Chapter 47: The Failed Ambush Results in Death! Congratulations, My Lord, on Capturing Wancheng and Acquiring a Fierce Warrior!

Zhang Yan panicked.

Didn't you say Liu Bei was deceiving Zhang Xiu? Didn't you suspect that Liu Bei had already killed Zhang Quan? Didn't you mock Liu Bei's reputation for benevolence as mere rumor?

Now, Zhang Quan was standing right here, safe and sound!

He was even loudly praising Liu Bei's magnanimity and openly persuading Zhang Xiu to surrender.

All the slander and suspicion cast upon Liu Bei instantly crumbled into dust!

How could Zhang Yan not lose his composure completely?

As for Zhang Xiu at this moment, the hesitation and misgivings in his eyes had vanished like smoke, and he looked entirely relieved.

He helped Zhang Quan to his feet, patted his shoulder, and sighed emotionally:

"It seems your father measured a gentleman's heart with the measure of a petty person, and underestimated Lord Xuande."

"Very well, since Quan'er, you are still alive, and with you vouching for him, what else does your father have to hesitate about?"

"Your father shall surrender to Liu Xuande!"

Zhang Quan was overjoyed, feeling an immense sense of relief.

Zhang Yan, however, was struck with sheer terror, swaying and staggering half a step back.

Zhang Xiu turned around, swept his gaze across the soldiers before him, and spoke in a resounding voice:

"Lads of Wuwei, you left your native homes to follow my family, experiencing narrow escapes from death—out of eight thousand youths, only you remain."

"Whatever my uncle owed you, I, Zhang Xiu, will repay. I must carve out a path of survival for you."

"That Lord Liu is a lord of benevolence and righteousness, and he will surely treat all of us well."

"He came all the way from Xuzhou, winning battle after battle until he captured Wancheng, which shows his extraordinary grand strategy and tactical brilliance, entirely worthy of the title of a heroic ruler."

"Only by following him can we survive these chaotic times and live to see the day we return in glory to our homeland."

"I, Zhang Xiu, have resolved to lead you in surrender to Lord Liu. Are you still willing to follow me?"

Zhang Xiu finally cast off his heavy burden, no longer caring about who held the nominal rank of chief commander, relying entirely on his own prestige to take control of this remnant force of the Zhang family.

After a wave of bustling discussions,

Hu Che'er was the first to drop to one knee, declaring resolutely: "This general is willing to follow the General and surrender to Lord Liu!"

With the first came the second.

Once Hu Che'er took the lead, the rest of the soldiers hesitated no longer, dropping to their knees in wave after wave.

"We are willing to follow the General and surrender to Lord Liu!"

"We are willing to follow the General and surrender to Lord Liu!"

The crowd responded in unison, their voices echoing across the city ramparts like rolling thunder.

Only Zhang Yan remained standing alone in the same spot, his facial features twisted in shock, anger, and utter helplessness.

"Zhang Xiu!"

"How dare you surrender to that mat-weaving and shoe-peddling wretch Liu Bei?"

"Where is your dignity? How can you face my father's trust in you?"

Driven mad by humiliation, Zhang Yan pointed straight at Zhang Xiu and cursed bitterly at the top of his lungs.

Zhang Xiu, however, remained expressionless, only cold-heartedly replying:

"History is written by the victors. Since I have lost to Lord Xuande, what does submitting and surrendering have to do with dignity?"

"Besides, if my uncle truly trusted me, why would he have appointed you as the chief commander today and made me assist you?"

Zhang Yan was left speechless, completely tongue-tied by the retort.

Realizing he could not out-scold Zhang Xiu, Zhang Yan had no choice but to scan his surroundings and shout at the soldiers:

"The Zhang Family Army is my father's Zhang Family Army! Now that my father has been murdered by Liu Bei, I am the master of the Zhang Family Army!"

"I command all of you to stand up, pick up your weapons, and follow me to fight to the death and break through the siege!"

"I forbid you all from surrendering to that Liu Bei!"

The soldiers remained completely unmoved, turning a deaf ear to the commands of this young master of the Zhang family.

Frustrated and anxious, Zhang Yan's face turned beet red, yet he was utterly helpless.

"The tide has turned, Second Uncle, why must you persist in this folly?"

"If you stubbornly refuse to surrender to Lord Xuande, my father will personally ask Lord Xuande to grant you an escort back to your hometown."

"I trust that with Lord Xuande's magnanimity, he certainly will not make things difficult for you, Second Uncle."

Zhang Quan pointed out a viable path for Zhang Yan.

Zhang Xiu said no more, supporting Zhang Quan as they headed down the rampart to pay their respects to Liu Bei.

Watching the retreating figures of Zhang Xiu and his son, the fire of rage in Zhang Yan's heart burned ever fiercer, and a bone-chilling murderous intent suddenly surged in his eyes.

Kill him! Take back the control of the Zhang Family Army!

This thought suddenly flashed violently through Zhang Yan's mind.

Without a second thought, he abruptly drew his sword from its scabbard and lunged wildly at Zhang Xiu's back.

"General, watch out!"

The surrounding soldiers cried out in frantic alarm.

Although Zhang Xiu was skilled in martial arts, he never expected that his own cousin would choose mutual destruction and launch a sneak attack from behind.

By the time he heard the warning and tried to react, it was already too late.

Zhang Yan's sword blade was about to pierce straight into Zhang Xiu's back.

At that critical moment,

Hu Che'er lunged forward ferociously and grabbed Zhang Yan by the belt.

