Gongsun Sheng surrenders for the 88th time

  There is a way to hurt the enemy by 10,000 and lose 8,000. Wu Song launched a decisive battle and finally captured Qingzhou, but also suffered heavy casualties. Together with Lu Junyi's and Zhang Qing's troops, there were only more than 14,000 people left. Wu Song left 5,000 soldiers to guard the city with Zhang Qing, and together with Lu Junyi's troops, they killed their way out of the city, pursuing the remnants of Liu Huiniang, expanding the results of the battle.

  This road pursued and killed all the way until under Yunmen Mountain, where they encountered an ambush by Chen Xiuzhen and Song Jiang, and immediately suffered a defeat.

  Chen Xizhen was quite familiar with military tactics, and seeing that Liu Huiniang would definitely lose, going to rescue Qingzhou would be of no use. So he ambushed on the way, and indeed let the bandits suffer a loss.

  Wu Song and Gong Sunyan led the troops to cut off the rear, and slowly retreated. Chen Xizhen saw that Gong Sunyan's army was well-organized and disciplined, although they were defeated but not chaotic, and did not dare to take advantage of their victory to pursue them, so he could only watch Wu Song retreat back to Qingzhou City.

  Song Jiang sighed, "Qingzhou City has fallen, Jinan, Qingzhou and Yizhou three cities in a line, the Righteous Army of Qingyun Mountain can no longer advance westward. At this moment, we are trapped on the Shandong Peninsula, with only one way out - annihilation."

  Chen Xizhen sighed and saw Liu Huiniang's seven-treasured fragrance chariot rushing over, with a bronze horse-drawn carriage behind it, inserted with a halberd that almost pierced the entire carriage. Chen Xizhen hastily stopped the chariot, opened the door to take a look, and saw that Liu Huiniang's waist had been cut open by the small branch of the halberd, leaving a long gash that was still bleeding profusely.

  Liu Hui Niang's face turned pale, she covered her wound with her hand and trembled as she said: "The situation is gone, hurry up and surrender, otherwise it will be too late..." Before she could finish speaking, she fainted.

  Chen Xizhen hastily brought her down and called for the divine doctor An Daquan, ordering him to carefully treat her. An Daquan examined Liu Huiniang's wounds and said: "Liu Junshi was originally weak in body, coupled with exhaustion, exhausting his mind and strength, and losing too much blood, it's hard to say whether he can wake up or not."

  "It's essential to save her life!" Chen Xiuzhen was extremely anxious and immediately went to look for Song Jiang, saying: "Before Hui Niang fainted, she said to quickly surrender, what does Gongming think?"

  Song Jiang was still heartbroken over Gong Sunsheng being trapped by the enemy, but upon hearing this he was shocked and got up saying: "That's right, we must surrender immediately! Can someone be sent to the capital?"

  Chen Xizhen said, "Nowadays, the Zhao officials value reputation and moral integrity. Therefore, those who go to the capital to seek amnesty must have a good reputation, moral integrity, be able to read the situation, and be eloquent. This person can only be Xu Hulin."

  Two people went to see Xu Huai, Xu Huai and Xu Qingniang were comforting Xu He. It turned out that Xu He's two sons, Changsheng and Weisheng, had been captured by the sorcerers of the Wu bandits in the chaotic army, leaving only one daughter at home, named Xu Niangzi.

  Xu lost his son at an old age, how can he not feel heartache?

  Chen Daozhi told Song Jiang and Xu Huai about the matter of surrendering, saying: "This matter is of great importance, and it's impossible to do without Tiger Lin's help."

  Xu Huai thought for a moment, then said: "I can indeed go, but I still need a few things." He raised his hand and slowly mentioned three objects, causing Chen Xiuzhen and Song Jiang to look at each other in dismay.

  Xu Huai only said: "I only want three things, first is ten peerless beauties who must be virgins, second is two thousand taels of gold, only gold and no silver, third is three Dragon Tiger Pills. As long as I have these three things, I will go to the capital, on one hand use the beauties and gold to bribe high-ranking officials in the court, on the other hand use the Dragon Tiger Pills to bribe the Emperor, then surrender can be expected."

  Song Jiang said, "Beautiful women are indeed available, but we are all bandits, and the beautiful women we've seized have long been ravished. Where can you still find a virgin? As for gold, there's still plenty left in the mountain stronghold... this Dragon Tiger Dan..."

  "It doesn't matter if she's not a virgin, I can just abduct a few more girls from the streets and that will do. But the Dragon Tiger Pill is absolutely necessary!" Xu Huai looked at Chen Xizhen and said: "Zhang Tian Shi's Dragon Tiger Pill, I wonder if you can take out three of them?"

