The Left Prime Minister's words left everyone in the hall speechless.
In fact, they all understood that the reason why the Xiongnu and the Han Dynasty gave up the standoff must be because they had realized their previous intentions.
However, seeing the Han Dynasty and the Xiongnu, two former mortal enemies, suddenly cooperate to deal with them, filled them with fear and dread.
You wanted to be the fisherman, but ended up being the fish on the chopping block. No one could accept that feeling.
Kucha looked at the crowd in the hall with a gloomy expression. "Do you all think we can stop the Xiongnu? What if the Han Dynasty sends troops again?"
Upon hearing the King of Kucha's question, everyone fell silent once again.
The Left Prime Minister stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, we certainly cannot hold out on our own. I believe we should immediately send people to seek help from Wusun, Dayuan, and other countries. If the countries unite, there may still be a chance of survival."
The King of Kucha quickly nodded: "The Left Prime Minister will personally handle this matter. He must explain the seriousness of the situation to the Wusun and other countries and make them send troops to our aid!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The Left Prime Minister agreed and continued, "Your Majesty, in order to defend the capital before reinforcements arrive, please immediately order all soldiers and residents to prepare defensive supplies and strengthen the city's defenses."
The King of Kucha also said with a troubled expression, "What the Left Prime Minister says is true, but our city walls have been abandoned for a long time, and it will not be easy to reinforce them in a short period of time!"
Kucha was a major power in the western part of the Western Regions, and it had always bullied smaller countries. It had never been invaded by anyone before, so naturally, it did not care much about maintaining the walls of its capital city.
The Right Chancellor stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, in my opinion, it would be better to negotiate with the Xiongnu. Even if it fails, it can buy us some time and give our army a chance to catch our breath!"
"I believe it is feasible!"
The speaker was the Left Prime Minister. Although he opposed seeking peace, he believed that using peace to buy time was the best option at the moment.
The King of Kucha nodded: "Very well, the Right Chancellor will be in charge of negotiating with the Xiongnu. Whatever conditions they propose, we should agree to them for now and delay them as long as possible!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The Right Chancellor respectfully agreed and then returned to his seat.
The King of Kucha immediately stood up and looked at everyone in the hall with a warning in his eyes.
"Now that a formidable enemy is at hand, we must unite as one to overcome this difficult time. All of you must also bring out your guards, soldiers, money, food, and supplies to defend the city together."
But those who are negligent or harbor disloyal intentions will not be spared by this king!
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Upon hearing the King of Kucha's warning, the nobles of Kucha trembled and hurriedly responded in unison.
Soon, everyone dispersed, and the King of Kucha dispatched the palace guards. While gathering the garrison, he also began to conscript able-bodied men and search for various supplies to defend the city.
A day later, Xie Zhiyu's army arrived at a place fifteen miles east of the capital of Kucha.
"Ha! The people of the Western Regions have really been living in peace for too long. The walls of a royal city are so dilapidated and low!"
Looking at the slightly dilapidated city wall in the distance, Xie Zhiyu couldn't help but chuckle, a relaxed expression on his face.
“Yes, Your Majesty, the walls of Kucha are much higher than those of Gaochang. I believe we can definitely break through the city in one fell swoop!” Chou Chan chimed in.
Xie Zhiyu: "Pass down the order, have 30,000 subordinate troops line up at the east gate, and have 30,000 brave warriors surround the remaining key roads."
They also pulled up all the catapults, siege engines, and battering rams provided by the Han army.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Chou Chan agreed and then rode away.
Soon, Xie Zhiyu's order spread throughout the entire army.
The garrison, composed of 30,000 able-bodied men from the Western Regions, marched slowly toward the capital of Kucha, their ranks orderly. Among them were 30 catapults, 15 siege engines, and one battering ram.
The 30,000 Xiongnu cavalrymen split into three groups and headed towards the remaining three gates of the city of Kucha.
As for the remaining Xiongnu herdsmen and women, they began to set up camp and prepare food.
While the Xiongnu were busy, the east gate of the capital city of Kucha suddenly opened a crack, and the envoy sent by the Right Chancellor of Kucha led a team of twenty people out of the city.
When the envoy from Kucha saw the large army marching in formation not far outside the city, his legs went weak and he almost fell to the ground.
Despite his great fear, the envoy from Kucha, remembering the death order given to him by the Right Chancellor, gritted his teeth and went forward.
Soon, the Kucha envoy was brought before Xie Zhiyu.
As soon as he entered the main tent, the Kucha envoy bowed deeply to Xie Zhiyu and said, "This humble one greets Your Majesty Xie Zhiyu!"
Xie Zhiyu leaned back in a chair covered with wolf skin, squinting as he asked, "What did the King of Kucha send you here for?"
"My king has specially dispatched me to sue for peace. Whatever your army desires, we will try our best to satisfy it. We humbly request Your Majesty to withdraw your troops...!"
"Oh? You mean you'll agree to any conditions?"
Xie Zhiyu's expression shifted, and he looked at the Kucha envoy with a smile on his face.
The Kucha envoy replied respectfully, "Yes, as long as you are willing to withdraw your troops, you may name your terms!"
"My condition is only one: everything in your Kingdom of Kucha—land, people, food, everything—I want it all..."
With that, Xie Zhi sat up straight, looked at the envoy from Kucha, and said in a harsh voice, "So, you either open the city gates and surrender, or you will be buried with your dilapidated city walls!"
"this……"
Faced with Xie Zhiyu's conditions, the Kucha envoy, who had prepared a long list of arguments, was speechless and didn't know what to say.
Seeing the stunned Kucha envoy, Xie Zhiyu snorted and ordered the guards on both sides, "Hmph~, drag them away and cut them down as a sacrifice to the flag!!"
"Your Majesty, spare my life! In war, envoys are not to be killed!"
Upon seeing the approaching guards, the Kucha envoy looked panicked and begged for mercy.
"What envoy? I've come to annihilate you all. What rules are there to speak of?"
Xie Zhi glanced at the other person with disdain, then waved his hand: "Drag him out!!"
Several burly guards quickly stepped forward, lifted the Kucha envoy, and led him outside.
"Wait a minute!"
Just as the Kucha envoy was about to be dragged out of the tent, Chou Chan suddenly called out to the guards.
"What? Do you have something to say?"
Seeing Chou Chan suddenly speak, Xie Zhiyu frowned and asked.
Chou Chan said, "Your Majesty, I believe that the Kingdom of Kucha has come with sincerity this time, so we can talk to them!"
"oh?"
Xie Zhi raised an eyebrow: "How do we talk about it?"
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