Tang Dynasty Mingyue Song Dynasty Pass

Chapter 918 Cleverly Seizing the City Gate
The following day, Su Chen and Zhao Dezhao had another morning of secret talks and finally reached an agreement. Su Chen wrote all his guarantees into a letter and gave it to Zhao Dezhao as proof. In addition to promising Zhao Dezhao a noble title, wealth and honor, and a death-exemption token, it also included the promise of marrying Yongqing.

Zhao Dezhao also promised to help Su Chen win over the garrison of Chenliu City, persuade Cao Bin and others to surrender, and cooperate with Su Chen's propaganda campaign.

With everything prepared, Su Chen summoned several veteran generals, including Pan Mei, Lin Renzhao, and Pan Renche, to discuss how to seize Chenliu City without bloodshed.

When Pan Mei and the others heard that Su Chen had persuaded Prince Zhao Dezhao to submit and help the Wu Kingdom subdue the Song Kingdom, they were all dumbfounded and felt that the world had gone a bit crazy.

"Marshal Su, could this be a trap? Is Prince Zhao really that kind?"

"This isn't kindness, it's a bit insane! He's a prince of the Song Dynasty, helping an enemy country to destroy the Song?"

"That's right, it sounds impossible no matter how you look at it."

These generals were all well-informed, but they simply couldn't understand the key reason behind it.

Seeing that no one believed him, Su Chen gave a simple explanation: Zhao Kuangyin's sudden death was related to Zhao Guangyi. Zhao Dezhao's throne was usurped, and he was constantly facing Zhao Guangyi's attacks and retaliations, with his life in danger at any time. In addition, the Song Dynasty was about to perish, and he, as an out-of-power prince, also had to choose a new future.

After listening, the generals nodded slightly. This explanation made sense; the Crown Prince's choice was not without basis.

"Furthermore, Prince Zhao has another request: to continue the marriage alliance. My marriage to Princess Yongqing remains unchanged. He also requests that the Zhao royal family be protected and enjoy wealth and honor for generations to come!"

"So that's how it is!" After hearing this, everyone believed it even more, because this clause guaranteed sufficient benefits for the lineage of Emperor Taizu of the Song Dynasty.

The generals present all knew very well that Su Chen would definitely become emperor in the future. At that time, he would be the supreme ruler of the unified world, with an incomparably noble status. If Yongqing married Su Chen, she would definitely become a concubine, and if she gave birth to a son, he could become a prince.

Pan Mei was deeply moved and filled with emotion after hearing this. However, he could accept the outcome, feeling that it was a happy ending for everyone, and that he would no longer have to raise his sword against the descendants of the founding emperor.

"In that case, let's prepare to take Chenliu City."

"With Prince Zhao's cooperation, it might be possible to persuade the garrison of Chenliu City to surrender without bloodshed."

The generals were eager to try and became even more excited. It would be best if they could avoid attacking the city, which would reduce casualties, subdue the enemy without fighting, and increase the speed of their advance. Bianjing City was their ultimate goal.

Su Chen then began arranging manpower to escort Zhao Dezhao back to the city the next day. He planned to take over the city gates, enter the commander's mansion with Zhao Dezhao, and seize control of Chenliu City under the pretext of a successful peace negotiation.

Of course, this is challenging; it's like dancing on a knife's edge, requiring quick thinking and a bit of luck.

"Commander Su, let me handle this matter." Pan Mei offered to take charge of the matter because he was familiar with the Song army generals, knew their personalities, and could adapt to changing circumstances and even seize the initiative.

Su Chen gave Pan Mei a meaningful look. This matter was of great importance, and to be honest, he was still somewhat worried about using Pan Mei. After all, he was a surrendered general. But on second thought, the more he doubted Pan Mei, the harder it was to refuse. "If you doubt someone, don't use them; if you use someone, don't doubt them." If he doubted Pan Mei today and refused the request, he might alienate the surrendered general.

The situation in Wu is currently very favorable, and Su Chen believes that Pan Mei would not betray his country and ruin the grand plan. On the contrary, Pan Mei thinks he is more suitable to complete this task, which is why he volunteered. "Alright, tomorrow, the task of escorting Prince Zhao into the city and taking over Chenliu City will be fully handled by General Pan. The other generals should be on high alert and launch an attack immediately if the Song army refuses to surrender."