  Chen Xizhen gritted her teeth and said, "The ten Dragon-Tiger Pills given to me by my master, I used one when building the foundation, and the other nine I couldn't bear to use. Chen Lijing that little cheap woman ate five of them soon after she was born! These five Dragon-Tiger Pills made her eyes almost become divine eyes, you can see the effect. Now I only have four...

  Xu Huai said lightly: "If Daozi can't bear to part with you, then we'll just wait for death here."

  Chen Xizhen hesitated for a moment, gritted her teeth, and took out the three Dragon Tiger Pills. "Hulin," she said, "entrust everything to you. We'll hold off the bandits' attack first. I only ask you one question: when do you think we can confirm that the officials will accept our surrender?"

  Xu Huai thought for a moment and said: "It must be next year's spring equinox!"

  Chen Xizhen calculated for a moment and said: "Alright, let's wait until next year's spring equinox for the good news from Hulin!"

  *

  Gongsun Sheng was knocked unconscious by Shi Jin's punch and remained in a coma until someone splashed a basin of cold water on his face, which made him shiver awake. He found that his hands were tied behind his back with wet cowhide thongs. Shi Dalang himself pressed down on him and headed towards the prefectural government office.

  Gongsun Sheng bitterly said: "Dalang, Dalang, I treated you kindly, yet you repay me by harming me!"

  Shi Jin smiled and said: "Everyone has their own master, what can be said? Wu Guoshi is my senior brother and also my superior, I don't listen to him, how can I listen to you?"

  Gongsun Sheng angrily said: "Then you should also consider our past friendship, why did you capture me? You take me down to see the bandit Wu, I will surely be on a road of no return!"

  "I didn't kill Liu Huiniang, if I don't capture a high-ranking general, wouldn't it be that I don't even have any credit? It would be embarrassing for my family and teacher if word got out. Luckily I ran into you." Shi Jin comforted: "Don't worry, sir, I will definitely plead for your life in front of the National Master, and ensure your safety. Besides, the National Master has long heard of your great name, he'll be delighted to see you, how could he kill you?"

  Two men arrived at the Zhi Prefecture, only to see rows of executioners standing inside, all holding gleaming ghost-head knives. In the middle was a large cauldron over a meter tall, with firewood stacked underneath, burning fiercely, and inside was boiling oil.

  Gongsun Sheng's face changed color, and he turned his head to say: "Dalan, this is obviously a case of the pot calling the kettle black!"

  Shi Jin's face also changed slightly, he looked up and saw Wu Song raising the tiger banner, on one side were dozens of high-ranking officers, on the other side were dozens of Taoist priests, all with gloomy faces, staring at Gong Sunsheng, gritting their teeth.

  Only two Taoist priests with a stern expression shouted loudly: "Mr. Yiqing and Liu Huiniang collaborated to frame me, almost killing my national teacher and military advisor! The three villages' linked ambush nearly ruined our lives, this grudge must be avenged!"

  Another Taoist priest-like figure, fanning himself, sneered: "Big brother, let go of Gong Sunsheng and let him jump into the oil pot to fry for a while, to dispel our hatred!"

  Gongsun Sheng looked at Shi Jin, and Shi Jin hastily stepped forward, cupping his hands in respect: "National Master, one clear Mr. Dao's skills are extraordinary, and he is a man of honor..."

  "That won't do!" Over a hundred voices cried out in unison: "We almost died at Jiang's Village, and not skinning him alive is not enough to quell the hatred in our hearts!"

  Shi Jin was about to say something, but Gong Sun Sheng coldly smiled and said: "If you want to kill me, then just do it. Why bother with such pretentiousness?" He took two or three steps forward, as if he were going to jump into the large cauldron.

  At this moment, Lin Chong and Lu Zhishen rushed up, grabbed him around the waist, and laughed: "Sir, why get angry? We were just joking." Tang Duan and other Taoist priests also surrounded them, laughing: "We were defeated by you and Liu Huiniang, couldn't capture that woman, so we deliberately scared you to test your courage. Now that we see it, indeed a hero!"

  Everyone rushed to untie Gong Sunsheng, persuading him to surrender. Gong Sunsheng was surrounded in the middle, and Tongtian's tactics couldn't be used. He glared at Wu Song with anger and shouted: "Wu thief, Sheng will rather die than surrender! If you want to kill me, then kill!"

  Wu Song stepped down from the tiger tent and said, "Master's robe is old and stained with blood, it should be washed." He ordered the maid to take off Gong Sunsheng's Taoist robe, personally took it off, put it on Gong Sunsheng's body, held his hand and walked to the bottom of the tent, ordering people to offer seats and wine.

