Prince Dezhang was stunned all of a sudden, and all the courtiers stood up in panic. Duan Lang was also shocked in his heart, the 200,000 troops of the Nanping Kingdom entered the Great Xia Forte, which was simply a disaster for the people.

Yu Ban's fingers trembled slightly, how could the 200,000 troops garrisoned by He Xiliang in the southwest area let the Nanping army enter Forte overnight. If it weren't for the deliberate connivance of the old thief Xining Hou, Yu Ban couldn't imagine how the Nanping army could break through the defense line so easily.

In the palace, Emperor Yuning, who was paying attention to the birthday banquet, heard the news, and his face suddenly changed.

Emperor Yuning angrily patted the case, "Okay, Zhao Li, a hundred years later, I will see what kind of face you have to face your ancestors and ancestors." Wei Dong~! ”

"The old slave is here."

"Ring the national chime, I want to come to the court."

Emperor Yuning couldn't sit still any longer, he would never have thought that Zhao Li, the Marquis of Xining, would dare to risk the world's disapproval and let the enemy's 200,000 troops enter the Great Xia Restoration. You must know that Zhao Li belongs to the royal family after all, and Emperor Yuning expected that he would support the army and stand on his own, but he didn't dare to think that Zhao Li, Marquis of Xining, would use foreign enemies. This time made Emperor Yuning a little uneasy.

In the royal school grounds, it was originally a festive and peaceful emperor's birthday banquet, but now it has become a pot of porridge. Especially the several capital officials who belonged to the southern part of Great Xia, their anxious faces changed color. Prince Dezhang had never experienced such a major scene, and he didn't know how to end it for a while.

At the time of crisis, Yu Ban, who was the head of a hundred officials, had no choice but to stand up and shout, "Give me peace!" There was a panic on the birthday banquet, what kind of system. ”

The prestige of the country, which had been banned for decades, played a decisive role at this time, and the scene of chaos in the school ground gradually subsided. Yu Ban glanced at the somewhat sluggish Prince Dezhang, and was just about to say a few words to calm people's hearts, when he heard the palace bell tower 'Bell ~ Bell ~ Bell ~! The chime bell rang.

The ministers were all stunned, and the national chime, which had not sounded for more than ten years, made a sound, indicating that the entire Great Xia had entered a state of imminent war. Yu Ban looked in the direction of the bell tower, and said in his heart, Emperor Yuning, you finally came forward.

Yu Ban turned around and looked at the ministers, and shouted loudly, "Your Majesty is coming to the court, and all civil and military officials above the fourth rank will quickly go to the Jinluan Hall to listen." ”

Under the ban, the adults in the school yard walked towards the Jinluan Hall one after another. Together with several princes and idle princes, they also followed towards the Jinluan Palace. The royal school field, which was still lively just now, suddenly only had some low-level officials and guards left.

After a while, there were people standing inside and outside the Jinluan Palace, and seeing this situation, Yu Ban had no choice but to raise the level again and announce that the members of the third rank or above could enter the hall. Officials below the third rank and idle officials must be outside the court to make an order.

As soon as the ministers stood here, they heard a shout, "Your Majesty~Arrived~!" ”

Emperor Yuning, who was dressed in a dragon robe, did not let anyone help him. Although he didn't walk fast, his pace was steady and majestic. In the past, the previous dynasty entered the main hall directly from the side hall, but today, Emperor Yuning deliberately walked from the outside of the main hall to the Jinluan Hall step by step.

"Ministers meet Your Majesty ~ Long live my emperor ~!" The courtiers outside the court saw Emperor Yuning and took the lead in kneeling down to greet him.

It has been a long time since the officials of the court have seen Emperor Yuning, and it has been two months since the last time the court suddenly fell seriously ill. Especially in this emergency situation, the appearance of Emperor Yuning made many people cry with excitement.

Emperor Yuning walked to the throne step by step, and after sitting down, he took a few breaths. Facing the mountains inside and outside the court, Emperor Yuning raised his hand slightly.

"All the ministers are flat!"

Among the courtiers, the most surprising was the crown prince Dezhang. Seeing his father sitting solemnly on the dragon chair, this is like a seriously ill old man.

