Hearing what Zhao Kuangyin said, Dang Jin was thoughtful, and then he looked unhappy: "So you are worried about the army on the north route! Attack the troops from both routes and attack the Shu army at the same time. They are moving slowly, do you still want to attack them?" Do you blame us for marching too fast? Moreover, the soldiers fought hard all the way west. How difficult was it to travel such a long distance from Kuizhou to Chengdu?
Now, Chengdu is right in front of us, within easy reach, but the commander-in-chief is hesitant and wants to share the great achievements of destroying the city and destroying the country. If the soldiers know about it, he is afraid that they will be resentful! "
"Let me see! You are the one with the greatest grievance!" Zhao Kuangyin glared at him and said, "You think so, but what about the generals on the North Road? If everyone takes credit for their merits and rewards for their achievements, both of them will There will be disputes among the troops, and when they enter Chengdu, there will also be chaos!"
In fact, Zhao Kuangyin was also a little entangled in his heart, and he could understand the party's understanding and thoughts. However, his perspective on things was different after all. He was not only a military strategist, but also a politician. For those who play politics, things will inevitably be more complicated to consider.
His Eastern Route Army, both in terms of strength and generals, was a partial division. It was to support the army in the north. As it flew to Chengdu, it was already suspected of usurping the host and inevitably aroused the jealousy of the Northern Route Army.
If the northern army is still blocked from Lizhou or Jiange, then Zhao Kuangyin will choose to take Chengdu without hesitation. However, the reality is that the Northern Route Army has broken through all the obstacles in the north, crossed the dangerous terrain, and entered Mianzhou. It is only a day or two away from Chengdu, and the cavalry can arrive very quickly. In this way, Zhao Kuangyin had to worry more.
For Zhao Kuangyin, his contribution to leading the army and arriving in Chengdu one step ahead of schedule was already great enough. After returning to the court, he would be promoted to a higher rank and be filled with glory. If you are still not satisfied, it will easily arouse the jealousy and criticism of others. How can Zhao Kuangyin not understand the truth that anything good in the forest will be destroyed? In fact, given the current situation, the officers and soldiers of the North Route Army may already have an idea...
Think again about the generals in the north, Xiang Xun, Gao Huaide, Wang Quanbin and others, which one is weaker than him in terms of qualifications, status, and status. Even if Xiang Xun is magnanimous, it is inevitable that he will not have some ideas.
Under the condition of ensuring meritorious service, it is not worth taking the risk of offending the North Road general in order to enter Chengdu. Eating alone will not produce any good results.
Furthermore, there is a saying that compared to the Eastern Route Army, the war in the north was indeed more difficult for the soldiers in general.
Of course, if there are any, it would be difficult to tell the party directly. When I told him these things, the topic reached this point. Even looking at Dang Jin's reaction, Zhao Kuangyin felt that he had said too much.
After thinking about it, Zhao Kuangyin said to Dang Jin very seriously: "I have made up my mind on this matter, no more words! Also, our conversation just now is not allowed to be leaked, so as not to shake the morale of the military. Remember, we must take the overall situation into account. It’s important!”
Hearing what Zhao Kuangyin said, Dang Jin wanted to reply, I don't know the overall situation, but in the face of his serious and even stern expression, he still obeyed his orders honestly: "Yes!"
Before long, the military academy in front of the village came to report that envoys from Chengdu were out, hoping to see the commander-in-chief. His face couldn't help showing curiosity, and he patted the sulky Dang Jin: "Let's go and see what the Chengdu envoy wants!"
In front of the Han camp, Li Hao and Zhao Jiwen, both civil and military, were waiting at the front, followed by hundreds of pack trucks filled with supplies and escorts.
The camp door opened wide, and Zhao Kuangyin and Dang Jin came out. When they heard the title of "Dushuai", Li Hao and Zhao Jiwen hurriedly stepped forward to salute and introduce themselves.
With a playful look in his eyes, Zhao Kuangyin glanced at Zhao Jiwen, looking very embarrassed. Then he looked at Li Hao, who had an old look on his face, and asked, "What are you two doing here?"
