Compared with Meng Xiao's report, Shi Chongxin's report was much shorter, and he only mentioned two points, first, the combat power of the town navy was very poor, even inferior to the Japanese navy, and he did not take credit for himself.

Second, although there was only one artillery, it played a large role in the water war, suppressing the opposite side in momentum at the beginning.

Lu Yuan breathed a sigh of relief at this, after all, Meng Xiao's combat report did not mention artillery, obviously it did not work, if the situation of the navy was the same, then he really had to reassess the role of artillery.

In addition, for the soldiers who died in this battle, Lu Yuan planned to issue pensions and hold a memorial service.

In addition, a larger martyr's garden will be built on the outskirts of Hangzhou, and a martyr's monument will also be built in the imperial city, so that all the soldiers who sacrificed for the country can get the highest honor.

Just thinking of this, the guards came to report, and Zhang Dezhong asked to see him.

"Your Majesty, the old minister recommends one person to persuade Song Xuan in Suzhou to surrender." As soon as Lao Shangshu entered the door, he spoke.

……

Xiuzhou, Jiaxing.

In the handsome tent, Meng Xiaogao sat at the top, and on his left and right, sat all the generals who went out this time.

Ye Shouxiong sat first in his right hand, his fists clenched, because Meng Xiao was holding a letter in his right hand, which was a commendation order from the king to all the soldiers in this battle.

Ye Shouxiong was eager to know how His Royal Highness King Wu evaluated his battle, which would determine his future prospects.

However, Meng Xiao took the commendation order and said some nonsense to himself, which made him a little irritable.

“…… With your courage and perseverance, our army defeated the Zhongwu army and took Xiuzhou, among which General Shi's naval army ......"

Meng Xiao still kept talking, and a voice suddenly interrupted: "Marshal, can you read the content of the Emperor's commendation order to everyone first." ”

Ye Shouxiong turned his head to look and found that it was a tall and strong officer, who was standing behind Shi Chongxin, thinking that his military rank was not high, and he was not qualified to sit down.

Wang Xin, who was sitting in the back, was furious: "Presumptuous, you dare to interrupt the marshal's speech even if you are a little commander?" ”

Many generals glared angrily at the tall and strong officers.

Shi Chongxin hurriedly spoke: "It's that my majesty is not strict, and I ask the generals not to be surprised." ”

"This brother is just a little more straightforward, I believe that he has no malicious intent, everyone should continue to listen to the marshal." Ye Shouxiong also opened his mouth to help.

After the previous battle, his speech in the army was also considered to have weight, and many generals took their eyes back.

"But this guy is too ......," Wang Xin refused to let go.

"Okay, Wang Xin, it's just a small thing." Meng Xiao smiled and said, looking not surprised.

"It's Ben Shuai who didn't take into account everyone's mood, since everyone is in a hurry to listen to the commendation order, then read the commendation order first, Wang Xin, you read it."

Wang Xin stepped forward, took the official document, and read it aloud.

"Hearing the generals......

Ye Shouxiong listened attentively, the previous content was mainly to praise all the soldiers, and in the middle, it began to detail the individual, to Ye Shouxiong's expectation, the first to reward Meng Xiao, not Shi Chongxin.

In the letter, he praised Mengxiao's brave battle, and the main general Mengxiao commanded properly, did not compete with his subordinates, and had the demeanor of a general.

Ye Shouxiong finally knew why Meng Xiao was so happy, it turned out that he was praised by the king. In addition, the letter mentioned that Meng Xiao did not compete with his subordinates, which made Ye Shouxiong's heart beat faster, that subordinate should not be referring to himself, right?

The next commendation was given to Shi Chongxin, saying that he was good at grasping fighter planes, flexible in combat, not only proficient in water warfare, but also not inferior in land warfare, not taking credit, not being arrogant, and having a broad mind.

In the end, it was finally Ye Shouxiong's turn.

“…… Ye Shouxiong, the left commander of the Third Army, was shrewd and resolute, calm and heavy, and could be of great use. ”

However, a dozen words made Ye Shouxiong's blood boil a little.

Later, many generals were also commended, but Ye Shouxiong didn't listen to it at all, and the words "can be used" had firmly occupied his mind.

After a long time, Wang Xin finally finished reading, and Ye Shouxiong also regained his composure, he had realized that he could receive this praise, which was probably related to Meng Xiao's military report, and he couldn't help but feel heartfelt gratitude to him.

At this time, he heard Shi Chongxin speak: "Marshal, regarding the Suzhou battle, does the king have any instructions for the next step?" ”

"It is said that the imperial court is going to send someone to persuade Song Xuan to surrender, and the king asked us to wait in Jiaxing." Meng Xiao said in a deep voice.

Ye Shouxiong secretly said that it was a pity, he was eager to fight now, and he could only hope that Song Xuan would refuse to surrender.

……

Suzhou City, Jiedu Mansion.

Since Song Xuan retreated to Suzhou, he has actively raised defense and put on a posture of sticking to the end, which made his civil and military officials very dissatisfied, and many civilian officials have been secretly planning to escape from Suzhou.

