Zhu Nao

In the city of Puzhou, the high-spirited soldiers of the Shu army quickly shuttled through the streets and alleys, and captured the Henan army one after another.The Henan army was downcast, in stark contrast to the enemy.

This morning, the Henan army who was in charge of guarding the south gate suddenly rebelled, opened the gate on their own initiative, and welcomed the Shu army into the city.It was still early in the day, and most of the Henan army was still resting, completely unaware that their enemies had already marched straight in.Therefore, after the Shu army entered the city, there was almost no resistance.One is that when the Shu army rushed to the front, the Henan soldiers were dumbfounded, and naturally they had no time to organize a resistance; the other is that the Henan soldiers who are now starving and skinny have no strength to resist.They were either caught without a fight, or fled around, and then were captured and returned...

By noon, the Shu army had searched all the streets and alleys in Puzhou City, and controlled all the Henan troops in the city.All the confidential official documents, weapon depots, and grain and grass depots of the Henan Army were also seized.

Puzhou City, which had been trapped for more than four months, finally completely fell into the hands of the Shu Army...

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Zhu Nao and Xie Wuji stood on the tower.This is the commanding height of the city, where you can have a panoramic view of the streets and alleys in the city.

Officers from each battalion kept running up to the tower to report various affairs to them.Suddenly, another officer ran up.

"Your Majesty!" said the military officer, "The enemy general Shangguan Xian has been arrested, how should he deal with it, please tell your Majesty!"

Hearing Shangguan Xian's name, Zhu Nao, Xie Wuji and the others' eyes lit up.This Shangguanxian was Tao Bei's confidant and beloved general, and he had a very high status and reputation in the Central Plains army.If he accidentally let him run away this time, the significance of the victory in this battle will be greatly reduced.Therefore, before the army entered the city, Xie Wuji ordered to use heavy troops to encircle and suppress the general headquarters in Puzhou City first, and Shangguan Xian must not be allowed to escape.

Now the soldiers of the Shu army have captured Shangguan Xian alive. It is better to capture the alive ones than the dead ones!

Zhu Nao immediately ordered: "Create an empty courtyard, I want to meet Shangguan Xian in person."

Everyone was ordered to go down and prepare immediately.Xie Wuji still had military affairs to do, so he didn't go with Zhu Nao, only Cheng Jingzhe took a group of guards to make arrangements first.

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Not long after, Shangguanxian, who was tied up, was pushed and shoved by several Shu soldiers into a courtyard.

"Be honest, don't resist!" The soldiers of the Shu army yelled at him viciously.

Shangguan Xian did not resist, he let others push and pull like a rusty puppet.

When the Shu army entered the city today, he was still resting in the barracks, and he did not expect that his subordinates would suddenly rebel—in fact, he was not worried that such a thing would happen. He thought of many measures to prevent it, but unfortunately he did not Take precautions.

When he learned that the Shu army had entered, his battalion had already been surrounded by the Shu army.His personal soldiers fought hard, wanting to fight a bloody path for him, but unfortunately he has not shown favoritism in the past few months, and his personal soldiers are as hungry as ordinary soldiers.In the end, the Shu army broke through his guard camp without much effort.

When he was just captured, he was extremely emotional, struggling desperately, and wanted to fight the enemy to the end.But he had no chance to pick up the knife again.

Now, he realizes that he has lost this battle and there is no chance of a comeback, so he has become extremely calm, as calm as a pool of stagnant water.

The soldiers of the Shu army escorted him to the courtyard. There was already a person sitting in the courtyard, surrounded by guards.Shangguan Xian's eyes were empty, and he didn't look at that person.

The Shu army soldier who escorted him suddenly kicked him in the hollow of his knee, and shouted in a low voice, "Kneel down!"

Shangguan Xian knelt down unexpectedly.He didn't resist, but his eyes became a little brighter, and he finally took a look at the person sitting - the attitude of the guards and the Shu army in the courtyard. He deduced that the person who summoned him now was of high status, probably either Xie Wuji or Jun Nao himself, and it is more likely to be Jun Nao.

Even though he had lost all hope at this moment and was determined to die, he still couldn't help feeling a little curious.What kind of person is that famous Zhu Nao, the Emperor Zhu who has made Tao Bei countless obstacles all these years?

When he raised his eyes, he met Zhu Nao's scrutinizing gaze, and a meaningful smile appeared on Jun Nao's face, as if he had completely read his mind.Shangguan Xian immediately looked away embarrassingly.

"How can you be so rude to General Shangguan?" Zhu Nao warmly reprimanded the Shu army escorting Shangguan Xian, "Quickly untie General Shangguan."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Several soldiers immediately came up to untie the rope for Shangguan Xian.

Hearing the word "Your Majesty", Shangguan Xian's eyebrows twitched: This person is really Zhu Nao!I didn't expect to be so young...

