Chapter 727: The Tenderness of a Fierce Tiger!
The thirteenth year of Jian'an.
In Linzi city, Luo Yan was still wearing a scarlet robe. She looked murderous and majestic. Zhang Yan was tied to the ground in front of Luo Yan.
Luo Yan held a sword in her hand, which reflected light slightly, revealing its sharp edge and chilling in its feeling. Fresh red blood was dripping from the sword, dripping onto the bluestone slabs.
At Luo Yan's feet, there were several people lying, all bleeding and without any breath. They were actually corpses, and it was obvious that they were killed by Luo Yan.
Luo Yan slowly raised the tip of the sword and said sternly: "Those who rebel should be killed. It is a blessing to die under my sword. What do you think, General Pingdong?"
Zhang Yan's face was very ugly, and he said proudly: "What is rebellion?
I am the General of Pingdong appointed by the imperial court. Yuan Benchu usurped the title of King of Zhao and I disobeyed his order. Is this my fault?"
Luo Yan immediately sneered and said sarcastically: "I never thought that General Pingdong would be such a forgetful person.
Zhang Yan, you have contributed a lot to the fall of the Han Dynasty, but now you are pretending to be a loyal minister of the Han Dynasty.
If you were really loyal to the Han Emperor, you would not have surrendered to my master in the first place. It is ridiculous that you pretend to be loyal when you clearly have ulterior motives.
What did Master Tianyi say to you before he passed away?
Do you want me to be a loyal minister of the Han Dynasty?"
Zhang Yan felt very uncomfortable. He was certainly not a loyal minister of the Han Dynasty, but Zhang Jiao had asked them to find a lord who could get things done, and he thought Yuan Shao was the one who could get things done.
But Yuan Shao's sudden declaration of kingship stunned Zhang Yan. As a result, he pretended to obey and was attacked by Luo Yan. Zhang Yan was captured alive before he could even fight. It was really embarrassing.
Now when he heard Luo Yan mention Zhang Jiao, he felt even more uncomfortable. Among all the brothers who had sworn brotherhood with him, he was the most miserable one, having become a prisoner.
Of course Zhang Yan understood what Luo Yan wanted to do.
The reason why he hasn't lied on the ground like a corpse yet is because Luo Yan still thinks he is useful and has potential.
This was also how the Taoist master evaluated him at the beginning, saying that he was a rare general in the Taiping Army.
Zhang Yan said in a sullen voice: "Sir, please put away those harsh words.
Now I am your prisoner.
All thoughts and calculations turned into nothingness.
If you are still willing to trust Zhang Yan, I am willing to submit to the King of Zhao again, and from now on, I will be at ease as a minister in Zhao State."
Luo Yan didn't expect that Zhang Yan was so single that he didn't even bother to say anything. He paced around Zhang Yan, the sword in his hand swaying, murderous intent flashing in his eyes from time to time, which made Zhang Yan feel terrified, as if the sword would fall at any time and chop off his head.
This Young Master Yan has not behaved like a gentleman since he entered Qingzhou, otherwise he would not have ended up in this situation.
Luo Yan thought a lot, and finally slashed with a sword, untied the ropes that bound Zhang Yan, and said sternly: "You are a talent, and the soldiers under your command are elite, which is what my Zhao country needs now.
This general gives you this chance to survive. If you don’t cherish it, you won’t be the only one to die next time.
The most annoying thing in this world is a traitor. This time you are loyal to the Han Dynasty. If you dare to betray Zhao in the future, I will kill you without mercy."
Zhang Yan said proudly: "Please rest assured, sir. I, Zhang Yan, was born in the Taiping Army. This is the proudest thing in my life. The Taoist master once taught me the way of loyalty and righteousness.
Since I have become a vassal of the Yuan family of Zhao, I will naturally fight for Zhao."
Hearing the word "Taoist Master", Luo Yan was silent for a moment.
My uncle was such a brilliant man. He had been dead for more than ten years, but his legends were still everywhere in the world.
After Zhang Yan surrendered to Zhao again, Luo Yan sent Zhang Yan to lead an army to Jimo to block the road to the north from Langya County. Guo Tu, Xin Ping and others all followed the army as Zhang Yan's think tanks and military supervisors.
A general is equipped with a military advisor and a military supervisor, which is the standard configuration nowadays.
Ju Shou and Tian Feng played such roles in Yuan Shao's main attack route. Under Luo Yan's mobilization, only three great counselors, Xun Chen, Ju Shou and Tian Feng, were left under Yuan Shao's command.
The reason why these three people were kept is simply because they usually do not disagree with each other and form constraints.
Shen Pei did not get along well with Ju Shou and Tian Feng, so Luo Yan brought them to her side. Although Shen Pei was autocratic, he could only be suppressed by the even more autocratic Luo Yan, just like when Qu Yi faced Luo Yan.
Luo Yan doesn't tolerate it at all.
