Chapter 478: Liu Biao Surrenders

Seeing Liu Biao in such a state, Kuai Liang was not in the least intimidated, and continued to address Liu Biao:

"My lord, that is still far better than continuing to flee!"

"Now, we are already surrounded by the Imperial Court's army."

"My lord, and all of you colleagues here, think about it — do we still have anywhere to flee to?"

Having said this, Kuai Liang looked at Liu Biao and the others with a grave expression.

In truth, everyone else already knew they had no way out.

Now, surrender was the best option.

Moreover, they had already been making contact in private.

And the only one who could not accept it was Liu Biao alone.

Paying no heed to Liu Biao's unsightly expression, Kuai Liang continued:

"My lord, apart from Jiangxia Commandery, every other place has already fallen into the Imperial Court's hands."

"Now, even Inspector Liu Yao of Yangzhou can hardly save himself."

"We have only this handful of men left, and the Jingzhou Water Army has already been completely annihilated. Fleeing by land is simply impossible."

"The only course of action now is to surrender — only then might we have a slim chance of survival!"

After Kuai Liang finished speaking, his face was heavy as he looked at Liu Biao and the others.

"Is it really true that we must surrender?"

After hearing Kuai Liang's words, Liu Biao instantly slumped in his seat, his face the color of ash.

This outcome was, for the moment, somewhat difficult for him to accept.

But, considering that apart from Jiangxia Commandery, he truly had nowhere left to flee, he could not help feeling helpless.

"My lord, Zirou speaks truly. For us now, there is indeed no longer any need to keep fleeing."

At this moment, Kuai Yue, who was beside Kuai Liang, also stepped forward and addressed Liu Biao solemnly.

"I second the motion!"

After Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue had finished speaking, the others also stepped forward one after another, chiming in in agreement.

Since these two had already laid the matter bare, there was no longer any need for them to keep concealing it.

Seeing this, Liu Biao instantly seemed as though all the strength had been drained from his body.

He already knew what the others had chosen. It seemed these people had long since reached a consensus in private.

If he still insisted on refusing to surrender, these people would surely surrender on their own behind his back.

After all, for them, surrendering still left a slim chance of survival.

At worst, they could do as other Great Clans had done — hand over their lands and preserve the entire family. That would be acceptable too.

Moreover, they had already fled to Jiangxia Commandery, and many of their households had long since fallen under Huang Zhong's control.

Rather than that, it was better to surrender sooner.

After a while, Liu Biao rose unsteadily to his feet, swept a cold glance over the crowd, and said through gritted teeth:

"Since it has come to this, then go and negotiate with Huang Zhong. We surrender!"

Having said this, Liu Biao walked out of the Main Hall in a listless manner; he no longer wished to attend to what came after.

After Liu Biao left, the others conferred briefly, and then Kuai Liang, on behalf of everyone, went forth to negotiate with Huang Zhong.

At this moment, Huang Zhong, leading two hundred thousand men of the Zhuque Legion, together with Sun Jian's Fifty Thousand Troops, was on the verge of launching an assault on the city.

Then he saw the City Gate of Jiangxia City suddenly swing open slowly, and for a moment Huang Zhong paused before issuing any further military orders.

As the City Gate opened, Kuai Liang was seen walking slowly out of the city, heading toward Huang Zhong's army.

"General Huang Zhong, I am Kuai Liang, the Assistant Officer (Cavalry Attendant) of Jingzhou. I have an urgent matter that requires an audience with the General!"

"General, this man is indeed Kuai Liang. I simply do not know why he seeks an audience with you at this moment!"

Sun Jian, who was beside Huang Zhong, sized Kuai Liang up with a glance, confirmed it was indeed him, and immediately said to Huang Zhong.

"Then let us meet with him. There may well be a pleasant surprise!"

At this point, Huang Zhong, after taking a glance at Kuai Liang, had roughly guessed what was afoot, and said to Sun Jian with a smile.

Upon hearing Huang Zhong's words, the soldiers at the side also lowered their guard.

When Kuai Liang came before Huang Zhong, he looked up at Huang Zhong astride his warhorse, and at the dark, massed ranks of soldiers behind him.

He felt a sudden chill rise within him, and before he knew it, his own presence had weakened by several degrees.

"May I ask if I am addressing General Huang Zhong himself?"

Kuai Liang first looked at Huang Zhong and inquired.

"This general is indeed Huang Zhong. Now that Master Kuai Liang has come to see me, what business brings you here?"

Huang Zhong looked at the Kuai Liang before him, did not dismount, but remained seated on his horse, looking down as he spoke.

"General Huang, our Inspector, aware that he is no match for you, has sent me to negotiate peace with you!"

After speaking, Kuai Liang watched Huang Zhong's expression carefully.

"Hmph, that Liu Biao of yours has no standing to negotiate peace with me. My position is perfectly clear."

"Either surrender, or die!"

Upon hearing Kuai Liang's words, Huang Zhong gave a cold snort.

His voice icy, he said to Kuai Liang.

Negotiate peace!

As if that Liu Biao of his had any standing to negotiate peace with them!

What a pretty dream!

Seeing this, Kuai Liang was somewhat flustered; he had not expected Huang Zhong's attitude to be so unyielding.

Originally, I had been planning that a peaceful resolution would be for the best.

It seems a peaceful resolution is no longer possible!

"Everything shall be as the General says. We surrender!"

At this moment, Kuai Liang no longer dared to test Huang Zhong's bottom line, and immediately said respectfully.

"Hmph!"

"Since that is the case, then open the city and surrender!"

Seeing Kuai Liang had become obedient, Huang Zhong gave him a cold snort.

He had still managed to guess some of Kuai Liang's little schemes.

"Please wait a moment, General. I shall go back and make the arrangements right now!"

Hearing this, Kuai Liang hurriedly bowed and replied.

"Remember, this General only gives you Half a Quarter-Hour. If it exceeds Half a Quarter-Hour, this General will order the Army to begin the assault on the city."

Seeing Kuai Liang about to leave, Huang Zhong solemnly instructed him.

Hearing this, Kuai Liang, who was about to leave, immediately trembled.

He hurriedly replied: "Please rest assured, General. I will certainly open the city and surrender before Half a Quarter-Hour!"

After saying this, Kuai Liang hurriedly departed.

"Heh, it seems these people are afraid too!"

After Kuai Liang left, Sun Jian said to Huang Zhong.

"It's just that I don't know how this Liu Biao dared to choose to surrender!"

Hearing this, Huang Zhong glanced at him and said lightly:

"General (Jiangjun) Wéntai, do you think this Liu Biao wanted to surrender?"

"If my guess is not wrong, it must be these people who threatened Liu Biao into surrendering!"

"Otherwise, this Liu Biao would absolutely not surrender."

"You must understand, whether he surrenders or not, he cannot escape death. Choosing to surrender at this point must be because he was forced by these people!"

After speaking, Huang Zhong looked at Sun Jian and the others, his face full of confidence.

"This…"

Hearing this, Sun Jian pondered for a moment, and said to Huang Zhong:

"The General is still the most formidable. This matter must certainly be so!"

Very soon, the Half a Quarter-Hour was about to be up, and at the same time, Kuai Liang, leading a group of Jingzhou's Civil and Military Officials, also came out of Jiangxia City.

And Liu Biao walked at the front of the group, his face full of calm.

Having reached this point, he also knew his own fate.