Three Kingdoms: The Kingdom Cannot Be Partial

Chapter 206 The Han Emperor has arrived. Do not move, or you will die.

Chapter 206 The Han Emperor has arrived. Do not move, or you will die.
West City.

The siege of the Han army was complete, but Shen Yi still held the city and did not surrender.

Perhaps they were waiting for the emperor to arrive in person, or perhaps they were going to use force first and then diplomacy, surrounding the enemy before going to them. In the past few days, Generals Zhao Yun and Gao Xiang did not send any envoys to persuade them, and Shen Yi did not send any envoys to surrender either.

"Your Majesty, I, Meng Guang, am willing to go and persuade him." Inside the central military tent, Grand Minister of Agriculture Meng Guang volunteered to go and persuade Shen Yi to surrender.

Meng Guang was born in Luoyang and was a cousin of Meng Yu, the Grand Commandant of the Later Han Dynasty.

He once asked Xi Zheng, the Crown Prince's attendant: What is the Crown Prince's temperament like? What does he like and dislike? What books does he read?

Xi Zheng replied: "The Crown Prince is devoted to his parents with utmost respect, working tirelessly day and night, displaying the demeanor of an ancient heir apparent. As for his reception of officials, his actions are always characterized by benevolence and compassion."

Meng Guang responded with dissatisfaction: What Lord Xi said applies to both large and small households. What I want to ask now is to know about the Crown Prince's strategies and tactics.

Xi Zheng cautiously replied: The way of the crown prince is to fulfill his wishes and enjoy his life to the fullest, and not to act rashly. Moreover, he should keep his wisdom and strategies in his heart, and use them in accordance with the times. He should not make preconceived decisions or rash judgments.

Meng Guang was still dissatisfied and said:

"With the world still unsettled, strategy is paramount."

While intelligence and resourcefulness may be innate, they can also be cultivated through effort.

"The Crown Prince should not emulate us by reading extensively in preparation for an audience."

"Fu Shibo possesses a remarkable memory and excels in examinations and discussions, but his only aim is to obtain a title."

"The Crown Prince should focus on his studies, especially on the most urgent matters."

In other words, he advised A Dou not to read the Four Books and Five Classics, but to read history books, the Book of Lord Shang, military books, and learn the art of governing people and managing the country.

When the emperor personally led the northern expedition and won a great victory, he finally acknowledged that what Xi Zheng had said back then was true: wisdom and strategy should be kept in one's heart, and tactics should be used when the time is right, and one should not make preconceived or arbitrary judgments.

After meeting the emperor in Chang'an, he first confessed his faults, and then, undeterred by the arduous journey, asked the emperor to allow him to follow him, saying that although he was already an old man, he could still wield a sword and kill people, and was willing to serve the country.

Liu Shan saw that although he was old, he was still strong, and he also heard that he was strong-willed, outspoken and outspoken, which was disliked by the other officials, so he took him under his wing.

"What will you say to him?" Liu Shan asked.

Meng Guang straightened his clothes, rose from his seat, gave a slight bow, and said:

"Now that the army has besieged the city, we should talk to them with our swords."

Liu Shan smiled upon hearing this and asked, "What if they do not surrender?"

Without hesitation, Meng Guang replied, "If that's the case, Your Majesty, I request to kill him. Then Xicheng will be captured without a fight."

After these words were spoken, Liu Shan paused slightly, and then Zhao Yun and Gao Xiang, who were sitting to his left and right, looked over and saw that the two veteran generals, who had been through countless battles, were both surprised.

Meng Guang proudly declared:
"Your Majesty, the three eastern prefectures are a vital strategic location for the entire empire."

"Once we capture it, we can march directly north into Nanyang and threaten Cao Wei."
"The south can send troops to Jingzhou to contain Sun Wu."

"The current standoff between Cao Wei and Sun Wu in Xiangfan presents a golden opportunity for the Han Dynasty, which will be lost in the blink of an eye."

"The Han Dynasty cannot afford to linger in Xicheng any longer, wasting time, provisions, and the lives of its soldiers in vain."

"After the battle with the Wu barbarians, the soldiers guarding the western city have come to know the might of the Han Dynasty."

"If Your Majesty personally leads the dragon banner to the western city to attack it, the soldiers guarding the western city will surely be terrified."

“If I go and persuade them, they will surely submit.”

"If Wei general Shen Yi still wishes to negotiate with the Han Dynasty to besiege the city for a hundred days and then surrender."