In Qingzhou, countless soldiers and weapons were mobilized. Although Yuan Shao was the main attacking force, his troops were smaller than those in Qingzhou. This was probably because Yuan Shao had to pass through the ferry all the way, which required countless large-scale military deployments.
Qingzhou is located south of the river and can move south to attack Yanzhou and Henan County.
Luo Yan asked Zhang Yan to lead 30,000 troops to defend the Xuzhou army from going north.
Zhao State's 60,000 elite troops are all under the command of Luo Yan. Together with the auxiliary troops and logistical forces, it can be called an army of 200,000!
Luo Yan naturally did not have the ability to command such a large army, but there was a person in Zhao State who could do it.
That is Shen Pei!
Although Shen Pei was a civil official and strategist, he was extremely talented in the art of warfare.
After being tempered by Gongsun Zan and the State of Yan on the battlefield of Youzhou, he unexpectedly became the strongest commander in the entire Hebei province, surpassing the Four Pillars of Hebei. He was quite similar to Zhou Yu of Jiangdong.
Luo Yan, Shen Pei, Zhang He, Gao Lan, Zhang Yan and other famous generals from Hebei, plus hundreds of generals of different levels and countless scholars who command the entire army, this is the strength of the world's number one prince.
There are generals like rain and counselors like forest!
This is how the prosperity of Yuan Shao's forces was described at the time. As a top general, Yuan Shao might not be as good as Cao Cao and Liu Bei, but in terms of numbers, he could beat the others.
Watching the army gradually marching out, Luo Yan clenched his sword tightly in his hand and said with a deep gaze: "Zhengnan, this battle is related to the fate of our Zhao State. We cannot lose."
fate!
When this word came out of Luo Yan's mouth, Shen Pei instantly became solemn.
…
Bingzhou.
This was the prefecture where the Han Dynasty encountered the most chaos, without a doubt.
There is the State of Yan to the north of Youzhou, and only the Hu people to the north of Bingzhou. Business here is depressed and it is slightly dilapidated compared to the Central Plains, but the people living here are extremely tenacious.
They have extremely sharp intuition like wolves.
The best among them is Lu Bu.
He could always sense who would win and then jump to that side. This was the way of survival for the warriors in the border counties.
In the eyes of the scholars in the Central Plains, these warriors from the border counties have the impression that they are rather capricious. In fact, this is just the way of survival for people born in the border counties.
When Yuan Shao and the Emperor of Yan State agreed to proclaim themselves king in Youzhou, and invited Lu Bu to join them, Lu Bu did not go at all.
Although he had no political intelligence, he still knew the pros and cons of something as unreliable as becoming king.
This time, Cao and Liu attacked Yuan Shao in the name of the Han Dynasty, so they naturally gave him an imperial edict, and as the governor of Bingzhou, ordered him to join the attack on Yuan Shao.
Lu Bu paced back and forth in the hall, his brows furrowed. He really didn't know what to do.
Just as he was thinking about it, his wife suddenly ran in from outside and said happily, "Husband, guess who's back?"
Lu Bu paused. His mind was always quick in this regard, and he immediately asked in surprise, "Is Ling'er back?"
The lady nodded happily. Lu Bu laughed out loud at first, then stopped laughing in an instant. He guessed why his daughter came back at this time.
But before he could think about it, Lv Qiling had already rushed in from outside. As soon as she came in, she came to Lv Bu and bowed down in tears, saying, "Father, I am an unfilial daughter. I married far away in Yecheng and cannot be by your side to show my filial piety."
Lu Bu had no son. Not only did his wife not give birth to a son for him, but even his concubines did not give birth to one. Although he was physically strong, he had difficulty in having children. He only had one daughter, Lu Qiling.
Lu Qiling meant what she said. She had other thoughts in her mind when she came here, but after seeing her father and realizing that he looked a little older than before, she burst into tears instantly and couldn't stop at all.
Lu Bu pulled Lu Qiling up from the ground, put his big hands gently on her shoulders, and looked at his daughter who was sobbing, with tears streaming down her cheeks, leaving two tear marks. He suddenly understood something.
I don't have a son, and it seems unlikely that I will have one in the future.
In that case, what else is there to fight for?
Not to mention being a prince, even if he became an emperor or even the Son of Heaven, what would that matter?
His rough hands stroked Lv Qiling's soft cheeks, wiping away her tears, just like when Lv Qiling was a child. Lv Bu said softly, "Ling'er, don't cry. Father will go to help King Zhao, okay?"
Lu Bu's sudden voice shocked Lu Qiling so much that she stopped crying for a moment. She raised her head in disbelief, trying to see any hint of a joke in her father's eyes.
Yuan Shao now has enemies all over the world. Even his younger brother Liu Biao has distanced himself from Yuan Shao. Yet, his father wants to form an alliance with Yuan Shao under such circumstances.
It’s because of myself!
Lu Qiling knew there was no other reason.
