"Seek peace?"
Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and said: "It is early in the morning, and the armistice has only lasted for an hour. How could they send people to sue for peace at this time?"
Gong Yonggu was stunned for a moment, and said with some hesitation: "When I first heard about this, I and Marquis Xinle felt very strange. They thought it was the other party's trick, but they didn't expect that person actually sent a thief covered with Li... Letter of peace request!”
When Zhu Yuanzhang saw that Gong Yonggu's speech was different and he couldn't help but put back the letter he was about to submit, he couldn't help but feel a little confused.
Then he thought that Li Zicheng had established a kingdom in Xi'an and was known as Emperor Yongchang. The so-called peace letter might be a fake edict from Li Zicheng.
Gong Yonggu should be in favor of peace talks, but he was worried that this false edict would anger him, so he was so hesitant.
So he pretended not to know and said in a deep voice: "Then what did he say?"
Gong Yonggu's body trembled slightly and he bowed and said: "Li Thief said that this time he raised the army because he was forced by corrupt officials. As long as His Majesty abolishes the officials in Hubei, Henan, Shaanxi, Shanxi and other provinces, and at the same time gives the people silver fields to cultivate, he will You can lead your troops back."
When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, he snorted coldly and said angrily: "Kuaidi, now that he has lost the battle, he dares to be so arrogant. Not only does he want to tear the earth apart and make him king, but he also wants us to give him money. It's just a dream!"
When Gong Yonggu saw this, he kowtowed repeatedly to apologize.
"Your Majesty, please suspend the wrath of thunder!"
When Shen Zhanran saw that Zhu Yuanzhang was angry, Gong Yong was speechless. He immediately stepped forward and knelt down and said: "Although this matter is hateful, Xinlehou and Gong Duwei are close ministers of His Majesty. I think they have plans for this. You might as well listen to them first." How to say!"
Zhu Yuanzhang was angry just now, but he was just taking the opportunity to frighten him. He did not want to affect everyone's determination to defend the city because of this unknown truth or false request for peace.
Seeing Shen Zhanran interceding for mercy at this moment, he followed suit and said, "Gong Qing, please tell me, what do you think about this matter!"
Gong Yonggu kowtowed and said: "When I first saw this letter, I and Xin Lehou were also very angry. They felt that Thief Li was too arrogant, so they wanted to kill the messenger at that time."
"But then I thought about it, and I felt that if I killed the messenger, the rebels might be more united, so I thought I might as well keep him and take the opportunity to publicize the rebels' request for peace."
"Firstly, we can use this to attack the rebels and enhance our morale. Secondly, we can also use the opportunity of peace talks to buy some time for King Qin's army."
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly, then looked at Shen Zhanran and said, "Shen Qing, what do you think?"
Shen Zhanran bowed and said: "Xinlehou and Gong Duwei have considered it very carefully, but Weichen feels that this peace letter comes too unexpectedly. It is best to find out the matter more clearly before making a decision."
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded again, looked at Zhu Cihong and said, "Prince, please tell me what you think!"
Zhu Cixiang pondered for a while and said: "Although I have not been to the battlefield in person, it is really strange that the rebels are so eager to seek peace."
"I heard just now that many rebel generals were captured during the battle at Changui Gate. I think it was because the companions of these captured generals had an advantage that the Starry Night Peace Suit occurred!"
"So Erchen feels that peace or discord is not the key. The key is how to make the internal fighting among the rebels more intense, which will be more conducive to us regaining the rivers and mountains."
After Zhu Yuanzhang listened to Zhu Cixiang's story, he smiled and said: "Yes, the prince's idea is also very good!"
After that, he looked at Gong Yonggu and said: "Gong Qing, please go back and tell Xin Lehou that the rebels captured tonight will be sent to the prison of the Ministry of Justice immediately. At the same time, the city defense of Zhangyi Gate will be strengthened to prevent rebellion. The army made a sneak attack at night."
"As for this peace request letter, please hand it over to the person who came here intact. Just say that we are very angry with the rebels because of the attack on the imperial city and you dare not report it. We will wait until tomorrow!"
After Gong Yonggu responded respectfully, he hurried out again.
Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a while and said: "Shen Qing, go find Li Jing and see how much silver there is in the Ministry of Household Affairs. Together, you can work out a plan to reward the soldiers who defended the city!"
Shen Zhanran was stunned when he heard the words, and after respectfully agreed, he hurriedly walked out.
Then Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Cixiang and said: "Father, I still have some official business to deal with. If you are tired, you might as well go back to the palace to rest first!"
Zhu Cixiang shook his head and said: "My son, I am not tired. I want to learn more from my father, so that I can share my father's worries, so as not to put my father in danger like tonight..." ..."
Zhu Cixi shed tears again when he talked about his sadness.
When Zhu Yuanzhang saw this, he knew that he was in danger one after another today, and that the fright he had received probably exceeded the total of the previous fifteen years.
So after Ciyan comforted him, he diverted his attention by talking about the vacancy of officials, and also examined his political ability.
While they were talking about Zheng Huan, a young eunuch came in to report that Li Ruolian was outside asking for an audience.
Hearing this, Zhu Cixi looked at Zhu Yuanzhang strangely and said, "It's already late at night, how could he ask for an audience at this moment?"
After Zhu Yuanzhang signaled the young eunuch to let Li Ruolian wait for the order outside, he smiled and said to Zhu Cihong: "Although Li Ruolian has done a good job in suppressing the rebellion today, as a fellow guard of the Jinyi Guards, he cannot discover the enemy's situation in advance and allows the rebels to invade the imperial city. There are also Pass."
"Because this was his second intelligence error, we deliberately ignored him when we were at Xuanwumen. I thought he would be here to make up for it now!"
When Zhu Cihong saw Zhu Yuanzhang deliberately stopping, he knew he was testing him.
He thought for a while and said with some hesitation: "My son guessed that in order to make amends, Li Ruolian interrogated Wei Zaode and others. Maybe he found some important clues, so he came to report now!"
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said: "Yes, we can not interrogate Wei Zaode and others, but he has to ask."
"But the person behind this incident is Wang Dehua. Since he dared to expose everyone, Wei Zaode and others should not have important information on them. This may not be enough!"
Zhu Cixiang thought for a moment and said, "He made a mistake earlier due to the delay in news. Now the best way to remedy the situation is in the news. Could it be that he has news about the rebels suing for peace?"
Zhu Yuanzhang said approvingly: "Okay, there is progress. How long do you think it is appropriate for us to let him wait outside?"
Zhu Cixi thought for a while and said: "My son feels that this time is just right, because it is too short to attract his attention, and too long is a bit deliberate. In addition, the war situation has changed at this moment. If he has the idea of crossing the river and burning the bridge, it will be counterproductive."
"And now it takes about half a cup of tea, which not only gives him time to think, but also attracts his attention without making him feel unfamiliar or resentful."
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said with a loving smile: "You have a good handle on the heat. You passed today's assessment!"
After saying that, he asked someone to bring Li Ruolian in.
After Li Ruolian saluted respectfully, he reported: "Your Majesty, the general has just received the news that the rebels failed in the sneak attack tonight and killed more than a dozen key members including Hao Yaoqi. Liu Zongmin, Song Xiance and others have already quarreled over the rescue." !”
"Liu Zongmin was furious and wanted to send troops to remonstrate. Fortunately, Li Guo noticed and dissuaded him. Li Tie wrote a peace edict in time, which temporarily calmed the generals."
"After this incident, Bai Guangen, Tang Tong and others have made it clear that they are willing to surrender, but they want to ask His Majesty to issue an edict of amnesty!"
When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, his expression immediately darkened.
