Desert Eagle Suletan Khan

Zhao Xi was not angry at all, and said calmly: "My lord has a decree. If Your Majesty is willing to surrender, you can be granted the title of Prince of Jianzhou. Other civil and military officials can come and go as they please, and can stay in the imperial court or return to their hometowns. Our army will not harm a single person from your side." This statement was equivalent to inviting the Qing emperor and his ministers to surrender. In an instant, the hall fell silent, and everyone was waiting for the emperor's attitude.

"Thank you for your kindness," Emperor Shunzhi tried to suppress his anger and spoke slowly, "Since ancient times, 'the king dies for the country and the emperor guards the country'. In my Qing Dynasty, there were only emperors who died in battle, not emperors who surrendered. Emperor Chongzhen of the Ming Dynasty would rather hang himself than surrender to the enemy. Am I worse than Chongzhen? What's more, there are still many soldiers from all over the country who are loyal to the emperor. It is still unknown who will win!"

"Your Majesty is indeed a hero! I, Emperor David Qianyuan, respect heroes the most. When I came here, I said that if the Manchurian emperor dared to draw his sword against me, I would respect him as a hero and would not destroy the Qing Dynasty. But the army cannot go on an expedition without gaining anything. The Qing Dynasty must pledge loyalty to David, pay an annual tribute of 300,000 taels, and offer 1 million taels of silver and 3,000 beauties as war compensation. In this way, our army can withdraw from Beijing. Your Majesty, please consider what to do next."

Offering a million taels of silver and three thousand beauties will allow the rear guard to retreat? When everyone heard this peace condition, their faces changed. Zhe Kuna, Hu Shian, Cheng Kegong, Sun Tingquan, Wang Chongjian and other important officials were moved with pride. Jieshu, Boguoduo, Sony, Ebilun, Feng Quan, Wohe, Wei Zhouzuo and others were silent. Only Fan Wencheng cursed: "Your Majesty, this is a plan by the pseudo-Khan to shake the morale of our army. Don't allow it. If the soldiers hear that the court is offering silver and women to the Western Fan for peace, how can they have the will to fight? If they accept the silver and women and don't withdraw, the morale of the army will be lost, and disaster will come immediately!"

However, Feng Quan, the Grand Tutor and Grand Secretary of Zhonghe Hall, said: "This matter is of great importance. Your Majesty should let the guards leave first and call them back after a decision is made."

"Approved. The envoy may leave first and I will think about it," Emperor Shunzhi approved Feng Quan's suggestion.

"Feng Quan, are you trying to sell out your master for glory?" Fan Wencheng was furious after the envoy left. As soon as he said this, Jieshu, Boguoduo, Sony, Ebilun and others all cast suspicious glances at Old Man Feng.

Feng Taibao was not nervous at all and reported calmly: "Your Majesty, I and the Minister of Revenue Cheng Kegong have been ordered to raise food for the army. The capital has been under siege for more than half a year. Although we have tried our best, the food we have is only enough for three months! The army will disperse if it has no food. I think the peace terms proposed by the pseudo-Khan are not negotiable. Submission of title and sending women will hurt morale and should never be done. But if we can get the Wei army to withdraw by paying some silver, it is not a bad idea. It will not be too late to recuperate and reorganize the troops after the Wei army withdraws."

Hearing that the food reserves were only enough for three months, Emperor Shunzhi could not help but look solemn. Prince Kang Jieshu interrupted at this time: "The envoy only said that the guards withdrew from the capital after receiving benefits, but did not mention other places. What about Shanxi, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Guizhou, Liaodong and other places?"

"Since ancient times, jackals will never spit out meat once they have put it in their mouths. I think the false Khan is just using lies to gain benefits and shake the morale of our army. Your Majesty must not fall into his evil scheme," Fan Wencheng was very anxious.

"I also think that the pseudo-Khan has no sincerity in peace talks. Even if he withdraws his troops, they will come back again in a short time," Feng Quan also said. His words left everyone confused.

"Since Feng Taibao knew that the puppet Khan had no sincerity in peace talks, why did he advise me to negotiate peace with the puppet Khan?" Emperor Shunzhi asked with a hint of anger.

