Jinling, the ancient capital of six dynasties and a famous city for 800 years, has gone through many ups and downs during this period, but it has always behaved like a conquered person, waiting for the arrival of strong troops. Now, in these cold winter years, Jinling has once again embarked on the old path of history.
, the strong soldiers besieged the city, and there was no way out.
On the Qinhuai River, the scenery was no longer beautiful. There were patrol boats, and the war flags of the Han army were hanging on them. After the troops arrived at the city, the Han army showed more patience. Under the unified command of Li Gu, Zhang Yongde, Zhao Yanjin, and Yin Chongke
The generals spent three days attacking from three sides and uprooting the fortresses on the outskirts of Jinling one by one.
During this process, the Southern Army was basically not very strong and resisted tenaciously, and was easily defeated. However, it was not so easy for the main city of Jinling.
Climbing high and looking out, even if it is difficult to catch a glimpse of the whole Jinling, you can still imagine what kind of panic scene there is in the city standing in the bleak winter wind. Although he is a little unwell, Li Gu's excitement can be traced back to his generosity in the early years.
Ambition, once realized, is before your eyes.
Since the time of Yang and Wu, Jinling has not experienced war for fifty or sixty years. Therefore, this city with its bustling population and prosperous economy is extremely unsuitable for the arrival of imperial soldiers.
Outside the city, the Han army was making preparations for siege. Giant siege weapons were being built and assembled. Carts of stone bombs, kerosene bombs and ammunition made of gunpowder were transported to the front line. They wanted to conquer Jinling City.
Devouring and destroying.
Li Gu couldn't help but sigh: "Since the Tang Dynasty, wars have been raging in the north for many years. Jinling has acquired Yang and Wu, and the two countries in the south and south have been operating for decades before they can achieve what they are today. It would be a pity if it was destroyed by the war!"
Accompanying Li Gu during the inspection, Shi Shouxin also looked into the wind and looked at Jinling in the distance. Listening to his words, he said: "It is indeed a pity! Why not persuade him to surrender?"
"Judging from the news coming out of the city, the chief ministers of Jinling still have illusions. Chen Qiao and other ministers are still insisting on holding on and resisting to the end! They still have 40,000 to 50,000 defenders and hundreds of thousands of ordinary people. They have vain plans.
Take this as proof!" Li Gu shook his head.
Because the Han army moved quickly, the battle situation took a turn for the worse. When the king's army approached the city, not many people in Jinling City escaped, and they were all blocked inside.
Sensing the concern in Li Gu's tone, Shi Shouxin smiled slightly and said confidently: "How can tens of thousands of frustrated troops and hundreds of thousands of fearful people be able to stop the king's troops?"
"I really don't doubt that we can capture Jinling City! However, if we can persuade them to surrender and attack the whole city, it will be both a credit and a merit. Maybe we can give it a try!" Li Gu said.
"Mr. Li is worthy of being a benevolent and righteous gentleman!" Shi Shouxin complimented.
Of course this was a compliment. A benevolent and righteous gentleman cannot be the commander of an army. Raising his hand, Li Gu asked: "How long will it take to prepare for the siege?"
"We can launch the attack in three days!" Shi Shouxin replied affirmatively.
"Where are the army ration supplies?" Li Gu asked again.
"Zhang Mei has mobilized people and ships nearby to transfer from Runzhou. There should be no problem in supplying the supplies!" Shi Shouxin said.
"Very good!" Li Gu's expression became solemn: "I wrote a handwritten letter and sent someone to persuade him to surrender. If not predicted, we will launch an offensive in three days and attack from three sides to end the war as soon as possible! Cao Bin and the others have surrounded Nanchang.
The city may be destroyed in a moment, but Jinling cannot fall behind!"
"I am old and overwhelmed, so Shouxin will be solely responsible for the command of the siege!" Li Gu said, looking at Shi Shouxin.
"Yes!" Shi Shouxin took a step back and answered with his hands raised.
After giving the instructions, Li Gu couldn't help but tremble. Feeling the pain spreading in his joints, Li Gu forced a smile and said: "The rotten body cannot withstand the cold, so you can laugh!"
Noticing Li Gu's expression, Shi Shouxin earnestly consoled him: "Li Gong is an unparalleled national scholar and a pillar of the imperial court. Please take care of yourself!"
"Thank you!" After thanking him, Li Gu breathed a sigh of relief, and the two paid the debt together.
"The Grand Marshal, patrolling the river, intercepted a ship and claimed to be Jiangnan Prime Minister Xu Xuan who was returning from a mission to Tokyo. He held a Guan ultimatum in his hand, hoping to let him into Jinling. The generals and others did not dare to make decisions on their own. How to deal with it?
