Tang Dynasty Mingyue Song Dynasty Pass

Chapter 804 He Jiangkou Persuading Surrender

Jin Hui led more than ten cavalrymen, all dressed in brocade and silk, dressed like wealthy businessmen, and quietly arrived at Hejiangkou at dusk.

This place is where the Li River, Yu River and other three rivers meet. The water flows rapidly and the location is very important. The Southern Han regime set up a large camp here and formed a navy, intending to rely on the natural barrier to resist any invasion from any military forces in the three river basins.

As soon as Jin Hui and others arrived at the Hejiangkou area, they saw dense warships, masts like a forest, camps scattered around, and a large number of soldiers and horses busy with training. It was a busy scene.

"Who are you? How dare you trespass here!" The scouts outside the camp were sharp-eyed and quickly spotted Jin Hui and his group. They immediately surrounded them and questioned them harshly.

Jin Hui smiled and politely replied, "I am an old friend of General Pan Chongche. I heard that he was promoted to general here, so I came to visit him and brought some money and jewelry as a gift to reward the soldiers of the three armies."

The scout team examined Jin Hui and glanced at the heavy box of valuables. They felt that what Jin Hui said was true, so they nodded and said, "Follow me."

So, this team of scouts surrounded Jin Hui and others. It seemed like they were guarding them, but in fact it was a form of protection. They escorted them through the camp and came to the front of the central army tent.

The scout team will personally enter the main camp and report the whole story in detail. After hearing this, Pan Chongche couldn't help but feel a little puzzled: Why would an old friend send money to him at this critical moment to supplement his military pay?

He led his men out of the tent and saw Jin Hui standing outside the tent. A hint of surprise flashed across his face. He naturally recognized Jin Hui. Fifteen years ago, this young and promising young man had served as a captain under his command. Later, he stood out in the army and was promoted to Du Yuhou. He was considered one of the best young generals in the Southern Han military.

  However, the intelligence he received recently said that Jin Hui had already surrendered to the Wu army, and had just conquered Lianzhou with Wu Yanrou, and was besieging Qingyuan. What was his plan for his sudden visit today?

"It's you!?" Pan Chongche's eyes were sharp and his body shook.

"Greetings, General Pan!" Jin Hui saluted politely with his fists clasped together and his attitude was respectful.

"Come with me into the tent and let's talk." Pan Chongche was a man of both civil and military talents and had extraordinary courage. He was not afraid that the other party would do anything wrong, so he asked Jin Hui to follow him into the tent.

Jin Hui was very tactful and did not bring any followers with him. Instead, he followed General Pan alone and entered the commander's tent.

The lights were bright in the tent, and several deputy governors and military governors were sitting together. They were all officers under Pan Chongche, and many of them were veterans who had followed Pan Chongche in battles ten years ago. When they learned that Pan Chongche had returned and was stationed at Hejiangkou, they all applied for transfers, just to continue to follow their old boss.

In particular, there were two Du Yu Hou who were angry about Pan Chongche's dismissal and resigned on their own initiative, willing to accompany Pan Chongche and become his family generals. Now that Pan Chongche has returned, he will naturally re-employ these Du Yu Hou and continue to serve as military generals.

As soon as Jin Hui stepped into the tent, he immediately attracted everyone's attention. He had a calm temperament and decent manners, which made people realize his extraordinaryness at a glance.

"Zhang Wu and Tan Liang stay! The rest of the generals, retreat for the time being." Pan Chongche gave the order lightly, his tone full of unquestionable majesty.

The other generals looked at each other, and although they were full of curiosity, they still stood up respectfully and left the general's tent. They vaguely guessed that something important might be about to happen, and this thing might be related to this sudden visitor.

Zhang Wu and Tan Liang, the two Du Yu Hou who had always followed Pan Chongche, resolutely chose to resign when he was dismissed from office, and were willing to become family guards, accompanying Pan Chongche for ten years.

Now, Pan Chongche was reinstated and was given the title of Grand Master, an extremely honorable title. The two were naturally delighted by this and followed him on the trip, resuming their duties as Du Yu Hou.

However, they also knew that the Southern Han was declining, and facing the powerful Wu army, even if they believed in Pan Chongche's ability to lead troops, it was difficult to guarantee that they could defeat the Wu army. But even so, they still firmly followed Pan Chongche and never left him.

After Pan Chongche sat down, he looked at Jin Hui with deep eyes and slowly said, "Sit down, Jin Hui. Why are you here today?"

Jin Hui stared at the middle-aged general. He was about fifty years old, with slightly graying beard and a face that bore the vicissitudes of time, but the lines on his face were as if carved by a knife, revealing a temperament of fortitude and unyieldingness.

General Pan's eyes were deep and sharp, as if they could see through people's hearts, making people dare not look directly at him. Under such a gaze, Jin Hui took a deep breath, slowly opened his mouth, and told the real purpose of his trip.

