From late September, the rebel offensive faced a dilemma.
For this reason, Shi Xianfeng sent out a large number of scouts to investigate, in case the troops mobilized by the imperial court came from behind and blocked their return.
The dilemma is to ride a tiger with a hard time, and many families who took sides this time also understood that they had no other choice.
So now even if Shi Xianfeng wants to retreat, they can't make Shi Xianfeng retreat.
If we are lucky enough to capture Geling City, kill or capture the Supreme Saint Lord alive, and then respectfully welcome the so-called orthodox royal heir who has strayed far away in Linhai County, there may be a little chance of winning. .
"Is there any news from the north?"
Shi Xianfeng looked at his general Shi Bing. Since Shi Ming was detained by Qin Jin, Shi Xianfeng relied more and more on Shi Bing. This man was not only profound in cultivation but also agile in mind.
"The scouts have been out for nearly a hundred miles and have not seen any reinforcements from the imperial court coming from the north. Moreover, they have also found out some other news, but I don't know whether it is true or not."
Shi Kui said: "There is news that after Xin Yanque arrived in Yunzhou, he summoned Ning Shehai and others overnight. Although no one knows what he said, the fact that Yunzhou has not sent troops until now is enough to show that Ning Shehai has chosen to side with Xin Yanque."
Shi Xianfeng nodded and said: "Although this is a matter of speculation, still cannot be taken lightly. Xie Fuwei acted viciously and viciously, and it is impossible to be sure that this is Isn’t it also part of his plan?”
Shi Kui waved his hand and motioned for everyone else to go out.
"General, there is actually no chance of winning now. If we follow the original plan and pretend to welcome Xin Yanque back, then there is indeed a slight chance of winning. Now what we have repeatedly claimed is to welcome the royal family from Linhai County. ....."
He looked at Shi Xianfeng and continued after hesitating.
"The elite frontier troops in the north must have been subdued by Xin Yanque now. The reason why he has not mobilized troops is just to reap the benefits."
Shi Xianfeng said: "I know."
He walked to the door of the tent and looked outside in silence for a long time, and then said in a very firm tone: "But we just want to return the throne to orthodoxy. No matter what others want to do, my mind has not changed from the beginning to the end."
Shi Lei sighed in his heart.
It has been nearly two months since they arrived in Geling. Although the number of defenders in Geling City is not large, they still have not made any progress due to the strength and height of Geling City.
If the fight continues like this, unless there is another major civil strife in the city, it will be difficult to take down Geling with just their team.
"You send people to spread throughout the army."
Shi Xianfeng said: "Let's just say that the city's internal intelligence has sent out news that the Supreme Saint Xie Fuwei is actually dead, but no one dares to release the news, and the people in the city are also thinking about their options."
Shi Kui said: "Even if this matter spreads, at most it can stabilize the morale of the military in a short period of time. In the long run, as long as we cannot defeat Geling City, the morale of the military will still be weakened."
"Got to try."
Shi Xianfeng said: "Pay close attention to the movements in the north. One is Qin Jin's jade army, and the other is the more important direction of Yunzhou. As long as the border troops from Yunzhou don't come back, we don't have to worry about anything."
He turned back to look at Shi Kui and said, "If the Yunzhou frontier army really comes back, then we will go to Linhai, where we will support the eldest son of Marquis Chang Ming as emperor and ascend the throne in Linhai County."
Shi Kui had no choice but to nod his head, walked a few steps and then turned back and said: "The general still urges the Chen family to thank the family. Since they are eager to break through Geling, then please ask them to give up all their belongings, not just military expenses and food. We need reinforcements.”
Shi Xianfeng said: "They are more impatient than us. Even if we don't rush them, they will try their best."
Shi Yue sighed and said nothing more.
In fact, he also knew that what the general said was right. He kept urging the Chen family and the Xie family again and again. Maybe it was very important.
But it won't have any positive effect, and it will make those people think that Shi Xianfeng is really helpless.
Those people have always bet on both sides. Although there is no chance of double betting this time, they cannot really bet their entire fortune on Shi Xianfeng alone. They will save their energy to think about how to escape.
"Report."
At this moment, a soldier hurried in and said, "General, Qin Jin has sent someone over."
Shi Xianfeng secretly breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this. Ever since Shi Ming was detained, Shi Xianfeng had ignored him and treated him as if he didn't exist. Although he was suffering, he still managed to hold on.
Now Qin Jin finally couldn't hold on any longer, and he was eager to see what Shi Xianfeng's attitude was.
"If you ask someone to wait, just say I will see him after I finish my military duties."
After Shi Xianfeng gave the instructions, he really went to check on military affairs. He had to let the people sent by Qin Jin know that he was really not in a hurry.
Only by making people feel that he is stable and confident can the impatient people make concessions first.
About an hour later, Shi Xianfeng returned to the Chinese army's tent and saw a middle-aged man who looked to be in his thirties waiting in the tent.
"It must be General Shi."
The middle-aged man saluted politely and said: "My humble name is Lu Fang. He is a small soldier under the command of General Qin. Today, I am here to make peace with you on the orders of General Qin. General Shi has something to discuss."
Shi Xianfeng sat down with a straight face and did not answer the question of what they were discussing. Instead, he said coldly: "My subordinate Shi Ming has been a guest in General Qin's army for some time. When does General Qin plan to send Shi Ming away?" return?"
Lu Fang said in a neither humble nor condescending manner: "General Shi wrongly blamed my general for this matter. It was General Shi who was willing to stay with us. General Shi said that if we did not surrender to General Shi, he would never do it." Coming back."
Shi Xianfeng's eyes turned cold.
