Maqiao jeered: "We are different from you. We fight wars to spend money, but you fight wars to earn money! When we mobilize our troops, we expend a lot of money and rations. As for you, you fish whatever you can find, even digging out the things hidden in a rat's hole. This is a battle that you are suited to fight. In any case, it is winter and you have nothing better to do! "
This time, even Moche's face darkened and he angrily retorted: "I, Moche, am the Khagan of the Turks. Even your Great General Li Duozuo has to maintain proper etiquette before me. Do you think that this Khagan's saber is not swift after all?"
Yang Fan hurriedly cupped his fists: "Khagan, please do not blame me. Most of the men in the army are illiterate and boorish. But while my brother's words are crude, his reasoning is not. Urging Khagan Moche to mobilize your troops is indeed an important reason!"
Even Moche could not understand these words. His brows slightly furrowed, Moche shot him an inquiring look: "Hmm?"
Straightening his back, Yang Fan solemnly said: "I am a soldier. I believe that when dealing with an enemy, one should be unscrupulous. As long as it can deal a blow to him, it is good. If he is strong, we must fight. If he is weak, we must fight even more. If we do not take your life while you are weak, are we going to wait until you are strong enough to deal with you? "
These words were in line with the wishes of the Turkic leaders and they all nodded their heads.
Yang Fan said: "This is not only my view, it is also the view of our soldiers. A pity … "
Shaking his head, Yang Fan regretfully said: "A pity that our Imperial Court is too forgiving. Especially when the enemy shows the slightest hint of fear and hands over a letter of surrender, the scholar-officials in the Imperial Court can't wait to jump out and preach about mercy! The Khitans are capricious and ambitious. They even slaughtered more than two hundred thousand of our soldiers in the East and West Valleys. We can't wait to exterminate them!
However, after they were surrounded by us, they sent people to surrender. The Great General did not dare to keep the letter of surrender and could only report it to the Imperial Court. I can foresee what the scholar-officials in the Imperial Court will say next. Even if they do not plead for mercy on behalf of the Khitans, what will happen after we destroy this Khitan army? "
Yang Fan's gaze moved from Moche's face to the Turkic generals. "At that time, the Imperial Court will definitely not allow us to slaughter the old, weak, women, and children of the Khitans. Moreover, the Imperial Court will definitely allocate grasslands for them to live, providing them with livestock and grain to appease them!"
The more Yang Fan spoke, the angrier he became. Although his expression was still as calm as water, the anger in his voice was gradually becoming uncontrollable. Therefore, he spoke faster and faster, and his voice became louder and louder. He seemed to realize that he was too agitated, so he hurriedly took a deep breath and calmed himself down.
What he said was a Mok Chen. part. The Central Yang Shan. man. of of of of of of K. And the nobleman's concept of belittling profit made them feel ashamed to demand benefits from the defeated. The Turks felt this most keenly, so Yang Fan's words resonated with them.
Mosuo rubbed his chin and said thoughtfully, "So, you want to use us to eliminate the Khitans?"
"This is only one reason," Yang Fan said. "The other reason is that although we have trapped the Khitans and their defeat is only a matter of time, if we attack, we will suffer heavy casualties. If we do not attack, the Imperial Court will become merciful and will release the tiger back to the mountain. Thus, the Great General sent us to urge Khan Moche to send troops to attack their retreat. As long as their base is eradicated, the Khitans will collapse without a fight. "
Moche gave a crafty smile. "Oh? But why should I agree? Since you are so frank, I might as well be frank. If I stand idly by and the Khitans are forgiven by your Imperial Court, you will have left behind a powerful enemy on the northern frontier. If they are driven to desperation, they will try to weaken your strength. No matter what, it will be more beneficial to us, right? "
Moche looked around, and the leaders all laughed knowingly.
Without batting an eyelid, Yang Fan said, "Indeed, it will be beneficial to you, but there are big and small benefits. If Khan sends troops, you will reap big benefits. If Khan does nothing, you will reap small benefits. Big benefits or small benefits, which one will Khan choose? "
Moche's interest was piqued. "Oh? Tell me, what is big benefit and what is small benefit? "
Yang Fan said, "This small benefit, Khan has already said that it will leave an enemy on the northern frontier for our Imperial Court or weaken our military strength! But once this enemy is strong, does Khan think that it will only threaten our Imperial Court? Compared to our Imperial Court and the nomadic Turks who live on the steppe, who will be under greater threat?
If they are destroyed and weaken our military strength, with the large population of the Central Plains, we will only need a few years to recover. Moreover, regardless of this process, it is impossible for our Imperial Court to initiate a war with your country. Whether or not to start a war has always been up to your country. In Khan's view, which one is more beneficial to your country?
When I say big benefit, there are both near and far benefits. The far benefit lies in destroying a tribe that has the potential to grow stronger and threaten the hegemony of the Turkic steppe! As for the near benefit, it is Khan sending troops to attack their base. Their base does not have many soldiers, so Khan can use the smallest price to achieve his goal.
