Chapter 19: Extorting a Large Sum of Money

  Li Zhen looked at the scholars and warriors who had stood up, and said in a calm tone: "In the eyes of the Eastern King and all of you, I am the so-called Qing Yao, the person you want to overthrow. But in my eyes, everyone in this hall is a rebel who must be eliminated. I am a general appointed by the imperial court, with a different stance, and will not kneel down."

  The words are spoken with force and resonance, yet also gentle and subtle.

  Many generals were annoyed but nodded in agreement.

  Yang Xiucheng's eyes also flashed with a hint of brilliance, acknowledging Li Zhen's words.

  Yang Xiuqing stared at Li Zhen and said in a deep voice: "General Li, what you said makes sense, and I agree with it. Tell me, how can we get one million soldiers to surrender?"

  Li Zhen laughed and said: "Indeed the Eastern King, quite refreshing, quite generous."

  Yang Xiuqing smiled and said, "Don't give me any soul-stirring soup, just tell me Qisshan's conditions directly."

  "Three hundred thousand taels of white silver in exchange for ten thousand captives."

  "Ah!!"

  The civil and military officials in the grand hall exclaimed after hearing this. The quiet grand hall suddenly became noisy, like a vegetable market, chattering incessantly. All the generals were whispering to each other, casting sideways glances at Li Zhen with malice in their eyes, their pupils filled with intense hatred.

  Zhao Qingquan even secretly scolded Li Zhen for being cunning and deceitful, saying he was as greedy as a lion with his mouth wide open.

  Yang Xiuqing seemed uncertain and asked again, "General Li, are you sure that Qi Shan is not mad, and he really wants 3 million taels of silver to hand over 10,000 soldiers?"

  Li Zhen nodded and said: "Dong Wang did not hear wrong, it is indeed 300,000 taels of white silver!"

  Yang Xiu Qing smiled brightly and said in a cold voice, "General Li, one cannot be too greedy. Do you think 300,000 taels of silver are just blank sheets of paper? One must know when to stop, being too greedy is not good. Alright, I won't let you come here for nothing either. Five million taels of silver, and Qishan will hand over 10,000 soldiers."

  Li Zhen shook his head and said firmly, "If one thousand prisoners are exchanged for fifty thousand taels of silver, I will still be demoted and punished when I return. If the Eastern King does not agree, then kill me."

  Yang Xiuling said in a low voice: "If you don't accept 50,000 taels of silver, then you won't get even one tael."

  Li Zhen said: "Even if I am killed, I will never regret it."

  "If you don't drink when toasted, you'll be punished with a penalty drink!"

  Yang Xiuqing's face changed, his gentle eyes suddenly turned cold and terrifying, shouting: "Come on, take Li Zhen down and throw him into the big pot to cook. Killing a small general, King Wang sees if Qi Shan dares to kill 10,000 soldiers."

  As soon as the words fell, two soldiers walked in with big strides, ready to lift Li Zhen.

  If Li Zhen resisted, it would be impossible for the two soldiers to succeed.

  But Li Zhen did not resist, and calmly said: "Dong Wang, you must think carefully. If it is for a little silver and disregards the lives of 10,000 soldiers, this is a losing business. Losing the lives of 10,000 soldiers, losing countless hearts, and losing the momentum, in the end, cannot turn the situation around, please Dong Wang think thrice before acting."

  "Get out of here with your frightening words!"

  Yang Xiu nodded slightly and gave a hint to the two soldiers.

  The soldiers carried Li Zhen out of the main hall, and Huang Shi Hai and others immediately rushed up to prepare for action. However, they saw Li Zhen wave his hand to stop them from rushing forward. Huang Shi Hai was worried in his heart, but he stood by with the guards without intervening. He had been ready at all times, and as long as the two soldiers showed any tendency to drop Li Zhen, he would rush up to rescue him.

  Standing by the large pot, a rolling hot wave comes over.

  Two soldiers were sweating profusely, and their shirts were quickly soaked through. Even though Li Zhen was being carried by the two soldiers, he felt unbearably hot, and his shirt on his back was already drenched.

  "Li Zhen, have you thought it through? If it's too late, you'll really be thrown into the oil pot."

