On the 25th of December, outside Xiapi, twenty miles north in the camp,Zhang Liao sat in the command tent, staring at the map of Xiapi laid out on the table.There were two major camps near Xiapi. One was located ten miles east of the city, which belonged to Cao Cao's forces. The other was Zhang Liao's own camp.
From the distance between the two camps, Cao Cao could have sent his main force to attack Zhang Liao first, then sit back and safely besiege Xiapi.However, in reality, Zhang Liao had been stationed here for more than ten days, and Cao Cao had not made any move to harass him.
Zhang Liao clearly understood Cao Cao's strategy.Cao Cao was blatantly preparing to first break Xiapi's walls, then wait for Zhang Liao to surrender.
Zhang Liao had never intended to die for Lü Bu.However, many of Lü Bu's Bingzhou soldiers under him were once brothers and comrades to Zhang Liao.After the fall of the city, Xu Zhou's troops could safely choose to surrender. But the Bingzhou soldiers had all fought and shed blood for Cao Cao's army.Could Cao Cao, who was ruthless with enemies, really allow them to live?
Unless Zhang Liao surrendered himself and then controlled the Bingzhou soldiers to serve Cao Cao, this seemed to be the only favorable outcome.But even though Zhang Liao had already made up his mind, he couldn't shake an unexpected feeling of sorrow.
Just then, a personal guard rushed into the tent."Report, General! A messenger from the city has arrived!"
Zhang Liao frowned: "Have you confirmed his identity? Is he really sent by General Lü?"
"The identity has been confirmed. The messenger has Lü Bu's seal on him, but this time, he only brings an oral message."
Zhang Liao nodded. "Cao Cao's siege is too tight. The scouts in the city have little chance of breaking through. To avoid leaks, we can only send oral messages now. Bring him in."
A moment later, the messenger stood in front of him.Zhang Liao spoke: "I recognize you. You're Gao Shun's subordinate, Li Tong from the Xian Zhen camp!"
Li Tong cupped his fists. "I come to deliver a message from the lord!"
"Speak," Zhang Liao nodded. "What is the message from General Lü?"
Gao Shun and Chen Gong had already pledged allegiance to Lü Bu, so they referred to him as the lord.But between Zhang Liao and Lü Bu, it had always been a superior-subordinate relationship. Zhang Liao had never acknowledged Lü Bu as a lord, so he simply referred to him as General Lü.
The messenger paid no attention to these formalities and immediately cupped his fists."General Lü said, 'Cao Cao has the bearing of a great ruler. After Xiapi falls, Wen Yuan can surrender. If he has any regard for old ties, he may bury my remains in Jiu Yuan.'"
Zhang Liao was initially expecting a message from Lü Bu urging him to act immediately and save the city. But upon hearing the message, he fell silent.After a long pause, he spoke again: "Is there any further message from General Lü?"
Li Tong cupped his fists again. "General Lü also said, 'If Wen Yuan feels troubled by this, he can gather his forces and fight one last battle.''At midnight tonight, there will be traitors within the city who will offer the city's surrender. Once Cao Cao hears of this, he will gather a large force to the east. I will personally lead my forces to strike the enemy's rear. Wen Yuan can lead his troops to strike the enemy from behind! Success or failure will depend on this night!''Of course, whether Wen Yuan will cooperate or not, I will fight through the city with the soldiers and break out!'"
Zhang Liao nodded and listened intently.These words were spoken quickly, but they were well-practiced and clear.
After hearing the message, Zhang Liao closed his eyes and thought for a long time.Finally, he gave an order to his personal guard: "Pass my orders! Have the soldiers prepare for a night raid tonight!"
The guard cupped his fists and immediately left to deliver the command.As for Li Tong, he had delivered his message, so he was allowed to rest for the night.
But not long after, someone else rushed into the tent in a hurry.
"Wen Yuan, are you crazy? Lü Bu is already a corpse, trapped in a dying city!""At this point, we should just wait and see. Once the city falls, we'll surrender to Cao Cao!"
"Do you really think that by raiding tonight, you're not sending all our soldiers to their death?!"
The only person who could speak to Zhang Liao like this was his older brother, Zhang Xun.
Zhang Liao's expression hardened: "Brother, stop advising me. My mind is made up!"
Zhang Xun spoke urgently: "Do you even know who Lü Bu really is? Have you forgotten? Is it worth sacrificing so many lives just to keep him alive?"
Zhang Liao replied calmly: "I don't care about Lü Bu's life! But many of the Bingzhou soldiers in the city are my old comrades!"
"If Cao Cao breaks the city, what will happen to them?"
"Ha! Wen Yuan, you're being foolish!"
Zhang Xun tried to persuade him: "Cao Cao only wants Lü Bu dead. Once he's gone, the rest of the soldiers will naturally surrender!"
"Once you surrender, these Bingzhou soldiers will fall under your command, not Cao Cao's!"
Zhang Liao's eyes hardened: "You make a good point, but a man must have principles!"
"If Lü Bu sent the messenger just to survive, I would ignore it."
"But he specifically asked me to surrender, then later attempt a breakout. That alone is reason enough for me to lead my troops forward and fight to the death!"
Anyone truly capable, doesn't lack a bit of pride.
Zhang Liao had never thought highly of Lü Bu's actions, but if Li Tong had come to deliver a simple request for help, he would have ignored it.
But Lü Bu's move to retreat and advance was a simple tactic, yet it was perfectly timed.
After all, who would want to surrender unless absolutely forced?
Zhang Xun sighed: "The messenger's words were clearly taught by Chen Gong. This retreat-and-advance trick is just to stir your compassion!"
"Wen Yuan, do you really want to die for Lü Bu?"
Zhang Liao answered solemnly: "The situation has shifted. Cao Cao's troops think victory is assured. But the soldiers inside the city, fighting for their lives, will surely fight to the death!"
"If we fight well tonight, there's a chance we might win!"
Zhang Xun helplessly replied: "Even if we win, what will we gain? We'll just be running for our lives again. How will we continue to face Cao Cao in this freezing weather?"
Zhang Liao stood up, hands clasped behind his back: "They say that life and death are the best trials of a person's character!"
"If we survive tonight, and Lü Bu truly changes his ways from this day forward, then tonight's battle will be worth it!"
Zhang Liao was willing to fight mainly for two reasons:First, to rescue the Bingzhou soldiers inside the city.Second, if Lü Bu could truly change, there was still a chance for a reversal!
Surrendering to Cao Cao seemed simple, but unless forced, who would willingly become a traitor to their lord?
Zhang Xun sighed: "You can't change a dog's nature! From Chang'an to Xu Zhou, Lü Bu has always been the same!"
"And if Wen Yuan loses this gamble, what then?"
Zhang Liao's expression remained resolute: "This will be my final act of helping him! From this day on, I will have no regrets!"
"If Lü Bu still doesn't change, we'll leave with our troops immediately."
"The world is vast. There's always a place we can go."