Zhao Tai's bombardment of Wei County made the defenders in the city panic.
Zhang Rou originally wanted to stand up, but when Ogedai Khan captured Kaifeng, everything would get better.
However, he soon discovered that he might not be able to wait for that day.
In desperation, Zhang Rou had to ask counselor Qian Yifeng to leave the city, intending to bribe Zhao Tai in the hope that Zhao Tai would withdraw his troops.
Outside the city, in the Zhongyi Town camp, Zhao Tai and many of his subordinates discussed the results of the day.
"At the end of the year before last, Zhang Rou was killed and severely defeated in Xuzhou, and she only escaped with her life. In the middle of last year, Zhang Rou suffered another major defeat in Yanzhou. Judging from her humble position, Zhang Rou was already severely damaged after two major defeats. . Today, I was looking at the city of Wei County from the watchtower. I saw that after they were bombarded, the defenders were in great confusion." Chen Zhong smiled and said: "It can be seen that the strength of the defenders in the city is average. If the commander allows Beizi to attack, I will be confident. Destroy the city in one day.”
Zhao Tai nodded slightly, "I believe you, commander! But there is no rush to break the city. It is indeed easier for us to capture Wei County. However, the goal of my commander's march north this time is not to attack the city, but to consume Hebei's war potential. . Zhang Rou is currently weak and does not pose much of a threat to us. If Zhang Rou is destroyed and the Mongols mobilize their elite troops, the gains will outweigh the losses."
"That's right!" Wang Bin, the right military advisor said: "As long as Zhang Rou is not dead and his army is not dispersed, the Mongols will not be able to mobilize other princes to take over Zhang Rou's territory. In this way, those who are bordering us will always be the one whom we control. Beat Zhang Rou until she was on the verge of death."
Chen Zhong said: "What if the Mongols see that Zhang Rou is weak and insist on sending troops to garrison Daming Mansion?"
Wang Bin smiled and said: "First of all, even if Zhang Rou is beaten badly by us, as long as it is not a matter of life and death, they, the princes of a separate country, will not want other princes to enter their territory. Therefore, Zhang Rou Most likely they will not report their own situation truthfully. Secondly, if the Mongols forcibly send other princes into Daming Mansion and other places, it will be tantamount to seizing Zhang Rou's territory in disguise. This will create a rift between Zhang Rou and the Mongols. The coach can look for opportunities to take advantage of this.”
Chen Zhong and others nodded after hearing this, while Zhao Taize smiled and said: "Today's fierce bombardment, many soldiers in the city have fallen out of the city and taken refuge with me. That Zhang Rou is also an old commander, so you should know that Wei County cannot be defended. Do you think he will abandon the city and break out of the siege, or compromise with me?"
Wang Bin thought for a while, "No matter what the situation is, the commander-in-chief has made preparations, but Zhang Rou is likely to compromise due to his low position."
Zhao Taixiao asked: "Tell me the reason!"
Wang Bin said: "If Zhang Rou abandoned the city and fled, it would be equivalent to telling the Mongols that he could not defend his territory. Then the Mongols would most likely give his territory to other princes. Zhang Rou could not accept this, and asked If the commander surrenders, he will be able to keep his territory and gain the reputation of defeating the commander."
When Zhao Tai heard this, he laughed.
At this time, Li Xizhu stepped into the tent and reported to Zhao Tai: "Commander, a man fell from the city just now."
Zhao Tai looked at Wang Bin and said, "It seems that the military advisor guessed it right."
Wang Bin asked: "Li Tongzhi, where is he?"
"They are being searched outside." Li Xizhu replied.
Zhao Tai single-handedly strengthened Mongolia's protection of senior generals, and Zhao Tai was worried about the Mongol Empire's retaliation, so he also strengthened his own protection and was particularly careful when eating, sleeping, drinking, and meeting outsiders.
"Bring him in and see what Zhang Rou wants to say." Zhao Tai ordered.