Zhu Wenjun, the squire of the military department, stepped forward with a red feather in his hand and said, "Your Majesty, the military department has just received a message from Xining Mansion, and the 200,000 troops of Nanping Kingdom have entered my Great Xia Territory. The text said that it was close to Wuliang City. According to the date, Wuliang City is afraid at this time~! Zhu Wenjun sighed and didn't say any more.

Emperor Yuning nodded slightly, and Wei Dong hurriedly walked over to take the text and put it on top of the imperial case. Emperor Yuning's gaze swept majestically over the faces of the ministers one by one, and then he said calmly.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I'm afraid everyone is very nervous when they hear this news. Yes, I'm just as worried as you are. 200,000 wolves invade our land, and the people of the land they pass through will be displaced. However, in the dangerous places at the border passes, there is no war situation and no signs of war, how could the 200,000 troops of Nanping suddenly emerge. Xining Hou sent Yu Yu, is this a lie, or is he trying to deceive the world! ”

Speaking of this, He Ning Du snorted angrily, "The commander of the southern battalion is to blame, and the Marquis of Xining, who is the prison army, is also guilty. Don't think that after nearly twenty years of cultivation in Great Xia, the army of tigers and wolves has lost its sharp minions. Today, the commanders of the three major battalions are here, and I ask you, do you dare to fight! ”

Yan Facheng, Fang Jiye and Ma Ruzheng, the three generals, stepped forward, clasped their fists and said in unison, "Minister~ Please order to fight!" ”

"Good!" Emperor Yuning stood up, looked at the courtiers inside and outside the palace, and said loudly, "Don't talk about the 200,000 Nanping Wokou, even if you add the 200,000 or 300,000 army of the traitor Zhao Li, how can I take it in my eyes." ”

As soon as the civil and military officials heard that Emperor Yuning was called a 'traitor' to the Marquis of Xining, they immediately understood that this war was not only to expel foreign enemies, but also to uproot the Marquis of Xining. But this battle will not be resolved in three or two months. It is even said that the entire Great Xia will launch all-out preparations for war.

Emperor Yuning glanced at it, and the discussion in the court gradually subsided, and Emperor Yuning said in a deep voice, "Spread the decree, order the Imperial History Wu Guangguang, lead the Imperial History Pavilion, the Metropolitan Procuratorate, and the General Administration Division, etc., to go to the Imperial History Platform to discuss matters, draw up a crusade against the text, and submit the credentials to all countries in the world." My Great Xia has always lived in peace with all countries, but I will never tolerate the enemy who comes to invade, and I will punish the world! ”

Wu Guangguang stepped forward, "Minister~ Command!" ”

Wu Guangguang led a group of Wenchen officials to bid farewell to Emperor Yuning and withdrew from the court. Emperor Yuning looked at the old Hanlin Wang Shidu, "Deliver a decree and order the old bachelor Wang Shidu to lead the officials of the capital of the world to the Hanlin Academy to discuss matters." Report in detail on the state of defense and combat readiness of the capital city in the theater. All local capitals must do a good job of pacifying the city, and no one must abandon the city and flee, and must hold the city to resist foreign enemies. ”

Wang Shidu clenched his fists excitedly and bowed, "Old minister~ Leader." ”

Emperor Yuning looked at the rest of the senior members and said in a deep voice, "Xiangguo Yu Ban, the commander of the three major battalions, and the six squires will go to the Heart Cultivation Hall with me. ”

"Minister~Commander." Yu Ban and the others replied.

Emperor Yuning finally looked at the crown prince Dezhang and the others, "The others have returned to their respective positions, the prince Dezhang, and I will inspect the prefectures in Kyoto on behalf of me, appease the hundred officials and stabilize the people's hearts." ”

Prince Dezhang bowed excitedly, "The son of the minister has the order!" ”

Emperor Yuning gave a few orders, and inside and outside the huge court, the ministers immediately dispersed. Emperor Yuning was about to go to the Heart Cultivation Palace, when he suddenly remembered something and stopped and said.

"Shangguan Aiqing."

