Chapter 5354 Confidential Information

Chapter 5354 Confidential Information
The successive capture of Ctesiphon and Mosul by land and sea forces is like two sharp knives piercing the heart of the Abbasid Caliphate, inevitably causing turmoil and panic within the Abbasid Caliphate. By simply showing signs of preparing for war and being determined to advance, it will be enough to force the Abbasid Caliphate to come to peace talks.

Unless the Arabs are all single-minded and would rather give up the advantages they have accumulated in decades of war with Byzantium than fight a decisive battle with the Tang Dynasty—without a navy to defeat the Tang navy, the Tang Dynasty would be in an invincible position, while drawing its Mediterranean navy to the Persian Sea would mean that the Byzantine Empire, which was under immense pressure, would gain a rare chance to catch its breath.

If any of the Caliphs, civil or military officials of the Abbasid Caliphate had even the slightest strategic vision, they would know how to make the right choice.

However, if the Tang army launches a proactive attack on Damascus, the situation could change instantly. Not only could it lead to the Abbasids going all out and having to fight the Tang to the death in order to appease their domestic morale, but the most unpredictable thing is what if the Tang army fails?
Nothing in this world is absolute, and there is no such thing as a war that is guaranteed to be won.

The Abbasid Caliphate is no pushover. We cannot be fooled by their ability to conquer cities through long-distance raids by land and sea. Once their war machine is running at full capacity and the entire nation is mobilized, neither Su Dingfang nor Xue Rengui will have any chance of defeating them.

It could even lead to a protracted, all-out war between the two countries.

This is a serious departure from the strategic objectives of this military deployment...

Therefore, Su Dingfang disagreed with Pei Huaijie's words, unsure whether the man was stupid or malicious.

Pei Huaijie frowned slightly, displeased, after being rebuffed by Su Dingfang's weak retort: ​​"We have come here to negotiate on the Emperor's orders. Both Governor Su and General Xue should cooperate unconditionally."

Su Dingfang nodded: "This is our duty, and it is only right that we do so."

However, he changed the subject and said, "But taking the initiative is contrary to the current situation. If the Right Minister insists on doing so, he can have Envoy Xu return to Chang'an to request the imperial decree, and I will obey it."

The implication is that if you have an imperial edict, then produce it and I will obey; if you don't have an imperial edict, then sit quietly to the side. The person in charge hasn't even said anything, so why are you jumping around like this?

They are very annoying.

Pei Huaijie's face flushed red as he suppressed his anger and said in a deep voice, "His Majesty's intention is very clear: the mission will be the main force, and you will be the assistants. You must not object to the mission's requests or even orders!"

Su Dingfang's expression also turned solemn, and he looked directly at the other party: "When a general is in the field, he may disobey the emperor's orders. If the Right Minister is still dissatisfied, I can immediately send a ship to send you back to Chang'an so that you can go and advise His Majesty."

"You...you're a complete scoundrel!"

Pei Huaijie was furious.

Although he held the official position of Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, which seemed to be the highest position in the court, he had actually been idle for many years. Now that he had finally obtained a good opportunity that was destined to make him famous in history, how could he give up halfway and miss it?

Xu Jingzong quickly smoothed things over: "Although His Majesty's intention is for the delegation to take the lead, we are newcomers and clueless about the situation. We should listen to Governor Su's opinion. Only by knowing ourselves and our enemy can we win every battle. Negotiation and war are actually no different. If it is really necessary to send troops to deter and intimidate Damascus, I think Governor Su will not be afraid of war."

Su Dingfang picked up his teacup and drank some water.

Yang Zhou knew it was time for him to step in and smooth things over, so he smiled and said, "Minister Xu's words make sense. Our navy is invincible on the high seas, and now we have penetrated deep into the enemy's heartland. How could we possibly be afraid of fighting? But all our actions must not deviate from the strategic objective of this war, which is to 'promote peace through war.' Therefore, we must act with caution. If we ruin this important matter, we will be unable to bear the blame from the Grand Commandant."

Pei Huaijie was still indignant and was about to say something more when Ren Yaxiang, who had been silent all along, patted the back of his hand and whispered, "Say less."

Pei Huaijie then shut up.

……

Although Su Dingfang hosted a banquet for the delegation at noon, the atmosphere was extremely awkward due to the previous friction and Pei Huaijie's cold demeanor throughout the banquet, so it had to be ended hastily.

In the afternoon, inside a side hall of the royal palace where the delegation was staying.

Xu Jingzong looked displeased and asked Pei Huaijie bluntly, "Is the Right Minister truly confused or just pretending?"

Ren Yaxiang sat up straight, lowered his head to drink tea, and made up his mind to pretend to be deaf and dumb.

Given his current official position, power, and imperial favor, it is not appropriate for him to get involved in the conflict between Xu Jingzong and Pei Huaijie, or the friction between Pei Huaijie and the navy. It would be enough for him to obediently follow along, sign the contract properly, and gain seniority and merit.

Pei Huaijie said, "I do not understand what Minister Xu means by that."

Xu Jingzong nodded, his usual easygoing demeanor completely gone, replaced by a sharp and stern expression on his round, plump face: "The battle was fought between the navy and the Anxi army, but when it comes to claiming credit, it's us civil officials who are in charge. It's only natural that the military is dissatisfied. What we need to do is to securely sign the agreement and solidify this credit. As for the military's resentment, we must not only understand it but also compromise with them, since we will benefit more. Doesn't the Right Minister understand this principle?"