  In the great hall, Yang Xiuqing's loud and clear voice rang out.

  Li Zhen took a deep breath and replied loudly: "If the Eastern King is willing to sacrifice the lives of 10,000 soldiers for just a few tens of thousands of taels of silver, then give the order." Li Zhen was certain that Yang Xiuqing would not kill him, this unknown minor official, so he wasn't worried at all.

  Li Zhen was like this, but Huang Shi Hai's nerves were always tense.

  Yang Xiuqing saw Li Zhen was undaunted and said: "He is really a money-loving person!"

  Zhao Qingquan immediately said: "Your Highness, General Li thinks that the ransom for the soldiers is not enough. Let's discuss it again. Thirty thousand taels can be reduced a bit, and five thousand taels can be increased a bit more. What do you think, Your Highness?"

  Yang Xiuqing took advantage of the momentum and ordered: "Bring people in and bring Li Zhen in."

  Huang Shi Hai and others wiped the cold sweat from their foreheads, finally letting out a sigh of relief. They looked at Li Zhen, who was being carried by two soldiers, with admiration in their eyes. Li Zhen was put down by the soldiers and came to the grand hall, bowing his hands: "East King, what we are discussing is confidential, let unrelated personnel leave."

  Yang Xiuling heard this and a hint of joy actually appeared in her eyes.

  "Zhao Qingquan stays behind, the others withdraw."

  Yang Xiuqing gave the order, and the civil and military officials in the hall left one after another. After all the officials in the great hall had gone out, Yang Xiuqing said: "Li Zhen, how much money do you want to hand over 10,000 soldiers?"

  Li Zhen said: "Dong Wang, you use silver to exchange back 10,000 soldiers, gain benevolence, gain the hearts of the people, and gain the hearts of the army. It can be said that one move achieves three gains. My family's elders only need to spend money to find a way out, don't want to become sworn enemies with Dong Wang, hoping for a fair price from Dong Wang. I won't extort Dong Wang either, a flat price, 200,000 taels of silver, this is the final bottom line."

  "One hundred thousand taels!" Zhao Qingquan immediately retorted.

  Li Zhen said with a cold smile: "I have already retreated one step, but Mr. Zhao is still advancing inch by inch, let's just get to the bottom of it."

  Zhao Qingquan countered, "Li Canjiang, if the King really threw you into a pot of boiling oil, would Qi Shan dare to do anything? Perhaps in a few days, Qi Shan will send someone else to Tianjing to negotiate. In my opinion, Li Canjiang should take what he can get and be satisfied with ten million taels of silver, rather than risking his own life for more."

  Li Zhen smiled and said: "Mr. Zhao, are you familiar with Jiangbei Dazheng?"

  Zhao Qingquan knew Li Zhen was digging a hole again and immediately said: "I roughly know something!"

  Li Zhen shook his head and said, "You don't understand Jiangbei's big camp."

  Yang Xiuzhi gazed quietly, but a solemn expression flashed in her eyes. A small general like him had enough courage and outstanding wisdom, it seemed that the Jiangbei camp was not to be underestimated!

  Zhao Qingquan furrowed his brow but didn't respond.

  Li Zhen said slowly and calmly, "If Mr. Zhao understands the Jiangbei Grand Camp, he should know that no one wants to come to Nanjing. The generals of the military camp unanimously demanded the execution of prisoners, killing chickens to scare monkeys. Only I suggested exchanging money for people, and Qi Shan's lordship reluctantly agreed because of the money. More importantly, Qi Shan's lordship originally entrusted General He Ming in the army to negotiate, but unfortunately, He Ming insisted on killing the prisoners and refused to come, so the matter fell on Li Mou's head."

  Pausing for a moment, Li Zhen said: "Except for me, no one is willing to come, and no one dares to come to Nanjing. Once the Eastern King kills me, it's equivalent to killing the 10,000 captured soldiers."

  Yang Xiuqing heard this and a hint of pride flashed across his heart.

  The Jiangbei camp has so many generals, but no one dares to come. This sentence is simply hitting Yang Xiuqing's heartstrings. Yang Xiuqing and Zhao Qingquan exchanged a glance and nodded slightly.

  P.S: The first watch of early rising