Previously, the Zhongwu army had been fighting with the Jiangyin army of the Tang State for a long time, and the losses were not small, coupled with the defeat of Xiuzhou this time, Sha Zhen led his troops to surrender, and now Song Xuan's troops were only about 15,000 people.

In a head-on confrontation, it was definitely not the opponent of Wu's army, so Song Xuan gave up the rest of Suzhou, sent Feng Zhixiao to defend Kunshan, and defended Suzhou himself, and the two cities became a corner of each other.

In the study, Song Xuan put down the brush, looked at the word he had just written, and was silent for a long time.

Suddenly, the door was pushed open.

"Why, why did you come back?" Except for Feng Zhixiao, no one dared to break into Song Xuan's study without notification.

Feng Zhixiao said with a heavy face: "Jieshuai, Li Congsi wants to lead the rebellion of his troops, and he has just been suppressed by me. ”

"Even he ......" Song Xuan was a little distracted, in addition to Sha Zhen and Feng Zhixiao, Li Congsi was the most powerful general under him.

Feng Zhixiao's mood was also a little depressed, and suddenly, he saw the words written on Song Xuan's desk, and said in surprise: "Jie Shuai, are you also planning to surrender?" ”

On the snow-white rice paper on the table, the word "fall" was written.

"After losing to Meng Xiao, I thought about surrendering to Wu." Song Xuan smiled bitterly.

"Then why are you still putting on a stubborn posture?"

Song Xuan sighed: "There are two situations for surrender, and it is not qualified to negotiate conditions if you take the initiative to surrender." The reason why I put on a defensive posture is that I hope that the Wu Congress will send someone to persuade me to surrender, but it's a pity that ......"

"Then let's wait for a while, maybe Wu Guo will send someone to persuade him to surrender."

Song Xuan shook his head and sighed: "Now that the matter is now, I am afraid that there will be more and more mutiny, and in this effect, you will go to the country of Wu on my behalf and surrender to the king of Wu." ”

"Jie Shuai......" Feng Zhixiao was about to persuade again, when suddenly, a personal guard entered the study and said hurriedly: "Jie Shuai, there is an envoy from Wu State coming." ”

Song Xuan was stunned for a moment, and then rejoiced: "Invite him in, you will personally go to meet the messenger!" ”

Feng Zhixiao took the order and left.

In the study, Song Xuan paced, trying to calm himself down, he couldn't be too eager to do so, only by staying calm could he get the best interests for himself through negotiations.

Not long after, Feng Zhixiao led a middle-aged man into the study, and when he saw this person, Song Xuan was taken aback: "Fang Thorn History? ”

"Jie Shuai, don't come to harm?" Fang Ying smiled and said, before he served as the assassin of Muzhou, he served as the assassin in Suzhou, and he was Song Xuan's old subordinate.

When he heard about the war in Xiuzhou in Hangzhou, he took the initiative to find Zhang Dezhong, and Mao recommended himself to come to Suzhou to persuade him to surrender.

"You're here to be a lobbyist?" Song Xuan's voice turned cold.

"No, I'm here to save the festival handsome." Fang Ying put on a sincere look.

"Oh? Then you might as well talk about it, if you don't say it well, hum ......" said as he pulled out the long sword at his waist and stuck it on the table.

Fang Ying was shocked, cold sweat broke out on his forehead, and his words were a little unreasonable.

“…… This, Jieshuai, I ...... You see......"

Song Xuan secretly screamed badly, it seemed that he was too tough, and he hurriedly glanced at Feng Zhixiao.

Feng Zhixiao understood and persuaded: "Jie Shuai, Fang Tingshi is your old subordinate after all, and he is worried about your future when he came here this time, why should you be angry." ”

"Well, that's true." Song Xuan borrowed the donkey from the slope and withdrew the long sword.

Fang Ying finally breathed a sigh of relief, wiped his sweat, and said: "Jieshuai, today's King Wu is the dragon among people, he cherishes your talents very much, as the saying goes, good birds choose trees to perch, why do you want to work for Wu Yue Qian's family anymore?" ”

"You said that King Wu took a fancy to me, did he say it himself?"

"Exactly!" Fang Ying's face was not red and his heart was not beating, in fact, he had never seen King Wu at all.

"Then if I surrender to the state of Wu, what official position is the king of Wu going to give me?"

Fang Ying hurriedly said: "When Ye Shouxiong and Zhang Yu just returned to the Wu Kingdom, they were both awarded the position of commander, your status and ability are far above the two of them, and the position will definitely be above them!" ”

"Then can my Zhongwu army still be commanded by me?"

"I'm afraid it won't work." Fang Ying frowned, he also knew that some things could be lied, and some things could not be said nonsense.

"You let me think about it." Song Xuan said in a deep voice.

Fang Ying didn't dare to rush too much, and retreated. In the early morning of the next day, he saw Song Xuan again in Jiedu Mansion.

"Brother Fang, I promise to surrender to His Royal Highness King Wu, but I have a request." Song Xuan spoke slowly.