nycdaug Chapter 207 Where is the Prince of Zhennan? He went to seek revenge...
Chapter 207 Where is the Prince of Zhennan? He went to seek revenge...
The next day, before dawn, the urgent news from the border was like a thunderclap, shaking the entire Jingzhao.
The Northern Di army launched a surprise attack at night, unstoppable, and captured the important border town of Qingyang City overnight. Although the Qingyang defenders fought hard, they were outnumbered and the city was eventually destroyed.
When the news reached Jingzhao, the whole government was shocked.
At the same time, the people in Jingzhao had also learned the news of the border being lost.
Panic engulfed the streets, and many began packing their bags, preparing to flee Jingzhao. In the markets, food prices soared, and people rushed to buy, fearing that if the war spread to Jingzhao, they would lose their livelihoods.
"I heard that the Northern Di people are extremely brutal and the entire Qingyang City has been massacred!" A commoner whispered in the teahouse, his tone full of fear.
"That's right! The Northern Di army is coming with great force. How can we civilians resist it?" another person sighed, his eyes full of worry.
"Alas, if Prince Yan and General Qin had sent troops earlier, perhaps Qingyang City would not have been lost..." Someone complained in a low voice, but was quickly interrupted by others.
"Hush! Don't say that! The emperor has his own plans. Let's find a way to save our lives!"
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In the court, all the civil and military officials looked solemn and whispered among themselves. The newly awakened emperor sat high on the dragon throne, his face gloomy, his fingers tightly gripping the urgent report, his knuckles white from the strain.
"Qingyang City... fell overnight!" The emperor's voice was low, filled with suppressed anger. "When did the Northern Di people become so rampant?"
Minister of War Li stepped forward and bowed, reporting, "Your Majesty, the Northern Di are coming with such force, it's clear they had a plan in mind. Although the Qingyang City defenders are fighting desperately, the disparity in numbers makes it difficult to resist. The Northern Di army is now approaching the second line of defense. If we don't send reinforcements, I'm afraid..."
He hadn't finished speaking, but the implication was self-evident.
If the second line of defense is breached again, the Northern Di cavalry will march straight into Jingzhao.
The emperor frowned, glanced at the ministers in the hall, and asked in a cold voice, "What good ideas do you have?"
There was silence in the hall. The ministers looked at each other, and no one dared to speak.
The Northern Di army is coming with great momentum, and there are only a handful of capable and battle-hardened generals in the court. Those who understand know that Yan Feibai and Qin Yu are the best at border warfare, but they dare not use them because of the emperor's suspicion. They don't even dare to mention these two people in front of the emperor.
However, not everyone in the court fully understood the stakes involved. The upright old lieutenant, a lifelong loyalist who had never fawned over powerful figures, stepped forward and declared, "Your Majesty, I believe the Northern Di are advancing with such ferocity that the border is in dire straits that only the Prince of Zhennan and General Qin can defend it. These two are veterans of the battlefield, familiar with the terrain, and have repelled the Northern Di numerous times. They are truly the perfect choice. I implore Your Majesty to issue an immediate decree ordering them to lead troops to the border to relieve this urgent situation!"
The old commander's voice was sonorous and powerful, echoing in the hall, and every word was like a hammer, striking everyone's heart.
However, as soon as he finished speaking, the hall fell into a dead silence. The ministers looked at each other, no one dared to agree, and even breathed softly, fearing to anger the emperor sitting high on the dragon throne.
The Emperor's clenched hands loosened instantly, but his face was gloomy. His eyes swept across the old general like a knife, and his tone was filled with suppressed anger: "Old General, this is wrong. The Prince of Zhennan just escaped death and has countless hidden ailments. How can he rush to the battlefield? I can't let the generals down!"
Upon hearing this, the old general's brow furrowed in a moment, as if enveloped in sorrow. However, the frown softened in the blink of an eye, and he respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, in my opinion, even if the Prince of Zhennan cannot go, General Qin can still shoulder this important responsibility. General Qin once led an army of 30,000 men against an enemy force of 100,000, achieving a resounding victory. This remarkable feat demonstrates his exceptional military prowess. He will undoubtedly defeat the Northern Di without a single vestige of their power."
