Deception of Surrender (2)

  Guan Hai and Zhou Cang took a deep breath, exchanged a glance, thinking that since the matter had already been exposed, they might as well kill this person and then escape from the city. However, just as the two of them moved their feet, they saw the man opposite them suddenly draw out half a long knife with a "whoosh" sound, while loudly shouting: "Want to kill someone to silence them? I've been guarding against you guys! All of you come in!"

  Bang!

  The door was kicked open in an instant, and the several Yellow Turbans standing outside also moved in unison to draw out their long knives, revealing the blade of Bai Sen's knife, aiming at Zhou Cang and Guan Yu inside the house.

  Zhou Cang and Guan Yu had no swords in their hands, saw that the other side had both swords and many people, thought for a moment, did not take action, but retreated two steps instead. After all, the space in the room was too small, and if they really started fighting, the two of them would not be able to display their skills.

  "I don't care if you're the leader of a faction or a banner, I only ask you two: are you here to surrender?" The young man sheathed his long knife and wrapped his arms around himself, asking slowly.

  Guan Hai and Zhou Cang exchanged a glance, unsure about the young man. If things were normal, they would have been discovered by this person and he would have reported it to Zhang Bao without saying anything. But the person in front of them did not do so, instead asking directly, obviously wanting to know their true intentions.

  Zhou Cang rushed out and shouted loudly: "What's going on?"

  "Is it really a fake surrender? Have you truly surrendered to the Han army?" The young man asked.

  Guan Hai shouted: "What's it to you? My reputation as Guan Hai isn't just for show, if you've got the guts, come and try!"

  "Heh heh, put away your blades!" The young man's face broke into a smile as he shouted to the several Yellow Turban swordsmen behind him.

  Several knife-wielding men uniformly sheathed their knives and stood upright behind the young man, without a word.

  The young man immediately cupped his hands and said: "I am Liao Hua, I have offended you two, please forgive me!"

  "Liao Hua? What do you mean?" asked Guan Hai.

  Liao Huaxiao said, "The Yellow Turbans' momentum has already gone, Tian Gong and Ren Gong have both died in battle. Di Gong Jiangjun is eager to avenge his death, but he didn't realize that this was an official army's deception plan. Now the entire Xiaquyang is actively preparing for war, ready to launch a surprise attack at night. I mistakenly joined the Taiping Sect when I was 13 years old and followed Daxian Liang Shi from Runan to Xiaquyang. First, I served as a general under Ren Gong Jiangjun, and later became a follower of Di Gong Jiangjun. I want to surrender to the official army and don't want to bear the name of a rebel anymore. Since you have already surrendered to the official army, can you introduce me to them?"

  Zhou Cang and Guan Yu heard this and let out a sigh of relief, both bursting into laughter. Zhou Cang said: "Since that's the case, as long as you're truly willing to surrender to the government army, I can introduce you. My family's lord is both civil and martial, brave and unmatched, but he lacks trusted advisors. With your insight and wit, you'll definitely be able to win a military marquis title in front of my family's lord."

  Liao Hua Dao said, "I don't care about the size of the official position, I only care about being able to eliminate the traitor's name from my body. Both of you are senior generals in the Yellow Turban Army, and someone who can make both of you feel at ease must be a great hero. These few people are all my close followers, brothers who have gone through life and death with me. Today's matter is only known to us and will not be spread out, please rest assured, elder brothers. If I can successfully join the official army, I will still rely on both of you in the future."

  Zhou Cang said: "Definitely. Can you help me with something?"

  Liao Huadao: "Brother, please go ahead and speak, as long as I can do it, I will definitely help!"

  Zhou Cang said: "I have a fellow countryman named Pei Yuanshao, who is also in the city. Do you know him?"

  "What's with the surname Pei? I only know one person, everyone calls him Pei Guangtou, don't know if he's the person brother wants to find?" Liao Hua asked.

  Zhou Cang laughed happily and said: "Right, Pei Guang is him, where is he? You take me to find him!"

  Liao Huadao said, "I'm afraid that's not possible. To be honest with you two brothers, General Diguang doesn't trust you both, so he sent me to keep an eye on you two brothers. If Brother Zhou goes to find Pei Guangtou openly, I'm afraid it will implicate Pei Guangtou. I understand what you mean, brother - you want Pei Guangtou and you to surrender to the government army together, right?"

  Zhou Cang couldn't help but admire Liao Hua's brains and nodded in agreement at once.

  "Liao Huadao said: 'That's simple, just let me do it. I'm quite close to Pei Guangtou, so I'll just go and tell him about this.'"

  "Then I'll have to trouble Liao Hua brothers." Zhou Cang cupped his hands and said.

  Liao Hua smiled and said: "Brother Zhou is being polite."

  Guan Hai saw Liao Hua as a clever and resourceful person. Thinking that Zhang Bao had sent Liao Hua to monitor them, he must have trusted him. After some thought, fearing that they would not gain Zhang Bao's true trust, Guan Hai pulled Zhou Cang aside and discussed it with him. The two decided to reveal the plan devised by Gao Fei and ask for Liao Hua's assistance from the side.

  Liao Hua was also very pleased and gladly accepted. He had been worried that he couldn't join the government army with his merits, but now that this opportunity had come, how could he refuse? The three of them immediately discussed and confirmed their plan to implement Gao's flight separately.

