Episode 36: Conquering the enemy without fighting

Qu Chongyu stated that he was willing to serve the country with his own life, but if he dared to throw dirty water on the Qu family or hurt Qu Duhu again, he would let everyone from the Su family to his family be buried with him.These words horrified Su Nanjin, and Wang Shenjun offered to bring 300 soldiers to support Qu Chongyu.Su Nanjin was worried that it would be difficult to deal with the two parties after joining forces, but Wang Canjun believed that the purpose of this time was to solidify evidence of collusion between the two parties. If they join forces, they can go on a killing spree.

Wang Shenjun explained to Su Nanjin that he was only there for supervision, lest Qu Chongyu privately accept financial bribes, and the final decision was still up to them.He told Su Nanjin that all the talismans and seals found tonight should be destroyed to prevent anyone from spreading the news back to Chang'an.Just as everyone was preparing to set off, Pei Xingjian proposed that the siege of Tingzhou could be solved without any bloodshed.

After Pei Xingjian returned, he told Liuli that Su Nanjin had been damaged last time when they sent a letter from the court, so all the seals and talismans had been destroyed that night.Liuli did not ask further questions, but smiled slightly and said that she would go to the Buddhist temple to pray for blessings. Although she did not believe in gods and Buddhas, she wanted peace of mind.Pei Xingjian thought that although Liuli was very courageous and intelligent, as a woman, it was reasonable for her to be a little afraid.Therefore, he told Liuli to leave early and come back early, and the two hugged each other tightly, inseparable.After Pei Xingjian and Qu Chongyu set off with five hundred men and dozens of carts of food, Su Nanjin began to think about the purpose and motivation of their trip.Due to the huge disparity in military strength, it was difficult for Su Nanjin to understand their intentions.

Qu Chongyu said goodbye to Ashina Yunyi, appearing very relaxed on the surface, but Ashina Yunyi was actually very worried inside.Ashina Yunyi said that she had made rice dumplings and waited for him to come back. Qu Chongyu wiped away her tears, comforted her and hugged her, telling her to leave some food for herself.

Liuli also bid farewell to Pei Xingjian, who was wearing military uniform, and prepared clothes and shoes for him.Pei Xingjian said that he had some friendship with the north and there should be no danger in this trip, and comforted Liuli not to worry.He promised to come back to reunite with her during the Lantern Festival.

The shoes specially made by Liuli for Pei Xingjian caught his attention, and he guessed that there might be a mystery in the shoes.After checking, he found the talisman indeed, with a satisfied smile on his lips.It turned out that Liuli had already privately discussed with Qu Chongyu about making the talisman, and had previously made the template for the talisman without telling Pei Xingjian. She only needed to borrow Qu Chongyu's craftsmen to help with the production.

Pei Xingjian realized that this talisman was the peace talisman that Liuli had asked for for him, and he made four of them.He knew that the talisman was not for fun, so he was worried whether Liuli had made more talismans.Pei Xingjian wrote a letter and took advantage of the opportunity when he went out to repair the carriage to ask Acheng to go to Chang'an with the talisman and the letter.Ah Cheng passed through various post stations overnight to change horses and rushed to Chang'an as quickly as possible.

A month has passed in the blink of an eye, and the New Year has arrived.A Ni and Xiao Tan brought news from Tingzhou that Bai San had burned the other party's food and grass and temporarily relieved Tingzhou.Later, heavy snow fell and their supplies were cut off.Pei Xingjian was from a well-known family and was proficient in astronomical knowledge. The reason why he deliberately marched slowly at first was to wait for the heavy snow.At present, Pei Xingjian has sent a letter to Chang'an. As long as Pei Xingjian holds back Su Nanjin, he can wait until the court handles it.I just don’t know how the court will deal with it then.

At this time, Ashina Yunyi came angrily to complain, saying that Su Nanjin's soldiers staying outside the house were bullying people.After hearing the news, Liuli immediately took Ashina Yunyi to deal with the matter.

Liuli aroused the dissatisfaction of the guards when she scolded them, and she immediately arranged for Ashina Yunyi to break into the Protector's Mansion.But during the dispute, Ashina Yunyi was injured.Liuli took the opportunity to ask Lieutenant Lin to take down the guards and reminded them to think about what the Su family and his son had done and whether they had really framed others.After hearing this, the guards put down their weapons, and Liuli and others successfully entered the Protectorate.

Pei Xingjian came alone to meet the Khan's subordinate Tutun.The two parties had had friendship before, and Tutun had also received favors from Pei Xingjian.The meeting did not result in an argument.Pei Xingjian said that he had burned the grain and grass in Tutun, and now he brought 500 carts of grain and grass as compensation, and hoped that Tutun would return the corpse of the governor.In addition, he hoped that Tutun and others would return to their headquarters after receiving the food and grass, and wait for the court's decision on Su Haizheng's punishment before making a decision.Otherwise, he would rather burn the food and grass and die in front of everyone than be wronged by Su Haizheng and die in collusion with Tutun and others.

Pei Xingjian also used his own life as a guarantee, promising that Su Haizheng would withdraw its troops within ten days and would never harass the border again.If Tutun and others no longer invade the Tang Dynasty, their eternal peace can be preserved.Tutun trusted Pei Xingjian's words and agreed to Pei Xingjian's request, believing that the court would clear the grievances of the Khan.They all await the final result.

Liuli helped Quduhu get rid of the guards at the door, and the depression in his heart was swept away, and his face even turned rosy.When Liuli came to visit again, Wang Junmeng ran back excitedly and spread the good news about the front line, saying that the other side had retreated.Wang Junmeng vividly described Pei Xingjian's strategy. He not only successfully persuaded the opponent to surrender, but also retrieved the corpse of the governor, truly achieving victory without a fight.Qu Duhu was full of praise for Pei Xingjian's resourcefulness.

Su Nanjin was completely finished this time. The saint had ordered Su Haizheng to lead his troops back to deal with it, while Su Nanjin was sent to prison and left to the people of the north to deal with it as they pleased.This frightened Su Nanjin to the point where she immediately peed her crotch, and everyone was immersed in laughter.

Pei Xingjian was worried when he returned. He knew that although the enemy retreated this time, the north would not sincerely surrender.Unless the saint has other solutions, there are still hidden worries.Pei Xingjian and Qu Chongyu discussed and decided to temporarily take Su Nanjin back to Xizhou to wait for the saint's ruling.

Su Nanjin was brought to Quduhu, who told him that Zhang Huaiji had accused him of cheating in marriage, and that Zhang Minniang had returned to her family and had nothing to do with Su Nanjin anymore.Su Nanjin accepted this fact with a wry smile. At this moment, he also understood that Zhang Minniang must have been causing trouble in the first place, and his resentment towards Zhang Minniang was as strong as a knife.Qu Chongyu ordered Su Nanjin to be imprisoned.After Liuli learned the news, she rushed to see Pei Xingjian. The two looked at each other affectionately.Qu Chongyu looked at his beloved Ashina Yunyi, and his heart was filled with love and warmth.