Han Shizu

Chapter 1021 The Messenger
Jinling, the ancient capital of the Six Dynasties, and a famous city for 800 years, experienced wind and rain and vicissitudes during the period, but it has always been the attitude of the conquered, waiting for the arrival of strong soldiers.Now, in this cold winter, Jinling has once again embarked on the old path of history, besieged by powerful soldiers, and the end of the road.

On the Qinhuai River, the scenery is no longer there, and the light boats cruising and patrolling go, and the battle flags of the Han army are also hung on them.After the soldiers approached the city, the Han army showed more patience. Under the unified command of Li Gu, generals such as Zhang Yongde, Zhao Yanjin, and Yin Chongke spent three days attacking from three sides and pulling out the fortifications outside Jinling one by one.

During this process, the southern army basically did not have too strong and tenacious resistance, and was easily wiped out. However, it was not so easy for the main city of Jinling.

Even if it is difficult to see the whole picture of Jinling, you can imagine what kind of panic scene it is in the city standing in the bleak winter wind.Although he was a little unwell, Li Gu's excited mood, his generosity to Ping Nanzhi in the early years, came true in front of his eyes.

Since the time of Yang Wu, Jinling has not encountered war for 60 years. Therefore, this city with a prosperous population and a prosperous economy is extremely unsuitable for the arrival of imperial soldiers.

The Han army outside the city is preparing for the siege. A huge siege machine is being built and assembled. The stone bombs, kerosene bombs and ammunition made of gunpowder are transported to the front line. The look of devouring destruction.

Li Gu couldn't help sighing: "Since the Tang Dynasty, there have been years of wars in the north. Jinling has been managed by Yang, Wu and Jiangnan for decades. It is a pity if it is destroyed by the war!"

Accompanying Li Gu on the survey, Shi Shouxin also looked at Jinling against the wind, listened to his words, and said, "It's really a pity! Why don't we persuade you to surrender?"

"Judging from the news from the city, the chief ministers of Jinling still have illusions. Chen Qiao and other ministers are still insisting on sticking to it and resisting to the end! They still have [-] to [-] defenders and hundreds of thousands of civilians. Use this as proof!" Li Gu shook his head.

Because the Han army moved quickly, the battle situation took a turn for the worse, so that when Wang Shi approached the city, not many people escaped from Jinling City, and all of them were blocked inside.

Sensing the concern in Li Gu's tone, Shi Shouxin smiled slightly and said to himself: "How can tens of thousands of frustrated troops and hundreds of thousands of fearful people stand in the way of the king's troops?"

"I really don't doubt that we can win Jinling City! However, if we can persuade the city to surrender, it will be both a credit and a merit. Maybe we can try it once or twice!" Li Gu said.

"Mr. Li is worthy of being a benevolent gentleman!" Shi Shouxin complimented.

This is of course a compliment. A gentleman of benevolence and righteousness cannot be the commander-in-chief of an army.Raising his hands, Li Gu asked, "How long will it take to prepare for the siege?"

"After three days, we can launch an attack!" Shi Shouxin replied affirmatively.

"What about the military supplies?" Li Gu asked again.

"Zhang Mei has mobilized people and ships nearby, and transshipped from Runzhou. There should be no problem for feeding!" Shi Shouxin said.

"Very good!" Li Gu's expression became solemn: "I wrote a letter in hand, and sent someone to persuade you to surrender. If there is no warning, an offensive will be launched in three days. Attack on three sides, and end the war as soon as possible! Cao Bin and the others have surrounded Nanchang. Even if the city is broken in an instant, Jinling cannot fall behind!"

"I'm old and overwhelmed. Shou Xin will be in charge of commanding the siege!" Li Gu said, looking at Shi Shou Xin.

"Yes!" Shi Shouxin took a step back and answered with cupped hands.

After giving the order, Li Gu couldn't help shivering, feeling the pain spreading in the joints, Li Gu forced a smile again, and said: "The rotten and remnant body can't stand the cold, I'm laughing at you!"

Noticing Li Gu's expression, Shi Shouxin consoled him earnestly: "Li Gong is a peerless national scholar, a pillar of the imperial court, please take care of yourself!"

"Thank you!" After thanking him, Li Gu let out a sigh of relief, and the two paid the bill together.

