"Don't worry, Your Highness, I have sent people to cut off the Jiejiao people's escape route to the north. In addition, Wujiao, Wuti and other tribes that relied on Jijiao, when they withdrew into Henan with Bitatu's army, many old people were taken away.
Women and children have also joined the city. With these burdens, it is absolutely impossible for the Jiejiao people to escape and can only defend the city..."
On the morning of August 30, in the southern suburbs of Henan City, Sima An reported to Zhao Hongrun in detail a plan he had prepared these days.
Zhao Hongrun listened blankly. Although he was stunned several times because of Sima An's sometimes sinister look, he generally understood the general's plan: to conquer the Jiejiao tribe and the people who were attached to the Jijiao tribe.
The tribes lured them into the city, and then used the catapults of the Shang navy to throw oil barrel bombs into the city, killing all the Jiejiao people in the city in one fell swoop.
Genocide!
Literal genocide!
Although Zhao Hongrun had categorically stated in front of Erdemo, the leader of the Yi tribe, that he would conquer Jiejiao a few days ago, he was also shocked by Sima An's plan.
After all, Zhao Hongrun never thought of killing those Jiejiao women and underage Jiejiao children.
But listening to Sima An's intention, it seems that he will catch them all in one fell swoop, leaving no one behind.
Perhaps noticing the hesitation in Zhao Hongrun's eyes, Sima An lowered his voice and said: "Your Highness, this is the only way to deter the Jie people from invading our great Wei Dynasty again."
But this is inevitable...
Zhao Hongrun took several furtive glances at the great general Sima An.
He remembered that a few days ago, when he heard that when the general led his army to attack the tribes of Jiejiao, he had spared the camps of tribes that did not participate in the battle and were not enemies of Wei. He thought that
The general's murderous intention has been reduced. Unexpectedly, this general is just restraining his murderous intention. No, now he has exposed it again, trying to kill all the men, women, and children in the Jiejiao force.
At the same time, Wu Ji of the Shang Shui Army had ordered his soldiers to move all 300 catapults and 250 repeating crossbow carts, each carrying two repeating crossbows, to the front of the formation.
It is undeniable that this young general has some considerable experience in making full use of the power of catapults and repeating crossbows. He has already begun preparations without Zhao Hongrun giving orders.
Looking at those catapults and crossbow chariots, Zhao Hongrun could even vaguely see the inexplicable glint in the eyes of General Sima An next to him.
To be fair, if it were just Bitatu and his 30,000 to 40,000 Jiejiao cavalry hiding in Henan City, Zhao Hongrun would not hesitate to order barrel bombs to be fired from catapults to completely burn the Jie people in the city.
But now, when he learned from Sima An that in order to force the Jiejiao people to flee, the general deliberately left the women of various tribes behind without killing the children, and used them to drag down the Jiejiao cavalry, Zhao Hongrun hesitated.
.
After all, those Jiejiao women and Jiejiao children have nothing to do with this war and should not be implicated.
Especially now that their Wei army has a sure chance of victory.
This is not about benevolence and righteousness, but it should be a principle, a kind of moral character, or, in other words, human nature.
After pondering for a moment, Zhao Hongrun called the leader of the Yi tribe, Erdemo, and said to him in Yi tribe language: "Edemo, as far as I know, there are many people in the Henan city that our Wei army is planning to attack right now.
I wonder if the Yi tribe is willing to take over the women and children of the Jiejiao tribe?"
"Take over?" Erdemer obviously didn't understand.
Seeing this, Zhao Hongrun pointed to the catapult being installed by the Shang Shui Army and said in a deep voice: "Once I order the attack on the city, the city in front of me will turn into a sea of fire... I will not let a Jie go.
Jiaoren, but the women and children in Jiejiao, I think they have nothing to do with this battle and I don’t want them to be implicated. Go tell Bitatu and ask him to send the women and children in the city out of the city. We, the Wei army, will not harm them.
.”
After hearing this, General Sima An frowned and said: "Your Highness, if there is no burden, the Jiejiao people may be able to escape..."
Zhao Hongrun shook his head and said seriously: "Jiejiao is destined to perish today. Even if they cannot be eradicated, they will hardly cause any trouble." After saying that, he paused and added: "General, I still hope that
If our soldiers in the Wei Dynasty can regain the benevolent and martial style of the past, they should be soldiers who protect the family and the country, not butchers."
"Renwu..." Sima An's expression seemed a little awkward. After all, among the current Wei generals, the only one who still adheres to the idea of Renwu is General Zhu Hai of Chenggao Pass. This person happens to be the same as Sima An.
An is incompatible with water and fire.
He curled his lips and said with a bit of dissatisfaction: "I hope those Jiejiao people will appreciate our army's benevolence..."
After hearing this, Zhao Hongrun said with a smile: "Even if you don't appreciate it, don't you still have a general? After this battle, I believe that the name of the general and the number of the Dangshan Army alone are enough to intimidate this land of Sanchuan."
"Hey." Perhaps it was because his relationship with Zhao Hongrun had improved a lot than before, Sima An actually gave a rare chuckle after hearing this.
From the side, Erdemo looked at them blankly.
Not to mention, he was stunned for a long time before he understood what Zhao Hongrun meant. A strange feeling arose in his heart: He would not spare a man from the Jiejiao tribe, but he would spare a woman and a child. This man
King Su of Wei had a really awkward personality.
After thinking for a while, Erdemo nodded and agreed to the matter.
