Yang Ye was on the southeast corner tower, covering his forehead with his palm, frowning as he looked at the fierce scene over there. He couldn't see the scene over there clearly because of the heavy smoke and dust, and it was too far away. But after a while, the soldiers who were sent out came back to report the military situation.
Looking at the main road in the city, troops were trotting and moving to the south city to reinforce. From this scene, it was clear that the battle on Feng Jinke's side was very tense.
Yang Ye was not the only one who kept a close eye on the war. The Emperor of Northern Han in the imperial city also received a report every incense stick.
The defense area that Yang Ye was patrolling now was very weak in attack and posed no threat at all. Occasionally, some soldiers would come and shoot arrows, but they would be quickly counterattacked. However, Yang Ye did not go to the most tense southern part of the city, which was the area where Feng Jinke was ordered to supervise the battle.
At this time, several rangers came galloping over, all of them were archers with bows and arrows. After all, close combat cavalry was useless. The bottom of the city wall was more than ten steps thick, and no matter how heavy the cavalry was, it would not be able to break through. The current rider passed by the bottom of the city wall about twenty steps away, turned sideways and shot an arrow upwards. There was no pause from pulling the bowstring to releasing the arrow, so there was no aiming.
The arrow had a white mass on it, and it flew up to the city wall. The soldiers knew it was something like a letter of persuasion to surrender, so they picked it up and brought it to Yang Ye, the highest-ranking officer in the army.
Yang Ye unfolded it in public and saw the seal of the Great Zhou Privy Council and a handwritten comment from Emperor Guo Shao himself: Emperor of the Great Zhou. He read the contents and saw that it was asking the Northern Han ruler to take Zhao Kuangyin and several other important people out of the city; after the city was captured, the Northern Han ruler would be guaranteed to be safe and live in wealth.
Yang Ye was stunned for a moment. He felt troubled about how to deal with this letter. Yang Ye's father ruled Linzhou and had served as a governor. Although it was a small place, he had seen a lot when he was a child; so he reacted all at once.
If I show this letter to my generals, it will damage the morale of the army, because the content says that if they dare to negotiate with Zhou after the city is captured, it will be like admitting in front of the soldiers that Jinyang will be captured. Why should we fight for our lives
But if he destroyed the letter, first of all, he would be suspected of being involved; secondly, if he revealed the contents, who could guess what the Northern Han emperor was thinking
After a brief consideration, Yang Ye immediately left the city wall and rode back to the palace. At the gate of the imperial city, he met Zhao Kuangyin and they looked at each other. Yang Ye didn't know what Zhao Kuangyin meant, and he was afraid that Zhao Kuangyin didn't know that he was selling him; but Yang Ye felt that he was not selling him, and the decision-making power was not in his hands.
Yang Ye walked quickly into the imperial city and saw the emperor sitting on the dragon throne, as if he had never left.
Liu Jun, the ruler of Northern Han, sat there with his palms sweaty in his sleeves.
Boom boom boom! The huge sound of cannons made the palace seem to be shaking. The wall of Jinyang City, the only reliable barrier, seemed like it could be destroyed at any time. In addition, there were urgent reports of losses coming back from the front from time to time. Even though Liu Jun, the Lord of Northern Han, did not care about the specific defense tactics, he felt that the situation was not good.
Boom boom! Every thunderous sound of the cannon seemed to hit Liu Jun's heart.
The voice of the official beside His Majesty brought him back to his senses. The eunuch whispered, "General Yang has received something. I'll hand it to you."
Liu Jun unfolded it and looked at Yang Ye below, then looked back at the ministers on the left and said: General Yang, do you think this thing is credible
It should still be credible, Yang Ye said cautiously, and we can send an envoy out of the city to meet with the other party for verification.
In fact, what Liu Jun wanted to ask was not whether it was credible. He hesitated for a while and showed the letter to the ministers present. An official immediately stepped out and said: Your Majesty, I have only one thing to say. Since ancient times, many people died of sudden illness.
Suddenly someone yelled and cursed.
Liu Jun didn't care about the official's frank words and pretended not to hear them.
Yang Ye thought for a moment, and realized that the emperor had only two possibilities for showing the Zhou emperor's private letter to the public: either he was ready to lead all his ministers to surrender, or he was ready to refuse the conditions for self-protection. The former was unlikely, and Yang Ye did not see that the emperor had any intention of surrendering, so he did not say much. After all, he was a military general, not a civil servant who specialized in giving advice.
But someone immediately saw what the emperor meant and bowed, saying: "Your Majesty, I think that since the ruler of Zhou took the initiative to negotiate terms, we should bargain and change the terms. How about a ceasefire in exchange for people?" Zhao Kuangyin was actually of no use. He talked a lot, but every word was irrelevant. The bombing of the city wall did not happen, and why didn't he mention the cannon outside
Yang Ye was even more silent when he heard this. He had no prejudice against Zhao Kuangyin, but as a fellow general, it would not be good for him to harm him behind his back. Yang Ye would not break the rules.
However, the minister's idea was immediately supported by several people. No one wanted to lose their country and have their life and death controlled by a stranger.
Someone immediately agreed: Zhao Kuangyin himself said that now we only need to defend Jinyang City and wait for the Liao army to come to help. Delay is the best strategy. Since the King of Zhou has a grudge against Zhao Kuangyin, he really wants to get him. At a time of national crisis, it is not wrong to let Zhao Kuangyin sacrifice himself for the country.
Yes, I'm afraid the Zhou ruler is not willing to agree to a one-month truce. They also know our plan. Zhao Kuangyin is not as important as Jinyang City. How about half a month
After hearing this, Liu Jun agreed with it and immediately got everyone's support. He ordered an envoy to take the letter out of the city for negotiations.
Guo Shaoxian saw the letter that evening and immediately showed it to several civil servants around him.
Unexpectedly, Wang Pu, who has always been impartial, said without hesitation: We can talk.
Guo Shao said: If we capture Jinyang City, Zhao Kuangyin will not be able to escape. A truce affects the overall situation. Why did Envoy Wang say this
Wang Pudao: Not fifteen days, three days
There is no point in trucing for three days. Guo Shao pondered. The Lord of Northern Han is willing.
Wang Pu said calmly: "People are not things. Since a person can be sold, he has no weight in the heart of the Northern Han Lord. Fifteen days can be sold, three days can also be sold. Tomorrow, the Great Zhou army will increase the intensity of the siege to put pressure on the Northern Han Lord. I think it is feasible."
Guo Shao looked back at Zuo You.
Zuo You said: If the Lord of Northern Han can really agree to kidnap the person within three days, it will have little impact on the war, and the Great Zhou army can also take this opportunity to rest and replenish supplies.
Guo Shao thought that Zhao Kuangyin hated him so much that he gnashed his teeth. This person was a person who could be the founding emperor and was not comparable to ordinary people. At that moment, he was a little impatient and wanted to get Zhao Kuangyin as soon as possible.