Rebirth at the turn of the Zhou and Sui dynasties

Chapter 608 Procrastination
Murong Sanzang suggested that Zhang Heng go out of the city to look for fighters, but Zhang Heng couldn't make up his mind for a while.

It's not that he didn't know that once Cui Che dug the river embankment, he wouldn't be able to defend Jiangling at all.

But Zhang Heng also knew that the Jiangling garrison under his command could still deal with Cui Che for some time relying on the strong city.

If they go out to fight with the Yan army, Cui Che will not need to dig embankments, which is equivalent to handing over Jiangling City.

Zhang Heng said doubtfully:
"Is there no way to stop the Yan thief?"

Murong Sanzang smiled bitterly:

"Of course there is a way. As long as the defenders leave the city and kill them, the river embankment can be saved."

Having said these words, Zhang Heng hesitated again and again and said:
"It is better to send envoys to Yanying and use peace talks as an excuse to delay time.

"When the Yan thieves see that we are willing to surrender, they will definitely try their best to protect Jiangling and will not continue to dig trenches."

Murong Sanzang sighed:
"Even if Thief Yan is deceived by the illusion of peace talks, no matter how long it can be delayed, he will definitely become suspicious if you and I delay opening the city gate."

Zhang Heng insisted:

"As long as we can delay it for one day, we can have one more day to find a solution!"

Murong Sanzang suddenly realized that what Zhang Heng said was reasonable. He asked:

"Who should go out of the city to negotiate with the Yan thieves?"

The west gate of Jiangling North City was slowly opened. Dong Jingzhen, the captain of Baling County who had followed Murong Sanzang northward, led more than ten knights to escort Xiao Xian, the prime minister of Jiangling County, out of the city.

Dong Jingzhen asked:

"Xiao Juncheng, why did Zhang Changshi and Murong Mansion suddenly decide to negotiate with the Yan people?

"Cui Che went on an expedition. If he didn't capture Jiangling, how could he be willing to leave? Could it be that the two princes in the city wanted to dedicate the city?"

Worried about causing panic in the city, Zhang Heng and Murong Sanzang strictly blocked the news. At this time, not many people in the city knew that Cui Che was organizing civilians to dig ditches in the south.

But Xiao Mian was naturally an insider. Before he left the city, Zhang Heng told him his plans solemnly, and he needed Xiao Mian to delay as much time as possible in front of Cui Che.

Xiao Mian did not confess his true intentions to Dong Jingzhen. The other party only needed to protect his safety along the way and did not need to know so much.

But if you want to confuse Cui Che, you must first deceive the people who followed him out of the city. Otherwise, if they reveal their lies, Cui Che will be alert.

Xiao Mian rode on the horse and replied:

"The Yan army is currently digging ditches in the south and wants to flood the city with water. Zhang Changshi and Lord Murong decided to negotiate with the Yan army for the sake of the safety of the people in the city."

When Dong Jingzhen heard that the Yan army was going to flood Jiangling, her face turned pale at first. It was not until Xiao Mian lied that Zhang Heng had the intention of dedicating the city that she returned to normal.

Along the way, Dong Jingzhen was respectful to Xiao Xianbi. Even at the time of the conflict between Yan and Sui, people still valued bloodline.

Xiao Mian was the great-grandson of Emperor Xuan of Western Liang after Prince Zhaoming of Southern Liang. Naturally, he was extremely valuable in the eyes of Dong Jingzhen and others.

In fact, after the fall of Xiliang, the Xiao family was moved to Chang'an and lived in poverty, even worse than Dong Jingzhen and other local wealthy families in Baling County.

Until Yang Guang ascended the throne, because of Empress Xiao, they were able to enter the court as foreign relatives and serve as officials.

The group of people walked across the moat, and before they left Jiangling too far, they saw a group of sentinels emerging from the thorns. Apparently, they had noticed them when the suspension bridge was lowered.

"Who is coming!"

