Chapter 560: The Siege

The autumn wind whimpered and rolled up the dead grass, and the heaven and earth were filled with the smell of solemnity.

The horse's hooves rumbled, and the iron cavalry of the Qin Dynasty moved forward like thunder. The towering capital city was right in front of us, and the glory of the world was also right in front of us.

Looking at the long city walls in the distance, Qin Lei felt infinite emotion. Just four years ago, he was still a small prisoner in this city, his life was in danger and he was in panic all day long. He never thought that after only four years, the situation was earth-shaking. He actually surrounded the damn city with 200,000 cavalry, so that the princes and ministers in the city could taste the feeling of panic.

He also knew that after discarding all the heavy equipment, the Qin army had no choice but to attack Shangjing City. But it did not mean that the besiege was just an armed parade, demonstration and intimidation... Shangjing was the heart of Qi, and there was no need to poke it. Just touch it and scratch it, and the emperors and ministers in the city would be scared.

If they were like Zhao Wujiu, and were calm and used to control their movements, Qin Lei really didn't know how to bring the troops back to Qin.

The generals were full of energy and rushed forward and said, "Prince, I'll ask for a fight!"

"Nonsense." Qin Lei curled his lips and smiled: "How can you climb up such a tall city?"

"We can get off the horse and build a ladder!" It seems that the temptation of attacking the capital was not too great, and these cavalry generals who regarded themselves as noble wanted to be a "low infantryman".

"The capital city is seven zhang high and eight zhang wide. It has fortresses, strict guards, and more than one million people in the city support." Qin Lei was unmoved at all and pointed to the towering city wall in the distance and said, "Do you think such a city can be captured?"

"It's up to you, the prince!" The generals were still ready to say, "As long as we are not afraid of bloodshed and sacrifice, there will be no strong city that cannot be defeated."

"I am afraid of bloodshed and sacrifice!" Qin Lei said to Chen Sishui on his face: "So be clear and sober, everyone, we are alone and we have no support, and we cannot find a way out. If we are not careful, we will be wiped out and will never be repaid."

This was like a basin of cold water pouring on the head, causing the generals to lose their arrogance. Xu Zaiwu said in dissatisfaction: "The prince led our baba marching for hundreds of miles. Could it be that he was coaxing the soldiers to play?"

"Rareless!" Qin Li whispered: "Commander Xu, isn't you shameless?"

Xu Zaiwu was so scared that he shrank his neck by the eldest prince with his eyes raised. He suddenly felt that he couldn't hold back and muttered in a low voice: "Is it because of... returning home in glory?"

The generals were in an uproar, and never expected that he would say this... Although the prince often talked about that history, if others talked about it, it would be very inappropriate... Not to mention using the sarcastic word "Returning Home in Glory", which was simply obsessed with it!

As soon as he said that, Xu Zaiwu knew that he had made a mistake and quickly looked at Prince Cheng secretly. However, he saw that his smile was still the same, and he couldn't help but feel relieved. He whispered: "My general's words are wrong, and the prince will just say that he is fartful."

Qin Lei shook his head and laughed loudly: "The Lone King is not the censor of the Censorate. He doesn't care what General Xu said. He just hopes that you will leave some verbal virtue next time and don't make people laugh."

"I understand." Seeing that Qin Lei did not pursue the matter, he quickly apologized repeatedly, but said disdainfully: "I compromised in order to be a commander, which shows that it is just that." He didn't know that at this moment, Prince Cheng, who was "just like this", had already developed a murderous intention... Qin Lei really didn't know what more appropriate way to eliminate his body in addition to physical elimination.

But Qin Lei is already a mature politician after all, not as happy and angry as before, nor will he get on the spot. Put the matter for a while and wait until everyone forgets, just find an opportunity to kill him. Why bother to be in a hurry and leave a bad reputation of being narrow-minded and vindictive?

Xu Zaiwu didn't know that he had already planted the root of the disaster, but he was still defending himself: "The last general just doesn't know, why is the prince surrounding him and not attacking?"

"Go home." Qin Lei said lightly: "Go home is as big as the sky."

As Qin Lei expected, the dignitaries and nobles in Shangjing were already frightened. They knelt in groups outside Wanshou Hall, asking the emperor to order Yum Sheng to serve the king. Although Prime Minister Shangguan had sent ten imperial envoys to mobilize the troops stationed in various places to Beijing, in the eyes of the nobles of Qi, the 350,000 army was an absolute drop in the bucket. How to solve the urgent problem?

The outer halls were filled with noises, and the intermittent noise made Emperor Xinghua unable to practice meditation in peace. He sighed lightly and slowly opened his eyes.

"Your Majesty, do you want me to drive them all away?" Seeing the emperor's indifference, Eunuch Huang whispered.

Shaking his head slightly, Emperor Xinghua sighed and said, "The people of Qin have surrounded Shangjing City, so why don't we vent our own vent?" Unexpectedly, this emperor had an amazingly good temper.

