Chapter 338 Negotiation and Siege
Han Ruzi really got it right. At noon the next day, a group of Huns came to the gate of the city, and the escort announced loudly that when the messenger of Da Shanyu arrived, he would immediately meet the emperor of Chu.
This is a very rude practice. There is no notice in advance, let alone consultation. In contrast, before the Great Chu sends the envoys for peace talks, he first sends people to inform the Huns so that they can prepare.
The Xiongnu envoys were more polite, and one of them told Chengtou that he was an acquaintance of the emperor in Central Plains dialect.
One of the messengers was Kim Chun-joong.
In Pengcheng, the emperor sent Liu Zeqin, the servant of the household department, as an emissary to go north with the Huns, and met with Da Shanyu to continue the peace talks, in order to delay the troops.
A group of more than ten Hun envoys entered the city and escorted their Hun soldiers back to the camp. After running for a while, they suddenly turned back and shot a few arrows at the city head from a distance.
The guards weren't provoked, and the messenger wasn't in front of them at all.
The emperor officially received the Xiongnu envoys at the Daiwangfu. Civil and military officials lined up on both sides. The ceremonial and guards were grand and filled almost the entire courtyard. The Xiongnu envoys could only enter the hall through a narrow passage.
This is not the arrangement of Han Ruzi. How to receive hostile alien messengers, the Ministry of Rites has long had a mature method, just follow it, even without asking the emperor.
There were twelve envoys in total. Only two people came in to meet the emperor, Jin Chunzhong and a Xiongnu noble. The latter was the official envoy, and Jin Chunzhong was the deputy envoy and interpreter.
The Xiongnu envoy refused to kneel and only bowed to salute. Jin Chunzhong had an order and could not disobey, so he had to bend his waist lower when he bowed.
After the Hun envoy got up, he said a lot of words, but most people could not understand him, but they could see his arrogance, as if the Huns had occupied the whole of Chu, leaving only a small city of Jin.
Jin Chunzhong began to translate: "The Huns, who are respected by the sun and the moon and protected by the heavens and the earth, respectfully inform the emperor of the state of Chu. I already know that the emperor intends to negotiate peace, but the Chu army is rebellious and rude, disrespecting the heaven and the earth..."
The Huns blamed the Chu army for the cause of the war, and then claimed that they had occupied half of the country of Chu, defeated countless troops, and the country of Chu had no troops available.
The ministers were angry, but the emperor didn't speak, they couldn't express their position, so they glared.
Han Ruzi sat there and listened all the time, concentrating on why Da Chanyu sent an envoy to Jincheng.
An official from the Ministry of Rites was given permission to speak on behalf of the emperor, refuting the Huns' claims and claiming that the Great Chu would never surrender or perish.
There is no difference between negotiation and quarrel in the air.
After two quarters of an hour, the ceremonial negotiation ended, and the aggressive Hun envoy was sent out of the palace to arrange accommodation and discuss it tomorrow.
Not long after, Jin Chunzhong, the deputy envoy of the Xiongnu, asked to see the emperor alone, and was granted permission. This time there were no bluffing ministers and ceremonial guards, but the emperor was still surrounded by a dozen guards and eunuchs.
Jin Chunzhong knelt down and kowtowed, and finally was able to speak according to his own meaning, "Master Liu of the household department was left behind by Da Shanyu, I came from outside the fortress, and saw with my own eyes the Chu troops from all over the city were gathering in Mayi City, but the generals had different ideas. Whether to enter the customs to rescue the driver or stick to the Great Wall, there is no dispute."
"What's the news from Iron Broken City?" Han Ruzi asked, hoping to get more news from the outside world from Jin Chunzhong.
"When I was outside the fortress, I heard that the Chu army of Broken Iron City was coming to Mayi City, but I don't think that would change anything. As far as I know, the main force of the Huns is waiting for this Chu army, which is regarded as the most important thing. Enemies, deliberately lead them in to save them."
"Didn't Da Shanyu lead his troops to Qi?" Han Ruzi was a little surprised.
