Tang Dynasty: To win Yang Guifei, they asked Emperor Xuanzong to die.

Li Mao instructed the soldiers beside him, "Take him away first and keep a close watch on him. Do not be negligent in the slightest."

The soldiers responded and escorted the Turkic Khan out of the tent.

The three of them sat down and remained silent for a moment.

Guo Ziyi spoke first: "This Turkic Khan is a tough nut to crack; it seems we won't get anything out of him in a short time."

Li Mao nodded thoughtfully: "However, his attitude towards his son, and his son's behavior of abandoning his father and running away, are quite interesting. I think this could be a breakthrough point."

“That’s right. I saw it with my own eyes. When his son saw his father being captured, he wasn’t worried at all. Instead, he even smiled. If I were the Turkic Khan, I would be furious with a son like that! I’d rather have had a piece of barbecued pork than him.” Li Guangbi, who had witnessed the conflict between the Turkic Khan and his son, said this.

Li Mao nodded upon hearing this, and an idea gradually formed in his mind.

That night, Li Mao went alone into the cell where the Turkic Khan was imprisoned.

When the Turkic Khan saw it was him, a cold smile appeared on his lips.

These Han Chinese are truly persistent, underestimating the Turks' endurance. What's the use of questioning them again and again? It's just a waste of time; they won't get a single useful word out of them!

"Well, have you thought it through?" Li Mao asked bluntly.

The Turkic Khan sneered, "You still won't give up?"

Seeing the Turkic Khan's stubbornness, Li Mao smiled slightly and slowly said, "Actually, I came to tell you some news. Just now, your son sent us a message using a falcon trained in the army, requesting peace."

The Turkic Khan's expression froze instantly, and his pupils contracted sharply.

Few people knew that the Turks used falcons to send messages. The man before him was a Han Chinese, and a pampered prince at that; he probably wouldn't have thought to fabricate such a lie.

And his own unreliable spendthrift son might actually do something as rebellious as surrendering!

That is to say...

"What did you say? My son? Seeking peace? Impossible!" His voice trembled with anger. Although he refused to admit it, he actually believed most of what Li Mao said.

Li Mao spread his palms, indicating that he should remain calm: "You don't need to doubt it, that's the truth. He's already sending envoys on his way to negotiate terms. Your son and your relationship... tsk tsk, that kind of son, and you still trust him so much, truly, the hearts of parents are full of pity!"

Even though he was bound, the Turkic Khan suddenly stood up.

He roared, "That heartless bastard! He actually betrayed his own father! He betrayed his own country and his people!"

Li Mao took a small step back, secretly pleased with himself as he watched the Turkic Khan's excited expression.

This news clearly hit him where it hurt.

Of course, this news was fabricated by Li Mao.

Although the son of the Turkic Khan was at odds with his father, he was still a normal person with the same ambition as his father to dominate the grasslands and rule the Gobi Desert. It was impossible for him to be cowardly and surrender in the afternoon after his father was captured in the morning.

“Don’t get agitated, there’s a solution to everything,” Li Mao reassured him. “As long as you’re willing to cooperate and tell us the information we need, we might be able to make some concessions on the peace terms. If you want to go back to be Khan and deal with your son, we support you.”

Li Mao instantly turned the tables and became the one offering the terms.

If the Turkic Khan wants to return to his throne and properly punish this unfilial son, he must find a way to appease Li Mao and the Shuofang army. Only by being released can he be considered Khan and father to his son.

In the Shuofang Army's camp, he was just a prisoner, and could only be a prisoner.

The Turkic Khan collapsed to the ground, his face a mixture of pain and resentment.

He finally understood that his son truly wanted to kill him this time.

If they didn't want to die, and didn't want their hard-won grasslands and Gobi Desert, and their unfinished ambitions to be lost, they had no choice but to compromise with the Han people in front of them.

"...You are a prince of the Tang Dynasty, don't forget your promise!" The Turkic Khan stared at Li Mao and said through gritted teeth.

Although he used the toughest tone, what he was expressing was compromise.

Li Mao disregarded the threat in the other party's words and was indifferent to their disrespect. He instantly changed his demeanor, revealing a gentle smile: "Of course, as long as the information you provide is useful, the Tang Dynasty can naturally fulfill your small request. Not only that, I can also go back and petition my father to grant you the title of a king of a different surname. At that time, you will be the rightful overlord of the grasslands. With the support of the Tang Dynasty, no one will dare to offend your dignity, including your son."

The promises made by Li Mao were incredibly tempting to the current Turkic Khan!

The Turkic Khan sighed and slowly sat up.

……

A moment later, inside the main tent.

"His Highness has been gone for a while now. Do you think his plan will work?" Li Guangbi asked in a low voice.

Guo Ziyi nodded, his tone full of admiration and trust for Li Mao: "Your Highness always manages to win by surprise. I think we have a chance. Anyway, even if we can't break through the Turkic Khan's territory, we still have his son!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the curtain of the large tent was gently lifted.

Li Mao walked in, looking relaxed and confident.

—It seems the matter has been resolved.

Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi exchanged a glance, their expressions smug, as if to say: See what I told you? His Highness's actions are invincible!

Li Mao sat down, drank a cup of tea, and said calmly, "I know who it is."

Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi both looked at him.

Li Mao couldn't say he was very familiar with this person, but he couldn't say he was completely unfamiliar with him either.

Historically, this person is an unavoidable figure when discussing the Kaiyuan and Tianbao eras and the An Lushan Rebellion. Logically, although Li Mao only met this person a few times, there were countless connections between them.

Facing the expectant looks in their eyes, Li Mao said, word by word, "It is Yang Guozhong, Yu Huan's cousin."

Yang Guozhong, in history, rose to prominence because of his relationship with Yang Yuhuan. He gained considerable influence in front of Emperor Xuanzong (Li Longji). He initially cooperated with Li Linfu, but later became his adversary. At one point, he was able to rival Li Linfu and even gradually replaced him in position.

Historically, Yang Guozhong had complex relationships with Li Linfu, Gao Lishi, and other favored ministers of Emperor Xuanzong (Li Longji). However, the current Yang Guozhong was merely the governor of Jizhou. Without Yang Yuhua's favor in the palace paving the way for him, he would be nothing.

This very person actually harbored thoughts of colluding with the enemy and betraying his country, and even colluded with the Turks...

Li Mao's eyes grew cold.