Under Mu Si's command, the Turks attacked Mingwei Garrison for an entire night. Their battle cries echoed throughout the night and could be heard clearly even from deep within the city.
At daybreak, the Turks retreated and both sides rested for a short while. Smoke rose once more and many people were no longer able to enjoy their breakfast for the day.
Some parts of the city wall were damaged, and a few of the crenellations on the wall were almost flattened by stones. The soldiers were pouring water over them again and again, and a layer of water and grass was spread over them. Soon, a thick ice wall was built. Unless it was hit by a large stone weighing hundreds of kilograms, it would be impossible to destroy it.
Mu Si's men carried the injured soldiers and retreated like a receding tide, preparing to take over his tribe and enjoy their breakfast. At this moment, the Turkic soldiers on guard suddenly saw several people being lowered from a rattan basket tied to the top of the Mingwei Garrison's walls.
The Turkic soldiers immediately reported this news and soon, a Helan military officer came out to welcome them. At the same time, a similar scene was playing out in Wuan Garrison.
There were seven people coming down from the city walls. There were flag bearers, trumpeters, messengers, interpreters, and guards. When they came down from the city walls, they waved a white flag.
In the laws of war, a white flag was not a sign of surrender but a temporary ceasefire. The flag bearer waved the white flag and walked in front, followed by a few people. On the opposite side, the Helan led a dozen armed warriors to welcome them.
The man, who was obviously the emissary, was wearing a round-collared robe and a scarf on his head. He had a moustache and was smiling like a merchant. As soon as he saw He Lan walking over, he immediately stopped and cupped his hands in salute. A thin interpreter with a mustache said: "Our Great Zhou's Zhonglang General has sent an emissary here to discuss important matters with Mu En's Great Ye Protector and Mu Si's Great Ye Protector. Please introduce them!"
The Helan official was dressed in leather armor and had a large saber hanging from his waist. His face was dark red and his eyes were sharp, exuding a valiant aura. He coldly looked at the sleek merchant emissary, then looked at the frail translator, curled his lips in disdain, and said, "Follow me!"
Helan led them into the main camp. Just as they were about to reach the central camp, the squires lined up on both sides of the central camp suddenly drew their sabers at the same time. 'Qiang, qiang, qiang!' a series of ear-piercing noises were heard as the long sabers formed a saber formation. The round, merchant dressed emissary waved at them with a smile and calmly walked into the saber array.
The Helan official turned around and saw his calm demeanor. He was secretly impressed. Looking at his slick demeanor, he didn't expect him to have some guts.
Mu Si was also in the big tent. He had just returned from commanding the siege for a whole night. He wanted to give Mu En some instructions before going to rest, but he heard that the Tang had sent an envoy, so he stayed behind.
"Tang emissaries, sign up!"
Helan entered the tent to report and came out after a while. He stood at the side of the tent and shouted loudly. His eyes were filled with disdain and arrogance.
The Tang emissary dusted his robe and said loudly, "I'm Jing Yan. I've been sent by General Mingwei to seek an audience with Mu En's Protector Ye and Special Attendant Mu Si!"
As he spoke, he strode into the tent. The only person accompanying him was the skinny translator. The rest of the people were left outside the tent. Apart from the flags and bugle horns, all the weapons they carried were taken away.
As it was morning, the leaders of the tribes had just woken up and had not reported to Mu En. At this moment, there were only Mu En, Mu Si, his son-in-law, and some guards in the tent.
Mu Si was tall and slender. He was wearing a wolf skin robe with a high collar and long sleeves, which made him look even more ferocious. Although Mu En was an old man in his fifties, he stood as straight as a spear. He wore riding boots and tightened his belt, which made him look burly and valiant. He didn't look old at all.
"What does Ye Yunbao want to say to me by sending you here?"
Mu En spoke in Turkic language. The frail translator repeated it to Jing Yan in Chinese. Jing Yan smiled and bowed to him, saying, "This must be Mu En's Protector Ye. Hahaha, I'm a merchant from Longyou, not a government official. This time, the Turks have invaded our territory and the two countries are locked in a fierce battle. We merchants of the Western Regions are very uneasy, so we persuaded General Ye Zhonglang to send someone to request an audience with Great Ye Protector-General. Our two sides can discuss this matter and decide that it is best not to fight this battle if possible. "
Mu En listened to the frail translator's translation and frowned, "You're not government officials? Then what do you want to talk about? "
Jing Yan said with a smile, "Everyone here is a hero of the grassland. You live in yurts, drink horse milk, live by water and grass, shoot eagles under the blue sky and white clouds, herd sheep and sing. Longyou is not a good place for you to live. Why must both sides fight each other and kill so many people? I was elected by the merchants of the Western Region to represent them to negotiate peace with Great Ye Yunbao. As long as you agree to withdraw your troops, we are willing to offer some money and women to make up for your losses. Isn't it good for everyone to live in harmony? "
Mu En was furious when he heard the translator's reply, "Presumptuous! Are you guys toying with this old man? I've mobilized a hundred thousand troops to conquer the city and conquer the land. He's just a Ming Wei Garrison General, how dare he send a small merchant like you to try to bribe us with some money and ask us to withdraw. What a joke! "
Jing Yan quickly said, "Great Ye Yunbao, please don't be angry. You've misunderstood. That General Ye Yunbao is just a Ming Wei Garrison General. How would he dare to negotiate peace with you on behalf of the imperial court? According to General Ye Yunbao, he wants to live and die with the city! "
Mu En sneered, "Is this considered a threat? Alright! Since he has such intentions, let's have a contest! "
Jing Yan hurriedly said, "Great Ye Protector, the garrison of Mingwei is indeed not a lot, but now another twenty thousand troops and horses have been transferred from Liangzhou. Relying on the danger to defend, it will not be easy for you to attack, right? Moreover, not only is the Liangzhou Garrison General recruiting troops, the imperial court has already sent reinforcements and they're on the way.
