Chapter 534 Peace Talks (Part 2)
"Lord Min."
"Since Dafeng will become a vassal state of Daning in the future, there is no need for defense there."
"After the treaty is concluded, I hope your country can withdraw all guards on the border between the two countries."
"Of course, if your country is worried about banditry, our country can also send troops to help you garrison the border towns, and we will never allow bandits to cause trouble."
“This is also our country’s responsibility.”
“.”
The hall was completely silent, with only Sima Cong's voice echoing in it.
He spoke for a long time in a very flowery way, but his meaning was very simple.
That is, Dafeng cannot set up defenses on the border between the two countries, and even the Daning army must be stationed in the border town of Dafeng to help the latter "protect the people from bandits."
In fact, everything is normal up to here.
But Sima Cong's next words made Min Zhongguang's face change immediately.
"Oh, there's one more thing."
"In order to prevent the two countries from fighting again in the future, I hope your emperor will issue an order prohibiting warriors of the third rank and above from serving in the army."
"In addition, in order to punish the ministers who have caused harm to the two countries and their people, I hope that your country can hand over all the generals of the third rank and above who have served in the military to our country for disposal."
"The Ministry of Justice of our dynasty will punish these criminals according to the law to comfort the souls of those who died in this battle."
“.”
From now on, there can no longer be any warriors above the third grade in the Dafeng Army.
And now all the top three-rank generals in the Dafeng Army must be handed over to Daning.
According to Sima Cong, these people committed "war crimes" and had to be handed over to Daning to be severely punished according to the law in order to comfort the soldiers and civilians of the two countries who died in the war.
But everyone knows its real purpose, which is to take this opportunity to further weaken Dafeng's strength.
As for those generals in the upper third rank, there are only two possible outcomes:
Or accept Daning's surrender.
Either die or... When Sima Cong finished speaking, the hall fell into a long silence.
This was the first time that Min Zhongguang did not immediately object to Daning's conditions.
Not that he found the condition entirely acceptable.
On the contrary, this condition is too unacceptable.
"Master Sima, at this point, I'm sure you know whether our country is sincere."
"But what about you?"
"You want our army to hand over all the top three generals to you?"
“Bang!”
Min Zhongguang slammed the table and stood up suddenly, his eyes full of anger.
“Why?!”
“.”
"Lord Min, I just said that these people are the culprits who caused harm to the two countries and provoked the war. Naturally, they must receive the punishment they deserve."
Looking at the furious Min Zhongguang, Sima Cong said calmly: "And my lord is worried that your country might protect such criminals, so I made this request."
"Of course, if your country can prove that you will never tolerate evil, then this matter can be discussed."
"A guilty minister, tolerating evil, hahaha!"
"Ha ha ha ha!"
After hearing Sima Cong's words, Min Zhongguang laughed out of anger, his body trembling with anger: "Why did the people of the two countries suffer this disaster? Sir Sima, don't you know?!"
"I know very well."
Sima Cong narrowed his eyes and refused to give in: "Wasn't it Dafeng that attacked our Yuanzhou first?"
"Why is Lord Min so forgetful?"
"you!"
His face turned red instantly and Min Zhongguang was furious, but he couldn't say anything in the end.
really.
The war between the two countries was indeed caused by Dafeng.
Although the subsequent destruction of Yuanzhou City was the turning point of the war, there is no doubt about who initiated the war.
While both sides have their own opinions on the real culprit of the "Wonju City Massacre", the right to define the "justice" of this war is undoubtedly in the hands of the winning side.
In other words, even if this war was started by Daning, the latter is still the "just" side at this time.
What's more, it was Dafeng that started the war.
"Master Sima."
"What should we do to prove that we will not tolerate evil?"
With his head lowered and his teeth clenched, Min Zhongguang almost squeezed out each word through his teeth.
It is impossible to hand over all the top three-rank generals. This not only affects the remaining combat power of Dafeng, but will also seriously shake the morale of the army.
After all, no one is willing to risk their life for a country that would betray them.
Then, Min Zhongguang could only settle for the second best.
He stared at Sima Cong, waiting for him to make new offers.
However, Sima Cong did not answer immediately, but turned his head to look at Ning Yongnian.
When the latter's eyes stopped on Meng Shi, the answer became obvious.
"Lord Min, this matter is simple."
"General Meng is your country's chief general and the biggest villain in this war. He should be brought to justice immediately."
"Well, that's it."
"If Lord Min is willing to execute General Meng right here, then we believe that your country will not condone other criminals."
"how?"
“.”
By executing Meng Shi on the spot, the other upper three-rank generals could be saved.
The situation now is very clear. Ning Yongnian probably had no intention of keeping those generals at all, but wanted Meng Shi to die from the very beginning.
Of course, Meng Shi is only at the sixth level now, so he can kill him anytime he wants.
But for such a meritorious and loyal general, dying at the hands of the enemy and dying at the hands of his own people are two completely different things.
Ning Yongnian wanted to force Dafeng to kill Meng Shi itself, which would cause Dafeng to fall apart internally and make the people of Dafeng completely disappointed in the imperial court.
The principle is not complicated and can be called an open conspiracy.
However, Dafeng, which was at an extreme disadvantage in the negotiation, seemed unable to refuse . For a moment, everyone's attention was focused on Meng Shi, who bowed his head and said nothing, and even temporarily ignored Li Wutong, whose expression suddenly became shocked, and Li Qi, who seemed to tremble slightly.
At this moment, Li Qi couldn't pretend anymore.
He knew that Ning Yongnian must be watching him now. If he made any mistake, he would most likely be discovered by him, thus making all his previous efforts in vain, and he would never have the chance to kill Ning Yongnian again.
However, he was unwilling to watch Meng Shi die like this. He rubbed the corner of his clothes with more force, but the silly smile on his face remained the same.
Li Qi didn't even turn around to look at Meng Shi. He just forcibly suppressed the grief and resentment in his heart, and used all his strength to maintain this dull look.
He hoped very much that Li Wutong could stand up at this time and save Meng Shi.
But the latter said nothing in the end.
Including Min Zhongguang, and more than ten civil and military officials from Dafeng. "."
"I never thought that I, Meng, would die in battle after a lifetime of fighting."
Behind him, Meng Shi suddenly let out a sigh amid the different looks from everyone.
He stood up slowly, first staring at Ning Yongnian for a few breaths, as if he wanted to remember the latter's appearance firmly, then retracted his gaze to look at Li Qi's back.
Meng Shi knew that he couldn't say anything to Li Qi, so he just shook his head slightly.
As for the others, he didn't even look at them.
"Bang!"
Without any hesitation, he slapped his palm towards his chest.
Amidst the blood splattering everywhere, Meng Shi’s life was completely destroyed.
But he still maintained his standing posture, like a sculpture made of flesh and blood.
Outside, the snow was getting heavier.
ps: I see everyone is scolding Li Wutong recently, so I just want to say something.
Li Wutong was not designed to be a completely "positive character" from the very beginning. In her heart, she put "Dafeng" first.
As for her stupidity. Well, I feel like I've hinted at it many times before.
Anyway, it's normal for everyone to hate this character, because that's how it was designed. But I'm not trying to disgust the readers! You'll know when you read on.
Let me make one thing clear again: Li Wutong is not one of the concubines in the harem, and neither is Xu Suisui.
(End of this chapter)
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