In the palace garden, a whole row of apricot trees floated away, and the withered yellow leaves fell in a dashing manner. There was a bleak scene between heaven and earth, a cool breeze swept through, and the atmosphere was bleak and desolate. Chengdu in early winter is not cold, at least compared to the mood of Meng Chang, the lord of Shu, it is much warmer.

A stove has been set up in the political hall to ward off the cold, and Meng Chang, the lord of Shu, has always been afraid of heat and cold. The atmosphere in the hall was tense and depressing, and several military and political ministers buried their heads and remained silent. Including Wang Zhaoyuan, the privy envoy who is always high-spirited, directing the country and talking endlessly.

"Why don't you speak?" Meng Chang sat on the top of the imperial case, glanced at the ministers, and looked indignant: "How to deal with the Han army?" When the national disaster comes, will no one worry about me? Can't you come up with a charter to defend against the enemy? ”

In the face of the emperor's questioning, Wang Zhaoyuan, who has been in charge of military affairs, finally stood up and said: "Your Majesty, don't worry, the minister has mobilized troops and horses to guard the sword gate and Jia Meng, with its danger, it is enough to keep the Han army out of the pass!" ”

"Don't worry? The war has eroded so much, how can I not be worried? Meng Chang's face was full of anger: "Before the defeat of Fengzhou, didn't you also say that Guan Qiang was blocked?" What was the result, 60,000 or 70,000 soldiers and horses were completely annihilated by the Han army! Although the Sword Pavilion is dangerous, can you assure me that you will stop the Han army? Doesn't Xingyuan Mansion care? ”

Seeing that Meng Chang was emotional, in the face of his criticism, Wang Zhaoyuan was both ashamed and resentful. felt that Meng Chang was completely panicked, and couldn't help but say: "Your Majesty, the defeat of Fengzhou is really the cunning and vicious of the Han army, and after a long and fierce battle, the generals have lost their vigilance. At present, Li Tingqi, Zhao Chongtao, Han Baozhen and other generals have retreated to Xingyuan Mansion, and the 5,000 forbidden army of the defeated army in front and the Xingyuan defenders plus northern aid has built a fortress in Xicheng to block the Han army!

Although the Han army won a great victory in Qinfeng, it also fought fiercely for several months, and the soldiers were tired and the people were in need, and they needed to rest. Now that winter has fallen, the Han army will march south again, and the road will be long and obstructive, and the supply of food and equipment will only be more difficult. And the Han army that went south to attack Xingyuan Mansion this time did not have many troops. Therefore, when our army shrank back to Xingyuan Mansion, the defensive situation was better than that of Fengzhou! ”

Wang Zhaoyuan's words, in fact, were used to calm Meng Chang's heart, and he still couldn't escape a piece of paper. And what Meng Chang needs is just a reassuring pill.

"Can you withstand the attack of the Han army?" After pondering for a long time, Meng Chang stared at Wang Zhaoyuan and asked.

Facing the emperor's eyes, there was clearly a bit of eagerness, but Wang Zhaoyuan was silent, and it was difficult for Wang Shumi, who had always believed in and resourcefulness, to give Meng Chang a positive answer at this time.

After hesitating for a while, Wang Zhaoyuan seemed to be in a trance in his mind, "I was ordered to be in danger and entrusted with the defeat of the army", a touch of solemnity appeared on his face, a touch of firmness, and he gritted his teeth and said to Meng Chang: "Xiang envoy Han army invaded on a large scale, and the ministers and horses were sent to the north to resist the enemy outside the pass!" ”

Wang Zhaoyuan can be said to be loud, but Meng Chang is subconsciously relieved, since the battle of Liangquan, the defeat report is frequent, the situation in the north is deteriorating day by day, the city is lost, and the Shu army retreats again and again.

On the side of the Chengdu Imperial Court, the atmosphere is also tense day by day, and for Meng Chang, it is even more uncomfortable. The princes of the Manchu Dynasty were panicked, but there was no one who could stand up and take responsibility. Now, there is finally a Wang Zhaoyuan......

Sighing, Meng Chang looked around and said solemnly: "Zhuqing, now the Northern Han Dynasty has invaded, the strong army is in Kouguan, the national disaster is at the head, and the autumn of the survival of the real society." My father and son have been in Sichuan for 30 years, and they have been kind to the people and the people, and I hope that the court can work with one heart and one mind, and get through the difficulties together! ”

"Yes!" The emperor said so, and as soon as he was a Shu minister, he naturally carried it around and responded in unison.

"Things are going on hard in the north now, but no matter how difficult it is, we should actively deal with it. If you do nothing like this, I'm afraid that it won't be long before the Han army will come to Chengdu! Meng Chang's expression was serious and his emotions were angry.

"Your Majesty, the minister thinks that the top priority is to reorganize the troops and horses and stabilize the army!" Wang Zhaoyuan stood up, looked like he had recovered his ambition, and said loudly.

"How to calm the morale of the army?" Meng Chang asked.

Wang Zhaoyuan's eyes showed a little cold color, and said: "Your Majesty paid Li Tingqi with the elite of the country, but he was defeated in successive battles, lost his teacher and humiliated the country, and he should be held accountable, and the military law should be used to determine the hearts of the people!" ”

Hearing Wang Zhaoyuan say this, Meng Chang's emotions also rose, and he couldn't help waving his hand, and said sharply: "Two years ago, in the battle of Donghe Village, although it was defeated, it still knew how to kill the enemy bravely. My aunt remembered his loyalty, did not increase the punishment, and gave him the opportunity to make meritorious contributions.