However, when the soldiers were halfway through untying the rope for Shangguanxian, he coldly refused: "Although Shangguanxian is not a hero, my will cannot be changed, and my heart cannot be changed. Now that I am a defeated general, I want to kill or cut him. Deal with it! Mr. Zhu doesn’t have to do useless things.”

Shangguan Xian knew the purpose of Zhu Nao personally summoning him.With Tao Bei's respect for him, if he surrendered to Zhu Nao, it would be a huge blow to Tao Bei!Zhu Nao will definitely try his best to subdue him, and it is impossible for him to surrender no matter what!

However, Zhu Nao treated him with courtesy. Although he did not recognize Jun Nao's throne, he would not speak ill of him.The battle has already been lost, so what's the point of being quick-tongued?It's just a joke.

Zhu Nao softly said: "General Shangguan is indeed a hero. If I can win General Shangguan, I will definitely treat him as a distinguished guest. Life is precious, and if you don't have to do it again, why should the general want to die?"

Shangguan Xian didn't bother to argue with him, so he simply closed his eyes, sealed his tongue, and didn't say a word.His steadfastness does not need to be expressed in words, and his aspirations can be glimpsed from his perseverance in the past few months.

Zhu Nao was not surprised, and after persuading "General Shangguan, please think twice", he also remained silent.

Suddenly, no one spoke in the yard.Shangguan Xian stood with his eyes closed, and Zhu Nao sat at the stone table, drinking the tea he brewed unhurriedly, and the two sides were in a silent stalemate.

I don't know how long it took, but finally Shangguan Xian couldn't stand it anymore, his body swayed a few times in the wind.He was already extremely weak, how could he sustain it for a long time?However, Jun Nao's actions made him very confused: what exactly does Jun Nao want to do?If there is any means of coercion and lure, just use it, he has already prepared it.What's the point of being so busy now?

When he was about to lose his standing, Zhu Nao finally said, "General Shangguan is not feeling well? Find a military doctor to check on the general."

Shangguan Xian didn't even want to say the word of refusal, for fear of following Zhu Nao's way when he opened his mouth, so he only expressed his position with an expression of indifference and resistance.

Junao shook his head, smiling a little helplessly.He finally stood up, and said slowly: "I admire the general's loyalty and righteousness. It's just that I love you so much, I really don't want to miss the general..."

He thought for a moment, and seemed to be looking for a way to break the situation.Suddenly he came up with an idea, and said, "Why don't you do this. Since the general has stayed in Puzhou City for four months, you might as well make another bet with me: I want to keep the general for another four months. If you are willing to change your mind, I will definitely use it again and will never break your promise; if the general still refuses to surrender after four months, then I will let the general go."

Shangguan Xian couldn't help but startled.When he first heard the first few sentences, he thought that Zhu Nao was going to kill him if he still refused to surrender after four months.But Zhu Nao said, can you let him go in four months? !

He finally couldn't help it, and opened his eyes to look at Junao.Junao's expression was very sincere, and he didn't seem to be fooling anyone.But Shangguan Xian was surprised for a short time, but he didn't believe his words.

He has been in the army for many years, and he has seen all kinds of methods. He wants to win people's hearts. There are only a few methods: coercion and use, sticking first and then judging, or boiling frogs in warm water.But if Zhu Nao wanted to use these means on him, he might be wrong in the end.

——Don't say four months, even four years, 40 years, he will never betray!

I don't know if Zhu Nao has seen through his thoughts, so he didn't say any more, just said: "Take General Shangguan down to rest."

The soldiers took orders and hurriedly said "Yes, Your Majesty".This time they didn't tie up Shangguan Xian again, they made a gesture of please to Shangguan Xian, signaling Shangguan Xian to go by himself.

Shangguan Xian gave Zhu Nao a complicated look, then turned and left.

Seeing him walking away, Zhu Nao told Cheng Jingzhe who was beside him: "Let people pay attention to the utensils around him, and don't give him a chance to commit suicide."

Cheng Jingzhe hurriedly said: "Yes, young master."

Although he didn't know why Zhu Nao made such a promise, but he knew that Shangguan Xian might be an extremely tough nut to crack.Today Zhu Nao did not make any effort to persuade Shangguan Xian to surrender, he just kept observing Shangguan Xian, and it was the result of his observation that made him give up unnecessary attempts.

Since he refused to surrender, it is very likely that Shangguan Xian will find an opportunity to kill himself.Cheng Jingzhe hurriedly sent orders to the soldiers guarding Shangguan Xian.

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At dusk, all the soldiers of the Henan Army and the surviving civilians in the city were temporarily resettled, and the weapons, supplies, and official documents of the Henan Army were also counted and collected.Xie Wuji hurriedly returned to the tent, while Zhu Nao was looking at the confiscated documents.

