Before, the proposal of the Steppe Alliance. Xiao Mo didn't think much about it at all, and he was against it.

After all, this war, after the chaos of that night, has a completely different meaning to Xiao Mo.

For this victory. Xiao Mo sacrificed the lives of countless civilians, and the scene of corpses all over the field is still vivid in his mind.

If today it is only for hundreds of Chu officials and nobles, he will give up the victory at his fingertips in vain, so that this war will only increase countless variables, not to mention the rest, Xiao Mo himself will not be able to pass this level.

Most importantly. Those tens of thousands of people, how could Xiao Mo let his death be worthless?

The reason why he thinks like this is not because of Xiao Mo's mind and temperament, but for Xiao Mo, this is the most basic bottom line of being a man.

However, before the words of opposition could be spoken, they were interrupted by Deng Shangjin. Leaving from the study, I came to the side room. Xiao Mo gradually regained his composure. Thinking carefully about the consequences, the persistence in the original heart. But I couldn't help but waver.

acted ultra vires, Xiao Mo could find a reason to explain; violated the ancestral system, Xiao Mo was exonerated by Emperor Chu Ling; Driving people to death, others can't catch Xiao Mo's handle, although these three crimes will create a lot of trouble for Xiao Mo in the future, but they will definitely not hurt Xiao Mo's roots.

However, a prince, three county kings, more than 30 lords at all levels, nearly 100 low-level nobles with imperial court titles, more than 100 officials above the seventh rank, and so on, what a heavy weight is this?

If he gave up like this, no matter whether they lived or died, what kind of situation would he usher in, Xiao Mo didn't need to think about it at all, he was already very clear.

Emperor Chu Ling lost his relatives, and he would subconsciously alienate Xiao Mo because of this; incurring the resentment of the relatives and friends of these officials and nobles, there will be countless retaliations in the future; The most important thing is that from now on, Xiao Mo will completely lose the hearts of the Chinese people in the world and be isolated by Shilin. Such a consequence is more serious than Xiao Mo driving tens of thousands of civilians to death, after all, for those in power, the posture of hundreds of officials and nobles is far stronger than the life and death of tens of thousands of civilians.

Since then. It was only a trivial matter that he could no longer move forward on the road to the sea, and Xiao Mo could even be sure that if he made such a decision. Sooner or later, one day, he and the Xiao clan will suffer because of this!! The disaster will be far more serious than the catastrophe of the Xiao family ten years ago!!

Thinking so. The original firmness in Xiao Mo's heart became more and more shaken.

After all, anything Xiao Mo has done since he came to the Chu Dynasty. The primary purpose is only for self-preservation, and perhaps sometimes they have done things for the country and the people, but that is also based on the premise of self-preservation.

Xiao Mo is not the kind of perfect person who is determined and does not hesitate to sacrifice himself for the country and the people, so after thinking about all kinds of consequences. Xiao Mo was indeed shaken, and even retreated a little.

However, ask yourself, in order to protect yourself, for the sake of those useless officials and nobles, do you really want to let tens of thousands of people sacrifice in vain, add countless variables to the already destined victory, and put tens of thousands of soldiers and hundreds of thousands of civilians in Shangyuan City in danger?

It was in this complex and contradictory heart that Xiao Mo met Zhang Maozong. Although the mood was complicated and it was difficult to choose, after coming to the side room, hearing Zhang Maozong's words and looking at the joy on Zhang Maozong's face, Xiao Mo still couldn't help but be stunned, and he didn't know why.

Things now. Where's the opportunity?

Although Zhang Maozong is not a martial artist, he has been in the sea for decades. As a master, he has assisted several officials before and after, and he has rich experience in officialdom, and among the diners of Xiao Mansion, he is one of the two people that Xiao Mo attaches the most importance to. And the other, of course, is Chuda.

As for Cao Fei, he had already been given up by Xiao Mo.

In the past few days since Xiao Mo became an official, although Zhang Maozong has not performed outstandingly, Xiao Mo's various analyses of the officialdom situation, size, and ability to assist in affairs have also benefited Xiao Mo

Shallow.