"General Pan, let's be frank. I came here today to act as a lobbyist for the Wu Kingdom." Jin Hui said frankly, "General Pan must have heard that I surrendered to the Wu army a few days ago. It's not that I'm afraid of death, but the Wu army is a benevolent and righteous army, the commander Su Chen is very righteous, and the new policy of the Wu Kingdom is also very friendly to the people. After weighing the pros and cons, Jin had to make a choice in desperation to surrender to the Wu army in the hope of continuing to be reused. This time, it is because the commander of the Wu army, General Su Chen, thinks highly of you, General Pan, and hopes to invite you to join us in the great cause and surrender to the Wu Kingdom."

In front of Pan Chongche, Jin Hui did not choose to use sweet words, because he knew that General Pan was a smart man with a unique perspective and was not easily deceived. Only by being sincere and frank could he gain the other party's recognition.

"Clang!" A slight metal collision sound was heard, and Zhang Wu couldn't help but pull his sword out an inch, obviously dissatisfied with Jin Hui's words.

Jin Hui remained unmoved, his face calm, and looked at Pan Chongche, waiting for his reaction.

However, Pan Chongche did not get angry. He kept his eyes on Jin Hui and asked in a deep voice: "Did the Wu army kill our Han soldiers? Did they harm our Han people?"

Jin Hui spoke loudly, his voice firm and clear: "It is inevitable that two countries will fight each other on the battlefield, each serving its own master! But the Wu army showed precious benevolence in dealing with prisoners. Not only did they not abuse the prisoners, but they gave them preferential treatment. For the elderly, the weak, the sick and the wounded, they even gave them travel expenses so that they could return to their hometowns to farm. In the occupied areas, the Wu army treated the people of all places without any harm, did not carry out any acts of burning, killing and looting, but sympathized with the suffering of the people and opened granaries to provide relief to the victims. This is what the Wu army led by General Su Chen did in my Han country!"

  After hearing this, Pan Chongche fell silent. If what Jin Hui said was true, then the Wu army led by Su Chen could indeed be called a righteous army. Only such a Wu country was worthy of his allegiance!

In fact, Pan Chongche has been thinking about his future these days. Should he take his soldiers to the southwest to establish his own vassal king, or fight to the death with the Wu army and die on the battlefield? Or should he surrender to the Wu Kingdom, or even the Northern Song Dynasty? He has never made up his mind, because the lives of his 50,000 soldiers are in his hands, and the responsibility is heavy.

Any decision would affect tens of thousands of lives, so he had to consider it carefully.

Pan Chongche's eyes were sharp, and he asked in a deep voice, "Are you serious?"

"Absolutely true!" Jin Hui nodded solemnly to show that what he said was true.

After saying that, Jin Hui took out a letter from his bosom and continued, "This is a letter written by Wu Jun Commander Su Chen to General Pan. Please take a look at it!"

"Okay, hand it over!" Pan Chongche waved his hand, and Tan Liang immediately stepped forward and took the envelope in person. He carefully opened the envelope, took out the letter inside, checked it carefully, and only handed it to Pan Chongche after confirming that it was non-toxic.

Pan Chongche took the letter and read it carefully. It was written by Su Chen himself, and it was written with sincerity. The letter mentioned that the purpose of pacifying the Southern Han was to unify the South, promulgate new policies, reduce taxes and levies, and let the people live and work in peace, not for personal desires or to exploit the people. Su Chen hoped that Pan Chongche would surrender to the Wu Kingdom and continue to serve the Wu Kingdom for the sake of the unification of the country and the difficulties of the people.

After reading the letter, Pan Chongche was very excited. These ideas of a harmonious world were exactly what he had been pursuing. However, in Lingnan, he could not realize his ambitions. Now seeing Su Chen's blueprint, his sincere invitation, and his promise to treat the people well and benefit the people, he was instantly moved.

"This matter is of great importance. I will consider it and give you an answer tomorrow!" Pan Chongche did not make a decision easily, but planned to think it over carefully. After all, he had 50,000 troops and many generals under his command. Even if he wanted to surrender, he needed to be prepared.

"General Pan, please feel free to consider this. I will stay in the army for one night and wait for good news." Jin Hui replied with a bow, his attitude respectful.

He was not anxious, because from the change in Pan Chongche's expression, he could see that the other party was not opposed to surrendering to Wu. Thinking of how he also needed a night to think when Wu Yanrou persuaded him to surrender, he did not say much, but just waited quietly.

"Okay! Tan Liang, you arrange some people to take them to rest." Pan Chongche ordered.

"Yes!" Tan Liang responded, then invited Jin Hui out and arranged for someone to prepare a new tent for them.

Zhang Wu asked in a low voice: "General Pan, do we really want to surrender to the Wu army?"

There was a hint of uneasiness in his tone, because surrendering to the State of Wu was a big deal. There were 50,000 soldiers here. If some agreed, there would naturally be some who opposed. If the news leaked out, there might be a mutiny.

Pan Chongche said in a deep voice: "There is no better choice for the time being. If the entire Jiangnan region becomes the territory of Wu, the new policy is implemented, and the people live and work in peace and contentment, then it will be the peaceful and prosperous era we have always advocated. Such a country is worthy of our defense and protection!"