"What!" When Li Zhenggu heard this, his expression changed, and he was so surprised that he lost his voice. He confirmed to Li Jing in disbelief: "What did your Majesty say?"
"Other than that, if you want the Han army to stop fighting and retreat north, there is no other way!" Li Jing's face was tense, his knuckles turned white, and his face was full of humiliation.
"Your Majesty, you can't!" Li Zhenggu immediately prostrated himself and said urgently: "Huainan is half of the country, just like a person's two feet. If one of them is lost, how can the Tang Dynasty gain a foothold in the world? If the north of the Yangtze River is lost, how can the south of the Yangtze River be defended?"
"If you don't sacrifice the north of the Yangtze River, the Han army will not be willing to give up. I'm afraid it will be difficult to save the south of the Yangtze River!" Li Deming refuted from the side.
Hearing this, Li Zhenggu immediately turned his head and rebuked angrily: "It must be you, the traitor, who made this slanderous statement to His Majesty. The Emperor of Han Dynasty promised you so many benefits, yet he dared to make such a treasonous proposal."
Li Deming couldn't stand being scolded by Li Zhenggu. In the Tang court, he had always been ostracized by Song Qiqiu and Li Zhenggu's party, so he responded angrily: "How dare you insult me! I just convey the wishes of the Han Emperor to His Majesty, how can I talk about betraying the country!
It's only you who don't understand the general situation, ignore the overall situation, don't know your own capabilities, and talk about military affairs. If it weren't for you, how could the Tang Dynasty have suffered consecutive defeats and reached this dangerous situation! Could it be that you really want to bring down the Tang Dynasty before you are satisfied? "
"Traitor! Traitor! Traitor! Traitor!" Li Zhenggu stood up directly, rolled up his sleeves, and looked like he was about to do something. He still scolded him four times: "You dare to do dirty things in the palace, in front of the emperor, Big talk!"
"You jester, you will never stop slandering me like this!" Li Deming shot back.
"Shut up!" Li Jing was upset by the quarrel between the two of them and couldn't help shouting angrily, calling them to stop.
The quarrel in the palace suddenly stopped, and it suddenly became quiet. You could hear the drop of a needle. Sitting slumped behind the imperial desk, Li Jing looked at Zhong Mo and Li Deming: "You two, go to Jiangbei again to discuss peace with the Han Emperor." , tell the Han Emperor that I agree to cede Huainan and ask the Han army to have a temporary truce! We will make another form for the proposal of surrender and tribute!"
"I obey!" Li Deming said immediately.
"Your Majesty, think twice!" Li Zhenggu advised again.
"Think again, think again, can you retreat the Han army? Can you get back the cities and land occupied by the Northern Han Dynasty?" Li Jing asked back, making Li Zhenggu speechless. Li Jing felt deep in her heart that she really didn't want to hear any more reports of defeat. Since the beginning of spring, she had been exhausted by the war in Huainan.
After exiting the palace, Li Zhenggu hurriedly left Li Deming behind, caught up with Zhong Mo, and asked: "Mr. Zhong, what happened when you two went north to pay homage to the Han Emperor? As an envoy, why did you let Li Deming? Acting evil and committing adultery?"
Facing Li Zhenggu's glaring gaze, Zhong Mo just shook his head slightly and sighed: "The matter has come to this, and it is useless to talk more. Does Li Gong think that the Han army can retreat easily?"
"That can't completely cut off Huainan!" Li Zhenggu said sternly.
In the palace just now, Zhong Mo didn't say much, letting Li Deming do his best, letting the two Li quarrel, intending to minimize his weight and role in the peace negotiation. At this time, when facing Li Zhenggu, he didn't intend to say anything. He just made a sad and helpless look and slowly left the palace.
Li Zhenggu never gave up, so he immediately left the palace and went to find Song Qiqiu. The news that the emperor of the Tang Dynasty wanted to cut off all Huainan in order to achieve peace spread like a strong wind among the court and people of the Southern Tang Dynasty, causing an uproar immediately.
