GBP Chapter 1881: Betting on both sides and changing with the wind!
Chapter 1881: Betting on both sides and changing with the wind!
"This is not the place for quarrels! We are gathered here today to discuss countermeasures, not to fight among ourselves!"
Li Bi quickly echoed, "Minister Wang is right! The current situation is as precarious as an egg. One wrong step could lead to eternal damnation!"
"Whatever choice you make, be extremely careful! Don't let a disagreement cause you to lose your composure!"
However, cracks have already appeared.
The officials who advocated defending to the death looked at their colleagues who advocated surrender with eyes full of contempt and distrust.
Officials who advocated surrender felt that the other side was pedantic and ignored reality.
This secret meeting not only failed to unify thoughts, but also made the contradictions within the ruling class of Chang'an City public and acute.
In the end, the secret talks ended in a bad mood.
Everyone, with different thoughts in their minds, disappeared silently into the night again.
But everyone understood that the crisis in Chang'an City came not only from the Chu army outside the city, but also from the people's hearts inside the city who were already beginning to collapse.
Dugu Jia's plan to gather strength and hold on to the death had already shown huge cracks from within.
Everyone fell into deeper struggle and calculation about what to do next.
The quarrel in the secret room gradually subsided, but the tension and confrontation in the air did not diminish in the slightest.
The flickering candlelight illuminated faces distorted by excitement or fear.
Those who advocated defending to the death were led by Censor Chen, who glared angrily.
Those who advocated compromise and surrender had flashing eyes and argued their arguments.
The two sides were deadlocked, neither could convince the other, and the situation seemed to have reached a dead end.
At this stalemate, Li Bi, the Guanglu doctor who had been silent and frowned, slowly raised his hand.
His qualifications and status were the highest among everyone, and this action immediately attracted everyone's attention.
"Everyone, listen to me."
Li Bi's voice was not loud, but it carried the calmness and sophistication of a veteran official, instantly suppressing all the noise.
He looked around at everyone, his gaze lingering for a moment on the faces of Censor Chen and the doctor who had been most vocal in advocating surrender, before he slowly spoke:
"Censor Chen's loyalty and righteousness are a testament to heaven and earth, and are truly admirable. Doctor Liu's concerns are also about a real dilemma, concerning his own life and property, and are understandable."
He first gave each of them fifty lashes to ease the atmosphere, then changed the subject, his tone becoming deep and realistic:
"However, for us to debate whether to fight or surrender is premature and... meaningless."
"Oh? What do you mean, Lord Li?"
Wang Yu couldn't help but ask, which was also the question of many people present.
Li Bi's lips curled up in a slightly sarcastic arc: "Fight? Can a few of us decide the outcome of the battle?"
"Surrender? Without the right opportunity and bargaining chips, rashly surrendering is nothing but seeking death. You might even be used as a sacrifice by Chu Ning as a warning to others!"
He paused, tapping his fingers lightly on the table, and analyzed: "The current situation is crucial to two points."
"First, the Queen Mother is resolute and controls the Imperial Guards and part of the city defenses."
"If we openly rebel or secretly surrender to the enemy now, and she finds out, with the Queen Mother's methods, do you think we and our families will be able to see the sun tomorrow?"
These words were like cold water poured over their heads, causing those who advocated immediate surrender to shudder and recall the ruthlessness and decisiveness of Dugu Jia when he launched the coup.
"second,"
Li Bi continued, "Although the Chu army is strong, they are held back by Li Jing on the eastern front. It is still unknown how many troops they can have and how they will attack Chang'an."
"Chang'an City is high and the moat is deep. If the defenders are united, they are not without the ability to fight."
"If... I mean if, by some chance, we manage to hold on, or even wait until the Chu army on the eastern front is defeated and the situation reverses, then what will happen to those who advocate surrender today? Won't they become a laughing stock and a criminal?"
Upon hearing this, Censor Chen and the others' expressions brightened slightly and they nodded slightly.
Li Bi took in everyone's reactions and finally put forward his core point:
"Therefore, I believe that the current strategy is not an either-or choice, but rather a feigned compliance, a quiet observation of the situation, and a wait-and-see approach to the market price!"
"Feigning compliance? Waiting for a good price?" Everyone pondered over these two words.
"Not bad!"
Li Bi's eyes gleamed. "We must give the Queen Mother our full support on the surface. If she orders us to defend the city, we must actively prepare for it. We must collect food, recruit soldiers, and repair equipment. We must not fall behind in anything, and we must even do it better than others!"
"At least we should make her feel that we are loyal and trustworthy."
"Only in this way can they preserve themselves, gain a certain amount of power and resources, and avoid being marginalized or even eliminated."
"Then...what about the Chu State Jinyiwei?" Wang Yu asked anxiously.
"As for the State of Chu..."
Li Bi lowered his voice, with a hint of cunning: "We can't offend them either. We even have to maintain... contact secretly."
He deliberately avoided the word "surrender" and said, "Take good care of the tokens sent by those men in black."
"We can pass on some insignificant, possibly even false, intelligence to them through covert channels to show that we have the will but need the right time."
"We need to make them understand that we are a force that can be won over, but our surrender is conditional. We need to see sincerity and a chance of winning."
He glanced at everyone, his voice becoming deeper and more alluring: "This way, we'll be invincible!"
"If the Queen Mother can truly create a miracle, defend Chang'an, and repel the Chu army, then we will be loyal ministers who have made great contributions to protecting the country, and our position will be even more solid!"
"If... the Chu army is strong, Chang'an City will be captured soon..."
A cold light flashed in Li Bi's eyes: "That's when we abandon the dark and surrender!"
"Use our power and understanding of the city's defenses to open the city gates at the critical moment and welcome the Chu army into the city!"
"Isn't this achievement much greater than begging for surrender like a stray dog?"
"By then, we will not be sinners, but rather meritorious officials who have ended the war and protected the people!"
"If Chu Ning wants to stabilize the Han territory, doesn't he need the assistance of us, the old ministers who are familiar with government affairs and have a good reputation?"
These words, like the light that cleared the clouds, made the eyes of most officials present light up!
Especially those who are inclined to surrender but are afraid of risks feel that they have found a perfect way out.
Isn’t this a typical fence-sitting strategy?
Bet on both sides and change with the wind!
No matter which side wins in the end, they can keep their lives and property, and may even gain greater benefits!
Wang Yu was the first to agree, clapping his hands and saying:
"Brilliant! Lord Li, this is a brilliant plan! This way, we can advance or retreat, and we have the initiative! We can preserve our reputation while also securing benefits!"
Even Chen Yushi, who had been very aggressive before, fell silent at this moment.