Summoning the world to be one

Chapter 622

Chapter 623: Sima Shang surrenders

In the fourth year of Tiantong, on August [-]th, at noon, Li Siye led the main force of Deng's army, and under the guidance of the Qiang people of the Naiqin tribe, approached five miles away from Lintao City and set up camp here.

At night, several figures came out of Lintao City and went straight to Deng Jun's camp.

In Deng Jun's camp and in the Chinese army's tent, Li Siye was studying the map. This map was dictated by the Qiang people in the Naiqin tribe, and combined with the results of secret investigations by Ming Jing and the Secretary of Commerce over the years. It is more detailed. Atlas.

Lintao City is close to Taoshui, and it is a rare place in Xiliang with abundant water resources, and there are also many fertile fields. Although it is far behind Guanzhong, which is fertile and thousands of miles away, it is considered a relatively rich place in Xiliang. After taking down Lintao City, they can go northward along the Taoshui River and directly take Angu City and Didao City.

Now in Lintao City, there are 200 troops in the southern capital of the Qin State, although there may be a little water in it, after all, this number is already [-] years ago. After so many years, it is normal to have some changes, but No one knows the exact number, that is to say, there may be less than [-] soldiers and horses in the city, or there may be more than [-] soldiers and horses.

With the strength of Deng Jun, it is not difficult to break through the city under fierce attack. After all, the Qin Army in the eight counties of Xiliang is indeed very powerful when it comes to field battles, but it is not enough when it comes to offensive and defensive battles. Look, but what Li Siye has to consider is not only Lintao City, but also the entire eight counties of Xiliang. If there are too many casualties in Lintao City, how to suppress the eight counties of Xiliang in the future, not to mention, in Wuwei County, There are still [-] elite Qin troops stationed there.

The [-] soldiers and horses under Ma Zhi's command are all the elites of the Qin State for many years. Since the defeat in the three battles of Jianshan, Hanzhong, and Changpingting, most of the elites accumulated by the Qin State over the years have been lost. The soldiers and horses did not enter the pass with the main force of the Qin army, so they did not participate in the three battles of Jianshan, Hanzhong, and Changping Pavilion.

"Forcibly attacking Lintao City is absolutely not advisable. For the present plan, the only way is to lure the Qin army out of the city and try to wipe out its main force in the wild. But what method should we use to lure the main force out of the city?" Li Siye looked at Muttered while looking at the map.

At this time, Jia Xu suddenly walked in and said, "I would like to report to the general, there is a man outside the city who claims to be Sima Shang, the capital commander of the southern part of Xiliang in Qin State, please see the general!"

"Southern Captain Sima Shang?" Li Siye suddenly heard Sima Shang's name. He couldn't turn his mind for a while, and couldn't remember who Sima Shang was, but he soon came back to his senses and said in surprise: "Are you Speaking of Sima Shang, the southern captain in Lintao City?"

"It's this person!" Jia Xu nodded and said.

"What is he here for? Does anyone know his identity?" Li Siye asked in surprise. Sima Shang's appearance at this time really made him feel strange.

Jia Xu shook his head and said, "Sima Shang came late at night this time, and he only brought two or three attendants with him. I guess he didn't want anyone to know that he was here. Originally, he didn't want to reveal his identity until his subordinates came forward. Only then did Sima Shang reveal his identity, otherwise the soldiers at the camp gate would have arrested him long ago."

"The two armies are facing each other. As the commander, it is really intriguing to go to the enemy's camp late at night. Junshi Jia, what do you think this Sima merchant is up to?" Li Siye said with his mouth slightly raised.

Jia Xu thought for a while and said, "General, according to my subordinates, this Sima merchant is probably here to ask for surrender!"

"Please surrender? Why do you know that?" Li Siye also had the same thought in his heart, otherwise how could he explain that Sima Shang wanted to come to Deng Jun's camp late at night?Could it be that he came to spy on the military situation, even if it was to spy on the military situation, it is not so obvious, are you impatient?However, at this time, Li Siye also wanted to hear Jia Xu's opinion.

Jia Xu said: "General, now that the enemy is weak and we are strong, Sima Shang has only three ways to go. One is to defend the city, and the other is to evacuate Lintao City and go to Didao City, or even where Ma Zhi in Wuwei County is. [-]. Please surrender."

Li Siye nodded, motioning for Jia Xu to continue.

