Ci County, after Zhu Yuanzhang was defeated, he led the remaining troops to retreat here.
Cixian County is the southern gate of Hebei. It borders Taihang to the west, Ancient Zhao to the north, Yecheng to the east, and Yinxu to the south. It is located in the hinterland of the Central Plains. It is also a very important strategic location. Many of Zhu's defeated troops wisely chose to retreat to Ci County to join Zhu Yuanzhang because their retreat to the west was cut off. Currently, there are about 50,000 remaining Zhu Jun troops in Ci County. Outside the city, hundreds of thousands of elites led by Yue Fei have surrounded the city.
On Chengtou Mountain, Zhu Yuanzhang stood on the top of the city with a vicissitudes of life, and there were soldiers patrolling back and forth around him from time to time, but these soldiers were all downcast and disheveled.
Facing these decadent soldiers, Zhu Yuanzhang did not criticize him at all. He knew very well that although Ci County was a strategic location, the three coalition forces had never paid attention to it before, and how much food and grass was stored in the city.
Due to food shortages, Zhu Yuanzhang could only implement a strict food rationing system. However, despite this, the soldiers could only barely eat half full, and they could not even eat enough to eat. How could the soldiers have the strength to fight. Of course, the more important reason why the soldiers have no fighting spirit is that they have no hope for the future. Even Zhu Yuanzhang has little confidence in facing the current disastrous defeat.
"Lord!"
Zhu Yuanzhang's confidant Li Shanchang hurried over and whispered beside him: "Something is not good. I just went to check the food and found that there is not much food left. According to the current rationing system, I am afraid it can only last ten years." It’s about the sky.”
"What?"
Zhu Yuanzhang almost shouted out. He looked around to make sure that his suppressed voice did not attract the attention of the surrounding soldiers. Then he lowered his voice and said, "Why is there only so much left? I remember Chai Rong told There should be enough food and fodder for an army of 50,000 men to be stored in my city for a month, and we have also reduced the daily consumption of the soldiers, but why is it even less?"
Li Shanchang gave a wry smile and said: "The Tang military captain in charge of grain and grass has already told me that it is Pei Ji and Tong Guan. They feel that the center of gravity of the coalition forces is in Yecheng and there is no way there will be a war in Ci County, so they secretly resell the grain and grass in the city to enrich their own pockets."
When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, he froze on the spot and was speechless for a long time. After a long time, he slowly said: "Old Li Yuan, how can the Tang army be invincible if we don't use capable ministers and generals like Chai Rong and Guo Ziyi, but instead reuse these villains who deceive the superiors and conceal the corruption and pervert the law?"
At this moment, there was a sound of horse hoofbeats, and several Sui army knights galloped from a distance, shouting: "I am a messenger, asking to see Duke Zhu!"
Zhu Yuanzhang recognized the person who came, it was Sui He who had left his command and joined the Sui army. He snorted coldly, paused, and then said seriously: "Let him in!"
Not long after, Sui Ran came to Zhu Yuanzhang under the leadership of several soldiers.
Sui He bowed and said, "I have met my lord."
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Sui He, with a pair of sharp eyes that wanted to pierce him. After a long time, he said coldly: "If you come to see me, you are not afraid that I will kill you in anger!"
"Won't!"
Sui He shook his head and said with a smile: "Mr. Zhu is a man of understanding. I think Mr. Zhu will definitely abide by the rule of not killing envoys when the two armies are fighting."
"Not always!"
Zhu Yuanzhang showed a fierce look on his face: "Now that I have reached this point, why do I care about my reputation? What's more, my husband abandoned me in the first place. What's wrong with me killing the disloyal people!"
Li Wenzhong and Hua Yun, two generals who came after hearing the words, immediately drew their swords out of their sheaths and stared at Sui He coldly.
It doesn't matter whether he is humble or arrogant. As a lobbyist, if he doesn't even have this confidence, there is no need for him to mess around. He immediately said calmly: "Zhu Gong, as the saying goes, a good bird chooses a tree to roost in. Although Sui He abandoned Zhu Gong, he never betrayed the slightest information about Zhu Gong's army. There is no such thing as disloyalty."
Zhu Yuanzhang snorted lightly, glanced at Hua Yun and Li Wenzhong, waved his hands, and the two understood and slowly put the sword into its scabbard.
"Tell me, why did you come to me at this time?"
Sui He smiled slightly and said, "Is it true that Mr. Zhu doesn't know the purpose of my visit?"
"You want me to surrender and dream!"
Zhu Yuanzhang snorted disdainfully.
Sui He sighed and said: "Why is it necessary, Mr. Zhu? Now the general trend of the world has become clear. The land of Hebei has been war-torn, the land is barren, the villages are dilapidated, and the people are in dire straits. The people's minds are determined to be the general trend. Spring plowing is around the corner, and the court has already prepared The decree exempted the people in Hebei from paying taxes, and the government also provided cattle and horses to help plow the fields. Zhu Gong's soldiers are all young and strong people from Hebei. At this time, they should contribute to the revival of their homeland. Zhu Gong should also pay tribute to these loyal soldiers under his command. Think about it.”
Zhu Yuanzhang looked around at the soldiers who had gathered around him from unknown time. None of them spoke, but their eyes finally revealed the nostalgia for their hometown.
Sui He continued: "Zhu Gong, your Majesty once said that Zhu Gong implemented benevolent government in Hebei and provided rest for the people. He did not impose excessive taxes. The Turks burned, killed and looted in Hebei. Zhu Gong strongly opposed it, but it was difficult for him to survive alone. However, he also strictly ordered his subordinates not to participate in the Turkic attack. Human atrocities, so Your Majesty cannot bear to kill Duke Zhu."
Li Shanchang, who was beside Zhu Yuanzhang, sneered and said, "I'm afraid Yang Gao doesn't mean what he means!"
Sui He said calmly: "Sir, you are overly worried. Your Majesty is kind today. Xiao Xian and Dou Jiande both raised high rebellion flags. Zhu Gong's beloved son Zhu Di also received preferential treatment after he was captured by our army."
After a pause, He continued: "Mr. Zhu, our army is actually very aware of the situation in Ci County. How many days can the food and grass in the city sustain more than 50,000 of you? Your Majesty really wants to free Mr. Zhu and Mr. Zhu." The soldiers under your command have a way out. Zhu Gong, please consider these soldiers under your command. Even if these soldiers die loyally for you, will the history books of future generations record their loyalty?
No, the history books will only record that they colluded with the barbarians, harmed their hometown, were stubborn and died for the foreigners, and will be infamous for thousands of years! "
At this time, even Li Wenzhong and Hua Yun, who were most loyal to Zhu Yuanzhang, lowered their heads. They were not afraid of death and would not frown even if Zhu Yuanzhang asked them to go out and die. What should we fear if a soldier dies in battle and is wrapped in horse leather? But they are also afraid that their death will not only leave them with no reputation for loyalty, but will lead to eternal infamy for colluding with foreign races and forgetting their ancestors. Such a crime will bring shame to their ancestors and make their descendants unable to hold their heads high for the rest of their lives.
With a clang, I don't know who was the first to put down their weapons, and then countless soldiers dropped their spears, bows and arrows. Li Wenzhong and Hua Yun did not put down their weapons, but they lowered their heads and did not dare to look at Zhu Yuanzhang.
"The Sui Dynasty lost its deer, and the whole world chased it away. I, Zhu Yuanzhang, originally had great ambitions, but my destiny was not there. What a pity!"
Zhu Yuanzhang let out a long sigh and slowly lowered the sword hanging from his waist: "Command the three armies to surrender in Kaicheng!"
