Wanyan Zongmou's face was gloomy as he stared at the Bianliang city wall, feeling a little shaken in his heart: "Is this really a Song Dynasty person? Why is he completely different from the ones I dealt with before?"
"Fleeing at the sight of a blow, vulnerable to attack, opening the city gates, and surrendering—this was the scenario Wanyan Zonghan imagined. Even if he encountered resistance, it would only be a show of strength that was weak inside."
The woman patrolling on the city wall is the Queen of Song, Zhu Lian, and the little girl about one meter tall following her is Princess Roujia, Zhao Xi. There is no fear or confusion on their faces. They have firm expressions and their eyes are shining with the light of sacrifice if they fail.
Prince Zhao Kai of Yun, the city defender Li Gang, the young general Li Zhongxiao, the big black man Niu Gao, and three men wearing Jin soldiers' armor, protected their children with extraordinary bravery.
Wanyan Zongmou was in a difficult position. Fight? He'd been unable to breach the city walls all night; If he didn't, he couldn't save face, as his third and fourth brothers had both died in battle.
Besides, Wanyan Chang wanted to negotiate peace but was severely scolded by him. Then he turned around and started talking about peace again. Isn't that like slapping himself in the face? It hurts.
The troops have called off their battles and the soldiers need a rest.
Cook a meal and count the casualties.
Fifteen thousand men were killed or wounded, and five thousand, led by Guo Yaoshi, were attacking Moutuogang. The outcome was now uncertain. Outside Bianliang, the Jin still had 40,000 troops, most of them cavalry, and their combat effectiveness remained high.
However, it was becoming increasingly difficult to attack the city. A lot of siege ladders, catapults, and artillery had been consumed, and it was difficult to replenish them at once. It was impossible to really start a furnace to smelt iron outside the city.
It has been a night and Pharmacist Guo who went to Moutuogang has not returned yet. This does not seem to be good news at all.
Wanyan Zongmou looked around and found no one to discuss a decision with. So he put aside his pride and walked into Wanyan Chang's tent, pretending to be calm and saying, "Last night, Bianliang City was almost taken."
Wanyan Chang understood. It was almost there, or even a hundred million. If he laughed now, Wanyan Zongwang, furious and humiliated, would probably kill him in a rage.
Wanyan Chang suppressed his inner smile and slowly said, "What do you think? Continue to attack Bianliang?"
Wanyan Zongmou's expression brightened. "Try again. If that doesn't work, negotiate peace. The young emperor of the Song Dynasty is probably doomed. I don't believe all of Zhao Ji's sons are so stubborn. Ask for high terms in the peace agreement. Use the support of the Jin Kingdom as a guarantee. I don't believe no one will be tempted."
You are probably dreaming and asking for too much. You don't understand the situation. There are a lot of crazy people in the Song Dynasty.
"Okay!" Wanyan Chang took out a letter from his sleeve and handed it to Wanyan Zonghan: "It has been prepared a long time ago, you can take a look first.
Wanyan Zongmou opened the letter, which clearly stated: "To negotiate peace, we need to offer rewards to our army: 500,000 taels of gold, 5 million taels of silver, 100,000 pieces of silk and silk, and tens of thousands of horses, camels, mules, and donkeys. We must honor the ruler of the Jin Kingdom as our uncle, and return all the people of Yanyun who have migrated to the Song Dynasty. We must cede the three towns of Taiyuan, Zhongshan, and Hejian, and take the princes and prime ministers as hostages, and then we will withdraw our army."
Wanyan Zonghan looked at Wanyan Chang in surprise: "So many?"
Why is it that what you know is so little, so much more than what I know in my head.
Regarding the annual tribute, there were precedents among the Song, Jin and Western Xia. After the signing of the Treaty of Chanyuan, the annual tribute paid to the Liao Kingdom was no more than 300,000 taels, and the amount paid to the Western Xia was even less.
"You ask the Song Dynasty for an annual tribute of more than 15 million taels of silver. Why do I feel like you are even crazier than me?" Wanyan Zongmou looked at Wanyan Chang in disbelief.
Wanyan Chang chuckled inwardly: "What do you know? If you capture Bianliang City and the other side sues for peace, I will prepare another price ten times as high."
"You, focused on war, are still only interested in the wealth of the Song Dynasty compared to the Liao Dynasty. In fact, the Song Dynasty was more than ten times richer than the Liao Dynasty. Let alone this price, even if it was ten times richer, the Song Dynasty could still come up with it, but it would definitely be a huge loss."
"Don't underestimate the Song Dynasty's 190-year accumulation."
"I was really rude to you last night. The situation was urgent at the time, but now I think what you said makes sense. You can move around freely and rest for another two hours. I will arrange the siege this afternoon."
Wanyan Chang gave Wanyan Zongwang a look, meaning: "Just show your respect, don't get yourself involved, it's not worth it. If you lose face once, you can lose it again. Just get used to it."
Wanyan Zongmou gave him a look that said, "So you're so rich! If we capture Bianliang City, the rewards will be ten times or even a hundred times greater than I imagined. Roll up your sleeves and get to work."
The two smiled at each other, what a big misunderstanding.
…………………………………………
On the east side of Bianliang City, a cavalry team of 5,000 people was resting in place. Their dusty faces were filled with happiness. The general's sister was in Bianliang City ahead, and they were going to rescue him.
They had been resting for five hours. They had arrived when the Jin army attacked the city last night. However, they had been traveling day and night, and were tired, hungry and sleepy. They really did not have much fighting power.
According to the results of the scouts' investigation, Bianliang City was temporarily safe, so he felt relieved and focused on recuperating and gathering his strength, turning his attention to Wanyan Zongmou.
You old boy, you are bullying my sister.
Your Jin soldiers may be powerful, but so what? Even a solid wall cannot stop a brother from protecting his sister. We will kill you soon.
"Get up, everyone get up! Our target is the Jin army camp right in front of Bianliang City."
"They worked all night yesterday and I heard they're having dinner right now. After dinner, they'll definitely take some time to rest. This is our chance. Let's charge towards the Jin army's camp in one swift move."
Zhu Xiaosun turned his head and looked at the two fierce generals behind him. "Guan Sheng with the broadsword, Hu Yanzhuo with the double whips, this time I'm relying on you two to charge the battle line. Please follow me and charge straight into the military tent to kill that bastard Wanyan Zongwang."
"I obey your command. I wish to repay the general for saving my life."
These two men are of great importance, they are among the 108 heroes of Liangshan Marsh.
This broadsword master, Guan Sheng, is a truly impressive figure, with a towering 8'5" (8.5'5") figure, a thin, three-willow mustache, eyebrows reaching into his temples, eyes looking upward, a face as red as a jujube, and lips painted red. With a Green Dragon Crescent Blade, he is a carbon copy of Guan Yu.
Another, Hu Yanzhuo, was even more famous. He was ranked eighth among the Liangshan Marsh warriors. He was a master of martial arts, a valiant killer, and possessed the courage of ten thousand men. He was known as "Double Whip" Hu Yanzhuo because he wielded two water-milled eight-sided steel whips, the female whip weighing 120 jin (120 catties) and the male whip 130 jin (130 catties).
Both of them are well-known figures. After Liangshan was disbanded, they were hunted down and later rescued by the Zhu family. They were kept in the family as servants. This time, for the sake of their sister, they brought all their family fortunes.
"Follow my command, attack with all your forces!"
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