To achieve immortality, I cultivate using Qi Luck

Chapter 1159: Chapter 466: Desires to Surrender_2 Chapter 1159: Chapter 466: Desires to Surrender_2 This gave the people of the Four Kingdoms an illusion, that this battle might be worth fighting.

The Chu army, may not be invincible after all.

And as long as they won, the unbeatable legend of the Chu army would be shattered, and their current power and riches could be preserved.

Their own families could continue to live in wealth and power in the land of Yuzhou.

It was with this stroke of luck in mind that, before the Northern Expedition of the Chu army, the spies of the imperial security bureau were active in the Four Kingdoms, attempting to connect with aristocratic families and officials of various countries, urging them to rise in arms and coordinate within and without when the Chu army advanced.

Confronted with this request, all these individuals who had secretly maintained good relations with Chu State either politely or directly expressed their refusal.

Clearly, when it came to their own interests, they chose to side with their original country, standing against Chu State.

As a result, although there was no outright breach, the relations between Chu State and the interest class of these Four Kingdoms rapidly cooled off, losing any semblance of cordiality.

These individuals lost the best opportunity to abandon their sinking homeland and board the mighty ship of Chu.

But fortunes change and retribution comes swiftly.

The aristocratic families of the Four Kingdoms had just refused the enticements of Chu, when the Chu army defeated their homeland, sweeping across the whole of Yuzhou, and securing victory in this battle.

Such immediate karma left everyone dumbfounded, unable to react.

But no matter how they inwardly cursed the incompetence of the generals and soldiers of the Four Kingdoms for letting the Chu army defeat them so easily,

the Chu army had already arrived, and furthermore, they had surrounded Zhuxu City.

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With the imminent threat of an enemy army, those who had just rejected the olive branch of Chu were forced to contemplate a very pragmatic question.

That was, how to ensure their survival and, beyond that, retain a certain level of wealth and status in the new dynasty of Great Chu after the city was taken.

However, their previous words of refusal had passed only three or four months ago and were still fresh in memory.

The high-ranking officials of Zheng believed that Chu State surely had not forgotten so quickly about this matter.

And as long as Chu remembered, the retribution from the Chu army after the city’s fall would be inevitable.

After all, they were just a group of desperate people with no value left to exploit.

Chu had no reason to spare them or to share the post-victory power with them.

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Unless they could do something that would force Chu to set aside past grievances and even to bestow rewards upon them.

Only then, as an example for all under heaven, would Chu grant forgiveness for the past.

Only then could they survive this catastrophe while maintaining their wealth and status.

With this thought in mind, a group of high-ranking officials from the Zheng Kingdom quickly gathered inside Zhuxu City to secretly plot a major event.

…

Zhuxu City, Duke of Qing State’s Residence.

As one of the top families in the nation, the Duke of Qing State, Gao’s clan, had always been at the pinnacle of Zheng’s elite, sharing its rise and fall through many generations.

Yet, such a supreme noble, endowed with immense wealth, now had to contemplate

how to preserve their own well-being and the family’s fortune before the sinking ship they were on went under.

So, under persuasion from others, the current Duke of Qing State, Gao Mingsheng, summoned some friendly officials and military commanders with key authority, holding a small meeting.

“Gentlemen, we are all well aware of the situation Zheng now faces.

At the same time, we also understand the progress of the Chu army in Yuzhou.

The opponent’s momentum to unify Yuzhou is unstoppable.

Zheng cannot be saved.

We are trapped within the city walls.

Attempting to escape is mostly unlikely.

Moreover, the entire Yuzhou and Central State are under Chu people’s control.

Even if we wanted to flee, where could we possibly go?

In this critical moment of survival, we must consider the future for the sake of our lives and family fortunes, and for the ancestral temples and their incense.

Otherwise, once Zhuxu City falls and the Chu army enters, we will all turn to dust and our entire lineage will be obliterated.”

Duke of Qing State, Gao Mingsheng, didn’t mince words, laying out the dire situation from the start.

Just as he said, in such a perilous moment of life and death, there was no time for pretense.

If they did not quickly come up with a solution, not only would they face death, but the lives of hundreds or thousands of their family members would also come to a tragic end.

“Duke, in the times we find ourselves, we have already displeased the Chu people.

By failing to defect at the best moment, we have lost the initiative.

Now if we wish to redress our faults and preserve our family’s wealth, there is only one opportunity left.”

Among the crowd, those who had already made up their minds and had communicated with the Duke of Qing State immediately spoke up following his address: “There’s only one way to save our lives at this point, and that is to surrender Zhuxu City.

By submitting before the Chu army makes its move,

Even though we may not be able to keep our wealth and status, we can still save our lives.

And if the Chu people want to make a public display, to set a precedent for the world, then perhaps we might still be granted a minor official position.

In the new dynasty afterward, we might still hold some power, not falling into complete obscurity.”

Hearing these words, the rest showed varied expressions; some appeared distressed, some ashamed, but equally, there were those who were tempted.

Seeing someone lead the way, those whose minds were swayed quickly spoke up to follow suit.