If they lost the capital, it would be unprecedented in the history of the Yan Empire. It would be a great humiliation. Shang Jianxiong needed a fig leaf to cover up his shame. After much consideration, only Shang Yongzhong was the most suitable. He was a prince of the royal family and the Grand Marshal of the Yan Empire.
Shang Yongzhong would be able to cover up his shame and explain himself to the outside world. Was there anyone more suitable than him?
Tong Mo and Gao Jiancheng knew the Emperor's intentions and recommended him behind Shang Yongzhong's back. When Shang Yongzhong found out, he was almost scared out of his wits. He almost went to greet Tong Mo and Gao Jiancheng's ancestors. However, he also knew that the two of them were just taking advantage of the situation. The real decision was still in the Emperor's hands.
He did not dare to stay and fight. That would be seeking death. He went to the Emperor to reject him, but he could not reject him. Shang Jianxiong did not agree.
Shang Jianxiong said that he would protect his family and take them with him. He wanted him to not have to worry about the future and to guard the capital. However, it sounded like Shang Yongzhong was using his family as a hostage.
Shang Jianxiong also said that as long as he stayed and guarded the capital, he would be considered to have made a contribution and would not be pursued for his previous mistakes.
Since the Emperor said this, Shang Yongzhong understood that he had no way out. The Emperor was like a wild beast now, easily angered and ready to eat people.
He had no choice but to agree. He even braced himself to stabilize the morale of his troops, telling them that he was here and there was nothing to be afraid of. Reinforcements would arrive soon.
This was one of the reasons why the Emperor left him to guard the capital.
He had no choice. Shang Jianxiong immediately controlled his family. If he dared to disagree, he would try and see what would happen. His previous mistakes in battle were the best excuse to kill him.
At this moment, he was so happy that he was about to cry. His eyes were filled with tears of joy. He could finally avoid a calamity. He held up the report with both hands and invited Shang Jianxiong to read it.
Shang Jianxiong had no intention of reading it. He looked at him coldly and said, "Do you think this is the report that I need? Can it make the Song army retreat? This is Shang Chaozong's report! "
When mentioning Shang Chaozong, he gritted his teeth.
Previously, he still had a glimmer of hope. However, in the end, his hope was completely shattered. Shang Chaozong's one hundred thousand cavalrymen had been accompanying the Song army.
He persisted until the end, but Shang Chaozong did not show any intention to attack the Song army. He was forced to flee Yan Jing. It was obvious that Shang Chaozong wanted to watch him, the emperor of Yan Jing, abandon the capital and flee in panic!
Shang Chaozong had given him hope, yet that hope had been destroyed before his eyes. How cruel was that to him? At this moment, he hated Shang Chaozong to the bone!
Pa! Shang Yongzhong raised his hand and smacked his forehead. He knew that he did not make himself clear and caused the emperor to misunderstand. He quickly explained, "Your Majesty, not only did the Song Nation's two million elite soldiers die, but they also captured six hundred thousand captives. Meng Shanming had captured six hundred thousand Song elite soldiers as captives. With these six hundred thousand elite soldiers as captives, they could be used as bargaining chips! Your Majesty, which country can ignore their 600,000 elites? With these six hundred thousand captives, do you think the Song Nation would dare to attack our capital? "
Hearing this, Shang Jianxiong's cold face melted. Like Tian Yu, he was also shocked.
Shang Jianxiong did not seem to believe it. "The two armies were fighting, and the Song Nation's elite soldiers were among them. How could they capture six hundred thousand captives in such a short period of time?" As he spoke, he snatched the report from Tian Yu's hand and flipped through it.
