The former fellow countryman and friend became a lackey of the Jurchens. He also shaved off his hair and grew a money rat tail. This situation made people sigh and make people even more angry.
If the situation were different, Xiang Xuanwu would have pointed at the opponent's nose and cursed him even if he didn't shoot him with an arrow.
But it doesn't work today. For one thing, when the two countries are at war, the envoys will not be killed. This is an eternal rule.
Secondly, you should not ruin major events just because of a moment of anger.
Therefore, Xiang Xuanwu suppressed his anger and pretended to be surprised and shouted: "You are Brother Yaozu, are you not dead?"
"Yes, it's me, Liu Yaozu. Not only is my brother not dead, he's still alive and well, haha!"
"Brother Yaozu, why did you come from the Jurchens and why are you here?"
"Well, the matter is complicated and difficult to explain in one sentence. This is not the place to talk. Can you please let me go into the city so that we can slowly reminisce about the past?"
"No problem, come here, lower the suspension bridge and prepare ropes and baskets!"
"promise!"
Following Xiang Xuanwu's order, more than 20 soldiers worked together to turn the winch and slowly lowered the heavy suspension bridge, just right on the moat.
Liu Yaozu got off his horse, crossed the moat on the suspension bridge, and came to the outside of the city gate.
During the war, the city gate could not be opened easily. Some soldiers tied a rope to a large basket and placed it under the wall. After Liu Yaozu sat down, they worked together to pull it up.
"Brother Xuanwu!"
"Brother Yaozu!"
"We haven't seen each other for many years. Can you find a quiet place where no one is around? Brother, I have something I want to tell you!"
"No problem, come with me!"
…
After a few words of greeting, Xiang Xuanwu led Liu Yaozu to the archery tower where he temporarily lived, asked the soldiers to retreat, and closed the wooden door. Only this pair of fellow villagers were left in Ruoda's archery tower!
"Brother Yaozu, why did you go to the Jurchens?"
"Well, it's a long story. During the Battle of Sarhu, our troops were ambushed. The commander-in-chief, Liu, was killed in the battle. The deputy general, the staff general, Mr. Qian, and the general... were all killed in the battle. Brother, I At that time, he also fought bravely and chopped off the heads of more than a dozen Jurchens. In the end, he was seriously injured, fell unconscious, and became a prisoner.
After waking up, the brother wanted to commit suicide on a hunger strike to be loyal to the country, but he remembered that his parents were still alive and it would be extremely unfilial to die like this, so he endured the humiliation and endured the heavy burden.
Those Jurchens saw that their brothers were quite capable at reading and writing, so they were incorporated into the Zhenglan Banner and assigned the official position of Bashiku to be responsible for some clerical matters! "
…
Liu Yaozu was eloquent, recounting his past experiences and portraying himself as a tough guy who had to endure humiliation and survive in order to fulfill his filial piety.
Xiang Xuanwu didn't believe a word of these words. Don't forget, the two grew up together and knew each other's roots very well.
Liu Yaozu had poor martial arts skills and was as timid as a mouse. Every time he fought, his legs became weak and he tried to dodge backwards. He was even so scared that he peed his pants.
Such a coward can fight bravely on the battlefield and kill more than a dozen Jurchens in a row, unless the sun comes out from the north, rotates three times in the sky, and then sets from the north.
As for being filial to your parents, that is even more nonsense!
But in order to find out the truth, Xiang Xuanwu had to pretend to be convinced. When he heard the emotional part, he secretly squeezed his thigh and squeezed out a few tears!
"Brother Yaozu, it's really not easy for you!"
"Who says it's not? It's not easy, it's not easy!"
"Then you came here this time not just to reminisce about old times, right?"
"Hehe, to be honest, my brother is here to give you a fortune!"
"Give me a fortune?"
"That's right, Brother Xuanwu, take a look at this first!"
While talking, Liu Yaozu took out a small bag from his arms, placed it on the table, and then opened it carefully.
Suddenly it sparkles and catches the eyes.
Looking carefully, it turns out that the pocket is full of jewelry: agate, jade, emerald, cat's eye stone, chicken blood stone, field yellow stone... especially a pair of East beads, both about the size of quail eggs, round, smooth, crystal clear, absolutely worthy of it. The word treasure!
To put it bluntly, this small bag of jewelry is worth more than two hundred thousand taels of silver, which is enough for ordinary people to eat and drink for several lifetimes.
