gnovel Chapter 69 Zulang has descended
Chapter 69 Zulang has descended
"What are our casualties?" Lu Yong asked again.
His biggest concern was the condition of his own soldiers.
"Less than a hundred were killed, more than three hundred were wounded. In addition, more than a thousand prisoners were captured," Zhang Fei reported.
It was already broad daylight.
Lu Yong, along with Zhang Fei, Lei Hu, and others, arrived in front of Zu Lang, who was being held captive on the street.
Not far from Zulang lay Jiao Yi, who lay dead with his eyes wide open.
Zulang himself was bound hand and foot, his hair disheveled, and he looked quite disheveled.
"Zu Lang!" Lu Yong called out.
Zulang looked up when he heard someone call his name.
Zulang did not see Lu Yong's appearance during the previous field battle.
Upon seeing him in person, he seemed somewhat incredulous that Lu Yong was so young.
He looked at Lu Yong with a hint of resentment in his eyes, but he didn't say anything.
Lu Yong dismounted and walked to Zu Lang, slowly drawing the sword from his waist.
Zu Lang thought Lu Yong was going to kill him, so he turned his head to the side and quietly awaited his death.
however,
Lu Yong swung his sword down.
Zulang did not feel any pain in his body. Instead, the ropes binding him loosened and fell to the ground.
"This..." Zu Lang looked at Lu Yong with some confusion and asked, "You're not going to kill me?"
Lu Yong smiled and replied, "We are not here to cause bloodshed, but to develop this area so that the people of the Han Dynasty can live a better life."
"You Han people are so hypocritical!" Zulang sneered.
"Aren't you insulting yourself in that statement?"
"?"
"Aren't the so-called Yue people also people who live on the land of the Han Dynasty?"
Zulang, who was moving his wrist which was numb from being strangled, stopped moving involuntarily.
Zulang stared at Lu Yong, his lips parted slightly, but he ultimately did not reply.
Lu Yong sheathed his sword, glanced at the kneeling surrendered soldiers around him, and continued to explain:
"Your ancestors,
Perhaps they are descendants of the Baiyue people who have lived here since the Qin and Han dynasties.
They could also be Han Chinese who fled into the deep mountains to escape the chaos of war.
But whichever way you are, you do indeed live on this land.
He stepped forward, looked directly into Zulang's eyes, and said:
As the ancient sages said: "Under the vast heaven, all land belongs to the king; on the shores of the earth, all people are subjects of the king."
The mountains and rivers of the six valleys of Jing County are all Han Chinese land.
Living on the land of the Han people, one is naturally a subject of the Han people.
Where does the distinction between "you" and "me" come from?
Zulang's pupils contracted slightly, and for the first time, a crack appeared in the calm on his face.
Seeing that he was wavering, Lu Yong continued to persuade him, "I can see that..."
You are studying Han Chinese culture, learning about how Han people bestow titles and ranks.
You and your troops,
They also longed to leave the mountains and see the wider world.
They can live and work in peace and contentment, and utilize their talents, just like the Han people.
"If you want to die, it's just a matter of me lifting a hand."
But have you ever thought about it?
After you die,
What will happen to your men, the elderly, women, and children?
Zulang's face showed a struggle and pain.
After a moment, he finally spoke in a hoarse voice, "What exactly do you want?"
When Lu Yong heard him speak, he immediately felt a little more at ease.
His voice softened slightly as he said, "I want you to live! Protect and develop this great region for our lord!"
"...What?" Zu Lang stared wide-eyed at Lu Yong.
"I will petition the lord to grant you the position of Western Commandant of Danyang, to govern the four southern counties of Danyang."
after that,
I will relocate some of the people who have migrated south to the southern part of Danyang.
Jointly develop arable land and plant cash crops.
As long as they are willing to work hard and put in the effort, their future will definitely get better day by day!
Zhang Fei readily stepped forward.
He planted his eighteen-foot spear on the ground and said:
"My elder brother is a member of the Han imperial family, and his benevolence and righteousness are known throughout the world."
"My strategist has already put it this way. If you still don't know what's good for you, then my spear will truly be unstoppable."
As soon as Zhang Fei finished speaking, Lei Hu also stepped forward abruptly.
He knelt on one knee, choked with sobs, and clasped his hands in a fist salute to Zulang, saying, "General! Surrender! Haven't you always wanted to leave these mountains?"
Now that you have such a benevolent and enlightened lord and strategist, what are you still hesitating for?
