Faced with the maid's arrogance, the soldiers behind Nan Jiyun were furious, but Nan Jiyun held them back.
"Has she finished reading the letter of surrender that our army sent to the Queen of the Southern Barbarians?" Nan Jiyun asked the envoy from Da Qian beside him.
The envoy nodded. "She has finished reading it. She has indeed sent her maid to see the General and Old Master Tong, requesting that you two enter the city to see her, without any escorts. The Queen of the Southern Barbarians should be waiting on the city wall by now, and she will not accept any other terms of surrender."
"She initiated the conflict, and now she is merely a trapped beast. How dare she order our former general of Da Qian around?" the soldiers roared.
The maid was intimidated by the soldiers' killing intent, and her arrogance wavered slightly, but she still stated resolutely, "If you dare not go, then retreat honestly, and from now on, we will mind our own business. Yongchang City is not unassailable. At worst, it will be mutual destruction!"
"Arrogant fool!" The soldiers were utterly enraged, but out of respect for Nan Jiyun, they did not draw their swords, merely signaling Nan Jiyun with their eyes.
Tong Zhen quickly said, "It is enough for this old man to enter the city alone to explain things. Nan Ba does not need to go..."
"Our King wants you to go with him!" the maid couldn't help but glare at Tong Zhen.
Just as the generals were beyond furious, Nan Jiyun smiled and said, "It would be too dangerous for Master to enter the city alone. Nan Ba will accompany you."
"General, you cannot!" The soldiers were greatly shocked and pleaded with him to reconsider.
"Our army is at the city gates, and the enemy is still so arrogant. It would be too dangerous for the General to go. It would be better to attack the city," said the strategist Lin Quan, who was a former subordinate of Liang Xiao.
Nan Jiyun sighed, finally revealing his true feelings.
"As you all can see, the Southern Barbarian people look much like the citizens of Da Qian, and it is fitting that they should return to Da Qian. If I can resolve this conflict peacefully and have the Southern Barbarians submit to Da Qian, it will also prevent suffering for both lands."
Everyone was stunned into silence.
"If I go and the enemy resorts to trickery, then General Lin Quan will lead the army to attack the city. You do not need to concern yourselves with the lives of my master and I, nor should you consider rescuing any hostages," Nan Jiyun said, taking out his marshal's seal and handing it to Lin Quan, repeatedly instructing him.
"This..." The generals were at a loss.
"General Lin Quan, you understand," Nan Jiyun reminded him.
Lin Quan sighed helplessly, "Yes. Marquis also said that we should not annihilate the Southern Barbarians completely, and should try to pacify them if possible. But this trip of yours is too risky..."
"The outcome of the battle is already decided. How could it be reversed by the life or death of one person? As long as you all remember that military orders are like mountains, why should we worry about not being able to pacify the Southern Barbarians? But if this journey can spare the soldiers and civilians of both lands from the ravages of war, it would be a meritorious deed!" Nan Jiyun said with a stern expression.
The maid beside him looked at Nan Jiyun in surprise, rubbing her eyes as if she were dreaming.
He actually dared to agree?
"What is your name?" Nan Jiyun finally asked the maid.
"Meng Bailing..." the maid replied.
"Please be so kind as to return and inform them that Nan Jiyun and my master, Tong Zhen, will arrive shortly. We only hope that the Southern Barbarians will never rebel again," Nan Jiyun said sincerely.
Meng Bailing's pretty face flushed, and she nodded dumbly, agreeing repeatedly.
At the same time, Liang Xiao personally led his troops out of Luzhou to reinforce Yuzhang and expel the allied forces from Jiaozhou.
Inside Yongchang City, when Meng Wuxin heard that Nan Jiyun had readily agreed, she couldn't help but turn pale.
"How could he have agreed!"
"For the sake of the people of the Southern Region, he really agreed, and he sent this servant back to Yongchang City safely..." Meng Bailing murmured, her face flushed.
Meng Wuxin looked at Meng Bailing with a helpless expression.
This was a maid who was loyal to her, like a sister. She had dared to enter the dragon's den for her and face thousands of soldiers. She would never lie to her.
But looking at her now.
She had developed a crush?
That Nan Jiyun was probably thirty years old?
