cite Han

Chapter 438 Persuade to surrender
Ever since the news of Yicheng's defeat came back, Xiangyang has been in constant panic for a day, a large number of soldiers and civilians have fled, and those who stay in the city are also in a state of anxiety all day long.With the arrival of Liu Jingshui army, the panic among the people of Xiangyang also reached its peak.

If the bad news of Liu Biao's death broke out again at this time, Xiangyang would be in chaos, so Liu Cong decided to conceal the news of Liu Biao's death after discussing privately with all the civil and military officials in Jingzhou.

However, there is no impenetrable wall in the world, especially in the current environment, it is even more difficult to keep secrets.Soon after Liu Biao's death, the news leaked out and spread in the city, even Liu Zong outside the city also received the news.

Liu Zong led the navy and arrived in Xiangyang in the afternoon. On the one hand, he dispatched military ships to block the Hanmian River, and on the other hand, he set up military camps on the south of Xiangyang, east of Mount Xian, and on the north bank of Mianshui.

However, Liu Zong himself did not enter the North Shore barracks, but chose to garrison in Caizhou.

Located in the Mian River, Caizhou is a sandbar. Because the Cai family in Xiangyang lived on this island for generations, it was named "Cai".

Cai Zhou can be said to be the largest continent in Mianshui, with hundreds of houses on it, among which Cai Mao's mansion is the most luxurious, even the four walls are knotted with bluestone, and there are more than a hundred maidservants and concubines in the house.

The Cai family followed the patriarch Cai Hao and fought fiercely with Liu Jing's army for many years. Almost half of the younger generation died in the battle.

Hearing that Liu Jing's army was approaching, the Cai clan either fled to Xiangyang or fled to Xianshan, and only two or three out of ten stayed in Caizhou.

Liu Zong was the commander of Liu Jingshui's army, and most of the Cai clan died at his hands. According to his nature, he must cut the grass and roots to avoid future troubles.

However, because of Cai Xun's contribution to Jiangling, Liu Jing has promised not to blame Cai's past, so Liu Zong naturally doesn't want to kill Cai again.

What's more, those who were able to escape from the Cai family escaped, and most of the people left behind were the old and the weak with limited mobility. Liu Zong called himself a hero and disdain to slaughter the old and the weak.

After Liu Zong landed in Caizhou, he comforted the Cai clan with kind words, and then moved into Cai Mao's mansion under the guidance of Cai Xun.Not long after, scholars and people from Xiangyang came to visit by boat.

The continents in Mianzhong are almost all privately owned by the surnames of Xiangyang. For example, Yuliangzhou to the north of Caizhou is home to the Pang family of Xiangyang, while Yang and Xi in Xiangyang live in Huihu, West of Caizhou. Around Gaoyang Lake.

Liu Jing's army stationed in Caizhou, watching Xiangyang as a tiger, can the surrounding Xiangyang surnames stay out of it?

In fact, Xi Zhen from the Xi family, Cai Xun from the Cai family, and Pang Tong from the Pang family have already joined Liu Jing's command. .

With the people of Xiangyang rushing to vote, Xiangyang has no more secrets about Liu Zong, which naturally includes the news of Liu Biao's death.

At that time, Liu Zong was holding a banquet in Cai Mao's mansion, drinking happily with the scholars and people in Xiangyang, when he heard that Liu Biao had died of illness, Liu Zong was ecstatic in his heart, but he sighed endlessly on his face, immediately put down his wine glass, got up and left the banquet to express his condolences.

In addition to being the commander-in-chief of the Jingnan Navy, Liu Zong also served as the prefect of Wuling. Liu Biao, the shepherd of Jingzhou, was his immediate boss in name. respect.

Everyone at the banquet, whether it was Jingnan civil and military officials or Xiangyang scholars and people, all stood up to mourn, and some Xiangyang people even wept silently.

