The garrison generals of Yangzhou City saw Han Shizhong's army approaching step by step, and their hearts were burning with anxiety. The fate of Yangzhou City was already in danger, and all they could do was send a messenger to request reinforcements from the imperial court. Zhao Gou sat on the dragon chair with a pale face. Listening to the messenger's report, fear surged in his heart like a tide. He understood that if Yangzhou fell, his throne and even his life would be threatened. "Officials, without further delay, we must send troops to reinforce Yangzhou as soon as possible!" A minister suggested. Zhao Gou frowned. He knew the rationality of this suggestion, but how could he send a large army? Zhao Yingluo on the western front had already made him miserable, and Han Shizhong on the northern front was like a tiger descending from the mountain, difficult to resist. When Zhao Gou was in a dilemma, Qin Hui stood up and said, "The officials and ministers have a plan." He whispered in Zhao Gou's ear, "We can send envoys to negotiate peace with Han Shizhong and postpone his attack." A trace of hesitation flashed in Zhao Gou's eyes, but he understood that in the face of such a serious situation, he had no choice. So he nodded and agreed to Qin Hui's suggestion.
At this time, Qin Hui stood up and put forward a new suggestion: "In addition to negotiating peace, we can also take Han Shizhong's wife and children to Yangzhou to persuade him not to continue going south. If he can stop the army, the court can not hold him accountable for surrendering." Zhao Yingluo’s crime.” Zhao Gou was silent for a moment and agreed with Qin Hui's suggestion. After getting Zhao Gou's permission, Qin Hui immediately made arrangements to take Han Shizhong's wife and children to Yangzhou. They secretly rescued Liang Hongyu and several sons from prison and quickly sent them to Yangzhou City. Under the city wall of Yangzhou City, Han Shizhong was riding a tall horse, his eyes full of anger. Behind him was a mighty army, as powerful as a rainbow, like thunder. "Let me know! If we don't surrender immediately, Yangzhou City will be reduced to ruins!" Han Shizhong shouted loudly, his voice echoing over the battlefield. On the top of the city, the general guarding the city looked pale. He had no intention of fighting, but the orders from the imperial court were as heavy as Mount Tai. He looked up at Han Shizhong with complicated eyes. "General Han, if we are the defenders, we are unwilling to open the city. It's because the imperial court has strictly ordered us to defend the city, and we can't help ourselves." The defender sighed and said helplessly. A trace of anger flashed in Han Shizhong's eyes. He waved his riding whip and shouted loudly: "Give me the order and the whole army will attack!" As the orders sounded, the war drums shook the sky and the earth. Han Shizhong's army poured into Yangzhou City like a tide. The artillery rumbled, and artillery fire rained down on the city wall. The city walls trembled under the bombardment of artillery, bricks and stones were flying, and smoke filled the air. The general who defended the city looked pale. He understood that Yangzhou City was in danger. At this moment, a red figure suddenly appeared on the city wall. That was Han Shizhong's wife Liang Hongyu. When Han Shizhong saw his wife appearing, his heart tightened and he immediately ordered to stop the attack. At this time, the traitor Huang Qianshan also appeared on the tower.
