Your Majesty, please beg for mercy. The prince's rebellion was successful.

The Prime Minister's sudden words made Zhou Zheng stunned for a moment.

There was an unprecedented solemnity and a hint of seriousness on his face.

Such a subtle change in expression made the Prime Minister couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

This is Zhou Zheng's weakness, and also the real reason why the Prime Minister came out to have a private meeting with Zhou Zheng this time.

Lei Tong had said at the beginning that in order to defeat Zhou Zheng, it was not just about having strong strength. 300,000 against 50,000 seemed to have an absolute advantage, but this did not necessarily mean that Zhou Zheng could be defeated.

Only by curbing Zhou Zheng's weakness will everything be possible.

Before, the prime minister didn't quite believe it, but now he does.

"Your Majesty should know the court's methods and its mentality of revenge."

"Once you are defeated, the extermination of all nine clans is a foregone conclusion."

"Could it be that Your Majesty is truly willing to witness this true scene, and truly be willing to accept that not only will they die on the battlefield, but their families will also be buried with them?!"

This time the Prime Minister's voice was not loud, nor was it fast, and it didn't even contain any emotion, because he had seen a hint of panic in the deepest part of Zhou Zheng's eyes.

Even though that panic was fleeting and subtle, the Prime Minister's ability to read people's expressions was unmatched in the court.

He was sure that this was enough to move Zhou Zheng's heart.

As long as he is afraid, as long as he is panicked, the initiative is in your hands.

"You, are you threatening me?!"

Zhou Zheng clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, and the murderous intent in his eyes almost burst out at this moment.

But this time, the Prime Minister was not afraid or terrified, but instead showed a sense of calmness and composure.

Because the calmer Zhou Zheng is, the less advantage he has. Only when Zhou Zheng is more impulsive and panicked, the prime minister can take the initiative.

Seeing Zhou Zheng's reaction at this time, the Prime Minister's heart moved slightly.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Zheng would really care about the families behind these soldiers at this time.

This alone is something that the Prime Minister himself cannot do. To be precise, looking around the world, how many people really care about these things?

Since ancient times, those who achieve great things have not been particular about trivial matters; since ancient times, only those who are not vicious can be considered heroes; since ancient times, history has been written by the victors.

As for the so-called life and death, the world has long understood that one general's success is built on the sacrifice of thousands of soldiers.

However, Zhou Zheng seemed a little different.

However, in the eyes of the Prime Minister, this is the only admiration he has for him.

Because what he wants is the final result, he wants to win, he wants a complete victory.

"Your Majesty, how dare I threaten you?"

"But you should be clear about the court's methods, the capabilities of the aristocratic families, and the choices made by the ancient aristocratic families."

"So, once you are defeated, this war will only just begin."

The Prime Minister's words were very clear: neither the imperial court nor the aristocratic families would show mercy to the families behind these tens of thousands of soldiers and generals.

They will never allow another Zhou Zheng to appear in the Great Zhou, nor will they allow anyone in the Great Zhou to commemorate Zhou Zheng, so they must cut the grass at its roots. Only in this way can they prevent trouble before it happens.

This approach is only natural.

As for how many families would be destroyed and how many people would die, these seemed like huge matters to Zhou Zheng, but in the eyes of the imperial court, they were trivial matters.

When people die, they will be reborn.

But once power is gone, it is truly gone.

In twenty years, the population of the Great Zhou will increase again.

So, they never worry about that.

Sure enough, Zhou Zheng was silent this time. He slowly raised his head and met the prime minister's eyes, but the long sword in his hand did not move.

"Your Majesty, it would be easy for you to kill me, but can you truly accept the consequences?"

At this moment, the prime minister finally breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that at least his life was saved.

However, the Prime Minister knew better that the contest between him and Zhou Zheng was not yet over.

"However, I can give the people in the city a chance."

Slowly exhaling the foul air from his chest, the Prime Minister's voice contained a hint of excitement, because this was the real focus of his meeting with Zhou Zheng this time.

"You, want them to surrender?!"

"absurd!"

Zhou Zheng suddenly became furious, and his voice was mixed with a strong fighting spirit and murderous intent.