"Uh~ The minister is here." Zhang Ruming, who had walked to the door, heard this, and hurriedly turned around and answered.

"Take Duan Lang, you two also go to the Heart Cultivation Palace."

Zhang Ruming was stunned for a moment, and hurriedly replied, "The minister obeys the order." ”

Yu Ban and the members of the six departments couldn't help but feel a little strange, Emperor Yuning summoned Shangguan Xuanwu to discuss it together, which can still be said in the past. But it was really surprising to let a small city garrison participate in such an important state event.

In the waiting area of the honor guard outside the Jinluan Palace, Duan Lang learned that he should also go to the Heart Cultivation Hall to discuss matters, and his heart moved slightly. It seems that Emperor Yuning is going to expose this ambush in the capital city.

In the Palace of Heart Cultivation, Emperor Yuning sat on top of the soft collapse, looking at the territory of Great Xia with heavy eyes. The atmosphere in the hall was extremely dull, and Duan Lang stood on the outermost side calmly. At this level of deliberation, he knew that he could not participate in it at all. Anyway, he will do whatever he wants, and he is nothing more than preparing to use the soldiers and horses of the capital city.

Emperor Yuning looked at it for a long time, sighed slightly, and said, "Everyone, Aiqing, sit down." "At this time, Emperor Yuning lost the momentum and majesty in the main hall just now, and was more like a seriously ill old man, and his voice was a little lacking in qi.

Yu Ban and the other adults sat down one after another according to the order of their seats, and Duan Lang sat on a drum bench by the door. In the Palace of Nourishing the Heart, there is a place to sit, which is also a great honor among the hundreds of officials in the court.

"Yu Aiqing, you all talk about it, how to fight this battle." Emperor Yuning said softly.

Yu Ban looked at everyone, "Your Majesty, although the ministers have been added to the post of prime minister, they are inferior to the generals in military affairs. However, His Majesty strongly advocated that the Marquis of Xining be severely punished, and the minister agreed very much. The external enemy is terrible, but the internal enemy is the most hateful. Quietly put the 200,000 army in, is he Zhao Li still worthy of the hundreds of millions of Li people in my Great Xia. As long as His Majesty gives an order, he will give up this old bone and fight with Zhao Li to the end. ”

Emperor Yuning nodded slightly, "Yu Aiqing, I can trust you for your loyalty to Great Xia. It is their business to lead troops to fight, but to stabilize the world, I still need Yu Aiqing's full help. ”

Yu Ban also heard Emperor Yuning's voiceover, which means that you are loyal to Great Xia and have no rebellious heart, but you may not be loyal to my Emperor Yuning. But in times like these, it's enough to have that loyalty.

"Your Majesty doesn't need to worry, the minister must do his best and die." Yu Ban replied humbly.

"Well, then Yan Aiqing, let's talk about it." Emperor Yuning looked at Yan Facheng.

Yan Facheng stood up, "Back to Your Majesty, foreign enemies have invaded, and it is incumbent upon me to camp in Kyoto." However, there is a lack of information at present, and it is not known whether the enemy army in Nanping will be divided into several routes after entering. If it is a defensive war, it is easy to say, but to fight a war of annihilation, I am afraid that it will still need the full support of General Fang and General Ma. In addition, it is necessary to assemble the city defense personnel of each capital city in the non-theater as a reserve force. ”

Zhu Wenjun, the squire of the military department, couldn't help but say, "General Yan, you are only targeting foreign enemies, don't forget that there are also soldiers and horses of Zhao Li, Marquis of Xining." Over the years, the Marquis of Xining has secretly recruited troops, and the two of them together may not be less than 500,000 troops. Your Majesty, the ministers felt that the western and northern battalions should each draw 100,000 soldiers and horses. Our troops are advancing to the south in three ways, and no matter which route they go north from Nanping or Xininghou, they can intercept it. ”

Emperor Yuning nodded, his eyes looked at Fang Jiye and Ma Ruzheng, "What do you two think?" ”

Ma Ruzheng said, "The minister has no opinion, and immediately assembles elite troops to go south." ”

