Volume 1 Chapter 41: Final Collection

  Xu You rarely drank alcohol and claimed that drinking too much would harm his body. He wanted to take good care of his old bones in order to live a long life.

  Today is a joyful day, Xu You was in high spirits and didn't care about anything else, insisting on drinking heavily.

  "If you're so keen on it, sir, then I'll accompany you to the end, haha~~" Yan Liang also didn't hesitate and readily agreed.

  That night, Xin Ye Castle was jubilant, and all the generals and soldiers ate and drank merrily, celebrating wildly.

  Yan Liang also rarely got drunk and fell asleep, unaware of when he fell asleep. The next day when he woke up, it was already three poles in the sun.

  After a night of revelry, Yan Liang remembered he still had official business to attend to.

  In the afternoon, Yan Liang sat upright in the great hall and ordered that the captive Cao Hong be brought before him.

  Before long, Cao Hong was dragged up, his face covered in dust and dirt, looking pale.

  "Cao Ziluan, originally you and I had no grudge or feud, why did you suddenly send troops to invade my borders?" Yan Liang's eyes were like blades, coldly interrogating.

  Cao Hong glared at Yan Liang and said indignantly, "I have been ordered to punish you, this rebellious traitor, to pacify the court and restore order. This is a matter of reason and justice, what need is there for excuses?"

  As a prisoner of war, Cao Hong surprisingly showed no fear at all, and instead had an arrogant attitude, which was quite impressive.

  If it were another general, Yan Liang might have had the intention of surrendering and making use of him, but facing Cao Hong in front of him, Yan Liang did not have this idea.

  Cao Hong's martial arts skills were not weak, but his leadership ability was far inferior to Cao Ren, Xiahou Yuan and Xu Huang, let alone Man Chong. In both the novel and historical records, there are few outstanding military achievements.

  If it weren't for Cao Hong having saved Cao Cao's life once, plus his identity as a member of the imperial family, with his level of ability, he wouldn't have been able to hold such a high position, at most he would just be a second or third-rate general.

  Such a unified military power, did not arouse much interest in Yan Liang, let alone he was not comparable to Wen Ping and Man Chong, as the leader of Cao's clan, there was no possibility of surrendering to Yan Liang.

  Upon hearing Cao Hong's indignant words, Yan Liang's face suddenly flashed a hint of cold anger.

  He glanced at Cao Hong, sneered and said: "Today's Son of Heaven is Cao Cao's puppet, this is a well-known fact in the world. Your so-called 'Imperial Edict to Punish Rebels' excuse, just say it yourself, don't show off here, it's really ridiculous."

  "Ptoo!" Cao Hong spat, "You treacherous rebel, don't be so arrogant. Although I, Cao Hong, have been defeated today, the Grand General's main army will arrive soon and will surely make you die without a place to bury your bones."

  At this rebuke, Yan Liang immediately became enraged.

  From Guandu to Runan, and then from Runan to Xinye, I didn't want to be an enemy of yours, Cao Cao. However, you kept on coming after me, repeatedly sending troops to attack me. Do you really think I, Yan Liang, am easy to bully?

  Yan Liang's anger grew as he thought about it more and more, his rage rising from the bottom of his heart, and with a loud crash, he stood up.

  He strode forward with big steps to Cao Hong, stretched out his long arm and gave him a loud slap on the face.

  That crisp slapping sound echoed in this empty great hall, and everyone inside trembled with it.

  No one had expected that their General Yan would make such an unexpected move, and with his own hands, slap the enemy general in the face.

  Cao Hong did not expect that this sudden slap would make him dizzy and stunned, and it took him half a while to come back to his senses.

  On his left cheek, that bright red palm print was particularly eye-catching.

  Cao Hong was enraged, feeling his dignity had been insulted as never before.

  As a proud and arrogant young master from a wealthy family, as the chief general of the Cao clan, he was actually slapped in the face, which was even more unbearable than being stabbed with a knife.

  "Yan Liang you zei, ni gang da——"

  Translation: "You scoundrel Yan Liang, how dare you——"

  Bang!

  Another crisp sound, Cao Hong's other half of his face instantly also had a blood-red palm print.

  Yan Liang looked down at him and said coldly: "Dare to speak out of turn again, I will keep slapping you until you shut up."

  Cao Hong was so angry that his chest was filled with rage, his eyes were about to pop out, and his teeth were chattering loudly, almost shattering.

  He was so angry that he didn't dare utter another word.

  He was afraid of being slapped by Yan Liang again and being humiliated in public once more.

  Cao Hong looked more subdued now, and Yan Liang's anger dissipated a little. He shook his hand and turned back to his seat.

  With a wave of his sleeve, Yan Liang gestured and said: "I don't want to see him again, take him away. Bring in Man Bao Ning."

  At the mention of Man Chong's name, Cao Hong's expression changed suddenly.

  The soldiers on both sides also ignored him and just dragged him out.

  Cao Hong was dragged out of the main hall and happened to run into Man Chong who had just arrived.