Jia Xu continued: "Defending the city to the death is a dead end for Sima Shang. Even if Sima Shang is lucky enough to defend Lintao City, his soldiers and horses will suffer heavy losses. You must know that the soldiers and horses of the Southern Captain's Mansion are all Sima Shang and his ancestors saved up little by little, and it belonged to their Sima family's private army. Given the conflict between the Sima family and Ying Qin, how could Sima Shang use his own soldiers to protect Ying Qin's country? Woolen cloth?"

"The second way is even more inadvisable. The Sima family's foundation is in Lintao City. If he leaves Lintao City, no matter where he goes, he will not be accepted. In other words, after leaving Lintao City, the Sima family It is the meat on the chopping board, which will be slaughtered. At that time, even if Sima Shang does not die in the hands of our army, he will die in the hands of the Qin people. Therefore, in order to save his family and life, he surrendered to my great Deng. Sima Shang's only way out."

"What Junshi Jia said is true. It seems that Sima Shang is really desperate, but according to Junshi Jia, will this general accept the surrender?" Li Siye asked.

Jia Xu nodded and said: "My subordinates think that our army should accept the Sima family. First, it can avoid a big battle and preserve our army's strength. Second, the Sima family has occupied Lintao City for many years. Wudu counties all have high prestige, and with the help of the Sima family, it will be of great help in conquering the hearts of the people in the three counties."

"However, if Sima Shang proposes to retain the Southern Captain's Mansion, how will he respond? After all, His Majesty will not allow such an existence in the territory of Deng?" Li Siye asked again. The existence that is controlled by the imperial court of the country, that is, the existence that is not controlled by Deng Sheng. After the Central Plains War, the troops from all walks of life returned to the court. The first thing Deng Sheng did was to give the soldiers and horses formed by Xiang Quan and others in the Central Plains. It was dismembered, and that was the purpose. If Sima Shang made it a condition of surrender to preserve the Southern Captain's Mansion, Li Siye would really have a hard time dealing with it.

Jia Xu thought for a while and said, "General, I don't think Sima Shang would be so stupid. The existence of the Southern Captain's Mansion is a hot potato, and Sima Shang will not hold on to it. Therefore, if they refuse to give in, it is nothing more than Ying Qin's actions that made them feel cold, just for self-protection. As long as I can guarantee the continuation of the Sima family, the Sima merchants will not hold on. Of course, if the Sima family wants to give up preserving the south Captain's Mansion, I, Da Deng, have to pay a price. As for the price, it is not up to us to decide, but since Sima Shang can come to our army camp, it means that he is mentally prepared , it won't be too difficult."

Li Siye nodded, and then said: "Okay, then I will meet this Southern Commander, Military Division Jia, and you go and bring Sima Shang here yourself. Remember, don't disturb anyone."

"Here!" After saying that, Jia Xu left.

After about half an incense stick, Jia Xu walked in with a man in a black cloak. When he saw Li Siye, the man lifted the cloak and revealed his face.

"Captain Sima, this is Li Siye, the hussar general of the Governor's Mansion of my Great General Deng, General Li!" Jia Xu introduced Li Siye to Sima Shang.

Seeing this, Sima Shang saluted and said, "Sima Shang has seen General Li!"

"Captain Sima, you don't need to be polite, please sit down!" Li Siye nodded and said.

After Sima Shang sat down, Li Siye didn't talk nonsense, and said directly: "Captain Sima, why you came here late at night, I can guess a thing or two, please tell me, what conditions do you have?"

"General Li is really straightforward, so I don't want to talk nonsense. I know that I have no chance of winning against your army. For the sake of my family and the people of the city, I am here to ask you to surrender. As for the condition, there is only one condition, and that is to preserve The interests of our Sima family in Lintao City." Sima Shang said.

Li Siye said: "Captain Sima, I would be very pleased that you could voluntarily give up your resistance and save Lintao City from a military disaster. As for the conditions you mentioned, I would have said something first. My Great Deng does not allow the existence of private soldiers. Hereditary military power is also not allowed, that is to say, once Captain Sima surrenders to Deng, there is no need for the Southern Captain’s Mansion in Lintao City. As for the interests of the Sima family, this is all I can say. If you violate the laws of my Great Deng, no one will touch your Sima family!"

Li Siye's words made Sima Shang a little dissatisfied. This is the same as whether he said it or not. It's okay to say that it doesn't violate the law. How is this different from ordinary ordinary people?Sima Shang paid more attention to what the Sima family could get after submitting to Deng.

"General Li, how will your country plan to treat us after our Sima family surrenders?" Sima Shang asked.

Li Siye thought for a while, and said: "Captain Sima, I, Li Siye, am a warrior and only know how to fight on the battlefield. As for the future whereabouts of the Sima family, it is up to the court and His Majesty to decide."

