Li Gu gave Li Yu three days to consider surrender. Even for such a major event as surrendering to Jinling, it was considered sufficient, but it was very difficult to make a decision. Perhaps it was precisely because of these three days that Li Yu was given the opportunity to delay and hesitate. He was still deep in the palace without saying a word, as if he wanted to use up the last grace period.
It is ridiculous to say that since the Han army knocked the pass, Li Yu has not yet climbed to the top of Jinling City to see the Han army with his own eyes and get to know the battles of this army that is about to destroy his country and make him the king of subjugation. momentum.
In fact, even the troops still guarding Jinling did not offer condolences or rewards, let alone measures to appease and encourage the people. Faced with the crisis of national subjugation, Li Yu actually chose to give up and trapped himself in the palace city, waiting for the last moment to arrive.
Of course, during these three days, Li Yu did not move, and there were always people who were active. In Jinling City, some people led by Chen Qiao are still actively running around, mobilizing personnel and materials, and making difficult preparations for defense. These are a very small number of people who have a passion, are grateful for the kindness, and still have a glimmer of hope for Jiangnan. and thoughts.
In contrast, Zhong Mo's group did not take any big action. They just spread some rumors, exacerbating the panic in the city, dividing people's hearts, and promoting the benefits of surrender. This force was small in number, but many people were inspired by them, which caused a great response. The army's will to resist continued to weaken, and the people of Jinling were eager to avoid war and preserve themselves.
This is like beating a snake seven inches apart. Chen Qiao and others can't even do anything to Zhong Mo's party who are nakedly clamoring for surrender. How can they still change the direction of people's hearts? We can only struggle in vain against the tide of historical trends.
Most of the Jiangnan bureaucrats chose to remain silent, watching Li Yu silently, and waiting silently for the city to be destroyed. Although the destruction of Jiangnan would directly harm their interests, most people still have some concerns about survival and destruction. Basic understanding. If you surrender, the result may be unpredictable, but if you resist stubbornly, the outcome in the future will definitely be ugly!
While the personnel and affairs in Jinling City were in various situations and there were constant disturbances, outside Jinling City, the Han army's war preparations were carried out in an orderly manner and implemented to the end. During this period, the biggest thing that happened was that the crown prince Liu Yang and the eldest son Liu Xu served as the court's envoys and came to Jinling to reward the troops.
A reward to the troops made the troops in the camp happy and their morale high. Emperor Liu's intention was not only to continue to train the prince and increase his prestige and qualifications, but also to express to the people of Jiangnan that the court valued and cared about them, and to prepare for their subsequent reception and governance.
At the same time, it also brought some pressure to Li Gu. Perhaps due to the successive victories, the Pingnan war was progressing too smoothly, which accelerated the emperor's patience. He wanted to wipe the independent countries of Jiangnan from the map and replace them with big men. The colors will completely eliminate these separatist regimes that have existed for half a century away from the central government.
The 13th was the last day Li Gu gave Li Yu a deadline. After thinking hard for a long time and listening to a lot of suggestions, Li Yu still couldn't make up his mind even though he already had a preference in his heart. In the afternoon of that day, Zhong Mo was summoned to the palace for discussion. Soon after, Zhong Mo was ordered to prepare more than two hundred carts of wine, food, and vegetables and leave the city to reward the army. Zhong Mo's mission was to ask the Han army for a few more days of grace.
In the handsome tent, Zhong Mozhi was given a warm reception. The seating arrangements are more interesting. Li Gu and Liu Yang sit at the same table, followed by Liu Xu and Shi Shouxin. Originally, Li Gu wanted Liu Yang to take the seat, but Liu Yang refused, saying that Li Gu was both the general marshal and the general. Elder, the prince is so humble, Li Gu dare not be arrogant, saying that Liu Yang is both the prince and the court envoy, so he should have taken the seat. The old man and the young man resigned modestly for a few rounds, and Liu Xu gave a suggestion and asked them to sit together on the same case.
In addition, there were also senior generals such as Zhao Yanjin and Zhang Yongde. Such a standard of reception gave Zhong Mo a lot of face. Of course, it was not just because of his status as the envoy of Jinling.
After several years of training in the imperial court, although Liu Yang is still young, his temperament and self-cultivation have been tempered, and he will not have stage fright in such situations. Before leaving, Emperor Liu had taught him that he was not allowed to interfere in military affairs or talk too much, but as the crown prince, he could not lose the majesty of the royal family and the magnanimity of the Tian family.
The atmosphere in the tent was quite harmonious. Although there were few close friends, there was no need to make the atmosphere too stiff because the Crown Prince was here. Liu Yang had a very kind attitude toward Zhong Mo and smiled at him and said: "Before coming, your Majesty once told me that Duke Zhong was a loyal minister of the Han Dynasty. For the great cause of unification, he was willing to take risks, regardless of safety and reputation. It has been ten years since I dedicated myself to the enemy camp. Although I have no outstanding achievements, I have done a lot of hard work and should be highly commended!"
