Chapter 573 Conscience and betrayal!
Jinzhong, Fengwu Army Camp, 10 miles outside the city
Liang Hao, with a serious expression, holding a staff, slowly walked into the central camp of the Fengwu Army, where Lin Huaiwu, the general of the Fengwu Army in the Jinzhong Campaign, was waiting for his arrival...
"Are you Shangguan Hongyuan's brother-in-law?" After glancing at Liang Hao, Lin Huaiwu asked directly:

Liang Hao frowned slightly when Lin Huaiwu called him Shangguan Hongyuan's brother-in-law instead of the Luoan envoy, and said in a neither humble nor arrogant manner:

"I am Liang Hao, the special envoy of Prime Minister Shangguan!"

"I heard that you were here to provide aid to Zhao Jianwen. How did you end up here?" Lin Huaiwu asked jokingly.

Liang Hao's heart sank when he heard Lin Huaiwu's question. His visit to Jinzhong was a secret visit, and the purpose of the visit was only known to a few senior officials of both sides. But now Lin Huaiwu said it out loud, which was enough to show that there was something fishy inside the Yan army!

Liang Hao did not respond to Lin Huaiwu's words, but organized his words and said:
"Your lord Ye Mingsheng committed a perverse act by sneaking into the pass and beheading our Great Zhou's famous general Zhao Fuqu, causing great suffering to the people of Youyan and causing public resentment. Now he wants to wipe out the roots and spread the war to Yunping. Don't you know that such behavior is against the harmony of heaven? Are you really not afraid of being punished by heaven..."

Liang Hao wanted to continue talking, but Lin Huaiwu suddenly became furious, slammed the table hard and shouted:

"Liang Hao, you are so bold, you dare to speak so shamelessly in my tent!"

"Someone! Take him away and behead him for public display!"

When Lin Huaiwu said this, Liang Hao was dumbfounded. As an envoy of Shangguan Hongyuan, he was used to occupying the moral high ground and engaging in a verbal battle with the other party. Unexpectedly, this was a situation where a scholar met a soldier, and he couldn't explain his reason clearly. Lin Huaiwu didn't play by the rules at all. Before he could finish his talk, he was dragged out and chopped!

Just when Liang Hao was a little dazed, two guards walked into the tent, wanting to drag him out and chop him up. Seeing this, Liang Hao subconsciously wanted to use Shangguan Hongyuan as a shield to threaten Lin Huaiwu. With Shangguan Hongyuan as his backer, this trick has always been effective in his past diplomatic career, and no one dared to really do anything to him!

However, just as he was about to threaten, he felt the undisguised murderous intent in Lin Huaiwu's eyes. This moment made Liang Hao realize that this Fengwu Army general, who had always been regarded as Ye Mingsheng's direct descendant, was not trying to scare him, but was really preparing to kill him. This also prompted Liang Hao to change his mind. Just before being pulled out of the tent by two guards, Liang Hao finally made up his mind and begged for mercy:

"General Lin, I was confused just now. I hope you can forgive my mistakes..."

Seeing Liang Hao begging for mercy, the soldiers who were holding Liang Hao stopped and looked at Lin Huaiwu. Lin Huaiwu did not give an immediate reply, but looked at Liang Hao with a scrutinizing gaze. Feeling Lin Huaiwu's sharp gaze, Liang Hao silently said in his heart that a wise man does not suffer a loss in front of him, and at the same time he showed a flattering smile.

Seeing that Liang Hao was willing to surrender, Lin Huaiwu waved his hand and signaled the guards to let Liang Hao go. Although he didn't mind killing Liang Hao, killing an envoy would not give him a good reputation and would also cause certain troubles to the future diplomatic actions of the Fengwu Army. Therefore, it would be the best result if Liang Hao learned his lesson and surrendered.

Although the two guards released Liang Hao at Lin Huaiwu's order, they did not leave the tent but stayed inside. Seeing this, Liang Hao understood that this was a threat from Lin Huaiwu. If he continued to speak shamelessly, these people would probably take him out and behead him immediately!

Looking at Liang Hao, Lin Huaiwu asked coldly:

"Why don't you stay in Jinzhong City and wait for us to catch you? Why are you coming to us?"

