Warlords: Rising from the Northwest Border and Sweeping Across the Powers

Chapter 565: Psychological Game of Hostage Exchange

The open space under the city wall was dead silent. The scorching sun hung high in the sky, ruthlessly burning the earth, without even a breeze. Under this merciless scorching sun, Huang Changlin and her two children were tied tightly to the wooden stakes, with nowhere to escape.

Huang Changlin's face was as pale as a piece of paper. The sweat on his forehead slid down his cheeks and mixed with the dust, forming mottled traces. His eyes were full of fear and his body was trembling slightly. Despite being in such a desperate situation, his mental state was still good and he did not completely collapse.

On the side, Huang Changfeng's situation was even worse.

Huang Changfeng had already been seriously injured, and now under the scorching sun, he was dying.

His lips were cracked like dry bark, and every crack seemed to tell of his pain. His face was blue and purple, as if he was corroded by poison, and every breath seemed extremely difficult. His eyes were closed, and he seemed to have fallen into a coma. Only the weak breathing proved that he was still alive.

Song Yuanqing, known as the Lady of the South, no longer had the elegance she once had.

She was wearing coarse cloth, the corners of which were worn and draped in a messy manner. Although her expression was relatively calm, her eyes would occasionally glance at her second son Huang Changfeng, revealing her deep concern.

Her eyes were full of helplessness and despair, but she stubbornly refused to shed tears.

The area around the clearing was quiet, as if the whole world had stopped at this moment. Only the shadows on the distant city wall slowly changed with the movement of the sun. Huang Changlin and her two children seemed to be forgotten in the corner of the world under the merciless scorching sun.

Elante's voice was low: "Commander, Chang Tai left so decisively, as if these three mother and son did not occupy an important position in his heart."

Upon hearing this, Chen Tong smiled meaningfully, as if everything was under control: "Chang Tai is undoubtedly loyal to the Huang family. Now seeing his mistress and the two young masters of the Huang family in trouble, he seems to be keeping silent on the surface, but in fact, he must have been feeling as uncomfortable as a cat scratching. Don't worry, we have enough bargaining chips."

Time seemed to slow down in Chang Tai's office. He sat at his desk, clenching his hands, his knuckles turning white from exertion. The sunlight from the window shone in, but it seemed unable to dispel the haze in his heart.

The images of the Huang family mother and her two children lingered in his mind. They were tied to wooden stakes, and their helpless and desperate eyes seemed to have turned into sharp knives, piercing deeply into his heart. He felt as if his heart was being tightly grasped by an invisible hand, and he couldn't breathe.

He knew that he was facing a difficult decision. On the one hand, there was Chen Tong's request. Once he agreed, it would mean that he would have to give up his plan, and the Southern Government would also face its final demise.

This was a result that was difficult for Chang Tai to accept.

On the other hand, there is the safety of Huang's mother and son. They are suffering great pain and torture at the moment. If he ignores it, his conscience will be endlessly condemned. Huang Guangtai's last words before his death are like a heavy shackle that binds his heart all the time.

Chang Tai felt as if he was thrown into an endless abyss, surrounded by darkness and unable to find a way out. He closed his eyes, trying to calm his inner waves, but the figures of the Huang family mother and son emerged more and more clearly in his mind.

Chang Tai knew that he couldn't just sit there and do nothing. However, he also knew that once he made a decision, he would have to bear all the consequences. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down and think of a way to have the best of both worlds.

However, time passed by little by little as Chang Tai hesitated. He knew that he could not delay any longer. He had to make a decision as soon as possible, otherwise the situation of the Huang family mother and son would become more dangerous.

Finally, Chang Tai opened his eyes, as if he had made some kind of decision.

He knew that he could not live up to Huang Guangtai's trust, nor could he let his conscience be condemned. He had to stand up and protect the safety of Huang's mother and son.

"Notify the expeditionary army that we can use Situ Hao and others to exchange for the lady and the two young masters!" Chang Tai's voice echoed in the empty office, firm and decisive. His eyes flashed with an unquestionable light, as if he had made all preparations.

Cohen stood aside, frowning, obviously a little worried about this decision. Cohen hesitated for a moment, and finally said: "President, let me say something that I shouldn't say. Even if we really exchange the lady and the two sons back, under the current situation, it is difficult for us to guarantee their safety. Once we hand over Situ Hao and others, it means that we have completely lost control of most of the current troops in the South Country..."

Chang Tai raised his head and looked at Cohen with a sharp gaze. There was no sign of hesitation on his face, as if he had expected Cohen to have such concerns. He took a deep breath and said in a deep voice: "No matter what, I can't let down the old president's expectations and entrustment. I, Chang Tai, am no longer afraid of life and death, but I must preserve the last bloodline for the Huang family."

At this point, he paused, his tone revealing a hint of determination: "Do as I say."

Cohen sighed helplessly, turned around and left the office.

After several urgent communications and consultations, the two sides quickly reached a consensus. Chang Tai decided to use Situ Hao, Wang Hongquan, Liu Zhi and other five generals under house arrest to exchange for the Huang family mother and son.

This decision had been brewing in Chang Tai's mind for a long time. Chang Tai was well aware of the importance of these five generals to the Southern Government, but at this moment, between family bloodline and national interests, Chang Tai chose the former without hesitation.

As for the issue of directly leaving the city and surrendering, Chang Tai's attitude was particularly firm.

Chang Tai knew that if he surrendered unconditionally, not only would his dignity be gone, but the future of the Southern Government would also be ruined. Therefore, even if the lives of the Huang family and their two children were in danger, he would never agree to surrender unconditionally.

Chen Tong had already anticipated the conditions proposed by Chang Tai. Chen Tong knew that as long as Chang Tai lost control of the troops under Situ Hao and others, the expeditionary army would be able to easily capture Wanbei City. Therefore, he did not have too many objections to this exchange condition.

After the two sides reached an agreement, the tense atmosphere eased a little. Chang Tai immediately ordered to prepare for the exchange of hostages. Chang Tai knew that time was running out and he had to act quickly to ensure the safety of the Huang family mother and son.

At the same time, the expeditionary army also began to take action. They quickly gathered people to receive the released generals. The Huang family mother and son were also under the strict supervision of the expeditionary army, waiting for the moment to be exchanged.

As the scorching sun gradually set, the Huang family mother and son were finally untied. The ropes tied to them were untied, and the heavy restraints disappeared. For a moment, it seemed that even the air became fresher. Huang Changlin moved his stiff body, feeling the long-lost freedom, and an indescribable excitement surged in his heart.

The expeditionary force prepared food and clean water for them.

The soldiers also seemed quite humane at this moment, handing food and water to them.

Huang Changlin took the food and ate it in big mouthfuls, as if he wanted to swallow all the hunger and fatigue during this period. A relieved smile appeared on his face. Although the situation was still difficult, at least his life was temporarily saved.

Huang Changfeng sat quietly aside. His injuries were still serious, but he had no time to care about the pain in his body.

His eyes were full of anger as he watched the setting sun in the distant sky, his heart filled with resentment. Originally, Chang Tai's plan was perfect, causing great trouble and obstacles to the expeditionary army. But because of the existence of these three people, the entire plan failed.

He recalled Chang Tai's decision, and his heart was filled with mixed feelings. He knew that Chang Tai made this decision for the safety of the three of them, but this did not eliminate the regret and anger in his heart. He felt as if he had become a burden to the entire plan, dragging down the future of Chang Tai and the Southern Government.

"Why did it happen like this?" Huang Changfeng murmured to himself, his voice revealing endless regret and unwillingness.