The Eternal Beauty of the City of Wealth

Chapter 197: As a bargaining chip

Then, she looked at Zhang Junchen with cold eyes: "Tell me! What do you want!"

Zhang Junchen looked at the incredibly beautiful Zixuan and swallowed hard, saying, "City Lord Zixuan! We don't want to hurt Young Master Xu!"

"As long as you let us go back, we will release him immediately after reaching the Qi-Jin border!"

Zixuan sneered and asked, "Haha! What if I don't agree?"

No! Disagree? Zhang Junchen didn't know how to answer at this moment.

Even if Zixuan disagreed, he would not dare to kill Gongzi Xu.

If she really did that, not only would her own life be in danger, but the entire Zhang family would probably be wiped out by her.

When Xu Tu and Li Fang rebelled and were arrested, their families were not in Fugui City but in Linzi.

Didn't Zixuan also send people to secretly kill their nine clans? I don't dare to take this risk.

Seeing that Zhang Junchen was silent, Zixuan softened his tone and said, "Sima Zhang, how about this?"

"As long as you release Master Xu and surrender, I will never shoot a single coalition soldier again. What do you think?"

Zhang Junchen thought about it and Zixuan said that he would stop shooting if he surrendered. This was fine, at least he could save his life.

As for the issue of reputation, that is the business of the king and the vassal states, and has nothing to do with me.

Thinking of this, he also changed his expression and said with a fake smile: "City Lord Zixuan, I can't make the decision on this matter."

"We must report this to the king and the generals of the vassal states, and then inform the general after we have discussed it."

However, before we have reached an agreement, Gongzi Xu cannot be released! Also, your troops cannot attack either. What do you think?"

Zixuan nodded: "Okay, I hope Sima Zhang will hurry up, my patience is limited!"

Zhang Junchen nodded and said, "Okay, right away!"

After saying this, he waved to his men, and the soldiers dragged Zixu before Duke Ping of Jin.

When Duke Ping of Jin saw Zhang Junchen return, he eagerly asked, "Sir Zhang, how did the talks go?"

Zhang Junchen shook his head: "Your Majesty! Zixuan doesn't buy it!"

"But she also relented and said that as long as we surrendered, she would let us go back."

"However, he also said that we must release Gongzi Xu!"

Surrender? Duke Ping of Jin said arrogantly: "My Great Jin is the overlord of all the princes! How can I bow my head and surrender!"

When the generals of the various vassal states heard that they could save their lives by surrendering, they all came before Duke Ping of Jin, clasped their fists, and said, "Your Majesty, the King of Jin!"

"Now our coalition forces are completely defeated and defeated. If you wish to survive, you must surrender. Please think twice, Your Majesty!"

Fan Yang and Yangshe Bi also advised, "Yes, my king, as long as the green mountains remain, there will be no shortage of firewood."

"Don't we often say that revenge is never too late for a gentleman?"

"After we return home, we will recuperate and recruit new troops. When we find a good opportunity, we can come back and seek revenge. It won't be too late!"

In fact, Duke Ping of Jin was just pretending to be polite and wanted to maintain some dignity.

He fears death more than anyone else, so why not surrender? If he surrenders, then surrender. Who’s afraid of who?

He pretended to think and kept his head down without saying anything. Zhang Junchen saw that Duke Ping was hesitant.

He also stepped forward and advised: "Your Majesty! Victory and defeat are common in war. A real man should be able to bend and stretch."

"Although I surrendered to Qi today, my life is still with me. Didn't Fan Shiyang and Yangshebi make that very clear?"

"As long as we return to Jin, why worry about not being able to avenge this time and redeem this shame?"

Seeing that the situation was almost heated, Duke Ping of Jin raised his head and steeled his resolve, saying, "Alright! Since you all agree to surrender, I will not stop you!"

"However, Sima Zhang, go tell Zixuan that Gongzi Xu cannot be released just yet. We have to wait until we return to Jin!"

Everyone echoed in unison: "Right, right, right! If we don't leave a bargaining chip, it will be troublesome if the Qi army regrets it..."

Zhang Junchen also nodded in agreement: "Excellent! Your Majesty is wise, this is the right thing to do. I will be back soon!"

After saying that, he ran towards the two armies like a flash of smoke. He bowed to Zixuan and said, "City Lord Zixuan!"

"My king has discussed with the generals of the vassal states and has decided to surrender to City Lord Zixuan."

"But we only surrendered to City Lord Zixuan, not the State of Qi."

"Because we're afraid that City Lord Zixuan will change his mind, Young Master Xu can't be released for the time being."

"We can only return him to you after we withdraw to Jin!"

Zixuan was furious when she heard this. She glared at Zhang Junchen and said, "Do you still have the qualifications to negotiate terms?"

"I, the General, have ten minutes to release my son! Otherwise, I will make you regret your decision!"

This, this, this… Zhang Junchen was at a loss for words. He bowed to Zixuan again and said, “City Lord Zixuan!”

"How long is ten minutes? I don't know. Please explain!"

Seeing that he didn't understand, Zixuan thought to himself that only people from Fugui City could understand one hour and sixty minutes.

She coughed lightly and said, "Ten minutes is probably half an incense stick's time!"

"Oh! Okay, okay! City Lord Zixuan, I still need to go back and discuss this with the King. Please wait!"

After saying this, he trotted over to Duke Ping of Jin, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and said, "Your Majesty! Things are not going well!"

Duke Ping of Jin was startled and asked hurriedly, "What's wrong?"

"Your Majesty! Zixuan wants us to release the young master within half an incense stick of time! Otherwise, we will be in big trouble!"

Shusun Bao and Di Shimi also hurried forward, clasped their fists, and saluted, saying, "Prince Jin! Prince Xu is innocent, so let him go!"

The other generals were all shouting, "We can't let him go! We can't let him go..."

"If we release Prince Xu, the Qi army will be able to attack our army without restraint..."

Duke Ping of Jin thought what everyone said made sense, and waved his hand towards Zhang Junchen: "Sima, go tell Zixuan that Prince Xu must not be released!"

"Tell her that I am a man of my word. If anyone enters the territory of Jin, I will release them immediately!"

"Huh?" Zhang Junchen grinned, thinking, "These ignorant ghosts won't cry until they see the coffin!"

Helplessly, he could not disobey the king's order, so he could only run towards the front of the two armies.

I ran while cursing in my heart: "What the hell! What the hell is this!"

I, the great Sima of a nation, have now become a mere errand boy...

Running to Zixuan, he explained Jin Pinggong's intention to her.

Zixuan nodded fiercely and said through gritted teeth, "Very good! Go back!"

Zhang Junchen asked, confused, "City Lord Zixuan, what do you think? Do you agree or disagree?"

Zixuan glared at him and said, "Didn't you understand what I said? Do you want to be shot into a sieve? Get out!"

Zhang Junchen was so frightened that his whole body trembled and he quickly ran away, crawling and rolling.

When Zixuan saw that the coalition forces were unwilling to release Zixu, he thought to himself: It seems that Duke Ping of Jin is determined to take his son as a hostage.

If I attack by force, I'm afraid they will become desperate and do something bad to Zixu.

I must find a way to rescue my son first. What method should I think of?