12dz Chapter 2109 Your Majesty, please make your judgment!
Chapter 2109 Your Majesty, please make your judgment!
Guo Ziyi did not hesitate at all, immediately clasped his hands in a fist salute from his horse, and replied in a deep voice:
"This subordinate understands! Rest assured, Commander-in-Chief, this matter concerns the morale of the army and the nation, and this subordinate will do his utmost!"
He then summoned a trusted lieutenant, a man who was quick-witted and eloquent and had carried out many secret communication missions.
Guo Ziyi instructed him in a low but clear voice: "Immediately select two capable followers, take my token and other materials, and return to the Chu army camp as quickly as possible."
"There's no need to conceal our whereabouts. Reveal our identity as envoys and request an audience with Ma Chao, the commander-in-chief of the Chu army, and Han Xing!"
He paused, then emphasized, "Inform them that our Great Tang is willing to negotiate regarding the matter of General Yuchi Bo."
"Conditions... are negotiable! As long as they release the people, we'll offer gold, silver, grain, and even some of the captured weapons."
"Anything that doesn't involve major issues like ceding territory or treason is negotiable! Make sure to find out the Chu army's intentions and their demands! Go and return quickly!"
"The last general takes command!"
The captain, with a solemn expression, knew the importance of the mission. Without hesitation, he bowed and accepted the order. He then mustered his men, turned his horse around, and galloped off towards the Chu army camp, the direction they had come from.
The horses kicked up a cloud of dust and quickly disappeared from the sight of the marching column.
Li Jing and Guo Ziyi watched the messenger leave before continuing on their journey.
The cold wind still blows, and the road ahead is long.
Rescuing Yuchi Bo will be their next goal, which they must strive to achieve at all costs during their retreat.
This confrontation will shift from the bloody battlefield to the negotiating table, where there are no swords but the tension remains just as intense.
As dusk settled, the cold wind grew even more biting.
Inside the Chu army camp, lights gradually came on, like a stubborn island of light in a dark wilderness.
After the scare of the Tang army's retreat during the day, the soldiers in the camp took turns resting, and their tense mood eased slightly. However, the sentry posts remained tight, and scouts continued to patrol outside the camp.
At the gate, illuminated by torches, the guards suddenly spotted several riders galloping out of the darkness, carrying white flags of envoys and claiming to be envoys from the Great Tang Dynasty who had important business to discuss with the commander-in-chief of the Chu army.
The news was quickly reported to the central command.
Upon hearing the report, Ma Chao frowned slightly.
The Tang army had just retreated in disarray during the day, and then sent an envoy at night. The reason for this was almost self-evident.
He did not summon them immediately, but instead ordered that the Tang envoy be temporarily housed in an empty tent near the camp gate, under strict guard, but treated with courtesy and not neglected.
After arranging the envoy, Ma Chao did not delay for a moment and immediately went to discuss the matter with Han Xing.
He knew that this was no small matter and that he alone could not make a decision.
Inside Han Xing's tent, the charcoal fire was burning brightly.
The old general was studying the surrounding terrain map spread out on the table by lamplight, seemingly deducing something.
Seeing Ma Chao rush in with a strange expression, he put down the charcoal pencil in his hand.
"General Ma, what brings you in such a hurry?"
Ma Chao clasped his hands in a fist and solemnly recounted the arrival of the Tang army envoy late at night, concluding with:
"General Han, I believe that the Tang envoy has come here for the captured Yuchi Bo!"
"Li Jing and Guo Ziyi have just suffered a defeat and lost Qin Hong. If they were to lose another fierce general like Yuchi Bo, it would be a huge blow to their morale. They would definitely be eager to ransom him back!"
A glint of light flashed in his eyes, and his tone carried a hint of eager calculation:
"Yuchi Bo is Guo Ziyi's trusted and beloved general, and holds a high position in the Tang army. Now that he has become our prisoner, he is a rare commodity!"
"We might be able to use this opportunity to demand large sums of money, grain, and weapons from the Tang army, and even force them to make concessions in certain disputed areas along the border!"
