CHAPTER 497: CHAPTER 491 REDEMPTION

Zhao Hanzhang frowned, "Why is General Shi so quick to refuse? Think about it again. If you feel that one piece of Shu brocade isn’t enough, I can add a bit more."

Wang Yan: ...

Although Zhao Hanzhang was trying to save him, the feeling of being haggled over was unpleasant.

He pursed his lips tightly and looked at Zhao Hanzhang, wondering if he was worth just a few pieces of silk?

Apparently so, as Zhao Hanzhang continued to add more material, and after reaching five pieces and seeing that Shi Le still wouldn’t relent, Zhao Hanzhang sighed, "Forget it, the ransom for Wang Sikong can be discussed later. I’ve already brought these silks, and there’s no reason to take them back. If General Shi isn’t willing to release Wang Sikong, surely he can let some other officials go?"

Zhao Hanzhang named a few people and even pointed to Sima Fan, "The royal bloodline of Great Jin cannot be so easily insulted by you barbarians."

Shi Le rejected them all; the people he selected were all officials, their dependents, aristocrats and their families. Allowing Zhao Hanzhang to ransom even one would be aiding her.

Unlike the ordinary civilians, those people had little to offer Zhao Hanzhang other than their lives, and Zhao Hanzhang would have to spend significant resources to support them;

These aristocratic officials, if they remembered Zhao Hanzhang’s kindness, could offer her so much more.

She is already so powerful, how could Shi Le possibly give these people to her?

He would rather kill them all than give them to her.

Zhao Hanzhang’s face also turned grim, becoming increasingly displeased. She stretched out her hand backwards, "Gun."

Her personal soldiers immediately presented her long spear to her, and Zhao Hanzhang received it and thrust it fiercely into the ground, standing defiantly on the rock and staring at Shi Le across, "General Shi, can I at least ransom their family members? The elderly, women, and children!"

Shi Le paused for a moment and then said, "Women can, but not the elderly or children."

Zhao Hanzhang sneered, "It seems that the friendship from the previous deal is about to be destroyed now. Since General Shi is so ruthless, I can only resort to force."

Beigong Chun spurred his horse forward and raised his hand. Behind him, the Zhao Family Army and Xiliang Army simultaneously shouted, their fighting spirit fierce as they stared across.

Shi Le stood high on the platform, looking back at her.

Wang Zhang immediately urged, "General, Zhao Hanzhang is taking inch for inch; if we retreat now, she might think we fear her even more, and she won’t spare us."

Beside him, Zhang Bin sneered, secretly thinking: Fool, if he hadn’t spoken, the General might have directly confronted Zhao Hanzhang, but since he did, the General must consider whether Wang Mi intends to profit from the dispute.

Sure enough, Wang Zhang’s words had barely fallen when Shi Le’s originally stern face softened. After weighing the pros and cons, he said to Zhao Hanzhang, "I can sell you their family members, but only women and children under twelve."

Shi Le said, "General Zhao, I have already retreated a step; you mustn’t keep pushing."

With the spear in hand, Zhao Hanzhang immediately smiled, nodding, "Alright, General Shi is magnanimous, and I, Zhao Hanzhang, am also straightforward. Men, bring out all the money we brought."

In fact, there wasn’t much, just six boxes filled mainly with fabrics and miscellaneous items.

Shi Le did not mind, and ordered people to drag out all the women and children.

Crying and terrified screams erupted immediately at the scene, with some ladies holding onto their husbands or fathers, refusing to leave.

Shi Xiao forcefully pushed away his wife’s hand, tears in his eyes as he urged her, "Don’t be stubborn, take the children and leave. Luoyang is unreachable; go to Yu State, our family and the Zhao Family have some ties, you might be able to secure your safety by seeking them out."

"Husband, how can I abandon you?"

Shi Xiao pulled his two sons and daughter in front of her, crying, "Look at them, and for their sake, you must be strong."

Many others were advising their wives and children, and some even took advantage of the barbarians’ inattention to drape a lady’s outer robe over a boy, loosening his hair to pass him off as a girl.

All the women and eligible boys and girls were pushed onto the platform, Wang Hufeng firmly holding Wang Si Niang’s hand, stepping forward.

Wang Zhang saw this and blocked them with his sword, "Wait, General, these are Wang Yan’s two daughters; if we want to force Wang Yan’s compliance, these two daughters can still be useful."

Shi Le pondered.

As he pondered, Zhang Bin reminded him, "General, Zhao Hanzhang is coming."

Shi Le immediately looked up to see Zhao Hanzhang, who had somehow mounted her horse, leading a team with the boxes.

He instinctively tightened his grip on his knife, but she only had around thirty people, seemingly nothing too frightening.

Shi Le watched calmly as she approached.

This was the first time they faced each other so calmly; previous encounters had been situations of mutual threat.

Zhao Hanzhang cheerfully cupped her fist towards Shi Le, and then her gaze fell on Wang Zhang, her smiling expression fading, "Have you already grown so powerful in General Shi’s army that you can override him? Even if you could, you shouldn’t put General Shi in a position of injustice and deceit."

Shi Le’s expression slightly darkened, casting a glance at Wang Zhang.

Wang Zhang felt as if the sword in his hand weighed a thousand pounds, and he withdrew it under Shi Le’s gaze, though still unwilling, "General, it’s fine for other officials, but other family members remain, while Wang Yan has only these two daughters by his side..."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang leaned forward on horseback, her smiling face blooming like a flower as she spoke to Shi Le, "General Shi, why use his two daughters to threaten Grand Commandant Wang?"

She continued, "If daughters could truly threaten him, he wouldn’t have let the Crown Princess Consort leave and return home back then; clearly, these two daughters are not as important to him as righteousness."

Shi Le, relating it to himself, agreed that Wang Yan wouldn’t yield for his two daughters, so he waved them away, letting Wang Hufeng and her sister go.

Wang Si Niang felt both heartbroken and delighted in an instant, and couldn’t help but turn to look at her father.

Wang Yan saw her red eyes, tears about to burst forth, and sighed heavily, waving to her and her sister.

Wang Hufeng’s eyes reddened too, pulling Wang Si Niang as they knelt in Wang Yan’s direction, respectfully bowing three times before holding hands and walking into the arena.

Only then did Zhao Hanzhang wave her hand, signaling them to bring up the goods.

Shi Le did not glance at the boxes, only stared at Zhao Hanzhang, "The Zhao Family Army can take them away now."

Yet Zhao Hanzhang pulled out a name card from her bosom and handed it to Shi Le, "General Shi, this is my card. If one day you change your mind and wish to exchange these officials with me, feel free to send someone to convey the message; I will surely bring silver coins to negotiate."

Shi Le glanced at the card she offered, hesitated for a moment, and nodded slightly to his personal soldiers, allowing one to step forward and accept the card before handing it to Shi Le.

Zhao Hanzhang was satisfied, raising her hand and waving slightly behind her. Her soldiers immediately led the selected hostages away.