Fang Jiye hesitated, and Emperor Yuning asked, "What, what does Fang Aiqing have to say?" ”

Fang Jiye stood up, clenched his fists and said, "Your Majesty, the minister thinks that although Zhao Li, Marquis of Xining, let the enemy army in Nanping enter, the two of them will never be of the same mind. Even if they start a war against our Great Xia at the same time, Zhao Li and the Nanping army will be wary of each other. After all, over the years, they have fought a lot of battles, big and small, and it is impossible to trust each other for a while. ”

"Well, Fang Aiqing's analysis makes sense, this is good news for my Great Xia soldiers and horses." Emperor Yuning said.

Fang Jiye continued, "Your Majesty, there is another aspect that the minister is worried about, that is, Nanping and Xiyue have always been on good terms. This Nanping invasion may also secretly communicate with Xiyue. Since the battle of the Two Realms Mountain in that year, my Great Xia soldiers annihilated the main force of Western Yue, and Western Yue has always wanted to avenge my Great Xia for the annihilation of that year. The minister felt that it was not appropriate to draw too many troops from the Western Front. In case the West Vietnam took advantage of the situation to raise troops, the ministers could also hold the border pass and prevent the enemy army from stepping into a step. ”

As soon as Fang Jiye said this, the members of the six departments immediately looked at each other, and Emperor Yuning also frowned. They believe that in this case, Fang Jiye will not covet the rights of soldiers and horses and not let go. After all, the invasion of foreign enemies has different meanings from the rebellion of the Marquis of Xining, and the entire Great Xia must share the same hatred in order to stand on the mainland. Otherwise, the country will be ruined at the worst, and it will be reduced to a small country with a weak grade. At that time, there will be a tragic end to bullying by strong neighbors.

Yu Ban said in a deep voice, "What General Fang said is not unreasonable, we have to guard against Western Vietnam. Of the five countries in the world, the one that has the deepest hatred with us is Xiyue. As soon as Nanping moves, I'm afraid they will really take the opportunity to make trouble. ”

"Fang Aiqing, how many soldiers and horses do you think is appropriate?" Emperor Yuning asked.

"Back to Your Majesty, keep 150,000 soldiers and horses for the minister, and the minister will ensure that the western border is safe with his life."

"Well, as you said, 50,000 troops will be transferred."

"Your Majesty Xie trusts, if the battle situation is unfavorable, the minister will come to the east at any time." Fang Jiye said gratefully.

Yu Ban said worriedly, "Your Majesty, in this way, a total of 150,000 troops have been gathered in the west and north, plus 300,000 troops in the Kyoto camp, in terms of total strength, I am afraid that we will be weaker than the other party." ”

Zhu Wenjun, the squire of the military department, said, "Lord Xiangguo, we may not have enough troops in terms of total troops, but Zhao Li, the Marquis of Xining, will stay at least 100,000 troops to garrison Xining. With our army and the defense of the local capitals, it is only a matter of time before the enemy army is annihilated. ”

Yu Ban nodded, after all, he was not an expert in military affairs, so he still had to listen to the opinions of these generals.

Emperor Yuning looked at Shangguan Xuanwu, "Shangguan Aiqing, what is your opinion?" ”

Yu Ban and the others were stunned, and their eyes looked at Shangguan Xuanwu. They didn't understand why Emperor Yuning had let a Blessing Heavenly Master participate in such an important discussion. There is even a city defense.

Zhang Ruming licked his lips, he didn't know anything about fighting, but when Emperor Yuning asked, he couldn't help but speak.

"Your Majesty, rest assured, as long as you give an order, the ministers will charge ahead, even if the ministers can't beat them~ they can be scolded to death."

"Uh~!" Fang Jiye almost didn't squirt out. Chu Baoxiong and the others were also shaking their shoulders, if it wasn't for the wrong occasion, they would have laughed.

Emperor Yuning smiled bitterly, "It's not bad, his heart is commendable." Duan Lang, let's talk about it. ”

Emperor Yuning also heard from the Seventh Prince that in the current Lidu City, the entire power of soldiers and horses is in the hands of Duan Lang. It seems that this young man is the real controller of Lidu City.