After Xiao Mo came to Shangyuan City, Zhang Maozong handled all kinds of trivial matters for Xiao Mo, and occasionally arranged the internal affairs and logistics of wartime with Liu Xingzhi, and did his best to help Xiao Mo a lot.

Because of this, although he felt that what Zhang Maozong said was inappropriate, Xiao Mo did not blame, but after sitting down with each other, he asked, "Mr. Zhang also knows that the grassland barbarians want to exchange grain and grass with my Shangyuan City with the captured officials and nobles?" ”

Zhang Maozong nodded, and the smile on his face became more and more cheerful.

Xiao Mo frowned and said: "This matter is difficult for the official to choose, the pros and cons are difficult to balance, and it is quite difficult, why does Mr. Zhang call it a good opportunity?" ”

Hearing Xiao Mo's inquiry, Zhang Maozong couldn't help but be slightly stunned.

Originally, in his opinion, Xiao Mo should have already seen through the opportunities contained in it, but he didn't expect Xiao Mo to ask such a question.

After a moment's hesitation. Zhang Maozong asked: "Do you remember that the old man once talked to your lord about how you should manage and develop in the DPRK and China in the future?" ”

Xiao Mo nodded and said, "What Mr. Zhang said, every word is hungry, how can I forget it?" On that day, he proposed to the official that if he wanted to make a difference in the court. Even if it is just for self-preservation, it is inevitable to manage its own forces, among them, allies, protégés, and relatives are not allowed

Zhang Maozong nodded with a smile and said, "And the adults said at that time. If you want to do this, it will take at least 10 years before you can start to see scale. Indeed it is. But today, the proposal of the grassland coalition army is a good opportunity for adults, as long as it is dealt with properly, it can completely allow adults to save ten years of business work, and when they return to the dynasty in the future, the power in their hands can begin to see scale. ”

Hearing Zhang Maozong say this, Xiao Mo was stunned again, vaguely guessed something, and after a moment of silence, he said, "Please also ask Mr. Zhang to make it clear." ”

Seeing Xiao Mo like this. Zhang Maozong frowned slightly, but still explained: "As far as the old man knows, the Chu officials and nobles who were captured by the grassland barbarians this time add up to nearly three hundred, including even a prince, three county kings, more than 30 lords, and more than 20 officials above the fifth grade?" ”

Xiao Mo nodded and motioned for Zhang Maozong to continue.

Zhang Maozong said: "In this case, why should you hesitate? Naturally, all these officials and nobles will be exchanged for grain and grass! As long as you deal with it properly and comfort them afterwards, you will be able to save their lives, for those old nobles. Or if you are a backer in the court, if you are grateful for the kindness of your lord, even if you will not obey your orders in the future, you will definitely be grateful to your lord, and it will be helpful in the future. The most important thing is that these people have relatives and friends, and it is a pity that you have this opportunity to create a network of relationships throughout the government and the opposition. ”

After a pause, Zhang Maozong continued: "This is still for those old nobles and officials who have backers in the court, in fact, among these officials, there is no one in the court. After all, the foundation is still shallow, and there are still the majority. For them, after defeat, they became prisoners. is already a criminal minister of my court, even if he lives, he will not be able to avoid guilt. At this time, they must be in a hurry to find

Elimination is in charge of them. And my lord, you are now resisting the grassland alliance army to kill countless enemies in the Shangyuan Dynasty, which has made an unprecedented feat in the past hundred years of our dynasty, and Your Majesty is close to you. For them. Isn't it the best backer? As long as you are willing to speak for them, the most serious punishment for them in the future will be demotion. In this way, first the grace of saving lives, and then the grace of promotion. In the eyes of others, these officials are already adults and your people, and they will inevitably be loyal to you. ”

In the end, Zhang Maozong concluded: "According to the old conjecture, as long as you are willing to save them, and then use the right means, among the more than 300 noble officials, at least more than 200 people will become your supporters in the future, and most of the remaining people will become your allies, including one prince and three county kings, and nearly ten royal relatives!" In this way, the adults will inevitably be able to operate their own forces in a very short period of time, at least ten years of effort. ”

After all that is said. Zhang Maozong looked at Xiao Mo in astonishment, thinking that he had proposed a good plan, Xiao Mo must be quite happy, but when he looked up, he found that Xiao Mo was still silent.