However, a colleague beside him quietly pulled at his sleeve and whispered, "Old General, be careful with your words! The Emperor will make his own decisions. Why do you have to..."
The old lieutenant shook off his colleague's hand, snorted coldly, and refused to give in. "Although I am old, my loyalty to my country remains unchanged! The border is in danger, the people are suffering, and Your Majesty is also worried. I implore you to recruit talented people to fight against this foreign enemy together!"
The atmosphere in the hall was solemn, and all the ministers held their breath, fearing that the dispute between the emperor and his ministers would affect them.
At this moment, the emperor suddenly asked the man standing in front, "Prince of Dongping, what do you think?"
Prince of Dongping?
Everyone's eyes instantly turned to him. The ministers present had already noticed this strange man who was led to the court by Eunuch Wu himself, but at that time, no one asked who he was. Unexpectedly, it was the mysterious Prince of Dongping who was unknown to anyone.
At this time, the Prince of Dongping bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the old general is absolutely right. The border is in danger now and we really need a good general to guard it. I think not only General Qin should go, but the Prince of Zhennan should also go."
"Oh? How do you say this?"
"The Prince of Zhennan has won many great victories over the Northern Di. As long as the Northern Di army hears his name, they will be terrified and even more wary. Wouldn't that be twice the result with half the effort? Only by working together can we quickly stabilize the situation."
The emperor remained silent upon hearing this. When he saw the Prince of Dongping wink at him secretly, he seemed to have made up his mind and loudly ordered, "Pass on my decree. Yan Feibai is appointed as the general of the border, and Qin Yu as the deputy general. They will lead the troops to the border immediately to resist the Northern Di!"
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Outside the Prince of Zhennan's Mansion, Eunuch Wu was holding the imperial edict, his brows furrowed, beads of sweat oozing from his forehead. He paced back and forth, his expression full of anxiety.
"Where is the Prince of Zhennan?"
The housekeeper said with a strange expression, "Eunuch Wu, my prince has gone out to seek revenge with his sword in hand early this morning and is not at home right now."
"Revenge? What revenge?" Eunuch Wu was almost crying. When would he have time for this? Was he still going to guard the border? Did he have any sense of self-awareness as a military commander?
The housekeeper also looked helpless and sighed, "Eunuch Wu, you know that my prince has a strong temper and can't tolerate any sand in his eyes. When he heard that General Qin had divorced my county lady, the prince was furious and went out with his sword, saying that he wanted to ask General Qin for an explanation."
"what?!"
Eunuch Wu nearly fainted, stamping his feet anxiously. "This...it's already this late, why are they still engaging in these internal conflicts? If the prince really kills General Qin, what will happen to the border crossing?"
The housekeeper was secretly complaining, "Of course it's okay! It's also possible to let the emperor lead the army in person."
He smiled bitterly and shook his head: "Eunuch Wu, you know that my prince has always been clear about gratitude and resentment. General Qin has touched his sore spot this time, and I'm afraid the prince will not give up easily."
Eunuch Wu was so anxious that he was spinning around in circles. Beads of sweat were forming on his forehead, and the imperial edict in his hand was almost wrinkled. "What should we do? The Emperor is still waiting for the prince to receive the order! The border is in crisis. The Northern Di army has already breached Qingyang City. If we don't send reinforcements, I'm afraid the second line of defense won't hold out for much longer!"
The housekeeper also looked embarrassed and whispered, "Eunuch Wu, why don't you go to General Qin's mansion first? Maybe my prince is delayed on the way, and you can persuade him."
Eunuch Wu slapped his forehead, suddenly realizing, "Right, right, right! General Qin! I'll go right away!"
After saying this, Eunuch Wu no longer cared about his manners and ran out with the imperial edict in hand, muttering as he ran: "This is really a life-threatening situation! The border is almost broken, and the prince still has the mind to seek revenge on General Qin! If the Northern Di people break in, we will all be doomed!"