12dz Chapter 652 Persuading Zhang He to Surrender? Negotiating Peace with the Aristocratic Families of Ji
Chapter 652 Persuading Zhang He to Surrender? Negotiating Peace with the Aristocratic Families of Ji
"This... According to Chen Gong's analysis, Guangzong is the decisive battleground, so why is Cao Cao's main force heading towards Ye City instead?"
The clan head of the Shen family, Shen Xing, asked Cui Linfa a question.
The Shen family refers to the family to which Shen Pei originally belonged.
After Shen Pei left, the Shen family was not as prosperous as before.
However, Ju Zong considered that the Shen family was, after all, an old and prestigious family, and Shen Pei had previously been his elder brother Ju Shou's number one assistant.
They treated the family members with some preferential treatment.
For example, now, Ju Zong has appointed Cui Lin as the garrison commander of Ye City.
However, Cui Lin should take into account the opinions of the judge in reviewing Xing's case to some extent.
"Cui also did not know what Cao Jun's intentions were."
"But I, Cui, can tell you all with absolute certainty that with the current strength of my Ye City forces, Cao Cao's army has absolutely no chance of defeating us and making Ye City theirs!"
Cui Lin comforted everyone.
But it was as if it was meant to slap Cui Lin in the face.
Before he could finish speaking, another sentry came to report:
"Reporting to Lord Cui, a general from Cao's army has arrived outside the city, saying he has something he wishes to discuss with you gentlemen."
"Oh?"
"Is there something we need to discuss?"
The heads of several aristocratic families looked at each other, their eyes filled with doubt and speculation.
Cui Lin frowned slightly:
"Gentlemen, I fear this is a trick by Cao Cao's army!"
"They openly discuss matters with us to attract our attention, but in reality, they harbor ulterior motives."
It has to be said that Cui Lin's guess was spot on.
Cao Cao's sixth brother usually executes several strategies simultaneously.
The main goal is to break the opponent's mentality!
"But what if Cao Cao's army can bring back some useful information?"
"Besides, we are standing on the city wall, while that Cao army general is standing below the city."
"Even if he wanted to take the opportunity to kill us, it would be impossible."
"In my opinion, we should go and meet with that Cao army general."
The trial of Xing proposed this.
This statement was echoed by several other family heads.
"Alright, since Brother Shen has said so, then you may all come with me to see him."
Cui Lin was still a bit indecisive.
His opinion was quickly assimilated by Shen Xing, who thought that it was just a meeting with Cao Cao's generals across the city wall, and there would definitely be no big deal.
Soon, the group arrived at the city gate tower.
Looking down, one could see Zhang He leading a dozen or so guards carrying large shields, appearing below the city walls.
"Holy crap! It's that traitor Zhang Junyi!"
Upon seeing Zhang He, the heads of several powerful families on the city wall all glared at him with fury.
In the eyes of the powerful families of Ji Province, Zhang He was nothing short of a traitor!
Those who experienced the glory days of the Celestial Dragons know that Zhang He was a key general cultivated by Ju Shou.
Although the Zhang family of Hejian behind Zhang He could hardly be called a prestigious family.
But if Ju Shou wins, the Zhang family of Hejian will surely rise to prominence and become a newly established aristocratic family, based on the merits they have made.
Unexpectedly, during the Battle of Guandu, Zhang He took Gao Lan with him and defected to Cao Cao's camp!
You not only betrayed your own side, but you also dragged your teammates down with you?
Upon hearing the news, the powerful families of Ji Province launched a vicious attack on Zhang He.
When they met Zhang He again, Zhang He was leading outsiders (Cao Cao's army) to attack Ji Province.
At that time, the powerful families of Ji Province, under pressure from Cao Cao's army and the successive deaths of their leaders such as Ju Shou, Ju Hu, and Shen Pei, had no choice but to surrender to Cao Cao's army in order to preserve their strength.
Everyone and Zhang He were teammates on the same side again, so there was nothing to criticize.
But now, Ju Zong, carrying the remaining glory of the Celestial Dragons, has once again launched a rebellion.
Zhang He, however, remained on the opposite side of the powerful families of Ji Province.
How could these clan leaders of the Jizhou aristocratic families not hate Zhang He?
"Everyone, long time no see!"
Zhang He waved, his face full of smiles, like a leader on an inspection tour.
"Zhang Junyi! You bastard!"
"Someone like you, I swear I will never associate with you again!"
The loudest shouts came from the judge who was interrogating Xing.
The reason was simple: not long after Ju Zong's rebellion, Shen Xing, thinking himself clever, wrote a letter and sent it to Zhang He.
In his own words, "With my silver tongue, I will surely make Zhang He surrender without his armor!"
But the truth is, after Zhang He read the letter, he immediately asked a familiar servant in the Ministry of Personnel to write a reply and sent it to Shen Xing.
The words in that reply were not merely uncivilized, but rather a blatant insult to the ancestors of the person who was handling the case!
Enraged, Shen Xing broke down on the spot, vowing to take Zhang He's head and avenge himself!
"Hey everyone, please don't be so agitated."
"I have come here today to discuss the matter of surrender with you all."
Zhang He said with a grin.
It was as if the insults from the city tower had no effect on him at all.
"surrender?"
"joke!"
"Unless we perish in battle, we will defend Ye City forever!"
On the city wall, several clan leaders, led by Cui Lin and Shen Xing, were united in their hatred of the enemy.
Zhang He's verbal surrender seemed utterly useless in their eyes.
"Are you all really going to be so absolute in your statements?"
"Zhang advised everyone to always leave some room for maneuver and not to go to extremes."
Zhang He's tone, like that of a senior figure, greatly displeased the various powerful families.
Just as everyone was about to continue insulting Zhang He, Zhang He suddenly uttered a shocking statement:
"Cui Lin, what do you think of the positions of the Three Dukes?"
"Shen Xing, and the governorship of Ji Province will be yours. Do you want it?"
"Wang Nan, the Junior Steward of the Imperial Household Department, one of the Nine Ministers, isn't that good, is he?"
Zhang He named seven or eight people in a row.
The heads of the powerful families who were named were all dumbfounded!
Even Cui Lin and Shen Xing were no exception.
"This……"
What exactly does Zhang He mean by this?
"Could it be that Cao Cao has realized our strength after we unite, and intends to negotiate peace with us and give us important positions in the court?"
Cui Lin and Shen Xing were both making themselves a little insecure.
As the saying goes, self-interest is the core element that runs through everything.
Why did the powerful families of Ji Province rebel against Cao Cao under the leadership of Ju Zong?
Ultimately, is it really for the glory of the Celestial Dragons?
That is certainly one factor, but it is not the core reason.
The fundamental reason is that the powerful families of Jizhou sensed a crisis.
They felt the warning signs that they could no longer relax and enjoy life, and that their own status was rapidly declining!
Rather than reminiscing about the Celestial Dragons era, it's more about cherishing the glory of the Jizhou aristocratic families as a whole during that time!
Anyone born into a prominent family like theirs doesn't need to work very hard to become a high-ranking official and enjoy wealth and luxury.
But not anymore.
The aristocratic families of Yuzhou have pulled far ahead of them.
They also won't get any of the benefits from Su Yu's side.
Aside from following Ju Zong and fighting for our lives, turning a bicycle into a motorcycle, we had no other choice!
But if Cao Cao really intended to offer some high-ranking positions in the imperial court to make peace with them, would the powerful families of Ji Province be unwilling?
Cui Lin, Shen Xing, and the others were instantly captivated by the rosy picture Zhang He had painted for them!
……