And if Khan wins, won't the wealth and women of the Khitans all belong to Khan? The steppe and desert are vast and what they lack the most is population. If you are willing to send troops, not only can you seize all the wealth of their tribe, you can also obtain many women and children, and … the steppe! I believe that none of you will reject this benefit, right? "
Yang Fan smiled as he looked at the Turkic leaders who were tempted. Moche suddenly noticed the greed in the eyes of these leaders. Most of them were already tempted by this envoy of Wuzhou and he couldn't help but curse. Only he could lead the affairs of the Turks. How could he allow someone else, especially an outsider, to influence the will of the Turks?
Moche immediately coughed and said, "This Khan already understands the reason for your visit. Sending troops is not a small matter. We need to discuss it first. Come, arrange a tent and invite the envoy of Zhou to rest! "
Yang Fan knew that this matter could not be rushed and he must not show any impatience. So he stood up, put his hand on his chest and bowed to Moxiu, and then left with the guards.
Maqiao walked at his side, full of vigor and arrogance. When he looked at the Turks, there was a hint of disdain and hostility in his eyes, even though he had come to request the Turks to send troops to fight alongside him. This was in line with the attitude of the soldiers of the Tang dynasty toward the Turks, and it showed that he was confident.
"Alright, don't ask me to paint a big cake. All of you are like starving wolves!" The moment Yang Fan and Maqiao left, Moche slapped the table in displeasure.
"The Khitans sent an envoy, saying that they defeated the Zhou army and chased the Zhou army like wolves and boars. They need us to send troops to settle the situation in one battle and completely separate the Hebei Province from the Zhou Kingdom's territory. On the other hand, Li Duozuo's envoy said that they have already defeated the Khitans and surrounded the remaining Khitans. Even Li Jinzhong died in Ma City. Who is telling the truth? "
Moche's question immediately awakened everyone from the beautiful vision that Yang Fan had created for them.
Su Mumu said, "Khan, why don't you summon the Khitan envoy and we will know the truth?"
"Yes yes yes! Khan, summon the Khitan envoy and we will know who is the truth and who is fake! "
At this point, Moche could not interrogate the Khitans alone and make the leaders feel that he did not trust them. He could only order his men to bring the Khitan envoy.
Inside a tent sat a burly man with messy hair and messy scalp. He sat on a wolf skin mattress and in front of him was a small stove. On the stove was a small pot and the mutton in the pot was boiling with a strong aroma. The burly man held a dark red wine gourd in one hand and a knife in the other. He used the knife to cut the boiling mutton out of the pot and blew on it to cool it down before chewing on the mutton and gulping down the wine.
This man was called Stan, a shaman of the Khitans. He was the envoy sent by Sun Wanrong to the Turkic Conference. He knew that today was the day that Moche would gather all the tribes to discuss the deployment of troops and was waiting for a reply. Even though the liquor worm made him drool, he restrained himself from getting drunk.
As he was drinking, the curtain was lifted and the cold wind blew in with snowflakes. Stan's body was hot from eating in the tent and he was not wearing much. He could not help but shiver. He raised his head and saw a Khitan guard standing at the entrance of the tent. The guard cupped his fists and said: "Shaman, Khan Moche invites you!"
Stan's spirit was lifted and he quickly plugged the cork of the wine gourd and hung it on his waist. He stood up and said: "Help me dress!"
The guards sent by Motsu to urge Stan to come had been waiting outside for a long time. Only then did they see several Khitan warriors walking slowly towards them, accompanied by their Great Shaman.
Kirstan wore a colorful hat made of pheasant feathers, a white skull necklace made of ground cow bones, and a skirt made of crumpled leather was tied around his waist. He held an ebony staff with a ponytail in his hand, and his expression was unusually solemn.
Stan followed the man to the Khagan's tent. The guards had been left outside while Stan was ushered into the tent by one of the guards. The moment Stan entered the tent, he swept his gaze around and saw that the tent was filled with the leaders of the various Turkic tribes, all of them staring at him.
Stan bowed slightly and greeted Moche who was sitting on the main seat: "Stan greets Khan Moche!"
Moche said politely: "Shaman need not stand on ceremony. Sit!"
Immediately, someone led Stan to an empty seat at the side. It was the seat that Yang Fan sat on just now. However, the table had been cleaned. Stan sat down behind the table and calmly said to Moke: "The Khan has summoned me today. Has he made a decision on my request?"
Moche nodded and said: "After Shaman stated his intention, I have been thinking about this matter. Today, I gathered all the leaders to discuss a decision. I think that since you want to cooperate with my tribe, the most important thing is to be honest with each other. What does Shaman think? "
Stan's eyes flashed under his messy hair and he said in a deep voice: "Of course!"
Moche said expressionlessly: "Then, I do not know the art of psychic. How does Shaman want me to form an alliance with the dead Li Jinzhong?"
…
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