“I request to kill him, and his people will surely surrender.”

"If Zhao, the cavalry commander, and Gao, the general, were to bring Shen Yi's head to Shangyong and Fangling counties and besiege their cities, then taking these two counties would not be difficult."

Meng Guang delivered a passionate and eloquent speech, which was well-reasoned and logical.

Liu Shan and all the generals present fell silent, and many of them, from Zhao Yun and Gao Xiang downwards, showed no respect for Meng Guang.

Anyone can talk big.

You're a sixty-year-old man, how can you still wield a sword and kill people?
Although the civil and military officials of the Han Dynasty were not separated, and Han people still produced generals and ministers, those who fought on the battlefield and those who were ignorant of military affairs and only knew how to talk were never on the same page.

However, since the emperor was present, although the generals were displeased, they did not dare to say anything impolite.

Meng Guang could sense the hostility and disdain in the eyes of Yang Qun, Yan Zhi and the other generals, but he ignored them and straightened his back, making himself appear even more upright.

Seeing this, Li Qiu finally snorted and stood up: "Does the Grand Minister of Agriculture intend to gain fame by placing His Majesty in an unjust position?"

Meng Guang frowned slightly upon hearing this.

Yang Qun, Yan Zhi, Cuan Xiong, and the other generals looked at each other in bewilderment. After a moment, they understood what Li Qiu meant and immediately echoed or even scolded him.

That's the gist of it. You, Meng Guang, are so arrogant, saying you'd kill Shen Yi for the sake of the Han Dynasty, acting like you're ready to die for it. But what ability do you, an old man, have to kill Shen Yi?

If you were to die inside, wouldn't the people of the world say that His Majesty is cruel and heartless, deliberately sending you, one of the Nine Ministers and the Grand Minister of Agriculture, to your death in the western city?

Meng Guang remained dismissive, saying, "Shen Yi doesn't even dare to offend the people of Wu. Now, the Han Dynasty has defeated Wu in an instant and even surrendered the chief culprit. Where does Shen Yi get the audacity to execute the Han envoy?!"

Having said that, he turned to the emperor and said:
"With Your Majesty here, I do not believe my life is in danger."

"The reason for requesting the execution of Shen Yi was merely to prevent any unforeseen circumstances."

"If nothing unexpected happens, as long as His Majesty personally arrives with his imperial banner, Shen Yi will have no reason not to surrender."

Yang Qun snorted coldly, then immediately cursed again: "That old scoundrel Meng Guang, how dare you overstep your bounds and repeatedly send His Majesty here in person with the imperial banner?!"

The generals once again put on airs and echoed his sentiments.

What Your Majesty does should be decided by Your Majesty, how can you, an old barbarian who holds a position without doing any work, be ordered around?!
When His Majesty subdues Shen Yi by virtue of His Majesty's power, you, Meng Guang, will just be able to gain the reputation of a strategist. Your intentions are truly despicable!
Meng Guang was not afraid of the generals' opinions at all, and refuted them one by one. In a short while, he had refuted them with his foul mouth until they were red in the face. If the emperor had not been present and he could not carry a knife, the hot-tempered Yang Qun would have definitely drawn his knife and killed him.

Having just won a battle against Wu and captured two of Sun Quan's trusted confidants, Bu Zhi and Zhuge Jin, as well as the sons of several powerful ministers from Jiangdong, Cheng Zi and Huang Bing, Liu Shan was in a very good mood.

Seeing Meng Guang arguing with the generals, he was not annoyed, but rather found it quite interesting.

Just as the hottest-tempered and most vulgar-speaking veteran, Yang Qun, seemed about to rush forward and punch Meng Guang three times, he spoke up to stop him:

"Alright, what kind of noise is this? Do you think this is a vegetable market?"

Once everyone had quieted down, Liu Shan turned his gaze to Meng Guang and continued:
“In the past, Li Shiqi was over sixty years old, just like the Grand Minister of Agriculture. He volunteered to go to Chenliu for Emperor Gaozu.”

“When the magistrate of Chenliu refused to surrender, Li Shiqi entered his room at night, beheaded him, and then fled over the city wall. Chenliu was greatly alarmed, and Emperor Gaozu subsequently conquered Chenliu.”

"Now our mighty generals and elite troops of the Han Dynasty have advanced into the besiege of the western city with their victorious momentum. The Grand Minister of Agriculture has the fierce spirit of Li Sheng, but Shen Yi may not have the steadfastness of the Magistrate of Chenliu."

