Chapter 2723 Request
Prince Gao Er did not think of surrendering, he was thinking of asking for peace.
While writing a letter to the royal court, he issued a death order, "We must defend Anshi City and not let the Jin army advance any further."
As long as they hold on long enough, peace talks will be possible and they will be more confident.
"Prince, we now have less than 70,000 men, and I'm afraid we won't have enough food and fodder for half a month."
Prince Gao's expression changed.
He had 100,000 soldiers and horses distributed throughout the city, and naturally, their food and fodder were also placed everywhere.
Because the Jin army advanced too quickly, they did not have time to take away all the food and grass when they retreated. Most importantly, many soldiers who could not resist surrendered yesterday and today, so naturally the food and grass in the occupied areas were also taken away by the Jin army.
Prince Gao calculated and felt that ten days was not enough, so he said, "Gather the wealthy families and merchants in the city and ask them to donate grain."
He said, "If the Jin army captures Anshi City, they won't have an easy time either. You know, many wealthy families in Liaodong City and Baiyan City have been relocated to the interior of the Jin Dynasty. They are so far away from their homeland that they may never return."
When the generals heard this, they looked at each other and thought it feasible, so they bowed and left.
Sure enough, a batch of food and fodder was received.
Somehow, the news reached the Jin army. The emperor frowned slightly and asked the bloody Duke of Zhao, "When can we take Anshi City?"
Duke Zhao thought for a moment and said, "If Your Majesty wishes, it can be done in one day."
"Oh?" the emperor asked curiously, "How do we attack?"
"Just use fire attack."
When the other generals heard this, they all thought it was a good idea.
Bai Shan twitched his lips, and the other court officials also hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, this is against the harmony of heaven."
Then he scolded Duke Zhao, "What kind of rotten idea is this?"
Duke Zhao said calmly, "Your Majesty, the weather is getting colder, and it will snow soon. Even though we have enough food and fodder now, we can't stay here for too long. If we want a quick victory, this is the best way."
"As for the civilians in the city, we can have them move out through the north gate. This will force out the Goguryeo soldiers hiding there, and we can continue our march east and south in one day."
The emperor pondered, obviously thinking that they really couldn't stay here for long, and time was their biggest problem.
Bai Shan said, "Your Majesty, we are attacking Anshi City to bring it under the rule of the Central Plains. The people in the city will all be citizens of the Great Jin, and should not regard the Great Jin as an enemy. Your Majesty is their parent, not their enemy."
He said, "The extra days, even months, it takes now will be worth years, decades, or even lifetimes in the future. Please be patient, Your Majesty."
The other court officials hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, please be patient."
The emperor nodded and said, "Okay, then attack slowly."
Duke Zhao said, "There is another way. We can send people to persuade them to surrender."
He said, "We've already taken half of Anshi City, and quite a few of them have surrendered. I imagine they're anxious and worried. If we go to persuade them now, even if that doesn't work, we can try to sow discord among them."
Bai Shan's heart moved, and he immediately said: "Your Majesty, why not send someone to the inner city?"
General Ashina also remembered, "Yes, Minister Feng has been delayed in arriving at Anshi City. He must have gone to Guonei City. If we also send envoys to Anshi City, we might be able to cut off their aid to Anshi City and also dampen the morale of Guonei City."
So everyone started discussing the success rate of doing this.
The emperor then asked, "Who would like to go to the inner city, and who would like to go to the city opposite Anshi?"
After a moment of silence, Zhang Hui, the Minister of Rites who was accompanying the army, stepped forward and said, "I wish to go to the inner city to persuade the Gao family to surrender."
Given the current strength of the Jin Dynasty, the Gao royal court would certainly not dare to kill the envoy, not to mention that there is a recognized diplomatic etiquette: when two countries are at war, envoys should not be killed.
Bai Shan thought for a moment and then stepped out and said, "I wish to go to the other side and persuade the second prince of the Gao family to surrender."
The emperor was not worried about Zhang Hui because he knew that the Gao royal court would most likely not dare to make things difficult for him and would at most drive him out.
But he was worried about Bai Shan, and frowned slightly, saying, "The atmosphere on both sides is tense right now. Gao might be feeling resentful. If he disregards etiquette and hurts you..."
Bai Shan said, "Your Majesty, other colleagues would have suffered the same fate if they had gone, but I am young, so I still have a chance to escape."
The emperor thought about it and realized that it would be inappropriate to push any of his beloved ministers to do this. Since Bai Shan volunteered, he could only nod and say, "Okay, go ahead."
Bai Shan immediately said, "Your Majesty, I have two requests."
"you say."
"First, I ask for the appropriate authority. When I get there, please allow me to act at my own discretion."
The emperor nodded and said, "You are an envoy and have the authority to do so. Mr. Zhang also has the authority to do so."
Of course Zhang Hui had it. If he went to the inner city, the emperor was far away and could not control him at all. But if he went to the opposite side, he was only a few streets away from the emperor, okay?
Bai Shan continued, "The second thing is to ask for the gold, silver and jewelry that Your Majesty has collected during this period."
The emperor was stunned for a moment, then smiled slightly and waved his hand, saying, "I agree. Just take it and use it."
Bai Shan bowed and responded.
Xue Gui, who had been standing at the end, suddenly stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I am willing to protect Lord Bai."
The emperor remembered him, especially his bravery as he charged into the enemy ranks in a white robe, carving a path through the enemy lines. He laughed heartily and said, "Well, with such a loyal minister, why should I worry about Liaodong's disobedience? I grant you my approval."
So Bai Shan and Zhang Hui retreated together and went to divide the emperor's gold, silver and jewelry.
Zhang Hui picked out all the beautiful gems and said to Bai Shan, "The cities in the country are full of royal families and powerful officials. They have higher standards, so I took these things."
Bai Shan did not hesitate to take all the precious herbs from the boxes and said to him, "There is a war going on in Anshi City right now. Life-saving herbs are rare. They are needed by wealthy families and generals alike. I will not be polite to Master Zhang."
Chapter emblem: ...
So the two of us took silk and satin, and I took silk and satin; you wanted jade and I took pearls.
In a short while, all the tributes received by the emperor during this period were distributed. The remaining antique calligraphy and paintings that were difficult to take were left to the emperor.
Xue Gui, who was watching from behind, said: ...
And Gu Zhong who led them here: ...
Gu Zhong couldn't help but say: "The two adults can leave after the division. I still have to go back to serve His Majesty."
Bai Shan had the items he had selected compiled into a list and moved out. He also said to Gu Zhong with a smile, "Don't worry, Master Gu. These items are just for a short stroll. Once Anshi City is taken, they will return to Your Majesty."
However, Zhang Hui did not dare to make such a guarantee. Who knew whether the domestic city could be taken down?
After the two of them left the tent, Bai Shan decided to go back and say goodbye to Manbao, and ask her if she had any life-saving items.
Daji didn't quite understand, "Master, you've always cherished your life, why did you take the initiative to accept such an errand this time?"
Bai Shan smiled and said, "Cherishing one's life doesn't mean being timid. The generals are full of hostility. They are not suitable to be lobbyists. Among the lobbyists who can be envoys, besides Lord Zhang and Lord Fang, I am the only one. I also want to win one or two and make some achievements."
He said, "Even General Xue knew how to wear a white robe and risk his life to win the attention of Your Majesty. I have a better chance than him, so why should I be a mediocre person?"
See you at 9pm
(End of this chapter)
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