This time, the army of 50,000 was in hand, and there was no shortage of ordnance and food, but the advance could not break the enemy army, and the retreat could not defend the city.

Send an envoy to the north to bind Li Tingqi to Beijing to ask for the crime! ”

"No!" At this time, the chief minister Li Hao spoke up and dissuaded Meng Chang: "Your Majesty, now that the Northern Han army has entered the Kou, Li Tingqi is still trying his best to build a defense line to resist the enemy army. Moreover, Qin Feng's defeat is not his full responsibility......"

Before Li Hao finished speaking, he was interrupted by Wang Zhaoyuan: "Ridiculous! Li Tingqi is the commander of the army, he is not effective in combat, and he has lost the elite of my Shu, Li Xiang actually exonerated him, what is his intention? Could it be that they colluded inside and outside to receive benefits from him? ”

Seeing that Wang Zhaoyuan actually burned the fire on himself, Li Hao, the old minister, was a little angry, glared at him and said: "Li Tingqi has his own responsibility, but Wang Shumi is in charge of military affairs, in charge of national military affairs, dispatching troops, and preparing for the north, and he is also under your orders. In the midst of Wang Shumi's strategy, Qin Feng's defeat, is there no responsibility?

I heard that our army was attacked by the privy council and wanted to intercept the return of the Han army, but the result was that it was observed, and the ambush army was defeated, so that the troops were greatly damaged and the defense line collapsed. ”

"You!" Seeing Li Hao attacking himself in the palace, Wang Zhaoyuan became angry for a short time: "I am in Chengdu, how can I control the war thousands of miles away, the court decision-making, Li Tingqi is not effective in implementation, and my strategy is ......"

"The scheming is out, and the sin lies with others, and this is the responsibility of the king's privy councilor?" Li Hao couldn't help but sneer.

"Enough!" Seeing that the two were arguing on the spot, Meng Chang was impatient: "I'm not here to listen to the quarrel!" The attack, I agreed, and then the order was issued, according to Li Qing's meaning, the blame lies with me? ”

Facing Meng Chang's cold gaze, Li Hao was slightly startled, and hurriedly bowed: "The minister doesn't dare!" ”

But in his heart, he felt even more helpless, to this extent, Meng Chang still relied on Wang Zhaoyuan.

took a deep breath, tried to calm down, and looked at Wang Zhaoyuan: "What is the plan of the Privy Council!" ”

Wang Zhaoyuan also had a plan, and replied: "The minister thinks that winter is coming, even if the Shu army is strong, it will be difficult to march against the sky. On the side of Xingyuan Mansion, only the armies need to defend the city pass and the mountains and rivers to the death, and drag it through this winter.

At the same time, a new army was recruited and trained in the country to make up for the loss of soldiers and horses and ensure military strength. The minister plans to concentrate the elite from Liangchuan Prefecture and County in this winter, adjust the defense, and recruit 50,000 new athletes! ”

"The recruits should be carried out as soon as possible!" Meng Chang immediately expressed his position.

"Yes!"

Qin Feng's first battle, for the strength of Shu, the damage was too heavy, plus the previous two times, Meng Shu's standing army over the years is almost about to change. At this time, no matter what the combat power is, the most important thing is to increase the number.

"Your Majesty!" Li Hao spoke again: "Since the start of this war, the imperial court has mobilized millions of grains and salaries, and the two taxes have almost been exhausted this year. If we make any more big moves, I am afraid that the national treasury will not be able to support it, and the front line still needs money and food support. Recruiting so many more troops and transferring civilian forces will inevitably affect the people's livelihood......"

"If there is no army, how to resist the Han Dynasty, how to defend the border, do you want to let the Han army break through?" This time, without waiting for Wang Zhaoyuan to speak, Meng Chang himself refuted Li Hao.

The old face was slightly unbearable, hesitated slightly, and arched his hand: "Your Majesty, Qin Feng's battle shows the strength of the Han army. This time, the Northern Han Dynasty has recaptured the four states, so why not follow the advice of the King of Nanping and send an envoy to negotiate peace with the Northern Han Dynasty! ”

That's right, after learning the results of the Qin Feng War, the "faithful" younger brother of the Han Dynasty, Gao Baorong, the king of Nanping, took the initiative to repair a letter and sent someone to Chengdu, suggesting that Meng Chang pay tribute to the Northern Han Dynasty to ensure safety.

Listening to Li Hao's words, Meng Chang had a cold face, as if nothing had changed, but in fact, he had already moved in his heart. After fighting the Han army to the end and losing again and again, Meng Chang did not have the confidence and ambition at all.

Meng Chang didn't speak, but Wang Zhaoyuan sneered twice and said, "How can the war be easily stopped when the war has developed to this point?" With the domineering and greed of the Han Emperor, what price will our dynasty have to pay for the Northern Han Dynasty to withdraw its troops? Even if you grovel and seek a truce and peace, how long can you survive? ”

"Your Majesty, although our dynasty has suffered heavy losses, its heritage is still there, and it can still fight against the Northern Han Dynasty! Only by repelling the Han army can Your Majesty truly keep the peace! Wang Zhaoyuan said solemnly to Meng Chang.