Chapter Thirty-Four: Gathering at Wan City to Set a Plan
Huangfu Song's army arrived at Wan City two days ago, but Zhang Mangcheng was not a fool and would not fall for some simple tricks. He had made up his mind that the Han army was outnumbered and did not dare to attack the city, so he remained holed up inside the city walls.
Zhang Rui and others were also helpless, the other side did not come out of the city, their own military strength was too small, if they forced an attack on the city, the losses would definitely increase, how could they minimize casualties while taking down Wan City?
"General, why not win over the influential families in the city? I heard that after Zhang Mangong occupied Wan City, he repeatedly forced the influential families to collect heavy taxes and grains. Many of the family heads are already dissatisfied with this. With the support of the influential families in the city, taking Wan City should be easy." said Zhu Jun.
"It's indeed a good idea, Gong Wei, which family in the city should we contact?" asked Huang Fu Su.
"In the city of Wan, all the families take Wen's family as the leader. We might as well contact the Wen's family," said Zhu Jun.
Zhu Jun indeed sacrificed this plan, and in history, Zhu Jun and the later Governor of Nanyang Qin Jue pacified Wan City with this strategy of sowing discord, and even killed Zhang Mancheng. History has indeed followed this path, without changing a bit.
"Wencheng Wenjia," said Wen Ping, "Father, are we going to be bullied by these Yellow Turbans like this?"
"Zhong Ye, how can you be so restless? You have this little patience. How can I trust you with the Wen family's affairs in the future?" said Wen Lan, the master of the Wen family.
"Father, look at this group of lazy bums, they have nothing better to do than to hang around our Wen family's store every day. Just in a few days, our income has decreased by 10%." said Wen Ping.
"Zhang Ye, remember this: from now on, you must learn to control your temper. We are currently under someone else's roof and cannot afford to be arrogant. You have some bravery, but can one person defeat the Yellow Turban Army? The imperial court's reinforcements have arrived, and there is still a chance to deal with the Yellow Turbans." said Wen Lan.
"Father, I know I was wrong. From now on, I will never act rashly again. In the future, I will think thrice before acting." said Wen Ping.
Wen Ping is now just an immature young man, but the later Wen Ping was known for being steady and cautious. Wen Ping had been defending Jiangxia for many years, and Sun Quan had long been itching to get rid of him, but he couldn't find a way to do so.
"Sir, there are two gentlemen outside the door who claim to have come from Luoyang and brought gifts for you." The old steward said at this time.
"Oh? From Luoyang, come quickly." Wen Lan said.
These two were naturally Zhang Rui and Xun Yu. Taking advantage of the darkness, Zhang Rui brought Xun Yu to a place where no one was guarding, then inquired again, and finally arrived at this Wen family.
"Please come in, gentlemen! I didn't know you were from Luoyang. What brings you here?" asked Wen Lan.
"Wen's family, we two entered this Wan City yesterday and have investigated it. Since Zhang Mancheng occupied this city, the shops where Wen's family is located have been extorted protection fees by a group of thugs every day. In just over a decade, Wen's income has decreased by about 10%. Of course, Wen's family may not be the one that suffered the most harm, but if this continues for a long time, I'm afraid Wen's family fortune won't be able to withstand it either." Zhang Rui said.
Wen Pin thought that this young man was quite formidable, able to investigate so clearly in such a short period of time. In the past few days, the masters of the Qin and Song families had not stopped visiting Wen's family. Although he hadn't participated in their discussions, most of it was probably related to the Yellow Turbans' provocative behavior during this time.
"Is this what you two gentlemen want me to give as a gift to someone? If that's all you have to tell me, then please leave." Wen Lan said.
"Haha, Mr. Wen is indeed formidable. In that case, I'll be honest with you. I am Xun Yu, a military advisor under General Cao Cao's command. This is Zhang Rui. We two have been sent by General Huangfu Song to discuss the matter of retaking Wan City with the master of the Wen family."
"Ah? So you are the world-renowned Xun Yu, Xun Wenruo. I am Wen Pin, and I have long heard of your great name. I never expected to meet you in such a way." Wen Pin suddenly stood up and said.
It's indeed the shadow of a famous tree. The Xun family is a big and influential one, and even Wen Ping from Yan City has heard of Xun Yu's great name. Zhang Liao looked at Wen Ping with interest, this was Wen Ping. Although historically speaking, Wen Ping wasn't considered a top-notch general, he could definitely be ranked alongside Li Dian and Yin Bi as a first-rate general. What's more, Wen Ping excelled in both literature and martial arts, making him a unique figure who could hold his own. Should we take down Wen Ping now? Let's consider it a favor to Meng De.
"Sit down, have you forgotten what I just told you on behalf of your father?" Wen Lan said to Wen Pin.
"It turned out to be the famous Mr. Wen Ruo, sir came to discuss with us whether taking Wan Cheng was a bit too much, my Wen family has no such strength to help General Huangfu take down Wan Cheng, now my Wen family can barely protect itself." said Wen Lan.
Xun Yu thought to himself, "This old fox is just trying to get something out of this. But it's only human nature, who would take risks without any benefits?"
"Haha, Mr. Wen is being too polite by saying that. Which of the aristocratic families in Wan City doesn't have a few thousand private soldiers? And General Huangfu doesn't need you to do much, just open one of the four gates of Wan City and let my army pass through. As for dealing with the Yellow Turbans, General Huangfu has his own way. Of course, after Wan City is taken, General Huangfu will naturally recommend Mr. Wen as the governor of Wan City. Moreover, Cavalry Commandant Cao Cao has long heard that your son, Wen Pin, is talented in both literature and martial arts, and he wants to take him under his wing and cultivate him personally. I wonder what you think, sir?" Zhang Rui said, interrupting Xun Yu.
Xun Yu was also surprised, Wen Lan being promoted to the position of Governor of Wan City was something that had been agreed upon in the great camp before, is Wen Ping so formidable? Why did Zhang Rui say that Cao Cao valued Wen Ping's ability and wanted to bring him along personally to cultivate him?
When Wen Ping heard this, he was also deeply moved. The story of Cao Cao killing the family members of the ten attendants with a five-colored stick had long been spread, and for warriors, it was even more admirable to have Cao Cao's fearless attitude towards power. Unexpectedly, Cao Cao actually knew himself and wanted to bring him along personally to cultivate him. Wen Ping looked at his old father, the meaning was obvious, no more than "Dad, quickly agree".
"Alright, I understand the intentions of you two gentlemen. My family has long been dissatisfied with the actions of the Yellow Turbans and especially resent Zhang Mancheng to the bone. I didn't expect General Huangfu to hold my family in such high regard, nor did I expect Lord Cao to hold me, this useless son, in such high esteem. My family will certainly repay the emperor's great kindness, exerting all our strength to help General Huangfu drive away the Yellow Turbans. You two gentlemen must be tired, rest for a night first, and after I make some arrangements, we can discuss further tomorrow." Wen Lan said.
Zhang Rui and the other person followed the old housekeeper to rest.
"Zhong Ye, it's getting late, you should also go rest. Have the steward invite the masters of the Qin and Song families over, just say that someone sent me a good bottle of wine and I'm inviting them to come taste it."
The old steward hastened to the Qin and Song families.
