Liu Xun defeated Liu Qi repeatedly and besieged Fucheng. When the news reached Chengdu, Liu Zhang was overjoyed and laughed loudly, saying, "Liu Biao has a son of golden scales, and I also have a son of unicorn. Yizhou has nothing to worry about!"
Zhang Song said, "Although the eldest son has won a great victory, Zhang Ren has repeatedly advised against it, disrupting the morale of the army. There are also rumors that he is secretly colluding with Liu Qi. If we don't stop it in time, it may affect morale."
Liu Zhang said angrily, "Zhang Ren did not fight well, but I will not punish him. I am already thinking of his past contributions. I will transfer him back to Chengdu and I will interrogate him personally."
Zhang Songyan said: "Zhang Ren has a high reputation in the army. If he is transferred away from the front line, it may affect the morale of the army. It is better to demote him first to rectify the military law and then give him a chance to make meritorious contributions. This will not only show that the lord is lenient and clear about rewards and punishments, but also avoid future troubles."
"This is a very good idea!" Liu Zhang praised him, "I have my assistant to advise me, so why should I worry about not accomplishing my great mission?"
Liu Zhang hated most that others talked about him being unclear about rewards and punishments and not knowing how to use people. Especially since the forces of the soldiers from his own state and the soldiers from the East State were complicated, he had to be cautious in punishing Zhang Ren. This compromise was the best.
It was the coldest time of winter, and the Shu army had been besieging Fucheng for a long time without success. In addition, the cold weather was getting stronger, and the morale was getting low. Liu Xun also became a little anxious.
Huang Quan and Wu Yi were summoned to discuss countermeasures, and the intention of withdrawing the troops was expressed. Zhang Ren was demoted three levels and was demoted to a general. He was no longer qualified to enter the tent to discuss matters.
Wu Yiyan said: "Liu Qi is holding his ground, he must be waiting for news from Liu Pan's troops. If we retreat now, all our efforts will be wasted."
Huang Quan also said: "To capture a thief, we must first capture the leader. Letting Liu Qi go now is like letting a tiger go back to the mountain! I saw earlier that his army is short of food and grass, and Fucheng has little reserves. As long as we prevent him from transporting food into the city and use up all the food and grass in the city, the Jingzhou army will be defeated without a fight!"
Liu Xun suddenly caught a glimpse of Zhang Ren who was patrolling by. If he retreated at this time, wouldn't that be exactly what Zhang Ren said
So he made up his mind and ordered Wu Yi to continue attacking the city. Huang Quan sent people to investigate the surrounding area and report immediately if there was any news about food and fodder.
A few days later, a scout came to report that a batch of grain and fodder had been transported to Fushui Pass and was being transported to Fucheng. Huang Quan immediately discussed with Liu Xun about robbing the grain.
Liu Xun was overjoyed and said, "As you expected, Fucheng has run out of food. As long as we burn this batch of food, Liu Qi will sit back and wait for death."
Huang Quan said: "Now that the city is surrounded on all sides, Liu Qi has no information about the food and grass. We can send elite soldiers to rob the food overnight, and then bluff outside the city tomorrow. We can attack the city sooner or later."
Liu Xun followed his plan and ordered Wu Yi to rob food, while he, Huang Quan and Zhang Ren led the army to attack the city. At this time, his plan was no longer trustworthy, and he did not dare to tell him such confidential information.
Wu Yi led his troops out of the city overnight. Scouts reported that the grain carts would pass Shepherd Ridge, so they set up an ambush in the mountains. When half of the carts had passed, they broke out and burned the grain.
As the sun rose to noon, the sound of carriages could be heard in the distance. A large group of soldiers and horses were coming in a long line. They had been traveling all night, so they were very tired. Many soldiers were yawning, and the mules and horses had foam at the corners of their mouths and were breathing heavily from their nostrils, as if they were puffing out clouds of smoke.
When half of the vehicles in front had passed, Wu Yi gave an order, drums sounded, and he and Wu Ban on the opposite side led their troops to charge out and rushed straight towards the vehicles.
Ambushes came out from both sides, and the soldiers of Jingzhou who were transporting grain were thrown into chaos. They offered no resistance at all, abandoned their vehicles and fled in all directions.
The Shu army was busy setting fires and did not chase the deserters, allowing them to escape and let them report the news to the city. Naturally, the defenders were in great chaos and were defeated without a fight.
Wu Yi was directing the soldiers to set fire when Wu Ban came rushing over: "Brother, something seems wrong. The cart is full of firewood."
"Fodder also counts..." Wu Yi was about to explain, but suddenly his face changed drastically: "What did you say?"
