Tang Dynasty Mingyue Song Dynasty Pass

Chapter 911 It’s better to meet than to be famous
Su Chen led his army to the camp outside Chenliu City and sent scouts to deliver a letter to the city, mentioning the matter of peace negotiations.

Zhao Dezhao, Cao Bin, and others were waiting anxiously. They had already learned that Su Chen had led an army of 200,000 to the city and was at the gates of the city. Together with Lin Renzhao's vanguard army, the total number of troops was 300,000.

The Song army, with fewer than 100,000 imperial guards in Chenliu, had suffered repeated defeats and their morale was low, making it difficult to withstand the Wu army's relentless attacks. Furthermore, the Wu army possessed advanced firearms, making sieges and territories easier, and the Song soldiers, facing the overwhelming firepower, showed signs of despair.

At this moment, the letter arrived. Zhao Dezhao was somewhat excited. He took it and read it. He found that there were only a few sentences inside. The gist of it was that peace talks were to be held. Zhao Dezhao needed to go to the Wu army camp in person and show his sincerity. Otherwise, the city would be attacked the next day.

Zhao Dezhao looked nervous and said, "Su Chen said that if we cannot show enough sincerity, they will attack Chenliu City tomorrow."

Cao Bin stroked his beard and said, "This is Su Chen's open scheme, using the threat of attacking the city to coerce us into submission, putting us at a complete disadvantage in negotiations."

“The Song Dynasty was already at a disadvantage. Even if the peace talks succeed, the Song Dynasty will be severely weakened and lose half of its territory, but that is still better than the country being destroyed. If the peace talks fail, we can buy some time and wait for reinforcements from all sides to come to Kaifeng to defend the emperor and make a final stand!” Zhao Dezhao couldn’t help but sigh.

"I'm afraid His Highness will be in danger if he goes to Wu's camp this time!" Zhang Yongde couldn't help but worry.

Zhao Dezhao shook his head and said, "Su Chen is famous throughout the world. What kind of person is he? He certainly wouldn't care about my life. He is always concerned about his reputation for benevolence and righteousness. He just wants to win people's hearts and gain the favor of the people of the Song Dynasty. He certainly wouldn't do anything to me. Otherwise, it would damage his image. In his eyes, I should be an insignificant person."

At this moment, Zhao Dezhao couldn't help but laugh at himself. He was twenty years old now. In the past, he was the legitimate prince, so his status was naturally noble and he had a great influence on the Song Dynasty. His status was no less than that of Su Chen in the Wu Kingdom. But now, Zhao Dezhao was just a prince without a father and was even feared by the new emperor. Therefore, he felt that he should be nothing in Su Chen's eyes.

"Your Highness's journey concerns the fate of the nation; you must take good care of yourself!"

"It doesn't matter. If it's for the sake of this country, what does it matter if I lose my life!" Although Zhao Dezhao was young, after coming of age, he was taught by Zhao Kuangyin and the Hanlin Academy scholars. He was upright, honest, and had a strong sense of righteousness. He was of good character.

"Your Highness is right. The Great Song needs someone with your courage! In that case, let's hurry out of the city and go to the Wu army camp to discuss peace." Cheng Dexuan interjected from the side. As Zhao Guangyi's man, he naturally had to consider the new emperor's interests. If peace talks could not be brought forward as soon as possible, the Great Song would truly be in danger.

Princess Yongqing disguised herself as an inconspicuous personal guard and quietly listened to the conversation between Zhao Dezhao and several generals in the tent. She was touched by the fact that everyone was afraid of and wary of Su Chen, which made her even more curious and expectant. What did this Su Chen look like?

Zhao Dezhao nodded, made a decision, and immediately led the delegation out of the city to negotiate peace.

Princess Yongqing naturally followed along, eager to meet the renowned Jiangzuo Su Lang.

Outside the city, the Wu army camp was even larger, with 300,000 troops completely surrounding Chenliu.

The closer they got to the camp, the more they could feel the strength and menacing aura of Wu's army, creating a tense and oppressive atmosphere.

Around the camp, there were formations training, with infantrymen including those wielding long swords and spearmen shouting slogans about practicing martial arts. There were also cavalrymen repeatedly practicing horsemanship, and archers practicing their archery skills in the archery area. In short, the troops were preparing for battle at any time.

