Jiuxi

Chapter 885 883 [Pingbei]

September 12th, the ninth year of Dajing Tiande.

Xuanhua City, which has the most important strategic position in the southeast of Dai State, has the flag of Dajing flying on the top of the city.

This national war has lasted for half a year since the beginning of March this year. In the early stages, the Dai army was able to organize a strong defense and several sharp counterattacks, but as time went on, the gap between the two sides in various aspects gradually became apparent.

Whether in terms of manpower, combat effectiveness, morale or logistical supply, the Jing army was clearly superior to the Dai army, and as the commander-in-chief, Wu Yanshu's steadiness and meticulousness were fully demonstrated in this battle, which was very suitable for this kind of war where the side had an absolute advantage.

From this we can see that Emperor Jingdi let him lead the troops not entirely because he wanted to support his position in the army, but he was indeed the most suitable candidate to deal with the Dai army.

In a spacious mansion requisitioned by the Jing army in the city, the coming and going of generals and clerks created a busy picture.

At present, Xuanhua City has become the core of nearly 200,000 Jing troops. Military orders are issued from this mansion, commanding the various Jing troops to continue to advance rapidly and continuously compress the defense line of the Dai army. The vanguard army in the front has approached Xiping City at the southern end of the Grassland. If Xiping is captured, the Jing army can march straight in and approach Lingqing, the capital of Dai.

Inside the commander's hall, Wu Yanshu stood in front of the sand table and patiently listened to the reports from his two generals.

"Xiping City does not need to worry. The Dai army is no longer capable of fighting outside the city. Our army should use Xiping as bait to force Dai to continue wasting food and grass in this place. Xiping and Lingqing are separated by a 300-li sea of ​​grass. For every stone of food consumed by the Dai army, more than two stones will be consumed during transportation."

Wu Yanshu pointed to Xiping City on the sand table and continued, "You two lead your troops and continue to sweep the northeast and southwest sides of Xiping. I want Xiping to be completely reduced to an isolated city."

"The last general takes command!"

The two generals responded in unison and then bowed and left.

Wu Yanshu raised his hand and pinched his eyebrows, then reached out to pick up the teacup to moisten his throat.

Although he did not need to charge into battle personally, it was not easy to sit in the center of the army and command the overall situation. He had to worry about and arrange the eating, drinking, defecating, urinating, marching and fighting of nearly 200,000 soldiers. He had obviously lost weight in half a year, but his mental state was still good. After all, the Jing army had always held the advantage.

A trusted aide asked with concern: "Marshal, do you want to rest for a while?"

Wu Yanshu shook his head and said calmly: "Bring the Dai countryman here, I will meet him in the side hall."

"Yes!"

The staff immediately took the order and left.

About an incense stick later, a middle-aged man pretending to be calm came to the side hall and saluted Wu Yanshu, saying, "Lu Han, the Minister of Rites of Dai State, greets General Wu Yanshu."

Wu Yanshu said calmly, "What do you want to do here, Minister Lu?"

Lu Han felt bitter. In fact, he had been in Xuanhua City for twelve days and had never had the chance to see Wu Yanshu. He was left in the inn by Jing Jun and he didn't know how much pain he felt.

He calmed down and said respectfully: "General Wuyan, I am here on the orders of His Majesty to discuss the issue of stopping the war and negotiating peace with your country."

"Peace talks?"

Wu Yanshu frowned at first, then laughed softly, the sarcasm in his laughter was completely undisguised.

Of course, Lu Han knew how difficult this mission was. Now that the Jing army was sure of victory, as long as they captured Xiping City, the capital of Dai would face the Jing army. Moreover, the two countries of Jing and Dai had maintained peace for many years, and it was Dai that took the initiative to send troops to join forces with Qi, which stabbed Jing in the back.

I want Wu Yanshu to withdraw his troops, but I wonder if the tens of thousands of Jing army soldiers who died at Feiniao Pass in Shazhou would agree?