Yan Facheng and the others looked at Duan Lang strangely, wondering why Emperor Yuning attached so much importance to him. Could it be that it is because of the relationship between Duan Lang and Fang Jiye?

Duan Lang stood up, slightly nervous in his heart, "Your Majesty, the minister is still young, what he said may not be right, I hope Your Majesty and your lords will not laugh." ”

"Young people's ideas are often unexpected, so you can talk about them." Emperor Yuning looked at Duan Lang with relief.

Duan Lang bowed slightly and said, "Your Majesty, Weichen feels that our total strength is indeed a little less. Therefore, Weichen suggested that the northern battalion of soldiers and horses could be transferred one more batch. After all, the Beiming side and our Great Xia have just signed a peace treaty, and there will be no war on the Yushan Pass. ”

Emperor Yuning nodded, "This suggestion is very good, and I have this idea too." General Ma, I think that the northern battalion can stay with 20,000 soldiers and horses, and the main force will be led by you, and General Yan's soldiers will go south in two ways. I don't know General Ma, what do you think? ”

"The minister seconded the proposal."

"Very good, in this way, the two battalions can honor each other and expel the foreign invaders in two ways." Emperor Yuning said with satisfaction.

Yu Ban heard this and asked, "Your Majesty, such a big war, but I don't know which general Your Majesty has as the main commander?" ”

As soon as Yu Ban said, Yan Facheng and Ma Ruzheng glanced at each other, but they didn't take the initiative to ask for help. After all, whoever becomes Fu Shuai will not look good.

Emperor Yuning asked rhetorically, "Yu Aiqing, who do you think is better to be the boss?" ”

The members of the six departments lowered their heads one after another, saying in their hearts that no one could open their mouths about this kind of offending people. Since you Yu Ban took the initiative to bring it up, it's up to you to bear it.

"Your Majesty, the old minister thinks that this battle is not trivial, one is to resist foreign enemies, and the other is to destroy the guilty minister. What's more, the Marquis of Xining has royal blood, and General Yan and General Ma are slightly lower than Zhao Li in terms of qualifications. It is better to have the crown prince go out as generalissimo, and General Yan and General Ma are the two marshals on the left and right. In this way, it can also boost people's morale and uphold justice. After Yu Ban finished speaking, his eyes inadvertently glanced at Chu Baoxiong.

Chu Baoxiong hurriedly said, "The minister seconded the proposal, what Lord Xiangguo said is right, Zhao Li, as a royal family, is the most suitable for the prince to take command." ”

"The minister seconded the proposal."

"The minister also seconded the proposal."

Pang Gang and Hao Chengjian also followed.

Emperor Yuning nodded, "The crown prince has a good reputation as commander, but Dezhang is young after all, and he is not proficient in military affairs. What's more, the soldiers are divided into two ways and fight separately according to the actual situation, and Dezhang does not have the ability to control it. Otherwise, General Yan would be the marshal of the Right Route Army, and Ma Ruzheng would be the marshal of the Left Route Army. The position of generalissimo was personally suspended. However, I sat in Kyoto, and the prince Tokuzhang followed the right army to supervise the army on my behalf. The various decrees are the overall layout of the Ministry of War, do you think this is good? ”

Yu Ban pondered for a moment, nodded and said, "Your Majesty is wise, and the minister seconded it." ”

Yu Ban knew that Emperor Yuning did this, and although his name changed, he actually let Dezhang control the Kyoto camp. It's just that Yan Fa became the main one in the command of the war. Yu Banzhi agrees with this, and he is also afraid that Dezhang will not understand military affairs and command blindly, which will harm the entire Great Xia.

The ministers seconded the proposal, and the two coaches had no opinion, after all, no one was lower than the other. It's just that in terms of troops, Yan Fa became the master, and Ma Ruzheng was the auxiliary attacker.

Emperor Yuning's gaze looked at Duan Lang again, "How are you going to operate with the soldiers and horses of the capital city?" Will you follow the army on the left, or will you fight alone? I give you the right to choose, but you must give me a satisfactory explanation. ”

After Emperor Yuning finished speaking, everyone looked at Duan Lang in amazement, they didn't understand how much energy a city defense force could have, why Emperor Yuning valued him again and again.