"Isn't General Li just fooling me?" Sima Shang said dissatisfied.

At this time, Jia Xu saw that the atmosphere was not right, and said: "Captain Sima, the general didn't mean that. What the general meant was that I, Deng, would not treat anyone who voluntarily surrendered to me, and as long as the Sima family A person with outstanding ability, even if he is in a high position, it is okay. Besides, I dare to ask Captain Sima, do you have any other options now? Apart from submitting to my Great Deng, there is no other way to preserve the Sima family. , and Captain Sima, please think twice!"

Jia Xu's words seemed to comfort Sima Shang, but the implication was not a warning. It meant that, apart from submitting to Deng, the Sima family would not escape the end of family ruin whether they stayed in the city or fled elsewhere.

After listening to Jia Xu's words, Sima Shang suddenly fell silent. Yes, if there were other choices, he would not be here tonight, so he sighed and said, "Forget it, General Li, our Sima family You can hand over your military power and disband the Southern Captain’s Mansion, but your army must guarantee that nothing else about our Sima family will be left untouched, otherwise, even if we fight to the death, I will never give in.”

"Hehe!" Li Siye said with a smile: "Don't worry, Captain Sima. After the Sima family surrendered, although they lost the honor of the past, my Great Deng never treats those who take the initiative to surrender to my Great Deng. At that time, the Sima family at least It is a viscount, and our army will not take any property of your Sima family in Lintao City."

Sima Shang nodded feebly. He didn't know much about Deng's title. He didn't know what kind of status a viscount had in Deng, but at least he was a lord.

"By the way, Captain Sima, there is something I don't understand, so please ask Captain Sima to explain it!" Li Siye asked suddenly.

"Please speak!" Sima Shang said.

"Even if Captain Sima wants to ask for surrender, he can send someone to come early tomorrow morning. Why come late at night and come in person?" Li Siye asked. This question has always puzzled Li Siye. Logically speaking, Before surrendering, it was normal to send someone to discuss the conditions, but they could come during the day, and there was no need for Sima Shang, the southern captain, to come in person. Why did Sima Shang do the opposite and come late at night.

Sima Shang said: "General, it's like this. Since I have decided to surrender to your country, I will naturally submit a certificate of honor. The reason why I came here late at night is to vote for this certificate."

"Oh? What kind of nomination certificate can make the commander of Sima Duwei come here in the middle of the night?" Li Siye asked curiously.

"It's like this. A few days ago, I have sent people to Guzang to ask for help, and Ma Zhi of Guzang has also sent his eldest son Ma Zun to lead the most elite Qiang rangers to support him!" Sima Shang said.

"What Captain Sima means is that this certificate is for Ma Zun and the five thousand Qiang Rangers?" Jia Xu who was on the side asked in surprise.

Sima Shang nodded and said, "I have always been at odds with Ma Zhi. Although Ma Zhi sent people to support Lintao City regardless of the past, there is no guarantee that he will not send scouts to find out about Lintao City. Your army was discussing the matter of accepting the surrender, fearing that Ma Zun would turn around and return to Guzang, so I came here late at night. The purpose was to prevent Ma Zun from noticing and let him come to Taocheng as agreed. Thousands of Qiang Rangers stay in Lintao City!"

Hearing this, Li Siye was overjoyed and said: "Good! Good! Captain Sima's nomination is well received. If successful, I will guarantee that Captain Sima will at least be an earl in the future!"

Although Deng Guo has millions of soldiers, only the two cavalry guards, Longxiangwei and Shenxingwei, are really formed into cavalry. Although other armies also have cavalry, there are as many as 2000 and as few as a few hundred. In the West Road Army, the number of cavalry that Li Siye could piece together was less than 3000, and they were not elite. They were not enough to face the ordinary cavalry of the Qin Army, let alone the powerful Qiang Rangers. If Sima Shang Zhen was able to lure the rangers of the Qiang tribe to Lintao City. If he could get rid of this elite cavalry here, it would be of great benefit to the future battles, so Li Siye directly promised the position of an earl.

"Thank you, General! Please rest assured, the Qiang Ranger will not be able to escape!" Sima Shang was very happy. He gave everything tonight to get a guarantee from a Viscount. It's a surprise.

"Well, after Captain Sima goes back, don't say anything. After the Qiang rangers arrive, you and I should cooperate with each other to wipe out all the rangers. I would like to see it. Without this elite cavalry, Ma Zhina What are you fighting with this general!" Li Siye said.

"Here!" Sima Shang said.

(End of this chapter)