"The Grand Marshal, patrolling on the river, intercepted a boat. He claimed to be Xu Xuan, the Jiangnan Prime Minister who had returned from an envoy to Tokyo. He held a pass in his hand and hoped to let him go to Jinling. The last general dared not decide on his own. How to deal with it? I’m here to ask for instructions!” In the commander’s tent, he huddled on the uncomfortable camping couch, warming himself up by the fire, before he finished writing a letter to persuade him to surrender, and Zhang Yanqing, who was in charge of water patrol, came to report.

Hearing his words, Li Gu suddenly became a little interested, and immediately ordered: "Lead Xu Xuan to the commander's tent, I will meet him!"

"Yes!"

Weiji, under the guidance of an officer, Xu Xuan walked into the commander's tent.After arguing with Emperor Liu in the Chongzheng Hall, Xu Xuan's heart has always been heavy, especially after learning about the war in the south.

This way back south, he was in a hurry, even so, when he arrived in the north of the river, the news that the master Wang crossed the river lightly and the soldiers surrounded Jinling had already spread.He didn't care too much, and hurried to find a boat to cross the south, but was detained by the sailors of the Han army patrolling the river.

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's attitude was gentle, and he smiled at him: "The old man is sick, and it is difficult to get up. Mr. Xu is a well-known scholar in the south of the Yangtze River, and he was not able to welcome him far away. Please forgive me for the lack of etiquette!"

Jiangnan Celebrities
In the past, Xu Xuan might have been proud of this, but after going through Kaifeng for such a long time, he only felt it was a kind of ridicule to say these words from the mouth of the Northern Han monarchs and ministers.He raised his eyes to notice Li Gu, and found that the old man's face was sickly, Xu Xuan turned his face coldly, and said, "Why didn't Emperor Han show mercy to the old minister, and let Mr. Li use his sick body to support the military affairs?"

When Xu Xuan opened his mouth, he was a bit aggressive, 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 didn't know why Li Gu mentioned Han Xizai, so he couldn't help asking, "What does Mr. Li mean?"

Li Gu smiled faintly, looked at Xu Xuan, and said calmly: "Mr. Xu returned from his mission and wanted to return Jinling, so I will not make things difficult for you. However, there are two things that I would like to entrust to you.

First of all, Mr. Xu went to the city and said hello to Uncle Han for me, just say, do you still remember the appointment at Huaishui 30 years ago?

Second, according to the emperor's edict, the old man led the king to Pingnan. Today, the army is approaching the city, Jinling will be defeated soon, and the world will be unified.A special handwritten letter, Lao Xugong took the Jiangnan king to advise him, in order to prevent the army and people of the city from being destroyed in the flames of war, I hope he will surrender 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 intentions, Xu Xuan was silent for a while, looked at Li Gu for a while, and solemnly replied: "I can send the letter to Mr. Li, the words of persuasion, please forgive me for not being able to repeat it!"

Hypocritical!

Li Gu raised his eyebrows, it's no wonder that such news came from Tokyo, with His Majesty's strength, it's no wonder he would be angry if he allowed such a provocative temper?
"That's all right!" Li Gu still didn't care, he was very self-restraining, and said with a smile: "My heart is on paper, between pen and ink, if you want to be a scholar of the Jiangnan Kingdom, you should be able to empathize with it! "

"Xu Gong has worked hard all the way, you can rest in the camp for a while, wash away the wind, frost and morning mist, and have some wine and food, then the old man will send someone to take you into the city!" Li Gu said again.

Xu Xuan directly refused: "Gong Li's kindness, I accept it with all my heart, and if I allow it, 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 said a word: "Yes!"

Therefore, Li Gu asked his son to hand over his handwriting to Xu Xuan.Xu Xuan was also not polite, took it and made a bow, then turned around and wanted to leave.Before he left the account, Li Gu took the initiative to ask: "Xu Gong is a famous scholar in the south of the Yangtze River. He is a generation of masters with extensive knowledge. Don't you know the general trend of the world?"

With a pause in his footsteps, Xu Xuan turned around, almost without thinking, and said: "The lord of our family is neither the king of Jie and Zhou, nor the lord of innocence. Even if it is difficult to resist the imposition of swords and soldiers by a big country, it is because of destiny, and it is not my lord who failed." Virtue. Although Xu is not talented, he also knows loyalty. Mrs. Li has treated me with great kindness, and I should follow him."

Xu Xuan's face was upright and serious, and his words were loud and clear. Seeing his appearance, Li Gu was also a little curious, if there was a day when he would be so generous and fearless.

(End of this chapter)