Upon hearing the words of the Gallic governor, the expressions of the Gallic nobles and officials also changed.
Unlike Pennis, Liu Bei's allied forces only pursued the fleeing troops along the way, without harming the common people and local nobles.
Therefore, when faced with Penis and Liu Bei, everyone undoubtedly sided with the latter.
A nobleman hesitated and said, "But Governor, the army led by Prince Liu is two hundred miles away from us, while Penis is only one hundred miles away. I'm afraid that Penis will arrive before we surrender to Prince Liu!"
Upon hearing this, everyone remained silent with worried expressions.
Good people are too far away, while bad people are right in front of you, which is truly painful.
Even if they abandon the city and flee, they will surely be caught up by the soldiers of the Royal Guard.
Just when everyone was at a loss, the Taoist priest sitting at the head of the table below the governor of Gaul stood up.
This man, named Li Ke, was the bishop of the Gaul diocese of the Taiping Church, and was in charge of all affairs of the Gaul diocese.
Today, the Taiping Church has been established in Rome for seven or eight years, and with the support of the Roman government and the Han Chinese, its followers are countless.
Therefore, the status of the bishop of a district was much higher than that of the nobles.
The governor of Gaul invited Li Ke here hoping to have him mediate between them.
Li Ke bowed respectfully to the Governor of Gaul and said, "I have a plan that may avert this predicament!"
"Oh?" The governor of Gaul raised an eyebrow and quickly asked, "What good plan does Bishop Li have? Please tell me quickly!"
"I suggest that the governor should request Pennis's surrender, then invite him into the city to accept the surrender. Once he enters the city, you can then..."
Finally, Li Ke stopped and made a throat-slitting gesture.
Upon seeing Li Ke's actions, the Governor of Gaul's eyes lit up, but quickly dimmed again.
The governor of Gaul sighed, then hesitated and said, "If Bishop Li's method works, it is indeed possible, but I'm afraid that Pennis won't fall for it."
After all, there are fewer than three thousand defenders left in Gaul. He could easily breach the city by force; there's absolutely no need for him to risk entering to accept the surrender!
Li Ke smiled slightly: "That's not difficult. The governor can order all able-bodied men in the city to be gathered together and equipped with weapons, so that they can put on a show of strict defense. My Taiping Sect can also send two thousand disciples to assist in the battle."
Penis's army has suffered heavy casualties, and seeing this formation, they will surely be wary.
When the time comes, I will go out of the city to negotiate with him and bring him into the city!
"Once Penis is dead, the Imperial Guard soldiers will lose their commander and surely scatter!"
Upon hearing Li Ke's plan, the governor of Gaul's eyes lit up, and the noble officials present also looked eager.
The governor of Gaul stood up and bowed to Li Ke, saying, "Then we entrust this to Bishop Li. If you can resolve the crisis in Gaul this time, we will certainly honor the Taiping Church as the supreme religion of Gaul in the future!"
Hearing this, Li Ke smiled and said, "That Penis is brutal and tyrannical, wantonly slaughtering civilians. My Taiping Sect will naturally not let him get away with it!"
Subsequently, the governor of Gaul immediately issued a recruitment order, calling on all able-bodied men in the city to defend it.
By this time, news of Pennis's atrocities had reached Gaul.
Amidst hatred and fear, the people of the city also actively responded to the call.
Those noble officials also generously contributed a large amount of money and grain to defend the city.
Soon, nearly 30,000 able-bodied men took up arms and joined the defense of the city.
The two thousand Taoist priests dispatched by Li Ke, also dressed in Taoist robes, climbed onto the city wall.
Two days later, Pennis's 20,000-strong guard also arrived outside Gaul.
Looking at the densely packed garrison on the city wall, Penis's face grew more solemn.
He never expected that even in this situation, these Gauls would still be prepared to resist to the very end.
Such tenacity is rather unlike the Gauls' character!
Of course, what Penis found most incomprehensible was that there were some Taoist priests dressed in Taoist robes mixed in with the city walls.
After all, his expedition was planned in advance with Zhang Bao, and the Taoist priests of the Gaul diocese should know this. Logically, they shouldn't be on the opposite side of him.
After a moment's thought, Penis, with reservations, had no choice but to order his army to set up camp.
Shortly after the army set up camp, Li Ke also left Gaul and arrived outside the Imperial Guard camp.
Soon, Li Ke was led into the main tent and met Pennis.
"Bishop Li, what exactly is going on? Why did you send people to help the enemy defend the city?"
Upon seeing Li Ke, Pennis questioned him with a look of dissatisfaction.
Li Ke smiled and said, "General Pennis, please don't be angry. I have my reasons for doing this!"
Pennis frowned: "What's the logic behind that?"
"Your actions along the way have terrified the people of the city, who fear that you will continue to slaughter them after the city falls. That's why they have taken up arms and are ready to fight to the death."
To prevent the war from becoming too intense and affecting the spread of my Taiping Sect, I had no choice but to send people to appease the Gauls!
Through my mediation, the governor of Gaul agreed that they would surrender if you cease your killings. To show our sincerity, I have sent some Taoist priests to help defend the city!
"Oh, I see!"
After hearing Li Ke's explanation, Pennis's expression softened considerably.
Pennis said solemnly, "Bishop Li, go and tell them that as long as they are willing to leave the city and surrender, I guarantee I will not touch them again!"
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