Zhang Maozong was stunned again. He asked hesitantly, "My lord, what are your concerns?" If you are worried that if you are so dependent on food and grass for the enemy, there will be people in the DPRK and China who will criticize you in the future1, but there is no need to do so. Your Excellency, as the pre-battle supervisor of the army, you are privy and undertakes all military and political affairs on the front line, and time is pressing, you can completely cut first and then play, this is one of them; Among the captured officials and nobles, there are nearly ten relatives of the emperor, and as we all know, His Majesty now attaches the most importance to family affection, my lord, if you do this, Your Majesty will only be happy, but will never blame, this is the second; More than 300 officials and nobles, plus their relatives and friends, have a great influence, and under such circumstances, no one will dare to say anything about your decision, young master, in the future. Accusations, after all, in this way, the person who speaks out is equivalent to offending half of the clan, and no one will be so stupid. So you can decide for yourself and don't have to worry about any consequences. ”

After hearing Zhang Maozong's words, Xiao Mo shook his head and sighed softly: "Mr. Zhang, you misunderstood, I'm not worried about this. ”

Seeing Zhang Maozong's puzzled eyes, Xiao Mo slowly explained: "The riot of the grassland coalition army last night was the cause and effect. With Mr. Zhang's wisdom, you should be able to guess, right? ”

Zhang Maozong was silent for a while, and then said slowly: "This is an adult's plan. ”

"Yes, this is my profit, and I am in charge." Abandonment smiled 1 with a little tiredness: "At the cost of nearly 100,000 people and the lives of more than 10,000 soldiers." It burned most of the ordnance and grain and grass of the Steppe Coalition Army to create today's inevitable victory. ”

After a pause, Xiao Mo sighed and continued: "After last night's riot. Since this day, how the civil and military officials of Shangyuan City have talked about me, although I have not heard it, I can probably guess it. It's nothing more than that I'm a ruthless person, born cold-blooded and cold-blooded, and for my own merits, I don't hesitate to use the lives of nearly 100,000 people as embellishments and steps. But after all, it is the lives of nearly 100,000 people, no matter how cold I am by nature, after making such a decision, after making such a decision, where can I feel at ease? These days, I can't help but convince myself that I'm doing this to save more lives. It is to reverse the unfavorable situation of our dynasty, but if we really use food and grass to support the enemy, everything will return to the original point. How do I deal with the dead people and soldiers? ”

"If grain and grass were exchanged for those captured officials and nobles today, nearly 100,000 people and more than 10,000 soldiers, wouldn't they die in vain? The most important thing is to hand over this grain and grass to the grassland barbarians, and after they have eaten enough, they will still storm my Shangyuan City. In this way, the victory will add countless variables, and it will push hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians in the city back into danger!! ”

"People are doing it, the sky is watching, and there are gods in the head.

Yesterday I traded the lives of nearly 100,000 soldiers for victory, but now I have given up my easy victory for hundreds of officials and nobles, and put more people in danger, just because of their different status? In short, such a decision" I hesitated to shrug to the end, and Xiao Mo still couldn't say anything to refuse. time, but this is the first time that Xiao Mo has spoken to him sincerely, and it is also a deep conversation between the two in the real sense.

To tell the truth, although he has taken refuge in Xiao Mo's sect, Zhang Maozong is not dead set on Xiao Mo, loyal to him, and he is on both sides, taking refuge in the strong, and being a wall grass is the way to protect himself from an old fritter in officialdom like him.

Therefore, after following Xiao Mo to the capital, many unknown forces contacted him, and he did not refuse to come, although he did not become a spy of those forces, but he did not tell Xiao Mo in advance that various forces had bought him.

It's just that Xiao Mo's feeling for Zhang Maozong is always very special.

Zhang Maozong has been in the officialdom for decades and has assisted nearly ten officials. I have already seen through the hypocrisy of those high-ranking officials. They may be polite to you, but in fact, in their eyes, you are just a tool, and you can be ruthlessly discarded at any time for self-preservation or profit.

