novelnext Chapter 48 Entering the City
Chapter 48 Entering the City
Mo Qin and Gui Tou both wanted to kill each other at daybreak, but man proposes, God disposes.
The next day, just as dawn broke, the army began to surround Pyongyang as planned.
The Ming army was like a giant fishing net, gradually tightening its grip.
The artillery vehicle moved forward, and the weapon vehicle took its place.
The night scouts were assigned to the moats, bridges, and ferry crossings outside the city.
The soldiers from Zhejiang, Liaodong, and the South took their positions according to their flags.
The North Korean guide was led to the front and began pointing out the city gates, granaries, streets, and high places within the city.
Li Rusong began issuing instructions.
"Keep a close watch on the south gate."
"The West Gate must not be left empty."
"Add two more night watchmen towards the Daedong River."
"Don't fire the cannons indiscriminately."
"It will only ring when I tell it to."
The messengers rode off one by one.
The snow was quickly trampled with dense tracks by the horses' hooves.
At this moment, Shen Weijing stood in front of the central command tent, his face a little pale.
As for why he was white, it's because he was going to Pyongyang!
President Konishi just sent someone over; they were very polite.
Willing to talk, and also willing to back down.
They discussed how to resettle the people of Pyongyang and were willing to give the Ming Dynasty some dignity.
After hearing this, Shen Weijing could only manage a wry smile.
"Decent".
He looked at Mochin and his group.
"It's not too late to think about dignity after all the killings are done."
Not long after, Li Rusong called him into the tent.
Li Rusong was not the only one inside the tent.
Li Rubai, Han Shouyi, Zhou Hu, and several messengers were all present.
Mo Qin and the others were also called inside.
Upon seeing this scene, Shen Weijing sighed.
"Li Shuai, Shen just went in to talk."
"It's not about going in to get married."
"Isn't this a bit too extravagant?"
Li Rusong glanced at him.
"When the knife comes at you, your mouth won't be able to stop it!"
Shen Weijing immediately shut up.
Li Rusong then looked at Mo Qin and the others.
"Xiao west only allows Shen Weijing to enter the city with a small number of guards."
"You six go."
Liu Gao subconsciously straightened his chest.
The monkey whispered:
"A small number of guards? Six of us are considered a small number?"
The instructor said:
"It depends on who you're comparing yourself to."
Shen Weijing looked around at the six people, his expression becoming even more complicated.
"Li Shuai, take these people in. Xiao west won't think I'm going to negotiate; she'll just think I'm going to cause trouble."
Li Rusong ignored him and continued:
"Shen Weijing, put your mouth on."
He looked at Mochin.
"Put your eyes on."
Everyone nodded.
Shen Weijing touched his leg.
"Li Shuai, President Konishi is just trying to stall for time."
Li Rusong said:
"I know."
"If a fight breaks out, what's the point of talking?"
Li Rusong waved his hand, signaling him to shut up.
"Don't ask any more questions, just do as I say."
Shen Weijing paused for a moment, then could only manage a wry smile.
"Understood."
"The purpose of letting Shen in was to lower his guard."
Li Rusong said calmly:
"Good to know."
Shen Weijing clicked his tongue, trying to make a final effort.
"But Li Shuai, I really don't have that kind of nerve."
Li Rusong said:
"Not necessarily, your face is very valuable."
Before leaving the tent, Li Rusong added one more sentence:
"Try not to take action in the city."
"Unless the other side makes the first move against Shen Weijing."
Mo Qin nodded, and Lin Jun also nodded.
The monkey asked:
"What if the other person used foul language?"
Li Rusong glanced at him.
"You should curse back."
The monkey's eyes lit up.
"This is something I'm good at."
The coach whispered:
"Don't be too good at it."
Before entering the city, Shen Weijing called the six people aside again.
He sighed first, then cupped his hands and said:
"Gentlemen, let me say something."
"We're here to negotiate, not to start a brawl."
The monkey patted its chest.
"Don't worry, I'll keep it to myself."
Shen Weijing looked at him.
"What you're saying makes me very uneasy."
Liu Gao raised his hand.
"Can I just stay silent?"
Shen Weijing nodded immediately.
"most."
Liu Gao was taken aback.
"I was just asking, why did you answer so quickly?"
Lin Jun said calmly:
"Even your breathing sounds like a provocation."
Liu Gao looked down at himself.
"Is there?"
The coach said seriously:
"A little."
