He turned to Shang Jianxiong and raised his hands. "As long as the army leaves Nanzhou, even if he wins, he will suffer great losses. Wouldn't it be easy to kill the Nanzhou army afterwards? It would be too easy to cut off the army's supplies! "
Shang Jianxiong nodded repeatedly. "The Minister of Public Works is wise and wise."
Tong Mo said, "Right now, it is not a question of whether to give the Quelling Rebellion Commander military power, but whether this temporary military power can trick Nanzhou into sending troops. If the other side insists on using the Minister of Public Works' military power as an excuse to send troops, then everything will be for naught. At that time, we can only think of a way to force the five feudal vassals to use their lives. If that doesn't work … "He paused here.
Shang Jianxiong was about to hear what he had to say. Seeing that he had, he hurriedly asked, "What?"
Tong Mo seemed to have made a great decision before saying, "If that doesn't work, we can ask Zhao for help and ask them to send troops!"
They had been discussing his position earlier, but Shang Yongzhong did not speak. This matter had nothing to do with him. He finally spoke. "Zhao is scheming from the sidelines and reaping the fruits of others' labor. How can they easily send troops for Yan Yan?"
"Of course not, but we can negotiate! We can first send someone to contact His Majesty's aunt, the Empress Dowager Shang, and ask her to speak for us. If that doesn't work, then cede Nanzhou to Zhao as a condition for sending troops. "Tong Mo gritted his teeth and spoke words of betrayal.
In the eyes of ordinary people, this was betrayal. In the eyes of these people, it was a desperate move to cut off an arm to survive.
Their gazes flickered as they sensed his sinister intentions. If Nanzhou did not send troops, then they might as well give Nanzhou to Zhao in exchange for an opportunity to send troops.
As the Emperor, Shang Jianxiong hesitated and found it hard to speak of ceding land.
Shang Yongzhong hesitated. "Nanzhou is a thorn. If it is given to Zhao, it will be difficult for Zhao to swallow it. Just based on this point, I'm afraid Zhao will not easily agree."
Tong Mo gritted his teeth again. "Then we will cede Dingzhou to Zhao. If they do not agree, we will cede another province until Zhao agrees to send troops!"
Shang Jianxiong was silent.
Slowly, Gao Jiancheng, who had also been silent for a while, said, "If we really do this, we will never be able to shake off the label of Yan traitors."
Tong Mo turned around and said, "Do you think I want to see this happen? This way, at least they could protect Yan. A surviving Yan was better than a destroyed Yan! As long as Yan is still alive, we still have a chance to take back what we have lost. Otherwise, we will lose both! "
This was a rather heavy topic, but when it came to the point of life and death, what could be more important than surviving? At that time, they could only struggle to survive like this.
Shang Jianxiong's silence meant that he didn't object, which meant that the matter was basically settled. First, he would use the position of Great General to test the waters and see if Nanzhou could send troops. If there was no other way, then he could only do as Tong Mo said and cut off an arm to survive.
Gao Jiancheng sighed helplessly in his heart. Sure enough, as he had expected, they would rather give up their land to outsiders than to be slaves. They would rather cede their land to others than to hand over the military power of Marshal Yan to Shang Chaozong.
He could understand Tong Mo's attitude. Firstly, it was because of Shang Jianxiong, and secondly, it was because of Tong Mo himself. In the past, Tong Mo and King Ning had a very unpleasant relationship, and the enmity seemed to have been formed because of that woman from Jinzhou. At that time, many people coveted that woman's beauty, and Tong Mo was one of them. He wanted to take advantage of that woman. It was said that at that time, the woman was already in his hands, and her clothes were already taken off. Just when he was about to succeed, King Ning, who had just returned from the war, heard the news and rushed over with his troops. He beat Tong Mo up, causing him to lose all face. Later on, that woman seemed to have followed King Ning. Having his woman stolen away, he became the laughing stock of the capital. This was a great humiliation for Tong Mo!