"Your Majesty is generous." Seeing that the emperor didn't care anymore, Eunuch Huang naturally would not meddle in other people's business, so he wanted to bow and retreat.

When the old eunuch retreated, Emperor Xinghua looked at the dark corner, as if he was talking to himself naturally: "What is Zhao Wujiu doing? Do you have to be happy to see that I was captured by the Qin army?"

The dust dancing in the corner of the wall suddenly accelerated and a figure wrapped in black cloth appeared. Emperor Xinghua was not surprised at all. It seemed that he was asking the black shadow just now.

The black shadow knelt down and said without raising his head: "According to the latest information from the South Detective Factory, Lord Yum has not gone north." His voice was hoarse and ugly as metal scrubbing: "I was still on the defense line of Chaoge City yesterday, and I am more than 500 miles away from Shangjing City."

Although Emperor Xinghua chanted Buddha and practiced Zen, he was just because he loved his profession too much and thought that he could prolong his life. Many people sat on the dragon throne for a few years. How could he really ignore the government? All his sources of information were based on an institution called the "Surveillance Factory", which was a secret spy organization that the emperor sent more than a hundred years ago to send powerful eunuchs out of the palace and secretly formed.

For hundreds of years, emperors of all dynasties have strongly supported this organization. By the Xinghua period, they were already a huge monster. They were responsible for monitoring all officials, inquiring about news, and even directly arresting suspected officials. Although they were suspected of "spy politics", without them, the Xinghua Emperor who stayed at home to practice all day long was afraid that he would be sold by others and even counted money.

This man in black is the big head in charge of the investigation factory, so he is naturally a rootless eunuch. There is no doubt about loyalty... In the eyes of emperors of all generations, eunuchs are family members, and ministers are just groups of workers.

"What do people around him say?" Emperor Xinghua frowned slightly, obviously not satisfied with this answer.

"Yuan Shenggong seems to be waiting." The silhouette said softly: "I heard from Wu Zhilong that the emperor of Qin seems to be missing. Yuan Shenggong wants to wait for the exact information to appear."

It was also a pervert of the emperor. There were many things he could write directly or send someone to ask, but he didn't believe the minister's answer and insisted on listening to the siege factory's report before he believed it. It was obvious that he had spy dependence.

"Emperor of Qin?" His fingers gently knocked his knees. Emperor Xinghua said unhappily: "Is he more important than my safety?" But he only dared to complain in private, and did not have the courage to publicly express his dissatisfaction with Yum... The old guy's prestige seemed to be a little higher than the emperor himself.

"Get back." Emperor Xinghua waved his hand, and the big slumber hid in the dark again.

After closing his eyes and pondering for a long time, Emperor Xinghua picked up an exquisite little golden hammer and gently tapped it on the bowl in front of his hand, making a melodious and beautiful sound.

"Your Majesty, what are you asking?" Eunuch Huang quickly appeared at the door.

"Please come in." Emperor Xinghua said lightly.

Among the noisy people outside, Prince Rong is the one with the highest status and the most voice. When Eunuch Huang invited him into the hall, a group of dignitaries surrounded him and asked him to send a message to His Majesty.

"Everyone has your heart in your stomach," Prince Rong said carelessly: "Look at the Lord King and His Majesty's separate talk." Then he left a group of hot pot ants and followed Eunuch Huang into the Zen room.

After a simple greeting, Emperor Xinghua gave him a seat. He asked Prince Rong to sit down on the cushion opposite him and asked softly: "What do you think of the ministers? Do you have any good suggestions?"

"The ministers said that the Qin army is raging in the country now, like locking up a wolf at home." Prince Rong lowered his voice and said, "Since Yumeng Gong has no time to fight the wolf, he should open the door and release the wolf..."

"Let it go?" Emperor Xinghua slowly shook his head and said, "How to let it go? I think it's easy to invite the gods and it's hard to send it to the gods."

"The ministers said," Da Yan lowered his head and whispered: "Negotiation..." It was obvious that he was moved by some people to come to be a lobbyist, or that he had the idea himself.

"Negotiation?" Emperor Xinghua frowned and said coldly: "I only remember to negotiate when the troops are at the city. Could it be that I want me to sign the alliance under the city?" In the emperor's opinion, this is tantamount to letting him take the blame.

Prince Rong and the emperor's brothers for decades were still very sure of his psychology. He smiled and said, "The emperor is worried too much. I see that the Qin army has gone through many hardships and has gone through the crowd. What I want is just a safe return home, and it is impossible to make any undecided requests."

The emperor's face was indeed a little slow, and he nodded slightly and said, "If we can sign a decent treaty, it would be okay to let them go back." As he said, he kowtowed his knees and said, "The country can no longer be surrounded, and I have lost all my face."

"Your Majesty is wise." Prince Rong said happily: "I will continue to give the Ministry of Rites a charter first."

The emperor nodded and said, "Yes, remember our bottom line, at most, we should use some gold and silver to eliminate disasters, and no other concessions are allowed."

"Affect the order." Prince Rong went down to take charge. Although he was usually lazy, as a peace lover, he was still willing to do something to enhance the friendship between Qin and Qi.