Jin Chunzhong shook his head, "Da Chanyu did send an army to Qi, but he himself stayed in Yan, and he has already broken through the barrier of the Great Wall in Yan, so he can advance and retreat freely."
Da Chanyu is still more cautious and refuses to go deep into the land.
If the Chu army in Mayi City is defeated, and the Chu army in the Qi State will be alone, the great Chu army will really be gone.
"Da Chanyu saw the messenger of Da Chu, and felt that it would be better for Da Chu to be controlled by the emperor. If it were someone else, Da Chu would not be able to regain his strength for a while, and he would not be able to fight against the powerful enemies of the West with the Xiongnu."
Han Ruzi smiled and said, "Jin Chunzhong, do you believe it?"
Jin Chunzhong knew that it was impossible for him to talk to the emperor alone, so he no longer concealed it, and said sincerely: "Of course I don't believe it, but this is an opportunity, Da Chanyu hopes to negotiate with His Majesty in person, the place is up to His Majesty to choose, as long as it is It's fine between Jincheng and Yan Kingdom. Da Chanyu may have ulterior motives, but His Majesty can take the opportunity to take a breather, send someone to Mayi City to take over the Chu army, and even have the opportunity to personally go out on a tour of the fortress."
Jin Chunzhong is still loyal to Da Chu, at least he behaves like this. He suggested that the emperor use the peace talks to escape from Jincheng. Seeing that the emperor was still hesitating, he couldn't care less, and said: "My sister has quite a position in front of Da Shanyu, and she is willing to help His Majesty get out of trouble. , saying that this is the Jin family's repayment for His Majesty's great kindness."
Han Ruzi felt that Jin Chuiduo could not say such words as "great kindness and great virtue". Jin Chunzhong obviously added his own understanding. After thinking for a while, he asked, "Da Chanyu wants to negotiate with me in person?"
"Yes, just like the negotiation in Iron Broken City, this is an opportunity for His Majesty to leave Jincheng regardless of whether it is negotiated or not."
The place of negotiation was chosen by the emperor. Although it was limited to between Jincheng and Yan, the emperor could at least walk out of Jincheng safely.
"What else does Da Shanyu ask for?"
"No, that's all, he said that the real negotiation should be carried out by the real king. No matter how well the people below can speak, they can't express the king's intentions."
Han Ruzi thought for a while, "For the sake of this negotiation, the Great Chu and the Huns must temporarily stop their troops, right?"
"Of course, Da Shanyu said that as long as His Majesty agrees, both sides will send a decree at the same time, ordering their respective armies to stay where they are. Now that the Huns have the upper hand, it is good for Da Chu to temporarily stop the army, right?"
Han Ruzi nodded, of course it was a bit of a benefit, especially in the besieged Jincheng, the most needed time was time.
"I will consider it." Han Ruzi was in no hurry to give an answer.
Jin Chunzhong was a little anxious, "Da Chanyu's order, we can only stay in Jincheng for one night. If there is no progress in the negotiations before dark tomorrow, King Youxian will be ordered to attack the city."
"King Youxian is the Great King of the Huns?"
"Yes, he calls himself the 'Great King', so that he can overwhelm the kings. This man is brutal and warlike. He has always claimed that he wants to be the first to enter the capital and step on the palace.
"Is Da Shanyu okay?" Han Ruzi heard that the Huns wanted to return to Da Shanyu to fight for power.
Jin Chunzhong was stunned for a moment, "I've seen it once, and Da Chanyu still looks very tough."
"I'll call you back tomorrow." Han Ruzi still showed no urgency.
Jin Chunzhong kowtowed, got up and prepared to retire, and finally said: "Your Majesty is wise and talented, and his foresight and knowledge are incomparable with other ministers. Please think carefully, once King Youxian is ordered to attack the city, he will never be soft. By the way, I will bring it back from King Youxian. A man from Chu, do you want to see your Majesty?"