He said more humbly: "General, His Majesty is willing to accept some conditions to make up for the losses your country has suffered before."

Wu Yanshu sneered and said indifferently: "You want to make peace, but you are unwilling to take the initiative to propose the details of compensation. It is obvious that you are not sincere. I don't have the leisure to argue with you. Go back and tell Ge Shukui that he can either show his utmost sincerity honestly or be ready to be killed. The day I conquer Lingqing, I will personally chop off his head."

"General——"

Lu Han was horrified.

Wu Yanshu narrowed his eyes slightly, a terrifying murderous aura boiling up, and said coldly: "Get out!"

Lu Han was so frightened that he dared not to argue anymore and almost crawled away in a panic.

After leaving Xuanhua City, Lu Han, with several followers, was escorted by a team of Jing Army cavalry and crossed the territory of Dai State, which was now controlled by Jing Army, at the fastest speed. After entering Xiping City, he rode non-stop across the sea of ​​grass and returned to Lingqing.

Inside the Zhengyang Palace, Geshu Kui listened to Lu Han's report with a gloomy expression, waved his hand to let him leave, and then fell into a long silence.

There were two other important officials in the palace, namely Privy Councilor Geshu Songping and Zhongshu Ling He Zhu.

The expressions of these two people were obviously very ugly. Although Lu Han had embellished his statement, how could they not hear it? They could even guess Wu Yanshu's true attitude.

Upon closer inspection, there are some subtle differences in their reactions.

Koshu Matsudaira's anger and guilt overwhelmed his other emotions, while He Zhu was more hesitant and confused.

Ge Shukui exhaled, looked up at the two important officials, and said slowly: "What suggestions do you have?"

Ge Shu Songping said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, the appetite of the Jinglian people is comparable to that of jackals. If you insist on seeking peace, I am afraid you will have to pay an unimaginable price. Although I am not talented, I am willing to lead the Gaoyang warriors to fight the enemy to the end!"

He Zhu couldn't help but sigh. If it were in the past, he would definitely not directly refute the opinion of his cousin, but at this moment he had to say solemnly: "Secretary, the war has dragged on until now, and our country has lost nearly half of its territory. The seven important towns in the southeast have all fallen into the hands of the Jing army. Our army has lost more than 70,000 soldiers, and now there are less than 60,000 soldiers who can fight. If we can't ask for peace, do we really have to fight to the last man?"

The territory of Dai State was actually quite vast, but due to the existence of a large amount of barren land, there were only two large areas of territory that were truly suitable for living. One was the northwest area with Lingqing as the core, and the other was the three states and thirteen prefectures in the southeast in an oblique shape. These two areas were separated by a sea of ​​grass.

Today, of the three states and thirteen prefectures in the southeast, only a few places such as Xiping City remain.

Ge Shu Songping said coldly: "Gaoyang warriors should shed their last drop of blood for Dai State!"

He Zhu shook his head and said, "I never doubted the loyalty of the Privy Council and the soldiers in the army, but the war continued, the people's livelihood was in decline, the people complained, and even the army often deserted. If we don't stop this war, I'm afraid that before the Jing army appears outside Lingqing City, our country will fall apart."

A strong anger rose in Geshu Songping's heart, but before he could continue to argue, the emperor's wooden voice came from above.

"Well, since Wu Yanshu asked me to show enough sincerity, you should discuss with the ministers in the court how to make the Jing army withdraw."

"His Majesty!"

Geshu Songping clenched his hands, his face looking extremely anxious.

"That's it. No need to argue anymore."

Geshu Kui slowly stood up, taking heavy steps, and turned to walk towards the back hall.

At this moment, there was no longer the competitive spirit on his face, only a look of defeat and dejection.

……

Ten days later, Jingchao Dadu.

The Imperial Palace, beside Taihua Pond.