Before Wu Ban could reply, there was a sudden sound of gongs and drums from the front and back of the mountain. Two teams of soldiers and horses came over from all sides. The first one, a general in a white robe and a white horse, shouted in a loud voice: "Zhao Yun of Changshan is here. Those who surrender will not be killed!"
"Charge out quickly!" Wu Yi was horrified and urged his horse to charge towards the intersection where Zhao Yun was.
There was a raging fire in the valley, and black smoke filled the air. Wu Ban shouted loudly, gathered the soldiers into a formation, and blocked the Jingzhou soldiers who were coming from behind, fighting and retreating.
Wu Yi fought with Zhao Yun for twenty rounds before he could no longer hold out. He was hit by a spear from the other side and was in a panic. He was in danger and hurriedly retreated, shouting, "Wait a minute!"
Zhao Yun held his horse with his spear in hand and asked in a deep voice, "Are you willing to surrender?"
"At this point, I am willing to admit defeat!"
Wu Yi had seen through Liu Qi's plan, and since he couldn't defeat him, he threw down his weapons and ordered his soldiers to surrender.
"Brother?!" Wu Ban exclaimed from behind.
"Hahaha, General Wu, you know exactly what Liu Zhang and his sons do to your Wu family, so why bother working for them anymore? A man of insight is a wise man, it's time to choose another wise leader!"
Wu Ban looked back and saw that it was Meng Da who had led his troops there, with the Jingzhou army raising their bows and crossbows, ready to go.
Wu Yi dismounted and advised: "Liu Zhang doesn't know how to employ people, Liu Xun is unfamiliar with the art of war, everything is within Liu Qi's expectations, give up!"
Wu Ban sighed helplessly and laid down his weapons. The rest of the Shu army also knelt down and surrendered.
When the two of them came in front of Zhao Yun, Wu Yi was still unwilling to give up. He clasped his fists and asked, "Is all this Liu Bowei's plan?"
Zhao Yun nodded and said, "Everything is as General Liu expected. Since you are willing to surrender, I have a great achievement. Are you willing to go with me to get it?"
Wu Yi nodded and said, "Since I am willing to surrender, I naturally want to take Chengdu as soon as possible to avoid worrying my family. Please give me your orders, General."
Zhao Yun selected five hundred elite soldiers, put on the armor of the Shu army, and took Wu Yi and the other man along the north bank of the Mianshui River straight to Mianzhu Pass. Meng Da took the captives back to Fushui Pass for resettlement.
Liu Xun and Huang Quan waited in the camp until evening, but still saw no news from Wu Yi. They gradually became impatient. According to the journey, one day would be enough to reach Fu Shui Pass, and the grain transport team should not be so slow.
When it was dark, Zhang Ren could not help but ask to see Liu Xun and advised him, "General Wu led his troops out. Although I don't know what his intention is, he has not returned yet. He must have fallen into Liu Qi's trap. The army has been out for a long time and the soldiers have been tired for days. We should withdraw the troops tonight, otherwise it will be too late to regret it!"
Liu Xun said coldly: "Could it be that Liu Qi sent someone to contact you again, asking you to persuade me to withdraw my troops and relieve the siege?"
Zhang Renhu's eyes turned red, he took a deep breath and clasped his fists, saying, "Honest advice is unpleasant to the ear, I hope you will think twice."
"If I withdraw my troops now and abandon General Wu, how will the soldiers of the three armies view me? What is your real intention in giving me this advice?"
Liu Xun became impatient and drove Zhang Ren out of the tent. He invited Huang Quan to discuss the matter and sent someone to contact Wu Yi overnight.
Zhang Ren was driven out of the tent, and Liu Zhang was demoted and alienated from him. He was deeply saddened. He stood alone outside the tent facing the wind, looking up at the sky, and couldn't help but want to return to the mountains.
After an unknown amount of time, the sound of night owls suddenly rang out at the south gate, one after another. Zhang Ren was startled and hurriedly ordered the guards to search everywhere.
But at this time he was only a minor general, and he had no way of commanding the soldiers who were hiding in the tents to keep warm. He ran away from several tents, and the defenders cursed him.
Zhang Ren was furious and pointed his sword at a captain: "If you dare to disobey me again, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
"Stop! Zhang Ren, you are so brave!" At this moment, Liu Xun also came with his troops.
Zhang Ren quickly put away his knife, clasped his fists and said, "The military situation is urgent, I had no choice just now..."
Before he finished speaking, he heard shouting and killing from the north, followed by an ambush from the west. Suddenly, torches lit up on the city wall and drums sounded.
Liu Xun was furious and pointed at Zhang Ren and shouted, "Did you lead the enemy here?"