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Chapter 198: The Overlord's Surrender
Upon hearing his son's words, Xue Ju's expression stiffened, and his steps slowed. Xiao Yu gracefully turned around, allowing the Western Qin Overlord a moment to adjust his robes and put on his boots.
Xue Ju shot a fierce glare at his son, then straightened his clothes before snorting and turning to enter the hall. Once seated back on the dragon throne, he felt an urge to kill a few people to relieve the embarrassment swelling within him.
Xiao Yu stepped inside slowly and bowed respectfully. Xue Ju exhaled deeply and asked with authority, "Prefect, what brings you here to see me?"
Xiao Yu replied with a smile, "I come to persuade you to surrender. Tang Wang has long admired the general's great reputation and hopes to create peace together."
Xue Ju stroked the dragon head of his throne. "I am the emperor; how can I surrender to a king?"
"Tang Wang will inherit Destiny; he is the true dragon son of heaven. For the general to submit would be in accordance with heavenly will and the people's hearts, leading to great wealth and honor."
"Hmph, Li Jian Cheng is just a..."
Xue Renyue quickly interrupted his father upon hearing this, fearing that he would say something unpleasant that could lead to their doom in the future.
"Father, I believe Tang Wang is truly extraordinary..."
"Enough!" Xue Ju snapped angrily. "You are my son and also Prince Jin. We should unite as father and son to create a Great Undertaking. How can you speak of surrender before even fighting?"
Xue Renyue shrank back in silence but thought to himself that whatever Great Undertaking it was had nothing to do with him. Even if he became emperor in the future, given his brother's cruel nature, what good outcome could he expect?
Xiao Yu maintained a calm demeanor as if he hadn't heard the argument between father and son. "General, the situation in the world is gradually becoming clear. Your ability to establish such a foundation shows that your foresight is beyond that of ordinary men."
Tang Wang spread benevolence and righteousness throughout the world. When he entered Chang'an, the scholars, commoners, and noble families of Sanjin gathered like a market, calling out "Long live the King!" with voices that shook the heavens and earth. This was indeed the will of the people.
The general should understand that while troops can be resisted, how can one withstand the will of the people? The world has long hoped for peace. Apart from Tang Wang, there is no one who can quickly subdue the powerful clans across the various prefectures.
Although many heroes have emerged today, they are merely like dragons and pythons—skilled in killing and intimidation but lacking the ability to bring peace to the people. The common folk across the nine provinces all look to Tang Wang for great governance; this is their earnest wish, which I hope you will assist in fulfilling.
Xue Ju heard not advice but a threat. Yet he had to admit that he was indeed weaker than Li Jian Cheng, and there was no gap between them; soon they would be at war, with no chance for retreat.
Guanzhong and Longxi were originally one entity; Longxi was Guanzhong's rear guard. If Longxi was unstable, Li Jian Cheng could not focus on his eastern campaigns.
At this moment, the courtiers and generals arrived as well. Xue Ju ordered them inside. Xiao Yu continued to speak confidently, causing even the previously angry Western Qin courtiers to exchange glances.
Eventually, everyone's gaze fell upon Xue Ju, which made his spirit wane significantly. With morale lacking among all ranks, what great ambitions could there be?
Xue Ju sighed inwardly but still mustered his spirit to ask, "Your Xiao Family has a descendant named Xiao Xian who has raised troops and occupied Baling County. Is he also going to submit to Li Jian Cheng?"
Xiao Yu replied, "My brother Xiao Jing has already received the king's order to head to Baling. He will persuade my nephew to comply with heaven's will and go to Chang'an to meet Tang Wang. If he is foolish enough to refuse, then he shall no longer be considered a member of my Xiao Family. In the future, when our army marches against him, his life will be taken as punishment for his crimes!"
The Xiao Family had clearly made a firm decision to back Li Jian Cheng. Xue Ju knew that if Xiao Yu hesitated so much, then Xiao Xian, who had risen based on the reputation of the Xiao Family, would surely not defy his clan.
"Has there ever been a surrendering emperor throughout history?"