However, the elders and tribal chiefs of the Southern Barbarians were all present, and she was too embarrassed to ask for clarification.
But these leaders had already descended into chaos.
Meng Wuxin had originally found an excuse to refuse surrender, leaving everyone speechless and ready to unite against the enemy.
As a result, the enemy general had actually agreed, which left them all flustered.
"Hold him hostage!" "Hold your mother's hostage! Do you want Yongchang City to be razed to the ground?" "Then what do you suggest?"
Gongyang Qiu, who was beside her, grew increasingly displeased and said sternly, "Wuxin! This is the Southern Region that your father worked tirelessly to unite before his death. Must you hand it over so easily?"
"Da Qian is a land of virtue, the central kingdom. What is wrong with submitting to them? Look at the people of the Western Regions, have they not been well-treated by Da Qian?" An elder immediately retorted, furious, "It is your Huichun Sect that has repeatedly instigated discord among the various tribes of the Southern Barbarians. Your intentions are sinister!"
Gongyang Qiu was about to respond when an urgent report came from outside.
"The former general of Da Qian, Nan Jiyun, along with my master, Tong Zhen, have arrived at the city gates!"
"They've really come?" Meng Wuxin's pupils contracted, and she immediately ascended the city wall to watch.
As expected, Tong Zhen led a young general to the foot of the city.
"Quick, fire the arrows!" Gongyang Qiu shouted, but he was slapped by the elders and restrained.
Meng Wuxin asked Meng Bailing, "Is it him?"
"Mhm! He is the Flying General of Da Qian, General Nan!" Meng Bailing nodded vigorously, her face flushed.
Meng Wuxin sighed helplessly, glanced back at Gongyang Qiu, and led everyone downstairs.
Tong Zhen, who was anxious below the city, suddenly heard the city gate creak open. A group of Southern Barbarian elders, with respectful expressions, led the two into the city.
Nan Jiyun was perplexed.
Judging by the attitude of these elders, the Southern Barbarians did not seem like people who would provoke Da Qian. Why had they attacked Bannan?
Just then, a stern female voice echoed from a distance.
"Tong Zhen, leading the Da Qian army is how you atone for your sins?"
As soon as Tong Zhen saw Meng Wuxin, his eyes welled up with tears, and he stammered, "Wuxin, I..."
Nan Jiyun strode forward, blocking Tong Zhen, and said loudly, "All responsibility lies with me. Do not make things difficult for my master!"
Meng Wuxin ignored Tong Zhen and looked at the Da Qian general before her.
He was imposing, his demeanor resolute, he had come alone, and showed no fear.
"Former General of Da Qian, Marshal of Yizhou, Nan Jiyun, pays his respects to the Queen!" Nan Jiyun cupped his fists towards Meng Wuxin.
At that moment, a group of Southern Barbarian soldiers surrounded them, their faces fierce, as if they could chop the master and disciple into mincemeat at any moment.
"Wuxin, the people of the Southern Region are too deeply infiltrated by the Huichun Sect. Your mother was also harmed by the Huichun Sect in her lifetime..."
Before Tong Zhen could finish, Meng Wuxin reprimanded him, "Surely you aren't going to spew platitudes again, saying that leading the Da Qian army is to save the people of our Southern Region? Ridiculous! You men are all the same. You talk of country and world, yet you cannot even protect your own wives and children!"
Tong Zhen was overcome with shame and speechless.
Nan Jiyun said, "Yizhou did not proactively invade the Southern Region. Instead, you repeatedly harassed Bannan, and our army was forced to retaliate, driving deep into your territory to display the might of our Da Qian. Now, the disparity in strength between the two armies is vast. I am here by the order of my Emperor to pacify the Southern Region. I hope the Queen can see the situation clearly and not be deceived by the followers of the Huichun Sect!"
"You speak so eloquently, but it is merely the victor taking all. Our country failed in its strategy to conquer Bannan, and we must bear the consequences! Southern Barbarians are Southern Barbarians. You need not be so polite!" Meng Wuxin sneered.
