Everyone held their breath.
The strength and prosperity of the Great Liang were far beyond what they imagined. Just how powerful was it?
“War is a barbaric act, and we are not guaranteed to win against Daliang. If we lose, we may be forced to migrate to an even more desolate desert,” Yelü Qi continued. “Rather than making enemies with Daliang, we might as well surrender to them.”
"Surrender?" The pro-war faction cried out as if they had been greatly insulted. "Your Highness is mistaken. We have no need to surrender to anyone. Your Highness, please do not say such things, as they damage our country's prestige."
Yelü Qi was not angry, but said, "If surrendering can bring even greater benefits, what then?"
"What are the benefits?" the peace advocate asked immediately.
"Our Xiongnu horses are the strongest, and we also have our mines, while the cloth and grain of the Liang are scarce to us. If we could trade with each other, it would be a blessing for both countries," Yelü Qi said calmly.
The pro-war faction was taken aback. "The prince still wants to trade with Daliang? But the two countries have been at odds for a long time. Daliang hates us to the bone and regards us as enemies. How could they be willing to trade with us?"
“They will naturally be willing,” Yelü Qi said confidently.
While the pro-war faction was still confused, the pro-peace faction had already figured it out. "In the end, nobody wants to fight. If we can surrender to Daliang first, they will definitely agree. In this way, trade between the two countries will be more beneficial to each other's development. Their people can come to our Xiongnu, and our people can go to their Daliang." As they spoke, the pro-peace faction's eyes lit up.
The pro-war faction wanted to say something against it, but seeing the prince's resolute attitude and remembering his methods of dealing with the regent, they could only swallow their dissatisfaction.
This young prince was not as easy to control as the elderly Hun king.
Suzhou.
With Xiao Zhen gone, General Cui temporarily took over all military affairs in Suzhou.
To prevent an invasion by the Xiongnu, the defenses of Suzhou have been reinforced recently.
That day, the soldiers were patrolling the city wall when they suddenly saw the direction of the Xiongnu, with dust rising and the sound of galloping hooves.
The soldiers were taken aback, thinking that the Xiongnu had finally lost their patience and launched an attack.
"Quickly, go and report to General Cui that the Xiongnu are attacking!" a soldier shouted urgently. Immediately, someone went to report to General Cui, while the remaining soldiers stood ready for battle.
Before long, General Cui climbed the city wall.
He was clad in armor, his face solemn. He cursed the Xiongnu in his heart, thinking that war between the two countries was finally coming. This time, he was sent by the emperor to Suzhou to temporarily take charge of military affairs. If he were to die on the battlefield, he would have done right by the emperor and the country.
In that instant, he was overwhelmed with emotion and prepared to die in battle, unaware of the stunned expressions on the faces of his soldiers.
He peered down and saw only a few hundred warhorses; he couldn't see a single Hun soldier he had imagined.
That's strange. Could the Xiongnu have only sent warhorses to attack Daliang?
Just as he was completely bewildered, the soldier suddenly pointed to the base of the wall.
General Cui leaned against the wall and looked down.
This time, we finally saw the Xiongnu people.
But why are there only two?
The Xiongnu were so arrogant, thinking they could breach the city walls with just two people and a few hundred warhorses.
General Cui was so angry he laughed.
"General, what should we do now?" The soldiers looked at the horses below the city wall and felt helpless.
If they were Xiongnu, they could shoot arrows at them without hesitation, but these were livestock. Shooting arrows at livestock seems a bit foolish.
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