of Zhang Ji, should have been the primary heir to the Zhang family army. However, because he was disabled and unable to ride into battle, he lacked influence in the army and had always been wary of him. Zhang Xiu knew this well.

The atmosphere was somewhat strained.

"Cough, cough. Wenjin, your uncle is also very worried about Quan'er's fate."

Zhang Ji had to speak to break the tension. Zhang Xiu did not bother to hide it and told them the truth: Zhang Quan had been severely wounded, captured, and saved by Liu Bei’s strategist, Xiao Fang.

"Liu Bei didn't kill Quan'er and even saved him?"

"And who is this Xiao Fang?"

Zhang Ji was shocked, his face filled with bewilderment.

"Xiao Fang is Liu Bei’s strategist. It was he who devised the plan that broke our eight thousand troops."

Hearing this, Zhang Ji’s face showed even greater astonishment as he looked back at Zhang Yan. Both father and son looked blank; it was clear the name was completely foreign to them, and they had no idea who this person might be.

"Setting aside who this Xiao Fang is, why would Liu Bei save our nephew for no reason?"

"Brother, Liu Bei letting Quan'er’s bodyguard return must have an ulterior motive."

Zhang Yan suppressed his surprise, his face filling with suspicion once again. Zhang Xiu did not hide the truth, stating plainly:

"Liu Bei let that bodyguard enter the city because he brought a personal letter from Quan'er, urging us to surrender to that Liu Xuande!"

As he spoke, Zhang Xiu brought out Zhang Quan's personal letter and presented it. Zhang Ji and his son were stunned. Zhang Yan leaped up, leaning on his cane to take the letter and hand it to Zhang Ji. Zhang Ji’s mouth twitched, his fists tightened, and his eyes began to bloodshot.

"Arrogant! This is too insulting!"

"Liu Bei abducted Lady Zou and now wants to force Father to surrender to him? This is truly going too far!"

Zhang Yan, losing his composure first, slammed the table and cursed in a rage. Zhang Ji, having salt rubbed into his wound by his son, felt a sharp pain in his heart but suppressed his fury, looking up to see Zhang Xiu’s stance.

"Lady Zou was intercepted on the road to Wancheng; she had not yet passed through our family’s doors, so it cannot be considered an affront to Uncle’s honor."

"Furthermore, in this moment of life and death, what does 'honor' matter?"

"Uncle, for the sake of the lives of our thousands of Wuwei brothers, let us surrender to Liu Xuande!"

Zhang Xiu bowed to Zhang Ji, his tone pleading as he made his position clear. Zhang Ji’s eyes suddenly widened, a fire of shock and rage burning within—he clearly had not expected Zhang Xiu to advocate for surrender.

"Your father is a dignified Xiliang general of the Great Han, a Cavalry General of the Han! You would have him bow and submit to a mat-weaver and sandal-seller?"

"Zhang Xiu, have you gone mad?"

Zhang Yan slammed the table, voicing the sentiment in his father's heart.

***

Zhang Xiu, however, looked grave. He looked up at Zhang Ji and sighed:

"Uncle, those glorious days are long gone. After Cao Cao took control of the Emperor, he long ago stripped you of your title as Cavalry General in the name of the Emperor."

"We now have fewer than a few thousand troops, trapped in this isolated city with little grain left, and the morale of the army has hit rock bottom."

"In such a plight, how can we possibly hold Wancheng?"

"If the city falls, not only will we lose our lives, but the thousands of Wuwei brothers who have followed us for years will also be buried with us!"

"Uncle, between so-called honor and life, which is more important?"

"Besides, Liu Xuande is a benevolent lord; he promised that if you do not wish to surrender, he can preserve your honor..."

Zhang Xiu pleaded earnestly, recounting all the terms Liu Bei had offered. But the more Zhang Ji heard, the angrier he became, his face twisting with rage!

"Enough!"

Zhang Ji slammed the table, cutting off Zhang Xiu’s plea, and roared furiously:

"No matter how eloquently you speak, I, Zhang Ji, will never surrender to that mat-weaving, sandal-selling wretch!"

"If Liu Bei has the ability, let him come and attack! I will see it through to the end!"

Seeing his father refuse to surrender, Zhang Yan breathed a sigh of relief. Zhang Xiu, however, furrowed his brows, showing a look of helplessness, and had to ask:

"Even if you are determined to hold Wancheng to the death, our grain in the city is exhausted; how can we continue to hold out?"

Zhang Ji started, his furious momentum dampened by more than half. Zhang Yan rolled his eyes and cupped his hands:

"Father, there must still be plenty of winter grain in the homes of the people of Wancheng."

"Many people from the surrounding counties fled into the city with their families; they must have brought grain with them."

"Father can issue an order to forcibly requisition all their stored grain. It will be enough to last for months, until Liu Bei retreats!"

This suggestion made Zhang Ji’s eyes light up, and his spirits were instantly lifted.

"Good, good, good! Yan'er’s plan is excellent. Let it be done!"

Zhang Ji agreed decisively without a moment’s hesitation. Zhang Xiu’s face changed slightly, and he reminded him:

"Uncle, that grain is the life-saving food for the people of Wancheng to survive the winter!"

"If we forcibly requisition it, wouldn't we be driving the people to a dead end? What if this triggers a civil uprising?"

Zhang Ji dismissed it with contempt, saying coldly:

"If they starve, let them starve. Anyone who dares to cause trouble, just kill them!"

"I am determined to hold Wancheng at any cost."

Zhang Xiu felt a chill. His uncle was set on fighting Liu Bei to the bitter end—even if it meant failure, he would drag a whole city down with him. Knowing that he could not sway Zhang Ji any further, Zhang Xiu could only let out a sigh of helplessness.

...

A few days later, south of Wancheng, at the Liu army camp.

"Zhang Ji not only has no intention of surrendering, but he has also ordered his soldiers to ransack the entire city and seize the winter grain from the people of Wancheng."

"Inside Wancheng, there are cries of sorrow everywhere, and public resentment is boiling."

Inside the main tent, Mi Zhu read aloud the secret report sent by the spies in the city. Liu Bei clenched his fist and slammed it against the desk:

"It seems Zhang Quan failed to persuade Zhang Xiu. The uncle and nephew are determined to resist to the end, and they are even dragging the entire populace down with them!"

Xiao Fang, however, remained calm and said lightly:

"Zhang Xiu may not necessarily be unwilling to surrender to you, my lord. In my opinion, it is Zhang Ji who feels ashamed to surrender and is determined to resist to the bitter end."

Liu Bei seemed to grasp this and looked at Xiao Fang:

"Strategist, what should we do now?"

"If Zhang Ji does not surrender and we cannot take the city after a long siege, won't all the people in the city starve to death?"

"In my opinion, should we perhaps withdraw first..."

Liu Bei had begun to harbor thoughts of retreat. Before he could finish, Xiao Fang raised his hand to interrupt him, a meaningful smile playing on his lips:

"My lord, do you not remember that I once said I had already placed a hidden piece in Wancheng?"

"It is time to use this hidden piece to help you take Wancheng."