Previously, only the six prefectures on the Huaihe River had been criticized, but this time it was even worse. Especially after Zhong and Li set off again, the courtiers inside and outside the Southern Tang Dynasty were so passionate that they collectively submitted a letter to ask Li Jing to stop the plan to defeat the country.
Of course, it was not that these courtiers were really loyal to the Southern Tang Dynasty or overly hostile to the Han army. It's just that the Huaiyang area has too many interests, especially Yanli. How can they, those with vested interests, watch being annexed by the Northern Han Dynasty.
However, no matter how happy the clamor was, Li Jing only replied with one sentence, saying that he would stop the discussion if he could retreat the Han army. Among the court officials, only Han Xizai and a few knowledgeable people were the only ones who wanted to be passionate or even sad.
Han Xizai sent a letter to Li Jing, hoping that he could persist for a while. It was the farming season, and the Northern Han army had been working hard for a long time, so they would not be able to stay in Huainan for a long time. The longer it is delayed, the more likely there will be changes. I sincerely ask Li Jing to suspend the peace talks and wait for changes.
It's a pity that although Han Xizai was insightful, he couldn't bear Li Jing's desire for a truce, and he also felt bored after hearing the same and similar words too many times. Therefore, Han Xizai's proposal was not considered at all. Even fearing that Han Xizai would act too radically, he directly sent an imperial doctor to his mansion to "treat his illness" and let him rest in peace in the mansion.
As for Qiqiu of the Song Dynasty, he only sighed in disappointment in his mansion: The late emperor had a long road and no food, and the foundation he created has been ruined here. He only hopes that the country will not fall before he dies.
Luzhou, Hefei.
Not to mention the turbulent public opinion in the Southern Tang Dynasty, upon learning that the two envoys were back, the Han Emperor Liu Chengyou had a much better attitude. He not only ordered Wang Pu, the envoy who happened to be transferred to the camp, to lead his guards to greet them, but also received them immediately. This gesture actually made Li Deming a little flattered.
"What good news has Mr. Li brought to me this time?" Liu Chengyou pretended not to know, and changed his title to an honorific.
"Reporting to your majesty, after persuasion by my ministers, my lord has agreed to cede territory, declare himself a vassal, and pay tribute!" Li Deming made a good sale and reported to Liu Chengyou and presented Li Jing's book.
After taking the reading, a smile bloomed on Liu Chengyou's face. Looking at Li Deming, Liu Chengyou said: "Mr. Li has lived up to my expectations! He has made great contributions to the great man, and I will never forget him!"
Li Deming hurriedly said: "I only hope that the two countries can end the war as soon as possible and restore peace! My Lord, please ask Your Majesty, can you temporarily cease the war as a sign of peace?" 29GG
"You have nothing to do!" Liu Chengyou immediately ordered Zhang Yisu, who was accompanying him in the army: "You can prepare an edict and send it to the armies in Huainan to suspend the attack and rest on the spot until the outcome of the peace negotiation!"
"yes!"
At Liu Chengyou's place, rest and recuperation is probably the main purpose. After all, after taking Shouchun and marching southwards for nearly ten days, the Han armies made rapid progress, but the soldiers up and down were also exhausted. On the other hand, everything has its limits. Under such circumstances, you can change your strategy and give Li Jing hope.
"Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty!" Li Deming said.
"As for the details of this negotiation, I will discuss it with you two, Wang Pu, Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Land and Water Transport Envoy!" Liu Chengyou said, winking at Wang Pu.
Upon seeing this, Wang Pu immediately responded: "I obey your order!"
Wang Pu's work efficiency was still very high. A little later, he came back to his mission, carrying an album with him. He stood respectfully in front of the emperor and read: "After discussing with the ministers, the initial peace proposal was as follows: 1. , the Southern Tang Dynasty cut the fourteen states of Shou, Hao, Si, Chu, Guang, Hai, Chu, He, Yang, Tai, He, Shu, Huang, Qi in the north of the Yangtze River and the Han Dynasty;
Secondly, Li Jing lost his imperial title to proclaim himself a minister and changed his title to the 'Lord of the Tang Dynasty'. He stopped all the emperors' imperial attire and overrode the system, and used Qianyou to commemorate his years;
Third, between the Han and Tang Dynasties, the Yangtze River was used as the boundary, and they invaded each other. Every year, tribute was paid to Tokyo, two thousand catties of gold, one hundred thousand coins, one hundred and fifty thousand guan of money, five hundred thousand catties of tea, and one hundred thousand shi of rice and grain.