Liu Gao looked at Brother Qin, the kind-looking Brother Qin, and patted him on the shoulder.
"The overall situation is the priority."
This sentence made Liu Gao even more depressed.
Shen Weijing looked at Mo Qin.
"I'm most worried about you!"
Mo Qin said:
"You're overthinking it. I'm the last person you need to worry about."
Lin Jun glanced at him.
"It's dangerous if you don't speak."
The monkey was delighted.
"If the nine-headed bird doesn't speak, won't the chat be half as lively?"
Shen Weijing couldn't understand the public chat, but he felt that these people were becoming less and less like normal guards.
He rubbed his temples.
In short.
"Once we're in town, nobody should touch anything without me."
Liu Gao patted the shield vigorously.
"That's easy."
Shen Weijing immediately glared at him.
"Shields count too!"
Liu Gao silently lowered the shield a little.
Mo Qin looked at Lin Jun.
Lin Jun said in a low voice:
"If you see Yinzhen after you go in, be patient and don't do anything."
Mo Qin said:
"I know."
Lin Jun looked at him.
"Your eyes were off just now; you looked sleazy again."
Mo Qin sighed.
"My gaze, as deep as Tony Leung's, has been rendered so unbearable by you!"
Lin Jun nodded.
"Okay, I believe you. After all, you said you're a man with a lot of self-control."
Shen Weijing was well aware of the strength of these six people.
If they really let go, they could turn Pyongyang upside down.
But today, they simply cannot make a move.
When the seven men arrived at the city gate, the gate opened a crack.
In Pyongyang, a stench mixed with blood, smoke, and decay wafted out on the wind.
The streets in the city had been cleared, but the snow couldn't cover the dark red marks.
Japanese soldiers stood under the eaves, while Korean civilians huddled in the corner.
Countless eyes are watching from both sides of the road.
It wasn't just Japanese soldiers, but also gamers.
The world chat also started flooded with messages.
[Osaka's Takeru Satoh: Big news! Big news! The Nine-Headed Bird has entered the city!]
[Osaka Takeru Satoh: A star-studded entourage! The world's number one ranked player, along with the Monkey King and coach from the China Alliance, are all here! The entire team is present!]
[Anonymous: Shut up, Osaka!]
[Takeru Satoh from Osaka: I'm reporting from the front lines in Pyongyang! Both sides are currently exercising restraint, but the air is thick with tension!]
[Anonymous: Don't make a move. Xiaoxi said we can't touch the Ming Envoy.]
[Anonymous: Where's the ghost head? Where's the prince?]
[Osaka Takeru Satoh: Look! They're here! They're really here!]
Mo Qin and Lin Jun didn't pay attention to the public channel.
Two people were approaching at the street corner ahead.
Yinzhen and Guitou Yinsi!
Yinzhen wore a dark cloak, and the dagger at his waist was particularly eye-catching.
Kito Ginji was half a step behind him, twirling chips in his hand, a forced smile on his face.
The people on both sides stopped just across the street.
The surrounding Japanese soldiers, sensing the tense atmosphere, tactfully took a few steps back.
Gui Tou first looked at Lin Jun, "Did you sleep well last night?"
Surprisingly, his Mandarin was fluent.
His tone was gentle, as if he were greeting an old friend.
Lin Jun looked at him.
"Generally, people who don't have you around sleep longer!"
The monkey muttered to itself:
"That's a really cold thing to say."
The instructor said:
"Words laced with veiled barbs, a sharp and confrontational exchange!"
Despite clearly hearing what the monkey and the other man were saying, Ghost Head ignored them completely.
He continued speaking to Lin Jun.
"Intelligent people all die young."
Lin Jun said calmly:
"Then you will surely live to be a hundred years old."
The chips in Gui Tou's hand stopped.
Then it started spinning again.
"You've got a sharp tongue, dare you go to the water station and touch me?"
Lin Jundao:
"Set a time. Don't send your men to their deaths; come yourself!"
The chat exploded instantly.
[Osaka Takeru Satoh: Brilliant! Female player retaliates! Captain Kito suffers a verbal attack!]
[Anonymous: Osaka, shut up!]
[Osaka Takeru Satoh: No, I have to record this! Intelligent people all die young, so you're sure to live to be a hundred. That's a classic line!]
Gui Tou glanced at Mo Qin.
"You yourself are quieter than the rumors suggest."
Mochin looked at him with the eyes of someone looking at a dead man.
