Obviously, they had foreseen the possibility of bad news, but when they really learned about it, everyone couldn't help but chuckle in their hearts.

Bad news, and see how bad it is. If Jingyang just suffered heavy losses, it wouldn't be bad. The worst possibility is that the Turks break through the Jingyang defense line, which shows that the Turks will really approach Weishui and approach Chang'an, as Li Jing and the prince feared.

Because the end of the war in the interior was still very short, coupled with the Xuanwumen incident, the sixteen guards who should have been around Chang'an to defend Kyoto were almost scattered to all parts of the Tang Dynasty. In the east, they were wary of the Goryeo and Shandong Hao people, in the south, they were wary of the Lingnan and Nanzhao Tu people, and in the west, they were wary of the Tubo people on the plateau.

At this time, not only could the treasury not support a tough battle, but most importantly, there were not many troops to be sent around Chang'an.

No one expected that the Eastern Turks would launch an offensive in August. No one thought that the Turks would actually play really, and the spearhead was directed at Chang'an. Once Chang'an is broken, the system that Datang has roughly established in ten years will collapse in an instant. The land of China will fall into a war that is even more cruel than the end of the Sui Dynasty. Because, this time, it was not internal strife that led to the war, but external enemies! Races-to-race battles are by no means as simple as blood and fire.

At this time, none of the people in the main hall were stupid, and thinking of this possibility, there was a ticking sound of water droplets falling on the floor in the main hall where the needles could be heard. Everyone, all in a cold sweat!

The war report said that although Jingde had integrated his forces as much as possible in Jingyang to block the Turks, he was still crushed by the Turkic forces. At the latest, the Turkic army will be able to reach Weishui. Chang'an, at stake! ”

After saying these four words, Li Shimin felt that he was weak.

As an emperor who fought back and killed his brother and imprisoned his father to ascend the throne, the word "weak" almost never appeared in his life dictionary. However, at this time, the current enemy, the country's troops are scattered, and Chang'an is like a flat boat in a flood, but it makes him weak.

Even if he is the emperor, his strength is also given by the army. Even if he has such a brilliant record of defeating 100 enemies, he is not a fool of blind optimism.

Things have come to this point, and there seem to be only two options. Either abandon Chang'an and withdraw to Luoyang. Either make compromises and find a way to curry favor with Jieli Khan and avoid the occurrence of a battle.

But no matter which one it is, for Datang and for him Li Shimin, it is a shame that goes deep into the bone marrow! No one can bear this shame at all.

No one dared to tell the emperor about these two choices. The generals in the main hall, everyone knows that the emperor is on the verge of madness at this time, and once he becomes a bird, he is likely to be punished by thunder.

"Your Majesty, the minister has a word!"

didn't want the atmosphere to continue to be sluggish, Li Jing finally spoke up.

Li Shimin frowned and wanted to scold, but when he found that it was Li Jing who spoke, he loosened the gloom between his eyebrows.

In such a desperate situation, perhaps, only Li Jing can do anything.

Standing up straight, Li Shimin hurriedly said: "Aiqing come quickly!" ”

After leaving the class, Li Jing asked seriously: "Your Majesty, the minister dares to ask, at this time, will my Datang never flinch?" ”

Li Shimin nodded vigorously and said, "Never back down!" Even if Chang'an is broken, it can't be retreated. Otherwise, Datang will fall apart immediately. There are no common people who will trust the court of a great enemy who is currently on the run. ”

At this time, it is no longer about the honor or disgrace of the emperor, but about the integrity of a nation. The four sides of the Datang are eyeing the enemy, once the cowardice is revealed, it will be a sheep surrounded by wolves, and there will be no day to rise.

Seeing that the emperor's will was firm and unshakable, Li Jing also breathed a sigh of relief.

Walking to the map, picking up a bamboo pole and pointing it on the Weishui Bridge, Li Jing said in a deep voice: "Although it is not the flood season, the Weishui River is still 100 steps wide. Looking around Weishui, those who can cross the river are only bridges. If the bridge is demolished, it can be delayed for at least 10 days. Although the troops in Binzhou and other places could not be withdrawn, it was enough to mobilize the defenders of Luoyang and consolidate a defensive line. However, if the minister makes a choice, at this time, it is better to keep the bridge. ”

"Why?"

Hearing Li Jing's speech, Li Shimin did not express doubts, but humbly asked for advice. He Li Shimin may be proud, but he is by no means conceited. Obviously, at this time, I am afraid that Li Jing is the only one who can turn the tide.

"Empty city plan! Your Majesty is familiar with the military books, and should know this scheme. The minister dared to ask His Majesty to come to Weishui and angrily denounced the Turks for breaking the contract. At the same time, the government soldiers around Chang'an were summoned and transferred to the banks of the Weishui River in batches. As long as our forces are constantly increasing, we will be able to form a deterrent to the Turks. Even if you can't frighten the Turks, as long as you resist the attack and tear down the bridge, you can still delay time. ”

Coming up with an idea on the fly, and preparing a way out, is already Li Jing's limit. And this idea, the biggest difficulty, is the emperor's idea.

Facing the Turkic army on the banks of the Weishui River, once the plan fails, it can be called nine deaths. The emperor launched the Xuanwumen Incident, killed his brother and imprisoned his father, and ascended to the throne with infamy. Let him put himself in danger, I'm afraid it will be even more difficult!

The generals in the hall all held their breath in unison. No matter what choice the emperor made, they could understand it. Because they are the same, they have to go through nine deaths to enjoy wealth and nobility, so that when they ask for war, they are more than half a beat slower than Cheng Yanjin and Wei Chi Jingde.

Unexpectedly, the emperor's figure, which was originally slightly rickety, became straight in an instant.

"Come on, give me a good armor! Ordered Gao Shilian, Fang Xuanling, Li Jing, Du Ruhui, eldest grandson Wuji, Niu Jinda, and walk with me! The left servant of Shangshu was ordered to shoot Xiao Yu, and the right servant of Shangshu to shoot Feng Deyu to preside over the transfer of troops. Ordered Empress Changsun to temporarily supervise the country, and if something happened to me, the crown prince would succeed to the throne. ”

(Except for Gao Shilian and Fang Xuanling, they are guessed candidates and are hereby indicated.) ）

Hearing the emperor's decision and arrangement, the generals immediately knelt on one knee and shouted, "My emperor is mighty"!

It is normal to give your life to the emperor, but it is happy to give an emperor who is brave and resolute and does not change his heroic nature after ascending the throne.

There are no generals, hate a brave emperor! Now that the emperor has even arranged the affairs of his death, it can be seen that this time he has really put life and death out of the way.

With the emperor's order, a group of six people followed the emperor on the top seven war horses of the imperial horse guard, and even the forbidden army guards were far behind, and went straight to the bank of the Weishui River.