He has never been a coward, and he would never do anything cowardly that would make him afraid of death.

The Prime Minister was not at all surprised or shocked by Zhou Zheng's reaction. He shook his head.

"These are all loyal soldiers who follow your majesty. Even if your majesty wants them to surrender, they would rather die than surrender."

"Besides, they are the elite of the Zhenbei Army as rumored. They carry the glory of the Zhenbei Army on their shoulders. There is absolutely no way they would surrender at this time."

"So, I never thought of asking them to surrender."

The Prime Minister shook his head slightly, and there was also a hint of pity and heartache in his eyes as he looked towards the city wall.

It seems that in the eyes of the Prime Minister, the final fate of these people is already determined.

"So, what do you want?"

Zhou Zheng rarely responded according to the other party's thoughts.

Such an action made the prime minister very happy, because he knew very well that this almost meant that he had begun to take control of the initiative in the war.

As long as the initiative of the war is in your hands, everything can be under your control.

Lei Tong, you never lied to me!

At this moment, the prime minister just wanted to give Lei Tong a thumbs up.

When the war is over and he ascends the throne, he will definitely reward Lei Tong handsomely.

Of course, at this time he could only suppress the fluctuations in his heart, because he had to solve the problems in front of him first.

"Open the city gates and let the two armies fight to the death!"

Hoo ho ho! ! !

After exhaling the foul air from his chest, the Prime Minister's face finally showed a real seriousness.

The decisive battle can’t wait any longer.

Zhou Zheng raised his eyebrows, seeming quite surprised by what the Prime Minister said.

It's not about surrender, but a decisive battle!

"Why!?"

A hint of doubt flashed in Zhou Zheng's eyes, and finally he couldn't help but ask in a deep voice.

After all, this seems a little counterintuitive.

The Prime Minister was not surprised at what Zhou Zheng asked. If Zhou Zheng had not asked this question, he would have found it strange.

"Everyone takes what he needs."

The Prime Minister waved his hand with a calm expression.

"They are all elite soldiers of the Zhenbei Army. Dying on the battlefield may be their final destination and glory."

"He died on the battlefield, but at least he didn't bring shame to the Zhenbei Army."

"As for who will win or lose in this battle, that will be left to fate."

"If 300,000 elite imperial soldiers can't defeat 50,000 elite soldiers, then we can only say that God is on your side."

Shrugging his shoulders, the Prime Minister's words were as light as a breeze.

It seems that in his eyes, there is no difference between the so-called 300,000 elite troops and 50,000 elite troops. They are all like straw dogs.

Zhou Zheng couldn't help but frown at the way he treated human life as worthless. What a cruel person.

"Then, what are you doing this for?"

Zhou Zheng rubbed his hands, he knew that the Prime Minister could not really care about the people in the city.

"Your Majesty is a wise man. As I said just now, we each take what we need."

"What I need is the force of thunder to crush you."

"Don't hesitate, don't waste time, and naturally demonstrate your ability to plan and strategize."

The Prime Minister raised the corners of his mouth when he said this, and there was a hint of excitement in his eyes.

At this moment, he did not hide his ambition at all, and even said it directly.

What he wants is not just winning or losing, but an absolute crushing advantage that can decide the outcome in one fell swoop.

He wants to win, and he wants an absolute victory.

He wanted to tell the world that the so-called elite Zhenbei Army was nothing more than this, and that Zhou Zheng's so-called ability was nothing more than this.

He can be more powerful than Zhou Zheng!

This is what the Prime Minister wants.

"Why do you think I will agree to you?!"

Seeing the Prime Minister's arrogant attitude, which showed that he was sure to be defeated, Zhou Zheng's pupils also began to turn.

He leaned forward slightly, his eyes filled with thunderous rage.

Zhou Zheng had seen too many arrogant people over the years, but this was the first time he had seen someone as arrogant as the Prime Minister in front of him.

"Because, I can make a promise to His Majesty right here!"

"What promise?!"

Zhou Zheng's pupils shrank to the size of a pinhole. It had to be said that the Prime Minister's conversation skills made him feel a little curious.

......