"Don't try to get close to me. Do you think we're that close? If we weren't in the city and couldn't fight, I'd kill you right now."
The ghost's smile deepened.
"Outside the city is fine."
Mo Qin extended his middle finger and hooked it:
"Come on, let's go outside the city now."
The monkey couldn't help but laugh out loud.
The coach whispered a reminder:
"Shut up, don't jump around too much."
The ghost head wasn't annoyed and shut its mouth.
At this moment, Yinzhen spoke up.
"Mo Qin".
Mochin turned to look at him.
"Fourteenth Prince".
The other party knew his identity, but Yinzhen was not surprised.
He said calmly:
"Knowing who I am, you still dare to enter the city?"
Mochin looked around.
"I've only ever seen you in old TV dramas before. Meeting you in person today is truly an eye-opener."
With a calm expression, Yinzhen said:
"Now you see!"
Mo Qin said:
"I didn't get a good look at you when you surrounded me with your men that night. But seeing you in person today, I actually think you'd be more suited to be a celebrity."
Yinzhen's eyes turned cold.
"You're quite the talker too."
Mochin nodded.
"You didn't give me a chance, and last time I was busy trying to survive, so I didn't have time to chat with you."
He glanced behind Yinzhen.
"Oh right, that time at the cliff mouth."
"I feel quite sorry for you that you lost two of your men."
Yinti did not speak.
Mochin continued:
"Is that javelin thrower still alive?"
"When will you bring it?"
"I'll take him down to keep those two company."
He paused, his tone very serious.
"A team-building event in the underworld wouldn't be complete without him."
The atmosphere suddenly turned cold.
The monkey coughed, looking down, as if it almost burst out laughing.
The coach's lips twitched slightly.
Liu Gao didn't understand the team building activity, but he did understand the message and sent it down, thinking that Mo Qin was very cultured.
Despite his status, Yinzhen was provoked by Mo Qin, and his fingers were already on the scabbard.
Several members of the Qingliu Society behind them also stepped forward.
Just as tensions were about to rise, a Japanese general stepped out from the side.
"Gentlemen, today's focus is on negotiation. Any grievances can be settled another day!"
Then, he looked at the ghost head.
"Captain Kito, Lord Konishi said so."
"He is with him; anyone who touches him is cutting off his path."
Yinzhen didn't look at the Japanese general; in his eyes, these people were not worthy of speaking to him.
However, he still had to give face to Kikugakusha, so he stopped making any moves.
Ginji Kito nodded to indicate that he understood.
As a native of the world, Xiaoxi had no idea what the Qingliu Society was.
All he knew was that Gui Tou's allies claimed to be from the north and seemed to have some connection with the Jurchens.
But they were not like the Jurchens he had ever seen.
His speech, clothing, and behavior were all strange.
But Xiaoxi didn't care who they were.
Today, he only cares about one thing.
Shen Weijing cannot die in Pyongyang.
Not at least not now.
Yinti slowly released his grip.
"I did not lay a hand on him."
Mochin looked at him.
"Very good, keep it up."
Lin Jun immediately whispered:
"Say less."
Mochin looked at her.
He said quite a bit.
Lin Jundao:
"What are you comparing yourself to him for?"
Mo Qin thought for a moment.
"Too."
Yinzhen looked at the two of them and suddenly laughed.
"You're protecting Shen Weijing, aren't you afraid he'll kill even more people in the future?"
Mo Qin's eyes flickered slightly, and Shen Weijing also paused for a moment.
Yinzhen did not say this casually.
Mochin looked at him.
"We'll talk about the future later."
"But today, he is my partner."
Yinzhen said:
"The speech that day was excellent."
Mochin countered:
"Absolutely! I can tell you. In the end, these Japanese pirates, including you Qing devils, will die a very spectacular death!"
Yinzhen's eyes darkened.
"You know nothing."
Mo Qin said:
"Then you tell me."
Yinti did not say anything.
Mo Qin smiled.
"Look."
"You know you can't say it."
This time, even Gui Tou glanced at Yin Ti.
Yinzhen had already turned his face away.
The Japanese general spoke again.
"Envoy Shen, Lord Konishi is waiting."
Shen Weijing then smiled and cupped his hands in greeting.
"Please lead the way."
As he passed by Mochin, he whispered:
"Do you all speak so harshly?"
Mo Qin said:
"I am very gentle, but I vary my speech depending on the person I'm speaking to."
