novelAbuy Chapter 1492 Surrender
Chapter 1492 Surrender
Chapter 1492 Surrender
Fenggao City Temporary Headquarters
Liu Chen stared at the two urgent reports on the table. One read, "Wu army crosses the Huai River and picks up weapons," and the other read, "Zhuge Dan is defending Langya."
He took a deep breath—it wasn't nervousness or fear, but rather a mixture of excitement and nervousness.
Unlike their predecessors who came from Sichuan step by step.
These second-generation descendants, like Liu Chen, had witnessed firsthand how the Han Dynasty had won countless battles and almost no defeats since they were old enough to understand things.
The strength of the Han army was almost an ingrained belief in their very bones.
For both Wu Jun and Zhuge Dan, the challenge was not how to appease them, but how to subdue them.
Fortunately, Liu Chen was quite composed and knew that this was the first time he had been in charge on his own, so he couldn't afford to make any mistakes.
He immediately summoned Zhang Yi, Li Yi, Jiang Bin, Huang Chong, and others, and showed them the urgent report, speaking earnestly:
"All of you are pillars of the nation. Now that this matter has occurred, I am at a loss. I wish to hear your wise advice."
Zhang Yi was the first to clasp his hands in greeting: "Your Highness, this old minister believes that we should prioritize tasks based on their importance and urgency."
"Langya is the heart of Qing and Xu, and Zhuge Dan has only three thousand men, which is like a minor ailment; the Wu army crossing the Huai River, although a small conflict, concerns the national dignity and is a serious threat to the heart."
"General Zhang means... to deal with Wu's army first?" Liu Chen pressed.
"Exactly." Zhang Yi pointed to the map.
"If the Huai River is lost and the Wu army gains a foothold on the north bank, then our Qing and Xu regions will never have peace. We should quickly send elite cavalry to drive them away and show the speed of our Han army."
Li Yi pondered for a moment and said, "However, we must also be wary of Zhuge Dan. If he secretly communicates with the Wu army and coordinates with the north and south, then all our efforts will be in vain."
"I believe that we should take a two-pronged approach: show strength to Wu and put pressure on Zhuge Dan."
Jiang Bin added:
"I know a little about Zhuge Dan. His uncle and brother, Zhuge Jin, served in Wu, and his nephew, Zhuge Ke, was once the Grand Tutor of Wu. He also has a cousin in our court..."
“This man is very good at observing the situation. Now that Sima Zhao has discarded him like a worn-out shoe, he must be panicking. If we offer him great benefits and explain the advantages and disadvantages, we may be able to subdue him without a fight.”
Huang Chong then began to calculate the accounts:
“Your Highness, if we use troops to attack Langya, we will consume a lot of food and provisions; if we offer them a title and guarantee their land, we will only grant them a nominal title. It is obvious which is more economical and which is more expensive.”
Liu Chen nodded repeatedly as he listened, gradually making up his mind.
He rose and bowed solemnly to the four men: "Your words are like the sun breaking through the clouds. My mind is made up; you shall obey my command!"
“First, General Zhang,” Liu Chen said solemnly, “we must immediately dispatch 500 light cavalry to the north bank of the Huai River.”
"When you see Wu's army, drive them away without fighting, but make a big show of it so that the other side knows that our Han army has arrived."
Zhang Yi clasped his hands in a fist and said, “This old minister obeys! I will definitely show the Wu army what the iron cavalry of the Han Dynasty is!”
“Second, Minister Li,” Liu Chen said, looking at Li Yi, “draft a letter to the people of Langya.”
"It is stated that all those who submit will have their land and houses protected according to the law, and the ancestral property of the Zhuge family will be specially preserved. In addition, the Han Dynasty is benevolent and will not hold past transgressions against them."
“Third…” Liu Chen paused, “Send an order to Zhuge Zhan, the general of the vanguard camp, and order him to come to see me immediately.”
Before long, Zhuge Zhan, dressed in full military attire, strode into the tent, his armor still covered in dust.
He clasped his hands in a salute and said, "This humble general, Zhuge Zhan, greets Your Highness!"
Liu Chen was extremely respectful: "General Zhuge, there is a matter that I cannot accomplish without you."
After explaining the reason, Zhuge Zhan pondered for a moment:
“Your Highness, although Gongxiu (Zhuge Dan) and I are of the same clan, we have served different masters for many years. If I were to go and persuade him to surrender, I fear he would suspect that I am setting a trap…”
“It is precisely because we are of the same clan that we can speak more easily,” Liu Chen said gently. “You may tell him clearly: the Sima clan has abandoned Qing and Xu, and the Wu Kingdom is far away across the Huai River.”