I came here to ask for instructions!" In the commander's tent, he huddled on the uncomfortable military couch, warming himself by the fire, and just finished writing a letter to persuade him to surrender. Zhang Yanqing, who was in charge of water patrol, came to report.
Hearing what he said, Li Gu suddenly became interested, and immediately ordered: "Bring Xu Xuan to the commander's tent, and I will see him!"
"yes!"
Later, under the guidance of an officer, Xu Xuan walked into the commander's tent. After a strong argument with Emperor Liu in the Chongzheng Palace, Xu Xuan's mood had been heavy, especially after learning about the war in the south.
He had to hurry and take his time on his way back south. Even so, by the time he reached the north of the Yangtze River, Wang Shi crossed the river lightly and the news that the army was besieging Jinling had already spread. He didn't care much and hurriedly found a boat to cross south, and then was patrolled by the river.
The soldiers of the Han army captured it.
Standing in front of Li Gu was an old face full of weather and fatigue, which showed that Xu Xuan's journey was not easy. Looking at Xu Xuan, Li Gu had a gentle attitude and smiled at him: "I am ill and can't get up, Xu Xuan."
Your Majesty is a famous person from the south of the Yangtze River. Please forgive me for my lack of etiquette as I did not go far enough to welcome you!"
Jiangnan celebrities......
In the past, Xu Xuan might have been proud of this, but after walking through Kaifeng and hearing these words from the mouths of the Northern Han monarchs, he only felt that it was a kind of ridicule. He raised his eyes and paid attention to Li
Gu, he noticed that the old man had a sick look on his face. Xu Xuan said with a cold face: "Why didn't Emperor Han show mercy to his old minister and let Duke Li use his sick body to support military affairs?"
Xu Xuan spoke with a bit of aggression, but Li Gu didn't care about it. Instead, he asked: "I heard that Xu Gongsu and Han Shuyan are on good terms?"
Hearing this, Xu Xuan was slightly stunned. He didn't know why Li Gu mentioned Han Xizai, and couldn't help but said, "What does Mr. Li mean?"
Li Gu smiled faintly, looked at Xu Xuan, and said calmly: "Xu Gong has returned from his mission and wants to return to Jinling. I won't make it difficult for you. However, there are two things I want to entrust to you.
First, I would like to trouble Mr. Xu to enter the city and say hello to Han Shu for me, saying, "I wonder if I still remember the agreement with the Huai River thirty years ago?"
Secondly, according to the emperor's order, I led the king's army to Pingnan. Today, the army is approaching the city. Jinling will be defeated soon, and the world will be unified. I wrote a special handwritten letter to Mr. Lao Xu and sent it to the leader of Jiangnan to advise him, in order to avoid the loss of the army and the people of the city.
, was destroyed in the flames of war, I hope it will come down soon. The current situation is like this, if you follow the trend, you can still save your life and wealth, otherwise, it will be too late to regret!"
After hearing Li Gu's intention, Xu Xuan was silent for a moment, looked at Li Gu for a while, and solemnly responded: "I can deliver the letter to Mr. Li. Please forgive me for not being able to repeat the words of persuasion to surrender!"
Pretentious!
Li Gu raised his eyebrows. No wonder such news came from Tokyo. With His Majesty's strength and provocation, no wonder he would get angry?
"That's all!" Li Gu still didn't care, with a very cultivated demeanor, and said with a smile: "My thoughts are all on the paper and between the pen and ink. I think the scholar who is the leader of the Jiangnan Kingdom should be able to understand his thoughts!
"
"Xu Gong has worked hard all the way. You can rest for a while in the camp, wash away the wind, frost and morning mist, and drink some food and wine. Then I will send someone to take you into the city!" Li Gu said again.
Xu Xuan refused directly: "I accept Li Gong's kind wishes. If allowed, I would like to return to Jinling as soon as possible!"
After looking at Xu Xuan for a while, Li Gu's attitude was still kind and he uttered one word: "Yes!"
So, Li Gu asked his son to hand his handwritten message to Xu Xuan. Xu Xuan was not polite, took it and bowed, turned around and left. Before he left the tent, Li Gu took the initiative to ask: "Is Mr. Xu
Jiangnan celebrities, great masters of the generation, have extensive knowledge, don’t they know the general trend of the world?”
After a pause, Xu Xuan turned around and said, almost without thinking: "The leader of my country is neither a king of Jie and Zhou, nor a lord without moral principles. Even if a big country imposes weapons and weapons, even if it is difficult to resist, it is destiny, and it is not my master's failure."
De. Although Xu is not talented, he also knows loyalty. Mr. Li has treated me with great kindness, even if he puts an ax and ax on his neck, I should follow him..."
Xu Xuan's face was upright and awe-inspiring, and his words were resounding. Seeing this, Li Gu was also a little curious, if there really was a day when an ax was inserted into his neck, would he still be so generous and fearless?