In Xunsang Mansion, Xie Wenzhou and the ministers were waiting for the arrival of the envoys from the Ding and Chen armies.
The two of them slowly entered the mansion and paid their respects to Xie Wenzhou, the person with the highest status here.
"Thank you for coming all the way here, envoys. What brings you here?" Xie Wenzhou asked.
This question was just a formality. Under the current circumstances, everyone knew what these two people were here for.
What other purpose can be stated besides the alliance?
"Your Excellency, on behalf of Lord Ding, I invite you to join the alliance and fight against the traitor Xiahou." Duanmu Xin spoke first.
"Yes, Lord Chen also had this idea, so he specially ordered me to come and invite Lord Xie." Lin Tongxi echoed.
Xie Wenzhou smiled, and indeed he came here for this matter.
Ever since Xiahou Jing went south, Xie Wenzhou has been torn between the two options of surrender and resistance.
The civil officials preferred surrender, while the military generals preferred resistance. Both sides held their own opinions, and the arguments gave him a headache.
According to Xie Wenzhou's own opinion, he is actually more inclined to resist.
After all, the territory of Linzhou was conquered by his father with great effort, and in order to defend this territory, he almost lost his life several times.
However, the overwhelming advice from the civil officials, coupled with the fact that Xiahou Jing's surrender conditions were indeed tempting, made Xie Wenzhou consider surrendering.
If their lobbying was not successful enough to shut up those civil officials, Xie Wenzhou might really surrender to Xiahou Jing.
"I currently have no intention of resisting Xiahou Jing, but since you two have come here specially, please discuss it with my subordinates." After Xie Wenzhou finished speaking, he handed the right to speak to his subordinates.
"Prime Minister Xiahou is at the peak of his power, leading a million-strong army southward." The first to take action was Zhong Zhixue, a member of the surrender faction.
"Recently, we have received support from the Xiangzhou navy, and our military is on the rise."
"Your Excellency is asking us to confront such a large army. Isn't this like hitting a rock with an egg?"
Facing Zhong Zhixue's questioning, Duanmu Xin appeared calm and composed, and replied calmly: "In war, military strength is one aspect, but it is not enough to determine victory or defeat."
"Throughout history, there have been many battles where a smaller force defeated a larger one. General Xie Botai, for example, has fought many battles where a smaller force defeated a larger one."
"I heard that General Xie Wenzhou inherited General Xie Botai's fierce tiger spirit. Could it be just empty talk?"
Zhong Zhixue wanted to refute, but couldn't find any point to refute.
Although Xie Wenzhou doesn't have the spirit of a tiger and his fighting skills are not very good, we can't really say that, right?
Fan Yu stood up and chose to attack in another direction.
"Although there have been examples in ancient times of a smaller force defeating a larger one, this was only possible when the enemy still had the strength to fight."
"For example, Chiwu, Shengwu, and even the previous emperor Chishun Tianzi, all had quite a few armies."
"On the other hand, your two lords... I really can't compliment them."
"One was chased all the way by Prime Minister Xiahou, and only Yunmeng was left."
"The other is unknown. Apart from capturing three counties, he has no reputation."
"With your strength, how dare you confront Prime Minister Xiahou?"
Duanmu Xin smiled, waved his fan, and retorted: "Lord Ding was born at the wrong time. If Yin Aoting had not turned against us and attacked Yingnan, he might still be the ruler of the Central Plains."
"As for the traitor Xiahou, he was just lucky to have the right timing."
"If Lu Ganyue hadn't died suddenly, how could this traitor have obtained such a large army?"
"Faced with such a large army, even if it only has the strength of a county, my lord is not afraid and is willing to fight to the death."
"As for Lord Chen, although his official position is not prominent, he is still willing to fight against the traitor Xiahou."
"On the other hand, Linzhou has a well-trained army and ample food supplies, and is also protected by the natural defenses of the Yangtze River. Yet, they are now attempting to surrender to the enemy. I'm afraid they will become a laughing stock for the world."
Seeing that the two representatives of the surrender faction were at a disadvantage, Bu Zhaozhang, the leader of the faction, stood up and said, "You two, Prime Minister Xiahou represents the Emperor Chihui. Are you trying to instigate our lord to oppose the court?"
"Haha, Lord Bu, how can you be sure that the traitor Xiahou represents the emperor's intention?" Duanmu Xin continued to persuade calmly.
"Looking at the structure of the imperial court, who among them is not a close confidant of the traitor Xiahou?"
"All the imperial court's intentions are derived from Xiahou Jing."
"Although Xiahou Jing is a loyal minister, he is actually a traitor."
"Although your words are meant for General Xie, they are actually pushing General Xie into the fire pit!"
"Xiahou Jing has taken control of government affairs just like Lu Ganyue, and will definitely usurp the throne in the future."
"Even if we are defeated, future generations will only regard my lord and Lord Chen as heroes who fought against the traitor Xiahou."
"As for General Xie, who surrendered to the traitor Xiahou, I'm afraid he will be considered just another bird of the same feather."
"Master Lin, what do you think?"
After Duanmu Xin finished speaking, he turned his gaze to Lin Tongxi.
"Lord Duanmu is right. Everyone knows what Xiahou Jing is thinking. Please give it careful consideration, General Xie." Lin Tongxi echoed.
Hearing this, Bu Zhaozhang remained unyielding, "According to your logic, how can you be sure that Prime Minister Xiahou is a traitor?"
"Prime Minister Xiahou is different from the traitors like Motu and Lu Ganyue. His policies are all authorized by the emperor."
"Your Excellency's words are merely speculations, without any actual evidence. They are simply an attempt to drag us into the chariot."
Hearing the word "evidence", Duanmu Xin's smile became more confident. This was the sentence he had been waiting for.
"Oh? Real evidence? We just happen to have it." Duanmu Xin finished speaking and then made a request to Xie Wenzhou: "I have a precious sword that I would like to present to General Xie. I wonder if General Xie would allow us to bring it into the palace?"
"...Sword? Interesting, then bring it up and let me see." Xie Wenzhou became interested. He wanted to see what the evidence was.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
