Jinling, the ancient capital of six dynasties and a famous city for 800 years, has experienced many ups and downs during this period, but it has always behaved like a conquered person, waiting for the arrival of strong troops. Now, in these cold winter years, Jinling has once again embarked on the old path of history, with soldiers besieging the city and reaching the end of the road.
On the Qinhuai River, the scenery is no longer beautiful. The light boats are cruising and patrolling, and the war flags of the Han army are hanging on them. After the troops arrived at the city, the Han army showed more patience. Under the unified command of Li Gu, generals Zhang Yongde, Zhao Yanjin, Yin Chongke, etc. spent three days attacking from three sides and uprooting the cities outside Jinling one by one.
During this process, the Southern Army basically did not put up much strong and tenacious resistance and was easily defeated. However, it was not so easy for the main city of Jinling.
Climbing high and looking out, even if it is difficult to see the whole view of Jinling, you can still imagine the panic-stricken scene in the city standing in the cold winter wind. Although he was feeling a little unwell, Li Gu was still in a state of excitement. The generosity of his early years and his ambition to level up Nan Zhi were realized in front of his eyes.
Since the time of Yang and Wu, Jinling has not experienced war for fifty or sixty years. Therefore, this city with its bustling population and prosperous economy is extremely unsuitable for the arrival of imperial soldiers.
Outside the city, the Han army was making preparations for siege. Giant siege weapons were being built and assembled. Truckloads of stone bombs, kerosene bombs and ammunition made of gunpowder were transported to the front line. They wanted to conquer Jinling City. Devouring and destroying.
Li Gu couldn't help but sigh: "Since the Tang Dynasty, wars have been raging in the north for many years. Jinling has been managed by Yang Wu and Jiangnan for decades before it can reach its current state. It would be a pity if it is destroyed by the war!"
Accompanying Li Gu to survey, Shi Shouxin also looked into the wind at Jinling. Listening to his words, he said: "It is indeed a pity! Why not persuade him to surrender?"
"Judging from the news coming out of the city, the chief ministers of Jinling still have illusions. Chen Qiao and other ministers are still insisting on holding on and resisting to the end! They still have 40,000 to 50,000 defenders and hundreds of thousands of ordinary people. They have vain plans. Take this as proof!" Li Gu shook his head.
Because the Han army moved quickly, the battle situation took a turn for the worse. When the king's army approached the city, not many people in Jinling City escaped, and they were all blocked inside.
Sensing the concern in Li Gu's tone, Shi Shouxin smiled slightly and said confidently: "How can tens of thousands of frustrated troops and hundreds of thousands of fearful people be able to stop the king's troops?"
"I really don't doubt that we can capture Jinling City! However, if we can persuade them to surrender, it would be both a credit and a meritorious deed by the whole city. Maybe we can give it a try!" Li Gu said.
"Mr. Li is worthy of being a benevolent and righteous gentleman!" Shi Shouxin complimented.
This is of course a compliment. A benevolent and righteous gentleman cannot be the commander of an army. Raising his hand, Li Gu asked: "How long will it take to prepare for the siege?"
"We can launch the attack in three days!" Shi Shouxin replied affirmatively.
"Where are the military rations and supplies?" Li Gu asked again.
"Zhang Mei has mobilized people and ships nearby to transport them from Runzhou. There should be no problem in supplying them!" Shi Shouxin said.
"Very good!" Li Gu's expression became solemn: "I will send a handwritten letter to persuade people to surrender. If not predicted, we will launch an offensive in three days, attack from three sides, and end the war as soon as possible! Cao Bin and the others have surrounded Nanchang. The city may be destroyed in just a moment, so Jinling cannot fall behind!"
"I am old and overwhelmed. Shouxin should be solely responsible for the command of the siege!" Li Gu said, looking at Shi Shouxin.
"Yes!" Shi Shouxin took a step back and cupped his hands.
After giving the order, Li Gu couldn't help but tremble. Feeling the pain spreading in his joints, Li Gu forced a smile and said: "The rotten body cannot withstand the cold, so you can laugh!"
Noticing Li Gu's expression, Shi Shouxin earnestly consoled him: "Li Gong is an unparalleled national scholar and a pillar of the imperial court. Please take care of yourself!"
"Thank you!" After thanking him, Li Gu breathed a sigh of relief, and the two paid off the debt together.
"The Grand Marshal, patrolling the river, intercepted a ship. He claimed to be Jiangnan Prime Minister Xu Xuan who was returning from a mission to Tokyo. He held a Guan ultimatum in his hand, hoping to let him into Jinling. The generals and others did not dare to make decisions on their own. How to deal with it? I came here to ask for instructions!" In the commander's tent, he huddled on the uncomfortable camp couch and warmed himself by the fire. He had just finished writing a letter to persuade him to surrender. Zhang Yanqing, who was in charge of water patrol, came to report.