"The Han dynasty is now on its third rise, a mandate of heaven has been bestowed upon us. If we remain obstinate and do not see the truth..." His voice turned somber, "Five days from now, we will see the truth outside Langya City."
Zhuge Zhan solemnly replied, "This subordinate obeys!"
Liu Chen added: "Furthermore, once the various tribes arrive at Langya City, they should immediately cut down trees to make siege weapons and demonstrate their power."
The generals accepted the order and departed.
When only Liu Chen and Feng Ying remained in the tent, she leaned closer and whispered, "Your Highness was so polite in calling him 'General Zhuge' just now."
Liu Chen said helplessly, "He is a camp commander. Am I supposed to address him by his given name?"
"What I mean is that although this is Your Highness's first time leading an army, I did not expect you to have such a great general's demeanor."
Feng Ying suppressed a laugh, "So next... what about the Huai River?"
Liu Chen looked south, his gaze sharpening: "Once Langya is pacified, the matter of the Huai River... should naturally be settled."
Several days later, on the north bank of the Huai River, five hundred light cavalry swept in like a whirlwind.
The cavalry captain shouted, "Men! See those scavenging Wu dogs? Chase them away!"
Five hundred riders sped along the north bank of the Huai River like arrows released from a bow.
The sound of horses' hooves rolled like muffled thunder, stirring up clouds of dust.
On the opposite bank, the Wu army was busy moving the abandoned weapons of the Wei Kingdom when suddenly they saw a cloud of dust rising on the north bank and red Han flags fluttering in the wind, and they were thrown into chaos.
"The Han army! The Han army is here—!"
Wu Jun dropped his weapons and retreated hastily.
The Han army did not cross the river to pursue, but instead ordered its cavalry to gallop back and forth on the north bank, shouting in unison:
"Wu troops have crossed the border—retreat immediately!"
"The Han lands north of the Huai River—do not violate them!"
The sound echoed across the Huai River, and the Wu army on the opposite bank became somewhat flustered in the face of this sudden turn of events.
A daring junior officer from Wu's army attempted to organize a resistance, but the cavalry swept back and forth, driving the dozens of men directly into the water.
"If you don't retreat, I'll take your head!"
Fortunately, it was autumn; if it had been winter, these Wu soldiers might have frozen to death in the water.
The Han army came prepared, and being cavalry, the Wu army, already busy fighting for weapons and lacking organization, was forced by the Han army to scramble to board ships and flee south.
Two small boats capsized due to overloading, and the cries for help from those who fell into the water were heart-wrenching.
The Han cavalry captain observed coldly from the sidelines and said to his deputy:
"Record this: Wu's army crossed the border to pick up weapons. Upon seeing our Han army arrive, they fled in panic, and more than ten drowned themselves. This is divine retribution, not my fault."
Within half a day, Wu's army on the north bank of the Huai River was wiped out.
Upon receiving the news, Liu Chen clapped his hands and laughed, then ordered an accelerated southward advance.
Meanwhile, Zhuge Zhan, dressed in full military attire and accompanied only by two personal guards, rode his horse to the city of Langya.
The soldiers guarding the city walls drew their bows and nocked their arrows, the arrowheads gleaming coldly in the autumn sun.
He reined in his horse and shouted, "Zhuge Zhan, General of the Vanguard of the Great Han Army, requests an audience with my uncle by order of the Crown Prince!"
A commotion broke out on the city wall.
About half an incense stick later, the city gate creaked open a crack, just wide enough for one horse to pass through.
Zhuge Zhan dismounted, placed his hand on his sword, and entered with a swagger.
Inside the gate, Zhuge Dan was already waiting by the roadside.
"Siyuan? You're Siyuan?" Zhuge Dan stepped forward, his actions as intimate as if he were truly seeing his nephew.
"I have been waiting for a long time! Quickly, come with your uncle into the mansion for a chat!"
Zhuge Zhan returned the greeting with neither arrogance nor servility.
The two entered the prefect's residence, where servants served tea, and Zhuge Dan personally poured tea for Zhuge Zhan.
“Siyuan,” Zhuge Dan said with a smile, “during the turmoil in Xuzhou, the Zhuge clan was scattered in different directions. I thought that our clansmen would never see each other again.”
He sighed, his eyes slightly reddening. "I never imagined that we would meet again in Langya today."
Zhuge Zhan picked up his teacup and took a small sip:
“Uncle is right. Now that the Han dynasty has been restored for the third time, the people’s hearts are with us. It is time for our Zhuge family to reconnect.”
"Indeed, indeed." Zhuge Dan nodded repeatedly, then changed the subject, "But...Siyuan, did you come here today to pay your respects to your family, or to discuss state affairs?"
