The Rebellious Officials and Traitors of the Late Han Dynasty

Chapter 299 Xin Pi
Ding Feng and others went ashore one after another, and many Yuan troops on the shore began to surrender. They threw their weapons aside, knelt on the ground, waiting for the cavalry to come and take them over.

These soldiers had followed Yuan Shao in the campaign against Gongsun Zan. They were all experienced veterans. When faced with such a situation, their first priority was to save their own lives. Some even thought that Yuan Shao had already failed this time.

Hundreds of thousands of troops were defeated, millions of stones of grain and grass were burned, the cavalry had crossed the Guandu Port, the gateway to Hebei had been opened, and the powerful cavalry could wreak havoc on the entire Hebei land.

Following Yuan Shao would not only mean no promotion or wealth, but even life would be in danger. In this case, it would be better for him to join Qin Shou now and become a member of the Cavalry Army, where he might even be able to establish meritorious service.

"Lord."

By the time Jia Xu boarded the boat and went ashore, hundreds of thousands of cavalry soldiers had already landed.

"Although we won this battle, we also suffered a lot of losses!"

Qin Shou sighed when he saw that almost all the soldiers from the three armies were injured.

The 10,000-strong army that he and Dian Wei brought to Hebei lost more than 8,000 men, and the troops defending Guandu also suffered a lot of losses under the fierce attack of Yuan's army.

"My lord, Yuan Shao's main force was defeated by us, and a million shi of grain and grass were also burned by us. They lost even more. I don't think they will be able to recover within at least three years." Xun You looked at the situation on the battlefield with a look of joy on his face.

Although they lost soldiers and horses, they were able to defeat Yuan Shao's army of hundreds of thousands and break the myth of Yuan Shao's invincibility, which was a victory. Not to mention that Yuan Shao suffered heavy losses and it was almost impossible for him to recover his strength.

Because Qin Shou would never give him time.

"Yuan Shao has suffered heavy losses at the moment. He still has soldiers and horses from Jizhou and Youzhou, which add up to tens of thousands of people. The key is that there are also the aristocratic families in Jizhou. These people will not be willing to fail. I think they will definitely support Yuan Shao." Liu Ye said.

"Yuan Shao still has some reputation, but now the situation is right in front of us. Will those aristocratic families still take action?"

Qin Shou was curious.

"My lord, these people have placed their hopes on Yuan Shao in the past and have paid too much. Now, it is unlikely that they will retreat rashly. Moreover, in the eyes of these aristocratic families, our defeat of Yuan Shao is nothing, and we have also lost a lot of soldiers and horses. No one knows what the future will be like and whether Yuan Shao can make a comeback." Jia Xu also said.

"With the support of the aristocratic families in Jizhou, Yuan Shao can recover a certain amount of troops in a short time, but these troops are all new recruits. They can intimidate others, but it is impossible for them to defeat us."

Qin Shou sneered.

A group of soldiers who did not go to the battlefield, no matter how many there were, were of no use. They were no different from those civilians who had just put down their hoes. Qin Shou would not let these people go at all.

Everyone nodded when they heard it.

“Send someone to inform all counties in Hebei that past events will be forgiven, but from today onwards, anyone who dares to support Yuan Shao with food and money will be treated as aiding the enemy,” Qin Shou said coldly.

When everyone heard this, their hearts tightened and they believed that anyone who aided the enemy should be killed.

But in the current situation, if Yuan Shao wants to restore his strength, he needs the support of the major families in Hebei.

I'm afraid that in Yuan Shao's mind, anyone who dares not to support him will be sentenced to death, and Yuan Shao will not let these aristocratic families go.

In this way, the situation becomes a little strange. If you support Yuan Shao, you may be killed by Qin Shou for aiding the enemy. If you support Qin Shou, you may be killed by Yuan Shao.

One dies first and the other dies later, what would you choose?
"My lord, I'm afraid those people will still choose Yuan Shao."

Xun You said with some concern.

But when he saw that indifferent face, he immediately knew what the other person was thinking. Qin Shou did it on purpose, and his purpose was to weaken the aristocratic families in Hebei.

If he agreed to Qin Shou, he would have to face Yuan Shao's attack. According to Yuan Shao's life, the possibility of his death and the annihilation of his clan was relatively small, but it was certain that he would be seriously injured.

If you obey Yuan Shao's orders, things will become even worse. Qin Shou doesn't care about your identity. As long as you support Yuan Shao, you will be aiding the enemy and will be beheaded. Even your property will become the property of the Cavalry Army.

All of this is to force the Hebei families to take sides, and even to weaken the Hebei families.

In terms of means, no one can match Qin Shou.

"I hope you can make the right choice!" Xun You was a little worried.

Xun Chen is in Yuan Shao's army at this moment. If Xun Chen still offers advice to Yuan Shao, it will be a disaster for him.

"My Lord, we have captured a man."

Dian Wei came on horseback and reported loudly.

Qin Shou and others looked and saw four soldiers escorting a scholar towards them.

"What do you call me sir?"

Qin Shou asked.

"My lord, this is Xin Pi, a native of Yingchuan, with the courtesy name Zuozhi." Xun You recognized the other person and explained.

"Sir, are you willing to submit to the court?"

Qin Shou's eyes lit up. Yingchuan had a flourishing literary culture and was best at producing advisers, and Xin Pi was one of them.

"Zuozhi, the Prime Minister values ​​your talent. If you don't submit to the court today, do you want to be a rebellious minister like Yuan Shao?" Xun You was a little worried and immediately dissuaded him.

"I am willing to submit to the Prime Minister."

Xin Pi sighed and said, "But my family is in Yecheng. I hope the Prime Minister can ensure the safety of my family."

"I will let you go back to Yecheng." Qin Shou rolled his eyes and said, "You are a surrendered general. Although you are talented, being captured on the battlefield will not be good for your future. But if you can surrender Yecheng, you will be a meritorious official of the court. What do you think, sir?"

Xin Pi's eyes lit up when he heard this.

I was captured on the battlefield, and although I could become an official after entering the court, it was not as comfortable as becoming an official by making meritorious contributions!

As for whether he could help Qin Shou capture Yecheng, Xin Pi did not feel any pressure at all.

Now, Yuan Shao's subordinates are either dead or escaped, and there is an extreme shortage of talent. After I go back and offer my property, I will definitely be valued. As long as I wait until the cavalry arrives in Yecheng, there will always be a chance to open the city gate.

"I am willing to go to Yecheng."

Xin Pi said without hesitation: "When the time comes, I will open the city gates and welcome you into the city."

Qin Shou nodded. It was easy to talk to smart people. Xin Pi knew what he was thinking as soon as he said it.

"If Zuo Zhi can surrender Yecheng, he will be appointed as the Right Censor-in-Chief of the Imperial Censorate after entering the court."

Qin Shou promised immediately.

If you want someone to work for you, it is impossible to just make empty promises. You should give him enough benefits.

"I obey your command." Xin Pi was even happier.

"Before Yuan Shao reacts, you can return to Yecheng."

Qin Shou warned: "Safety is everything, sir, your safety is far better than Yecheng."

"Thank you for your concern, my lord."

Xin Pi was even more moved.

(End of this chapter)