Duan Lang hesitated for a moment, and said with a solemn face, "Your Majesty, Weichen thinks that ~ I have been in the capital city, so it is better to act alone." ”

"What? Going it alone? Duan Lang, the strength of a city defense, acting alone is tantamount to death. "Chu Bao's ambition said that Shangguan is a madman, and he is even crazier than Shangguan Xuanwu.

A casual smile flowed from Emperor Yuning's face, "Duan Lang, tell me, how many soldiers and horses do you have now?" ”

Duan Lang glanced at everyone and said loudly, "Back to Your Majesty, I have 30,000 well-equipped soldiers and horses in the capital city. Among them, there are 3,000 heavy armored cavalry, 3,000 chariot battalions, and the rest are elite cavalry. Weichen thought that these 30,000 horses could be changed into light cavalry and cross the desert to enter the enemy's Forte. Take advantage of the cavalry's fast-moving ability to engage in pursuit and guerrilla warfare. If Weichen is not talented, he can at least contain more than 100,000 enemy troops. ”

As soon as Duan Lang's words came out, not only Yu Ban and the others were shocked, but even the commanders of the three major camps changed their faces.

Fang Jiye hurriedly said, "Duan Lang, don't be foolish, where did you get these soldiers and horses." ”

"Bold Duan Lang, recruiting soldiers privately, this is a capital crime." Chu Baoxiong suddenly stood up.

Emperor Yuning laughed a few times, "Don't worry, Aiqing, this is the soldiers and horses I asked him to recruit." Very good, there are 30,000 cavalry. ”

Yu Ban was startled, and glanced at Emperor Yuning cautiously. Unexpectedly, in the past few months, Lidu City has actually recruited 30,000 elite soldiers. It doesn't matter if it's infantry, it's all cavalry, and there are even chariot battalions and heavy armor battalions. Thinking of Emperor Yuning's secret layout, Yu couldn't help but feel cold in his heart. It seems that Emperor Yuning is still a step ahead.

Yan Facheng also looked at Duan Lang in surprise and asked, "Since it was instructed by His Majesty, it is a very good living force." However, 30,000 soldiers and horses crossed the desert, how much are you going to report losses? ”

"General Yan, I have been training in the desert for more than two months, and I dare not guarantee that all the soldiers will go out of the desert, but at least the losses will not exceed fifty."

"Good! With this ability to cross the desert, I am afraid that there will be no second force in the whole world. General Fang, you have been in the northwest for so many years, I am afraid that you are not capable of crossing the desert with a large army. Yan Facheng said excitedly.

Fang Jiye said in his heart that this kid deceived me so hard, look back and see how Lao Tzu cleans you up. Fang Jiye said, "Even if I have 30,000 elites in the west, I don't dare to cross the desert. This is not thirty or fifty people crossing, and the water source of the thirty thousand army alone is simply unbearable. Duan Lang, are you sure you can cross the desert? ”

Duan Lang looked at everyone and said confidently, "Duan Lang can use the head of the item to vouch for it." ”

"Good!" Emperor Yuning stood up happily, "Duan Lang, I have appointed you as a ranger general, with the title of a fourth-rank military general, leading 30,000 soldiers and horses in the capital, and directly obeying my command. I give you the right to decide where you want to attack and defend. However, if you lose my face, I will definitely take your head and ask you for the crime. ”

Duan Lang clenched his fists and bowed, "Minister~ Thank you Lord Longen, you will definitely live up to expectations!" ”

Everyone's eyes, when they looked at Duan Lang again, there was no longer contempt just now. No matter how old he is, it is not an easy task to raise 30,000 cavalry from scratch. What's more, even the commanders of the three major camps were shocked by the ability to lead troops through the desert.

If it weren't for the crisis in Great Xia, Emperor Yuning would also plan to hide this ambush for a while. The invasion of the Nanping army made Emperor Yuning a little flustered, and Duan Lang, who had been training for several months, finally had a chance to stand out.