Ji Han Da Sima

Chapter 474 Xiangfan finally surrenders
December 10th, early morning.

In the cold winter, it is approaching dawn. Due to the imbalance of heat and cold, cold fog gradually rises, confusing Xiangfan.

In the Han camp tent, Pang Tong chatted and laughed with Kuai Qi, who had come from afar.

Kuai Qi smiled at the corners of his mouth, raised his hands to congratulate Pang Tong, and said: "Congratulations to Shi Yuan for defeating Cao Ren. Now that Cao Ren is defeated when he leaves the city, Xiangfan will definitely be taken by Shi Yuan. The name of the ruler of the time will soon be famous in Jianghan!"

Pang Tong stroked his short beard and said with a smile: "Although Cao Ren was defeated and all the elite thieves were scattered, it may still be difficult to get to Xiangfan quickly, and Kuai Jun's help is still needed."

Kuai Qi, Zhuge Liang’s brother-in-law. When Huang Zhong took the three eastern counties, Kuai Qi surrendered to them. After Bashu was pacified, Kuai Qi was first appointed as the prefect of Jiangyang County; due to his meritorious service in government, he was reinstated as the prefect of Fangling.

Meng Da, who had previously served as the governor of Fangling, was defeated by Zhang He. His whereabouts were unknown at first, but he was later found. Meng Da broke his right arm. Although he survived by luck, his right arm was basically disabled.

Seeing that Mengda's right arm was disabled, it was difficult for him to leave the town and serve as a local director. Liu Bei took pity on him and granted Mengda an honorary post in the capital to stay in the capital. He also gave him more money and food as a reward for his service.

If the governor of Fangling is dismissed, someone needs to be reinstated. Considering the critical geographical location of Fangling, Liu Bei appointed Kuai Qi to serve as the governor of Fangling again.

Because of Zhang He, Kuai Qi did not go to Fengling County to take office, but instead joined Lu Meng's army to serve for him.

Seeing his old acquaintance Kuai Qi, Lu Chang put down his hoe and invited him into the pavilion. He said helplessly: "Xiangyang is like a cage, making it difficult for me to get out. Even though the war in the north of Han Dynasty continued, I was unable to do anything. I was trapped in Xiangyang for a year. , the food supplies are half empty, for a long-term plan, why not farm in the city and wait for reinforcements to relieve the difficulties!"

As soon as these words came out, Kuai Qi fell silent. With Cao Cao's move south and Liu Bei's rise, Xiangfan became the front line of the war between the north and the south. Xiangyang, which used to be prosperous in the past, has become desolate. Countless people have left their homes and become homeless.

While the two were silent, Fei Yi stepped into the tent and reported: "Captain, our cavalry pursued and searched, but there was no trace of Cao Ren. Moreover, our army sent envoys to persuade Fancheng to surrender, but the guard Zhu Zhi closed the door and refused to answer."

"promise!"

At this time, Lu Chang was working in the vegetable gardens opened in the city, turning over the soil with a hoe, and making plans for the coming spring.

After saying that, Lu Chang poured a cup of tea for Kuai Qi and said, "I wonder what your intention is when you enter the city this time?"

When Cao Cao went south to conquer Jianghan, Lu Chang was appointed by Cao Cao as the prefect of Zhangling because he was from Nanyang and was familiar with the geography of Jingxiang. He was appointed as the governor of Suizao Corridor.

Pang Tong raised his eyebrows slightly and said with a sneer: "The thief is stubborn, it seems he needs some strong medicine!"

Lu Meng talked with Kuai Qi and learned that he had an old relationship with Lu Chang, the prefect of Zhangling. He also saw that Pang Tong was plotting to capture Fancheng. He thought that Xiangyang had been trapped for more than a year, and might use the ancient trick to surrender, so he asked Kuai Qi to go eastward and persuade Xiangyang to surrender. Guarding general Lu Chang, it happened that Pang Tong deceived Cao Ren.

After Cao Ren's troops were defeated, Pang Tong informed the Fancheng defenders of the situation and persuaded Zhu Zhi to surrender. However, Zhu Zhi neither agreed nor refused, and still had the thought of stubborn resistance in his heart.

Although Lu Chang has been trapped in Xiangyang City for more than a year, he and the soldiers in the city are not too worried. After all, in more than a year, the Southern Han Dynasty did not send troops to attack Xiangyang, but only monitored Lu Chang's movements.

