With Chen Man's death, Lu Qing became the leader of the rebel army. After killing Chen Man's personal guards, the remaining rebels chose to surrender.
The garrison on the east city wall stared blankly at the rebel army fighting below, somewhat confused about what was happening.
It wasn't until cheers erupted from the north gate that the guards realized what was happening, and the entire city wall erupted in jubilation.
After several days of fierce fighting, the imperial army finally arrived, and the scholars on the city walls couldn't help but shed tears of excitement.
After eliminating the rebels in the east of the city, Lu Qin led his defecting soldiers towards the south of the city.
Upon arriving at the south of the city, Lu Qin immediately ordered the gong to be sounded.
The rebels on the city wall quickly retreated. Lu Qing stepped forward and shouted, "Chen Man is dead, and the imperial army has arrived. Those who want to live, why don't you quickly throw down your weapons and surrender?"
The rebels in the south of the city were already under Lu Qing's command. Now, after hearing what Lu Qing said, they no longer hesitated and threw away their weapons.
On the other side, Dong Zhuo led 5,000 Imperial Guards cavalrymen to chase after the fleeing soldiers and charge into the rebel army in the west of the city.
The Imperial Guards cavalry of today are undoubtedly the elite of the Han Dynasty. Faced with their warhorses, sharp longswords, and tough armor, the tens of thousands of rebels in the west of the city were slaughtered without any chance of fighting back.
Furthermore, the exceptionally brave Dong Zhuo went straight into the army, cut down the banner of the rebel army's central force, and killed the leader of the rebel army in the west of the city.
Seeing that they were outmatched, many rebel soldiers fled in panic, but they had only run a short distance when they encountered Lu Qing's army coming towards them.
"Why don't you surrender now? What are you waiting for?"
With Lu Qing's shout, the rebel soldiers, knowing they had nowhere to escape, had no choice but to surrender.
Dong Zhuo, who was behind, also stopped his killing spree and rode up to Lu Qing.
Lu Qing hurriedly stepped forward and bowed to Dong Zhuo, saying, "General, I am Lu Qing. I have assisted the royal army in subduing all the troops in the east and south of the city!"
Dong Zhuo nodded expressionlessly: "Since you have rendered great service today, I will spare your life. However, how to deal with you will depend on His Majesty's decision!"
Lu Qing bowed and said, "I understand!"
Dong Zhuo: "Good, immediately take your men and gather this group of rebels, then await further instructions!"
"Yes, General!"
Subsequently, with the assistance of Lu Qing and 45,000 defected soldiers, the rebel army besieging Xiang County was completely gathered into the rebel camp north of the city.
Before long, Gao Shun and Huangfu Song led 15,000 Northern Army soldiers and 20,000 Luo Army soldiers to the scene.
Huangfu Song couldn't help but praise, "Zhongying is indeed remarkable. He forced the surrender of 200,000 rebels with only 5,000 cavalry. Even the best generals of the past cannot compare to him!"
"Haha~, General Huangfu, you flatter me. This was all thanks to the desperate resistance of the city's defenders, plus the defection of the rebels. I merely got a lucky break!"
Dong Zhuo simply laughed at Huangfu Song's praise, and then explained the reasons behind it.
This wasn't Dong Zhuo being modest; if he had been leading his own Xiliang cavalry, he would have undoubtedly taken all the credit for himself.
But today he was leading the Imperial Guards, the emperor's personal troops, so there were some things he dared not say carelessly.
Soon, the army entered the rebel camp and began receiving prisoners. With Lu Qing's assistance, they identified those among the prisoners who were not considered stable.
While the people outside the city were busy, the Marquis of Pei, who was in Xiang County, also led the city's garrison and scholars to pay a visit.
Dong Zhuo, Gao Shun, Huangfu Song, and several others personally came out of the camp to greet them.
"We thank the royal army for saving our lives!"
The scholars of Xiang County also sincerely bowed and thanked Dong Zhuo and his men.
Huangfu Song stepped forward and said, “Gentlemen, there is no need for such formalities. We are all His Majesty’s subjects, and it is only right that we do this.”
On the contrary, it was we who failed to arrive in time, resulting in the great calamity befalling the people of Xiang County!
Kong Yan stepped forward and said, "It is already quite remarkable that the royal army was able to arrive from Yanzhou so quickly. It is only regrettable that these rebels are so treacherous, causing such widespread suffering!"
Huangfu Song smiled and said, "Alright, let's not talk about that. Please come into the camp and let's talk!"
Afterwards, the group arrived at the camp. As soon as they sat down, Kong Yan hurriedly asked, "General, what will be done with my relatives and those coerced scholars?"
"this....."
Dong Zhuo, Gao Shun, and Huangfu Song exchanged glances, their expressions somewhat unnatural.
Huangfu Song said in a low voice, "The Kong family and those who were coerced refused to submit and have all been killed by the rebels!"
"Wh...what?"
Upon hearing this, Kong Yan turned pale and stood there dumbfounded, as if a thunderbolt had struck his mind.
"Ah~!"
Kong Yan let out a mournful cry and then fell straight backward.
The people inside the tent hurriedly carried Kong Yan aside and called the accompanying military doctor to treat him.
Before long, Kong Yan slowly woke up, staring blankly at the sky, muttering one name after another.
Seeing this, everyone couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
The once thriving Kong family was suddenly struck by disaster, losing all its members and now only a few young people remain. It would be difficult for anyone to accept this in a short time.
Not long after, Kong Yan, who had rested for a while, also stood up and bowed to Huangfu Song and the others.
“Generals, the rebels coerced the head of the family to write a proclamation that spread far and wide. Although we brothers have been relaying messages and writing proclamations along the way, we are afraid that there may be shortcomings. We hope that you can make preparations as soon as possible to prevent those with ulterior motives from taking the opportunity to cause trouble!”
Huangfu Song nodded, then looked at Dong Zhuo and said in a deep voice, "Then I'll trouble Zhongying to immediately lead the Imperial Guards to the south of Xiang County to continue the reconnaissance. If there is any unusual activity, take them down immediately!"
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