The captain of the Sentinel Cavalry shouted.Xiao Mian straightened his back and said calmly:
"I would also like to inform the Emperor of Yan State that Xiao Xian, the Prime Minister of Jiangling County, has been ordered to come here to discuss important matters."

After hearing this, the sentries did not dare to neglect. They first sent people back to report the news on horseback, and then led Xiao Mian and his party to the camp five miles away in a leisurely manner.

Cui Che heard that Jiangling sent envoys to discuss the so-called important matters, and immediately concluded that the other party wanted to surrender.

Of course, this is also related to the garrison in the city. If it were Zhang Xutuo who was guarding the city, let alone a county magistrate coming to discuss peace, even if Zhang Xutuo came in person, Cui Che would not believe his sincerity, but would Caught him on the spot.

As for Zhang Heng and Murong Sanzang, if Cui Che remembers correctly, Zhang Heng turned against Yang Guang in the original time and space, and was eventually executed by Yang Guang.

As for Murong Sanzang, to be honest, he served in the Northern Qi, Northern Zhou and Sui dynasties. He can be said to be a true elder of the three dynasties. It is possible for such a figure to fall to the Yan Dynasty again today.

In addition, Xiao Mian, who came to discuss peace, was also one of the famous rebel kings in the late Sui Dynasty.

Yang Guang was very kind to the Xiao family, but when Xiao Mian rebelled, Yu Wenhua and Ke Ke had not had time to kill the king.

Therefore, when faced with Jiangling's request for peace talks, even Cui Che did not doubt their sincerity at all and received Xiao Xian warmly.

Corporal Cui Chelixian's style also flattered Xiao Xian, Dong Jingzhen and others.

If given the choice, Cui Che would not be willing to dig up the Yangtze River. He is not a cruel person in the first place.

In order to peacefully hand over Jiangling City, Cui Che is willing to make huge concessions.

He said to Xiao Xian:

"Please also tell the two princes in the city that as long as they sincerely surrender, I am willing to treat you as a prince.

"You will not lose the position of Jiuqing when you enter the court. If you want to be appointed as governor, they can choose between Hebei and Hedong."

After saying that, Cui Che held Xiao Mian's hand and said with a smile:

"I will never forget Xiao Juncheng's contribution, and I will be rewarded generously in the future."

Cui Che looked at Dong Jingzhen who was disarmed and followed Xiao Xian to the tent:
"You and the others who are accompanying you will also be richly rewarded."

Dong Jingzhen was very excited when she heard this.

Xiao Mian's mood was much more complicated. He could clearly feel Cui Che's sincerity, but his mission was to deceive Cui Che, and he was not really going to dedicate Jiangling City.

Cui Che, who was kept in the dark, took Xiao Mian's hand and sent him out of the camp, asking Xiao Mian and his party to go back to Jiangling to negotiate terms with Zhang Heng and others.

Dong Jingzhen and others got their weapons back. On the way back to Jiangling, he mentioned to everyone the courtesy he received from Emperor Yan following Xiao Mian, and Cui Che's claim that he would reward them heavily afterwards.

Everyone was excited.

But Xiao Mian sighed along the way. Dong Jingzhen saw that Xiao Mian's expression was different, so he approached Xiao Mian and asked in a low voice:
"The Emperor of Yan is full of sincerity, why does Xiao Juncheng still sigh like this?"

Xiao Mian glanced at the other knights around him. Dong Jingzhen understood and waved for everyone to disperse.

Seeing that only the two of them were left, Xiao Mian said that his trip was not for peace talks at all, but just to delay time.

Dong Jingzhen was surprised and asked quickly:
"Do the two adults in the city have any ideas to defeat the enemy?"

Xiao Xian shook his head and said:
"If you don't get anything, you just have to delay time to think of countermeasures."

Dong Jingzhen was stunned. He was silent on the horse for a long time, and suddenly said in annoyance:
"I can't defeat you again and again, I can't defend you yet, what other countermeasures can I have!"

(End of this chapter)