Chapter 47

"Rebel? Where did the rebel come from? Not to mention, I am not even from this world. Even if I were, was this world originally Liu's? The Han Dynasty is a proud dynasty, but no dynasty can last forever.

As a country and a government, the most important responsibility is to ensure the people live in peace and prosperity. Clearly, the Han Dynasty has failed in this regard. If so, the Han Dynasty has no reason to exist. Does this world not allow others to seek survival?"

Zhang Hao spoke calmly, and this guy was gradually getting used to embellishing himself.

His words were so domineering that Ding Xuan, Ling Cao, and the others looked at him with admiration.

"Heretic demon!" Guan Yu spat.

Waving to stop Zhou Tai and the others from punishing Guan Yu, Zhang Hao smiled. Arguing with Lord Guan was actually quite amusing.

"You must have heard some things about me. Whether you believe it or not, that's the truth. Don't associate me with the Yellow Turbans. The Yellow Turban rebels are just a group of poor people struggling to survive. Even if they are called rebels and wear yellow headbands, it doesn't change their nature.

That's why I say you are not a hero. I've heard of your legendary deeds. You and your two brothers gained fame during the Yellow Turban Rebellion. But what's there to be proud of in slaughtering people who are just trying to survive?!"

Guan Yu's expression turned grim, his dirty face darkening.

"Have you heard about the barbarian invasions on the borders?

If you were truly a hero, with your skills, you could have gone to the border to fight the barbarians and become a hero for your country. But you didn't. Apart from your martial prowess, I can't think of any other commendable qualities you have. You are truly wasting the talent given to you by heaven."

Lifting his teacup for a sip, Zhang Hao looked at Guan Yu, hesitating about how to deal with him.

Recruiting Guan Yu was not something Zhang Hao was confident about. Moreover, Lord Guan's temperament was something Zhang Hao couldn't handle.

Letting him go was also not a good idea. He couldn't just lock Guan Yu up, could he? Additionally, in the modern world, Lord Guan's reputation inevitably influenced Zhang Hao's thoughts.

"You have had a tumultuous life. Once an ordinary person, you fled your hometown after committing a crime and became an official during the Yellow Turban Rebellion. You should have a good understanding of the corruption and shortcomings of the Han Dynasty. During your recovery, you can walk around the areas under our control and see how we treat the people. You can personally experience the difference between the Han Dynasty and the Great Qian."

Zhang Hao pondered and said,

"Rebel, no matter how eloquent you are, I will not surrender to you." Guan Yu shouted.

"You are too presumptuous. I never intended to recruit you." Zhang Hao smiled, and that mysterious look made Guan Yu's face flush.

"I have many capable ministers and generals. The reason I didn't kill you outright is that I think it would be a waste of your talent and too easy for you. We are enemies, and through you, I can find the shortcomings in my governance. Additionally, you need to atone for your sins. Not just against the Yellow Turbans, but you have also shed the blood of my soldiers. After you recover, I will send you to Liaodong. My Divine Might Army is always fighting the barbarians on the Youzhou border. After you kill a thousand barbarian warriors, you can decide your own fate."

Pausing, Zhang Hao looked at Guan Yu seriously and said,

"This is the first and last time. If you shed the blood of my soldiers again, I will kill you, ensuring you can never be reborn."

Finishing, Zhang Hao leaned back on the couch and continued,

"I won't have anyone specifically guard you. You can escape and reunite with your two brothers, wherever they are. The choice is yours."

Guan Yu's expression was uncertain, and his gaze towards Zhang Hao became flickering.

"Gongjue, release him and take him to be treated. No need to have someone watch him. If he dares to harm anyone, we can catch him again later, and he has family."

"You..." Guan Yu was instantly angry. Zhang Hao's words clearly meant that if he harmed anyone, his family would be punished. But Guan Yu couldn't continue after that. The others only said what would happen if he harmed someone, and didn't even mention his movements or escape, which was already quite surprising.

"Remember, I only give people one chance!" Zhang Hao pointed at Guan Yu and said seriously.

Then he turned to Jiang Qin, Zhou Tai, and Ling Cao. Ling Cao aside, Zhou Tai and Jiang Qin had just joined the personal guard. This time, he let them out to earn merit. Not just them, but half of the personal guard was sent out.

This way, with enough merit, it would be easier to promote them in the future.

"Gongjue, Youping, and Gongyi, you did well this time. Don't be discouraged by your martial skills being inferior to others. You can continue to train in the future. For a general, managing troops and strategy are the most important."

Ling Cao, Zhou Tai, and Jiang Qin acknowledged, then untied the leather ropes from Guan Yu, being cautious.

Guan Yu coldly snorted and turned to leave.

Zhang Hao laughed. This Guan Yu was truly arrogant. At this moment, he still looked down on others.

But Zhang Hao didn't mind. Honestly, Zhang Hao didn't really need a general like Guan Yu. Whether for the development of the Three Kingdoms world or for future worlds, Guan Yu was not indispensable.

The reason Zhang Hao tolerated Guan Yu and proposed these conditions was due to the influence of modern times. He didn't want the legendary Lord Guan to disappear.

But as Zhang Hao said, he would only give Lord Guan one chance. If he chose to resist, Zhang Hao would have no choice but to deal with him. Even this choice felt a bit indulgent to Zhang Hao, considering how many of his soldiers Guan Yu had killed.

Sigh, he was still a bit too soft-hearted. Without dwelling on it, Zhang Hao returned to his room to enjoy his decadent life.

Zhang Hao already understood why Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei appeared in Yangzhou at this time, through the captives. General He Jin sent Guan Yu to Dan Yang to recruit soldiers, and the three brothers joined along the way. They just happened to encounter the battle in Yangzhou.

The battle ended with the complete defeat of the ten-thousand-strong army, and the Qian Army dominated.

The news of this battle spread, causing shock among various factions. Not to mention other forces, the local powers in Yangzhou were even more anxious, especially the aristocratic families who had supported Chen Wen and the Qian Army. Their reactions varied, but their actions were swift.

Some fled with their families, while others sought connections to gain Zhang Hao's forgiveness. To gain Zhang Hao's pardon, many families were prepared to make significant sacrifices. Some even began to collude with each other, preparing to surrender the city for merit.

The aristocratic families who did not support Chen Wen were also not at ease. The outcome of this battle affected the future of the entire state, and they needed to consider their next moves carefully.

The people, who already knew about the Great Qian, celebrated, while many remained indifferent, only worried about the chaos affecting them.

But regardless of others' thoughts, as Zhang Hao had anticipated, this battle decided the fate of Yangzhou. After capturing Linyang, the commanderies of Jiuzhou, Luzhou, and Guangling did not resist for long, most surrendering directly, and the few who resisted were quickly defeated.

From the New Year's Day uprising to now, it had been only five months, and the entire Yangzhou was under Zhang Hao's control, directly threatening Xu, Yu, and Jing states. The officials of these three states were on high alert, praying that the Great Qian would not invade.

Well, in fact, Zhang Hao had already invaded Xu. Guangling belonged to Xu, but to control the Yangtze River crossing, Zhang Hao took it over.

Due to the recruitment of Zang Ba and others, and the hindrance of some local aristocrats, Tao Qian, who was still dealing with the resurgent Yellow Turbans, could only lament his misfortune, continue to recruit soldiers, and seek aid from the court.