klisemfg Chapter 839 Shi Liang Surrenders
Chapter 839 Shi Liang Surrenders
How could Shi Liang not know that this was a losing war?
The imperial court changed its policies every day and used one stupid strategy after another to achieve complete defeat.
First, the Yan army annihilated the 400,000-strong army, captured Gongyang Ge alive, and lost the strongest main force.
Then he divided the domestic army into four parts, fearing that the Yan army would have a hard time fighting, and gave them to the Yan army so that they could defeat them one by one.
Then, when he was fighting a bloody battle, he was ordered to retreat, which shook the morale of the army. Could he retreat?
The Zhennan Army can beat their dog brains out.
Because of a series of strategic mistakes, the current situation has led to complete failure.
All the civil and military officials in the court are good-for-nothings.
Changing orders every day will kill the entire army!
He really cared about the lives of his soldiers, and the Qian people should not die like this.
As Gongyang Ge said, all the civil and military officials in the court deserved to die, but the soldiers and civilians were innocent.
Even after the dynasty collapsed, they were still low-level soldiers and civilians, and nothing would change.
Even when the dynasty was prosperous, they were still exploited.
Shi Liang looked at Gong Yang Ge, hesitated for a long time, and said loudly,
"If our army surrenders, can you ensure that you won't kill them?"
Gong Yang Ge immediately said,
"Of course, since the Yan army swept across the countries from the south, has there ever been a case of killing prisoners?
The Yan army does not kill prisoners or harm civilians. This is a principle. Anyone who dares to do so will be beheaded.
Such a disciplined army is an invincible army."
"You don't have the final say. Let someone else have the final say. Give me a promise, and I'll believe it!"
Hearing this, Shen Changgong said,
"Shi Liang, you don't believe Gong Yang Ge's words, but do you believe what I say?"
"My king? Are you Lanling Prince Shen Changgong?"
"Exactly! The two hundred thousand soldiers behind me can testify to this."
Shen Changgong said,
"As long as you surrender, I can guarantee that I will not kill any of the captives. When Yugui is defeated and the Qian Kingdom is destroyed, all of you can choose to return to the countryside or join the army.
By then, the Qian Kingdom will have perished, and you will all be citizens of Dayan, with the power to choose!"
After thinking about it, Shi Liang said,
"Okay, then we can surrender. Although I, Shi Liang, surrender, it does not mean that I will join your Yan State. I am different from Gong Yangge, that treacherous man!
You can kill me or chop me up as you please, but don't harm my army!"
"Don't worry about that. I have only one famous general, Marshal Gongyang, and that's enough for me. As for you, you haven't shown any outstanding performance from beginning to end. You're just a mediocre person. I don't want you even for free. One day, I will let you reunite with your family!"
Shi Liang's old face turned red with anger. Being humiliated like this, he wanted to retort, but when he thought about the fact that he really didn't have any outstanding battle records, he couldn't defend himself.
Finally, he raised his hand with great difficulty and shouted,
"Pass on my order, the entire army surrenders!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the morale of the surrounding soldiers, which had been high, plummeted in an instant.
The messenger shouted loudly, and the entire army surrendered.
Then convey it to the western part of the army.
Gradually, all the Qian troops laid down their weapons.
The Yan army made way to let the Qian army, who had laid down their weapons, come out.
A general of the Yuying Army asked,
"Your Majesty, where should we place the surrendered soldiers?"
"Let's settle them in Guanbei, build a large camp, and let them live there temporarily.
Once we get the supplies from Leikouguan in the north, we'll let them use them."
"As ordered!"
Shi Liang also put down his weapon, came down from the roof, walked in front of the Yan army, stretched out his hands and said,
"Tie him up."
The Yan army soldier shook his head and said,
"Why are you tied up?"
"I'm the surrendered commander, why don't you tie me up?"
"No, the prince said that you should continue to lead the surrendered soldiers and follow us on the expedition. You should integrate the supplies inside this pass and Leikou Pass. Except for weapons and armor, you can keep the food, tents and other things.
If you have nothing to do, try to help with some work and make some contributions. We can't support you for nothing, right?
But you don't need to go to the battlefield to kill the enemy. Just help clean up the battlefield and carry supplies.
Once the Yuguiqian Kingdom is destroyed, you will be allowed to return home."
After saying this, the Yan army soldiers went to do other things.
Shi Liang was a little dumbfounded.
This...are you so confident in him?
Aren’t you afraid that he might suddenly rebel?
At this moment, Gong Yang Ge's voice came from not far away.
"Brother Shi, don't be surprised. I went through this too."
"Gong Yang Ge?"
Shi Liang's face darkened.
Gong Bangge seemed not to see his expression and said,
“At the beginning, I was just like you, not convinced, but later I gradually discovered that the Yan army was unprecedentedly tolerant towards surrendered soldiers and prisoners.
No beating, scolding, or abuse. Apart from doing some work occasionally, all I have to do is eat and sleep.
You can even apply to go out if something happens, and they won't care about you even if you run away.
Back then, I led 50,000 or 60,000 Chu prisoners, carried Xiang Qu's coffin, and walked 23 miles to bury him. The Yan army didn't even send a single person to follow and monitor us."
Hearing this, Shi Liang was shocked.
"Then you can run away anytime you want? If you spread out and hide in the mountains, the Yan army won't be able to catch up."
"correct."
"Is the Yan army so stupid?"
Shi Liang felt unbelievable.
Gong Yang Ge laughed and said,
"Do you think that monarchs and generals who can sweep across the world are fools?
That's not stupidity, it's confidence.
Even if you run away, what does it matter? If they gather together and continue to resist, we can just destroy you.
It's like an ant trying to shake a tree. They only want to destroy your country and will never take you, a mere few tens of thousands of people, seriously.
In their view, after surrendering, you will become theirs, a citizen of Dayan.
This is strong self-confidence, using the most tolerant attitude to assimilate all parts of the country.
The State of Yan conquered so many countries, but there were not many rebellions. This was due to their policy of appeasement and tolerance.
Be ruthless to the enemy, strike hard when necessary, and if they refuse to surrender, they will be wiped out without hesitation.
But once they surrender, they will become civilians with no power to resist, they will become our own people, the people of Dayan.
All under heaven belongs to the king. All within the four seas are the king's subjects.
The whole world is vast, and all of them are subjects.
Great Yan never differentiates between Yan people, Qi people, and Qian people within its own country."
Shi Liang stared at Gong Yang Ge in a daze. After a moment, he murmured,
"No wonder you're willing to stay in Dayan and not return to Qian Kingdom with your troops."
"You will understand the benefits of Dayan from now on. For the sake of the people, we will unify the world. There will be no more wars, and everyone will be able to live and work in peace."
Gong Yangge smiled and patted Shi Liang on the shoulder and said,
"Go and lead your team well. Don't have any second thoughts. I'm not asking you to surrender, but at least make yourself familiar to me. After you defeat Yugui, you can go and beg for mercy and give your family civilian status. It's better than being a slave."