Du Qi raised his head and looked in the direction of Li Shiming, and shouted: "Li Shiming, I have always respected you. Even if you and I are enemies, even if Xia Xia and the Tang dynasty are against each other, I still respect you because you are a worthy opponent. If you want to attack my Xia Kingdom, that is a matter of course. No one can blame you for anything. "
After a pause, Du Qi said: "If you want to fight, I will accompany you to the end. But to use the method of detaining the envoy, I look down on you. The dignified Qin Wang in the past, the majestic Emperor of the Tang Empire today, using such despicable means is despicable. "
Li Shiming's expression changed again and again.
He was looked down upon by Du Qi.
In Li Shimin's heart, there was still some anger. However, it was more because he had detained Ma Zhou and gave Du Qi a chance to criticize him.
Li Shiming's expression was quite gloomy.
Zhangsun Wuji said again: "Du Qi, don't try to win a battle of words. Now, do you agree to the conditions? If you don't agree, today I will let the soldiers break one of Ma Zhou's legs. "
At this moment, although Ma Zhou's mouth was gagged, there was a smile on his face. Even if Zhangsun Wuji threatened to break his legs, Ma Zhou was not afraid.
He knew that Du Qi had the upper hand.
The one who was in a difficult position was Li Shiming.
Ma Zhou's only hope was that Du Qi had always been firm and could not be coerced. Even if he was targeted, Ma Zhou was not worried. At most, he would be treated harshly. He was sure that Li Shiming would not kill him, because if he killed him, Li Shiming would have nothing. So Ma Zhou was very calm.
When Du Qi heard Zhangsun Wuji's words, he immediately said: "Zhangsun Wuji, you are really a competent henchman. You targeted Ma Zhou and made all kinds of threats. Wasn't it because Li Shimin didn't dare to say these words for fear of being targeted? Sigh, in fact, it was understandable. In the past, Li Shimin loved his soldiers as if they were his children. Once the soldiers in the army were injured, he would go to visit them and comfort them. But now, Li Shimin is just an Emperor. He is no longer the Li Shimin of the past. "
After a pause, Du Qi continued, "Li Shiming, the choice has been made. Now, give me a word. As long as you refuse to release Ma Zhou, I will kill him immediately. Anyway, there's still plenty of time. Let's take it slow. "
Zhangsun Wuji said, "Du Qi, you …"
"Shut up!"
Du Qi directly scolded, "Zhangsun Wuji, are you the emperor of the Tang dynasty, or is Li Shimin the emperor? Zhen and Li Shimin are talking, yet you are here barking madly, making people's ears uncomfortable, very noisy. "
Zhangsun Wuji's face instantly turned red.
He was scolded by Du Qi.
In front of all the soldiers, Du Qi had actually humiliated him like this.
"Damn it!"
Zhangsun Wuji's heart was filled with endless anger. He was about to open his mouth to speak, but Li Shimin raised his hand to stop him. Then, Li Shimin looked at Du Qi outside the city and said, "Du Qi, you are really as sharp-tongued as always. Once you open your mouth, you are aggressive, not giving people any chance to explain their position. You even shut people's mouths when you open your mouth. "
Du Qi said, "You flatter me, but Zhen still has to say it. What I say is always based on the truth. If it's made up from nothing, it's unlimited, and it's impossible to convince people. Just like now, in front of both our armies, hundreds of thousands of people, if I speak without thinking, can I convince people? It's definitely impossible. "
Li Shimin snorted but didn't immediately speak.
Du Qi continued, "Li Shimin, give me a definite answer, will you release him or not?"
Li Shimin placed his hand on the city wall.
His face was full of hesitation.
To be honest, Li Shimin really wanted the mysterious weapon in Du Qi's hands. Once he had such a weapon, the Tang dynasty would have a chance in the war with Xia Xia. But the current situation clearly didn't allow it.
Li Shimin pondered for a long time and didn't speak. Du Qi said again, "Li Shimin, are you a man or not? If you want to release him, release him immediately. If you don't, give me a definite answer. You are so wishy-washy, like a woman. Since when did the decisive Li Shimin become so irresolute and indecisive? "
Li Shimin took a deep breath, gritted his teeth and waved his hand, indicating the soldiers to release him.
