Chapter 703: Even His Majesty Defends the City With You |
Even the most fearsome truth must eventually be revealed to the parents, so this matter could not be hidden from them. And so, he told them.
However, his words had a powerful impact on everyone. They were shocked by what he said. Shang Jian Xiong's eyes bulged, Shang Yong Zhong was stunned. Tian Yu was astonished.
Gao Jian Cheng stared at Meng Xuan with a stone-cold face, yet inwardly he was still afraid. Fortunately, he had already prepared himself mentally. After all, Niu You Dao had already asked him whether or not to kill the prisoners. He knew that Niu You Dao might kill the prisoners. But even so, he sighed inwardly. Niu You Dao was truly decisive if he intended to kill the prisoners!
He had no idea that Meng Shan Ming wanted to kill the prisoners. He thought it was all Niu You Dao's doing.
Tong Mo also froze. Then he exclaimed in horror, "Head Meng, what do you mean by this?"
Meng Xuan: "Something unexpected has happened. Meng Shan Ming wants to kill the prisoners."
Tong Mo angrily said, "Can't the three sects restrain him?"
He couldn't accept this reality. He had expended so much effort on these negotiations. One of the conditions for the negotiations was to hand over Meng Shan Ming and Shang Chao Zong to the Song Kingdom in exchange for lifting the siege on the capital.
Tong Mo himself would have been glad to get rid of these two, but now was not the time. He had to consider them now, for they were currently providing protection for the Yan Kingdom.
That was Meng Xuan's reply to them. Of course, they could stop Meng Shan Ming. But it seemed the three sects, after hearing Meng Shan Ming's arguments, had agreed with him. And the three sects couldn't simply tell this to the Emperor.
The Song Kingdom had besieged the capital, and now the Emperor and his supporters were expected to become sacrifices? How could these high-ranking officials agree to become sacrifices?
They could force others to become sacrifices, but themselves? And to become sacrifices according to Meng Shan Ming's plan? They could not accept this! Moreover, their continued presence instilled confidence in the common people. And the people had not fled the capital.
The common people, seeing the high-ranking officials not abandon the capital, understood that the high-ranking officials were representatives of the Imperial Court.
And the Emperor and his entourage had not left the capital because of the newfound hope.
But then Meng Shan Ming made such a declaration. Previously, the Emperor and his people could have left the capital, but now that the Song Kingdom had surrounded it, they couldn't escape the capital.
The capital was surrounded. A group of cultivators could only forge a path for the highest echelons of the Imperial Court. But they wouldn't be able to take the families of those high-ranking officials with them. And every member of the highest echelon had their own family. And the number of people in each family was over a hundred. If each cultivator took a family member with them, could the cultivators then break through? If they did that, the cultivators themselves wouldn't be able to escape.
And if the capital was breached, everyone understood the consequences well.
Meng Xuan also didn't want to argue with them. He knew well that these officials were already sharp-tongued. And he couldn't say that Meng Shan Ming would lead battles and, if necessary, sacrifice the capital. And that this was for the good of the Yan Kingdom and, at the same time, for the three sects. Of course, Meng Xuan couldn't say that if it came to it, they would sacrifice the Imperial Court. So he simply replied, "Meng Shan Ming holds the army's morale in his hands. And he is stubborn. It is difficult to force him to do anything right now."
Tong Mo: "Head Meng, negotiations and a truce are beneficial for the great Yan, and for the three sects. The three sects should not stand idly by and watch Meng Shan Ming act arbitrarily!"
Meng Xuan: "Stand idly by? As soon as our troops retreat from the Song Kingdom, we will no longer be able to threaten the Song Kingdom. And the Song Kingdom's troops will have nothing to fear. They will then be able to return and also attack the capital. And Meng Shan Ming holds the army firmly in his hands. He does not wish to act otherwise. How can the three sects influence him?"
Shang Jian Xiong said with a trembling voice, "This is definitely Shang Chao Zong, this is his scheme!"
He insisted on this point. Meng Xuan understood him. Shang Jian Xiong was convinced that Shang Chao Zong wanted to harm him.
Tong Mo tried to persuade him again: "Head Meng, perhaps you can tell them. Negotiations and peace are also beneficial to them. If the Yan Kingdom collapses, it will bring them no good either. Perhaps they want something. Let them speak, and we will consider everything. I believe they have achieved military merits. I think His Majesty can reward them." Having said this, he clasped his hands towards Shang Jian Xiong: "Your Majesty, Shang Chao Zong has achieved military merits in commanding the army. Truly great merits. Your subject proposes rewarding him for this and granting him the domain of Dingzhou!"
Shang Yong Zhong immediately clasped his hands and also said: "Your Majesty, I second that!"
Gao Jian Cheng looked at them, and seeing Tong Mo wink at him, immediately clasped his hands: "Your subject also believes so!"
Shang Jian Xiong thought for a moment, then nodded gravely: "Good! We agree!"
Seeing this group of people suddenly become so generous, Meng Xuan coldly chuckled inwardly. But he still stood with a stone-cold expression.