Nan Jiyun explained sincerely, "I have come in the hope that the Queen will understand that Da Qian has no intention of exterminating the Southern Region. We merely hope that the Southern Region will submit from now on, and promise never to rebel again. The people of the Southern Region will henceforth be citizens of Da Qian, with no distinction in status among other Da Qian citizens!"
"No distinction in status?" Some of the elders' eyes lit up.
The Da Qian of today was of an unprecedented scale, with its people united, truly enviable.
"What is the meaning of being a citizen of Da Qian? Da Qian is currently besieged by enemies on all sides, with over two million enemy troops on its borders. National ruin and extinction are only a matter of time!" Gongyang Qiu, who was being restrained, shouted.
Nan Jiyun looked at Gongyang Qiu curiously, "Who are you, sir?"
"He is the eldest son of your Da Qian's former Grand Tutor, Gongyang He, Gongyang Qiu!" An elder quickly reminded him.
Nan Jiyun frowned, "It seems it is you treacherous villains who have incited the Southern Region to oppose Da Qian."
"He who gains the Way has much help; he who loses it has little. Da Qian is unpopular, and the surrounding countries, along with Da Liang, have formed an alliance to attack Da Qian. This is ironclad proof!" Gongyang Qiu said with a smile.
"Nonsense! The people of Da Qian live and work in peace and contentment. The enemy countries are merely envious. Our Emperor is a wise ruler for all ages, praised by all the people. What is there to fear from mere border troubles, with our Emperor, Marquis Anguo, and the Great General in charge? It is you sons of aristocratic families who used to prey on the common people, and now, having been expelled from the center of power by our Emperor, you remain incorrigible and jump about everywhere. Your intentions are sinister!"
Nan Jiyun, who was usually not eloquent, spoke with impassioned conviction, enraging Gongyang Qiu.
"Enough!" Meng Wuxin finally lost her patience and stared at Nan Jiyun, "You don't need to speak such flowery words. Aren't you just asking the Southern Region to surrender?"
Nan Jiyun immediately took out an imperial decree from his怀中. "My Emperor has decreed that if the Southern Region submits, it shall henceforth be Da Qian territory, with a status equal to that of Yizhou, and there will be no difficulties. The Queen of the Southern Barbarians can be enfeoffed as 'Lord of the Southern Region,' bringing glory to her descendants and absolving her of all past crimes."
Meng Wuxin had Meng Bailing retrieve the imperial decree. Upon unfolding it, her brows furrowed deeply.
She, a Southern Barbarian Queen ruling over tens of thousands, was to be merely a 'Lord of the Southern Region'?
But the situation was dire. The Da Qian soldiers indeed had the power to raze Yongchang City to the ground.
"Why not retreat? I will simply pay tribute and acknowledge your supremacy?" Meng Wuxin retorted.
Nan Jiyun replied solemnly, "This is the will of Marquis Anguo. The Southern Region must be incorporated into the territory of Da Qian. It is beneficial to both the Southern Region and Da Qian, with no harm."
"Marquis Anguo?" The Southern Barbarians' hearts trembled.
This was a resounding title.
Nan Jiyun alone could lead his troops to victory, pushing all the way to the gates of Yongchang City.
What if Marquis Anguo himself appeared?
The fifty thousand barbarian cavalry that had been beheaded was a stark warning that sent shivers down their spines.
This was also the key reason why surrender began to be considered among the Southern Barbarians.
Nan Jiyun had repeatedly called for surrender since the counterattack, and he was still able to speak with them reasonably. They could not guarantee that Marquis Anguo would not cause their nation's demise if he were to arrive.
However, Nan Jiyun conveying Liang Xiao's intentions now made them feel somewhat at ease.
Meng Wuxin noticed the reactions of the elders and felt a profound sense of melancholy.
This was the Southern Region that her father had painstakingly built and brought together!
A strong sense of unwillingness filled Meng Wuxin's heart.
Meng Wuxin stared coldly at Tong Zhen, accusing him with tears in her eyes, "It's all your fault!"
"Yes, if he had been killed with one sword back then, there would be no such trouble. The Southern Region would still be the Southern Region, and the Da Qian soldiers could not have advanced!" Gongyang Qiu chimed in.
Tong Zhen knelt down before Meng Wuxin with a thud, his eyes determined, "I have failed you and your mother. I am willing to atone for my sins with my death, and to apologize to your mother in the underworld!"