"The Grand Minister of Agriculture has an eloquent tongue. If he really wants to persuade us to surrender, how can I not allow it?"

"As for the so-called harsh and ungrateful words, I do not agree with them."

Many of the generals and officers in the tent did not know who this Li Sheng was. When they heard the emperor say that the so-called Li Sheng was over sixty years old and could still behead people and even walk over the city walls, they couldn't help but look at the Grand Minister of Agriculture in front of them, who was not weak.

Meng Guang then accepted the order and left the camp, arriving at the western city.

Upon seeing the Han envoy arrive from the city wall, they lowered a bamboo basket down.

Meng Guang, his mouth full of foul language, launched into a scathing tirade against the city's defenders.

Only then did they say that the Han envoy should not be lowered up the city wall. If he had the guts, he should shoot him dead under the city wall. If he didn't have the guts, they should open the city gate and welcome him into the city.

Shen Yi was already uneasy seeing the Han army besieging the city, and now that the Han envoy had arrived, especially one with such a foul mouth, he became even more suspicious and fearful.

Before long, the city gate was opened halfway.

Meng Guang stood holding his imperial staff, looking down and refusing to move forward.

Left with no other choice, Shen Yi ordered the city gates to be opened wide.

Meng Guang then entered the city with his imperial insignia. The city gate behind him began to creak and slowly close as soon as he stepped inside.

"Where has the Han envoy come from?" Shen Yi led his men forward to greet them, his weary and sorrowful expression revealing a hint of trepidation.

"I'll pave the way for your survival." After saying this, Meng Guang strode forward, abandoning Shen Yi and the others, and headed into the city.

Shen Yi looked at the old man's broad back, hesitated for a moment, gave a few instructions to the commander of the imperial guards, and then followed him. "The Han envoy should also know that according to the laws of Wei, if a city is besieged for a hundred days and reinforcements do not arrive before surrendering to the enemy, his entire family will not be punished."

"The Han envoy has come... Is it because General Zhao is willing to give me two months in Xicheng?" Shen Yi asked tentatively.

"Hmph!" Meng Guang didn't answer, but snorted coldly, glared at Shen Yi, and then left her behind and continued on his way.

Shen Yi frowned deeply. He had been a local tyrant his whole life, but he never imagined that at the end he would have to bow down to this old man who came from who-knows-where. He was filled with indignation.

But seeing the arrogant Han envoy getting further and further away, and thinking of the ferocious Han army outside the city, he shook his head helplessly and hurried after him:
"Han envoy... Zhao Chariot and Cavalry, what is your intention in besieging the city? Do you truly intend to launch a full-scale attack on my western city?"

"How dare a Han envoy discuss state affairs in the middle of the road?!" Meng Guang stopped in his tracks, tapped the ground with his cane, and gave Shen Yi a meaningful look.

After a short while, he took another step and walked away.

Shen Yi watched the Han envoy's retreating figure, paused again, and after a few moments of thought, summoned his personal guards: "Horse back to the manor and order a feast of beef, wine, and food to be prepared..."

After giving his instructions, Shen Yi chased after the Han envoy who had come with his imperial credentials and led him the way.

Upon entering Shen Yi's mansion, the Han envoy disregarded all etiquette and plopped down on Shen Yi's tiger-skin throne.

But even though he was seated, he still gripped the staff tightly in his hand, standing even straighter than his own back, his face cold and silent.

Seeing the Han envoy's rudeness, the officers and staff who had accompanied Shen Yi back to his residence were both annoyed and angry, and did not know what to do.

They dared not fight, nor dared they kill.

Shen Yi sat at the head of the left, looking at the staff in the Han envoy's hand, and asked, "May I ask the Han envoy's honorable surname and official position?"

Meng Guang proudly declared:
"The Meng family of Luoyang, the cousin of Meng Yu, the Grand Commandant of Emperor Xiaoling, and Meng Guang, the Grand Minister of Agriculture of the Han Dynasty, are you Shen Yi of Xicheng?"

"Isn't that obvious?" Shen Yi first subconsciously pursed her lips, then quickly composed herself and replied humbly:

"It is I."

"I have long admired the Grand Minister of Agriculture, and now that I have met you, I can confirm that your reputation is well-deserved..."

Meng Guang's self-introduction was so elaborate that it almost dragged out his entire lineage for eighteen generations, clearly showing that he was a boastful person who craved fame.

Moreover, according to Shen Yi's knowledge, the Prime Minister's office undertook all military and national affairs of Shu Han.

