"What!" When Li Zhenggu heard this, his expression changed, and he was so surprised that he lost his voice. He confirmed to Li Jing in disbelief: "What did your Majesty say?"
"Other than that, if you want the Han army to stop fighting and retreat north, there is no other way!" Li Jing's face was tense, his knuckles turned white, and there was a look of humiliation on his face.
"Your Majesty, you can't!" Li Zhenggu immediately prostrated himself and said urgently: "Huainan is half of the country, just like a person's two feet. If one of them is lost, how can the Tang Dynasty gain a foothold in the world? If the north of the Yangtze River is lost, how can the south of the Yangtze River be defended?"
"If you don't sacrifice the north of the Yangtze River, the Han army will not give up. I'm afraid it will be difficult to save the south of the Yangtze River!" Li Deming refuted from the side.
Hearing this, Li Zhenggu immediately turned his head and angrily shouted: "It must be you, the traitor, who has made such slanderous remarks to His Majesty. The Emperor of Han Dynasty has promised you so many benefits, yet he dares to propose such a treasonous proposal."
This book is compiled and produced by a public account. Follow VX [Book Friends Base Camp], read the book and receive cash red envelopes!
Li Deming couldn't stand being scolded by Li Zhenggu. In the Tang Dynasty, he had always been ostracized by Song Qiqiu and Li Zhenggu's party, so he responded angrily: "How dare you insult me!
I just conveyed the wishes of the Han Emperor to His Majesty, how can I talk about betraying the country!
It’s only you who don’t understand the general situation, ignore the overall situation, underestimate your own capabilities, and talk about military affairs. If it weren’t for you, why would the Tang Dynasty suffer consecutive defeats and reach this critical situation! Are you really going to bring about the destruction of the Tang Dynasty before you are satisfied?”
"Traitor! Traitor! Traitor! Traitor!" Li Zhenggu stood up directly, rolled up his sleeves, and looked like he was about to do something. He kept covering his head and scolding him four times: "You dare to do dirty things in the palace, in front of the emperor?
Big talk!"
"You jester, you will never stop slandering me like this!" Li Deming shot back.
"Shut up!" Li Jing was upset by the quarrel between the two of them. She couldn't help but shouted angrily and called them to stop.
The quarrel in the palace suddenly stopped, and it suddenly became quiet. You could hear the drop of a needle. Sitting slumped behind the imperial desk, Li Jing looked at Zhong Mo and Li Deming: "You two, go to Jiangbei again to discuss peace with the Han Emperor."
, tell the Han Emperor that I agree to cede Huainan and ask the Han army to have a temporary truce! We will make another form for the proposal of claiming vassalage and paying tribute!"
"I obey!" Li Deming said immediately.
"Your Majesty, think twice!" Li Zhenggu advised again.
"Think again, think again, can you retreat the Han army? Can you get back the cities and land occupied by the Northern Han Dynasty?" Li Jing asked back, leaving Li Zhenggu speechless. Li Jing felt deep in his heart that he really didn't want to
I heard the news of defeat again. Since the beginning of spring, I have been exhausted by the war in Huainan.
After exiting the palace, Li Zhenggu hurriedly left Li Deming behind, caught up with Zhong Mo, and asked: "Mr. Zhong, what happened when you two went north to pay homage to the Han Emperor? As an envoy, why did you let Li Deming?
Acting evil and committing adultery?"
Facing Li Zhenggu's glaring gaze, Zhong Mo just shook his head slightly and sighed: "The matter has come to this, and it is useless to say more. Does Li Gong think that the Han army can retreat easily?"
"That won't cut off all of Huainan!" Li Zhenggu said sternly.
In the palace just now, Zhong Mo didn't say much, letting Li Deming do his best, letting the two Li quarrel, intending to minimize his weight and role in the peace negotiation. At this time, facing Li Zhenggu, he didn't intend to say much.
He just made a sad and helpless look and slowly left the palace.
Li Zhenggu would never give up, and immediately left the palace to find Qiqiu of the Song Dynasty. However, the news that the Tang Dynasty emperor wanted to cut off Huainan in order to seek peace spread like a strong wind among the Southern Tang Dynasty and the people, causing an uproar immediately.