Lu Chang was born in Boyang, Nanyang. At first, he was a general under Liu Biao and had contacts with many families in Xiangyang. Because of Cai Mao's connection, Lu Chang led his troops to serve Cao Cao and was named Lijie Zhonglang General.

Kuai Qi had a smile on his face and said: "No matter what, you and I can return home in fine clothes!"

Looking at Lu Chang who was busy in the vegetable garden, Kuai Qi said with a smile: "Lu Jun is so happy. Jingxiang is in constant war. It is not easy for you to manage the vegetable garden."

"That's right!"

Pang Tong shook his head and sighed slightly, saying: "Although I have the honor of returning to my hometown in fine clothes, the countryside is in ruins, and I don't know where the people are."

When he learned that Kuai Qi had come to ask for an audience, Lu Chang was surprised at first, and then ordered his people to let his old acquaintance Kuai Qi enter the city.

Under heavy fog, Kuai Qi led an attendant to cross the Han River in a small boat and went to the outside of Xiangyang City to see Lu Chang.

As he said that, Pang Tong looked at Kuai Qi and said, "Thank you, Kuai Jun, for coming forward and crossing the river with the defeated flag of Cao's army. He followed General Ziming's old plan and used half-truths and half-false words to lure Xiangyang defender Lu Chang to surrender. If Lu Chang surrenders, Fancheng will be destroyed." Surrender!"

The four surnames Kuai, Huang, Pang and Cai Xiangyang have a deep and close relationship. Zhuge Liang married Huang's daughter, his eldest sister married Kuai Qi, and his second sister married Pang Shanmin. Now Kuai Qi and Pang Tong knew each other in their early years, and their relationship was very close, and there was no distinction between superior and inferior in their words.

Kuai Qi was unambiguous, stood up immediately, saluted Pang Tong and retreated.

Kuai Qi couldn't help but laugh and said: "You want to wait for reinforcements and do something loyal and righteous, but I'm afraid that reinforcements will be hard to come and you will have to wait for Mr. Cao!"

"Ok?"

Lu Chang's expression suddenly changed and he asked, "Why did you say this?"

Kuai Qi stroked his beard and smiled lightly, and said: "Your Majesty led the army out of Runan to meet Huo Jun for Shouchun. Cao Gong feared that Runan was the hub of the Central Plains, so he personally led the army to the south and had no time to look west. Guan Yu was in Xinye and fought with Xu Huang for several days. This time, Xu Huang was defeated and unable to go south to rescue the siege."

"Because Xu Huang was defeated by Guan Yu, Cao Gong sent Zhang He out of the pass to rescue the siege, but he was blocked by Lu Meng. Last night, Cao Ren had no hope of food and led his elite troops to attack the camp. The entire army was wiped out. He rode away alone. Fancheng was already gone. Return this morning. How can you not hear about what is happening now when you are in Xiangyang?"

Lu Chang looked suspicious and said, "Why are you bullying me?"

"If you don't believe it, just look at our army killing prisoners yesterday!"

As he spoke, Kuai Qi asked his attendants to open the box, revealing Cao Ren's banner and Niujin's military flag.
Kuai Qi mentioned Cao Ren's large scroll and said with a smile: "I wonder if Mr. Lu recognizes this Cao Ren's large scroll?"

Lu Chang's face was solemn and silent. Kuai Qi threw the banner away casually and said, "Cao Ren left Fancheng and fled. Duke Cao knew that Fancheng had surrendered. Does the general think that Duke Cao still intends to march south?"

"There are no reinforcements from outside. I wonder how long Mr. Lu can hold on?"

Seeing Lu Chang thinking about what he said, Kuai Qi smiled and said: "Our soldiers are elite, and their people are dedicated to merit. When all the troops retreated, Guan Yu and Lu Meng led their troops to the city. Even if you have the Xiangyang natural moat, I'm afraid it will be difficult to defend it for a long time. At that time, When the city is destroyed, your death is inevitable, but you must not forget your wife, children, and children!"

Lu Chang frowned and said, "My family is all in Yecheng. Anyone who raises his troops to surrender will not be able to protect his family!"

Kuai Qi pointed his finger to the north and said: "Your Majesty has kept your promise. When you left the city and returned to surrender, you should say that you ran out of food and went to war. Unfortunately, you were defeated and fled. You will not pursue or kill you when you return with your trusted followers."