Shang Yongzhong clicked his tongue and said, "That's right. However, I have to admit that Meng Shanming, this old cripple, is really good at war. After breaking through the river defenses, he confused the Song Nation's army and caused them to fall into his trap. He dug the embankment and borrowed the water from the river. Then, he wiped out the Song Nation's army in the Qunluo Mountains without using a single soldier. After that, he captured six hundred thousand captives and took the Song Nation's rations as supplies. Your Majesty, from the looks of it, Meng Shanming's insistence on attacking the Song Nation was not without reason. He actually had such a vicious plan. Now, he has six hundred thousand captives … "
"Shut up!" Shang Jianxiong looked up and scolded in a deep voice, "Whose side are you on?"
Tian Yu looked at Shang Yongzhong with a strange expression. She realized that Shang Yongzhong seemed to be overjoyed. He could not even control his mouth.
However, it was understandable. There was a chance for him to escape this calamity.
"Uh …" Shang Yongzhong was stunned. After he reacted, he broke out in a cold sweat and almost slapped himself. He realized that he was so happy that he became muddled. Why did he speak up for Shang Chaozong? He quickly lowered his head and shut his mouth.
However, he was still very excited. After all, he was able to keep his life. Otherwise, he would really have to sacrifice his life for the country.
Without further ado, Shang Jianxiong finally finished reading the report carefully. This great victory had indeed exceeded his expectations. They had actually captured 600,000 captives.
"Negotiate with the Song Nation?" Shang Jianxiong closed the report and asked as if he was talking to himself.
Shang Yongzhong nodded repeatedly. "Your Majesty, summon the Song Nation's envoy immediately and order the Song Nation's army to withdraw immediately! With these six hundred thousand captives and the fact that I have broken through the Song Nation's western defense line, the Song Nation is empty. Faced with the threat of Meng Shanming, they will definitely agree! "
The Song Nation's envoy was still in the Swallow Capital. No matter how the two nations fought, envoys would not be executed. After all, some matters had to be communicated with the relevant nations through the envoys. Therefore, the Song Nation would not kill the envoys and could summon them at any time.
Shang Jianxiong hesitated and asked, "Can Meng Shanming hand over the six hundred thousand captives?"
Shang Yongzhong was surprised. "Not? Can we eat them if we keep them? Meng Shanming does not have enough food. Is he going to feed the six hundred thousand captives? He can't possibly kill all six hundred thousand captives, right? Furthermore, there are still the three major sects. Don't they want the two nations to stop fighting? Are they really going to let the Han Nation take advantage of the situation? Your Majesty can look for Meng Xuan and ask the three major sects to pressure Shang Chaozong and Meng Shanming. The three major sects will definitely agree! "
Shang Jianxiong thought about it and agreed. He looked at Tian Yu. Tian Yu nodded slightly. Apparently, she agreed with Shang Yongzhong.
Shang Jianxiong turned around and walked away quickly. At the same time, he ordered, "Ask the Minister of Public Works and the Minister of Ministers to come to the Imperial Study for a meeting."
Tian Yu immediately summoned a eunuch and gave the order.
Shang Jianxiong was going to see Meng Xuan now. He was afraid that the business would get out of hand. He asked Meng Xuan to inform the three major sects to hold the six hundred thousand captives.
Not far from the Imperial Hall, he saw a group of women coming out from the back palace. They were led by the Empress who still had a lingering fear.
Seeing these people, Shang Jianxiong could not help but stop. He looked away from the group of women and looked towards the back palace. His breathing quickened and his face turned blue.
Shang Yongzhong still did not know what happened in the back palace. This kind of thing would not be announced before it happened. At most, it would be leaked after it happened. Therefore, he only felt that the Emperor's face was a little ugly.
Seeing the Empress and the others, Tian Yu's face also turned ugly. The news of victory came too late. If they did not have to abandon the capital, the beauties in the back palace would have been executed. How would the Emperor feel?
Therefore, she could understand Shang Jianxiong's feelings.
Shang Jianxiong's face tightened. He ignored the Empress and the others coming out of the back palace and walked forward.
Tian Yu walked quickly to the Empress. After greeting her, he reminded her in a low voice, "Your Highness, please wait a moment."