Previously, only the six prefectures on the Huaihe River had been criticized, but this time. Especially after Zhong and Li set off again, the courtiers inside and outside the Southern Tang Dynasty were so excited that they collectively submitted a letter to ask Li Jing to stop the defeat.
The discussion of the country.
Of course, it's not that these courtiers were really loyal to the Southern Tang Dynasty or overly hostile to the Han army. It's just that the interests in the Huaiyang area were too great, especially in Yanli. How could they, those with vested interests, watch being defeated by the Northern Tang Dynasty?
Han Dynasty annexed.
However, no matter how loud the argument was, Li Jing only replied with one sentence: He would stop the discussion if he could retreat the Han army. Among the courtiers, only Han Xizai and a few knowledgeable people were the only ones who wanted to speak passionately or even sadly.
Han Xizai sent a letter to Li Jing, hoping that he could persist for a while. It was the farming season, and the Northern Han army had been working hard for a long time and would not be able to stay in Huainan for a long time. The longer it was delayed, there would be changes, and he begged Li Jing to suspend the peace talks.
Watch and wait for changes.
It's a pity that although Han Xizai is insightful, he can't bear Li Jing's desire for a truce. In addition, he feels bored after hearing similar words too much. Therefore, he doesn't think about Han Xizai's suggestions at all. He is even afraid of Han Xizai's behavior.
He went too far and directly sent an imperial doctor to his house to "treat his illness" and let him rest in peace in his house.
As for Qiqiu of the Song Dynasty, he only sighed in disappointment in his mansion: The late emperor had a long road and no food, and the foundation he created has been ruined here. He only hopes that the country will not be destroyed before he dies.
Luzhou, Hefei.
Not to mention the turbulent public opinion in the Southern Tang Dynasty, upon learning that the two envoys had returned, the Han Emperor Liu Chengyou had a much better attitude. He not only ordered Wang Pu, the envoy who happened to be arriving at the camp, to lead his guards to greet them, but also received them as soon as possible.
This gesture actually made Li Deming a little flattered.
"What good news has Mr. Li brought to me this time?" Liu Chengyou pretended not to know, and changed his title to an honorific.
"Reporting to your majesty, after persuasion by my ministers, my lord has agreed to cede territory, become a vassal, and pay tribute!" Li Deming made a good deal, reported to Liu Chengyou, and presented Li Jing's letter.
After taking the reading, a smile bloomed on Liu Chengyou's face. Looking at Li Deming, Liu Chengyou said: "Mr. Li has lived up to my expectations! I will never forget his great contribution to the great man!"
Li Deming hurriedly said: "I only hope that the two countries can end the war as soon as possible and restore peace! My Lord, please ask Your Majesty, can you temporarily cease the war as a sign of peace?"
"You have nothing to do!" Liu Chengyou immediately ordered Zhang Yisu, who was accompanying him in the army: "You can prepare an edict and send it to the armies in Huainan to suspend the attack and rest on the spot until the outcome of the peace negotiation!"
"yes!"
Rest and recuperation is probably the main purpose here for Liu Chengyou. After all, in the past ten days after taking Shouchun and marching southward, the Han armies made rapid progress, but the soldiers up and down could not help but be exhausted. On the other hand, all the troops were exhausted.
There is a limit to everything. In such a situation, you can change your strategy and give Li Jing hope.
"Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty!" Li Deming said.
"As for the details of this negotiation, I will discuss it with you two, Wang Pu, Minister of Industry and Land and Water Transportation!" Liu Chengyou said, winking at Wang Pu.
Upon seeing this, Wang Pu immediately responded: "I obey your order!"