"Your Majesty, you can't!"
Zhangsun Wuji heard and immediately came out to dissuade him.
He looked anxious and said, "Your Majesty, even if Du Qi doesn't give him the weapon, as long as Ma Zhou is here, Du Qi won't dare to start a war. But once Ma Zhou is released, with Du Qi's vengeful nature, he will definitely take revenge. Your Majesty, please reconsider! "
Li Shimin said, "Fu Ji, if we don't release Ma Zhou now, our soldiers will be massacred. Once our soldiers are massacred, the consequences will be unimaginable. So, we can only release him now. I can't abandon the soldiers under my command. "
He waved his hand again and ordered his men to untie Ma Zhou, and then lowered Ma Zhou down from the city gate tower in a hanging basket.
Li Shimin said, "Du Qi, I've already fulfilled my promise. Now, it's time for you to release him. "
Du Qi smiled and said, "Aren't you afraid that I'll go back on my word?"
Li Shimin said, "I believe you won't go back on your word."
Du Qi said, "I'll do what I say, and I won't go back on my word. Speaking of which, you've made a big profit this time. The soldiers under your command are my captives. But Ma Zhou is just an envoy, but you've detained him. Li Shimin, you've made a profit this time. "
"Come, release him."
Du Qi directly gave the order.
With this order, the Tang soldiers detained at the rear released the captives. More than 20,000 captives quickly ran out and went to the front of the city gate tower, ready to enter the city.
Li Shimin saw this scene, but he didn't immediately give the order to open the city gate. Because in Li Shimin's view, if the city gate was opened now, on the one hand, this batch of soldiers hadn't been inspected. If Du Qi's soldiers were hidden among them, it would be easy to cause problems. On the other hand, if the city gate was opened here, in case Du Qi took the opportunity to kill, the city gate would definitely not be able to be defended.
Li Shimin said loudly, "All soldiers, listen up. All of you go directly to the east gate of Guazhou City. When you reach the east gate, someone will let you enter the city and take care of your reorganization. "
Everyone received the order and went to the east gate.
Du Qi said with a smile, "Li Shimin, Li Shimin, you're really cautious. You're afraid that I've planted people inside. Once my people enter, they will seize the city, so let them go to the east gate. You're gauging the heart of a gentleman with the yardstick of a villain. "
Li Shimin said, "Nothing goes wrong with being cautious, especially when facing you, Du Qi. No matter how cautious I am, it's not too much."
At this time, Li Shimin's thoughts were clear.
Because the soldiers came back.
Because he didn't have to be embarrassed.
Ma Zhou had already arrived at Du Qi's side. He directly knelt on the ground and asked for forgiveness, "Your Majesty, I didn't ask Li Shimin to agree to our terms. Instead, I made it difficult for Your Majesty to release more than 20,000 captives. I made a mistake in judgment, Your Majesty, please punish me. "
Du Qi said, "Get up. This is not your fault. After all, no one could have expected such a thing. Especially for an envoy, this is even more common. Ma Zhou, don't mind it. "
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Ma Zhou stood up and thanked Li Shimin.
Du Qi's gaze fell on Li Shimin and said, "Li Shimin, the terms mentioned by Ma Zhou are still valid. As long as you agree, I'll immediately withdraw my troops and leave. If you're not willing to withdraw your troops now, I'll attack Guazhou City. Once Guazhou City falls, you'll be in big trouble. "
Li Shimin flicked his sleeve and said, "Du Qi, you're delusional. No matter what, I won't be a disgraced monarch. I won't compromise with you. "
For the soldiers outside the city, Li Shimin chose to yield.
Now, he couldn't agree to Du Qi's terms.
If Du Qi wanted to fight, he would accompany him to the end.
However, at the same time, Li Shimin had also quickly moved away. Because without Ma Zhou, Du Qi might be the first to bombard. At that time, people on the city tower might be bombed.
When Li Shimin retreated, he had already ordered to prepare for war.
Because the war was on the verge of breaking out.
Du Qi looked at Xiao Yuanqi and ordered, "Xiao Yuanqi, mobilize all the artillery and bombard the city gate. Directly blast open the gate of Guazhou City. "
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Xiao Yuanqi immediately responded.
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