"Brother Yaozu, what does this mean?"
"Hey, brother Xuanwu, what do you think of the current national destiny of the Ming Dynasty?"
"Well...it's hard to say!"
"Haha, there is nothing hard to say. Anyone with a discerning eye can see that the Ming Dynasty is now plagued by internal and external troubles. It has not had a few years of national destiny. It will be destroyed in a matter of seconds. The Great Khan, Tai Chi, is wise and powerful. He can be called a great hero of the generation. , the Eight Banners soldiers are even more brave and adept at fighting and invincible.
Just watch, within a few years, the Jurchens will definitely be able to break through Shanhaiguan, take over the Central Plains, and completely replace the Ming Dynasty. At that time, brother, what will you do?
Our Han ancestors have a famous saying: Those who know the current affairs are heroes. Brother Xuanwu, you must know the current affairs and make plans for yourself early! "
"Brother Yaozu, stop beating around the bush and say it directly!"
"Okay, glad, that brother has spoken frankly. In fact, this time, brother is here to persuade you to abandon the dark side and turn to the bright side. Sanbeile-Mang Gurtai has promised that as long as you can take the initiative to open the city and surrender, you will be rewarded heavily afterwards.
These jewels are just a side dish, the feast is yet to come. When the time comes, I will confer you the title of First Class Angbang Zhangjing, which is equivalent to the position of a general military officer. I will also marry a Jurchen noble woman to you as your wife and make you a Jurchen. Son-in-law, how about it? The price is not low, right? "
"I was given a large amount of gold, silver and jewels, awarded the title of First-class Angbang Zhangjing, and even married a Jurchen noblewoman to me. Are you serious about this?"
"It's absolutely true. If you don't believe it, you can read this. This is Sanbeile-Mang Gurtai's handwritten letter!"
While talking, Liu Yaozu took out another letter and handed it to Xiang Xuanwu. The latter pulled out the letter paper and read it carefully.
The content is very straightforward, just some words to persuade people to surrender. If you surrender, you will be rewarded heavily. If you don't surrender, no chickens or dogs will be left behind when the city is broken.
It was signed by Mang Gurtai, the owner of the Zhenglan Banner, and it also had a big seal!
"Brother Xuanwu, what do you think? The opportunity to be rich and wealthy and to be your wife is right in front of you. You must seize the opportunity. If you miss this village, you won't have this shop!"
"Well...Brother Yaozu, this matter is too big. Can you give me some time to think about it carefully?"
"You should think about it. As for the time, how long do you want?"
"How about half a month!"
"Half a month, no, absolutely not, Sanbeile will definitely not agree to it!"
"How about ten days?"
"No, no!"
…
"Four days, no more, brother Yaozu, please help me, keep this little thing in mind!"
While talking, Xiang Xuanwu took out two pearls and two cats' eyes from the pocket and stuffed them into Liu Yaozu's hands. The latter's attitude immediately changed and he agreed to go back and help talk and gain four days.
"In this case, you should think carefully about surrendering. Brother, take your leave and go back to resume your duties!"
"Don't worry, you and I haven't seen each other for many years. We finally reunited today. We need to have a few drinks... Someone, bring us a table of sumptuous food and wine!"
"promise!"
Xiang Xuanwu knew very well that Liu Yaozu was not only greedy for life and fearful of death, but also greedy for money. He also had a bad taste in wine. He would drink a small amount of wine and talk smoothly, so he took this opportunity to inquire about the situation of the Jurchens.
Soon, the soldiers brought a sumptuous table of wine and food.
Seeing Xiang Xuanwu's enthusiasm, Liu Yaozu couldn't refuse, so he had to eat and drink. As a result, after three glasses of wine, he stopped talking and talked about everything.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Xiang Xuanwu used clever tricks to get a lot of information out.
For example, Mang Gurtai
Being brave but not wise, Huang Taiji sent Ning Wanwo to help with suggestions. It was Ning Wanwo who came up with the previous method of using cattle and sheep to step on thunder.
Mang Gurtai and Huang Taiji exchanged news every one or two days, and messengers exchanged frequently.
News must be exchanged every one or two days, indicating that the two are not too far apart. In other words, Huang Taiji did not pursue Lin Danhan at all, but stationed troops nearby. This important news must be notified to the general as soon as possible!