After he pushed Liang Hongyu to the tower, he looked at Han Shizhong who was under the tower and shouted loudly, "General Han, as long as you retreat immediately, the court will not hold you responsible. Otherwise, your wife Liang Hongyu will be killed on the tower. Beheaded and lost his life.” Liang Hongyu's hair was messy and she looked at Huang Qianshan with disdain, "Weak and incompetent sycophant, you surrender externally and frame Zhongliang internally. I would rather die than let you threaten my husband!" Huang Qianshan sneered, "Do you think death can solve the problem? I tell you, as long as your husband does not withdraw from the army, you will definitely die!" Han Shizhong was extremely angry, and his hands holding the reins trembled slightly. Huang Qianshan was threatening Liang Hongyu with his life. Seeing that Han Shizhong did not respond, Huang Qianshan's face darkened and he ordered the soldiers to place the knife on Liang Hongyu's fair neck. Liang Hongyu showed no fear and stared at Huang Qianshan coldly, her eyes full of contempt and anger. Huang Qianshan sneered and said loudly to Han Shizhong: "General Han, if you don't agree to my conditions within three breaths, your wife Liang Hongyu will be dead!" Time seemed to have frozen, and every breath was filled with tension and fear. Under the tower, Han Shizhong looked at Liang Hongyu on the tower with firm and affectionate eyes, his heart was as sharp as a knife. Liang Hongyu looked at her husband downstairs, her eyes full of tenderness, "Husband, stop working for the mediocre court! Her Royal Highness Princess Zhao Yingluo is the hope to make the Song Dynasty strong. The court will only be weak and surrender, and let the people suffer. You You have to see the reality clearly and don’t cast your shadow on us again!” Han Shizhong was shocked. He knew that Liang Hongyu's words made sense. But he couldn't just watch his wife being killed, so he loudly ordered: "The whole army retreats!" As the order sounded, Han Shizhong led the army to retreat slowly. His eyes never left Liang Hongyu on the tower. Under the majestic city wall, Huang Qianshan witnessed Han Shizhong's army slowly retreating, and he felt an unconcealable sense of pride in his heart. His wisdom and scheming seemed to shine with victory at this moment. At this moment, on the tower, a slender figure was being escorted off the tower, with a hint of unwillingness in her resolute eyes. It was Liang Hongyu, an unyielding female general. A sneer appeared at the corners of Huang Qianshan's lips. He ordered people to take Liang Hongyu into custody, and then sent a confidant to look for Han Shizhong outside the city with his secret message. This letter is like a double-edged sword, containing both temptation and threat. The letter stated that as long as Han Shizhong agreed to withdraw his troops, he would not only be exempted from all culpability, but he could even get a chance to be granted a title for his wife. Outside the city, Han Shizhong stopped and looked into the distance, his eyes were deep and complicated. Behind him, the army was ready and ready. A gust of wind blew by, bringing with it the breath of the messenger. Han Shizhong took the letter, took a deep breath, and a trace of complicated emotions flashed in his eyes. He knew that this was Huang Qianshan's strategy and a means to force him to make a decision. Under the majestic city wall, Huang Qianshan witnessed Han Shizhong's army slowly retreating, and he felt an unconcealable sense of pride in his heart. His wisdom and scheming seemed to shine with victory at this moment. At this moment, on the tower, a slender figure was being escorted off the tower. There was a trace of unwillingness in her resolute eyes. It was Liang Hongyu. Outside the city, Han Shizhong stopped and looked into the distance, his eyes were deep and complicated. Behind him, the army was ready and ready. A gust of wind blew by, bringing with it the breath of the messenger. Han Shizhong took the letter, took a deep breath, and a trace of complicated emotions flashed in his eyes. He knew that this was Huang Qianshan's strategy and a means to force him to make a decision. He did not reply rashly to Huang Qianshan, but ordered a confidant to rush to Shouzhou to ask for instructions from Her Royal Highness the Princess. The confidant took the order and left. Han Shizhong stood outside the city, looking at the distant sky. His heart was filled with anxiety and worry, but he knew he had to remain calm and determined. Time seemed to slow down, and every moment was filled with tension and uneasiness. Han Shizhong kept thinking about various possible situations and coping strategies. He knew that the next battle would be more intense and cruel, and they must be fully prepared. At the same time, in Shouzhou, the atmosphere was extremely tense.
Zhao Yingluo, Zongze, Li Gang and others sat together and discussed countermeasures. They all understand the importance of this decision and the responsibilities they shoulder. "Your Highness, we must make a decision as soon as possible." Zongze said. Zhao Yingluo nodded, "I know, but we must proceed with caution." She pondered for a moment, "It may be the best choice for General Han to temporarily withdraw his troops, but we cannot relax our vigilance." Li Gang also agreed, "Yes, we must make plans and preparations for the next step."
