nycdaug Chapter 156 A 3-inch tongue
Chapter 156 A 3-inch tongue
After listening to Gongsun Pu's plan, Kuang Xingquan, Meng Qi and others started whispering to each other.
Otherwise, why do people say that this scholar has many tricks?
He can come up with so many schemes, and even write an IOU for money and food?
Zong Yanli ordered his men to collect statistics on the remaining food and fodder in the army, and then discussed with the generals the needs for food and fodder, and the replenishment of reserve military supplies. He then wrote a letter to the capital to ask the emperor for food.
They were already short of food and fodder for the war, so where could they get extra money and food to give to Sha Haoqian?
"These two carts of grain..." Zong Yanli felt a little guilty when looking at the grain carts in front of him. When Sha Haoqian saw the grain, wouldn't he blast it out?
"Don't worry, General. Wujiu will persuade the enemy to open the city gate for you." Zhan Haoyue specially changed into an old set of coarse linen clothes today. There were patches on the elbows and hems. Even his long hair, which usually looked very flowing, seemed to be a little sloppy because of this clothes.
Zhan Haoyue volunteered to be the envoy and took the two carts of food and military supplies and slowly went to Luoshang Pass.
Sha Haoqian received the envoy from Wu State solemnly.
Zhou Cang came upon hearing the news. When he saw the visitor, he looked at him with some suspicion. Only when he heard Zhan Haoyue introduce himself did Zhou Cang's eyes reveal some surprise.
"Are you Mr. Wujiu?" Zhou Cang was a little surprised. He bowed to Zhan Haoyue politely and said, "My father once traveled to Wu State and went to Longchuan to discuss Taoism and play chess with the senior Zhan family. I guess he must be Mr. Wujiu's ancestor?"
"Sir, who are you?" Zhan Haoyue already knew that Sha Haoqian had an adviser, but he didn't know who it was.
"My name is Zhou Cang, and my courtesy name is Shihong." Zhou Cang bowed his head and bowed with a smile.
"It's Mr. Shi Hong." Zhan Haoyue's eyes lit up. The two of them started chatting as soon as they met. They looked like good friends who hadn't seen each other for many years.
Sha Haoqian coughed twice obscurely, and Zhan Haoyue laughed and said, "There will be plenty of opportunities to reminisce in the future. Today, I am here on orders to tell the general and you all the good news!"
Sha Haoqian narrowed his eyes: "I don't know where this joy comes from."
Zhan Haoyue was not in a hurry either. To put it bluntly, the so-called envoys were here for negotiations, so it was naturally impossible for them to show you their cards right away.
He first asked Sha Haoqian a few questions. In view of the current situation of Qing State, he did not think it was a good thing for Sha Haoqian to defend Guanzhong. Then, after persuading Sha Haoqian, he showed weakness to the enemy and mentioned the difficulties of our army.
He also raised the status of Wu State and Emperor Gaozong Yanli's personal image by relying solely on his eloquent tongue to negotiate the treaty.
“General, you also know that Luoshang Pass is only the first pass for our army to enter.” Zhan Haoyue took out the “IOU” written by Zong Yanli from his arms. In it, he emphasized his helplessness and guilt, and ended with a big promise.
"The general also cherishes talents. He cannot bear to see the people at the pass where General Sha is stationed suffer. He knows very well that the current situation of Qing is precarious."
"My general did not hesitate to fight with his generals, and only then did he manage to get two carts of food and grass!" Zhan Haoyue said with a moved face, even raising his sleeves to wipe away tears, and said with great heartache: "My general said that this food and grass is just for General Yingsha's urgent needs."
"When the army enters the imperial city in the future, all the territory of Qing will belong to Wu. The general will pay ten times the money and food to compensate you for opening the gate today!"
"My general always keeps his word, always acts with determination, and always keeps his word!" Zhan Haoyue said, bowing deeply to Sha Haoqian, "General Sha should make a decision soon!"
Sha Haoqian was almost moved by Zhan Haoyue's words, but looking at the light piece of paper in front of him, he was still choked up. What he wanted was tangible benefits, not such illusory promises.
Zhou Cang obviously didn't expect Zong Yanli to use this trick, so he was naturally unwilling.
Sha Haoqian accepted the two trucks of grain, but did not fully agree to it. He only said that he would take three days to consider it.
Zhan Haoyue readily agreed and once again expressed that they did not want to continue fighting with Sha Haoqian. He also acted as if he and Zhou Cang had hit it off and wanted to make them his close friend. Finally, he played the emotional card and said sincerely that he would have another talk with Zong Yanli when he returned.
Apart from anything else, the attitude of the Wu army is really good.
Sha Haoqian was a little undecided for a moment, wondering whether Zong Yanli really couldn't come up with the money and food, or was he deliberately playing the victim?
As soon as Zhan Haoyue left, Sha Haoqian summoned his generals to discuss the matter. When the generals heard about the "IOU", they immediately became furious. Their subordinates were hungry, so what was the point of writing an IOU?!
"I don't agree!" The voices of opposition were getting louder and louder: "This is just a small amount, not even enough to fill the gaps between our teeth!"
"If we don't agree, I'm afraid even this little thing will be gone." Zhou Cang said quietly from the side.
"You're bowing your head for such a small gain! You're just a laughing stock!" The general stood up angrily and said, "I absolutely don't agree with it" and left in anger.
"Ah Hao's temper is still as bad as ever." Zhou Cang smiled helplessly. Sha Haoqian also raised his hand and rubbed his eyebrows with a headache and said, "But these two carts of food and grass are really not enough."
Sha Haoqian felt that Zong Yanli must have held back, but he didn't know how he could get what he wanted without angering Zong Yanli.
During the two days when Sha Haoqian and Zhou Cang were discussing, Zong Yanli sent Zhan Haoyue to deliver two carts of food and fodder, as well as a cart of cotton quilts, cloth and other items.
Zhan Haoyue had a look of returning home in glory, and said very happily: "After I returned, I persuaded my general day and night, and mentioned the difficulties General Sha faced in guarding Luoshang Pass. After several persuasions, my general felt sorry for him and sent military supplies again!"
"General Sha, now you can see my general's sincerity, right?" Zhan Haoyue took a deep breath and said seriously.
"Mr. Wujiu is so thoughtful." Sha Haoqian showed an expression of being touched, and said with some embarrassment: "Mr. Wujiu also knows that I have many generals under my command. This little food and grass is really not enough if it is evenly distributed..."
"If I were single, there would be no need for you to worry so much, you would definitely agree!"
"But ah..."
Sha Haoqian looked as if it was very difficult for him to do this, sighed and talked about the dissatisfaction of his brothers. As the commander, he could suffer a little, but he couldn't let his brothers suffer under any circumstances, right?
Upon hearing this, Zhan Haoyue was impressed by Sha Haoqian's righteousness, then frowned and said, "I know the general's difficulties, but my general is also a housewife who can't cook without rice! If you can raise food and grass, I will definitely not be stingy!"
The two of them complained bitterly, each talking about their own difficulties. Finally, Zhan Haoyue took a deep breath and said, "This is all I can do. General Sha, how you decide is entirely up to you."