Chapter 2737 Changes
Zhou Man’s tent was not far from Duke Zhao’s, just a few steps away.
However, Duke Zhao had already lain down by this time, and was about to drift off to sleep. When he was woken up, he thought there was an enemy attack. When he came out, he saw only Zhou Man, and he couldn't help but stare, "What's the matter with visiting so late at night, Lord Zhou?"
Manbao covered his heart and said, "Duke Zhao, my heart hurts."
Duke Zhao: "...Shouldn't we consult Dr. Lu about this?"
If all else fails, you can find her student. He is not a doctor, so why should you find him?
Manbao looked at him with disdain and said, "This isn't a disease. Haven't you heard that when something happens to someone close to them, the other person will have a vague premonition?"
Duke Zhao: "Is there something wrong with your family? You are going to the battlefield now. You can't leave even if something happens. Deserting from the battlefield is a serious crime."
Manbao: "...I'm talking about Bai Shan."
Duke Zhao frowned. "Lord Zhou has many close friends. How can you be sure that it was Lord Bai who got into trouble?"
Manbao: "I just know it. It's intuition."
Duke Zhao then walked out of the tent. To avoid suspicion, he did not let her in. Instead, he stood outside the tent and talked with her. "He is now trapped in the enemy camp. I can't help you save him."
Duke Zhao said, "Goguryeo is in such a weak position. Lord Bai is an envoy from the Great Jin. They should not dare to kill him."
At most you'll suffer a little, get hurt a little.
Man Bao said, "He can be rescued. Besides, it's been four days and there has been no progress. Why doesn't the Duke of Zhao send troops to attack him and give him a helping hand?"
Duke Zhao looked at her in surprise, "Aren't you afraid that he'll get angry and kill Bai Shan?"
Don’t say that it is impossible for the other party to kill the envoy. That is a reasonable development based on the reality when people are still rational. But what if people are no longer rational?
So he had been slowly going about it for the past four days, sending no more than a thousand troops each day, for fear that if he hit too hard the other side would lose their minds.
After thinking about it, Manbao decided to trust Bai Shan. Since Bai Shan said that they could attack by force, then it must be possible.
So he said, "It's okay, go ahead and fight, Bai Shan should be fine."
Duke Zhao stared at her for a moment, then said, "This isn't something that can be decided immediately. Lord Zhou, please go back and wait for news."
"It's best to attack before dawn. They're least prepared and most sleepy at this time. If we're lucky, we might even be able to capture the entire Anshi City in one fell swoop."
Duke Zhao just curled his lips. There are many soldiers and horses on the opposite side, and there are many alleys. How can they be captured in one fell swoop?
However, Duke Zhao thought about it and sent scouts to inquire about the news, and at the same time went to find Ashina and several generals.
"Did the delegation send back any news?"
"No," General Ashina said, "We asked our soldiers to inquire with the soldiers on the other side. We spent a lot of money to get some information. They said that Lord Bai was placed under house arrest as soon as he arrived."
Qibi Heli said: "Can the delegation succeed? If not, then we should attack immediately. I think the weather is getting colder and colder. It might snow any day. Then the situation will be even more unfavorable for us."
Governor Niu said, "The envoys are still there. It would be dangerous to attack them now."
Duke Zhao asked, "What if you disregard the safety of the delegation?"
The generals exchanged glances, and General Ashina said calmly, "Your Majesty will not agree to this."
Duke Zhao waved his hand and said, "This is also what Lord Zhou meant."
Generals: ...I can’t believe that Lord Zhou is the kind of person who would sacrifice his family for justice.
Everyone felt complicated for a moment.
Duke Zhao glanced at them and said, "Lord Zhou said that Bai Shan is in trouble now, so let us attack him to help him."
Ashina frowned. "If Lord Bai is in a bad situation over there, wouldn't a large-scale attack at this time anger him and be even more disadvantageous to him?"
Governor Niu, however, perked up and said to them, "If it were any of the other Gao family princes, they might become enraged and kill Lord Bai without regard for the consequences, but that's unlikely to happen with Second Prince Gao."
"How do you say that?"
"This Second Prince is a renowned virtuous man in Goguryeo, both talented and handsome, which is why he can compete with the First Prince for the throne," said Governor Niu. "These are all strengths, but he also has a weakness: he's indecisive and easily influenced by others. If Lord Bai has persuaded him but he's still hesitant, a forceful attack now will make him feel hopeless and he'll likely surrender."
Since there is no hope of defending the city, and even the entire Goguryeo is hopeless, he naturally has to plan for the future, and the troops and cities in his hands are political resources.
Duke Zhao's eyes lit up and he exchanged a glance with Ashina and the others.
Qibi Heli immediately stood up, took down the map and placed it on the table. "Let's give it a try. Even Lord Zhou has suggested it."
If there was really a misjudgment, it was just bad luck for Bai Shan, and the family members couldn't blame them.
Duke Zhao looked at the street map of Anshi City and said after a while, "We can only win this battle and not lose."
If they lose, Prince Gao Er will regain his confidence. At that time, it will not only be a disaster for Bai Shan, but also very disadvantageous to their Dajin.
Several people have been staring at this map for the past few days, and have figured it out long ago, and quickly formulated a new battle plan.
General Ashina stood up and said, "I'll ask the kitchen to prepare it."
Qibi Heli said: "I will go to recruit the troops."
Governor Niu also stood up and said, "I'll go check the armaments."
Duke Zhao: "...It's only a matter of time before His Majesty agrees."
All the generals saluted and said, "Thank you, General Manager."
Duke Zhao rolled up the map, snorted, and left the tent to find the emperor.
The others hurriedly prepared to go, as they felt the emperor would definitely agree.
The emperor was not asleep yet. He was reading memorials and letters sent from the capital.
Of course, the vast majority of memorials were handled by the crown prince. Those that were delivered to him were all very important but not urgent. In addition, the crown prince would write letters to the emperor every now and then to report on the situation in the capital and across the country.
So the emperor often had to work until late at night.
Hearing that the Duke of Zhao was asking for an audience, he let him in. The emperor continued to read the letter in his hand without even looking up: "No need to ask. The envoy has not returned with any news. Do not attack by force."
Duke Zhao: "...Your Majesty, this time it was Lord Zhou who requested it personally."
Upon hearing this, the emperor put down the letter in his hand and asked, "Zhou Man asked for this? Doesn't she know that if she angers the other party, they will just kill her?"
When people lose their minds, they can do anything. Even if they regret it later, the thing has already happened and the dead are dead.
The Duke of Zhao then told the Emperor what Governor Niu had said and the results of their discussion, saying, "Your Majesty, Governor Niu knows the Gao family better than anyone else, and Lord Zhou cares more about Lord Bai than we do. Since they both agree to a strong attack, why not give it a try?"
The emperor frowned and pondered for a while before saying, "Liaodong is important, but Baishan is more important than Liaodong."
He said, "Among the envoys is a brave general named Xue Gui. With such good ministers and generals, I have no reason to worry about injustice in the world and the expansion of my territory."
He shook his head and said, "I cannot exchange their lives for Liaodong."
Duke Zhao said, "Your Majesty, if this is Bai Shan's plan, it means he is very confident. If he hesitates, he will miss the opportunity."
The emperor said, "Then we must first get news about Bai Shan, otherwise we must not take any risks."
See you at 6pm
(End of this chapter)
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