"If we succeed, it will be another great victory, enough to make up for the slight regret of not being able to pursue and expand our gains during the day."
"In my humble opinion, this is a golden opportunity to negotiate and gain tangible benefits!"
In Ma Chao's view, this was simply a fat sheep delivered to his door.
Yuchi Bo is the best bargaining chip. Wouldn't it be a waste not to make good use of him and extract his maximum value?
He even quickly calculated the possible price in his mind.
However, after listening to Ma Chao's analysis, Han Xing did not show much agreement or excitement on his face.
He slowly stood up, walked to the charcoal brazier, warmed his hands by the fire, pondered for a moment, and then slowly shook his head and said:
"General Ma, I understand your thinking. Exchanging captured generals for real benefits is an ancient practice and a common practice."
He changed the subject, his expression becoming unusually serious: "But this matter is by no means as simple as an ordinary exchange of spoils of war."
"Who is Yuchi Bo? He is a general of the Tang army, Guo Ziyi's right-hand man, and just recently fought a bloody battle with our army, killing and wounding many of our soldiers!"
"The capture of this man is significant beyond his personal bravery; it concerns the morale of both armies and even His Majesty's overall assessment of the battle and subsequent strategies!"
Han Xing's gaze deepened: "Your Majesty is the ruler of the world, with a heart that embraces the four seas and a vision that extends far into the future."
"How to deal with Yuchi Bo—whether to kill him, spare him, or exchange him, and what to exchange him for—is not something we frontline generals can decide on our own. This matter must be submitted to His Majesty for a decision!"
He looked at Ma Chao, his tone sincere and firm: "To be honest, General, in my previous urgent report to His Majesty, I have already informed him in detail of the results of this battle, including the capture of Yuchi Bo."
"Your Majesty must already know that, with Your Majesty's wisdom, you must have given a thorough consideration and a clear decree regarding such matters concerning the enemy's general, the subsequent diplomatic relations, and even the world's opinion."
"If we were to negotiate with the Tang envoys privately at this moment and set conditions, regardless of the outcome, it would be an overstepping of our bounds and would likely contradict His Majesty's plans, which would be undesirable."
Upon hearing this, Ma Chao frowned.
He felt that Han Xing was being overly cautious, even a bit pedantic.
Opportunities in war are fleeting, and so are those in negotiations.
By the time Zhennanguan Yi returns, something might happen to the Tang army, or Yuchi Bo might encounter some mishap in the camp. Wouldn't it all be a waste of effort?
He couldn't help but say, "General Han, His Majesty's decree will take time to travel back and forth. If the Tang army changes its mind during this period, or if something happens to Yuchi Bo in the camp..."
"General Ma!"
Han Xing raised his hand, his voice not loud, but carrying an undeniable authority: "Precisely because this matter is of great importance and concerns the dignity of the nation, we must be even more careful to uphold our duties as subjects and await the Emperor's decree!"
"Yuchi Bo is in my camp. As long as he is kept under strict guard and not mistreated, his safety is not in danger. As for whether the Tang army will change its mind..."
Han Xing smiled knowingly, "Li Jing and Guo Ziyi are even more anxious than we are."
"If Yuchi Bo dies in our camp, or is detained for a long time without a proper trial, the blow to their morale will be far greater than if they were defeated."
“They will wait, and they must wait, because they have no other way to ensure Yuchi Bo’s safe return to Tang except by negotiating with us.”
He paused, then made a decision: "Here's what we'll do. You go and reply to the Tang envoy."
"Inform them that General Yuchi Bo is safe and sound in my camp, and that our army is treating him with courtesy."
"However, how to deal with General Yuchi is a matter of great importance, and it is not something that we border generals can decide on our own. We have already sent a report to the court and ask Your Majesty for a decision."
"Please, General Li and General Guo, remain calm and await His Majesty's decree. Once the decree arrives, the outcome will be clear. Until then, refrain from further discussion."