With that, Tong Zhen offered his neck for execution.
Meng Wuxin looked at him coldly, and said word by word, "You are already an old man. What use is an old life like yours?"
Tong Zhen did not get angry; instead, he appeared even more ashamed.
Nan Jiyun attempted to help Tong Zhen up and said sternly, "I said, do not make things difficult for my master. If you have any issues, come at me!"
Meng Wuxin stared at Nan Jiyun and laughed, "Come at me? Fine! My condition for submitting to Da Qian is that you willingly accept death for your master. Otherwise, we would rather perish together! Are you willing to accept death?"
The words stunned everyone present!
"No!!" Tong Zhen roared with all his might, begging, "Don't make things difficult for Nan Ba. He has no connection to your mother. He has had a difficult life for half a century, and finally has a chance to achieve something..."
Only Nan Jiyun's expression remained calm.
Meng Wuxin ignored him, staring intently at Nan Jiyun, and drew the precious saber at her waist. "This is my only condition. You can refuse. I will pity your courage in entering the city and, out of consideration for you not making things difficult for Bailing, I will ensure your safe return to camp to lead your troops in a battle to the death with me."
Bailing, who was beside her, became flustered, "Your Majesty..."
Nan Jiyun smiled and said, "My life is yours."
"Nan Ba!!" Tong Zhen quickly grabbed Nan Jiyun, shaking his head frantically, "This is Master's family matter. You don't need to..."
Nan Jiyun merely tightened his grip on Tong Zhen's hand, smiled at him, and then turned to look at the stunned Meng Wuxin, saying, "But I hope the Queen of the Southern Barbarians will give me some time."
A wave of scoffing rippled around them.
Meng Wuxin sneered, "What? Are you still trying to bargain, using a delaying tactic to trick my Southern Region into surrendering?"
Nan Jiyun shook his head, "Not at all. A true man faces death bravely! However, I am under orders from Marquis Anguo to immediately reinforce Jiangnan after pacifying the Southern Region. The borders are currently in turmoil, and the world is not yet at peace. I have promised my Emperor and Marquis Anguo that I will go all out in this life to embody the military spirit of Da Qian. When I have pacified Jiangnan with Marquis Anguo and repelled the invaders, you can do with me as you please, and I will have no regrets."
Meng Wuxin was rendered speechless, and the scoffing around them lowered their heads in shame.
Nan Jiyun said with unwavering resolve, "You need not worry about me breaking my promise. Nan Ba has always kept his word and never broken an appointment. You can send someone to my army to inquire. Today's promise, I can also announce it to the entire army, so that everyone in the world knows. If I go back on my word, I shall be ruined and cursed for eternity!"
Meng Wuxin stared at Nan Jiyun in a daze, momentarily unsure of what to do.
The Da Qian general before her was righteous and imposing, with an aura that seemed to support the heavens.
Is this the military spirit of the Da Qian army?
Tong Zhen knew that Nan Jiyun had made up his mind and no longer tried to dissuade him. He responded with resigned emotion, "This master will accompany you to fulfill the appointment!"
"Your Majesty..." Meng Bailing looked at Nan Jiyun, her voice trembling, and couldn't help but tug at Meng Wuxin's arm.
Meng Wuxin came back to her senses, finally lowered her proud head, and said with a sob.
"Nan Jiyun, you have won!"
Nan Jiyun was startled, "The Queen is willing to lead the people of the Southern Region to submit to Da Qian?"
Meng Wuxin finally looked up, pouted, and said, "I have no time to wait for you to die!"
Nan Jiyun nodded, "Since that is the case, please allow me to write a farewell letter to my soldiers, and then you may proceed, Your Majesty."
Meng Wuxin shook her head, "I have changed my mind! But I still cannot stomach Tong Zhen! Let's change the condition!"
The people around also came back to their senses, looking embarrassed.
A ruler's word is his bond!
Nan Jiyun patiently asked, "What condition? As long as it is reasonable and not excessively difficult, with the wisdom of my Emperor, he will surely show leniency."
Meng Wuxin hesitated for a moment, pointed at Nan Jiyun, her face flushed, and stammered, "You, marry me!"