  Gongsun Sheng sat down, his face unchanged as he drank the wine and ate the dishes. After getting drunk and full, he patted his belly and said: "You can use your gentle tactics, I just won't surrender. If you want to kill me, take advantage of my being full and let me die a glutton!"

  Wu Song smiled slightly and said, "Sir, you refuse to surrender to the imperial court, how can I harm you? Let's just chat idly for now, today we won't discuss national affairs. After today, if you want to stay, you can stay; if you want to leave, you can leave, no one will stop you. Even if you return to Qingyun Mountain again, Wu Song will not obstruct or plot against you."

  Gongsun Sheng was skeptical in his heart, but seeing Wu Song and the other generals and Taoist priests only discussing Taoist techniques and martial arts, without mentioning the war at all, he finally put his mind at ease. During the banquet, several Taoist priests asked Gongsun Sheng for advice on their cultivation, which touched his sore spot, and he immediately launched into a grand discussion, sharing many of his own insights on cultivation, and everyone present praised him.

  Gongsun Sheng also heard that Wu Song established the Tianji Pavilion, where he gathered the heart methods of various schools and edited them into a book, allowing people to observe and learn from it. He couldn't help but praise: "This is a non-dualistic move, although the title of National Master is not good, this move is indeed beneficial for thousands of years, and it's a great virtue that will benefit future generations!"

  Wu Song treated him as a national scholar, and Gong Sunsheng didn't dare to scold him as Wu Zei again. Unconsciously, he changed his title to Guoshi, thinking: "This person indeed has the demeanor of a national teacher, not to be underestimated."

  Everyone talked for a long time, and when night fell, they continued to talk under the candlelight. Gong Sunsheng had a great conversation with everyone, feeling extremely happy and joyful.

  Wu Song had someone bring out fine wine and fruit several times during the banquet, also bringing out red dates from Longshu, and asked Gong Sunsheng to taste them.

  Gongsun Sheng was overjoyed and asked Wu Song for a few more, saying: "There is still an old mother at home who is not in good health. I have been drifting outside for many years and cannot take care of her personally. I feel guilty in my heart. Master, you are generous, please give me a few more to take back and nourish my mother."

  Wu Song smiled and said, "Filial piety to parents is what one should do." He ordered someone to give Gong Sunsheng ten red dates. Gong Sunsheng repeatedly said, "Too many, too many!" They talked until noon, when the crowd reluctantly bid farewell under Wu Song's leadership.

  Wu Song ordered someone to bring over Gongsun Sheng's treasured sword, Taoist robe and crown. Gongsun Sheng put them on neatly and came to the outside of the city gate, bowing his hands: "The National Master's kindness is great, I, Sheng, have returned to Qingyun Mountain. If I'm lucky enough to capture the National Master, I will certainly treat him with extra courtesy and let him go on a horse."

  "Wu Song cupped his hands and said: 'Thank you, thank you.'"

  The crowd saw him off until Gong Sunsheng disappeared in the direction of Yunmen Mountain, and then turned back. Wu Song said: "Open the city gate and wait for Gong Sunsheng to return and surrender!"

  And so Gong Sunsheng rushed all the way to the foot of Yunmen Mountain, only to see white flags hanging all over the mountain, with cries filling the air. At the foot of the mountain, a thatched hut had been set up, and many bandits were patrolling around, their knives and guns in order, their eyes gleaming with ferocity.

  Gongsun Zan arrived at the front and shouted loudly: "I am Gongsun Zan, it's not easy for me to come out of Qingzhou, open the gate and let me in!"

  As soon as the words were spoken, a shower of arrows rained down from the thatched cottage. Gong Sunsheng hastily fled in disarray and ran to a place an arrow's distance away before stopping his footsteps. He shouted: "How dare you! I am also a leader of some renown, why don't you even recognize me?"

  Just then, Xu Qingniang and Xu He came out of the camp in white hemp robes, leading over a thousand elite soldiers. They cursed angrily: "Old thief Gong Sun, you surrendered to Wu Song yesterday and came to deceive us, but I saw through it! In shame and anger, you even killed my two sons! Alas, my sons Changsheng and Weisheng were both beheaded by this dog thief, their bodies completely destroyed!"

  Xu Qingniang also angrily shouted: "My two brothers, both killed by you, today actually dare to come alone to deceive the city! Old thief, must know that we recognize this dog skin of yours! Today let you have no return!" After speaking, she waved her hand, and countless horses and men came over to kill!