All these please be reviewed by Your Majesty. "
"Is this all proposed by us?" Liu Chengyou asked.
"The first point is the consensus of both parties. If Li Jing declares himself a minister, the second point is a must. There can only be one emperor in the world, and that is the Emperor of the Han Dynasty in the Central Plains. Those in other separatist areas and those who arrogantly declare themselves emperors should be treated one by one. Cut it off. The list of tributes was drawn up by the puppet Tang Dynasty. I think the amount will make some gains!" Wang Pu answered steadily.
Nodding his head and approving his mission, Liu Chengyou gave instructions: "Let's do this first. Make the content of the agreement into a certificate of credence and let Li Deming take it back to Jinling!"
"Let Li Deming alone? Then Zhong Mo is the envoy!" Wang Pu was a little surprised.
Liu Chengyou said calmly: "I know, but Guan Zhong and Li two people, Zhong Mo is very suspicious, and he is undecided about it. Letting him go again may cause unintended consequences. At present, the Jinling court is already full of emotions about this peace negotiation. , I am afraid that when I bring this book back, the world will be even more furious. Let Li Deming run for me!"
"Your Majesty is considerate of everything!" Wang Pu nodded.
"As for Zhong Mo, let him be with Sun Sheng for a while. Wouldn't it be beautiful to play chess and talk, singing about the wind and the moon?" Liu Chengyou ordered Li Fang, not thinking at all that there was anything wrong with forcibly detaining the envoy. . No way, who taught him how to have big fists.
After making arrangements, Liu Chengyou turned his attention to Wang Pu. Judging from his attitude, he was obviously much older than he was last year. His bun was a bit grayer, and he could not hide his fatigue between his brows.
Liu Chengyou couldn't help but take a breath and said with rare emotion: "Wang Qing, thank you for your hard work!"
Although the words were short, they were obviously more sincere.
During the Northern Han Dynasty's southern expedition, Tokyo was regarded as the base camp, Su and Ying were the transfer stations, and Wang Pu was the person in charge of the intermediate links, doing complicated and burdensome work.
He is responsible for the supply of food and ordnance to the hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians in Huainan. He is also responsible for the coordination and dispatch of nearly 100,000 civilians, raising food and wages on the spot, appeasing the people, and even responsible for the defense of Suzhou.
As a result, the emperor's troops were stationed in the south and there was no need to worry about food and equipment. Tokyo had to take 50% of the credit, while Wang Pu alone had 50% of the credit. According to what Liu Chengyou heard, Wang Pu was often exposed to frost and cold, working day and night on official duties.
"You are loyal to your duties, and you should take care of your health and not overwork yourself!" Liu Chengyou advised: "You are only forty-six years old, but you are already half haired. I can't bear it!"
"Your Majesty cares about me, I am extremely grateful!" Wang Pu bowed respectfully and responded calmly: "Your Majesty is obedient to the destiny and wishes to unify and achieve peace. I am a foot soldier in the imperial army, so I can do my best, use my strength, and save my life." If you serve the country well, you will be satisfied, so there is no need to talk about hardship!"
"Wang Qing is a true scholar of the country!" Liu Chengyou couldn't help but sigh after hearing his words.
"Zhang Dejun!" Liu Chengyou suddenly called.
"Young man is here!" Zhang Dejun, who was immersed in the friendship between the king and his ministers, was shaken and responded quickly.
Liu Chengyou ordered: "Find the imperial doctor to take Wang Qing's pulse and check his body. Also, find some of the royal medicine and supplements and give them to Wang Qing!"
"yes!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Wang Pu couldn't help but feel grateful for this.