Li Hao took a step forward, with a humble smile on his face, and said: "Come back to the capital, Master Wang is coming from afar, and the carriage and horses are tired. I have been specially ordered to prepare some wine and meat to reward the master, and also summoned some servants from the city to give him a reward." The army is ready."
After carefully looking at Zhao Kuangyin, Li Hao held the surrender watch in both hands, presented it to him, and said: "The arrival of the king's master, the emperor's majesty, and the speed of the sage. The king of our country does not dare to resist in Yingcheng anymore. Now I am willing to follow the general trend." , I offer my land to you sincerely, and I am here to surrender. I only hope to save the life of Hecheng, please accept it!"
After Li Hao finished speaking, Dang Jin, who was following Zhao Kuangyin, could not help but show excitement in his eyebrows. After looking at Zhao Kuangyin, he opened his mouth to speak but held it back.
Zhao Kuangyin took the surrender form, opened it and looked at it: "I was born in Bingmen and grew up in Shu. Fortunately, with the foundation of my ancestors, I was able to compile and inherit it from a young age...
The remaining soul of Gu Xiaomei is lucky to be able to protect his family. The concubine envoys and ministers sleep in the temple, not as a place for woodcutter. In addition to the old mother's court, there is still a place for greetings. Seeing that I will protect the treasury now and patrol the military city to prevent damage, I will take care of it in the future. Chen Changjin led the civil and military officials to see the officials and went to the palace to return for their orders. "
After reading it, Zhao Kuangyin chuckled and praised: "What a literary talent!"
Hearing this, Li Hao couldn't help but blush slightly.
Not paying attention to the strangeness, Zhao Kuangyin thought for a while, and under Li Hao's unexpected gaze, handed back the surrender form and said: "Although the troops have already arrived at the city, Meng's ability to care for the people of Chengdu and prevent the thousand-year-old city from being destroyed by war can be regarded as a meritorious deed." Infinite. However, this letter of surrender is not something that I, Zhao Kuangyin, can accept. You two can accept it and go to the North Route Army. They will march with me and the Han Dynasty to deploy their camps in both Sichuan and Xiang Gong.
I'm already on my way south, so I'm not far from here, so I'd like to ask you two to work harder and walk a little further north. As for these rewards for the troops, I accept them with joy! "
Li and Zhao looked at each other. Zhao Jiwen was a little puzzled, while Li Hao was a little surprised, and then he was thoughtful.
"General Dang, send a small group of cavalry to escort them north!" Zhao Kuangyin ordered Dang Jin.
"Yes!" Dang Jin said loudly, but everyone could hear the indignation in his tone.
"Dushuai, you gave up three opportunities to enter Chengdu this night!" On the way back to the account, Dang Jin had a sad expression on his face.
"If word spreads, it might be a good talk, don't you think?" Zhao Kuangyin chuckled, obviously understanding.
"Let people check the supplies for the army in Chengdu. If there are no problems, distribute them to each battalion. The soldiers have indeed worked hard and need to be rewarded! Send some to Cui Yanjin. Give some to the surrendered Shu soldiers. Meat and wine!" Zhao Kuangyin ordered: "If you are angry, drink more wine!"
"Yes!" Dang Jin responded helplessly.
At about 4 o'clock, there was a tremor on the ground in the northern suburbs of Chengdu, but thousands of Han cavalry, led by the heroic general Ma Renyu, headed straight for Jinguan City.
After Zhao Kuangyin entered the basin, he learned about the situation of the North Route Army. Similarly, after taking Mianzhou and surrendering the Yi Shen Zheng Army, the North Route Army also learned about Zhao Kuangyin's progress. Knowing that Zhao Kuangyin was approaching Chengdu, the generals on the North Road couldn't sit still. At that time, some generals cursed Zhao Kuangyin, saying that he came here to steal the credit...
Xiang Xun was well-educated, but faced with the turbulent military situation, it was difficult to suppress him, so he took a short rest in Mianzhou and then quickly led his troops southward. As for the cavalry led by Ma Renyu, they should be the vanguard and let them gallop on the plains.
When he learned that Ma Renyu's army had arrived, Zhao Kuangyin seemed very enthusiastic. He sent someone to invite him to the side of the camp, and gave them part of the military supplies given by Chengdu.
