Zhang Chen did not return to the County Government, but led everyone straight to the Military Camp.
Everyone returned to the Military Camp, and Ju Shou, Gao Shun, and others had already heard of the great victory the previous night, so they were waiting early at the camp gate.
Seeing Zhang Chen and the others arrive, Ju Shou hurriedly stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Lord is wise and mighty. The tactics used last night indeed resulted in a great victory. This is truly cause for celebration, truly cause for celebration!"
Qu Yi also stepped forward to congratulate him, saying, "Brother, I was overjoyed to hear that you routed the bandit army. This great victory is truly exhilarating!"
Gao Shun added, "Lord's use of troops is divine. The previous plan caused the enemy to lose Soldiers and Generals, and now a single battle has swept away the bandits. You are a true hero!"
Zhang Chen quickly dismounted and said to everyone, "This victory is entirely due to the unity of the Soldiers."
Everyone returned to the tent. Zhang Chen immediately ordered the quartermaster to inventory and store the captured weapons, food, horses, and other items. He also ordered his attendants to escort Fang Ping into the tent.
After a short while, two Soldiers escorted Fang Ping into the tent. Although Fang Ping was bound, he had an angry expression and showed no fear.
The Soldier ordered him to kneel, but Fang Ping stood tall with his head held high, resolutely refusing to kneel.
Gao Shun, who was nearby, became furious, drew his saber, and was about to execute him, but was stopped by Zhang Chen.
Zhang Chen took the saber, approached, cut the ropes on Fang Ping's body with one stroke, and then said, "What is your name? Why are you associated with the bandits?"
"Hmph!"
"How dare you! Lord is asking you a question, and you dare to be so arrogant!" Gao Shun immediately roared angrily.
Fang Ping said, "I am Fang Ping from Great Deer. Now that I have fallen into your hands, you can kill or torture me as you please. Why waste words!"
Zhang Chen continued, "Last night, I saw you command your Soldiers in battle. You remained calm in the face of danger and showed considerable skill. I also saw you were loyal to your Lord, willing to stay behind and cover the retreat, which shows some loyalty and righteousness. Why would someone like you willingly fall into depravity and join the Black Mountain Bandits? Doesn't this bring shame upon your ancestors?"
"Hmph! The imperial court is corrupt and does not give common people a way to live. If we don't rebel, what should we do?"
"And the Black Mountain Bandits can give the common people a way to live?" Zhang Chen sneered, "As far as I know, after you occupied Cheng'an, you plundered the city. How is such behavior any better than that of corrupt officials?"
"This... I have advised the General, but..." Fang Ping was speechless for a moment, lowered his head, and had nothing to say.
Zhang Chen continued, "Fang Ping, I see you as a talent and sincerely want to give you a chance. Today, I will give you two choices. First, surrender to me, and I can give you the position of Captain. From now on, you will be loyal to the imperial court, protect your home and country, and safeguard the people, thus preserving your name for loyalty and righteousness. Second, if you remain stubborn, I will have to fulfill your desire for loyalty and righteousness by letting you follow your General to the underworld."
After Zhang Chen finished speaking, he looked up at him and said, "But you must think carefully whether it is worth dedicating your loyalty to such despicable individuals!"
Hearing this, Fang Ping was struck as if by lightning and stood frozen on the spot.
In truth, how could he not know that Yu Du was by no means a good person, and the Black Mountain Army could not bring hope to the common people? It was just that in these times, what great difference was there between the government and the imperial court, and the mountain bandits and outlaws?
After a long while, Fang Ping asked, "Lord, regarding those four thousand surrendered Soldiers, how do you plan to deal with them?"
Zhang Chen said lightly, "Those willing to join the army will be incorporated. Those wishing to return home will be given travel expenses and sent back. Those with no home will be settled as refugees."
As soon as Zhang Chen finished speaking, Fang Ping's eyes were filled with tears. He knelt down with a thud, clasped his hands, and said, "Lord's benevolence and righteousness are unmatched in the world. I, the guilty General Fang Ping, am willing to submit myself under your command and serve as a humble servant to atone for my past crimes."
Zhang Chen was overjoyed and quickly helped him up, saying, "General Fang, you have pulled back from the brink and turned from darkness to light. This is a wise move. I now appoint you as Captain, and your former unit will still be under your command."
