At the mention of Liu Gan, anger flashed across everyone’s faces. They hadn’t forgotten how Liu Gan had died so tragically, and for this reason alone, Xue Rengao absolutely could not be pardoned!

“So, as long as we focus on these two points to persuade the soldiers in the city, I’m confident we can convince the three hundred thousand defenders to surrender without losing a single soldier.”

Yin Kaishan said dismissively, “What a hassle. If you ask me, just charging in with swords would be simplest.”

Liu Wenjing said irritably, “Your method is indeed simple, but have you considered that such a head-on collision, even if we won, would harm the enemy by one thousand while losing eight hundred ourselves? Is that what you want to see?”

Yin Kaishan was rendered speechless by his rebuttal, and only after a long while did he mutter, “I was just speaking casually. If it won’t work, then forget it.”

Meanwhile, Li Shimin had already made up his mind. “Tomorrow morning, we’ll act according to Sir’s plan. I hope everything truly goes as Sir predicts.”

Liu Hongji stroked his long beard and smiled, “Based on my understanding of Xue Rengao, tomorrow he’ll probably help us persuade the soldiers in the city to surrender.”

“Xue Rengao?” Yin Kaishan stared at Liu Hongji as if he’d seen a ghost. “Sir, are you joking?”

Liu Hongji smiled without speaking. Most of the others looked at each other in bewilderment, appearing confused. Only Li Shimin and Du Ruhui had guessed somewhat, and they both showed slight smiles.

Night passed amid the cold, howling winds. While Xue Rengao was still in his warm bed, someone burst through the door with a “bang” – “Disaster! Disaster!”

The cold wind he brought in swirled around the room, instantly waking Xue Rengao from his sleep. Rubbing his sleepy eyes, he stared at his deputy general and said displeasedly, “What are you shouting about so early in the morning? What disaster?”

The deputy general caught his breath and said, “Your Majesty, Li Shimin has come again.”

Xue Rengao took clothes from a maid’s hands and put them on, saying coldly, “Doesn’t he come to challenge us to battle every day? What’s there to worry about? Just treat it like dog farts.”

“He’s not here to challenge us to battle, but rather… rather…” After waiting a long time without the deputy general continuing, Xue Rengao urged, “Rather what? Speak quickly!”

The deputy general gritted his teeth and said, “He… he’s trying to persuade us to surrender.”

“Persuade us to surrender?” Xue Rengao momentarily thought he’d heard wrong. After confirming that the deputy general had indeed said this, he immediately laughed, “Li Shimin can’t break through after a long siege, so he’s gone mad? Surrender… I, Western Qin, have three hundred thousand troops, and I should surrender to him? What a joke!” With that, he waved his hand, “Pass the order down – ignore him!”

The deputy general glanced at him and said carefully, “I’m afraid the situation… isn’t as optimistic as Your Majesty thinks.”

His words made Xue Rengao’s smile freeze. “What do you mean?”

The deputy general said helplessly, “This general can’t explain it clearly. Your Majesty should go to the city wall and see for yourself.”

“Can’t even speak clearly – truly useless!” Xue Rengao coldly berated him, then changed clothes and put on boots. After hastily washing up, he headed for the city wall. Even before climbing onto the wall, he could hear Li Shimin’s words from below the city.

“As long as you’re willing to surrender, this Prince guarantees to treat you well and will definitely not make things difficult for you. If any of you wish to return to Jincheng to reunite with your families, this Prince will not obstruct you either.”

Liu Wenjing said from the side, “His Highness has always been true to his word. Since he’s said this, he will definitely keep his promise. You can rest assured.” Seeing no one speaking from within the city, he continued, “Think carefully about the parents, wives, and children waiting at home for your return. Do you really want to die here and become lonely ghosts with no one to offer sacrifices?”

Yin Kaishan said in his rough voice from the side, “Even if we don’t attack, how long can the food in the city last? When there’s not a grain left, you’ll all starve to death!”

Hearing this, Xue Rengao could no longer contain himself. Taking three steps in two, he rushed to the top of the city wall and glared viciously at Li Shimin below. “You Li Shimin, to resort to such sinister and cunning tactics!”

Li Shimin said with an innocent expression, “What I’m doing is all for the sake of the hundreds of thousands of soldiers in the city, for their own good. How can you call it sinister and cunning?”

Xue Rengao snorted coldly, “You needn’t waste your breath here. If you want us to surrender, dream on!”

Liu Wenjing said from the side, “Xue Rengao, why must you be so stubbornly obstinate? You may be able to defend this Zhezhi City for a while, but you can’t defend it forever. Since you’re bound to lose sooner or later, why not surrender early and avoid needlessly sacrificing these soldiers’ lives?”

“Shut up!” Xue Rengao wished he could kill Liu Wenjing with one stroke. He said hatefully, “So what if some people die? They’re all soldiers of my Western Qin. It’s only natural for them to die for Western Qin!”

His words made the soldiers guarding nearby frown together. Though they were indeed Western Qin soldiers, they were also flesh and blood, with thoughts and feelings. Xue Rengao’s words truly displeased them, but they dared not show it, intimidated by his authority.

Li Shimin and Du Ruhui exchanged an imperceptible glance. Xue Rengao really didn’t understand his situation even at death’s door. The more he disregarded the soldiers’ lives, the more he prompted them to rebel – he was essentially helping them indirectly.

And this was the meaning of Liu Hongji’s final words last night!

Du Ruhui said loudly, “Xue Rengao, these soldiers have followed you in campaigns east and west, shedding their blood for your Western Qin. Are you truly disregarding their lives and insisting on your obstinate course?”

Xue Rengao snorted coldly, “Their lives belong to me. Whether they live or die is in my hands. You needn’t trouble yourselves with such concerns!”

Du Ruhui had been waiting for exactly these words. He addressed the soldiers, “You all heard that – Xue Rengao doesn’t take your lives to heart at all. Since he’s so unrighteous, why should you continue to risk your lives for him? Even if you die fighting bravely, you probably won’t get a single word of praise!”

Xue Rengao hadn’t expected him to use his own words against him. Momentarily enraged, he shouted angrily, “When did I ever say such things? Don’t speak nonsense!”

Du Ruhui gave a cold laugh and continued addressing the soldiers on the city wall, “Xue Ju was cruel in the past, but he was still relatively generous to his subordinates. Whenever they won battles, he never stinted on rewards. But what about Xue Rengao? Think back – in these past few months, has he ever rewarded you with anything? Has he ever said a single word of praise? No, nothing at all. He treats you like dogs – coming when called, going when dismissed. Whether he’s happy or not, he won’t throw you meat to eat. Do you really want to continue following such a master?”

These words from Du Ruhui were not unfounded – they were all told to him by Liang Hulang and were absolutely true. It could be said that his every word and every character struck hard at the soldiers’ hearts, gradually drawing out the dissatisfaction they had buried deep within.