King of Song

Chapter 694 Ultimatum
Luoyang is the Xijing of the Song Dynasty, the largest city between Chang'an and Bianjing, and it must pass through.

From Tongguan to Bianjing, traveling eastward along the Yellow River, it is almost a flat river, and there is no danger to defend.Under such circumstances, the status of Luoyang City became more and more important, becoming an important barrier for Bianjing.

But it was such a crucial big city that Zhao Zhao, the King of Qin, took it down overnight!
The defender of Luoyang is Wang Gui who stayed behind in Xijing, one of Zhao Xu's more trusted ministers.

Wang Gui's position has wavered before, but because of his son, Wang Gui finally chose Zhao Xu. His attitude in the Wutai poetry case directly offended Zhao Zhao, and there is no possibility of change.

So even if he saw that the king of Qin had a huge advantage, he could no longer submit to him. The Song Dynasty was an era of Chinese people's popularity. If he was double-faced, even he would despise himself.

Wang Gui could only bite the bullet and bear it, thinking that the layout of Luoyang City was as solid as gold.If Zhao Zhao couldn't break Luoyang, it would be useless to attack Bianjing.

His son Wang Zhongguo was once proud, saying that King Qin was going to defeat Luoyang and return home in defeat.

But that night, more than [-]% of the officials and generals at all levels in Luoyang voluntarily surrendered to King Qin and opened the city gate to surrender.

Luoyang went down without a fight, and when Wang Gui and his son didn't respond at all, they were already prisoners.

When Shao Yong stood next to Zhao Zhao, Wang Gui and his son also came to their senses, what a deep foundation Master Shao Yong has in Luoyang, and all officials, big and small, in Luoyang have relations with them.Now it seems that they have colluded for a long time, but now they are cooperating inside and outside.

It's true that he was staying behind in Xijing, and he also controlled the strength and power of the entire Luoyang city defense, but he didn't pay attention to the inner abilities of the soldiers.Facts have proved that Wang Gui and his son failed by [-] points, and they didn't even realize that there were many problems with many officials and generals under their banner, so that they were not prepared at all.

When the inside and the outside have already entered the city, there is no news from my side.

Sad!
Wang Gui is just a small character, Zhao Zhao doesn't want to pay any attention to it, his goal is in Bianjing.

The Western Army quickly passed through Luoyang and headed for Bianjing City.

……

The news of Luoyang's fall spread, and the world was shocked!
When Zhao Hao received the news from Bianjing, five thunders struck him. He thought that Luoyang would block the Western Army for a period of time, so as to buy them more time to prepare for the situation.

But this time is only one night, there is no time to react.

Moreover, the situation was very unfavorable to them. The Liao Kingdom suddenly marched south and restrained the army on the Hebei Road.

Originally, they were expecting the troops of King Qin from all over the country to come to the rescue, but the imperial decree was issued, but none of the state officials and generals obeyed the imperial decree and sent troops here. It was obvious what they had in mind.

Isolated and helpless, at this moment they seem to realize what it means to "get more help than others, but few help you if you don't".

Now the distance between Zhao Zhao and Zhao Zhao can only be the last Bianjing city wall. The city wall is still there, and they are still the emperor, prince and queen mother of the Song Dynasty, even if they are dying.But if the city wall is broken, you will lose your wealth and life.

The 30 troops in Bianjing were their last hope. Guo Kui, who had made great contributions to the southern expedition to Cochin, had been entrusted with the important task of commanding the defense of the outer city.The inner city is in charge of Diyong, the capital of Yu in front of the palace.

Only in this way can Zhao Xu, who is on the sick bed, feel a little relieved.

His life has come to the end, every breath is painful, and the frequency of breathing is getting lower and lower.Maybe it won't be long before he closes his eyes and goes to another world. Whether it is heaven or hell, Zhao Xu doesn't know.He didn't want to think about it too much. At this point, he didn't care anymore.

What he really cares about now is the safety of his mother, wife and children. They are still alive, they want to live, but how should they live?
Luoyang was broken, which dealt a big blow to Zhao Xu.

Overnight, [-]% of the officials in Luoyang openly surrendered to the King of Qin, and even Shao Yong stood up, saying that the King of Qin was the destiny.The words of the super "magic stick" are very contagious and convincing. Some officials and people who were originally vacillating are optimistic about King Qin.

It doesn't matter if people's hearts are against each other by this time.The most important thing is the morale of the army. The attitude of the soldiers is the most important thing. In fact, it is the morale of the 30 troops in Bianjing.

Sixty percent of the people in Luoyang surrendered, what about Bianjing?Now this situation is no longer as simple as people's hearts fluttering and just around the corner.I don't know how many generals and officials have made arrangements with King Qin, and have colluded with each other in private.

This is also what Zhao Xu is most afraid of. This kind of thing is impossible to guard against.At this point, he no longer has any confidence to persuade and restrain his officials and generals.High-pressure means can only be prepared for a while, but cannot be sustained, and a little carelessness may have the opposite effect.

In fact, no matter what, you can only pay attention to most people, and there will always be fish that slip through the net.For them, as long as there is a loophole in Bianjing's city defense, it will be beyond redemption.