Upon hearing this, Fang Ping bowed again and said, "Lord's great kindness is something Fang Ping can never repay, even with death! Zhang He has considerable prestige among those surrendered Soldiers and is willing to personally explain Lord's kindness and righteousness to them, ensuring they join Lord's command."
Zhang Chen was very pleased to hear this and immediately said, "Excellent, then this matter will be handled by Captain Fang."
"Zhang He will certainly not fail Lord's expectations!"
After Fang Ping finished speaking, he stepped aside.
With this matter concluded, Zhang Chen looked at Ju Shou and spoke again, "Gongyu, regarding the two armies I mentioned yesterday, have you found any information?"
Ju Shou stepped forward, clasped his hands, and bowed, saying, "Lord, according to the scouts' report, those two armies are marching north and have now reached the vicinity of Linzhang County. Each unit has over ten thousand men, and they are also carrying siege equipment."
"Siege equipment!" Zhang Chen's expression changed upon hearing this.
Guangping County is just a small county, yet they are making such a big show? Han Xuan's influence is really too great. What benefits did he promise these people to make them fight so desperately!
Zhang Chen was frowning in distress when Fang Ping, who was nearby, stepped forward and said, "Lord, these two armies are not coming towards Guangping County."
"Oh?" Zhang Chen's eyes lit up, and he quickly asked, "How do you know?"
Fang Ping said, "Reporting to Lord, those two armies, plus Yu Du's army, a total of three armies, were actually ordered by Black Mountain Army commander Zhang Niujiao to gather at Linzhang County to await orders. Yu Du accepted a bribe from the Han family and only then turned his forces towards Guangping County. He originally thought Guangping County, being a small county, could be taken in half a day, and then he could rush to Linzhang County to rendezvous with the other two armies. Unexpectedly, under Lord's repeated clever schemes, Yu Du was defeated and perished here."
"Who is commanding those two armies?" Zhang Chen's mind raced, and as if he had thought of something, he quickly asked.
Fang Ping said, "The two Generals commanding the troops are named Bai Rao and Sui Gu. They usually do not have a deep relationship with Yu Du, so they probably will not disobey Zhang Niujiao's military order because of his death."
"Do you know what their objective is by stationing troops at Linzhang County?"
Fang Ping shook his head and said, "Zhang He does not know about this. The military order we received was just to rendezvous at Linzhang County, nothing else."
Hearing what Fang Ping said, Zhang Chen frowned slightly and quickly recalled the major historical events of that year.
Second Year of Zhongping, Zhang Niujiao...
!!!
Zhang Chen suddenly opened his eyes wide and urgently ordered his attendants, "Quickly bring the map!"
Before long, a Soldier brought the map. Zhang Chen carefully examined it. Seeing Zhang Chen's solemn expression, the people around him also quickly gathered around.
Zhang Chen felt the map with his hand, found the location of Linzhang County, and then checked the surrounding counties. Ju Shou stroked his beard and looked in the direction of Zhang Chen's finger, calculating in his mind.
"Lord, what happened?" Gao Shun did not understand and quickly asked.
Suddenly, Ju Shou's expression changed, and he exclaimed in surprise, "Lord, could their target be..."
"It's Yingtao County."
Zhang Chen said calmly.
In the Second Year of Zhongping, Zhang Niujiao gathered a crowd to revolt. He joined forces with Chu Yan, who later became Zhang Yan, and advanced to attack Yingtao County. As a result, he was unfortunately struck by a stray arrow and died during the battle.
Zhang Chen naturally could not say that he already knew this history, so he could only say, "Yingtao County is west of Linzhang County, the closest distance. Moreover, Yingtao County is an important town in Great Deer. If they capture Yingtao County, they can both advance and retreat. Since they are carrying siege equipment, they must have the intention of taking Great Deer!"
"Lord." After Zhang Chen finished speaking, Ju Shou quickly bowed and said, "Dong Zhao, the County Magistrate of Yingtao County, is my friend. Now that I know he is in trouble, I ask Lord to allow me to write a letter to remind him to be more vigilant."
Dong Zhao, Dong Gongren?
Zhang Chen was startled. This County Magistrate of Yingtao County was actually this person!