Three Kingdoms: Peak Summons

Chapter 2272 Brother and sister break up, Xiuning returns to Qin

Chapter 2268: Brother and sister break up, Xiuning returns to Qin

Lu Xiucai left, but did not return to Luoyang directly. Instead, he went to Chang'an as an envoy to conduct further negotiations with Li Shimin.

As soon as Lu Xiucai walked out of the big tent, the next second the tent started to boil again.

"Grand Governor, do you really want to withdraw your troops? If you give up now, the general will not be willing to give up." Gongsun Xuanyuan said with a look of unwillingness.

 “Yes, the Governor…”

The generals all agreed, obviously unwilling to withdraw at this time.

 Eight days were spent from the time Qin and Tang Dynasties restarted negotiations to the end of the negotiations and the two sides formally reached an agreement.

During this period, the 200,000 Qin troops outside Chang'an City were not idle, but launched a strong attack on Chang'an.

The morale of the Tang army was already low, and among the previous battles, the Qin army won, which also hit the morale of the Tang army again. Therefore, everyone in the Qin army thought that conquering Chang'an would be very smooth. However, the fact is that the eight-day fierce attack still failed. Failed to capture Chang'an.

In these eight days of siege, the Qin army's main force and cannon fodder lost nearly 20,000 soldiers. Although they failed to capture Chang'an in one go, the casualties caused to the Tang army also increased day by day.

If this trend continues, it will only be a matter of time before Chang'an is captured. And at this time, the generals of the Qin army are naturally unwilling to ask them to withdraw their troops.

 “Do you think the governor wants to withdraw his troops?”

Hearing Li Jing's words, the generals realized that Li Jing would have the greatest impact on withdrawing his troops.

Li Jing, as the Grand Governor of Yongzhou, commanded a four-pronged army of 200,000 people this time, but failed to capture the entire Guanzhong. He should be the most unwilling person.

Li Jing naturally did not want to withdraw his troops, but he understood what it meant to do nothing, so he explained: "The strength of Chang'an City is far beyond what was expected before the war. It will take at least a month and a half to capture it, but there is not even a month left for us. Not even a month.”

Li Jing finally understood that the eight days of negotiations between the two countries were the last time his lord fought for him.

If Chang'an cannot be captured after these eight days of fighting, then even if we continue to attack Chang'an in the next half month, there will be no results.

"Before the founding ceremony of the People's Republic of China is held, the Guanzhong War must end. Since Chang'an cannot be captured within the specified time, why increase casualties in vain." Li Jing said solemnly.

 Hearing this, all the generals fell into silence, and no one objected to the withdrawal.

Seeing this, Li Jing ordered: "Send the order to cancel the siege of Chang'an."

Li Jing cannot withdraw his troops for the time being. After all, Lu Qinghou has not yet come out from Chang'an, and Li Tang has not yet agreed to the terms of the "Luoyang Treaty", but it is still possible to cancel the siege to show sincerity.

Following Li Jing's order, the Qin troops besieging the city were recalled to their camp.

The Tang army on the city tower saw that the Qin army had stopped attacking the city and lifted the siege. They thought they had won the battle, and they all started shouting and reveling.

"The Qin army withdrew its troops, the Qin army withdrew its troops..."

 In Chang'an City, the Palace of the Prince of Tang Dynasty.

Li Shimin looked at Lu Xiucai, who was well-dressed in official uniform. He always felt that this person looked familiar, but he couldn't remember where he had seen him.

“Envoy Qin, have we met before?”

Lu Xiucai looked surprised. He had only met Li Shimin once, but he didn't expect that Li Shimin would still be impressed by him. After all, he was so mediocre when he was still in Qixia Town.

 “Qixia Town, Lu Qinghou.”

Lu Xiucai smiled and saluted, while Li Shimin looked astonished. Apparently he had remembered the scholar, and his eyes suddenly showed surprise.

The timid and thin waiter at the beginning has now become the special envoy of the Qin State. It is really not surprising that anything happens in this world.

 “It turns out we are old friends.”

After Li Shimin sighed, he pretended to be businesslike and said with a cold face: "I already know the purpose of the Qin envoy's trip. Tomorrow, I will announce in public that I will relinquish the throne and submit to Qin and become a vassal state." ”

"Why bother tomorrow? It's better to choose a different day than to hit the sun. It's better to do it today." Lu Xiucai said with a smile.

As soon as he finished speaking, all the civil servants of the Tang Dynasty present looked at him angrily, and many even jumped out and pointed at Lu Xiucai and cursed loudly.

Lu Xiucai turned a deaf ear to this, as if the other person's insults were the barking of a dog, and just looked at Li Shimin calmly.

Li Shimin clenched his fist tightly, but then released it after a while. From the moment he decided to surrender in exchange for survival, he knew that there would be a day when he would be humiliated, but he didn't expect that day to come so quickly. .

“Since you are in a hurry, let’s do it today.”

Li Shimin said calmly, and then ordered to convene the city's top civil and military officials, and then publicly announced the terms of the "Luoyang Treaty" and the matter of surrendering the throne to the Qin State.