So Zhao Xu was very aware of the fact that they couldn't last long.He is already a dying person, and he is not afraid of anything, but what should the mother, wife and children do?
They have tried all means to stop Zhao Zhao, such as Khitan's invasion, Bianjing and Chang'an first shook hands to make peace, temporarily stopped troops, and agreed to the outside world.

But what's the use?It's not that Zhao Zhao didn't agree, but the condition he gave was that he should take the lead in this matter.The army and power of the Song Dynasty must be handed over to him. Doesn't it mean that if he becomes the emperor of the Song Dynasty?

Zhao Xu doesn't care anymore, but his mother and Zhao Hao are unwilling to live or die, and will not make any concessions on this matter.

Ever since, everything fell through again. At this point, it is impossible to stop Zhao Zhao!

……

……

Just when Zhao Xu was dying, Zhao Zhao had already approached the city and sent the so-called ultimatum.

An official sent the news on behalf of King Qin.

The content is very simple, that is to ask Gao Taotao's mother and son to surrender immediately, and abdicate in the name of Zhao Xu to let the virtuous, so that the safety of their family can be preserved.

After all, the Liao Kingdom has already started the southern expedition, and the internal fighting should not take too long, nor should it consume too much strength. If the people of the Liao Kingdom are cheaper in the end, it will be a big deal!

Zhao Zhao didn't want to be a sinner, and he didn't want to be criticized because of this matter. In fact, the last thing he wanted was to affect his future plans.For this reason, he even spared Zhao Xu's family, at least giving them a good death and preserving their dignity.

But the premise is that Zhao Xu's family must be knowledgeable and willing to be willing.It's a pity that Gao Taotao and Zhao Xu were unmoved by the conditions.

Zhao Zhao has nothing to say after all his painstaking efforts have been let down!

Ever since, an ultimatum was given to Zhao Xu and Gao Taotao, the content was very simple.If they are obsessed with obsession and still stubbornly resist, then on the day Bianjing is breached, none of their family will be left behind, all honor and dignity will be deprived, their names will be removed from history, and they will be left with a bad reputation forever.

This is an ultimatum, and the reply is within five days. If there is no result, the city will be attacked on a large scale.

……

……

Gao Taotao was furious when he received the so-called ultimatum. What is Zhao Zhao doing?Threat?

"I want to see what he can do after he breaks Bianjing? It's really brazen!" Zhao Hao was indignant, and it took a long time before he realized that there seemed to be loopholes in his words, and hurriedly changed his words: "With their ability, they want to break Bianjing Jing? Dream it!

He doesn't know if this is considered self-confidence, but only by saying this can he feel more comfortable on his lips and feel more or less secure in his heart. "

Han Qi was very helpless, at this moment he couldn't say anything more.Saying nothing makes sense, saying anything is superfluous.

Now that the matter has come to this point, Gao Taotao has everything to say, so what should the Queen Mother and the officials say?He can only go to the dark all the way, even if there will be stains in his life, but his integrity cannot be changed.Han Xianggong wanted to die with dignity, but he didn't want to die so humble and useless!
Regarding Zhao Hao's attitude, he also completely turned a blind eye. To be honest, he is a little more considerate of Zhao Xu now, and feels that this official is a little pathetic and pitiful!
After breathing heavily, Zhao Xu coughed continuously, as if he was holding his breath in his heart and couldn't get it out.

Life is about to end, Zhao Xu knows that his life has really come to an end, maybe he won't be able to survive tonight.

He endured the pain and left his last words.

"Mother, why don't you just abdicate, the matter has come to this point, Bianjing will not be able to keep it sooner or later, when the time comes..." Zhao Xu is not cowardly or arrogant, he is just purely afraid.

Fear of loss, fear of a tragic fate for his wife and children.People are about to die, riches and glory, is the foundation of the emperor still important?In fact, like many talkers, they are somewhat illusory.It stands to reason that for an emperor, what he should worry about the most is Jiangshan Sheji.But Zhao Xu knew that he had already lost his country, so he had nothing to worry about.

The most important thing now, and the most reassuring thing is his wife and children, especially the four young sons.For the ultimatum proposed by Zhao Zhao, he was actually willing to accept it in his heart.

Zhao Zhao's words are credible, this is his intuition, Zhao Xu also has to admire, Zhao Zhao is indeed aboveboard in doing things.

What's more, if he abdicates, it will always be good for Da Song, whether it is the kindness or the form.His son should be able to save his life and status because of this, otherwise Zhao Zhao will be blamed and hated by the world. This is the power of public opinion.

But this matter can no longer be decided by him alone, and must be approved by his mother, Gao Taotao.

Zhao Xu is no longer discussing, to a greater extent, he seems to be begging!
"Can Zhao Zhao really spare them?" Gao Taotao said with a cold smile, "Don't worry, I will send your ninth son, Zhao Ji, to private foster care. Even if something happens to everyone, he will grow up safe and sound. You left behind a line of incense."

For Gao Taotao, since decades ago, this matter is destined to have no turning back, and there is no way to change it.Going all the way to the dark is the responsibility and courage that a qualified conspirator should have.

Gao Taotao got up and left, leaving only a faint sigh.At the same time, Zhao Xu slowly closed his eyes, and the last trace of his expression drifted across the sky and the earth. I don't know if he was worried or left in relief?

Gradually dissipated, and finally dimmed!
(End of this chapter)