The night breeze was blowing, and the warship was gently swaying on the Huaihe River. However, for Dong Qi, the main warship, standing on it, the slight sway was almost invisible. However, Shentuluo lived on the water all year round, even if it swayed The ** is more intense, and it won't feel anything to him.
Although Duan Shao looked bad, there was still a glimmer of light in his eyes.
Shentu Luo pondered for a moment, then said: "Your Highness, although our Qi Kingdom has been defeated, I believe that we have other options at the moment, not just relying on the Northern Han Dynasty."
"Oh?" Duan Shao immediately said: "Grand Governor, do you have any other ways to restore the country?"
"Rely on the people of Chu!"
Duan Shao thought that Shen Tuluo was confused and frowned: "The Governor is saying that he relies on the people of Chu?"
Shentu Luo nodded slightly, and Duan Shao laughed uncontrollably and said: "Grand Governor, you... We and the Chu State are now life-and-death enemies. The Chu State has 20,000 soldiers and horses stationed in our capital. You said that we rely on the people of the Chu State to revive the country. I... I really don’t understand what you mean. Do you think the Chu people will withdraw from our Daqi territory and return Linzi to us?"
"Unless the Chu people don't care about the life and death of the Qinhuai Army's 100,000 troops." Shen Tuluo's eyes were sharp: "His Royal Highness sent people to secretly contact the Northern Han people. They agreed that as long as we cut off the Chu Army's logistical retreat, the Qinhuai Army would be trapped to death. In Dingtao, we can restore the territory of Daqi, and even cede a county to Daqi."
Duan Shao nodded and said: "That's right. There was civil strife in the Northern Han Dynasty. Beitang Feng had just ascended the throne. The court situation was not yet stable. The Qinhuai army was like wolves and tigers. Naturally, Beitang Feng was worried that Zhong Li'ao could not stop him. He, the emperor, had not yet ascended the throne. Sitting hot, naturally I don’t want to be pulled down so soon. With our Dongqi Navy blocking the navy, Zhongli Ao only needs to hold on to the defense line without having to fight. It won’t take long for the Qinhuai Army to collapse without a fight.”
"But I am worried that once the Qinhuai Army is defeated, what reason does Beitangfeng have to help us restore our country?" Shen Tuluo frowned and said: "Beitangfeng agreed to help us restore our country because we faced the threat of the Qinhuai Army. The Daqi Navy can help them cut off the food routes and retreat routes of the Qinhuai Army. As long as we Daqi help, the Northern Han Dynasty will win this battle. He can use us now, and he will naturally agree to the conditions we propose, but Qinhuai The legion is really gone, and when he goes back on his word, what can we do?"
Duan Shao raised his hand and rubbed his chin, thoughtfully.
"The Chu State betrayed its trust and attacked Linzi. Naturally, we are at odds with the Chu State." Shentu Luo said seriously: "But the Northern Han people also have the heart of a wolf. Your Highness, the reason why Da Qi can survive is that the Northern Han Dynasty and the Southern Chu State are incompatible with each other." Up and down, no one can do anything to anyone. If any country is too strong, it will be detrimental to Qi. Once the Qinhuai Army is defeated, the Chu State will immediately weaken. It will no longer be able to move northward for at least twenty years. Once the balance between the two countries is broken, , even if our Daqi State succeeds in restoring the country, it will inevitably be in catastrophe."
Duan Shao's face became solemn, and Shen Tuluo continued: "After the collapse of the Qinhuai Army, Chu's military strength can no longer be compared with that of the Northern Han Dynasty. The Northern Han Dynasty will never miss this opportunity. Before the military strength of Southern Chu recovers, it will inevitably go south. Attack Chu, but before that, the Northern Han people will definitely annex Da Qi first."
Duan Shao pondered for a long time and then said: "You said that the people of Chu can be relied on, where do you start?"
Shentu Luo raised his hand and pointed at the endlessly flowing Huaihe River: "Your Highness, this Huaihe River is in our hands, and the lifeblood of the Qinhuai Army is also in our hands. At present, the Qinhuai Army can still survive, but it is just counting on me. The Qi Navy cannot hold on any longer, so the Huai River Food Road is reopened. As long as the food road is opened, the current predicament of the Qinhuai Army will be relieved immediately."
Duan Shao sighed: "Our food is almost exhausted and we won't be able to sustain it for long. The morale of the navy's soldiers is already low...!"
"Exactly." Shentu Luo said: "The information obtained by the spies is that the Qinhuai Army is levying food everywhere in the Dingtao area. But after all, there are tens of thousands of troops and tens of thousands of horses. The amount consumed in this day is a huge amount, and the levies collected are huge. The food and grass cannot sustain the consumption of the Qinhuai Army. Our navy and the Qinhuai Army are both in a state of exhaustion of food and grass. Once our army's food and grass are cut off first, we will not be able to hold the Huaihe River."
"I understand." Duan Shao said: "The country's capital has been breached, and it is not easy for the navy officers and soldiers to hold on until now. If it weren't for you, the Daqi Navy would have ceased to exist."
"They are the most loyal warriors of Da Qi. Like me, they are loyal to Da Qi and His Highness." Shentu Luo said seriously: "But I also understand that if food is cut off, even if I have the power to reach the sky, I will not be able to stop the navy. Collapse." After a slight pause, he said: "But now there is a great opportunity to change the situation."
"You mean?"
"Once the granary in Huize is burned down, the news will spread quickly." Shentu Luo said: "If the Qinhuai Army knew that the granary was destroyed, even if the grain road was dredged, it would be unable to save it, and it would inevitably collapse immediately." Here, a sneer appeared on Shen Tuluo's lips: "Zhong Li'ao knows that Chu's food has been burned, so he will never let go of the Qinhuai Army easily."