Later on, King Ning repeatedly criticized Tong Mo for his character, preventing him from taking the position. In addition to the subsequent events, how could Tong Mo dare to let King Ning's son regain control of Yan Yan's military power!
It was also because of this enmity that Tong Mo and King Ning stood on opposite sides. Because of this, Tong Mo was put in an important position to fight against King Ning. Until today, he was the most powerful minister!
After the three ministers left the imperial study, Shang Jianxiong sighed. Watching their backs, he shook his head and said, "The Prime Minister lost his composure today."
After approaching, Tian Yu chuckled and said, "He more or less has some selfishness. After all, his son died in the hands of Niu Youdao and went to assassinate Niu Youdao. Niu Youdao single-handedly controls Nanzhou. Once Nanzhou takes control of the military power, I don't know what will happen to the Gao Family."
Shang Jianxiong said, "Who doesn't have some selfishness? As long as it doesn't harm the country and is on the side of national affairs, it doesn't matter! The Prime Minister is still loyal to the country. " His eyes were also filled with gratification for Gao Jiancheng. As long as the ministers around him were closely united, he had nothing to fear.
Tian Yu bowed and said, "Your Majesty is right."
Outside the hall, Gao Jiancheng strode forward. Tong Mo deliberately slowed down. Shang Yongzhong glanced at him and also slowed down.
After Gao Jiancheng left, Tong Mo said slowly, "The Prime Minister is a bit abnormal today compared to usual."
Shang Yongzhong chuckled. I helped him keep his position. What's wrong with being abnormal? It would be better if he was always abnormal like this in the future. He replied casually, "It's understandable. His son died in the hands of the other party, so it's inevitable that he's a bit emotional."
Tong Mo glanced at him and sneered, "Is that true? I think he's a bit abnormal. I think he's deliberately trying to win His Majesty's favor. Don't be blinded by him. "He walked slowly to remind him.
Shang Yongzhong understood what he meant. He was worried that he would be moved by Gao Jiancheng's good intentions and stand on Gao Jiancheng's side. He immediately bowed and said, "Don't worry, Minister of Public Works. This Gao respects His Majesty and follows Minister of Public Works. I won't be deceived by flattery!"
Tong Mo smiled faintly and then walked away at normal pace …
The decision from the palace was quickly spread to Thatched Cottage Villa. At this time, it seemed that Thatched Cottage Villa was the only one in charge in Nanzhou.
Shang Chaozong couldn't make the decision. Great Zen Mountain couldn't play such a big game and pretended to be dead at the side to avoid trouble.
Therefore, the three major sects basically communicated with Thatched Cottage Villa directly.
Long Xiu, who received the news, naturally found Niu Youdao at the first opportunity.
After hearing the Imperial Court's decision, Niu Youdao was somewhat surprised. He thought that the Imperial Court would refuse and he would lower the conditions. Unexpectedly, the Imperial Court directly gave in and saved him the trouble of going around in circles.
However, he wasn't that happy. He sighed, "It seems that the Imperial Court is still not sincere!"
Long Xiu had thought that he had used some other means to get the Imperial Court to agree, but it turned out to be nothing more than this. He realized that he had overestimated this guy and wasted some time here. Even Gong Lince and Meng Xuan had some complaints about him. They were probably blaming him. Was there a need to ask the Imperial Court about this? The Imperial Court definitely wouldn't agree. It was an unnecessary move!
"Military power is not child's play. It's not that the Imperial Court is not sincere, but it depends on whether you are sincere or not. Pacifying the rebellion is enough with the military power of the Commander-in-Chief, and the Imperial Court still has a good grasp of the scale. If you are still not satisfied, it can only mean that you have ulterior motives. "
As he said this, Long Xiu glanced at the man in the flowery robe not far away. If it wasn't for the fact that the elite forces of the three major sects were basically gathered at the border and couldn't find the time to deal with this place, he wouldn't have been so polite and would have given Thatched Cottage Villa a long time ago.