"Your Majesty, the Wei envoy said that the number of our soldiers killed in battle exceeded 70,000. Since ancient times, 'for every one thousand enemies killed, eight hundred of our own men will be lost'. I estimate that the Wei army's own casualties will not be small. It may be true that the pseudo-Khan wants to withdraw from the capital to recuperate," Feng Quan said calmly.

Emperor Shunzhi's eyes lit up, "Then I will fight the puppet Khan to the end and will not sign this humiliating treaty!"

"But Your Majesty, there is not much food in the capital," Feng Quan said and then carefully observed the emperor's reaction. Seeing that the light in the emperor's eyes dimmed again, he immediately had an idea in his mind. After a cough, he began to perform with ups and downs, "King Goujian of Yue slept on firewood and tasted gall and finally destroyed Wu. I dare to ask Your Majesty to put the safety of the Qing Dynasty first. Be patient when it is hard to endure. One day, we will be able to wipe out today's shame."

"But if the soldiers knew that I offered silver to the Western tribes to seek peace, it would inevitably shake the morale of the army," Emperor Shunzhi said hesitantly. "This can be done secretly without letting the soldiers know. In addition, just give the guards 500,000 taels, and don't let them think that the Qing Dynasty is weak and can be bullied!" Feng Quan said passionately.

"But this is far from what the pseudo-Khan wants, and I'm afraid peace talks will be difficult to come by," the young Prince Zhuang Bogoduo said worriedly.

"How could Your Majesty forget? We still have a trump card that we haven't used yet," Feng Quan smiled strangely.

"Trump card? What trump card?" Bogoduo asked.

"Back then, the pseudo-Khan had an alliance with Sun Kewang and married his legitimate daughter, Princess Hami, to Sun Kewang's son Sun Zhengqi. After Sun Kewang surrendered to the Qing Dynasty, his son and daughter-in-law followed him to Beijing. Later, Sun Kewang died of illness, and Sun Zhengqi inherited the title of King Yi, and this girl became King Yi's wife. I heard that this Princess Hami was the daughter of the pseudo-Khan and the pseudo-Queen, and she has a noble status and is very favored. If you threaten the life of this woman, I guess the pseudo-Khan will definitely agree," Feng Quan said proudly.

"Yes, how could I forget about this?" Emperor Shunzhi patted his forehead and made a decision, "Come here, pass on my oral order to Princess Yi to write a letter to her father to persuade him to withdraw his troops."

As soon as the emperor opened his mouth, someone went to pass on his order. The Shunzhi emperor also ordered someone to call in Zhao Xi, "Go back and tell your lord that I pity the poverty of the Western Fan people, so I will reward your lord with 500,000 taels of silver. Please withdraw your troops after receiving the silver."

"Hahaha~ Hahaha~" Zhao Xi laughed out loud, "Your Majesty, didn't you hear the conditions stated by the Qing minister? If you want David to withdraw his troops, Qing must pledge allegiance to David, pay an annual tribute of 300,000 taels, and offer 1 million taels of silver and 3,000 beauties."

"Go back and tell your master that it is impossible for him to pay tribute. Five hundred thousand taels is the biggest concession I can make. If he agrees and withdraws his troops to the north, the two countries can form a brotherly alliance; if he does not agree, we will have to fight!" After saying this, Emperor Shunzhi drew out his imperial sword and fiercely chopped at the imperial table in the hall. The sword flashed and the wind was strong, cutting off a corner of the imperial table. This was to show the enemy his determination to defend the dignity of the Qing Dynasty, and also to show the ministers his will to defend Beijing. Seeing the emperor's firm attitude, the ministers all straightened their backs, as if the Qing Dynasty was still the Celestial Empire, and they were just facing a mere envoy from the Western Regions.

Zhao Xi's eyes showed a rare bit of respect, and he stood up to say goodbye, "Since Your Majesty has made up his mind, I will report to you. I hope you will not regret it."

"Wait a minute, Envoy Wei," Feng Quan called out to him, "The Princess of Yi has a letter for the emperor of your country," and then he slowly took out a letter from his bosom.

"Princess Yi?" Zhao Xi was stunned.

"She is the daughter of your master, Princess Ikemingan Toya of Hami," Feng Quan said calmly. When mentioning the surname "Ikemingan", he emphasized the tone. (End of this chapter)