Seeing this scene, Zhao Dezhao's heart was filled with even more gloom. In comparison, the Song army's morale was now low, and they were no match for the Wu army soldiers outside. "I never thought that the southern army could be so well-trained. No wonder they are invincible." Zhao Dezhao sat in the carriage, looking at the soldiers training outside through the window.

“These should all be Wu’s elite troops. Although people from Jiangnan are short, after the chaos of the Five Barbarian Invasions, the Yongjia Rebellion, and the Huang Chao Rebellion, many northerners went to Jiangnan. In addition, many people from Huainan followed the Southern Tang to Jiangnan. Presumably, through integration, many burly men were also conscripted into the army.” Yongqing, dressed as a man in a guard’s uniform, explained from the side.

Zhao Dezhao nodded slightly, feeling that his younger sister made sense. He couldn't be too dogmatic in his understanding of the differences between the North and the South and ignore the actual situation.

The peace negotiation convoy quickly entered the camp and was escorted by Wu's personal guards to the commander's tent in the central camp.

This time, Zhao Dezhao could only bring a small number of people with him, including Cheng Dexuan, Yongqing, and five or six civil officials.

Inside the marshal's tent, Su Chen sat in the commander's seat. He was not wearing armor, but only a brocade robe worn by martial artists, with his hair tied up in a shawl. He looked like a gentle and refined gentleman, but the aura emanating from him was not to be underestimated.

Su Chen is now the Grand Marshal of the Wu Kingdom's Armed Forces, the Prince of Zhennan, the elder brother of the Wu ruler, and a member of the royal family. He is second only to the emperor and holds immense prestige in the army. Who would dare to disrespect him?
"The Song Dynasty's peace envoy has arrived—"

A guard outside the main tent shouted a loud announcement.

Zhao Dezhao, Cheng Dexuan, Yongqing and others filed in and saw many generals sitting in the tent, including generals such as Lin Renzhao, Pan Mei, Pan Renche and Shen Huzi, as well as young generals such as Taishi Zhao, Bian Zhanyu, Li Saidong, Chai Songyun, Jin Hui and Jing Hong. They were all wearing armor and exuding a fierce aura.

"Zhao Dezhao, the peace envoy of the Great Song Dynasty, along with his delegation, met with Marshal Su and the generals."

Standing at the head of the peace negotiation team, Zhao Dezhao felt the sharp, piercing gazes of all the generals in the tent. A chilling, murderous aura immediately filled the air. Even though he was the eldest prince and a man of great experience, he still felt a little apprehensive in the enemy camp. Others felt immense pressure and their legs trembled.

"There's no need for such formalities, Song envoy!"

Su Chen spoke indifferently, politely on the surface, but without any intention of inviting everyone to sit down. Because of the unequal status, and the fact that the Wu Kingdom was about to attack the capital of the Song Dynasty and destroy it, there was no need to be overly polite to these so-called peace envoys, lest they know that their situation was critical.

Zhao Dezhao straightened up and looked at Su Chen. He found that the man in front of him had sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, and was handsome and extraordinary. Although he was not wearing armor, he had a special kind of majesty. There was even a powerful force lurking in his body, like a giant lion sitting cross-legged. Although he did not show his power, no one dared to act rashly.

"Is this Su Chen? Su Lang of Jiangzuo, just one look and I know his reputation is well-deserved!" Zhao Dezhao sighed inwardly. In fact, several years ago, he had read Su Chen's poems and novels and was indeed impressed by his talent.

Zhao Dezhao was so surprised, and Princess Yongqing behind him was even more dumbfounded, her heart pounding and her excitement overwhelming. She had finally seen Su Chen in person, and felt like a fan meeting her idol. Her eyes were full of admiration, fascination, love and respect.

Princess Yongqing saw Su Chen's features clearly. He was handsome and dashing. Although he was only twenty-five or twenty-six years old, he had a short beard and, as a military general, exuded a masculine aura. However, he was not wearing armor and also had a scholarly air about him. The combination of these two qualities made him uniquely charming. Princess Yongqing felt her heart pounding like a deer, extremely nervous, and her eyes were glued to him.