The Qin army set up camp ten miles outside the city, and when the camp was arranged, the sun was already westward. Qin Lei simply ordered the entire army to repair it, and everything was discussed today.

When Qin Lei heard the news that the envoy of Qi State asked for a visit, he was a little surprised. He looked at the old master strangely and said, "I thought I would beat him hard before I could talk."

Qin Li smiled contemptuously and said, "Don't look at the people in the upper class of Qi, who clamored to attack Qin and destroy Chu all day long and unify the country, but once he was threatened, he immediately became a peaceful person and quarreled with Xiu Ge to stop." He said with a crisp voice: "A typical Ye Gong is a good dragon."

Qin Lei Zhanyan smiled and said, "What's wrong with him? Call him in."

After a while, two officials from Qi State walked in with their heads held high, one held the festival in both hands and the other held the letter of the country, stood in the big tent, and said in unison: "Foreign minister Chen Yan, Zhou Chang pays homage to His Highness Prince Cheng of the Qin Dynasty."

"Since you've been paying homage, why don't you kneel down?" Qin Lei said with a faint smile.

"We are here to follow the rituals, representing the Great Qi. Please forgive me for not being able to wait for the full ritual." Chen Yan, who was standing in front, said unhappy or humble.

"Well, that's reasonable." Qin Lei smiled and said, "I won't pursue this anymore. I'll ask, what grade are you and what official positions are you?"

"The foreign minister, the Minister of the Honglu Temple of the Great Qi, is the third rank." Chen Yan bowed.

"The foreign minister, the right minister of the Ministry of Rites of the Great Qi, is also in the third rank." Zhou Chang also bowed.

"From the third grade..." Qin Lei's expression suddenly became gloomy and he said with displeasure: "Do you know that the Lone King is the best?"

"This... is super." Chen Yan knew that this man was looking for trouble, but he could only deal with the moves.

"Then is the difference between this super product and the third-grade product?" Qin Lei asked unhappily.

"It's completely like a cloud." Chen Yan whispered. From the third grade to the first grade, it's five levels away, and the super grade is also classified. From the earl, it's a super grade, and from the top of the title, it's no less than 100,000 miles away. So Chen Yan said this.

"Did Your Majesty the Emperor Xinghua sent you to humiliate me?" Qin Lei suddenly raised his voice and said, "I would like to advise you, those who insult others will humiliate themselves! If you return to the country of etiquette, you are not as sensible as those of us Western barbarians!"

The two were stunned by the words and thought to themselves: "It's not that our level is too low, but that your level is too high...' In fact, the Qi State really has no intention of insulting people. Whether it is a temple minister or a minister, they are all deputy ministers who specialize in diplomatic etiquette. How can they be considered to be not qualified?

But Qin Lei clearly deliberately found faults, and refused to talk to the two envoys. Annoyed by the noise, he stood up and said, "Please come and ask for help. We will finish the fight tomorrow." After saying that, he left with great qi, leaving only the two envoys looking at each other.

Go to the capital city, in the Wanshou Hall.

Prince Rong hurried in and before he could breathe, he said angrily: "Brother, that Qin Yutian has driven our envoy back."

"He doesn't want to talk?" Emperor Xinghua said with a worried look on his face: "Does he have to start a fight?"

"That's not," Prince Rong sat down on the cushion. He said angrily: "He thought the people sent by me were too low, and he said we were deliberately insulting him!" As he said that, he couldn't help but sarcasticly: "I think he felt inferior when he saw Shangjing City and was helpless."

Emperor Xinghua was not interested in his jokes at all and said slowly: "Who do you think you can give me the right one?"

"Oh, they still have a letter to the emperor." Prince Rong quickly took out an envelope from his arms and gave it to Emperor Xinghua.

The emperor took it and took out the letter and saw that it was a handwritten letter from Qin Lei to him. In addition to useless nonsense, the focus was on one sentence: "Select a negotiator from Zhao Wujiu, Shangguan Yunhe, Prince Rong or Monk Huineng, otherwise it would be considered an insult and provocation, and the war would begin immediately!"

"Um..." After pondering for a moment, Emperor Xinghua whispered: "It's better to work hard for you."

Prince Rong wanted to give himself a big ear and whined in his heart: "What do I say?" He had no ambitions, and his biggest pursuit was to be a Prince Taiping who had been drunk and dreaming for the rest of his life, so he insisted on seeking peace. How could such a waste snack risk going out of the city to negotiate? He kept begging for mercy and shirking.

"Isn't the commander on the opposite side the prince? We have to find someone with equal status here." The emperor smiled and comforted: "Don't be afraid. If the two countries fight, there will be no danger if they don't kill them."

"Oh..." Seeing that the emperor's brother had made up his mind, Prince Rong had to agree reluctantly.

Finally, it was a brother-in-law. Seeing his grievance, Emperor Xinghua felt unbearable and said softly: "Let Master Huineng accompany you. He is a foreigner. I think the Qin people will give you some face."
Chapter completed!