HLnovel Chapter 656 I'll borrow the border and your head for a while!
Chapter 656 I'll borrow the border and your head for a while!
You absolutely won't let me suffer a loss?
Liu Bang rolled his eyes in annoyance.
"Never let me suffer a loss" means that we would rather let Dorgon's Manchu army enter the pass than let my three thousand soldiers enter the city.
It was your close surveillance of those three thousand soldiers.
That is to say, those soldiers were all battle-hardened veterans who did not reveal the slightest flaw; otherwise, they would probably have been completely wiped out by the inexplicable attack of the bandits.
Then, barring any unforeseen circumstances, you will soon be able to wipe out a band of bandits outside the pass and acquire thousands of warhorses.
We're all old foxes, why are you playing these ghost stories?
Seeing that Liu Bang did not answer, Wu Sangui did not feel embarrassed. He simply turned to look at the Qing army that was passing through Shanhaiguan.
The focus at this point is not on Liu Bang.
He was aware that some deserters had taken refuge in the city.
The only possible unexpected outcome of surrendering to the Qing Dynasty and inviting Dorgon into the pass was probably the desertion of the soldiers.
However, those people weren't even an obstacle; they were just a minor incident.
Furthermore, he deployed a large number of troops in various places, ready to suppress any action taken, in order to demonstrate his loyalty to the Manchus.
Unfortunately, the deserters made no move until Dorgon crossed the border.
"That's strange. Have those people changed their ways? They didn't make a move."
He was clearly baffled by this outcome and felt resentful.
They lost an opportunity to demonstrate their loyalty, and they also lost a bargaining chip in future negotiations.
Little did he know that as the Manchu army passed through Shanhaiguan, thousands of eyes were secretly watching every single person in the army.
……
"Boss, are you really not going to make a move?"
"In the city streets, we might be able to take a piece of their skin, but if we let them out of the city and onto the plains, our small force will really be no match for them."
"Didn't we agree that if there is no trouble at the border, we will live our secluded lives, but if the Tartars want to break through the border, we will rather die than let them take a piece of our flesh?"
"Boss, are you scared?"
The lurking eyes were accompanied by arguments.
Some people are eager to take action, while others question the decision.
"Afraid? When I was fighting on the battlefield, you were all still at home breastfeeding. You dare say I'm afraid?"
"To tell you the truth, I had long anticipated that Wu Sangui would let the Tartars into the pass."
"At that time, I was already prepared to die in battle. The reason I changed my mind now is not because I suddenly became afraid of death, but because someone brought me a better idea."
"If we fight to the death, we can at most take a piece of flesh from these Tartars. But if what that person said is true, letting the Tartars into the pass will actually allow us to annihilate them!"
"Isn't this outcome better than sending you to your deaths in vain?"
"I know this is a huge gamble, but we've already lost so much, the situation can't get any worse, so why shouldn't we gamble?"
If the gamble fails, the current situation will remain unchanged.
If they win the gamble and actually witness the complete annihilation of the Tartars, then they will truly have no regrets about dying!
Even with only a 10% chance of winning, such a gamble is worthwhile!
As he said these words, most people's emotions gradually calmed down.
Yes, could the situation be any worse than it is now?
There shouldn't be any left.
The current situation is already extremely bad; even if they step forward, at best they will only be buried with the Central Plains.
They have no reason not to gamble.
"I understand, but who exactly is that person, that you trust him so much, boss?"
As soon as they finished speaking, everyone's gaze turned to the ragged beggar in the center of the crowd.
"You're asking me? How would I know? I only believed Zhang the tailor and the old brewer because they vouched for me. As for who he is, I'm just as clueless as you are!"
The beggar picked his nose and said irritably.
"Didn't he say anything more?"
"So what do we do next?"
To everyone's surprise, he blindly trusted that person without even knowing their background!
What if you believe the wrong person...
"I don't know, I don't know anything, and he really didn't say anything."
"After he arrived, he only said a few words to me."
"Firstly, as long as we cooperate, he is confident that he can annihilate the Tartars."
"Secondly, we will naturally know when we are needed to take action."
"The third is..."
When it came to the third point, the beggar suddenly laughed self-deprecatingly.
"What's three?"
Those who are a little impatient couldn't help but ask further questions.
"Thirdly, he said we were not deserters, and we were not shameful."
He said we were heroes and that if he were to rise to a high position in the future, he would surely vindicate us.
"Of course, just take those last words with a grain of salt. Anyone who actually believes them is a fool!"
Just as Liu Bang had guessed, they chose the border as their place of refuge in order to atone for their sins.
Unlike the old shopkeeper and his companion, who adopted a child as their source of comfort.
Instead, we must defend Shanhaiguan Pass as atonement!
Each of them knew in their hearts that they were guilty.
Suddenly, someone appeared and denied their sins. Upon hearing this, everyone was at a loss for words, both amused and exasperated.
Some people were even quite angry and embarrassed.
"Our affairs are none of the business of outsiders!"
"Whether I am guilty or not is none of your business to judge!"
"If he can truly annihilate the entire Tartar army, then I'll admit he's qualified to judge me!"
"Who does he think he is? The emperor?"
"What a madman, boss. There's something I'm not sure if I should say!"
I'm not sure if I should say this?
"Then let's not talk about it, shut up!"
"I won't say anything if you grumble now, but when it comes to serious business later, if your complaints affect the outcome, don't blame me for turning my back on you!"
Seeing that the scene was gradually becoming noisy, the beggar glared fiercely.
In an instant, all was silent again.
Once everyone had fallen silent, he turned his gaze back to the city wall, looking at the figure behind Wu Sangui.
"The Manchu army has already entered the pass, and Wu Sangui's troops used for defense have also been withdrawn. What are you still waiting for?"
Not only were the people below worried, but the beggar himself was equally puzzled.
He didn't understand what Liu Bang was waiting for.
Fortunately, he didn't have to wait too long.
Shortly after Dorgon led his army into the pass, the earth-shattering sound of war drums reached the border.
At that very moment, Liu Bang's sword fell upon Wu Sangui's neck.
Seeing this, Wu Sangui remained calm and only slightly frowned.
"Brother Liu, what are you doing?"
"I don't need anything, I just wanted to borrow something from you, brother."
Liu Bang smiled.
Borrow something?
Upon hearing this, Wu Sangui's expression immediately relaxed.
"Between brothers, there's no need for loans. Whatever you need, I'll just have someone fetch it for you."
"I want the border."
"And I also want to take your life."