Three Kingdoms: Wolong's brother-in-law, tricking Liu Bei into seizing Jingzhou

Vinu fell into a long silence, as if the surrounding air had frozen.

She knew perfectly well that what Usaas said was not unfounded.

Blue Moon City is now like a candle flickering in the wind; its fall is a foregone conclusion and an unchangeable fact.

Once the city is breached, death will surely await her.

None of the Yuezhi people in the city could escape this tragic fate; they would all perish in this catastrophe.

At this moment, Ushas's words of persuasion to surrender were like a ray of dawn in the darkness, giving her heart, which was almost swallowed by despair, a glimmer of hope to live on!
That was the only hope for her and her people to continue living!
When Cao Rui saw the hesitation on Pi Nu's face, he was immediately terrified, and fear overwhelmed him like a tidal wave.

"If Pi Nu surrenders to Xiao Fang, he might still have a chance to survive."

"But if she really surrenders, I, Cao Rui, will surely die!"

Cao Rui felt a chill run from the soles of his feet straight to his head, and his horror was beyond words.

Suddenly, his eyes widened in anger, and he angrily cursed:
“This shameless woman is even more cruel and ruthless than Xiao Fang.”

"Even if the Empress chooses to surrender, the ruthless Xiao Fang will never let her go, nor the entire Yuezhi clan!"

Usa was about to speak and refute Cao Rui's words.

However, Cao Rui, as if possessed, shouted at the top of his lungs:
"Guards! Fire arrows! Shoot this traitorous Yuezhi woman to death!"

Upon hearing the order, the Qin soldiers on either side, who were under Cao Rui's command, raised their bows and crossbows, aimed their arrows at the target, and prepared to shoot him.

"I'll see who dares to fire an arrow!"

At this critical moment, Vinu suddenly regained his senses and let out a sharp shout.

The voice was as loud as a bell, carrying an unquestionable authority.

The Qin archers were stunned by the sudden shout, their movements abruptly halted, and for a moment no one dared to fire an arrow.

"Your Majesty, please don't be bewitched by this woman! This is clearly a scheme devised by Xiao Fang!"

Cao Rui was extremely anxious and quickly tried to persuade him from the side.

Below the city walls, Xiao Fang gazed at the city walls from afar and slowly spoke:

“Vinu, I have always been a man of my word, and I never lie.”

"If you surrender to me, I will spare your life and the lives of an entire city of Yuezhi people."

"But I will kill Cao Rui to vent my hatred!"

"Whether you want to live or die, make your own decision!"

Xiao Fang's words were undoubtedly a death ultimatum, making the atmosphere on the city wall even more tense.

Upon hearing this, Vinu felt a chill run down his spine.

"The Empress—"

Cao Rui wanted to continue persuading him.

"Shut up!"

Vinu interrupted him without hesitation, his eyes revealing determination and resolve.

Below the city walls, Xiao Fang shouted again:

“Vinnu, I will give you two days to consider.”

"If they do not surrender in two days, I will lead my army to raze Blue Moon City to the ground, slaughter all the Yuezhi people, and turn Blue Moon City into ruins!"

After saying that, Xiao Fang turned around and left with Usaas in his arms.

The Han cavalry behind him also turned their horses around and followed him away.

On the city wall, the Yuezhi people watched the Han army gradually disappear into the distance, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Their gazes turned to the Empress simultaneously, their eyes filled with anticipation and confusion.

Vinu felt his legs go weak and involuntarily took a half step back. He hurriedly reached out to hold onto the pillar beside him and barely managed to steady himself.

"Help me back to the palace!"

"Vinnu said in a low voice, his voice tinged with weariness and helplessness."

The attendants rushed forward to help Vinu up, then hurriedly descended the city wall. Night fell, and the palace was silent, save for the faint glow of flickering candlelight.

Vinu sat alone on the throne at the head of the table, his brow furrowed, weighing the pros and cons of surrendering versus resisting.

The Yuezhi ministers below the steps sat together, discussing and expressing their opinions.

After a while.

The murmurs gradually subsided, and everyone's eyes turned to Varuna.

At this moment, this seasoned veteran has become the hope in the hearts of all the ministers.

"Your Majesty the Empress."

Varuna slowly stood up, bowed slightly, and said in a heavy tone.

"Although Usais has tarnished the nation's prestige, what she said is also an indisputable fact."

"The fall of Blue Moon City is an irreversible fact, a reality we cannot change."

"But Your Majesty has the opportunity to save the lives of our Yuezhi people and allow our people to continue."

"Your Majesty, please have pity on the people of Yuezhi and surrender. This is the only way out at present."

Varuna, representing the courtiers, earnestly persuaded them.

Upon hearing these words, Vinu's body trembled slightly, and his heart was filled with mixed feelings.

Cao Rui was both shocked and furious that the Yuezhi ministers were so frightened by Xiao Fang's threats that they were about to surrender.

"How foolish! How could you ministers be so easily deceived by Xiao Fang!"

"He is cruel and bloodthirsty by nature. If you surrender, he will kill you all without leaving a single one alive!"

"Shut up!!"

Valuna glared angrily at Cao Rui and demanded in a stern voice:

"If we hadn't listened to you and rashly sent troops to the Western Regions, how could we Yuezhi have ended up in such a miserable state!"

"Do you perhaps intend to cause the Yuezhi people to be wiped out from this world forever?"

Cao Rui was speechless after being questioned by Falou Na, and did not know how to respond.

Vinu was enraged. She stood up abruptly and shouted:
"Enough, Cao Rui, you don't need to say anything more."

"My mind is made up; I will surrender to the Han Emperor!"

This was a decision that had to be made for the sake of the life and death of all the people in the city!

Cao Rui was horrified, his face turning deathly pale in an instant.

He wanted to persuade Vinnu again, trying to change his mind.

However, Vinu no longer gave him a chance and resolutely got up.

She resolutely swept her gaze across the assembled officials, her eyes revealing unwavering determination.

"Everyone!"

"For the sake of the lives and safety of all the people in the city, I have decided to surrender to the Han Emperor!"

"If you have any opinions, please speak up!"

Vinu shouted a question, his voice echoing through the palace.

Upon seeing this, Varuna immediately stood up and raised his hand in approval.

Several marshals still harbored passionate feelings and were unwilling to accept the fact that their country had been destroyed. They clenched their fists, their eyes flashing with anger and resentment.

However, seeing the Empress's resolute attitude and Varuna's strong support, they dared not utter a word despite their reluctance.

Seeing that no one objected, Vinu then said:
"Since no one objects, let's open the city gates tomorrow and surrender to the Han Kingdom!"

Thus, the decision to surrender was finally made.

The officials took their leave, each departing the palace with mixed feelings.

The marshals, their faces etched with sorrow, slowly retreated with heavy steps. (End of Chapter)