The Empress was a little nervous and asked, "Is there any change?"
Tian Yu shook his head. He could not say. He still had to see if the three major sects would agree before deciding whether to stay or not.
The Empress, who had just witnessed the cruel execution in the back palace, did not dare to ask more when he did not say anything.
Tian Yu bowed and left to chase after Shang Jianxiong …
The communication with Meng Xuan was very smooth. Meng Xuan also received the news of victory at almost the same time. He knew that the six hundred thousand captives were true. If they could protect Yan Jing, they would naturally protect it. If the two countries could stop the war and protect the Yan Kingdom, it was related to the interests of the three major sects. Meng Xuan agreed happily.
After dealing with the three major sects, Shang Jianxiong then met with Tong Mo and Gao Jiancheng. After a discussion, he immediately summoned Envoy Song, Qian Liansheng.
At first, Qian Liansheng was still arrogant. The Kingdom of Song's military was stronger than the Yan Kingdom.
The news of the Yan Kingdom's defeat came directly from the battlefield. The news of the Kingdom of Song's defeat was sent directly to the Kingdom of Song's imperial court. It was not sent to Envoy Song, Qian Liansheng. Therefore, when Qian Liansheng learned from the Yan Kingdom of Song's defeat and the six hundred thousand captives, he was shocked!
As for the Yan Kingdom's conditions, he could not make the decision. He asked for permission to report it. He also wanted to find out the truth and left in a hurry.
…
"Old Master, why are you back? Everything is ready at home. We can leave at any time. "
At the entrance of the Gao Residence, Gao Jiancheng got off the carriage. He had just returned from the palace and was immediately welcomed by the housekeeper, Fan Zhuan. Gao Jiancheng had promised to accompany the Emperor. Fan Zhuan thought that Gao Jiancheng was worried about his family. So, he told him.
"It's okay. We don't have to escape anymore. Let everyone return to normal." Gao Jiancheng said and went into the Inner Residence.
"Uh …" Fan Zhuan was stunned. Then, he followed Gao Jiancheng's order. He turned around and told everyone to put everything back.
Gao Jiancheng returned to his study room. When he entered the room, he thought he had gone to the wrong place. It was empty. Then, he realized that it must have been cleaned up.
The table and chairs were still there. There was no need for them to take them away. He walked to the desk and sat down. Fan Zhuan came in and asked, "Old Master, what's wrong?"
As he asked, he took out a piece of paper from his sleeve.
Gao Jiancheng leaned back in his chair and shook his head with a bitter smile. "That Meng Shanming is indeed powerful. He actually managed to defeat the Kingdom of Song. In one battle, he cut off one of the Kingdom of Song's legs and almost killed them. Now, Meng Shanming has six hundred thousand of the Kingdom of Song's elite soldiers as captives. With this bargaining chip, the Kingdom of Song has no choice but to retreat. Therefore, there is no need to worry about Yan Jing anymore."
As he spoke, he raised his hand and stroked his beard. His eyes flashed with a strange light. After this battle, he realized that the treasure he had secretly bet on was right. It was worth looking forward to.
Fan Zhuan was stunned for a moment. He handed over the paper and said in a low voice, "Daoye just sent a message. He mentioned the six hundred thousand captives. Should we kill them or not? He wants to ask Old Master's opinion."
"Kill them?" Gao Jiancheng was shocked. He thought to himself, "Daoye, Daoye, don't scare me. They have given up on leaving Yan Jing. If you kill the six hundred thousand captives, there is no point in negotiating between the two countries. Even if we stay here and don't leave, the Kingdom of Song will attack us. At that time, we won't even be able to run away. The people in Yan Jing will be killed because of you."
He knew that Niu Youdao definitely had influence on Meng Shanming. If Niu Youdao really decided to start a massacre, the people in Yan Jing would be in big trouble.
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