As he said that, Kuai Qi put his hand on Lu Chang's shoulder and said: "The general has been in Xiangyang for more than a year. How can Duke Cao blame you for surrendering in despair? How can the general be blamed if the young monk of the Yu Jin family does not kill him."

"Now that your Majesty wants to establish the Han Dynasty, all the northerners who surrender will be rewarded with a little money and a lot of official positions. If I were a general, I should surrender to your majesty. I would not only gain wealth and honor, but also my wife and children in Yecheng would be safe. Isn't that great?" "

Lu Chang hesitated for a few moments and said, "I have an old mother at home, so I can't let go!"

Seeing that Lu Chang was already tempted, Kuai Qi struck while the iron was hot and said, "In this case, how can you let your mother, with her white head covered with linen, mourn for you?"

Then, Kuai Qi picked up Cao Ren's banner on the ground and said, "I can give you a fortune. Cao Ren's banner was obtained by the general in a fierce battle. It can protect the general's wealth!"

Lu Chang looked deeply at Cao Ren's banner, and finally made up his mind, saying: "As you said, I will surrender to Xiangyang and let me lead my trusted followers back north. If there is help in the future, I will repay you for your kindness today." .”

Kuai Qi was overjoyed and said, "In that case, I have agreed with Governor Pang to take over the city of Xiangyang."

"good!"

Under the carefully designed words of Pang Tong and Lu Meng, coupled with Kuai Qi's excellent persuasive ability, Lu Chang was deceived by Kuai Qi's half-truths and half-false words.

Three hours later, Lu Chang and his men surrendered Xiangyang City, and Huo Du led his army into the city to take over.

At that time, Pang Tong asked his men to take Lu Chang's seal and send it to Fancheng to persuade Zhu Zhi to surrender.

When Lu Chang saw this operation, he realized that he had been deceived by Kuai Qi, which made him extremely ashamed. But now that the matter has come to an end, and he feels lucky to know that Cao Ren is indeed defeated. Although Kuai Qi lied to him, he did not harm him. As Kuai Qi said, he could lead his troops back to the country on the grounds of Cao Ren's Great Ban.

Lu Changxian surrendered Xiangyang City, which made the already turbulent Fancheng even more unstable.

Zhu Zhi, who was old and frail, relied on his thoughts to defend the city. When he saw Cao Ren's defeat last night, his blood surged and he fell ill on the bed.

Faced with Pang Tong's recruitment and surrender, Zhu Zhi used illness as an excuse to ask his men to wait and see the situation.

When he learned that Xiangyang had fallen into the hands of the Han army, it was as if something was taken away from Zhu Zhi's body. He aged and fell ill on the bed, all he could do was sigh.

Cao Ren is gone, Cao Cao will still send troops to rescue him. But the main city of Xiangyang fell, and Fancheng, as a satellite city, no longer had much use. This battle would eventually end, and he would become an abandoned son!

"Master Fu, do you surrender?"

The civil and military officials in the city came to the side of the couch and asked.

Zhu Zhi looked slightly dazed and said, "Do I treat you gentlemen?"

"The prince of the government treats me kindly and never unkindly!" replied the meritorious official.

Zhu Zhi gasped and said: "I returned to Wei because of Liu Bei, and I have no intention of surrendering to him. However, I also have no intention of ending your wealth and fame. Therefore, I have a request. I wonder if you can accept it?"

"Please give me your words!" the crowd said.

Zhu Zhi closed his eyes and said, "I am going to die soon. I wonder if you guys can lead the troops to surrender after I die?"

Everyone looked at each other for a moment and replied in unison: "No!"

"Thank you all!"

With Zhu Zhi's words, Fancheng Civil and Military contacted Pang Tong to elaborate on the matter and ask for a few days' leniency.

There may be those in the Han army who agree, and there may be those who disagree. For example, Fei Yi believed that this was Zhu Zhi's strategy to slow down the troops and should not fall into the trap; Huo Du believed that Xiangyang had surrendered and Fancheng was not that important, so he could agree to the city's request.

Pang Tong favored Huo Du's suggestion and gave Fancheng five days on the grounds that attacking the city would cost many lives of soldiers. If they do not surrender within five days, they will send troops to attack.

Although Pang Tong gave Fancheng five days, Zhu Zhi died of illness in the early morning of the third day.

On December 15th, at noon, the civil and military forces of Fancheng left the city and surrendered, and Pang Tong led his army to take over.

The battle of Xiangfan, which lasted for one and a half years, ended with the surrender of Fancheng and came to an end!
(End of this chapter)