  At this time, Man Chong was wearing a clean and tidy outfit, with a few shades of red glow on his face, looking like he had been well-fed for the past few days. Moreover, the soldiers beside him were very polite, treating Man Chong as if he were an honored guest.

  The two people's treatment was worlds apart.

  Cao Hong was furious as soon as he saw Man Chong, and scolded: "Man Chong, you treacherous dog, ungrateful and disloyal, you will not come to a good end..."

  Just as he was about to scold again, the soldiers on both sides had already covered his mouth and quickly carried him away.

  Man Chong could only watch as Cao Hong was dragged away, a look of suspicion on his face. He couldn't help but wonder why Cao Hong would curse him as an ungrateful traitor, even if his own plan had failed and led to Cao Hong's defeat and capture.

  Yan Liang in the hall listened to Cao Hong's loud scolding, but a hint of a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

  When Cao Hong was captured earlier, Yan Liang claimed that Cao Hong had fallen into Man Chong's plan and his goal was to cut off Man Chong's way back to Cao.

  This time, it was also his deliberate arrangement.

  Yan Liang believed that at this time, Cao's camp was spreading everywhere, saying that Man Chong had betrayed Cao Cao and helped Yan Liang design to capture Cao Hong.

  Still enjoying the favor of being in the emperor's good books, this time it is a case of jumping into the Yellow River and still not being able to wash oneself clean. Apart from surrendering to Yan Liang, there is no other way out.

  In a moment, Man Chong entered the palace.

  Bo Nong has arrived, hurry up and take your seat. Yan Liang's expression at this time was much more polite.

  He sat down on his knees with a sulky face, just sitting there silently without saying a word.

  Yan Liang smiled and said: "Bo Ning, it seems that you and I are indeed fated. After going through such a big circle, I see that you're also tired of it. Why don't you just surrender to me?"

  Man Chong closed his mouth and said nothing, neither refusing nor nodding.

  "Now everyone in Cao's camp thinks that Bao Ning has betrayed Cao Mengde and plotted against Cao Hong, to the point where I think you've lost all hope of returning to Cao, Bao Ning." Yan Liang smiled faintly, revealing Man Chong's predicament.

  Man Chong's expression changed slightly, he looked up at Yan Liang and suddenly understood why Cao Hong had scolded him like that just now.

  Suddenly enlightened, Man Chong furrowed his brow and said: "Man Chong asks his heart without guilt, it was all because of General Yan's calculations that I was framed."

  "But what you said is not right, think about it, if you had sincerely mediated between me and Cao Hong at the beginning, instead of going back on your promise to me and persuading Cao Hong to attack my camp, how could I have fallen for my own stratagem?"

  Yan Liang's one sentence of rhetorical questioning made Man Chong's body tremble with fear, and he was left speechless.

  He sneered and Yan Liang said faintly: "After all, it was you, Bo Ning, who lost faith first. How can you still claim to be clear conscience?"

  Overwhelmed with shame, her pale face couldn't help but reveal a few shades of guilt.

  As Yan Liang said, he had promised the other party at first and went to convey Yan Liang's intention of reconciliation to Cao Hong.

  As a result, at that time I was thinking of getting out of trouble with all my heart, and I agreed extremely readily.

  If he had not abandoned his promise and mistakenly thought that Yan Liang was in a predicament, without advancing the plan to rescue the camp, how would he have ended up in today's situation?

  Yan Liang's words may seem a bit overbearing, but in all honesty, the current situation is indeed a result of his own doing.

  "Man certain lost the trust of the general, resulting in today's defeat, it is indeed a self-inflicted blame. The general may dispose of Man as he sees fit."

  Man Chong let out a sigh and said quietly.

  Yan Liang detected a hint of submission in that sigh.

  He secretly rejoiced in his heart, and pretended to be serious, saying with a straight face: "This is what Berning said, let me handle it as I please, then I won't be polite."

  Man Chong heard this and thought that Yan Liang had changed his mind, not intending to surrender to him but rather intending to punish him. His heart suddenly skipped a beat.

  After a moment of deliberation, Yan Liang said slowly and calmly: "I have just obtained the seven counties of Xin Ye, but the people's hearts are not yet attached to me. I need a wise and capable person who is well-versed in governance to help me manage this place. General, I'm afraid you'll have to take on this difficult task."

  He was deeply moved and suddenly enlightened, unable to help but reveal a hint of bitter smile, only then did he realize that Yan Liang would do whatever it took to make him surrender.

  Two defeats, two persuasions to surrender, Yan Liang's sincerity was thus, and Man Chong still had not a single thread of feeling.

  After careful consideration, Man Chong slowly stood up and cupped his hands in respect: "Man certain thanks the general for his recognition, willing to serve as a humble horse for the general."

  Zi De finally agreed to surrender, Yan Liang was overjoyed and laughed loudly. He immediately ordered a feast to be set up to welcome Zi De under his command.

  At this time, Man Chong said: "Man Chong surrenders to the general and can also govern for the general. However, I would like to ask the general to agree to two conditions of mine. If not, then I'm afraid it's difficult for me to obey."