amaotonovel Chapter 446 It's all in chaos, utter chaos!
Chapter 446 It's all in chaos, utter chaos!
Zhang Jing was stumped by Pan Zhu's question. What should they do? They couldn't just storm the post station, could they?
What kind of place is the post station? It is the place where the feudal lords have face. There are Wu troops stationed outside and the delegation guards inside. How can they think they can force their way in with just this few people?
Thinking of the inn's formidable defenses, Zhang Jing could only helplessly accept the failure of his mission. Just as he was about to take his leave and devise another plan, he suddenly remembered something, clasped his hands in a fist and bowed to Pan Zhu, saying, "What happened just now was my fault, and I apologize to you here. However, we both came for Fei Yi, so since we have the same goal, how about we cooperate?"
The enemy of my enemy is my friend, and these people all speak with a local accent. If he can win them over, they will definitely provide a lot of help for his next operation.
Therefore, Zhang Jing actively extended an olive branch, but to his surprise, Pan Zhu did not fall for it and smiled meaningfully, saying, "Cooperation is not out of the question, but shouldn't you introduce yourself first?"
You didn't even reveal your identity, how am I supposed to cooperate with you?
“This…” Zhang Jing hesitated.
They were spies of the Cao Wei Imperial Secretariat, the public enemy of the people of Jiangnan. In a sense, everyone south of the Han River was an enemy of the Imperial Secretariat. Who knows whether they would cooperate or turn against them after they found out their identities?
Before Zhang Jing could decide whether to reveal his identity, a subordinate rushed over and whispered a report in his ear. Zhang Jing was overjoyed and excitedly said, "Stop babbling and speak louder."
As he gave the order, he kept a close eye on Pan Zhu's expression, trying to deduce his identity and attitude from his reaction.
Although it was dark and not very clear, you could still make out some things.
Upon hearing this, the subordinate immediately shouted, "Chief Clerk, our brothers who stayed near the Gu residence reported that after Sun Quan left the Gu residence, he sent troops to Zhu Yi's residence, but they were ambushed by Zhu Yi on the way and suffered heavy casualties. Zhu Yi has already led his troops to the North Gate."
Pan Zhu exclaimed in astonishment, "What? Zhu Yi has rebelled?"
Although Pan Zhu's shout was surprising, the experienced Zhang Jing could still detect a hint of joy in his surprised tone. Feeling reassured, he smiled again and said, "It seems that you also intend to rebel against Liu Bei and surrender to Cao Cao. Then we should indeed cooperate. I forgot to introduce myself. I am Zhang Jing, a clerk in the Office of Military Affairs under the King of Wei. May I ask your honorable surname?"
This man first assassinated Liu Bei's envoy Fei Yi, and then secretly rejoiced at Zhu Yi's rebellion. He was not a member of the anti-Liu Bei faction, so he wrote the character "Zhang" backwards.
Pan Zhu was taken aback and said, "So it is Zhang Gongcao. My apologies. I am Pan Zhu. My father is Pan Jun, the Assistant General of the Army. My father intends to surrender to Cao Cao and has sent an envoy to contact General Jiang Ji. Since you are from the Office of Military Affairs, I will listen to you."
Zhang Jing was overjoyed and said, "So it's Young Master Pan. My apologies for my rudeness. Don't worry, Young Master, once we capture Jiangling, I will definitely report your father and son's achievements to General Cao Ren and His Highness the King of Wei. However, the matter is not over yet, and we cannot delay too much. How about you introduce me to General Zhu Yi?"
Zhu Yi was the son of Zhu Huan, who had already surrendered to Cao Cao. Sun Quan's actions against Zhu Yi at this time could only mean that he had decided to stand against Cao Wei. As a result, their forces were somewhat weakened, and they had to unite all forces that could be united.
Pan Zhu did not refuse and immediately agreed. Just as he was about to lead Zhang Jing to the North Gate, a young man suddenly ran up from behind and shouted from afar, "Young master, it's me."
Upon hearing that it was a family member, Pan Zhu hurriedly called him over. The young man rushed forward and said anxiously, "Young master, something terrible has happened! I and the patriarch were taken to the Gu residence by Sun Quan. After Sun Quan slaughtered everyone in the Gu residence, he took the patriarch and Elder Huang Chengyan back to the General's Mansion."
Pan Zhu's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly exclaimed, "What? My father has been detained by Sun Quan?"
Pan Zhu paced frantically on the ground, while Zhang Jing was overjoyed. The detention of Pan Jun and Huang Chengyan meant that Sun Quan had completely broken ties with the Jingzhou gentry, making it much easier for him to win them over.