Pei Huaijie snorted, still dissatisfied: "The military is arrogant and unruly. If they are not controlled, it will not be a blessing for the country!"

"hehe!"

Xu Jingzong was so angry that he laughed. How could he come up with such a childish reason? Who was he trying to fool?

He chuckled twice, then asked with feigned curiosity, "You are neither the Left Vice Minister nor the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, so why do you concern yourself with the affairs of a prime minister?"

Without waiting for Pei Huaijie's reply, his expression changed again, and he said in a deep voice, "I don't care what anyone's ulterior motives are. This contract is a must-have. Anyone who dares to sabotage it is my enemy! I will ask Su Dingfang to prepare ships to send them away. Don't say I didn't warn you!"

He always presented himself as a nice guy and rarely got into arguments, so Fang Jun often jokingly called him "insidious and cunning," but today he really couldn't stand it anymore.

His mission to the Abbasid Caliphate, where he is responsible for signing contracts, is crucial to his advancement in official rank, and no mishaps are permissible.

Even if it's Pei Huaijie, if he ruins his plans, he has a hundred ways to make the other party lose face and suffer unbearable pain!
When Ren Ya saw that Pei Huaijie, though his face was flushed and he was furious, did not respond to Xu Jingzong's attitude, she knew that he had backed down.

It was time for him, the good-natured guy, to step in and smooth things over.

He then coughed lightly and said, "In the end, everyone's wishes are the same, so why make things chaotic? It would be best if we all took a step back, were more tolerant of each other, and steadily took credit for this achievement."

This was said to be an attempt to break up the fight, but in reality, it was biased towards Xu Jingzong...

Pei Huaijie felt aggrieved and remained silent.

Xu Jingzong nodded, the sharp look on his face vanishing, replaced by a beaming smile: "Vice Minister Ren's words are wise and prudent, and they are exactly right."

Just then, a naval captain strode in from outside: "The governor ordered me to come and inform you that the envoy sent by Damascus to seek peace has arrived and is being settled in. A meeting between the two sides will be arranged early tomorrow morning."

Xu Jingzong perked up and asked, "Do you know who is in charge?"

The captain replied, "The envoy's name is Sheikh, a nobleman from the Abbasid Caliphate. Detailed information will be sent from Damascus later, and we will send it to you all for your reference at that time."

Xu Jingzong stood up, clasped his hands in a gesture of respect, and said, "Thank you!"

The captain quickly returned the salute: "I dare not thank you, it's my duty!"

After saying that, he turned and left.

In the evening, Xu Jingzong declined Su Dingfang's invitation to a banquet and had a simple dinner with the delegation at their lodgings.

Dinner had just ended, and several people were sitting and drinking tea when the captain from before came in carrying a huge cloth bag.

After exchanging greetings, the captain placed the cloth bag on the table, opened it, and took out thick volumes of files.

"This is information urgently collected by the Ministry of War's secret agents in Damascus. It contains information about the reactions of the court after our army captured Ctesiphon and Mosul, the attitudes of the civil and military officials, nobles and commoners towards taking peace talks, the secret agents' bottom line on Mu'awiyah's peace talks, and even the Sheikh's identity, background, personality and resume... all of which are included."

This greatly surprised not only Xu Jingzong and Ren Yaxiang, but also Pei Huaijie, who sat up straight, speechless.

The arrival of the Arab envoy in Taisifeng was followed by the delivery of detailed information about the Arabs' stance on the peace talks, demonstrating just how deeply the Ministry of War's spies were hidden in Damascus and how powerful they were—it was truly astonishing.

Xu Jingzong was both surprised and delighted: "This is truly a timely help! With this information, we can know ourselves and our enemy!"

Putting everything else aside, just knowing Muaviyeh's bottom line for peace talks already puts this negotiation in an unassailable position.

The captain looked proud and honored: "My colleagues in the Ministry of War began infiltrating the Arab nobles in Damascus many years ago. If we can't even do this, how can we live up to the Grand Commandant's strategic planning back then, and how can we live up to the exorbitant military expenditures?"

After a pause, he solemnly reminded them: "If these classified documents are leaked, it could expose the identities of our secret agents. Not only would all our previous arrangements be ruined, but their own lives would also be seriously threatened. Therefore, only the three of you can carefully examine them and no one else can touch them. After you have finished looking at them, I will come and collect and destroy them, just in case."

"That's how it should be!"

Xu Jingzong said solemnly, "The three of us will stay here overnight to observe and then draft a negotiation strategy. You can come and pick up these materials first thing tomorrow morning."

"Here!"

The captain agreed and then left.

Ren Yaxiang covered the documents on the table with a blanket, called his clerk to light the candles and brew tea, and then ordered him to stand guard outside the door and not allow anyone to step into the room. The three of them then sat at the table, drinking tea and flipping through the documents.

Seeing the neat and detailed documents, Ren Yaxiang sighed softly: "The Grand Commandant is truly a master strategist, capable of winning battles from afar! Who would have thought that he would undertake such a great undertaking in just two years as Minister of War?"