"Duke of Qin, I, Huang, have already persuaded Zhou Cang and the other man to surrender. I wonder if Your Highness is willing to accept their surrender?"

Huang Shao survived a great ordeal, and although Zhao Hao ordered him to do things to atone for his sins, he still harbored resentment in his heart.

Now, has he truly become a lackey of the imperial court? If so, wouldn't he be considered a treacherous and fickle person?

He was very conflicted. He had compromised in the past to keep living, but he didn't know what he was compromising for now.

"Hehe, what's wrong? Is it so hard for you to do things for me? You look so dejected."

Huang Shao's expression was evident on his face. Not to mention Zhao Hao, even the straightforward Lao Dian could tell what he was thinking.

"Duke of Qin, why don't you just kill me? I can understand that you spare Old Steward because you respect his loyalty. But...aren't you very annoying? Why do you keep me by your side all this time?"

I truly do not understand, and today I humbly request the Duke of Qin to provide a definitive answer.

Huang Shao was quite straightforward, and seeing that he was really conflicted, Zhao Hao gave him a satisfactory answer.

"Although the era of the Yellow Heaven cannot return, a peaceful world needs you former members of the Yellow Turbans to witness it with your own eyes."

Do you want your brothers who bled to death to die in vain?

Although I dislike your arrogance, you are one of the few truly talented people among the former Yellow Turban rebels.

Once you are dead, they will have no other thoughts.

If you live, when that day comes, you will be able to regain your identities and provide some protection for these ordinary people, right?

"What, you want me, Zhao, to follow your example, compromise with the powerful families, and let them exploit the common people?"

Huang Shao's lips twitched. Although the reason for the greeting sounded reasonable, when applied to himself, he felt that Zhao Hao had a somewhat perverse sense of humor.

"I understand. It seems General Zhao means... to make the best use of everyone's talents. In that case, shall I go and bring Zhou Cang and Pei Yuanshao to see the general?"

Just then, Ju Shou entered the inner room and announced, "My lord, Xu Chu and Xu Ding are outside requesting an audience!"

Zhao Hao nodded. "In that case, let's meet together!"

...

The bright candlelight completely dispelled the darkness from the village houses in the dead of night. However, Zhou Cang and Pei Yuanshao were very nervous because the Xu brothers opposite them were staring at them fiercely.

"Zhou Cang, Pei Yuanshao, I am very pleased that you two are willing to surrender."

Seeing that everyone was in place, Zhao Hao was the first to break the silence.

"However, whether you can atone for the bloodshed you committed in Xu Family Village and other areas depends entirely on whether you can provide sufficiently valuable intelligence and how much merit you can make to atone for your crimes."

"Did you two understand?"

After learning the true identities of Guan Hai and Huang Shao, Zhou Cang and Pei Yuanshao decisively chose to betray them.

In this world, Zhao Hao is probably the only one who can truly accept these former Yellow Turban rebels.

Although Zhao Hao didn't say it explicitly, they learned it from Guan Hai and Huang Shao.

As long as they make significant contributions this time, not only will their brothers be well-fed and clothed, but their families will also be rewarded with more land.

"Yes, Zhou Cang has assisted the craftsmen in the general's army in drawing up the approximate strongholds of Liu Pi, as well as He Yi and He Man's troops."

Cang Ye is willing to serve as a vanguard, capturing or killing these two men for the general, to prove his loyalty!

All of this was arranged by Zhao Hao, and Zhao Hao naturally knew that.

Saying this in front of the Xu brothers was simply to let them know his intentions.

"To err is human, to forgive divine. However, you have indeed committed many wrongdoings against Xu Family Village. These two are the strongest people in Xu Family Village. Shouldn't you two say something to them and to the people of Xu Family Village?"

Pei Yuanshao nodded repeatedly, and even knelt down in front of the Xu brothers in front of so many people.

"Gentlemen, my brother and I were originally just righteous bandits from Woniu Mountain in Runan County."

Normally, they would rob corrupt officials, landlords, and gentry, but they would never harm ordinary people!

However, Liu Pi was unwilling to let the two brothers live this kind of life. If we did not help him plunder the counties and towns of Pei State, he would first level our Woniu Mountain.

We had no other choice but to invade your Xu Family Village in order to survive.

"Of course, it's all our fault. You can fight or kill us as you please, my brother and I will have no complaints!"

Zhou Cang sighed, "His words are exactly what I was thinking. We two were indeed wrong, and we would have no complaints if you two brave men were to punish us!"

Xu Chu and Xu Ding snorted and then looked at Zhao Hao.

"General Zhao, are we really capable of dealing with these two villains ourselves?"

Zhao Hao nodded slightly. "Although the righteous men Xu Chu have agreed to surrender to me, I, Zhao Hao, will not interfere in their feud with the Xu Family Manor."

Xu Chu bowed deeply, his voice muffled, "In that case, thank you for your understanding, General Zhao!"

After saying this, Xu Chu stood up and drew his sword in front of Zhou Cang.

"A blood debt must be repaid with blood!"

Whoosh!

The blade flashed, but Zhou and Pei were not beheaded.

However, the yellow turbans wrapped around their heads and a few strands of black hair immediately drifted to the ground.

"Today, you have been of use to General Zhao in quelling the rebellious traitors who have wreaked havoc in the prefectures and counties. I will use this to temporarily replace your heads. If I find that you have not truly surrendered, I, Xu Chu (Xu Zhongkang), will surely execute you!"

The two felt as if they had escaped death. After exchanging a glance, they quickly thanked each other.

"Thank you, General Zhao! Thank you, righteous man Xu, for sparing our lives! We will never forget your kindness!"

Then, Xu Ding also stepped forward and bowed to Zhao Hao along with Xu Chu.

"If the general does not abandon us, my brother and I are willing to follow you to punish the traitors and avenge the blood debt owed to our fellow villagers!"

Zhao Hao smiled and gently helped the two up. "If you two don't mind, you can temporarily lead the warriors of Xu Family Village to manage these surrendered Yellow Turban soldiers for me. If we capture Liu Pi alive in the future, I will definitely hand him over to you two to deal with personally!"

If this battle is won, I, Zhao, will petition for merit on your behalf. If you then receive official positions and titles, and are willing, you will bring your people and relocate to a place under my jurisdiction. From then on, we will stand together through thick and thin, and I will never betray you!

"Of course, if it's difficult to leave one's homeland, I can understand. Then we can petition the court for a few more decrees to ensure the people of Xujiazhuang have enough to eat and wear. What do you think?"

The two brothers exchanged a glance. Zhao Hao valued them so much, how could they possibly let him down?

"Thank you for your high regard, Duke of Qin. My brother and I are willing to serve as your vanguard, leading the horse and holding the reins!"

"Alright, alright, I've prepared some food and wine here. Everyone, please enjoy yourselves and take this opportunity to get to know each other. Zhongkang, I intend to continue the expedition in five days. If you wish to recruit local militia, do so in these next few days."

There's plenty of equipment here; just come find me when the time comes.

"As for the village chief, I'll trouble you two to speak with him."

"We all obey the general's orders and dare not disobey!"

"Hahaha! Great! Come on, let's drink until we drop tonight!"

...