What was the point of two armies fighting to the death? Isn't it for benefits? Hehe, I might have been too direct with my words, but I'm a merchant. Merchants only care about profits, and they only care about profits. Although this is a war between two countries, it's still a struggle for profits. You're no different from us merchants. "
Jing Yan talked incessantly while the interpreter translated every sentence. Hearing this, Mu Si couldn't help but feel a little moved.
To be honest, the pasture in Hexi Longyou was not as plentiful as the Turkic grasslands. They attacked Hexi Longyou for wealth but their long-term goal was to use it as a stepping stone to covet the colorful world of the Central Plains. Now that Gu Gulu was gravely ill, it was impossible for them to take the Central Plains at this time. With the current strength of the Tang Empire, they could not do this. Therefore, the purpose of this expedition was to win and plunder.
They had attacked Longyou in the past but did not manage to gain a foothold. In fact, the main purpose of these grassland tribes was to seek wealth most of the time. Unless the Central Plains weakened and there was a possibility of occupying it, they would not have the determination to start a war with the purpose of occupying it.
Thinking of this, Mu Si coughed and gave Mu En a look. Mu En saw his expression and softened his tone. He asked Jing Yan, "How much … compensation are you willing to pay to make up for the losses of this Great Ye Protector General?"
Jing Yan was overjoyed and quickly said a number. It was about the amount of gold, silver, iron, silk, porcelain, cattle, sheep, and cloth. If this number was used on a family or even a tribe, it would be extremely shocking. But for the Turkic army of a hundred thousand, there was not much left for everyone.
Mu En was enraged and shouted, "Preposterous! Are you trying to appease this Great Ye Protector General? There is no sincerity at all! You want this Great Ye Protector General to retreat with such a small amount of wealth? "
Jing Yan's face was full of bitterness. He said, "Great Ye Protector, this much wealth was pooled together by the merchants of the Western Regions. If Great Ye Protector General agrees, it will be a fruitful return. If you don't agree, you may not be able to take down the Ming Wei Garrison. If you can't take it down, won't you get nothing?
Hehe, I heard that Khan Gulu is seriously ill. At this time, your country will not have the heart to prolong the war? If we continue to fight, there is no benefit for both sides. Instead of fighting to the point where both sides are injured, why not take a step back? Quit while you're ahead, and stop here! Is Special Agent Mu Si here? Why not discuss this with Special Agent Mu Si? "
"I … am Mu Si!"
Musi took a step forward, and his ghostly, hoarse voice startled Jing Yan and the translator. Seeing this, Musi felt a sense of bitterness and irritation in his heart, but he had to endure the voice that even he himself could not endure. He continued to express his opinion, "If you want us to retreat, that's fine! But you have to show enough sincerity! If you pay four times the amount you mentioned just now, we will retreat immediately. Otherwise, when the city is breached and the army enters, you will have nothing! "
When Jing Yan heard this, he immediately poured out his grievances. Mu Si sneered and interrupted him: "Forget it! You merchants are the most cunning. Do you want to lose money to avoid disaster or lose both? Think about it yourself! "
After a round of discussion, there was no result. Jing Yan could only smile bitterly, "To tell you the truth, we originally estimated that we would need twice as much as this. Now … such a large amount, I really can't make the decision alone. I hope Great Ye Protector General and Special Agent can give me a few days to discuss with everyone! "
Mu En sneered, "Sure! You can go back and discuss, but we will continue to attack the city. If you don't come to a conclusion before we enter the city, then you don't need to discuss anymore! "
Mu En and Mu Si laughed at the same time. One's voice was loud and the other low and hoarse. When mixed together, it was like using a handful of sand to grind a cymbal. It was as unpleasant as it could be.
Jing Yan led his people and left dejectedly.
The Ming Wei garrison saw their messengers coming and quickly put down the hanging baskets. There were only two hanging baskets, so they had to go up separately. Jing Yan stepped into the hanging basket and turned his head to the translator who had entered the other hanging basket. "Mu Si is indeed able to speak. Can you hear his voice clearly?"
The translator grinned at him. He was obviously a skinny man with a dark face, but he had the mischievous charm of a girl. "Yes, the clothes, the voice, the tone, everything is clear!"
His voice was exactly the same as Mu Si's. The rope on top of the city wall swayed, and a snowflake fell down and hit Jing Yan's neck. Hearing this ghost-like weeping sound, Jing Yan couldn't help but shiver.
…
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