  Gongsun Sheng hastily turned around and left, flying away in an instant. He said with regret: "I've fallen into Wu Zhi's trap again! I thought he was so kind to me, even washing my clothes for me. It turns out that he borrowed my clothes to kill Xu He's two sons. There's no way to explain this matter. If I turn back now, Xu He will definitely kill me without hesitation. Forget it, forget it. When I return to Qingzhou, I'll humiliate Wu Zhi and make him suffer a bit. Even if he beats me up, I'll still scold him until he's satisfied!"

  Xu and Xu Qingniang saw that the old thief Gong Sun was running very fast, chasing for more than three miles, and soon they couldn't catch up. They had to return to the camp, but as soon as they turned their heads, they encountered Shi Jin leading an army to charge and kill, killing countless people and horses, and hastily retreated back to the grass camp.

  Shi Jin stood in front of the camp, proudly proclaiming: "Mr. Yiqing has achieved another great merit!" The thousands of men under his command burst out laughing in unison: "Yesterday Mr. Yiqing came to deceive the city and killed two sons of Xu the traitor, today he comes again to deceive the city, it's to lure you out of the camp!"

  Xu He and Xu Qingniang were so angry that they shouted loudly, and Xu He was so angry that he spat up blood and fainted. Xu Qingniang angrily said: "Old thief Gong Sun, my Xu family and you cannot coexist, we will not die until one of us is dead!"

  Shi Dalang and the government troops burst out laughing, saying: "You old woman, sooner or later you'll have to eat our Mr. Qing's trickery, we'll kill him with a plan!" Xu Qingniang was so angry that she spat up blood, but saw Shi Jin leading the government soldiers whistling away.

  Gongsun Sheng returned to Qingzhou, furious all the way. When he arrived at Qingzhou, he saw that the city gate was wide open and no one blocked his way. He came straight to the outside of the prefecture government office, but found the door tightly closed. Gongsun Sheng sneered: "Good bandit, now you know shame!" Standing outside the door, he scolded loudly without stopping.

  Gongsun Sheng scolded for a long time, knowing that there was no movement inside the government office. He scolded with all his heart, then begged to die, and saw the situation coldly smile and say: "You don't show up for one day, I will scold for one day, sooner or later you will be scolded to have a liver fire burning, three corpses jumping! Even if you kill me at that time, it won't be unjust!"

  Gongsun Sheng's throat became hoarse, and someone presented him with fragrant tea. When he was hungry from scolding, someone brought him rice and dishes. At night, someone even sent over bedding. Gongsun Sheng scolded for three days and three nights, still full of energy, and laughed: "After all, I am a practitioner of the Tao, and I can scold you for three years without repeating myself!"

  Just then, a middle-aged woman suddenly appeared, supporting an old lady as she walked up. Gong Sun saw her and hastily knelt down, saying: "Old mother, how did you come here?"

  That old lady was precisely Guo Sheng's mother. Hearing this, she smiled and said: "My son, I heard from the madam that you became a high-ranking official under the National Master, thinking of me every moment, unable to sleep day or night. The National Master is kind, specially inviting her to bring me here to enjoy good fortune, giving you a surprise. Now hearing your tone, you are indeed surprised and delighted."

  The middle-aged woman smiled and said: "Mr. Yi Qing, I often like daughters-in-law."

  Gongsun Sheng's face turned pale, and he said to the governor's mansion: "Wu Guoshi, please come out of the mansion and see me. I... want to surrender!" He called three times before the gate of the governor's mansion opened, and Wu Song and the other Taoist priests came out in a line, laughing loudly: "Sir, your vital energy is full, this Taoist temple's internal energy is indeed famous for its name!"

  Gongsun Sheng smiled bitterly. Wu Song laughed and said: "I'm not happy to get Qingzhou, but I'm overjoyed to have you, sir! With your help, the bandits can be pacified!"

  Gongsun Sheng smiled bitterly again, saying: "Repeatedly using cunning plans to cut off my retreat, not allowing me to go to Qingyun Mountain, and then using my elderly mother to capture my will to die, making it impossible for me to return to Erxian Mountain. Is this the plan of the State Master?"

  Wu Song looked at Gong Sunyan who was smiling with a pursed mouth, and Gong Sun said with emotion: "A true female Zhuge Liang, how could Liu Huiniang not lose to you?" He bowed down to Wu Song and said: "I am willing to surrender."

  Wu Song hastily helped him up, and ordered someone to arrange for Gong Sunsheng's elderly mother to be accommodated, selecting a good mansion and bestowing clever maidservants. Gong Sunsheng saw that he was able to tolerate others, and only then did he sincerely acknowledge, "With such magnanimity, it is possible to have so many talented and extraordinary individuals assist you; the title of National Master is well-deserved."