And abandon the desert, although Xiao Mo did not really trust him, and never let him get in touch with any core things, Zhang Maozong can still see the difference between Xiao Mo and others.

Obviously, the reason why Xiao Mo sent Zhang Maozong, Chu Da, Cao Fei and others to the mansion was also to use their different talents, but judging from various details, Xiao Mo definitely did not treat them as tools. The politeness to them is by no means a disguise, they have their own insistence, and they will not abandon and sell their subordinates at will for their own interests.

It is precisely because of these differences that Zhang Maozong unconsciously has a real identification with Xiao Mo.

It is precisely because of this that although Zhang Maozong is still in contact with unknown forces from all sides, he is also doing his best to assist Xiao Mo and continue to make plans for Xiao Mo's present and future.

This time, after perceiving the good development opportunities for Xiao Mo contained in the exchange of grain and grass for prisoners proposed by the Grassland Alliance, Zhang Maozong couldn't help but feel happy from the bottom of his heart, and he even made up his mind that as long as Xiao Mo completed the various plans he proposed and initially established a force sufficient for self-protection, he would take the initiative to cut off contacts with other unknown forces, and from then on he would do his best and be loyal.

At least, that's it. He can die of old age without worrying about anything else.

In Zhang Maozong's opinion. In the face of such a good opportunity, Xiao Mo should not hesitate to accept it, which proves that Xiao Mo is calm, decisive, and only his own interests are paramount, according to Zhang Maozong's experience, only this kind of person can have a bright future.

However, Xiao Mo hesitated, not only hesitated, but even struggled, and even faintly flashed a trace of weakness"

But what Zhang Maozong himself didn't expect was that in the face of such Xiao Mo, he became more and more agreeable.

He suddenly felt. Assist such a Xiao Mo as a very human minister

"Young Master" unconsciously. Zhang Maozong changed his address to Xiao Mo: "If I were you, I wouldn't hesitate, or even hesitate."

Xiao Mo was slightly stunned and asked, "Why?" ”

Zhang Maozong shook his head and said, "According to the old conjecture. Because of the riot you led last night, those steppe barbarians will inevitably regard you as one, young master. People who will do whatever it takes to win, in this case, they will never pin all their hopes on you, young master, if I were them, in addition to sending an envoy to Shangyuan City to negotiate with you, young master, they would also send an envoy to the capital to personally contact the imperial court. ”

Hearing Zhang Maozong's analysis, Xiao Mo couldn't help but be shocked, and finally calmed down completely.

Actually, what Zhang Maozong thought of. With Xiao Mo's intelligence, he can naturally think of it. It's just that the pressure generated by the 100,000 unjust souls is too great, and his heart is too hesitant and entangled, which makes Xiao Mo a little confused for a while.

And Zhang Maozong continued to analyze to Xiao Mo: "With the temperament of His Majesty and the ministers of the court, those noble officials who have been captured, they will inevitably be saved, if you insist on not allowing it, young master, you will offend countless powers." Now that the end is already doomed. Young Master, why don't you collect these kindnesses for yourself as I said before. Take the opportunity to win over the hearts of the people and build up the forces of the government and the opposition.

"What's more, the lord once said that the grassland coalition army has now been frustrated again and again, the original spirit has long been lost, and now Shangyuan City is a soldier with his life, even if the grassland coalition army has enough food and grass, but under the command of the adult, victory can still be expected. It's just going to add some casualties. ”

After hearing Zhang Maozong's words, Xiao Mo was silent for a long time.

"So, I really only have one choice?"

Zhang Maozong nodded and said slowly: "Young Master, some decisions seem cruel, but in fact, demolition is inevitable. ”

These were the words that Xiao Mo said to the little soldier Li Liang that day, Zhang Maozong was with him at that time, but at this time he returned this sentence to Xiao Mo.

Hearing Zhang Maozong say this, there was silence for a long time, and between the silence, Xiao Mo's expression changed

Decide.

I don't know how long it took, as if he had seen it, Xiao Mo shook his head, his expression returned to his former elegance and calmness again, stood up, bowed slightly to Zhang Maozong, and said, "I understand, I have been taught." ”

After finishing speaking, Xiao Mo turned around and left.