With a furious roar, Zhang Yan's hefty body was lifted entirely off the ground by Hu Che'er with just a single hand.

Only then did Zhang Xiu turn around. Taking in the scene before him, he instantly understood what had happened.

He had cherished their fraternal bonds and wanted to spare Zhang Yan's life.

Yet this cousin of his not only refused to appreciate the gesture, but even tried to assassinate him to seize military command!

A blaze of fury instantly ignited in Zhang Xiu's heart, and his mouth parted to hurl curses.

"You ungrateful bastard! If not for our General holding things together, the Zhang Family Army would have been finished long ago! Do you think you'd still be breathing today?"

"You ungrateful wretch, daring to secretly harm our General! You're courting death!"

Instead of waiting for Zhang Xiu's order, Hu Che'er shouted a string of furious abuses and hurled Zhang Yan resolutely over the city wall.

Following a terrified scream came a dull, heavy thud.

By the time Zhang Xiu snapped out of his shock and rushed to the battlements to look down, Zhang Yan had already plummeted to his death at the base of the city wall.

"Che'er, you—"

Zhang Xiu initially intended to reprimand Hu Che'er for killing Zhang Yan without his permission.

Yet the words died on his lips, swallowed back down.

Hu Che'er was utterly loyal and had only killed Zhang Yan to save his life; what fault could possibly be found with that?

"Forget it. It was his own choosing; he can blame no one else."

"After all, we were brothers once. Go retrieve his corpse and give him a proper burial."

Zhang Xiu shook his head and let out a long sigh.

Then, steadying his emotions and supporting his son Zhang Quan, he once again descended the city wall.

Up on the ramparts,

Liu Bei and Xiao Fang stood side by side, waiting for the outcome.

"Could it be that Zhang Xiu got his son back only to lose all fear and decide to resist to the bitter end?"

" Elder brother, I say let's not wait any longer! Just let me charge up there and slaughter them!"

Zhang Feizhao had long grown impatient, muttering incessantly and itching to unleash a massacre.

Just as his voice trailed off,

Flags of surrender were slowly hoisted above the city wall.

Zhang Xiu, supporting Zhang Quan and carrying no weapons, slowly walked down from the gate tower.

If this wasn't coming out to surrender, what else could it be?

"Yide, did you see that? How could Jinglue's judgment ever be wrong!"

"Zhang Wenjin has come to surrender!"

Liu Bei laughed, turning his head to glance sideways at Zhang Feizhao.

Zhang Feizhao awkwardly scratched his head, then gave Xiao Fang a thumbs-up and clicked his tongue in deep admiration:

"Military Advisor Jinglue, I truly admire you! Are you a worm living inside Zhang Xiu's belly? How on earth did you see right through him?"

Having forgotten Liu Bei's warning, Zhang Feizhao began showering people with praise once again.

Xiao Fang could only offer a bitter smile.

Liu Bei was equally helpless. Just as he was about to lecture Zhang Feizhao a little, Zhang Xiu and his son hurried forward.

"This subordinate Zhang Xiu comes late in surrendering; I beg the Lord to forgive my crime!"

Zhang Xiu wore a look of deep shame, dropping to one knee with his fists clasped before him.

Liu Bei hastily dismounted from his horse, helped Zhang Xiu to his feet, patted his shoulder, and smiled warmly:

"My camp gates are always open for Wenjin; it is never too late to come over!"

Liu Bei's magnanimity and tolerance finally allowed the rock hanging in Zhang Xiu's chest to settle safely into place.

Thus, he cupped his fists once more and declared resolutely:

"Having received such high regard from the Lord, Xiu will undoubtedly shatter through fire and water for the Lord without the slightest hesitation!"

Stirred by this grand sentiment, Liu Bei burst into hearty laughter:

"What brings me joy is not merely taking Wancheng, but gaining a fierce warrior like you, Wenjin!"

"With the assistance of you, Zhang Wenjin, my ambition to restore the Han Dynasty gains yet another fraction of hope!"

The lord and his retainer looked at each other and laughed aloud.

Meanwhile, Xiao Fang stepped forward, cupped his hands, and smiled:

"Congratulations, Lord, for not only capturing Wancheng, but also acquiring a general of exceptional talent!"

Looking at the young scholar, Zhang Xiu harbored a vague guess in his heart, though he dared not confirm it.

Zhang Quan hurried forward and said, "Father, this is Military Advisor Xiao."

His guess was verified.

A look of deep gratitude instantly surged across Zhang Xiu's face as he bowed deeply to Xiao Fang:

"Many thanks to Military Advisor Xiao for saving my son's life. Such a great and virtuous favor—please accept this bow from Zhang Xiu!"

Xiao Fang hastily helped Zhang Xiu up, just as he was about to offer a few polite pleasantries,

Zhang Quan added, "Father may not know this, but the Lord's ability to easily capture Wancheng was entirely due to Military Advisor Xiao's marvelous and miraculous strategies."

A shock ran through Zhang Xiu's heart, and the gratitude in his eyes instantly transformed into profound awe.

Zhang Quan then recounted the entire sequence of events: how Xiao Fang had covertly planted elite troops half a month prior among the fleeing refugees, slipped into Wancheng amidst the chaos of his defeat at Biyang, and how today he first employed a feint to the east while attacking the west, followed by utilizing those hidden sleeper troops to coordinate from both inside and outside to shatter Wancheng in one fell swoop.

Zhang Xiu drew in a sharp breath of cold air, casting yet another look of utter astonishment toward Xiao Fang.