Wang Pu's work efficiency was still very high. A little later, he came back to his mission, carrying a leaflet with him. He stood respectfully in front of the emperor and read: "The ministers discussed with me and the initial peace proposal was as follows: 1. , the Southern Tang Dynasty cut Jiangbei Shou, Hao, Si, Chu, Guang, Hai, Chu, He, Yang, Tai, Lu, Shu, Huang, Qi fourteen states and the Han Dynasty;
Secondly, Li Jing lost his imperial title to proclaim himself a minister and changed his title to 'Lord of the Tang Dynasty'. He abandoned all the emperors' imperial attire and overrode the system, and used Qianyou to mark the year;
Third, between the Han and Tang Dynasties, the Yangtze River was used as the boundary to prevent mutual infringement. Every year, tribute was paid to Tokyo, two thousand catties of gold, one hundred thousand coins, one hundred and fifty thousand guan of money, five hundred thousand catties of tea, and one hundred thousand stones of rice and grain.
All these matters are subject to your Majesty’s review.”
"Is this all proposed by us?" Liu Chengyou asked.
"The first one is the consensus of both parties. If Li Jing declares himself a minister, the second one is a must. There can only be one emperor in the world, and that is our Emperor of the Han Dynasty in the Central Plains. Those who separatize the areas and arrogantly proclaim themselves emperors should all be punished one by one. Cut it off. The list of tributes was drawn up by the puppet Tang Dynasty. I think the amount will be improved!" Wang Pu answered steadily.
Nodding his head and acknowledging his mission, Liu Chengyou gave instructions: "Let's do this first. Make the agreement into a certificate of credence and let Li Deming take it back to Jinling!"
"Let Li Deming alone? Then Zhong Mo is the envoy!" Wang Pu was a little surprised.
Liu Chengyou said calmly: "I know, but watching the clock, Zhong Mo is very suspicious of Li and Zhong Mo. If he goes back and lets him go, he is afraid that there will be unintended consequences. At present, the Jinling court is already full of emotions about this peace negotiation. , I am afraid that when I bring this book back, the world will be filled with uproar. Let Li Deming run for me!"
"Your Majesty is considerate of everything!" Wang Pu nodded.
"As for Zhong Mo, wouldn't it be nice to let him stay with Sun Sheng for the time being, playing chess and chatting, singing about the wind and the moon?" Liu Chengyou ordered Li Fang, not thinking at all that there was anything wrong with forcibly detaining the envoy. .No way, who taught him how to have big fists?
After making arrangements, Liu Chengyou turned his attention to Wang Pu. Judging from his attitude, he was obviously much older than he was last year. His bun was a bit grayer, and he could not hide his fatigue between his eyebrows.
Liu Chengyou couldn't help but take a breath and said with rare emotion: "Wang Qing, thank you for your hard work!"
Although the words were short, they were obviously more sincere.
During the Northern Han Dynasty's southern expedition, Tokyo was regarded as the base camp, and Yingzhi and Yingdi were the transfer stations, and Wang Pu was the person in charge of the intermediate links, doing complicated and burdensome work.
He is responsible for the supply of food and ordnance to the hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians in Huainan. He coordinates and dispatches nearly 100,000 civilians, raises food and wages on the spot, appeases the people, and is even responsible for the defense of Suzhou.
To enable the emperor's commander to be in the south without the worry of food and equipment, Tokyo should take five points of the credit, while Wang Pu would take the other five points. As far as Liu Chengyou heard, Wang Pu often exposed himself to the frost and cold, day and night, to deal with official duties.
"You are loyal to your duties, and you should take care of your health and not overwork yourself!" Liu Chengyou advised: "You are only forty-six years old, but you are already half haired. I can't bear it!"
"Your Majesty cares about me, I am extremely grateful!" Wang Pu bowed respectfully and responded calmly: "Your Majesty is obedient to the destiny and wishes to unify and achieve peace. As a servant of the emperor, I can do my best, use my strength, and save my life." If you serve the country well, you will be satisfied, so there is no need to talk about hardships!"
"Wang Qing is a true scholar of the country!" Liu Chengyou couldn't help but sigh after hearing his words.
"Zhang Dejun!" Liu Chengyou suddenly called.
"Young man is here!" Zhang Dejun, who was immersed in the friendship between the emperor and his ministers, trembled and responded quickly.
Liu Chengyou ordered: "Find the imperial doctor to take Wang Qing's pulse and check his body. Also, find some of the imperial medicine and supplements and give them to Wang Qing!"
"yes!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Wang Pu couldn't help but feel grateful for this.