The Rebellious Officials and Traitors of the Late Han Dynasty

Chapter 356: Zhuge Liang is like a fish in water

"We stayed in Taihang Mountains. Even the emperor couldn't do anything to us back then. Can Qin Shou destroy us now?" Qing Niu Jiao said disdainfully.

Huang Long and others also nodded. Isn't it good for everyone to gather in the mountains to eat meat and drink wine? Why go to others and let their lives be in their hands?

"Chief, I heard that the Cavalry Army has a strict discipline. If people like us join them, I'm afraid we won't be able to adapt. If we're not careful, they might find an excuse to kill us." Bai Rao said with a wry smile.

Everyone nodded. What everyone was most worried about, apart from wealth, was their own lives. No one could guarantee that Qin Shou would not find an excuse to kill them.

"Qin Shou is different from the emperor of the Han Dynasty. His subordinates will not shirk their responsibilities when fighting. We seem to be peaceful in the mountains, but our food and grass are all dependent on the outside world. Once we are blocked, what will we eat?" Zhang Yan also understood everyone's thoughts.

But as a leader elected by everyone, he needs to consider many things. What will the soldiers eat? Once winter comes, the mountains are blocked by heavy snow, and food and grass from outside cannot be transported in. He also doesn't know how many people will die in the winter.

"The Cavalry will not allow people like us to stay entrenched in Taihang. After dealing with Yuan Shao, we will be the next one. Even now, the envoys who are trying to persuade them to surrender have already set out." Zhang Yan said quietly.

Bai Rao and others stopped talking immediately. Taihang area was the heart of Hebei and the throat connecting Bingzhou and Jizhou. They attacked Changshan, Zhongshan and other places to the east, and even Yecheng was on the attack list.

To the west, they can attack Shangdang, Jinyang and other areas in Bingzhou; to the north, they can attack Youzhou; to the south, they can threaten Henei, Luoyang, Dongjun and other areas.

No one would allow Zhang Yan and others to exist in such a crucial place.

After Qin Shou has dealt with Yuan Shao, he will definitely be the next one. What should he do?

"Then let's talk. As long as the talk goes well, what's wrong with surrendering to the Cavalry Army?" Yang Feng said in a cold voice.

He also knew that the cavalry representing the imperial court would not let him and others go easily, and would come to attack him sooner or later. Moreover, the Black Mountain Army had been useless after staying in Taihang Mountains for so many years.

As time goes by, there are only a few hundred thousand people left out of the million-strong army, and there are even fewer soldiers capable of fighting. If they remain here, more people will die when winter comes.

"Prime Minister Qin has a good reputation. He is clear about rewards and punishments and has strict military discipline. As long as you have made contributions, you will be rewarded. I believe that with our bravery, we will definitely be able to obtain a higher official title." Zhang Yan persuaded.

Surrendering to others is different from making decisions on your own. You must make achievements.

"You have been fighting for many years. If you want to return to your hometown and become a rich man, I believe Prime Minister Qin will not mind." Zhang Yan glanced at the crowd. He believed that among the people in front of him, there must be someone who was tired of this kind of life and would return to his hometown with gold and silver treasures to live a peaceful life.

Sure enough, someone in the crowd showed a hint of interest.

"Great leader, news has come from Yecheng that the Cavalry has sent Xin Pi to the mountain stronghold, probably to recruit us to surrender." At this time, news came from scouts outside the Juyi Hall.

"It's true." Zhang Yan felt complicated after hearing this.

He was lamenting that Qin Shou acted so quickly, attacking him right after occupying Yecheng.

The people around showed a hint of surprise on their faces when they heard this. It was just as Zhang Yan said. After the Cavalry Army dealt with Yuan Shao, they couldn't wait to attack the Black Mountain Army.

First they sent people to negotiate, but when their surrender failed, they sent troops to suppress the rebellion.

Everyone's expressions became complicated. When it really came to this point, everyone's mood was still very complicated.

"When you go back, you must discipline your subordinates, register your men and horses, and do not offend the imperial envoys. I believe you do not want your descendants to become bandits!" Zhang Yan looked at everyone coldly and said, "The Prime Minister is a man of great talent and strategy, and he should be a wise leader of the world. Such an opportunity cannot be missed."

Yang Feng and the others also nodded. If they had been able to enter the court and become generals, how could they have rebelled? As the number of the Black Mountain Army decreased, resistance would surely lead to death. The only way out was to recruit them.

"Respect the orders of the great leader."

Bai Rao and others agreed and went back to reorganize their troops.

Outside the mountain, the news of Yuan Shao's defeat and death spread throughout the world, causing an uproar and warlords everywhere trembling in fear. Yuan Shao controlled the north, and at his peak he controlled You, Bing, Ji, Qing, Yan and other states and counties, making him the most powerful hero in the world.

There were nearly a million soldiers and thousands of generals. Such a powerful force was defeated by the Cavalry so quickly, and Yuan Shao was killed. The northern forces collapsed, and Qin Shou's control of the north became inevitable.

In Nanchang City, Liu Bei, who had just entered Yuzhang County, had not yet recovered from his joy when he received the news of Yuan Shao's defeat and death. His face suddenly changed drastically.

"Military advisor, it seems that Qin Shou will definitely move south within two years. This Yuan Benchu ​​is really incompetent. He controls the northern land, but was defeated so quickly." Liu Bei summoned Zhuge Liang and said with contempt in his heart.

He forgot that he was not much better off. If Qin Shou had taken pity on him and given him Yuzhang County, he would probably still be in the tiny place of Xinye.

Zhuge Liang stroked his beard and said, "My lord, don't worry. Although Qin Shou has defeated Yuan Shao, it is not an easy task to pacify Hebei. There are many noble families in Hebei, and these families have no good feelings towards Qin Shou. Humph, these families can delay Qin Shou for half a year to a year."

"We will seize the opportunity to seize the four counties in southern Jing. At the same time, we will unite with Cai Mao and Kuai Shi, send people with gold and silk to the grassland, and unite with Kebi Neng to go south. These grassland ethnic groups often go south to harass the border. If Qin Shou wants to go south safely, he can only defeat Kebi Neng. This way, we can buy half a year or even longer."

After listening to this, Liu Bei nodded repeatedly. One year was enough to accomplish a lot of things. It was enough for him to occupy the four counties in southern Jing, and it was enough for Cao Cao to occupy the entire Yangzhou.

He could even occupy the entire Jingzhou.

"The military advisor has made a thorough plan."

Liu Bei praised.

"Qin Shou leads a large army and advances rapidly. It seems that he is invincible, but in fact, his foundation is unstable. Those aristocratic families are being suppressed and unable to breathe. As long as we delay the enemy at the front line, the aristocratic families behind him will definitely rise up in rebellion." Zhuge Liang's eyes flashed coldly.

"Everything will be decided by the military advisor." Liu Bei said without hesitation.

"Thank you for your trust, Lord."

Zhuge Liang said with great responsibility.

He felt like a fish in water here with Liu Bei.

(End of this chapter)