"National affairs and family affairs are inherently interconnected."
Zhuge Zhan took out the "Letter to the People of Langya" from his bosom and presented it with both hands:
"The Crown Prince has decreed that all those who surrender will have their land and houses protected according to the law, and the ancestral property of the Zhuge family will be specially preserved. Uncle, please take a look."
Zhuge Dan unfolded the silk scroll, and when he read the phrase "ancestral property is specially preserved," a flash of joy crossed his eyes, but he pretended to ponder:
"The Crown Prince is benevolent and virtuous, which your uncle admires. However..."
He put down the silk scroll and leaned forward. "Siyuan, do you know what Langya means to the Zhuge family?"
"Appreciate further details."
“Since our ancestor served as the Commandant of the Capital Region, our Zhuge family has lived in Langya for generations.”
Zhuge Dan's voice grew deeper, "The ancestral hall is here, the ancestral tomb is here, the fields, the tenants, the fellow villagers... all are here."
"Now Sima Zhao wants to forcibly relocate our clan to Liaodong. My uncle is fighting to the death, not for power, but to protect the bloodline and foundation of our ancestors!"
He spoke with emotion, wiping his eyes with his sleeve.
Zhuge Zhan listened quietly, and only after he finished speaking did he slowly say:
"The Crown Prince is well aware of his uncle's good intentions. Therefore, he specially ordered me to come here to preserve the Zhuge family lineage."
The hall fell silent for a moment.
After a while, Zhuge Dan slowly said:
“Siyuan, since you call me uncle, I will be frank. Uncle can open the city gates, but there are three conditions.”
"Uncle, please speak."
"First, my three thousand soldiers must retain their original formation and remain under my command, stationed in Langya. Their provisions and funds can be allocated by the imperial court, and their military affairs can be controlled by the Crown Prince."
Zhuge Dan had been stationed in Huainan for a long time, fighting against the Wu people, so he naturally knew about the Wu military system.
The requirement to retain 3,000 men was precisely a demand to emulate the Wu Kingdom's system of retainers.
Zhuge Zhan said solemnly, "Uncle, the Han army has at most three hundred troops."
During the Han, Wei, and Wu kingdoms, those who held high positions and wielded great power all had their own retinues.
However, the Wu Kingdom had the most.
"According to the Han system, all soldiers who surrendered should be dispersed and reorganized, and assigned positions according to their abilities."
"Among the soldiers under your uncle's command, three hundred can be selected as personal guards, the rest will be selected for the Han army, and the rest will be discharged and returned to their fields, and given a living allowance."
"My Grand Marshal of the Han Dynasty, the personal guard battalion, now has no more than two hundred men."
"If Uncle commands three thousand troops and goes to Chang'an in the future, does Uncle intend to be ranked above the Grand Marshal?"
Upon hearing this, Zhuge Dan looked somewhat troubled.
But in his heart he didn't really care, and he never expected that the Han Kingdom would act according to the rules of the Wu Kingdom.
Besides, he was above that cunning and ruthless Ghost King Feng...
Forget it.
"Secondly, may I temporarily assume the position of Prefect of Langya? My uncle is familiar with Langya and the people there, and will surely be able to help the Crown Prince pacify Xuzhou quickly."
Zhuge Zhan smiled and nodded: "Of course."
Zhuge Dan was overjoyed.
“But—” Zhuge Zhan slowly put down his teacup, his gaze calmly fixed on Zhuge Dan:
"My uncle has been in the puppet Wei court for a long time, so he may not be fully aware of my father's true importance in the Han Dynasty."
Zhuge Dan was taken aback, only to hear Zhuge Zhan explain:
"Langya is the ancestral home of the Zhuge clan. Once the world is at peace, the court will surely value this place highly."
"At that time, it would be reasonable to either send high-ranking officials to inspect the area or to order envoys to perform the sacrificial rites."
After a pause, Zhuge Zhan's tone became solemn:
"To presume to speak, if in the future an angel were to come here by imperial decree, he would be paying homage to the loyal soul of Zhuge Liang and beholding the splendor of Langya."
"Uncle, if you are confident that you can govern this place well enough to live up to your father's good name and disgrace the Zhuge family."
"If everyone in the court says, 'This is indeed the hometown of Zhuge Liang,' then my nephew will naturally have nothing to say."
He raised his eyes and looked at Zhuge Dan's suddenly frozen face:
"But if there is even the slightest mishap, it will tarnish my late father's reputation and disappoint the elders of Langya..."
Zhuge Zhan shook his head slightly. Although he didn't finish his sentence, the meaning behind it was self-evident.
Zhuge Dan's smile froze slightly: "Siyuan, you won't allow this or that. Is the Han Dynasty really so harsh on those who surrender?"