Liu Biao may not be called a hero in troubled times, but he has been in charge of Jingzhou for more than ten years. He is a thief in the inner peace, and a strong enemy in the outside. , Xiangyang people benefit from it.

When Liu Zong saw this, he was very grateful. Those who came to vote were all grateful to Liu Biao, not to mention the people in Xiangyang City. If Liu Biao survived, it would not be easy to capture Xiangyang.

Well now, Liu Biao is dead, and his son Liu Cong is a mediocre person, both prestige and ability are inferior to Liu Biao by a thousand miles, Xiangyang is no longer solid, how difficult is it to break it?

"Zhonglang, Uncle Mu, I will stop the feast to mourn..." E Guanbo belted, and Pang Tong, who had a natural demeanor, came out and said to Liu Zongyan.

As soon as Pang Tong joined Liu Jing's command not long ago, he offered a plan to break Yicheng and destroy the enemy army, and made great achievements. However, he was not complacent about it. Later, he volunteered to join Liu Zong's vanguard, intending to build a new one. achievement.

Seeing Pang Tong winking at him, Liu Zongxin understood, followed what he said, ended the banquet, and then called Pang Tong into the back room for a secret discussion.

Pang Tong and Liu Zong shared the couch to promote the table, and talked eloquently: "You should know, Zhonglang, I was born in Xiangyang with a surname, and I am well-known. Renxiong, a mediocre student, not to mention his father Liu Biao, even compared with his brother Liu Qi, he is also inferior."

Liu Zong nodded lightly, quite appreciatively.

Pang Tong continued: "Now that Liu Biao is dead, people in Xiangyang must be in panic and morale is low. Liu Cong has neither the ability to gather people's hearts, nor is he unyielding in the face of difficulties. If you send envoys to the city to persuade you to surrender, you should be [-] to [-] percent sure. Cai, willing to enter Xiangyang, persuade Liu Cong to surrender."

Liu Zong raised his eyebrows unconsciously when he heard the words. The task Liu Jing gave him was to lead the navy to block the Hanmian River and cut off the traffic in Xiangyang. If Liu Cong can be forced to surrender before Liu Jing's army arrives, it will definitely be a weapon that can surpass all generals. great merit.

Liu Zongdao: "Since Shi Yuan thinks that persuading surrender is five or six points, it's okay to try, but Shi Yuan doesn't have to take risks himself. Although Liu Biao died of illness, Liu Cong may not blame us. Shi Yuan is both talented and wise. People, with Wang Zuo's weapon, Zhongda regards it as a thigh, if something happens, how can I explain to Zhongda?"

Liu Zong's worry is not unreasonable. No one can guarantee that Liu Cong will not go crazy and refuse to surrender. At that time, the emissary who enters the city to persuade him to surrender will be in danger. In all likelihood, Liu Cong will kill the flag to show his determination to the outside world. .

Of course, with Pang Tong's reputation, Liu Cong might not dare to kill him, but he would not let him come back easily.

Liu Zong knew exactly how much Liu Jing attached to Pang Tong. Before sending troops, Liu Jing held his hand and repeatedly told him not to put Pang Tong in danger. Therefore, even if it was only possible, he didn't want Pang Tong to take the risk.

Pang Tong laughed and said, "Zhonglang is too worried. There is an old saying: 'When two countries fight each other, don't behead them.' Besides, I went to Xiangyang this time to mourn Liu Mu in name. , Xiangyang seems to be extremely dangerous, but it is actually safe and secure.”

Pang Tong is confident that with his three-inch tongue, even if he can't persuade Liu Cong, he can retreat unscathed.If it succeeds, it would be a great contribution, how could he give it to others.

Liu Zongmian hesitated. Pang Tong's background, reputation, intelligence, and eloquence were all good. He also thought that Pang Tong was the best candidate, and his only concern was the other party's safety.

In the end, Pang Tong insisted again, and Liu Zong was finally persuaded by him.

(End of this chapter)