Xiao Yu did not answer but allowed the Western Qin courtiers to respond. Suddenly, Chancellor of the Yellow Gate Chu Liang stepped forward and said, "Zhao Tuo surrendered Nanyue to the Han Dynasty; Liu Shan of Shu Han also served under Jin Dynasty; now we have Liang Emperor Xiao Cong entering Sui."
Xiao Yu smiled and said, "My brother is healthy and prosperous; now he even has a legitimate daughter married to Tang Wang as a consort and has risen in rank to that of Liang Wang."
Xue Ju had not reacted much, but Xue Renyue was deeply moved. Even if it was not as wealthy as the Xiao Family, a slight reduction would still be good.
Xiao Yu knew they were just a step away, so he asked the Western Qin courtiers, "Where is the General's Eldest Son?"
Minister of War Hao Yuan coldly replied, "His Highness the Crown Prince is currently at war. His Highness is exceptionally brave and will surely conquer Tianshui County, expanding our Great Qin territory."
Xiao Yu nodded, "The Major General is known as a match for ten thousand men; I have heard of his bravery. However, what he is more famous for is his cruelty. He often inflicts severe punishments on captives, such as tongue cutting, nose severing, and other tortures. He has even burned and mutilated soldiers out of personal grudges, forcing others to share in the flesh."
This made everyone in Western Qin turn pale, yet they could not refute him. Xue Renyue's face turned even whiter; it was precisely because his brother was such a person that he had taken the initiative to bring the Tang Wang envoy here.
"Since the General takes Qin as his title, how will Qin perish? Forgive me for speaking frankly, but even if the General were to gain the world, with the nature of both Major Generals, it would be difficult for them to escape a downfall in the second generation. If so, chaos will ensue in the world, and the General will only leave behind a bad reputation for future generations. How tragic."
These words left the courtiers completely speechless. While they were fighting for power, they could still convince themselves that although the Crown Prince had a somewhat violent temperament, at least it was directed outward.
But once they truly held power, who could guarantee a good outcome under such a ruler? Just thinking about it sent shivers down their spines.
Minister of War Hao Yuan stubbornly said, "The Crown Prince will correct himself in the future!"
Xue Ju actually knew that the Eldest Son was not fit to be a ruler. He had privately admonished his son before: "Your talents and strategies are sufficient to achieve great things, but your nature is harsh and cruel. You cannot show kindness to others; ultimately, you will bring ruin to my family and country!"
However, the Eldest Son's character was already set; he had no intention of changing. Even someone like him, who was known as the Western Qin Overlord, could not forcefully change another person's nature.
Yet he still could not bear to give up the throne and turned his gaze toward his second son: "I can pass the throne to Prince Jin."
Xue Renyue collapsed to the ground, exclaiming, "Father! Will you kill my brother? I don't think you would. In the future, my brother will surely kill me to take the throne. Why must you harm your son?"
Xue Ju felt darkness closing in before his eyes. His blood surged as he stood up, turning around and exerting force to lift the massive dragon chair, which was adorned with gold and silver, as if he were a deity of immense power, truly deserving of the title Qin the Overlord.
"Ahhhhhhh!"
Except for Xiao Yu, everyone else knelt down, fearing that the dragon chair would come crashing down and smash them to pieces.
Xue Ju looked up and felt as if he had the strength of ten thousand men, but what could he do against heaven?
In anger, he hurled the dragon chair away, the dull thud startling several nearby eunuchs into losing control and fleeing in panic.
Exhausted, Xue Ju collapsed onto the ground, tearing off his dragon robe and crown, weakly saying, "I am willing to submit to Tang Wang."
Xiao Yu solemnly replied, "Very well. The general possesses Great Wisdom; surely your descendants will be prosperous and live in wealth until the end."
Everyone in Western Qin breathed a sigh of relief. Some harbored resentment; although they were still officials here, entering Chang'an would mean losing their positions and being relegated to the bottom. But with even the Overlord submitting, what could they do?
………
(End of Chapter)
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