As the sounds of battle grew clearer, Zhang Lu began to panic. "Nanzheng has fallen. Our only choice is to surrender to the Duke of Yan."
Yan Pu said, "When his army first reached the walls, we could have surrendered and received favorable treatment because Nanzheng's defenses were strong. But now the city has fallen and we're surrendering only because we have no strength left. I fear that would be unwise."
Mr. Shan said, "In my opinion, my lord should leave through the south gate and flee to Bazhong, then hold the city. Once Sun and Liu make their move, Yuan Xi will have to withdraw. My lord can then rally the people and surely reclaim Hanzhong."
Zhang Wei thought the advice made sense and urged Zhang Lu to follow it.
Zhang Lu accepted their counsel and escaped through the south gate with several hundred personal guards.
Bai Xiaowen's army took Nanzheng and quickly crushed the remaining resistance from Zhang Lu's forces. Bai Xiaowen then personally led his troops eastward to attack the east gate and reinforce Ma Chao.
Caught between enemies on both sides, Yang Ren panicked.
"Yang Ren!" Bai Xiaowen called. "Why not surrender now?"
"Never!" Yang Ren said through gritted teeth.
But Bai Xiaowen's troops had already fought their way onto the walls from inside the city. The archers under Yang Ren's command dropped to their knees and begged to surrender.
Seeing that the fight was lost, Yang Ren leaped down from the wall to escape.
Just then, a force charged in from the side. Ma Chao had seized the chance to mount another horse and give chase! With a thrust of his spear, he struck Yang Ren down.
Bai Xiaowen sighed. "Yang Ren was one of Hanzhong's few loyal and capable commanders. A pity he couldn't