He didn't think Meng Shan Ming would agree to this. Especially after Meng Shan Ming's detailed report on the ruinous nature of negotiations with the Song Kingdom, the three sects now understood everything well. What did Dingzhou represent to the three sects?
This group's agreement to give up Dingzhou would accomplish nothing. Because the three sects would not agree!
However, he couldn't tell them this directly. He didn't need to argue now and take the blame for their sacrifices. He shook his head and said: "Your Majesty knows how Shang Chao Zong thinks. Why proceed like this? It's better to put all efforts into defending the capital! Gentlemen, please be at ease. If the capital's defenses are breached, the three sects will not stand idly by as you suffer calamity. We will exert all our strength to escort you out of the capital!"
Having said that, he turned and freely departed. He didn't want to chat with them. The remaining people exchanged puzzled glances.
Several people stayed and continued the discussion. Only now they were discussing how to defend the capital...
After the library emptied, Shang Jian Xiong sat on the throne. His gaze was desolate.
He didn't understand why the great Yan had fallen to such a state? Why was there no one in the Imperial Court who could command the army? Even if there were, wouldn't Shang Chao Zong likely take them?
In fact, he understood everything clearly. Those who fought well on the battlefield and commanded armies had been with him. But these people either disappeared during the purges he conducted, or they defected to the enemy. Tian Yu stood with his head bowed. As the palace manager, he was now thinking about the harem. About the tragedy that had recently occurred. And if they needed to flee the capital, they wouldn't be able to take those who remained alive. So many people. Would they really have to kill again?
If they killed again, the consequences would be serious. They would either have to kill the relatives of important officials or kill the descendants of the Imperial Court. Would the Emperor have to kill his own children?
"Prince, in the end, it turned out just as you wished."
The three advisors left the library, and as soon as they were out of earshot, Tong Mo suddenly said in a cold tone to Shang Yong Zhong.
Shang Yong Zhong bristled and said: "Minister of Public Works, what do you mean by that? How could I have known it would turn out this way?"
Tong Mo said with a cold smile: "If the prince had gone to intercept the enemy forces, would the capital have fallen into such a state? Now even the Emperor remains in the capital and is defending the capital with you. Isn't this what you wanted?"
Shang Yong Zhong replied gravely: "Minister of Public Works, I disagree with you. My family is now trapped in the capital. Am I supposed to be happy about this? Moreover, you initially advised His Majesty to leave me for defense. Do you think I don't know that?"
Tong Mo: "You are the Minister of Military Affairs. The capital is in danger, enemy troops are about to attack us. What should the Minister of Military Affairs do then? If not you, who will defend us? A civilian official?"
Gao Jian Cheng sighed and said: "There's no need to argue, gentlemen. At a time like this, what's the point of finding fault? We need to think about how to defend the capital!"
*This scoundrel Tong Mo is blaming me!* Shang Yong Zhong thought to himself. But he didn't dare to say it openly and only harbored resentment. He still feared that Tong Mo might later kill him. So he immediately said: "The Minister of Education and Enlightenment is right. We shouldn't argue about this now. We need to find a way to defend the capital. If the defenses are broken, everyone faces a bitter fate. The words of the three sects cannot be trusted. At most, they will take us. But how many people do we have in our families? Will the three sects take them? Then they won't care about our families. So now we really need to defend the capital. Not what WE..."
He pointed his finger backward: "Indeed, if it comes to that, perhaps the harem will also need another round of women cleansed? Will we too?" At these words, his two companions sighed.
Tian Yu, of course, had issued an edict forbidding discussion of this topic, but they understood that he had forgotten about it now. So they pretended not to hear!
Gao Jian Cheng said casually as they walked, "Gentleman, matters have come to this. What should we do?"
Tong Mo sighed and said, "What else can we do? Inform all officials in the Imperial Court!"
"Ah!" Shang Yong Zhong was genuinely startled: "Gentleman, gather everyone? This... summon everyone?"
Tong Mo's eyes widened: "What else could the prince be thinking? We need to utilize everyone in the families, every pair of hands and feet will be useful. Summon everyone to help with the defense. Also, the palace eunuchs, whoever can fight. I will inform Tian Yu later. Furthermore, let all families who have connections with cultivators summon them for aid!"
"Also, let every family bring out their food reserves. First, we need to supply the army with provisions. And then we can calm the people. At this time, with a strong enemy before us, we cannot allow confusion. Tell everyone that hiding provisions is useless. If the defenses are breached, these provisions will fall into other hands. Tell everyone that I will tally how much provisions each has, so that everything can be returned later. Right now, whoever tries to hide anything, let them not be surprised by my ruthlessness later!"
Gao Jian Cheng and Shang Yong Zhong nodded approvingly.
Meng Shan Ming had driven them to this point, and Meng Shan Ming had left them no way back. Just as Meng Shan Ming intended to advance, maintaining morale. All the people at court also cast aside all selfish thoughts and acted together. To defend the city.
And the defense of the Yan Kingdom's capital should not be underestimated. After all, it is one of the seven capitals under heaven!