Chapter 556 Pledge of Allegiance
"Governor Lu, Sun is very grateful for your appreciation. However, the reputation of the Sun family as a loyal and brave family cannot be destroyed by my hands."
Sun Ming's eyes fell on Qin Heng, and he decided to follow Qin Yue's example.
His sacrifice was useful. At least after his sacrifice, Song Mo would be concerned about his reputation and would not immediately take action against the Sun family members who stayed in Chang'an. Confinement or imprisonment is certain, but they will not be executed immediately. The rest depends on whether his sons can rescue their families.
In this desperate battle, he will take as many Xianbei troops as possible.
This is the little he can do for the Sun family, his subordinates, and the people of the world.
Since they met, Lu Songli and even the Pingzhou high-level officials he had contacted had given him a good impression. He was relieved that his sons had switched to Pingzhou.
Sun Congyi, who was standing aside, was anxious when he heard this. Why was his father so stubborn?
His family was in Chang'an, and life and death depended on the emperor's thoughts. He wanted to protect them, but he was powerless. But his father was different.
Now Sun Congyi's only thought is to save as many as possible.
"General Sun may not fear death, but even ants try to survive. You sacrificed your life for the country, which can certainly preserve the reputation of the Sun family. You think you died for a good cause, but have you ever thought that you who survived are more valuable?"
Lu Songli always felt that talent was the most important.
Sun Congyi looked at her expectantly. He knew how stubborn his father was. He knew that he probably couldn't persuade him. He now hoped that Lu Erjie could pull his father back.
Lu Songli's words were obviously not finished yet, and everyone present looked like they were listening attentively.
Lu Songli continued, "General Sun has led troops for many years. He must understand how difficult it is to train a disciplined army that can fight, and how many resources it takes, right?"
"The Sun family army lost half of its troops because of Song Mo's imperial edict, and it is worthy of Song Mo. But over the years, it is the people who pay taxes, and it is also the people who support you and the court. It would be better if you died, but are you worthy of the people of the world?"
"The Xianbei currently has 500,000 troops (300,000 outside Bingzhou and 200,000 in Liangzhou). The righteous path of the world is vicissitudes. The Han people on this land need veterans like General Sun who have rich experience in leading troops and fighting."
"General Sun, you have a heavy responsibility."
What Lu Songli meant by these words is that his life is not just his.
At this time, Xue Xu also spoke up, "And if you don't die, you will have the military power in your hands. Song Mo will be afraid of you, and the Sun family will become his handle to control you. He has some concerns. If you die, the possibility of the Sun family surviving will be even lower."
At this time, Qin Heng also advised him, "Uncle Sun, the reputation of a family of loyal martyrs is important, but compared to the lives of a family, what's the point of a mere reputation?"
"Besides, this is only temporary. Our governor said that history is written for the victors. When we succeed in the future, the historical evaluation will be rewritten."
Sun Congyi on the side nodded frequently. Yes, yes, rather than being a family of loyal martyrs in the Dali court, it is better to work hard to create a new dynasty.
At this time, Sun Ming spoke up, "Everyone says that your father Lu Desheng is eloquent, but they don't know that Governor Lu is not much behind." It must be said that these people in Pingzhou are persuasive.
"General Sun, you are too kind." Lu Songli directly took this as a compliment to himself.
Sun Ming: ...
He discovered another common point between the father and daughter of the Lu family, that is, they were thick-skinned.
At this time, Sun Ming felt incredible. A woman had the ambition to secede from a place, had a far-sighted vision, and was as courageous and responsible as a man. How did Lu Desheng cultivate this?
Xue Xu finally said, "A son of a rich family should not sit in the hall. My master is willing to take risks. General Sun should really consider my master's suggestion and join Pingzhou to survive first, and then consider other things."
Sun Ming thought about Song Mo. This person is really different from others.
Song Mo regarded these soldiers as grass, but Lu Songli regarded them as treasures and was willing to take risks.
Sun Ming also knew at this time that after so much talk between the two sides, it was time for him to express his position.
A person who can achieve the position of a general and lead an army is not the kind of indecisive person.
Sun Ming stood up decisively and knelt on one knee.
Sun Congyi, Muye and others followed closely behind.
Sun Ming said in a clear voice, "I am Sun Ming, leading all the soldiers of the Sun Family Army, and I swear here that I am willing to follow my lord Lu Songli, assist him, fight in the south and the north, unify the world, and have no regrets in life and death, and the heavens are my witnesses!"
"General Sun, please stand up quickly." Lu Songli stepped forward and supported him, "And you, no need to be polite."
After everyone sat down again, the atmosphere was completely different.
Now everyone present is his own people.
After sitting down, Lu Songli asked with concern, "How many people are left in the Sun Family Army now?"
Sun Ming was silent for a long time, and replied, "The governor guessed right just now. Now the Sun Family Army is defending Yanmen and Daijun, and half of its troops have been lost."
"At present, there are still 54,730 people in the Sun Family Army, of which 42,260 are intact and 12,470 are wounded." The current environment is bad, and the wounded cannot get effective treatment, and the number of troops is constantly decreasing.
Hearing this number, everyone present was silent. Of the 100,000 Sun Family Army, only half was left.
Lu Songli calculated the remaining troops in Yanmen and Dai County in his mind.
In addition to the Sun Family Army, the original local army and more than 10,000 Youzhou soldiers stationed in Yanmen and Dai County also had to go to Youzhou.
These Youzhou soldiers were taken to Bingzhou by force by Prince Gong at that time, but many of them escaped on the way, and many of them ran back to Youzhou.
The soldiers in these two parts add up to about 20,000 people.
Excluding some casualties, that is to say, the two places still have 50,000 combat forces in total.
Lu Songli said decisively, "General Sun, you have worked hard! Next, you can evacuate with peace of mind, and the work of covering Yanmen and Daijun will be handed over to our Pingzhou Army."
Regarding the treatment, he did not mention it, but she had to give it.
Lu Songli smiled and said, "We have also prepared the place for evacuation. Next, you will have a good rest for a while. During this time, rest and replenish troops. The subsequent replenishment of troops will be the same as that of the Qin family army." She treated everyone equally.
The sincerity of the superior is always a sure-win skill.
Sun Ming, who has always been cold and hard, couldn't help but feel a little sad when he heard it. It's like the eldest son who has been working hard for the family outside and has been bullied all the time, and his hard work has finally been seen by his family.
The Sun family army went north in September last year and started fighting as soon as they arrived. They did not even have time to adapt from south to north. Later, they faced the fierce Xianbei army, and with insufficient supplies, they suffered constant casualties.
Now, the Sun family army has really reached a life-and-death moment, but Song Mo did not understand the situation of the Sun family army and repeatedly put pressure on them.
Now he has finally betrayed Song Mo and the Dali court, but he does not regret it.