“From today onwards, I, Li Shimin, will step down from the throne, and the State of Tang will surrender to the State of Qin and become a vassal state…”

The civil and military ministers who were summoned felt as if the sky had fallen after seeing this scene, and they all looked like they were crying for their fathers and mothers. It was obvious that they could not accept such a cruel thing.

But the relationship between countries is so cruel. At least the Tang State is still there and has the right to autonomy. It is just that its dignity was rubbed on the ground by the Qin State, and the whole country was hit hard.

Li Shimin did not claim to be a Duke or a Marquis after he left the throne. After all, the Tang State was now a vassal state of the Qin State. It was against the rules to call himself a Duke and a Marquis without permission. Ying Hao would naturally be canonized after he became emperor.

 Witnessed with one's own eyes that after Li Shimin left the throne, the main task of Lu Qinghou's trip was completed. After all, Li Shimin had even accomplished such a humiliating thing, so it was naturally impossible for him to violate other terms.

"The garrisons from Zuo Fenling's five counties, as well as Li Keyong's troops from Huayin, will withdraw within five days and hand over control of the city to your army. I hope your army will not attack our retreating army. ." Li Shimin said.

Lü Qinghou nodded: "Since our two countries have stopped fighting and shook hands to make peace, our army will naturally not attack the Tang army."

“Qin Hai and Sima Yi, your envoy can directly take Qin Hai away. As for Sima Yi…”

As he spoke, Li Shimin looked embarrassed, and Lu Xiucai asked, "Did any accident happen?"

"Sima Yi is the guard general of Baling. He seems to have guessed that I would abandon him. Before the negotiation was over, he signed up and ran away. Now I don't know his whereabouts. I believe that with Qin's intelligence network, it is only a matter of time before we catch Sima Yi. ”

What Li Shimin said was extremely sincere, but Lu Xiucai sneered in his heart. He didn't believe a word Li Shimin said, but he would not expose Li Shimin.

It would be a good idea not to hand over to Sima Yi. After the Qin State recovers, it will be an excuse to send troops to attack the Tang State.

When he entered the city, Lu Qinghou was alone. When he left the city, he brought out Hu Hai who was tied into a rice dumpling.

After seeing Hu Hai, the generals of the Qin army suddenly became excited, especially Qin Ji, Qin Si and other generals from the Qin family. They rushed up and beat Hu Hai violently. If Li Jing hadn't stopped him, he might have given him a beating. People were beaten to death.

Ying Hao had already issued an order to publicly execute the traitor Hu Hai and the regicide Liu Bei on the day he ascended the throne in front of the whole world, to worship his ancestors and the late emperor, so Li Jing naturally could not let Hu Hai be killed by Qin Ji. As for Hu Hai, his heart was full of despair, and his intestines were almost green with regret.

He rebelled against his clan and defected to Li Tang because he believed that the Qin State could not withstand the siege from many countries. At that time, there were many people who had the same idea as him. As a result, the Qin State not only managed to survive, but now Ying Hao is proclaimed emperor on behalf of the Han Dynasty. , and he became a clown who voluntarily gave up his status as a relative of the emperor.

 If Hu Hai was given another chance, he would never do this, but it's too late to say anything now.

Lü Qinghou escorted Hu Hai back to Luoyang, while Li Jing continued to hand over territory to Li Tang. It was not until he accepted the city ceded by the Tang army that he ordered the army to retreat into Lantian, Xinfeng and other four cities.

Just when the last Qin army was about to leave Chang'an, the city gates of Chang'an were opened wide, and Li Shimin personally escorted a carriage from the city. It was the wedding carriage of the Tang Dynasty. In the carriage were not only Princess Li Xiuning of the Tang Dynasty, but also the crown prince Li Shimin. nebula.

Just before the negotiations between the two countries concluded, Li Shimin abolished Li Zhi's crown prince position and instead established Li Xingyun as the new crown prince.

Li Shimin would do this because he was naturally reluctant to let Li Zhi, his legitimate son, go to Luoyang as a hostage. After all, he would probably never come back. But Li Xingyun was different. He was a concubine.

If a son must be sacrificed, in Li Shimin's opinion, it is better to die as a concubine than as a legitimate son.

At this time, little Li Xingyun's cute little face was full of fear and uneasiness, making people feel pity for him, and even Li Shimin felt a little guilty in his heart.

“Father, do you want Nebula anymore?”

"How is that possible? Nebula, don't think too much. Father will take you home sooner or later."

Li Shimin stroked Li Xingyun's little head and said extremely seriously: "You must remember when you go to Luoyang. Don't get into trouble. You must listen to Aunt Xiuning in everything."

 “Well, Nebula remembered.”

Xiao Li Xingyun nodded obediently.

 Li Shimin still knew Li Xiuning's sister very well. Now, although the brother and sister have completely turned against each other, and Li Xiuning hates him even more, she will never anger his son.

 After Li Xingyun entered Luoyang, if he had the help of his aunt Li Xiuning, his life as a hostage in Luoyang would be easier.