Although he was pleased, he dared not show it on his face. Instead, he advised, "Young Master Pan, don't worry. The fact that Sun Quan didn't kill your father on the spot proves that there is still a chance. Let's go and meet Zhu Yi first and then try to rescue him. Rest assured, Young Master, our School Affairs Office will do everything in its power to rescue General Pan and will never let loyal ministers and righteous men be harmed by villains."
Pan Zhu was at a loss and could only bow and say, "Thank you very much, Zhang Gongcao. I will take you to the North Gate to meet Zhu Yi."
The two groups met up and headed towards the North Gate. On the way, Zhang Jing quickly considered his options and decided that after meeting Zhu Yi, he would have Pan Zhu contact the Jingzhou gentry and gather all their private soldiers at the North Gate so that they could use it as a base to attack the city. Alternatively, they could defend the North Gate and wait for Wei reinforcements.
at the same time……
Fei Yi and Wang Hong stumbled back to the inn, supporting each other. Dong Hui, having received the news, rushed over to greet them. Upon seeing their horrific state, he exclaimed in astonishment, "What happened? How did you two get hacked to this state? Who did this?"
At this moment, Fei Yi and Wang Hong were covered in wounds, looking even worse than Huang Bing and Lü Cong; it was truly unbearable to look at them.
Fei Yi gave a brief account, and Dong Hui listened in astonishment. He then hurriedly found someone to treat their injuries. During the treatment, Dong Hui hesitated several times before finally speaking up and advising, "Ambassador Fei, you should take more guards with you when you go out in the future. If you continue to act alone like this, you might get killed and no one will even report it."
Dong Hui was speechless at Fei Yi's carefree attitude. If you had the unparalleled martial arts skills of Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Ma Chao, and Huang Zhong, you could act alone. But what kind of wandering knight is a good-for-nothing who can't even beat Jiang Ji?
Take today for example. If Wang Hong hadn't fought so hard at the front, could you have withstood the siege of dozens of assassins?
He might already be lying in a pool of blood, and the key is that we have no way of knowing. By the time we realize something is wrong and find your body, it will probably be dawn.
Wang Hong, grimacing and gasping for breath, advised, "Yes, Ambassador Fei, we can't do that again. It's too dangerous, hiss..."
Wang Hong harbored deep resentment towards Fei Yi. "Damn Fei Wenwei! I wasn't even this badly injured when I ambushed Lü Meng in the city. If I'm really killed today, what will you use to compensate me for my promising future?"
Fei Yi was also in pain, wincing in pain. He dared not refute his colleagues' accusations, so he forced a smile and changed the subject, saying, "Don't worry, I will never go out without ten personal guards. Is that alright? By the way, has Deng Hong returned?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Deng Hong pushed open the door and came in. He was startled to see the two blood-soaked figures. After asking what happened, he said, "I have contacted most of the spies left behind by the old general and learned from them that Zhang Jing has entered the city. Zhang Jing is the chief clerk of the Imperial Secretariat."
"On the way back, we heard fierce shouts of battle coming from the north gate. We sent someone to inquire and learned that Zhu Yi had rebelled and ambushed Zhou Cheng's troops on the way. Zhou Cheng suffered heavy losses and retreated in a sorry state."
Fei Yi frowned and said, "Zhang Jing has entered the city, so the one who tried to assassinate me tonight was probably that bunch of bastards from the School Affairs Office."
“It’s not surprising that the Imperial Academy is entering the city, but if Zhu Yi rebels, it will be a big problem. Once he raises the banner of rebellion, the faction that surrendered to Cao Cao in the city will definitely gather under his banner quickly and then openly oppose Lord Wu.”
"This is bad. After Zhu Yi stabilizes the North Gate, he is very likely to attack the post station and deal with us. We can't stay at the post station anymore. We must pack our things and move to the General's Mansion to meet up with Lord Wu. In this chaotic situation, only Lord Wu can protect us."
As Liu Bei's envoy, he was naturally a thorn in the side of the faction that surrendered to Cao Wei. The faction would definitely use his blood to express their loyalty to Cao Wei. Once Zhu Yi was free, he would definitely attack the post station, and the post station's small force might not be able to withstand it.
Moreover, even without Liu Bei's identity as an envoy, it would not be safe for Fei Yi to stay at the post station. The reason is simple: since Zhu Yi has already raised the banner of rebellion against Sun Quan, everyone else must choose sides and join the ranks of both sides. Otherwise, if they continue to wander in the wilderness, they will be under the special care of both sides.
If Fei Yi and his group continued to stay at the post station, they would definitely become the first target of Zhu Yi and other members of the Cao faction. Having already survived one assassination attempt, Fei Yi did not want to experience it a second time, so he quickly packed his things and ran away.
Dong Hui and Deng Hong understood the gravity of the situation and decisively accepted the order to prepare.
Half an hour later, Fei Yi led his delegation members out of the post station and headed to the General's Mansion to seek Sun Quan's protection.