She instantly felt endless regret in her heart, and trembled as she said, "Father, I'm relieved to see that you are in good health. I will return to Yecheng right away. You and mother must be well in Bingzhou."
Lu Qiling wanted to leave Bingzhou, as if she had never been here, so that her father would not be involved in the struggle between Zhao and the Han Dynasty, and her father and mother could enjoy their old age in peace.
But she couldn't move.
Lu Bu is now the best general in the world, how could a little girl like her resist him?
Lu Bu chuckled and said, "I have heard that parents love their children and have far-reaching plans.
I once thought that I had found a good marriage for you, but now it seems that I was sending you into a fire pit.
Since you are willing to return to Bingzhou today, it means Yuan Tan treats you well, is that right?"
Lu Qiling nodded and said, "My husband treats me very well and is also very good to the children."
Lü Bu sighed and smiled, gently stroking Lü Qiling's soft long hair and said, "That's enough. I have enjoyed a lot of wealth and honor in my life. I was the governor of Bingzhou, a vassal lord, and was canonized as a marquis. I brought honor to my ancestors. Now the only thing I hope is that you can be happy.
Besides, Zhao State will not necessarily lose. Your father is the best in the world. Who can defeat your father on the battlefield?
Ling'er has no confidence in being a father?"
Lu Qiling cried and laughed, then laughed and cried again, sobbing and saying, "Father is the best in the world, the greatest hero in the world, and the most powerful person. Qiling has always believed that this is the truth."
Hearing this, Lu Bu laughed and said, "That's right, Zhang Jue is dead. There is no one in this world who can defeat father. Watch father lead Bingzhou army to carve out a bright position for you.
My daughter will be the queen, the empress, and the mother of the world!"
Lu Bu's voice was high, and his words were full of ambition and passion. People always light up when they are determined to do something.
…
Yecheng.
The army had already set out a lot earlier, and Yuan Shao was leading the remaining troops to the front line. The news brought back by Lu Qiling made Yuan Tan very proud in front of Yuan Shao.
Yuan Shao laughed loudly. He had finally made up his mind. He said loudly in front of all the officials of Zhao State: "With Lü Fengxian's help, our Zhao State's chances of victory have greatly increased. After we defeat the Han army this time, I will establish the crown prince.
Tan'er, you have made great contributions this time, and I am delighted."
In the eyes of many people, this was the first time that Yuan Shao made clear his attitude towards the kingdom's crown prince. Before, he always liked Yuan Shang, who was more like himself, but he was also concerned about Yuan Tan's position as the eldest son. Deposing the eldest son and enthroning the youngest son was not the right way.
Now that Lu Qiling asked Lu Bu, a powerful ally, for help, Yuan Shao immediately understood what he should do.
Yuan Tan was naturally extremely happy, even ecstatic.
All the officials of Zhao State were also extremely excited. The status of Lu Qiling in Lu Bu's heart was raised several levels again. This Mrs. Lu was extraordinary.
She is not just a simple daughter of a general, she is actually a powerful prince with a big state standing behind her.
Lu Bu's move greatly boosted the confidence of the Zhao king and his ministers.
Before, people were worried that Lu Bu would participate in the attack on Zhao State. Although Bingzhou was not considered strong among the states, the terrain of Bingzhou was perfectly superior to that of Jizhou. The North China Plain, the core of the entire Zhao State, was like a sieve in front of Bingzhou.
Bingzhou can attack Jizhou, the core of Zhao State, from various routes in Taihang Mountains.
Now that Lu Bu is on Yuan Shao's side, the situation instantly improves.
With the power of Ji, Bing, Qing and You states, Cao Cao and Liu Bei alone could at best be on par with each other, and it was impossible for them to destroy the State of Zhao!
Yuan Shao thought this was a good time to boost morale, so he laughed and said, "My dear ministers, if this battle lasts for a year, the Han army will be suppressing the rebellion. If this battle lasts for five years, it will be a war between Han and Zhao.
If Cao Cao and Liu Bei cannot win this time, the title of king on my head may be changed to emperor!"
All the ministers understood Yuan Shao's words. If the Han army failed to conquer Zhao for a long time, the independence of Zhao would become a political reality.
The hearts of people in the world are like flowing water, the speed of change is unimaginable.
If Zhao State really succeeds in becoming independent, it will set an example for the world.
It turns out that independence is okay!
This is extremely terrifying!
————
Lü Bu had no ambitions and was in charge of the state affairs. He often visited his family. Among the heroes at the end of the Han Dynasty, Lü Bu was the least likely to rebel. He helped Shao to attack us, and his daughter even cried!
He repeatedly carried on the Han cause without going against it; it was simply a matter of luck.
Alas!
If he could have obtained Lü's daughter as his empress, Bu would have held the halberd and defended the emperor's cause. The emperor would have sighed every time, and lamented how pitiful it was! - "Book of the Later Han: Biographies of Yuan Shao and Lü Bu"
(End of this chapter)
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