  There were not a few people in the city who had the same thoughts as Liao Hua, but they did not dare to express their own ideas openly and could only discuss them privately. Liao Hua's relationship was not bad, so he took the initiative to take on the role of liaison officer and sent his confidant to contact reliable people. He also went to find Pei Yuanshao and asked Pei Yuanshao to assist in this matter. In just one short afternoon, Liao Hua contacted three thousand Yellow Turban soldiers who had the same thoughts and were preparing to surrender to the government army. This series of subtle changes was not detected by Zhang Bao, the commander-in-chief.

  After nightfall, Zhang Bao gathered 30,000 Yellow Turbans and first called Liao Hua. As soon as he opened his mouth, he asked: "Have Zhou Cang and Guan Yu made any unusual moves?"

  Liao Hua replied, "I reported to the general, and there was no unusual behavior. I followed the general's orders and sent them wine and meat. The two of them drank large bowls of wine and ate big chunks of meat, and after eating their fill, they fell asleep on the bed, not waking up until late afternoon."

  Zhang Bao nodded in satisfaction, smiling: "Liao Hua, you've done well. Once I defeat these 20,000 government troops and return, I'll promote you to be a commander."

  Liao Huabai said: "Thank you for your kindness, General!"

  Zhang Bao said: "You are still young, with a bright future ahead of you. At present, the two places of Nanyang and Yingchuan are more suitable for our army to fight against the government forces, which is like a raging fire. Although we have had a small setback on this side of Julu, we will soon turn the tide of battle. After defeating Gao Feng, our army will advance westward, attack Changshan, and move towards Pingzhou. There are many mountains, rivers, and streams there, which is suitable for us to engage in a long-term battle with the government forces."

  "Yes, General, I will understand."

  "Alright, you go and summon Guan Hai, as for Zhou Cang, he'll stay in the city. If they dare to deceive me, I'll kill Guan Hai first, and then come back and kill Zhou Cang." Zhang Bao's heart was filled with murderous intentions, although he knew there might be an ambush, he thought this was an opportunity that couldn't be easily let go of. Moreover, the government army only had 20,000 men, while he had 30,000, which gave him a certain advantage in numbers.

  "Agreed!"

  Liao Hua went to Guan Yu and Zhou Cang's room, as soon as he entered the door, he called out: "The situation has changed, I'm afraid the plan needs to be slightly modified."

  "What's going on?" asked Guan Yu and Zhou Cang hastily.

  Liao Huadao said: "Zhang Bao is still not at ease, only letting Guan brother accompany him to go, and let Zhou brother stay in the city."

  Guan Yu and Zhou Cang said: "In that case, sir, your ambush plan may not be able to achieve a complete victory."

  Liao Huadao said, "It doesn't matter, just make some slight modifications and it will be fine. When Lord Gao made the plan, he didn't know that there would be someone like me in the city who is loyal to Han. However, this is also a good opportunity given by heaven to Lord Gao, and he can capture Xiquyang City without any effort."

  Guan Hai and Zhou Cang asked: "Have you noticed anything unusual?"

  Liao Hua nodded and whispered a few words into the ears of Guan Yu and Zhou Cang, who then smiled.

  "Alright, let's do it this way. This will show those government troops not to underestimate us defectors! Zhou Cang, you just stay in the city and I'll take care of things outside." Guan Yu patted his thigh and called out.

  Zhou Cang nodded and said: "Guan Yu brothers, you must be more careful, Zhang Bao's martial arts are slightly higher than Zhang Liang's."

  "Relax, even if it's higher again, what's the use? There are still adults outside, nothing to worry about."

  Liao Huadao: "Guan brother, are you ready?"

  Guan Hai nodded, patted his chest and said loudly: "Everything is ready, let's go!"

  Liao Hua brought Guan Yu to the city gate, where he saw a dense crowd of troops. Zhang Bao was wearing a yellow scarf on his head, armor on his body, holding a long spear in his hand, and a dagger at his waist. He was riding a green horse, looking majestic under the firelight. Liao Hua walked straight to Zhang Bao's side, clasped his fists and said: "General, I've brought Guan Yu here!"

  Guan Hai cupped his hands and said: "Reporting for duty, General!"

  Zhang Bao waved his hand and pointed to a horse beside him that had no rider, saying in a low voice: "Guan Hai, get on the horse, or there will be changes!"

  Guan Hai grunted "En" and flipped onto the horse's back.

  Zhang Bao turned his head and said to Liao Hua: "The city will be left to you, Du Yuan and Bian Xi to guard!"

  "Liao Huadao said: 'Don't worry, General. With me here, the city is guaranteed to be safe and sound. I'll wait for your triumphant return!'"

  Zhang Bao smiled and let out a loud whoop, then mounted his horse and rode off, with the 30,000 bandits close behind him.

  Liao Hua climbed up the city wall and saw Zhang Bao leading his troops away in the distance. He then turned to two men wearing armor beside him and said, "General Du, General Bian, I recently received a jar of fine wine from General Di Gong, which has not been opened yet. I heard that this is the imperial wine that only emperors can drink. I'd like to invite both generals to my humble abode for a drink, would you do me the honor?"