Not long after, the curtain was lifted and a person stepped into the handsome tent.
Zhao Tai and everyone present saw that the man was in his forties, with a slim build and a goatee. It was easy to tell that he was a Han Confucian scholar.
The person who came was none other than Zhang Rou's adviser Qian Yifeng. He saw so many people staring at him, but he was not embarrassed. He stepped forward and saluted Zhao Tai, who was sitting in the first place. "I have heard that Mr. Zhao is young. When I saw him today, he is indeed worthy of his reputation." !”
Zhao Tai looked at Qian Yifeng and said, "Haha, what do you call this gentleman? Why did Zhang Rou send you out of the city?"
Qian Yifeng bowed and said with a smile: "I, Qian Yifeng, courtesy name Binwu, am a guest of Zhang Wanhu. Today I came out of the city to see Xianggong Zhao. It was Zhang Shuai who prepared some money, food and supplies for Xianggong, hoping that Xianggong could move his troops. place."
Zhao Tai, Wang Bin and others looked at each other with a smile in their eyes, "Zhang Rou wants to bribe me with gold, silver, food and supplies, and beg me to withdraw my troops?"
There was a hint of embarrassment on Qian Yifeng's face. Zhao Tai spoke a bit directly, but still nodded, "My husband can understand it this way. Now the Mongolian Khan is besieging Kaifeng. Once Kaifeng is defeated, the land in Shandong that my husband will get will become Mongolia's territory." The target of the army's attack. If my husband were to attack Wei County by force, even if he captured it, he would not be able to occupy it, and it would be a waste of time to go back to Shandong to set up defenses. I thought it would be better to take the gift prepared by my commander and return to Shandong to prepare for the war."
The purpose of Zhao Tai's attack on Wei County was to suppress Zhang Rou and force Zhang Rou to surrender.
Now Zhang Rou is willing to pay bribes, which is good news for Zhao Tai.
However, just paying bribes to get Zhao Tai to withdraw his troops would not be enough for Zhao Tai.
Zhao Tai was silent for a moment. He thought about what Zhang Rou meant, and then smiled and said: "Zhang Rou actually sent his husband to bribe him, which shows that he is flexible and flexible, and he is a good person. However, Zhang Rou asked me to withdraw the troops. What he wanted to do was to use gold first." Yin asked me to withdraw my troops and wait until Wo Kuotai takes Kaifeng before seeking revenge from me. Or do you want us to stop our troops and have a truce in the future?"
Qian Yifeng's heart trembled, but he said calmly: "This handsome man in my family is not that many. Now I just want a truce between the two families!"
Zhao Tai and Wang Bin whispered a few words, and after a while of discussion, Wang Bin said in a deep voice: "If Zhang Wanhu holds the first idea as a delaying tactic and wants to retaliate in the future, then our army will have no choice but to capture Wei County. , destroyed Zhang Wanhu’s men!”
Zhao Tai said with a straight face, "No need to guess, Zhang Rou must have this kind of mentality. I can't keep him, I must annihilate him!"
Chen Zhong has been with Zhao Tai for a while, and gradually developed a tacit understanding with Zhao Tai. He immediately came out and said: "Commander, as for the crooked melons and cracked dates in Wei County, as long as the commander gives the order, I will humbly serve you tomorrow." The commander-in-chief captures Wei County. By then, the hidden danger of Zhang Rou will be eliminated, and the gold and silver treasures in the city will naturally be ours, and there is no need for Zhang Rou to give them away."
Qian Yifeng's expression changed and he bowed quickly, "Ms. Zhao, Zhang Wanhu definitely has no intention of using a delaying tactic!"
A smile appeared on Zhao Tai's lips, "Since this is not a delaying strategy, I can consider it! I and Zhang Wanhu are both Han people. They fought back and forth and got the advantage of the Mongols. Go back and tell Zhang Rou that you want me to Withdraw the troops and let him come to see me. I want to talk to him and discuss the details."