At this moment, there was some commotion among the Shangshui soldiers nearby, as if there was some enemy situation.
Seeing this, Zhao Hongrun and others looked up and found that the gate to the south of the city in the distance was open, and a group of Jiejiao cavalry galloped out.
However, what confused Zhao Hongrun and Shang Shui's sergeants was that when the group of Jiejiao cavalry sprinted close to the range of the Wei army's ballistas, they suddenly stopped.
Then, three Jiejiao men got off their horses, threw all their scimitars, longbows and other weapons on the ground in front of the merchant navy and Dangshan troops, and took off their sheepskin jackets.
After that, the three people slowly walked toward Wei Jun with their hands raised.
What does this mean?
Zhao Hongrun was stunned.
At this time, Erdemo explained: "Dear King Su, they want to negotiate with you, King Su... You see, they have thrown away their weapons, showing their sincerity."
"Negotiate with me?" Zhao Hongrun was stunned for a moment, and then said with a smile: "I didn't even think of surrender until now. I won't accept it."
Beside him, Sima An also sneered in agreement, folding his arms and looking contemptuously at the three people approaching slowly in the distance.
Thinking about it, these Jiejiao people were arrogant at first and regarded Wei as if they were nothing. Now, seeing that the situation is not good, they want to surrender in an attempt to escape disaster. How can such a good thing happen in the world?
"Your Highness, do you want to see them?" Wu Ji asked from the side, as if Zhao Hongrun immediately ordered the three people to be shot dead as soon as he said no.
Seeing this, Erdemo quickly said: "Dear King Su, I think there will be no harm in you meeting those three people and hearing what they said."
"..." Zhao Hongrun glanced at Erdemo, thought for a moment, nodded and said: "Wu Ji, let them come."
Wu Ji nodded and ordered the merchant navy to move out of the way and let the three Jiejiao people come over.
Seeing this, the three Jiejiao people did not hesitate and walked straight towards Zhao Hongrun.
However, it could be seen that the faces of the three of them were full of uneasiness, especially after seeing repeated crossbows, catapults, oil barrel bombs and other items.
After a while, the three of them arrived not far from Zhao Hongrun.
Although the three men had thrown away their weapons in public, Su Wangwei still stopped them and searched him. Only after he found that he was indeed unarmed did he let them get close to Zhao Hongrun.
Of course, in order to prevent the other party from suddenly attacking, Shen Yu, the clan guard, intentionally or unintentionally took half a step forward to protect His Highness.
"(In the language of the Yi people) Dear King Su, I have admired your reputation for a long time, and today I am honored to see you..."
The three people seemed to be sensible and did not get too close to Zhao Hongrun so as not to arouse the vigilance of the Wei army. They stopped about a foot away and saluted Zhao Hongrun respectfully. They touched their hearts with their right hands and bowed their heads. They were on the land of Sanchuan Quite a solemn etiquette.
"(In the language of the Yi people) this person is Guyi Gu, the leader of the Gray Horn Tribe." Erdemo reminded Zhao Hongrun from the side.
Hearing Erdemo's words, the Jie tribe member whom the former called Gu Yigu raised his head in surprise. Only then did he realize that there were actually members of the Jie tribe in this Wei army, and they were also the Yi tribe they had seen a while ago. The leader Erdem.
"(In Shen language) Chief Erdemo..."
"(In the language of the Yi people) Patriarch Guyigu..."
The two greeted each other.
At this time, Zhao Hongrun looked Gu Yigu up and down, and asked coldly in the language of the Yi people: "The leader of Guyigu, right? What do you want to do?"
Seeing that Zhao Hongrun could speak the Yi language so proficiently, Guyigu was stunned, then he suppressed the surprise on his face, lowered his head and said respectfully: "On behalf of the Gray Horn Tribe, Guyigu is willing to express his gratitude to the respected King Su. Surrender in exchange for your mercy."
I guessed it right...
Zhao Hongrun and Sima An exchanged glances, and the latter snorted disdainfully.
"Sorry, I do not accept your surrender." Under Guyi Gu's stunned eyes, Zhao Hongrun said lightly: "You can go back. After a while, our army will begin to attack the city! ... By the way, the women in the city and Children, if you don’t want them to be implicated, you can entrust them to Erdemo, and I guarantee that my army in Wei will not harm them." As he spoke, he pointed at Erdemo.
Gu Yigu seemed not to have expected that Zhao Hongrun actually refused his surrender. His face was full of surprise and he exclaimed: "Dear King Su, we have admitted defeat, why are you still unwilling to accept our surrender?"
Zhao Hongrun snorted coldly when he heard this, and said calmly: "If you get advantage, you will plunder at will and threaten the Wei Dynasty. If you fail, you will beg for surrender and survive... If I allow you to surrender, I will help the Kou Zhi. In this way, how can I allow you to surrender?" surrender?"
Beside him, Sima An nodded in agreement.
Perhaps seeing Gu Yigu's dumbfounded expression, Erdemo simply explained what Zhao Hongrun had just said.
After listening to Erdemo's explanation, Gu Yigu was ashamed and speechless.
Suddenly, he gritted his teeth and said in a deep voice: "Dear King Su, please tell me directly. How can you spare me from the Gray Horn Tribe? I, the Ancient, the Ancient... are all willing to obey!"
"Are you all willing to listen?" Zhao Hongrun, who was about to drive away the guests, was stunned when he heard this and asked thoughtfully.