At the front and rear of the Qin army's formation, Li Xiuning, who looked pale, was helped out of the carriage by two maids. It was obvious that his internal strength was blocked.

"Xiu Ning, forgive my second brother. If my second brother does this, there is nothing you can do about it."

Li Shimin said apologetically that he really didn't want to take advantage of his sister, but things have reached the point where it is that if Li Xiuning is allowed to marry, it will be a good thing for both countries, and he can't refuse.

Li Xiuning smiled disdainfully. She had seen through Li Shimin and was extremely disappointed with this second brother. She didn't even bother to talk nonsense with him. She said coldly: "Where are Qi'er and Lin'er?"

Li Shimin sighed slightly when he saw this, and then took Lin'er out of a carriage behind him.

Lin'er hadn't seen her mother for more than ten days, and she missed her mother so much that when she saw Li Xiuning, she ran straight over.

 Li Xiuning also rushed forward, hugged her son and cried bitterly, and asked if he had been abused during this period. After receiving the answer that he had not been abused, he felt relieved.

"Xiu Ning, why do you think so of your second brother? Lin'er is your son and my nephew. How could I abuse him?" Li Shimin said with a bitter smile.

Li Xiuning wiped away her tears, looked at Li Shimin coldly, and said in a deep voice: "Where is Qi'er?"

Li Shimin was silent for a moment and then replied: "Qi'er can't be returned to you yet. He needs to stay as a hostage. After the agreement between the two countries is successfully implemented, my second brother will accompany me to send Qi'er to Luoyang for you." Mother and son reunited."

 “Li, world, people.”

Li Xiuning was shaking with anger, and her eyes seemed to be bursting with fire.

She knew that her second brother was a ruthless person, but she never thought that he would be so heartless. This meant that she took all her efforts and slaves for granted, and also squeezed out all the use of their mother and son. The rhythm of value.

 “You will definitely regret your decision today.”

After coldly saying harsh words, Li Xiuning hugged her son and walked towards Qin Jun without looking back.

 Not only did she not have any attachment to Li Tang, but she was also full of resentment.

 She wanted revenge, she wanted Li Shimin to regret treating her, his biological sister, like this.

Looking at Li Xiuning's leaving back, Li Shimin opened his mouth and wanted to say something, but in the end nothing came out. He sighed and motioned for his son to catch up.

Li Xingyun was frightened by the quarrel between his father and his aunt. After being pushed several times, he realized what he was doing and chased after her on his short legs, shouting "Auntie, wait for me" as he ran.

Li Xiuning has been heartbroken by Li Shimin. She hates her brother for taking advantage of her mother and son. She has to target Li Xingyun, so how can she still pay attention to Li Xingyun?

At this moment, Huo Qubing came with a group of cavalry. When he saw the child in Xiuning's arms, he suddenly understood. He cupped his fists and saluted, "Huo Bing, the Pingbei General of the Great Qin Dynasty, has been ordered to **** his wife back to Beijing."

Li Xiuning raised his head: "General Huo, I don't want to go to Luoyang so soon."

Huo Qubing was stunned for a moment, frowned and said, "Madam, this is a bit against the rules. Please don't embarrass me."

"I heard that after Fu Cunshen, Changsun Wuji and others were captured, they would rather die than surrender to Qin. Xiu Ning is not talented. Now that she has entered Qin as a wife, she should contribute to her husband's family and is willing to serve as a lobbyist. To convince these descendants to descend."

Li Xiuning said lightly, she didn't think she could only use it for marriage.

Who is she Li Xiuning? She is the iron lady of the Tang Dynasty who can fight on horseback and govern the country on horseback. Even if she does not rely on anyone, she is better than most men in the world.

Therefore, in her opinion, entering the Qin Dynasty this time is another kind of "official career". She wants her cruel second brother to know that abandoning her is the worst decision he has made in his life.

Hearing that Li Xiuning said that he wanted to help persuade the generals to surrender, Huo Qubing smiled and said: "Madam, it's not easy to persuade these generals to surrender. You'd better stop messing around."

“The general may not know that Fu Cunshen was recommended to Li Shimin by my concubine.

As for Changsun Wuji, two years ago he encountered an assassin and was hit by a poisonous arrow. The officials in Chang'an were helpless. It was my concubine who invited Yu Ji to save him.

In addition, generals such as Yang Jian, Gao Siji, Shang Shi and his disciples, and civil servants such as Li Kui and Li Si also received the concubine's kindness. "Li Xiuning said calmly.

Huo Qubing was stunned when he heard this. This was really amazing. He seemed to understand now why his lord wanted to marry this woman.

This woman's influence in the Tang Dynasty was second only to Li Shimin and Li Kui. If she had the help of this woman, she would be better than a hundred thousand soldiers in the Tang Dynasty.

"Ma'am, are you really sure?" Huo Qubing asked with some uncertainty.

 “Eight or nine are inseparable from ten.”

Hearing this, Huo Qubing made up his mind and gritted his teeth and said: "In this case, I, Huo Bing, am disobeying a military order and asked you, madam, to give it a try."

 “Thank you, general.”

 (End of this chapter)