I embezzled 100,000 taels at the beginning, and the empress begged me to be more greedy

The next day.

There was still a tense atmosphere inside and outside Jiankang City.

In recent days, the Yan army has been constantly trying to attack Jiankang City, consuming the troops in Jiankang City.

Even though Jiankang City was not under siege, it was still difficult to obtain high-quality soldiers.

Many civilians in the city have been forcibly conscripted into Chen's army. These civilians have no combat experience and can only be cannon fodder on the battlefield.

Now the main force of Chen's army is basically on the front line, which is the rear of Yan's army. They are constantly trying to cut off Yan's supply lines. The previous attack on Xinyuan City had already caused considerable trouble to Yan's army, but now, the situation has been reversed to some extent.

Since the recapture of Xinyuan City, the pressure on the Yan army's rear has been reduced, and reinforcements have been continuously rushing to the front line. After many consumption and replenishment, the main force of the Yan army on the front line now has more than 70,000 troops, more than when they first attacked Jiankang City.

Inside the Yan army camp, soldiers were gathering quickly, preparing for the next wave of attack.

The siege of Jiankang City had lasted for several days, and a new batch of supplies for the Yan Army had already arrived outside the city. The Yan Army's strength outside the city was growing, and if the siege continued, the ones who would be anxious would be the Chen Army in the city.

Outside the commander's tent, a soldier hurried over and rushed into the tent, reporting: "Master Jiang, someone in the north city raised a red flag. I wonder if it is a secret signal from the city's defenders."

Hearing this, Jiang Zuo stood up suddenly.

I learned from Xiao Nian before that this red flag is the secret signal for the insiders in the city.

"Immediately gather all the main elite forces and prepare to attack Jiankang City."

Jiang Zuo ordered immediately.

As soon as the order was given, the generals immediately went forward to prepare.

Opportunities are fleeting, and no one dares to neglect them.

Jiang Zuo arrived at the front of the position and looked from afar. Indeed, he saw someone waving a red flag on the city wall of Jiankang City.

But this time, Jiang Zuo was not sure whether this was true or not.

"Bring the Crown Prince of Chen here."

Jiang Zuo ordered.

A moment later, the soldiers brought Xiao Nian to Jiang Zuo.

Now Xiao Nian has become a prisoner of the Yan army and has no personal freedom.

But even so, Xiao Nian still had no complaints and only hoped that the Yan army could break through Jiankang City as soon as possible.

It was quite ironic that he, a prince of the State of Chen, hoped that the enemy country would occupy his capital.

"Is this the secret code for your inner circle in the city?"

Jiang Zuo pointed at the city wall and asked.

Xiao Nian then looked towards the other side of the city wall.

From afar, a flag was waving in a regular pattern on the city wall.

"That's it. Now you can wave your flags in response, and the soldiers in the city will open the gates."

There was a hint of excitement on Xiao Nian's tired face.

After waiting for so long, he finally got a response from Jiankang City. At least now it can be proved that Zhou Bailin has not been killed. Thinking of this, Xiao Nian finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Jiang Zuo immediately gave orders, asking the vanguard to slowly approach the city wall and raise a red flag.

This time the army advanced forward, and the defenders in the city did not shoot arrows to stop them.

The soldiers holding flags were not far from the city gate, and behind them followed the vanguard of the Yan army. As soon as the city gate was opened, they would quickly rush into the north city to open the way for the follow-up troops.

Looking towards the direction of the city wall, Jiang Zuo couldn't help feeling a little more nervous.

This time, it remains unknown whether the defenders in the city will open the gates.

As long as the defenders are really willing to surrender the north city, the Yan army will greatly reduce casualties and be able to capture Jiankang City.

The city gate still didn't open.

Chen Xiu watched all this silently, feeling somewhat anxious.

"I want you to do something for me."

Jiang Zuo suddenly said.

Xiao Nian's face was filled with complicated thoughts, and he asked, "What's the matter?"

Jiang Zuo said: "After entering the city, our Yan State needs you to appease the defenders and civilians in the city. No one is allowed to resist the Yan army openly or secretly."

Xiao Nian's identity as the crown prince of Chen State is more useful than tens of thousands of soldiers and horses. Since the crown prince has surrendered to the Yan army, Jiangzuo will naturally make use of him to the fullest.

However, Jiang Zuo was most worried that once the Yan army occupied Jiankang City and killed the treacherous ministers mentioned by Xiao Nian, the prince might choose to stab the Yan army in the back. After all, Xiao Nian was still the prince of Chen State. After he used the Yan army, he would sooner or later work for the interests of Chen State.

The Yan army's occupation of Jiankang City basically meant the destruction of half of the Chen Kingdom. As the crown prince, how could Xiao Nian accept this calmly?

Hearing this, Xiao Nian hesitated for a moment before saying calmly, "Of course you can."

Jiang Zuo added: "Not only that, after we occupy Jiankang City, we will need to keep an eye on you for a while."

What this sentence means is that as long as the Yan army occupies Jiankang City, they will be able to control Xiao Nian.

Xiao Nian is no longer qualified to negotiate terms with Jiangzuo. If the Yan army does not attack Jiankang City at this moment, the State of Chen will only fall into the hands of Prime Minister Liu and will have nothing to do with him, the upright prince.

Even so, why not just end it all right? There is no construction without destruction.

"I will obey your orders in everything. As long as you can eliminate those treacherous officials and treat the people well, it will be worth it even if I die."

Xiao Nian's eyes were firm, as if he had become indifferent to life and death.

Jiang Zuo's gaze still remained on the city gate.

"But before I die, I also have a request."

Xiao Nian suddenly said again.

Jiang Zuo turned his head to look at his face and asked, "What's your request?"

Xiao Nian gritted his teeth and said, "If you can arrest that Prime Minister Liu, please let me kill him with my own hands."

In Xiao Nian's heart, he was already filled with hatred towards Prime Minister Liu, and he wished to tear him into pieces right now.

If it weren't for Prime Minister Liu and his party causing chaos in the government, Xiao Nian would not have betrayed his country and surrendered to the enemy today.

Xiao Nian has already attributed all the consequences to the corrupt officials of Prime Minister Liu and his clique.

Jiang Zuo was stunned for a moment, then turned his head to scan the siege troops in front of him, and said calmly: "Let's talk about these things after the city gate is opened and our army's attack is successful. But you can rest assured. If my Yan army attacks Jiankang City, we will definitely capture all the important officials and royal relatives of your Chen State. I hope you don't have any objections at that time."

After all, Xiao Nian is still a member of the royal family of the State of Chen, and is not on the same side as the Yan army.

In fact, Jiang Zuo was still somewhat wary of Xiao Nian in his heart.

Xiao Nian looked tired, but his eyes were still firm. He said, "As long as you can treat the people of Chen well and your soldiers don't burn, kill, and plunder, it's fine for you to rule Jiankang City. As long as it's what the people want, I can't stop you."

"Don't worry about this." Jiang Zuo said calmly.

At this moment, someone suddenly shouted loudly.

"The city gate is open!"