"Of course not. My uncle has rendered meritorious service in protecting the Zhuge clan's territory and should be treated well. The Crown Prince will grant him the title of Marquis of Langya, with a fief of a thousand households, and his ancestral property will be preserved."
Zhuge Dan's expression shifted.
He then asked, "Where is your fief?"
"Naturally, we must report to the imperial court and let them make a decision."
Zhuge Dan tentatively asked, "I think Langya is quite good, and this place is also the ancestral home of Langya..."
Zhuge Zhan smiled enigmatically.
“Uncle, to put it bluntly, even if someone could use Langya as their fief, it could only be my elder brother (Zhuge Qiao), or... me.”
Zhuge Dan's face suddenly darkened.
He stared at Zhuge Zhan for a long time, then suddenly smiled.
“Siyuan,” he slowly stood up, “there is a saying that the wise assess the situation and know when to advance and when to retreat. Do you… understand this?”
Zhuge Zhan also stood up, his hand on his sword: "Of course I understand. That's why I've come here today to show my uncle the right path."
"A clear path?"
"To follow the will of Heaven and the will of the people is the mark of a wise man. Now that the Han dynasty has been restored three times, the Mandate of Heaven is already set. Why should you, Uncle, go against the tide?"
Zhuge Dan paced back and forth, then stopped and looked at Zhuge Zhan.
But Zhuge Zhan stood tall and proud, showing no intention of backing down.
Seeing that Zhuge Dan was still hesitant, he decided to offer one last word of advice:
“Uncle, the Crown Prince has decreed: the city gates must be opened within five days, starting from noon today. He will be enfeoffed as the Marquis of Langya, with a fief of one thousand households, and his ancestral property will be preserved.”
“Five days later…” he paused, “then the conditions won’t be the same.”
"Uncle, at the last moment, you held fast to Langya and refused to follow the false rebels. This was truly a far-sighted move."
"Should we, at this moment, go against the general trend of the world for the sake of a tiny bit of gain?"
Zhuge Dan stared at him: "I can also surrender the city to Wu."
Zhuge Zhan laughed, as if he had heard a joke: "Uncle, if you want to surrender, do you think the Wu people will dare to accept you?"
"I, the Grand Marshal of the Han Dynasty, rebuked Sun Jun, the Prime Minister of Wu, as if he were a naughty child. The Princess of Wu has sent a letter admitting her mistake."
"Uncle, if you abandon Han and join Wu, the Grand Marshal can easily persuade the Wu people to send you to Han with just a letter. What will you do then?"
Zhuge Dan's face twitched.
“Uncle, I have said everything I have to say today,” Zhuge Zhan emphasized. “The five-day deadline is the Crown Prince’s benevolence.”
"If we truly delay the Han Dynasty's recapture of Qing and Xu, and allow the Wu Kingdom to take the opportunity to advance north, then military law will be as severe as a mountain..."
He stared into Zhuge Dan's eyes and said, "Please don't say that your nephew doesn't care about the bonds of kinship."
Zhuge Dan's forehead was beaded with sweat. He closed his eyes and remained silent for a long time.
Finally, he sighed and said, "So be it! Siyuan, go back and report to the Crown Prince that Zhuge Dan... is willing to surrender!"
Three days later, the gates of Langya City were suddenly flung open.
Zhuge Dan led the officials, soldiers and officers in the city to surrender.
He was not wearing official robes, but only a plain dark robe. He held the prefect's seal and military tally in his hands, walked up to Liu Chen's horse, and bowed.
Liu Chen dismounted, personally helped him up, and said gently:
"Gongxiu was a man of great integrity who protected the lives of the people of Langya; his merit was immeasurable."
"I have petitioned my father to bestow upon Gongxiu the title of Marquis of Langya, with a fief of a thousand households. He already has a residence outside Chang'an, awaiting his move-in."
Zhuge Dan could only kowtow deeply: "This sinful subject... thanks Your Highness for your grace."
As he stood up, he saw Zhuge Zhan standing behind Liu Chen, his gaze calm.
The two locked eyes for a moment, and a complex and indescribable emotion flashed in Zhuge Dan's eyes.
At least, the ancestral graves were preserved.
At least, the family line... won't be cut off.
He kowtowed again, his forehead touching the ground.
P.S.: My new book, "The Heart of Industry: Starting with Hand-Made Filters," has been released. It's a historical fiction with an industrial theme. If you're interested, you can check it out.
The coming-of-age story of a gifted boy, and the development history of a major power's industry.
My new book, "The Heart of Industry: Starting with Hand-Made Filters," has been released. It's a blend of historical fiction and industrial themes; those interested can check it out.