Lu Fang said: "The matter I came to discuss with General Shi this time is actually related to General Shi, but it comes second."
Shi Xianfeng then asked: "What does Qin Jin want to discuss with me?"
Lu Fang said: "I'll just tell you this because of my humble position. If you offend me, please don't blame General Shi... What my general means is that if he stays outside Geling City, he can't really complain to Shi." If the general surrenders, it will be impossible for him to obey the imperial orders again."
"Our team here is riding a tiger, so it's better to ask General Shi if he's willing to give us some benefits. Although we won't lead our troops to surrender, we can withdraw our troops and leave."
Shi Xianfeng said: "If your general wants to leave, I will not stop him. Send Shi Fu back to me in good condition, and I will not provoke you again. If Shi Fu does not come back, you will never leave Geling." step."
After finishing speaking, he stood up and said, "Let's see the guests off."
Lu Fang didn't seem to be scared at all. He stood up, saluted and left.
In this trial, no one suppressed anyone's aura.
Three days later, Qin Jin sent Lu Fang to Shi Xianfeng again.
This time Lu Fang's meaning was more direct. As long as Shi Xianfeng and the others provided tens of millions of taels of silver, plus enough food and grass for a 60,000-strong army for a month, Qin Jin would lead his troops to retreat to the northwest and exit from the northwest. Pass all the way into the countries in the Western Region.
Shi Xianfeng's answer was... Your General Qin didn't wake up?
Lu Fang was neither angry nor anxious, and left again.
This time, Qin Jin didn't send anyone over for seven or eight days. Shi Xianfeng could still calm down, but the Chen family and the Xie family couldn't.
Chen Zhuo, who was originally only a rebel in the city, actually escaped from Geling quietly one day before the rebellion.
His own cultivation level is at Wuyue Realm Liumang. Although he has not reached the peak of Wuyue, it is as difficult as climbing to the sky to sneak out of Geling. Moreover, he seems to have found it difficult for Chen Weiwei and others to achieve great things from the beginning.
"General."
Chen Zhuo advised: "In my opinion, if you and Qin Jin
It is better to be more proactive in negotiations. "
Sitting on the other side was Xie Biyu. This guy actually escaped quietly before the rebellion in Geling City.
out.
These two people are really the same kind of people who are looking for a way out first. In addition to them, Yao Guangyao, who had contributed a lot before, is also there.
Xie Bi said: "If Qin Jin really just wants a large sum of money, this is not a difficult problem."
Yao Guangyao said: "The general can promise him half first, and then give him the other half when he really retreats."
Shi Xianfeng said: "Why are you so restless?"
Xie Bigu said: "I am a businessman, and I never dare to give instructions to the general on the battlefield, but I feel that if Qin's 60,000-strong army retreats at this time, it will also boost our morale."
Of course Shi Xianfeng knew.
Yao Guangyao said: "Although tens of millions of taels of silver is a bit too much, it is not something that we can't get out by working together. Besides, Qin Jin must be waiting for the general to send someone to bargain."
Xie Bigu said: "I would rather meet Qin Jin in person. I guess he won't be interested in killing a nobody like me."
Chen Zhuo said: "If Mr. Xie is really willing to go, I can also accompany Mr. Xie there."
Shi Xianfeng was actually waiting for them to be unable to sit still, but he was not waiting for Qin Jin to give in on his own initiative.
After everyone discussed for a while, Shi Xianfeng relaxed and said that if he really agreed to withdraw his troops, then Chen Zhuo and others would have to make the decision on their own regarding the money.
Xie Biegu said that, he would not really go there by himself. Soon after, the person sent wrote back and said that the money was less than 8 million for an interview, especially for food and grass supplies, anything less would not be enough.
Xie Biyu went there in person and talked with Qin Jin for a long time. Finally, it was decided that as long as they come up with seven million taels of silver, it will be enough to feed the 60,000 troops for one month, plus provide a If the drug is approved, Qin Jin will retreat.
In order to show their sincerity, as long as Xie Biyu handed over the money first, they would withdraw 40,000 people, and then send food and medicine over, and the remaining 20,000 people would also withdraw.
After a good discussion, Xie Piyu began to raise money, food and materials.
The Xie family's property was so huge that it took less than a month to collect a huge sum of seven million taels of silver plus enough food for a month.
It was already mid-November, and the weather had turned cold. Counting from the time the rebels arrived at Geling, it was already more than three months.
The rebels still kept sending scouts to the north to investigate. As long as there were troops coming from Yunzhou, they would really consider whether to leave.
As a result, in mid-November, rebel reinforcements recruited by the Chen family and other major families arrived, bringing with them a large amount of money, food and materials. The descendant of the Xie family royal family in Linhai was also picked up.
[In view of the general environment,
This time, Shi Xianfeng's plan was disrupted.
He knew that this must be what the Xie family did, because the Xie family had staked everything and had no way out.
The Xie family arranged for people to take over Changminghou's descendants, and Shi Xianfeng had to work harder.
The Xie family in Sucheng really went bankrupt. They recruited a large team and managed enough money, food and supplies, which gave Shi Xianfeng a little more confidence.
In particular, after Shi Xianfeng invited a young man named Xie Jikai, a descendant of Changming Hou, to give a speech in public, the morale of the army was really boosted.
By the end of November, there was still no news of Yunzhou soldiers coming to rescue Ge Ling. Shi Xianfeng knew that he could really give it a try this time.
And Qin Jin, who had received the benefits, really led people to leave Geling City. Judging from the direction, they were indeed walking all the way to the northwest.
Now, Shi Xianfeng has nothing to worry about. Taking down Geling City with all his strength is the only way out for everyone.
The first day of December was too cold for a war.
Rebels, siege the city.
