He Da Li cupped his fists and said in a deep voice, "Cui San has been clamoring to see you, while the other, Cui Da Hai, has been silent. Apart from shouting about his innocence when meals were delivered, he hasn't said much."
Hearing this, Hu Fan nodded slightly. "Then we'll wait a couple more days. I'm sure they won't be able to hold out forever."
While Hu Fan was taking his time, Liu Rumei had already rushed to the outskirts of Jizhou City.
Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun's forces had reached two hundred thousand.
Meanwhile, Ge Cun and Zhu Meng, inside Jizhou City, combined had a force of over two hundred and fifty thousand.
Although the numbers seemed to favor Zhu Meng, he knew his troops' morale was unstable. Therefore, engaging Xiao Jingyun in a battle outside the city was not the best option. His best bet was to defend Jizhou City and wait for the army of the Great Lin Kingdom to cross the Bai River.
Faced with Zhu Meng's refusal to come out, Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun had no better solution. Upon hearing of Liu Rumei's arrival, he immediately ordered someone to escort her to his main tent.
In the central army tent, Xiao Jingyun sat at the command desk, with over a dozen various generals and marshals standing beside him. Liu Rumei recognized only a few of them.
It didn't matter that she didn't recognize them. Everyone showed courtesy upon seeing Liu Rumei. Some acquaintances smiled and greeted her. However, Liu Rumei's expression was exceedingly grave. She walked to the center of the tent, bowed to Xiao Jingyun with cupped fists, and then announced loudly, "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun quickly waved his hand with a smile. "Rumei, weren't you supposed to be in Qingniu Mountain clearing out Zhu Meng's remnants? Why have you rushed here? What is the matter?"
Liu Rumei briefly recounted her capture of two spies and then presented the letter to Xiao Jingyun.
After reading the letter, Xiao Jingyun nodded. "No wonder both countries sent troops. So that's what it's about."
"Then, what do you suggest we do?"
Liu Rumei cupped her fists. "I wish to persuade Jué Dǐng Dao Rén. Since he could incite two countries to send troops with a single letter, I believe he can find a way to make them withdraw."
"If the two countries withdraw their troops, Zhu Meng will be defeated without a fight."
After hearing Liu Rumei's words, Xiao Jingyun pondered for a moment and then nodded slightly. "You have a point. However, Jué Dǐng Dao Rén is arrogant and proud. It will likely be extremely difficult to persuade him."
Liu Rumei smiled calmly. "Your Highness, leave this matter to me. I have a way."
Xiao Jingyun turned to Zhou Quan. "Accompany Rumei. Be extremely careful. Jué Dǐng Dao Rén is a formidable martial artist."
Liu Rumei and Zhou Quan took their leave from the Crown Prince and, with guards in tow, went to see Jué Dǐng Dao Rén.
Jué Dǐng Dao Rén's hands and feet were bound by chains as thick as a thumb, connected by a three-foot-long iron chain to a wooden stake.
Seeing this scene, Liu Rumei felt a pang of sadness.
The foremost master of the Great Cang Kingdom had fallen to such a state.
Upon seeing Liu Rumei, Jué Dǐng Dao Rén merely raised his eyes to look at her, then lowered them again, leaning back into the haystack.
"You've come to gloat over an old man's misfortune, haven't you? Are you happy to see me like this?"
Liu Rumei sighed and gave Zhou Quan a look.
Zhou Quan then gestured to the guards behind him.
Once the guards had moved away, Liu Rumei stepped forward, squatting before Jué Dǐng Dao Rén.
"I truly didn't expect you to have two good disciples. I'm puzzled. Since your disciples are the Crown Prince, why did you remain in the Great Cang Kingdom and not go to find them?"
Hearing Liu Rumei's words, Jué Dǐng Dao Rén fell silent, but ultimately said nothing.
Liu Rumei didn't expect him to speak immediately. She continued unhurriedly, "It's just a pity that your two disciples can no longer save you."
"Hmph, so what? Soon my two disciples will break through Wàn Nián City, and then..."
"Enough, old hermit. Stop dreaming. You can look at the letter your good disciple wrote to you."
"Crown Prince Harden of the Great Tu Kingdom has clearly stated in his letter that their progress has been hindered and they have been intercepted by the troops of our Great Cang Kingdom."
Saying this, Liu Rumei took out the letter and threw it in front of Jué Dǐng Dao Rén. After reading it, his face turned ashen, and he let out a long sigh.
"Heaven is not aiding me, heaven is not aiding me! Even with my meticulous plans and perfect design, heaven is not on my side!"
Liu Rumei smiled and shook her head. "As the saying goes, 'He who gains widespread support prospers, he who loses it perishes.' Chen Yuliang's rebellion is inherently unpopular. How can heaven help him? Therefore, your two good disciples cannot help you either!"
Hearing Liu Rumei's words, Jué Dǐng Dao Rén slowly closed his eyes, no longer speaking.
"Old hermit, how about we strike a deal?"
Upon hearing this, Jué Dǐng Dao Rén's eyes snapped open, staring intently at Liu Rumei, a flicker of desperation in his gaze.
"If you write a letter asking your two disciples to retreat, I guarantee to send you to the Great Tu Kingdom to continue enjoying your wealth and status. What do you say?"
"A mere woman, how can I trust you?" Although Jué Dǐng Dao Rén was inwardly pleased, he feigned disdain.
Liu Rumei pointed to Zhou Quan. "He knows me. Since he is here, it represents the Crown Prince's endorsement of this matter."
"Think carefully. Is it one letter in exchange for wealth and status in the Great Tu Kingdom, or do you wish to stay here and lose your head along with Sun Yuliang?"
With that, Liu Rumei stood up and turned to leave. After only a few steps, Jué Dǐng Dao Rén spoke from behind her.
"I want wine, I want meat. Let me feast first."
Liu Rumei smiled. When a person starts negotiating terms, it means they are wavering.
Soon, Jué Dǐng Dao Rén was led into a tent filled with a banquet.
Although his hands and feet were still chained, Jué Dǐng Dao Rén could at least move freely.
He ate and drank silently. Glancing at Zhou Quan beside him, he became somewhat impatient and couldn't help but ask, "Hey, old hermit, are you going to agree or not?"
Jué Dǐng Dao Rén looked at him, then at Liu Rumei, and took a slurping sip of wine.
Liu Rumei seemed to understand. She turned to the guards at the tent entrance and said, "Prepare ink and brush."
Then, she said to Zhou Quan, "Let's go, we'll eat."
Outside the tent, Zhou Quan couldn't help but complain, "Miss Liu, if we don't keep an eye on him, this old hermit might not behave."
Liu Rumei smiled calmly. "After he finishes writing the letter, we'll let the Crown Prince inspect it."
Inside the tent, seeing Liu Rumei and Zhou Quan leave, Jué Dǐng Dao Rén finally revealed a hint of a smile.
Taking the ink and brush, he impatiently waved to the guards, "You all go out too. I'll call you when I'm done with the letter."
After the guards left, Jué Dǐng Dao Rén swiftly pulled out a small bamboo tube, no bigger than his little finger, poured out some white powder, sprinkled it into his wine, and then used chopsticks dipped in the mixture to write on the paper.