Hearing what he said, Li Gu suddenly became interested, and immediately ordered: "Bring Xu Xuan to the commander's tent, and I will see him!"
"yes!"
Soon, Xu Xuan walked into the commander's tent under the guidance of an officer. Xu Xuan has been in a heavy mood since he had a strong argument with Emperor Liu in the Chongzheng Palace, especially after learning about the war in the south.
He had to hurry and take his time on his way back south. Even so, by the time he reached the north of the Yangtze River, Wang's division had crossed the river lightly and the news of the siege of Jinling had already spread. Not caring much, he hurriedly found a boat to cross south, but was detained by the Han soldiers patrolling the river.
Standing in front of Li Gu was an old face full of weather and fatigue, which showed that Xu Xuan's journey was not easy. Looking at Xu Xuan, Li Gu had a gentle attitude and smiled at him: "I am ill and can't get up. Mr. Xu is a famous person in the south of the Yangtze River. He didn't come far enough to greet me. Please forgive me for any lack of etiquette!"
Jiangnan celebrities......
In the past, Xu Xuan might have been proud of this, but after walking through Kaifeng and hearing these words from the mouths of the Northern Han monarchs, he only felt it was a mockery. He raised his eyes and paid attention to Li Gu, and found that the old man had a sick look on his face. Xu Xuan said with a cold face, "Why didn't the Emperor of Han show mercy to his old minister and let Li Gong use his sick body to support military affairs?"
Xu Xuan spoke with a bit of aggression, but Li Gu didn't care about it. Instead, he asked: "I heard that Xu Gongsu and Han Shuyan are on good terms?"
Hearing this, Xu Xuan was slightly stunned. He didn't know why Li Gu mentioned Han Xizai, and couldn't help but said, "What does Li Gong mean?"
Li Gu smiled faintly, looked at Xu Xuan, and said calmly: "Xu Gong has returned from his mission and wants to return to Jinling. I won't make it difficult for you. However, there are two things I want to entrust to you.
First, I would like to trouble Mr. Xu to enter the city and say hello to Uncle Han for me, saying, "I wonder if I still remember the appointment on the Huai River thirty years ago?"
Secondly, I followed the emperor's order and led the king's army to Pingnan. Today, the army is approaching the city. Jinling will be defeated soon, and the world will be unified. I wrote a special handwritten letter to the leader of Jiangnan, Duke Lao Xu, to advise him, hoping that he would surrender as soon as possible in order to prevent the army and people of the city from being destroyed by the fire of war. The situation is like this. If you follow the trend, you can still save your life and wealth. Otherwise, it will be too late to regret! "
After hearing Li Gu's intention, Xu Xuan was silent for a moment, looked at Li Gu for a while, and solemnly responded: "I can deliver the letter to Mr. Li. Please forgive me for not being able to relay the words of persuasion to surrender!"
Pretentious!
Li Gu raised his eyebrows. No wonder such news came from Tokyo. With His Majesty's strength and provocation, no wonder he would get angry?
"That's all!" Li Gu still didn't care, with a very cultivated demeanor, and said with a smile: "My thoughts are all on the paper and between the pen and ink. I think the scholar who is the leader of the Jiangnan Kingdom should be able to understand his thoughts! "
"Xu Gong has worked hard all the way. You can rest for a while in the camp, wash away the wind, frost and morning mist, and drink some food and wine. Then I will send someone to take you to the city!" Li Gu said again.
Xu Xuan refused directly: "I accept Li Gong's kindness. If allowed, I am willing to return to Jinling as soon as possible!"
After looking at Xu Xuan for a while, Li Gu's attitude was still kind and he uttered one word: "Yes!"
So, Li Gu asked his son to write in his handwriting and hand it over to Xu Xuan. Xu Xuan was not polite, took it and bowed, turned around and left. Before he left the tent, Li Gu took the initiative to ask: "Xu Gong is a famous scholar in the south of the Yangtze River. He is a great man and has extensive knowledge. Doesn't he know the general trend of the world?"
After a pause, Xu Xuan turned around and said almost without thinking: "The leader of my country is neither the king of Jie and Zhou, nor the lord of the lawless. Even if a big country imposes weapons and weapons, even if it is difficult to resist, it is destiny, and it is not my master's failure." Virtue. Although Xu is not talented, he also knows loyalty. Mr. Li treated me with great kindness, even if he put an ax and ax on his neck, I should follow him..."
Xu Xuan's face was upright and his words were resounding. Seeing this, Li Gu was also a little curious, if there really was a day when an ax was inserted into his neck, would he still be so generous and fearless.