Duan Shao nodded and said: "That's natural. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We have blocked the Qinhuai Army's retreat. Of course Zhong Li'ao will completely defeat the main force of the Chu State."
"It's impossible for the Chu court not to understand the desperate situation that the Qinhuai Army is in." Shen Tuluo lowered his voice slightly: "Your Highness, if we negotiate with the Chu people at that time and let them withdraw their troops from Da Qi, as long as they withdraw their troops, we can Withdrawing from the Huai River will give the Qinhuai Army a way to survive. Do you think the people of Chu will agree to it?"
Duan Shao thought for a while and said: "The Chu State naturally knows how important the Qinhuai Army is to them. Without the Qinhuai Army, the Chu State is likely to face the situation of national subjugation. Yes, Commander-in-Chief, don't tell them to retreat when the time comes. Even if other conditions are proposed, the Chu people may not agree."
Shen Tuluo's eyes flashed with a strange light: "Your Highness is saying that we can negotiate with the Chu people?"
Duan Shao looked grim and said: "Our great Qi Kingdom was destroyed by the Chu people. My father... my father was killed by the Chu people. In the end, Beigong will have to make peace with the Chu people...!"
"I know this is not easy." Shen Tuluo's eyes showed a fierce look: "The Chu army did evil in Linzi, and the late emperor was killed by them. Naturally, we cannot forget this debt. It's just... Your Highness is my successor to Daqi. Jun, what you have to consider is my future in Daqi...!"
The king of Qi died in the hands of the Chu army. It was precisely because of this that Shentu Luo had been unable to negotiate with Chu.
The people of Qi State naturally hate Chu State deeply now, and Chu State, to Duan Shao, is the revenge of killing his father and destroying the country. If he negotiates with Chu State in private, even if it is for the benefit of Qi State, he will eventually be criticized. Criticism, if the people of Qi were informed, the people who were swayed by their emotions would definitely feel that Duan Shao recognized a thief as his father.
Negotiating with the Chu State will inevitably damage Duan Shao's prestige in the hearts of the Qi people. Shentu Luo knew this and was naturally very cautious about this matter.
"If this mission is successfully completed, I... can consider negotiating with the Chu State." Duan Shao thought for a long time and finally said: "The emperor's sister is still the queen of the Chu State. Maybe she can also help when the time comes."
"If His Highness really agrees to negotiate with the Chu State, the matter will be handed over to me." Shen Tuluo immediately said: "I will be solely responsible for the negotiation matters, and Your Highness does not need to be involved. Regardless of success or failure, I will bear the consequences. Your Highness just pretends that you don’t know anything.”
Duan Shao's body trembled, and he instantly understood what Shen Tuluo meant.
"Everyone in the world knows that I am the Commander-in-Chief of the Daqi Navy. If I negotiate with the people of Chu on the condition that the Daqi Navy withdraws its troops, everyone will think it is my intention." Shentu Luo said with a smile: "If the negotiation is successful, I will After the Qi Dynasty is restored, His Highness only needs to punish the ministers, so not only will His Majesty's majesty not be damaged, but the whole country will definitely praise His Highness's wisdom!"
Duan Shao shook his head and said: "No, I will not agree. Even if you want to negotiate with Chu State, I will personally come forward, no need...!"
"Your Highness!" Shen Tuluo's face became grim: "Your Highness, do you know that it is not easy for us to establish a country in Da Qi? Although our Da Qi is a small country with few people, we still survive in the middle of two tiger and wolf countries. This is all because of the wise king. , due to the support of the people. Since the founding of Da Qi, I have never added any taxes, and therefore I am supported by the people of the country. Your Highness naturally knows this."
Duan Shao nodded slightly, and then Shentu Luo continued: "The people of Qi State need a good emperor. There must not be anything in Your Highness that the people can criticize. Your Highness's majesty is the foundation of our country, and it must not be tolerated." Your Highness, can you understand the slightest damage?"
"But if you are charged with this, then...!"
Shentu Luo said with a smile: "The Shen family has received all the country's favor and is loyal to the emperor for all life. Not to mention the reputation is damaged, even if their heads are really killed, they are still willing to do so." He knelt down on one knee and said, "Repay it." Please do it, Your Highness, and be sure to agree to your request!"
"I...!" Duan Shao hesitated, looking very embarrassed.
"If Your Highness does not agree, I will not get up."
Duan Shao said: "Grand Governor, if... if the burning of food is successful this time, I... I will send you to negotiate with the Chu people as you said!"
Shentu Luo cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Your Highness."
Duan Shao hurriedly helped him up with his hands, and Shen Tuluo stood up, with a smile on his face and a look of relief on his face, and said: "Your Highness is concerned about the overall situation. He will definitely be a great and accomplished saint in the future. I, Daqi...!" He hasn't finished yet. , then someone shouted: "There is a signal from the shore, the spies are back!"
The two people hurriedly looked toward the south bank and saw that there was indeed a light on the bank. The light flashed on and off eight times in a row. After a short while, it lit up and dimmed eight times in a row.
"Come here, release the boat!!" Shen Tuluo said in a deep voice.
The Huaihe River is shallow near the shore, and it is easy for a warship to run aground. So we put a small boat down from the ship and went to the shore to pick up the spies. When the man got on the boat, Shentu Luo and Duan Shao immediately met him. Dressed like an ordinary citizen, when he saw Shen Tuluo, he ran two steps, knelt down on the ground, and gasped: "Grand Governor, Huize City... The fire in Huize City is soaring into the sky, burning... It's burning...!"