The meeting room was not large, but it was very clean.
New straw mats were specially laid on the ground.
There was a brazier in the corner, and a sketch of the area surrounding Pyongyang was hanging on the wall.
Konishi Yukinaga sat in the main seat.
He didn't look fierce; in fact, he could be described as gentle.
Surprisingly, he was tall, estimated to be about 175 centimeters, and had pale skin, making him noticeably different from ordinary Japanese people.
In Japan's Sengoku period, where the average height was only 155 to 160 cm, such a physique was particularly striking.
Upon seeing Shen Weijing enter, he stood up and gave a slight bow.
Then he began to speak, trying his best to speak in broken Chinese.
"Envoy Shen's injuries have not yet healed; why must he brave the snow to enter the city?"
Shen Weijing, leaning on his cane, sat down with a limp.
"If Lord Xiaoxi had withdrawn his troops sooner, my leg would have healed long ago."
Xiao west smiled.
"In a battle between two armies, casualties are inevitable."
Shen Weijing also smiled.
"Is looting grain and burning villages inevitable?"
These words were barbed, and the hall fell silent for a moment.
Xiao west was tactful and didn't respond to that remark.
He first raised his hand to signal someone to serve him tea.
"If the Ming army is willing to slow down its attack, I can withdraw from Pyongyang."
Shen Weijing looked at the teacup.
"Where to retreat to?"
"South."
"The south is very large."
"It's better than dying in the city."
Shen Weijing looked up at him.
"Are you speaking for yourself, or for the Japanese soldiers in the city?"
Xiao west is still smiling.
"Envoy Shen has misunderstood."
"There are still Korean people in the city."
"If the Ming army launches a hasty attack, the civilians will also die."
Shen Weijing nodded.
"Lord Konishi is so benevolent and righteous."
Upon hearing this, Liu Gao almost lost his composure.
The monkey looked down at its feet, while the instructor remained expressionless.
Lin Jun looked at the locations of several doors in the hall.
Yan Qi looked at the shadow on the beam.
Mo Qin stared directly at Xiao west, pondering the man's life story:
His Catholic name was Augustine. As a devout Catholic, he promoted Catholicism in his territory, protected missionaries, and even established churches in the army.
His wife, Justa, was also a Catholic.
Even when Hideyoshi issued the edict to banish the missionaries, he was still secretly protecting them and maintaining the spread of Catholicism within his territory.
He was captured by the Eastern Army at the Battle of Sekigahara and died at the young age of 43. What a short-lived man!
Sensing Mo Qin's gaze, Xiao west also looked over at him.
This glance was purely because Mochin was too conspicuous.
Standing two meters tall with broad shoulders and long arms, a white wax spear stood at his side, and even the cotton armor couldn't suppress his 200-pound frame.
He stood behind Shen Weijing, like a walking wall.
Xiaoxi looked at it for a moment, then suddenly laughed.
"The Ming Dynasty truly deserves to be called a great power."
"Even the guards around the envoy are such imposing men."
Shen Weijing sensed that the words contained both a test and a compliment.
Before he could even speak, Mo Qin had already said:
"I dare not compare."
Xiao west looked at him.
Mo Qin said:
"Your army is five feet tall, which is the height of the tallest soldier."
"If someone like me stood in front of you, I'm afraid you wouldn't even be able to see the castle tower."
The hall fell silent for a moment.
The monkey's shoulder twitched.
The coach lowered his head and coughed.
Liu Gao asked Yan Qi in a low voice:
"More than five feet tall?"
Yan Qi glanced at him.
"About up to your shoulder."
Liu Gao suddenly realized.
"That's quite high for the Japanese."
Xiao west's smile remained unchanged, but her eyes seemed a little less intense.
"This guard speaks very bluntly."
Mo Qin said:
"That's how I always talk."
Xiao west looked at Shen Weijing.
"The guards protecting Envoy Shen are quite interesting."
Shen Weijing immediately replied:
"He is tall, but he can't keep his mouth shut and is out of touch with reality. Please don't blame him, Master Xiao Xi."
Mo Qin glanced at Shen Weijing.
Shen Weijing pretended not to see it.
Konishi said:
"Young people are all impatient."
Mo Qin said:
"You can drag it out."
"But don't drag it out too long."
Xiaoxi asked:
Why?
Mo Qin said:
"If we drag this out too long, I'm afraid you won't have a chance to regret it."
After these words were spoken, the hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.