In normal times, rumors are easily suppressed.
But this is a desperate situation.
The effect of Xiao Yuan's attack on the heart was achieved. When the news came back, all the kings showed joy. King Liang couldn't help but smile and said:
"Everyone knows that I have contacted a minister of the Yan Kingdom. You know, that is Situ!"
"I have some here too." The Spirit King followed.
There is no doubt that in this situation, some ministers who are greedy for life and fear of death have many secret tricks in order to survive or to leave a way out for themselves.
Xiao Yuan was in a good mood and said with a smile: "In that case, let's add more fire to these traitorous ministers who want to leave a way out!"
"Okay!" King Liang immediately agreed.
Two days later, Yanwang Palace.
Before going to court, several ministers gathered together and discussed something in low voices as they walked forward. Among them was Yanguo Situ Zhou Miao.
King Liang's promise to him was to ask him to persuade King Yan. If the matter was successful, he would not only retain his official position, but also be rewarded for his merits.
People like Zhou Miao are greedy for life and fearful of death. They are a typical traitor in disguise. In the past, they have plundered countless people's wealth and wealth. How could he be willing to accompany King Yan to die! He hasn't lived enough of his extravagant life!
And several people around him, according to secret letters, have learned that they are all members of the same way.
Not long after, all the ministers came to the palace.
During the court meeting, King Yan had always looked unhappy. He first raised the current predicament, then looked around and asked the ministers what they could do to deal with it.
What strategy is there now? Either fight to the death or surrender as soon as possible. There is no third way.
The ministers bowed their heads and remained silent again as before.
When King Yan saw this, he became very angry and couldn't help but said: "You ministers! You are not all eloquent on weekdays. Why are you all mute when the country is in crisis!"
People are lower.
At this time, Zhou Miao looked around, and first gave a vague wink to his companions. Then he was the first to stand up, cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty."
Seeing someone coming out of the queue, King Yan was shocked and quickly asked: "Ah? Does Zhou Aiqing have a good plan?"
"This..." Zhou Miao looked a little embarrassed, but soon he said seriously: "Your Majesty, our country is unable to recover from the current war situation. In the humble opinion, in order to avoid unnecessary casualties, we should make plans early. "
I thought he was here to offer advice, but when he heard this, King Yan was stunned for a moment, then frowned: "What does Zhou Aiqing mean?"
Zhou Miao swallowed, and in order to survive, she mustered up her courage. First, she secretly glanced at King Yan, and then said cautiously: "For the sake of the people of the city, and the plan of 200,000 soldiers, maybe... maybe we can ask for surrender..."
"What did you say!?" King Yan was furious when he heard this.
But before he could say the second sentence, another minister immediately stood up: "Yes, Your Majesty, Mr. Zhou is right. In the current situation, even if we fight to the death, in the end, the blood of two hundred thousand soldiers will be shed." On the battlefield, the two kings of Qin and Liang are brutal, and they might even massacre the city..."
"Your Majesty, in this situation, if we don't surrender, the whole city will be in danger..."
"Your Majesty, please think of the common people..."
"Your Majesty, think twice..."
Several ministers stood up and expressed their agreement with what Zhou Miao said.
"You! You!" King Yan was stunned for a moment, looking at these people with wide eyes.
The other ministers also looked around, their thoughts changing, and the corners of their mouths moving slightly.
Someone else stood up: "Your Majesty..."
But before he could say anything, King Yan had already reacted, and what followed immediately became angry from embarrassment!
"shut up!"
He shouted sternly, stood up angrily, pointed at Zhou Miao and others and said: "You bunch of traitors! This is such a critical moment! You don't want to be loyal to the country! You talk shamelessly and persuade me to surrender!"
As he spoke, his anger did not diminish, and he immediately shouted: "Come here!"
Following his order, the guards outside the palace immediately stepped in, cupped their fists and saluted: "Your Majesty."
"Drag these traitorous officials down and behead them in public!" King Yan pointed at Zhou Miao and others.
"No!" the guard responded immediately, but no matter who you were, they were dragging Zhou Miao out, one on the left and the other on the right.
The latter did not expect this to happen. He was so frightened that he screamed and shouted repeatedly: "Your Majesty, spare your life! Your Majesty, please spare your life... I am loyal and sincere. I am only thinking about the soldiers and the people. I have no other intentions... …”
But his shout quickly disappeared outside the hall.
A minister died like this!
This is why King Yan has no choice. At such a juncture, he can only kill the chicken to scare the monkeys.
After beheading Zhou Miao in anger, he stared around and shouted in a loud voice: "I would rather die than surrender! All my soldiers will fight to the end! From now on, anyone who dares to surrender will be charged with treason." Discuss!"
This move silenced all the ministers. Those who wanted to persuade them to surrender did not dare to say a word. They broke out in cold sweat and became lower.
King Yan killed Zhou Miao to frighten the court. He insisted on fighting to the end, but this did not mean that others were the same as him.
Loyal ministers don’t say anything.
After seeing this, many ministers felt even more desperate. They knew that besides death, they would still die.
For this reason, many people began to complain of illness and refrained from going to court.
If you try to persuade them to surrender, they will be killed. If you don't, they will also be killed by the enemy. Officials will panic.
The news spread to the south gate.
The guard here is still Zhang Xi.
At this moment, Zhang Xi's mentality is very complicated.
Although the South Gate defenders were still arranging defenses on the surface, in fact, there were already problems internally, which had a lot to do with the rumors in the city.
The soldiers' panic spread throughout the army, and the unstable morale of the soldiers made Zhang Xi feel even more hopeless.
He is already like this, and it is conceivable that his lieutenants are even less so.
Now, after hearing about Zhou Miao's murder, his lieutenant general couldn't help but said: "General, your Majesty insists that we all die in battle. Once the coalition forces launch a strong attack, by then, none of the officers and soldiers, including you and me, will be able to do it." Live, how can this be good?"
There were only two people in the hall, Zhang Xi glanced at him: "Just say what you want to say."
"This..." the deputy general hesitated for a moment and said cautiously: "I wonder if the general has heard that when the King of Qin attacked Jin Dynasty, there was a young general named Liao Shuang. Just because he chose the opportunity to defect to the country, he got the post of county guard and became a general. identity of……"
"Hiss, you mean..." Zhang Xi's expression became serious.
He didn't scold or blame the lieutenant.
Seeing this, the deputy general knew that Zhang Xi actually didn't want to die, so he quickly said: "General, just think about it, the coalition forces really want to enter the city now, but why haven't they attacked by force? And if the south gate is opened and closed actively, then the credit will be too much." Big!”
"It makes sense, it makes sense..."
Zhang Xi sighed: "Rather than die anyway, it's better to take the opportunity to gain fame and fortune."