Han Ruzi was taken aback, thinking that Deng Cui revealed his identity and the head was sent back. He immediately reacted, and Jin Chunzhong's expression was natural, indicating that he brought a living person.
Han Ruzi nodded.
The Chu man stayed at the Huns' residence as an entourage and was summoned to meet him. From a distance, Han Ruzi felt that this man was familiar, but he was not as tall as Deng Cui, but he was wearing the clothes of a Xiongnu soldier and his hat was lowered. , The thick beard occupied most of his face, and he couldn't see it clearly.
Cui Teng, who was standing beside the emperor, suddenly pointed his finger at the visitor, and cried out in surprise.
Jin Chunzhong did not follow, and the "Hun people" fell on the ground and cried loudly as soon as they entered the house.
It was the King of the East Sea.
The guards and eunuchs also recognized it, and they did not relax their vigilance while being surprised. Instead, they all stared at the East Sea King, suspicious of his return.
Cui Teng knew early on that he had been deceived. The King of the East Sea wanted to escape by himself, not to find a way for the emperor at all. At this time, he couldn't help but get furious, "Okay, how dare you come back? Why are you dressed like this? You have joined the enemy?"
After hearing about what happened to Hua Bin, Han Ruzi was not surprised by Sigui, the King of the East Sea, but wondered that the King of the East Sea would be released by the Huns.
King Donghai ignored Cui Teng and cried for a while. Then he threw off his hat, ripped off his beard, and took off his leather armor, leaving only his underwear. He knelt down again, "Your Majesty, I almost won't be able to come back."
It was Cui Teng who said again, "No one expects you to come back. How did the Huns treat you? Good wine and good meat will serve you, right?"
The King of the East Sea swore to the sky, "I will never surrender to the Xiongnu. If there is a half-word lie, the sky will strike thunder. If you leave without saying goodbye, you commit the crime of bullying the king. Your Majesty can punish you whatever you want. I have no complaints about beheading. Just please listen to me: Be careful, Hua Bin and others sneak back to Jincheng, wanting to kill and assassinate. drive!"
The King of the East Sea did not know that Hua Bin had already been conquered by the emperor.
Han Ruzi believed that the King of the East Sea would not surrender, but he did not believe his "original intention", "Hua Bin and others don't have to worry about you, how could the Huns let you back?"
The emperor finally spoke, and the King of the East Sea breathed a sigh of relief, but the emperor was actually indifferent to the stabbing, which made him feel unsure, wiped his tears, and said, "King Xiongnu is furious, saying that the people of Chu are... He wants to kill me, just in time. When I caught up with the arrival of the Dadanyu messenger, I shouted, "You can kill me, but don't send me back to the city. Your Majesty will definitely be angry when he sees me. Your Majesty, I deliberately told the Great King Xiongnu to make him think I am." The appearance of this can irritate Your Majesty, and His Majesty will kill all the envoys in his anger, in fact, I know, Your Majesty..."
"King Youxian was already angry last night, why is he so angry today? Because of Da Chanyu's messenger?" Han Ruzi interrupted the King of Donghai.
Donghai Wang shook his head, "Because of Deng Cui."
"What happened to General Deng?" This was what Han Ruzi was most concerned about.
Donghai King was in a hurry, but he was speechless. He swallowed twice, and finally said, "Deng Cui escaped from the Xiongnu camp."
Han Ruzi let out a long sigh of relief. Although this was only a small victory, it was still unknown whether Deng Cui could bring back the army, but Han Ruzi had been worried for a long time and could finally let go.
"Not only that." There was a bit of complaint in the voice of the King of the East China Sea. It was because of Deng Cui that he fell into a desperate situation and almost died under the sword of the Huns. "He also kidnapped a concubine of the Great King of the Huns."
From the emperor to the eunuch, everyone who heard this sentence was stunned.
"That's why the Huns were very angry and sent people to chase Deng Cui. He also swore that he would break through Jincheng and kill the emperor. Your Majesty, Deng Cui has caused a lot of trouble for Jincheng!"