Facing Lin Huaiwu's question, Liang Hao hesitated and said:
“Prime Minister Shangguan is very concerned about the situation in Jinzhong. For the safety of the people, the Fengwu Army and the Yan Army should stop the war and engage in peace talks. Only in this way can it be beneficial to both sides. Peace is what everyone wants to see…”

Hearing Liang Hao's pitiful words, Lin Huaiwu sneered and said sarcastically:

"Since Shangguan Hongyuan cares so much about the people, why didn't he stop the offensive in Sichuan? As far as I know, wherever the Luoan Imperial Army went in Sichuan, not a blade of grass was left. The people were wailing everywhere, and it was a horrible sight. Why didn't Shangguan Hongyuan care about the safety of the people at that time?"

Facing Lin Huaiwu's ridicule, Liang Hao was speechless and could only reluctantly explain:
"The group of people in Sichuan and Shu are unforgivable traitors! They have ulterior motives and are trying to frame loyal officials and establish themselves as kings. As the Prime Minister of the Great Zhou, Lord Shangguan should restore the Zhou Dynasty and clear the court of the emperor, and bring order to the world!"

Seeing Liang Hao still trying to defend himself, Lin Huaiwu shook his hand disdainfully and said decisively;

"Stop wasting your breath here! My Fengwu Army will take over Jinzhong City, even if Shangguan Hongyuan comes in person!"

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Just when Lin Huaiwu met Liang Hao, the secret agents of the Coordination Office were also actively active in Jinzhong City.

In a private house in Jinzhong City, Li Musheng, a captain of the General Coordination Office, was speaking to a sturdy middle-aged man in front of him:

"Commander Zhao, what do you think? Is this your last chance?"

Under Li Musheng's gaze, the middle-aged man lowered his head and remained silent. Seeing this, Li Musheng continued to say:
"Captain Zhao, you should understand without me saying that your Yan army couldn't defend Youyan even in its heyday. Now you only have a few remnants left, and you still want to defend Jinzhong City. Don't you know how to try to stop a chariot with a mantis arm or an ant trying to shake a tree?"

Listening to Li Musheng talking about this, Zhao Teng's eyes flashed with humiliation. He clenched his fists but didn't know how to refute Li Musheng.

Seeing this, Li Musheng changed the subject and said:
"Commander Zhao, don't blame me for speaking harshly. I'm doing this for your own good! Your last name is Zhao. If you don't do something now, when our Fengwu Army rushes into the city, what will be waiting for you and your family? You should know exactly what will happen, right?"

"Who doesn't know what Zhao Jianwen is up to? He just wants Luo'an to send troops to help him. Let's not talk about the Yan army now being reduced to relying on Shangguan Hongyuan, the bastard, for help. Everyone in the world knows that Shangguan Hongyuan is bent on wiping out the southern tour court of Sichuan and Shu. How can he get the troops to save you?"

“Only Zhao Jianan would try all kinds of methods to save you, imagining that Shangguan Hongyuan would send troops to rescue you. Jinzhong is now an isolated city without any support. It’s only a matter of time before the city is destroyed and people die…”

At this point, Li Musheng saw that Zhao Teng was still indifferent, so he had to use his last trick, sighed and said:

"Since Commander Zhao has made up your mind to be loyal to the Zhao family, I admire your loyalty. I will not bother you any more. I will look for another wise man!" After saying that, Li Musheng bowed to Zhao Teng and made a gesture of leaving. Seeing that Li Musheng was so determined to leave and even said that he would find someone else, Zhao Teng's heart was immediately conflicted. He was in great pain now. As a member of the Zhao family, facing the temptation of the Coordination Office, he should have arrested the man and handed him over to Zhao Jianan for disposal without any explanation.

But Zhao Teng did not do so, because he knew that the Yan army was on the verge of collapse. Even if he handed over Li Musheng, he would not be able to change the situation. Instead, when Jinzhong City was broken, he and his family would inevitably be retaliated by the Coordination Office!
However, betraying the Yan Army and surrendering to the Fengwu Army really made Zhao Teng feel extremely painful. To a large extent, he could be where he is today because his surname was Zhao and he was a member of the Zhao clan. He was very proud of this in his life and felt honored for it. But surrendering to the Fengwu Army at this moment was tantamount to betraying his bloodline and his pride and honor!

But if they don’t do this, when Yijing City is broken, what awaits them will surely be the confiscation of their property and the extermination of their clans, and their so-called pride and glory will surely turn to dust...

Should I choose to live in humiliation or die with honor?

Although the decision was extremely painful, Zhao Teng already had the answer in his heart: a good death is worse than a miserable life!

Even if he doesn't choose to betray, someone else will!
Sighing secretly in his heart, Zhao Teng turned around and looked at Li Musheng who was about to leave and asked:

"Captain Li, please stay!"