Li Hao and Zhao Jiwen, on their way north, were accompanied by some Han cavalry. They met Ma Renyu's army and learned that they were going to surrender. Ma Renyu decisively ordered people to "escort" them together.
In Hanzhou and Luo County, Xiang Xun's army has arrived. Even excluding the troops stationed along the way, the number of Shu armies on the north route plus the surrendered Shu soldiers and the conscripted civilians totaled nearly 100,000. Compared with the early days of the Southern Expedition, the number of people did not increase or decrease, but nearly doubled.
Facing the arrival of Shu envoys, the army stopped advancing and rested in place. Xiang Xun spread a rug and set up a banquet table in the Daozuo wilderness, and invited Gao Huaide, Wang Quanbin and other generals to receive Li Hao.
After reading the surrender, Xiang Xun showed joy in his brows and eyes, and immediately accepted it. He said to Li Hao: "It is very rare for the chief minister in Shu to have such intention. I will accept it and report to the emperor to treat him with kindness. I will I will send a general to follow you back to Chengdu, meet with Meng Chang, and reply that the emperor's benevolence will be rewarded by the court's kindness and trust. As long as he is willing to surrender and save Chengdu from the war, it will be a great achievement, so he does not need to worry."
"Thank you, Du Shuai!" After receiving Xiang Xun's assurance, Li Hao breathed a sigh of relief and bowed in thanks.
Putting away the surrender watch, Xiang Xun thought for a while, looked at Li Hao, and asked: "I heard that our east-route army arrived at the outskirts of Chengdu yesterday. Since the Lord of Shu has prepared the surrender watch, why should he sacrifice the near and seek the far away?"
Upon hearing this, Li Hao explained the situation of the East Route Army and Zhao Kuangyin's attitude to Xiang Xun.
After hearing this, he was a little surprised, quickly came to his senses, and said to him: "You two have worked hard from the north, you can go down to rest for a while, drink some water, and eat some food. Later, I will send someone to follow you back to Chengdu. !”
"Thank you for being handsome!"
"Murong Chengtai!" Xiang Xun said to Murong Chengtai again: "Follow them and go to Chengdu first!"
"yes!"
After the Shu envoy retreated, he looked around and said to Gao Huaide and Wang Quanbin: "This Zhao Kuangyin came to Chengdu and refused to accept it, and refused to accept the offer of surrender. This is because he is waiting for our army on the northern route!"
"This man's magnanimity is extraordinary. He was able to resist the temptation to enter Chengdu first and capture his king and ministers. It is worthy of admiration. No wonder His Majesty entrusted him with the important task of making him the commander of the East Route!" Gao Huaide thought for a while and sighed.
Wang Quanbin, who was quite dissatisfied with the actions of the East Route Army, softened his tone a little at this time and said: "He is considered interesting!
However, this man traveled thousands of miles and reached Chengdu quickly. Considering his rapid progress, he obviously had the intention of taking Chengdu. It's just that our army is already at our side, so he doesn't dare to have it all to himself! If it hadn't been for that autumn rain and Yi Shenzheng's entanglement, no matter how fast he flew, he wouldn't have been able to get ahead of us! "
"No matter what, we have to accept his favor this time!" Xiang Xun breathed a sigh of relief.
"However, even if he is allowed to enter Chengdu City first, are you still afraid that I will take the credit? The credit of our North Army cannot be surpassed by Chengdu City!" Xiang Xun said again.
What he said was generous and magnanimous, but how he felt in his heart was inhumane.
On August 18th, the 10th year of Emperor Qianyou's reign, he defeated the army on the northern route of Shu and reached Chengdu, where he joined the Han army on the eastern route at the city gate. Upon hearing the arrival of the army, Meng Chang, the Lord of Shu, prepared the ceremony for the subjugation of the country. He led the civil and military soldiers and civilians to greet him at Shengxian Bridge and asked Xun Chengzhi to release him.
Later Shu died, and the country was founded by Meng Zhixiang, the ancestor of Later Shu, which lasted for twenty-four years for two dynasties.
