Under Yang Shiqi's care, Shao Erlai Pi had an unimpeded journey and was sent back to Shuicheng.
The senior officials of the Southern Dynasty in Shuicheng had no objection to the return of Shao Er Lai Pi, but were actually a little happy.
Because this shows that the other party, like them, respects the lives of noble generals. So if it is your turn to be captured in the future, it should be possible for him to be sent back as a gift.
Therefore, although Prince Huairiang asked Shao Erlai Pi to see him, he did not ask a few questions about how he was released. They were more concerned about the internal situation of the Ming army and the outcome of the naval battle at Hakata Bay.
They were awakened by the rumbling sound of cannons on the sea in the middle of the night yesterday, and collectively ran to the highest point of the city wall to look out, only to see flames rising into the sky and thick smoke billowing from Hakata Bay.
But I couldn't see the specific situation clearly, I could only hear the shouts of death and screams.
Soon after dawn, the sea returned to calm, and they could finally see clearly that the Ming army's warships were still standing in the sea, no more, no less.
If the sea surface wasn't dyed red with blood, they would even wonder if they were having a nightmare.
Although they knew that the attacking Kyushu navy was in serious danger, they still held on to a bit of luck until they got the exact information.
Young Master Lai Pi completely broke any chance and told them how three naval armies came in full force last night and were almost completely wiped out by the well-prepared Ming army.
"I don't believe it. We have lost thousands of warships. Why does the Ming army seem to have lost nothing?!" Shimazu was so anxious after hearing this that he stood up from his wheelchair and fell to the ground again.
The wound on the knee burst open again. The blood instantly stained the bandage red.
Huailiang quickly asked people to carry him down and bandage him again for treatment.
Shao Er Lai Pi then continued: "The Ming army did not damage a single warship, because their warships were not only huge, but also made of fine hardwood, and they were also covered with rawhide, wet quilts, etc. They were fully prepared.
Protection, not afraid of our fire attack."
"So we can't damage their warships at all. On the contrary, our ships are easily broken and are of no use at all..."
"..." His words silenced the whole room of Nanchao senior officials.
"You go down first." Prince Huai Liang was afraid that he would surrender if he heard any more, so he quickly let him go down.
~~
After Shao Erlai Pi went down, Huai Liang asked in a deep voice: "Think about it, is there any other way?"
The senior officials of the Southern Dynasty in the castle tower continued to remain silent for a long time. What else could be done?
In fact, they knew very well that China's military strength far exceeded their own. But they did not expect that the gap was much larger than imagined.
Originally, they thought that with the right location and united efforts, they could repeat the miracle of a hundred years ago. Now they realize that the reason why miracles are called miracles is because they are extremely rare.
Their ancestors could perform miracles twice, and they had already exhausted all their luck. When it was their turn, there would be no chance of a third time...
The silence in the castle tower was broken by the rumble of cannons.
But they did not panic, because the Ming army on the shore had been shelling Shuicheng for several days.
Wang Bi hitched the captured Japanese horses to the shafts, and four horses pulled a gun carriage, reporting to the moat on time every morning.
Across the river, we began to bombard the city wall, which lasted for most of the day, and concentrated on the weakest section of the west wall.
The big iron balls hit the city wall one after another. Each shot would leave a bullet mark as big as a bowl. It would also shake the city wall and cause gravel to fall.
The city wall of Shuicheng was built in the same way as the previous stone wall. It was made of piled rocks. However, the city foundation was thicker, so it could withstand bombardment better.
But no one dares to say that if the bombing continues like this, it will suddenly collapse that day.
This was Wang Bi's effect. As long as there was a risk of the city being breached, the main force of the Japanese army would not dare to leave Shuicheng. Hu Quan's cavalry and the infantry he sent could elegantly loot the Dazaifu.
~~
Every sound of the cannon made everyone in the castle tower miss a beat. Nijo Kagerayi finally couldn't help but said: "Your Highness, please ask for help from the Northern Dynasty."
"..." Prince Huai Liang did not speak, but looked at the remaining two of the three people.
In view of the previous lessons, the three people have always been opposed to asking for help from the Northern Dynasty. At the time, their ancestors ruled the entire Kyushu, and the Northern Dynasty took the opportunity to weaken them into ordinary daimyo.
Now that their strength has been greatly reduced and they are enemies of the Northern Dynasty, the Kanto shogunate will definitely be more ruthless this time.
That's why they pinched their noses and re-cooperated with Huai Liang, hoping to defeat the Ming army with the strength of both parties. But now it seems that they are simply overestimating their capabilities and trying to get away with it...
As expected, the second son, Laicheng Laicheng, and Otomo Kinshi remained silent and did not speak out against it.
Now it depends on Prince Huailiang's own attitude.
In fact, Huai Liang had no choice. After all, he was a member of the royal family. If he surrendered to the Northern Dynasty, he would probably be able to become a monk and live out his remaining days.
Even if Ashikaga Yoshimitsu insists on killing them all, he will give him an honorable death and let him bid farewell to this world as a prince.
But if it fell into the hands of people from the Ming Dynasty, they would definitely be tortured and die in humiliation. The situation would be ten thousand times worse...
So while Kyushu is still in your hands, let's negotiate a decent outcome with the Northern Dynasty. If you continue to hold on, you will lose all your capital.
Thinking of this, he finally nodded slowly and said with difficulty: "Okay."
~~
Since no one had any objections, Nijōri immediately sent someone to contact Bei Chao.
Young Master Raicheng and Otomo went down to the castle tower and first went to see Shimazu Ujihisa. The doctor worriedly told them that his wound was already inflamed, but now it was even more troublesome...
Speaking of this, it basically means preparing for the funeral.
Looking at Shimazu Ujihisa who fell into a coma, the two of them also felt sad.
After coming out of Shimazu's room, Otomo looked at the dry landscape in the courtyard and said sadly: "I wonder if I can see spring flowers blooming again."
He was the most depressed because he had already defected to the Northern Dynasty, but because the three people advanced and retreated together, he had to follow the Shaoer family and the Shimazu family to become enemies of the Northern Dynasty.
"Come with me to meet Lai Pi." Young Master Lai Cheng said after being silent for a long time.
"He has nothing to say?" Dayou Qingshi understood immediately.
The second son Lai Cheng nodded. He originally planned to meet his brother alone, but at this time the unity of the three of them was more important than anything else, so they decided to go together to meet the second son Lai Pi.
Young Master Lai Pi also followed his brother's instructions and explained Ming's requirements and conditions in detail.
It was a lie when the two of them said they were not moved after hearing this. They both knew that the Ming army would definitely leave and surrender to the Ming Dynasty, and Kyushu would be completely theirs to decide. This was something that neither the Southern or Northern Dynasties could give them...
But that has to be done shamelessly. Their ancestors resolutely resisted the Yuan Dynasty to the end. How come they surrendered when they said they would surrender? They will definitely be laughed at.
Moreover, whether the Northern Dynasty will attack Kyushu after the Ming army retreats, and whether the three of them can hold on without General Zhengxi's Mansion, are all questions.