Zulang looked at Zhang Fei, then at Lei Hu, and finally at the Yue tribesmen on the street who had put down their weapons and were staring at them expectantly.
He suddenly realized,
In the eyes of those people,
The fervor of "fighting to the death for the coach" has vanished.
All I could do was offer the humble wish to "live a better life."
At this moment, Zulang finally came to his senses.
Lu Yong's words were not just meant for him.
This was also meant for the captured Yue soldiers.
Zulang slowly closed his eyes.
a long time,
He finally opened his eyes, knelt on one knee, and clasped his hands above his head to Lu Yong, saying:
"Zulang...is willing to surrender!"
[System Log: The host has successfully captured the county town and subdued Zulang. Today's achievement +2.]
[Current Achievements Pending Settlement: 2 item.]
Lu Yong smiled brightly and was about to reach out to help him up.
Zulang raised his head and said, "But if the strategist breaks his promise and mistreats my people, even if it means my death, I, Zulang, will seek justice for my mountain people!"
This time, Lu Yong reached out without hesitation and grabbed his arms:
"If I, Lu Yong, break my word, you won't need to rebel; the Third General will bring you my head!"
Zhang Fei laughed heartily, put his arm around Zu Lang's shoulder, and said:
"You're a real hero, aren't you! I, Old Zhang, will treat you to a drink!"
"Alcohol?" Upon hearing the word "alcohol," Lei Hu's eyes immediately lit up. "Is it the kind of alcohol we drank together last time?"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Fei's smile froze, and he turned his head to look at Lu Yong expectantly.
Lu Yong gave a light snort and said:
"If you want to drink my wine, you'd better behave from now on!"
"Lei Hu swears to follow the strategist to the death!"
"..." Zhang Fei.
After Zulang stood up, Lu Yong turned to Lei Hu and said, "Go tell your father that the passage to the south can be opened."
Furthermore, send him to Jing County; I need to petition the lord on your behalf for credit for you and your son.”
"Thank you, strategist!" Lei Hu grinned and ran out of the city.
Lu Yong then summoned another personal guard and said:
"Go and send a message to Shen Yi, telling him to remove the wooden barricades on the river and bring supplies and prisoners to join us."
"While you're at it, write a report of victory to our lord, explaining the whole story of what happened in Jing County."
"Yes, sir!" The guard obeyed and left.
……
Wanling City, the governor's residence.
Liu Bei sat in the main seat.
Lu Su, Mi Zhu, Sun Qian, and Jian Yong sat on either side.
Zhuge Jin stood to the side, holding a scroll of bamboo slips in his hands, reporting on the progress of the land reclamation.
"More than 800 households of migrants from the Jingxian area have been resettled, and another 2,000 mu of fertile land can be reclaimed before spring planting..."
Liu Bei nodded slightly, picked up the teacup, and took a sip.
Jian Yong leaned back in his chair and yawned: "Xuande, I'm so tired and sleepy, I really want to leave the office..."
"It's only been less than two hours since roll call... Huai'an doesn't dare to slip away so early," Mi Zhu said, both amused and exasperated.
Jian Yong's eyes darted around, and he found an excuse to ask, "Speaking of Huai'an, we haven't heard from him for several days. Should I go and ask Fengxiao?"
Liu Bei put down his teacup, directly thwarting Jian Yong's idea of skipping work: "No need. I've always trusted Huai'an to handle things."
"..." Upon hearing this, Jian Yong slumped back into his seat once again.
Just then, the sound of rapid hoofbeats came from outside the courtyard.
Then a messenger rushed inside.
Kneel on one knee
Holding a scroll of silk aloft with both hands, he exclaimed, "Report! My lord! The strategist has sent a report of victory!!!"
Liu Bei suddenly stood up, took the silk scroll, and unfolded it.
Everyone in the hall immediately put down their work and looked at Liu Bei.
Liu Bei's gaze swept across the silk scroll.
The expression on his face changed from calm to surprise, and from surprise to ecstasy.
"Good! Good! Good!" Liu Bei said three times.
He turned to the crowd, held up the victory report, and announced loudly:
"A great victory at Huai'an and Jing County! Zu Lang has been subdued! Our own casualties were less than five hundred!"
Zhuge Jin's mouth dropped open in surprise.
Jian Yong suddenly jumped up from his seat, his eyes wide, and asked, "That amazing?"
Lu Su also showed a look of joy, muttering, "As expected of a strategist, he has pacified Jing County and subdued the enemy leader in just ten days!"