"I came south under the imperial edict, so I take this cup to express my admiration for Mr. Zhong for his ten years of hard work!" Liu Yang took the initiative to raise his cup to Zhong Mo.
After hearing what the prince said, no matter what he thought in his heart, the reaction on his face was very violent. He stood up, spilled the wine in his glass, and bowed to Liu Yang. Zhong Mo had a look of emotion on his face: "How honored I am to have Your Majesty miss you so much? I have no other ambitions but to do my best to repay Your Majesty and serve the country!"
"If we can capture Jinling this time without any use of weapons or blood, Mr. Zhong will be greatly rewarded!" Liu Yang said.
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince, has given you the award!" In front of the room full of General Pingnan, Zhong Mo did not dare to make excuses, so he hurriedly said humbly: "With Grand Marshal Li Gong and all the generals here, how can Zhong Mo dare to talk about merit? Just because he took advantage of the situation, he Just showing off your words!"
"Zhong Shangshu's three-inch tongue is worth tens of thousands of powerful soldiers!" Li Gu also smiled and showed goodwill to Zhong Mo.
Shi Shouxin also said: "Without Zhong Shangshu telling us about the situation in the city, how could our army know the truth? This would destroy the city and save a lot of trouble!"
"Don't dare to take it! Don't take it!" Although there was a smile on his lips, Zhong Mo's attitude was still very low. In front of these people in the handsome tent, he did not dare to be high-profile at all.
After drinking a few glasses of wine and socializing for a while, Zhong Mo took the initiative and said, "May I ask His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and the Grand Marshal whether they are sure to launch an attack on Jinling tomorrow?"
When business was mentioned, the atmosphere in the tent became a little calmer. Li Gu looked at Liu Yang. Liu Yang did not speak, but gestured towards Li Gu. Seeing this, Li Gu looked at Zhong Mo, his voice was old but extremely tough and firm: "Preparations for the attack have been completed. If Jinling does not surrender, the army will attack as usual tomorrow without delay!
Zhong Shangshu can repay the favor to the Lord of Jiangnan. He still has one night to think about it. Don't have any other extravagant hopes. Surrender is his only way out. His Royal Highness is here under an edict. As long as he takes the initiative to surrender, he can be safe. If the army breaks the city, all consequences and responsibilities will be borne by him! "
Hearing this, Zhong Mo sobered up from his drunkenness, stood up and said respectfully: "I understand! I will tell the king of the country to urge him to surrender!"
When Zhong Mo returned to Jinling to report to Li Yu, it was already dark. Before entering the palace, Zhong Mo even washed his face with cold water to keep himself awake and persuade. At this time, he also had an additional thought in persuading Li Yu to surrender to protect the city and reduce the losses of the soldiers and people.
On the other hand, it is also a friendship for Li Yu. Although it is difficult to understand the ambivalence of a subjugated king, there is a huge difference between surrendering before breaking the city or surrendering after breaking the city. Zhong Mo saw this clearly, and Li Gu also revealed this meaning in his words.
"The Han army actually refused to give them three or two days of grace?" In Chengxin Hall, Li Yu stood up directly, with a hint of dissatisfaction in his tone.
During this period of time, the young king was under great pressure, especially psychological pressure, and the stubble on his lips became much thicker.
"If the king is sincere in his intention to surrender, why would he need these three or two extra days?" Zhong Mo asked in return.
Hearing this, Li Yu stopped talking.
Seeing the young king's depressive temperament becoming more and more obvious, Zhong Mo also felt a little unbearable in his heart. He opened his mouth and said solemnly: "Your Majesty, the army is approaching the city now and the situation is irreversible. If you want to keep the Li family safe, Please make your decision early and don’t hesitate any longer.
Otherwise, if the imperial court is offended, everything will be shattered in the end. The Lord of the country should know that Nanping, Meng Shu and Hunan, Nanping surrendered voluntarily, and returned to the court to gain the title of king, and enjoy wealth and honor, which has been passed down for one generation; Meng Shu surrendered to Chengdu, and returned to the court without losing his position as a prince, with wealth and glory. Hunan went to war and resisted the imperial court. To this day, Zhou's mother and son are still dressed in coarse linen and working in the gardens of the Han Palace.
Both are surrendering, but there is a gap between them. I hope the country can save it! "
After Zhong Mo said this, Li Yu's face finally changed, and there was a hint of panic in his eyes. After hesitating for a while, Li Yu said: "I want to ask the clan brothers for their opinions..."
Li Yu cannot have the final say on matters such as surrender. It is a family matter that should be decided together by everyone.