After arriving at the study, Jiang Tao and a group of civil and military officials were still waiting quietly.

Xiao Mo smiled at Jiang Tao, who looked nervous, and said: "This official has already decided, and he will discuss with the grassland barbarians about the exchange of grain and grass for prisoners in the near future, and I also ask Lord Jiang to tell the other unfortunate adults who were unfortunately captured after he goes back, saying that they are all talented people of our dynasty, and this official will definitely do everything possible to rescue them from the enemy camp, and also ask them to be wronged for a few days." And when negotiating in the future, I also asked Lord Jiang to help me a lot.

After hearing Xiao Mo's words, all the civil and military officials in the study, except for a few people, all showed a relaxed look, and Jiang Tao knelt in front of Xiao Mo with gratitude, sobbing silently.

Xiao Mo: This gave him hope to live.

In the days that followed, the fighting continued to rage.

The Prairie Coalition didn't seem to care that their food and grass would run out in a few days. With an unprecedented offensive, he kept attacking Shangyuan City, regardless of casualties.

In the 157th year of the Great Chu, on December 15, the grassland coalition army invested 60,000 troops in one go, divided into two groups, and continued to storm Shangyuan City. Under the command of Xiao Mo, the two sides fought a bloody battle for a whole day, leaving tens of thousands of corpses at the head of the city and under the city, and then announced the withdrawal of the troops.

In the fifty-seventh year of the Great Chu Dynasty, on December 16, the grassland coalition army was about to attack fiercely, and Zhang Qi, the commander of the horses, and Li Ming, the partial general, were killed in battle. Duration. Under the strong attack of the only remaining siege ballista of the grassland coalition army, the urn city in the west corner of the northern city of Shangyuan collapsed, and the two sides fought each other in short combat, with countless casualties and dangerous attacks. In the end, Xiao Mo gave the order in time, throwing cotton wool, thunder god bags, boiling oil countless times, burning countless people, regardless of enemy and me, and finally blocked the offensive of the grassland coalition army. In this battle, Xiao Mo's cold-blooded name reappeared.

On the same night, Xiao Mo wrapped the whole with Thor. The urn city in the west corner was completely blown up, and the boulders were carried to block the damage.

In the 157th year of Dachu, on December 18, under the successive bitter battles, the rolling wood and radium stone in Shangyuan City were finally exhausted, and Xiao Mo ordered the demolition of the houses and replaced them with bricks and stones and wood of the houses.

In the 157th year of Great Chu, on December 20, the defense line of the Chu army was approaching its limit, and Xiao Mo ordered to set up an iron net array to meet the enemy. Because I never thought that a mere circle of iron nets could have such a big effect, the grassland coalition army died heavily that day, and could not take the first step in the city, and the iron mesh array constructed by Xiao Mo was called "blood-colored moat" by the grassland coalition army. "Because ordinary grassland warriors can't understand why the iron net can have such a big effect, and finally blames Xiao Mo for witchcraft, for a while, Xiao Mo's name made everyone in the grassland warriors frightened.

In the 157th year of Great Chu, on December 22, under the drive of Bale, the grassland coalition army showed the morale and combat power of the previous deeds, and the two iron net arrays on the head of the city were broken one after another, but under the encouragement of Xiao Mo's unrequited battle, the Shangyuan Chu army also broke out with unprecedented courage and blood, and under the tactics of the sea of people, it finally drove the grassland coalition army away from the city.

On that day, Xiao Mo was hit by an arrow in the shoulder and was wounded for the first time.

In the 157th year of Great Chu, on December 23, the grassland coalition army still attacked Shangyuan, but Xiao Mo could clearly feel that after three months of fighting, now there were successive setbacks in Shangyuan City, and the grassland coalition army was exhausted, and its morale and combat strength were far inferior to the past.

So far, under the leadership of Xiao Mo. Under the strong attack of the grassland coalition army, Shangyuan City has been holding on for nearly twenty days.

However, during these days, although there were bloody battles between the two sides during the day, after evening, there was a constant exchange of messengers.

By the evening of December 23, Xiao Mo and the grassland alliance finally reached an agreement on the exchange of grain and grass for prisoners.