In an era when superiority and inferiority were clearly defined, one can imagine Li Erzhu's mood when the king was so caring.
"Get up, get up." Xiao Yuan stretched out his hand to pull him up, and at the same time patted the dust on his shoulders, and said with a gentle smile: "Okay, these are our soldiers of the Qin Army, marching forward in an indomitable and heroic manner! "
"The battle of Ruizhou established the victory on the battlefield of Qin Ling. This achievement of being the first to get there is indispensable. Those who kill generals and capture flags will be rewarded emphatically."
Having said this, Xiao Yuan looked at Li Erzhu again and said: "But Erzhu, although your name means honest and honest, in my opinion, it may be slightly changed."
Under the feudal dynasty, it was a great honor for ministers to be given names by the monarch. When Li Erzhu heard this, he was immediately dumbfounded. After reacting, he knelt down with a thud and trembled at the corners of his mouth: "Your Majesty, your grace, my minister, my minister... ....”
He was so excited that he didn't know what to say. Xiao Yuan glanced at everyone subconsciously and thought for a moment: "Well, how about calling me Li Jingzhi?"
This was not said casually, but was carefully considered. As soon as he finished speaking, Shangguan Wenruo stood up, cupped his hands and said: "Those who respect you should respect Heaven, study hard, and discipline yourself. Your Majesty will take your advice, which shows how much you value General Li."
Li Erzhu was a man who joined the army from the village and could not read a few words. It was not difficult to see Xiao Yuan's expectations for the army generals.
After hearing this explanation, Li Erzhu became even more excited, and immediately kowtowed: "My lord, thank you for your kindness——"
Xiao Yuan was still gentle: "I hope you will be as diligent and self-restrained as the moon is, as Lord Shangguan said."
"My minister, please remember the teachings of the king! How can I repay the king for his great kindness?" Li Erzhu shouted in a trembling voice, bowing his head and kowtowing.
This was the only one among all the soldiers who was personally summoned and commended by the king, and even given a name. This shows that his military exploits also left a strong mark in the history books of later generations.
Xiao Yuan temporarily adopted the strategy of encircling Lingzhou without attacking and encircling it with heavy troops. Under the shroud of war, Lingdu had already become a mess.
Some gentry officials headed by Ling Xiang were sighing and despairing at home, and some were even making arrangements for their funeral arrangements.
Other officials hurriedly traveled between the palace and the mansion, constantly asking to see King Ling and persuading him to surrender.
On the streets, many shops were closed, and the number of pedestrians dropped sharply. The once huge city became extremely depressed due to heavy military siege.
Ling Wang Palace, study room.
Cheng Pingzheng stood respectfully below and reported in detail the current situation, not only the Qin army pressing the border, but also the attitude of the eastern border troops and the commander-in-chief Chang Zhen.
Chang Zhen was already over forty years old. He was not only from a noble family, but also a member of the royal family and the brother-in-law of the Ling King. Otherwise, he would not have been the Ling King's last support.
There was news coming from the eastern border. Chang Zhen's attitude was clear and he swore allegiance to the Great Spirit to the death.
After understanding this, King Ling said feebly: "In my opinion, sir, when will the Qin army take action?"
Cheng Ping said truthfully: "I dare not assert this, but in a situation where victory is inevitable, King Qin may attack Lingzhou at any time, and your Majesty will not have much time left."
"Yes, there is no time." The Spirit King's face was very pale. Due to mental and physical exhaustion, his condition had already worsened and he was coughing up blood every day.
He closed his eyes and said leisurely: "Chang Zhen's army of one hundred thousand is the last resort for me to talk to the King of Qin. Since the matter has reached this point, let me pass the message on my behalf and invite the King of Qin to the city for a while."
"Yes, I will do it now." Cheng Ping bowed and left.
The Qin army was besieging the city on all sides, and Xiao was very close to Lingzhou, so the news naturally spread quickly.
When he learned that the Spirit King would be waiting for a while, no need to ask, this must be the final negotiation, Xiao Yuan agreed without much hesitation.
The next morning, Lingzhou South Gate.
On the city defense, there are many spiritual troops, all holding halberds, and they stand guard every three steps and sentry every five steps.
Outside the city gate, there are countless black armor and red tassels, arranged in several square formations, stretching from heaven to earth.
Some soldiers began to place a few tables and cushions outside the city. This distance was right between the two armies.
Not long after, the city gate opened, and King Ling, dressed in emperor's attire, rode a war horse, followed by General Yin Dian, and drove towards the case in a leisurely manner.
Seeing this, Xiao Yuan also lightly smashed the horse's belly, and Xu Hu quickly followed.
When they were still some way away from the case, they got off their horses out of etiquette.
The two sides met on foot. Xiao Yuan, dressed in brocade and wearing a jade hairpin, raised his hands and said, "Brother Ling Wang, you are well."
"Brother King Qin is concerned, everything is fine." King Ling also handed over.
"Brother Wang, please." Although he has proclaimed himself emperor, the Qin State has never recognized it, and Xiao Yuan's title has never changed.
"Please." The Spirit King naturally couldn't care less about this title and stretched out his hand.
The two of them were facing each other at several tables, sitting on the floor, while Xu Hu and Yin Dian were standing not far behind them.
Xiao Yuan picked up the teapot on the table and poured a cup for each of them. While pouring, he said: "I was invited today and will stay in the city for a while. I don't know what brother Ling Wang has planned."
This is equivalent to getting straight to the point.
The Spirit King's face looked very sick. Although he tried his best to restrain himself, he still couldn't help but cough a few times.
Xiao Yuan glanced at him, poured the tea seventy percent full, and put it back in the teapot.
After coughing, King Ling said: "You and I both know the current situation. There is no room for maneuver in the Ling Kingdom. Today, when I invite Prince Qin's brother to meet me, there is no need to talk about all the twists and turns. Let me put it bluntly, Lingdu can surrender." Yes, I...will abdicate voluntarily, as long as Brother Qin agrees to one condition."
"Brother Wang, please speak." Xiao Yuan stretched out his hand slightly.
King Ling said directly: "Send Lingyang to the east to spend the rest of his life. As long as King Qin's younger brother is willing to let him go, the Lingzhou army will lay down their weapons and the whole city will surrender. I will also tell the world that I will step down from the throne."
Xiao Yuan said nothing.
Seeing this, King Ling continued: "Brother King Qin, as of now, I have nothing else to ask for. I just want Lingyang to live. As long as you are willing to agree, not only can Lingzhou surrender immediately, but I can also commit suicide as a thank you. The world!"
Xiao Yuan's hand holding the teacup paused for a moment.
King Ling did not hesitate to risk his own life and the entire Lingzhou just to send Lingyang out. This was already a helpless move.
But if King Ling's son arrives in the east, Chang Zhen will definitely follow his lead. After that, he will definitely recruit troops and always think about counterattacking the Central Plains.
There is no doubt about this.
Therefore, no matter what conditions King Ling offered, as a monarch, Xiao Yuan could not agree to him.
After taking a sip of tea, Xiao Yuan put down the cup and said, "Brother Ling Wang, why don't you think about it in my shoes? If it were you, would you agree?"
A simple sentence made King Ling even more anxious: "The Battle of Qin Ling, the war raged across the land, and many people were displaced. Moreover, in Lingzhou City, the soldiers were well-equipped and the city was high and the pond was deep. If King Qin's brother wanted to fight, he would be killed and injured. how many people......"