"Yes!" The generals clasped their hands in response, but some of them trembled slightly at the corners of their mouths. They actually wanted to say that Pan Mei was not suitable, but they felt that it was inappropriate to doubt General Pan, so they hesitated and did not say it.

Lin Renzhao was more straightforward and hot-tempered than the others, so after the meeting, he deliberately stayed behind to express his concerns: "General Pan Mei is, after all, a surrendered general of the Song Dynasty. At this critical moment, what if he is loyal to the Song Dynasty and turns against us in the face of battle?"

Su Chen glanced at Lin Renzhao, understanding his concerns, but still insisted on using Pan Mei, saying, "If you doubt someone, don't use them; if you use someone, don't doubt them. General Pan Mei has been loyal to my Wu Kingdom for five or six years, and his family is in Jinling City. Right now, the Song Dynasty is in its twilight years and is about to perish. He is a man of great wisdom and will not fail to see the big picture or do anything disappointing. Therefore, I trust him; he is the only one most suitable for this mission."

"Alright, since Marshal Su thinks so, then I can rest assured." Lin Renzhao was quite impressed by Su Chen's words. At such a young age, he had extraordinary courage and a broad mind, which made Lin Renzhao somewhat convinced.

Su Chen said, "However, prevention is the best policy. General Lin sent troops to besiege the city, but we must be prepared to attack at any time. We need to be polite and forceful, and use both soft and hard tactics. Only then will the Song army inside the city obey us!"

"Very well, this subordinate understands." Lin Renzhao clasped his hands in a fist salute, turned and left, feeling much more at ease.

The next day, Zhao Dezhao, escorted by three thousand elite troops, quickly arrived at the city of Chenliu and the south gate.

"Prince Zhao Dezhao of the Great Song Dynasty, leading the Wu Kingdom peace delegation, has entered Chenliu City. The peace negotiations between the two countries have been concluded. Open the gates immediately and do not interfere with this important diplomatic matter." Zhao Dezhao revealed his identity. Upon seeing this, the general guarding the city hesitated for a moment, but still opened the city gates.

Because Zhao Dezhao was a prince and the person in charge of this peace negotiation, he came with an imperial edict. The guards at the gate on the day of the meeting had personally witnessed the courtesy and respect that Generals Cao Bin and others showed to Prince Zhao Dezhao. Now that they heard that the peace negotiations had been completed, they could not delay.

Although there were 3,000 soldiers following outside the city, there were 100,000 Song soldiers inside the city. Therefore, the commander guarding the gate did not think much of it and ordered the soldiers to open up and not to stop the eldest prince.

"Your Highness, has the peace negotiations truly been concluded?" The Commander of the Capital Garrison personally came to inquire.

As Zhao Dezhao passed through the city gate, he nodded from his horse and said, "The talks are settled. The two countries will temporarily cease hostilities. Chenliu City is also one of the conditions for peace. Wu troops will temporarily garrison this city gate, and the others will temporarily retreat to show their sincerity in the peace talks."

Upon hearing that the south gate was to be handed over, the commander of the capital was immediately tense and worried: "Your Highness, isn't this a bit hasty? Should we report this to General Cao Bin?"

"No need. I will take the peace treaty to the Marshal's Mansion right away to see General Cao Bin and finalize the matter!"

Zhao Dezhao refused the command of the commander, then rode forward with a thousand guards, leaving two thousand men to take over the city gate and force back the Song army guards.

The Song soldiers guarding the gate looked at each other, unsure whether to resist or not. However, since the Crown Prince had given such an order, they dared not object, feeling that something was amiss.

At this moment, Pan Mei led 5,000 soldiers to approach the city and successfully entered through the south gate.

"I am General Pan Mei, the general in charge of this peace negotiation. I will lead troops to take over Chenliu City. The Song army must not resist, otherwise it will affect the important peace negotiations."

Pan Mei shouted a few words at the Song soldiers, quickly dispatched elite troops into the city, and then rushed towards the general's residence in Chenliu City.