Emperor Jing sat on a rattan chair, his hands in front of him, looking at the sparkling water in the pool, and said calmly: "Ge Shukui sent a letter to ask for peace in a timid way, hoping that I can stop the advance. What do you think, Prince?"

Qing Yugong said calmly: "Your Majesty, I think it is acceptable, but the Dai Kingdom must surrender completely to avoid any trouble in the future."

Emperor Jing said, "Tell me in detail."

Qing Yugong thought for a moment and said slowly, "First, the ruler of Dai will no longer be called the emperor. Instead, he will be decreed by Your Majesty to be the King of Dai, and this will become a fixed rule in the future. Geshu will lead the Gaoyang people to guard the northwest of Caohai for Dajing, and they will be allowed to inherit the title of king for generations. Our dynasty will not station troops in Lingqing and other places, and the local people's livelihood, taxes, and soldiers will all be managed by the King of Dai himself."

Emperor Jing smiled slightly, and it was obvious that he shared the same opinion with him.

Qing Yugong continued, "Secondly, the three states and thirteen prefectures in the southeast of Caohai, including Xiping City, will be incorporated into the territory of Dajing in the future. Our dynasty will send a large army to garrison there, and at the same time relocate the local people to the three northeastern roads of our dynasty, and then relocate the clansmen of Jinglian to the three states."

"good."

An expression of approval appeared on Emperor Jing's face.

Qing Yugong bowed his head slightly and said, "Third, this war was actually caused by the provocation of Dai. Our army has spent a lot of money in the past six months, and Dai should make compensation. In my humble opinion, Dai needs to compensate with war horses, fine iron, gold and silver. The specific amount needs to be discussed and determined by colleagues in the court."

"Ge Shukui has accumulated a fortune for more than ten years, but you took away most of it with just one sentence. Aren't you afraid that he will do something desperate?"

Although Emperor Jing said this, his expression was very calm.

Qing Yugong said calmly, "Your Majesty, General Wuyan is an experienced military commander and the nemesis of the Dai people. Geshu Songping is no match for him. The Dai emperor naturally understood this, so he had no choice but to send a letter to ask for peace. If he is unwilling, General Wuyan can just use Xiping City as bait to continue to consume the Dai's manpower. Within three months, the Dai country will be in civil strife, and the Dai emperor may not even be able to keep his position by then."

Emperor Jing turned his head and glanced at him, praising him: "Your Highness is indeed very insightful. You are the only one in the court who can speak openly in front of me, unlike those civil officials who always hide things and use long speeches to cover up things that can be explained clearly in one sentence."

Qing Yu said respectfully: "Thank you for the compliment, Your Majesty. I am just a straightforward person and not good at embellishment."

Emperor Jing couldn't help but smile and said leisurely, "Be more direct."

He slowly stood up, walked to the lakeside and stood with his hands behind his back, then said: "Although I made a bet with the prince, I didn't expect Lu Chen to be able to do this. He is so young, but his mind is so terrible. He endured all kinds of things and finally achieved great success."

Qing Yugong sighed and said, "I never thought that the south would end up like this."

They had received secret reports from the south a few days ago. When they learned that Emperor Li Zongben of Qi had passed away and the rebellious forces of the Jiangnan clans represented by Li Shizhi had been eradicated, Lu Chen became the biggest winner. Even though Emperor Jing had a heart as strong as iron, he could not help but fall into a long state of shock.

"The future life is terrible."

Emperor Jing raised his eyebrows slightly, and his tone was slightly solemn: "Now Dai Kingdom is no longer a concern. I think Lu Chen has already guessed my plan for next year, and he will definitely be fully prepared. To be honest, I am actually looking forward to fighting him. I wonder if the prince is willing to come with me to meet this amazing young man from Nanqi?"

Qing Yugong looked at the emperor's profile, bowed and said, "I am willing to serve you like a dog or a horse."

A gentle breeze blew across the lake, and the figures of the king and his minister were reflected on the clear water.

Although there are only two of them, they have the potential to look down on the world.

(End of this chapter)