Seeing Zhao Teng calling him, Li Musheng was delighted and knew that something was going to happen, but he still pretended to be calm and said:

"Commander Zhao, do you have anything else to say?"

Zhao Teng was silent for a moment before he spoke again:
"Captain Li, can you tell me who else the Coordination Office is planning to incite to rebellion?"

Li Musheng smiled and asked:
"Commander Zhao, do you think I would tell you this?"

Zhao Teng shook his head and said:

"Ever since Yijing City was captured last time, Captain Li has been particularly vigilant against the garrison commanders turning against him. This time, all the guards at the city gates are surnamed Zhao, and there are double posts. In addition to me, there is also a commander named Zhao Fude at the North Gate that I am in charge of. He was promoted by the eldest son and is loyal to him. Moreover, most of the guards at the North Gate are his men!"

Listening to Zhao Teng’s words, Li Musheng frowned slightly. He was just deceiving Zhao Teng. In order to prevent the news from leaking out, they have not yet negotiated with the Yan army generals other than Zhao Teng. Although Zhao Teng’s attitude has softened now, from his story, it seems that only inciting him to rebel does not seem to have the expected effect...
"What is the current defense situation in the city?" Li Musheng asked after a pause:

Zhao Teng hesitated for a moment, but still said honestly:

"There are still about 8,000 soldiers in the city who can fight. About 7,000 of them are stationed around the city gates to prevent sudden attacks by the Fengwu Army!"

After hearing what Zhao Teng said, Li Musheng's eyes gleamed, and he seemed to realize something and asked Zhao Teng:
"How many soldiers and horses are there in Zhao Jianan's residence?"

Zhao Teng subconsciously said:

"Yesterday, the South Gate was the focus of the Fengwu Army's attack and the casualties were very heavy. The eldest son also transferred most of the guards of the official residence to the South Gate. Now there are only about a hundred guards left in the official residence!"

After saying this, Zhao Teng reacted, a flash of panic flashed in his eyes, and asked Li Musheng:
"What do you want to do?"

Facing Zhao Teng's gaze, Li Musheng asked with a meaningful smile on his face:
"What do you think, Commander Zhao?"

"That's absolutely not possible!" Zhao Teng said firmly:

Although he had to betray the Yan army in order to survive, he still had a conscience in his heart!
Li Musheng said calmly:
“Commander Zhao, do you have any choice now? Just the information you revealed to me is enough for Zhao Jianan to kill your entire family…”

At night, Jinzhong Governor's Mansion.

Zhao Jianan and Huang Wen Ze sat opposite each other in the study room. Both of them fell into silence. After a moment, Zhao Jianan, who was extremely anxious, could not resist the torment in his heart and was the first to break the silence and said to Huang Wen Ze:
"Mr. Huang Lianghao hasn't come back yet, what should we do next?"

Although he did not trust Huang Wen Ze very much, it was not until the Fengwu Army came to attack that Zhao Jianan felt the importance of this old minister of the Yan Army. Just when he and his confidants were at a loss in the face of the sudden attack of the Fengwu Army, Huang Wen Ze stood up and used his reputation within the Yan Army to help Zhao Jianan stabilize the morale of the troops and withstand Lin Huaiwu's first wave of fierce attacks!
At the same time, when Liang Hao, the General Coordination Office, secretly visited and the news that Zhao Jianan was going to change his flag and defect to the Luo'an court was revealed in Jinzhong City in an attempt to undermine the morale of the Yan army, it was Huang Wen Ze who stepped forward to stop Jin Zhengrui and other veteran generals of the Yan army from questioning Zhao Jianan.

It is no exaggeration to say that the Yan army can still defend Jinzhong City and did not lose in the first round of fierce attack by the Fengwu army. Huang Wen Ze deserves the greatest credit. This also forced Zhao Jianan to suppress his disgust for Huang Wen Ze and re-employ this old minister who has devoted his whole life to the Yan army!

Feeling Zhao Jianan's inner panic, Huang Wen Ze sighed secretly, and then slowly said:
"The only way now is to send representatives to negotiate with the Fengwu Army!"

As soon as these words came out, Zhao Jianan stood up and said firmly:
"Negotiations with the Fengwu Army?"

"This is absolutely not possible! They took away our Youyan and killed my father. The hatred between me and the Fengwu Army is so deep that I cannot reconcile with them. How can I negotiate with them?"

Seeing Zhao Jianan's determination, Huang Wenzhe felt somewhat comforted and immediately explained;
"We are not really negotiating with the Fengwu Army. We are just playing tricks with them and delaying time..."

(End of this chapter)