Previously, because of the interception of the grain, he even wanted to kill Niu Youdao. It was just that his plans couldn't keep up with the changes. Unexpectedly, the five feudal vassals were also idiots even after joining forces. Before he could deal with Niu Youdao, he had already run over to beg them. If he killed Niu Youdao now, it would cause chaos in Nanzhou, and there would be no hope for Nanzhou to send troops to pacify the rebellion.
Niu Youdao: "Palace Lord, it's not that I want to bargain, but to put myself in your shoes, I just want to ask Palace Lord, if Nanzhou sends troops, what benefits will it bring to Nanzhou?"
Long Xiu raised an eyebrow. "What benefits do you want?" He felt a bit stifled.
Niu Youdao: "Palace Lord has already done this much. If I still don't send troops, it would be insensible of me, and I wouldn't have the face to face Palace Lord in the future. I just want a reason to send troops. After this is done, I don't want anything else from the Imperial Court, and I don't expect anything from the Imperial Court. I just want the Imperial Court to give the soldiers of Nanzhou an explanation, to give Prince Yongping an explanation, and to let the Prince get back some of what he lost! "
Long Xiu was curious. "What is it?"
Niu Youdao: "The title of King Ning is a hereditary prince that can be passed on to his descendants. Prince Yongping was originally a prince, but he was later demoted to a prince. How about restoring his prince title?"
Just this? This was not a difficult matter for Long Xiu. It was just an empty title, so he agreed on the spot. "Alright, I will guarantee this. As long as Nanzhou sends troops to suppress the rebellion, regardless of whether they succeed or not, I will guarantee that Shang Chaozong will get back his prince title!"
Niu Youdao immediately cupped his hands and said from the bottom of his heart, "With Palace Lord's guarantee, Niu Youdao will naturally be convinced. I request the Imperial Court to issue an edict. When the edict arrives, it will be the day the Nanzhou army sets off to suppress the rebellion!"
This was the right attitude. Long Xiu smiled …
After settling this matter, Long Xiu also left. He rushed back to the capital to request the Imperial Court to issue an urgent edict. This matter could not be delayed any longer.
Shang Shuqing was accompanying Meng Shanming. After Meng Shanming arrived, the only person he was close to was Shang Shuqing, so only Shang Shuqing would accompany him.
After sending off Long Xiu, Niu Youdao arrived and told Meng Shanming the result. There was no need to hide this matter from Shang Shuqing.
When Shang Shuqing learned that she could help her elder brother regain his lost position as the Crown Prince, she suddenly thought of something and her eyes reddened.
Meng Shanming was also moved.
After explaining the details, Niu Youdao said, "The matter has been decided. This is all I can do. The rest will depend on the Prince and Marshal Meng."
Meng Shanming sat in his wheelchair and cupped his hands. "On behalf of Yan, I thank Daoye. On behalf of the Prince, I thank Daoye. Meng Shanming will not disappoint Daoye. I will do my best until the day I die!"
Shang Shuqing faced Niu Youdao and half-squatted down to pay her respects.
Niu Youdao waved his hand, indicating that there was no need for formalities. "I will arrange for Marshal Meng to go back and wait for the Imperial Court's edict. When Marshal Meng goes back, remind the Prince that Princess Consort is a heroine on the battlefield. It is time for her to come out and get some fresh air. Dying on the battlefield is better than suffocating her at home. The Prince does not lack women. Why can't he tolerate a Feng Ruonan? Being too heartless is disappointing. That year, I cheated Princess Consort of money and have yet to return it. I still owe Princess Consort a favor. I hope that the Prince will treat Princess Consort well! "
In the past, he did not say it out loud. This time, he clearly spoke for Feng Ruonan.
Shang Shuqing's eyes welled up with tears. He lifted his sleeves to wipe his eyes. Guan Fangyi also pursed her lips.
The two did not expect that Niu Youdao would still be concerned about this matter. The two women's hearts were touched.
Meng Shanming cupped his fists. "Daoye, don't worry. I will go back and persuade the Prince. If the Prince does not agree, I will not relent. As long as I am alive, I will not let anyone make things difficult for Princess Consort!"
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