Xie Wuji didn't bother Zhu Nao, just sat down quietly at the side.After a while, Zhu Nao finished reading the official document in his hand and pushed it aside.

Xie Wuji asked: "How is it? Has Shangguan Xian surrendered?"

Zhu Nao said aggrievedly: "General Xie, tell me, am I not as good as Tao Bei?"

Xie Wuji immediately said: "How is it possible? Shangguan Xian is blind, so ignore him."

Only then did Zhu Nao nod in satisfaction: "General Xie still has his own eyes. No wonder I like General Xie so much."

Xie Wuji laughed, and asked again: "Since he won't surrender, how do you plan to deal with him?"

Zhu Nao spread his hands and said, "I promise to keep him for four months. If he is willing to surrender within four months, I will give him a high official and generous salary; if he still refuses to surrender after four months, I will let him go."

Xie Wuji was taken aback.Regardless of whether Shangguan Xian surrendered or not, since this man fell into Zhu Nao's hands alive, Zhu Nao would definitely not kill him, Xie Wuji had expected this a long time ago.Now that the world is chaotic, they urgently need talents, no matter what kind of people Zhu Nao is willing to take in.After all, there are the usages of excellence in talents, the usage of mediocrity in mediocrity, and even the usage of fraudulent surrender.This is an act of buying bones with thousands of dollars, Xie Wuji understood.But can the person who got it be released? !Xie Wuji didn't understand.

He speculated suspiciously: "Do you have a way to make Shangguan Xian surrender within four months?"

Zhu Nao shook his head and said, "I haven't thought of it yet. If you have a good way, tell me quickly."

Xie Wuji: "..."

Xie Wuji was dumbfounded, "After those four months, if he doesn't surrender, you really let him go? Let him go back to Yedu? Back to Tao Bei?"

This series of questions showed his shock.Zhu Nao doesn't seem like someone who can play tricks on words, that would be too petty.But just letting the enemy general go like this, that's really jaw-droppingly generous!

Zhu Nao explained: "Forcibly keeping him is useless for me. Moreover, he is quite famous in the Central Plains. If he is killed, it will only give Tao Bei an excuse to boost morale and start a war. It is better to release him. If you sell him a favor, maybe you will get something in the future."

Xie Wuji was speechless.

This level was something he hadn't thought of.It is indeed not a good strategy to kill Shangguanxian, just like someone killed Yu Changming, the Shu government will be shocked, and the Shu army will swear revenge.It is indeed difficult to keep Shangguan Xian for his own use.If it was the old Xie Wuji, he would have killed him, but if it was the current Xie Wuji, he might have locked him up forever.But Zhu Nao's courage can always exceed his expectations - he can even let people go!

Thinking about it carefully, although Shangguan Xian is unswervingly loyal to Tao Bei, his heart is complicated. If he doesn't do things for Zhu Nao, he may not be unable to accept Zhu Nao's love.If he returns to Tao Bei in the future, if he can regain his high position, will he be of some help to Zhu Nao?Xie Wuji can't say well, this is a gamble.

He thought again quickly.After Shangguanxian was released, could he really be reused?Zhu Nao released Shangguan Xian, but he would not return the Henan Army. The Henan Army suffered heavy losses. If Tao Bei wanted to use Shangguan Xian again, he had to raise troops for him again... the troubles and entanglements involved...

Xie Wuji didn't know what step Zhu Nao had reached, but he himself couldn't figure it out.

Zhu Nao's actions are always unexpected, but it's not because he is deliberately mysterious, but because the human heart is complex and fickle, and the chaos and contradictions of human nature are often unspeakable and unreasonable.Some words sound absurd, but they hit the point.

Xie Wuji only knew that his calculation of people's hearts was far inferior to that of Zhu Nao, since Zhu Nao thought that the advantages outweighed the disadvantages, he had his own reasons, so Xie Wuji didn't ask any more questions.

"Then now that Puzhou City is won, what should we do next?" Xie Wuji changed the subject, "Do you need to strike while the iron is hot?"

"Of course." Zhu Nao said, "Starting tomorrow, I will immediately send people to the counties and counties of Henan Prefecture to say surrender."

With the destruction of Puzhou City and the capture of Shangguanxian, all forces in the Henan Prefecture must have been greatly shaken.Without Shangguanxian, they would have no backbone and lost a large number of soldiers and horses.Henan was originally conquered by Tao Bei a few years ago, and his foundation was not solid enough to be easily pried away.Now, before Tao Bei had time to react, Zhu Nao hurriedly sent someone to say to surrender those forces, this is the best time.

The envoys from all walks of life will be busy next, and they will use their three-inch tongue to persuade all forces.And Xie Wuji won't be idle, if he wants to subdue those forces, he can't just rely on lures, he has to show the army to the door first, then it will be much easier to negotiate any conditions.

Zhu Nao and Xie Wuji discussed again, until the night was dark, they fell asleep at the same table.