The Grand Minister of Agriculture, one of the Nine Ministers, was nothing more than a figurehead position.

As for the Meng family of Luoyang, it is not a prominent or influential family at all.

And that so-called Grand Commandant Meng Yu was no important figure at all.

However, he was nothing more than a petty man who relied on his brother, the eunuch Meng Ben, to rise to power.

Meng Guang, however, was quite pleased with himself.

Having figured all this out, Shen Yi began to look down on the Han envoy named Meng Guang.

After observing Meng Guang's expression and seeing that the robot still looked arrogant and showed no reaction to his flattery, he continued:
"Han Envoy, previously... General Deng Bomiao of the Great Han Dynasty once visited Weixing... Xicheng and met with Shen Mou. Now you have come again as the Grand Minister of Agriculture with an imperial insignia, which shows how much the Great Han Dynasty values Xicheng."

“Shen was truly terrified and had the desire to return to Han.”

"But as Shen said before, according to the laws of Wei, if a city is besieged for a hundred days and no reinforcements arrive before it surrenders to the enemy, its entire clan will not be punished."

"Wu's army has been besieging the city for more than two months, and there are still fifty-two days left until it reaches one hundred days."

"I hope the Han envoy can report back to General Zhao, and hope that General Zhao can give me and the officers and soldiers in the city a chance."

Meng Guang glared angrily at Shen Yi, remaining noncommittal about Shen Yi's words.

After a short while, Shen Yi said again:
"Grand Minister of Agriculture, I humbly believe that with Cao Xiu and Sun Quan locked in a stalemate at Xiangfan, Cao Xiu will certainly be unable to provide further assistance to Xicheng."

"Yi and the soldiers in the city have come to know the might of the Han Dynasty, and all of them have the desire to surrender to the Han."

"However... Yi and the generals all cherished the lives of their clansmen and hostages."

"If the Han Dynasty gives us another fifty days or so, we will surely be able to take Xicheng without shedding a drop of blood."

"We, the surrendered people, will also be deeply grateful!"

"Or perhaps they can retire from the military and return to their rural homes!"

"They could serve as vanguards for the Han Dynasty, attacking Wei and Wu, and so on."

"If the Han army launches a strong attack now, I fear I will not be able to persuade all the soldiers to return to Han. If war breaks out, the soldiers will be killed instead, and I will feel sorry for the Han army."

Meng Guang rose, holding the imperial insignia, and asked, "I wonder if any of you here have family members who are being held hostage in Wei?"

As soon as he finished speaking, more than a dozen people stood up.

Meng Guang looked around at everyone, and finally stepped forward with his staff, slowly walking to the person closest to Shen Yi at the table, who was also the strongest person there.

Although he was strong, he was not as tall as Meng Guang, a nobleman from Luoyang. He felt rather uncomfortable being glared down at by Meng Guang.

Just as everyone was baffled, wondering what the old and frail Han envoy was up to, in a flash, the Han envoy suddenly moved, and a clanging sound suddenly rang out in the room.

But then, the staff in his hand was pulled open like a sword sheath, and before anyone could react, a three-foot iron sword appeared in his hand.

With a lift, with a sweep, a single sword strike seals the throat.

Blood spurted out.

The man clutched his neck and fell straight down.

At this point, everyone in the room, including Shen Yi, was still in a daze, unable to believe what was happening before their eyes.

By the time they came to their senses, Meng Guang had already rushed to Shen Yi's side, his sword held across Shen Yi's neck.

"As you can see, he did not surrender to the Han, and his family members and hostages should not be implicated."

The room fell silent.

An uproar erupted in the room.

Shen Yi was trembling with fear, and suddenly many stories of Han envoys capturing the kingpin and beheading the ringleaders to intimidate the villains flashed through his mind.

No one dared to make a move.

Before long, the sounds of drums and shouts of battle arose all at once outside the city.

Everyone was filled with fear.

Shen Yi, terrified by the knife held to his neck, dared not move. The Han envoy named Meng Guang was hiding behind him.

If anyone in the room makes any rash move, Shen Yi will lose his life.

Not long after, a man came running.

Seeing the situation inside, he became even more frightened and helpless.

"General...something's wrong!"

"The Shu Han emperor's dragon banner has suddenly arrived!"

"The Han army...the Han army is attacking the city!"

"The western city... Pan Mao, the garrison commander of the western city, has opened the city gates wide... and surrendered to the Han!"

Shen Yi felt dizzy and unsteady on her feet.